Golfer's practice mat

Abstract

Presented is a practice mat for golfers upon which either a left handed or right handed golfer may stand while practice-swinging a golf club and which provides for each a longitudinally extending stance guide slot correlated to a transverse guide slot which cooperate to properly position the feet of the golfer in relation to the ball, another transverse guide slot representing the flight line of a ball when the club head is swung parallel to a fourth guide slot defining the swing line of the club head, and effective through differentiating colored cleats set in the slot, to psychologically compel the golfer to assume a proper stance on the practice mat and to consistently swing the golf club through a prescribed path over the mat so as to cause the stance and swing to become habitual with the golfer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

It is a matter of common knowledge that each individual possesses a distinctive bone and muscular development. Each individual is also endowed with a distinctive psyche that determines the person's mental outlook, as distinguished from the physical and physiological manifestations of such outlook. Considered as a whole, these three characteristics in large measure control the tempo at which the person performs physical acts, and the rhythm with which such acts are performed. Rhythm in the performance of such acts is correlated to co-ordination, while tempo is correlated to the natural speed with which the person normally performs all physical acts.

To excel in most sporting activities requiring muscular coordination in the performance of physical acts, it is important that the individual accomplish such physical activities at the tempo that is inherent to him. It is of course possible for a person to perform physical acts at a tempo which falls outside that which is inherent to him, but it has been found by physical education instructors and educators that when a person performs outside his normal or inherent tempo, such performance tends to be erratic because it is not natural.

In connection with golfing, it has been found that a golfer should swing a golf club in accordance with his natural tempo to improve his game. Such natural tempo can of course be altered if willed, but when so altered, the act is usually performed inconsistently because it is performed in an unnatural manner. Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the invention to provide a practice mat which either a left or right handed golfer may utilize to find his natural or inherent tempo so as to be natural and consistent in the manner in which he swings a golf club.

Because of the distinctive bone and muscular development of each individual, it has been found that the rhythm with which a person swings a golf club varies from individual to individual. Each individual must find through practice the rhythm which is best adapted to his particular bone and muscular development, and then through repeated practice, make the rhythm so habitual that he performs at this natural rhythm without conscious effort. Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide a practice mat for golfers which will enable to the golfer to practice over extended periods to enable him to find and develop his natural rhythm in swinging a golf club.

It is generally conceded that golf is a game which requires a high degree of self-discipline. Such self-discipline involves not only the psyche but also the physiological aspects of bone and muscular coordination. For instance, in correctly swinging a golf club, it is contended by many that a golfer is not supposed to concentrate on body movements or the lack of body movements. Such movements, or the lack of them, with practice become habitual, thus eliminating the necessity of expending conscious effort on them. When a golfer has reached this point in his development he will find that his golf game will improve. Such improvement is enhanced and accelerated if the golfer will concentrate on the ball and the relationship of the club head to the ball rather than on body movements. Accordingly, it is a still further object of the invention to provide a practice mat for golfers which compels the golfer to keep his eye on the ball, or on a spot where the ball would normally be placed, and which provides the golfer with the opportunity of relating the path of movement of the club head to the theoretical or actual position of the ball and the intended flight path of the ball.

Because people vary in their physical characteristics, such as height, left or right handed, etc., it is important that, in relation to the location of a practice ball, the golfer have a point of reference which enables him to choose his stance in relation to the ball so that each time he addresses the ball his stance is essentially the same. Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide a practice mat for golfers which provides stance prescribing means which may be used by any golfer, despite varying physical characteristics such as left or right handedness, as a point of reference when addressing the ball.

When a golfer address a golf ball, the stance which he assumes in most cases is correlated to the type of golf club the golfer is swinging, and the direction in which he wants the golf ball to go. Accordingly, it is still another object of the invention to provide a practice mat having line of flight indicating means in relation to the position of the ball and stance prescribing means so that the golfer may develop the habit of proper stance when addressing the ball.

The success or failure of teaching devices often turns on the cost of such devices. It is accordingly a still further object of the invention to provide a practice mat for golfers which is economical to manufacture, thus permitting a relatively low sales price to the ultimate consumer.

Another factor that sometimes controls the success or failure of a teaching device is its utility in different environments. For instance, some practice mats are designed

Specially for indoor use, and are unsuitable for use outdoors. Conversely, other practice mats are designed specially for use outdoors and are unsuitable for indoor use. It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a practice mat which has universal application either indoors or outdoors.

