EP0270696B1

EP0270696B1 - Golf course and method of playing a golf game

Info

Publication number: EP0270696B1
Application number: EP19860116892
Authority: EP
Inventors: Theodore W. Trasko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-12-04
Filing date: 1986-12-04
Publication date: 1995-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2006-12-04
Also published as: DE3650393D1; EP0270696A1

Description

This invention concerns a golf course.
A typical game of golf is played on a course of approximately 60 hectares (150 acres) of land and takes approximately 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 hours to play 18 holes. In addition, a player typically walks or drives 7.25 to 8.0 km (4-1/2 to 5 miles) on an average 18 hole golf course.
Therefore, there is a need for a golf course and method of play which not only allows the player to play an 18 hole game in less time than it would normally take to place a typical 18 hole course, but which also maintains the regulation yardage of play in a smaller area of land than typically required.
Several United States patents disclose golf course designs on which a so-called "game" of golf can be played. Most of these courses are contained on a smaller area of land than a typical regulation golf course, but a regulation game cannot be played on them. For example, US-A-3,083,021 and US-A-3,685,832 disclose course layouts where the players shoot their balls in one direction for their wood shots and then shoot another ball in another direction for their iron shots. In US-A-4,145,053, each "hole" is played, respectively, and with woods and long irons; middle irons; and short irons and putting. US-A-4,157,831 and US-A-3,719,360 disclose regulation size courses which are laid out in a compact area, but these courses have many disadvantages.
In US-A-4,157,831, while the area of the course layout is less than a conventional golf course area, the amount of time played and distance traveled is not substantially less than a conventional course. Indeed, the time it would take to play a round of golf on such a course may be longer than a conventional course, because the fairways of many holes intersect which would cause the players to wait until players on intersecting holes have finished shooting, or risk injury from balls being shot across their fairway. Likewise, the area of the course disclosed in US-A-3,719,360 is less than a conventional golf course area, but there is no substantial savings in time played in distance traveled.
US-A-3,892,413 discloses a golf course layout suitable for play by a number of players on a relatively small area. However, this patent requires players to walk around the circular periphery before entering the fairway, and further, all play would have to be suspended while one or two groups of players occupy the centre of the playing area. This reference also teaches that regardless of the outline of the course, a walkway of a configuration similar to the configuration of the course will extend around the course and all players will use the walkway to travel from the tee to the associated green. The players will enter the fairway area from a location adjacent to the associated green.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a golf course comprising a first elongate core defining a plurality of golf holes, each being of generally regulation length, said core including:
a pair of opposite ends and a pair of sides extending between said opposite ends;
a plurality of greens providing three cups, each green having at least one cup;
a plurality of tee areas, each providing a means to initiate playing to a respective one of said cups in a common direction;
said three cups being arranged relatively close to one another and near one end of said core so that the longest distance between adjacent cups is relatively small compared to the distance between each of said three cups and its corresponding tee area; thereby allowing a player to play three holes of golf simultaneously;
and a second elongate core defining a further plurality of golf holes, each being of generally regulation length and having a pair of opposite ends and a pair of sides extending therebetween;
one end of said second elongate core being arranged relatively close to said one end of said first elongate core; said second core including:
a second plurality of greens providing three further cups, each green having at least one cup;
a second plurality of tee areas, each providing a means to initiate playing to a respective one of said further cups in a common direction;
said three further cups being arranged relatively close to one another and near one end of said second core so that the longest distance between adjacent cups is relatively small compared to the distance between each of said three cups and its corresponding tee area, thereby allowing a player to play said further three holes of golf simultaneously.
