GB2368024A

GB2368024A - A golf practice putting mat or carpet

Info

Publication number: GB2368024A
Application number: GB0122076A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryan Clifford Knott; Gillian Ann Knott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-03
Filing date: 2001-09-12
Publication date: 2002-04-24
Also published as: GB0024117D0; GB0122076D0

Abstract

Practice putting green 10 comprises a mat 12 of fibrous or filamentary material having putting 14 and support 16 surfaces arranged on substrate 20, e.g. a concrete floor, with a hole (25, fig. 1a) extending through both surfaces, and a tubular putting cup 32 arranged below support surface 16 in alignment with the hole. Cup 32 may be detachable from the mat, e.g. using hook and loop fasteners 42. Mat 12 may be of non-woven material, e.g. polypropylene, and may be spaced from substrate 20 by projections 18. Cup 32 may be of standard diameter, with standard or shallow depth, and may be received in a recess 50 in substrate 20. Cup 32 may be inverted so as to close the recess when not in use, and substrate 20 may comprise one or more blocks of foamed plastics, e.g. polystyrene (221, fig. 6). Mat 12 and/or substrate 20 may have enclosure means, e.g. waterproof envelope (224, fig. 6), and may include putting hazards, e.g. sand and/or water traps (not shown).

Description

Golf Putting Practice Arrangement This invention relates to the practising of golf putting in particular relates to a golf putting practice arrangement which simulates in terms of appearance, function and visual and audible sensations, the experience of putting on a real green.

Many arrangement are known for practising golf putting on a non-grass surface, such as US-A-5725438, US-A-5431403 and US-A-5039103, which involve a relatively narrow strip of grass-simulating matting and an inclined ramp portion leading to an aperture that provides passage to some form of cup recessed within the space below the ramp to receive a ball that is putted with sufficient accuracy to reach the hole. The putting mat and the golf cup are intended to be readily positioned on the floor and the ramp portion has both the effect of slowing the ball, thus permitting the simulation of a longer putt, and providing a space to locate the cup between the mat and the floor, although the need to maintain only a shallow incline to the ramp limits the cup to having a shallow form that is unable to behave realistically.

US-A-5390926 proposes to achieve a more realistic simulation by way of a larger area of matting that is operably disposed on a substantially flat substrate, such as the floor of a building, and includes strips of packing material which can be sited between the mat and the substrate as contour pads to simulate unevenness in the green. In the same manner as the simpler arrangements, a hole in the mat for receiving a correctly putt ball is associated with a cup arrangement disposed between the mat and the floor for receiving a golf ball and to this end the cup arrangement defines an inclined ramp leading towards the hole. However, to avoid departing from green realism to too great an extent, the golf cup arrangement is kept as shallow as possible, notwithstanding that the precise putting conditions in the vicinity of the hole and the visual and audible feedback which the golf practitioner obtains from a successful putt differs from those experienced on a real putting green.

It is an object of the present invention to proving a golf putting practice arrangement and a method therefor which is capable of providing a more realistic and satisfying practice simulation then hitherto. According to a first aspect of the present invention a golf putting practice arrangement comprises (i) a mat of fibrous or filamentary material having opposite major faces and at one of the major faces a putting surface and at the other of the major faces a support surface arranged to be laid on a supporting substrate, (ii) passage means, extending through the mat between the putting and support surfaces, dimensioned for the passage of a golf ball and defining a putting hole, and (iii) a putting cup arrangement, having a tubular body wall part open at one end thereof to admit a golf ball, disposable adjacent the support surface beneath the mat with the open end of the tubular body wall part aligned with the passage means to receive a golf ball passing therethrough from the putting surface.

The supporting substrate may be defined by a local ground base or by a portable structure overlying such ground base.

Such portable structure may be provided by a suspended stage or by a substantially solid plinth, but in any event support the mat such that the passage means is displaced above the ground base by a distance at least as great as the length of a putting cup of standard depth. When formed by a solid plinth the supporting substrate may comprise at least one block of substantially rigid expanded a foamed plastics material, conveniently polystyrene.

Notwithstanding the form of supporting substrate, the practice arrangement may include fastening means operable to releasably attach the tubular body wall of the putting cup arranged with respect to the passage means with the open end at least part way through the passage means. More preferably such fastening means is of the hook and loop type. It is preferred that the exterior of tubular wall adjacent the rim is provided with loop material and the mat material defining the boundary of the passage means comprises or carries the hook material. The passage means may comprise a through aperture bounded by deflection of the mat away from the putting surface adjacent thereto, thereby extending the area of contact between the loop and hook components. The deflected material of the mat defining the passage boundary may extend proud of the support surface and/or may include a folding of the mat material back to overlie the support surface.

