Golf Training System

Abstract

A target assembly is provided for a sports training system in which a ball is propelled toward a target zone. The target assembly includes an inflatable object configured to erect a plurality of surfaces upon inflation of the object. Each surface is orthogonal to at least one of the plurality of surfaces. A target is positioned on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, where the target is configured to make contact with the ball. A golf training system is also provided, which includes the target assembly, the ball and the club for engaging the ball to propel the ball towards the target.

1 . A target assembly for a sports training system in which a ball is propelled toward a target zone, said target assembly comprising:
 an inflatable object including a plurality of inflatable columns configured to erect a plurality of generally vertical surfaces upon inflation of the object, each surface defining a target zone; and   a target positioned on at least one of the plurality of surfaces within a target zone.   
     
     
         2 . The target assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ball includes ball attachment material affixed to the ball and each target includes target attachment material affixed to an exposed surface of said target, the target attachment material is configured to releasably adhere to the ball attachment material such that the ball sticks to the target upon the ball making contact with the target. 
     
     
         3 . The target assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the target is removably attached to the respective surface. 
     
     
         4 . The target assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the inflatable columns are vertically oriented and define respective ends of at least some of the vertical surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The target assembly of  claim 5  in which the vertical surfaces are constructed of a mesh material. 
     
     
         6 . The target assembly of  claim 7  wherein the inflatable columns include a plurality of horizontally oriented columns extending from the vertically oriented columns, the horizontally oriented columns defining the upper and lower extent of the vertical surfaces, and each vertical surface being generally orthogonal to another vertical surface. 
     
     
         7 . The target assembly of  claim 7  wherein the target has a design representative of the particular sport with which the ball is used. 
     
     
         8 . A golf training system for persons new at golf using a non-standard golf ball representation approximately a diameter of a conventional tennis ball and have an outer cover comprising one of a hook and loop material to enable the ball to adhere to a target at least partially covered by a mating one of the hook and loop material, the system comprising:
 an inflatable target assembly having a plurality of interconnected vertical and horizontal columns which can be filled with air to cause the assembly to assume a shape defining a plurality of vertically and horizontally extending target surfaces; and   a plurality of targets positioned on the target surfaces in a location such that non-standard golf balls can be hit at the targets.   
     
     
         9 . The golf training system of  claim 8 , wherein the targets are covered by hook material and the ball is covered by loop material, and including a club for striking the ball and propelling it into engagement with the target. 
     
     
         10 . The golf training system of  claim 8 , wherein the targets are removably attached to the respective target surfaces. 
     
     
         11 . The golf training system of  claim 9 , wherein the target surfaces are constructed of a mesh material having a pattern such that a ball missing a target is stopped by the target surface. 
     
     
         12 . The golf training system of  claim 11 , wherein the target surfaces comprise a pair of spaced apart mesh panels, a spacing between the panels being defined by the diameter of the horizontally extending columns, the targets being positioned on each outwardly facing panel such that players can simultaneously strike balls towards opposite sides of each target surface. 
     
     
         13 . The golf training system of  claim 12  wherein each of the targets is about 30 inches in diameter and has a plurality of alternating colored circular bands. 
     
     
         4 . The golf training system of  claim 13 , and including at least one inflatable target in a humanoid shape with a bullseye design on its torso.