Technical field

The present invention relates to a practising device for a person practising golf. The practising device comprises a ball support and a mat. Summary of the invention

As golf has become more popular, a number of apparatuses capable of allowing a golfer to practise their golf have been developed. It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved practising device for a person practising golf.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a practising device for a person practising golf, the practising device comprising an essentially planar ball support with an upper surface having a first texture and an opposite lower surface such that it can be positioned with the lower surface resting on a base and the upper surface facing upwards, wherein the upper surface comprises a first target which indicates a desirable position for a golf ball relative to the upper surface, characterised in that the ball support forms a guide which facilitates positioning of a mat on the upper surface, and in that the device further comprises a mat with a bottom surface and an opposite top surface, at least the top surface having a second texture which is different from the first texture and the mat having a shape such that it can be positioned with the bottom surface resting on the upper surface in a position which is at least partly controlled by the guide. To facilitate positioning of a golf ball on a base, the practising device comprises an essentially planar ball support with an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The ball support is adapted to be positioned on the base with the lower surface resting on the base and the upper surface facing upwards.

As practising may be carried out on at different places, such as on a golf course or indoor or in a garden or at other places, the base may as an example be a golf course, such as a green, or the floor inside a building. Consequently, the practising device may be positioned at a base which may differ from practising session to practising session.

It should be understood, that by a golf ball is in this connection understood a ball designed for use in the game of golf. As defined by the Rules of Golf, a golf ball must not weigh more than 45.93 g, its diameter must not be less than 42.67 mm, and its shape may not differ significantly form a symmetric sphere. A golf ball is often hard, and may be dimpled to reduce wind resistance.

Although practising may be improved by using golf balls as defined by the Rules of Golf, practising with the practising device according to the present invention is not limited to the use of correct golf balls, as golf balls with other measures may also be used. Furthermore, illusionary golf balls (see details below) may also be used.

The upper surface of the ball support comprises a first target which indicates a desirable position for a golf ball relative to the upper surface. The first target may e.g. be a symbol on the ball support or as another example it may be the bottom of a slot or other similar notches allowing the golf ball to be supported by the ball support due to the thickness of material of the ball support. When practising, a golf ball may be positioned at the first target, such as at the bottom of the slot relative to the upper surface of the ball support.

The ball support may be made of a sheet material such as a plastic material or metal. The ball support may possess a certain stiffness to be easily positioned on the base. In one embodiment the ball support may be substantially rectangular.

In case the first target is shaped as a slot or similar, the golf ball may easily be guided into place at the first target in the slot by use of a golf club.

It should be understood, that by golf club is in this connection understood a device used in the sport of golf to hit a golf ball . Each club is composed of a shaft with a lance (grip) and a club head. There are many specialised designs of clubs, falling into three general categories: woods, used for long-distance fairway shots; irons, the most versatile class used for a variety of shots, and putters, used mainly on the green to roll the ball into the cup (hole).

Although practising may be improved by using one of these golf clubs, it should be understood, that the use of the invention is not limited hereto.

The ball support forms a guide facilitating positioning of a mat relative to the upper surface. The mat may also be an essentially planar element with a bottom surface and an opposite top surface. The mat has a shape such that it can be positioned with the bottom surface resting on the upper surface of the ball support and the top surface facing upwards. The mat may have a shape corresponding partly to the shape of the ball support to facilitate positioning of the mat. When positioning the mat, the position is at least partly controlled by the guide. In one embodiment, the guide may comprise longitudinal edges extending upwards from the upper surface to facilitate positioning of the mat, as the upwardly extending edges may act as a track for the mat. In an alternative embodiment, the guide comprises only one longitudinal edge extending upwards, thus only providing support for the mat on one side hereof.

As a further alternative, the guide may comprise at least one aperture in the ball support and at least one locking member adapted to be positioned in the aperture to at least partly control the position of the mat. The locking member may be a tee peg. In one embodiment, at least some of the apertures may be positioned at a distance corresponding to the width of the mat. A locking member, such as a tee peg, may be positioned in at least some of the apertures, which tee pegs may thus provide a support for the mat and thereby facilitate positioning hereof.

In one embodiment, the guide may lock the position of the mat, so that the position hereof may be fully controlled during practising. It may thus be ensured, that the mat does not move during practising.

At least the top surface of the mat has a second texture which is different from the first texture, which allows practising on different surfaces, as a player can practice hitting a golf ball positioned on the first target and thus practise directly at the upper surface of the ball support and can practice hitting a golf ball positioned at the second target on the top surface of the mat having a different surface structure.

To facilitate practising with the mat, the top surface may comprise a second target which indicates a desirable position for a golf ball on the top surface. The guide may at least partly ensure positioning of the first target relative to the second target. In one embodiment, the first target and the second target may be positioned substantially above each other with the same distance from their centre to the edges of mat and the ball support respectively.

The mat may further have a shape such that it can be positioned with the top surface resting on the upper surface in a position which is at least partly controlled by the guide, i.e. the mat may be able to be turned upside-down and still having its position controlled by the guide. This may e.g. be facilitated by a mat being rectangular. To improve the practising ability of the mat, the bottom surface may comprise a third target which indicates a desirable position for a golf ball on the bottom surface. Similar to the second target, the guide may at least partly ensure positioning of the first target relative to the third target. In one embodiment, the top and bottom surfaces are made from the same material ensuring that the bottom and top surfaces form identical surface textures. This may be an advantage is the person practising golf wishes to practise on a specific surface. When e.g. the top surface has become worn, the mat may be turned upside-down allowing for practising on the bottom surface. However, in another embodiment, the top and bottom surfaces are made from different materials ensuring that the bottom and top surfaces form different surface textures. This allows the person practising golf to practise on two different surfaces by the use of only one mat. Furthermore, practising can be carried out on the ball support without using the mat, allowing a person practising golf to practise on a third surface texture. The surface texture of at least one of the bottom and top surfaces may in one embodiment be deformable upon the swing of a golf club into the surfaces. As the surface texture of the two surfaces may be different, the surfaces may e.g. be formed of artificial grass with different length and/or compactness allowing to practising on two different types of grass. By having a deformable surface, it may be possible to hit the golf ball low (from below), as the golf club may be swung into the surface.

