A golf practice mat includes a relatively thick base pad formed of a resilient elastomeric material, e.g. foam rubber, and an artificial grass carpet slidably positioned on the base pad. An elastic biasing mechanism is provided for positioning the carpet on the pad. When a golf ball on the carpet surface is forcibly struck, the carpet can slide a limited distance to absorb the club force, so as to lessen the reaction force onto the golfer's hands and arms. The elastic biasing mechanism then returns the carpet to its original position.

A method of playing a golf-type game at the facility comprises placing a ball at one of the starting points, hitting the ball toward the appropriate target, and determining the surface type on which further play continues or determining the score based upon where the ball lands relative to scoring zones. A facility for playing a golf-type game includes a plurality of short-shot holes, each short-shot hole comprising a starting box on which a ball can be placed, and a target comprising a cup for receiving a ball hit from the starting box, and a plurality of scoring zones surrounding the cup; the target zones having indicia for scoring.

A method of playing a golf-type game at the facility comprises placing a ball at one of the starting points, hitting the ball toward the appropriate target, and determining the surface type on which further play continues or determining the score based upon where the ball lands relative to scoring zones. A facility for playing a golf-type game includes a plurality of short-shot holes, each short-shot hole comprising a starting box on which a ball can be placed, and a target comprising a cup for receiving a ball hit from the starting box, and a plurality of scoring zones surrounding the cup; the target zones having indicia for scoring.

Golf swing training mat for highly authentic practice includes a support surface; a standing surface; a hitting surface separate from the standing surface and removably attachable to the support surface and having an area thereof designated as a front hitting area, which is made of a material that nearly looks and gives a feeling of real grass and that is not easily destroyed by repeated swings of a golf club striking the material--preferably, the front hitting area being present in conjunction with an overhang, or a generally open underpass; and a follow through notch ahead of the hitting surface, in part defined by an obliquely-angled edge, generally obliquely angled to and abutting a front edge of the hitting surface, which envoids an area such that a golfer when swinging an iron can properly follow through downwardly after striking a golf ball into the downwardmost portion of the swing when the ball is struck near the front hitting area, and which allows for the golfer to follow through without striking the obliquely-angled edge segment. Thus, the golfer can be encouraged in realistic practice from a durable mat, especially with iron shots, and bounce-back or shock can generally be eliminated. And so, numerous, fluid iron strokes can be practiced generally without mat-caused interruption. A tongue and tee slot, a rubber tee height adjusting hole and cavity, etc., may be present.

A protective mat to indicate load bearing and non-load bearing flat surfaces on an aircraft. The mat is formed of a flexible non-slip material and has indicia that correspond to indicia upon aircraft flat surfaces, the indicia on the aircraft flat surfaces indicating the weight bearing capability of those surfaces. The mat is manufactured so that its configuration are aircraft make and model specific.