U.S. patent application number 10/336307 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-08 for golf tee holder.
Invention is credited to Schulze, Patrick.
Application Number | 20040132554 10/336307 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32680986 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040132554 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schulze, Patrick |
July 8, 2004 |
Golf tee holder
Abstract
A system for practicing golf is disclosed. The system includes a
golf tee holder, a lie modifying wedge, a lie modifying sheet, and
a lie modifying bag. The golf tee holder is a small, rubber
component placed under a driving range mat, which holds a real golf
tee at an adjustable height. The lie-modifying wedge is foam wedge
that is placed under or on top of the driving range mat to
manipulate the lie of the golf ball on the driving range mat
amongst uphill, downhill, and side-hill lies. The lie-modifying
sheet and lie-modifying bag are relatively flat components places
on top of and anchored to the driving range mat and used as
surfaces from which to hit golf balls from different materials
simulating hazards on a golf course, such as long grass, a hard pan
lie, and a sand trap.
Inventors: |
Schulze, Patrick; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen M. De Klerk
BLAKELY, SOKOLOFF, TAYLOR & ZAFMAN LLP
Seventh Floor
12400 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angles
CA
90025-1026
US
|
Family ID: |
32680986 |
Appl. No.: |
10/336307 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/386 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/203 20151001;
A63B 57/0032 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/386 |
International
Class: |
A63B 057/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A golf tee holder, comprising: a base portion having a first
horizontal width and a lower surface to position on a horizontal
surface; and a holding piece secured to and extending upwardly from
the base portion, the holding piece having a second horizontal
width less than the first horizontal width and an opening in an
upper end thereof, the opening having a diameter and the holding
piece being of a material such that a stem of a golf tee having a
diameter between 3 mm and 6 mm inserted into the opening is
frictionally held by opposing surfaces of the opening.
2. The golf tee holder of claim 1, wherein the base portion is
circular in shape.
3. The golf tee holder of claim 2, wherein the base portion has a
diameter between 40 mm and 70 mm and a thickness between 2 mm and 7
mm.
4. The golf tee holder of claim 1, wherein the holding piece is
cylindrical in shape.
5. The golf tee holder of claim 4, wherein the holding piece has a
height between 20 mm and 50 mm and a diameter between 10 mm and 30
mm.
6. The golf tee holder of claim 1, wherein the opening in the
holding piece extends completely through the holding piece to allow
a lodged piece of a first golf tee to be ejected by inserting a
second golf tee therein.
7. The golf tee holder of claim 6, wherein the base portion and the
holding piece are made from a single piece of the material.
8. The golf tee holder of claim 7, wherein the material is
rubber.
9. The golf tee holder of claim 8, wherein the base portion is
circular in shape with a diameter of approximately 55 mm and a
thickness of approximately 5 mm, the holding piece is cylindrical
in shape with a height of approximately 25 mm and a diameter of
approximately 15 mm, and the opening has a diameter of
approximately 3 mm.
10. The golf tee holder of claim 9, wherein the holding piece is
sized to extend upwardly through a hole in a driving range mat, the
driving range mat having a thickness of approximately 25 mm, the
hole having a diameter of approximately 15 mm, the hole extending
completely through the driving range mat.
11. A system for practicing golf, comprising: a base portion having
a first horizontal width and a lower surface to position on a
horizontal surface; a holding piece secured to and extending
upwardly from the base portion, the holding piece having a second
horizontal width less than the first horizontal width and an
opening in an upper end thereof, the opening having a diameter and
the holding piece being of a material such that a stem of a golf
tee having a diameter between 3 mm and 6 mm inserted into the
opening is frictionally held by opposing surfaces of the opening;
and a driving range mat having a mat hole extending completely
through the driving range mat, the mat hole positioned over the
holding piece, the driving range mat having a lower mat surface to
position on the horizontal surface.
12. The system for practicing golf of claim 11, wherein the base
portion is positioned between the driving range mat and the
horizontal surface.
13. The system for practicing golf of claim 12, wherein the driving
range mat has a hitting surface, the hitting surface being within
10 mm of the upper end of the holding piece.
14. The system for practicing golf of claim 13, wherein the driving
range mat has a third horizontal width, the third horizontal width
being at least 1 m.
15. The system for practicing golf of claim 14, wherein the driving
range mat has a base portion groove on the lower mat surface.
