INDOOR PUTTING TRAINING AID

Abstract

A golf putting device allows the golfer to practice putting the golf ball at the proper speed and direction in regard to the distance to the hole and, at the same time, get feedback about each putt. The golf putting training device includes a first inclined side wall, a second inclined side wall parallel to the first inclined side wall, a plurality of supports connected between the first inclined side wall and the second inclined side wall, an elongated arched ramp placed between the first inclined side wall and the second inclined side wall, and a plurality of targets located on the elongated arched ramp, the plurality of targets having diameters decreasing in size from the bottom end to the top end of the elongated arched ramp.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/366,882 filed Jul. 22, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to golf putting training devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to golf putting training devices that allow the golfer to practice in a confined space, strike the ball on the proper line, and, at the same time, provide feedback about the putt.

[0003] Golf putting practice devices are designed to help the golfer orient the putter head in the right direction. Unfortunately, the current golf putting devices do not allow the golfer to control the proper force that needs to be applied to the golf ball in relation to the distance to the hole.

[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for golf putting devices that allow the golfer to practice putting the golf ball at the proper speed and direction in regard to the distance to the hole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a golf putting training device includes a first side wall, a second side wall adjacent to and spaced apart from the first side wall, a plurality of supports connected between the first side wall and the inclined side wall, an elongated arched ramp placed between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a plurality of targets located on the elongated arched ramp, the plurality of targets having diameters decreasing in size from the bottom end to the top end of the elongated arched ramp.

[0006] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of a golf putting training device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective front view of the golf putting training device of FIG. 1 showing the putting training device facing an inverted position;

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the golf putting training device of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the golf putting training device of FIG. 1; and

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the golf putting training device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0013] Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

[0014] Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide golf putting devices that allow the golfer to practice putting the golf ball at the proper speed and direction in regard to the distance to the hole and, at the same time, getting feedback about each putt.

[0015] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a golf putting training device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The golf putting training device 10 may include a first inclined side wall 12, a second inclined side wall 13 parallel to the first inclined side wall 12, a plurality of supports 14 connected between the first inclined side wall 12 and the second inclined side wall 13, an elongated arched ramp 18 placed between the first inclined side wall 12 and the second inclined side wall 13, and a plurality of targets 26 having different sizes located throughout the length of the elongated arched ramp 18.

[0016] The inclination of the first inclined sidewall 12 and the second inclined side wall 13 may be designed to stabilize and give a predetermined curvature to the elongated arched ramp 18. The first inclined side wall 12 and the second inclined side wall 13 may have an L-shape. The inclined side walls 12 and 13 may be made from a sturdy material. In some embodiments, the inclined side walls 12 and 13 may be made of fiberglass, plastic, wood, PVC, laminate, composite materials, metals, or the like.

[0017] The supports 14 may be designed to receive and hold the first inclined side wall 12 and the second inclined side wall 13. The supports 14 may be placed at the bottom end of the inclined side walls 12 and 13. Ramp supports 16 may be placed on an ascending position along the first inclined side wall 12 and the second inclined side wall 13. The position of the ramp supports 16 may be raised to give the elongated arched ramp 18 a smooth curvature that may use gravity to provide resistance to the golf ball 28 being rolled up the ramp.

[0018] The supports 14 may have ball holders 32. The supports 14 may have one end connected to the first inclined side wall 12 and the other end connected to the second inclined side wall 13. The supports 14 may be positioned on holes 15 located on the inclined side walls 12 and 13. A pin 16 may help secure the ramp 18 to the inclined side walls 12 and 13. The pin 16 may slide from the first inclined side wall 12, through one of the holes 15, until it reaches the hole 15 on the second inclined side wall 13. The first inclined side wall 12 and second inclined side wall 13 may be about 2 feet tall and about 4 feet long. The holes 15 may be located on the inclined side walls 12 and 13 at a length of 9.5 inches and a height of 1.5 inches, at a length of 15.5 inches and a height of 3.5 inches, at a length of 20.5 inches and a height of 5.5 inches, at a length of 26.5 inches and a height of 8.5 inches, at a length of 31.5 inches and a height of 11.5 inches, at a length of 36.5 inches and a height of 14.5 inches, at a length of 41.5 inches and a height of 18.5 inches, and at a length of 45.5 inches and a height of 23.5 inches. In some embodiments, first inclined side wall 12 and second inclined side wall 13 may have a height of 4 feet and a length of 2 feet and the holes may be located on the inclined side walls 12 and 13 at a height of 2.5 inches and a length of 0.5 inches, at a height of 6.5 inches and a length of 5.5 inches, at a height of 11.5 inches and a length of 9.5 inches, at a height of 16.5 inches and a length of 12.5 inches, at a height of 21.5 inches and a length of 15.5 inches, at a height of 27.5 inches and a length of 18.5 inches, at a height of 32.5 inches and a length of 20.5 inches, and at a height of 38.5 inches and a length of 22.5 inches.

