WO2004026413A1 - Golf game layout - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a golf game layout comprising at least one teeing area (9) for driving a golf ball using a golf club and at least one fairway area (6), in which the golf ball lands after its flight, caused by the successful drive, and comes to rest after its run. The aim of the invention, is to provide a golf game layout with a relatively small land requirement, which can be played in a relatively short time, simulating play on a conventional golf course. According to the invention, the golf game layout comprises at least one display device, which indicates to the golfer before a shot the distance and direction required for the shot from the teeing area (9) onto the fairway area(s) (6).

Description

 Golf playground

The invention relates to a golf game system with at least one tee for the tee off of a golf ball with a golf club, and at least one fairway area in which the golf ball hits after the flight effected by the tee and remains after a run.

Known golf courses are, for example, golf courses with usually nine or eighteen holes. Each hole includes a teeing area, a fairway area and a target area with a recess (hole) into which the golf ball is to be played from the teeing area with multiple shots. After teeing off from the teeing area, the golfer follows his ball and makes another shot towards the green, a put on the green towards the depression or takes the golf ball out of the depression after the hole has been closed. If the golf ball is out of bounce after a stroke, the player receives penalty points and repeats the stroke.

The known golf courses have the disadvantage that they require a lot of space. For example, one needs for a golf course with 18 holes around 100 ha of land. This country is relatively expensive. In addition, the necessary intensive irrigation results in high operating costs and a high consumption of the sometimes scarce water resources. It also takes a relatively long time to play a round on one of the well-known golf courses. For example, a round on a golf course with 18 holes takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Alternatively, there are virtual golf game systems in which a golf ball is hit with a golf club into a net or other interception device. Such a golf game system is shown for example in DE 689 02 345 T2. A screen displays to the player the trajectory of the ball that the ball would take as a result of the tee if it had not been intercepted by the interceptor. These virtual golf game systems have the disadvantage that the hit golf ball is intercepted in the network and the player can therefore not see the real trajectory of the golf ball as in normal game operation. In this respect, virtual golf courses are not a real alternative for golf courses.

In order to give the golfer the feeling of a real tee and to reduce the space required for the golf course in comparison to conventional golf courses, various proposals have been made.

In EP 0 951 924 AI it is proposed to provide a substitute target field in the vicinity of the teeing field, which is based on the target field that the ball is to reach after the stroke. The position that corresponds to the position the ball actually took on the target field is marked on the substitute target field. This known golf game system has the disadvantage that the player has to reach the target field with one stroke. Therefore, playing on a conventional golf course cannot really are modeled in which a target field is usually to be reached with one (par 3) or more strokes (par 4, par 5 etc.) and not always with one stroke.

WO 00/53273 AI discloses a golf course with a number of tee-off areas arranged around a replacement target field. When playing, the player must have a target area assigned to the tee area with a. Hit. If the player fails to reach the target field, he must repeat the stroke. When the target field has been reached, the game can be continued on the replacement target field, depending on the approach. As with the other well-known golf course, playing on a conventional golf course cannot really be modeled, in which a target field usually with one (par 3) or more shots (par 4, par 5 etc.) and not always with only one Impact is to be achieved.

WO 98/20942 AI also discloses a golf game system in which the player has to reach these assigned target fields in one stroke from different teeing fields. After a hit in the target field, the game can be continued on a replacement field. The tee boxes are arranged on a circular path that includes the target boxes. This allows a relatively compact arrangement of the golf game system to be created. However, the golf game system shown, like the two golf game systems mentioned above, has the disadvantage that playing on a conventional golf course cannot really be modeled, in which a target field usually with one (par 3) or more shots (par 4, par 5, etc .) and should not always be reached with one stroke.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a golf game system which has a relatively small amount of land and can be played in a relatively short time can be modeled on a conventional golf course.

This object of the invention is achieved with a golf game system according to the features of at least one of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

In the present application, a “flight” of the golf ball is understood to mean a flight with the ascending phase, flight phase and descending phase caused by the tee off with a golf club. In other words, the flight means an actual flight of the golf ball, as it takes place when playing golf on a golf course after the tee has taken place. In contrast, in conventional golf simulation systems, the golf ball is intercepted and a virtual flight is calculated based on measured parameters. The golf ball does not leak with conventional golf simulation systems.

According to one embodiment, the golf game system according to the invention has at least one display device for the tee-off of a golf ball with a golf club, and at least one fairway area in which the golf ball hits after the flight caused by the tee-off and remains after an exit, at least one display device, to indicate to the player before a stroke the required width and the required direction for the stroke to be made from the tee area into the at least one fairway area.

