Patent Application
20240261658
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The present general inventive concept pertains to golf courses for playing the game of golf, and more particularly to a compact golf course and associated method which allows for the orderly playing of golf by multiple players within a compact space.
Golf is a sport that is played over large parcels of land commonly referred to as a golf course. The units of play comprising a conventional golf course are referred to as “holes.” A conventional golf course includes eighteen holes, with each hole including a teeing area, an elongated fairway, and putting green that has a cup embedded therein for receiving a golf ball. During the course of play of each hole, a golfer (which may be referred to herein alternatively as a “golfer,” a “player,” or a “participant”) starts from the single teeing area by hitting a golf ball with a golf club, thereby directing the golf ball along the fairway in the direction of the putting green. The object of golf is to hit the ball into the cup in the least amount of “strokes,” each stroke being a single hit of the golf ball with the golf club. Thus, it is often said that a golfer “plays against the course” by trying to minimize the total number of strokes needed by the golfer to complete a game of golf on a particular golf course, Additionally, two or more golfers may compete against one another by trying to achieve the least number of strokes needed to finish a particular golf course as compared to the other participants.
Many areas, such as developed cities, neighborhoods, mountainous areas, etc., do not have the requisite sized parcels of land available for the establishment of a full, eighteen-hole conventional golf course. Furthermore, even if the requisite parcels of land are available, the costs associated with purchasing the land and developing and maintaining a conventional golf course can be exorbitant. These costs are often passed on to the golfer in the form of higher fees to play the course, which reduces the general public's ability to participate.
Numerous methods and configurations have been developed and adopted for use in allowing a full eighteen-hole game of golf to be played in a smaller space than is necessary to accommodate a conventional eighteen-hole golf course. For example, golf may be played on a smaller parcel of land upon which a “partial” golf course is constructed consisting of a reduced number of holes. For example, a partial golf course may be provided consisting of only nine holes. In such examples, a full eighteen-hole game of golf can be played on the partial, nine-hole golf course by repeating the nine-hole golf course twice, that is, by playing the nine-hole partial golf course and then repeating the same partial course again. A similar strategy may be used to allow a full eighteen-hole game of golf to be played on a partial golf course consisting of six holes, in which the entire course is played three times, or on a partial golf course consisting of only three holes, in which the entire course is played six times, in order to complete a total of eighteen holes.
The above-discussed partial golf courses, in which the course consists of a reduced number of holes, often equal to a factor of eighteen, and the course is repeated until a total of eighteen “holes” are played, is undesirable for a number of reasons. For example, a golfer's interest and enjoyment of a conventional golf course is often influenced by the variety of features and layouts found among the various holes, such as for example different types of vegetation, changes in topography, bends or “fades” in the angle of the fairways and greens, and/or hazards such as sand, bunkers, rock formations, bodies of water, etc. The more variety included among the various holes of a golf course, the more a golfer nay be called upon to use a variety of different clubs and swing techniques in order to navigate the golf ball from the teeing area to the cup. Thus, golf enthusiasts may not wish to play the same hole, having the same configuration and features, two or more times in order to complete a full eighteen-hole game of golf.
Additionally, in order to accommodate a large number of players on a single golf course, a “pace of play” is often established for a golf course in which the approximate and/or average time necessary to complete each hole is determined, and based on this data, each new player is allowed to begin the first hole of the course at an interval of time following the previous new player such that each player completes a hole and moves on to the next at approximately the same time that the player in front of them completes that hole and moves on. Thus, throughout the day, the entire golf course can remain substantially full, with each hole having a player moving off the hole as the next player approaches. Often, rules or guidelines are established at golf courses in which golfers are asked not to “disrupt the pace of play” through activities such as lingering for a substantial time at any one hole or any one position of the golf ball, leaving the golf course prior to the completion of the golfgame and attempting to return, attempting to complete the holes outside of the designated order, or attempting to skip ahead or lag behind other golfers. These types of activities may lead to a disruption of the pace of play, which may in turn reduce the total number of golfers that can complete the golf course in a given day. Thus, many golf enthusiasts are mindful to avoid activities which might disrupt the pace of play, and many golf enthusiasts view any disruption of the pace of play as highly undesirable.
