Patent Publication Number: US-10786723-B1

Title: Golf practice device, and method of practicing golf swings by hitting golf balls from replicated sloping topographical conditions, which include side-hill lies, up-hill lies, and/or down-hill lies, encountered on a golf course, off a simulated fairway and/or a simulated rough

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a golf practice device, and more particularly concerns a portable, lightweight golf practice device used by a golfer to replicate sloping topographical conditions encountered on a golf course to practice his/her golf swing by hitting golf balls from the replicated sloping topographical conditions, which include side-hill lies, up-hill lies, and/or down-hill lies, encountered on a golf course, off a simulated fairway and/or a simulated rough provided by the golf practice device of the invention. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many golfers go to driving ranges to practice their golf swings. The practice area at driving ranges from which golfers hit balls to practice their golf swings is a flat, horizontally level surface covered with natural grass, artificial turf, or a carpet-like material, and a golfer stands on this practice area while practicing his/her golf swing by hitting golf balls off of this practice area in an effort to develop his/her golf skills and improve his/her golf swing. However, flat horizontally level surfaces are not the only lies found on a typical golf course, which unlike the practice area at driving ranges, includes a variety of terrain, and a golf ball often comes to rest on the golf course in a position other than a flat, horizontally level playing surface. It is not uncommon for a golf fairway, rough, or sand trap to include mounds, hills, and depressions, requiring the golfer to strike the golf ball from other than a flat, horizontally level surface. On the golf course, the golfer may find that he/she may have to hit his/her ball as he/she stands on ground that slopes upwardly, or downwardly, or to the right, or to the left, or some combination of these grades. Typically, how the golfer needs to stand to execute a shot will vary from shot to shot as he/she plays his/her round of golf since the terrain of the golf course typically varies throughout the golf course. 
     The flat, horizontally level practice area at driving ranges fails to provide golfers with a surface that enables golfers to practice their swings by hitting balls from sloped lies that match those found on a golf course. Because golf courses have hills, mounds, depressions, and sloped areas, it is desirable for golfers to practice from sloped surfaces that simulate the terrain of a golf course and that simulate a fairway found on a golf course, where the golfer may vary his/her stance to practice his/her golf swing by hitting golf balls from a sloped surface that simulates the terrain of an actual golf course, especially with respect to hitting shots 150 yards or shorter. The swings needed to hit a golf ball from the many varied sloping topographical conditions found on a golf course differ (and in many cases, differ greatly) from the swings needed to hit a golf ball from a flat, horizontally level surface. For example, the swing planes and stances used often are different. Also, the position of the golf ball with respect to the golfer often is drastically different. For example, when faced with a side-hill lie on a fairway that slopes to the right, a right-handed golfer must extend his/her clubhead below his/her feet level to hit the golf ball, as compared to extending his/her clubhead substantially level with his/her feet to hit a golf ball from a flat, horizontally level surface. 
     Hitting balls from a flat, horizontally level surface such as that found at a driving range, practices the swings needed to hit a golf ball from a flat, horizontally level surface. It does not practice the actual swings needed for hitting a golf ball from sloping topographical conditions that replicate those found on a golf course and from the many different sloping fairway lies encountered on a golf course, including side-hill lies, up-hill lies, down-hill lies, and combinations of these graded lies, which is a problem. 
     Known portable, lightweight golf mats, which typically comprise about a 26 inch by about a 12 inch rectangular rubber bottom layer with about a 23 inch by about a 10 inch rectangular layer of artificial turf mounted thereon off of which golf balls may be hit, are designed to be placed upon flat, horizontally level hard surfaces. Such a known mat may be placed on an asphalt driveway when it is desired to practice by hitting golf balls off of the mat and into a net at home during the summer months, or such a known mat may be placed on a concrete garage floor when it is desired to practice by hitting golf balls off of the mat and into a net inside the garage during the cold winter months. While these known golf mats are portable and lightweight, golf balls roll off the artificial turf layer prior to being hit by the golfer if the surface on which these known golf mats is placed is not a substantially flat, horizontally level surface. Also, these known golf mats tend to move from the position they are originally placed on each time a golfer hits a golf ball off of its artificial grass layer. 
     While a golfer&#39;s backyard or a local park may provide a sloping terrain from which to practice golf, if a golfer wishes to practice the swings needed to hit a golf ball from a sloping, undulating golf course fairway by hitting balls in his/her backyard or local park, he/she will find that the surface there from which to hit golf balls is nothing like a golf course fairway, leaving the golfer to practice by hitting golf balls from lies that do not replicate those found on a golf course fairway. 
     There are a variety of other golf practice devices designed to enable a golfer to practice his/her swing and to simulate various playing situations and conditions encountered on a golf course. However, such devices are generally complex in structure, expensive, and many times heavy in weight, and not easily carried solely by an individual. More so, when such devices are used, the golfer&#39;s feet and the golf ball many times are positioned on the same flat, horizontally level plane or the same flat sloping plane, and such planes do not entirely encompass all of the lies from which to hit a golf ball encountered on a golf course. 
     Accordingly, a need continues to exist for new training devices that enable a golfer to practice his/her golf swing (to improve his/her golf skills) by hitting golf balls from sloping topographical conditions that replicate those found on a golf course and from the many different lies encountered on a golf course, including side-hill lies, up-hill lies, down-hill lies, and combinations of these graded lies, from a simulated fairway and/or simulated rough. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a golf practice device which, when put into use, simulates a wide variety of conditions found on a golf course such that the golfer may practice his/her golf swing (to improve his/her golf skills) by hitting golf balls from sloping topographical conditions that replicate those found on a golf course and from the many different lies encountered on a golf course, including side-hill lies, up-hill lies, down-hill lies, and combinations of these graded lies, from a simulated fairway and/or a simulated rough. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a golf practice device that is portable and lightweight, such that it may be easily carried by an individual without the help of anyone else and placed into use (i.e., placed onto a substrate, and, when the substrate is a natural substrate like soil, sand, or grass-covered soil, placed onto a substrate and anchored in place to the substrate) by an individual without the help of anyone else. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a portable, lightweight practice device that may be used on surfaces that are not horizontally level, as well as surfaces that are horizontally level. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable, lightweight golf practice device that may be secured in place during use so that the golf practice device when secured in place does not move from the position on which it has been placed each time a golfer hits a ball off of the golf practice device. 
     These and other objects are accomplished by my invention, which is set out in detail below. 
