Practice putting game

A practice putting game having a rigid base of predetermined width and length has a top putting surface. The rigid base has a bottom surface for contact with a support surface, such as a floor, and has first and second ends having the predetermined width. A receptable is placed adjacent each of the first and second ends of the rigid base with each receptable having at least three compartments. The three compartments are open towards the respective first and second ends of the rigid base. The floor surface of each receptacle is flush with the top putting surface of the rigid base. Each receptacle is sized so that is can hold at least 20 golf balls and has a surface which is rearwardly inclined so that the balls remain within the receptable while the putting game is in use.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention pertains to a golf practice game and training aid. 
More particularly, the invention relates to a apparatus which, while 
improving the golfer's putting skill, allows for the capture of a 
relatively large number of golf balls at either end thereof so that the 
majority of time spent by the golfer with the apparatus is in putting 
rather than walking back and forth. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Various prior art patents disclose training aids for use in the improvement 
of a golfer's putting game. Such devices may consist of a metallic ring 
designed to be placed, face up, on a floor or carpet surface. The golfer 
places a golf ball at a fixed distance away, and using a golf putter, 
attempts to stroke the ball into the ring. To obtain a non-skid surface on 
which the ball will roll uniformly, it is necessary to locate the metal 
ring on a carpet surface. However, not all carpet surfaces have the same 
general characteristics (i.e., resiliency, uniform surface height, 
resistance to movement), as the green of a golf course. Furthermore, the 
surface characteristics of a rug or carpet will vary depending on the 
fiber, nap, age of the surface, and wear etc. Since the metal ring can be 
placed at different locations, it is not always possible to insure that 
the same surface conditions will be encountered from one location to 
another. 
In order to overcome the disadvantages of the metal ring type of golf ball 
receptable various training aids havebeen prepared. The aid shown in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,294,450 which issued to J. Gallic discloses a golf putting 
green in which a flexible base layer of predetermined length and a 
predetermined surface characteristic is provided. U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,407 
to A. Lorrance discloses a putting device in which the elevation contour 
of the putting surface can be varied. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,539,046 which issued to D. P. Wright discloses an indoor 
golf game having a centrally located cup with a tubular extension to carry 
the cupped balls to a peripheral channel. U.S. Pat. No. 2,606,028 which 
issued to I. Zion discloses a golf practice device with an undulating 
terrain. U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 83,500 and 235,112 also disclose various 
golf putting devices. 
It has been found that these prior art golf putting games have a limited 
capacity for receiving golf balls and require that the balls be retrieved 
and returned to a putting end of the game prior to again initiating 
putting practice. There has been a need for a golf practice putting game 
in which a relatively large number of balls can be putted in a first 
direction towards a receptacle with a plurality of compartments requiring 
different positions of the golf putter head and which can be used from 
either end of the practice game. Thus, putting may take place from either 
end by one golfer or from each end by two golfers utilizing the same 
practice putting game. It has been found especially beneficial to use the 
device of the present invention with two golfers who putt a relatively 
large number of balls, at least 20, back and forth to one another. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved golf putting 
practice game and training aid. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide a golf training aid 
having a true putting surface and having receptacles at both ends for 
receiving a relatively large number of golf balls putted in each 
direction. 
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a golf practice 
putting game which is simple in design and economical to manufacture and 
which can be disassembled for easy storage. 
Accordingly, these and related objects are achieved by a practice putting 
game made up of a rigid base of predetermined width and length having a 
top putting surface and bottom surface for contact with a floor. The rigid 
base has first and second ends having a receptable adjacent thereto having 
a width generally equal to that of the rigid base. Each receptable has at 
least three compartments, each being open towards the respective first and 
second ends of the rigid base and each capable of receiving a plurality of 
golf balls. The bottom surface of the rigid base may include the hooked 
portion of a hook and loop type fastener such as a VELCRO type fastener so 
that the rigid base may be securely attached to a floor having a rug 
thereon. 
