U.S. patent application number 11/364065 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-13 for golf course and method of play.
Invention is credited to Edward McBride, Scott McBride.
Application Number | 20060154736 11/364065 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4164353 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060154736 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McBride; Scott ; et
al. |
July 13, 2006 |
Golf course and method of play
Abstract
A golf course including a plurality of holes, where at least one
of said holes includes a plurality of initial teeing areas
displaced at similar, or different specific par distances from a
target cup, and at different directions from a target cup such that
plurality of teeing areas are disposed at different acute angles
from the target cup, and encompass different terrain and different
trajectories to target cup. A gold hole of the present invention
comprises a target green encompassing a target cup, and a middle
area between a plurality of initial teeing areas and the target
green. A method of playing the golf course and golf hole is also
described. The method of sequentially playing a golf game on the
present course results in a relatively inexhaustible number of
different games of golf thereon.
Inventors: |
McBride; Scott; (North Bay,
CA) ; McBride; Edward; (Sudbury, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHMEISER, OLSEN & WATTS
22 CENTURY HILL DRIVE
SUITE 302
LATHAM
NY
12110
US
|
Family ID: |
4164353 |
Appl. No.: |
11/364065 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10110310 |
Aug 26, 2002 |
|
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11364065 |
Feb 28, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/0669 20130101;
A63B 69/3691 20130101; A63B 2102/32 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/168 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 12, 1999 |
CA |
2,285,799 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a golf-course so that can be played in a
plurality of different ways, thereby resulting in a golf course
that allows for the play of a relatively inexhaustible number of
different games of golf thereon, the method of play characterized
by: the selection or assignment of a specific sequence of initial
teeing areas designated for play at each hole, such that players
tee up at a designated initial teeing area for each hole of the
golf course layout; playing the holes sequentially by teeing up at
the designated initial teeing areas for each hole of said golf
course layout based on a golf game commissioned for play; at each
successive hole players stroking a golf ball to attempt to propel
it toward the target cup located on the target green of the hole
being played; and proceeding sequentially to play the subsequent
holes of the course in like manner.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein players tee up at the
designated initial teeing areas that comprise the golf course
layout to be played, such that the golf course layout can be
commissioned by: a golf clubhouse that administers the golf
facility such that each golf game can be selected to encompass a
specifically selected game layout, or can be selected to encompass
a randomly selected game layout; a computer system that randomly
generates an unlimited number of different, randomly generated golf
game layout sequences; a computer system that generates different
golf game layout sequences according to the preference of the
clubhouse administrators or the preference of players; and opponent
players such that initial teeing areas are designated for play at
specific holes according to players prior to the commencement of a
golf game or during the progression of a golf game.
3. A method of arranging a plurality of golf holes for play at a
golf facility, each of the golf holes having a single target green
encompassing a singular target cup, a plurality of initial teeing
areas each allowing for play to said singular target cup, the
teeing areas each being displaced in separately spaced and distinct
locations from one another, wherein at least two of said initial
teeing areas qualify for different par values, and a middle playing
area between said plurality of initial teeing areas and said single
target green, the method comprising the steps of: providing a golf
course layout whereby each player begins a first game of golf by
using the singular target cup for each one of the plurality of golf
holes at a first initial teeing area for each hole, each player
continuing play at each of the plurality of golf holes until the
first game of golf is completed; and providing a golf course layout
whereby each player may subsequently play a second game of golf
using the singular target cup for each one of the plurality of golf
holes at another initial teeing area for each hole, thereby
allowing the players to play an extended game of golf or multiple
complete games of golf with each golf hole different from all
others between first and second games, while utilizing said
plurality of golf holes, wherein respective par values for the
singular target cup from the first initial teeing area of holes
played in the first game differ from par values for the target cup
from the another initial teeing area of holes played in the second
game, such that any of a plurality of different golf rounds may be
played on said golf course, the complete game of golf comprising
one of nine and eighteen holes per round.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein each of the initial teeing areas
are provided with a plurality of sub-teeing areas.
5. A method of playing a golf course utilizing a plurality of golf
holes, each of the golf holes having a single target green
encompassing a singular target cup, a plurality of initial teeing
areas each allowing for play to said singular target cup, the
teeing areas each being displaced in separately spaced and distinct
locations from one another, wherein at least two of the initial
teeing areas qualify for different par values, and a middle playing
area between the plurality of initial teeing areas and the single
target green, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a
teeing area for players to begin play from in a first game of golf
for each of the plurality of golf holes, the teeing area being
selected from among the plurality of initial teeing areas available
to each of the golf holes; beginning the first game of golf by
having the players successively stroke a golf ball from the
selected teeing area toward the singular target cup for each one of
the plurality of golf holes, until each of the players strokes the
golf ball into the target cup positioned at each one of the
plurality of golf holes; each player continuing play at each of the
plurality of golf holes until the first game of golf is completed;
and selecting another teeing area for players to begin play from in
a second game of golf for each of the plurality of golf holes, the
another teeing area being selected from the plurality of initial
teeing areas available to each of the plurality of golf holes,
wherein respective par values for play to the singular target cup
from the teeing area of holes played in the first game of golf
differ from par values for play to the singular target cup from the
another teeing area of holes played in the second game of golf for
each of the plurality of golf holes, thereby allowing the players
to play an extended game of golf or multiple complete games of golf
with each golf hole different from all others between the first and
the second games, while utilizing said plurality of golf holes,
such that any of a plurality of different golf rounds may be played
on said golf course, the complete game of golf comprising one of
nine and eighteen holes per round.
