GB2315024A

GB2315024A - Golf driving mat

Info

Publication number: GB2315024A
Application number: GB9623470A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Hughes; Bruce Nicholas Lane
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-07-09
Filing date: 1996-11-12
Publication date: 1998-01-21
Also published as: GB9623470D0; GB9614406D0

Abstract

A golf driving mat includes a playing zone 24 which is of a relatively soft, resilient material. The mat conveniently comprises a mat member 10 of a relatively firm material, the mat member 10 including an opening or aperture within which is located a member 16 of a relatively soft, resilient material. A synthetic turf layer 14 conveniently covers both the mat member 10 and the relatively soft, resilient member 16.

Description

GOLF DRIVING MAT This invention relates to a golf driving mat, for example for use at a golf driving range or golf course practice area.

In a known type of driving mat, the mat includes a tee or the like upon which a ball to be played is positioned. In another type of driving mat, the ball is placed directly upon the mat. Such mats generally consist of a smooth layer of synthetic turf material mounted upon a wooden or rubber platform, thus providing a uniform, hard area from which the ball can be played.

If, when playing the ball, the ball is hit in such a manner that the head of the golf club strikes the mat, it will be appreciated that the player may injure his wrists and/or arms. Further, where the head of the golf club strikes the mat prior to hitting the ball, the head of the club may bounce away from the mat resulting in the leading edge of the head striking the ball.

It is an object of the invention to provide a driving mat in which the disadvantages described herein before are reduced.

According to the present invention there is provided a driving mat comprising an area of relatively firm material, and a relatively soft, resilient area defining a playing zone from which a ball is played, in use.

It will be appreciated by providing an area which is relatively soft from which the ball is played, in use, the risk of injury to the player is reduced as the deceleration of the head of the club due to its impact with the mat occurs over a relatively long time, and the risk of mishitting the ball as described hereinbefore is reduced as the head of the club can continue along substantially its original path, sinking into the mat by compressing the soft part of the mat, rather than bouncing away from the surface of the mat.

The playing zone may be removable from the remainder of the mat to permit maintenance of the mat, and if necessary to permit replacement of the playing zone should the playing zone become worn.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mat in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic sectional view along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

The golf driving mat illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a polyethylene mat member 10 which is mounted upon a polyethylene base layer 12. A layer of a synthetic turf material 14 is provided on top of the mat member 10. The mat member 10 may conveniently be of thickness approximately 25mm.

Adjacent an end of the mat, the polyethylene mat member 10 is provided with a rectangular aperture within which is located a relatively soft, polyurethane foam rubber member 16, a reinforced nylon cover 18 being located above the foam rubber member 16, and extending over the parts of the upper surface of the mat member 10 adjacent the aperture. The layer of synthetic turf material 14 extends over both the mat member 10 and the foam rubber member 16.

The part of the mat including the foam rubber member 16 defines a playing zone 24 from which a ball may be played, in use.

Between the foam rubber member 16 and the end of the mat, a plurality of apertures are provided in the mat, a rubber tee 20 being locatable in each of the apertures thus permitting the mat to be used both in situations in which a ball is to be played from a tee and where the ball is to be played directly from the mat.

In use, a player stands upon a region 22 of the mat and places a ball upon the playing zone 24. When the player plays the ball, if the head of his club strikes the playing zone 24, the head is able to sink into the mat, the foam rubber member 16 compressing to allow the reinforced nylon cover 18 and synthetic turf layer 14 within the playing zone 24 to be displaced downwardly to a position beneath the level of the upper surface of the remainder of the synthetic turf layer 14. Clearly, such deformation of the foam rubber layer 16 reduces the risk of injury to the player, and also reduces the risk of the head of the club bouncing from the upper surface of the mat resulting in a mis-hit as described hereinbefore. Once the ball has been played, the foam rubber member 16 returns to its original, non-compressed state, thus the mat returns to its original condition.

In the embodiment illustrated, the mat is of rectangular form having dimensions approximately 1m x 1.5m. The playing zone 24 is of dimensions approximately 0.6m x 0.4m, the playing zone 24 being spaced by approximately 0.2m from the end of the mat. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention should not be restricted to the embodiment illustrated, and in an alternative embodiment, the mat includes a region 22 on both sides of the playing zone 24 thus permitting the mat to be used by either left-handed or right-handed players without requiring the mat to be turned around.

If required, the polyurethane foam rubber member 16 together with the reinforced nylon cover 18 may be removed from the remainder of the mat, and replaced with a new foam rubber member 16 and reinforced nylon cover 18 should the original playing zone 24 become worn.

Clearly, such an arrangement is advantageous in that a retailer need only stock a relatively small number of complete mats, a higher number of playing zones 24 being kept in stock, thus the amount of storage space necessary is reduced. In order to permit replacement of the member 16 and cover 18, either the whole of the synthetic turf layer 14 is removed, or aiternatively, the synthetic turf layer 14 may include a removable region aligned with the playing zone 24.

The synthetic turf layer 14 is conveniently provided with markings to indicate the location of the playing zone 24.

The driving mat is suitable for use in driving ranges or golf club practice areas. The mat may further be used by amateurs away from a golf club.

The mat may also be used as a winter tee in order to protect the playing surface during muddy or wet conditions.

Claims

1 A golf driving mat comprising an area of relatively firm material, and a relatively soft, resilient area defining a playing zone from which a ball is played, in use.

2 A mat as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the mat comprises a polyethylene mat member provided with an aperture within which is located a relatively soft member.

3 A mat as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the relatively soft member comprises a polyurethane foam rubber member.

4 A mat as claimed in Claim 3, further comprising a reinforced nylon cover provided over the polyurethane foam rubber member.

5 A mat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a synthetic turf upper layer.

6 A mat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the playing zone is removable from the remainder of the mat.

7 A golf driving mat substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.