The golf course design preferably comprises a plurality of elongated cores disposed in an adjacent side by side lengthwise relation. Each of the cores has a pair of opposite ends. A plurality of greens are on each core, each green comprising at least one hole. A plurality of tee areas are on the golf course, each tee area being either on the game core as the hole which is played from that tee area or on an adjacent core. At least one hole on each core is located relatively close to one opposite end of each core and all holes on each core are located relatively remote from the other opposite end of each core. At least one of the tee areas on each core is located relatively close to the other opposite end of each core and all tee areas on each core are located relatively remote from the one opposite end of each core.
The golf course comprises an average of three holes per core, there being a tee area for each hole. The holes are arranged in groups of three relatively close holes and the greens for at least two holes in each group of three lie on the same core. At least two holes in each group of three are located relatively close to one opposite end of each core and all three holes are in a group of three are located relatively remote from the other opposite end of each core. The tee areas are arranged in groups of three, each tee area in a group corresponding to one of the holes in the group of three holes. At least two tee areas in each group of three are located relatively close to the other opposite core end of each core, and all three tee areas in the group of three are located relatively remote from the one opposite end of each core. The first tee area is situated to play one of the holes in the first group of three holes in par 5, a second tee area in the first group of tee areas is situated to play one of the holes in the first group of holes in par 4, and a third tee area in the first group of tee areas is situated to play one of the holes in the first group in par 3.
The method of playing a golf course comprising the steps of providing each of the plurality of players, playing together in a unit with golf balls visually distinguishable from the golf balls of every other player in that unit. Said unit playing the first group of three holes by teeing off from at least one tee area for all three holes in a group of three before initiating a shot to the green of any one hole. Said unit putting out on all of said first group of holes before teeing off on any further holes. Said unit playing a second group of three holes after putting out on all of said first group holes by teeing off from at least one tee area before initiating a shot to the green of any one hole in said second group of holes and then putting out on all of said second group of holes. A second group of players, playing together in a second unit different from the first recited unit with golf balls visually distinguishable from the golf balls of every other player in that second unit. Said second unit initially plays the first three group of holes after the first unit initiates a shot to the green for all three holes, by teeing off from at least one tee area before initiating a shot to the green of any one hole. The second begins to putt out on the first group of three holes after the first unit putts out on at least one of the three holes in the first group of holes.
A third group of players, playing together in a third unit, initially plays the first group of three holes after the second unit initiates a shot to the green for all three holes, by teeing off from at least one tee area before initiating a shot to the green of any one hole. A typical "core" is approximately 4 hectares (ten acres) and is preferably in the shape of a rectangle. The rectangle is approximately 427 meters (1400 feet) long and is approximately 100 meters (330 feet) wide. The holes are located on two basic type of putting greens; one type of green comprises one hole and the other type of green comprises two holes. Thus, with three groups of four players playing one 10 acre core, 12 golfers can play 18 holes of golf in approximately 2.5 hours. The 4 hectare (10 acre) three hole course can be played six times for 18 holes of golf. The 8 hectare (20 acre) course, having two, 3 hole cores, can be played three times for 18 holes of golf. The 12 hectare (30 acre) course, having three, 3 hole cores, can be played twice for 18 holes of golf or once for 9 holes. The 24 hectare (60 acre) course, having six, 3 hole cores, can be played once for 18 holes of golf.
In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a 4 hectare (10 acre), three hole golf course core.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a 8 hectare (20 acre), six hole golf course.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of a 12 hectare (30 acre), nine hole golf course.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of a 24 hectare (60 acre), eighteen hole golf course.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a 8 hectare (20 acre), eighteen hole golf course showing holes 1 through 9 being played.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the same golf course disclosed in Fig. 5 showing holes 10 through 18 being played.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of a 14 hectare (35 acre), eighteen hole golf course.

