Abstract: A golf practice device comprises a main frame which contains a compressible energy transfer pad and a flexible turf section which rests atop the energy transfer pad. The turf section is secured in the frame only along a forward end of the turf section. Additionally, the turf section is secured to the energy transfer pad at an end opposite from the forward end or along a length of the energy transfer pad. Thus, when the turf section is struck by a swinging golf club, the turf section will flex, bend and move relative to the frame, thereby simulating the feel of creation of a divot. A tee box may be removably attached to the frame for allowing a golfer to practice teeing off. Multiple main and tee boxes may be attached together, both lengthwise and widthwise.

Abstract: A putting practice assembly for practicing putting on a variety of putting green conditions includes a putting mat that is longitudinally elongated to simulate a putting lane. The putting mat has a plurality of sections and each of the sections has a unique texture with respect to each other. In this way each of the sections facilitates a unique golf ball speed with respect to each other for practicing putting in a variety of putting green conditions.

Abstract: A golfing platform includes a standing region, for a user to stand to make their golf swing, and a striking zone, where a golf ball may be placed for striking by a golf club. The striking zone may be configured to replicate the feel of real turf, but where the artificial turf covering is not taken up as divots during a golf club swing. The striking zone can include a striking zone insert which may be formed from a hollow region surrounded by a flexible tubular material and encased with a covering material. The striking zone insert may have a height substantially the same as the height of the standing platform. A matting insert material may surround the striking zone to make the entire golf platform (the standing platform, the matting insert material and the striking zone insert) of uniform height, thereby mimicking a typical golf swing from the ground.

Abstract: A golf mat includes a frame having a central channel between left and right side shoulders. A hitting pad, such as an artificial turf pad, is slidable within or on the central channel. At least one elastic element, such as a rubber cord, extends laterally across the channel, and with the elastic element attached directly or indirectly to the artificial turf pad. Impact of the golf club head on the pad causes the pad to slide forward, absorbing impact forces and providing a feel to the golfer closer to hitting off of real grass. The elastic element decelerates the pad, and returns to the pad to its original position after the impact. The elastic element may be an elastic cord having plugged or knotted ends secured between inner and outer walls of the side shoulders of the frame.

Abstract: A device that makes an imprint in a sand trap, providing a practicing golfer with visual indications of proper swing path, club face angle, club impact position, when making a basic sand shot.

Abstract: A golf training aid assembly simulates taking a divot while swinging a golf club. The assembly includes a platform having a top surface. A resiliently flexible member is coupled to the platform. A panel has a first end pivotally coupled to the platform wherein the panel is pivotable relative to the platform. The panel is supported on the resiliently flexible member in spaced relationship to the first end of the panel such that a top surface of the panel is coplanar with the top surface of the platform when the panel rests upon the resiliently flexible member. The panel is downwardly pivotable relative to the top surface of the platform such that the top surface of the panel is configured for being urged downwardly when contacted by a golf club head. The resiliently flexible member is deformable and provides resistance to downward pivoting of the panel.

Abstract: One of the most challenging aspects of golfing is the consistent ability to perfect the swing. After the ball is struck, it may either veer away from the golfer and this in known as a slice or veer towards the golfer and this is known as a hook. The slice is the more troublesome shot because it occurs most frequently and is the most difficult to correct. The current device will establish for the golfer the correct path for the club as it strikes the ball so that the slice is corrected and the ball travels in a straight direction.

Abstract: The inventor has not observed in pro shops, golf stores, or on golf courses/driving ranges a durable, small, rubber-like or pliable, soft plastic product that does what The Turf-Saver does. Alignment devices are typically larger and more cumbersome. The current method of preserving driving range turf is by use of mats on concrete platforms that are roundly disliked by most golfers, especially older golfers whose wrists and forearms are adversely affected. None of the existing devices are practicable for use on the course. The invention is a device designed to provide a surface that will preserve turf, while assisting in alignment of golf clubs with the golf ball, driver through wedge, both on practice ranges and on the golf course. The device, which may be manufactured either of a soft, resilient rubber, or a type of pliable plastic that simulates rubber, is structured so as to receive the club well, simulating actual turf, while preserving the bottom of the club from undue abrasion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a golf swing trainer for improving a golfer's drive, posture, and technique when swing a golf club. The golf swing trainer includes a base, two lateral arms, and inside and outside guides which form a corridor through which a golf club is swung. Other elongated members are disclosed for securing a golfer's waste with a harness, bracing their leg, and the like. These components allow a golfer to simulate a golf swing and practice posture and technique preparatory to driving an actual golf ball.

Abstract: A golf swing training device has a base with a top side and a bottom side, where at least one ground anchor extends from the base away from the bottom side to engage the ground. The base also has at least one substantially horizontal indicator rod on the top side thereof, where the rod has a proximal end fixed to the base and a distal end extending from the base, where the rod has transverse sides, where the rod is configured to vibrate in a generally horizontal plane. The golf swing training device additionally has at least one bumper on the base on either side of the substantially horizontal indicator rod, where the horizontal indicator rod is configured to vibrate or move between the bumpers in a transverse horizontal direction where range of horizontal direction is limited by the bumpers.

