Golf Training Device

Abstract

A golf training device for utilization within a dwelling having a mounting frame of a general height carried by a floor. The golf training device includes resilient tarp flexibly carried by the mounting member via a plurality of suspension members at a location proximate the general height of the mounting member. The suspension members enabling the resilient tarp to hang from the mounting member in a manner enabling the tarp to deflect upon impact from a golf ball. The resilient tarp has indicia indicative of a golf course fairway.

Description

The present invention relates to a golf target training device and more particularly to a tarp having target indicia for receiving the impact of a struck golf ball which is mounted within the interior of a building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golfers are endlessly pursuing the perfect swing. In pursuit of this goal, golfers strive to practice their swing whenever they have the opportunity. Such efforts usually involve going to a golf driving range where certain targets are positioned at different lengths and lateral positions from a predetermined hitting spot. This configuration enables the golfer to visually see a target and aim for that target.

However, going to a golf driving range is not always convenient. Accordingly, attempts to provide opportunities to practice a golf swing at a home have produced target nets. One such net is provided by Callaway identified as the Callaway Golf Home Range. This net is six feet high by six feet wide and six feet deep and includes a bullseye target which is suspended within the interior of the net. A mat for hitting a golf ball off of is provided. This construction may be used inside a dwelling or garage. When using such a device, a person would typically stand ten to fifteen feet away for striking a golf ball off of a mat. Accordingly, while suitable for its intended purpose, such a practice configuration requires approximately sixteen feet of floor space, which is significant. Additionally, while not necessarily, it is possible that holes within the net may develop possibly weakening the entire structure. Furthermore, setting up a target net can sometimes be complicated.

Additional practice environments include golf simulators which are found at locations such as PGA Superstores. These simulators have a computer generated scene displayed on a resilient screen intended to absorb the impact of a struck golf ball. These simulators also generally have cameras for tracking the golf ball and utilize software to provide an estimation of the distance and direction which the ball was hit. Based on this information, various depictions of the golf course is presented onto the screen to provide a realistic experience. Additionally, since the motion sensor devices are fixed and calibrated for such fixed positions, in order to accurately calculate the flight of the struck golf ball and hence manipulate the displayed image on the screen, the golf ball is required to be struck from a fixed point thereby typically always presenting the golfer in line with the target. While suitable for their intended purposes, such constructions are typically only found in various golf stores and are generally beyond the price range for home installation. Furthermore, having a fixed striking point which is aligned with the target is not always present during actual golfing conditions. Hence the ability to hit a golf ball from various angles to a target is more desirable.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a golf target training device which may be utilized within a dwelling which does not require significant floor space and which is economical.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide for a golf target training device which is sturdy and resistant to rips.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a golf target training device which is easy to set up and also presents a realistic appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished according to the invention by providing a golf training device for utilization within a dwelling having a mounting frame of a general height carried by a floor. The golf training device includes a resilient tarp flexibly carried by a mounting member via a plurality of suspension members at a location proximate the general height of the mounting member. The suspension members enable the resilient tarp to hang from the mounting member in a manner enabling the tarp to deflect upon impact from a golf ball. The resilient tarp has indicia indicative of a golf course fairway.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view illustrating a golf target training device according to the invention suspended within a dwelling.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a golf target training device according to the invention suspended within a dwelling.

FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of a golf target training device according to the invention suspended within a dwelling.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring in more details to the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a golf target training device A is suspended from a mounting member 10. Mounting member 10 may be a suspended pole, or a rafter inside an unfinished room. Additionally mounting member 10 may incorporate a frame. Preferably golf target training device A is a tarp 11 made from canvas. The canvas material is preferably heavy duty rot resistant ten ounce cotton duck canvas fabric with double stitched seams. Additionally, the tarp 11 may be manufactured from rip stop fabric. Preferably tarp 10 is a sheet which is foldable and washable.

Tarp 11 includes a plurality of reinforced receptacles 12 or rings for receiving suspension members 14. Preferably receptacles 12 are neoprene bonded seal washers for reducing the sound of the ball hitting the mat. Suspension members 14 may be S-hooks, or bungee cords or the like. The opposite ends of suspension members 14 are received by mounting member 10. Mounting member 10 in combination with suspension members 14 suspends tarp in an upright position for being in a ready position to receive a struck golf ball. Preferably the mounting member is located at a height which is proximate the height of a room, basically ten feet. Preferably tarp is constructed to suspend freely from a hung position proximate the height of the frame enabling tarp 11 to deflect upon being struck by a golf ball to absorb the force of the golf ball. FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of tarp 11 deflecting upon impact of a golf ball. With the construction of tarp 11, the mounting member 10 and tarp 11 may be positioned in the proximity of a wall preferably at least eighteen inches. The additional footprint required for the golf training device A is minimal compared to the preferred striking distance from which the golfer strikes the ball.