     My invention enables a golfer to practice away from the golf course the actual swings needed to hit a golf ball from sloping terrain (that is, the many varied sloping topographical conditions) encountered on a golf course, by hitting golf balls from sloping topographical conditions that replicate those found on a golf course, which the prior art is unable to do. My invention enables a golfer to practice away from the golf course the actual swings needed to hit a golf ball from sloping terrain (that is, the many varied sloping topographical conditions) encountered on a golf course, by hitting golf balls from many varied sloping topographical conditions that replicate those encountered on a golf course, including side-hill lies, up-hill lies, down-hill lies, and combinations of these graded lies, from a simulated fairway and/or simulated rough, which the prior art is unable to do. 
     Rather than merely practicing the swings needed to hit a golf ball from a flat, horizontally level surface by hitting golf balls from a flat, horizontally-level surface such as that found at a driving range, and then guessing at the adjustments needed to be made to such swings when facing a golf shot from sloping topographical conditions found on a golf course when playing a round of golf, my invention enables a golfer to replicate the many varied sloping topographical conditions encountered on a golf course, so that the golfer can actually practice away from the golf course the actual swings needed to hit golf shots from the many varied sloping topographical conditions, which include side-hill lies, up-hill lies, and/or down-hill lies, that are encountered on a golf course, by hitting golf balls from many varied sloping topographical conditions that replicate those encountered on a golf course, and so that the golfer can actually practice away from the golf course the actual swings needed to hit golf shots from the many varied sloping topographical conditions, which include side-hill lies, up-hill lies, and/or down-hill lies, that are encountered on a golf course, by hitting golf balls from many varied sloping topographical conditions that replicate those encountered on a golf course, including side-hill lies, up-hill lies, down-hill lies, and combinations of these graded lies, from a simulated fairway and/or simulated rough. 
     Further, my invention enables a golfer to replicate the many varied sloping topographical conditions encountered on a golf course, so that the golfer can actually practice away from the golf course the actual swings needed to hit golf shots from the many varied sloping topographical conditions, which include side-hill lies, uphill lies, and/or down-hill lies, that are encountered on a golf course by hitting golf balls from sloping topographical conditions that replicate those found on a golf course, including side-hill lies, up-hill lies, down-hill lies, and combinations of these graded lies, from a simulated fairway and/or simulated rough, wherein the golfer may vary his/her stance (sometimes having the bottom of each foot of the golfer oriented in different planes from one another and in a different plane in which the golf ball lies) so that the golfer is placed in an appropriate position to practice the actual swing needed to hit a golf shot from such sloping topographical conditions. In accordance with my invention, the inventive golf practice device  11  may be oriented on and secured to a hill or a mound or the like to replicate a sloping topographical condition that dictates the golf swing that is desired to be practiced and that is needed to hit a golf ball from such a sloping condition. The golfer may then practice the golf swing needed to hit a golf ball from such a condition by following the steps of (a) addressing a golf ball placed on the golf practice device  11  (including arranging his/her stance to correspond with a stance needed to hit a golf ball from such a sloping condition), (b) then hitting the golf ball from off the golf practice device  11 , and (c) then hitting golf balls repeatedly from off the golf practice device  11  by repeating steps (a) and (b) over and over in an effort to become proficient at the golf shot (and the swing needed to execute the golf shot) through repetition. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view in perspective of a golfer hitting a golf ball from the portable, lightweight golf practice device  11  of the invention, which has been placed upon a mound in a park and oriented on the mound to replicate sloping topographical conditions (in this case, a down-hill, side-hill lie) found on a golf course fairway, so that that golfer may practice the swing needed to execute the golf shot from such sloping topographical conditions by hitting golf balls repeatedly off of the golf practice device  11  oriented on the mound to replicate such sloping conditions. 
         FIG. 2  is a view in perspective of the portable, lightweight golf practice device  11 , constructed in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view in perspective of a partial assembly of the portable, lightweight golf practice device  11 , showing the base  13 , the rubber layer  33 , the pan  35 , the handle  99  which may be grasped when carrying the golf practice device  11  from one location to another, and the plastic receiver inserts  105  for receiving and holding a golf tee so that a golf ball may be place on top of a golf tee that extends from the plastic receiver insert  105  to elevate the golf ball above the top surface  25  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  at a height desired from which to hit a drive. The hinged anchoring devices  77 , magnets  91 , screws  71  for securing the pan  35  to the base  13 , and screws  103  for screwing the handle  99  to the base  13  are not shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a view in cross-section taken along the lines and arrows  4 A- 4 A shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a view in cross-section of a partial assembly of the golf practice device  11  shown in  FIG. 4A , without the artificial driving range grass  65  and the artificial driving range grass  67  being shown. 
         FIG. 5  is a view in perspective showing the bottom side of the golf practice device  11  and anchoring devices mounted to the bottom side  17  of the base  13 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view in perspective taken from the dashed circle “ FIG. 6 ” shown in  FIG. 5  illustrating the details relating to an anchoring device mounted to the bottom side  17  of the base  13 , and showing the spike portion  83  of a hinged anchoring device  77  in a retracted position engaged by a magnet  91 . 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view in perspective of the anchoring device illustrated in  FIG. 6 , but showing the spike portion  83  of the hinged anchoring device  77  in an extended position for engaging a natural substrate to anchor the golf practice device  11  to the natural substrate. 
         FIG. 8  is a view in cross-section taken along the lines and arrows  8 - 8  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a view in perspective of the base  13 , showing preferred dimensions of the base  13 . 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view in perspective of a partial assembly, illustrating the base  13  (with plastic receiver inserts  105  mounted thereon), the pan  35 , the screws  71  for securing the pan  35  to the base  13 , and the rubber layer  33  of the golf practice device  11 . The artificial driving range grass  65 , the artificial driving range grass  67 , the hinged anchoring devices  77 , the magnets  91 , the handle  99 , and the screws  103  to secure the handle  99  to the base  13  are not shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 11  is a view in top plan of a preferred embodiment of the inventive golf practice device  11 , illustrating the location of slits  69  in a one-piece artificial grass carpet  68  of this preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a view in perspective of another preferred embodiment of the base  13  of the golf practice device  11 , showing other preferred widths and lengths of the base  13 . 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view in perspective of a partial assembly of a portable, lightweight golf practice device  11 ′, constructed in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the inventive golf practice device  11 ′ of  FIG. 13 , showing various preferred widths and lengths. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Turning to the drawings, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-10  my inventive portable, lightweight golf practice device  11  from which to hit golf balls. My golf practice device  11  may be used by a golfer to replicate the many varied sloping topographical conditions encountered on a golf course to practice his/her golf swing by hitting golf balls from the replicated sloping topographical conditions, which include side-hill lies, up-hill lies, and/or down-hill lies encountered on a golf course, off a simulated fairway and/or a simulated rough provided by the golf practice device  11  of the invention. 