Abstract: An elongate strip of material includes a longitudinal base, a forward portion for receiving a tee whose heard is to be disposed above a substantially planar surface, and a rearward portion. The forward portion and the rearward portion tangentially align about the substantially planar surface to visually stimulate a projected trajectory.

Abstract: A unitary golf putting teaching device that achieves four goals: teaching proper club head path; teaching proper club face angle at impact; teaching proper posture and proper eye alignment; and teaching green reading.

Abstract: A golf swing alignment apparatus has a generally elogate and straight body, a golf tee accepting apperture at each end of the elogate body, and a cross bar at approximately 90 degree angle to the elongate boby medial to one golf tee accepting apperture. The tool focuses on the takeaway path and clubhead position for the first move in a golf swing during recreational play and accurately aligns a golfer's swing path during the swing as well as a golfer's golf club head position. The crossmember is located approximately 1/4? behind the ball being held on the front tee. The device gives a clear visual path to follow and is portable, lightweight, flexible and convenient.

Abstract: A golf swing trainer comprising a set of modular cylindrical ground frame members, in the most basic form an elongated front-back member and at least two elongated fore-aft members removably mounted on the front-back member with connections that allow the position and spacing of the fore-aft members to be adjusted on the front-back members to define ground level swing/stroke paths, and one or more tilt-adjustable upright guide members removably and adjustably mounted on the ground frame members to define a swing plane. The ground frame is preferably made from cylindrical tubing, and special connectors are used that provide snap-fit, slide, and rotational connection to the ground frame members. The trainer also includes raised, angled guides that can be removably connected to the ground frame members to support a raised, elongated, horizontal putting guide at a parallel acute angle to a ground frame member.

Abstract: There is provided a golf putting training apparatus that is portable and operable with standard USGA golf equipment. The apparatus include parallel channels each emanating from a respective dimple. The channels are separated by a distance such that a golf ball placed on each dimple can be simultaneously using a standard putter, but also so that the golf balls do not contact each other. A chamfered portion allows the golf balls to roll continously off of the apparatus and onto an undersurface. By measuring the distance that each golf ball travels, a golfer gauges the accuracy of his swing. An obverse surface of the apparatus contains indicia that assists a golfer in aligning his positioning and stroke.

Abstract: A training device is provided for teaching the proper technique for the putting of a golf ball. The training device includes a putting surface having contours therein and a cup for receiving a golf ball. A tee box is provided on the putting surface. The tee box has ball placement indicia for placing a golf ball thereon, a length generally equal to a desired length of a stroke of the putter necessary to putt the golf ball from the ball placement indicia into the cup in the putting surface, and a width generally equal to the width of the putter. Roll path indicia on the putting surface identifies a roll path for the golf ball as it travels between the ball placement indicia and the cup in the putting surface.

Abstract: A training device is provided for teaching the proper technique for the putting of a golf ball. The training device includes a putting surface having contours therein and a cup for receiving a golf ball. A tee box is provided on the putting surface. The tee box has ball placement indicia for placing a golf ball thereon, a length generally equal to a desired length of a stroke of the putter necessary to putt the golf ball from the ball placement indicia into the cup in the putting surface, and a width generally equal to the width of the putter. Roll path indicia on the putting surface identifies a roll path for the golf ball as it travels between the ball placement indicia and the cup in the putting surface.

Abstract: A golf putt training apparatus is provided which assists a golfer in maintaining the putter head along an intendded target line while practicing a putting stroke. The training apparatus includes a pair of mutually opposing guide rails having plurality of substantially rigid teeth projecting in the direction of the opposing guide rail which stop the putter head from advancing off the intended target line. By leaving to advance the putter head between the guide rails without engaging the rigid teeth a golfer can develop a habit of keeping the putter head on the desired target line during a putting stroke.

Abstract: A golf training device includes a putting green platform having an incline extending from a lower end to an upper end forming a recess that a golf ball is destined for. A wall surrounds the incline of the platform for stopping movement of improperly hit golf balls. A tee base is spaced from the putting green platform and has a top surface. A runway is arranged between the tee base and the lower end of the incline of the putting green platform. A correction device includes a correction wire located above and extending from the base, through and substantially parallel to the runway, to the platform for forming an indication between the tee base and the recess of the platform. A mirror is attached to the top surface of the base for providing visual feedback to a player when the player is swinging a putter to hit a golf ball into the recess.

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 golf putting practice aid comprising a guide having a guide surface (3) with which a heel or the toe of a putter makes contact in use the guide is positioned to extend upwardly from a substantially planar base or ground surface (1, 100′). By making the guide surface straight throughout its length, and inclined towards the user, the surface will act to constrain the putter head to follow an inclined plane angled towards the user. By using a planar guide 3′, a player can decide whether to have the toe or the heel of the putter guided thereby.

