Amusement devices: games – Surface projectile game; game element – Simulated game
Patent
1993-07-08
1995-03-07
Graham, Mark S.
Amusement devices: games
Surface projectile game; game element
Simulated game
273 35B, A63B 6936
Patent
active
053951158
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a golfing facility.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known in this country and overseas that the rising popularity of golf is not being adequately matched by the number of new courses built. This is mainly because of the large area of land required, with the consequent cost of land purchase, planning and construction. It will be understood also that any golf course has a finite limit on the number of golfers on the course at any one time to avoid congestion. There are golf driving ranges which allow a number of golfers to practice in a small area but it is usually not possible for a player to "mark" his shot amongst those of the other golfers and so most practice ranges are not particularly inspiring for golfers who want a substitute for a real game.
A need exists therefore for a golf playing area which allows a large number of golfers to play in a relatively small, compact area to help satisfy the rising demand for golfing facilities. A need also exists for a compact golf playing area which allows golfers to play a simulated round of golf consisting of a number of holes of different length and difficulty and ideally which allows the players to score. Furthermore, there is a need for an interactive professional training system for golfers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a golfing facility comprising a plurality of holes or targets disposed around a starting or tee area in which is defined a plurality of bays or sites from which in use golfers may play shots toward selected holes or target.
Preferably the starting or tee area constitutes an "island" in a playing area which contains the targets or holes. Depending on the plot of land available etc. the starting or tee area may be located suitably (centrally or otherwise) within the playing area, with the targets or holes disposed suitably (radially or otherwise) with respect to the starting or tee area. The starting or tee area may be single- or multi-tiered.
To increase the number of targets available to users during a playing session, the starting or tee area may be indexable or rotatable to present players with a different selection of holes or targets. The starting or tee area may be located within a building or other structure. For example a rotunda or similar structure may define a series of playing sectors or bays. In this case the whole or part of the rotunda may be rotatable with suitable drive means being provided for indexing or rotating the rotunda or part thereof at required intervals.
The starting or tee area may offer other provisions. For example, there may be covered or uncovered practice or putting greens, restaurants, bars, shops, viewing galleries to allow spectators to look out over the playing area etc. There may be a tunnel or other means for conveying golfers or other users from a car park disposed at or near the outer edge of the playing area to the starting or tee area. The tunnel may be underground or may include a transparent wall or walls.
The starting or tee area preferably includes means for analyzing a golfer's performance and for presenting a selected pre-recorded audio-visual tutorial from a library thereof, e.g. by means of a T.V. screen and loudspeaker. The analysis may be on the basis of either or both of the shot itself, for example the length and/or trajectory, and the golfer's action, for example his stance, grip, swing and/or balance.
The holes or targets are preferably arranged so that each playing bay or site has associated therewith a selection of various grades of difficulty. The playing area may be subdivided by markers such as fencing or trees into separate playing sectors for each starting or tee area but this need not be so. Also, the playing bays themselves may be graded according to skill so, for example there may be one or more novice's bays where the holes or targets are closer or easier to reach than elsewhere.
The holes or targets may be coded by colour or otherwise to indicate their degree of diffi
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