Another limiting factor to the usefulness of practice mats is the tendency of conventional mats to be destroyed by impacts delivered by a first moving club head. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a tough and resilient mat that can take repeated impact without deleterious effect.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be apparent from the following description and the drawings. It is to be understood however that the invention is not limited by such description and drawings, as it may be embodied in various forms within the scope of the appended claims.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Because proper stance and proper swing of a golf club have been problems for many years, it is natural that many attempts have been made to solve these problems. For instance, one prior patent teaches the use of a series of sheets on which are printed various symbols appertaining to the various golf shots, each sheet purportedly correctly visually portraying the fundamental essentials of each shot. The disadvantage of such sheet and the symbols imprinted thereon is that each golfer is different in his physical stature, and the stance or symbols indicated on the sheets may not be the proper one for a given golfer. The reason for this disability in such instruction chart is that foot-shaped outlines on the chart psychologically compel the novice golfer to place his feet in a superimposed position, thus perhaps unintentionally causing the novice golfer to improperly position himself with respect to the ball.

Another patent discloses a golf practicing device incorporating moveable shutters adapted to be displaced when a wrong swing is taken at an imaginary ball. Emphasis is thus placed on informing a golfer when a wrong swing has been made, rather than prescribing a correct swing path before the club is swung, as with the instant invention.

Another patented device provides a small mat adapted to be secured to a supporting floor and on which tufts of bristles are positioned to simulate turf. In one aspect of this invention electrical contacts are provided in the bristles to give an electrical indication of a proper swing. In another aspect of the invention a clicking sound is produced when a proper swing is made. Contrasted with the instant invention, there appears to be nothing disclosed by this patent that would indicate the correct path of the golf club head prior to the time that the swing is made and through a direction and distance beyond impact with a simulated ball.

Another patent teaches an indicating device actuated by a club head wrongly swung between two upstanding spaced strips on a mat. The indication that the club has been wrongly swung comes after the event, and there appears to be nothing associated with the mat that would indicate the proper path for swinging the golf club before the event to achieve a given direction of flight of the ball.

Another patented golf swing aid provides means for indicating the path of a proper backswing, but in which there is nothing to indicate the proper direction for following through on a proper swing. It will of course be appreciated that the manner in which the golf club head follows through beyond the point of impact has a significant effect on the motion of the golfer's body and on the direction of flight of the ball.

Another patent discloses a mat for purportedly correcting a golf swing. It is noted however that this patent does not disclose stance guide lines, nor does this patent teach a prescribed relationship between the teeing point and line of flight of the ball or the path followed by the club head.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In terms of broad inclusion, the practice mat of the invention comprises a generally elongated rectangular mat adapted to be laid flat on a horizontal surface such as a carpet, floor or grass turf. In a preferred aspect of the invention the mat is fabricated from a tough resilient flexible material such as an appropriate synthetic resin or rubber. Formed in the top surface of the mat are a plurality of slots each of which is formed to provide a contrast in height with the associated surface of the mat. Three such slots are positioned on the mat to provide a stance prescribing means which either a left handed or right handed golfer may utilize as a reference for correcting his stance in relation to the ball and in correlation with the type of club with which he wants to practice.

Another slot constitutes a line of flight indicating means which enables the golfer, whether he is left handed or right handed, to choose a stance in relation to the intended trajectory of the ball. Two additional slots are provided on the mat, correlated to the stance prescribing means for left and right handed golfers and the line of flight indicating means, each slot constituting a swing path indicating means which compels the golfer to swing the golf club head over the prescribed path to secure flight of the ball in the desired trajectory.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a right handed golfer standing on the practice mat of the invention. The figure of the golfer is shown in dash lines.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the practice mat. For purposes of illustration only, the preferred position of the feet to achieve a proper stance on the mat in relation to the line of flight of the ball and the swing path of the golf club is indicated in dash lines, it being understood that the outlines of feet do not actually appear on a completed mat.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational edge view of the mat illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the pattern formed by three slots including the stance prescribing slot for a right handed golfer, the line of flight indicating means and the swing path indicating means for a right handed golfer. Means in the form of a raised rib or bead are shown in the swing path slot to increase the contrast of this slot with the remaining surface of the mat.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through the intersection of the line of flight indicating means with the stance prescribing means and showing the aperture through the mat which admits and supports a modified or conventional golf tee upon which a golf ball may be seated.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view through the practice mat illustrating the depth relationship between the slots for guiding stance and for line of flight with the slot and cleat for indicating path of the club head.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In terms of greater detail, the practice mat of the invention comprises an elongated and preferably rectangular mat designated generally by the numeral 2, and conveniently formed to provide opposite long edges 3 and 3' and opposite end edges 4 and 4'. The mat is provided with a top surface 6 which forms one surface of the molded tough resilient flexible synthetic resinous or rubber mat upon which the golfer may stand with or without cleats.

