A green simulation apparatus having a configurable upper surface with a changeable contour may comprise a covering forming the upper surface and a plurality of vertically movable positioning elements forming an array on which the covering rests. Each positioning element has a head, a bottom element, and a support frame positioned between the head and bottom element. The support frame includes at least a first frame member and a second frame member each having opposite ends and being pivotally connected together at a cross-over point spaced from opposite ends of the frame members in a scissor-like configuration such that convergence of the frame members raises the head and divergence of the frame members lowers the head.

An indoor golf game, Tin Cup features super-lightweight, balanced balls that look like golf balls and fly, spin and land on a target golf green with very similar characteristics of standard golf shots. The target green has over 130 different setups of slope and hole combinations, and there are 8 different hole lengths, making for over 100 different hole set-ups with detailed setup and scoring instructions. Tin Cup can be played in a variety of ways that parallel the different types of standard golf games. Golf's chipping/pitching game is very difficult to master, and Tin Cup is also very difficult to master, providing incredibly accurate practice feedback that translates well when playing standard golf.

A gaming device includes a base, a runway, and a target. The base includes a baseplate and a ramp. The base plate has an upper surface and a leading end. The ramp includes a ramp leg that supports the ramp in an inclined position. The runway has a free end that extends from the leading end of the base plate in a deployed configuration of the gaming device. The target includes a target plate having a target surface that defines a plurality of holes. The target plate is hingedly attached to the base plate such that the base plate is foldable into the target in a transport configuration of the gaming device. In the transport configuration, the upper surface of the base plate opposes the target surface of the target plate with the ramp disposed between the upper surface and the target surface.

Systems and methods to practice putting are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a framework, actuators mounted to the framework, a control system, a computing device, and an artificial green. The control system is coupled to the actuators and controls actuation of the actuators. The computing device includes a display for viewing mapped green profiles and is configured to communicate with the control system. The artificial green includes a putting surface with a cup defined therein, wherein the artificial green is positioned over the actuators. With this arrangement, a user can select a putting region, after which, the computing device can translate and transfer the mapped data of the putting region to the controllers to actuate the actuators to, therefore, adjust the putting surface of the artificial green to correspond to the mapped green profile of an actual green.

A miniature golf hole with a spinning wheel is disclosed. An example miniature golf hole includes a spinning wheel that defines cavities arranged circumferentially about the spinning wheel. A cavity surface of each of the cavities defines one or more cavity openings through which the golf ball is capable of traveling upon entering the respective cavity. The one or more cavity openings of each of the cavities are positioned at a radial distance along the spinning wheel that is different to that of the one or more cavity openings of the other of the cavities. A transfer panel is stationary and positioned below the spinning wheel. The transfer panel includes concentric rings each of which aligns vertically with the one or more cavity openings of a respective one of the cavities to receive the golf ball from the respective cavity.

Disclosed herein are sport and game simulation systems, and methods of use thereof. One example method is performed at an electronic device and includes: determining that a first ball of a plurality of balls enters an inner zone of a target and in response to determining that the first ball enters the inner zone, assigning a first point value to a game participant associated the first ball. The method also includes determining that a second ball, different from the first ball, of the plurality of balls enters at least one outer zone of the target, and in response to determining that the second ball enters the at least one outer zone, assigning a second point value to a game participant, the second point value being less than the first point value. The method also includes providing instructions to display the first point value and second point value.

Systems and methods to practice putting are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a framework, actuators mounted to the framework, a control system, a computing device, and an artificial green. The control system is coupled to the actuators and controls actuation of the actuators. The computing device includes a display for viewing mapped green profiles and is configured to communicate with the control system. The artificial green includes a putting surface with a cup defined therein, wherein the artificial green is positioned over the actuators. With this arrangement, a user can select a putting region, after which, the computing device can translate and transfer the mapped data of the putting region to the controllers to actuate the actuators to, therefore, adjust the putting surface of the artificial green to correspond to the mapped green profile of an actual green.

A putting target is disclosed which visually replicates a golf hole and reliably returns a golf ball to the putting location. The putting target includes a lip, a ramp and an angled wall segment. The ramp includes a concaved surface defined by a quadratic spline in each of a longitudinal (x-z) plane and a lateral (y-z) plane and a rim circumscribing the concaved face. An angled wall segment extends from the rim and terminates at a bottom edge for supporting the ramp at an inclined orientation with respect to the putting surface. An image is applied to at least a portion of the ramp and provides a perspective view of a golf hole along a predetermined line of sight.

Golf stroke training apparatus, as well as methods and systems to train a golfer to improve golf strokes, including putting strokes, wherein the golf stroke training apparatus provides a planar surface that can be levelled statically to the surface below it and can be adjusted by adding slope and/or pitch in quantifiable measurements and with a high degree of accuracy, wherein the repeatable golf stroke environments so provided permit repeatable and quantifiable golfer stroke actions and analysis and leading to golf stroke consistency.

A green simulation apparatus having a configurable upper surface with a changeable contour is provided. The apparatus may include a covering forming the upper surface, a covering support assembly comprising a deck having an upper face on which at least a portion of the covering rests. The upper face of the deck may have a contour with a varying vertical height in a substantially horizontal direction across the upper face. The deck may be movable with respect to the covering to move the upper face in a substantially horizontal direction and vary a horizontal position of the contour with respect to the covering such that the contour of the upper surface of the covering is changed.