In an alternative embodiment, the surfaces may still be different, but only the one of them may be of artificial grass. The other surface may instead be harder having a surface with is much less deformable. This allows the golfer to practice on a surface representing compact earth. Furthermore, a mat comprising a grass-like surface on one side and a compact earth- like surface on the other side may allow the golfer to practise on a hard surface which is yielding, but less deformable, if the mat is positioned with the grass-like surface resting on the upper surface of the ball support and the hard surface facing upwards, i.e. the mat is resting on the top surface. In this way, the surface on which the golfer is practising may be different, i.e. more yielding, than if practising directly on the upper surface of the ball support.

Other types of surface structures may also be applicable, dependent on the type of training to be carried out. Furthermore, the practising devise may comprise more than one mat allowing for practising on a number of different materials.

The surface texture may thus simulate different ground conditions, such as fairways or roughs, so that a person practising golf can practise under various ground conditions.

The practising device may additionally comprise a fixture for fixing a pointer to the ball support. The pointer may form a foresight for guidance of the sight of the person, i.e. the pointer may be used to align the head and eyes position of the person with a golf ball during a golf swing, as a golf ball may be positioned relative to a target below the pointer. This may help a golfer in keeping the head and eyes position correct over the ball throughout the swing and even after impact, to facilitate fixing of the sight to the golf ball, as this may improve the accurateness of the swing. If the person's head is moved before impact, the golf swing is often out of course and the golf ball may thus be hit incorrectly. To underline this, professionals often say that the head and eyes position over the golf ball should not be moved until the golf ball is heard falling into the hole.

To optimise the use of the pointer, the fixture may be fixed to the ball support so that the pointer it vertically above a golf ball positioned on one of the targets. With a view to enabling the player to precisely place his head relative to the golf ball, an upper end of the pointer (i.e. that end facing the player's eyes) is preferably constituted by a point or dot, which the player sees centrally over the ball when his/her eyes are correctly positioned relative to the ball.

In one embodiment, the pointer is a planar element having a circular shape, e.g. with a cross indicating the centre hereof. The pointer or dot may in another embodiment form the upper extremity of a pin or triangular structure. In the case of a circular planar element, the head of the golfer should be position so that the planar element covers the golf ball. In the case of a pin, the pin is not visible to the player, when the player's eyes are correctly positioned relative to the golf ball. In the case of a triangular structure comprising e.g. four upright triangles arranged perpendicularly to each other, such structure is visible to the player as two crossing lines when the player's eyes are correctly positioned above the pointer.

A dot forming the upper extremity of an embodiment of a pointer may have a diameter, which is substantially smaller than the diameter of a golf ball, preferably less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 5 mm.

The pointer may be formed differently in different embodiments of the invention. As an example, the pointer may be formed as an elongated rod which in some embodiments may be a telescopic rod allowing for height adjustment hereof. The rod may typically be circular having a diameter in the range of 0.2-2.8 cm, such as in the range of 0.3-2 cm, such as in the range of 0.4-1.5 cm. When using a rod as a pointer, the sight of a person using the practising device may be aligned with a golf ball by ensuring that the rod is seen a one point, a dot, centrally above the golf ball and not seen as a rod when having the head and eyes position correctly above the golf ball.

Furthermore, the pointer may be height adjustable to provide a variable length of the pointer. This may also vary the length of the sight alignment, which may especially be an advantage for a beginner, as a beginner may often want a shorter length of the sight alignment to facilitate alignment of his/her sight. The longer the sight alignment, the more difficult it is to ensure correct alignment of the head and eyes position with the golf ball.

Another example is a pointer formed as an elongated hollow tube. The tube may be substantially circular and may also be telescopically. When using a tube as a pointer, the sight may be aligned with a golf ball by ensuring that the golf ball is seen centrally through the tube when the head and eyes position is correctly place above the golf ball. In one embodiment, the tube may comprise two thin rods crossing each other centrally in the tube to further facilitate aligning of the sight with a golf ball positioned below the pointer.

A further example is a pointer formed as a two thin rods crossing each other to indicate a sight point. The two rods may be fastened to a frame which as an example may be a substantially circular piece of metal. Other types of frames may also be used.

The fixture may comprise a locking member adapted to lock the fixture to the ball support, e.g. by locking it to longitudinal edges of the ball support to facilitate positioning of the pointer relative to the first target and thereby also the second and/or third if in use. The locking member may be formed as a track in the fixture corresponding to the form of the longitudinal edges so that the fixture grips onto one of the edges. This may further allow the fixture to locked to one of the longitudinal edges by letting it grip one of the edges at an end point hereof and sliding it along the edge towards a position in which it is above the first, second, or third target at which the golf ball is to be positioned. The fixture may be adapted to carry the pointer so that a free space is provided between the pointer and the ball support. The fixture may be adapted to carry the pointer at a certain level above the base, which may facilitate that a golf ball is positioned below the pointer. Consequently, the fixture may carry the pointer so that a free space is provided between the pointer and the ball support, i.e. below the pointer where the shortest distance between the pointer and the ball support is found.

When providing a free space between the pointer and the ball support, it is possible to position a golf ball at a target below the pointer, such as at a first, second, or third target. When using the pointer as a foresight for guidance of the sight, a person using the practising device and a golf ball may align his/her sight from the pointer towards the golf ball being positioned vertically below the pointer, thus fixing the sight to the golf ball.