This device also embraces the concept of hearing the ball go into the 
compartment, which represents the hole on a putting green. Hearing the 
ball enter the compartment will overcome the tendency to look up to follow 
the path of the ball while putting, thus markedly improving the accuracy 
of the putting stroke. 
Normally the rigid base would be covered by a fabric simulating the putting 
surface, which fabric may be bonded to the top surface of the rigid base 
to form the putting surface. It is anticipated that the top putting 
surface would be flush with the top surfaces of the receptacles although 
such is not absolutely essential. The receptacles at either end of the 
putting surface are composed of at least three compartments with a narrow 
center compartment and two wider outer compartments separated from the 
center compartment by partitions. Each of the partitions has an end facing 
toward the rigid base, wherein each of the ends of the partitions is 
tapered towards the narrower center section. 
Each receptacle has a front and rear edge connected by a top surface which 
is flush with the putting surface of the rigid base but is inclined 
downwardly toward the rear edge thereof, thus providing a receptacle which 
prevents balls from moving outwardly back onto the putting surface after 
being captured within the receptacle. Each receptacle may also be equipped 
with a signaling device which indicates when a golf ball is successfully 
putted into the narrower center compartment. 
The most suitable material for the rigid base is a sheet of polystyrene 
foam sold under the brand name STYROFOAM approximately three quarters to 
one inch thick. This base provides a rigid putting surface but is 
extremely light, thus making the assembly, disassembly and storage of the 
putting game simple. In general, the rigid base may be made of two four 
foot long sections of STYROFOAM, each having the hooked portion of a 
VELCRO fastener at each edge so that the putting game may be set up on a 
floor surface having a rug. It is contemplated that the two receptacles 
are separate elements initially separated from the rigid base and may then 
be positioned at the outer edge of each of the four foot sections after 
they have been placed on the rug adjacent to one another in an end-to-end 
relationship (thus forming an eight foot long putting surface). 
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings which 
disclose two embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood 
that the drawings are to be used for the purpose of illustration only, and 
not as a definition of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a practice putting game 
generally denoted as 10 having a rigid base 12 preferably made of 
STYROFOAM or other relatively light material. Rigid base 12 is covered by 
fabric covering 14 to thereby simulate a golf putting surface. Fabric 
covering 14 may be any suitable outdoor carpet and it has been found 
particularly good to place the jute side of the carpet up (i.e., bond the 
fibers to base 12). In general, rigid base 12 is between 3/4 to 1 inch 
thick, which thickness provides sufficient rigidity and is still extremely 
light. At either end of rigid base 12 are receptacles 16 having vertically 
upwardly extending outer side walls 18 and a rear edge wall 20. Each 
receptacle 16 has a bottom surface 22 and a top surface 24 on which golf 
balls 26 are collected. 
Each receptable 16 has a front edge 28 and a rear edge 30, defined by rear 
edge wall 20, spaced a predetermined distance apart. The area formed by 
the distance between edge 28 and 30 and the width of he receptacle is 
normally large enough to hold at least 20 golf balls 26. This area is 
divided into at least three compartments 34, 36, and 38 so that the golfer 
may take aim at any one of the compartments to test his putting accuracy. 
Normally central compartment 36 is narrower than outer compartments 34 and 
38 and has a width slightly smaller than a regulation cup. Although such a 
configuration is not essential, narrower central compartment 36 provides a 
better test of the putter's accuracy. Compartments 34, 36 and 38 are 
defined by vertical partitions 40 and 42 extending from the rear edge wall 
20 towards front edge 28 of receptable 16. In order to facilitate ball 26 
entering the central compartment, the vertical edges of partitions 40, 42 
are tapered inwardly towards center compartment 36 so as to direct balls 
hitting the partitions, 40, 42 inwardly towards the center compartment. In 
addition, partitions 40, 42 are shorter than side wall 18 to allow balls 
from the center compartment 36 to go into side compartments 34 and 38. 
