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Apparatus and method for improving a golf shot

Apparatus and method for improving a golf shot description/claims

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/906,895, filed 14 Mar. 2007.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses related to golf and golf instruction. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses to aid in teaching a golfer how to chip.

One of the key areas-of one's golf game that generally needs improvement is the short game, or chipping. Chipping takes more finesse and accuracy than driving a golf ball or hitting a golf ball down a fairway. Likewise, when chipping or hitting a short shot, the bounce or roll of the golf ball must also be taken into account. Practice and repetition is necessary to improve such shots.

There are apparatuses used as practice devices so that one can practice chipping. One of the more common types of chipping devices comprises a wire frame that supports a type of mesh bag over the ground or surface. The golfer places this device at a predetermined place, walks to another place, and then aims at the basket with one or more golf balls. Once the golfer has hit all of his or her golf balls at the target, the balls must then be retrieved and the golfer must go back to a new position and aim at the apparatus. The golfer generally tends to spend more time retrieving the golf balls than actually practicing the golf shot. Furthermore, if the user hits the ball directly into the hanging mesh bag, this does not take into account a normal golf shot, which must also take into account that the ball will roll after the golf shot hits the ground.

Thus, it is desirous to develop a new golf apparatus that will allow a golfer to practice chipping in a manner that will more realistically mimic a normal golf shot and, also, allow a person to increase the amount of practice time that is devoted to actual chipping than to retrieving the golf balls.

The present invention provides a golf practice apparatus that assists in improving a golfer's chipping. The device consists of a generally disc shaped device, having at least one hollow center, which depicts the actual target or hole for the golfer to aim for. The outer edges of the disc preferably comprise a raised or sloped edge, so that the center hole forms somewhat of a cup or indentation. The disc may be symmetrical, so that there are raised edges on both sides of the disc, which allows the disc to properly work as a target regardless which side of the disc is facing upwards.

Because the user is aiming or shooting at a generally planar device rather than a raised bag, the device more accurately portrays a regular golf shot. If a shot is hit directly into the center of the disc, it will bounce out past the disc, just as a regular golf shot would. Thus, the device teaches the user to aim at the device as they would a regular golf shot, as opposed to a shot on the fly.

Also, the shape of the device as a disc has benefits, as well. Once a person shoots his golf balls at the target, he walks up to the target to retrieve the golf ball. Instead of retrieving his balls and walking to another location, the user merely picks up the target and throws or tosses it to another position and can resume practicing to chip. Thus, the invention allows for an increase of the time the golfer actually devotes to chipping when practicing.

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of a golf aid practice apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the golf aid apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a second embodiment of a golf aid practice apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the golf aid apparatus of FIG. 3 taken along ling 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts an apparatus according to the present invention being positioned as a target for a user to hit a golf ball.

FIG. 6 depicts a user hitting a golf ball at an apparatus according to the present invention.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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