Abstract: A modular training aid 10 for developing putting skills in the game of golf for use by a right or left handed player. The modular training aid 10 comprises a rigid planar reflecting base 12 having a leading edge 14 from which an imaginary intended straight or curved target line 16 extends, a trailing edge 18, a lower face 20 that is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface 24. A raised rail 25 extends above the upper smooth surface 24 for protecting it from abrasion by the underside of the golf club. A first alignment mirror 50 is positioned on the ground or floor. A second alignment mirror 54 has a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor. A target putting mirror 60 is positioned behind a target or hole in relation to the base so that the reflective surface faces the target or hole. An image including the ball and putter head is reflected back to the player. The invention includes a method for using the modular training aid 10.

Abstract: A light weight and portable device that provides a 4¼ inches wide (equal to the size of golf putting hole), and seven to eight feet long explicit field of vision to help golfers to groove their putting strokes so that the golf ball stays within the cords. The device includes two. light holders, and each holder has two small eyebolts spaced at a distance of 4¼ inches . Two equal length cord/stings are attached to the eyebolts to form a view of a virtual putting fairway 4¼ inches wide. Golfers practice to develop putting strokes to keep golf balls within these two cords/strings, and roll balls into the cup.

Abstract: A method of training a golfer to swing a certain golf club upon a desired swing plane angle comprises the step of indicating a swing path guide in front of the golfer. The shape of the swing path guide corresponds to the desired swing plane angle for the golf club and the golfer. In other words, if the golfer swings the club so that the club head creates an arc that corresponds to (or aligns with) the curvilinear swing path guide, the desired swing plane angle will be achieved. A device to train a golfer to swing upon a desired swing plane angle comprises a swing path guide. The shape of the swing path guide corresponds to the desired swing plane angle for a certain golf club and the golfer.

Abstract: A golf instructional apparatus designed to teach a golfer to hit the ball straight and to correct a golfer's hook or slice. The apparatus is also capable of teaching a golfer how to hit a hook or slice. A golf mat is located in a designated ball hitting area having a reference line. A flexible cylinder is located forwardly and outside the ball striking area, which the golfer may hit on the through swing if the club is incorrectly swung. A flexible panel is suspended facing the golfer and will be struck by an incorrect over-the-top swing. The flexible panel allows the golfer to practice at full speed as there are no obstructions in the ball hitting area. The apparatus can be used with or without a ball as immediate feedback is provided. The panel has an indicator mark placed on it forward of the golfer which the golfer attempts to hit when learning draws, hooks or to help change the golfer's slice pattern. A sensor is positioned forward and rearward the hitting area.

Abstract: A golf ball playing surface assembly includes a plurality of different mats having different surfaces for simulating different golf playing surface conditions. A playing surface in a golf simulator, hitting bay or practice area is provided with a rectangular recess of predetermined depth, length and width. The mats have different piles for simulating different playing surface conditions, and can be placed side by side in any selected configuration in the recess to cover at least a major portion of the recess area. The depth of the recess is substantially equal to the height of at least some of the mats, so that a hitting surface is provided which is substantially flush with the surrounding floor area. Different combinations of mats can be placed in the recess to simulate different playing conditions.

Abstract: A sand trap practice device includes a one piece, integral trough including a substantially rectangular base and a pair of side rails extending upwardly from the base and extending along opposed longitudinal sides of the base. A flexible tee is attached to the base along the center line of the base extending upwardly from the base substantially the same as the height as the side rails. Visual indicia is positioned on top surfaces of the side rails behind the tee indicative of proper club positioning. Additionally, sand is supported on the base between the rails extending to the top surface of the tee and the side rails. In operation, a golf ball is placed on the flexible tee, a golfer addresses the ball and swings away making sure the club does not hit the ball but instead enters the sand indicated by the visual indicia. The base will not permit the club to dig into the sand to excessive amounts such that the ball will come out of the bunker each time.

Abstract: A golf practice turf simulating mat which has a raised support frame (22) with a bottom panel (36) and one end open. A mat tray (38) is located within the frame and includes a set of casters (40) that roll on descending ramps (28) and (30) that are attached to the frame. When a golf ball (26) is hit from the mat, the combined mat and tray deflect downwardly, the mat slides forward partially off of the tray and the tray rolls down the ramps descending below the top level of the frame. A rebound retraction system and mat return apparatus return the mat and tray to their original position. A second embodiment replaces the casters with sheaves (82) mounted on axles (84) penetrating inclined slots (80) in the frame for the downward and forward directional orientation of the tray within the frame.

Abstract: A golf ball playing surface assembly includinga playing surface having a rectangular recess of predetermined depth, length and width;a plurality of different mats for selectively placing in the recess to simulate different playing conditions, each mat having at least one dimension less than a corresponding dimension of the recess, and whereby at least two mats placed side by side will substantially fill the recess with no gaps; andthe mats including at least one mat having at least two different surface areas for simulating different golf playing surface conditions.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus having a resilient leaf spring which serves as the striking surface, retained within a housing. Upon being impacted by a golf club, the center portion of the spring is depressed downwardly, and the ends of the spring, being free and unobstructed, translate outwardly to permit the club head to pass through the ball and over the striking surface. The practice apparatus accurately simulates the feel of a golf swing on natural turf, eliminates shock to the golfer's arms from a mishit, and provides feedback to the golfer as to how well each swing is executed.