The fixture may be height adjustable to provide a variable distance from the base to the pointer. Varying the distance from the base to the pointer may e.g. allow for the use of different golf clubs when using the practising device, as the angle of the golf club and thus the golf swing may vary if using a putter compared to the use of an iron. Consequently, it may be an advantage if the pointer can be raised by increasing the distance between the pointer and the base facilitating that the pointer is not hit during the swing.

When practising with a putter, the pointer may typically be positioned with its lower surface approximately 10 cm above the base providing a free space with a height of approximately 10 cm. Compared hereto the free space may often have a height of e.g. 40-60 cm when practising with another golf club, such as an iron.

The fixture may comprise a pointer arm being re-orientateably attached hereto to provide a variable position of the pointer relative to the ball support. As the ball support may be positioned on a base which may often be close to horizontal, but may also be angled, the base is not always horizontally positioned. The pointer arm may extend transversely to the fixture and may be hinged hereto so that the angle between the pointer arm and the fixture can be varied depending on the base on which the practising device is positioned. During practising it may be preferred to have the pointer arm horizontally positioned and it may thus be preferred that the angle between the pointer arm and the fixture can be varied. This may be done by attaching the pointer arm re- orientateably to the fixture, e.g. by providing a hinged connection between the pointer arm and the fixture.

A pointer arm being re-orientateably attached to the fixture may also be an advantage, when using the practising device under different circumstances, e.g. when practising with a putter compared to a situation when using an iron. When putting it may be an advantage if the golfer's head and eyes position is vertically above the pointer and the golf ball, whereas the golfer's head and eyes position is often further away from the golf ball when using an iron. Further away from the golf ball is in this connection at a distance from the golf ball in a direction away from the ball support. In order to be able to align the golfer's head and eyes position with the pointer and the golf ball it may thus be an advantage to be able to reorientate the pointer so that it is not positioned vertically above the golf ball but instead forms a straight line between a golf ball and a golfer's head and eyes position.

The fixture may comprise a locking structure adapted to fix the position of the pointer relative to the ball support at at least one predefined position. The predefined position may e.g. be a position in which the pointer is positioned vertically above a golf ball positioned correctly on the first, second, or third target. However, the locking structure may also be adapted to fix the pointer in a number of predefined positions, e.g. by extending the length of the pointer arm or by shortening the length hereof. It should be understood, that the pointer arm it not physically extended or shortened, but the usable length hereof may be extended or shortened by shifting it towards the player or away from the player.

It may be an advantage if the pointer is closer to the person practising golf when using an iron in order to form a straight line between a golf ball and a golfer's head and eyes position when the pointer arm attached at an angle. Consequently, the position of the pointer may be fixed closer to the person by extending the length of the pointer arm. Furthermore, the distance between the person practising golf and the pointer may be enlarged by shortening the pointer arm, if the person wants to practise without the use of the pointer and without removing it from the ball support. In one embodiment, the locking structure may be adapted to fix the pointer in a substantially endless number of positions, as the locking structure may be controlled ungraduated.

The practising device may further comprise a swing guide forming a swing directional guidance indicating a desired swing direction of a golf club and fastening means, wherein the fastening means is adapted to fix a position of the swing guide relative to the ball support. The swing guide forming a swing directional guidance indicating a desired swing direction of a golf club may be elongated forming a path along which the golf club may be guided to ensure a correct path of the golf club when it is moved towards a golf ball. This may facilitate a more accurate golf swing allowing for a more accurate path of the golf ball when hit.

The swing guide may be used in two different configurations, as the golf club in a first configuration may touch the swing guide when guided here along. Consequently, the swing guide may be used to force the golf club to follow the correct path both in the backswing and the follow through. This may facilitate a correct path and pendulum of the golf club, obtaining a perfect ball strike.

Alternatively, the golf club may in a second configuration be guided along the swing guide without touching it, i.e. guided parallel to the swing guide, thus using the swing guide just as a reference.

The swing guide may be especially suited for practising with a putter.

In one embodiment, both the pointer and the swing guide may be connected to the practising device, whereby the fixture may also fix the pointer relative to a position of the swing guide. By fixing the position of the pointer relative to the ball support, aligning and fixing the head and eyes position of a golfer in a correct position over a golf ball may be facilitated while simultaneously guiding the swing direction of a golf club along a correct path, thus facilitating a more accurate swing towards the golf ball. This facilitates that the golf ball may be hit more correctly and improves the result of practising.

As a person using the practising device may want to practise without the golf club touching the swing guide, the ball support may comprise attachment means allowing the swing guide to be attached hereto in at least two different positions. This may allow for practising of the swing without the touching swing guide, e.g. if the person wants to find out whether his/her swing has improved.

To facilitate practising with the swing guide in the above described configurations, the swing guide may be securable in at least two different configurations relative to the first target. One way of attaching the swing guide to the ball support is to provide fastening means in the form of at least one slit in the ball support. The swing guide may then be attached to the ball support by positioning one or more screws or similar attachment means in these slits and through the swing guide. To relatively easy fix the position of the pointer relative to the swing guide, the pointer arm may furthermore comprise a second locking structure adapted to fix the position of the pointer relative to the position of the swing guide at at least one predefined position. The second locking structure may thus be able to fix the position so that e.g. a putter can be guided along the swing guide and a golf ball can be hit correctly when following the path along the swing guide.

The second locking structure may further be adapted to fix the position of the pointer relative to the position of the swing guide at a larger distance so that a golf club, such as a putter, can be guided along the swing guide without touching the swing guide. More predefined positions may also be possible. In one embodiment, the second locking structure comprises a slit in the pointer arm and a screw, so that the pointer arm can be horizontally displaced and when in the correct position locked in this position by used of the screw.