The supporting substrate may be recessed to receive therein all or part of the putting cup arrangement, preferably to receive all of the putting cup arrangement when the latter is not attached to the mat at the passage means and, when it is attached to the mat at the passage means, to receive the cup arrangement suspended from the attachment clear of the floor of the recess. The putting cup arrangement may comprise a, standard diameter putting cup and/or a shallow putting cup offering at least standard depth of ball drop and conveniently of standard overall length.

The substrate recess may be provided adjacent its mouth with a circumferential rebate to accommodate displacement of the mat material at the passage means and/or a recess closure member that avoids the need for support from, and load transmission through, an underlying standard putting cup within the means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of providing an artificial golf putting practice green comprises preparing a firm supporting substrate, sinking in the supporting substrate a recess dimensioned in cross-section to receive a standard diameter putting cup and in depth to receive at least a standard depth putting cup, providing a mat.... putting hole and disposing the putting cup arrangement in the recess with the rim of the cup body wall part disposed in, and secured to, the passage means.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 (a) is a perspective view of a first embodiment of golf putting practising arrangement in accordance with the present invention, illustrating a green-simulating mat disposed upon a substantially flat supporting substrate, and having therein passage means to a putting cup, Figure 1 (b) is a sectional elevation through the arrangement of Figure 1 (a) showing the structure of the mat, the use of a standard size putting cup disposed recessed within the supporting substrate, and passage means through the mat and into the cup for a golf ball, the cup having an open end by which it is suspended from the boundary of the passage means, and a closed end suspended clear of the recess floor, Figure 1 (c) is a sectional elevation through the substrate recess and cup after removal of the mat and showing the cup inverted to form a closure for the recess, Figure 1 (d) is a sectional elevation, similar to Figure 1 (b), of a fragment of modified form of the arrangement of Figure 1 (b) showing the passage means defined to greater thickness by displacing the mat to fold back on itself, Figure 1 (e) is a fragmentary sectional elevation similar to that of Figure 1 (d) but showing the passage means as a simple aperture in the mat undisplaced at the boundary thereof and defined by the thickness of the mat.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation through a second embodiment of practice arrangement, in non operational disposition, showing the inclusion of a recess closure member arranged to extend in the same plane as the supporting substrate supported on the putting cup, Figure 3 (a) is a sectional elevation through a third embodiment of golf putting practice arrangement in accordance with the invention, illustrating, in an inoperative state absent the putting mat, a substrate recess containing putting cup means in the form of a standard length putting cup open at each end and, supported thereon, an axially shorter recess closure member, Figure 3 (b) is a sectional elevation through the arrangement of Figure 3 (a), illustrating the operational disposition in which, absent the closure member, the full length putting cup is suspended from passage means within the putting mat, Figure 3 (c) is a sectional elevation through the arrangement of Figure 3 (a) in an alternative operational disposition showing the closure member inverted and suspended by peripheral attachment to the passage means in the putting mat as a shallow putting cup, Figure 4 (a) is a sectional elevation through a fourth embodiment of the present invention in which the mouth of the substrate recess has a surrounding rebate or shoulder capable of accommodating the displaced, and possibly folded back, matting defining the passage means, Figure 4 (b) shows the arrangement of Figure 4 (a) absent the putting mat with the full length putting cup contained in the recess and a closure member contained in the rebate, Figure 5 (a) is a sectional elevation through a fifth embodiment of the present invention in which the mouth of the substrate recess has a surrounding rebate and the putting cup arrangement comprises a standard length putting cup and a shallow putting cup, the shallow putting cup having an open ended tubular part, of standard cup diameter, extending into the recess for storage with the standard cup and a closed end formed with a radially extending flange that supports the shallow cup in the rebate and forms a closure for the recess, Figure 5 (b) is a split sectional elevation through the arrangement of Figure 5 (a) showing an operative disposition with the shallow cup inverted and attached to the passage means of the mat, the sections of the Figure illustrating different forms of passage means, Figure 5 (c) is a split sectional elevation of a modified form of the shallow cup/closure member of Figure 5 (a) including an annular recess in the flange arranged to accommodate a folded back displacement of the mat defining the passage means without increasing the effective thickness thereof.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation through a sixth embodiment of golf putting practice arrangement in accordance with the present invention showing a movable supporting substrate disposed overlying the local ground base and to which substrate the mat is secured, with the ball passage in alignment with a recess in the substrate in which the putting cup is supported, and Figure 7 is a sectional elevation through a seventh embodiment of golf putting practice arrangement in which the movable supporting substrate is enveloped by enclosure means and supports the putting mat separably.

