GOLF PUTTING MAT

A golf putting mat includes: two or more putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) having different green speeds from one another; and a main body (5) having the shape of a band in such a manner as to attach the putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) connected serially with one another to top thereof, whereby two or more putting surfaces with different green speeds can be formed on one mat body, thereby allowing a user to practice putting with the different green speeds on one putting mat.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a golf putting mat, and more particularly, to a golf putting mat that is capable of allowing two or more putting pads with different friction coefficients to be formed on top of a mat body, so that a user selects the putting pad with his or her desired green speed from the two or more putting pads to practice putting.

Generally, putting on the green as well as hitting a fairway shot is important in golf. To improve golf performance, accordingly, putting practice on the green has to be consistently needed.

For example, a conventional practice golf putting mat101, as shown inFIG. 1, which is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-2003-0043103, is configured to have a putting surface103formed on top of an elongated mat body105and a target portion107formed on one end of the putting surface103, and accordingly, a user places a golf ball on the putting surface103on the opposite side to the target portion107and putts the golf ball toward the target portion107, thereby practicing putting.

However, the conventional golf putting mat101includes only one putting surface103, so that there is only one green speed, thereby making it impossible to practice putting with various green speeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a golf putting mat that is capable of allowing two or more putting surfaces with different green speeds to be formed on one mat body, so that a user can practice putting with the different green speeds on one putting mat.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf putting mat that is capable of having putting pads made of fabrics with different friction coefficients in such a manner as to be separated from a mat body and changed in the respective positions with one another or changed reversely in each position, thereby providing the putting surfaces having more different green speeds.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a golf putting mat that is capable of having a bag-shaped putting pad adapted to insert a concave and convex pad thereinto to form concave and convex portions on a putting surface of the putting pad and further allowing the sizes of concave and convex portions of the concave and convex pad to vary, thereby adjusting the green speed of the putting surface to a desired green speed.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a golf putting mat that is capable of allowing a plurality of putting pads to be provided in the form of one pad in such a manner as to be detachably attached to a mat body, thereby permitting a user to select the putting pad with his or her desired surface roughness to easily vary the green speed of the putting surface.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf putting mat including: two or more putting pads having different green speeds from one another; and a main body having the shape of a band in such a manner as to attach the putting pads connected serially with one another to top thereof.

According to the present invention, desirably, the putting pads are made of different fabrics from one another.

According to the present invention, desirably, the putting pads are detachably attached to the mat body by means of coupling members, and the attachment of the putting pads to the mat body is performed by changing each putting pad itself in position or by changing the respective putting pads in position with one another.

According to the present invention, desirably, the putting pads are attached to the mat body in such a manner as to be turned over to allow undersides thereof to be used as putting surfaces.

According to the present invention, desirably, the golf putting mat further includes target portions formed on the other side of the putting pads in such a manner as to become targets for a golf ball putted on one side of the putting pads.

According to the present invention, desirably, the putting pads are made of the fabrics made by blending linen, polyester, and cotton, by blending cotton and polyester, and by blending rayon and polyester, which are selected, without repetition.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf putting mat including: a putting pad constituting a putting surface; a bag pad attached to the underside of the putting pad to form an accommodation space; and a convex and concave pad having a plurality of protrusions protruding from the outer surfaces thereof to allow concave and convex portions to be formed on the putting pad when inserted into the accommodation space and to thus determine a green speed.

According to the present invention, desirably, the concave and convex pad is configured to allow the sizes or tightness in distance of the protrusions to become locally different according to the positions of the protrusions of the outer surfaces thereof, so that the green speed of the putting pad becomes locally different according to the positions of the protrusions on the putting pad.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf putting mat including: two or more putting pads having different green speeds from one another; and a main body having the shape of a band in such a manner as to allow one selected from the putting pads to be detachably attached to top thereof.

According to the present invention, desirably, the putting pads are attached to the mat body in such a manner as to be turned over to allow undersides thereof to be used as putting surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a golf putting mat according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 2, a golf putting mat1includes two or more putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3and a mat body5.

In this case, the two or more putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3are made of fabrics having different friction coefficients from one another, and when a user places a golf ball on the golf putting mat1to putt the golf ball, a moving distance of the golf ball may be different according to the friction coefficients. Like this, differences in the moving distance of the golf ball upon the putting according to the friction coefficients of the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3are called as differences in green speed. If the friction coefficients of putting surfaces10of the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3become low, accordingly, the green speeds become fast, and contrarily, if the friction coefficients become high, the green speeds become slow.

Like this, various methods for varying the green speeds, that is, friction coefficients, among the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3may be proposed as follows.

