Synthetic golf surface and hitting area

Abstract

A golf practice apparatus comprising a cavity used to hold synthetic and other types of recreational sports turf in place, the cavity having a plurality of openings to allow water to drain from the cavity, and said turf comprising interstitial spaces filled with sand to create an artificial hitting surface having a realistic feel.

That which is claimed:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for practicing golf comprising: 
 a base having a stabilizing cavity with walls and a floor bounding the cavity and a plurality of upwardly extending protrusions extending from the floor, said base having a plurality of passageways therethrough, said passageways dimensioned to allow a flow of water from the cavity out of the base; and    a turf with interstices and a lower surface, said turf dimensioned to fit within the cavity with the lower surface engaging the protrusions.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the passageways are bores.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a container for receiving and holding golf balls, said container engaging the lower surface of said tray cavity.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the turf is a synthetic turf.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interstices further comprise a particulate.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the particulate has an average grain size of from about 30 to about 100.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the particulate has an average grain size of from about 30 to about 60.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the turf is made from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polypropylene, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the turf is made from polypropylene.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the turf comprises upwardly extending tufts having an average height of from about ⅛″ to about 1″.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the particulate is provided in the interstices to about ¼ inch from top of said synthetic turf.  
     
     
         12 . A golf practice hitting apparatus comprising: 
 a base having an outer surface and a stabilizing cavity with walls and a floor bounding the cavity and a plurality of upwardly extending protrusions extending from the floor, said base having a plurality of passageways therethrough, said passageways dimensioned to allow a flow of water from the cavity out of the base; and    a synthetic turf having an upper tufted surface having interstices and a lower surface, said turf dimensioned to fit within the base cavity and engage the cavity protrusions; and    a granular substrate provided to the interstices.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the upper tufted surface and lower surface are separate surfaces joined together.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the base passageways are bores.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the granular substrate is sand.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the granular substrate has a grain size of from about 30 to about 100.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the granular substrate compacts to support a tee in a vertical position.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the base is made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polypropylene, nylon, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the upper tufted surface is made from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polypropylene, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the lower surface is made from a material selected from the group consisting of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, and moldable polymeric materials.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising an attachment dimensioned to engage the base for receiving, holding, and delivering golf balls.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a standing area and a hitting area.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the standing area is detachable from the hitting area.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the turf comprises upwardly extending tufts having an average height of from about ⅛ to about 1″.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the granular substrate is provided in the interstices to about ¼ inch from top of said synthetic turf.  
     
     
         26 . The golf practice mat of  claim 22 , wherein said base and standing area are one piece.  
     
     
         27 . A golf practice hitting apparatus comprising: 
 a base having an outer surface and a stabilizing cavity with walls and a floor bounding the cavity and a plurality of upwardly extending protrusions extending from the floor, said base having a plurality of passageways therethrough, said passageways dimensioned to allow a flow of water from the cavity out of the base;    a turf having an upper tufted surface having interstices and a lower surface, said turf dimensioned to fit within the base cavity and engage the cavity protrusions;    a granular substrate provided to the interstices; and    a standing area having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper lower surface having a predetermined pattern.    
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the lower surface is a non-skid surface made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polypropylene, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the upper surface is a non-skid surface having a surface comprising irregular depressions and protrusions.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the turf upper surface is made from a material selected from the group consisting of synthetic turf and natural turf.