     My inventive golf practice device  11  has a base  13  that has a top side  15 , a bottom side  17 , a border portion  19 , and an opening  21  extending through the base  13  and surrounded by the border portion  19 . The opening  21  has a perimeter  23 . 
     The bottom side  17  of the base  13  has a bottom surface  25 . 
     The border portion  19  of the base  13  has an outer area  27  and an inner slanted portion  29  that slopes downwardly from the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the opening  21 . The outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  has a top surface  28 , an outer edge  24 , and an inner edge  26 , and the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  has a top surface  31 . 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the base  13  is rectangular in shape, and preferably has a width of about 18 inches and a length of about 24 inches. In this preferred embodiment, the base  13  has an outer periphery  32 , and the border portion  19  of the base  13  at the outer periphery  32  of the base  13  is about ⅞ inches in height. However, in other preferred embodiments, the width of the base  13  may range from about 17 inches to about 21 inches, the length of the base  13  may range from about 23 inches to about 26 inches, and the height of the base  13  at the outer periphery of the base  13  may range from about ⅞ inches to about 2 inches. 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  has a width of about 3 inches (measuring at the top side  15  of the base  13  from the outer edge  24  of outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  (that is, the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  being where the outer area  27  meets the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13 ) along a line that extends therebetween and is perpendicular to the edges  24  and  26 ). However, in other preferred embodiments, this width may range from about 2.5 inches to about 3 inches (measuring at the top side  15  of the base  13  from the outer edge  24  of outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  (that is, the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  being where the outer area  27  meets the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13 ) along a line that extends therebetween and is perpendicular to the edges  24  and  26 ). 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  has a width of about 4 inches (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  29  extends from the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the opening  21  extending through the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 , rather than by measuring along the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  from the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the opening  21  extending through the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 ). However, in other preferred embodiments, this width may range from about 4 inches to about 6 inches (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  29  extends from the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the opening  21  extending through the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 , rather than by measuring along the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  from the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the opening  21  extending through the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , in one such preferred embodiment, the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  has a width of about 5 inches (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  29  extends from the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the opening  21  extending through the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 , rather than by measuring along the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  from the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the opening  21  extending through the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 ). 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 9, and 10 , throughout the base  13  the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  slopes downwardly such that the angle ∝ shown in  FIG. 4B  between the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  and a plane extending through and parallel to the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  is about 167⅔ degrees. However, in other preferred embodiments, this angle ∝ may be changed, when forming the base  13 , by varying the height (i e, making it higher or lower) of the base  13  at the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  and/or by varying the width (i.e., making it shorter or longer) of the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  29  extends from the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the opening  21  extending through the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 , rather than by measuring along the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  from the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to the opening  21  extending through the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 ). 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings at  FIGS. 3 and 9 , the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  comprises four sections  31   a ,  31   b ,  31   c , and  31   d , and preferably, the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  where adjacent sections thereof meet (that is, where section  31   a  meets section  31   b , where section  31   b  meets sections  31   c , where section  31   c  meets section  31   d , and where section  31   d  meets section  31   a ) is rounded out so that the angle between these adjacent sections of the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  is not a sharp angle. However, this rounding is optional. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 9 , the four sections  31   a ,  31   b ,  31   c , and  31   d  preferably have an isosceles trapezoid shape, and preferably the length of the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  at sections  31   b  and  31   d  where sections  31   b  and  31   d  meet the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  (that is, at the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27 ) is about 12 inches. However, in other preferred embodiments, this length at sections  31   b  and  31   d  along the inner edge  26  may range from about 12 inches (for example, see  FIG. 9 ) to about 15 inches (for example, see  FIG. 12 ). Preferably, the length of the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  at sections  31   b  and  31   d  where sections  31   b  and  31   d  meet the opening  21  in the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  is about 4 inches, and in other preferred embodiments ranges from about 4 inches (for example, see  FIG. 9 ) to about 5 inches (for example, see  FIG. 12 ), matching whatever the width of the opening  21  in the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  is. 
     Further, as may be seen in  FIG. 9 , preferably the length of the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  at sections  31   a  and  31   c  where sections  31   a  and  31   c  meet the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  (that is, at the inner edge  26  of the outer area  27 ) is about 18 inches. However, in other preferred embodiments, this length at sections  31   a  and  31   c  along the inner edge  26  may range from about 18 (for example, see  FIG. 9 ) inches to about 20 inches (for example, see  FIG. 12 ). Preferably, the length of the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  at sections  31   a  and  31   c  where sections  31   a  and  31   c  meet the opening  21  in the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  is about 10 inches. 
     The opening  21  in the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  in the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 9, and 10  is rectangular in shape and has a width of about 4 inches and a length of about 10 inches. However, in other preferred embodiments of the invention, the opening  21  in the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  may be rectangular in shape and have a width in a range of about 4 inches (for example, see  FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 9, and 10 ) to about 5 inches (for example, see  FIG. 12 ), and a length of about 10 inches. While the preferred shape of the opening  21  in the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  is rectangular, other shapes may be used so long as they match the shape of the flat central portion  39  of a pan  35  described below. 
     Preferably, the base  13  is made of a strong plastic material, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), preferably by molding. 
