Above-ground, and/or subterranean golf driving range with range-field-surface(s) intentionally sloped, or slanted longitudinally

Abstract

It is an objective of the present invention to provide systems, devices, and/or methods allowing for the faster, easier determination of the carry distance for golf balls hit with golf clubs, the automatic return of range golf balls for reuse, containment nets that don't touch or get close to supports or poles, range field surfaces that don't use artificial or natural grass or need water, and instead use soft, rubbery, polymer, or other synthetic (recyclable) materials for range field surfaces to permanently eliminate the need to use water, chemicals, workers, ball-pick-up-equipment, carts/tractors (fuel), machinery, or do any maintenance on range field surfaces at golf driving ranges.

Claims

1. A golf driving range comprising an intentionally sloped range field surface and netting system surrounding said range field surface, wherein said range field surface is longitudinally sloped or slanted, wherein said range field surface is made of soft rubber-like material, and wherein said netting system comprises a plurality of vertical supports positioned at intervals around said range field surface, a plurality of angled supports extending at an angle from each of said vertical supports inwards towards said range field surface, and a containment net suspended from said angled supports, wherein said containment net is fixed to said range field surface.

2. The golf driving range of claim 1, wherein the range field surface is above-ground, subterranean, or a combination thereof, wherein the back edge of said range field surface is at a height below, at, or above the average adjacent grade.

3. The golf driving range of claim 1, the range field surface is intentionally sloped at a sufficiently steep angle to roll a golf ball down towards a ball drain inlet, canal or other ball depository location.

4. The golf driving range of claim 1, wherein the range field surface comprises a rubber, silicon, polymer, plastic, latex, elastomer, plastomer or other similar synthetic material.

5. The golf driving range of claim 1, wherein the netting system further comprises a cable running along the top edge of the containment net.

6. The golf driving range of claim 1, wherein the range field surface further comprises distance lines with corresponding distance numbers printed, painted, or otherwise demarcated directly on said range field surface, wherein said distance lines are accurately distanced from hitting stalls located on each tier or level of said hitting stalls.

7. The golf driving range of claim 1 comprising a plurality of bottom/first level hitting stalls disposed on a bottom/first level hitting platform, and a plurality of second level hitting stalls, disposed on a second level hitting platform, and a plurality of third level hitting stalls disposed on a third level hitting platform, wherein said second and third level are each setback at a certain distance from the level below.

8. The golf driving range of claim 1, wherein said hitting stalls are excavated or constructed below the average adjacent grade surrounding the golf driving range.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 8 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 9 shows a scale model of an embodiment of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a scale model of an embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 11 shows a scale model of an embodiment of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 12 shows a scale model of an embodiment of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 13 shows a scale model of an embodiment of the present invention.

(15) FIG. 14 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(16) FIG. 15 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(17) FIG. 16 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(18) FIG. 17 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(19) FIG. 18 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(20) FIG. 19 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(21) FIG. 20 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(22) FIG. 21 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(23) FIG. 22 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(24) FIG. 23 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(25) FIG. 24 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(26) FIG. 25 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(27) FIG. 26 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(28) FIG. 27 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(29) FIG. 28 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(30) FIG. 29 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(31) FIG. 30 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(32) FIG. 31 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(33) FIG. 32 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(34) FIG. 33 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(35) FIG. 34 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(36) FIG. 35 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(37) FIG. 36 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

(38) FIG. 37 shows an illustration of aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(39) Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein: 100 Driving range 101 Slope Indicator Arrow 102 Perimeter wall 104 Vertical support 105 Angled support 106 Containment net 108 Containment net cable 110 Range field surface 112 Front edge of range field surface (where hitting mats are located) 114 Back edge of range field surface (where back-net is located) 116 Side edge of range field surface (left-side and right-side) 118 Uphill range field surface (from hitting platform view) 119 Downhill range field surface (from hitting platform view) 120 Setback distance 122 Bottom/First level hitting platform 123 Bottom/First level hitting stalls 124 Second level hitting platform 125 Second level hitting stalls 126 Third level hitting platform 127 Third level hitting stalls 128 Fourth level hitting platform 129 Fourth level hitting stalls 130 Shade structure 131 Hitting mat 132 Hitting stall 133 Hitting stall safety wall 135 Solar panels 140 Observation area 150 Ball return system 152 Ball drain inlet 153 Ball drain outlet 155 Ball lifter 156 Ball station 160 Distance demarcations 162 Major distance demarcations 164 Minor distance demarcations 170 Camera system