In one embodiment, the swing guide may be formed in one piece, whereas it alternatively may comprise a plurality of pieces defining a plurality of swing guide path sections. To be able have both right and left handed golfers using the practising device with the pointer and/or the swing guide, the swing guide may be attachable to the practising device from both sides hereof, thus forming a path to the right and to the left. The ball support may comprise fastening members to facilitate fastening of the ball support to the base, whereby it may be secured that the ball support does not move during practising. As an example the ball support may have small holes through which spikes may be positioned. Other fastening members, including tee pegs, may also be used to keep the practising device in place during practising.

The practising device may be collapsible. It should be understood, that by collapsible is in this connection understood, that at least some parts of the practising device can be separated from each other allowing for a more compact configuration of the practising device. This may facilitate transportation of the practising device from one location to another.

An alternative way of using the practising device may be to use it without using a golf ball when practising. Instead an illusionary golf ball may be used. An illusionary golf ball is an element which may be positioned at the practising device relative to the pointer and may allow a golfer to practise alignment of head and eyes position as with a golf ball by the use of the pointer without using a real golf ball. The illusionary golf ball may give the golfer the impression of a real golf ball, thus giving the golfer the possibility of precise practising without the need of a real golf ball being used each time a swing is performed.

Consequently, the practising device may further comprise a structure which allows the practising device to carry (or which carries) an illusionary golf ball at a distance from the base.

By carrying the illusionary golf ball at a distance from the base, a golfer may practise his/her golf swing having his/her head and eyes position aligned with the illusionary golf ball without hitting a real golf ball which has to be collected again when hit. Using an illusionary golf ball can give the golfer an impression of a real golf ball in the right position and can help to keep the head and eyes position correct on the ball even after impact as the illusionary ball will not be moved.

The practising device may be used with an illusionary golf ball, and at the same time with a real golf ball. This practise can help keep the head and eyes position correct over the ball, even after impact. The illusionary golf ball may be provided in the form of a planer, semi-spherical or otherwise convexly shaped sheet or shell structure having the approximate diameter of a golf ball when seen from above, i.e. when seen by the player. The illusionary golf ball may be opaque or transparent. Multiple illusionary golf balls may be provided as a kit, allowing the player to change between illusionary golf balls of different colours, opaqueness, etc. The illusionary golf ball may include one or more marking, such as lines, for aligning it relative to a base. In one embodiment, the pointer itself may be formed as an illusionary golf ball.

The diameter of the illusionary golf ball or of a pointer formed as an illusionary golf ball may have approximately the diameter of a golf ball or a slightly smaller diameter, as it appears larger to the player than a true golf ball on the ground due to the fact that it is elevated some distance, e.g. 10-15 cm, above ground. In order to enable the player to see a golf ball possibly resting on the ground (or base) or mat below the illusionary golf ball, the diameter of the illusionary golf ball may be of a size that allows the real golf ball appearing as a circle or eclipse around the circumference of the illusionary golf ball. In that case, during the player's practising exercise, such circle or eclipse should constantly appear in a symmetrical manner to the player during the entire swing/stroke.

Thanks to the illusionary golf ball, golf swings, in particular putting strokes, may be practised without the use of a real golf ball, i.e. with no golf ball resting on the base relative to the ball support, or on the mat. Hence, the invention is well suited for indoor practising. In case, the putting aid of the invention is used for practising without a real golf ball, the illusionary golf ball preferably has the approximate diameter of a real golf ball. A circle of a larger diameter than the illusionary golf ball may be provided on the base, whereby that circle will be symmetrically visible around the circumference of the illusionary golf ball when the player's eyes are correctly positioned above the illusionary golf ball. The circle may have a diameter which is approximately 1 cm larger than the diameter of the illusionary golf ball. The circle may have a contrasting colour to the colour of the illusionary golf ball.

Alternatively or additionally, the practising device may further comprise a ball structure which allows the practising device to carry a golf ball at a distance from the base. By carrying the golf ball at a distance form the base, a golfer may practise his/her golf swing having his/her head and eyes position aligned with the golf ball without hitting it. Consequently, he/she or the golf course personnel need not collect the golf ball after the swing has been carried out.

Usually, practising putting at home will be done on the floor trying to hit a target, or done on a practising mat which may be equipped with a hole. Often the mats are limited in length which means that just short puts with little power can be practised. To overcome this disadvantage, the practising device may further comprise a rebound unit comprising at least two surface areas with different rebound characteristics. The rebound unit may be arrangeable at the base at a distance from a golf ball position and being suitable for rebound of a golf ball when putted. The golf ball position is the initial position of the golf ball relative to the ball support or at the mat. The rebound unit can be positioned at the base at a desired distance from the golf ball position. One surface area of the rebound unit should be positioned perpendicular to the putting line, i.e. the line along which a golf ball moves when hit by the putter. The angle between the rebound unit and the putting line can be adjusted by putting using the pointer and the swing guide, as the golf ball will return along the putting line if correctly putted and if the angle is correct.

After a few tests observing the return of the golf ball and correcting the angle of the rebound unit, or the practising device, the golf ball will return along the same line as it was putted. The power given to the put will determine how far back it will rebound. The aim may be to get it as close to the initial starting point as possible.

As the rebound unit may comprise at least two surface areas with different rebound characteristics, varying the rebound characteristics by moving or turning the rebound unit will allow for more or less power to be used, while the distance the golf ball travels is the same. The 90 degree angle between the surface area and the putting line should be controlled each time the rebound unit is moved or turned.

To practise shorter puts, a golfer may try to come as close to the rebound unit as possible without the golf ball touching it.

To improve stability the rebound unit may be filled with water when in use. The rebound unit may be emptied after practising before transportation of it. In one embodiment, the surface areas with different characteristics may be different sides of a box forming the rebound unit. Alternatively, one side of a box forming the rebound unit may comprise more than one surface area each having its own rebound characteristic.

