Golf ball return system and method

A golf ball return system for returning a golf ball to a golfer, the system having:

• a connector that movably couples the golf ball return system to an impact absorbing surface, said surface adapted to receive golf balls that the golfer hits;
• a ball catcher tray comprised of down-angled foam sections to direct a golf ball to roll towards a motorized ball launcher assembly;
• the motorized ball launcher assembly containing a down-angled pathway and a ball sensor to detect the presence of the golf ball and activate a motorized ball driver to propel the ball;
• a track coupled to an exit end of the motorized ball launcher to receive the golf ball and to direct the ball towards the golfer;
• a speed brake to slow momentum of the ball;
• a holding tray adjacent to the golfer and into which the golf ball is deposited to the golfer;
• and
• a golfer-controlled speed control allowing the golfer to adjust motor speed to control speed of ball return, wherein the ball return system further comprises at least one movable shingle coupled to the impact absorbing surface;
• wherein the motorized golf ball launcher assembly is configured to adjust the launch speed of the golf ball based on input from the motor speed control, allowing the golfer to customize the return speed of the golf ball to accommodate personal preferences.

A motorized system for returning a golf ball to a golfer who is playing simulated golf, the system comprising:

• a ball catcher tray assembly adapted to receive a golf ball after the golfer has hit the ball against an impact surface;
• a motorized golf ball launcher adapted to receive the golf ball as it rolls from the ball catcher tray assembly and to launch the golf ball for travel back to the golfer;
• a conduit system comprised of interconnected conduit sections, the conduit sections comprising track and/or tube sections, in which at least one of the conduit sections is connected to the motorized golf ball launcher and is adapted to receive the golf ball from the motorized golf ball launcher as the ball is propelled toward the golfer;
• a conduit exit located adjacent to the golfer, from which the golf ball exits the system for returning a golf ball to a golfer;
• and
• a motor speed control with which the golfer can control motor speed of the motorized golf ball launcher;
• wherein the motorized golf ball launcher is configured to adjust the launch speed of the golf ball based on input from the motor speed control, allowing the golfer to customize the return speed of the golf ball to accommodate personal preferences.