AU2003244556A1 - A Method For Marking A Practice Range and A Practice Range and Markings Therefor - Google Patents

Description

4,SEP.2003 18:39 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO. 9130 P. 5/22 P100/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for service is: Alan Hopkins Alan Hopkins WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "A Method For Marking A Practice Range and A Practice Range and Markings Therefor" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): The following statement is a full description of this method of performing it known to me:invention, including the best COMS ID No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4.SEPA003 18:39 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO. 9130 P, 6/22 -2- A Method For Marking A Practice Range And A Practice Range and Markings Therefor Field Of The Invention The present invention relates to a method for marking a practice range and a practice range and markings therefor to enable golf players to assess and improve the accuracy of their strokes.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the Inclusion of a stated Integer or group of Integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Background Art The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present Invention. However, It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge of the person skilled in the art in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application.

Golf is one of the most popular past times in the western world. A consequence of the popularity of the game of golf has been the development of golf practice ranges where the golfer can practice and refine his skills.

Golf practice ranges are usually simple in layout. They typically have an area from which to tee off, a grassed area into which the balls are driven, fences to contain wayward shots, and distance markers in the form of signposts.

Current golf practice ranges have some inherent inadequacies to a golfer who wishes to hone his skills. Golf is a game that requires accuracy and skill, not simply power. The provisions available on current golf practice ranges for a golfer COMS ID No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4-SEP.2003 18:40 4. SP. 203 1:40 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO, 0130 P, 7/22 -3to judge his skill are minimal, typically consisting of the distance markers. These distance markers allow a golfer who is stood in line with them to judge the approximate distance he has hit the ball, but not the accuracy.

Most practice ranges have a single line of distance markers extending from the teeing area. Parallax error reduces their usefulness if the goffer is not in front of the distance markers. If the golfer angles his shot towards the distance markers, the Increased distance travelled because of the angled shot similarly reduces the usefulness of the distance markers.

A further difficulty with existing distance markers is that they are usually spaced apart by 25 or 50 metres. However, the difference In the distance a golf ball travels between two adjacent clubs, such as a 2-iron and a 3-iron, is typically metres.

Consequently, the large spacing between distance markers makes it difficult for a golfer to accurately judge the distance the ball travels when using a particular club, which is an important element of the game of golf. This problem is exacerbated by parallax error if the golfer is not in line wtth the distance markers.

Further, existing golf practice ranges have no facility for a gaffer to judge the accuracy of his strokes, particularly in the direction parallel to the teeing area.

Another problem with existing golf practice ranges Is that there is no relationship between them and the holes of a particular golf course. Consequently, there is no opportunity for a golfer to hone or improve his golf play according to a particular golf course upon which he may be about to commence a game or with which he may be unfamiliar as to the location of hazards and the approach to a green on a hole thereof.

Disclosure Of The Invention In accordance with a first aspect of this invention, theme Is provided a method for marking a practice range, having a teeing area associated therewith, whereby golf COMS ID No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4. SEP. 2003 18:40 4. SE. 233 1840 RAY ASSOCIATESN 93 P./2 N0.0130 P. 8/22 -4balls are intended to be struck onito the practice range from the teeing area, said method comprising: marking accuracy Indicating means on the practice range in the form of a first set of lines that extend outwardly from the teeing area, are substantially normal to the teeing area, and are spaced apart an amount equating to a typical width of a fairway on a particular golf course- Preferably, the amount equating to a typical width of a fairway on said particular golf course between an adjacent pair of lines of the first set of lines corresponds approximately to fairways on said particular golf course, whereby the spacing between one pair of lines of the first set of lines corresponds to the typical width of the fairway on one of the holes of said particular golf course, and the spacing between another pair of lines of the first set of l ies corresponds to the typical width of the fairway on another of the boles of said particular golf course.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of marking distance indicating means on the practice range in the form of a second set of lines that are spaced sequentially from the teeing area at prescribed distances apart from each other, each lint being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area.

Preferably, the lines in the second set of lines are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the typical difference between lengths of stroke of adjacent clubs.

Preferably, the lines in the second set of lines are spaced apart by a distance of approximately 10 metres.