Referring now to Figures 1 (a) to 1 (c) a first embodiment of a golf putting practice arrangement 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises a mat 12 of a fibrous or filamentary material which simulates the behaviour of a grass green in respect of a golf ball being putted thereacross.

The mat is of substantially uniform thickness between opposite major faces thereof, which faces define a putting surface 14 and support surface 16.

Although there are many artificial grass materials available for use in mat form it is preferred here to use a non woven polypropylene artificial turf carpeting, sold as Tuff Turf Plus and obtained from Jaymart, Woodlands Trading Estate, Eden Vale Road, Westbury, Wiltshire, England.

This material has one uniform surface that is suitable as a putting surface 14 and a peduncled drainage backing that is suitable as the supporting surface 16. The mat is cushioned by array of individual peduncles 18 which hold the body of the mat clear of a support substrate and permit drainage of liquids from the mat, as well as permit the use of spiked shoes without damage.

The mat may be cut to any desired dimensions and shape but preferably has overall dimensions of at least 4m x 2m x 9mm to facilitate up to a 3m putt from a variety of directions to a hole defined by passage means discussed below. Also it is convenient for the mat to have a generally kidney-shape or hour-glass-shape typical of many greens.

Although the material, like other matting materials, is flexible and capable of being stored in a rolled or folded form, it is preferred that it is stored in the generally flattened state of use.

The mat is intended to be used inter alia on generally flat supporting substrate 20, typically a concrete or like floor of a garage or yard, including one having any contours to which the mat can conform by virtue of the peduncled support surface. In addition, the mat may have associated therewith stacked or shaped spacer members to introduce contours to the putting surface in the manner described in the aforementioned US-A-5390926.

The mat also includes passage means, indicated generally at 25, extending through the mat and dimensioned for the passage of a golf ball but furthermore dimensioned in accordance with international standards for the hole of a putting green, that is 11 ammo The passage means 25 comprises not only a through aperture made in the mat material but a displacement or deformation of the mat at the periphery thereof towards the support surface as a downtumed lip or flange 28. Such passage means may be referred to as a flanged aperture passage, and is so referred hereinafter.

The practice arrangement furthermore includes a putting cup arrangement indicated generally at 30. In this embodiment the putting cup arrangement is essentially a standard or regulation putting cup 32 having a tubular body wall 34 of predetermined diameter and length (110mm x 150mm) open at one, upper end 36 to admit a golf ball and contains therein a funnel shaped collector 38 displaced from the upper end. The collector is displaced from the end of the body wall by a distance fixed by regulation. A putting cup in which the collector is displaced from the open end by such regulation distance may also be referred to as being of standard depth, notwithstanding any variation in the overall length of the cup. The cup 32 differs from a standard putting cup, however, in that the lower end of the tubular body at 40 is closed, and also that the cup is disposable adjacent the support surface beneath the mat and with the open end 36 aligned with the passage means and releasably attached thereto by way of hook and loop fastening means, indicated generally at 42, so that the putting cup is in operation suspended from the passage means of the mat.

The hook and loop fastening means comprises a tape or the like carrier of loop material (such as that sold under the Registered Trade Mark VELCRO) 44 secured to the outer surface of the cup tubular body wall 34 adjacent the open end 36, and the non-woven filamentary material of the mat 10 that forms the body of the passage means which provides engageable hooks. Insofar as the passage means is defined by a downturned flange of the mat, the area of engagement between the mat and the loop fastening is greater than may be expected from the thickness of the mat material surrounding a simple through aperture. This not only permits a greater strength of attachment but also permits the tubular body wall of the cup to be disposed part way through the passage means 25 so that the open end of the cup may be recessed with respect to the putting surface 14 by an amount (about 6mm) that corresponds to the depth by which a putting cup is normally recessed with respect to a green.

Where, and insofar as, the supporting substrate 20 is solid for the purpose of supporting a user standing on the mat, the practice arrangement 10 also includes in the substrate a recess 50 for receiving, and housing, the putting cup arrangement.

The recess 50 has a circular cross section corresponding to the putting cup 32 and of slightly larger diameter, to accommodate both the loop part of the fastening means and, optionally the downturned flange of the passage means. The closed end 40 of the cup has substantially equal dimensions to the recess such that the cup can readily slide along the recess. The depth of the recess is substantially equal to the length of the cup so that in use, as shown to Figure 1 (b), the cup is suspended from the putting mat clear of the floor of the recess. With a dense and acoustically conductive substrate, such a concrete, displacement of the cup body from the floor and wall of the recess has been found to more realistically simulate the sound of a golf ball dropping into a cup within the earth of a real green.

