Abstract:
A golf swing training aid to assist golfers with multiple skills required in the game of golf and assist the golfer in creating a repeatable impact position with all golf shots. A short portion and a parallel long portion both connect to a rear portion and define a channel. The short portion is shorter than the long portion to form a J-shaped mat. A golf ball is placed between the two portions at designated markers depending on the type of golf iron used, and the size of the divot resulting from impact can be estimated using the one or more other markers along the short and long portion to help evaluate the swing and direction of the golf club as a result of the size and direction of the divot.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The instant application hereby claims benefit of provisional application, Ser. No. 61/161,878, filed Mar. 20, 2009, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is in the technical field of golf instruction. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of golf swing instructional aids of the mat-type for disposition on the ground. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Known in the art are golf swing practice mats which allow a user to practice his or her golf swing and which evaluate swing planes. For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20090280922 shows a golf swing practice target panel and method of using in which the impact device includes a panel made of a type of material such that there will be a temporary mark where a standard or non-standard golf ball impacted the panel. An aiming reference point may be provided on a lower portion of the panel. In addition, lines may be printed on the panel to depict launch or elevation angles and off-center deviation angles. U.S. Publication No. 20090197693 is a golf practice mat for use by a golfer which has surface indication in its upper surface formed by heat-deforming the upper surface to assume a deformed shape and allowing the upper surface to set in the deformed shape. U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,956 describes a swing plane indicating golf mat for diagnosing out-of-plane golf swings having grass-mimicking blades toggling from one stable state to another state when blades are struck by the club face, where one state distinguishable from another state. U.S. Pat. No. 7,384,346 is a golf practice device having a divot simulator insert installed in a cavity area of a platform member, where the insert has a hitting surface that yields and moves when impacted by head of golf club during golf swing. U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,140 similarly shows a golfer training aid for practicing a golf swing which has an on-mat swing channel defined between opposing uprights that project from the upper surface of the planar mat, and an off-mat swing channel that is defined by edges of a cut-away portion of the planar mat. U.S. Publication No. 20060128493 teaches a divot indicating golf practice device for providing indication of where the golf club strikes the mat, comprising a mat made up of synthetic turf fibers that emulate natural grass and configured with indicators to provide visual feedback to golfer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,340 describes a golf divot practice mat used by a golfer for practicing putting, which has a divot patch with a front edge secured to a rubber base by clamps or fasteners so that the divot patch does not separate from the base when its rear edge is hit by the golf club. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,544 shows a golf or divot practice mat for improving golf skills, comprising a mark retaining surface for recording impressions resulting from contact with a golf club head. 
     As can been seen, prior golf-training aids for golf swings, namely evaluating and correcting out-of-plane swings, are not typically adapted to be used on natural surfaces, rather artificial mats with synthetic material depicts the tee-box surface and impact results. Moreover, prior devices do not specifically evaluate divot size for purposes of impact-dynamics. Finally, prior art training devices are cumbersome, expensive, and not suited to accompany the golfer during an actual golf round on a golf course. These and other problems are solved by the instant invention, as follows. 
     SUMMARY 
     Many golfers with varying skill levels have trouble striking the golf ball with a descending blow, thus not compressing the ball and having proper shaft lean left at impact to ensure a short, inside strike. They often strike behind the ball hitting the ground short, inside or hit with an ascending blow. This causes inconsistency in distance control and trajectory. 
     The present invention is a golf training mat adapted to be used on a natural surface, generally J-shaped as follows, to assist golfers with multiple skills required in the game of golf and assist the golfer in creating a repeatable impact position with all golf shots. The training mat will assist with multiple aspects in the golf swing related to alignment, distance control, consistency, putting, short game, ball position, impact zone and divot size. Critically J-shaped, the instant golf training mat will assist golfers with applying power and accuracy to the golf ball by allowing the golfer to learn the proper unloading of the shaft by forcing the golfer to maintain an angle between the left arm and shaft, forcing the hands to reach the impact area before the club (shaft lean towards target). 