Firstly, one mat body5is segmented according to green speeds in a longitudinal direction thereof, and the segmented sections of the mat body5are machined with different roughness through post processing like brushing, so that the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3having different friction coefficients from one another are formed on top of the mat body5even if they are made of the same material as one another.

Secondly, the two or more putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3having different friction coefficients from one another according to woven methods are separately manufactured, and next, they are connected serially with one another on top of the mat body5in a longitudinal direction, so that the two or more putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3having different green speeds from one another can be provided.

Thirdly, as shown inFIG. 2, the two or more putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3having different friction coefficients from one another according to differences in materials are separately manufactured, and next, they are attached to top of the mat body5, so that the two or more putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3having different green speeds from one another can be provided.

So as to allow the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3to have different friction coefficients from one another according to their material, however, fabrics for the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3are appropriately selected according to the friction coefficients corresponding to the number of putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3. For example, the putting pad3-1, which is slowest in the green speeds, is made of a fabric that is made by blending linen, polyester, and cotton, thereby increasing the friction coefficient thereof, and the putting pad3-3, which is fastest in the green speeds, is made of a fabric that is made by blending rayon and polyester, that is, polyrayon, thereby decreasing the friction coefficient thereof. Further, the putting pad3-2, which is intermediate in the green speeds, is made of a fabric that is made by blending cotton and polyester, that is, polycotton, thereby providing an intermediate friction coefficient thereof.

The mat body5constitutes a body of the golf putting mat1, and as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, it has a shape of a rectangular band and is made of a fabric or rigid body like a synthetic resin. If the mat body5is made of the fabric, it may roll, so that it is convenient in storage, and if the mat body5is made of the synthetic resin, it may have a frame structure, so that solid members like hole cups may be made thereon.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 2, the golf putting mat1according to the present invention further includes target portions7. The target portions7are putting targets that are formed on the other side of the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3located on the opposite side to one side of the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3if the putting is performed on one side of the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3. If the mat body5has a shape of a flat plate, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, it is impossible to ensure spaces in up and down directions thereof, and accordingly, the target portions7are attached to top of the mat body5in the form of marks. Further, as shown, the target portions7are provided on the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3, but of course, one target7may be marked on any one of the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3. If the mat body5has a solid frame structure with a given height, which is not shown, separate spaces may be ensured, so that the target portions7may be formed in the form of hole cups having a given depth.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 4, a golf putting mat1includes two or more putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3separable from a mat body5. As shown, the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3are detachably attached to top of the mat body5in such a manner as to be connected serially with one another.

In this case, the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3have different friction coefficients through various methods so that when they are attached to the mat body5, they have different green speeds from one another. Further, the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3vary their green speed through differences in post processing for the surface roughness, differences in their woven method, or differences in their material as shown inFIG. 3.

For example, as mentioned above, the putting pad3-1among the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3is made of a fabric that is made by blending linen, polyester, and cotton to form a putting surface10whose green speed is slowest, thereby providing the highest friction coefficient, and the putting pad3-2is made of a fabric that is made by blending cotton and polyester, that is, polycotton to form a putting surface10whose green speed is intermediate, thereby providing an intermediate friction coefficient. Further, the putting pad3-3is made of a fabric that is made by blending rayon and polyester, that is, polyrayon to form a putting surface10whose green speed is fastest, thereby providing the lowest friction coefficient.

Further, the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3are separately made in such a manner as to be separable from the mat body5, and accordingly, they have detachable coupling members to the mat body5. Accordingly, the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3themselves can be changed in position or can be changed in position with one another. Even if not shown, for example, the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3may be rotated on a horizontal surface and then attached to the mat body5in such a manner as to allow the front and back thereof to be changed with each other. Even if not shown, further, the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3may be changed in position with one another and then attached to the mat body5.

As another example of the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3in position, as shown inFIG. 6, the putting pad3-3may be turned over and then attached to the mat body5, and in this case, the undersides15of the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3may be used as the putting surfaces. To do this, the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3have different surface roughness on tops and undersides thereof. For example, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, any one of top and underside of each of the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3is made of a fabric that is not subjected to any post processing like brushing, and the other is made of a fabric that is subjected to post processing like brushing, so that the tops and undersides of the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3may have different green speeds from one another.

To do this, the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3can be detachably coupled to the mat body5by means of various coupling members13-1and13-2, and according to the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 4 to 6, the detachable coupling is achieved by means of Velcro tapes. In this case, as shown inFIGS. 4 to 6, the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3have female or male Velcro tapes13-1attached to both longitudinal sides thereof, and the mat body5has female or male Velcro tapes13-2attached thereto in such a manner as to correspond to the Velcro tapes13-1. So as to allow the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3to be freely turned over and attached to the Velcro tapes13-2of the mat body5, in this case, the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3have the Velcro tapes13-1attached to both sides of top and underside thereof, as shown inFIG. 5.