Referring also to Figure 1 (c), when practice is discontinued, the putting mat 12 is detached from the putting cup and lifted away from the substrate. The putting cup is then removed from the recess, inverted and re-inserted therein as shown in Figure 1 (c) such that the closed end of the cup 40 forms a closure for the recess that lies flush with the substrate surface. Insofar as the recess diameter is slightly larger than that of the tubular wall of the cup, the closed end 40 has a small radial flange, but it will be appreciated that if the passage means 25 does not have a mat deflection into the recess, the recess diameter may be of substantially the same dimensions as the tubular wall of the cup.

Referring now to Figures 1 (d) and 1 (e), these show respectively modifications to the passage means 25 which facilitates such a smaller recess diameter. In Figure 1 (d) the recess means has a form indicated by 25'in which the mat material, surrounding a through aperture is displaced at 28'and folded back to overlie the support surface 16. Such passage means may be defined as a folded aperture passage. The periphery of the passage means thus extends along the cup wall for double the thickness of the mat and provides the opportunity to dispose the cup at a chosen position. Also, the periphery of the passage means has considerable strength that resists the mat being drawn into the recess by excessive cup weight. However, if the folded thickness of the mat that surrounds the passage means exceeds the thickness of the peduncled mat on the supporting substrate, the periphery of the hole may appear raised with respect to the putting surface. This may be useful as an additional putting hazard that operates to deflect balls which are not accurately putted in a direction that is radial with respect to the centre of the hole.

In Figure 1 (e) the passage means 25"comprises a simple through aperture cut through the mat and the loop part 44 of the attached means engages with the mat to the single thickness thereof thereby avoiding such raised periphery. Such passage means may be defined as a simple aperture passage.

Referring to Figure 2 there is shown in part a second embodiment of practice means 60 with the mat 12 of Figure 1, with any of the forms 25,25'or 25"of passage means, removed therefrom. The putting cup arrangement, indicated generally at 61 comprises a standard length putting cup 62 which is similar to the above described cup 32, in respect of having a loop fastening component 44 at the upper end thereof, but differs insofar as the lower end 64 is open in conventional manner. Recess 70 in the supporting substrate 20 is slightly deeper than the length of the cup such that when the cup is detached from the mat passage means and the mat removed, it sits on the floor of the recess with its open upper end slightly below the surface of the substrate. There is also provided discrete closure means 74 in the form of a relatively thin, but rigid, disc or plug (with an axial extension 74'shown by broken lines) that overlies and bears on the upper end of the cup 62 and form a surface in the plane of the substrate surface.

In use of the practice arrangement the closure member 74 is simply removed prior laying the mat with the passage means in registration with the recess and raising the cup to attach it to the mat at the passage means, from which it is suspended during practice.

It will be appreciated that the closure member 74, in the form of a plug whose extension part 74'is tubular and of smaller diameter than the cup body, may be inverted and whilst bearing on the cup, extend through the passage means of the mat without attachment thereto as a shallow putting cup albeit without the advantage of the full-size, full length cup in terms of its visual and audible feedback to the putter.

Referring now to Figures 3 (a) to 3 (c) there is shown generally at 80 a third embodiment of putting practice arrangement which also employs the putting mat 12 described above, including any of the forms of passage means 25, 25'or 25", although it is particularly suited to the flanged aperture form 25 shown in Figure 1 (b) wherein the mat material is displaced as flange 28 to align with, and possibly locate in, recess 90 formed in the supporting substrate and described hereinafter.

Putting cup arrangement 81 comprises, in part, a standard length putting cup 82 which, like cup 62, is modified for this use only insofar as the upper end of the tubular body carries a loop part 44 of hook and loop fastening means by way of which it can attach to, and be suspended from, the passage means 25 within a recess 90 in supporting substrate 20. The recess 90 is of substantially the same diameter as cup 82 but sunk to a depth, to floor 91, which is significantly in excess of the length of the cup 82.

As seen from Figure 3 (b), which shows the arrangement out of operation and with the putting mat 12 removed, the putting cup arrangement 81 comprises not only a standard putting cup 82 but also a shallow putting cup 84 which has a relatively short tubular body of the standard cup diameter defined by wall 86 open at one end 84 and closed at the other end by end wall 88. Whereas the tubular body parts of the shallow cup and standard length cup may be smaller than the recess, the end wall 88 is a close fit therein. Furthermore, the total length of the cups is equal to the depth of the recess such that with the cup 82 supported on floor 91 and the cup 84 supported on cup 82, the end wall 88 forms a closure for the recess 90 flush with the surface of the supporting substrate 20.

The tubular wall of each cup is surrounded at least in part by the loop part 44 of hook and loop fastening means.