Preferably, said particular golf course is proximate to the practice range.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of marking obstacle-indicating means within the spacing between adjacent pairs of lines of the first set of lines on the practice range.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00404824 Received by IP Australia: Ti7me 20:31 Date 2M03-09-04 4-SEP.2003 18:40 4. SP. 203 1:40WRAY ASSOCIATES N,93 ,92 NO, 9130 P. 9/2 2 Preferably, the method further comprises the step of positioning the obstacleindicating means relative to the teeing area so as to correspond to the relative positioning of an obstacle with respect to a fairway on a hole of said particular golf course.

Preferably, the obstacle-indicating means take the form of a first set of marks that are painted onto the practice range, Preferably, lbs first set of marks represent the location of sand bunkers, bodies of water and rough terrain.

Preferably, the first set of marks is colour-coded according to the type of obstacle represented- Preferably, the method further comprises the step of markng target-indicating moans on the practice range.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of positioning the target indicating means relative to the teeing area so as to correspond to the relative positioning of a target with respect to a fairway on a hole of said particular golf course.

Preferably, the target indicating means take the form of a second set of marks that are painted onto the practice range.

Preferably, the second set of marks indicates the location of greens.

in accordance with a second aspect of this invention, there is provided in a practice range, having a teeing area associated therewith, a set of markings on said practice range to enable a golfer to judge accuracy of golf baits struck onto said practice range from said teeing area, comprising: accuracy indicating means in the form of a first set of lines that extend outwardly from the teeing area, are substantially normal to the teeing area, COMS IDNo: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time (I1:m) 20:31 Date (Y-M-cl) 2003-09-04 4,SEP,2DD3 18:40 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO., 9130 P. 10/22 -6and are spaced apart an amount equating to a typical width of a fairway on a particular golf course.

Preferably, the amount equating to a typical width of a fairway on said particular golf course between an adjacent pair of lines of the first set of lines corresponds approximately to fairways on said particular golf course, whereby the spacing between one pair of lines of the first set of lines corresponds to the typical width of the fairway on one of the holes of said particular golf course, and the spacing between another pair of lines of the first set of lines corresponds to the typical width of the fairway on another of the holes of said particular golf course.

For example this width may be 30 to 40 metres.

Preferably, the markings further comprise distance indicating means in the form of a second set of lines that are spaced sequentially from the teeing area at prescribed distances apart from each other, each line being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area.

Preferably, the lines in the second set of lines are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the typical difference between lengths of stroke of adjacent clubs.

Preferably, the lines in the second set of lines are spaced apart by a distance of approximately 10 metres.

Preferably, said particular golf course is disposed proximate to the practice range.

Preferably, the markings further comprise obstacle-indicating means.

Preferably, the positioning of the obstacle-indicating means relative to the teeing area corresponds to the relative positioning of an obstacle on a fairway of said particular golf course.

Preferably, the obstacle-indicating means comprise a first set of marks that are painted onto the practice range.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4. SEP. 2003 18:41 WRY ASSOCIATES 4. SP. 00318:1 WAY ASOCJTSSNO 0130 P. 11/22 -7- Preferably, the first set of marks represent the location of sand bunkers, bodies of water and rough terrain.

Preferably, the first set of marks is colour-coded according to the type of obstacle represented.

Preferably, the markings further comprise target-indicating means.

Preferably, the positioning of the target indicating means relative to the teeing area corresponds to the relative positioning of a target on a fairway of said particular golf course.

Preferably, the target indicating means take the form of a second set of marks that are painted onto the practice range.

Preferably, the second set of marks Indicates the location of greens.

Preferably, the obstacle-indicating means or the target indicating means or both are tailored to specific holes of said particular golf course.

Preferably, the second set of marks indicates the location and exact size and shape of the greens that will be encountered on the par 3 greens on said particular golf course.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, theore is provided a practice range for golf comprising a set of markings as defined in the preceding aspect of the invention.

Brief Description Of The Drawings The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure I is a diagrammatic representation of markings on a golf practice range in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.

