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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With the overcrowded conditions of conventional golf courses, the expense
of play and the time required to play a round of golf, a number of people
have recognized the need for providing a compact form of golf course which
is less expensive due to use of less land, allows multiple players to
speed up the time and as a result of the two, reduces the cost to the golf
player. A number of patents have issued on compact golf courses as a
result. These patents include the following:
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U.S. Pat. No.
Inventor Issued
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3,129,943 McKee April 21, 1964
3,310,310 McKee March 21, 1967
3,464,703 Vallas September 2, 1969
3,685,832 Johnson August 22, 1972
3,904,209 Thomas September 9, 1975
3,999,764 Nitsche December 28, 1976
4,019,748 Healey April 26, 1977
4,063,738 Michalson December 20, 1977
4,129,300 Magnusoa December 12, 1978
4,192,510 Miller March 11, 1980
4,283,056 Miller August 11, 1981
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Each of these patents disclose golf courses requiring significantly less
ground than a standard golf course and often to varying degrees appear to
achieve the objective of faster play and reduced cost.
It would appear from the study of these patents, many of them go to great
extent to simulate play on the golf course and many attempt to provide an
atmosphere of isolation through the use of natural and artificial barriers
between player tees providing a degree of simulation of play of a
conventional golf course. While a number of these objectives have been
attained at least partially, the compact golf course has not reached any
significant degree of acceptance in the golf community as noted by their
significant absence from the modern day golf scene. In a typical
metropolitan area, one will find public and private full size golf
courses, par three or reduced yardage golf courses and driving ranges but
this inventor has yet to see a single operating compact golf course of the
type disclosed in the above patents. Recognizing the continuing need for
compact golf courses and after further study of the features of the
several disclosures, this inventor finds that his basic concept provides
features not present in any prior compact golf course designs and in fact
provides a game of golf which is superior in a number of respects to the
conventional golf game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
this inventor has, he believes, eliminated some of the inherent weaknesses
in the prior attempts to attain a satisfactory compact golf course and to
provide a more interesting play than even conventional golf. He employs a
generally rectangular course of variable dimensions and having as a
typical size 100 yards in width by 400 yards in length exclusive of
service, club house and parking areas. The layout is generally rectangular
which makes it most adaptable to available real estate but is not limited
to such a shape. The layout includes a number, for example 10 tees, each
directed toward a fairway of at least 300 yards in length and 100 yards in
width. A number of yardage indicators which may be in the form of yard
lines are provided as well as targets at varying ranges from 40 to 300
yards. The targets may take the form of simulated green and pin. Hazards
on the fairway are provided and an out of bound line on each side of the
fairway are present. Within short walking distance of the tees are a
plurality of pitching greens with arcuate lines defining varying distances
from the pitching green, namely 50 to 20 yards. One or more putting greens
are also provided. A number of television cameras are directed at the
fairway allowing the player to follow and locate his ball in flight and on
landing in order to properly record its range. A television receiver is
located for viewing by players in observing their balls. For night play,
in addition to overall lighting, enhanced lighting to aid television
detection of the balls in light is illuminated responsive to players golf
swings.
An improved water hazard is also disclosed as well as an improved tee
station.
In accordance with the method of this invention, the player is given a
number of distinctive balls sufficient for a round of 9 or 18 holes. He
selects a particular course which he intends to simulate playing and
records the yardage for each of the holes of the round on a score card. A
player drives his first tee shot and records the distance attained and any
penalty if he enters a trap or lands out of bounds. He subtracts the
yardage attained from the yardage remaining on the first hole of his
selected course and takes his second or fairway shot and again subtracts
yardage attained from the remaining yardage to the first hole. When he
reaches 50 yards or less in the first hole, he moves to the chipping green
at the appropriate distance on the arcuate play areas and chips to the
green by recording each shot numberically. If he lands on the target green
in his fairway play, he moves to the putting green to putt out and records
his play for the hole. He and his playing partners return to their tee,
reserved to them, and proceed to play the next hole in like manner. The
play may be by a foursome, threesome, pair or single player without
affecting performance. The score card reflects not only the number of
strokes required for each first hole but also the yardage and quality of
shot obtained for each fairway club used and his number of putts.