In the description that follows reference will also be made to tables 1-5 which can be found together at the end of the description
Referring to Fig. 1 there is illustrated one core 8 of a golf course having a pair of opposite ends 4 and 6. A plurality of putting greens 18 and 20 are located on core 8. Each green comprises at least one hole. Putting green 18 comprises hole 22 and putting green 20 comprises holes 24 and 26. A plurality of tee areas 12, 14 and 16 are also located on core 8. Holes 22, 24 and 26 are arranged relatively close to one another. One hole is located relatively close to end 6 and all of the holes are located relatively remote from the other opposite end 4. All of the tee areas, 12, 14 and 16, and all of the holes 22, 24 and 26 are located on core 8.
There are three holes to be played in the core 8 and there is a tee area for each corresponding hole. Two holes in the group of three are located relatively close to end 6 and all three holes in the group are located relatively remote from end 4. The tee areas are arranged in a group of three, each tee area corresponding to one of the holes of the group of three holes. Two tee areas 12 and 14 are located relatively close to end 4. All three tee areas are located relatively remote from end 6. One tee area 16 is located relatively remote from end 6. Tee area 16 (hole No. 3) is situated to play hole 22 in par 3. Tee area 14 (hole No. 2) is situated to play hole 24 in par 4, and tee area 12 (hole No. 1) is situated to play hole 26 in par 5.
Hole No. 1 is a typical 5 par, 445 meter (487 yard) hole. The ball is ideally shot 200 meters (220 yards) to point 28 on the fairway. The second shot for hole No. 1 is a 183 meter (200 yard) shot to point 32 on the fairway. The third shot for hole No. 1 is a 61 meter (67 yard) shot to green 20. The fourth and fifth shots for hole No. 1 are putting shots to cup 26. Hole No. 2 is a typical par 4, 389 meter (425 yard) hole. The first shot is ideally a 200 meter (220 yard) shot to point 30 on the fairway. The second shot is a 187 meter (205 yard) shot to green 20, and the third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 24. The third hole is a par 3, 146 meter (160 yard) hole. The first shot is approximately 146 meters (160 yards) to green 18. The second and third shots are putting shots to cup 22.
Golf course core 8 is only approximately 4 hectares (10 acres) in area having a substantially rectangular shape. It is approximately 457 meters (500 yards) long and 100 meters (110 yards) wide. An obstacle 9 such as a small lake or trees may be placed on the course. Also, sand traps 11 may be placed adjacent to green areas.
Referring to Fig. 2, there is disclosed a golf course 40 in accordance with the invention which comprises a plurality of elongated cores 41 and 42 disposed in an adjacent, side-by-side, length-wise relation. Each of the cores, 41 and 42 have a pair of opposite ends 38 and 39. A plurality of greens 50, 52, 72, 74 and 76 are on cores 42 and 41. Each green comprises at least one hole and a plurality of tee areas 44, 46, 48, 66, 68 and 70 located on cores 41 and 42. Tee area 44 representing hole No. 1 is located on core 41 and tee areas 46 and 48, representing hole Nos. 2 and 3 respectively, are substantially located on core 42. Tee areas 66, 68 and 70, representing hole Nos. 4, 5 and 6, respectively, are substantially located on core 41 and green areas 72, 74 and 76 are located on core 41. Each tee area is either on the same core as the hole from which it is played or is on an adjacent core. Holes 54, 56 and 58 are located relatively close to end 39 and holes 78, 80 and 82 are located relatively close to end 38. These same holes are located relatively remote from the other opposite end of each respective core. Tee areas 44 and 46 are located relatively close to end 38 and tee areas 66, 68 and 70 are located relatively close to end 39. A high fence 90 and 92 separates the tee areas 44, 46 and 66, 68, 70 from the greens 72, 74, 76 and 50, 52 at each of the ends 38, 39
There are an average three holes per core and there is one tee area for each hole. The holes are arranged in groups of three relatively close holes and the greens for at least two holes in each group of three lay on the same core. At least two holes in each group of three are located relatively close to one opposite end of each core and all three holes in a group are located relatively remote from the other opposite end of each core. The tee areas are arranged in groups of three, each tee area in a group corresponding to one of the holes in a group of three holes. At least two tee areas in each group of three are located relatively close to the other opposite end of each core. All three tee areas in each group are located relatively remote from one opposite end of each core. The first tee area 44 (hole No. 1) is situated to play cup 58 in a first group of holes, in par 5. A second tee area 46 (hole No. 2) is situated to play cup 56 in the first group of holes in par 4 and a third tee area 48 (hole No. 3) is situated to play cup 54 in par 3. The second group of three tee areas on core 41 has a fourth tee area 66 (hole No. 4) situated to play cup 78 in par 4. A fifth area 68 (hole No. 5) is situated to play cup 80 in par 4 and a sixth tee area 70 (hole No. 6) is situated to play cup 82 in par 4.