(40) In some embodiment's, the present invention features above-ground, or subterranean (partially or fully) golf driving ranges (100). As a non-limiting example, the driving range (100) may include a range field surface (110) and a plurality of parallel hitting stalls (132) with at least some of the parallel hitting stalls (132) excavated a distance below or built/constructed above the average adjacent grade or a combination (semi-subterranean). This distance can be between 5 feet to 100 feet in height below or above the average adjacent grade. In some embodiment's, the back edge of a range field surface (114) may be level with the average adjacent grade. In selected embodiment's, the range field surface (110) may be disposed entirely below or above the average adjacent grade. In preferred embodiment's, the range field surface (110) may be excavated, graded, built, constructed, sloped, slanted, or tilted such that golf balls landing at any point on the range field surface (110) will automatically roll in a ball drain inlet (152). As a non-limiting example, golf balls hit onto a range-field-surface (110) may automatically be returned to a ball bin, ball station or other depository by a combination of gravitational effects or a ball return system (150) without the need to send workers, machines or ball-pick-up-equipment onto a range field surface (110) to get them.

(41) The range field surface (110) may be surrounded by a perimeter wall (102). Without wishing to limit the present invention to any particular theory or mechanism, perimeter walls (102) may serve to shield both golfers and range field surfaces (110) from environmental factors such as sun, rain, wind, dust, and more. Furthermore, a perimeter wall (102) may act to safely prevent people and animals from gaining unauthorized access to the business property or from falling accidentally into a subterranean design driving range (100). Perimeter wall surfaces (102) may be transparent, partially opaque, totally opaque, and/or constructed from any suitable material. As non-limiting examples, perimeter wall (102) heights could be about 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 feet tall.

(42) In some embodiment's, the range field surface (110) may be partially or fully surrounded by a containment net (106). A containment net (106) may be supported via a perimeter wall (102), vertical supports (104), angled supports (105) or other supports. In preferred embodiment's, a containment net (106) is suspended in such a way that golf balls hitting the containment net (106) cannot be damaged by hitting hard surfaces through the net. The golf driving range (100) may be partially or fully covered by a shade structure (130). A shade structure (130) may provide shade for some or all the hitting stalls (132), or an observation area (140), or for part or all of a range field surface (110), or any combination thereof. A shade structure (130) may comprise a plurality of solar panels (135) that may be partially or fully retractable, and may be partially or fully waterproof. According to some embodiment's, the observation area (140) may be about 5 to 30 feet below, or above an average adjacent grade, with stairs, non-slip ramps, or an elevator allowing golfers and others to ascend or descend from an entry area to the observation area (140), and to ascend or descend from the observation area (140) to any hitting stall (132) on the various levels of a hitting platform. In some embodiment's, a 4 foot high safety wall may separate the observation area (140) from the hitting stalls (132) at the same elevation.

(43) According to some embodiment's, the plurality of parallel hitting stalls (132) may comprise a plurality of bottom/first level hitting stalls (123) disposed on bottom/first level hitting platform (122), and a plurality of second level hitting stalls (125) disposed on a second level hitting platform (124). As a non-limiting example, a second level hitting platform (124) may be positioned about 8-30 feet above a bottom/first level hitting platform (122). Similarly, the driving range (100) may include three, four or more stacked hitting platform levels, each with a row of parallel hitting stalls (132). As a non-limiting example, a plurality of hitting stalls (132) may be disposed across a bottom/first level hitting platform (122), a second level hitting platform (124), a third level hitting platform (126), a fourth level hitting platform (128), or more, with each subsequent hitting platform level disposed about 8-30 feet in height above the previous hitting-platform level, and setback 8-30 feet in distance from the previous hitting-platform level. According to selected embodiment's, the bottom/first level hitting platform (122) may be at or about the elevation of the front edge of a range field surface (112). This may provide additional safety for golfers on this platform level as any fall from the bottom/first level hitting platform (122) to the range field surface (110) would be small enough to minimize the possibility of injury.