While the mat has been illustrated as being a single thickness, it will of course be apparent that the mat may be formed various laminations of different materials. For instance, a relatively flexible wire screen may be sandwiched between two layers of a synthetic resinous or rubber material. Or, in another aspect of the invention, a sheet of relatively rigid plyboard or chipboard may be used as a mat, or such a rigid board may be covered with a relatively tough and flexible synthetic or rubber material to provide a surface that is impervious to impact with a club head.

To provide a reference point or plane in respect to which the person practicing may refer in relation to the position on the mat at which a ball might be placed, the mat is provided with stance prescribing means designated generally by the numerals 7, and conveniently comprising a pair of guide lines in the form of slots 8 and 9 formed below the top surface of the mat. The slots are preferably generally rectangular in cross-section as shown, with only sufficient draft to permit ready removal of the mat from the mold. It should be noted that stance prescribing means 8 and 9 are for use by a right-handed golfer. To accommodate a left-handed golfer a third guide line in the form of slot 9' is formed in the top surface of the mat, extending parallel with and spaced laterally from the guide line 9 as shown. The slot or guide line 8 extends transversely across the surface of the mat from one long edge 3 to the other long edge 3'. This portion of the stance prescribing means extends parallel to the adjacent end edge 4' and is spaced therefrom as shown.

The slots 9 and 9' of the stance prescribing means extend longitudinally of the mat parallel to the long edges 3 and 3', and spaced therefrom as indicated. At their ends associated with end edge 4', the slots 9 and 9' are intercepted by the slot 8. At their opposite ends, the slots 9 and 9' stop short of the end edge 4 of the mat and are intercepted by a transversely extending slot designated generally by the numeral 12 that extends across the face of the mat in spaced parallel relation to the adjacent end edge 4 of the mat, from edge 3 to edge 3', and at the same depth as the slots 8, 9 and 9'. With respect to depth, these slots 8, 9 and 9' are preferably only so deep as to make a sharp contrast or line in the surface of the mat.

As indicated best in FIG. 4, the slot 12 communicates with and intercepts the longitudinally extending slots 9 and 9'. Slots 9 and 9' extend substantially at right angles to slot 12 to form the intersections designated generally by the numerals 13 and 13'. It will thus be seen that by properly positioning his feet in relation to the stance prescribing means 7 and the line of flight indicating means formed by the slot 12, whether he be left handed or right handed, the golfer is in position to swing the golf club so that the head will pass over the intersection 13 or 13'. The trajectory of the golf ball after impact with the golf club head will depend on the direction in which the golf club head is moving when it passes through the intersection 13 or 13'. Accordingly, swing path indicating means including a slot 14 and cleats, beads or ribs 16 and 16' seated in slot 14 are provided extending through the juncture formed by slots 9-9' and slot 12 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. This is the arrangement for use by a right handed golfer. It should be noted that the slot 14 extends through the juncture 13 and extends on opposite sides of the slots 9 and 12.

The swing path indicating means formed by the slot 14 and cleat 16 (16') assembly is angularly disposed with respect to the slot 12 and slot 9 as shown, and extends on both sides of the intersection 13 for a distance of approximately 31/2. Obviously, the slot and cleat assembly 14, 16 and 16' may be increased in length but has been found that such increased length is not necessary as long as a portion extends past the theoretical point of impact of the club with the ball. In terms of proportion, it has been found that a satisfactory angularity of the swing path indicating means with the line of flight indicating means is provided when the end of slot 14 remote from the intersection 13 is laterally displaced from the line of flight means 12 1 inch at a point 31/2 inches from the intersection measured along the line of flight indicating means.

Referring to FIG. 2, the juncture 13' is arranged to accommodate a left handed golfer and provides a swing path indicating means in the form of a slot 17 which extends through the juncture in the same manner and to the same extent as the slot 14, but in a different direction. Thus, while the slot 14 is inclined to the left as viewed in FIG. 2, the slot 17 is inclined to the right because that is the direction in which the left handed golfer will swing the club.

Seated in slot 17 are cleats or beads 18 and 18' which, like the cleats 16 and 16' are molded to the respective bottoms of the slots 14 and 17, and which are preferably of a different color than the mat as a whole. White cleats form a desirable contrast with the dark colored mat. It has been found necessary to make the cleats integral with the mat, either in the molding operation, or in a subsequent vulcanizing step, so as to increase the indestructability of the mat.

In using the practice mat, it is not necessary that a ball actually be placed at the juncture 13 or 13'. In most instances, for indoor practice, it is sufficient if the golfer will merely swing the club head along the swing path indicating means while retaining his eyes on the center of the intersection where the ball would usually be placed. To facilitate such concentration, the cleats 16-16' and 18-18' are discontinuous through the juncture, thus providing a reference point on which the eyes may fasten.