Alternate embodiments involve a double ended course and a trapazoidal
shaped course.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
This invention may be more clearly understood from the following detailed
description and by reference to the drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compact golf course in accordance with
this invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof;
FIG. 2A is a plan view of an alternate trapezoidal embodiment of this
invention;
FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment double ended layout of this invention;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a single tee;
FIG. 5 is a sectioned perspective view of a novel water hazard in
accordance with this invention;
FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of the television system of this
invention; and
FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of the supplemental lighting visual
aid system of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Now for a clear understanding of this invention, attention is direct toward
FIG. 1 which provides somewhat of an aerial view of the basic elements of
this invention excluding club house, service area and parking. The compact
golf course in accordance with this invention generally designated 10,
comprises a tee area 11 including a number of individual tee's designated
A-G for convenience. The tees face a fairway generally designated 12
including perimeter fences denoted by lines 13L and 13R and out of bound
lines 14L and 14R. We have a number of yardage indicators shown for
convenience as yardage lines 15, preferably located at 20 yard intervals
from the tees 11. Also present in the fairway are a plurality of targets
16A through 16K. The targets are shown 11 in number, however there is
nothing critical about the particular number or location of the targets
other than that they are at varying distances from the tees in the
fairway. A number of sand traps designated S and one or more water hazards
designated W are present in the fairway to provide natural hazards in
play. The rough strip designated in FIGS. 2A and 3 as ROUGH region is
preferably mowed at a higher level than the fairway to accurately
represent rough.
In FIG. 1 shown adjacent to the tees 11 but located at any place in the
region are a pair of putting greens 20L and 20R designated by the letters
P and a number of chipping greens 21 designated by the letter C. The
chipping greens 21 are preferably located at the side perimeter of the
property of the course and between the chipping greens 21 to the left and
21 to the right in FIG. 1 is a central walkway 23 from the tee area along
a curved arc and a number of chipping positions 22 at varying distances
from the several, for example, 6 chipping greens 21. The curved chipping
lines 22 allow the players to position themselves at any correct distance
from the chipping pin corresponding to the remaining distance after his
last fairway shot. If his remaining distance was about 43 yards he
positions himself along the left chipping line 22 slightly closer to the
40 indicator than the 50 yard mark. The large number of chipping greens
and the continuously variable chipping distances allows a number of
players to chip simultaneously without interference with each other.
Adjacent to the chipping greens 21 are the putting greens 20L and 20R,
either of which the player may use. As shown in FIG. 1, the putting greens
are located near the tees 11 as is usually found in conventional full
courses but the location of the greens may be moved to accommodate the
particular terrain in which the course is located.
Now referring to FIG. 2, two other aspects of this invention may be seen.
In addition to the tees 11, yardage lines 15, greens 20 and 21, the
fairway targets 16 A-K may be seen more clearly. They each include a pin
or flag and are located at 25 yard range intervals from the tee line 11.
The target greens 16 are 20 yards in diameter and include an outer circle
of 10 yards radius and an inner circle of 3 yards.
Certain other features of this invention may also be seen in FIG. 2. A
number of television cameras 40 are located at the side of the fairway 12
with suitable protection from stray balls and directed toward the fairway
12. The cameras 40 cover the fairway region so that any one camera will be
no greater than 60 yards from any ball lie. The cameras 40 aid the player
in picking out his ball and in accurately determining the distance of each
shot. Of course, he may do this by eye but the television cameras give him
a closer view. The cameras may have zoom capability and in such case where
controls are available to the player, he may have a quite close look at
his ball. Since it is the practice of using distinctively marked balls for
each player, the identification of a player's ball is even easier with the
television cameras. As shown in FIG. 2, a total of 10 television cameras
are used but this number may vary depending upon the requirements of the
particular course.
FIG. 6 shows a simplified block diagram of the television camera and
monitor system. The several cameras 40 are all connected by cables 41 to
each of the tees. A selector switch 92B, 93B etc. allows players to
connect any of the cameras to the local monitor 92 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 2 also shows a basic lighting system used for night play and a
supplemental play actuated visual aid lighting system is shown in FIGS. 4
and 7. The basic lighting system includes drop or fluorescent lighting at
each tee designated 50 and banks of elevated flood lights 51-54 directed
at the fairway 12 and 55 directed at the chipping and putting greens.
In addition to this basic lighting, a number, for example, 8 lights 60-67
are located immediately beside the fairway 12 and are actuated by play to
enhance the lighting whenever a ball is driven to aid its location. The
overall average lighting can thereby by reduced and yet better visibility
is available when needed.
The lights 60-67 provide the supplemental lighting under the control of the
players as is described below.
FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of this invention which is
double-ended. In FIG. 3 the same or slightly longer fairway 12 is used
than in the case of FIG. 1. This embodiment differs in that an additional
set of tees 111, chipping greens 121 and putting greens 122 are present at
the opposite end of fairway 12. The fairway range markers 15 bear
designations indicating the distance from either end, usually visible from
one end only. The targets 16 also bear dual distance designations to be
observed by the golfer at the tees and by the cameras.