In instances in which a golfer is attempting to complete a full eighteen-hole golf game on a partial golf course of the type described above, the act of the golfer attempting to repeat the partial course one or more times in order to accumulate a total number of “holes” played equal to eighteen may, itself, result in a disruption in the pace of play. For example, in instances in which new golfers are waiting to begin the first hole of the course, the insertion of the repeating player into the order of players may result in the new player having to wait longer to begin. Conversely, a repeating player may have to wait in order to safely begin the partial course again until a new player first begins the course, and possibly until the new player has finished the first hole and moved on. Each of these circumstances may be viewed by the players as a “disruption in the pace of play,” which may be considered highly undesirable.
In light of the above, there exists a desire to provide a compact golf course which may be used in combination with a method of operation which allows for full eighteen-hole games of golf to be played on a smaller space than is necessary to accommodate a conventional eighteen-hole golf course, and which allows for each hole to be played multiple times through with minimal disruption in the pace of play by the various golfing participants.
Reference will now be made to the example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and illustrations. The example embodiments are described herein in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures.
The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modification, and equivalents of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of fabrication operations described are merely examples, however, and the sequence type of operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, description of well-known functions and constructions may be simplified and/or omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.
Note that spatially relative terms, such as “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over or rotated, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
According to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a compact golf course, or “course,” is provided that includes a plurality of holes. As will be further discussed hereinbelow, in various example embodiments, each of the holes comprises a substantially elongated fairway having a first end and an opposite second end. Each of the holes further comprises a plurality of teeing areas positioned proximate a corresponding first end of the fairway, and a plurality of greens positioned proximate the second end of the fairway, each green having at least one, and preferably only one, cup embedded therein for receiving a golf ball. The course is arranged such that each set of greens of each hole is located proximate the set of teeing areas of the following hole, and such that the greens of the final hole are located proximate the teeing areas of the first hole. Thus, the course is arranged in a “circuit,” wherein a player may play from the teeing areas of the first hole through the course to the greens of the final hole, and by doing so, conclude the course at a location near the starting point of the first hole.
Various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept may also include a method of operation of a compact golf course. In various example embodiments of the method, the course may be played in a first circuit using a first set of teeing areas from each hole and a first green from each hole. Thereafter, the course may be played in a second circuit using a second set of teeing areas from each hole and a second green from each hole. In various example embodiments, the holes are laid out within the course such that player traffic from the first circuit does not interfere substantially with player traffic from the second circuit. Thus, players between the first and second circuits do not substantially interfere with one another, and disruption of the course of play is minimized.
The attached figures illustrate a number of diagrams and photographs with sketches overlaid thereon showing general component elements of a compact golf course according to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept. Within the example embodiments illustrated in the attached figures, there is shown a compact golf course 10 including a plurality of holes 12, each hole comprising a fairway 14, a plurality of teeing areas 18, and a plurality of greens 20. The various fairways 14 may differ from one another considerably in overall shape, topography, and features incorporated therein. However, in general, each fairway 14 consists of an elongated field of playable terrain, such as for example grass, turf, sand, or the like, along which a golf ball may be directed in the course of ordinary play of golf as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Incorporated within each fairway 14 may optionally be one or more features such as sand bunkers, water, “rough” areas, or the like, which may be positioned adjacent to or within the fairway 14, or which may subdivide the fairway into one or more smaller units. In general, each fairway 14 defines a first end 22, an opposite second end 24, and a “midline” 26 that extends generally along the elongated dimension of the fairway 14 from the first end 22 to the second end 24, following generally the middle of the width dimension along the fairway 14. Depending upon the specific shape of each fairway 14, the midline 26 may define a straight, or relatively straight, line; or the midline 26 may define a curved line or multiply-curved line. In any case, it will be understood that the midline 26 follows generally along the overall shape of the fairway 14 along the elongate dimension thereof.