[0019] The pins 16 may be made of any sturdy material. In some embodiments, the pins 16 may be made of fiberglass, wood, PVC, plastic, composite materials, or metals.

[0020] Fasteners 22 may secure the pin 16 in the holes 15. In some embodiments, the fasteners 22 may be screws, bolts and nuts, clips, snaps, or any other suitable attaching means.

[0021] A stopper 20 may be attached to the top end of the elongated arched ramp 18 to prevent the golf ball 28 from rolling over the end of the elongated arched ramp 18. The ball stop 20 may be attached to the elongated arched ramp 18 by using fasteners 22. In some embodiments, the fasteners 22 may be screws, bolts and nuts, clips, snaps, or any other suitable attaching means. The stopper 20 may be removed from the elongated arched ramp 18. The stopper 20 may have a flat shape. In some embodiments, the stopper 20 may be made of fiberglass, wood, PVC, plastic, composite materials, or metals.

[0022] The elongated arched ramp 18 may have a smooth rolling surface. The elongated arched ramp 18 may allow the golf ball 28 to roll up and return back down to the starting point by combining gravity and the angle of the slope.

[0023] The targets 26 may be located at a central line 29 on the center of the elongated arched ramp 18. The targets 26 may be spaced out evenly to provide different simulated golf holes with which the golfer may practice. The central line 29 may be used as a guide to the golfer for providing feedback as to how straight the golf ball 28 may be rolled up and down the elongated arched ramp 18. The targets 26 may be spaced evenly through the central line 29 of the elongated arched ramp 18. The diameter of the targets 26 may decrease in size from the bottom to the top of the elongated arched ramp 18. In some embodiments, the first target 26 may have a diameter of approximately 3.25 inches, the second target 26 may have a diameter of approximately 2.75 inches, the third target 26 may have a diameter of approximately 2.25 inches, the fourth target 26 may have a diameter of approximately 1.75 inches, the fifth target 26 may have a diameter of approximately 1.25 inches, and the sixth target 26 may have a diameter of approximately 0.75 inches respectively. In some embodiments, the targets 26 may be spaced 10 inches from each other. The even spacing of the targets 26 may provide consistency of practicing the strength of each putt while the diminishing size of the targets 26 may provide a visual similar to the targets 26 being actually further away from the practice starting point.

[0024] The golfer may use the putter 30 to putt the golf ball 28 to one of the targets 26 of the elongated arched ramp 18.

[0025] The ramp can be placed flat on top of the ramp supports pins 16 and can be connected with clips on the ramp's underside. Clips fixed to the underside of the ramp can allow the top of the ramp to remain smooth. The ramp can be made from plastic, metal, wood, fiberglass, or any other suitable resilient material.

[0026] The golf putting training device 10 may be placed on any flat or level surface. The golfer may stand between 2 feet and 15 feet from the entrance of the elongated arched ramp 18 and putt the golf ball 28 up and down the elongated arched ramp 18. The golfer may use each target 26 to practice the strength of the putt while using the central line 29 to gauge the straightness of the putt. The path of the golf ball 28 with respect to the central line 29 may provide feedback to the golfer on how well (straight or correct strength) the putt was hit. The elongated arched ramp 18 may allow the golf ball 28 to return each time it is rolled, sometimes being stopped by the stopper 20 or being guided back down the elongated arched ramp 18 by hitting the inclined sidewalls 12 and 13.

[0027] The golf putting training device 10 may provide the golfer with feedback about the speed of the putt, the direction of the putt, and the distance traveled by the golf ball 28 past the selected targets 26. In addition, the golf putting training device 10 may help the golfer learn to properly align the golf ball 28 with the target 26.

[0028] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A golf putting training device comprising: a first side wall; a second side wall parallel adjacent to and spaced apart to the first inclined side wall; a plurality of supports connected between the first side wall and the second side wall; an elongated arched ramp placed between the first side wall and the second side wall, the elongated arched ramp having a top end and a bottom end; and a plurality of targets located on the elongated arched ramp, the targets having diameters decreasing in size from a bottom end to a top end of the elongated arched ramp.

2. The golf putting training device according to claim 1, wherein first side wall and the second side wall have an inclination.

3. The golf putting training device according to claim 1, wherein the supports are placed on an ascending position along the first inclined side wall and the second inclined side wall.

4. The golf putting training device according to claim 1, wherein the support has a ball holder.

5. The golf putting training device according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper attached to the top end of the elongated arched ramp.

6. The golf putting training device according to claim 1, wherein the targets are located along a central line on the elongated arched ramp.

7. The golf putting training device according to claim 6, wherein the targets are spaced out evenly along the central line of the elongated arched ramp.

8. The golf putting training device according to claim 6, wherein the central line provides feedback to a golfer about the straightness of a putt.

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