System for practicing golf and playing with a pet

Abstract

A portable golf training system and method enable a golfer to practice golf shots and retrieve the practice ball with assistance from a pet trained to fetch. The system includes a hitting mat configured to receive a removable tee, a target mat spaced at a predetermined distance from the hitting mat, and a vertical pin and flag on the target mat that serve as a visible marker. A resilient dog-safe practice ball rests on the tee, and after each shot, the pet locates and returns the ball to the hitting mat. Both the hitting and target mats can be rolled up for convenient transport or storage, and the ball may include various diameters, materials, and surface patterns. The target mat includes features including multiple scoring zones for skill practice. This invention provides an entertaining and portable solution for improving golf shot accuracy while engaging a pet's natural fetching behavior.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for practicing golf and playing with a pet comprising:
 a hitting mat having an upper surface and configured to receive a removable tee; a tee removably attachable to the hitting mat; a ball configured to be placed on the tee, the ball having a diameter between 2 inches and 3 inches for retrieval by the pet; a target mat spaced apart from the hitting mat, the target mat having an upper surface and configured to receive a removable pin; a pin removably attachable to the target mat and configured to extend substantially vertically therefrom; and a flag coupled to an upper region of the pin, wherein the flag and pin together provide a visible marker for the target mat when placed at a distance from the hitting mat, and the ball's size facilitates easy retrieval by a pet's mouth.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hitting mat and the target mat each comprise artificial turf material on an upper surface and a rubber or rubber-like material on a lower surface to reduce slipping during use. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hitting mat comprises at least one cutout on its upper surface for selectively positioning the tee. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the target mat comprises:
 a plurality of visually distinct scoring areas, including a center bullseye region; and   at least one grommet disposed at or near a perimeter portion of the target mat for securing the target mat to a ground surface.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the target mat is constructed from a tarp material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is formed from a pet-safe resilient material selected from the group consisting of rubber, expanded thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tee is configured with an enlarged cup to stably support a ball diameter ranging between 2 inches and 3 inches. 
     
     
         8 . A portable golf practice system, comprising:
 a rollable hitting mat formed of artificial turf, the hitting mat having at least one aperture configured to receive a removable tee;   a rollable target mat formed of tarp or artificial turf material, the target mat including a plurality of scoring regions differentiated by color or markings; and,   a resilient, pet-safe practice ball sized to be held in a pet's mouth.   
     
     
         9 . A method of practicing golf shots with a pet retrieving a practice ball, the method comprising: positioning a hitting mat and a target mat at a predetermined distance from one another; placing a ball on a tee disposed on the hitting mat; striking the ball from the tee on the hitting mat toward the target mat; enabling the pet to locate and retrieve the ball after the ball comes to rest on or near the target mat; and receiving the ball returned by the pet at or near the hitting mat for a subsequent shot. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising rolling up the hitting mat and the target mat into a compact form for transport or storage after practice. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the target mat comprises a plurality of differently colored scoring regions, and the method further comprises determining a scoring result based on which scoring region the ball first contacts. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising selecting a desired one of a plurality of apertures in the hitting mat for placing the tee. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the ball is formed of an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane material sized between 2 inches and 3 inches in diameter to facilitate retrieval by the pet.