Fig. 2 hole Nos. 1, 2 and 3 have approximately the same yardage as hole Nos. 1, 2 and 3 shown in the golf course of Fig. 1. Hole 4 is a par 4, 352 meter (385 yard) hole with the first shot ideally being a 200 meter (220 yard) shot to point 84 on the fairway. The second shot for hole 4 is a 151 meter (165 yard) shot to the green 76 and the third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 78. Hole 5 is a par 4, 288 meter (315 yard) hole wherein the first shot is ideally a 200 meter (220 yard) shot to point 86 along the fairway. The second shot is a 87 meter (95 yard) shot to green 74. Hole 6 is a par 4, 234 meter (256 yard) hole wherein the first shot is ideally 183 meter (200 yard) shot to point 88 along the fairway. The second shot is to green 72, and the third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 82. The golf course disclosed in Fig. 2 is rectangular in shape and comprises two-4 hectare (ten acre) cores for a total of 8 hectares (20 acres). The course is approximately 400 meters (440 yards) long by 200 meters (220 yards) wide. In the centre of the course is an obstacle 9, similar to the obstacle in the arrangement of Figure 1 Table 1 shows a legend for the golf course disclosed in Fig. 1 which lists the total core yardage of 980 meters (1,072 yards) of play for 3 holes comprising a one par 3 hole, one par 4 hole and one par 5 hole. Table 2 is a legend for the golf course disclosed in Fig. 2 which lists a total of six holes having a total yardage of 1854 meters (2,028 yards) of play. There is one par 3 hole, four par 4 holes and one par 5 hole.
Fig. 3 discloses a golf course comprising three-4 hectare (10 acre) cores. Course 100 comprising cores 102, 104 and 106. This golf course is approximately 12 hectares (30 acres) in size and cores 102 and 104 are substantially identical to the golf course disclosed in Fig. 2. New core 106 comprises a third group of 3 tee areas, 160, 162, 164 representing holes 7, 8 and 9. Tee area 160 does not necessarily have to be located on core 106. Tee area 160 is situated to play hole 7 in par 5. Tee area 162 is situated to play hole 8 in par 4 and tee area 164 is situated to play hole 9 in par 3. Hole 7 is a par 5, 434 m (475 yard) hole where the first shot is ideally a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 178 along the fairway. The second shot is a 182 m (200 yard) shot to point 182 on the fairway and the third shot is a 50 m (55 yard) shot to green 166. The fourth and fifth shots are putting shots to cup 172. Hole 8 is a par 4, 380 m (415 yard) hole wherein the first shot is ideally a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 180 on the fairway. The second shot is a 179 m (195 yard) shot to green 168 and the third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 174. Hole 9 is a par 3, 128 m (140 yard) shot to green 170 and the second and third shots are putting shots to cup 176. The core 160 has obstacles 9'.
Table 3 shows a legend for the golf course disclosed in Fig. 3. Table 3 lists 9 holes for a total of 2,796 meters (3,058 yards) of play. There are two par 3 holes, five par 4 holes, and two part 5 holes. The golf course disclosed in Fig. 3 is approximately 400 meters (440 yards) long and 300 meters (330 yards) wide.
Fig. 4 discloses a 24 hectare (60 acre) 6 core golf course 200 comprising 10 acre cores 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 and 212. Cores 202, 204 and 206 are substantially identical to the cores disclosed in the golf course shown in Fig. 3. An additional 9 holes are added to complete the 18 hole golf course. Fourth core 208 comprises a fourth group of tee areas 232, 234 and 236 and at least one tee area is located relatively close to one opposite end of core 208. At least one tee area is located on core 208. Tee area 232 is situated to play hole 10 in par 5, and tee area 234 is situated to play hole 11 in par 4. Tee area 236 is situated to play hole 12 in par 3. The fifth core 210, comprises a fifth group of tee areas 238, 240 and 244 having at least one tee area located relatively close to the other opposite end of core 210. At least one tee area of a fifth group of three tee areas is located on fifth core 210. Tee area 238 is situated to play hole 13, in par 4, a tee area 240 is situated to play hole 14 in par 4, and tee area 244 is situated to play hole 15 in par 4. A six core, 212 has a sixth group of tee areas 246, 248 and 250 with at least one tee area located relatively close to one opposite end of core 250. At least one tee area of the sixth group of three tee areas is located on core 212. Tee area 246 is situated to play hole 16 in par 5, tee area 248 is situated to play hole 17 in par 4 and tee area 250 is situated to play hole 18 in par 3.
Hole 10 is a par 5, 434 m (475 yard) hole wherein the first shot is ideally a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 338 on the fairway of core 208. The second shot for hole 10 is a 182 m (200 yard) shot to point 342 and the third shot is a 50 m (55 yard) shot to green 288. The fourth and fifth shots are putting shots to cup 292. The eleventh hole is a par 4, 384 m (420 yard) hole wherein the first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 340 on the fairway of core 208. The second shot is a 182 m (200 yard) shot to green 288 and the third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 294. Hole 12 is a par 3, 146 m (160 yard) hole wherein the first shot is 146 m (160 yards) to green 290 and the second and third shots are putting shots to cup 296. Hole 13 is a par 4, 365 m (400 yard) hole with the first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 344 located on the firway of core 210. The second shot is a 165 m (180 yard) shot to green 298 and the third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 302. Hole 14 is a par 4, 329 m (360 yard) hole wherein the first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 