GOLF TRAINING AND PRACTICE DEVICE

Abstract

A golf training and practice device has a flat element which is placed on the ground separated from the user and spaced from a golf ball, and has on its upper face at least one ball direction mark, indicating the direction in which the golf ball is to go once hit, and a club orientation mark, indicating the orientation in which a clubface of a golf club that is being used must be placed, or lines parallel to said clubface etched on a surface of said golf club, where said ball direction mark and said club orientation mark are mutually separated from and are substantially perpendicular to one another. Furthermore, the flat element has a fastening and/or pivot hole.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

[0004] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] 1. Field of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to a golf training and practice device which is useful both in training in either an enclosed place or in an open course, and in a real game on a course. The device of the present invention has a small size and reduced weight, so it can always be carried in a golf bag without causing a discomfort and no assembly is required for use.

[0007] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

[0008] There is an increasingly larger number of golf fans worldwide, and the sport consist of hitting a small ball at rest with a club using a series of strokes for the purpose of sinking it in a hole located in an area of low-mowed turf, known as the green, using the fewest strokes possible. The movement of the club upon hitting the ball is known as the golf swing. Club types known as woods and irons which project the ball to distances between 20 and over 400 meters are used for initial strokes, until the golf ball reaches green. Another type of club known as a putter is used once the ball is in the green, said putter having a virtually vertical clubface, or face making contact with the golf ball, and the purpose of which is to hit the ball so that, rolling over the turf, it reaches and enters the hole. The stroke made with the putter is known as the putt.

[0009] The present invention consists of a device which facilitates golf training and practice both for long strokes with woods or irons and for putts with the putter. The main purpose of the device of the present invention is to facilitate training when directing and making the stroke to more precisely and skillfully send the golf ball to anywhere the player wants.

[0010] Many devices which facilitate practicing golf have been patented in various countries. The known patent and utility model documents that can be mentioned are U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,384; U.S. Pat. No. 2,807,472; U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,555; U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,807; U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,074, U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,811; U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,044; IS 2 136 356 T3; US 2008/0227561 A1; US 2008/0102970 A1; US 2008/0026864 A1; US 2007/0238542 A1; US 2007/0173339 A1; US 2006/0258477 A1; US 2006/0063604 A1; US 2005/0159233 A1; US 2004/0192457 A1; US 200200169028 A1; US 20110039629 A1; US 201070317448 A1; US 2010/0222161 A1; US 2010/0222160 A1; US 2010/0197421 A1; US 2009/0305804 A1; US 2009/0286614 A1; US 2009/0227388 A1; US 2009/0181787 A1; US 2009/0118028 A1.

[0011] Generally all the patented devices are aimed at practicing a single facet of golf, whether it is practicing a putt with the putter, practicing a short game with the irons, or practicing a long game with the woods. No product or patent with the multi-purpose nature of that which is herein developed and is useful for golf practice in all the facets described above is known.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,387 A discloses a golf practice and training device comprising a flat mat-type element which is L-shaped in one of its embodiments. In a first branch of the L-shaped element there is a first plurality of mutually parallel ball position marks and in a second branch of the L-shaped element there is a second plurality of mutually parallel ball position marks, and these are perpendicular to the marks of the first branch. The marks are distinguished by different colors and the player must select a pair of marks of the same color from the marks of the first branch and the second branch and place the ball in the intersection of the imaginary prolongations of the two selected marks. The flat element further includes a plurality of indications of the positions in which the player must place his/her feet depending on the color of the selected marks.

[0013] A drawback of the device of the mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,387 A is that the player must step on the flat element and the existence of the plurality of indications of different colors complicates understanding the device and makes it difficult for the player to concentrate during training. Another drawback is that the device is configured such that the ball passes over the flat element after being hit, which prevents practicing short strokes, such as putting, in which the hall must roll on the turf when hit, in which case the flat element itself is an obstacle in the path of the ball. Furthermore, the flat element of this device is not envisaged so that it can be easily rotated by the player around a pivot pin to change the orientation of the flat element in relation to the ground.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention consists of a device which, arranged on a putt training or practice area (putting green), a long stroke training or practice area on a natural or artificial surface (driving range), or any other natural or artificial point of a practice course, facilitates golf training and practice. It is a multi-purpose tool for practicing golf with any club out of the player's bag, allowing the golfer to correctly direct any stroke, place the clubface perpendicular to the target or correctly move the clubface during the putting swing. In summary, it achieves greater precision in the game.