16. The system for practicing golf of claim 11, wherein the base
portion is positioned between the driving range mat and the
horizontal surface, the lower base surface being approximately
co-planar with the lower mat surface, the driving range mat has a
hitting surface approximately co-planar with the upper end of the
holding piece, and the driving range mat has a third horizontal
width being approximately 1.5 m.
17. A system for practicing golf, comprising: a base portion having
a first horizontal width and a lower surface to position on a
horizontal surface; a holding piece secured to and extending
upwardly from the base portion, the holding piece having a second
horizontal width less than the first horizontal width and an
opening in an upper end thereof, the opening having a diameter; a
driving range mat placed on the horizontal surface, the driving
range mat having a mat hole positioned over the holding piece, the
base portion positioned between the driving range mat and the
horizontal surface; and a golf tee having a stem removably inserted
into the opening, the diameter of the opening and the holding piece
material being such that the stem is frictionally held by opposing
surfaces of the opening.
18. The system for practicing golf of claim 17, wherein the golf
tee is held at an adjustable tee height, the adjustable tee height
being adjustable by sliding the end of the golf tee relative to the
opening.
19. The system for practicing golf of claim 18, further comprising
a golf ball supported on a supporting component of the golf
tee.
20. A system for practicing golf, comprising: a driving range mat
having first and second portions, the first portion on a base
support, the base support having an upper surface in a first plane
that is substantially horizontal; and a lie-modifying component
between the base support and the second portion of the driving
range mat, the lie-modifying component having an upper surface, the
upper surface of the lie-modifying mat in a second plane at an
angle to the first plane so that an upper surface of the second
portion of the driving range mat is in a third plane at an angle to
the first plane.
21. The system for practicing golf of claim 20, wherein the base
support is the ground.
22. The system for practicing golf of claim 21, wherein a lower
surface of the lie-modifying component is on the base support, the
lower surface being substantially coplanar with the base
support.
23. The system for practicing golf of claim 20, wherein the
lie-modifying component has a length of approximately 1.5 m and a
width of approximately 0.75 m.
24. The system for practicing golf of claim 23, wherein the
lie-modifying component has a maximum thickness of 100 mm.
25. The system for practicing golf of claim 24, wherein the second
portion of the driving range mat completely covers the upper
surface of the lie-modifying component.
26. The system for practicing golf of claim 25, wherein the driving
range mats has sides in a first direction, and the first portion
and the second portion of the driving range mat are divided by a
line, the line being in a second direction, the second direction
being parallel to the first direction.
27. A system for practicing golf, comprising: a driving range mat
on a base support, the driving range mat having a hitting surface
in a first plane that is substantially horizontal, the hitting
surface having first and second portions; and a lie-modifying
component on the second portion of the hitting surface, the
lie-modifying component having an upper surface, the upper surface
of the lie-modifying component in a second plane at an angle to the
first plane.
28. The system for practicing golf of claim 27, wherein the base
support is the ground.
29. The system for practicing golf of claim 28, wherein the
lie-modifying component has a length of approximately 1.5 m and a
width of approximately 0.75 m.
30. The system for practicing golf of claim 29, wherein the
lie-modifying component has a maximum thickness of 100 mm.
31. The system for practicing golf of claim 30, wherein the driving
range mats has sides in a first direction, and the first portion
and the second portion of the hitting surface are divided by a
line, the line being in a second direction, the second direction
being parallel to the first direction.
32. A system for practicing golf, comprising: a driving range mat,
on a base support, having a first anchoring formation and a hitting
surface; a hitting surface material attached to the hitting surface
of the driving range mat, the hitting surface material having a
first texture; a lie-modifying sheet on the driving range mat, the
lie-modifying sheet having an upper surface and a second anchoring
formation, the second anchoring formation engaging with the first
anchoring formation to secure the lie-modifying sheet to the
driving range mat; and a lie-modifying material attached to the
upper surface of the lie-modifying sheet, the lie-modifying
material having a second texture different from the first
texture.
33. The system for practicing golf of claim 32, wherein the first
formation is a circular hole in the driving range mat and the
second formation is a cylinder extending from a lower surface of
the lie-modifying sheet, the cylinder sized to extend through the
hole.
34. The system for practicing golf of claim 33, wherein the
lie-modifying sheet has a length of approximately 60 cm and a width
of approximately 30 cm.
35. The system for practicing golf of claim 34, wherein the
lie-modifying material further comprises strands of an artificial
material suitable for simulating a rough portion of a golf
course.