In order to preclude golf balls 26 from hitting rear edge wall 20 of 
receptacle 16 and bouncing back onto surface 14 of rigid base 12, a foam 
rubber cushion 44 is bonded to rear edge wall 20 to absorb impact forces. 
In addition, top surface 24 taper downwardly from front edge 28 to rear 
edge 30 to prevent balls 6 from rolling out of receptacle 16 into surface 
14 of rigid base 12. In order to prevent rigid base 12 from moving on a 
floor surface such as a indoor surface having a rug, the hooked portion of 
a VELCRO type fastener 46 may be bonded to the bottom surface 48 of rigid 
base 12 adjacent the edge 28 of partitions 16. 
It has been found advantageous to utilize any number of four (4) foot long 
sections of STYROFOAM to form rigid base 12. Each section of rigid base 12 
is covered by fabric 14 to form the top putting surface thereof. It is 
contemplated that two four foot sections would normally be used to provide 
an eight (8) foot long putting surface. These two sections can be stored 
in a closet with separate detachable receptables 16 for later assembly and 
use. 
For assembly the two four foot sections of rigid base 12 are both provided 
with the hooked portion of a VELCRO type fastener 46 at each edge thereof 
so that bottom surfaces 48 of the two sections of base 12 may be placed on 
a carpeted floor with inner surfaces (not shown) abutting one another. The 
placement of VELCRO type fasteners adjacent each inner edge holds the 
sections of rigid base 12 on the surface, thus effecting a long rigid 
putting surface. Edges 28 of the receptacle 16 are then placed at either 
end of the rigid base formed by the two four foot sections with the 
surfaces 24 thereof flush with the putting surface formed by fabric 14. Of 
course surface 24 could be stepped below the putting surface of rigid base 
12 to prevent balls from rolling into the putting surface. Receptacles 16, 
normally made from wood or formed from plastic, have sufficient weight to 
remain located in their proper position adjacent rigid base 12. However, 
the hooked portions of a VELCRO fastener could also be included on the 
bottom surface of each receptacle 16 at edge 28 thereof. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is shown the practice putting game 10 
with each receptacle 16 having an optional device for signaling when a 
golf ball 26 enters center compartment 36 thereof. The preferred signaling 
device includes a generally U-shaped support 60 which is fixed to and 
extends upwardly from partitions 40 and 42. Support 60 includes a cross 
member 62 from which three chimes 64 are suspended by string 66. The 
bottom ends of chimes 64 are suspended by string 66 just above top surface 
24 of each receptacle 16. Strings 66 may be made from nylon, metal or 
wool. Also, chimes 64 may be directly pivotably coupled to member 62 via 
holes through the top end of each chime. 
When a ball 26 is successfully putted into center compartment 36, the 
chimes signal the accuracy of the putt. This enables and encourages the 
golfer to keep his head down during and after he putts the ball. As is 
well known, keeping one's head down during a golf stroke is important if 
consistent accuracy is to be achieved. It can be seen that other signaling 
devices may also be used such as battery powered electric eye coupled to a 
bell or other signaling device. 
To use the putting game of the present invention, it is contemplated that 
one or two golfers would participate although any number could conceivably 
partake in the game. After setting up the rigid base as described above, 
the golfer would place at least twenty golf balls 26 in one receptacle 16 
and begin putting along the length of rigid base 12 aiming at one of 
receptacles 34, 36 or 38. Upon putting the last of the twenty balls, the 
golfer would then walk to the opposite end of the practice putting game 
and again putt the balls across the length of rigid base 12 to the 
opposite receptacle 16. Of course, two golfers can participate wherein 
each would remain at an opposite end of the putting game and putt the golf 
balls across the rigid base into the opposite receptacle and wherein the 
other golfer would then return the balls in like manner. 
While two embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and 
described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made 
thereunto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.