U.S. patent application number 12/769644 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-04 for golf-related game.
Invention is credited to Geoffrey Roy Chapman.
Application Number | 20100279799 12/769644 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42236174 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100279799 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chapman; Geoffrey Roy |
November 4, 2010 |
Golf-related Game
Abstract
A golf-related game includes obtaining an instruction relating
to at least one golf-related task; attempting the at least one
golf-related task, and rewarding a player upon successful
completion of the attempted golf-related task.
Inventors: |
Chapman; Geoffrey Roy;
(Gloucestershire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAFT STETTINIUS & HOLLISTER LLP
ONE INDIANA SQUARE, SUITE 3500
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204-2023
US
|
Family ID: |
42236174 |
Appl. No.: |
12/769644 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61174605 |
May 1, 2009 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/409 ;
273/460; 473/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/0616 20130101;
A63B 2102/32 20151001; A63B 67/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/409 ;
473/131; 273/460 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/02 20060101
A63B067/02; A63F 9/24 20060101 A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. Apparatus adapted for a golf-related game, the apparatus
including: at least one device configured to display at least one
instruction relating to at least one respective golf-related task,
where, in use, a player attempts the at least one golf-related task
and is rewarded upon successful completion of the at least one
attempted golf-related task.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one device
comprises at least one card.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a surface of a said card
displays a plurality of said golf-related task instructions.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a set of said cards is
provided, and all the cards each display a same number of said
golf-related tasks.
5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the golf-related tasks
are arranged on the card as a numbered list.
6. A method of playing a golf-related game, the method including:
obtaining an instruction relating to at least one golf-related
task; attempting the at least one golf-related task, and rewarding
a player upon successful completion of the attempted golf-related
task.
7. A method according to claim 6, including setting the player a
specific number of the golf-related tasks to attempt.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the specific number is
based on a golfing handicap rating of the player.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of ranges of
golfing handicap ratings are displayed on a said card, each of the
ranges being associated with a different said specific number of
golf-related tasks to attempt.
10. A method according to claim 7, wherein a winner or winners of
the game is determined as the player or players who successfully
complete the set specific number of the golf-related tasks.
11. A method according to claim 10, including a said player
announcing that the specific number of said golf-related tasks set
for that player have been successfully completed in order for a
winner of the game to be determined.
12. A method according to claim 6, including providing an
alternative way of awarding the player.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the player is awarded
for completing a course in par or better.
14. A method according to claim 6, wherein the golf-related tasks
is selected from a set: hitting a ball into a specific number of
holes using no more than a specific maximum number of putts;
avoiding landing a ball in sand and/or water when attempting at
least one specific hole; hitting a ball into a set of (possibly
sequential) holes within par for each of those holes; and/or no
lost balls when attempting at least one specific hole.
15. An electronic device configured to execute a method of playing
a golf-related game according to claim 6.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority from US provisional
patent application Ser. No. 61/174,605, filed on May, 1, 2009,
entitled "Golf-related Game", which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to games and in particular to
a golf-related game.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] Golf is a well-known and popular sport where players aim to
get the ball into a series of holes in the lowest number of
strokes. Playing the game well requires a high level of skill and
skill levels can be raised by increasing focus, learning good
course management and a commitment to lowering one's score.
Further, experienced and casual players can also sometimes welcome
the introduction of additional variety into the game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide
a golf-related game that meets at least some of the above
objectives.
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided apparatus adapted for a golf-related game, the
apparatus including:
[0006] at least one device configured to display at least one
instruction relating to at least one respective golf-related task,
where, in use, a player attempts the at least one golf-related task
and is rewarded upon successful completion of the at least one
attempted golf-related task.
[0007] The at least one device may comprise at least one card. A
surface of a said card may display a plurality of said golf-related
task instructions. In some embodiments, a set of said cards is
provided, and all the cards may each display a same number of said
golf-related tasks. The golf-related tasks may be arranged on the
card as a numbered list.
[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of playing a golf-related game, the method
including:
[0009] obtaining an instruction relating to at least one
golf-related task;
[0010] attempting the at least one golf-related task, and
[0011] rewarding a player upon successful completion of the
attempted golf-related task.
[0012] The method may include setting the player a specific number
of the golf-related tasks to attempt, and the specific number may
be based on a golfing handicap rating of the player. A plurality of
ranges of golfing handicap ratings may be displayed on a said card,
each of the ranges being associated with a different said specific
number of golf-related tasks to attempt. A winner or winners of the
game may be determined as the player or players who successfully
complete the set specific number of the golf-related tasks.