36. The system for practicing golf of claim 35, wherein the strands
of artificial material have lengths of approximately 70 mm.
37. The system for practicing golf of claim 34, wherein the
lie-modifying material is a sand bag.
38. The system for practicing golf of claim 34, wherein the
lie-modifying material further comprises an upper surface suitable
for simulating a hard pan portion of a golf course.
39. A system for practicing golf, comprising: a driving range mat,
on a base support, having a first anchoring formation and a hitting
surface; a hitting surface material attached to the hitting surface
of the driving range mat, the hitting surface material having a
first texture; a lie-modifying bag, on the driving range mat,
having a second anchoring formation, a lie-modifying material, and
an upper surface on the lie-modifying material such that a the
upper surface has a second texture different from the first
texture, the second anchoring formation engaging with the first
anchoring formation to secure the lie-modifying bag to the driving
range mat.
40. The system for practicing golf of claim 39, wherein the first
formation is a circular hole in the driving range mat, and the
second formation extends from a lower surface of the lie-modifying
mat and is sized to extend through the hole.
41. The system for practicing golf of claim 40, wherein the
lie-modifying bag has a length of approximately 60 cm, a width of
approximately 30 cm, and a height of approximately 8 cm.
42. The system for practicing golf of claim 41, wherein the
lie-modifying material is sand.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the invention
[0002] This invention relates to a golf tee holder and a system for
practicing golf.
[0003] 2. Discussion of related art
[0004] Golf players spend a great deal of their practice time at
driving ranges where they can hit real golf balls using full
swings. Most golf players prefer to practice hitting golf balls
from natural turf. However, many driving ranges today do not have
natural turf and only offer their patrons artificial driving range
mats from which to hit.
[0005] The typical system for hitting a golf ball from an
artificial driving range mat includes the mat itself with a hitting
surface and an artificial tee made of a molded material. Players
can either hit golf balls from the hitting surface itself or tee
the ball up on the artificial tee. The artificial tee is a
cylindrical in shape and extends upwards through a hole in the
driving range mat to a set height above the hitting surface. The
driving range mat is flat, and there is only one surface from which
the golf players can hit.
[0006] One disadvantage of this system is the artificial tee does
not allow players to use real, wooden tees when practicing on
driving range mats. Another disadvantage is the artificial tee does
not allow players to adjust the height at which their golf ball is
teed when practicing on the driving range mats. A further
disadvantage is the golf players can only practice from flat lies
from a surface that simulates hitting from very short grass.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention provides for a golf tee holder including a
base portion having a first horizontal width and a lower surface to
position on a horizontal surface, and a holding piece secured to
and extending upwardly from the base portion, the holding piece
having a second horizontal width less than the first horizontal
width and an opening in an upper end thereof, the opening having a
diameter and the holding piece being a material such that a stem of
a golf tee having a diameter between 3 mm and 6 mm inserted into
the opening is frictionally held by opposing surfaces of the
opening.
[0008] The base portion may be circular in shape.
[0009] The base portion may have a diameter between 40 mm and 70 mm
and a thickness between 2 mm and 7 mm.
[0010] The holding piece may be cylindrical in shape.
[0011] The holding piece may have a height between 20 mm and 50 mm
and a diameter between 10 mm and 30 mm.
[0012] The opening in the holding piece may extend completely
through the holding piece to allow a lodged piece of a first golf
tee to be ejected by inserting a second golf tee therein.
[0013] The base portion and the holding piece may be made from a
single piece of the material.
[0014] The material may be rubber.
[0015] The base portion may be circular in shape with a diameter of
approximately 55 mm and a thickness of approximately 5 mm, the
holding piece may be cylindrical in shape with a height of
approximately 25 mm and a diameter of approximately 15 mm, and the
opening may have a diameter of approximately 3 mm.
[0016] The holding piece may be sized to extend upwardly through a
hole in a driving range mat with a thickness of approximately 25
mm, the hole having a diameter of approximately 15 mm and extending
completely through the driving range mat.
[0017] The invention also provides for a system for practicing golf
including a base portion having a first horizontal width and a
lower base surface to position on a horizontal surface, a holding
piece secured to and extending upwardly from the base portion, the
holding piece having a second horizontal width less than the first
horizontal width and an opening in an upper end thereof, the
opening having a diameter and the holding piece being of a material
such that an end of a golf tee having a diameter between 3 mm and 6
mm inserted into the opening is frictionally held by opposing
surfaces of the opening, and a driving range mat having a mat hole
extending completely through the driving range mat, the mat hole
positioned over the holding piece, the driving range mat having a
lower mat surface positioned on the horizontal surface.