6. A method of administering a golf course system which allows
players to customize a plurality of golf holes for play in a round
of golf, each of the golf holes having a single target green
encompassing a singular target cup, a plurality of initial teeing
areas each allowing for play to said singular target cup, the
teeing areas each being displaced in separately spaced and distinct
locations from one another, wherein at least two of said initial
teeing areas qualify for different par values, and a middle playing
area between said plurality of initial teeing areas and said single
target green, the method comprising the steps of: allowing the
players to select one of the teeing areas for play at each of the
plurality of golf holes; and generating a golf course layout for
the players to follow for the round of golf.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the golf course layout indicates
thereon which of the selected teeing areas are to be used for play
at each of the plurality of golf holes.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein a computer processor is used to
generate the golf course layout.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 10/110,310,
filed on Aug. 26, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a golf course facility that
offers an essentially unlimited number of different games of golf
to an individual golf player, and a method of play whereby each day
a different combination of specific pars for specific holes of the
golf course may be selected and played. The golf course and method
of play afford variety in the golf games that can be played on a
single golf course such that golf players of various skill levels
are constantly being challenged.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] The game of golf is an increasingly popular game in Canada
and around the world. The game of golf traditionally consists of a
playing area, which is a tract of land called a `course` or
`links`, and is made up of a series of `holes`, usually nine or
eighteen holes. Each hole is traditionally made up of a `tee`,
which is the point at which the golfer starts to play that unit of
the course, a fairway and a target green having a `cup` into which
the golfer aims to propel the ball. Between the tee and the cup
there may be many different obstacles including such hazards as
water, tall grass, trees and sand traps. Usually the longer the
distance from the tee to the cup, the more obstacles there are, and
as a result the more difficult the hole is to score.
[0004] Although the game of golf is extremely popular around the
world, the traditional game of golf played on traditional golf
courses suffers from a number of disadvantages. A major
disadvantage is that an individual golfer is limited to playing a
particular game of golf on a particular golf course. As a result, a
golfer who is a member at a particular golf links, will quickly
become familiar with that particular course and, in consequence,
will be able to play that course very well with the experience
acquired. This may be agreeable if the golfing member is playing a
competitor. However, if the golfing member wants to play a
challenging game, the familiarized golfer will no longer be
challenged by repeatedly playing the same links.
[0005] Repeatedly playing the same layout on a particular links
will tend to make the golf game tediously monotonous and relatively
effortless for a member who has become familiarized with a
particular links. It is for this reason that many avid golfers
become members of a number of different golf facilities, so that
their golf game can vary and as a result the golf game can continue
to be challenging and pleasurable. Obviously, this involves
significant additional expense to the golfer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0006] Traditional golf courses are similar throughout the world.
While they may differ in size, number of holes, difficulty of holes
and in topography, they are similar in that conventional courses
consist of a number of holes which are preconstructed to be a
specific par. Normally, each hole is designed to be either a par 3,
par 4, or a par 5 hole. A par 3 hole is usually a hole with a
length of under 250 yards, a par 4 hole is a hole with a length of
about 250 to 450 yards, and a par 5 hole is a hole with a length of
over 450 yards. Although rare, there are par 6 holes which have a
length of over 600 yards. Generally golf courses with 18 holes have
a par of 72, that is the par lengths of the 18 holes consist of a
combination of par 3, par 4 and par 5 holes that give a par 72 for
a game of golf on an 18 hole golf course. For example, a golf
course can have four par 3 holes, ten par 4 holes, and four par 5
holes, to accomplish a par 72 golf course.
[0007] Although not all courses have the same par combinations for
each hole, conventional courses are uniform in that each hole on a
specific course is predetermined to be a specific par. For example,
golf courses X and Y can each consist of 18 holes where the first
three holes on conventional courses X and Y are specified as par 3,
par 3, par 5 and par 4, par 3, par 4, respectively. Although hole
#1 differs between course X and Y, golf course X will always have a
par 3 hole #1 and golf course Y will always have a par 4 hole #1.
As a result a golfer playing course X will be repeatedly playing
the same game of golf. Although each hole may have additional tees
(men's, ladies, professional and championships tees) which may
differ in location on a specified teeing area, and hence distance
from the cup, each hole on a conventional course will be specified
as being a singular specific par. There are various prior art
proposals that aim to alter or customize the conventional golf
course or the conventional game of golf such that various
requirements are considered. U.S. Pat. No. 1,851,423 issued to O.