[0015] More particularly, the golf training and practice device of the present invention comprises a flat element which is placed on the ground with a flat face down overlaid and has on its upper face marks indicative of conditions to be taken into account when practicing golf. This flat element is configured to be placed in a position adjacent to the golf ball, and the mentioned marks include at least one ball direction mark, indicating the direction in which the golf ball is to go once hit, and a club orientation mark, indicating the orientation in which a clubface of a golf club that is being used must be placed, or lines parallel to said clubface which are etched on a surface of some golf clubs. The ball direction and club orientation marks are mutually separated from and are substantially perpendicular to one another.

[0016] To have strokes producing movement effects, the club orientation mark serves as a reference for placing the club face with a certain inclination with respect to the club orientation mark. Since the ball is not arranged on the flat element, it allows golf training or practice in real conditions on a real course, because when the device is used from the start the ball rolls on the grass or green and not over an apparatus, and furthermore the club is also supported on the grass.

[0017] Preferably, the marks of the flat element further include one or more club path marks, indicating the direction of the path to be followed by the golf club during a hitting operation, in both backward and forward movements of the clubface of the golf club. This club path mark or marks are located adjacent to the ball direction mark since the path of the club may not coincide with the direction of the ball.

[0018] Optionally, the marks further include an auxiliary ball placement mark, indicating in cooperation with the ball direction mark the place where the golf ball must be placed outside the flat element. This ball placement mark is located adjacent to the club orientation mark.

[0019] One or more of said ball direction, club orientation, club path and ball placement marks can be movable to change the position thereof on the flat element, although the ball direction and club orientation marks are preferably fixed linear marks. The movable marks can be formed, for example, of a preferably white piece of plastic which can be moved in a linear perforation of the device, or simply of a sticker in the form of a preferably white dot.

[0020] For example, the club path mark, which can be a line or a dot for example, allows checking that the backward movement of the golf club is correct for the golfer's swing. The fact that the club path mark, is movable allows the device to be customized for each player or user because each person naturally moves the golf club backwards by a specific point.

[0021] The flat element can be fastened to the ground in a desired position by means of fastening and/or pivot pins inserted through fastening holes formed in the flat element. These fastening and/or pivot pins are stabilized in the ground, whether they are driven into the ground or simply supported on the ground.

[0022] Advantageously, one of said fastening holes is a fastening and/or pivot hole which allows rotating the flat element around the fastening and/or pivot pin inserted therethrough to change the position of the marks when there are no other fastening and/or pivot pins inserted through the remaining fastening holes. Optionally, this fastening and/or pivot hole can be located approximately equidistant from the ball direction and club orientation marks, or located adjacent to the club orientation mark, or a flat element can include a fastening and/or pivot hole located approximately equidistant from the ball direction and club orientation marks, and another fastening and/or pivot hole located adjacent to the club orientation mark.

[0023] Generally, the fastening and/or pivot hole located approximately equidistant from the ball direction and club orientation marks is used for practicing golf outdoors and is sized to receive as a fastening and/or pivot pin inserted through it a conventional ball supporting element, known as a tee, which is driven into the ground.

[0024] Many golf courses have mats for practicing long strokes. In many places practice facilities are being built in city centers with mats instead of grass. Circular tubes of about 17 mm in diameter provided with a base that rests by simply being supported on the mat are used as tees with these mats. In the flat element of the present invention, the mentioned fastening and/or pivot hole located adjacent to the club orientation mark is sized to receive as a fastening and/or pivot pin through it one of said cylindrical ball supporting elements supported on the mat arranged on the ground.

[0025] In any case, the flat element preferably comprises a flange projecting upwards from an upper surface thereof. This flange can be used to push the flat element when it is made to rotate around the fastening and/or pivot pin inserted through the fastening and/or pivot hole.

[0026] The flat element can optionally include a rod fastening element associated with the ball direction mark. This rod fastening element is configured to fasten a straight rod oriented in the direction of the corresponding ball direction mark and extending outside the flat element, whereby the reference provided by the ball direction mark is prolonged by the rod. A similar rod fastening element can additionally or alternatively be associated with the club orientation mark.

