Abstract: A golf swing training device is disclosed that will provide instant feedback on the position of the golfer's clubface at impact. The device consists of a rebounding surface enclosed, and attach to a frame with a safety net, a goal, a golf mat to provide a hitting surface, and a ribbon attached from the bottom of the frame to the golf mat for alignment and shot analysis. The rebounding surface faces opposite the goal such that when a practice golf ball hits it, it will land in the goal if struck properly. Its angle may be adjustable to accommodate different clubs for a proper rebound into the goal. The rebounder surface may be made from a foam material with a fabric covering that when struck, leaves an indention for visual target reference, repels the ball, and indicates ball spin by referencing where the ball landed inside or outside the goal.

Abstract: A ball return device having a frame and an elastic reflector supported on the frame. The elastic reflector has a first open end that is connected to a rim, and an opposite second end that is downwardly tapered from the first end to form a vertex at the second end. The elastic reflector is connected at the second end to the frame by a tension cord that supplies tension to the elastic reflector. The degree of tension in the tension cord, as well as the location of the attachment point of the tension cord on the frame, are adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for catching a golf ball is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a compact golf ball catching apparatus having a first energy absorbing layer located at a frontal portion of the apparatus, a second energy absorbing layer located at a rear portion of the apparatus, and a frame adapted to connect the first and second energy absorbing layer as well as provide structural integrity to the first energy absorbing layer; wherein the first energy absorbing layer slows down the speed of a golf ball as it enters and penetrates the apparatus and hinders the golf ball's ability from exiting the apparatus post impact.

Abstract: There is disclosed a practice putting apparatus (100). The practice putting apparatus has a putting target (101), and a light source (120a, 120b) for lighting a guide path on a practice surface, the guide path being parallel to a putting line (124) along which a golf ball is intended to be struck at said target to thereby provide a visual aid to alignment of the putter head when making a putting stroke along the putting line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for catching a golf ball is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a compact golf ball catching apparatus having a first energy absorbing layer located at a frontal portion of the apparatus, a second energy absorbing layer located at a rear portion of the apparatus, and a frame adapted to connect the first and second energy absorbing layer as well as provide structural integrity to the first energy absorbing layer; wherein the first energy absorbing layer slows down the speed of a golf ball as it enters and penetrates the apparatus and hinders the golf ball's ability from exiting the apparatus post impact.

Abstract: There is disclosed a practice putting apparatus. The practice putting apparatus has a putting target, and a light source for lighting a guide path on a practice surface, the guide path being parallel to a putting line along which a golf ball is intended to be struck at said target to thereby provide a visual aid to alignment of the putter head when making a putting stroke along the putting line.

Abstract: A swing training apparatus includes an upright target portion and a ball capturing net. The target portion has a hit surface to be hit by golf balls. The hit surface has at least one ball inlet to receive the golf balls and a ball outlet at a lower section of the target portion. The ball capturing net is fastened to a side of the target portion to form a ball collection space therebetween. The ball collection space communicates with the ball inlet and ball outlet. The ball capturing net includes a ball guide slope leading to the ball outlet to direct the golf balls to leave the ball collection space through the ball outlet. Hence once the golf balls enter the ball inlet they can be retrieved easily for swing practice again without users going to the swing training apparatus to fetch the golf balls.

Abstract: A golf practice system including a containment structure and a mechanically driven golf ball-return unit coupled to the containment structure, with a sloped portion or channel directing a struck golf ball to the return unit such that the golf ball is mechanically projected back to the golfer. A berm device for chipping practice and other uses also is disclosed.

Abstract: A ball returning tent net includes a frame that is supported on the ground on three or four contact points, and a ball-catch enclosure that is supported by the frame. The ball-catch enclosure includes an aperture that is adapted to pass a ball through, and a rear wall that is adapted to catch the ball and a bottom net. The frame includes a front frame member that supports the aperture and a rear frame member that supports the rear wall. The bottom net is inclined downward toward the front frame member. The ball-catch enclosure further includes an anti-sagging device that prevents sagging of the bottom net.

Abstract: There are disclosed non-standard sport projectiles having a material with a high flexural modulus, and an axle at the axis of rotation. The axle extends through at least one linear through hole. Non-standard sport projectiles are disclosed with cushioned ends. A tee device is disclosed for driving the non-standard sport projectiles. Inflatable targets are disclosed for golf games with non-standard sport projectiles.

Abstract: A golf practice system including a containment structure and a mechanically driven golf ball-return unit coupled to the containment structure, with a sloped portion or channel directing a struck golf ball to the return unit such that the golf ball is mechanically projected back to the golfer. A berm device for chipping practice and other uses also is disclosed.