L. Ely on Mar. 29, 1932 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,003,074 issued to B. E.
Gage on May 28, 1935 disclose golf courses with multiple holes
which are located at different distances from a teeing area,
thereby reducing the need to walk the ususal distance required in
conventional play. Canadian Patent Application No. 2,106,298 filed
Jan. 17, 1992 by Ferns and Garner describes a golf course
comprising a central tee-off area and a number of `sectors`
disposed around the tee-off area, where each `sector` consists of a
selection of targets to enable a player to simulate playing a hole
of golf. Finally, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,167,165 filed
Jan. 26, 1995 by R. T. Jones describes a golf course comprising at
least one hole and a number of supplementary teeing areas located
at different distances from an initial teeing area. Jones aims to
eliminate the handicap scoring used in golf by providing
supplementary teeing areas from which players of different ability
tee-up according to their corresponding skill level. In addition,
Jones aims to reduce the land area of a golf facility by providing
a driving range with two opposing drive-teeing areas.
[0008] Although, there are many variations in the prior art that
propose to alter the golf course or the method of play, there is no
teaching of the specific arrangement of concepts disclosed by the
present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a golf course comprising: a
plurality of golf holes, where each of the golf holes includes a
plurality of initial teeing areas displaced at similar, or at
different specific par distances from a target cup, at different
directions from the target cup such that the plurality of initial
teeing areas are disposed at different acute angles from the target
cup, and encompass different terrain and different trajectories to
the target cup; a target green encompassing the target cup for each
hole; a middle area between the plurality of initial teeing areas
and the target green; and including a border green comprising an
area beside and behind the target green in relation to the initial
teeing areas, such that the middle area and the border green
comprise variable terrain of various surfaces, including cut and
uncut grass, various contours, flat surfaces, gullies and mounds,
and various obstacles including trees, water hazards, boulders and
sand traps.
[0010] Therefore, a golf hole is provided, wherein the golf hole in
accordance with the present invention comprises: a plurality of
initial teeing areas, each displaced at similar, or at different
specific par distances from a target cup, disposed in different
directions from a target cup such that the plurality of initial
teeing areas are at different acute angles from the target cup, and
embody a plurality of different par lengths, terrain and
trajectories to a target cup; a target green encompassing the
target cup of the golf hole; a middle area between the plurality of
initial teeing areas and the target green; and including a border
green comprising an area beside and behind the target green in
relation to the initial teeing areas, such that the middle area and
the border green comprise variable terrain of various surfaces,
including cut and uncut grass, various contours, flat surfaces,
gullies and mounds, and various obstacles including trees, water
hazards, boulders and sand traps.
[0011] In the present invention a golf course and a method of play
are provided. Specifically, the golf course comprises a plurality
of holes where some or all the holes include a plurality of
specific initial teeing-areas displaced at specific distances and
disposed in different directions, i.e. at different acute angles,
from the target green for each hole of the golf course. Each such
modified hole advantageously has a target green, a middle area
comprising the area between the plurality of initial teeing areas
and the target green, and a border green comprising the area beside
and behind the target green in relation to the teeing areas also
comprise the golf course of the present invention. The middle area
and border green comprise variable terrain of various surfaces,
including cut and uncut grass, various contours, flat surfaces,
gullies and mounds, and various obstacles, including trees, water
hazards, boulders and sand traps.
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of
initial teeing areas are displaced at specified distances and
disposed in different directions from the target green for each
hole of the golf course, such that each initial teeing area is
designated as having a distinct par. The plurality of different par
specific initial teeing areas for each hole that constitutes the
golf course of the present invention are displaced such that these
initial teeing areas embody different par lengths, different
terrain and different trajectories to the target cup.
[0013] Normally speaking the golf course of the invention will
comprise 18 or 9 holes, but the invention is not limited to this
number. In addition, it is preferred that all or most of the holes
will include a plurality of teeing areas. However, if desired, only
some or a few of the holes (even a single hole) may be modified,
with the balance of the holes being equivalent to conventional golf
course holes. Moreover, since the use of the modified holes with
multiple differently angled teeing areas significantly increases
the number of ways of playing a given hole, a golf course of the
invention may comprise a reduced total number of holes, I.e. from 1
to 8 holes.
[0014] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides of
a plurality of holes, such that each hole comprising the golf
course of the present invention consists three distinct par teeing
areas, for example each hole of the present invention may consist
of a par 3 initial teeing area, a par 4 initial teeing area and a
par 5 initial teeing area. The present invention, however, is not
limited to only three initial teeing areas for each hole, each hole
of the present golf course can consist of a plurality of initial
teeing areas, I.e. two, three or more initial teeing areas.
[0015] The present invention also provides a method of playing a
golf-course according to the present invention comprising a
plurality of holes according to the present invention, such that
the golf course in accordance with the present invention can be
played in a plurality of different ways, thereby resulting in a
golf course that allows for the play of a relatively inexhaustible
number of different games of golf thereon. More specifically, a
preferred method of play in accordance with the present invention
comprises: the selection or assignment of a specific sequence of
initial teeing areas designated for play at each hole, such that
players tee up at the designated initial teeing area for each hole
of the golf course layout; playing the holes sequentially by teeing
up at the designated initial teeing areas for each hole of the golf
course layout based on a golf game commissioned for play; at each
successive hole players stroke a golf ball propelling it toward the
target cup located on the target green of the hole being played,
and proceeding sequentially to play the subsequent holes of the
course in like manner.
