Patent ID: 7384346

Claim:
A golf practice device comprising: a platform member for supporting the golfer; and a divot simulator insert installed in a cavity area within said platform member, said divot simulator insert having a hitting surface that yields and moves when impacted by the head of a golf club during a golf swing to simulate the response of natural turf wherein said divot simulator insert comprises: a base member having a bottom panel, side frames along the length dimension on either side and end frames along the width dimension; a carriage tray with upstanding edges on all sides and having at least on sleeve affixed to both sides along the length dimension and carriage extensions extending outward from the forward and the aft sides, said carriage tray slidably positioned on said base member; a simulated turf surface affixed to said carriage tray; a cover member having a cover plate and a frame member extending down vertically from the underside along the perimeter of said cover plate, said frame member fits snugly around the outer perimeter of said base member and interlocks with said side and end frames when assembled, and said cover plate having a center portion cut out to expose said simulated turf surface and portions of said carriage extensions; and a carriage retraction assembly arranged on both sides of said carriage tray along the length dimension and mounted on mounting brackets on said base member for controlling the sliding forward in the general direction of the ball flight and the retraction of said carriage tray and said simulated turf surface when said simulated turf surface is impacted by the head of a golf club striking a golf ball placed on said simulated turf surface.