Golf swing training apparatus

Abstract

A golf training apparatus for practicing golf strokes using either irons or woods and from both even and uneven lies with training apparatus including a base coupled to a selectively tiltable platform having a standing section adjacent a striking section covered with a replaceable striking mat defining an uppermost and further including a tee with a neck projecting at least partially through the mat and terminating in an uppermost incline rim operable to releasably hold a golf ball in a pre-strike position with the platform in a tilted orientation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention: [0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for practicing golf strokes and more specifically to an apparatus for supporting a golfer during the striking of a golf ball from a variety of lies. [0003] 2. General Background and State of the Art: [0004] The game of golf is enjoyed around the world, both leisurely and as a serious competitive sport. Both dedication and practice are necessary to obtain consistency and improve one's score. To gain an edge, many golfers seek the assistance of a golf professional or instructor. A typical practice session involves striking a large quantity of golf balls one at a time directly off of a level practice mat constructed of a rubber pad covered by an artificial turf material or off of a tee projecting through the mat at a driving range. The tee typically includes an enlarged circular base flange and a cylindrical neck that terminates at its height in a level rim parallel with t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is that the adjusting element comprises a hydraulic pu

Problems solved by technology

Even more difficult uneven lies resulting from a combination of an uphill / sidehill lie or a downhill / sidehill lie are also frequently encountered during play.

However, the conventional practice mat only allows the golfer to practice shots from an even lie or tee shots and does not allow the golfer to simulate difficult shots from an uneven lie.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,317 to Beam or FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,478 to Wood et al., the golf ball is struck from a raised tee and thus does not accurately simulate an iron shot from an uneven grass lie.

These golf ball holding devices defeat the purpose of simulating real golf conditions.

More specifically, when using a tee to elevate the golf ball off the surrounding turf, such turf is typically level and thus striking a golf ball off of a tee from an uneven lie is not an accurate game scenario.

However, the material defining the dimples is not flexible and does not allow the golfer to strike down through the ball.

Furthermore, should the dimples be too large, the true flight of the golf ball once struck is impacted and, conversely, should the dimples be too shallow or too small in diameter, this leads to a dimple with poor retention capacity and the golf ball will roll off the platform when tilted.

However, from a review of these constructions, it is apparent that if the simulated grass or artificial turf is short as for simulating a fairway shot, the golf ball will roll off the mat when the platform is tilted.

However, this precludes a true simulation of short fairway grass and also remains susceptible to releasing the ball when the platform is tilted severely as when simulating a steep uneven lie.

Some of the patents listed above do not even address how the ball is maintained in place on the tilted platform.

However, it has been found that a standard rubber tee with a level upper rim is inadequate to inhibit a golf ball from rolling off a practice mat as the underlying platform is tilted through a wide range of angles.

Thus, the use of such a standard tee reduces the range of shots the golfer can practice.

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