346 on the fairway of core 210 and the second shot is a 128 m (140 yard) shot to green 300. The third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 304. Hole 15 is a par 4, 283 m (310 yard) hole wherein the first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 348 along the fairway of core 210 and the second shot is a 82 m (90 yard) shot to green 200. The third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 306. Hole 16 is a par 5, 434 m (475 yard) hole wherein the first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 352 along the fairway of core 212. The second shot is a 182 m (200 yard) shot to point 354 along the fairway of core 210 and the third shot is a 50 m (55 yard) shot to green 308. The fourth and fifth shots are putting shots to cup 314. Hole 17 is a par 4, 380 m (410 yard) hole wherein the first shot is 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 350 along the fairway of the core 212. The second shot is a 173 m (190 yard) shot to green 310 and the third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 316. Hole 18 is a par 3, 155 m (170 yard) hole wherein the first shot is 155 m (170 yards) to green 312. The second and third shots are putting shots to cup 318.
Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 disclose golf course 400. This golf course comprises two-4 hectare (10 acre) cores 410 and 420, each side of a lake or tree obstacle 499. The primary difference between the golf course disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6 with the courses disclosed in the preceding Figures is that the holes on both cores are located relatively remote from the same end and all the tee areas on both cores are located relatively remote from the same end and opposite that end from which the holes are remotely located. Holes 1, 7 and 6 share the same tee area 422. Hole 1 is a par 5, 443 m (485 yard) hole wherein the first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 434 on the fairway of core 410. The second shot is a 182 m (200 yard) shot to point 440 and the third shot is a 59 m (65 yard) shot to green 450. The fourth and fifth shots are putting shots to cup 460 on green 450. Hole 2 is located on the same tee area 424 with holes 4 and 17. Hole 2 is a par 4, 375 m (410 yard) hole wherein the first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 436 along the fairway of core 410. The second shot is a 173 m (190 yard) shot to green 450 and the third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 458. Hole 3 is located on teeing area 430 and that hole is a par 3, 182 m (200 yard) hole. The first shot is a 182 m (200 yard) shot to green 448 and the second and third shots are putting shots to cup 456. Hole 4 is located on tee area 424 and is a par 4, 356 m (390 yard) hole. The first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 442 along the fairway of core 420, and the second shot is a 155 m (170 yard) shot to green 452. The third and fourth shots are putting shots to hole 462. Hole 5 is located on tee area 426 and that hole is a par 4, 329 m (360 yard) hole wherein the first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 444 along the fairway of core 420. The second shot is a 128 m (140 yard) shot to green 452 and the third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 464. Hole 6 is located on tee area 422 on core 420. That hole is a par 4, 347 m (380 yard) hole wherein the first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 446 along the fairway of core 420. The second shot is a 146 m (160 yard) shot to green 454, and the third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 466. Hole 7 is identical to hole 1 as can be seen in of Fig. 9. Hole 8 is a par 4, 361 m (395 yard) hole from tee area 428. The first shot is a 200 m (220 yard) shot to point 438 along the fairway of core 410 and the second shot is a 160 m (175 yard) shot to green 450. The third and fourth shots are putting shots to cup 458. Hole 9 is a par 3, 109 m (120 yard) hole from tee area 432. The first shot is a 109 m (120 yard) shot to green 448 and the second and third shots are putting shots to cup 456.
Fig. 6 discloses the "back" 9 holes of play for the golf course disclosed in Fig. 5. Holes 10, 11 and 12 are regulation length par 5, par 4 and par 3 holes as shown, played from tee areas 468, 472 and 476 to greens 489 and 486. Hole 13 is a par 4 hole from tee area 468 to green 480. Hole 14 is a par 4 on core 410 green 482. Hole 15 is a par 4 hole from tee area 472 to green 482. Hole 16 is located at tee area 468 and that hole is a par 5, 438 m (480 yard) hole identical in play to hole 10. Hole 17 is located on core 420 and that hole is a par 4, 347 m (380 yard) hole from tee area 474 and it is played identical to hole 4. Hole 18 is located on core 420 and is a par 3, 123 m (135 yard) hole. Hole 18 is played from tee area 478 to green 486. Table 4 summarizes the course shown in Figures 5 and 6