In the later case, the rebound unit may comprises visual indication of a joint between the at least two surface areas with different rebound characteristics. The rebound unit may further be equipped with horizontal lines which can be placed on the putting line when the 90 degree adjustment is done. These lines may then be the aiming point also when practising putting without the swing guide or when trying to get as close as possible. The horizontal lines may in one embodiment be identical to the visual indication of a joint between two surface areas with different rebound characteristics. Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings, in which :

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a practising device with a pointer, Fig. 2 illustrates an unassembled embodiment of a practising device with a pointer and two mats,

Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a practising device with a pointer,

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a practising device with a pointer,

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate embodiments of a practising device with a pointer and a swing guide,

Fig. 8 illustrates positioning of a mat,

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate practising on two different surfaces, Figs. 11a and lib illustrate an embodiment of a ball support, Figs. 12a, 12b, and 12c illustrate an embodiment of a pointer and a fixture, Figs. 13a and 13b illustrate a swing guide,

Fig. 14 illustrates an embodiment of a practising device,

Fig. 15 illustrates different views of a golf ball and an embodiment of a pointer,

Fig. 16 illustrates parts of the practising device of Fig. 14 seen from above,

Fig. 17 illustrates an embodiment of a practising device to be used without using a pointer, Fig. 18a illustrates an embodiment of a practising device to be used without using the swing guide, Fig. 18b illustrates an embodiment of a pointer,

Fig. 19a illustrates an embodiment of a practising device with an illusionary golf ball,

Fig. 19b illustrates a ball structure for a practising device,

Fig. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a practising device used with an iron, Figs. 21a and 21b illustrate an embodiment of a swing guide comprising a swing guide attachment member and an elongated swing guide structure,

Figs. 21c and 21d illustrate two different ways of attaching the elongated swing guide structure to the swing guide attachment member,

Fig. 22 illustrates an embodiment of a practising device, Fig. 23 illustrates a support unit with some of the items of a practising device,

Fig. 24 illustrates an embodiment of a ball support,

Fig. 25a illustrates a rebound unit,

Fig. 25b illustrates an embodiment of a practising device comprising a rebound unit, and Figs. 26a and 26b illustrate an embodiment of a practising device.

Detailed description of the drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a practising device 101 for a person practising golf. The practising device 101 comprises an essentially planar ball support 102 with an upper surface having a first texture and an opposite lower surface such that it can be positioned with the lower surface resting on a base 103 and the upper surface facing upwards. The upper surface comprises a first target 104 (see Figs. 2, 5, 8, and 11) which indicates a desirable position for a golf ball 105 relative to the upper surface.

In the present embodiment, the first target 104 is the bottom of a slot 106 formed in the ball support allowing the golf ball 105 to be supported by the ball support 102 due to the material thickness of the ball support 102. The ball support 102 forms a guide 107 which facilitates positioning of a mat 108a, 108b (see Fig. 2) on the upper surface of the ball support. The practising device 101 comprises a mat 108a, 108b with a bottom surface and an opposite top surface. At least the top surface has a second texture which is different from the first texture. Furthermore, the mat 108a, 108b has a shape such that it can be positioned with the bottom surface resting on the upper surface of the ball support 102 in a position which is at least partly controlled by the guide 107.

It should be understood, that the guide may also be formed by the slits 121 and a number of locking members, such as tee pegs 116 (see e.g. Figs. 8, 9, and 10).

As the first target 104 is positioned at the bottom of the slot 106, the golf ball 105 may easily be guided into place at the first target 104 in the slot 106 by use of a golf club 109. In Fig. 1 the golf ball 105 is positioned at the first target 194, and the golf club 109 is in a position where it is ready to hit the golf ball 105.

In Fig. 1, the guide 107 comprises longitudinal edges extending upwards from the upper surface of the ball support 102 to facilitate positioning of the mat 108a, 108b, as the upwardly extending edges may act as a track for the mat 108a, 108b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the practising device 101 also comprises a pointer 110. The pointer 110 forms a foresight for guidance of the sight of the person, i.e. the pointer 110 can be used to align the head and eyes position of the person with a golf ball 105 during a golf swing, as a golf ball 105 can be positioned at the first target 104 below the pointer 110. The practising device 101 also comprises a fixture 111 for fixing the pointer 110 to the ball support 102. As illustrated, the fixture 111 fixes the pointer 110 to the ball support 102 so that the pointer 110 is positioned vertically above the golf ball 105 positioned on the first target 104.

The fixture 111 comprises a pointer arm 112 being re-orientateably attached hereto to provide a variable position of the pointer 110 relative to the ball support 102. During practising it may be preferred to have the pointer arm 112 horizontally positioned and it may thus be preferred that the angle between the pointer arm 112 and the fixture 111 can be varied if the fixture 111 does not extends vertically. In the illustrated embodiment, this is done by attaching the pointer arm 112 re-orientateably to the fixture 111 by providing a hinged connection 113 between them. The hinged connection 113 is here provided by a screw 114 (see Fig. 5) positioned in slits 115a, 115b where the pointer arm 112 crosses the fixture 111. In the present embodiment, a locking structure 114, 115b adapted to fix the position of the pointer 110 relative to the ball support 102 forms part of the above mentioned structure allowing the pointer 110 to be angled relative to the fixture, as the locking structure 114, 115b is adapted to fix the pointer 110 in a number of predefined positions, i.e. with different distances to the target 104.