As noted above, each hole 12 further comprises a plurality of teeing areas 18. Each teeing area 18 may, in various embodiments, comprise one or more individual “teeing grounds” 28, with each “teeing ground” representing a discreet location from which a golf ball may be hit to begin the hole 12. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, each teeing area 18 comprises four separate teeing grounds 28. The teeing grounds 28 are arranged generally along a linear configuration extending generally away from the fairway 14 in a direction generally along the midline 26 and adjacent the fairway 14, proximate the first end 22. Thus, each teeing ground 28 of each teeing area 18 establishes a different initial distance from the fairway first end 22 at which the hole 12 may be begun by a player. In this regard, it is generally understood by those of skill in the art that beginning a hole 12 further away from the green associated with a fairway 14 may result in increased difficulty of play, as additional distance from the green and associated cup may result in more strokes being required in order to complete the hole 12. Thus, the various teeing grounds 28 comprising each teeing area 18 may be thought of as being arranged in order of “difficulty,” with the more “difficult” teeing grounds 28 being located further from the green and the less “difficult” teeing grounds 28 being located closer to the green. In the illustrated embodiment, four separate teeing grounds 28 are provided for each teeing area 18, with the sets of teeing grounds 28 being generally arranged along a straight or slightly arced configuration extending outwardly from the fairway midline 26 and away from the fairway first end 22. However, it will be recognized that the arrangement of the teeing grounds 28 within each teeing area 18 may take on any of a wide variety of shapes and configurations, and fewer or more teeing grounds 28 may be provided for each teeing area 18, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
As indicated above, at the end of the fairway 14 opposite the teeing areas 18, that is, near the second end 24 of each fairway 14, a plurality of greens 20 are provided. Each green 20 comprises a separate, discreet target at which a golf ball may be directed during play. In various embodiments, each green 20 includes at least one, and preferably only one, cup 30 embedded therein for receipt of a golf ball, thereby signifying the conclusion of play of a single iteration of the hole 12. In the various illustrated embodiments, for each hole 12, a separate, discreet green 20 is provided for each teeing area 18. In other words, for each hole 12, a single fairway 14 is provided. However, while multiple separate, discreet teeing areas 18 and greens 20 are provided for each hole 12, the same number of teeing areas 18 are provided as greens 20, and vice versa. Thus, in embodiments in which two separate teeing areas 18 are provided, two separate greens 20 are also provided. In embodiments in which three separate teeing areas 18 are provided, three separate greens 20 are provided, and so forth.
In various embodiments, each hole 12 comprises a single fairway 14 with two greens 20 and two teeing areas 18, with each teeing area 18 comprising four separate teeing grounds 28. In certain embodiments, the two teeing areas 18 are located generally on opposite sides of the midline 26 of the fairway 14 near the fairway first end 22, and the two greens 20 are located on opposite sides of the midline 26 of the fairway 14 near the fairway second end 24. Thus, a golfer playing from a first teeing area 18a of a hole 12 to the cup 30a of a first green 20a of the hole 12, where each of the first teeing area 18a and first green 20a are located on the same side of the midline 26 of the fairway 14, interferes minimally with a golfer playing from a second teeing area 18b of a hole 12 to the cup 30b of a second green 20b of the hole 12, where each of the second teeing area 18b and second green 20b are located on the same side of the midline 26 of the fairway 14 opposite the first teeing area 18a and first green 20a.
As shown in the attached illustrations, employing various examples of the embodiments of the holes 12 discussed above, a compact golf course 10 may be provided comprising a plurality of the above-discussed holes 12 arranged in the above-discussed “circuit” configuration. For example, in various embodiments, nine holes 12 may be provided to comprise the compact golf course 10. It will be recognized that, in these embodiments, an eighteen-hole game of golf may be played within the compact golf course 10 by first playing each hole 12 from a first of the teeing areas 18 of a hole 12 to the cup 30 of a first green 20 of the hole 12, and then moving on to the next hole 12. Once each of the nine holes 12 have been played, the player may play the course 10 again, this time playing each hole 12 from a second of the teeing areas 18 of a hole 12 to the cup 30 of a second green 20 of the hole 12, and then moving on to the next hole 12. In this manner, eighteen effective “holes” may be played, while the player may experience a different layout, topography, and configuration of each “hole,” due in part to the difference in starting and stopping locations provided by the respective first and second teeing areas 18 and the first and second greens 20, and also due to the difference in topography, layout, and other features found along the two paths between the respective teeing areas 18 and greens 20 along the fairway 14.