     A rubber layer  33  is affixed, preferably with an adhesive, to the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 . The rubber layer  33  has a portion  34  that extends across the opening  21  in the base  13 . In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the rubber layer  33  has a thickness of about 0.5 inches. However, in other preferred embodiments, the thickness of the rubber layer  33  may range from about ⅜ inches to about ⅝ inches. Still, in other preferred embodiments, the thickness of the rubber layer  33  may be thicker than ⅝ inches (such as 0.75 inches), preferably with a ribbed support structure to minimize the weight of the rubber layer  33 . 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, a pan  35  also is provided. The pan  35  in this preferred embodiment is rectangular in shape, and preferably has a width of about 13 inches and a length of about 19 inches. However, in other preferred embodiments, the width of the pan  35  may range from about 12% inches to about 16 inches, and the length of the pan  35  may range from about 18¾ inches to about 21 inches. The pan  35  has a top side  36 , a bottom side  38 , a border portion  37 , and a flat interior portion  39  surrounded by the border portion  37  of the pan  35 . The border portion  37  of the pan  35  has an outer area  41 , which forms a lip  42  of the pan  35 , and an inner slanted portion  43  that slopes downwardly from the outer area  41  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  (that is, from lip  42 ) to the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 . The lip  42  strengthens the structure of the pan  35  and the overall structure of the device  11 , and provides a location to attach the pan  35  to the base  13 . The inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  has a top surface  45  and a bottom surface  47 , and the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  has a top surface  49  and a bottom surface  51 . The lip  42  has an outer edge  53 , an inner edge  54 , a top surface  55 , and a bottom surface  57 . The pan  35  preferably has a thickness that is substantially the same throughout, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the pan  35  has a thickness that is preferably less than or equal to about ⅛ of an inch, and more preferably is about ⅛ of an inch. In other preferred embodiments of the invention, the preferred thickness of the pan  35  ranges from about 1/16 inches to about ⅛ inches. 
     Preferably, the lip  42  of the pan  35  has a width of about ½ inch (measuring at the top side  36  of the pan  35  from the outer edge  53  of the lip  42  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  to the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  (that is, where the lip  42  meets the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35 ) along a line that extends therebetween and is perpendicular to the edges  53  and  54  of the lip  42 . However, in other preferred embodiments, the width of the lip  42  may range from about ⅜ inches to about ½ inches (measuring at the top side  36  of the pan  35  from the outer edge  53  of the lip  42  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  to the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  (that is, where the lip  42  meets the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35 ) along a line that extends therebetween and is perpendicular to the edges  53  and  54  of the lip  42 . 
     Preferably, the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  has a width of about 4 inches (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  43  extends from the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  to the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 , rather than by measuring along the top surface  45  of the inner slanted portion  43  from the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  to the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 ). However, in other preferred embodiments, this width may range from about 4 inches to about 6 inches (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  43  extends from the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  to the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 , rather than by measuring along the top surface  45  of the inner slanted portion  43  from the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  to the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 ). For example, in one such preferred embodiment, the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  of the golf practice device  11  has a width of about 5 inches (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  43  extends from the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  to the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 , rather than by measuring along the top surface  45  of the inner slanted portion  43  from the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  to the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 ) to match the width of the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in the  FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, and 10 , the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  slopes downwardly such that the angle ∝ shown in  FIG. 4B  between the top surface  45  of the inner slanted portion  43  and a plane extending through and parallel to the flat interior portion  39  of pan  35  is about 167⅔ degrees. However, in other preferred embodiments, this angle ∝ may be changed, when forming the pan  35 , by varying how high the inner slanted portion  43  at the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  is above the plane extending through and parallel to the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  and/or by varying the width of the inner slanted portion  43  (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  43  extends from the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  to the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 , rather than by measuring along the top surface  45  of the inner slanted portion  43  from the inner edge  54  of the lip  42  to the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 ). 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the top surface  45  of the inner slanted portion  43  of the pan  35  comprises four sections  45   a ,  45   b ,  45   c , and  45   d , and preferably, the top surface  45  of the inner slanted portion  43  where adjacent sections thereof meet (that is, where section  45   a  meets section  45   b , where section  45   b  meets sections  45   c , where section  45   c  meets section  45   d , and where section  45   d  meets section  45   a ) is rounded out so that the angle between these adjacent sections of the top surface  45  of the inner slanted portion  43  is not a sharp angle. However, this rounding is optional. 
     Similarly, the surface of the bottom side  38  of the pan  35  preferably is rounded out where the bottom surface  47  of the inner slanted portion  43  of the pan  35  meets the bottom surface  51  of the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  so that the angle formed between the inner slanted portion  43  of the pan  35  and the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  is not a sharp angle. However, this rounding also is optional. This rounding creates a flatter surface, thereby making it easier to hit a ball from where the bottom surface  47  of the inner slanted portion  43  of the pan  35  meets the bottom surface  51  of the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 . 
     Preferably, the four sections  45   a ,  45   b ,  45   c , and  45   d  have an isosceles trapezoid shape, and preferably the length of the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  at sections  45   b  and  45   d  where sections  45   b  and  45   d  meet the lip  42  is about 12 inches, and in other preferred embodiments may range from about 12 inches to about 15 inches. Preferably, the length of inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  at sections  45   b  and  45   d  where sections  45   b  and  45   d  meet the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  is about 4 inches, and in other preferred embodiments ranges from about 4 inches to about 5 inches, matching whatever the width of the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  is. 
     Preferably, the length of the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  at sections  45   a  and  45   c  where sections  45   a  and  45   c  meet the lip  42  is about 18 inches, and in other preferred embodiments, may range from about 18 inches to about 20 inches. Preferably, the length of inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  at sections  45   a  and  45   c  where sections  45   a  and  45   c  meet the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  is about 10 inches. 
     Preferably, the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  has a width of about 4 inches and a length of about 10 inches. However, in other preferred embodiments, the width of the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  may range from about 4 inches to about 5 inches, and the length of the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  may be about 10 inches. While the preferred shape of the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  is rectangular, other shapes may be used so long as they match the shape of the opening  21  in the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 . 
     Preferably, the pan  35  is made of a strong material, such as sheet metal, preferably steel. 
     In each of the preferred embodiments, the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  is shaped to substantially match the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13 , the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  is shaped to substantially match the perimeter  23  of the opening  21  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  such that the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  may extend into the opening  21  at the perimeter  23  of the opening  21  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 , and the lip  42  of the pan  35  is shaped to substantially match a portion of the top surface  28  of the outer area  27  of the border  19  of the base  13 . The pan  35  is positioned on the base  13  such that the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  is aligned with and positioned on the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13 , with the bottom surface  47  of the inner slanted portion  43  of the pan  35  contacting the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13 , and the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  is aligned with the opening  21  extending through the base  13 , with the bottom surface  51  of the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  extending into the opening  21  and contacting the portion  34  of the rubber layer  33  that extends across the opening  21  in the base  13 . Also, as shown in the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, and 10 , the lip  42  of pan  35  is aligned with and positioned on the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  with the bottom surface  57  of the lip  42  resting upon a portion of the top surface  28  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13 . Accordingly, the pan  35  sits snugly on the base  13  since the shape and dimensions of the bottom side  38  of the pan  35  substantially match the shape and dimensions of the top side  15  of the base  13 , with the lip  42  of the pan  35  positioned on a portion of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13 , with the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  positioned on the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13 , and the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  extending into the opening  21  in the base  13  filling the opening  21  in the base  13  at the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  and positioned on the portion  34  of the rubber layer  33  that extends across the opening  21  in the base  13 . 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the pan  35  is secured to the base  13  with the use of retaining screws  71  that extend through the lip  42  of the pan  35  and into the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to securely hold the pan  35  to the top side  15  of the base  13 . In addition to, or alternatively, adhesive may be applied between the bottom surface  57  of the lip  42  and the top surface  28  of a portion of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  that the lip  42  overlaps, and/or between the bottom surface  47  of the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  and the top surface  31  of the inner slanted portion  29  of the border portion  19  of the base  13 , to adhere the pan  35  in place on the base  13 . 
