GB2355668A

GB2355668A - Golf putting practice aid

Info

Publication number: GB2355668A
Application number: GB9925723A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Montague
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-30
Filing date: 1999-10-30
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-30
Also published as: GB9925723D0; GB2355668B

Abstract

A golf putting practice aid 10 comprises a member including a target surface 16 with at least one target 18, 20, 22 towards which golf balls 56 are putted which then rebound off the target surface back at least partly towards the user. The member preferably comprises a base (Figure 2, 12) and a resilient plate (Figure 2, 24) which causes the ball to rebound. The member is either of sufficient mass that it is not deflected when struck by a ball under normal conditions or is relatively light and has anchoring means such as flanges (Figure 5, 60) with bores through which golf tees (Figure 5, 64) can be located to anchor the member. The practice aid can also include a mat 46 or sheet-like material for a playing surface which can have target guide lines 50, 52, 54 and markings corresponding to predetermined locations for the member. The practice aid may also comprise a marker for location of the ball on the playing surface. The practice aid may include a sensor for one or each of the targets, that is activated when said target is struck. The sensor may be a pressure sensor or a mechanical sensor such as a bell (Figure 3, 34). When the sensor is activated a visible and/or audible alarm may be activated or data relating to a successful strike stored in a processor. The processor may be internal of the practice aid or external e.g. a personal computer.

Description

2355668 GOLF PRACTICE AID The present invention relates to a golf practice

aid.

In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a golf putting practice aid.

In the game of golf, it is important that a player of the game (a "golfer") is able to putt well in order to improve his/her performance on the golf course. Golfers often spend a lot of time practising their game on golf "driving ranges" where longer golf shots employing golf clubs other than a putter may be practised. However, putting is an area of the game often neglected, with consequential effects upon performance.

It is amongst the objects of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the foregoing disadvantages.

Embodiments of the present invention may advantageously allow a user to carry out golf putting practice to assist in the selection of a preferred golf putter; to achieve optimum "grip" of the golf putter and stance when addressing the golf ball; to assist in achieving correct directional striking of a golf ball with the putter; to strengthen muscles used when putting a golf ball; to obtain a smooth, correct putting stroke; and to "warm-up" before a golf game. In particular, embodiments of the golf practice aid of the present invention may 2 advantageously allow golf putting practice to be carried out both indoors and outdoors, preferably on ground defining a smooth playing or putting surface.

Embodiments of the present invention may be particularly advantageous in allowing a user to achieve correct directional striking of a golf ball by the user striking the ball perpendicularly to a target surface of the golf practice aid, and attempting to cause the ball to return from the target surface to the location from where the ball is struck. If the ball returns to the striking location, the user may deduce that he/she is striking the ball correctly and in a straight line.

A yet further advantage of embodiments of the present invention may be that the user may only once have to set his/her stance when addressing the golf ball, rather than having to repetitively do so (as would be the case on a golf practice putting green). This is because the ball is returned at least partly towards the user.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf putting practice aid comprising a member for location on a playing surface, the member including a target surface having at least one target, wherein, in use, a user putts a ball towards one of the at least one targets and the ball rebounds off the target surface and returns at least partly towards the user.

The member is conveniently of a mass sufficient such that when the member is placed on a playing surface and a ball is struck against the target surface of the practice 3 aid under normal putting conditions, the member is not deflected. Normal putting conditions may be conditions experienced during a typical game of golf, for example, typical striking velocities of the ball which may be experienced in play for putts of normal lengths on a golf course. Alternatively, the member may be of a relatively low mass and may be adapted to be anchored during use. The member may include anchoring means for anchoring the member. The anchoring means may comprise two or more f langes on the member each adapted to be engaged by an anchor. The anchor may conveniently comprise a golf tee.

Thus the present invention may provide a lightweight, easily portable golf practice aid suitable for outdoor use, where the member of the aid is anchored prior to use by, for example, golf tees. This may be particularly applicable to practice on a lawn or golf course "green".

Preferably the member further comprises a resilient element defining the target surface. The resilient element may be coupled to a base of the member using an adhesive, one or more screws, nails, threaded bolts, staples, rivets or the like, or a combination thereof. The base of the member may be of a rigid material such as a wood, metal or plastics material. Alternatively the resilient element may be integral with the base of the member, and the member may be of a resilient material having a face defining the target surface.