[0016] Accordingly, the present golf course comprises a plurality
of different initial teeing areas, thereby allowing each of the
multiple holes on the present golf course to be played in a
plurality of different ways, consequently resulting in a relatively
inexhaustible number of different games of golf that can be played
on the present golf course. As a result, the golf game of the
present invention offers challenging diversity with each game to
each player, regardless of skill or experience.
[0017] As described above, in the present golf course, there exist
multiple initial tee-off areas for each hole, such that, on the
hole being played, all players in the present golf game tee off
from the designated teeing area at each hole and propel the ball
toward the target green of the hole being played. By providing
multiple initial tee-off areas of different specific lengths and
hence different par values, the present invention provides a
multiple number of ways a specific hole can be played. In addition
to providing a golf course of a plurality holes, wherein each hole
is not preconstructed to be a singular specific par, as is the case
in the prior art, each hole on the golf course of the present
invention is designed to consist of a plurality of different pars
that differ in distance, and that result in different trajectories
towards a target green, thereby allowing golfers to play each hole
in a plurality of different ways, and accordingly providing a golf
facility that offers variety and challenge to all players.
[0018] For example, holes that comprise a golf course of the prior
art are preconstructed as being either a par 3 hole, or a par 4
hole, or a par 5 hole. Some prior art golf courses may suggest the
inclusion of supplementary tee-off areas, such that these
supplementary tee-off areas give a slight range of difficulty for a
particular hole, for example, a men's and ladies tee-off areas can
be included in the preconstructed teeing area of a particular hole.
Nevertheless, although a hole on a prior art course may consist of
supplementary tee-off areas, each hole on a prior golf course would
be pre-designed as being either a par 3 hole, or a par 4 hole or a
par 5 hole. However, the golf course of the present invention
includes multiple initial teeing areas displaced at specific par
distances and disposed to yield different trajectories such that
each hole on the present golf course may be constructed as a par 3
hole, as well as a par 4 hole, as well as a par 5 hole. As will be
further discussed below, the par that is selected to be played for
each hole can be assigned or can be selected randomly to yield the
desired course layout sequence of initial teeing areas for the
sequence of holes that constitute a game of golf.
[0019] In accordance with the golf course of the present invention
there is normally a single target cup for each hole, such that
regardless of the initial teeing area designated for play in a
particular golf game, the aim of the golfer is to propel the golf
ball from a designated specific initial teeing area toward the
target cup in as few strokes as possible.
[0020] Since the golf course of the present invention consists of
multiple holes, each of which may be made up of a plurality of
different par teeing areas, the golf course of the present
invention may require a larger amount of land than conventional
prior art courses. Nevertheless, the larger land requirement is
justified since the present golf course offers many advantages to
its members, and as a result membership fees can be increased
accordingly. The variety and challenge offered by the present golf
course may well encourage a large membership base and would retain
its membership base because the present course offers a relatively
limitless range of golf games that can be played. Moreover, the
golf course of the present invention may also include amenities
offered at other traditional golf course facilities.
[0021] In addition to providing a golf course comprising a
plurality of holes, wherein each hole consists of a plurality of
teeing areas of different par lengths, the present invention also
provides a method of play that offers variety and challenge with
each game of golf for all golfers, regardless of skill level or
experience. In accordance with the present method, players tee up
at a specific, designated initial teeing area for each hole, the
initial teeing area designated for play at each particular hole is
selected or assigned based on the golf game commissioned that day
for play, and not on an individual players ability. Therefore, the
golf game layout, that is the sequence of initial teeing areas
being played for each hole of the present golf course is always
changing, such that the golfer playing a golf game on the course of
the present invention is always challenged because the golf game is
always changing.
[0022] The layout of the golf game, that is the sequence of initial
teeing areas designated for play at each hole is a combination or
permutation of the plurality of initial teeing areas for each
hole.
[0023] Since the present invention provides a plurality of initial
teeing areas for each hole that comprises the present golf course,
there is a relatively limitless number of different golf games that
can be played on the present course. For example, a preferred
embodiment of the present golf course consists of an 18 hole
course, where each hole encompasses three initial teeing areas,
namely a par 3 initial teeing area, a par 4 initial teeing area and
a par 5 initial teeing area, such that each initial teeing area is
disposed in a different direction from the target green, thereby
providing different trajectories along which the ball can be
propelled from the designated initial teeing area to the target
green. Therefore a golf course according to this preferred
embodiment would yield 318 different games of golf that can be
played on a single course according to the present invention, or
387,420,489 different games of golf. Moreover, if one or more par 6
initial teeing areas are also included in the golf course, there
would be hundreds of millions of additional different golf games
that can be played on the present golf course.