(44) In some embodiment's, the range field surface (110) may comprise soft, rubbery, recyclable, non-grass (no natural, synthetic or artificial grass) materials that don't use water or harm golf balls. The driving range (100) may comprise a ball return system (150) configured to automatically return golf balls to a ball-bin, ball station (156), or other depository. As a non-limiting example, a depository may be a holding bin configured to feed a plurality of ball-dispensing-machines. In some embodiment's, the driving range (100) may comprise a camera system (170) configured to visually track a plurality of golf balls hit from the hitting stalls (132) and calculate a carry distance for each of the plurality of golf balls. The camera system (170) may use a single camera, or a plurality of cameras for various purposes. As a non-limiting example, the camera system (170) may include a single camera, or plurality of cameras disposed on hitting platforms levels, above hitting platforms, around the observation area (140), range field surface (110), parking-lot, entry area, perimeter wall (102), or any combination thereof.

(45) In some embodiment's, the present invention features intentionally sloped, slanted, or tilted range field surfaces (110) with verified distance demarcations (160). In some embodiment's, distance demarcations may comprise white, black, or colored stripes about 2-18 inches in width disposed across the range field surface (110) horizontally so they're parallel with a yardage measurement line marked on the bottom/first level hitting platform (122) near the front edge of the range field surface (112). In selected embodiment's, some or all the distance demarcations (160) may be illuminated with white or colored lights in low-light conditions, for example via an embedded light-strip, or plurality of overhead lights. As a non-limiting example, the golf driving range (100) may comprise a sloped, slanted, or tilted range field surface (110) having a plurality of distance demarcations (160) with each disposed parallel to a yardage measurement line marked on the bottom/first level hitting platform (122) near the front-edge of a range field surface (112), with each distance demarcation (160) corresponding to a numbered yardage; a bottom/first level hitting platform (122) having a plurality of bottom/first level hitting stalls (123) positioned parallel with the front edge of a range-field-surface (112); a second level hitting platform (124) having a plurality of second level hitting-stalls (125) positioned above the bottom/first level hitting-stalls (123), and set back from the bottom/first level hitting stalls (123) by a setback distance (120) such that an equivalent carry distance from each bottom/first level hitting stall (123) to any distance demarcation (160) is about the same or equal to the equivalent carry distance from each second level hitting-stall (125) to that same distance demarcation (160). As used herein, the term equivalent carry distance refers to a corrected distance calculation which accounts for elevation differences between the two points so as to represent the corresponding distance a golf ball traveling the distance would have carried on level ground. In some embodiment's, the calculation of equivalent carry distance may require assumptions regarding trajectory, angle, and ball velocity used to calculate equivalent carry distances. Accordingly, average values of trajectory, angle and ball velocity may be used to calculate equivalent carry distances, but the standard rule of thumb calculation for elevation to yardage difference is: for every 1 foot of elevation difference there is 1 foot of yardage difference. As a non-limiting example, if the second level hitting platform (124) is 12 feet in elevation above the bottom/first level hitting-platform (122), the yardage measurement line on the second level hitting-platform (124) needs to be set back 12 feet in distance further away from the yardage measurement line on the bottom/first level hitting platform (122) near the front edge of the range-field-surface (112) so the distance demarcations (160) on the range field surface (110) are equal or about the same for both hitting platform levels. Alternatively, a camera system may also measure trajectory, angle, and ball velocity to calculate an extremely precise equivalent for the carry distance of a ball hit with a golf club.

