GOLF MAT THIS INVENTION relates to a golf mat useful as a golf trainer for golfers for correct alignment of their swing. Hitherto golf or tee mats have mainly comprised a mat formed of simulated grass-like material having a plurality of bristles or alternatively, were formed from rubber or similar material having means for mounting a golf tee to which a golfer could mount the golf ball prior to making a practice swing. It also was customary in some cases to have a line designating a longitudinal axis of the mat as well as an additional line designating a transverse axis. A tee mat of this latter type was described in Australian Patent specification 261328. However, it was found in practice that use of such golf mats did not properly assist in achieving effective co-ordination between a golfer's brain and a vision perceived by his eye so as to provide for appropriate alignment of his swing. This was mainly because there was no provision for correct and adjustable alignment of a golfers left or right heel relative to the position of the ball so that the ball was located at the bottom of the arc defined by the golfers swing. In this case it had to be remembered that most golfers varied in the position of their left or right heel relative to the position of the ball.

A similar training device is disclosed in U.K. Patent specification 1 461 508 which refers to a stance

device for use by a golfer at practice. This device comprises a body having two orthogonally disposed lines of sight in a substantially horizontal plane. There was also provided a graduated cross piece the angular position of which about a point in one of the lines of sight was adjustable. The position of the cross piece along the length of the said one line of sight was also adjustable. One line of sight was represented by a longitudinal rod and the other line of sight was represented by a transverse rod fixed to the longitudinal rod. The cross piece was clamped to the longitudinal rod and to this end included a channel member slidably and adjustably mounted to the longitudinal rod by a grub screw. It was considered that difficulty could be experienced in relation to the use of the training device shown in U.K. Patent 1 461 508 in that again there was no facility for correct and adjustable alignment of a golfers left or right heel relative to the position of the ball and the training device of U.K. Patent 1 461 508 could not be utilized for this purpose. Reference may also be made to U.K. Patent specification 839283. which comprised a golf training device comprising a foot bar having a central longitudinal slot and which was adapted to receive a transverse bar which also had a central slot. A pivot pin extended through the aligned slots and through a dial on the foot bar which was adjustable longitudinally. The bars were adjustably clamped together to form a cruciform structure.

Reference may also be made to U.S. Patent 4 384 718 comprising three elongate flat strips of metal hingedly and adjustably interconnected to form a golf stance and swing device. Both U.K. Patent 839283 and U.S. Patent 4 384 718 were similar in structure and as such were bulky and cumbersome during operation. This detracted from their appeal. Also it took some considerable time to set up these golf practice devices to the satisfaction of the user because of the necessity to adjust the position of the bars or strips and secure in place with a wing nut or the like. This detracted from the overall efficiency of these devices.

It therefore is an object of the invention to provide a tee mat which alleviates the disadvantages of the prior art referred to above.

The golf mat of the invention includes a marked position defining a golf ball location and indicia means for providing a plurality of different positions for positioning a golfer's foot relative to the golf ball location so that a golfer could select a position commensurate with his normal stance for his foot in order to contact a golf ball resting on the golf ball location so that the ball may be contacted by a golf club at the bottom of the arc defining the golfer's swing. Preferably there is provided a transverse line on the golf mat and a longitudinal line which intersect and the intersection point defines a suitable golf ball location.

In a more preferred form the golf mat may be T shaped with the head of the T containing the transverse line and the stem of the T defining the longitudinal line.

However, this is not essential and a rectangular mat could • be utilized with two lines marked thereon in the shape of a

T. However the former arrangement is preferred.

The abovementioned indicia means may be of any suitable type and thus define steps which may be marked by appropriate letters or numbers so as to designate a selected foot position. In lieu of- steps there could be used circles, squares, rectangles or any other appropriate indicia which may, be marked by letters or numbers or alternatively by different colours to designate selected positions. In the above described embodiment the, indicia means may be associated with or provided adjacent or on the head of the T.

There also may be provided secondary indicia means which may be utilized in conjunction with the first mentioned indicia means so as to align the golfers foot so that it is substantially parallel to the longitudinal line. In one form the secondary indicia means may comprise an indicator plate or mat adjustably attached to the stem of the T. The indicator plate may include indicia similar to that used in regard to the first mentioned indicia means associated with the head of the T and include steps, squares, rectangles and the like. Preferably the indicia used for the indicator plate are the same as the indicia used for the first mentioned indicia means.

In .another arrangement the secondary indicia means may be rigid and be permanently marked on the golf mat in substantial alignment with the first mentioned indicia means. Thus in regard to the preferred embodiment concerning a T shaped mat the secondary indicia means may be marked on the stem of the T if desired.