[0018] The base portion may be positioned between the driving range
mat and the horizontal surface.
[0019] The driving range mat may have a hitting surface, the
hitting surface being within 10 mm of the upper end of the holding
piece.
[0020] The driving range mat may have a third horizontal width, the
third horizontal width being at least 1 m.
[0021] The driving range mat may have a base portion groove on the
lower mat surface.
[0022] The base portion may be positioned between the driving range
mat and the horizontal surface, the lower base surface being
approximately coplanar with the lower mat surface, the driving
range mat may have a hitting surface approximately coplanar with
the upper end of the holding piece, and the driving range mat may
have a third horizontal width being approximately 1.5 m.
[0023] The invention further provides a system for practicing golf
including a base portion having a first horizontal width and a
lower surface to position on a horizontal surface, a holding piece
secured to and extending upwardly from the base portion, the
holding piece having a second horizontal width less than the first
horizontal width and an opening in an upper end thereof, the
opening having a diameter, a driving range mat placed on the
horizontal surface, the driving range mat having a mat hole
positioned over the holding piece, the base portion positioned
between the driving range mat and the horizontal surface, and a
golf tee having a stem removably inserted into the opening, the
diameter of the opening and the holding piece material being such
that the stem is frictionally held by opposing surfaces of the
opening.
[0024] The golf tee may be held at an adjustable tee height, the
adjustable tee height being adjustable by sliding the stem of the
golf tee relative to the opening.
[0025] The system for practicing golf may also include a golf ball
supported on a supporting component of the golf tee.
[0026] The invention further provides a system for practicing golf
including a driving range mat having first and second portions, the
first portion on a base support, the base support having an upper
surface in a first plane that is substantially horizontal, and a
lie-modifying component between the base support and the second
portion of the driving range mat, the lie-modifying component
having an upper surface, the upper surface of the lie-modifying mat
in a second plane at an angle to the first plane so that an upper
surface of the second portion of the driving range mat is in a
third plane at an angle to the first plane.
[0027] The base support may be the ground.
[0028] The lie-modifying component may have a lower surface on the
base support, the lower surface being substantially co-planar with
the base support.
[0029] The lie-modifying component may have a length of
approximately 1.5 meters and a width of approximately 0.75
meters.
[0030] The lie-modifying component may have a height of
approximately 100 mm.
[0031] The second portion of the driving range mat may completely
cover the upper surface of the lie-modifying component.
[0032] The driving range mat may have sides in a first direction,
and the first portion and the second portion of the driving range
mat may be divided by a line, the line being in a second direction,
the second direction being parallel to the first direction.
[0033] The invention further provides a system for practicing golf
including a driving range mat on a base support, the driving range
mat having a hitting surface in a first plane that is substantially
horizontal, the hitting surface having first and second portions,
and a lie-modifying component on the second portion of the hitting
surface, the lie-modifying component having an upper surface, the
upper surface of the lie-modifying component in a second plane at
an angle to the first plane.
[0034] The base support may be the ground.
[0035] The lie-modifying component may have a length of
approximately 1.5 m and a width of approximately 0.75 m.
[0036] The lie-modifying component may have a maximum thickness of
100 mm.
[0037] The driving range mat may have sides in a first direction,
in the first portion in the second portion of the hitting surface
maybe divided by a line, the line being in a second direction, the
second direction being parallel to the first direction.
[0038] The invention further provides a system for practicing golf
including a driving range mat, on a base support, having a first
anchoring formation and a hitting surface, a hitting surface
material attached to the hitting surface of the driving range mat,
the hitting surface material having a first texture, a
lie-modifying sheet on the driving range mat, the lie-modifying
sheet having an upper surface and a second anchoring formation, the
second anchoring formation engaging with the first anchoring
formation to secure the lie-modifying sheet to the driving range
mat, and a lie-modifying material attached to the upper surface of
the lie-modifying sheet, the lie-modifying material having a second
texture different from the first texture.
[0039] The first formation may be a circular hole in the driving
range mat and the second formation may be a cylinder extending from
a lower surface of the lie-modifying sheet, the cylinder size to
extend through the hole.
[0040] The lie-modifying sheet may have a length of approximately
60 cm in a width of approximately 30 cm.