Fig. 2 illustrates an unassembled practising device 101 comprising a ball support 102, two different mats 108a, 108b, a pointer 110, a fixture 111, and four tee pegs 116. Fig. 2 further illustrates a bag 117 in which the unassembled practising device 101 can be packed to facilitate handling and transportation hereof. Both mats 108a, 108b have a bottom surface and an opposite top surface, and to facilitate practising with the mats 108a, 108b, the top surface comprise a second target 118a, 118b indicating a desirable position for a golf ball 105 on the top surface. The top surface has a second texture which is different from the first texture of the upper surface of the ball support 102, which allows practising on different surfaces, as a player can practice hitting a golf ball 105 positioned on the first target 104 and thus practise directly at the upper surface of the ball support 102 and can practice hitting a golf ball positioned at the second target 118a, 118b on the top surface of the mat 108a, 108b having a different surface structure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a mat 108a being positioned at the ball support 102 with the bottom surface resting on the upper surface of the ball support 102 and the top surface facing upwards. The position of the mat 108a is at least partly controlled by the guide 107. In the illustrated embodiment, the position of the mat 108a is additionally controlled by an additional guide comprising fastening members 116, 119 which additionally facilitate fastening of the ball support 102 to the base 103, whereby it is ensured that the ball support 102 does not move during practising. In the present embodiment, the additional guide is constituted by tee pegs 116 which are inserted into the base 103 through holes 119 in the ball support 102 and the mat 108a, thereby controlling the position of both the mat 108a and the ball support 102. Details of the holes 119 can be seen at Figs. 1, 5, and 11.

In Fig. 3, the ball 105 is positioned at the second target 118a, with the pointer 110 in a position which is not vertically above the golf ball 105. Furthermore, the pointer arm 112 is not horizontally positioned. This is due to the fact that the golfer's head and eyes position is often further away from the golf ball 105 when using an iron. In order to be able to align the golfer's head and eyes position with the pointer 110 and the golf ball 105 it is an advantage to be able to re-orientate the pointer 110 so that it is not positioned vertically above the golf ball 105 but instead forms a straight line between a golf ball 105 and a golfer's head and eyes position. Furthermore, the pointer 110 is fixed at a position with a horizontal distances to the second target 108a, as it is an advantage if the pointer 110 is closer to the person practising golf when using an iron in order to form the straight line between a golf ball 105 and a golfer's head and eyes position when the pointer arm 112 attached at an angle.

Fig. 4 is similar illustration of a practising device 101 as illustrated in Fig. 3. However, in the present embodiment, a mat 108b having a surface texture of artificial grass with a longer length is illustrated.

Fig. 5 illustrates a practising device 101 comprising a swing guide 120 and a pointer 110. The swing guide 120 forms a swing directional guidance indicating a desired swing direction of a golf club 109 (not shown) and forms a path along which the golf club may be guided to ensure a correct path of the golf club when it is moved towards a golf ball 105 (not shown). The swing guide 120 is attached to the ball support 102 by fastening means which in this embodiment is constituted by slits 121 in the ball support 102 and by screws (not shown) attached to the swing guide 120. The present embodiment comprises four slits 121 along both longitudinal extending edges 107 allowing for attachment of the swing guide 120 along both longitudinal edges of the ball support 102. The slits 121 may also be used to position a mat, thereby acting as a guide.

Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 5 except for the fact, that the swing guide 120 is attached to the opposite side of the ball support to ensure support of the heel side of the golf club 109 instead of the toe side of the golf club during the swing hereof. Fig. 7 illustrates an alternative swing guide 120'. In this embodiment, the swing guide 120' comprises four tee pegs which are positioned in two pairs with a distance being slightly larger than the size of the golf club 109, thereby forming a gate for the golf club 109 during practising of a swing. The two other tee pegs 116 are used to fasten the ball support to the ground. Fig. 8 illustrates how a mat 108 can be positioned at the ball support 102 by sliding it in place.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a practising device 101 ready for use. The mat 108 has a top surface comprises a texture of artificial grass, whereas the bottom surface comprises a texture being harder and thus less deformable. This allows the golfer to practice on a surface representing grass (Fig. 9) and compact earth (Fig. 10), respectively. Furthermore, a mat 108 comprising a grass-like surface on one side and a compact earth-like surface on the other side may allow the golfer to practise on a hard surface which is yielding, but less deformable, when the mat 108 is positioned with the grass-like surface resting on the upper surface of the ball support 102 and the hard surface facing upwards, as illustrated in Fig. 10. In this way, the surface on which the golfer is practising may be different, i.e. more yielding, than if practising directly on the upper surface of the ball support 102, without using the mat 108.

Fig. 11a illustrates an upper view of a ball support 102 and Fig. lib is a sectional view here through.

Fig. 12a illustrates a pointer 110 on a pointer arm 112. The pointer arm 112 comprises a slit 115b which allows the pointer arm 112 to be re-orientateably attached to the fixture 111 via the slit 115a. In Fig. 12b the fixture 111 is shown in a front view and from behind. The pointer arm 112 is attachable to the fixture via the slit 115a. Fig. 12c is an enlarged view of the locking member 122 which is adapted to lock the fixture 111 to the ball support 102. The locking member 122 is formed as a track in the fixture 111 corresponding to the form of the longitudinal edges 107 (see e.g. Figs. 11a and lib) so that the fixture 111 grips onto one of the edges 107. Alternatively, the locking member 122 may be formed as a simple opening in the bottom part of the fixture 111. When attaching the fixture 111, it may be pressed down onto one of the edges 107.

Figs. 13a and 13b illustrate an unassembled swing guide 120. The swing guide 120 can be assembled by inserting the protrusion 123 of the one half of the swing guide 120a into the slot 124 of the other half of the swing guide 120b. The holes 125 are for attachment of the swing guide 120 to the slits 121 (see e.g. Figs. 11a and lib) of the ball support 102. Fig. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a practising device 1 for a person practising golf. The practising device 1 comprises a pointer 2, a swing guide 3, and a stand 4.

Furthermore, a golf ball 5 and a golf club 6 in the form of a putter are illustrated.

The swing guide 3 forms a swing directional guidance indicating a desired swing direction of the golf club 6, and the pointer 2 forms a foresight for guidance of the sight of the person practising golf (not shown). The stand 4 is adapted to fix a position of the pointer 2 relative to a position of the swing guide 3.