Again in another possible arrangement it is preferred that the golf mat be rectangular having a T shaped pattern marked thereon. The first mentioned indicia means may comprise a plurality of foot outlines in spaced relationship relative to the stem of the T and thus omit any reference to a secondary indicia means.

In another embodiment of the invention, the T-shaped alignment mat may include a ^" head portion and a longitudinal stem portion wherein the longitudinal stem portion is slidably and adjustably attached to the head portion so that the head portion may be located at one end of the stem portion or intermediate the length thereof. It therefore will be appreciated that in this embodiment the alignment mat will comprise two separate components ie. the head portion and the longitudinal stem portion.

Preferably the head portion is substantially rectangular thereby defining a pair of opposed sides which extend transversely to the longitudinal stem and also a pair of opposed longitudinal sides. Each transverse side in its mid-region is suitably of stepped appearance wherein each step corresponds to the abovementioned indicia means. Preferably in each transverse side, there is provided a

central peak and a plurality of steps on each side of the central peak having progressively decreasing heights.

However, it will be appreciated that only one of the transverse sides of the head portion of stepped appearance as described above and also that only one of each- side of the central peak be of stepped appearance. Preferably, however, each side of the central peak is stepped as described above so as to correspond with both right handed or left handed golfers. Suitably, the longitudinal stem component comprises an elongate strap or strip having a centrally located longitudinal line marked thereon. There also may be provided appropriate attachment apertures for attachment of the stem component to a suitable substrate. There also may be provided a separate attachment strip which may also be slidably and adjustably mounted to the head portion of the T so that it is substantially parallel with the longitudinal stem portion. The attachment strip may be considered as a putting strip and may be used in conjunction with a gravity ball return device (an example of which is illustrated hereinafter) to enable putting to be practiced wherein the ball may automatically be returned to the head portion of the T. This arrangement may also be used for chipping practice wherein the gravity ball return device may be spaced apart from each free end of the attachment strip and the longitudinal stem.

Suitably, in one form the gravity ball return device may include an upwardly extending ramp which has a base surface having opposed sides which merge together so as to form a vertex which defines the highest inclination of the golf ball during its travel after which the ball may return to the head portion of the alignment mat under the influence of gravity.

Reference may now be made to a preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in the attached drawings wherein: FIG 1 represents one golf mat constructed in accordance with the invention,

FIG 2 represents another golf mat constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG 3 is a view of the T-shaped alignment mat, attachment strip and gravity return ball device;

FIG 4 is a view of the head portion of the T-shaped alignment mat having an auxiliary golf training device as shown in FIG 12 attached thereto;

FIG 5 is a view of the head portion of the T-shaped alignment mat attached to the longitudinal stem;

FIG 6 is a view showing the head portion of the T-shaped alignment mat separated from the longitudinal stem;

FIG 7 is a view of an assembly of T-shaped alignment mat wherein the head portion of the T is located intermediate the length of the longitudinal stem and an auxiliary golf training aid as shown in FIG 12 is located at one enα of the longitudinal stem;

FIG 8 is a view showing the head portion located at one end of the longitudinal stem with the auxiliary golf training device located on the head portion;

FIG 9 is a view showing the auxiliary golf training device attached to the longitudinal stem portion wherein the device is oriented transversely of the stem portion;

FIG 10 is a view similar to FIG 9 but showing the device attached to the oriented longitudinally with the stem portion; FIG 11 is a perspective view of the gravity ball return device, and

FIG 12 is a perspective view of the auxiliary golf training device.

^ . In FIG 1 there is shown golf mat 10 having head portion 11 and stem portion 12. On head portion 12 there are shown indicia in the forms of steps 13 numbered from 1 to 4 on either side of longitudinal line 14 which is aligned with ball location 15. There are also shown anchoring apertures 16 wherein golf tees or spikes (not shown) may be used to anchor mat 10 to the ground. There is also shown indicator plate 17 having steps 18 numbered 1 to 4 as shown which are aligned with steps 13. The position for' selectively positioning a left foot for a golfer is shown on side A of mat 10 and for a right foot (ie. for a left handed golfer) on side B. Indicator plate 17 is adjustably mounted to stem portion 12 by attachment strips 19 as shown. There are also shown slots 20 for a purpose as hereinafter • described.

In FIG 2 the mat 10A is in rectangular shape and includes a T shaped pattern marked thereon with head portion 21 and stem portion 22. On head portion 21 there is shown indicia in the form of steps 23 numbered 1 to 4 on sides A or B on either side of longitudinal line 24 which is aligned with ball location 25. There are also shown anchoring apertures 26 and indicator portion 27 which may be permanently marked on mat 10A or adjustably attached thereto by connector or attachment strips 29. Steps 28 are provided on portion 27 which are aligned with steps 23. There are also shown slots 30 for a purpose as hereinafter described. Also shown is transverse line 31.

