Golf ball marker and method therefor

A golf ball marker for use in association with a golf ball having a cover, the cover having two pieces joined together at an annular seam, the golf ball having an axis defining two opposite poles, the golf club manufacturer's name imprinted on the cover at one or both of the poles, and the seam approximately coincident with a center plane perpendicular to the axis midway between the poles, the marker comprising:

• a cap having an inside surface bounding a generally hemispherical interior hollow, said hollow having approximately the dimensions of half a standard golf ball, said inside surface of said cap having an annular open end, said annular open end having approximately the diameter of that of a standard golf ball, said annular open end interrupted by at least one fingertip-sized concavity, said annular open end having four inwardly extending opposing protrusions for removably holding a golf ball in said hollow, said cap further having a first linear slit, said first linear slit having a top end, a second linear slit normal to said first linear slit, said second linear slit having a midpoint, and said second linear slit bisected by said top end of said first linear slit, and said cap having two outwardly extending tabs disposed in approximate polar opposition for holding said cap, and
• said slits of said cap are for making a “T” mark on the golf ball in said hollow, and when the center plane of the golf ball is aligned with said first linear slit, said “T” mark comprising a seam indicator line made on the golf ball through said first linear slit for indicating the location of the seam of the golf ball, and said “T” mark further comprising a club alignment line made on the golf ball through said second linear slit, said club alignment line in perpendicular disposition relative to said seam indicator line, and said club alignment line for providing a visual aid to which to bring into parallel alignment the face of a golf club such that, when the golf ball is struck with that golf club, the golf ball will tend to roll on the seam.

A method for marking a golf ball of the type having a cover, the cover having two pieces joined together at an annular seam, the golf ball having an axis defining two opposite poles, the golf club manufacturer's name imprinted on the cover at one or both of the poles, and the seam approximately coincident with a center plane perpendicular to the axis midway between the poles, the method comprising:

• inserting the golf ball substantially into a cap having an inside surface bounding a generally hemispherical interior hollow, said hollow having approximately the dimensions of half a standard golf ball,
• orienting the golf ball in said cap so that the center plane of the golf ball is aligned with a first linear slit in said cap, said first linear slit having a top end,
• pressing the golf ball, so oriented, fully into said cap,
• holding the golf ball in said cap,
• marking a seam indicator line on the golf ball through said first linear slit, said seam indicator line associated with the seam of the golf ball,
• marking a club alignment line on the golf ball through a second linear slit in said cap, said second linear slit normal to said first linear slit, said second linear slit further having a midpoint, and said second linear slit bisected by said top end of said first linear slit, said seam indicator line and said club alignment line forming a “T” mark on the golf ball, such that the club alignment line is normal to said seam indicator line and forms an alignment aid for positioning parallel thereto a golf club for striking the golf club such that the golf ball thereafter rolls along its seam, and
• removing the golf ball from the cap for playing the golf ball in a golf game.