Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Club selection – ball direction – or distance indicating aid
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-26
2003-07-15
Moulis, Thomas N. (Department: 3747)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Club selection, ball direction, or distance indicating aid
Reexamination Certificate
active
06592473
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention describes an improved apparatus and method for playing golf. More specifically, the invention describes a dynamic, evidence-based, color-coded apparatus and method that accurately and pictorially represents the degree of difficulty in completing the hole from all positions on the putting green. The invention accommodates unique daily changes in the condition of the putting greens, such as relocation of the respective pins, thus improving the planning of approach shots to the respective putting greens and thereby reducing putting score on each putting green.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Golf is a popular and challenging sport. The number of courses is increasing rapidly in the United States and throughout the world.
The objective in golf is to complete the round of usually 18 holes in as few strokes as possible. A regulation golf course is a par 72 and is normally comprised of four par
3
's, four par
5
's, and ten par
4
's. Thus there are 18 tee shots, 18 fairway shots and 36 putts allocated to par. Furthermore, in a round of golf, about half of the strokes occur either on the putting green or in its immediate vicinity, and approximately 80% of the strokes over par occur within about 100 yards of the pin. For this reason the short game, and especially putting, are vitally important to the score.
Shot selection and shot execution define the game of golf, and the players appreciate any information about the course that helps them with shot selection. Unfortunately, however, that information is not readily available. On relatively inexpensive golf courses, there may be just a pin with a flag to indicate the position of the hole on the putting green. On average private courses, there may be differently colored flags to identify the front, middle and back thirds of a putting green. On resort courses, cards or booklets may provide more detailed (but static) information. Upgraded courses (employing caddies) provide daily pin placement sheets, but these only show the dimensions of the putting green.
More precise information is available to the professional golfer than to the amateur golfer Professional golfers engage in several practice rounds prior to tournaments and employ caddies to study courses. Professional golfers do this research in order to be armed with as much knowledge of the course as possible. This information helps the professional golfer plan to land a ball on a putting green in a location that will likely result in an optimal putting score.
One putt per green is an optimal score. Two putts per green is a regulation score, while three or more putts per green is a sub-optimal score. Where a golfer putts from on a putting green is important because it determines the likelihood of making that putt or subsequent putts thus affecting the putting score. The most significant factors that influence the likelihood of the number of putts per putting green include: (a) distance of the ball from the pin, (b) putting green topography, (c) the severity of the slope, (d) the speed of the putting green, (e) the skill level of the player, (f) the physical condition of the putting green, and (g) the grass type and grain. These generally known factors are detailed in
Dave Pelz's Putting Bible
, published by Doubleday, 2000 and
Dave Pelz's Shortgame Bible
, published by Broadway Books, 1999. These two works are herein incorporated by reference.
The pin placement on the putting green is changed frequently to effect even wear on the putting green and to present the golfer with a variety of different challenges. Changes in pin placement can dramatically alter the character of a golf course and hence significantly alter the likely score. Although on any given day, on any given putting green, the topography, green speed, condition, grass type and grain may be constant, their relationship to different pin positions dramatically affects the difficulty the putting green represents to the player. The depiction of a putting green's unique playability as determined by daily conditions is extremely useful information to the golfer in planning.the approach shot. The Putting Green Hazard Function (P.G.H.F.) describes the changing putting difficulty of all locations on a putting green and enables the clear depiction of this information to the golfer.
The P.G.H.F. defines the relationship between any point on the putting green and the current pin position. The P.G.H.F. is an evidenced-based mathematical equation that represents the number of putts that is likely to be required to hole out the ball from each position on the putting green.
In making an approach shot to the putting green, the object is to stop the ball, preferably in the optimal zone, or at least in the regulation zone on the putting green and avoid the hazard zone. Where these zones are located may not be obvious, especially on an unfamiliar course. Pin placements can be quite seductive and present a deceptive lure that is recognized only by those with local-knowledge. Thus, there is a need for a dynamic presentation of the putting greens on a golf course.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In the prior art, of which I am aware, there have been numerous attempts to utilize available technologies to improve one's golf game; but these attempts, for one reason or another, are not applicable to the problem at hand (namely, the Putting Green Hazard Function (P.G.H.F.)) or else are complicated and unwieldy. The majority of prior art provides merely a static presentation, not a dynamic presentation, of the putting green. Additionally, some of the prior art would be considered “illegal” under the standards set forth by the United States Golf Association (USGA) for both the professionals and the amateurs.
For example, Davis, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,425 merely discloses a combination golf scorecard and hole information guide having front and rear cover pages and a plurality of intermediate pages folded among a vertical centerline and bound together. Each of the intermediate pages includes an enlarged depiction of a hole on the golf course, and the pages and holes are arranged in a numerical succession. The interior surface of the rear cover includes an area for recording the score. The intermediate pages include cut-outs in the respective upper right-hand corners. When the intermediate pages overlie the inner surface of the rear cover, the score recording area is accessible for recording a score thereon.
Cormier No. U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,020 discloses a hand-held device provided with a keyboard and display. The purpose is to determine the remaining distance to the putting green and for selecting an appropriate club.
Maude, Sr. U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,070 discloses a golf scorecard that assists the player in evaluating the characteristics of the putting greens on a golf course. In addition to the score, the card includes a graphic illustration of each of the holes and provides indicia indicating the direction of the grain of the grass on each putting green.
Bonito et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,430 disclose a golf cart computer for installation in a golf cart. The computer contains a display screen for showing graphically the details and features of each hole of a golf course.
Barber U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,537 discloses a golf distance tracking, club selection and player performance statistical device having a portable movement measurer connected to a microprocessor. A database is provided on a non-portable computer system that contains reference coordinates for each hole on the golf course and every significant hazard.
Laakov U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,340 discloses a golf scorecard and playing booklet. This booklet has at least ten sheets that are folded together, accordion style. A front cover is provided so that when the sheets are folded, they form a booklet listing the name and identity of the golf course. A scorecard for keeping score is provided on the second sheet. Eighteen additional sides of the remaining sheets contain a depiction and description of the holes of the golf course and
Breza Rachael D.
McDonald Garth R.
McDonald Iain G.
Armstrong Westerman & Hattori, LLP
Moulis Thomas N.
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