The golf mat of the invention if desired may be used in conjunction with the invention of Australian specification 30668/84 which refers to a golfing aid. In this regard slots 20 and 30 may be used for appropriate alignment of the golfing aid of Patent specification 30668/84 relative to golf ball location 15 or 25. However it will also be appreciated that the golf mat of the present invention may be used independently of the aforementioned golfing aid.

In operation a right handed golfer will have developed a stance wherein the inside of his left foot may be spaced from line 14 or 24 by a certain distance which may be equivalent to any one of steps 1 to 4 or alternatively the inside of his left foot may coincide with line 14 or 24 so as to provide for appropriate alignment of this swing so

that the bottom of the arc of the swing coincides with golf ball location 15 or 25. The golf mat of the invention enables a golfer to place his left foot in any one of the positions mentioned and thereby practice his swing so that his swing is correctly aligned whereby effective co-ordination between his brain and a vision perceived by his eye may take place.

In FIG 3 there is shown head portion 32 slidably attached to stem portion 33 by opposed slots 34 through which stem portion 33 may be slidably and adjustably portioned relative to head portion 32. Also shown is attachment apertures 35. Also shown is lines 36 and 37 marked on stem portion 33 and attachment strip 34 ^* respectively.. Head portion 32 is substantially rectangular -with each transverse side 38 including in its mid region a stepped part 39 including a central peak 40 and steps 41, 42 and 43 of gradually decreasing height relative to central peak or top step 40. Also shown is ball position 44 marked by cross 45 and attachment apertures 46. Also shown are slots 47 and 48 with slot 47 being longer than slot 48.

Side parts 49 of head portion 32 may each include central line 50 aligned with ball position 44. Attachment apertures 51 are also shown for head portion 33 although velcro strips or other suitable fastening means (not shown) may be located on the underside off head portion 32 for attachment to a suitable support surface such as a carpet and the like. Also shown is gravity ball return device 52.

In the arrangement shown in FIG 3 a golfer may stand in the position indicated by feet in phantom outline shown at 53 and 54. A ball may be positioned to the left of in line with line 55 at 55A shown in phantom and putted with a putter towards return device 52 whereafter the ball may automatically return to the original position. This arrangement shows a very useful indoor putting facility. In the arrangement shown in FIG 4 there is also shown auxiliary golf training device 56 attached to head portion 32. This is illustrated in greater detail in FIG 12. Slots 57 and 58 of device 56 correspond with slots 47 and 48 previously described. This position is useful for chipping practice indoors and for practicing a drive with a left arm fully extended. The ball is located at position 44.

In the arrangement shown in FIG 5 a useful chipping position is shown whereby a ball may be hit off ball position 44 so that the ball may follow the line of flight 50. The left foot 53 may be positioned with the heal in alignment with a selected step 40-43.

In this arrangement shown in FIG 6 this position is useful in allowing a beginner to get the feeling of standing parallel to a straight line. The feet 53 and 54 may be placed as illustrated with the head portion 32 moved progressively away from feet 53 and 54.

In the arrangement shown in FIG 7 this indicates a useful position for practicing with shorter clubs for both right and left handed golfers.

In the arrangement shown in FIG 8 this is useful for a mental check so that the mind of the golfer may see both parallel lines whenever he addresses a ball ie. toe line 36 and ^' line of flight 50. In the arrangement shown in FIG 9 this is useful in allowing a golfer to position his left heel relative to ball position 44 automatically without the use of steps 40-43 of head portion 32. Thus the head portion 32 should after constant practice be no longer required. In the arrangement shown in FIG 10 this is a useful position for practising with fairway woods and long irons. Once the position of the left foot relative to the ball has been settled then this remains constant and the right foot is positioned _^ ςlose to or further from the left foot depending on the club.

In the auxiliary training device 56 shown in FIG 11 there is shown body part 60, slots 57 and 58, attachment apertures 61, tail part 62, nose part 63 and rotatable plate 64 mounted in recess 65 about central boss 66. Plate 64 has ball position or aperture 44 and has a depending projection (not shown) retained in central aperture 67 of boss 66 by attachment ring -68. Plate 64 locates in recess 68A.

In the automatic ball return device 52 shown in FIG 12 there is indicated upwardly extending ramp 69 with opposed sides 70 and base surface 71 having marked thereon ball line 72 which ends at vertex 73. Also shown is support stand 74. The entire device 52 may be folded or collapsed so that ramp 69 may be folded downward about fold line 75

and part 76 of support stand 74 folded over fold line 77 after being disconnected from abutting relationship with ramp 63. The sides 70 may also be folded outwardly from base surface 71 to thereby provide abutting plate like elements constituting ramp 63 and support stand 74 in the stored flat position.