This version of my invention, requiring only about 20 percent additional
real estate increase the number of tees by 100 percent. Each of the other
features of this invention remain in the embodiment of FIG. 3.
Referring now to FIG. 4, one form of tee may be seen in the form of a booth
generally designated 80 including boundary side walls 81 and 82 which form
common walls with adjoining tee booths. The booths 80 are preferably
covered by a roof 83 for sun and rain protection for the players. A bench
84 is provided for other members of the player's party and a rack 85 for
golf bags may be present. The front of the booth 80 includes some form of
turf 86, either natural or artificial for fairway shots. It also receives
golf tees for tee shots. A central tee region 90 similar to driving ranges
may be provided or the entire front area may be of turf.
The booth 80 also includes a course layout board 91, preferably attached to
the wall 82 and having a number of large layouts for prominent courses of
the world. The players may select the course to be played and display the
appropriate layout on the wall throughout play. Where such courses will
include dog-leg fairways and unusual hazards, the precision needed to play
such courses is simulated in this invention by the targets 16 toward which
all tee and fairway shots should be directed. Thus the presence of targets
on the fairway adds a new dimension to the game of golf by providing a
value measure for each shot as well as mere range and position. Accuracy
also is a factor in this game.
I have provided close circuit television for monitoring the flight and
position of the ball. This is in the form of the television cameras 40a-j
of FIG. 2 and the television monitor 92 of FIG. 4. The monitor 92 is
located in the booth at an elevated position, out of playing areas and
generally in the line of the player's normal field of view when tracking
the flight of his ball. The elevated position shown in FIG. 4 is desirable
for booths generally to the right of the centerline of the course. Other
locations may, of course, be selected to provide the best view for the
players. Since a number of television cameras are in operation and only
one or two will give the best view of the ball's flight, a channel
selector switch 93 is provided to allow the players to select the
appropriate camera. This may be done before taking the shot if the
player's shot is predictable or immediately after the shot while the ball
is in flight.
Under conditions of night play, the normal lighting may be insufficient to
provide a clear image in the television system. In such case supplemental
lighting system of FIG. 2 is energized for a period approximating the
longest flight and sufficient time to follow the roll and clearly identify
and locate the player's ball. This is done employing the play actuated
switch of this invention. In its preferred form the play activated switch
includes a light source 95 secured overhead to wall 81 and a photo
electric cell 96 secured in alignment with the light source on the
opposite wall 82. Located overhead above the player's head the passage of
the club through the light path 95A interrupts the light beam and triggers
the supplemental lighting operate to illuminate those lights just as the
player completes his stroke. Thus he suffers no disturbance by lights
coming on during his stroke. The added illuminating aids in following the
flight of the ball directly and via the television monitor.
The play actuated lighting system appears in FIG. 7. It comprises a play
actuated switch such as the combination of light source 95 and photocell
96 located in each booth. This switch combination acts through a delay
device such as a slow acting relay 98 to light the supplemental lighting
system 60-67. After a predetermined period of time e.g. 16 seconds, a
reset circuit 99 extinguishes the supplemental lighting unless a second
golfer has again energized the system. Under heavy play the supplemental
system may remain actuated.
FIG. 5 shows an improved form of hazard which is directly applicable to
this course or may be used on a conventional course as well. It is a
shallow lake water hazard having a solid bottom such as gunite type
concrete. The water hazard, generally designated 100 is located in the
fairway 101 and gives the same general appearance as a natural water
hazard. It is, however, only a few inches deep and has a hard yet
resilient bottom 102, preferably of concrete. The depth varies from 3 to 8
inches in my preferred embodiment. The lake or water hazard 100 may be
static with just makeup water added to maintain the level of water between
3 and 8 inches in depth or it may include a recirculating system 104 as
disclosed in FIG. 5 including a pump and motor combination in an equipment
vault 105 indicated in dashed lines, supply 110 and return 111 lines.
The tapered bottom of the water hazard 100 allows balls which land and
remain in the trap to roll along the bottom to a collection point for ease
of recovery. Balls may be easily seen and recovered when the course is not
in use. In conventional courses ball recovery using my improved water
hazard may occur during play without disturbing other players because of
the shallow depth and normal bottom visibility which allows recovery of
the ball in just a few seconds.
Anytime a ball hits the water of a water hazard, the golfer marks "W" on
his score card where he records the length of that shot, and counts one
stroke penalty. His yardage is that at where his ball hits the water.