The configuration according to the invention makes it possible to provide the target to be reached virtually at a certain distance from the tee-off area and to provide it closer to the tee-off area after a stroke in accordance with the approach made by the stroke. There the target area can be virtual, it can be easily and quickly moved virtually.

Because the player no longer has to go after his hit ball, the country in which the fairway area assigned to the teeing area is located can be used simultaneously by other teeing areas. In particular in the case of a golf game facility with 9 or 18 tees, this results in a considerably smaller golf game facility. While conventional golf courses require approximately 100 ha of land, a golf game system according to the invention can be realized on approximately 8 ha of land. This can significantly reduce the creation and maintenance costs. In addition, the golf game system according to the invention is more environmentally friendly because less water and fertilizer are used because of the smaller area. In addition, the fairway area is less stressed because the players no longer have to walk across the fairway area. It is therefore possible to work with less polluting fertilizers.

Furthermore, in order to play a round on a golf game system according to the invention with, for example, 9 or 18 tee-off areas arranged on a circle or oval, the player only has to walk along the circle from one tee-off area to the next tee-off area and in between to the respective nearby target areas. Therefore, the player only needs about 1 hour 45 minutes to play 18 holes, while on a standard golf course it takes about 4 hours 30 minutes.

According to one embodiment, the golf game system according to the invention has at least one target area for the tee-off of a golf ball with a golf club, and at least one fairway area in which the golf ball hits after the flight caused by the tee-off and remains after an exit, that can be achieved with one or more strokes, and lies the target area near the tee area. The target area is preferably in the immediate vicinity of the tee area. Since the player does not have to leave the tee-off area after a shot in the golf game system according to the invention, but instead receives information about the distance and direction to a virtual target area, after reaching the virtual target area he can go to the nearby real target area, around the golf ball on the target area to play in the hole. For example, he can be supplied with information which tells him in which coordinates of the target area the golf ball is to be arranged on the target area.

The tee-off area is preferably arranged between the target area and the fairway area. This has the advantage that a first group of golfers can play putt after leaving the teeing ground in the target area, while another next group in the teeing ground can hit their balls in the fairway area without endangering the first group. This eliminates the need for protective measures, such as nets, grids or hedges, which would also obstruct the view of the players playing on the teeing ground.

Alternatively, the target area can also be located below or in a bunker in front of the tee area.

Furthermore, the target area can alternatively be arranged in the fairway area or between the tee area and the fairway area.

These alternatives have the advantage that there is less space required for the golf course. However, the order or other protective measures should ensure that players in the target area are protected from ricochets by players in the tee area if players are allowed to play in both areas at the same time. According to one embodiment, in the golf game system according to the invention with at least one tee-off area for the tee-off of a golf ball with a golf club, and at least one fairway area in which the golf ball hits after the flight effected by the tee-off and remains after a run-out, a virtual location is one is provided with one or more shots to be reached in a certain distance and direction to the tee area, and after a shot the virtual location of the target area is virtually approximated to the tee area in accordance with the approach to the virtual location of the target area by the shot.

This has the advantage that the player does not have to go after his hit ball, but can make another stroke that may be necessary from the teeing area or can switch to a real target area, which is preferably located near the teeing area or on the way to the next one Teeing area is. When changing to the target area, the player can be given the coordinates of the target area where he should continue playing.

After a stroke, the approach to the target area that is caused by the stroke is preferably calculated automatically and the player is shown the new distance and direction to the target area. When the target area is approached, the player is informed of the corresponding coordinates of the target area.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the distance between the tee area and the virtual location of the target area and the direction to the virtual target area are displayed by one or the display device.

According to one embodiment, the golf game system according to the invention has at least one tee area for the tee a golf ball with a golf club, and at least one fairway area, in which the golf ball hits after the flight caused by the tee shot and remains after an exit, a measuring device that determines the width and direction of a shot from the tee area.

With the information of ^{'Meßvorichtung} the approach was made by the impact can automatically to a virtual target area or be determined by the player. This results in the advantage mentioned that the player does not have to run after the hit ball, but can continue to play with a new ball on the tee area or a real target area.

For example, the measuring device can comprise an evaluation device readable by the player for determining the location of the struck golf ball on the fairway area. The evaluation device readable by the player can comprise flags or flags which are assigned to the tee-off area, for example, by a color code. Since the flags may be located very far from the player, only a rough estimate can be made. In order to achieve a higher accuracy, the player can be provided with an image of the struck ball using an image transmission device (e.g. video camera).