The or each target may comprise a coloured spot, grid, pattern or the like on the target surface. Where there is 4 more than one target, the targets may be spaced along the length of the target surface.

The practice aid may further comprise a mat or other sheet-like material which defines the playing surface. The mat may include markings corresponding to one or more predetermined locations for the member, to enable correct positioning of the member upon the mat. Conveniently, the mat bears one or more longitudinally extending target guide lines which extend between the target surface and a striking location for a golf ball. This may assist in achieving correct directional striking of the golf ball.

There may be one such target guide line provided for each target on the target surface and adapted to be aligned therewith when the member is placed on the mat.

The practice aid may further comprise a marker for location on the playing surface. In use, the user may attempt to cause a golf ball to rebound from the target surface to a position on or adjacent the marker. The marker may be provided as, for example, a counter for location on the playing surface. Alternatively, the marker mat be integral with the mat.

Conveniently, the practice aid further comprises a sensor for one, or each target on the target surface. The sensor may be a pressure sensor sensitive to the pressure of a golf ball striking the sensor. The sensor is preferably adapted to activate a visible and/or audible alarm or the like when the or each target is struck, to provide a visible and/or audible indication of a successful strike of a target to the user. In particular, the sensor may be adapted to activate a buzzer, bell, voice message, light, flashing light or the like or any combination thereof, and the light or flashing light may be provided by an LED, light bulb, or the like. The/each sensor may be adapted to be coupled to a processor for storing data relating to, for example, the number of successful strikes of the/each sensor by the user. The processor may be internal or external of the practice aid. Alternatively, the processor may be integral with the/each sensor. The data stored in the processor may be able to be downloaded to a secondary processor such as a personal computer. This may allow the user to assess his performance and/or obtain a hard copy of the data.

Alternatively, the sensor may be a mechanical sensor, and may be a bell mounted on a support arm in front of the target, which bell is struck by the golf ball when the golf ball travels on a path to correctly strike a target.

There follows a description of embodiments of the present invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf practice aid in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the golf practice aid of Figure 1, taking along line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of the golf 6 practice aid of Figure 1, including a mechanical audible senor for indicating to a user that a golf ball has correctly struck a target on a target surface of the golf practice aid; Figure 4 is a perspective illustration of the golf practice aid of Figure 1 located on a mat defining a playing surface, and showing the golf practice aid in use; and Figure 5 is a perspective illustration of a golf practice aid in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a perspective view of a golf practice aid in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the golf practice aid indicated generally by reference numeral 10.

The practice aid 10 comprises a member having a base 12, with a flat underside 14, and a target surface 16 which, in use, is disposed substantially perpendicularly to a playing surface (not shown) on which the aid 10 is placed. The base 12 is located with the f lat underside 14 on the playing surf ace, which may be indoors or outdoors, and which is typically a smooth indoor carpet. Targets 18, 20 and 22 are provided on the target surface 16 for a user of the practice aid 10 to aim at when practising putting, as will be described in more detail below.

The golf practice aid 10 is shown in more detail in Figure 2, which is a cross-sectional view of the practice aid 10 of Figure 1, taken along line A-A of Figure 1. The 7 member of the practice aid 10 includes a resilient element in the form of a flat plate 24, of a resilient material such as a rubber or polystyrene material, and a thin cover 26 of a textile material which surrounds the resilient plate 24. The cover 26 is secured to the resilient plate 24 using a suitable adhesive, and, as shown in Figure 2, overlaps the plate 24 and is secured to the base 12, also using an adhesive.

The base 12 includes a forwardly projecting tongue 28, and an aluminium plate 30 of a co-operating profile and having engaging flanges 27 is engaged on the tongue 28 using a combination of an adhesive and staples. The resilient plate 24 is in turn mounted to the plate 30 using a suitable adhesive 32, such that there are no screw heads or the like projecting from an outer surface of the resilient plate 24 which may hamper the response of the practice aid 10 when a golf ball is struck against the target surface 16.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown part of the golf practice aid 10 of Figure 1 including a mechanical sensor in the form of an audible sensor 34. The sensor 34 comprises an Arm 36 of sprung steel, fixed to the base 12 by two screws 38, and having a bell 40 depending from a lower edge 42 of the arm 36. The bell 40 partly overhangs the target surface 20, such that when a golf ball is correctly struck on a path towards the target 20, the ball will also strike the bell 40, which is relatively small and of low weight compared to the golf ball, and thus will not 8 substantially deviate the golf ball from its path. This indicates to the user that the target 20 has been correctly struck.

