Adjustable golf practice mat

This invention is a golf practicing device to practice hitting on different angles of pitch. The device is a platform made of metal that can have varied in pitch from 0° to 20°. A playing base surface of artificial turf is attached to the surface of the platform to provide an authentic golf course playing surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 1. Detailed Description of the Figures Referring now to FIG. 1 , an Adjustable Golf Practice Mat 10 is shown, according to the present invention, for use as a golf training aid. It is envisioned that the device shown would be installed at the “tee” off position at a golf course where a golfer would make his initial drive of a golf ball towards the green and the cup. The device may be installed at both a regular play golf course or a driving range. The device may be installed as a stand alone unit or may be installed in a cavity specially formed for receiving it therein. Essentially, the device consists of a rotating platform supported by a fixed base. The platform is rotatable 360° and adjustable in pitch to give a user a choice of pitch at which to drive the ball. In this manner, different fairway conditions can be simulated enabling the golfer to practice shots considered usually considered more difficult. A locking means located on the rear of the rotating platform is provided to control the rotation of the platform. A dial on the front of the device is provided for controlling the pitch at which a ball may be driven from the platform. Referring to FIG. 2 , shown is a side view of an Adjustable Golf Practice Mat 10 . An annular shaped platform 15 is mounted on a central spindle 20 . Artificial Turf 16 is mounted on the upper surface of platform 15 and can be removed for replacement as required. A base 40 is located directly underneath platform 15 for supporting the device. A pitch adjustment dial 30 can be seen for adjusting the pitch of the platform 15 relative to the horizontal axes. On the front of the device, and directly beneath platform 15 , is a gear box 25 for converting the rotational movement of dial 30 to a proportional linear motion via gearing to a pair of arms 26 protruding from beneath the gearbox (shown in more detail in FIG. 6 ) A locking means 35 is provided on the rear of the device for controlling the rotation of platform 15 about spindle 20 and the vertical axis. Spindle 20 is mounted on base 40 consisting essentially of a circular shaped metal plate of the same diameter as platform 15 . The detail of this assembly is shown in greater depth in FIG. 4 . Spindle 20 is composed of a spindle base 20 a for mounting to plate 40 , a spindle shaft 20 b , and a spindle ball joint/bracket 20 c for mounting to platform 15 . Base 40 has a lip 40 a protruding upward around its entire circumference. It is envisioned that at lip 40 a would have to be at least ½″ in height but the exact specifications would be developed in further refinement and testing. What is important is that lip 40 a is wide enough to provide a surface whereby locking means 35 can securely grip to prevent platform 15 from rotating about spindle 20 . A pair of retracting and extending arms 26 protrude from underneath gearbox 25 and are designed to retract and extend according to the position of dial 30 . Arms 26 are arranged in a parallel fashion such that there is a gap between them. A roller 27 with an elongated longitudinal axis is inserted therebetween. Located at the free end of each arm is an aperture 26 a whereby a spindle 28 is inserted for securing roller 27 in the fashion described. Spindle 28 may then be secured using nuts, pins, caps, or other suitable means. Roller 27 makes contact with base 40 and is free to roll about base 40 . Manipulating dial 30 will cause an extension and retraction of arms 26 causing the pitch of platform to change as it rotates about spindle 20 through spindle ball joint/bracket 20 c . It is envisioned that the pitch of platform 40 would be able to be adjusted in this fashion from 0°, or level with the horizontal, to approximately 20° by the user simply turning dial 30 . Referring now to FIG. 4, a top view of platform 15 is shown, showing the detail of a plurality of platform stringers 15 a , located on the underside of platform 15 and spaced radially at 120°, for providing platform 15 with additional support, especially should the user prefer to stand on platform 15 . The upper surface of spindle ball joint/bracket 20 c is seen located at the center of platform 15 connected to each of the platform stringers 15 a . It is envisioned that spindle ball joint/bracket 20 c would be attached to platform 15 via a central bolt or a series of machine screws and bolts but this is meant merely as a suggestion and in no way implies any limitation. Locking means 35 is seen at the rear of platform 15 . Locking means 35 would generally consist of a pivoting clamping mechanism with a pair of caliper like arms with pads for gripping lip 40 a . A lever of some sort is envisioned for controlling the gripping action. In FIG. 5 , dial 30 is seen on the front of the device for controlling pitch of platform 15 . FIG. 6 shows the detail of the completed assembly including gear box 25 connected via arms 26 to roller 27 , and locking means 35 positioned to grip lip 40 a. Referring now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of an Adjustable Golf Practice Mat 10 , is shown for in home use. A golfer who may be unable to go to the golf course or driving range but would like to practice chipping may use the device. The device could be made so that several of the more popular pitching angles are created. The pitching angle can vary from greater than 0° to no more than 20° and adjusted as described below. A top view of an alternate preferred embodiment of an Adjustable Golf Practice Mat 10 is shown, having generally a square platform. Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 9 a , a preferred embodiment of the alternate preferred embodiment of an Adjustable Golf Practice Mat 10 , is shown comprised of a dual layer of rubber, top layer 10 a and middle layer 10 b both having a thickness at one end and tapering to a point on the other. The upper layer 10 a is a dense rubber having a suitable hard surface to act as the fairway surface. Middle layer 10 b is also made of rubber. Located beneath middle layer 10 b is bottom layer 10 c comprised of a plurality of nylon blocks which can be stacked next to each other to form a layer similar to middle layer 10 b . It is envisioned that an attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners would be used to connect upper layer 10 a to middle layer 10 b to prevent them from sliding relative to one another as well as provide stability. Likewise, a attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners would be used to connect middle layer 10 b to nylon blocks 10 c to prevent them from sliding relative to one another as well as provide stability. The nylon block 10 c construction simplifies assembly and are lightweight to carry. To adjust the pitch of the shot, one need only remove middle layer 10 b , or the plurality of nylon blocks 10 c , or both, to reduce the overall pitch. Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 10 a , another preferred embodiment of the alternate preferred embodiment of an Adjustable Golf Practice Mat 10 , is shown comprised of a three layer mat 10 made out of lightweight rubber or plastic sections wherein each varies in thickness at one end and tapers to a point on the other end. A top layer 10 a provides a putting surface being crafted from hardened rubber. Beneath that is a middle layer 10 b , comprised of foam rubber for ease of storage. Located beneath middle layer is bottom layer 10 c fabricated from hardened plastic to form a solid base. When placed one on top of another as shown, a solid triangular shaped structure is formed where one can put or chip from. It is envisioned that an attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners would be used to connect top layer 10 a to middle layer 10 b to prevent them from sliding relative to one another as well as provide stability. Likewise, a attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners would be used to connect middle layer 10 b to bottom layer 10 c to prevent them from sliding relative to one another as well as provide stability. The pitch angle can be varied by removing one or both of middle layer 10 b or bottom layer 10 c . Pitch angle would vary from greater than 0° to no more than 20°. All layers can be broken down for ease of transport and storage. 2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment In operation, the present invention is mounted either permanently or temporarily at a golf course or driving range. One places a golf ball on the artificial turf as in a conventional putt or drive. A locking lever is released allowing the provided platform to rotate. Once a desired driving angle is selected, the locking lever is secured. Then the pitch of the device is adjusted by rotating a dial located on the front of the device. The user then may strike the ball as is usual. In this fashion, a golfer can select not only the direction one wishes to drive the ball but the pitch to drive the ball at. This will allow the golfer to simulate green conditions with the goal of improving their swing. The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.