In a further embodiment, each hole 12 may be played in a “cross” configuration. That is, a golfer may play each hole 12 from a first teeing area 18a of a hole 12 on one side of the midline 26 to the cup 30b of a second green 20b of the hole 12 on the opposite side of the midline 26. Thereafter, the golfer may play each hole 12 from a second teeing area 18b of a hole 12 on one side of the midline 26 to the cup 30a of a first green 20a of the hole 12 on the opposite side of the midline 26. It will be recognized that a pair of golfers playing a single hole 12 in this type of “cross” configuration may interfere with each other very minimally, since the period of time in which a golf ball travels through the air down a fairway is typically relatively short. Thus, the amount of time necessary for two golfers to “cross” paths with each other along a fairway 14 is relatively small, and play may proceed with little if any disruption of the course of play.
The attached figures also illustrate a number of features and operations in accordance with a method of operation of a compact golf course according to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept. Within the example embodiments illustrated in the attached figures, there is shown a method of operation in which a compact golf course 10 of the type described hereinabove is provided. In one example embodiment, a golfer may play an eighteen-hole game of golf by playing each of the nine holes 12 along respective teeing areas 18 and greens 20 corresponding to an outer path of the “circuit” of the course 10. Thereafter, the golfer may repeat the nine holes 12, this time playing each of the holes 12 along respective teeing areas 18 and greens 20 corresponding to an inner path of the “circuit” of the course 10. Thus, the respective paths of traffic of the inner and outer paths of the “circuit” of the course 10 do not intersect with one another, or intersect one another minimally. In this manner, disruption of the course of play of the golf course 10 as multiple participants play the course 10 is further avoided.
In another embodiment, the order of play of the inner and outer paths of the “circuit” of the course 10 is reversed. That is, in one embodiment, a golfer may play an eighteen-hole game of golf by playing each of the nine holes 12 along respective teeing areas 18 and greens 20 corresponding to an inner path of the “circuit” of the course 10. Thereafter, the golfer may repeat the nine holes 12, this time playing each of the holes 12 along respective teeing areas 18 and greens 20 corresponding to an outer path of the “circuit” of the course 10. Again, through this method, the respective paths of traffic of the inner and outer paths of the “circuit” of the course 10 do not intersect with one another, or intersect one another minimally. Thus, excessive disruption of the course of play of the golf course 10 as multiple participants play the course 10 is avoided.
In still other embodiments, one or more holes 12 played with the above-discussed “cross” configuration may be incorporated into the course 10 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a majority of holes 12 are played in a “parallel” configuration, i.e., from teeing area 18 to green 20 where both the teeing area and the green are on the same side of the midline 26. However, certain of the holes 12 are played in the above-discussed “cross” configuration, from teeing area 18 to green 20 where the teeing area and the green are on opposite sides of the midline 26. Thus, the only time that the respective “inner” and “outer” paths of the “circuit” of the course 10 intersect is across a fairway 14. In this manner, excessive disruption of the course of play of the golf course 10 as multiple participants play the course 10 is avoided. In still other embodiments, the respective “inner” and “outer” paths of the “circuit” of the course 10 may intersect, but only where convenient to allow traffic of golfers to proceed without disrupting one another.
In accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept, in various embodiments, one or more signaling elements may be provided in order to indicate to a player the manner in which a hole should be played for each iteration. For example, in various embodiments, one or more of the teeing areas 18 and/or greens 20 of each hole may be designated with one or more flags, colors, markers, or the like, which may serve to indicate where a player should start and conclude play of each hole 12. As a more specific example, in one embodiment, each of the first teeing areas 18a is marked with a first color, and each of the first greens 20a has a flag posted within the cup thereof, the flag bearing the same first color as the first teeing area 18a. Likewise, each of the second teeing areas 18b is marked with a second color, and each of the second greens 20b has a flag posted within the cup thereof, the flag bearing the same second color as the second teeing area 18b.