Alternatively or additionally, the measuring device can comprise a discount evaluation device for recording and evaluating the discount parameters. For example, the club movement, for example speed and direction, and / or the hardness and the location of the impact of the club head on the golf ball can be evaluated in a manner known to the person skilled in the art. The trajectory of the golf ball and thus the width and direction of the shot can be calculated in a known manner from these values. ■ • Alternatively or additionally, the measuring device can comprise a trajectory evaluation device for recording and evaluating the flight parameters of the golf ball. For example, the initial movement, for example speed, direction and possibly spin, of the flying golf ball can be evaluated in a manner known to the person skilled in the art.

The above-mentioned evaluations, in which the trajectory of the golf ball is calculated, have the advantages that a "hole in one" with a virtual shot is possible, that the real collision of two balls coming from different tee areas does not affect the virtual shot , and that a run-out behavior disturbed by possibly many golf balls on the fairway area is not taken into account.

Alternatively or additionally, the measuring device can comprise a weather parameter evaluation device for recording and evaluating the parameters influencing the trajectory and the rolling out of the golf ball. This has the advantage that weather parameters such as wind and rain can be taken into account when calculating the approximation made by the impact.

Alternatively or additionally, the measuring device can comprise a position evaluation device for determining the position of the golf ball on the playing field. For example, in a manner known to the person skilled in the art, the position of the golf ball can be done optically, for example by video surveillance and image analysis, or by means of an aimed radio signal of the golf ball. For example, the golf balls assigned to a certain tee-off area or a player can send out a signal a short time after the end of the shot, so that the location of the golf ball can be determined, for example, via a cross bearing. According to an embodiment of the invention, the tee area has several tee boxes and preferably four tee boxes.

According to an embodiment of the golf game system according to the invention with at least one tee-off area for the tee-off of a golf ball with a golf club, and at least one fairway area in which the golf ball hits after the flight caused by the tee-off and remains after an exit, the tee-off area has at least one tee-off area , which is divided into several sections with different soils such as fairway, rough and sand.

The golf game system according to the invention can have one to eighteen holes with respectively assigned tee-off areas and fairway areas. The golf game system according to the invention preferably has one, two, four, nine or eighteen holes with respectively assigned tee-off areas and fairway areas.

According to one embodiment, the golf game system according to the invention has at least one tee area for the tee shot of a golf ball with a golf club, and at least one fairway area in which the golf ball hits after the flight caused by the tee shot and remains after an exit, at least two tee areas and at least two fairway areas assigned to the respective tee areas, the fairway areas at least partially overlapping.

This has the advantage that the golf course can be made smaller without having to reduce the size of the fairway.

According to one embodiment are at a ^'inventive golf game system having a plurality of tee areas for the Teeing off a golf ball with a golf club and several fairway areas, in which the golf ball hits after the flight caused by the tee shot and remains after an exit, the tee-off areas spaced from each other on a circle, oval, square, rectangle or other closed geometric figure arranged and the fairway areas arranged in the area enclosed by the teeing areas.

This version has the advantage that the golf game system can be made particularly small without impairing the quality of the game.

Target areas assigned to the tee-off areas can preferably be arranged outside the area enclosed by the tee-off areas in the vicinity of the assigned tee-off area.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one or more target areas assigned to the tee-off areas can be arranged between two adjacent tee-off areas. The target areas are preferably arranged such that the target area assigned to a tee area lies on the way to the next tee area.

According to one embodiment, the golf game system according to the invention has at least one tee-off area for teeing off a golf ball with a golf club, and at least one fairway area in which the golf ball hits after the flight effected by the tee-off and after a run-out _. remains, at least one practice tee area between the at least one tee area and an assigned fairway area.

In this embodiment of the invention, there is the advantage that a considerable saving of space is achieved simply by the fact that the training course is integrated into the golf course becomes. Usually, the practice range (driving range) and the golf course are separate. According to the invention, the fairway area or areas are used as the target area of the practice tee area (s). This double function can significantly reduce the space required for the golf game system.

The invention is described below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention with a tee area and a fairway area.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention with a tee area and a fairway area.

3 shows a further embodiment of the invention with two teeing-off areas and two fairway areas, which at least partially overlap.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention with four teeing-off areas and four fairway areas, which at least partially overlap.

5 shows a further embodiment of the invention with four teeing-off areas and four fairway areas, which at least partially overlap.

Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention ^' with new teeing areas and nine fairway areas, which at least partially overlap.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the invention with new teeing-off areas and nine fairway areas, which at least partially overlap. 8 shows an embodiment of a tee box according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention. The golf course comprises a hole 1 with a teeing area 9, a fairway area 6 and a target area 7. The teeing area 9 is arranged between the fairway area 6 and the target area 7. A tee-off takes place in the direction of arrow 8 from tee-off area 9. Tee-off area 9 has four tee-off areas .2, 3, 4, and 5, which, as shown in FIG. 8 with the example of tee-off area 2, in sections 2a, 2b and 2c are divided. Section 2a has a floor with mowed lawn (fairway), section 2b has a floor with uncut grass (rough) and section 2c has a floor made of sand.

A display device (not shown) (e.g. a flat screen) notifies the player of the distance and direction to a virtual target area. After a stroke, the approximation made by the stroke is determined by a measuring device, not shown. If the virtual target area has not yet been reached, the player is shown the remaining distance and direction to the correspondingly shifted virtual target area. Depending on the ground on which the golf ball has actually come to rest or according to a calculation, the player with a new golf ball should execute the subsequent stroke from the corresponding section 2a, 2b, 2c of the tee elds 2.

As soon as the player has reached the virtual target field, the player is given the coordinates of the real target field 7 on which he should place a new golf ball for further play. The final punching is done in a known manner. If the coordinates indicate that the golf ball is holed in the hole, the golf ball can be considered directly holed. FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention, which essentially corresponds to the first embodiment of FIG. 1. The corresponding components have the same reference numerals. In the following only the differences are shown and otherwise reference is made to the description of FIG. 1. In contrast to the first embodiment, the target area 7 is arranged between the tee area 9 and the fairway area 6. Thus, the game of golf conditioning ^• When can made smaller. However, the target area must be secured by suitable protective measures (bunker, lowering, etc.) in order to protect the players in the target area against the blows of players in the tee area. Alternatively, simultaneous game play in the two areas can also be excluded.

Further embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, which have a plurality of holes 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81 and 91, respectively. All holes have the components already described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the reference numerals of the corresponding parts being increased by 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90, respectively. In the following only the differences are shown and otherwise reference is made to the description of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment with two holes 11 and 21, which are opposite each other. The fairway areas 16 and 26 overlap almost completely. The distance between the two teeing grounds is large enough so that the players cannot be hit by the hit balls. The distance is definitely larger than the maximum range of the clubs to be used. The respective target areas 17, 27 are arranged such that the tee-off areas lie between the assigned target area and the assigned fairway area. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment with four holes 11, 21, 31 and 41. The tee areas 19, 29, 39 and 49 are arranged on a circle or square. The fairway areas 16, 26, 36 and 46 are arranged on the area enclosed by the circle or square. In principle, this embodiment corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 3, in which the embodiment of FIG. 3 is again rotated by 90 degrees.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment with four holes 11, 21, 31 and 41, which essentially corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 4. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the target areas are arranged between the tee-off areas, so to speak on the corners of a square on which the tee-off areas lie. This results in a particularly space-saving embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment with nine holes 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81 and 91. The tee areas 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89 and 99 are on an oval arranged. The fairway areas 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76, 86 and 96 are arranged inside the oval, while the target areas 17, 27, 37, 47, 57, 67, 77, 87 and 97 lie outside the oval. The nine holes are designed so that a 36-round can be played: Hole 11 has par 4, hole 21 par 3, hole 31 par 4, hole 41 par 4, hole 51 par 5, hole 61 par 3, hole 71 par 4, hole 81 par 4 and hole 91 par 5. Other divisions are conceivable. In particular, the division can easily be changed by changing the position of the virtual target fields. For example, real golf courses can also be simulated.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment with nine holes 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81 and 91, which essentially corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 6. Only the differences from the embodiment of FIG. 6 are shown below and reference is made to the description of FIG. 6. The holes 61 and 71 have a common target field 67, which is not arranged outside the oval, but is between the tee areas 69 and 79.

In the area of hole 41, a practice tee area 100 is provided within the oval, from which golf balls can be struck in the direction of arrow 48. The practice teeing area is provided in a depression, preferably protected by a roof, so that the players are not endangered by the tees from the tee field 49. In order to protect the players against blows from, for example, tee box 99, bunkers or lakes can be provided in front of the practice tee area.