Fig. 7 discloses an 18 hole golf course 600 which is 14 hectares (35 acres) in area. The golf course is 347 m (1140 feet) wide at its widest end and is approximately 505 m (1660 feet) long. Nine holes are located on core 610 and nine holes are located on core 620. Between the cores 610 and 620 are a water hazard 689 and an obstacle 699. The legend disclosed in Table 5 lists a total of 18 holes having 5500 m (6015 yards) of play. There are four par 3 holes, ten par 4 holes and four par 5 holes. Hole 1 is a par 5, 457 m (500 yard) hole beginning at tee area 622, to green 634, and cup 638. Hole 2 is a par 4, 300 m (330 yard) hole from tee area 624 to green 636 and to cup 640. Hole 3 is a par 3, 200 m (220 yard) hole to green 636, and to hole 642. Hole 4 is a par 4, 347 m (380 yard) hole from tee area 626 to green 636, and to cup 642. Hole 5 is a par 4, 329 m (360 yard) hole from tee area 628 to green 636. Hole 6 is a par 4, 229 m (305 yard) hole from tee area 630 to green 634. Hole 7 is a par 5, 448 m (490 yard) hole from tee area 622 to green 636. Hole 8 is a par 4, 347 m (380 yard) hole from tee area 626 to green 636. Hole 9 is a par 3, 173 m (190 yard hole) from tee area 632 to green 634 and to cup 638. Holes 10 through 18 are located on core 620. Hole 10 is a par 5, 439 m (480 yard) hole from tee area 668 to green 676 and cup 682. Hole 11 is a par 4, 256 m (280 yard) hole from tee area 664 to green 674. Hole 12 is a par 3, 146 m (160 yard) hole from tee area 670 to green 674 and to cup 678. Hole 13 is a par 4, 320 m (350 yard) hole from tee area 662 to green 674. Hole 14 is a par 4, 320 m (350 yard) hole from tee area 666 to green 674. Hole 15 is a par 4, 256 m (280 yard) hole from tee area 664 to green 676. Hole 16 is a par 5, 439 m (480 yard) hole from tee area 668 to green 674. Hole 17 is a par 4, 320 m (350 yard) hole from tee area 662 to green 674. Hole 18 is a par 3, 118 m (130 yard) hole from tee area 672 to green 676 and to cup 682.
For all of the golf courses described herein, there may be provided marking means such as a flag or the like on each tee area which is visually distinguishable from the marking means of every other tee area on the course. In addition, each green may comprise marking means such as a flag or the like which is visually distinguishable from the marking means on every other green on the core, but which is substantially similar to the marking means of its corresponding tee area. Target means also may be provided on the fairway which comprises marking means such as a flag or the like which is substantially similar to the marking means or the holes area and the marking means on the green for helping the player aim the golf ball for the best position on the fairway. In addition to the foregoing, a plurality of golf balls are provided for each group of players that play the course wherein each ball being distinguishable from the other balls. By way of example, but not by way of limitation, by referring to Fig. 1, tee area 12 may be identified by a red flag and cup 26 on green 20 may also be identified by a red flag. Likewise, a red flag also identified points 28 and 32 on the fairway. Thus, when each player plays hole 1 from tee area 12, he/she would be aiming for the red marker at point 28. For the second shot, each player would be aiming for the red marker at point 32; and for the third shot, each player would be aiming for the red flag at cup 26. The markers used on holes 2 and 3 would be some other color, such as blue or orange. The marking system would enable players to hit their balls to the targeted areas, in order to maximize the yardage of each shot which would help the players play the game faster.
Having thus described the overall design of the embodiments of the golf course, attention is now directed to the method of playing the course. Referring to Fig. 1, the method of play will be described which can be easily adapted to a plurality of cores, each core being played in the manner described for Fig. 1. A plurality of players, such as four players, preferably plays together in a unit, each having a golf ball which is visually distinguishable from the golf ball of every other player in that unit. The first group of players begins play at hole number one and each player hits his or her first shot from tee area 12. Tee area 12 has a colored flag corresponding to hole one's other marked flags along the fairway. All the players initiate a first shot before any one player initiates a shot to the green of any one hole. For his/her first shot, each player consecutively shoots and aims at point 28 along the fairway which preferably has a colored flag at point 28 which preferably has a colored flag at point 28 which is the same color as the flag at tee area 12. The players then move on to hole two at tee area 14 which has a flag of a different color than the flag at hole one. The players aim their first ball at point 30 along the fairway, which has a marking flag of the same color as the flag at tee area 14. After all players have hit their first shot at hole two they then proceed to their first ball which was shot from hole one and which is preferably in the area of point 28. They shoot their second shots from hole one, the players then shoot their second shot for hole two. The ball for hole two should ideally be in close proximity to point 30 along the fairway. The players hit their second shot for hole two aiming toward the cup for hole 2 on green 20. After the players hit their second shot for hole two, they then go to hole three at tee area 16 and hit their first shot for hole three aiming towards green 18. The players then proceed to hit their third shot from hole one which should be near point 32. They then put out on holes one, two and three. Obviously, the sequence of play may be modified in the event the balls do not lie at the ideal points along the fairway. For example, if the first shots from hole one or two lies to the right of hole three, the players may play hole 3 before they shoot their second shot for hole one or two. The object being that all balls farthest from the cups are shot first before any new tee shots are made. Thus, if one player shoots a ball to the left of point 28 and the other players shoot their balls at points to the right of point 30 or tee area 16, then the player whose ball lies to the left of point 28 will shoot first; all the players will then shoot their first shot from tee area 16 (hole 3) and then the remaining players will shoot their second shots from points to play to the right of tee area 16. The object of this method of play is to provide an efficient, fast, free-flowing movement of play, providing a course which allows the simultaneous play of three holes of golf without sacrificing regulation yardage.