     The top surface  45  of the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of pan  35  and the top surface  49  of the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35  are covered with driving range artificial grass  65 , preferably driving range artificial grass that simulates golf course fairway. The driving range artificial grass  65  is secured to the top surfaces  45  and  49  preferably with an adhesive. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the top surface  55  of the lip  42  and the top surface  28  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  between the outer edge  24  of the outer area  27  and the outer edge  53  of the lip  42  of the pan  35  are covered with driving range artificial grass  67 , preferably driving range artificial grass that simulates golf course rough. The driving range artificial grass  67  is secured to the top surface  55  of the lip  42  and the top surface  28  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  between the outer edge  24  of the outer area  27  and the outer edge  53  of the lip  42  of the pan  35  preferably with an adhesive. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4A , the driving range artificial grass  65  is about 0.5 inches or so in height, and the driving range artificial grass  67  is about 1.5 inches or so in height. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 11 , the driving range artificial grass  65  (preferably about 0.5 inches or so in height) and the driving range artificial grass  67  (preferably about 1.5 inches or so in height) are provided as a one-piece artificial grass carpet  68 , preferably having a rubber surface on its bottom side to provide further flexibility and “give” or inward movement of the surface of the one-piece artificial grass carpet  68  when struck with a golf club. The one-piece artificial grass carpet  68  is solidly glued down onto the top surface  59  of the pan  35  and the top surface  28  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  between the outer edge  24  of the outer area  27  and the outer edge  53  of the lip  42  of the pan  35 , and preferably firmly stapled into the top surface  28  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  between the outer edge  24  of the outer area  27  and the outer edge  53  of the lip  42  of the pan  35  along the perimeter of the base  13  and especially in the corners of the base  13 . Also, preferably, slits  69  are provided in the one-piece artificial grass carpet  68  at each corner, extending from each corner of the flat central portion  39  of the pan  35  out to the closest corner of the base  13 , to provide relief to the one-piece artificial grass carpet  68  to permit the one-piece artificial grass carpet  68  to sit closely to the pan  35  and the top surface  28  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  between the outer edge  24  of the outer area  27  and the outer edge  53  of the lip  42  of the pan  35  along the varying angled surfaces. 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the rubber layer  33  covers the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 , except for a section  73  at each corner  75  of the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 . That is, the sections  73  of the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  at the four corners  75  of the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  are not covered by the rubber layer  33 . 
     An anchoring device, such as a hinged anchoring device  77  shown in the drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention, is mounted on the bottom side  17  of the base  13  at each section  73  for securing the golf practice device  11  to a natural substrate, such as soil, sand, or grass-covered soil. Each hinged anchoring device  77  has a mounting plate  79  that is secured to the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  at one of the four sections  73  by retaining screws  81 , a spike portion  83  that may be hinged or swung downwardly from the bottom side  17  of the base  13  when desired to engage a natural substrate, such as soil, sand, or grass-covered soil, to secure the golf practice device  11  to the natural substrate, and a barrel or knuckle  85  (which is held together with a pin or rod  87  to connect the mounting plate  79  and the spike portion  83  together and enable the spike portion  83  to hinge), around which the spike portion  83  swings from a retracted position as shown in  FIG. 6  to an extended position as shown in  FIG. 7  for engaging a natural substrate, such as soil, sand, or grass-covered soil. Preferably, a recess  89  is provided in the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  at each section  73  for receiving the barrel or knuckle  85  of the hinged anchoring device  77 . The spike portion  83  of each hinged anchoring device  77  may be hinged downwardly away from the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 , when desired, to engage a natural substrate, such as soil, sand, or grass-covered soil, to secure the golf practice device  11  to the natural substrate, and the spike portion  83  of each hinged anchoring device  77  may be hinged upwardly toward the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 , when desired, such that the hinged anchoring device  77 , including the spike portion  83  and the barrel or knuckle  85 , is positioned above a plane formed by the bottom surface  90  of the rubber layer  33  when the spike portion  83  is swung upwardly toward the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  to be positioned above the plane formed by the bottom surface  90  of the rubber layer  33  to enable the golf practice device  11  to be put into use after being placed on a flat man-made substrate such as an asphalt driveway, a concrete garage floor, a pavement, a wood deck, or a concrete patio or to store the golf practice device  11  when not in use. When the golf practice device  11  is to be used after being placed upon a man-made substrate such as an asphalt driveway, a concrete garage floor, a pavement, a wood deck, or a concrete patio, prior to placing the golf practice device  11  on the man-made substrate, the spike portion  83  of each hinged anchoring device  77  is hinged upwardly toward the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  such that the entire hinged anchoring device  77  is positioned above the plane formed by the bottom surface  90  of the rubber layer  33  so that the bottom surface  90  of the rubber layer  83  engages the man-made substrate without interference from any of the hinged anchoring devices  77 . 
     Preferably, the hinged anchoring device  77  is made of a metal material, such as brass or steel. 
     Preferably, as shown in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a magnet  91  is mounted (preferably using an adhesive) on the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  at each section  73  of the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  not covered by the rubber layer  33 . The magnet  91  at each section  73  not covered by the rubber layer  33  is positioned to be aligned with a face of the spike portion  83  of the hinged anchoring device  77  mounted there when the spike portion  83  is swung or hinged to be positioned between the bottom layer  25  of the base  13  and the plane formed by the bottom surface  90  of the rubber layer  33  and in contact with the magnet  91 , such that the spike portion  83  at said face is magnetically held to the magnet  91  to secure the spike portion  83  in place when the spike portion  83  is swung or hinged to be positioned between the bottom layer  25  of the base  13  and the plane formed by the bottom surface  90  of the rubber layer  33  and in contact with the magnet  91 . 
