U.S. patent number 3,868,109 [Application Number 05/367,635] was granted by the patent office on 1975-02-25 for golfer's practice mat.
Invention is credited to Joe J. Fowler.
United States Patent |
3,868,109 |
Fowler |
February 25, 1975 |
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.
Inventors: |
Fowler; Joe J. (San Jose,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
23447980 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/367,635 |
Filed: |
June 6, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
69/3667 (20130101); A63B 69/36 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/36 (20060101); A63b 069/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/187,186,195,183,196,197,198 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Marlo; George J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Leavitt; John J.
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.
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.
* * * * *