Golf swing practice platform

Abstract

A modular platform provides an octagonal inclined practice surface provided with a mat of artificial turf. The platform can be composed of multiple components each formed as a lightweight hollow blow-molded plastic molding. The slope of the practice surface can be increased to simulate virtually any lie encountered by a golfer during a round of golf by adding shim-like sections to the bottom of the platform. The lie of a golf ball experienced by a golfer can be changed by manually rotating the platform with respect to the surface upon which the platform is positioned.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A non-motorized, transportable golf swing practice apparatus for placement on a ground surface, comprising: 
 a base platform having a lower support surface, an upper support surface and a plurality of quadrangular side walls extending between said lower and upper support surfaces, said upper support surface and said lower support surface being non-movable with respect to each other,    said upper support surface defining a golfer placement surface and a ball placement surface,    said lower support surface being adapted for resting engagement with the ground surface, and    said upper support surface defining an inclined angle of about at least five degrees with respect to said lower support surface and said ground surface.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said side walls are trapezoidal.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said lower support surface defines an octagonal perimeter.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said platform comprises a hollow plastic blow-molded platform.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is comprised of a plurality of interlocking components.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a mat of artificial turf provided on said upper support surface.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said mat comprises a contoured surface having hills and valleys arranged in a symmetrical alternating pattern.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first shim interconnected to said lower support surface.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said first shim comprises a wedge-shaped support having at least one projection and said platform comprises at least one recess engaged within said at least one projection.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said recess comprises a channel and said projection comprises a rib disposed in said channel.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sand insert positionable on said upper support surface.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said insert is positionable on only a portion of said upper support surface.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising fasteners extendable through said interlocking components.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said side walls further comprises a handle for transport of said apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said golfer placement surface and said ball placement surface both extend along the entire upper support surface.  
     
     
         16 . A golf swing practice apparatus for use on a ground surface, comprising: 
 a base platform formed by a plurality of interlocking platform components,    said base platform further comprising an octagonal upper support surface and an octagonal lower support surface with trapezoidal side walls defined therebetween,    said upper support surface defining an inclined angle with respect to said lower support surface that is greater than 0°, and    an artificial turf provided on said upper support surface and retained on said upper support surface by said side walls, said turf adapted for the simultaneous placement of a golfer and a golf ball.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a wedge-shaped shim interconnected with said apparatus along said lower support surface.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said turf comprising a regular repeating contour pattern of hills and valleys.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said hills and valleys are horizontally separated by a distance of approximately one inch.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said turf varies in elevation by approximately ½ inch between alternating hills and valleys.