[0027] The flat element can have a wide range of shapes and sizes, although it will generally have a concavity formed around the golf ball placement site outside the flat element. To facilitate portability, the flat element has a size that can be inscribed within a 50×50 cm square, although a flat element of approximately 30 cm is sufficient. In a preferred embodiment, the flat element has the shape of an arched band with the ball direction and club orientation marks located at its ends or close to its ends.

[0028] The flat element can be made of a single part made from a flexible material to facilitate folding, or it can be made up of two or more detachable and/or assemblable pans, such that when it is folded or disassembled it can always be carried in a golf club bag without causing any discomfort. Once it is deployed or assembled, the flat element recovers its functional features without any problem. The flat element can alternatively be made of a substantially rigid material since, as a result of its small size, it can also always be carried in the bag without causing any discomfort. The flat element is preferably made of a translucent or transparent material so as to distract the user as little as possible.

[0029] Furthermore, when the material is translucent or transparent, the marks are visible on both sides of the flat element such that the flat element is reversible and can be used by both left-handed and right-handed users. Alternatively, whether or not the material is translucent or transparent, the flat element can include marks on both sides such that it is reversible and can be used by both left-handed and right-handed users.

[0030] One difference of the device of the present invention in relation to the devices of the state of the art is that not only does it allow practicing a single facet of the game, but it allows practicing all facets of golf with any type of club, whether for putting strokes, short game and long game. Furthermore, if the flat element is made of an impermeable material, such as a plastic, the device can be used outdoors even in the rain.

[0031] Usually in long strokes, the golf club hits the turf after hitting the ball, pulling out a piece of turf measuring a few centimeters, known as a divot. It is a very common flaw to first hit the turf and then the ball. The device of the present invention allows verifying if a player suffers this flaw because if the divot does not start in the imaginary prolongation of the club orientation mark or in front of it, it is a sign that the stroke has not been performed correctly.

[0032] The main advantages of the device of the present invention are the following:

[0033] It is very useful for practicing all golf strokes.

[0034] It allows practicing with the ball supported on a tee placed in the turf or in a mat, and with the ball supported directly on the turf.

[0035] It allows golf training or practice in real conditions on a real course because from the start the ball rolls on the grass and the club is also supported on the grass.

[0036] It is easy to handle, understand and transport.

[0037] It provides maximum placement and alignment speed for practicing strokes at various places as a result of it readily rotating on the central hole once it is anchored to the grass or on the front hole anchored to the grass or introduced in the tee of the practice mats.

[0038] Given its size and weight, it can always be carried in a golf bag without causing discomfort.

[0039] It allows easily directing the stroke and correctly orienting the clubface of any golf club in the bag.

[0040] It is reversible and can be used by both left-handed and right-handed players.

[0041] It allows visually checking both the backward and forward movements of the clubface of the golf club.

[0042] It facilitates the player's concentration during training since it is made of a transparent material and once aligned, it allows one to focus on the target which is to sink the ball in the hole.

[0043] It allows each player to swing naturally.

[0044] It allows placing personal guide marks on the surface of the device for each user's swing.

[0045] It can be used outdoors in any weather.

[0046] It can be used on any type of surface, for example on sand, grass, dirt, artificial surfaces, etc.

[0047] It can be used on tilted and/or irregular surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The foregoing and other features and advantages will become more evident from the following description of several embodiments in reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a golf training and practice device according to a first basic embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a golf training and practice device according to a second more complete embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the possibilities for changing the orientation of the device of FIG. 2 on grass using a ball support as a fastening and/or pivot pin;

[0052] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the lower side of a golf training and practice device according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a ball support which can be used as a fastening and/or pivot pin to allow changing the orientation of the device on a mat;

[0054] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the possibilities for changing the orientation of the device of FIG. 2 on a mat using the ball support of FIG. 5 as a fastening and/or pivot pin;

[0055] FIG. 7 is a partial side view illustrating the fastening of the device in a raised position on a turf surface using two different ball supports as a fastening and/or pivot pin;

[0056] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the device for training and practicing a short stroke on turf; and

[0057] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the device for training and practicing a long stroke on a mat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] First making reference to FIG. 1, said figure shows a golf training and practice device according to a first basic embodiment of the present invention, which comprises a flat element 1 configured to be placed on the ground by a user 20 (FIGS. 8 and 9) separated from the user 20 and spaced from a golf ball 25.