[0013] The method may include a said player announcing that the
specific number of said golf-related tasks set for that player have
been successfully completed in order for a winner of the game to be
determined.
[0014] The method may include providing an alternative way of
awarding the player; for example, a player may be awarded for
completing a course in par or better.
[0015] The golf-related tasks may be selected from a set:
[0016] hitting a ball into a specific number of holes using no more
than a specific maximum number of putts;
[0017] avoiding landing a ball in sand and/or water when attempting
at least one specific hole;
[0018] hitting a ball into a set of (possibly sequential) holes
within par for each of those holes;
[0019] no lost balls when attempting at least one specific
hole.
[0020] According to a general aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of playing a sport-related game, the method
including:
[0021] obtaining an instruction relating to at least one
sport-related task;
[0022] attempting the at least one sport-related task, and
[0023] rewarding a player upon successful completion of the at
least one attempted sport-related task.
[0024] Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to
any inventive combination of features set out above or in the
following description. Although illustrative embodiments of the
invention are described in detail herein with reference to the
accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to these precise embodiments. As such, many
modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners
skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a
particular feature described either individually or as part of an
embodiment can be combined with other individually described
features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features
and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature. Thus,
the invention extends to such specific combinations not already
described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way
of example only, embodiments thereof will now be described,
reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a game card bearing instructions for playing
the golf-related game, and
[0027] FIGS. 2A-2E show other game cards bearing sets of
instructions for golf-related tasks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] An example of the rules of the golf-related game is set out
on the card of FIG. 1, which refers to the task instruction-bearing
cards 200A-200E of FIGS. 2A-2E. Each player is given, or randomly
selects, one of the cards 200A-200E. In some cases some of the
cards may contain instructions for tasks intended for players
having a particular skill level, e.g. handicap rating.
[0029] The cards may have dimensions similar to those of
conventional playing cards and can formed of flexible plastic,
cardboard or any other suitable material. It will be understood
that items/devices other than playing cards can be used to provide
the instructions to players, e.g. the instructions may be
printed/embossed on items/surfaces that are not flat. Such items
need not all be physically separated/separable from each other,
although having a set of discrete cards does make it easier to
assign a set of instructions to each individual player.
[0030] In the example card 200A of FIG. 2A, there are six
golf-related tasks:
[0031] No more than six putts on the first three holes
[0032] Hit any par 3 green or one 3 on the card
[0033] No sand on the last three holes
[0034] Par any three holes in a row
[0035] Three 3rs of better on the card
[0036] Hit three fairways on the front nine and three on the back
nine
[0037] It will be understood that the lists of tasks are exemplary
only and many variations are possible. Having six tasks on each
card is also not essential and each card can include one or more
instruction. Some of the tasks may be duplicated on other cards and
in some cases entire cards may be duplicated. Normally, all of the
cards will bear the same number of tasks, but this is also not
essential. The formatting of the tasks as a numbered list is also
only one example of how the tasks can be presented/displayed on a
surface of the card.
[0038] After receiving their cards, each player attempts a certain
number of the tasks displayed on the card. The number of tasks to
be attempted may be determined by the skill/handicap level of the
player as set out on the instruction card of FIG. 1, although it
will be understood that this is optional and variations are
possible, e.g. one player selects specific tasks for another player
to attempt; all players attempt the same number of tasks, etc.
[0039] In one version of the game a player must vocally announce to
the other players that he has completed a task so that it can be
validated by the others. In some versions of the game players may
be awarded point(s) upon successful completion of a (validated)
task, the total number of points being used to determine the
winner(s). The instructions may also provide at least one way for a
player to "rescue" a failed mission. An example is shown in FIG. 1,
as well an indication of how the winner can be determined after
playing the game.
[0040] It will be understood that many variations to the concept
described herein are possible. For example, at least some of the
tasks may relate to sports or activities other than golf.
Alternative apparatus for presenting the task instructions to
players may be provided, e.g. an electronic screen on one or more
devices. For instance, data simulating the cards may be downloaded
and displayed on mobile electronic devices, e.g. mobile phones,
and/or the task instructions may be shown all at once or in a
sequence. However, using a set of cards has advantages, including
ease/cost of manufacture and it is also possible to individualize
sets of cards, e.g. include a golf club or corporate logo on at
least some of the cards and packaging for the cards. Embodiments of
the game set goals which must be completed within the normal round
to win or remain in the game. This focuses the players, adds
pressure and forces them to take a considered approach to the
various challenges thereby improving the player's course management
and, in most cases, overall score. The game is suitable for use as
a focus tool in solo practice rounds and also in games featuring
any number of players.
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