The arrangement 80 is in many ways similar to the arrangement 60 except that when the shallow cup 84 is inverted its dimensions permit the tubular body wall 86 to attach properly to the boundary of the passage means and be suspended therefrom without bearing on the cup 82, as illustrated in Figure 3 (c).

Referring now to Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b) there is shown at 100 a fourth embodiment of putting practice arrangement which is also somewhat similar to the arrangement 60 in that it also employs the putting mat 12 described above including any of the forms of passage means 25,25'and 25", although it is particularly suited to the folded aperture form 25'.

With particular reference to Figure 4 (a) the arrangement has a putting cup arrangement 101 comprising (in part) a standard length putting cup 102 which, like cup 62, is modified for this use only insofar as at its upper end the tubular body carrier a loop part 44 of hook and loop fastening means.

Within supporting substrate 20 a recess 110 of substantially the same diameter as the cup 102 is sunk but with a depth to floor 111 in excess of the length of the cup. Furthermore at the mouth of the recess, at the surface of the substrate 20, there is provided a sunken rebate or shoulder 112 surrounding the recess.

In operation, with the putting cup 102 attached to, and suspended from the mat passage means 25'the part of the mat that is deflected from the putting surface and folded over the supporting surface is contained within the rebate 112 so that there is no raised rim to the passage means in comparison with the configuration of Figure 1 (d) and containment also serves to locate the mat with respect to the recess 110 directly, rather than by way of lateral loading on the putting cup body. When the arrangement 100 is not in use, the mat 12 is detached from the putting cup 102 and removed. The putting cup 102 may be removed from the recess 110 or lowered to the floor 111 thereof, whereupon the recess is covered by a closure plate or plug 104 dimensioned to fit the rebate 102 and provide a surface flush with the surface of substrate 20.

In a manner analogous to making recess cover 74 of arrangement 60 as a shallow putting cup 84 in arrangement 80, the cover 104 and recess rebate may also be modified to provide a shallow putting cup.

Referring to Figures 5 (a) and 5 (b) a fifth embodiment of practice arrangement 120 is shown, generally similar to the arrangement 80 described above insofar as it comprises mat 12 and putting cup means 121 disposed in recess 130 in substrate 20.

The recess 130 corresponds to recess 110 of arrangement 100 and includes at its mouth a rebate 132.

The putting cup means 121 comprises a standard length cup 122 and a shallow cup 124 corresponding to cups 82 and 84 respectively, except that the shallow cup 124 has, in addition to tubular part 126, a closed base 128 which extends radially outwardly as a flange 128'which has the same dimensions as the recess rebate 132. Thus as seen in Figure 5 (a), when the arrangement is not in use the shallow cup provides a closure for the recess in the manner of simple cover 104. Furthermore, as the shallow cup/closure is supported in the rebate, it does not need to be supported on, nor transfer loads through, the standard length cup 122, unlike the arrangement 80.

Operation may take alternative forms. The preferred mode is with the shallow cup/cover removed and the standard length cup 122 attached to the mat passage means and suspended therefrom within the recess in the manner of Figure 4 (a). Alternatively, and as illustrated in Figure 5 (b), with the standard length cup removed or contained within the recess, the shallow cup may be inverted and attached to the passage means of the mat with the flanged, closed end portion 128'contained in the rebate 132. Depending upon the length of the tubular body part and point of attachment to the mat, the flanged closed end portion may be supported out of contact with the substrate, but if the effective thickness of the mat surrounding the passage means is great, as with the folded aperture passage 25', or if the area of attachment to a simple aperture passage 25"precludes load bearing, as illustrated in the left and right parts of respectively of Figure 5 (b), the flanged closed end portion may support the shallow cup bearing against the rebate.

It will be appreciated that whereas the rebate 112 of arrangement 100 provides a means of locating excess thickness of mat material of a folded aperture passage that mitigates the formation of a raised rim to the passage means at the putting surface, the presence of the flange 128'of the closed end of the shallow cup 124 may detract from this. In such case, the surface of the flange may by provided with an annular indentation 128"to receive at least part of the folded over mat, as illustrated in Figure 5 (c), without detracting from the load bearing properties of the flanged end when employed as a closure for the recess.

Alternative matting materials and constructions may be employed, including woven structures.

However, the use of a mat which has the aforementioned drainage properties permits particulate or powder materials, such as sand, to be applied to the putting surface to alter the behaviour thereof during putting and thereafter, washing of such materials from the mat with simple hosing. Whereas it is convenient to utilise the properties of the mat to provide the hook component of the hook and loop fastening means, a separate carrier of hook material may be secured to the periphery of the passage means. Of course, where discrete hook and loop carriers are secured to both mat and cup arrangement, the loop part may be carried by the mat instead of the cup arrangement. Also, the fastening means may comprise other than such hook and loop means.