COMS ID No:SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4. SEP. 2003 18:41 4. SE. 263 1841 RAY ASSOCIATESNO930P122 NO.9130 P. 12/22 -a- Best Mode For Carrying Out The Invention The embodiment of the best mode for carrying out the invention is directed towards a golf practice range 10 having markings formned thereon, and a method for marking the practice range 10. The markings comprise distance indicating lines 12 and accuracy indicating lines 14. The practice range 10 has an associated teeing area 16.

The distance indicat'ing lines 12 are spaced from the teeing area 16 and are spaced apart, with each line 12 being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area 16.

The accuracy Indicating lines 14 extend outwardly from the teeing area 16 and are substantially normal thereto. The accuracy Indicating lines 14 are spaced apart an amount equating to a typical width of a fairway on a particular golf course, such as, for example In the present embodiment, the particular golf course is a real, existing golf course IS to which the practice range is attached, such as the Links Old Course at St Andrews, or the public golf course at Marangaro.

In ofthr embodiments, the particular golf course may be remote from the practice range, and even in another country.

The golf practice range 10 further comprises obstacle indicating marks 18 that are painted on the golf practice range 10. The obstacle indicating marks 18 represent the location of sand bunkers 1IBA, bodies of water 18B and rough terrain 1 8C on a fairway of the particular golf course. The obstacle indicating marks 18 are colourcoded according to the type of obstacle. In the embodiment, the sand bunkers 16A are painted yellow, bodies of water ISB are painted blue, and areas of rough terrain 18C are painted red.

The golf practice range 10 further comprises target indicating marks 20 that are painted onto the golf practice range 10. The target indicating marks 20 represent COMS ID No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:31 Date (Y-M-d}l 2003-09-04 4, SEP. 2003 18:41 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO. 9130 13/22 -9the location of greens on a fairway of the particular golf course and are painted dark green.

In use, the golf practice range 10 with the markings outlined above, provides a golfer (not shown) with a means that enables him to better judge the distance and accuracy of his shots on the particular golf course, without physically travelling to the particular golf course, which may be located some distance from the golfers home, such as overseas.

The distance indicating marks 12 allow the golfer to gauge the distance of his shot reasonably accurately when hitting from anywhere in the teeing area 16. The distance indicating marks 12 run substantially parallel to the teeing area 16 and hence there is no parallax error. In the preferred embodiment, the marks 12 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the typical range difference of adjacent golf clubs, such as 10 metres. This allows the golfer to better judge the distance he achieves with each of his clubs.

The accuracy indicating marks 14 are spaced a distance equivalent to the width of a typical golf course fairway. The golfer can use the lines to judge whether his shot was straight and would have made it onto the fairway. Or altematively, if the golfer tees off next to an accuracy indicating mark he can imagine that his shot landed on the edge of the fairway, and try to hit the ball back towards the centre of the two lines, i.e. towards what would be the centre of the fairway.

Of further assistance are the obstacle indicating marks 18 and target indicating marks 20. These provide the golfer with a further means to hone his skills by representing obstacles and targets that one would find on the particular golf course such as sand bunker 18A. bodies of water 18B, rough terrain 18C and greens In the preferred embodiment, the obstacles and targets are arranged according to the specific layout of the particular golf course proximate to where the practice range 10 is actually disposed and the amount equating to a typical width of a fairway relates to fairways on the particular golf course.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4. SEP. Z003 18:41 4. SP. 203 1:41WRAY ASSOCIATESNO910 .1/2 NO. 9 130 P. 14/22 Moreover, the spacing between one pair of adjacent accuracy indicating lines 14 of the practice range 10 corresponds to the typical Width of the fairway on one of the holes of the particular golf course, and the spacing between another pair of adjacent accuracy indicating lines 14 corresponds to the typical width of the 6 fairway on another of the holes of the particular golf course.

Similarly, the obstacle indicating marks 18 and the target indicating marks 20 on the practice range 10 are marked relative to the accuracy indicating lines 14 and distance indicating lines 12 so as to correspond substantially identically in size and shape to the obstacles and targets as they occur on corresponding holes of the particular golf course.

