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Golf apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Practice Projectile Addressing Surface (e.g., Driving Mat, Etc.)Golf apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080070713, Golf apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a golf apparatus, more particularly to a golf apparatus over which a golf ball is positioned to be hit by a head of a golf club. [0002] Such a golf apparatus is commonly known as a driving mat/system and is used at golf ranges and, in particular during winter months, in place of a golf tee on a golf course (as use of the grassed golf course tee is sometimes prohibited due to the effect that excessive use can have on the tee during wet weather etc.). Existing driving systems typically comprise synthetic matting simulating grass, such as Astroturf.RTM. or the like, which is fixed to or placed on a solid floor surface, usually concrete. [0003] A user positions a golf ball either directly on the Astroturf.RTM. matting or on a golf tee fixed to the matting. Conventional golf tees for use on a golf course comprise a small support of wood or plastic on top of which the golf ball is positioned. These, however, typically cannot be used on conventional driving systems as it is not possible to push the tee through the matting used and into the surface on which the matting rests. Therefore, a golf tee used on a driving system of this kind comprises a rubber tube which has at one end a radially outwardly extending flange. The free end of the tee is passed through an aperture in the matting until the flange abuts an underside of the matting and then the golf ball is positioned on top of the free end of the rubber tube. This type of golf tee ensures that a user does not have to reposition the golf tee after each golf shot as the rubber tube resiliently deforms upon impact with a head of a golf club. [0004] Such synthetic grass driving systems have a number of disadvantages. Firstly, a user is susceptible to a number of injuries, such as, for examples, wrist and elbow injuries, due to the fact that that the matting does not deform sufficiently upon impact with the head of the golf club in the same way that a grassed golf tee on a golf course would respond. The risk of injury is particularly high if the matting is fixed to, for example, a concrete surface. [0005] Also, due to the fact that the user is aware that the matting will not deform as readily as a grassed surface, he/she is likely to alter his/her stroke technique to ensure that the golf club does not impact the matting directly (i.e. that at the point of contact of the head of the golf club with the golf ball, the head just touches the surface of the matting, or misses the matting altogether). This does not reflect the "proper" technique which should be employed when the head of the golf club strikes the golf ball. This leads to practising poor technique, which when replicated on a golf course can lead to inaccurate golfing shots. [0006] Other driving systems have been proposed, including a part which incorporates a viscous material onto which the golf ball is positioned. This is said to provide a more "real feel". However, due to the complexity of this driving system it is necessary to buy the complete system which can be of great expense for the owner of a golf driving range. Therefore, the existing synthetic grass matting, which was previously used, is no longer required and is usually discarded. It is therefore an object of the present invention to address the above problems. [0007] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a golf apparatus comprising a base having a first part to support a user and a second, resiliently deformable, part over which a golf ball is in use positioned to be hit by a head of a golf club, wherein the apparatus includes a covering which-substantially covers the first and second parts of the base. [0008] By providing a golf apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the risk of injury to a user is reduced. This, in turn, means that a user can practice for a longer period of time. The apparatus also reduces the likelihood of a user employing poor technique as he/she will be assured that the surface from which they are hitting the golf ball will deform upon impact with the golf club. [0009] The covering may be a synthetic matting simulating grass, such as Astroturf.RTM. or the like. [0010] The base may include a formation to receive the covering, such as a recess in the base. [0011] The second, resiliently deformable, part of the base may include at least one resiliently deformable member. The resiliently deformable member may be elongate. [0012] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a golf apparatus comprising a base and at least one resiliently deformable elongate member over which a golf ball is in use positioned to be hit by the head of a golf club. [0013] The base may include a part to support a user. The apparatus may include a covering which substantially covers the base. [0014] The covering may be a synthetic matting simulating grass, such as Astroturf.RTM. or the like. [0015] The base may include a formation to receive the covering, such as a recess in the base. [0016] In either aspect of the invention, the resiliently deformable elongate member may be supported by formations on the base, preferably at opposite ends thereof. [0017] The base may include a cavity substantially beneath the resiliently deformable elongate member, such that the one resiliently deformable elongate member can deform into the cavity in the base. [0018] The apparatus may include a plurality of resiliently deformable elongate members. [0019] The resiliently deformable elongate members may be positioned substantially parallel to each other. [0020] The resiliently deformable elongate members may be spaced from one another, such that a gap is provided between adjacent resiliently deformable elongate members, such as, for example, to receive a golf tee. [0021] The base may be adjustable to accommodate different sizes of covering. [0022] The base may include a plurality of inter-engaging parts. The inter-engaging parts may engage by positive locking joints such as dovetail joints or the like. [0023] The apparatus may include two sets of a plurality of resiliently deformable elongate members, separated by the part to support a user. This ensures that the apparatus can be used by left and right handed persons without having to reposition the apparatus. Continue reading about Golf apparatus... Full patent description for Golf apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Golf apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Golf swing training device method and apparatus Next Patent Application: Club stand Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Golf apparatus patent info. 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