GB2262453A - Golf mat - Google Patents

Abstract

A golfer's training mat comprises a flexible mat having a first line (1) on which the golfer places his toes, and a second, perpendicular, line (2) on which the golfer places the heel of his left foot. A plurality of ball positions (8, 9, 10) are marked in line from a point in front of the golfer on the second line (2) generally towards his right fool. A third line (3) extends across the mat in front of the golfer to indicate the line of swing of the club, and a fourth line (4) extends parallel to the second line (2) from a point between the golfer's legs. In use the golfer places the ball on one of the marked ball positions (8, 9, 10) depending on whether he is using a long, medium or short range club. <IMAGE>

Description

Golfer's Traininq Mat This invention relates to a golfer's training mat.

The art of playing golf well revolves around the correct positioning of the ball, and the stance of the golfer.

Unless the two factors are correct, the golfer will not be able to hit the ball satisfactorily.

To hit the ball towards a target such as the green, the golfer must stand with the tips of his toes on a line which points towards the target. The ball must be placed in a position in front of the golfer, however the exact positioning of the ball depends upon which club is being used. Clubs known as woods are used for driving the ball great distances, and it has been found that the best ball position with these clubs is on a line from the golfers left heel which extends perpendicular to the target.

Golf clubs have a face which strikes the ball, and the angle of this face determines the projection and range of the ball. Clubs with greatly angled faces are known as the short clubs and are used for striking the ball short distances, whilst the long clubs are used for striking the ball great distances. The number of the club determines whether it is short or long.

Clubs known as irons are available in a range of different numbers. The required position of the ball depends on which number club is being used. The low irons need the ball to be placed in a similar position to that used with the woods, however as the shafts of these clubs are shorter than those of the woods, the ball has to be placed nearer the golfer. The short irons need the ball to be placed in front of the golfer and between his legs. These ball positions are known as 'the three ball positions, and it is very important that a golfer learns them at an early stage. Hitherto, beginners to golf either have to learn the correct stance and ball positions from a book, or they have had to take golf lessons.Because of the speed at which golf balls are struck, it is very difficult for the golf coach to see where the beginner is going wrong.

We have now devised a golfer's training mat which assists golfers in learning the correct stance and best position for the ball.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a golfer's training mat comprising a mat having a first line formed thereon for indicating where to place the golfer's toes, and a second line extending generally perpendicular to said first line for indicating where to place the heel of the golfer's foot which is nearest to the target.

Means may be provided on the mat which indicates where to place the golfer's feet, preferably this comprises a footprint which indicates where to place the golfer's foot which is nearest to the target. For a right handed person, his left foot would be nearest to the target.

Preferably a plurality of means are provided for indicating where to place the golfer's foot which is furthest away from the target. Thus the golfer can choose how far apart he wishes to have his legs.

Preferably a number of ball positions are marked on said second line in front of the golfer. The ball positions may be marked with which club corresponds to that ball position e.g. by colour coding each ball position.

Preferably a third line extends perpendicular to the second line in the region of the marked ball positions for indicating the direction of swing of the club.

Preferably a number of ball positions are marked in line diagonally from said second line generally towards the golfer's rear most foot.

A fourth line may be formed on the mat which extends parallel to said second line for indicating that the ball is placed too far back.

Preferably a number of lines may be formed which extend parallel to said diagonally extending ball positions. These lines may be used to position balls when using clubs which have shorter or longer shafts than average. Lines may be provided which extend from said diagonally extending marked ball positions parallel to said second line.

The mat may be formed from artificial turf, in which case the bristles may be printed with said line. Alternatively the colour of the bristles may be changed to form said lines.

These mats may be used on a golf range where they can be permanently laid on a concrete base.

In an alternative embodiment, the mat may be formed from a flexible sheet material which can be rolled up.

Preferably the mat is rubber.

Preferably slots are formed in the mat at each marked ball position, these slots preferably extending parallel to said first line. In use a golfer can lay the mat on the ground to practice his stance and ball positioning. Golf tees may be fixed into the ground through the slots.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a plan view of an embodiment of a golfer's training mat in accordance with this invention.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a rectangular golf mat for right handed players. A double line 1 extends transversely across the golfer's training mat near one end.

A second line 2 extends perpendicular to the first line along one side of the mat.

A footprint 5 is formed on the mat with its toe on the line 1 and its heel on the line 2, A plurality of footprints 6 are formed below the line 1 with their toes on the line.

A plurality of ball positions e.g. 7,8 are marked on the line 2 near the top of the mat. Slots e.g. 11 are formed in the mat at each ball position. A third line 3 extends transversely across the mat near the marked ball positions.

Two ball positions 9,10 are marked on a diagonal line which extends from the marked ball position 8 towards the bottom right hand corner of the mat. A number of parallel diagonal lines e.g. 12, are formed on the mat. These lines may be marked above and/or below the marked ball positions 9,1C.

Parallel lines e.g. 13 extend through each ball position. A line 4 extends parallel to the second line 2 at a point between the footprints 5,6.

In use, the golfer places the mat on the ground and stands with his feet on the footprints 5,6. The position of the golfer's right foot will depend on how tall he is, and on which position he finds the most comfortable. If the golfer is using a long wood, then he needs to position the ball on position 7. If he is using a shorter wood then he would place the ball on one of the positions on line 2 which is nearer his left foot. The correct ball position for long irons is also on the line 2 e.g. at 8, however the correct ball position for the shorter irons is on one of the diagonal ball positions e.g.

9 or 10.

The ball needs to be placed between the golfer's feet e.g. at 10 when using a very short iron.

The ball positions marked on the mat preferably suit the average golfer, however shorter or taller golfers will need to place the ball respectively nearer to or further away from their feet. The intersection between lines 12 and 13 shows where the ball marked at 10 needs to be placed if the golfer is shorter than average.

The ball positions are preferably colour coded e.g. for long woods, short woods, long irons and short irons. A colour coding key is preferably formed on the mat in the box 14.

Instructions for using the mat may also be provided in the box 14.

Claims (15)

Claims

1) A golfer's training mat comprising a mat having a first line for indicating where to place the golfer's toes, and a second line extending generally perpendicular to said first line for indicating where to place the heel of the golfer's foot which is nearer the target.

2) A golfer's training mat as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for indicating where to place the golfer's feet.

3) A golfer's training mat as claimed in claim 2, in which a plurality of means are provided for indicating where selectively to place the golfer's foot which is further away from the target.

4) A golfer's training mat as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a plurality of selectable ball positions are marked on said second line in front of the golfer.

5) A golfer's training mat as claimed in claim 4, in which said ball positions are marked to indicate which golf clubs correspond to the respective ball positions.

6) A golfer's training mat as claimed in claims 4 or 5, in which a third line extends perpendicular to the second line in the region of the marked ball positions.

7) A golfer's training mat as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a number of ball positions are marked in line diagonally from said second line generally towards the golfer's foot which is further away from the target.

& A golfer's training mat as claimed in claim 7, in which a plurality of lines extend parallel to said diagonally extending ball positions.

9) A golfer's training mat as claimed in claims 7 or S, in which a plurality of lines extend from the diagonally extending ball positions parallel to said second line.

10) A golfer's training mat as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, in which a slot is formed in the mat at each marked ball position.

11) A golfer's training mat as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mat is formed from a flexible sheet material.

12) A golfer's training mat as claimed in claim 11, in which the mat is formed from artificial turf.

13) A golfer's training mat as claimed in claim 12, in which the bristles of the mat are printed with said lines.

14) A golfer's training mat as claimed in claim 12, in which the colour of the bristles are changed to form said lines.

15) A golfer's training mat substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.