In particular, the greens represented by the target indicating marks 20 on the practice range 10 are exact replicas insofar as size and shape is concernied of the par three holes that will be encountered on the particular golf course that the practice rangea 10 is attached to.

Accordingly, the practice range 10 emulates the particular golf course. In this manner, a golfer may practice and attune his practice to the particular golf course on which he is about to play or with which his is unfarmiliar.

For example, the hazards and green placements with respect to a particular hole such as the third hole par 3 are emulated by markings between a particular second set of lines spaced apart the approximate width of the fairway corresponding to that hole.

Now describing the method for marking the practice range, the following steps are performed, in no particular order: aMarking the teeing area by appropriate Indicla such as a rope or line, which may be moveable to accommodate wear and tear from repeated practice of golf shots by players therefrom; COMS ID No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time (H:rn) 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4. SEP. 2003 18:42 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO-9130 P. 15/22 -11 Marking the first set of lines sequentially a prescribed distance apart to constitute the distance indicating means; and Marking the second set of lines so that they extend outwardly from the teeing area, substantially normal to the teeing area to constitute the accuracy indicating means.

The marking Is performed by painting lines or regions on the surface of the practice range using different colours to signify different obstacles or targets on particular holes of the golf course associated with the practice range.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described herein, and that other embodiments may be envisaged which incorporate differences from preceding embodiment, but which do not depart from the spirit of the Invention. For example, the golf course emulated by the practice range need not be proximate or attached to the particular practice range, but could be remote therefrom. In this manner, players may still be able to attune their practice to suit the layout of a particular golf course that they may intend to play, without actually having to visit that course.

This may be particularly advantageous for professional golfers located in one country, who are preparing for a tournament to be held in another country, where the golfer may practice well in advance and adapt their style to suit the layout of the particular golf course where the tournament is to be played, in advance of actually leaving the one country to attend to the tournament in the other country.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:31 Date 2003-09-04

Claims (28)