Whereas in all of the embodiments described above preferred operation involves the suspending of a full length, standard sized golf putting cup from the mat passage means to effect maximum realism, with the provision of a shallow putting cup as a less-preferred adjunct thereto insofar as it utilises as such cup a closure member for the recess, it will be appreciated that such shallow cup alone, may, by attachment of the tubular body part thereof to the mat passage means so that it is suspended therefrom, provide a superior cup arrangement than hitherto advocated in a substantially flat, that is, non-ramped, practice putting green arrangement.

In all of the above embodiments the supporting substrate has been described as of a solid ground base in which a recess is sunk to the appropriate depth with the appropriate cross sectional dimensions. More particularly it has been described with a recess having a crosssectional dimension, which need not be circular as is the putting cup means, that is oversized with respect to a normal hole and suspension of the cup from the mat at the passage means which obviates a number of disadvantages that might be expected if effecting within a rigid constructional material such as concrete a cup receiving recess precisely dimensioned to support a cup, namely accurate alignment of a removable mat and atypical acoustic transmission by way of the ground base material. It will be understood that the supporting substrate may be other than such solid ground base and may for instance comprise a portable structure that is adapted to overlie a ground base and hold the supporting surface of the mat displaced above the ground base by a distance at least as great as a putting cup of standard depth such that the putting cup received recessed within the substrate is above the ground base.

Such a portable substrate structure may take the form of a relatively thin platform or stage mounted on legs and below which the cup is suspended form the mat or in a cage or the like.

Alternatively the supporting substrate may comprise a substantially solid plinth in the material of which the cup receiving recess is formed. Whereas such a plinth requires significant thickness to house a putting cup of standard depth, at least 75 mm even if the cup is shortened from a standard length of 150 mm, but also to be portable, it may comprise one or more blocks of material that facilitate such portability.

Preferably, there should be a minimum number of such blocks and thus usage of a low density material, such as expanded or foamed plastics material which has, at least when formed into the substrate, rigidity and load carrying capacity to be stood upon by the golfer without deformation.

Referring to Figure 6, this shows indicated generally at 210 a sectional elevation through a sixth embodiment of golf putting practice arrangement in accordance with the invention.

Green simulating mat 12 is supported on a supporting substrate 220 defined by a unitary block 221 of HCFC blown extruded polystyrene foam. A suitable material, manufactured by Dow Chemical Company under the name of"Styrofoam LB. K" is available in sheet form in thickness up to 80 mm and is, at least as a sheet of such thickness supported uniformly at one major face 2221, capable of withstanding the weight of an adult on the opposite major face 2222 without deformation of the major faces or minor, lateral faces 2223.

The putting mat 12 is secured to the major face 2222 of the substrate by adhesive or mechanical means such that it is movable with the substrate. The mat includes passage means 25 as described above, more particularly the form 25" which is a simple through aperture. Aligned with the passage means is a cup receiving recess 250 is formed in the substrate of substantially the standard cup diameter, such that a cup 230 is a sliding fit therein, being retained either removably by an interference fit with the recess boundary or mechanical interlock, or permanently by adhesive bonding. Insofar as a standard putting cup provides a standard depth from open end to collector of less than 80 mm, a standard length cup of 150 mm may be cropped to put within the 80 mm substrate whilst still providing the regulation depth of ball drop. Also, because the substrate material is a foam, it is possible to effect intimate contact with the putting cup without undesirable acoustic behaviour.

The cup may be retained within the recess with the rim standing slightly proud of the substrate surface to form an alignment spigot for the passage means draining assembly.

Enclosure means, indicated generally at 224, optionally overlies the major face 2221 of the block and lateral boundaries 2223 of the block and the supported mat 12 respectively, which are thus surrounded. Insofar as the supporting substrate comprises a unitary and self supporting structural body the enclosure means may comprise a flexible polyvinyl chloride sheet.

It will be appreciated that the substrate may be constructed from a plurality of blocks of this and/or different materials stacked on top of each other and/or side-by-side, as indicated by chain dotted lines 221'and 221", in which case the enclosure means may be structurally functional in retaining relative dispositions of the component blocks in use.

Such component blocks may be secured permanently with respect to each other or may be separable for storage. In the latter case it will be apparent that it is most practicable for the mat 12 to be placeable on the surface of substrate without permanent bonding in position, which is, of course, an option available when the substrate comprises a unitary block of material.