Moreover,FIG. 7shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 7, a golf putting mat51includes a putting pad53, a bag pad54, and a convex and concave pad55.

In this case, the putting pad53constitutes a putting surface50of the golf putting mat51, and as shown inFIG. 7, the putting pad53has the shape of a flat plate made of any one of the various types of fabrics as mentioned above.

The bag pad54constitutes a bag-shaped accommodation space S, together with the putting pad53, and as shown inFIG. 7, only if the bag pad54as a flat plate type pad attached to the underside of the putting pad53forms the accommodation space S, it may be freely made of any material or be freely shaped. As shown, further, the bag pad54is made in the form of a net body. In this case, desirably, the bag pad54and the putting pad53openably seal the inlet portion of the accommodation space S by means of a member like a zipper.

The convex and concave pad55applies concave and convex portions to the putting surface50of the golf putting mat51, and as shown inFIG. 7, the convex and concave pad55has the shape of a flat plate made of a synthetic resin having given elasticity, while having a plurality of protrusions61and62protruding from top and underside thereof. When the convex and concave pad55is inserted into the accommodation space S, concave and convex portions, that is, curves are formed on the putting surface50by means of the protrusions61or62, and accordingly, the golf putting mat51varies the green speed of the putting surface50according to the sizes of the concave and convex portions formed on the putting surface50. That is, the golf putting mat51determines the green speed of the putting surface50according to the sizes of the protrusions61and62of the convex and concave pad55inserted into the accommodation space S. For example, as shown inFIG. 7, if the concave and convex pad55is inserted into the accommodation space S in a state where the protrusions62that are relatively small in size and arranged close to one another are located on top of the concave and convex pad55, when compared to a state where the protrusions61that are relatively large in size and arranged distant from one another are located on top of the concave and convex pad55, the green speed of the golf putting mat51can be faster.

Like this, as the sizes or tightness in distance of the protrusions61and62protruding from the outer surfaces of the concave and convex pad55vary locally according to their positions on the outer surfaces, the green speed of the putting surface50can vary locally according to the positions of the protrusions61and62on the putting surface50. As shown, that is, the concave and convex pad55is configured to allow the sizes and distances of the protrusions61and61to be different only on top and underside thereof, but of course, the concave and convex pad55may be configured to allow the sizes and distances of the protrusions61and61to be different on the same top or underside thereof. In this case, the green speed of the putting pad50can be differently set even if the concave and convex pad55is not turned over.

Further,FIG. 8shows still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 8, a golf putting mat201includes two or more putting pads203-1,203-2, and203-3and a mat body205.

In this case, each of the putting pads203-1,203-2, and203-3constitutes the entire putting surface210, and in the same manner as above, the putting pads203-1,203-2, and203-3are made of fabrics having different friction coefficients from one another. When a user places a golf ball on the putting surface210to putt the golf ball, a moving distance of the golf ball may be different according to the friction coefficients. Accordingly, the user selects the putting pad having a desired friction coefficient from the putting pads203-1,203-2, and203-3to thus set his or her desired green speed of the putting surface210.

Accordingly, the mat body205constitutes a body of the golf putting mat201, in the same manner as the mat body5, and as shown inFIG. 8, it has a shape of a rectangular band and is made of a fabric or rigid body like a synthetic resin.

Further, the respective putting pads203-1,203-2, and203-3are detachably attached to the mat body205, and accordingly, they have detachable coupling members213-1and213-2to the mat body205. Accordingly, the respective putting pads203-1,203-2, and203-3can be changed with one another, and when they are turned over and attached to the mat body205, their underside215may be used as the putting surface210. In this case, of course, the top and underside of each putting pad, that is, the putting surface210and the underside215have different surface roughness from each other, thereby allowing the green speeds thereon to be different from each other. In the same manner as the coupling members13-1and13-2, the coupling members213-1and213-2may be constituted of one pair of Velcro tapes.

Now, an explanation of an operation of the golf putting mat according to the present invention will be given.

As shown inFIG. 2, the golf putting mat1according to the present invention is configured to allow the respective putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3to have different green speeds, and accordingly, a user who wants to practice putting places a golf ball on a hitting position11marked on one end of each putting pad and putts the golf ball toward the corresponding target portion7. In this case, the putting pad3-1among the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3, which is made of a fabric that is made by blending, for example, linen, polyester, and cotton to thus have the highest friction coefficient, so that the putting pad3-1provides the slowest green speed. Further, the putting pad3-2, which is made of a fabric that is made by blending, for example, cotton and polyester, that is, polycotton to thus have the intermediate friction coefficient, so that the putting pad3-2provides the intermediate green speed. Moreover, the putting pad3-3, which is made of a fabric that is made by blending, for example, rayon and polyester, that is, polyrayon cotton to thus have the lowest friction coefficient, so that the putting pad3-3provides the fastest green speed. Accordingly, the user selects the putting pad with his desired green speed and practices putting.