(46) The distance demarcations (160) may comprise both major distance demarcations (162), and minor distance demarcations (164). Each of the distance demarcations may be white, black, or colored. In some embodiment's, the major distance demarcations (162) may be colored with different colors and minor distance demarcations (164) may be white or black. As a non-limiting example, major distance demarcations (162) may be disposed at the 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, and 300 yard distances, and minor distance demarcations (164) may be disposed at the 35, 40, 60, 65, 85, 90, 110, 115, 135, 140, 160, 165, 185, 190, 210, 215, 235, and 240 yard distances. As another non-limiting example, distance demarcations (160) may include colored major distance demarcations (162) disposed at the 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, and 300 yard distances, a first set of minor distance demarcations (164) marked in black and disposed at the 30, 45, 55, 70, 80, 95, 105, 120, 130, 145, 155, 170, 180, 195, 205, 220, 230, and 245 yard distances, with a second set of minor distance demarcations (164) marked in white at the 35, 40, 60, 65, 85, 90, 110, 115, 135, 140, 160, 165, 185, 190, 210, 215, 235, and 240 yard distances. In preferred embodiment's, the slope, slant, or tilt of range field surfaces (110) may be at a sufficiently steep angle to roll golf balls down towards a ball drain inlet (152). As non-limiting examples, the slope, slant, or tilt of the range field surface (110) may be greater than about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or 27 degrees or more. In some embodiment's, a ball drain inlet (152), canal, or depository may be located underneath the bottom/first level hitting platform (122), or run parallel with the front edge of a range field surface (112), about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, 285, or more feet from the front edge of a range field surface (112).

(47) In some embodiment's, the present invention features systems for containing golf balls within a driving range (100). As a non-limiting example, the system(s) may comprise: a range-field-surface (110); a plurality of vertical supports (104) each positioned a distance away from an edge of the range field surface (110); and a containment-net(s) (106), suspended to hang from the angled supports (105) such that the net (106) hangs freely without touching any hard surface between its top and bottom edge. In some embodiment's, the bottom edge of the net (106) may be fixed to the range field surface (110). The net(s) (106) may be hung from the angled supports (105) via one or more containment net cables (108) running along a top edge of the net (106). In some embodiment's, one or more containment net cables (108) may allow for all or a portion of the containment net (106) to be partially or fully lowered for installation, maintenance, repair, or replacement by decreasing the tension of the cable (108) either manually or automatically via an electronic control device. After installation, maintenance, repair, or replacement is completed, tension on the cable (108) may be restored either manually or automatically via an electronic control device so as to return the net (106) back into proper positioning.

(48) In some embodiment's, the present invention may feature a range field surface (110) with color-coded distance demarcations (160). As a non-limiting example, the golf driving range (100) may comprise: a range field surface (110); a plurality of major distance demarcations (162) disposed across the range field surface (110) horizontally, each colored with a different color; and a plurality of minor distance demarcations (164) disposed across the range field surface (110) horizontally, each colored with a neutral color (black or white). According to preferred embodiment's, each distance demarcation (160) corresponds equally to an equivalent carry distance from the bottom/first level hitting platform (122), and the same equivalent carry distance from a second level hitting-platform (124) above, and set back a correct distance away from the bottom/first level hitting-platform (122) so the carry distance for a golf ball would be equal or about the same from either level of the hitting platform.

(49) In one or more embodiment's, the present invention features an above-ground, subterranean or partially subterranean golf driving range (100). As a non-limiting example, the driving range (100) may comprise: a substantially rectangular range field surface (110); a plurality of parallel hitting stalls (132) positioned along the front edge of a range-field-surface (112), at least some of the hitting stalls (132) excavated a distance below or constructed a distance above an average adjacent grade surrounding the driving range (100) or a combination thereof (semi-subterranean); a ball drain inlet (152), canal or depository located underneath the bottom/first level hitting-platform (122), or bisecting the range field surface (110) into a downhill range field surface (119) and/or an uphill range field surface (118); with a ball drain inlet (152) bisecting the range field surface (110), or a canal parallel to a front edge of the range field surface (112) and sloping towards the middle of the range field surface (110), with a ball return system (150) connected to the ball drain inlet (152), or canal connected to a ball drain pipe (154) connected to a ball drain outlet (153) that's connected or goes to a ball station (156), ball-bin, or other depository disposed on an observation area (140), or any hitting platform level, the ball return system (150) configured to lift balls via a ball-lifter (155) to a ball station (156), ball-bin, or other depository. In some embodiment's, the downhill range-field-surface (119) may slope from the front-edge of the range-field-surface (112) down towards a ball drain-inlet (152), or canal such that golf balls landing on the downhill range field surface (119) automatically roll downhill into a ball drain inlet (152), or canal. Similarly, the uphill-range-field-surface (118) may slope from the back edge of a range field surface (114) down towards the ball drain inlet (152), a canal, or go underneath the bottom/first level hitting platform (122) such that balls landing on the uphill-range-field-surface (118) automatically roll down into the ball drain inlet (152), or a canal, or go underneath the bottom/first level hitting platform (122). In preferred embodiment's, each hitting stall (132) comprises a golf hitting-mat (131). The hitting mat (131) may be a square mat (131), and may be configured to be regularly rotated. In some preferred embodiment's, the uphill range field-surface (118), and/or downhill range field surface (119) may have a degree of slope of about 1% or greater than 27%.

