This invention relates to a new and improved golf practice mat with indicators which may be pivoted to project up from the mat to indicate whether the golfer is slicing or hooking in the event the club strikes one or two of the projections. Conventionally, mats similar to doormats have been used on driving ranges and at home to support a golf ball, so that when the club is swung against the ball it will not damage the club or the floor. The present invention comprises a substantial improvement over such mats.

A conventional doormat, which is usually made of blocks of rubber cut from used vehicle tires held in place by transverse wires, is modified in accordance with the present invention and thus the manufacturing cost of the mat is reduced.

In the present mat, there is a center position for a golf tee. Either a conventional tee or a special tee hereinafter described may be inserted at this central position.

At certain distances from the center position for the tee, four of the blocks used to make up the mat are specially prepared. One end of each of these blocks is detached from one of the wires which hold the mat together, so that the particular block or projection can pivot to an upright position around the wire which hold the other end of the block in position. Cutting one end of each of four blocks in a specified position is the principal fabricating job required.

Two of the blocks are located in front of the tee and two of the blocks are located behind the tee. Furthermore, two of the blocks are on the far side of the tee and two on the near side.

Preferably, the projecting blocks are specially colored. Thus, diagonally opposite blocks have the same color.

Accordingly, in accordance with this invention, the ball is teed up in the center position. The golfer then positions himself in normal stance and swings the club. If any of the projecting blocks is knocked down or touched by the club, this indicates whether the golfer would be slicing or hooking, depending upon the particular color projection which the club touches or knocks down.

In a modification of the invention, neither a tee nor a ball is used. The center block is prepared by cutting one end so that it may be pivotted upward. This block is then pivotted up at about a 30.degree. angle. The golfer then swings the club so that the bottom of the club strikes the center block. If the club is swung properly, the center block will rebound to approximately vertical position.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mat modified in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing modification of a portion of FIG. 2 showing one block used as a substitution for a conventional tee, the projecting block being shown slanted in solid lines before being hit by a golf club and in dot and dash lines after being hit.

Mat 11 is one of a variety of conventional doormats which has been specially modified in accordance with this invention. Such a conventional mat 11 is made up of a number of rectangular blocks of square cross-section, commonly made of used vehicle tires. Transverse wires 13 are inserted in holes in opposite ends of the blocks 12. As is apparent from FIG. 1, there are gaps between blocks in each row and the gaps in adjacent rows are staggered. This makes the mat flexible and reduces the weight and expense of the mat, among other considerations. The ends of the endmost blocks are spaced apart by spacers 14.

Four of the blocks 16 are specially prepared in that a slit 17 is cut into one end of each of the blocks 16, thereby freeing it from the wire 13 which normally would pass therethrough. Hence, these projecting blocks 16, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, can be pivoted around one of the wires 13 to upright position.

Preferably in the middle of mat 11 (although not necessarily so) is a tee location 19. A conventional golf tee (not shown) may be inserted in the mat at position 19 and held therein by the blocks 12 which surround the tee. A specially prepared tee 21 is shown in the drawings, particularly in FIG. 2. Such a tee has an enlarged base 22 under mat 11 and a cup-shaped top 23 which supports golf ball 24. The ball 24 may be a conventional golf ball or, if the ball is being hit inside a building, is preferably a special practice ball.

Referring to FIG. 1, 26 indicates the proper location of the feet of the user. The arrows 27 indicate the direction of the stroke.

The outer rear projection 31 and the inner forward projection 32 are preferably colored one color, such as red. The inner rear projection 33 and the outer forward projection 34 are colored a different color, such as yellow.

The golfer swings the club at the ball 24, trying to maintain the swing of the club straight through the ball as indicated by arrows 27. If the swing is such as to be likely to cause a slice, then one or both of the projections 31, 32 will be knocked down or touched. On the other hand, if the swing is such as likely to cause a hook, one or both of the projections 33,34 will be touched. Thus, by observation, the user can determine whether his swing is proper or improper and, if improper, how to correct it.

FIG. 3 shows a modification wherein a conventional tee or the tee of FIG. 2 is not needed. The center block 16a of the mat is cut with a slit 17a. When used with a tee, center block 16a is placed flat, parallel to the ground. However, when no tee is being used, and preferably when the mat is on a firm surface, block 16a is raised to about a 30.degree. angle as shown in FIG. 3. The golfer then attempts to swing the club in normal fashion. If the club strikes the block 16a in correct manner, block 16a rebounds to upright position--dot-and-dash lines as in FIG. 3. This feature of the invention permits use of mat 11 inside or outside, with or without a ball.