[0041] The lie-modifying material may further comprise strands of
an artificial material suitable for simulating a rough portion of a
golf course.
[0042] The strands of artificial material may have lengths of
approximately 7 mm.
[0043] The lie-modifying material may be a sand bag.
[0044] The lie-modifying material may further comprise an upper
surface suitable for simulating a hard pan portion of a golf
course.
[0045] The invention further provides a system for practicing golf
including a driving range mat, on a base support, having a first
anchoring formation and an upper surface, an upper surface material
attached to the upper surface of the driving range mat, the upper
surface material having a first texture, and a lie-modifying bag,
on the driving range mat, having a second anchoring formation, a
lie-modifying material, and an upper surface on the lie-modifying
material such that the upper surface has a second texture different
from the first texture, the second anchoring formation engaging
with the first anchoring formation to secure the lie-modifying bag
to the driving range mat.
[0046] The first formation may be a circular hole in the driving
range mat, and the second formation may extend from a lower surface
of the lie-modifying mat and the sides to extend through the
hole.
[0047] The lie-modifying bag may have a length of approximately 60
cm, a width of approximately 30 cm, and a height of approximately 8
cm.
[0048] The lie-modifying material may be sand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] The invention is further described by way of example with
reference to accompanying drawings wherein:
[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf tee holder according
to an embodiment of the invention;
[0051] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the golf tee
holder;
[0052] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a typical driving range
mat;
[0053] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view on 4-4 in FIG. 3;
[0054] FIG. 5 is view similar to FIG. 4 further illustrating the
golf tee holder on a horizontal surface;
[0055] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a typical golf tee;
[0056] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 further illustrating the
golf tee and a golf ball;
[0057] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the golf tee holder
with a broken tee stem inserted therein;
[0058] FIG. 9 similar to FIG. 8 further illustrating a second golf
tee inserted into the golf tee holder to eject the broken tee end;
and
[0059] FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 further illustrating the second
golf tee fully inserted into the golf tee holder and the ejected
broken tee end.
[0060] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lie-modifying
component;
[0061] FIG. 12A is a top plan view of the lie-modifying component
and the driving range mat;
[0062] FIG. 12B is a top plan view of the lie-modifying component
and the driving range mat;
[0063] FIG. 12C is a top plan view of the lie-modifying component
and the driving range mat;
[0064] FIG. 12D is a top plan view of the lie-modifying component
and the driving range mat
[0065] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view on 13-13 in FIG. 12A
further illustrating the lie-modifying component under the driving
range mat on the horizontal surface;
[0066] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view on 14-14 in FIG. 12B
further illustrating the lie-modifying component on the driving
range mat on the horizontal surface;
[0067] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a lie-modifying sheet;
[0068] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the lie-modifying sheet placed
on a driving range mat;
[0069] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view on 16-16 in FIG. 16
further illustrating the driving range mat and the lie-modifying
sheet on the horizontal surface;
[0070] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a lie-modifying bag;
[0071] FIG. 19 is a top plane view of the lie-modifying bag placed
on the driving range mat; and
[0072] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional side view on 19-19 in FIG. 19
further illustrating the driving range mat and the lie-modifying
bag on the horizontal surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0073] FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrate a golf
tee holder 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. The golf
tee holder 30 includes a base portion 32 and a holding piece
34.
[0074] The base portion 32 is in the form of a circular disk made
from a flexible, rubber-like material. The base portion 32 has
upper and lower horizontal surfaces 36 and 38 and a circular outer
edge 40. The outer edge 40 has a diameter 42 of 55 mm. The base
portion 32 has a thickness 44 as measured over the upper 36 and
lower 38 horizontal surfaces of 5 mm.
[0075] The holding piece 34 is in the form of a cylinder co-molded
with, and made from the same material as, the base portion 32. The
holding piece 34 extends upwardly from a central region of the base
portion 32. The holding piece 34 has a horizontal upper surface 46
and a circular outer edge 48. The outer edge 48 has a diameter 50
of 15 mm. The holding piece 34 has a height 52 as measured over the
upper horizontal surface 36 of the base portion 32 and the upper
horizontal surface 46 of the holding piece 34 of 25 mm.
[0076] A circular opening 54 is a formed through the golf tee
holder 30. The opening 54 extends into the upper horizontal surface
46, through the holding piece 34 and the base portion 32, and out
of the lower horizontal surface 38 of the base portion 32. The
opening 54 has a diameter 56 of 3 mm.