Referring now to Figure 4, the golf practice aid 10 of Figure 1 is shown located on a mat 46 which may be folded for storage, and which defines the playing surface. The mat 46 includes locating markings (not shown) on an end 48 of the mat 46 on which the aid 10 is located. The mat 46 includes target lines 50, 52 and 54 corresponding to the targets 18, 20 and 22 on the target surface 16 respectively.

In use, a user places the mat 46 on a flat indoor or outdoor surface, and places the practice aid 10 at the end 48 using the locating markings as a guide. The user then places a golf ball 56 on one of the lines 50, 52 or 54 and attempts to strike the golf ball 56, using a golf putter 58, along the selected line towards the respective target 18, 20 or 22. The lines 50, 52 and 54 thus assist the user in correctly aligning the putter 58 to strike the ball 56 towards the selected target 18, 20 or 22.

The mat 46 is of a length which allows practice of putts of various lengths as desired by the user. Where the golf practice aid 10 is used without the mat 46, the user is required to align himself without the assistance of the lines 50, 52 or 54. However, in this situation, the user can make chalk, pen or marker, marking tape or string lines on the playing surface (depending upon the surface material) to assist in correct alignment.

9 The resilience of the resilient plate 24 causes the golf ball 56 struck against the target surface 16 to rebound and at least partly return towards the user. it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that references herein, to the ball "rebounding" from the target surface 16 are to the ball being forced away from the target surface 16 under the resilient forcing action of the resilient plate 24, when the golf ball 56 is struck against the target surface 16. This enables the user to practice putts of a defined length without having to continually move and thus re-address the golf ball 56 after each striking. Thus the user may practice putts of a defined length without moving, and thus maintain his f eet in a relatively fixed position. The golf ball S6 is retrieved and replaced for a subsequent strike using the golf putter 58. Lines 50, 52 and 54 further assist the golfer in obtaining correct alignment and striking of the golf ball 56 when the golf ball returns from the target surface 16 as, when the practice aid 10 is located on a flat surface, or a flat playing surface, the ball correctly struck along one of the selected lines 50, 52 or 54 should return from the target surface 16 along the selected line. The user can thus judge any error in his alignment by viewing the distance that the golf ball 56 is displaced laterally from the selected line 50, 52 or 54.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a perspective illustration of a golf practice aid in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, indicated generally by reference numeral 100.

The practice aid 100 is similar to the practice aid 10 of Figures 1-4, and comprises a base 112, a resilient plate (not shown), and a target surface 116 having targets 118, 120 and 122. The base 112 is at least partly hollow and of a relatively low mass, which allows the practice aid 100 to be readily transported between different locations to allow golf practice outdoors. The base 112 includes flanges at either end thereof, one of which is shown in Figure 5 and given the reference numeral GO. The flange 60 includes a bore therethrough, and allows the golf practice aid 100 to be located on a playing surface such as a lawn or golf putting practice "green" 62, and anchored by locating, for example, a golf tee. 64 through the bore of the f lange 60.

This ensures that the practice aid 100 is not substantially deflected when a golf ball (not shown) is struck against the target surface 116.

Various modifications may be made to the foregoing within the scope of the present invention. For example, a sensor may be provided for each of the targets 18, 20 and 22. The sensor may be a pressure sensor sensitive to the pressure of a golf ball striking the sensor, and may be disposed behind, or define each of the targets 18, 20 and 22. The pressure sensor may be adapted to activate an audible alarm such as a buzzer and/or a voice message to indicate to the user that the target has been correctly struck. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor may be adapted to activate a visible alarm to indicate correct 11 striking of the target, such as a light, a flashing light or the like provided by an LED or a bulb. The or each sensor may be adapted to be coupled to a processor for storing data relating to, for example, the number of successful strikes of the/each sensor by the user. The processor may be internal or external of the practice aid.

The data stored in the processor during practice may be able to be downloaded to a secondary processor such as a personal computer. Alternatively, the processor may be integral with the/each sensor.