The stand 4 comprises a post 7 and a support 8. The support 8 is positioned on the base 9 and the post 7 extends transverse to the support 8. In the illustrated embodiment the post 7 extends perpendicular to the support 8, i.e. vertically upwards, as the base 9 is a plane being horizontal. The stand 4 is adapted to carry the pointer 2 so that a free space is provided between the pointer 2 and the base 9. In this free space the golf ball 5 is positioned and the golf club 6 can hit the golf ball 5 in this free space.

More particularly, the post 7 comprises a pointer arm 10 carrying the pointer 2. The dotted line 11 illustrates the line of sight of the person practising golf, i.e. a head/eye alignment line from the head and eyes position of the person to the golf ball 5.

The pointer 2 is in the illustrated embodiment a telescopic rod allowing for height adjustment hereof, such as lowering the height to decrease the head/eye alignment line, which may be an advantage especially for a beginner. Fig. 15 illustrates different views of a golf ball 5 and an embodiment of a pointer 2 seen from the eyes of a person practising golf - a golfer. Only the view in the centre of Fig. 15 is at correct view, as the pointer 2 is seen as a dot centrally relative to the golf ball 5. At the four encircling view, the golfer sees the pointer 2 as an elongated rod instead of a dot, and thereby the golfer knows that his/her head and eyes position is not aligned with the golf ball 5.

Fig. 16 illustrates parts of the practising device 1 of Fig. 14 seen from above. The head and eyes position of a golfer is correctly aligned with the golf ball 5 as the pointer 2 is illustrated as a dot. Furthermore, it can be seen, that the swing guide 3 forms an elongated path along with the golf club 6 is moved so that the swing guide 3 forms a swing directional guidance for the golf club. The arrows 12 indicate the swing direction for the golf club 6.

Fig. 17 illustrates an embodiment of a practising device 1 which can be used without using the pointer 2. The pointer arm 10 is adapted to provide a variable distance between the pointer 2 and the swing guide 3, thus allowing practising without using the pointer 2. As illustrated, the pointer arm 10 is shorter than seen at Fig. 14, in which the pointer 2 is in use. This is enabled by a pointer arm 10 comprises a telescopic rod.

In Fig. 18a the practising device 1 is illustrated in use without the use of the swing guide 3. This is enabled by extending the pointer arm 10 compared to the length hereof in Fig. 14 and Fig. 17. Thereby the golf club 6 can be moved without touching the swing guide 3.

The pointer arm 10 can comprise a locking structure (not shown) which is adapted to fix the position of the pointer 2 relative to the position of the swing guide 3 at at least one predefined position. In the illustrated embodiment, the pointer 2 can be fixed at at least three different positioned relative to the swing guide 3, the three different positioned being illustrated in Figs. 14, 17 and 18a.

Fig. 18b illustrates an alternative embodiment of a pointer 2'. The pointer 2' comprises two triangles 12 (only a part of one of them can be seen) extending from a frame 13 to a common point 14 at which they are joined to form an open pyramid. The frame 13 is a thin metal plate having a circular opening in the centre hereof.

The eyes and thus the head of a golfer are correctly positioned relative to a golf ball 5 when the triangles 12 are seen as a cross centrally above the golf ball 5, when the pointer 2' is used at the practising device 1. Fig. 19a illustrates a practising device 1 comprising a structure which allows the practising device 1 to carry an illusionary golf ball 15 at a distance from the base 9. In the illustrated embodiment, this structure is not a separate element, but instead the pointer 2 is carrying the illusionary golf ball 15.

The illusionary golf ball 15 is an element which can be positioned at the practising device 1 relative to the pointer 2 and which allows a golfer to practise correct head and eyes position over a golf ball by the use of the pointer 2 without using a real golf ball.

In the present embodiment, the illusionary golf ball 15 is a disc with a slot 16 (see e.g. Figs. 21c and 21d) allowing it to be mounted at the pointer 2 by inserting the pointer in the slot 16 so that the disc 15 is centred relative to the pointer 2. Alternatively, a golfer can practise with a golf ball 5 without hitting the golf ball 5 during the swing, as the practising device 1 can comprise a ball structure which allows the practising device 1 to carry a golf ball 5 at a distance from the base 9. As an example, the ball structure may not be a separate element, but may as illustrated in Fig. 19b form part of the pointer 2' at which a golf ball 5 can be carried at the frame 13. Fig. 20 illustrates a practising device 1 as it can be used when practising with an iron 6' (or another golf club not being a putter). Compared to the figures described above, the earlier describes figures illustrate practising with a golf club 6 in the form of a putter.

As the practising device 1 can be used under different circumstances, e.g. when practising with a putter 6 and when using an iron 6', it is an advantage if the pointer 2 is re- orientateably attached to the pointer arm 10. When putting it is often an advantage if the golfer's head and eye position is vertically above the pointer 2 and the golf ball 5, whereas the golfer's head and eyes position is often further away from the golf ball 5 (not illustrated in this figure) when using an iron 6'. A head and eyes position further away from the golf ball 5 is in this connection at a distance from the golf ball 5 in a direction away from the swing guide 3. In order to be able to align the golfer's head and eyes position with the pointer 2 and the golf ball 5 it may thus be an advantage to be able to re-orientate the pointer so that it is not vertically positioned but instead forms a straight line between the golf ball and a golfer's head and eyes position, as also illustrated by the line of sight 11'.

The direction away form the swing guide 3 need not be perpendicular to the swing guide, but may be at an angle to the swing guide 3, as the golfer's head and eyes position can be correctly positioned further away from the golf ball and at an angle to the right or to the left dependent on whether he/she is right or left handed.