Abstract: A golf chipping practice device for a golfer comprising, a base, a net enclosure comprising a rear panel and side panels attached to the base, the net being open facing the player, the base having a floor area which is angled downward, a hole in the floor area of the base to receive a ball hit into the net, a power unit inside the base, a channel to carry the ball after it drops into the hole, a switch in the channel adapted to activate a spinning wheel which encroaches into the channel, presses against the ball in the channel and drives the ball forward, an exit hole through which the ball is driven by the spinning wheel back to the player, a switch adjacent the exit hole adapted to turn off the power unit when impacted by the ball exiting the exit hole.

Abstract: A putter training device has a putting green surrounded by a “hazard” . The putting green slants upwardly from the front edge of the device and is provided with a cup as a target for the golfer. If the ball is successfully putted into the cup, a channel extends from the cup, through the hazard, and to a ball return ramp on one side of the device. If the ball is hit beyond the putting green, the ball falls into the hazard and returns to the player via the ball return ramp.

Abstract: A golf swing, chip, pitch or putt practice and training device is provided which provides people who play golf the means to develop their ability to swing, chip, pitch and putt. The practice and training device comprises a base and a backstop attached to the base. The base is provided with base alignment marks and a golf ball strike box for positioning and aligning a golfer before, during, and after the execution of a swing, chip, pitch shot or putting stroke. The backstop is likewise provided with backstop alignment marks which further assist in maintaining the golfer's alignment through the swing, and which immediately provide the golfer with an indication of his swing performance. The backstop is provided at its upper end with adjustable means for attaching the backstop to a ceiling or structure, at its lower end with means for attaching the backstop to the base, and is generally curved to ensure that the golf ball automatically returns to the golfer after each swing.

Abstract: A hockey practice device which provides physiological memory training to the user includes a low, short open bottom housing having a variable resistance striker puck which slides in a slot in the top of the housing, the puck being secured to a slider beneath the top which is secured to a variable tension extensible and retractable spring member having one end fixed to the housing and the other end to the slider, the entire assembly being only about five feet long or less so as to be usable indoors or outdoors in a minimal space.

Abstract: A golf putting training controls golf ball momentum into a delivery site by first absorbing momentum of indeterminate magnitude and thereafter allowing the ball to move along a controlled or sloped path under influence of gravity. As a result, the ball enjoys consistent momentum and alignment upon arrival at the delivery site. The delivery site can be a kick-back device operating more consistently when receiving a ball moving along a consistent approach path and with consistent momentum. The delivery site can also be a golf ball return area whereat a golf ball is desirably returned consistently to a given region thereof.

Abstract: A golf green trainer comprises a mainframe chest, an immovable putt plate, and an electronic control chest. The mainframe chest further comprises an angular adjusting device, a ball sweeping device, a ball collecting device, and a ball supplying device such that users can set the angular adjusting device by means of the electronic control chest for adjusting the inclination angle of the golf green plate so as to simulate a real golf green surface. By means of the ball sweeping device, the golf ball which can not be putted into the hole nor to the out-of-bounds but remain on the golf green plate will be swept into the ball collecting device. By means of the ball collecting device, the ball which is putted into the hole and the ball which is swept into the ball collecting device will be collected for replenishing the ball supplying device. By means of the ball supplying device, the golf ball will be supplied to one end of the immovable putt plate for users to putt.

Abstract: The present golf ball catching funnel is comprised of a horizontal frame, a funnel-shaped sheet suspended within the frame, and legs elevating the frame and sheet off the ground. The frame is adapted to be positioned against the front of a golf ball driving net for catching golf balls as they drop from the net. Detachable fasteners along a rear edge of the sheet secure the golf ball catching funnel against the driving net, and thus prevent the golf balls from falling between the catching funnel and the driving net. A resilient tube with a longitudinal split is clipped around a front edge of the frame for preventing the golf balls from rolling off as they bounce back from the driving net. A hole is provided in the sheet for directing the golf balls into a bucket below to stretch taut the sheet and generally smooth out any wrinkles and ripples which might prevent the golf balls from rolling toward said hole.

Abstract: Lifting golf balls in a vertical tube from a lifting station using spaced apart motorized wheels with finger projections for projecting into side openings in the vertical tube. The golf balls are allowed to fall by gravity from an apex of the vertical tube to a diverter for directing the golf balls to a particular dispenser apparatus.

Abstract: A sensor for locating the position of and measuring the velocity of an impacting object. The sensor employs a net attached at each edge to sensor modules mounted on a frame. Each sensor module includes an output drum, a take up drum, a spring and a motor. The net is attached to the sensor modules by cords wound on a spring loaded output drum. The drum is coaxial with a motor that generates a voltage proportional to the angular velocity of the drum. The diode isolated motor partially dissipates the energy of impact to heat on the return stroke in response to the restorative force of the spring. An object impacting a net draws the cord from the output drum, generating a voltage from an attached motor. A maximum voltage or an integrated voltage generated by the motors determines the velocity of impact. Each particular net has an associated set of axes. A pair of motors, their position known relative to the frame, are placed along these axes attached to one or more strings by a cord.