[0077] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a typical driving range mat 58. The
driving range mat includes a lower layer 60, an upper layer 62, and
a circular mat hole 64.
[0078] The lower layer 60, made from a foam-like material, includes
a lower mat surface 66 and a circular base portion groove 68. The
upper layer 62, made of artificial turf, includes a hitting surface
70. The driving range mat 58 is square with side lengths 72 of 1.5
m and has a mat thickness 74 as measured over the hitting surface
70 and the lower mat surface 66 of 30 mm.
[0079] The circular mat hole 64 is formed through the driving range
mat 58. The mat hole 64 extends into the hitting surface 70 through
the upper layer 62 and lower layer 60 and out the lower mat surface
66. The mat hole 64 has a diameter 76 of 17 mm.
[0080] The circular base portion groove 68 is formed on the lower
mat surface 66. The base portion groove 68 is concentric with the
mat hole 64 and has a diameter 78 of 57 mm. The base portion groove
68 extends upwardly into the driving range mat 58 to a depth 80 of
6 mm.
[0081] FIG. 5 illustrates the golf tee holder 30 and the driving
range mat 58 resting on a horizontal surface 82. The mat hole 64 is
positioned around the holding piece 34. The base portion 32 is
positioned in the base portion groove 68. The lower mat surface 66
and the lower horizontal surface 38 of the base portion 32 are
coplanar and rest on the horizontal surface 82. The upper
horizontal surface 46 of the holding piece 34 is coplanar with the
hitting surface 70 of the driving range mat 58.
[0082] FIG. 6 illustrates a typical golf tee 84. The golf tee 84
includes a stem 86 and a supporting component 88. The stem 86 is
cylindrical with a diameter 90 of 5 mm and ends in a point. The
supporting component 88 is a circular, concave platform with a
diameter 92 of 12 mm and an upper surface 94. The golf tee 84 has a
height 96 of 55 mm.
[0083] In use, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the golf tee holder 30 is
placed on the horizontal surface 82. The driving range mat 58 is
placed on the horizontal surface 82 such that the mat hole 64 is
positioned over the holding piece 34. The base portion 32, now
positioned in the base portion groove 68, is secured between the
horizontal surface 82 and the lower layer 60 of the driving range
mat 58. The holding piece 34 extends upwardly through the mat hole
64 such that the upper horizontal surface 46 of the holding piece
34 is coplanar with the hitting surface 70 of the upper layer 62 of
the driving range mat 58.
[0084] The stem 86 of the golf tee 84 is inserted into the opening
54. The opening 54 expands slightly when the stem 86 is inserted
because of the flexible material from which the holding piece 34 is
made. The golf tee 84 is held in place by frictional forces exerted
on the stem 86 from all directions by the opening 54. The
supporting component 88 is held at an adjustable tee height 98 as
measured over the upper surface 94 of the supporting member 88 and
the hitting surface 70 of the driving range mat 58.
[0085] A player can lower the adjustable tee height 98 by manually
pushing the golf tee 84 farther into the opening 54. Conversely,
the player can raise the adjustable tee height 98 by pulling the
golf tee 84 farther out of the opening 54. A golf ball 100 is then
placed on the supporting component 88 where it rests at the
adjustable tee height 98. After setting the adjustable tee height
98, the player can use a desired first golf club to strike the golf
ball 100 off the golf tee 84.
[0086] When the golf ball 100 is struck, the golf tee 84 usually
undergoes some lateral forces. Such lateral forces cause the golf
tee 84 along with the holding piece 34 to bend out of place
temporarily immediately after the golf ball 100 is struck. The
flexibility of the material from which the golf tee holder 30 is
made allows the holding piece 34 to return to its original
position, whether or not the golf tee 84 has become dislodged from
the opening 54. However, the golf tee holder 30 remains in place
because the base portion 32 is secured within the base portion
groove 68 and the holding piece 34 is positioned in the mat hole
64.
[0087] If the golf tee 84 is not dislodged from the opening 54, the
player may or may not want to change the adjustable tee height 98
before hitting another golf ball from the golf tee 84, using either
the first golf club or a desired second golf club.
[0088] If the golf tee 84 has become dislodged from the opening 54,
the player can reinsert the stem 86 into the opening 54. The player
can then set the adjustable tee height 98 to either the same height
or a different height before hitting another golf ball from the
golf tee 84, using either the first golf club or a desired second
golf club.