THE METHOD OF PLAY
The method of play in accordance with this invention involves the player or
players registering and receiving a fixed number of balls; usually
distinctively each marked and entering the tee booth or tee position. The
course to be played is selected and the course layout posted for reference
and to add to the atmosphere of the course.
Golfer selects the course he wishes to play for that round. He notes on his
scorecard the name of the course he has selected, and the distance of each
hole for that course before he begins play.
Example: Hole No. 1--385 yards. After teeing off, golfer records the
yardage he has advanced the ball in his first shot. (He ascertains this
with the aid of the closed circuit TV and the monitor located at this tee,
and the location of his ball in relation to the marked off, horizontal
yardage lines visible to him and the closed circuit TV.) (Target greens
and circles are not yet involved).
The yardage recorded must be that determined where the ball lies in
relation to the horizontal yardage lines, at 20-yard intervals, across the
fairway. If his drive was a sharp slice to the right, he may have hit his
ball actually longer, due to the angle, but he only records the yardage he
has advanced the ball up the fairway. The added length he hit it off to
one side is lost as a penalty for mis-hitting it. Example: His observed
yardage for his drive was 170 yards, he notes the 170 yards on his
scorecard and subtracts that from the 385 yards, leaving 215 yards for his
second fairway shot.
All fairway shots are made from his tee which remains reserved to him and
his playing partners, until the round is completed.
For his second fairway shot he selected the fairway target green (which now
becomes involved in the play) which distance from the tee is at the
closest yardage that is greater than the 215 yards. Therefore, the
225-yard target green would become his target for his second shot. He
selects the appropriate club for that distance.
He then plays a second ball from his tee toward the 225-yard target green
and observes with the aid of the closed circuit TV, the yardage he has
advanced the ball. (Again, this will be the yardage location his second
ball comes to rest between the horizontal yardage lines located across the
fairway). He may have hooked a long ball off to the left--but only records
the yardage where his ball lies in relation to the yardage lines; this
being the yardage his second shot has further advanced the ball directly
forward.
Assume his second shot is 183 yards. He notes the same on his scorecard
below the 225 yards he previously noted and subtracts the 183 yards from
the 225 yards, leaving a distance of 42 yards.
If he has missed his target green, but has hit within 50 yards of his
target green, (at any location around the hole) and if still off the green
he observes the yardage from that hole and notes that distance on his
scorecard.
He then proceeds to the Chipping-Pitching Greens `C` approach area.
He places either his own, or a specially marked ball in the adjacent `C`
approach area on one of the 2 sets of `Yardage Lines` at the location
along the line that corresponds with the distance he missed his target
green. He then chips or pitches on to the `C` green and putts out.
If he has reached the fairway target green he notes on his scorecard only
the observed distance in yards that the ball is from the pin.
He then proceeds to the `P` Putting Green, places either his own ball, or
specially marked course ball, at that noted yardage or 3 foot strides from
a hole on the `P` Putting Green, putts out and records his total strokes
for that hole on is scorecard.
He then walks back to the tee reserved for him, and plays the remaining
holes in like manner.
All lengths of distance are measured in yards, or 3-foot strikes.
If, during fairway play, he lands in a fairway sand trap, he marks `S` on
his scorecard next to the noted stroked distance when he went into the
trap. He continues his fairway play as though he had not gone into the
trap. However, after he has reached within 50 yards of his fairway Target
Green, but missed it, he proceeds to the Chipping-Pitching Greens, places
his or her special ball at his last remaining yardage from the
Chipping-Pitching Green pin. He must then chip or pitch into the trap that
is adjacent to the Chipping-Pitching Green `C`, play from the trap onto
the Chipping-Pitching Green `C` and putt out.
If he has an `S` during his fairway play, and does not miss his Target
Green, he must first toss his ball into the sand trap adjacent to the
Putting Green `P` and play out onto the Putting Green `P`, and putt out,
recording his total strokes or that hole.
If he misses his `Target Green` and lands in the adjacent sand trap, then
at the putting green `P` he must first toss his ball into the sand trap at
`S` and play out onto the putting green `P` and putt out.
When golfer's ball lands in the rough, he plays his next ball at his tee
off of the rough pad.
If the ball lands in a water trap, he marks a small "w" on his scorecard
next to noted stroked distance and count one stroke penalty.
When ball hits side boundary, he marks a small "b" on his scorecard next to
the noted stroked distance for that hole, and he takes a stroke penalty.
Following this procedure, the full round of golf proceeds for each player.
The above described embodiments of this invention are merely descriptive of
its principles and are not to be considered limiting. The scope of this
invention instead shall be determined from the scope of the following
claims, including their equivalents.
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