(50) Golf driving ranges (100) of the present invention may be constructed in a variety of sizes and configurations in order to accommodate various numbers of golfers in various available property sizes. Each hitting stall (132) may have a width of about 7-12 feet, and may be separated from each other by a plurality of hitting stall safety walls (133). As such, approximately 30-50 hitting stalls (132) may be arranged on a 210-600 foot long (distance) hitting platform, and approximately 7-30 hitting stalls (132) may be arranged on a 50-360 foot long (distance) hitting-platform. While a golf driving range (100) with a single hitting platform may accommodate 60 hitting stalls with a 720 foot long (distance) hitting platform, smaller golf driving ranges (100) may accommodate the same number of golfers in a quarter of the total footprint area by using a hitting platform with multiple levels.

(51) By using a setback system to stagger each subsequent level of a hitting platform with multiple levels farther back from a front edge of a range field surface (112) the same distance demarcations will accurately represent equivalent carry distances from each level of the same multi-level hitting platform. Alternatively, if some levels of a hitting platform are the same distance from the front edge of a range field surface (112), each level of the multi-level hitting-platform will have different carry distances so a guide, mapping each of the distance demarcations to a different distance for each hitting platform level can be used so golfers can calculate the correct carry distance for that hitting-platform level. As a non-limiting example, the 100 yard distance demarcation for the bottom/first level of a hitting platform with multiple levels may be a 105 yard distance demarcation for the second level hitting platform directly above the bottom/first level hitting platform by 15 feet in height, so a guide or map can be positioned in front of hitting mats (131), or on the hitting stall safety walls (133). In some embodiment's, the driving range (100) may include a plurality of distance specifiers on hitting mats (131) or a range field surface (110) to display yardage numbers corresponding to the distance demarcation(s) (160). In further embodiment's, a distance specifier may display different yardage numbers depending on the hitting platform level it's viewed. As a non-limiting example, a distance specifier may display 100 yards to golfers on the bottom/first level hitting platform (122), 105 yards to golfers on the second level hitting platform (124) 15 feet (height) directly above the bottom/first level hitting platform, and 110 yards to golfers on the third level hitting platform (126) 15 feet (height) directly above the second level hitting platform (124). Thus, golfers on the second level hitting platform (124) associate a red distance specifier as corresponding to a 105 yard equivalent carry distance, and golfers on the third level hitting platform (126) associate a red distance specifier as corresponding to a 110 yard equivalent carry distance. In some embodiment's, a camera system (170) may track and analyze a trajectory, and report the calculated data to golfers. As a non-limiting example, display screens at hitting stalls (132) may display a calculated equivalent carry distance, hit angle, ball-spin, ball-speed, and other information to golfers for each golf ball they hit.