[0024] An objective of the present invention is to provide a golf
game that is continually different and as a result is continually
challenging. The multiple combinations and permutations of initial
teeing areas with specific holes yields a golf game sequence that
is constantly new. Since each hole has a plurality of initial
teeing areas, there is an inexhaustible number of combinations of
teeing areas for each hole that can be played. The sequence of
initial teeing areas selected for play at each hole can be randomly
assigned or can be selected based on specified preferences. For
example, the clubhouse that manages a golf facility according to
the present invention can set up a computer system that allows
players to select and design their scorecard with a customized
course layout according to their preference. Alternatively, the
clubhouse may prefer to set up a computer system that randomly
generates an effectively unlimited number of different scorecard
combinations for each golf game, thereby assigning a different
specific golf game for each day. Accordingly, the clubhouse may
provide a system where players can choose whether they would like
to play a game that incorporates their preferences, or whether they
would like to play a game that is assigned by the computer
system.
[0025] Nevertheless, players tee up at a specific teeing area based
on the golf game being played and not based on their skill
level.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way
of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a layout for a typical hole of a
prior art golf course;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a layout for a hole of a golf
course according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a layout for a hole of a golf
course according to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0030] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a golf facility including a
plurality of holes for a golf course according a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a layout for one hole on
a prior art golf course, which includes a teeing area (1) and a
target cup (2) located on a green (3) at a distance from the teeing
area. Between the teeing area (1) and the target cup (2) there may
be located a number of obstacles, including tree areas (6), water
hazards (4), and sand traps (5). Also shown in FIG. 1 is a proposed
trajectory line (7) for propelling the golf ball from the teeing
green (1) to the target cup (2). In the golf course of the prior
art, the teeing area for each hole can be located at different
distances for each hole.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a layout for a hole of a golf course
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in
which each hole consists of three initial teeing areas (21,22,23),
each of which is disposed in a different direction from a target
cup (24) and displaced a specific par distance from the target cup
(24). Thus, the lines of direction between each initial teeing area
and the cup are at acute angles to each other. Specifically, FIG. 2
illustrates a hole of an embodiment of the present invention which
consists or a par 3 teeing area (21), a par 4 teeing area (22) and
par 5 teeing area (23). Unlike any prior art golf course, the golf
course of the present invention comprises a plurality of holes,
each of which includes multiple initial tee-off areas displaced at
different specific distances and in different directions from a
target cup (24). Also shown in FIG. 2 are proposed trajectories for
each of the multiple initial teeing areas, namely the par 3 teeing
area, par 4 teeing area and the par 5 teeing area,
respectively.
[0033] Similar to the preferred embodiment in FIG. 2, FIG. 3
presents another layout for a hole of a golf course according to
another preferred embodiment the present invention, and, similarly
to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 illustrates three initial teeing areas displaced
at a par 3 (31), par 4 (32) and a par 5 (33) distance from the
target cup (35), and disposed in different directions or angles
from the target cup (35). However, there can also be included for
each hole of the present invention additional initial teeing areas
displaced at specific par lengths from the target cup, for example
a par 6 (34) initial teeing area can also be included for any given
hole of the golf course of the present invention.
[0034] Since each hole of the present golf course consists of three
initial teeing areas according to a preferred embodiment, I.e. a
plurality of initial teeing areas, each hole can be played three
different ways, i.e. a plurality of different ways, by a golfer
playing on the disclosed golf course of the present invention. As a
result there is diversity as to how each hole can be played and,
therefore, the golf game of the golf course of the present
invention will offer a challenging diversity to each player
regardless of skill or experience.
[0035] Prior art golf courses have suggested the inclusion of a
different number of supplementary tee-off areas, for various holes
on a prior art golf course, such that these supplementary tee-off
areas give a slight range in difficulty for a hole on the prior art
golf course; for example a men's, ladies, professional and
championship tees have been proposed in the prior art. A hole on
such a prior art course could consist of tees that vary in distance
from the target green. Nevertheless, each hole on a prior art
course would be designated with the same par value, i.e. either a
par 3 hole, a par 4 hole or a par 5 hole with supplementary
tee-offs. However, the golf course of the present invention
includes multiple initial teeing areas displaced at specific par
lengths and disposed in different directions from the target cup
such that each initial teeing area results in different par values
and hence different methods of playing each hole. A hole on the
golf course of the preferred embodiment would be designated a par 3
hole and a par 4 and a par 5 with additional tee-offs within each
of these initial teeing areas.
[0036] In accordance with the present invention, each hole on the
present golf course may include additional tee-off areas within
each of the plurality of initial teeing areas, such that an
additional tee can be played from within the initial teeing area
designated for play. The additional tees that can be included
within each of the multiple initial teeing areas can be a men's,
ladies, professional, championship or other required tees. It
should be noted that an individual player tees-off from the
designated initial teeing area at a particular hole based on the
game being played that day, and not based on the players ability.
For example, all players playing a particular golf game would tee
off from the same initial teeing area designated for play.
[0037] Accordingly, the additional tee-off area that is played from
within the assigned initial teeing area is selected based on the
golf game being played that day. For example, in a professional
game, all players would tee-off from the professional teeing area
present at the initial teeing area designated for play at each hole
of the golf game. Therefore, it is the golf game commissioned for
play that decides the sequence of initial teeing areas to be
played, and not a players ability.