The golf practice aid 10 may further comprise a marker for location on the playing surface. The marker may simply be a counter for location on the playing surface, and may allow a user to strike a golf ball against the target surface 16 to attempt to cause the golf ball to rebound from the target surface to a position on or adjacent the marker. The user may, for example, stand 2m away from the practice aid 10, and place the marker im away from the practice aid 10, and attempt to cause the ball to come to rest on or adjacent to the marker. Depending upon the resilience of the resilient plate 24, this may correspond to a distance of a 3m putt. The marker may alternatively be integral with the mat, or a series of markers may be provided on the mat.

The base 12 may be of a resilient material similar to that from which the flat plate 24 is constructed. Thus the golf practice aid 10 may comprise a base 12 which itself defines the target surface 16 and would thus not include 12 the flat plate 24, cover 26 or U-shaped aluminium plate 30. The resilient plate 24 may be fixed directly to the base 12. The aluminium plate 30 and/or the cover 26 may be fixed to the base 12 using nails, screws, bolts, tacks or the like.

Claims

13 CLAIMS

1 A golf putting practice aid comprising a member for location on a playing surface, the member including a target surface having at least one target, wherein, in use, a user putts a ball towards one of the at least one targets and the ball rebounds off the target surface and returns at least partly towards the user.

2. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the member is of a mass sufficient such that when the member is placed on a playing surface and a ball is struck against the target surface of the practice aid under normal putting conditions, the member is not deflected.

3. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the member is of a relatively low mass and adapted to be anchored during use.

4. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 3 wherein the member includes anchoring means for anchoring the member.

5. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 4 wherein the anchoring means comprises two or more flanges on the member adapted to be engaged by an anchor.

14

6. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 5 wherein the anchor comprises a golf tee.

7. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the member further comprises a resilient element defining the target surface.

8. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 7 wherein the resilient element is coupled to a base of the member using an adhesive, one or more screws, nails, threaded bolts, staples, rivets, or a combination thereof.

9. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 8 wherein the base of the member is of a rigid material such as a wood, metal or plastics material.

10. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 7 wherein the resilient element is integral with the base of the member, and the member is of a resilient material having a face defining the target surface.

11. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each target comprises a coloured spot, grid, pattern or the like on the target surface.

12. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is more than one target, and is the targets are spaced along the length of the target surface.

13. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the practice aid further comprises a mat or other sheet-like material which defines the playing surface.

14. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 13 wherein the mat includes markings corresponding to one or more predetermined locations for the member, to enable correct positioning of the member upon the mat.

15. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in either of is claims 13 or 14, wherein the mat bears one or more longitudinally extending target guide lines which extend between the target surface and a striking location for a golf ball.

16. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 15 wherein there is one such target guide line provided for each target on the target surface and adapted to be aligned therewith when the member is placed on the mat.

17. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the practice aid further comprises a marker for location on the playing surface.

16

18. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 17 wherein the marker is a counter for location on the playing surface.

19. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 17 when dependent upon any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the marker is integral with the mat.

20. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in any 10 preceding claim wherein the practice aid further comprises a sensor for one, or each target on the target surface.

21. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 21 wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor sensitive to the 15 pressure of a golf ball striking the sensor.

22. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in either of claims 20 or 21 wherein the sensor is adapted to activate a visible and/or audible alarm when the or each target is 20 struck, to provide a visible and/or audible indication of a successful strike of a target to the user.

23. A golf putting. practice aid as claimed in claim 22 wherein the sensor is adapted to activate a buzzer, bell, 25 voice message, light, flashing light or any combination thereof, and the light or flashing light is provided by an LED or light bulb.

17

24. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the/each sensor is adapted to be coupled to a processor for storing data relating to the number of successful strikes of the/each sensor by the user.

25. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 24 wherein the processor is internal or external of the practice aid.

26. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 24 wherein the processor is integral with the/each sensor.

27. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein data stored in the processor is downloaded to a secondary processor such as a personal computer.

28. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 20 wherein the sensor is a mechanical sensor.

29. A golf putting practice aid as claimed in claim 28 wherein the sensor is a bell mounted on a support arm in front of the target, which bell is struck by the golf ball when the golf ball travels on a path to correctly strike a target.

30. A golf putting practice aid substantially as described 18 herein with reference to and as shown in Figs 1-4.

31. A golf putting practice aid substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Fig 5.