Putting Alignment Guide With Ball-and-Ground Direction Reference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Golfers struggle with putting alignment as existing alignment aids on golf balls do not provide sufficient guidance on the ground surface, and existing devices may damage the ball or golf course.

Innovation Solution

A putting alignment device comprising a body with a front member and an arrow that extends over the golf ball, allowing alignment on both the ball and ground surface, made from lightweight materials like plastic, which can be rotated to guide the putt direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If an alignment line is marked only on the surface of the golf ball, then the alignment aid is simple and non-damaging, but it does not extend in front of the ball onto the ground providing insufficient alignment guidance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment guidanceVSAvoidalignment device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment device extends the alignment indication from a single surface (ball or ground) to multiple dimensions by having components that project onto both the ground surface and the golf ball surface, creating a continuous alignment reference across different planes and surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If a putting alignment device is designed to provide comprehensive alignment aid on both ground and ball, then alignment accuracy is improved, but the device may damage the golf ball or golf course

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveputting alignment accuracyVSAvoiddamage to golf ball or course

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device utilizes a thin, flexible alignment indicator that can conform to the curved surface of the golf ball without exerting excessive force or causing damage, while remaining lightweight enough to avoid harming the grass or course surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment device acts as an intermediary tool that provides alignment information without directly contacting or damaging the golf ball, using a separate indicator system that bridges the gap between ground alignment and ball alignment without requiring attachment to the ball itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If existing alignment aids are used on the golf ball, then they are easy to apply, but they do not provide sufficient alignment aid on the ground surface in front of the ball

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment aid applicationVSAvoidground surface alignment guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment device is segmented into distinct functional components: a ground-contacting alignment indicator and a ball-contacting alignment indicator, allowing each segment to fulfill its specific alignment function while maintaining ease of application through simple placement rather than complex attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260007941A1Putting alignment device

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 HUMMEL JAMES

AI summary

A putting alignment device is provided. The device is primarily comprised of an arrow that aligns the preferred direction of putting on the ground surface in front of a golf ball. A top member further extends from the body of the device over the top of the golf ball, providing alignment aid on the surface of the ball. Both the top member and the arrow point in the same direction, providing alignment aid to the surface of the golf ball and the ground in front of the golf ball.