[0089] Often, the lateral forces applied to the golf tee 84 are
great enough, despite the holding piece 34 being flexible, to break
the golf tee 84. In which case it is possible for the stem 86 of
the golf tee 84 to become lodged in the opening 54. In use, and as
illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the golf tee holder 30 is
removed from beneath driving range mat 58 and the stem 86 is lodged
in the opening 54. To remove the lodged stem 86, a second stem 102
of a second golf tee 104 is inserted into the opening 54. When the
second stem 102 has been inserted far enough into the opening 54 to
contact the lodged stem 86, the second stem 102 pushes the lodged
stem 86 towards the lower horizontal surface 38 of the base portion
32. Once the second golf tee 104 is nearly completely inserted into
the opening 54 and the second stem 102 extends to the lower
horizontal surface 38 of the base portion 32, the lodged stem 86 is
dislodged from the opening 54. The player can then continue normal
use of the golf tee holder 30.
[0090] FIGS. 11, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and 13 illustrate a
lie-modifying component 106 and the driving range mat 58 on top of
the horizontal surface 82.
[0091] The lie-modifying component 106 is wedged shaped and made
from a soft foam-like material. The lie-modifying component 106 has
an upper surface 108 and a lower surface 110. The lie-modifying
component 106 has a length 112 of 1.5 m, a width 114 of 0.75 m, and
a height 116 of 100 mm. A cross section of the lie-modifying
component is a right triangle with the height 116 of 100 mm and a
hypotenuse 118 of 756 mm. The upper surface 108 and the lower
surface 110 are rectangular in shape.
[0092] The lower surface 110 of the lie-modifying component 106 is
on the horizontal surface 82 and beneath the driving range mat 58.
The lower mat surface 66 of the driving range mat 58 completely
covers the upper surface 108 of the lie-modifying component 106. An
outer region of the lower mat surface 66 of the driving range mat
58 is raised to the height 116 of the lie-modifying component
106.
[0093] A first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70 is located
directly above a first portion 122 of the driving range mat 58. The
first portion 122 of the driving range mat 58 is directly on the
horizontal surface 82. The first portion 120 of the hitting surface
70 remains parallel to the horizontal surface 82. The driving range
mat 58 bends upward at mat bending point 124. A second portion 126
of the hitting surface 70 is located directly above a second
portion 128 of driving range mat 58. The second portion 128 of the
driving range mat 58 is on the lie-modifying component 106. The
second potion 126 of the hitting surface 70 is now at an angle to
the horizontal surface 82.
[0094] In use, to simulate a side hill lie with the golf ball 100
below the golf player's feet 130, a golf player places the golf
ball 100 on the first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70. The
golf player then stands on the driving range mat 58 with his feet
130 on the second portion 126 of the hitting surface 70. The golf
player's feet 130 will be higher than the golf ball 100 because the
second portion 126 of the hitting surface 70 is higher than the
first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70. The golf player then
hits the golf ball 100 from the first portion 120 of the hitting
surface 70 with a golf club. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, to
simulate a side hill lie with the golf ball 100 above the feet 130,
the golf player places his feet 130 on the first portion 120 of the
hitting surface 70 and the golf ball 100 on the second portion 126
of the hitting surface 70.
[0095] As illustrated in FIGS. 12C and 12D, uphill and downhill
lies can also be simulated by reconfiguring the driving range mat
58, the lie-modifying component 106, and the golf player's feet
130. To simulate either an uphill or downhill lie, one foot 130 is
placed on the first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70 and the
other foot 130 on the second portion 126.
[0096] Alternatively, the lie-modifying component 106 can be placed
on top of the driving range mat 58. FIG. 14 illustrates the
lie-modifying component 106 on the driving range mat 58. The second
portion 126 of the hitting surface 70 is covered by the
lie-modifying component 106. The upper surface 108 of the
lie-modifying component 106 is now exposed. The golf ball 100 or
the golf player's feet 130 are placed on either the upper surface
108 of the lie-modifying component 106 or on the first portion 120
of the hitting surface 70 of the driving range mat 58 to simulate
uphill, downhill, and side hill lies.
[0097] FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 illustrate a lie-modifying sheet 132
placed on the driving range mat 58 on the horizontal surface 82.
The lie-modifying sheet 132 includes an anchoring formation 134, an
upper surface 136, a lower surface 138, and long artificial grass
140. The lie-modifying sheet 132 is rectangular in shape with a
length 142 of 60 cm and a width 144 of 30 cm.