[0059] The flat element 1 has the shape of an arched band around a concavity 2 and has on its upper face a ball direction mark A and a club orientation mark B located at the ends of said arched band. The mentioned ball direction A and club orientation B marks are directional marks separated from and perpendicular to one another, such that imaginary prolongations of said ball direction A and club orientation B marks intersect in an open area provided by said concavity 2 of the flat element 1. The golf ball 25 is placed in this open area.

[0060] The ball direction mark A indicates the direction in which the golf ball 25 is to go once hit, and the club orientation mark B indicates the orientation in which a clubface 31 of a golf club 30 that is being used by the user 20 during practice or training must be placed. Most golf clubs 30 have one or more lines (not shown) parallel to said clubface 31 etched on the surface of the clubface, and in such case the club orientation mark B can alternatively be used as an indication of the orientation in which one of said lines parallel to the clubface 31 of the golf club 30 must be placed.

[0061] The ball 25 must be aligned with the ball direction mark A and slightly ahead of the club orientation mark B in the direction of movement M of the ball 25. The mentioned open area provided by the concavity 2 of the flat element 1 allows the golf ball 25 to move when it is hit by said golf club 30, moving away from the flat element 1 without interfering with it, even if the golf ball 25 is rolling on the ground as occurs with short strokes on turf.

[0062] The flat element 1 of FIG. 1 has a fastening and/or pivot hole E located in a central area. Through this fastening and/or pivot hole E there is inserted a fastening and/or pivot pin driven into the ground, which in addition to fastening the flat element 1 to the ground allows the flat element 1 to pivot around said fastening and/or pivot pin to adopt various orientations with respect to the ground. The user can therefore easily correct the position of the flat element 1. The fastening and/or pivot hole F is preferably sized to receive through it a conventional ball supporting element 11, known as a tee, driven into the ground, which is used as the fastening and/or pivot pin.

[0063] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a second more complete embodiment of the golf training and practice device of the present invention, comprising a flat element 1 similar to that described above in relation to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, including ball direction A and club orientation B marks which in this second embodiment are not located at the ends of the arched band but close to the ends, and the arched band has free end portions between said ball direction A and club orientation B marks and the corresponding ends of the arched band.

[0064] In the flat element of FIGS. 2 and 3, the ball direction A and club orientation B marks are likewise perpendicular to one another and their imaginary prolongations intersect in an open area provided by a concavity 2 of the flat element 1, such that the golf ball 25 is placed in this open area. In the free end portion of the flat element 1 adjacent to the club orientation mark B there is a ball placement mark D, indicating, in cooperation with the ball direction mark A, the place where the golf ball 25 must be placed in said open area. This ball placement mark D is preferably movable to allow changing the position thereof on the flat element 1 depending on the type of stroke and on the preferences of the user 20.

[0065] In the free end portion of the flat element 1 adjacent to the ball direction mark A there is one or more club path marks C, indicating the direction of different paths of the golf club 30 during a hitting operation of the golf ball 25. The user 20 can therefore select and use one of these club path marks C as a guide in both the backward and forward movements of the clubface 31 of the golf club 30. These one or more club path marks C are preferably movable to allow the user 20 to change the position thereof on the flat element 1 depending on the type of stroke and on the preferences of the user 20.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, some golf clubs 30 include a guide indication 32 in a central position thereof. When one of such golf clubs 30 is used, the ball direction mark A and the club path marks C in cooperation with the mentioned guide indication 32 of the golf club 30 will be used to guide the path of the golf club 30 when making the stroke.

[0067] The flat element 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has three fastening and/or pivot holes. Two of them are fastening and/or pivot holes E sized to receive inserted through it two of the mentioned conventional ball supporting elements 11, which have a lower end ending in a tip and are driven into the ground, i.e., in the grass when playing on turf, to fasten the flat element 1 to the ground in a desired position.