Tarp 11 is ideally of sufficient height to extend from close proximity to the ceiling to the floor with some overlap on the floor to provide for a ball catcher. Preferably tarp 11 is twelve feet wide and nine feet tall. Such a construction provides for a large target area. The surface of tarp 11 is impregnated with a fixed target display. In the preferred embodiment, the fixed target display represents a scene representative of a golf course fairway with a target flag. In one embodiment fairways of famous courses may be utilized and sold as a kit. Additionally, tarp 11 may consist of a first design, but a second design on a lighter substrate may be attached over the first design utilizing a Velcro attachment arrangement. In this manner, a person could practice several holes of a particular famous course. This design provides for a realistic simulated target reinforcing accuracy on the golfer. The golfer will readily see where the struck golf ball lands indicating if the flight of the golf ball was accurate. FIG. 1 illustrates a fairway scene 20 with woods bordering the fairway and a target flag 22. As shown in FIG. 3 in an alternative embodiment, tarp 10 consists of a set of targets 28 located at different positions on the tarp. Such configuration is suitable for skill shots such as chipping, bump and run, etc. enabling different shots to be struck from different clubs and at different heights.

As shown in FIG. 2, in operation, mounting member 10 is provided and tarp 11 is carried by mounting member 16 via suspension members in a manner which enables tarp 11 to extend from the proximity of a ceiling to a floor and providing sufficient resiliency in the tarp 11 to deflect upon being struck by a golf ball. The tarp 11 includes a target area and preferably hazards impregnated onto the tarp 11 providing for a realistic hitting experience. An instructional system may be provided by providing a mat made from synthetic material such as Astro-turf® in a kit with tarp 11.

Thus, it can be seen that an advantageous construction for a golf training device can be had according to the invention. The golf training device consists of a tarp which is suspended within a dwelling in a manner which requires a footprint. The tarp is tear resistant and constructed to endure the impact of struck golf balls. A visual target with associated hazards provide for a realistic hitting experience.

Claims

1. A golf training device for utilization within a dwelling having a mounting member of a general height carried by a floor comprising:

a resilient tarp flexibly carried by said mounting member via a plurality of suspension members at a location proximate the general height of said mounting frame;

said suspension members enabling said resilient tarp to hang from said mounting member a manner enabling said tarp to deflect upon impact from a golf ball; and

said resilient tarp having indicia indicative of a golf course fairway.

2. The golf training device of claim 1 wherein said tarp is constructed from a tear resistance material selected from the group of canvas or rip stop.

3. The golf training device of claim 1 wherein said tarp is at least nine feet in height when suspended from said mounting member.

4. The golf training device of claim 1 wherein said tarp is flexible and foldable.

5. The golf training device of claim 1 further including a substrate having indicia representative of a second golf course fairway design including attachment mounts for being matingly attached to said tarp.

6. The golf training device of claim 5 wherein said tarp and substrate are sold as a kit and contain fairway designs of famous golf fairways.

7. A golf training device for utilization within a dwelling having a mounting member carried by a floor comprising:

a resilient tarp flexibly carried by said mounting member via a plurality of suspension members at a location proximate the general height of said mounting member;

said suspension members enabling said resilient tarp to hang from said mounting member in a manner enabling said tarp to deflect upon impact from a golf ball; and

said resilient tarp having indicia indicative of a plurality of targets at different heights and location on said tarp.

8. The golf training device of claim 7 wherein said tarp is constructed from a tear resistance material selected from the group of canvas or rip stop.

9. The golf training device of claim 8 wherein said tarp is at least nine feet in height when suspended from said mounting member.

10. The golf training device of claim 9 wherein said tarp is flexible and foldable.

11. A golf training device for utilization within a dwelling having a mounting member of a general height carried by a floor comprising:

a resilient tarp flexibly carried by said mounting member via a plurality of suspension members at a location proximate the general height of said mounting frame;

said suspension members enabling said resilient tarp to hang from said mounting member a manner enabling said tarp to deflect upon impact from a golf ball;

said resilient tarp having indicia indicative of a target;

said tarp is constructed from a tear resistance material selected from the group of canvas or rip stop; and

said tarp is at least nine feet in height when suspended from said mounting member.