If the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3are detachably attached to the mat body5, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, they have the three-step green speeds as mentioned above, in the same manner as above, so that the user selects the putting pad with his desired green speed and practices putting.

If it is desired to vary the friction coefficients, that is, the green speeds of the respective putting surfaces of the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3to more various steps, as shown inFIG. 6, the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3are detached from the mat body5, turned over, and attached to desired positions, so that the undersides15with different friction coefficients may be used as the putting surfaces. In this case, the detachable attachment among the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3and the mat body5is easily possible by means of the Velcro tapes13-1and13-2. As the Velcro tapes13-1and13-2are attached to the concave surfaces somewhat depressed on the surfaces of the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3and the mat body5, the thicknesses of the putting pads3-1,3-2, and3-3and the mat body5cannot be increased at all.

In the case of the golf putting mat51as shown inFIG. 7, further, the green speed of the putting surface50varies according to the protrusions61and62of the concave and convex pad55, and accordingly, if the concave and convex pad55is inserted into the accommodation space S in a state where the protrusions61that are relatively large in size and arranged distant from one another, that is, large concave and convex portions are located on top of the concave and convex pad55, relatively large concave and convex portions are formed on the putting pad53pressurized outwardly through the protrusions61, so that the green speed of the putting surface50may be relatively slow. Contrarily, if the concave and convex pad55is inserted into the accommodation space S in a state where the protrusions62that are relatively small in size and arranged close to one another are located on top of the concave and convex pad55, relatively small concave and convex portions are formed on the putting pad53, so that the green speed of the putting surface50may be relatively fast. Through the selection of the position directions of the protrusions61and62coming into contact with the putting pad53, the green speed of the putting pad53can vary easily.

Further, the concave and convex pad55may have the protrusions61and62of different sizes and distances, and accordingly, the user selects the concave and convex pad55having the protrusions61and62of his or her desired sizes and distances, thereby varying the concave and convex portions of the putting pad53. As a result, his or her desired green speed of the putting surface50can be set easily and rapidly.

In the case where the two or more putting pads203-1,203-2, and203-3, which are made as one piece of pad, are provided, as shown inFIG. 8, the user selects the putting pad with his or her desired surface roughness among the putting pads203-1,203-2, and203-3and attaches the selected putting pad to the mat body205, thereby changing the green speed of the putting surface easily. Further, the putting pads203-1,203-2, and203-3are turned over to allow the undersides215thereof to be utilized as the putting surfaces, thereby varying the green speed of the putting surface.

As described above, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to allow the two or more putting surfaces with different green speeds to be formed on the mat body, so that the user can practice putting with various green speeds on one putting mat.

In addition, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to allow the putting pads to be separated and attached again from/to the mat body, so that the desired putting pad can be moved to another position of the mat body and can be rotated by 180° on the horizontal surface and attached to the mat body, so that the user can freely form his or her desired putting surface on the mat body.

Moreover, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to allow the putting pad separated from the mat body to be turned over and attached again to the mat body, so that the setting of the green speeds according to the friction coefficients of the putting pads can be variously made.

Further, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to have the concave and convex pad inserted into the accommodation space formed between the putting pad and the bag pad to allow the concave and convex portions to be formed even on the putting surface of the putting pad by means of the concave and convex portions formed by the protrusions of the concave and convex pad, while allowing the sizes of the concave and convex portions to be changed according to the different sizes and distances of the protrusions on the outer surfaces of the concave and convex pad, so that since the sizes of the concave and convex portions of the putting surface can be changed according to the sizes of the concave and convex portions of the concave and convex pad, the green speed of the putting surface can vary easily just by changing the direction of the concave and convex pad inserted into the accommodation space.

Additionally, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to have the concave and convex pad with the protrusions of different sizes and distances, so that the user can select the concave and convex pad with the protrusions of his or her desired sizes and distances to thus form the concave and convex portions on the putting pad, thereby setting his or her desired concave and convex portions on the putting pad to allow the green speed of the putting surface to vary easily and rapidly.

Also, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to allow the plurality of putting pads with different surface roughness to be formed to the form of one piece of pad, in such a manner as to be detachably attached to the mat body, and to allow the underside of each putting pad to have different surface roughness from the putting surface thereof in such a manner as to be used as the putting surface, so that the user can vary the green speed of the putting surface easily and rapidly through the replacement or re-attachment of the putting pad.