Referring to Figure 7, this shows in sectional elevation a seventh embodiment of golf putting practice arrangement indicated generally at 310. Supporting substrate 320 comprises a unitary block 321 of the aforementioned polystyrene foam having major faces 322, and 3222 enclosed within an envelope of waterproof PVC material that covers all surfaces and provides enclosure means 324. A cup receiving recess 350 extends through the block between opposite major faces which is optionally lined by the PVC material. Mat 12 is not secured to the substrate but placed there for operation and removable thereafter.

The recess 350 may have a diameter chosen, as described above for recess 250, that effects permanent or removable retention of a golf putting cup 330 therein, possibly with its open end standing proud of the substrate surface as an alignment spigot and/or the enclosure means envelope may also include upstanding wall parts 324, and 3242 arranged to receive therein the mat 12 and serving inter alia to locate it with respect to the recess so that the passage means 25 in the mat is aligned with the recess. As shown here, the recess is'oversized'with respect to the diameter of the cup and the cup is arranged to be suspended within the recess by attachment of the upper end of the cup to the mat material in the passage means in the manner shown at 25 in Figure 1.

The use of a mat unsecured to such movable substrate also has the advantage of permitting spacer elements or other mat-displacing means to be placed under regions of the mat to effect undulations of the putting surface, the small variations in mat, and more particularly passage, position which results therefrom has no effect on alignment between passage and cup if the latter is suspended from the rim of the passage means.

A movable supporting substrate does not have the same need to cover the recess when not in use and thus the primary purpose of a rebated rim to the recess, although such a rebate may be provided as described above.

Further passage means, such as for hazards, may be formed by removing regions of the mat.

Such removal of itself prevents continued travel of the ball, but for greater realism the surface of the supporting substrate may be recessed in alignment therewith and contain sand orwater trough to comprise a bunker or water hazard. The removed region for the mat may be replaceable to define a substantially uninterrupted putting surface.

It will be appreciated that for many purposes it is most convenient for such a movable supporting substrate to be formed as a rectangular body whereas there may be reasons, practical and aesthetic, why the putting green should have a different shape in plan view.

Insofar as the mat may be positional or positionalable with enclosure means that corresponds to a, say rectangular, substrate, then between the boundary of mat 12 and enclosure means there may be provided a different material in which emulates conditions that may be encountered on a real putting green, such as the aforementioned bunker and water hazards or a coarse or rough grass, which latter is readily achieved by tuft matting such as the material sold as'Grasshopper'by the above mentioned Jaymart.

It will be appreciated that other forms of movable supporting substrate may be employed, particularly when enclosure means is able to perform a structural function. For example, and not illustrated, the enclosure means may comprise a walled tray, similar to the shape illustrated in Figure 6, and be filled for use with a granular or particulate material upon which the mat is removably supported.

It will be appreciated that insofar as the movable supporting substrate is raised above the local ground base it may be bounded by guttering arranged to collect any ball rolling off an edge of the mat and, if desired, inclined to return any such ball to a particular collection point.

Alternatively, and notwithstanding the form of supporting substrate, at least part of the boundary of the simulated putting green may be provided with an incline and/or lip to prevent a mis-struck ball from leaving the green.

