Indoor Golf Putting Game

Abstract

A golf putting game for playing on a floor surface is disclosed. In a first embodiment, a golf ball has a substantially uniform magnetic field therearound and includes at least one magnetically attractive target. Preferably at least one magnetically attractive hazard is included. In use, the golf ball may be struck by a golf club to roll on the surface towards the target to be captured thereby, indicating that the ball was hit properly to the target. An elongated base may be included for playing on hard surfaces, the base including a carpeted or tufted playing surface. Non-magnetic golf course elements and printed indicia may be included on the playing surface. In a second embodiment of the invention, the golf ball is magnetically attractive, and the target and hazards have a substantially uniform magnetic field therearound, such as by including magnetic particles uniformly distributed therethrough.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60 / 892,526, filed on Mar. 1, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not Applicable.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to games, and more particularly to a novel indoor golf putting game apparatus.DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART[0004]Many golfers enjoy the ability to practice putting indoors, away from inclement whether, at night, or while at work or home. Indoor golf practice mats of the prior art commonly include a recessed hole therein that represents a golf green hole or target. Typically a recessed target is accomplished by elevating the mat on a base, or including an elevated section around the target which slopes downward towards the rest of the mat. However, such a target cannot typically be as deep as an actual golf green hole, which is at least four inches, and therefore do...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The first embodiment of the game preferably further includes at least one magnetically attractive hazard which, when placed on the surface between the target and the ball, increases the difficulty of contacting the target with the ball directly.

[0012]In use, the golf ball may be struck by a golf club to roll on the surface towards the target. When the ball is close enough to the target to be significantly magnetically attracted thereto, the target captures the golf ball, indicating that the ball was hit properly to the target. The at least one hazard may be placed between the ball and the target so as to increase the difficulty of contacting the target with the ball directly.

[0015]The present invention is a golf putting practice game apparatus that is configurable for use on both hard and soft floor surfaces, such as both tile or carpeted floors. The present device is compact and easy to store and transport, and as such is also relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Further, the present invention realistically simulates putting behavior of a golf ball as used on a golf green, and includes golf hazards such as obstructions or sand traps. The present device further allows for a variety of games and target configurations utilizing such hazards and other elements. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

Problems solved by technology

However, such a target cannot typically be as deep as an actual golf green hole, which is at least four inches, and therefore does not accurately simulate the interaction of a golf ball on an actual outdoor golf course.

Further, providing a structure for an actual hole in such a practice mat results in an apparatus that is bulky and difficult to store and transport.

One drawback to such a device is that the target represents an obstruction as opposed to an open hole.

Further, such a target is bulky and therefore requires in inordinate amount of storage space.

However, such a device does not realistically simulate the game of golf because the obstructions and hazards thereon do not affect the movement of a ball rolling across them.

Thus, while such a device is easy to transport and store due to it being substantially flat, such a device does not provide substantial realism during play.

Such a device, however, is quite awkward to use in that the carrier must be struck with the putter, not the ball.

Such a device has significantly reduced realism in use as a result.

While the practice mat could be laid horizontally, such a mat is ill-suited for use as a practice target for a putting green hole.

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