[0068] If the flat element 1 is fastened by means of a single fastening and/or pivot pin, such as a ball supporting element 1, inserted through any one of the two fastening and/or pivot holes E, preferably through the central fastening and/or pivot hole E, and driven into the ground as shown in FIG. 3, the orientation of the flat element 1 can be changed easily by rotating around this ball supporting element 11. To that end, the flat element 1 comprises a flange 3 projecting upwards which can be used as a coupling to push the flat element 1, for example by means of the same golf club 30 that is being used to train or practice, and make it rotate around the fastening and/or pivot pin inserted through the fastening and/or pivot hole E, F.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a golf training and practice device according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention, which comprises a flat element 1 similar to the flat element 1 described above in relation to FIGS. 2 and 3, with the difference that a spike G extends from the lower side of the flat element 1 in the place that the fastening and/or pivot hole E would occupy. The mentioned spike G can be driven into the ground and act like a fastening and/or pivot element to replace the ball support 11 inserted through the fastening and/or pivot hole E in the flat element 1 of the device of FIGS. 2 and 3. The spike G can optionally be fold so as to not get in the way when the flat element is not in use.

[0070] The third hole of the flat element 1 of FIGS. 2 and 3 is a fastening and pivot hole F sized to receive inserted through it a ball supporting element 12 or tee of the type used when playing on a mat 22 (FIG. 6). FIG. 5 shows one of such ball supporting elements 12 or tees suitable for playing on a mat, which has a cylindrical tubular body 14 with a circular support surface 15 at its upper end and a base 16 at its lower end, which stably rests between the ground and the mat 22 whereas the cylindrical tubular body 14 goes through the mat 22 instead, of being driven into the ground like ball supporting elements 11 or tees suitable for playing on turf grass. A golf ball 25 is depicted on the ball supporting element 12 of FIG. 5 by means of dotted lines.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 6, when training or practicing on a mat 22, the flat element 1 can be fastened to the mat 22 by means of a ball supporting element 12 such as that described in relation to FIG. 5 and the orientation of the flat element 1 can be changed by rotating around this ball supporting element 12.

[0072] In FIG. 7, the flat element 1 is fastened to the ground in a slightly raised position on a turf surface. To that end, a conventional ball supporting element 11 for being driven into the ground is passed through the fastening and/or pivot hole E of the flat element 1 and driven into an inner hole of another ball support 13, which is also conventional, comprising a cylindrical tubular body 17 with a spike 18 extending from its lower end and which in turn is driven into the ground. This assembly allows fastening the flat element 1 to the ground and at the same time pivoting the flat element 1 with respect to the ball support 11.

[0073] FIG. 8 illustrates the flat element 1 of the device of the present invention being used by a user 20 to practice or train a short stroke, such as a putt, by means of a suitable golf club 30 in a low-mowed turf area, or green so that the golf ball 25 can approach a hole 23 or to sink the ball in the hole 23.

[0074] FIG. 9 illustrates the flat element 1 of the device of the present invention being used by a user 20 to practice or train a long stroke by means of a suitable golf club 30, such as an iron for example, starting from a mat 22 so that the golf ball 25 can approach a flagstick 24.

[0075] It will be observed that the concavity 2 of the arched band forming the flat element 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a circular fraction and has its center in the intersection of the imaginary prolongations of the ball direction A and club orientation B marks. Nevertheless the concavity 2 of the arched band forming the flat element 1 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is approximately an elliptical fraction, such that the ball direction mark A is further away from the position where the golf ball 25 is placed than the club orientation mark. It will be understood that the flat element can alternatively have many other configurations provided that it provides the mentioned open area where the golf ball 25 is placed.

[0076] In any case, the flat element 1 has a size that can be inscribed within a 50×50 cm square, which is sufficient for the envisaged function, and furthermore with this size it can be can always be carried in a golf bag without causing discomfort.

[0077] The flat element 1 is preferably made of a single part made from a slightly flexible and preferably translucent or transparent material, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), such that the marks are visible on both sides and the flat element 1 is reversible and can be used by both left-handed and right-banded users 20. Nevertheless, the flat element 1 can alternatively be made up of two or more detachable and/or assemblable parts made of any suitable material, and if it is not a translucent or transparent material the flat element 1 can have marks on both sides such that the flat element 1 is reversible and can be used by both left-handed and right-handed users 20.

