GB2299944A - Artificial putting green - Google Patents

Abstract

An artificial putting green made in rigid sections B that can be easily assembled (and dismantled), transported and stored. The putting surface is designed to simulate the properties of good quality grass (smoothness and speed) and wedge members are provided to alter the transverse slope and a stance area D is provided.

Description

GOLF - AN ARTIFICIAL PUTTING GREEN (36 Holes) This invention relates to equipment designed for use in practising, coaching, assessing or developing one's putting skills and further, it is presented as a new game in its own right - a 36-Hole Artificial Putting Green.

Golf is a very popular game in the United Kingdom and is played by millions in many other countries throughout the world. Putting is a very important aspect of the game, often accounting for some 40-50% of the strokes played by a player during a round.

Putting, in fact, is often referred to as a "game within a game". An awareness of its importance should form the basis of all golf coaching, especially for the young for whom aspects such as self-control, temperament and practice can not be over-emphasised.

Putting practice, whether on the carpet at home or on the lawn, the public putting green or elsewhere is a very popular diversion which can be both enjoyable and beneficial.

According to the present invention there is provided an artificial putting green which can be used indoors (primarily) or outdoors. It comprises of rigid horizontal sections covered on the top side by synthetic material which simulates the putting qualities of grass and is supported on the underside by rails which lift the body above ground level enabling any holes cut in the horizontal section(s) to function in the same way as conventional golf holes - by allowing the ball to drop down into the hole when the putt is accurrate.

The sections are arranged end-to-end to provide putts of varying length as is convenient or desired. i.e. four or more sections (of 4 feet length) might be used in a large hall, where only two or three sections might fit into an average size garage.

Separate stances allow the person who is putting to stand at the same level as the putting surface. Wedges, inserted beneath the horizontally aligned supporting rails, may be used to produce slopes or contours in the putting surface.

A very wide range of putting conditions (e.g. length and sequence of puns, variation in slopes, surface conditions, number of holes etc) is potentially possible with the parameters available but a standard 36-hole lay-out, complete with Corresponding Rules and Score Card, is proposed. This provides the distinctive features of a competitive game which is also proposed in the invention. The precise details of the "game" (i.e. the angle of the slopes, length of holes etc) may be altered in the light of practical experience.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the rigid sections which make up the (raised) putting surface and a corresponding platform stance which the player may stand on. The drawings are not to scale.

Figure 2 shows wedges which may be inserted beneath the supporting rails to produce slopes or contours in the artificial putting surface.

Note. A Scorecard (with Rules) is also enclosed.

Referring to Figure 1, the rigid sections (A) may be made of wood, chipboard, plywood, metal, plastic or similar material. For ease of storage and carriage they are typically 2 feet (breadth) by 4 feet (length). Sections are mounted on support frames or rails (B) which are fitted with handles or recesses to ease manoeuvrability. Carpet material or something similar stuck to the upper surface (of A), is selected to simulate the effects of a good quality putting green (being smooth or "true" in character and producing Stimpmeter Readings in the range 7 to 14 but preferably around 11 or 12. Such readings are similar for those for the greens at St Andrews, Augusta and other renowned golf courses of the world).

The sections are laid end to end in close juxtaposition ( a bolt or catch may or may not be required to improve closeness of fit) to produce putts of the required length. In the example shown, three sections (4 feet long) are required to produce putts up to 10 feet in length - when the hole (C) (which is of standard golf hole size) is inserted 15 inches fro the end of the first section. A retaining "wall" at the end of the "hole-bearing" section is a convenient feature - for stopping any over-hit putts form rolling off the artificial putting green.

The sections are raised (3" or thereabouts) above ground level by the support rails (B) which are made of wood, plastic, metal, rubber or similar material. The geometry of the rigid sections and support rails are arranged to produce a flat (horizontal) putting surface.

Wedges, (an example E, in Figure 2) inserted below the support rails are designed to produce slopes and contours in the putting surface as required. shaped, they are typically between 0.10" and 3" thick and 6" in length.

The player has the option of using a stance board (D in Fig 1) which is designed to position his/her feet at (or near to) the same level as the ball when he/she take sup the address position.

Many "Course Designs" are possible but a proposed 36-Hole layout (outlined in the Scorecard enclosed) which may be modified in the light of User-Experience is set out in 3 Phases as follows: 1. On the Horizontal Green - (12 putts) 2 putts (i.e. with two balls) are permitted at the hole in strict sequence from 10 feet, then 8 feet, then 6 feet, then 5 feet, then 4 feet and finally 3 feet distance.

(The putting "carpet" is measured and marked off for this purpose).

11. On a Green which slopes from Right (high) to Left nOw) on a uniform gradient of 1 in 48 (i.e. 0.5 inches in 2 feet) - 12 putts The same sequence of putts as adopted on the horizontal green is permitted.

111. On a Green which slopes from Left (high) to Right (low) at a uniform gradient of 1 in 48 (0.5 inches in 2 feet) - 12 putts The same sequence of putts as adopted on the horizontal green is permitted.

The number of putts which go straight into the hole are recorded. The proposed sequence of putts must be strictly adhered to (although two practice putts are allowed before each of the three Phases of competition begins). Putts deflected off the back or side boundary boards (or off another ball) do not count.

Claims (6)

1. An artificial putting green consisting of rigid sections laid end-to-end, mounted on rails, covered by carpet-like material to simulate the putting characteristics of high quality grass and fitted with a golf hole(s). Appropriate stances are provided for the golfer's use and the slope(s) of the horizontal (basic) green may be adjusted by wedges supplied for the purpose.

2. An artificial putting green as claimed in Claim 1 with a descriptive leaflet (and/or Scorecard) containing the Rules and Conditions that provide for a 36-Hole competition (or game).

3. An artificial putting green as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 for which the Stimpmeter Readings (which refer to the speed and quality of the putting surface) lie in the range 6 to 16.

4. An artificial putting green as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 3 which is provided with a stiff handbrush (to maintain the quality of the putting surface) and a suitable bag (for carriage and storage of all the equipment which makes up the artificial putting green).

5. An artificial putting green as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 in which the insertion of suitable wedges can produce a great variety of contours in the putting surface presented for practice or competition.

6. An artificial putting green as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and which can be used indoors (primarily) or outdoors.