[0098] The anchoring formation 134 extends downward from the lower
surface 138 of the lie-modifying sheet 132. The anchoring formation
134 is cylindrical in shape.
[0099] The long artificial grass 140 is attached to the upper
surface 136 of the lie-modifying sheet 132. The long artificial
grass 140 has a height 168 of 70 mm.
[0100] The hitting surface 70 of the driving range mat 58 is
covered with artificial turf 146 which does not extend above the
hitting surface 70. The lie-modifying sheet 132 is on the driving
range mat 58 placed on the horizontal surface 82. The anchoring
formation 134 is inserted into the mat holes 64 to secure the
lie-modifying sheet 132 to the driving range mat 58. The lower
surface 138 of the lie-modifying sheet lies directly on and covers
a covered portion 148 of the hitting surface 70. An exposed portion
150 of the hitting surface 70 remains uncovered.
[0101] In use, to simulate hitting from the rough, a golf player
places the golf ball 100 on the lie-modifying sheet 132 resting the
golf ball 100 in the long artificial grass 140. The golf player
places his feet 130 on the exposed portion 150 of the hitting
surface 70 of the driving range mat 58. The golf player may then
strike the golf ball 100 out of the long artificial grass 140
located on top of the lie-modifying sheet 132. Lateral forces are
exerted on the lie-modifying sheet 132 when the golf player hits
the golf ball. The anchoring formation 134 prevents the
lie-modifying sheet 132 from sliding off the driving range mat.
[0102] FIGS. 17, 18, and 19 illustrate a lie-modifying bag 152 on
top of the driving range mat 58 on the horizontal surface 82. The
lie-modifying bag 152 has an anchoring formation 154, an upper
surface 156, a lower surface 158, and sand filler 160. The
lie-modifying bag 152 is pillow-shaped with a length 162 of 60 cm,
a width 164 of 30 cm, and a height 166 of 8 cm.
[0103] The anchoring formation 154 extends downward from the lower
surface 158 of the lie-modifying bag 152. The anchoring formation
154 is cylindrical in shape.
[0104] The lie-modifying bag 152 is on the driving range mat 58
placed on the horizontal surface 82. The anchoring formation 154 is
inserted into the mat holes 64 to secure the lie-modifying bag 152
to the driving range mat 58. The lower surface 158 of the
lie-modifying bag 152 lies directly on and covers the covered
portion 148 of the hitting surface 70. An exposed portion 150 of
the hitting surface 70 remains uncovered.
[0105] In use, to simulate hitting from a sand trap, the golf
player places the golf ball 100 on the upper surface 156 of the
lie-modifying bag 152. The golf player places his feet 130 on the
exposed portion 150 of the hitting surface 70 of the driving range
mat 58. The golf player then strikes the golf ball 100 from the
upper surface 156 of the lie-modifying bag 152. When the golf ball
100 is struck, the upper surface 156 of the lie-modifying bag 152,
will depress into the sand filler 160 of the lie-modifying bag 152.
The result is that the golfer will get a sensation similar to that
of hitting a golf ball 100 out of a sand trap. Lateral forces are
exerted on the lie-modifying bag 152 when the golf player hits the
golf ball 100. The anchoring formation 154 prevents the
lie-modifying bag 152 from sliding off the driving range mat
58.
[0106] One advantage of this system is the golf tee holder 30
allows the player to use real golf tees when practicing on
artificial driving range mats, more closely simulating the feel of
hitting a golf ball off natural grass. Another advantage is the
golf tee holder 30 allows the player to adjust the tee height when
practicing on artificial mats. Another advantage is the holding
piece 34 is not exposed, therefore wear on the golf tee holder 30
is at a minimum thus golf tee holder 30 should have a very long
useful life. Furthermore, this system allows a golf player to
practice from a variety of different lies and different surfaces
while hitting from artificial surfaces.
[0107] The embodiment described above is only one embodiment of
this invention. Embodiments of this invention can vary in many
ways. For example, the diameter of the base portion can be between
40 mm and 70 mm, and the thickness of the base portion can be
between 2 and 7 mm, depending on the size of the base portion
groove on the particular a driving range mat.
[0108] Also, the height of the holding piece can be between 20 mm
and 50 mm with a diameter of between 10 mm and 30 mm, depending on
the size and shape of the of the mat hole.
* * * * *