Turf-Saver

Abstract

The inventor has not observed in pro shops, golf stores, or on golf courses/driving ranges a durable, small, rubber-like or pliable, soft plastic product that does what The Turf-Saver does. Alignment devices are typically larger and more cumbersome. The current method of preserving driving range turf is by use of mats on concrete platforms that are roundly disliked by most golfers, especially older golfers whose wrists and forearms are adversely affected. None of the existing devices are practicable for use on the course. The invention is a device designed to provide a surface that will preserve turf, while assisting in alignment of golf clubs with the golf ball, driver through wedge, both on practice ranges and on the golf course. The device, which may be manufactured either of a soft, resilient rubber, or a type of pliable plastic that simulates rubber, is structured so as to receive the club well, simulating actual turf, while preserving the bottom of the club from undue abrasion. There is a one-eighth inch wide stripe located along the center of the device, from front to back, to ensure a proper takeaway at the inception of the swing, and to guide correct release of the club at the instant of impact.

I claim: 
     
         1 . The Turf-Saver is a unique, easily carried and applied device, to help golfers with their swings and golf courses or driving ranges with turf maintenance and, to the knowledge of the inventor, is unlike any other golf aid on the market. 
     
     
         2 . A turf preserving device consisting of a small piece of resilient material, rectangular in shape, with a predetermined length, width and thickness, as presented in the Drawing of the device. The material will be soft rubber or plastic, such as 94VO Polyvinyl Chloride, which is supple, durable and will not warp or crumple when being impacted by a golf club. 
     
     
         3 . The device is to be placed on driving range ground, driving range mats, the teeing ground on the golf course, or on fairway ground on the golf course, for use during practice. 
     
     
         4 . The surface has a circular depression one-half inch in diameter with its center located three inches from the front whose purpose is to hold the golf ball when it is not placed on the tee. There is an aperture through the center of the depression for reception of a tee when the player desires to hit off a tee. 
     
     
         5 . The device is twelve inches long and has a stripe one/eighth of an inch wide extending from front to back, which assists the player to make a proper takeaway and hit through the ball along the correct swing path. 
     
     
         6 . The device is two and three-fourth inches wide, a width which ensures the player will place the club perpendicular to the line of flight when squared with the center line. 
     
     
         7 . The device is three-eights of an inch thick, a thickness which assures durability while not so thick as to affect “feel” when striking the surface with the club. The thickness and material structure also effectively simulate the natural feeling of hitting the turf after contact with the ball. 
     
     
         8 . Apertures are also located three-eights of an inch from each end of the device to receive tees or other forms of anchors to hold it in place while the golf ball is being hit. 
     
     
         9 . The color of the device is homogenous throughout, but can be varied so as to contrast with the color of the surface upon which it will be used, for example a light brown if used on green turf, but orange if used in the winter on brown surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . There are no stripes on the device, other than the center line. 
     
     
         11 . The cost of producing the device will be quite modest. For example, three-feet long strips of 94VO PVC of similar width and thickness retail for approximately $11.