     Accordingly, provided is a golf swing training aid, comprising a rear portion and a short portion integral with and extending from the rear portion. The short portion is defined by a linear short inside edge, a short outside edge parallel to the short inside edge, and a short end edge joining the short inside edge to the short outside edge. Then a long portion parallel to the short portion is also integral with and extending from the rear portion defined by a linear long outside edge and a long inside edge parallel to the long outside edge, the long portion extending longer than the short portion relative to the rear portion. Long portion terminates to form a directional indicator, which joins the long outside edge to the long inside edge. An arched edge then joins the short inside edge to the long inside edge. Finally, a bottom edge joins the short outside edge to the long outside edge, thereby forming a J-shaped mat having a distance between the short inside edge of the short portion and the long inside edge of the long portion defined by the arched edge with this distance being slightly wider than the width of a golf club iron. Of note is that the short inside edge of the short portion has a length which is slightly longer than the length of a golf swing divot. Accordingly, a golf ball is placed between the two portions at designated markers depending on the type of golf iron used, and the size of the divot resulting from impact can be estimated using the one or more other markers along the short and long portion. Specifically, at least one iron indicator is disposed on either of the long portion or the short portion situated to align with the golf ball, and a means disposed on the mat for measuring a divot within the natural surface resulting from impact can help evaluate the swing and direction of the golf club as a result of the size and direction of the divot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a golf swing training mat of the present invention for a right hand golfer. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a golf swing training mat of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference then to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown is the golf swing training aid of the instant invention, generally formed as a mat  1 . Critical is that the mat  1  is J-shaped and adapted to be placed on the ground. “Ground” as used herein means any natural surface such as an actual grass golf course tee box or even a green if the device is used to putt. Although the mat  1  can be placed on any artificial surface such as a driving range turf, important is that a natural divot be created by a user&#39;s golf swing, as will be discussed. Mat  1  can be made of a flexible or rigid material that is durable enough to withstand multiple impacts of a golf club and is preferably made of a bright color to remain easily visible to the user, but non-opaque, or slightly translucent so that some identifying ground textures remain somewhat visible. 
     As shown, mat  1  which makes up the instant golf swing training aid, being J-shaped it includes a rear portion  23 , a short portion  24 , and a long portion  25 . Short portion  24  is integral with the rear portion  23  extending therefrom defined by a linear short inside edge  11 , a short outside edge  13  parallel to the short inside edge  11 , and a short end edge  12  joining the short inside edge  11  to the short outside edge  13 . The long portion  25  is also formed integral with the rear portion  23  extending therefrom preferably parallel to the short portion  24 . Long portion  25  is defined by a linear long outside edge  15  and a long inside edge  17  parallel to the long outside edge  15 . Long portion  25  has a length which extends longer than the short portion  24  relative to the rear portion  23  and terminates to form a directional indicator  16 , which joins the long outside edge  15  to the long inside edge  17 . When mat  1  is placed on the ground by a golfer, the directional indicator  16  is placed in direction of the intended golf shot by pointing the directional indicator  16  to the intended target. Directional indicator  16  can be an arrow, triangle, line or some other type of directional-indicating form. 
     Further describing its critical shape, mat  1  includes an arched edge  10  joining the short inside edge  11  to the long inside edge  17 . Arched edge  10  is preferably arched and not linear to provide additional space behind a golf ball used with the instant mat  1 , as will be discussed with reference to the additional features of mat  1 . The arched edge  10  must provide spacing between the short portion  24  and long portion  25  that is slightly larger the size of the typical golf club head. A bottom edge  14  joins the short outside edge  13  to the long outside edge  15  to define the width of the rear portion  23 . Accordingly, with all edges joined, a J-shaped mat  1  is formed having a distance between the short inside edge  11  of the short portion  24  and the long inside edge  17  of the long portion  25  defined by the arched edge  10 . A channel  26  is thereby formed between the short portion  24  and the long portion  25  adapted to have a golf ball  30  situated therein and to receive a divot resulting from impact of the golf ball  30  by a golf club. 
     Along with the shape of the mat  1 , also critical are some of the dimensions of the mat  1 . As above, the distance between the short inside edge  11  and the long inside edge  17  must be slightly wider than the width of a golf club iron. Namely, the channel  26  formed between the short portion  24  and the long portion  25  has a width in the range of three to six inches, preferably between four and five inches. “Slightly” as used herein with reference to the width of the channel means the width provides enough space for the golf club to be swung through the channel  26  if the swing is on the proper plane, but not so much space that if the swing were off-plane significantly it would not strike the mat  1 . Furthermore, it is critical that the short inside edge  11  of the short portion  24  has a length which is slightly longer than the length of a typically golf swing divot. Namely, the short portion  24  extends from the rear portion  23  at least six-inches, preferably in the range of eight to ten inches as measured from the middle of the arched edge  10 . The average golf professional creates a divot that starts about ½ inch in front of the golf ball and extends approximately six inches, so “slightly” as used with reference to the length of the short portion  24  means the short portion  24  should extend just past this typical divot length of six inches so that the divot length and other properties can be evaluated with reference to the short portion  24 . 