In this embodiment, the course 10 may be operated using a plurality of configurations of play based on the use of the signaling elements to direct a player regarding the order of play of the various holes 12. For example, in various embodiments, a player may be instructed to play a first circuit of the course 10 by playing each hole 12 from the signaling element designating a first teeing area 18a to the signaling element designating a first green 20a. A player may be instructed to play a second circuit of the course 10 by playing each hole 12 from the signaling element designating a second teeing area Sb to the signaling element designating a second green 20b. A player may be instructed to play a third circuit of the course 10 by playing each hole 12 from the signaling element designating a first teeing area 18a to the signaling element designating a second green 20b. A player may be instructed to play a fourth circuit of the course 10 by playing each hole 12 from the signaling element designating a second teeing area 18b to the signaling element designating a first green 20a. In this manner, a player may play the entire course 10, comprising only nine holes 12, in four different configurations, thereby achieving a total of thirty-six (36) different layouts of “holes” within a single course 10.
It will be recognized that the above-described system of signaling elements may be used to achieve various additional features of a method of operation of a compact golf course according to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept. For example, in various embodiments, a course 10 may be operated by directing players along a certain order of the above-described first, second, third, and/or fourth “circuits,” for a desired time. Thereafter, the order and/or selection of the above-described first, second, third, and/or fourth “circuits,” used in operation of the golf course 10 may be changed. For example, in one embodiment, a method of operation of the golf course 10 may involve directing players along the first circuit, followed by the second circuit, for certain days of the week. In other days of the week, players may be directed along the second circuit, followed by the first circuit. At other times, players may be directed along the third circuit, followed by the fourth circuit, and so on.
It will be recognized that this variation in the order and configuration of the play of the various holes 12 comprising the course 10 may fulfill numerous useful features in the method of operation. For example, in situations in which grass, turf, or the like making up one or more of the holes 12 becomes worn and requires a period of rest and/or change in traffic pattern along the hole 12 for maintenance purposes, such change in traffic pattern may be achieved by varying the above-described configuration of play of the particular hole, or by varying the “circuit” through which the course 10 is played. In other situations, for example if players become accustomed and/or bored playing the same configuration of the course 10, the order and/or configuration of the course 10 circuits may be changed in order to provide players with increased variety.
The attached drawings and illustrations demonstrate several concepts according to several features of the present general inventive concept. For example, in the attached drawings and illustrations, it will be clear that a first “circuit” of play is designated by yellow and/or white lines appearing along the various holes in the illustrated courses, while a second “circuit” of play is designated by red lines appearing thereon. As is visible from the attached drawings, a single “circuit” of play need not be limited to a single variation of configuration, i.e., with all holes played in a side-by-side configuration and/or with all holes played in a cross-configuration. Rather, in various embodiments, the above-discussed “circuits” may each comprise a mix of side-by-side configurations and cross-configurations of the various holes 12 comprising the course 10 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
From the foregoing description, it will be recognized that a compact golf course and method of operation is provided that permits for the play of eighteen “holes” of golf using a compact golf course while permitting the participants to experience different terrain, topography, layout, features, and the like throughout each effective “hole” of play. It will further be recognized that a compact golf course and method of operation is provided that permits for the play of eighteen “holes” of golf using a compact golf course while avoiding, or at least substantially avoiding, disruption or delay in the course of play as a result of traffic congestion in the course between and among players of the course in a first iteration and players of the course in a second iteration. The attached figures and drawings illustrate a number of possible configurations of the various fairways which allow for a layout of a golf course having a particularly compact design. For example, in various embodiments, three fairways are provided in a side-by-side configuration having widths of 220 feet, 230 feet, and 260 feet, respectively. Thus, three fairways may occupy a combined width of 710 feet. Likewise, in various embodiments, three fairways are provided in a side-by-side configuration having widths of 270 feet, 265 feet, and 265 feet, respectively. Thus, three fairways may occupy a combined width of 800 feet. It will be recognized by one of skill in the art that such a compact course design may allow the construction of a course 10 in spaces and land areas with extremely limited acreage.
Numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example, regardless of the content of any portion of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any element can be duplicated.
It is noted that the simplified diagrams and drawings included in the present application do not illustrate all the various connections and assemblies of the various components, however, those skilled in the art will understand how to implement such connections and assemblies, based on the illustrated components, figures, and descriptions provided herein, using sound engineering judgment. Numerous variations, modification, and additional embodiments are possible, and, accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
While the present general inventive concept has been illustrated by description of several example embodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the general inventive concept to such descriptions and illustrations, Instead, the descriptions, drawings, and claims herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and additional embodiments will readily appear to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description and drawings. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63443533 | Feb 2023 | US |
