Putting green surface

Abstract

A turf-like putting green is described herein with an upper flat portion that leads to an elevated ramped-up portion where a simulated golf hole is located. Markings on the flat portion indicate how a user should align their putter head when striking the ball and also how far of a back stroke and forward stroke to take to sink putts from different distances. An exit hole out of the golf hole directs made putts to a return track that is configured with either a flat surface and two angled side arms, an entirely curved surface that complements the curvature of a golf ball, or a flat surface and multiple curved portions—all of which keep golf balls on the return track. The return track is situated adjacent to the horizontal portion and directs golf balls back to the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A putting surface, comprising:
 a flat turf portion that includes first alignment marks instructing how to align a putter head and first back stroke marks instructing a length of a first back stroke for sinking putts from a first distance; and   an elevated portion coupled to the flat turf portion, the elevated portion comprising a hole with an exit that directs a golf ball out of the hole and toward a return track.   
     
     
         2 . The putting surface of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment marks and the first back stroke marks comprise an adhesive and paint mixture applied to the flat turf portion. 
     
     
         3 . The putting surface of  claim 2 , wherein the first back stroke marks comprise first rear alignment marks for aligning the putter head at a height of the first back stroke. 
     
     
         4 . The putting surface of  claim 1 , wherein the flat turf portion further comprises second alignment marks instructing how to align the putter head and second back stroke marks instructing a second length of a second back stroke for making putts from a second distance. 
     
     
         5 . The putting surface of  claim 4 , wherein the second distance is farther away from the hole than the first distance and the second back stroke marks are longer than the first back stroke marks. 
     
     
         6 . The putting surface of  claim 4 , wherein the second back stroke marks comprise second rear alignment marks for aligning the putter head at a height of the second back stroke. 
     
     
         7 . The putting surface of  claim 6 , wherein the second alignment marks and the second back stroke marks comprise an adhesive and paint mixture applied to the turf portion. 
     
     
         8 . The putting surface of  claim 4 , wherein the flat turf portion further comprises third alignment marks instructing how to align the putter head and third back stroke marks instructing a third length of a third back stroke for making putts from a third distance. 
     
     
         9 . The putting surface of  claim 8 , wherein the third back stroke marks comprise third rear alignment marks for aligning the putter head at a height of the third back stroke. 
     
     
         10 . The putting surface of  claim 8 , wherein the third alignment marks and the third back stroke marks comprise an adhesive and paint mixture applied to the turf portion. 
     
     
         11 . The putting surface of  claim 1 , wherein the return track comprises:
 a purely curved surface for complementing curvatures of golf balls;   two planar side arms on opposite sides of the purely curved surface; and   clip arms coupled to the purely curved surface for receiving a track connector.   
     
     
         12 . The putting surface of  claim 1 , wherein the return track comprises:
 an upper surface with a flat portion and two curved portions coupled to the flat portion on opposite sides;   two planar side arms coupled to the two curved portions; and   clip arms coupled to the upper surface for receiving a track connector.   
     
     
         13 . The putting surface of  claim 1 , wherein the return track comprises:
 an upper surface with a flat portion;   two angled arms coupled to the flat surface; and   clip arms coupled to the upper surface for receiving a track connector.   
     
     
         14 . A putting surface, comprising:
 a flat turf portion that includes markings for aligning putts from multiple distances, wherein the markings suggest alignments of a putter head and lengths of back strokes and follow through for making putts at the multiple distances;   a return track for directing golf balls back to a golfer;   an elevated portion coupled to the flat turf portion and the return track, the elevated portion comprising a hole with an exit that directs the golf balls out of the hole, down an internal path, and toward the return track, wherein internal path has a gradual slope between two and five degrees.   
     
     
         15 . The putting surface of  claim 14 , wherein the markings comprise an adhesive and paint mixture applied to the flat turf portion 
     
     
         16 . The putting surface of  claim 14 , wherein the gradual slope comprises  3 . 6  degrees and relative to the bottom of the elevated portion. 
     
     
         17 . The putting surface of  claim 5 , further comprising an exit trough coupled to the elevated portion and configured to receive the golf balls passing through the exit and down the internal path. 
     
     
         18 . The putting surface of  claim 17 , wherein the exit trough is coupled to a back of the elevated portion for catching missed golf balls rolling past the golf hole and directing the missed golf balls to the return track. 
     
     
         19 . A putting surface, comprising:
 a flat turf portion that includes markings for aligning putts from multiple distances, wherein the markings suggest alignments of a putter head and lengths of back strokes and corresponding forwards stroke for making putts at the multiple distances;   a return track for directing golf balls back to a golfer, wherein the return track comprises one or more curved portions for receiving the golf balls; and   an elevated portion coupled to the flat turf portion and the return track, the elevated portion comprising a hole with an exit that directs the golf balls out of the hole, down an internal path, and toward the return track.   
     
     
         20 . The putting surface of  claim 19 , wherein the return track comprises clip arms for receiving a track connector. 
     
     
         21 . The putting surface of  claim 19 , wherein the marking comprise an adhesive and paint mixture applied to the flat turf portion to provide a true roll of the golf ball and maintain visibility of the markings.