Variable slope, golf course simulator

Abstract

An improved golf practice apparatus for use by a golfer who stands on the apparatus and practices hitting golf balls placed on it includes: (a) a platform having a plurality of portions, each of which has a differing simulated golf lie surface, wherein when the golfer takes a stance above a selected one of the simulated golf lie surfaces, the golfer's stance defines a desired direction in which the golfer plans to hit golf balls placed on the selected surface, (b) a plurality of actuators that are capable of providing any one of a plurality of prescribed slopes from horizontal to the platform, and (c) a universal joint and drive system for rotating the platform so that the golfer's stance-dictated, desired direction can be oriented to align with a specified golf ball hitting direction.

1 . An improved golf practice apparatus for use by a golfer who stands on said apparatus and practices hitting a golf ball placed on said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: 
 a means for providing a platform on which said golfer may stand and have the option of taking a stance above any one of a plurality of simulated golf lie surfaces,    wherein when said golfer takes said stance above a selected one of said simulated golf lie surfaces, said stance defines a desired direction in which said golfer plans to hit said golf ball placed on said selected surface,    a means for providing any one of a plurality of prescribed slopes from horizontal to said platform, and a means for rotating said platform so that said stance-dictated, desired direction of said golfer can be oriented to align with a specified golf ball hitting direction.    
   
   
       2 . The improved golf practice apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of simulated golf lie surfaces are chosen from the group consisting of surfaces denoted herein as fairway, putting green fringe, sand, rough or hard pan or any combination of said surfaces.  
   
   
       3 . The improved golf practice apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said platform and sloping and rotation means are scaled and configured such that slopes from horizontal of up to 30 degrees may be imposed on said platform.  
   
   
       4 . The improved golf practice apparatus as recited in  claim 2  wherein said platform and sloping and rotation means are scaled and configured such that slopes from horizontal of up to 30 degrees may be imposed on said platform.  
   
   
       5 . The improved golf practice apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a means for remotely controlling said means for providing slope and rotation.    
   
   
       6 . The improved golf practice apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a means for remotely controlling said means for providing slope and rotation.    
   
   
       7 . The improved golf practice apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a means for remotely controlling said means for providing slope and rotation.    
   
   
       8 . The improved golf practice apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a means for remotely controlling said means for providing slope and rotation.    
   
   
       9 . A method for providing an improved golf practice apparatus for use by a golfer who stands on said apparatus and practices hitting a golf ball placed on said apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a platform on which said golfer may stand and have the option of taking a stance above any one of a plurality of simulated golf lie surfaces,    wherein when said golfer takes said stance above a selected one of said simulated golf lie surfaces, said stance defines a desired direction in which said golfer plans to hit said golf ball placed on said selected surface,    providing any one of a plurality of prescribed slopes from horizontal to said platform, and    rotating said platform so that said stance-dictated, desired direction of said golfer can be oriented to align with a specified golf ball hitting direction.    
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein said plurality of simulated golf lie surfaces are chosen from the group consisting of surfaces denoted herein as fairway, putting green fringe, sand, rough or hard pan or any combination of said surfaces.  
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein said prescribed slopes from horizontal may be up to 30 degrees.  
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein said prescribed slopes from horizontal may be up to 30 degrees.  
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of: 
 remotely controlling said sloping and rotation actions.    
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 remotely controlling said sloping and rotation actions.    
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising the step of: 
 remotely controlling said sloping and rotation actions.    
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of: 
 remotely controlling said sloping and rotation actions.