The practice tee area comprises several tee boxes, for example 50, which are constructed, for example, according to FIG. 8. A corresponding practice tee area 101 is provided in the area of hole 91.

Of course, the practice tee areas 100 and 101 can also be provided in the embodiment of FIG. 6.

The designs according to FIGS. 6 and 7 have a higher capacity despite the smaller size. While an 18-hole golf course can accommodate about 300 people per day, about 2000 people can play on the designs according to FIGS. 6 and 7 each day. The capacity can also be increased by the provision of a floodlight system, which can be economically sensible due to the small size. This means that people who work during the day can use the golf course on working days.

Claims

Expectations 1 . Golf course with at least one teeing area (9) for teeing off a golf ball with a golf club, and at least one fairway area (6) in which the golf ball hits after the flight caused by the tee shot and remains after a run, characterized in that the golf game system has at least one display device to indicate to the player before a shot the required width and direction for the shot to be taken from the tee area (9) into the at least one fairway area (6). 2. Golf game system according to claim 1 or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the golf game system has at least one target area (7) which can be reached with one or more shots, and that the target area (7) in the vicinity of the tee area (9) lies. 3. golf course according to claim 2, characterized in that the tee area (6) between the target area (7) and the fairway area (6) is arranged. 4. Golf game system according to claim 2, characterized in that the target area (7) in the fairway area (6) or between the tee area (9) and the fairway area (6) is arranged. 5. Golf game system according to one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that a virtual location of a target area (7) to be reached with one or more shots is provided at a specific distance and direction to the tee area (9), and that after a stroke, the virtual location of the target area (7) is virtually approached to the tee area (9) in accordance with the approach to the virtual location of the target area (7). 6. Golf game system according to claim 5, characterized in that one or the display device shows the distance between the tee area (9) and the virtual location of the target area (7) and the direction to the virtual target area (7). 7. Golf game system according to one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the golf game system has a measuring device which determines the width and direction of a stroke from the tee area (9). 8. Golf game system according to claim 7, characterized in that the measuring device comprises an evaluation device readable by the player for determining the location of the hit golf ball on the fairway area (6). 9. Golf game system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the measuring device comprises a tee evaluation device for detecting and evaluating the tee parameters. 10. Golf game system according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the measuring device Flight path evaluation device for recording and evaluating the flight parameters of the Golf includes everything. 11. Golf game system according to one of claims ^' 7 to 10, characterized in that the measuring device comprises a weather parameter evaluation device for detecting and evaluating the parameters influencing the trajectory and the rolling out of the golf ball. 12. Golf game system according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the measuring device comprises a position evaluation device for determining the position of the golf ball on the course area (6). 13. Golf game system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tee area (9) has a plurality of tee boxes (2, 3, 4, 5). 14. Golf game system according to one of the preceding claims or the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the tee-off area (9) comprises at least one tee-off field (2) which in several sections (2a, 2b, 2c) with different floors, for example fairway, Rough and sand, is divided. 15. Golf game system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the golf game system has one to eighteen holes with respectively assigned tee-off areas (9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89, 99) and fairway areas (6, 16 , 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76, 86, 96). 16. Golf game system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the golf game system with one, two, four, nine or eighteen holes each assigned tee areas (9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 19, 89, 99) and fairway areas (6, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76, 86, 96). 17. Golf game system according to one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1 with at least two. Tee-off areas (9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89, 99) and at least two fairway areas assigned to the respective tee-off areas (6, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76, 86, 96 ), characterized in that the fairway areas (6, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76, 86, 96) at least partially overlap. 18 golf course according to claim 17 or according to the preamble of claim 17, characterized in that the tee areas (9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89, 99) on a circle, oval, square, rectangle or another closed geometric figure are arranged at a distance from each other and the fairway areas ^• (6, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76, 86, 96) are arranged in the area enclosed by the tee-off areas. 19. Golf game system according to claim 18, characterized in that the tee-off areas (9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89, 99) assigned target areas (7, 17, 27, 37, 47, 57, 67 , 77, 87, 97) are arranged outside the area enclosed by the tee-off areas in the vicinity of the assigned tee-off area. 20. Golf game system according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that at least one or more target areas (7, 17, 27, 37) assigned to the tee-off areas (9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89, 99) , 47, 57, 67, 77, 87, 97) are arranged between two adjacent teeing areas. 1. Golf game system according to one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the golf game system has at least one practice tee area (100, 101) between the at least one tee area (49, 99) and an associated fairway area (46, 96) ,