     A plurality of markings is disposed throughout the surface of the mat  1  to indicate ball position and divot position. Specifically, a pair of short iron indicators  19  is marked on the mat  1 . One of the short iron indicators  19  is marked on the short portion  24  and one of the short iron indicators  19  is marked in opposing relation on the long portion  25 . Each short iron indicator  19  is situated a distance of approximately two inches from the arched edge, “approximately” meaning between one and three inches. The bottom of this range is critical in that any less there is little to no room to hit the golf ball  30 , i.e. the golf club would frequently hit rear portion  23  prior to impact. The top of the range can vary although if much larger than three inches the short portion  24  becomes excessively long. “Marked” as used herein to refer to an indicator means any kind of surface indicia on the top of the mat made by printing, etching, or otherwise, or any type of hole or punch-through of any shape which penetrates through the mat. In the embodiment shown, as an example only, each indicator is a triangular punch-through and being through the entirety of the mat  1 , the mat  1  could be turned over and the indicators would still be visible by a left-handed golfer. The mat  1  can be used in either instance of a right-handed golfer or left-handed golfer, and if the indicators were only on the surface of the mat  1 , the same type of indicators would be printed on the opposing side. Moreover, although shown in pairs it should be understood that only one of each indicator can be used, i.e. one or more. 
     Because short irons require a steeper descent and longer irons require a more shallow descent into the golf ball  30 , also provided are middle iron indicators  19   a  and long iron indicators  18 . Whereas to practice golf swings using short irons such as sand wedges, pitching wedges, or nine irons a golf ball is placed in alignment with the short iron indicators  19  more proximate to the arched edge  10 , the pair of middle iron indicators  19   a  are used for mid-irons such as eight, seven, or six irons. In this instance the golf ball  30  would be placed near these markings. Thus, the long iron indicators  18  could be used for long irons such as five, four, and three irons, in which case the golf ball  30  is placed farther from the arched edge  10  to avoid impacting rear portion  23  of mat  1  (long irons travel through the impact zone a longer distance than short irons). In the preferred embodiment, each middle iron indicator is situated a distance of approximately three inches from the arched edge  10 , and in turn each long iron indicator is situated a distance of approximately four inches from the arched edge. These dimensions may vary by an inch or so but it is preferred that the spacing between each indicator  19 ,  19   a ,  18  is approximately one inch. 
     Outermost from the arched edge  10  and thus closest to the end of short portion  24  is the divot indicator  40 . Each divot indicator  40 , whether in opposing pairs or singularly, is situated a distance from the arched edge  10  in the range of five to seven inches. The exact location of the divot indicator  40  is not critical but it must reside past each of the iron indicators  19 ,  19   a ,  18 . The function of the divot indicator  40  is to act as a reference point for the divot which results from the swing of the golf club and the striking of the golf ball  30 . For instance in the preferred embodiment the divot indicator  40  is marked at approximately six inches from the center of arched edge  10  so that after the divot is created, under typical golf course conditions the divot should reach to or past the divot indicator  40 . Thus an appropriate divot would be straight within channel  26  and extend past the divot indicator  40  but not past the end of short portion  24 . This is the critical range. 
     In use of the mat  1  then, the golfer places a golf ball  30  centered between either the short iron indicator  19 , the mid-iron indicator  19   a , or the long iron indicator  18 . The closer the ball is in relation to the arched edge  10 , the steeper the golf club must descend into the golf ball to avoid hitting the arched cutout  10  and striking the ball short inside in a descending blow. To still function appropriately because the distances vary only by approximately one inch, it should be understood that for short irons the golf ball  30  can be placed between either indicator  19  or between indicator  19   a , for middle irons the golf ball  30  can be placed between indicator  19   a  and indicator  18 , and for long irons the golf ball  30  can be placed between indicator  18  and even divot indicator  40  since for long irons the divot will either be short or near non-existent. In either instance an appropriate approximation of divot length is obtained because the divot will still extend between divot indicator  40  and the end of short portion  24 . Once the golf ball  30  is struck, the golf club will create a divot starting slightly after where the ball was placed. When the mat  1  is used on a natural grass, the golfer can measure the divot length created with reference to the short portion  24  and long portion  25 , and can also examine the divot direction with reference to both. As above, the average golf professional creates a divot that starts about ½ inch in front of the golf ball and extends approximately six (6) inches. The swing bottoms out approximately four (4) inches in front of the ball and the divot is deepest at this location. If the golfer looses this angle, or shaft lean, the golf club will strike the J shaped golf training mat  1 . The golfer will also be forced to swing the golf club on a straight plane through the impact zone of the golf ball and release the energy stored by lagging the golf club head into the hack of the ball creating a divot after the golf ball  30 . The golfer is also forced into a swing path that proceeds slight inside (before impact), to square (at impact), to slight inside (after impact) by forcing the club head path inside the J-shaped channel. If the golfer does not maintain this swing path, the golfer will strike the J-shaped golf training mat. This will improve the golfer&#39;s chance of scoring low by achieving proper impact dynamics. 
     Additional features include the mat&#39;s ability to be used by right-handed golfers or left-handed golfers by turning the mat  1  over, as referenced above. Furthermore, the mat  1  comprises one or more holes  21  defined throughout the mat  1  configured to receive and hold tees which can be used to hold down and maintain the mat on the natural surface. 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.