1. 4. SEP. 2003 18:42 4. SE. 203 1842 RAY ASSOCIATESNO9I .1/2 NO. 9130 P. 16/22 12 The Claims Defining The Invention Are As Follows: 1. A method for marking a practice range, having a teeing area associated therewith, whereby golf balls are intended to be struck onto the practice range from the teeing area, said method comprising: marking accuracy indicating means on the practice range in the form of a first set of lines that: extend outwardly from the teeing area; ame substantially normal to the teeing area; and are spaced apart an amount equating to the typical width of a fairway on a particular golf course. 2- A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amount equating to a typical width of a fairway on said particular golf course between an adjacent pair of lines of the first set of lines corresponds approximately to fairways on said particular golf course, whereby the spacing between one pair of lines of the fi rst set of lines corresponds to the typical width of the fairway on one of the holes of said particular golf course, and the spacing between another pair of lines of the first set of lines corresponds to the typical width of the fairway on another of the holes of said particular golf course. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of marking distance indicating means on the practice range in the form of a second set of lines that are spaced sequentially from the teeing area at prescribed distances apart from each other, each line being a substantially constant distance from the teeing amea. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising spacing apart the lines in the second set of lines a distance corresponding to the typical difference between lengths of stroke of adjacent clubs. COMS ro No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4.SEP.2003 18:42 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO-9130 P. 171/22 -13- A method as claimed in claim 3 or 4, further comprising spacing apart said lines in the second set of lines a distance of approximately 10 metres.
2. 6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said particular golf course is proximate to or attached to the practice range.
3. 7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising marking obstacle-indicating means within the spacing between adjacent pairs of lines of the first set of lines on the practice range.
4. 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising positioning the obstacle- indicating means relative to the teeing area so as to correspond to the relative positioning of an obstacle with respect to a fairway on a hole of said particular golf course.
5. 9. A method as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the marking of the obstacle- indicating means comprises painting a first set of marks onto the practice range.
6. 10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first set of marks represent the location of sand bunkers, bodies of water and rough terrain-
7. 11. A method as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein said the set of marks is colour- coded according to the type of obstacle represented.
8. 12. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising marking target-indicating means within the spacing between adjacent pairs of lines of the first set of lines.
9. 13. A method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising positioning the target indicating means relative to the teeing area so as to correspond to the relative positioning of a target with respect to a fairway on a hole of said particular golf course. COMS ID No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4.SEP.2DO3 18:42 WRAY ASSOCIATES 4, EP.2133 8:4 WRY &ASOCITESNO 9 130 P, 18/22
10. 14- 14. A method as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the marking of the target indicating means comprises painting a second set of marks onto the practice range. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second set of marks indicates the location of greens.
11. 16. In a practice range having a teeing area associated therewith, a set of markings on the practice range to enable a golfer to judge accuracy of golf balls struck onto the practice range from said teeing area, comprising: accuracy indicating means in the form of a first set of lines that: extend outwardly from the teeing area; *are substantially normal to the teeing area; and *are spaced apart an amount equating to the typical width of a fairway on a particular golf course.
12. 17. A set of markings as claimed in claim 16, wherein the amount equating to a typical width of a fairway on said particular golf course between an adjacent pair of lines of the first set of lines corresponds approximately to fairways on said particular golf course, whereby the spacing between one pair of lines of the first set of lines corresponds to the typical width of the fairway on one of the holes of said particular golf course, and the spacing between another pair of lines of the first set of lines corresponds to the typical width of the fairway on another of the holes of said particular golf course.
13. 18. A set of marking as claimed in claim 16 or 17, further comprising distance Indicating means In the form of a second set of lines that are spaced sequentially from the teeing area at prescribed distances apart from each other, each line being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area. COMS 10 No: SMBI-00404624 Received by 1P Australia: Time (H.tm) 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4.SEP.2003 18:43 WRAY ASSOCIATES NO, 9130 P. 19/22
14. 19. A set of markings as claimed in claim 18, wherein the lines in the second set of lines are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the typical difference between lengths of stroke of adjacent clubs. A set of markings as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the lines in the second set of lines are spaced apart by a distance of approximately metres.
15. 21. A set of markings as claimed In any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein said particular golf course is disposed proximate to the practice range.
16. 22. A set of markings as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21, further comprising obstacle-indicating means disposed within the spacing between adjacent pairs of lines of the first set of lines on the practice range.
17. 23. A set of markings as claimed in claim 22, wherein the positioning of the obstacle-indicating means relative to the teeing area corresponds to the relative positioning of an obstacle on a fairway of said particular golf course.
18. 24. A set of markings as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the obstacle- indicating means comprise a first set of marks that are painted onto the practice range. A set of markings as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first set of marks represent the location of sand bunkers, bodies of water and rough terrain.
19. 26. A set of markings as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the first set of marks is colour-coded according to the type of obstacle represented.
20. 27. A set of markings as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the obstacle indicating means are tailored to specific holes of said particular golf course. COMS ID No: SMBI-00404624 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:31 Date 2003-09-04 4. SEP. 2003 18:43 WRAY ASSONATES 4. SP. 00318:3 WAY ASOGITESNO. 9130 P, 20/22 -16-
21. 28. A set of markings as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 27, further comprising target-indicating means within the spacing between adjacent pairs of lines of the first set of lines.
22. 29. A set of markings as claimed in claim 28, wherein the positioning of the target Indicating means relative to the teeing area corresponds to the relative positioning of a target on a fairway of said particular golf course- A set of markings as claimed in claim 28 or 29, wherein the target indicating means take the form of a second set of marks that arm painted onto the practice range.
23. 31. A set of markings as claimed in claim 30, wherein the second set of marks indicates the rocation of greens.
24. 32. A set of markings as claimed in claim 31, wherein the second set of marks indicates the location and exact size and shape of' the greens that will be encountered on the par 3 greens on said particular golf course.
25. 33. A set of matings as claimed In any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the target indicating means are tailored to specific holes of said particular golf course.
26. 34. A practice range for golf comprising a set of markings as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 33. A method for marking a practice range substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
27. 36. A set of markings in a practice range substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
28. 37. A practice range for golf substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing. COMS IDNo: SMBI-00404624 Received by DP Australia: Time 20:31 Date 2003-09-04