     The bottom side  17  of the base  13  at each section  73  of the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  not covered by the rubber layer  33  has a second recess  95  formed therein. The second recess  95  is positioned at each section  73  of the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  next to the magnet  91  affixed to the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  at each section  73  of the bottom surface  25  of the base  13 . When the spike portion  83  of the hinged anchoring device  77  has been hinged toward the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  so that the spike portion  83  is positioned between the plane formed by the bottom surface  90  of the rubber layer  33  and the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  and magnetically attached to the magnet  91 , a portion of the second recess  95  extends below the ground penetrating end portion  93  of the spike portion  83  of the hinged anchoring device  77  (when the golf practice device  11  is oriented in an up-side down position) and a portion of the second recess  95  extends beyond the distal end  97  of the ground penetrating end portion  93  of the spike portion  83  of the hinged anchoring device  77 . Accordingly, the second recess  95  is a finger slot into which a golfer may insert a finger to pull against the surface of the ground penetrating end portion  93  of the spike portion  83  that faces the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  when the spike portion  83  is attached to the magnet  91 , to release the spike portion  83  from contact with the magnet  91  and hinge the spike portion  83  outwardly away from the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  so that the spike portion  83  may engage a natural substrate to secure the golf practice device  11  in place on the natural substrate. 
     To facilitate transporting of the golf practice device  11 , preferably, as shown in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the golf practice device  11  is provided with a handle  99 , such as a two hole “strap type” handle, mounted on an end wall  101  of the base  13  with retaining screws  103  that extend through the holes of the handle  99  and into the end wall  101  of the base  13 . 
     To facilitate practicing hitting drives, preferably with a driver or fairway woods, preferably, as shown in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the golf practice device  11  at each end is provided with a plastic receiver insert  105  mounted in a recess  107  formed in the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13 . Each plastic receiver insert  105  is designed to accept and hold a golf tee in an upright position so that a golf ball may be placed on top of a golf tee that extends from the plastic receiver insert  105  to elevate the golf ball above the top surface  28  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  at a height desired from which to hit a drive. 
     Preferably, the golf practice device  11  is manufactured by molding the base  13  from a plastic material such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), adhering a rubber layer  33  (which is formed in the shape shown in the drawings or is cut to be formed in the shape shown in the drawings) to the bottom surface  25  of the base  13  using an adhesive, stamping a metal sheet (preferably a steel sheet) to form the pan  35 , and securing the pan  35  onto the base  13  with the use of an adhesive and/or retaining screws  71  that extend through the lip  42  of the pan  35  and into the outer portion  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  to securely hold the pan  35  to the top side  15  of the base  13 . The driving range artificial grass  65  preferably is secured to the top surfaces  45  and  49  preferably with an adhesive, and the driving range artificial grass  67  preferably is secured to the top surface  55  of the lip  42  and the top surface  28  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  between the outer edge  24  of the outer area  27  and the outer edge  53  of the lip  42  of the pan  35  with an adhesive. The hinged anchoring devices  77 , the magnets  91 , and the handle  99  are mounted to the base  13  as discussed above. 
     In use, the golf practice device  11  of the invention may be used to practice the swings needed to hit various golf shots under conditions encountered on the golf course, such as golf shots from sloping topography. First, a place is chosen to practice the swing needed to hit a golf shot desired to be practiced, such that the topography of the chosen location duplicates the topographical conditions associated with the golf shot to be practiced. Preferably, the place is remote from the golf course and has a substrate on which the golf practice device  11  may be placed and on which a golfer may take a stance to address a golf ball. The substrate of the place chosen to practice, may, for example, be a natural substrate, such as soil, sand, or grass-covered soil, having a sloping topography that matches the sloping topography associated with the golf shot desired to be practiced. Accordingly, in this example, the golfer is replicating at the place chosen to practice the sloping topographical conditions associated with the golf shot to be practiced, so that the swing he/she wishes to practice for a particular golf shot is from the actual sloping topographical conditions associated with the golf shot being practiced. Rather than practicing the swing for a golf shot from a flat, horizontally level surface such as that found at a golf driving range and having to guess at the adjustment needed to that swing when faced with a golf shot on the golf course from sloping topography, the golfer can actually practice the swing needed to hit a golf shot from the actual sloping topographical conditions associated with the golf shot to be practiced. 
     Next, the golf practice device  11  is oriented on the substrate to replicate the topographical conditions associated with the golf shot to be practiced. For example, if the golf shot to be practiced is one dictated by the sloping topographical conditions associated with the golf shot to be practiced, the golf practice device  11  may be oriented on a natural substrate having the sloping topographical conditions associated with the golf shot to be practiced to replicate the sloping topographical conditions associated with the golf shot to be practiced, and the replicated sloping topographical conditions, in combination with the golf practice device  11  placed thereon, simulate the conditions encountered on a golf course when facing the golf shot that is to be practiced. The golf practice device  11  is then anchored to the natural substrate by using one or more of the hinged anchoring devices  77  by hinging one or more of the spike portions  83  of the hinged anchoring device  77  downwardly so that the ground penetrating end portion  93  of one or more of the spike portions  83  may pierce the natural substrate and the spike portion(s)  83  may be inserted into the natural substrate to secure the golf practice device  11  in place. The swing needed to execute the golf shot desired to be practiced is practiced by hitting golf balls repeatedly off the anchored golf practice device  11  in an effort to become proficient at the golf shot being practiced through repetition. The golfer may hit golf balls off the artificial driving range grass  65  (which simulates golf course fairway), thereby simulating a shot from a golf course fairway. The artificial driving range grass  67  (which simulates golf course rough) affixed to the top surface  55  of the lip  42  of the pan  35  and the top surface  28  of the outer area  27  of the border portion  19  of the base  13  between the outer edge  24  of the outer area  27  and the outer edge  53  of the lip  42  of the pan  35  prevents a golf ball placed on the simulated fairway portion (that is, the driving range artificial grass  65  covering the top surface  45  of the inner slanted portion  43  of the border portion  37  of the pan  35  and the top surface  49  of the flat interior portion  39  of the pan  35 ) of the golf practice device  11  from rolling off the golf practice device  11 , as the simulated rough (the driving range artificial grass  67 ) has a height that is sufficiently higher than the simulated fairway (driving range artificial grass  65 ), thereby blocking the ball from rolling off the simulated fairway (driving range artificial grass  65 ). If desired, the golfer also may practice hitting golf shots from the portion of the golf practice device  11  covered with driving range artificial grass  67 , and a golf ball placed on the driving range artificial grass  67  stays in place on the driving range artificial grass  67  due to the consistency and length of the driving range artificial grass  67 . 