[0078] The ball placement mark D and the club path marks C, which are movable as mentioned above, can be formed by self-adhesive elements placed by the user at his/her liking, or they can be movable elements fitted into slot configurations formed or included in the flat element.

[0079] Modifications and variations with respect to the embodiments shown and described will be obvious to a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as it is defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A golf training and practice device, comprising a flat element which is placed on the ground and has on its upper face marks indicative of position conditions of a user and position conditions of a golf club to be taken into account when practicing golf, included at least one ball position mark, characterized in that: said flat element is configured to be placed on the ground by said user separated from the user and spaced from a golf ball, the flat element provides an open area for placing said golf ball and which allows the golf ball to move when it is hit with said golf club, moving away from the flat element without interfering with it even if the golf ball is rolling on the ground; the flat element has at least one fastening and/or pivot element whereby the flat element is fastened to the ground and allows the flat element to pivot in order to adopt various orientations with respect to the ground; and said marks include at least one ball direction mark, indicating the direction in which the golf ball is to go once hit, and a club orientation mark, indicating the orientation in which a clubface or a line parallel to said club face etched on a surface of the golf club that is being used must be placed, where said ball direction mark and said club orientation mark are separated and are substantially perpendicular to one another.

2. The golf training and practice device according to claim 1, characterized in that said fastening and/or pivot element comprises a fastening and/or pivot hole through which there is inserted a fastening and/or pivot pin stabilized with respect to the ground which fastens the flat element to the ground and allows the flat element to pivot around said fastening and/or pivot pin to adopt various orientations with respect to the ground.

3. The golf training and practice device according to claim 2, characterized in that said fastening and/or pivot hole is sized to receive through it a ball supporting element driven into the ground and which is used as the fastening and/or pivot pin.

4. The golf training and practice device according to claim 2, characterized in that the flat element includes at least two of said fastening and/or pivot holes through which there are inserted two of said ball supporting elements driven into the ground fastening the flat element to the ground in a desired position.

5. The golf training and practice device according to claim 2, characterized in that said fastening and pivot hole is sized to receive through it a ball supporting element supported on a mat and which is used as the fastening and or pivot pin.

6. The golf training and practice device according to claim 2, characterized in that the flat element comprises a flange projecting upwards, which can be used to push the flat element and make it rotate around the fastening and/or pivot pin inserted through the fastening and/or pivot hole.

7. The golf training and practice device according to claim 1, characterized in that said fastening and/or pivot element comprises a spike extending from the lower side of the flat element, which can be driven into the ground, and which fastens the flat element to the ground and allows the flat element to pivot around said spike to adopt various orientations with respect to the ground.

8. The golf training and practice device according to claim 1, characterized in that the marks further include at least one club path mark, indicating the direction of the path of the golf club during a hitting operation, in both backward and forward movements of the club face of the golf club, said club path mark being located adjacent to the ball direction mark.

9. The golf training and practice device according to claim 1, characterized in that the marks further include a ball placement mark, indicating, in cooperation with said ball direction mark, the place where the golf ball must be placed in said open area, said ball placement mark being located adjacent to the club orientation mark.

10. The golf training and practice device according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of said club path marks and ball placement mark is movable to change the position thereof on the flat element.

11. The golf training and practice device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat element has a concavity formed around said open area outside the flat element where the golf ball is placed.

12. The golf training and practice device according to claim 11, characterized in that the flat element has the shape of an arched band around said concavity and the ball direction mark and club orientation mark are located at the ends of said arched band or close to the ends of the arched band.

13. The golf training and practice device according to claim 11, characterized in that the flat element has a size that can be inscribed, within a 50.times.50 cm square.

14. The golf training and practice device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat element is made of a single part.

15. The golf training and practice device according to claim 14, characterized in that the flat element is made of a flexible material.

16. The golf training and practice device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat element is made up of two or more detachable and/or assemblable parts.

17. The golf training and practice device according to claim 14, characterized in that the flat element is made of a translucent or transparent material and the marks are visible on both sides such that the flat element is reversible and can be used by both left-handed and right-handed users.

18. The golf training and practice device according to claim 14, characterized in that the flat element has marks on both sides such that the flat element is reversible and can be used by both left-handed and right-handed users.

Images