It will be appreciated that the materials and dimensions employed may be varied as desired, but it is preferred that where possible the dimensions be those found on a real putting green and properties those which provide the feel and feedback signals obtained from a real putting green and the equipment thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A golf putting practice arrangement comprising (i) a mat of fibrous or filamentary material having opposite major faces and at one of the major faces a putting surface and at the other of the major faces a support surface arranged to be laid on a supporting substrate, (ii) passage means, extending through the mat between the putting and support surfaces, dimensioned for the passage of a golf ball and defining a putting hole, and (iii) a putting cup arrangement, having a tubular body wall part open at one end thereof to admit a golf ball, disposable adjacent the support surface beneath the mat with the open end of the tubular body wall part aligned with the passage means to receive a golf ball passing therethrough from the putting surface.
2. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 1 including releasable fastening means operable to attach the tubular body wall part of the cup arrangement releasably with respect to the passage means with the rim of the tubular body wall part adjacent the open end at least part way through the passage means.
3. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 2 in which the releasable fastening means comprises hook and loop fastening means, one component part thereof being carried by the tubular body wall part and the other component part being carried by, or comprising, the material of the mat defining the boundary of the passage means
4. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 3 in which loop component of the fastening means is carried by the exterior of tubular wall adjacent the rim and the hook component comprises the mat material defining the boundary of the passage means.
5. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the mat is formed of a non woven material.
6. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 5 in which the mat is formed of polypropylene.
7. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the support surface includes an array of peduncles operable to dispose the mat material clear of a said supporting substrate with which used.
8. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the passage means comprises a through-aperture and a portion of the mat material surrounding the through-aperture deflected away from the putting surface such that said deflected portion comprises the boundary of the putting hole.
9. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 8 in which the deflected material of the mat defining the passage means extends proud of the support surface.
10. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 in which the deflected material defining the passage means is folded back to overlie the support surface.
11. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 in which the putting cup arrangement comprises a putting cup having a tubular body wall of standard diameter and length giving a standard depth.
12. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 in which the putting cup arrangement comprises a shallow putting cup having a tubular wall of standard diameter and length shallow relative to the standard length.
13. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 12 in which the shallow length is substantially equal to the length of the passage means
14. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 in which the shallow putting cup has, at one end of the tubular wall, flange means extending radially outwardly therefrom.
15. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any claim 14 when dependent upon any one of claims 8 to 10 in which said deflected material is arranged to lie in abutment with said flange means of the shallow cup.
16. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a said supporting substrate and in said supporting substrate a recess dimensioned to receive therein at least the tubular body wall part of said putting cup arrangement.
17. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 16 when dependant on claim 14 or claim 15 in which the recess includes at the rim thereof a rebate dimensioned to receive said flange of the said shallow putting cup.
18. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 17 when dependant on any one of claims 8 to 10 in which said rebate is dimensioned to receive said deflected material of the mat extending proud of the support surface.
19. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 in which the putting cup arrangement comprises a depth putting cup of standard depth and the recess has a depth at least as great as said putting cup.
20. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 19 in which the putting cup of standard depth is also of standard length overall.
21. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 20 in which the putting cup arrangement has at least one closed end, and the recess is arranged to received the cup arrangement therein reversibly orientated, the recess being arranged, in a non operational mode, to support the cup arrangement therein with said closed end aligned with, and forming a closure for, the recess at the surface of the supporting substrate.
22. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 21 when dependant on claim 17 in which the putting cup arrangement also comprises a said flanged shallow putting cup, and the recess has a depth at least as great as the total length of the standard length putting cup and shallow putting cup and is arranged, in a non operational mode, to contain the tubular body parts of both cups in line and with the flanged end of the short cup filling the rebate and forming a closure of the recess.
23. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 22 in which said supporting substrate comprises a portable structure adapted to overlie a ground base and support the mat such that the passage means is displaced above the ground base by a distance at least as great as the length of a putting cup of standard depth.
24. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 23 in which the supporting substrate comprises at least one block of substantially rigid expanded or foamed plastics material.
25. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 24 in which the or each block extends for substantially the full thickness of the supporting substrate.
26. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 24 or claim 25 in which the plastics material comprises polystyrene foam.
27. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26 in which the recess is dimensioned to receive and retain therein a said putting cup arrangement by engagement at the recess boundary.
28. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 27 in which the upper end of the cup is arranged to extend proud of the supporting substrate and effect, with respect to the mat passage means, a locating spigot.
29. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 28 in which the mat is secured in fixed relationship with respect to the supporting substrate.
30. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 29 including enclosure means for at least the lateral boundary of the supporting substrate.
31. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 30 in which the enclosure means comprises a water impervious envelope.
32. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 30 or claim 31 in which the enclosure means includes a structural framework.
33. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 32 in which the enclosure means includes, a ball collection gutter extending at least part way thereabout.
34. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 33 including a structural framework surrounding the lateral boundary of the mat.
35. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 34 in which the enclosure means is common to both supporting substrate and mat supported thereon.
36. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 35 when dependent on claim 23 in which the enclosure means comprises a tray for containment of a particulate substrate material.
37. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 36 in which the mat includes and the supporting substrate includes aligned therewith a surface feature a putting hazard means.
38. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 37 in which the putting hazard means comprises a sand filled bunker.
39. A golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in claim 37 in which the putting hazard means comprises a water trough.
40. A golf putting practice arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
41. A method of providing an artificial golf putting practice green comprising preparing a firm supporting substrate, sinking in the supporting substrate a recess dimensioned in cross section to receive a standard diameter putting cup and in depth to receive at least a standard length putting cup, providing a golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 and disposing the putting cup arrangement in the recess with the rim of the cup body wall part disposed in, and secured to, the passage means.
42. A method as claimed in claim 42 comprising suspending the putting cup from the passage means.
43. A method as claimed in claim 41 or claim 42 comprising making the depth of the recess substantially equal to the length of the putting cup arrangement, providing a putting cup arrangement with a closed bottom and using said closed bottom of inverted putting cup arrangement to close the recess when not in use.
44. A method as claimed in any one of claims claim 41 to 43 comprising forming a rebate at the rim of the recess, providing a golf putting practice arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 and disposing deflected mat material of the passage means in the rebate.
45. A method of providing a golf putting practice green substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.