     Further, when the golfer wishes to practice hitting another golf shot whose conditions are determined by different topographical conditions, the golfer may move the golf practice device  11  from the original place chosen to practice, and choose a second place to practice hitting the golf shot where conditions are such that they replicate the different topographical conditions associated with the new shot desired to be practiced. The golfer may move the golf practice device  11  to any location that enables the golfer to replicate the topographical conditions associated with any golf shot chosen to be practiced, orient the golf practice device  11  on the substrate of the chosen location to replicate the topographical conditions (for example, sloping conditions) associated with the golf shot chosen to be practiced, anchor the oriented golf practice device  11  in place on the substrate at the chosen location, and then practice the swing needed to execute the golf shot desired to be practiced from the actual topographical conditions associated with the golf shot desired to be practiced by hitting golf balls repeatedly off the golf practice device  11  in an effort to become proficient at the golf shot being practiced through repetition. 
     In addition to the method of practicing the various swings needed to execute golf shots from different sloping conditions encountered on a golf course during a round of golf, a golfer also may practice the swings needed to hit golf shots using various clubs from a flat, horizontally level surface by placing the golf practice device  11  of the invention on a man-made substrate, such as an asphalt driveway, a concrete garage floor, a pavement, a wood deck, or a concrete patio, to practice such golf shots by hitting golf balls repeatedly off of the golf practice device  11  positioned on the flat, horizontally level man-made surface in an effort to become proficient at the golf shot hit from a flat, horizontally level surface through repetition. When this swing is chosen to be practiced, the golf practice device  11  may be placed on the man-made substrate, with the hinged anchoring devices  77  being positioned above the plane formed by the bottom surface  90  of the rubber layer  33  and preferably with each spike portion  83  magnetically held in place above this plane by the magnet  91  associated with the spike portion  83 . 
     Another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , which show golf practice device  11 ′. In the description of golf practice device  11 ′ in this specification and in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , parts/elements of the golf practice device  11 ′ that are similar to the parts/elements of the golf practice device  11  have been given like reference numerals but followed by the prime symbol. Golf practice device  11 ′ is made (except for the changes in structure described below) and used in substantially the same manner as the golf practice device  11  described above. Golf practice device  11 ′ has substantially the same structure as the golf practice device  11 , except that, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the opening  21 ′ of the base  13  ‘of the golf practice device  11 ’ is offset from the center of the base  13 ′, the flat interior portion  39 ′ of the pan  35 ′ is offset from the center of the pan  35 ′, the width of the inner slanted portion  29 ′ of the base  13 ′ at sections  31   c ′ and  31   d ′ (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  29 ′ extends from the inner edge  26 ′ of the outer area  27 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′ to the opening  21 ′ extending through the base  13 ′ at the bottom surface  25 ′ of the base  13 ′, rather than by measuring along the top surface  31 ′ of the inner slanted portion  29 ′ between the inner edge  26 ′ of the outer area  27 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′ and the opening  21 ′ extending through the base  13 ′ at the bottom surface  25 ′ of the base  13 ′) is wider (in the exemplary preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , 6 inches wide) than the width of the inner slanted portion  29 ′ of the base  13 ′ at sections  31   a ′ and  31   b ′ (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  29 ′ extends from the inner edge  26 ′ of the outer area  27 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′ to the opening  21 ′ extending through the base  13 ′ at the bottom surface  25 ′ of the base  13 ′, rather than by measuring along the top surface  31 ′ of the inner slanted portion  29 ′ between the inner edge  26 ′ of the outer area  27 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′ and the opening  21 ′ extending through the base  13 ′ at the bottom surface  25 ′ of the base  13 ′) (in the exemplary preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , 4 inches wide), and the width of the inner slanted portion  43 ′ of the pan  35 ′ at section  45   c ′ and  45   d ′ (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  43 ′ extends from inner edge  54 ′ of the lip  42 ′ to the flat interior portion  39 ′ of the pan  35 ′, rather than by measuring along the top surface  45 ′ of the inner slanted portion  43 ′ from the inner edge  54 ′ of the lip  42 ′ to the flat interior portion  39 ′ of the pan  35 ′) is wider (in the exemplary preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , 6 inches) than the width of the inner slanted portion  43 ′ of the pan  35 ′ at sections  45   a ′ and  45   b ′ (measuring by how far inwardly the inner slanted portion  43 ′ extends from inner edge  54 ′ of the lip  42 ′ to the flat interior portion  39 ′ of the pan  35 ′, rather than by measuring along the top surface  45 ′ of the inner slanted portion  43 ′ from the inner edge  54 ′ of the lip  42 ′ to the flat interior portion  39 ′ of the pan  35 ′) (in the exemplary preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , 4 inches wide). In this preferred embodiment, the inner slanted portion  43 ′ of the border portion  37 ′ of the pan  35 ′ is shaped to substantially match the top surface  31 ′ of the inner slanted portion  29 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′, the flat interior portion  39 ′ of the pan  35 ′ is shaped to substantially match the perimeter  23 ′ of the opening  21 ′ at the bottom surface  25 ′ of the base  13 ′ such that the flat interior portion  39 ′ of the pan  35 ′ may extend into the opening  21 ′ at the perimeter  23 ′ of the opening  21 ′ at the bottom surface  25 ′ of the base  13 ′, and the lip  42 ′ of the pan  35 ′ is shaped to substantially match a portion of the top surface  28 ′ of the outer area  27 ′ of the border  19 ′ of the base  13 ′. The pan  35 ′ is positioned on the base  13 ′ such that the inner slanted portion  43 ′ of the border portion  37 ′ of the pan  35 ′ is aligned with and positioned on the inner slanted portion  29 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′, with the bottom surface  47 ′ of the inner slanted portion  43 ′ of the pan  35 ′ contacting the top surface  31 ′ of the inner slanted portion  29 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′, and the flat interior portion  39 ′ of the pan  35 ′ is aligned with the opening  21 ′ extending through the base  13 ′, with the bottom surface  51 ′ of the flat interior portion  39 ′ of the pan  35 ′ extending into the opening  21 ′ and contacting the portion  34 ′ of the rubber layer  33 ′ that extends across the opening  21 ′ in the base  13 ′. Also, the lip  42 ′ of pan  35 ′ is aligned with and positioned on the outer area  27 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′ with the bottom surface  57 ′ of the lip  42 ′ resting upon a portion of the top surface  28 ′ of the outer area  27 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′. Accordingly, the pan  35 ′ sits snugly on the base  13 ′ since the shape and dimensions of the bottom side  38 ′ of the pan  35 ′ substantially match the shape and dimensions of the top side  15 ′ of the base  13 ′, with the lip  42 ′ of the pan  35 ′ positioned on a portion of the outer area  27 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′, with the inner slanted portion  43 ′ of the border portion  37 ′ of the pan  35 ′ positioned on the inner slanted portion  29 ′ of the border portion  19 ′ of the base  13 ′, and the flat interior portion  39 ′ of the pan  35 ′ extending into the opening  21 ′ in the base  13 ′ filling the opening  21 ′ in the base  13 ′ at the bottom surface  25 ′ of the base  13 ′ and positioned on the portion  34 ′ of the rubber layer  33 ′ that extends across the opening  21 ′ in the base  13 ′. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates exemplary preferred dimensions of hitting area (that is, the top surface  111 ′ of the golf practice device  11 ′) of the golf practice device  11 ′. In this example, the top surface  111 ′ of the golf practice device  11 ′ includes four inner slanting portions  113   a ′,  113   b ′,  113   c ′, and  113   d ′, which are surrounded by a border portion  115 ′ and surround a portion  117 ′. The four inner slanting portions  113   a ′,  113   b ′,  113   c ′, and  113   d ′ of the top surface  111 ′ and portion  117 ′ of the top surface  111 ′ comprise driving range artificial grass  65 ′, preferably driving range artificial grass that simulates golf course fairway. The driving range artificial grass  65 ′ preferably is about 0.5 inches or so in height. The border portion  115 ′ of the top surface  111 ′ comprises driving range artificial grass  67 ′, preferably driving range artificial grass that simulates golf course rough. The driving range artificial grass  67 ′ preferably is about 1.5 inches or so in height. The shape (including width and length) of the inner slanting portion  113   a ′ substantially matches the shape of the inner slanted portion  43 ′ at section  45   a ′ and the shape of the inner slanted portion  29 ′ at section  31   a ′, the shape (including width and length) of the inner slanting portion  113   b ′ substantially matches the shape of the inner slanted portion  43 ′ at section  45   b ; and the shape of the inner slanted portion  29 ′ at section  31   b ′, the shape (including width and length) of the inner slanting portion  113   c ′ substantially matches the shape of the inner slanted portion  43 ′ at section  45   c ′ and the shape of the inner slanted portion  29 ′ at section  31   c ′, and the shape (including width and length) of the inner slanting portion  113   d ′ substantially matches the shape of the inner slanted portion  43 ′ at section  45   d ′ and the shape of the inner slanted portion  29 ′ at section  31   d ′. The inner slanting portion  113   a ′ is aligned with slanted portion  43 ′ at section  45   a ′ and with inner slanted portion  29 ′ at section  31   a ′, the inner slanting portion  113   b ′ is aligned with slanted portion  43 ′ at section  45   b ′ and with inner slanted portion  29 ′ at section  31   b ′, the inner slanting portion  113   c ′ is aligned with slanted portion  43 ′ at section  45   c ″ and with the inner slanted portion  29 ′ at section  31   c ′, and the inner slanting portion  113   d ′ is aligned with slanted portion  43 ′ at section  45   d ′ and with the inner slanted portion  29 ′ at section  31   d′.    
     The 6 inch wide inner slanting portions  113   c ′ and  113   d ′ and the 4 inch wide inner slanting portions  113   a ″ and  113   b ′ add versatility to the golf practice device  11 ′ by creating a flatter set of angles between the inner slanting portion  113   c ′ and the border portion  115 ′, between the inner slanting portion  113   c ′ and the portion  117 ′, between the inner slanting portion  113   d ′ and the portion  115 ′, and between the inner slanting portion  113   d ′ and the portion  117 ′, as compared to a steeper set of angles between the inner slanting portion  113   a ″ and the border portion  115 ′, between the inner slanting portion  113   a ′ and the portion  117 ′, between the inner slanting portion  113   b ′ and the border portion  115 ′, and between the inner slanting portion  113   b ″ and the portion  117 ′. Accordingly, a user of the golf practice device  11 ′ may place the golf practice device  11 ′ on a hill or mound for use, and then optimize the positioning of the ball on the surface of the golf practice device  11 ′ by (with the rubber layer  33  always facing downward toward the surface of the hill or mound) rotating the golf practice device  11 ′ in its position on the hill or mound to position a portion of the top surface  111 ′ of the golf practice device  11 ′ in a desired plane with respect to the user of the golf practice device  11 ′ to create an appropriate lie for a ball sitting on the top surface  111 ′ for the golf shot to be practiced. By having a set of flatter angles and a set of steeper angles between the inner slanting portions  113   a ′,  113   b ′,  113   c ′, and  113   d ′ and the border portion  115 ′ and the portion  117 ′, arriving at the desired plane to create the lie for a golf ball that fits the golf shot to be practiced is more easily accomplished. 
     As used herein, the term “golf course” means an area of land laid out for golf, typically with a series of 9 or 18 holes, each of which typically consists of a teeing ground, a fairway, rough and hazards, and a green, and the term “away from the golf course” means any area not forming the “golf course”, such as a golfer&#39;s backyard, a local park, a field, a beach, an asphalt driveway, a concrete garage floor, a pavement, a wood deck, or a concrete patio. 
     As used herein, practicing a golf shot means practicing the golf swing needed to execute a golf shot by repeatedly hitting golf balls from a position that replicates the topographical conditions associated with the golf shot being practiced. 
     Also, as used herein, “proficient at the golf shot being practiced” means executing the golf shot such that the golfer is consistently hitting golf balls solidly with a golf club to propel each golf ball that is hit a desired distance to a desired location. 
     To be clear, when the term “natural substrate” is used herein, it means a substrate such as soil, sand, grass-covered soil, and the like, and when the term “man-made substrate” is used herein, it means a substrate such as an asphalt driveway, a concrete garage floor, a pavement, a wood deck, a concrete patio, and the like.