Figs. 21a and 21b illustrate an embodiment of a swing guide 3 comprising a swing guide attachment member 17 and an elongated swing guide structure 18. The swing guide attachment member 17 forms a first swing guide path section, and the elongated swing guide structure 18 forms a second swing guide path section. The elongated swing guide structure 18 is reversely attachable to the swing guide attachment member 18, as illustrated in Fig. 21b so that the second swing guide path section forms an extension of the first swing guide path section. The two parts 17, 18 can be separated to facilitate transportation of the swing guide 3, and thus the practising device 1. The swing guide attachment member 17 comprises an attachment structure 19 at one end of the first swing guide path section in the form of a flat extending portion. Corresponding hereto the elongated swing guide structure 18 comprises a slit (not shown) into which the attachment structure 19 can be inserted. Thereby the elongated swing guide structure 18 is attachable so that the second swing guide path section forms an extension to the first swing guide path section.

In an alternative embodiment, the swing guide attachment member 17 comprises an attachment structures at opposite ends of the first swing guide path section whereby the elongated swing guide structure 18 is attachable so that the second swing guide path section forms an extension in one out of two possible directions relative to the first swing guide path section. This allows the practising device 1 to be used by both right handed and left handed golf players.

The illustrated embodiment of the swing guide 3 can also be used by both right and left handed golfers, as the swing guide attachment structure 17 can be attached to the support 8 in two different ways to have the attachment structure 19 extending either to the right (see Fig. 21c) or to the left (see Fig. 21d) thereby allowing the second swing guide path section to form an extension in one out of two possible directions relative to the first swing guide path section dependent on the orientation of the attachment structure 19.

Fig. 22 is a 3-D illustration of an embodiment of a practising device 1. The figure also illustrates three illusionary golf balls 15 which are not mounted at the practising device 1 as they would be when in use. Two of them are positioned at a transportation holder 20 at the support 8.

The aperture 21 in the elongated swing guide structure 18 can be used to fix the swing guide 3 to the base 9 e.g. by the use of golf tee pegs to ensure that the practising device 1 does not move during practising.

As illustrated in Fig. 23, the practising device 1 is collapsible. It should be understood, that by collapsible is in this connection understood, that at least some parts of the practising device 1 can be separated from each other allowing for a more compact configuration of the practising device 1. This facilitates transportation of the practising device 1 from one location to another.

The practising device 1 further comprises a support unit adapted to join the pointer 2, the swing guide 3 (not seen in Fig. 23), the stand 4 in the form of the post 7 and the pointer arm 10, and three illusionary balls 15, when the practising device 1 is in a collapsed configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the support unit forms part of the support 8 adapted to be positioned on the base 9.

By joining the different elements by the use of the support unit 8 transportation of the practising device 1 may be easier, as a golfer needs not carry each of the elements separately.

The upright extending flat half discs 22 are a fixing structure to attach the swing guide to the support 8 when preparing the practising device 1 for use. If practising without the use of the swing guide 3, the swing guide 3 needs not be attached hereto.

The apertures 21 can be used to fix the support 8 to the base 9 e.g. by the use of golf tee pegs to ensure that the practising device 1 does not move while in use.

To facilitate positioning of a golf ball 5 correctly relative to the pointer 2, 2' and the swing guide 3, the practising device 1 comprises a ball support 23 as illustrated in Fig. 24. The ball support 23 comprises an essentially planar element with an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The ball support 23 is adapted to be positioned on the base 9 with the lower surface facing the base 9 and the upper surface facing upwards, and the ball support 23 is adapted to hold a golf ball 5.

In this embodiment, the illustrated ball support 23 is a thin plastic film being substantially rectangular and having a slot 24 in the one end. The plastic film is positioned at the base 9 below the pointer 2' with the slot 24 below the pointer 2'. Especially when practising putting it is an advantage using the ball support 23 as the ball support 23 facilitates positioning of the golf ball 5 vertically below the pointer 2' as the golf ball 5 can be guided into place in the bottom of the slot 24 by use of the putter 6 (not seen in this figure). The ball support 23 comprises fastening members 25 to facilitate fastening of the ball support 23 to the base 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening members 25 comprises spikes or golf tee pegs which are inserted through small holes in the plastic film 23 to fasten it e.g. to a practise green or a practise putting mat and thus keep it in place when practising.

Alternatively, spikes which are fixed to the plastic film may facilitate attachment of the ball support to the base 9.

The practising device 1 can further comprise a rebound unit 26 as illustrated in Figs. 25a and 25b. The rebound unit 26 comprises four surface areas 27, 28, 29, 30 with different rebound characteristics. The rebound unit can be arranged at the base 9 at a distance from a golf ball position and is suitable for rebound of a golf ball 5 when putted. The rebound unit 26 is positioned at the base 9 at a desired distance from the pointer 2, 2' (not shown in this figure). One surface area 27, 28, 29, 30 of the rebound unit is positioned perpendicular to the putting line 31, i.e. the line along which a golf ball 5 moves when hit by the putter 6 (not shown in this figure). It should be understood, that the rebound unit 26 of Figs. 25a and 25b may also be used in connection with the embodiment of the practising device 101 of Figs. 1-13.

Figs. 26a and 26b illustrate an embodiment of a practising device 40 for putting comprising an illusionary golf ball 46. In Fig. 26a, the device is configured for a right-handed player, and in Fig. 26b it is configured for a left-handed player. The practising device 40 comprises a base 42, to which a stand 44 is releaseably fixed, the stand 44 holding the illusionary golf ball 46 in a fixed position above the base. The player may practise putting with or without a real golf ball 48 placed below the illusionary golf ball 46. At the left and right sides of the bases there are provided indentations 50, 50' and 52, 52', respectively, in the base material for receiving the stand in user-selectable positions. The bases comprises alignment markings shown as white lines in Figs. 26a and 26b, and the illusionary golf ball 46 is also provided with a white marking line for alignment with the base and for enhancing the player's foresight.

Holes 54 in the base are provided for fixing it to the ground, e.g. by means of tee pegs. Slits 56 may be used to place tee pegs, between which the putter head must (or should) pass during the player's practise, so as to ensure that the putter head hits the ball correctly and subsequently passes between the pegs (not shown) at the final part of the stroke.