[0038] The golf course of the present invention consists of a
plurality of holes, each of which consists of three initial teeing
areas, I.e. a plurality of initial teeing areas, such that each
hole can be played three different ways. The golf game according to
the present invention consists of a designated sequence of initial
teeing areas for a plurality of consecutively played holes. Since
there is variety as to how each hole can be played, a golf game on
a golf course of the present invention will offer a challenging
diversity to each player regardless of skill or experience. This is
clearly illustrated in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3, where each initial
teeing area gives rise to different trajectories, therefore an
individual golfer can golf a particular hole three different ways
depending on the designated initial teeing area they tee-off
from.
[0039] The different initial teeing areas embody holes that can be
played in a variety of ways, this variety at each hole translates
into a golf game that consists of a sequence of initial teeing
areas that is continually changing for all players of all skill
levels. For example, a member at a golf course of the present
invention could play the same course three times a day for an
entire year, or go golfing 1095 times (3.times.365) in one year and
never play the same golf game twice.
[0040] Furthermore, a golf course according to a preferred
embodiment comprises a plurality of holes, for example, an 18 hole
course where each hole consists of three initial teeing areas, a
par 3 teeing area, a par 4 teeing area and a par 5 teeing area,
yield a course that offers 387,420,489 different game of golf (that
is 3'8 different ways of playing 18 holes with 3 different initial
teeing areas). In addition, if a par 6 initial teeing area was
included at a hole, there would be over 500 million ways to play
the golf course of the present invention. For example, if only one
hole on an 18 hole golf course of the present invention includes a
par 6 initial teeing area, then there would be 516,560,652
different golf game combinations that can be played. It should be
noted that the present invention is not limited to only one hole
with par 3, par 4, par 5 and par 6 initial teeing areas, instead
the golf course of the present invention can include any number of
holes, one, many, or all holes, that encompasses a plurality of
initial teeing areas wherein each hole can include a different
number of initial teeing areas.
[0041] Thus, in another embodiment of the invention one or more
holes of the golf course may include a plurality of differently
angled holes, two or more of which are the same par (but from
different directions with respect to the cup). For instance, a hole
could comprise two teeing areas at a par 3 distance and one at a
par 4 (I.e. 3,3,4), or other combinations such as 3,3,5; or
3,4,4;or 3, 5,5; or 4, 5,5; and so on.
[0042] Furthermore, contrary to the golf courses of the prior art
in which golfers play approximately a par 72 for an 18 hole game,
players on the golf course of the present invention can play a
plurality of games encompassing a range of par lengths on the same
golf course, as illustrated in Table II below. That is, the course
yardage varies according to the game combination being played, for
example, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a player can play a par 54 game by playing all par
threes for each of the 18 holes, or can pl invention. However, a
par 3, par 4 and par 5 initial teeing area, or any combination of
initial teeing areas can constitute one hole, or a plurality of
holes, or all the holes on the golf course of the present
invention.
[0043] Moreover, a golf course according to the present invention
can contain a hole that is comprised of a plurality of initial
teeing areas, for example, a golf course where only one hole
contains more than one initial teeing area whereas the remaining
holes that constitute the present golf course can contain only one
initial teeing area. In addition, the holes of the present
invention need not all be comprised of the same number of initial
teeing areas, for example hole #1 can encompass three initial
teeing areas (par 3, par 4, par 6), hole #5 can encompass four
initial teeing areas (par 3, par 4, par 5, par 6), while hole #17
can encompass one initial teeing area (par 5).
[0044] Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a golf
course comprised of three or more initial teeing areas at each
hole, but instead the golf course of the present invention is
comprised of at least one hole that encompasses one or more than
one initial teeing area displaced at different distances and
disposed in different directions and angles from the target cup.
However, it is a preferred embodiment of the present invention that
a plurality of holes incorporate a plurality of initial teeing
areas such that there is a large variety in the different golf game
combinations that can be played on the present invention.
[0045] Therefore, the golf course of the present invention is
comprised of a plurality of holes where one hole, or more than one
hole, or all holes can encompass a plurality of initial teeing
areas. Accordingly, the golf course in accordance with the present
invention can consist of only one hole with a plurality of initial
teeing areas. Furthermore, the golf course in accordance with the
present invention can consist of a course in which all holes
contain a plurality of initial teeing areas. Nevertheless, the
present invention is not limited to a golf course comprised of
holes that all contain the same number of initial teeing areas,
instead the present invention can also encompass holes that contain
different numbers of initial teeing areas.
[0046] Since the golf course according to the present invention
consists of multiple holes, each of which can consist of a
plurality of different par teeing areas, a golf course of the
present invention may require a larger amount of land. For example,
conventional golf courses usually range from 6,500 yards to 7,000
yards. However, the golf course of the present embodiment may
exceed 10,000 yards, since each hole on the present golf course is
made up of a plurality of different initial teeing areas each of
which disposed in different directions from the target hole.
[0047] Nevertheless, the large land requirement can be
counterbalanced by the advantages that the present golf course can
offer, for example, members at a golf course according to the
present embodiment can play an inexhaustible number of different
games of golf regardless of their skill level or experience.