A second group of players can begin to play the course disclosed in Fig. 1 after the first group of players hits their second shots on holes one and two. Again, after the second unit of players hits their second shots on holes one and two, a third group of players can begin to play at holes one and two. Thus, it can be seen that a total of 12 players can play the course disclosed in Fig. 1 at any given time after the first group of players begin to putt out. If the first group of players desires to play six holes all they have to do is to go back to holes one and two and begin playing again. Obviously, they can play any number of times in multiples of three holes.
Referring to Fig. 2, the method of play is identical to the method of play of the course in Fig. 1 except that there are now six holes to play before having to repeat a hole. Referring to Fig. 2 the first group of players starts at hole one at tee area 44 and each player hits his/her first shot aiming at point 60 along the fairway. They then go to hole two and play that hole to point 62 along the fairway. They then walk to the first ball hit from hole one and aim that ball at cup 58. The players then walk to point 62 and shoot their second shot to cup 56. They then walk to hole 3 and shoot their first shot to cup 54 on green 50. They then walk to their third shot for hole one ideally hitting the green and then proceed to putt out on holes one, two and three. The group then begins to play holes four, five and six in the same manner as they played holes one, two and three. In this embodiment of the invention, a total of 24 players can play the course at any given time. As soon as the first group of four players finish their second shots off holes one and two, a second group of players can begin playing holes one and two and so forth and so on until six groups of 4 players can simultaneously play the course until the first group of 4 players finishes putting out on holes four, five and six.
There are other methods of playing the golf course disclosed in Fig. 2. For example, at the same time that a first group of players begins play at hole one, a second group of players can begin play at hole four.
The course disclosed in Fig. 3 is played in the same manner as the courses disclosed in Figs. 1 and 3. The only difference being in Fig. 3 is that if there is an additional core 106. Therefore, the players can play nine holes of golf before repeating any three holes in a group of three. The golf course disclosed in Fig. 5 can accommodate 36 players at any given time.
The golf course disclosed in Fig. 4 shows six cores having 18 separate holes. Again, the method of play is identical to the method of play disclosed in the previous holes except that the players play 18 holes in groups of three. A total of 72 players can play simultaneously on the golf course as disclosed in Fig. 4.
The golf course disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6, while structurally different than the previously disclosed golf courses comprises the same method of play. A first group of players begin at hole one (tee area 422). Each player hits his/her first shot to point 434 on core 410. The players then proceed to hole two and hit their first shot to point 436 along core 410. The players then hit their second shots for holes one and two and then hit their first shot from hole three at tee area 430 to green 448. After the players putt out on holes one, two and three in the same manner as previously disclosed for the course in Fig 1. They then go back to the teeing areas and begin play at holes four, five and six on core 420. After playing holes four, five and six, in a like manner, the players go back to the teeing areas to play holes, seven, eight and nine. After playing those holes, the players then play holes ten through eighteen. The advantage of the golf course disclosed in Fig. 5 is that an eighteen hole, 5852 meter (6400 yard) game of golf can be played on only 8 hectares (20 acres) of land.
The golf course disclosed in Fig. 7 is also an eighteen hole course except that this course is on 14 hectares (35 acres) of land. The method of play is identical to the method of play in the previously disclosed courses, i.e., a group of three holes are played before a new group of three holes are played. Thus, the first shot from hole one (tee area 622) is shot to point 644 and the players then hit their second tee shot from hole two (tee area 624). They then hit their second shot for hole one to point 648. The players then hit their tee shot from hole three (tee area 623) and then hit their second shot for hole two at point 658. They then hit their third shot for hole one at point 648 and then putt out on holes one, two and three. The players then play holes four, five and six and seven, eight and nine in the same manner. If the players desire to play the "back" nine holes, they then proceed to holes eleven through eighteen and play three consecutive holes in a group of three until all holes are played. As in all of the embodiments of the invention, the length of the holes are not in any way sacrificed because of the size of the course.

