Abstract:
This is an inexpensive device for practicing putting that is able to simulate sloping greens of two different speeds that has the additional advantages of being quick and easy to set up and to use. Simply using common household items underneath the flexible surface simulates a sloping green, and flipping it over gives you the two different speeds.

Description:
IMAGES 
       [0001]    Images are included on separate sheets. 
         [0002]      FIG. 1  is a top and bottom view of the putting device.  FIG. 1A  is an exploded side view of one way the bumper can be attached to the board.  FIG. 2  is a top and bottom view showing the bumpers removed from the board.  FIG. 3  is a side view of the putting device.  FIG. 4  shows the putting device leaning up against a wall showing a possible position for the logo. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention relates to golf putting devices having the ability to be quickly and easily adjusted by the golfer to simulate putts of different speeds and different amounts of break and with the additional advantages that it can be set up and taken down quickly and easily. 
         [0005]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0006]    There are many examples of golf putting devices in which the slope of the putting surface can be adjusted by using complicated mechanisms. One of the more recent examples is U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,721 wherein the undulation is varied using multiple helical springs. Multiple other patent examples of even more complicated mechanisms are listed in this patent and are included herein by reference. 
         [0007]    There is also an example of a variable surface in combination with a reversible flexible panel with two different coverings to simulate different putting surfaces (U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,522), but in this example the mechanism for varying the surface is more complicated as is the reversal of the surfaces compared to the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This putting device is an indoor practice putting aid that will encourage effective practice due to its similarity to actual conditions and the ease of set-up. The device is constructed of a flexible board that is simple to set up. A device that is simple to set up will be used more often, and the increased repetition of the putting stroke will lead to putting skill improvement. Numerous practice putting aid devices that allow for breaking putts are known, but have time consuming and difficult set-up procedures. They are also in general, very expensive. This present putting device has no springs, screws, complicated wedges or other items used to simulate breaking putts like those referenced earlier. This putting device uses common household items such as shoes, tapered blocks, pillows or books to cause the slope in the surface. To set up the device, just lay the putting board down with the face you desire to use on top and place any common household item under the board near the hole to give the desired undulation. In order to change the surface, you just turn the putting board over. The board is easily stored against a wall or underneath a bed. 
         [0009]    The most inexpensive type putting practice aids normally include a carpet that is rolled out on a floor or flat surface. These wrinkle easily and are not very effective putting practice. This putting board utilizes carpets or coverings that are mounted on a smooth board, for example, a ¼-inch flooring type hardboard, 5 to 8 feet long and 1 to 2 feet wide. The dimensions are preferably 60-72 inches in length and 16-20 inches wide. The smooth board can be covered on one or both sides by a suitable artificial material, such as felt or carpet. It is preferable covered on both sides as the putting speed of a smooth board exceeds the speed of most greens. The flexibility of the hardboard should be such that it allows the putting stroke area of the putting board (the first 20 inches of the board) to remain lying flat on the floor or flat surface when the hole end of the putting board is elevated up to at least 2.5 inches. Any smooth board with the proper flexibility is suitable for this device. The board can be made of any suitable flexible smooth substrate, including wood, wood composite, plastic or plastic composite. The size is optimized for ease of storage and set up. Smaller would be of little use for practice and longer makes the product difficult to ship and to store. This is a very inexpensive practice putting aid to construct. 
         [0010]    The use of smooth board for the putting surface and allows the ball to roll much like a golf green. When putting on real golf greens, players encounter various speeds of roll daily or when playing different golf courses with many types of grasses. 
         [0011]    This putting board is reversible with a faster speed (less rolling friction) on one side and a slower putting speed (greater rolling friction) on the other side. Various carpets and similar materials can be used to achieve different putting speeds. For example, special logo carpets can be used on one side to give a medium speed. Pool table type felt or a similar lightweight product can be used on the other side of the putting board to achieve a faster speed. Other materials can be used for slower speeds and these are often suitable for outdoor use. 
         [0012]    The intent of this putting board practice aid is to improve putting skill by practicing “feel” in the putting stroke. Great putters, professionals and amateurs, have one thing in common when putting—an excellent feel for the speed in which the ball rolls as they putt. To develop better feel and speed, many players will focus their practice on 40 foot putts and 4 foot putts. On most every green, a player will face a long putt and a short putt. This device focuses on the short putt, 4-5 footers that are crucial in developing good putting skills and lower scores. Having the ability to change putting speed allows the player to vary their practice and develop more “feel” for the stroke. 
         [0013]    A normal size putting hole is 4¼″ but for practice use, this putting board hole is cut to about 4″ to help hone the skills of the golfer and build confidence. Any size from 3-4.25 inches in diameter is suitable for this invention. Smaller hole sizes will cause frustration on the part of the golfer. 
         [0014]    A lightweight flexible foam type material such as common ½-inch pipe insulation can be used for the bumpers around the putting board. This type product is approximately 1.5 inches in diameter and provides a 0.75-inch bumper on each side of the putting board when the board is inserted in the slit in the insulation. All the coverings and bumper materials are adhered to the hardboard to promote a clean appearance and a smooth roll of putt. Various other materials can be used for the bumper material. It is even possible to extrude a plastic sheet with a bumper already in place. 
         [0015]    This putting board would have the ability to be logoed with one or more favorite sports team or business logos which would be an important contribution to the value of the board. Most practice aids would be stored or put away in a closest or garage type area. This putting board with the logo included, would be an attractive display for the typical sports enthusiast family room, den or office. 
         [0016]    Right or left-handed putters use the putting device in the following manner. The putting board is laid flat. The putting hole end of the putting board is elevated 2.5-4 inches by placing two household props such as pillows, books, or shoes on each side of the board, approximately equal with the hole so the player is always putting an uphill putt. A small flat box can be placed under the hole (especially on hardwood or tile floors) to catch the balls. Due to the simple nature of the design, there is no ball return; however each time the balls are retrieved, the props can be adjusted to a different style putt. “Breaking” putts can be adjusted up to one inch in either direction (right to left putt or left to right putt) by moving the location of the props. That amount of “break” is most common of the typical 4-5 foot putts encountered on the golf course. 
         [0017]    The hole is located approximately 6 inches from the back edge which allows a putt with good speed to contact the rear bumper and stay on the putting board but those putts hit to hard will bounce over the bumper and off the board. This reinforces the need to develop the proper amount of speed on your putts. Missed putts will roll back to you so you can repeat the putt.