DRIVING RANGE MAT

Abstract

A golf driving range mat with a realistic reaction to swings and less shock. The mat promotes a good golf swing may reduce joint injuries as it is much more like hitting off real grass. A top surface of the mat is formed of field turf and the mat is configured with one or more bands having various lengths of field turf strands to replicate differing grooming areas of a golf course. The bands may be arranged in parallel stripes, rings, or irregular border areas between the bands.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/642,803, filed Mar. 14, 2018, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf training apparatus, and more particularly to mats for swing training, such as for driving ranges.

Mechanical devices for golf swing training break and have a small surface area. Other popular devices such as mats with Astroturf and a rubber underlayment are too hard and only simulate fairway conditions. These unrealistic mats are unsuitable for training and developing a quality golf swing. The surface of these mats is too hard, such that the shock a golfer experiences when striking these mats promotes wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved driving range mat that promotes a good golf swing, reduce joint injuries, and provides a more realistic surface that is much more like hitting off real grass encountered on a golf course.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention a golf swing training mat is disclosed. The mat includes a top layer defined by a plurality of bands of a field turf formed of a soft stranded material dimensioned to replicate a grass playing surface. A second layer is provided subjacent the top layer with the second layer formed of an elastomeric gel material. A substrate layer is formed subjacent to the second layer, with the substrate layer formed of one of a solid foam or a rubberized underlayment.

In some embodiments, the golf swing training mat may also include an anchor composition formed of a granular material disposed about the top layer and carried between the soft stranded materials. The anchor composition may include a mixture of a sand and a granular rubber material.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of bands is defined by a discrete length of the field turf. The discrete length of the field turf in a first band may be in the range of about ½ of an inch. The discrete length of the field turf in a second band may be in the range of about 1½ inches. The discrete length of the field turf in a third band is in the range of about 2 inches.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of bands are disposed in parallel lengths across a lateral aspect of the mat. In other embodiments, each of the plurality of bands are disposed in a concentric ring pattern. In yet other embodiments, each of the plurality of bands are disposed with an irregular boundary line between the plurality of bands.

In other aspects of the invention, a golf swing training mat includes a top layer defined by a plurality of bands of a field turf that are formed of a soft stranded material dimensioned to replicate a grass playing surface. A second layer is provided subjacent to the top layer, with the second layer formed of an impact absorbing material. A substrate layer subjacent to the second layer, with the substrate layer formed of one of a solid foam or a rubberized underlayment.

An anchor composition formed of a granular material may be disposed about the top layer and carried between the soft stranded materials. The anchor composition may be a mixture of sand and a granular rubber material.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of bands is defined by a discrete length of the field turf corresponding to a defined play surface of a golf course. The plurality of bands includes a fairway band, a light rough band, and a rough band. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of bands are disposed in parallel lengths across a lateral aspect of the mat. In other embodiments, each of the plurality of bands are disposed in a concentric ring pattern. In yet other embodiments, each of the plurality of bands are disposed with an irregular boundary line between the plurality of bands.

In yet other aspects of the invention, a golf swing training mat includes a top layer defined by a field turf formed of a soft stranded material having a length dimensioned to replicate a grass length of a golf playing surface. A second layer is bonded to a lower surface of the top layer, with the second layer formed of an impact absorbing material. A substrate layer is positioned subjacent to and bonded to a bottom surface of the second layer, with the substrate layer formed of one of a solid foam or a rubberized underlayment. An anchor material disposed about the top layer and carried between the soft stranded materials.

In some embodiments, the grass length of the golf playing surface comprises one or more of a fairway length, a light rough length, and a rough length.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the golf swing mat;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the golf swing mat;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the golf swing mat;

FIG. 4 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the golf swing mat, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the golf swing mat; and

FIG. 6 is a section view of the alternate embodiment of the golf swing mat, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an improved golf driving mat to reduce shock injury and provide a more realistic surface to develop proper swing techniques and feel. The issues with current golf mats is resolved by more realistic grass-blades and a soft underlayment simulating fairway, light and deep rough. The softer, more shock absorbent underlayment reduces the shock experienced by golfers practicing a variety of strokes.

As seen in reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1-6, embodiments of a golf training mat are shown. The golf training mat 10 according to aspects of the invention promotes a good golf swing and may reduce joint injuries as it is much more like hitting off real grass. The mat 10 includes a top layer 24, 26, 28 formed of a synthetic material, commonly known as field turf. The top layer 24, 26, 28 includes a plurality of soft stranded materials dimensioned to replicate a grass playing surface. A second layer 20, 22 may be formed of an elastomeric gel layer, similar in composition to that of a shoe insert, and be positioned beneath the field turf layer 24, 26, 28. Alternatively, the second layer 20, 22 may be formed with a foam air cushion material. A third layer 18 includes a solid foam or a rubberized underlayment 18.