[0048] In accordance with the present invention, a golf course may
consist of a limited number of holes, such that there is not a
large land requirement for a golf course of the present invention,
in which each hole encompasses a plurality of initial teeing areas
displaced at different distances and different angles from a target
cup, such that a golf game layout may involve consecutively playing
said limited number of holes repeatedly. For example, a golf course
according to the present embodiment that is comprised of six holes,
each of which encompass a plurality of initial teeing areas
displaced at different distances and different angles from a target
cup, can be consecutively played three times, such that with each
rotation of the six holes, a different or similar sequence of
initial teeing areas are played for each hole, thereby resulting in
an equivalent 18 hole golf game of consecutively different holes. A
golf course according to the present embodiment that could also
reduce the land requirement could be, for example, a nine-hole golf
course that is consecutively played twice, in which the second
rotation of the nine-holes involves playing a different or similar
sequence of initial teeing areas for each hole, thereby resulting
in an 18 hole golf game of consecutively different holes.
[0049] The golf course according a preferred embodiment of the
present invention can consist of an 18 hole golf course, however,
the present invention is not limited to 18 holes. That is, a golf
course of the present invention can comprise a plurality of holes
and is not limited to being a golf course of 18 holes. A golf
course according to the present invention may comprise a plurality
of holes some or all of which consist of a plurality of initial
teeing areas. For example, another embodiment of the present
invention can consist of a golf course comprised of 9 holes which
consists of a plurality of initial teeing areas such that the land
requirement for a course according to the present invention is not
large. Nevertheless, a nine-hole golf course according to the
present invention where, for example, each hole consists of three
initial teeing areas will embody a golf course that offers 19,683
different games of golf, while a golf course of the prior art would
only offer one golf game on a specified prior golf course.
Furthermore, another embodiment of the present invention is a golf
course comprised of any number of holes at least one of which
consists of a plurality of initial teeing areas.
[0050] The variety and challenge that the present golf course can
offer would encourage and generate a large membership base of
players that want to remain members at a golf facility that offers
a limitless range in the different games of golf that can be
played. The variety and challenge offered at a golf course of the
present invention would further justify a higher membership fee
since the presently disclosed golf course is unique to all prior
art courses since it offers unlimited variety and challenge in the
possible games of golf that can be played, and would accordingly be
attractive to avid golfers who want to improve their golf game.
Furthermore, the golf course of the present invention may include
amenities such as a clubhouse, restaurants, shops, or any other
additional accommodations the golf facility or its members
desire.
[0051] In addition to providing a golf course according to the
above described embodiments, the present invention also provides a
method of play that offers variety and challenge to each individual
player, regardless of skill level or experience. The method of play
according to the present invention involves the designation of an
initial teeing area for play at each hole on the present golf
courses, an initial teeing area is selected for each hole that
comprises the golf course, this sequence of play designated teeing
areas constitutes the layout of the golf game to be played.
[0052] For example, if the golf game being played is an 18 hole
golf game, then a sequence of 18 initial teeing areas are selected
for holes 1 through 18, then players tee up at the designated
initial teeing area of the 1st hole through to the designated
initial teeing area of the 18th hole. The golf game according to
the present invention consists of a designated sequence of initial
teeing areas for a plurality of consecutively played holes.
Therefore, the golf game layout, that is the sequence of designated
initial teeing areas being played for each hole is always changing,
and as a result, the golfer playing a golf game on the course of
the present invention is always challenged because the golf game is
always changing.
[0053] The selection of the initial teeing area that will be played
for each hole may be selected based on the golf game commissioned
that day and not on an individual player's ability. Therefore, the
sequence of initial teeing areas for each of the 18 holes is always
changing (over 300 million possible sequences for 18 holes with 3
initial teeing areas), such that the golfer on the golf course of
the present invention is always challenged because the golf game is
always changing. The present invention is continually challenging
because with each new game sequence the target cup is viewed
differently, depending on the initial teeing area selected or
assigned for each hole. As a result the golfer can play millions of
different course layout combinations, and this results in a golf
game that is challenging for players of all skill levels and
experience.
[0054] The clubhouse that administers the golf course according to
the present invention can set up a computer system that allows
players to select or design their scorecard with a customized
course layout according to their preferences. For example, a player
may wish to play a par 75 layout and may instruct the computer to
generate a course layout of an 18 hole game sequence that results
in a par 75 golf game. Additionally, a player may wish to play a
particular number of par 5 holes, par 4 holes or par 3 holes, in
which case the player would instruct the computer to generate a
course layout of 18 holes, with for example, five par 5 holes, ten
par 4 holes and three par 3 holes. Furthermore, a golfer may select
to play specific initial teeing areas at specific holes, for
example, a player may request that the par 5 initial teeing area be
the designated tee at the 15th hole or that any other specified
requests be taken into account in the generation of the course
layout desired. Whether a course layout according to the present
method is generated at random or is generated taking into account
other specified criteria, the present golf course and method of
play thereon results in a substantially unlimited number of
different scorecard game combinations.