(52) In alternative embodiment's, the present invention may feature a driving range (100) which is not partially or totally subterranean. As a non-limiting example, a golf driving range (100) may include a plurality of hitting stalls (132) at or above the average adjacent grade, and a range-field-surface (110) which slopes, slants, or tilts upwardly above the average adjacent grade. In some embodiment's, a range field surface (110) may slope, slant, or tilt upwardly to create an uphill range field surface (118) at a slope such that golf balls are unable to remain stationary on the range-field-surface (110), but rather roll back down, and into a ball drain inlet (152), or ball station (156), or ball-bin, or other depository. In some embodiment's, a range field surface (110) may slope, slant, or tilt downward to create a downhill range field surface (119) at a slope such that golf balls are unable to remain stationary on the range field surface (110), but rather roll down, and into a ball drain inlet (152), or ball station (156), or ball-bin, or other depository. In some embodiment's, the back edge of the range field surface (114) may be constructed or built-up to 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 feet in height or more above the elevation of a bottom/first level hitting platform (122), or ball drain inlet (152), or canal, or depository. As a non-limiting example, a driving range (100) may have a ball drain inlet (152), canal, or depository on the range field surface (110) around the elevation of the average adjacent grade, a bottom/first level hitting platform (122) elevated about 5 feet above the average adjacent grade, and a back edge of the range field surface (114) that's elevated about 10 feet above the average adjacent grade, such that a downhill range field surface (119) slopes downwardly from the bottom/first level hitting platform (122) at a slope such that golf balls are unable to remain stationary on the range field surface (110), but rather roll down into the ball drain inlet (152), canal, or depository and an uphill range field surface (118) that slopes downwardly from the back edge of the range-field-surface (114) to the same ball drain inlet (152), canal, or depository at a slope such that golf balls are unable to remain stationary on the range field surface (110), but rather roll down into the ball drain inlet (152), canal, or depository. As another non-limiting example, a driving range (100) may have a ball drain inlet (152), canal, or depository on the range field surface (110) about 5-25 feet above the elevation of the average adjacent grade, a bottom/first level hitting platform (122) elevated about 10-30 feet above the average adjacent grade, and a back edge of the range field surface (114) that's elevated about 15-100 feet above the average adjacent grade, such that a downhill range field surface (119) slopes downwardly from the bottom/first level hitting platform (122) at a slope such that golf balls are unable to remain stationary on the range field surface (110), but rather roll down into the ball drain inlet (152), canal, or depository and an uphill range field surface (118) that slopes downwardly from the back edge of the range-field-surface (114) to the same ball drain inlet (152), canal, or depository at a slope such that golf balls are unable to remain stationary on the range field surface (110), but rather roll down into the ball drain inlet (152), or canal, or depository. As a non-limiting example, a driving range (100) may have a back edge of the range field surface (114) that's constructed or built-up to be elevated to 10-100 feet above the average adjacent grade and a bottom/first level hitting platform (122) elevated 5-30 feet above the average adjacent grade such that an uphill range field surface (118) slopes downwardly from the back edge of the range field surface (114) to the bottom/first level hitting platform at a slope such that golf balls are unable to remain stationary on the range field surface (110), but rather roll downward underneath the bottom/first level hitting platform (122) and into a ball drain inlet (152), or a ball station (156), or a canal, or a ball-bin, or other depository.

(53) In FIG. 32, an isometric view of the improved driving range surface 110 designed for automatic ball return using gravity and a collection area underneath the bottom/first level hitting platform 122. The range field surface 110 is sloped about 3.8 deg toward the Bottom/First level hitting platforms 122. The side edge 116 of the range field surface surrounds the up range on three sides and is sloped downward toward the center of the driving range to prevent balls from remaining on the edges of the driving range. The side edge is sloped about 9.5 degrees from horizontal and the width of the side edge is about 6 feet wide. A retaining wall 103 is needed when the driving range surface is more than 5 feet in elevation below or above the average adjacent grade.

(54) To contain golf balls inside the range, a containment net 106 is used, preferably made from a nylon netting with a mesh size 1.25 inches or less. The containment net 106 is supported by vertical supports 104, and/or angled supports 105 on three sides of the range. The supports are about 20-100 feet in elevation above average adjacent grade.

(55) In the case where there are multiple tiers of hitting platforms, the higher platforms are set back further from the first level hitting platform by using the same 1:1 calculation for positing the hitting stalls.

(56) While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, the invention may be modified and adapted to various operational methods by those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the description and figure shown herein, and includes all such embodiments, changes, and modifications that are encompassed by the scope of the claims.