For more realistic practice, a light simulated golf ball designed to facilitate indoor practice may be supported at the juncture 13 or 13'. For this purpose, the mat is provided with apertures 19 and 19' located at the junctures 13 and 13', to snugly receive the shank 21 of a tee 22, the head 23 of which lies below the lower surface 24 of the mat as shown in FIG. 5. The mat is recessed slightly to receive the head so that the undersurface of the mat is flat. In the alternative, the simulated ball may be omitted and the golfer may swing at the shank of the tee that projects up through the aperture.

The functional significance of extending the swing path indicating means beyond the theoretical point of impact of the club with a ball is that by controlling the path of the club head past the point of impact, the golfer is compelled to commence his swing in a prescribed manner and to follow through in a prescribed manner. He thus conditions his muscles to make a proper response both in the back swing and in the down swing and to follow through beyond impact with the ball. For instance, use of the practice mat causes the golfer to keep his eye on the club head past the point of impact, resulting in development of a high follow-through which in turn results in a straight line drive of a golf ball.

Also, proper swing practice on the mat will eliminate an outside-in swing, thus eliminating the tendency to inadvertently slice the ball.

Additionally, it has been found that too low a follow-through results in a ducking hook to the ball, and that the too low following-through is caused in part by an undesirable hand roll. It has been found that conscientious practice on the mat eliminates such hand roll and contributes to a high follow-through.

Claims

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed to be novel and sought to be protected by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A golf swing practice mat upon which a golfer may stand in a golf club swinging stance, said mat comprising:

a unitary base of generally rectangular shape and uniform thickness, and having a planar top surface, said base being defined by first and second parallel ends and first and second parallel sides;

a first guide slot recessed in said planar top surface and extending transversely across said base adjacent said first end, and a second guide slot recessed in said planar top surface and extending longitudinally of said base adjacent said first side from a first interception with said first guide slot, said first and second guide slots prescribing a first stance guide whereby a golfer may stand on said mat at a position dictated by said first interception of said first and second slots;

a third guide slot recessed in said planar top surface and extending transversely across said base adjacent said second end, said second guide slot terminating at a second interception with said third guide slot, said third guide slot prescribing a line of flight indicator and defining the intended line of flight of a ball struck by a golf club swung by a golfer standing on said base at said position dictated by said first interception;

a fourth guide slot recessed in said planar top to a depth greater than said first, second and third slots, said fourth guide slot being angularly disposed with respect to said second and third slots, intersecting said second and third slots at said second interception, and extending on opposite sides of said third slot and prescribing a swing path indicator for showing the proper swing path of a golf club head to drive a golf ball in the direction indicated by said line of flight indicator;

a first aperture in said base, an upwardly extending ball support in said aperture, said first aperture being located at said second interception; and

upwardly extending integral cleats in said fourth guide slot, the thickness of said cleats being such that the upper surfaces thereof are positioned below said planar top surface of said mat at a depth substantially equal to the depth of said first, second and third slots, said cleats further being of a color contrasting from that of the remainder of said mat whereby said cleats serve to visually differentiate said fourth guide slot from said first, second and third guide slots.

2. The practice mat of claim 1 further wherein there is provided a fifth guide slot recessed in said planar surface and extending longitudinally of said base adjacent said second side and parallel to said second guide slot from a third interception with said first guide slot to a fourth interception with said third guide slot, said first and fifth guide slots prescribing a second stance guide on said mat whereby both right and left handed golfers may use said mat by positioning themselves on said mat at positions dictated by said first and third interceptions;

a sixth guide slot recessed in said planar top surface to a depth greater than said first, second, third and fifth guide slots, said sixth guide slot being angularly disposed with respect to said third and fifth slots, intersecting said third and fifth guide slots at said fourth interception, and extending on opposite sides of said third slot and prescribing a swing path indicator for showing the proper swing path of a golf club head to drive a golf ball in the direction indicated by said line of flight indicator by a golfer standing on said base at a position dictated by said third interception of said first and fifth slots;

a second aperture in said base, an upwardly extending ball support in said aperture, said second aperture being located at said fourth interception; and

upwardly extending integral cleats in said sixth guide slot, the thickness of said cleats being such that the upper surfaces thereof are positioned below said planar top surface of said mat at a depth substantially equal to the depth of said first, second, third and fifth slots, said cleats further being of a color contrasting from that of the remainder of said mat whereby said cleats serve to visually differentiate said sixth guide slot from said first, second, third and fifth guide slots.

3. The practice mat of claim 2 further wherein said cleats in said fourth and sixth guide slots include pairs of cleat segments, said cleat segments in each said fourth and sixth guide slots being axially aligned and one each of said cleat segments of each said pair being disposed in said fourth and sixth slots on opposite sides of said third guide slot.