Traditional field turf for athletic events is typically anchored or secured with a pelletized or pulverized rubber material 30 or sand to add weight, resiliency, and permits slippage to more closely replicate a natural turf surface. According to certain aspects of the invention, a quantity of sand is mixed with the pelletized rubber material to provide the anchor composition 30 for the field turf. The mixed anchor composition 30 is disposed across the surface of the field turf 24, 26, 28 and worked between the soft stranded materials 24, 26, 28 to provide a more realistic action of the club head striking the natural turf encountered on a golf course.

According to other aspects of the invention, the field turf is disposed with a plurality of bands 12, 14, 16 or regions wherein the length of the stranded fibers 24, 26, 28 is varied to more accurately simulate the lie of a golf ball in various turf areas encountered on a golf course. A first region 12 may include strands 24 in the range of about ½″ to replicate the groomed grass surface of a fairway or tee box. A second region 14 may include strands 26 that are approximately 1½″ in length to simulate the conditions in a light rough area. A third region 16 may include strands 28 that are in the range of 2″ to simulate the conditions of a heavy rough area of a golf course.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the bands 12, 14, 16 may be disposed in parallel lengths across a lateral aspect of the mat 10. In other embodiments, the bands may be disposed a ring or in irregular lines to simulate the irregular contours or edges of a golf course, permitting the golfer to train to various conditions that their ball may encounter between groomed areas of the golf course.

The gel layer 20, 22 may be joined to the first layer 12, 14, 16 with an adhesive or other bonding. Likewise, the gel layer 20, 22 may be joined to the third layer 18 by an adhesive or other bond. When all the layers are adhered together, a golfer can use it as a driving range mat 10 as opposed to a standard mat or grass.

As will be appreciated, the golf mat 10 of the present invention is used instead of the current Astroturf mats or grass. The mat 10 using Field Turf 24, 26, 28 and gel 20 or air cushioning 22 provides more realistic cushioning and a feel like hitting off real grass. The mat 10 would also be easier on the golfer's joints. Additionally, it can be used in any large or small play area or sports field.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A golf swing training mat, comprising:

a top layer defined by a plurality of bands of a field turf formed of a soft stranded material dimensioned to replicate a grass playing surface;

a second layer subjacent the top layer, the second layer formed of an elastomeric gel material; and

a substrate layer subjacent to the second layer, the substrate layer formed of one of a solid foam or a rubberized underlayment.

2. The golf swing training mat of claim 1, further comprising:

an anchor composition formed of a granular material disposed about the top layer and carried between the soft stranded materials.

3. The golf swing training mat of claim 2, wherein the anchor composition is a mixture of sand and a granular rubber material.

4. The golf swing training mat of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of bands is defined by a discrete length of the field turf.

5. The golf swing training mat of claim 4, wherein the discrete length of the field turf in a first band is in the range of about ½ of an inch.

6. The golf swing training mat of claim 4, wherein the discrete length of the field turf in a second band is in the range of about 1½ inches.

7. The golf swing training mat of claim 4, wherein the discrete length of the field turf in a third band is in the range of about 2 inches.

8. The golf swing training mat of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of bands are disposed in parallel lengths across a lateral aspect of the mat.

9. The golf swing training mat of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of bands are disposed in a concentric ring pattern.

10. The golf swing training mat of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of bands are disposed with an irregular boundary line between the plurality of bands.

11. A golf swing training mat, comprising:

a top layer defined by a plurality of bands of a field turf formed of a soft stranded material dimensioned to replicate a grass playing surface;

a second layer subjacent the top layer, the second layer formed of an impact absorbing material; and

a substrate layer subjacent to the second layer, the substrate layer formed of one of a solid foam or a rubberized underlayment.

12. The golf swing training mat of claim 11, further comprising:

an anchor composition formed of a granular material disposed about the top layer and carried between the soft stranded materials.

13. The golf swing training mat of claim 12, wherein the anchor composition is a mixture of sand and a granular rubber material.

14. The golf swing training mat of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of bands is defined by a discrete length of the field turf corresponding to a defined play surface of a golf course.

15. The golf swing training mat of claim 14, wherein the plurality of bands includes a fairway band, a light rough band, and a rough band.

16. The golf swing training mat of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of bands are disposed in parallel lengths across a lateral aspect of the mat.

17. The golf swing training mat of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of bands are disposed in a concentric ring pattern.

18. The golf swing training mat of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of bands are disposed with an irregular boundary line between the plurality of bands.

19. A golf swing training mat, comprising:

a top layer defined by a field turf formed of a soft stranded material having a length dimensioned to replicate a grass length of a golf playing surface;

a second layer bonded to a lower surface of the top layer, the second layer formed of an impact absorbing material;

a substrate layer subjacent to and bonded to a bottom surface of the second layer, the substrate layer formed of one of a solid foam or a rubberized underlayment; and

an anchor material disposed about the top layer and carried between the soft stranded materials.

20. The golf swing training mat of claim 19, wherein the grass length of the golf playing surface comprises one or more of a fairway length, a light rough length, and a rough length.