[0055] In another version of the playing method of the invention,
the particular teeing area to be played by each player on a given
hole may be selected and changed on an ongoing basis by the players
themselves as the round progresses. For instance, with two players,
the player losing a given hole (or the player behind in the scoring
at any point in the round) may be entitled to designate the
particular teeing area to be used on the next hole by the opponent.
If the opponent is good at putting, but poor at driving, the golfer
behind in the scoring may require the opponent to play from the par
5 or par 6 initial teeing area, or vice versa. This would tend to
even matters somewhat to tighten the competition. Similarly, the
leading player could be compelled to shoot from the teeing area
angled from the cup such that the shot is more into the wind, or
from a tee that is shielded from the cup, i.e. the losing player
chooses the least desirable teeing location for the opponent to
assist in closing the lead in the game at that point. Accordingly,
these similar principles and variations in the playing method can
be applied to more than two players. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I An
illustrative 18 hole golf game that can be played on a conventional
golf course Hole # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 par
* Club A 3 5 3 4 3 4 3 5 4 5 4 3 4 5 4 4 5 4 72 Club B 5 4 3 5 5 5
4 5 4 3 3 3 3 4 5 3 4 3 71 * indicates the total par of the 18 hole
golf game
[0056] The above table outlines the course layout of two
illustrative conventional golf facilities.
[0057] In conventional golf courses, players are limited to playing
a single golf game according to the layout of the holes at the golf
facility of the prior art. For example, as illustrated in Table I,
a member at a conventional golf facility, designated Club A, is
limited to playing a predetermined golf course layout, specifically
the holes that constitute the golf course at Club A, which consist
of predetermined specific tees for each hole, that is hole #1 is a
par 3 hole and hole #18 is a par 4 hole, etc. A player may want to
play a par 5 on hole #1 at Club A, but because Club A has
preconstructed hole #1 to be a par 3, the golfer is limited to play
Club A's layout. Club A may incorporate additional teeing areas for
the par 3 at hole #1 to accommodate different players, for example
a mens and a ladies par 3 tee-off area at hole #1, nevertheless,
hole #1 at Club A is specified as a par 3 hole and can only be
played as a par 3 hole. Therefore, experienced members at
conventional Club A that have become familiar with the layout of
this course will learn to play this course very well. However,
continually playing the same course may soon become somewhat
monotonous and the golf game at Club A will become tedious and will
no longer be challenging. It is for this reason that many avid
golfers change the golf facility to which they are member after
they become accustomed to playing the same course, or obtain
memberships at a variety of golf clubhouses so that the golf game
being played is not constantly the same. As discussed above, these
limitations are completely avoided by utilizing a golf curse
facility according to the present invention. In addition, members
of a golf course according to the present invention may receive
incentives, for example, discounts to play at other golf courses
according to the present invention, so that their golfing
experience man be further enhanced. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II Six
illustrative 18 hole golf games that can be played on a single golf
course according to the present invention Hole # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 par * Game A 3+ 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 5 4 3 4
5 3 3 5 4 64 Game B 5+ 4 3 5 5 5 4 5 4 3 3 3 3 4 5 3 4 3 71 Game C
4+ 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 4 5 74 Game D 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 54 Game E 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 72
Game F 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 90 * indicates the total
par of the 18 hole golf game +indicates the par of the initial
teeing area selected for play at the specified hole
[0058] Table II above illustrates six possible golf game layouts of
a golf course according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention which consists of 18 holes, each of which is comprised of
three initial teeing areas, a par 3 teeing area, a par 4 teeing
area, and a par 5 teeing area. This is just an illustrative table
showing various combinations of a sequence of initial teeing areas
for various 18 hole golf games that can all be played on a single
course according to preferred embodiments of the present invention.
As can be seen, golf games A, B, and C consist of different
sequences of initial teeing areas that yield different course
layouts. These different golf games offer a variety of challenges,
and differ in course yardage for a specific game, specifically
games A, B, and C play a par 64, par 71 and par 74 course
respectively.
[0059] Games D, E, and F are representative of games in which only
the par 3 initial teeing area is played for all 18 holes, only the
par 4 initial teeing area is played for all 18 holes, and only the
par 5 initial teeing area is played for all 18 holes,
respectively.
[0060] As stated above, the sequence of initial teeing areas for a
golf game according to the present invention can be generated at
random by a computer, or can be generated with specific criteria
such that the course layout sequence meets desired specifications.
An objective of this invention is to offer an extensive assortment
of golf games that can be played on a single golf course.
[0061] It is understood that the present invention is not limited
to the various embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. For
example, additional embodiments could be such that the present
invention be applied to a miniature golf course or any other
specialized course. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention
is not limited only to the game of golf or to any other physical
games, instead the concepts of the present invention may also be
applied to a wide range of other games, such as electronic games,
for example, Sega.TM. and Nintendo.TM. or other electronic based
games, computer games, CD ROMS, video games, Internet games, board
games, or any other game, whether physical or virtual, in which the
spirit and principles of the present invention can be applied.
[0062] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described,
it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the
invention to such disclosure, but rather it is intended to cover
all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0063] The invention enables the playing of an essentially
unlimited number of different games of golf on a single golf
course, thereby affording a variety of different golf games to
individuals of various skill levels.
* * * * *