Apparatus and method of catching a golf ball

Abstract

An apparatus and method for catching a golf ball is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a compact golf ball catching apparatus having a first energy absorbing layer located at a frontal portion of the apparatus, a second energy absorbing layer located at a rear portion of the apparatus, and a frame adapted to connect the first and second energy absorbing layer as well as provide structural integrity to the first energy absorbing layer; wherein the first energy absorbing layer slows down the speed of a golf ball as it enters and penetrates the apparatus and hinders the golf ball's ability from exiting the apparatus post impact.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball catching apparatus comprising:
 a first energy absorbing layer located at a frontal portion of said golf ball catching apparatus;   a second energy absorbing layer located at a rear portion of said golf ball catching apparatus;   wherein said first energy absorbing layer further comprises a plurality of strands,   wherein said second energy absorbing layer is created from a material that absorbs and reduces a rebound energy of a golf ball,   wherein said plurality of strands create a gap between said plurality of strands, and   wherein said gap is greater than a diameter of said plurality of strands.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first energy absorbing layer has a first energy absorption ratio and said second energy absorbing layer has a second energy absorption ration, and wherein said first energy absorption ratio is lower than said second energy absorption ratio. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said first energy absorption ratio is about 1.16. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said second energy absorption ratio is about 2.40. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said second energy absorption ratio is greater than about two times than said first energy absorbing ratio. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said tension of said plurality of strands is between about 10 lb f  and about 40 lb f . 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said tension of said plurality of strands is between about 15 lb f  and about 35 lb f . 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein tension of said plurality of strands is between about 20 lb f  and about 30 lb f . 
     
     
         9 . A golf ball catching apparatus comprising:
 a first energy absorbing layer, comprising of a plurality of strands, located at a frontal portion of said golf ball catching apparatus;   a second energy absorbing layer located at a rear portion of said golf ball catching apparatus;   a frame, adapted to connected said first and second energy absorbing layer via a perimeter of said golf ball catching apparatus,   wherein said frame provides structural integrity to said first energy absorbing layer, and   wherein said plurality of strands create a gap between said plurality of strands, and   wherein said gap is greater than a diameter of said plurality of strands.   
     
     
         10 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of strands are all in tension. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said tension within said plurality of strands are selected to slow down a golf ball when a struck golf ball initially penetrates said first energy absorbing layer, and so as to hinder said struck golf ball from re-penetrating said first energy absorbing layer after rebounding off said second energy absorbing layer. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said second energy absorbing layer further comprises of a padding. 
     
     
         13 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said gap is less than about 1.680 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said golf ball pushes against said first energy absorption layer as it falls down said golf ball catching apparatus to create a ripple effect. 
     
     
         15 . The golf ball catching apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said frame provides structural integrity to said first energy absorbing layer.