It should be noted that the time that the players play a "round" of golf on a core can be decreased if the supervising pros cannot meet the alloted time of play allowed, by simply increasing the diameter of one or more putting cups from the standard 10.8 cm (4-1/4") size to 13.3 cm (5-1/4").

TABLE 1

LEGEND:	HOLE	PAR			METRES (YARDS)
	1			5	445 (487)
	2		4		389 (425)
	3	3			146 (160)
TOTALS:	3	1	1	1	971 (1072)

TABLE 2

LEGEND:	HOLE	PAR			METRES (YARDS)
	1			5	445 (487)
	2		4		389 (425)
	3	3			146 (160)
	4		4		352 (385)
	5		4		288 (315)
	6		4		234 (256)
TOTALS:	6	1	4	1	1854 (2028)

TABLE 3

NINE HOLE LEGEND:	HOLE	PAR			METRES (YARDS)
	1			5	445 (487)
	2		4		389 (425)
	3	3			146 (160)
	4		4		352 (385)
	5		4		288 (315)
	6		4		234 (256)
	7			5	434 (475)
	8		4		380 (415)
	9	3			128 (140)
TOTALS:	9	2	5	2	2796 (3058)

BACK NINE HOLE LEGEND:	HOLE	PAR			METRES (YARDS)
	10			5	434 (475)
	11		4		385 (420)
	12	3			146 (160)
	13		4		366 (400)
	14		4		329 (360)
	15		4		285 (310)
	16			5	435 (475)
	17		4		375 (410)
	18	3			150 (170)
	9	2	5	2	2905 (3180)
18 HOLE GOLF COURSE TOTALS	18	4	10	4	5701 (6238)

TABLE 4

LEGEND:	HOLE	PAR			METRES (YARDS)
	1			5	443 (485)
	2		4		375 (410)
	3	3			182 (200)
	4		4		356 (390)
	5		4		329 (360)
	6		4		349 (380)
	7			5	443 (485)
	8		4		365 (395)
	9	3			109 (120)
TOTALS:	9	2	5	2	2951 (3225)

LEGEND:	HOLE	PAR			METRES (YARDS)
	10			5	439 (480)
	11		4		361 (395)
	12	3			165 (180)
	13		4		329 (360)
	14		4		342 (370)
	15		4		361 (395)
	16			5	439 (480)
	17		4		347 (380)
	18	3			123 (135)
	9	2	5	2	2906 (3175)
18 HOLE GOLF COURSE TOTALS	18	4	10	4	5857 (6400)

TABLE 5

LEGEND:	HOLE	PAR			METRES (YARDS)
	1			5	457 (500)
	2		4		300 (330)
	3	3			200 (220)
	4		4		347 (380)
	5		4		329 (360)
	6		4		279 (305)
	7			5	448 (490)
	8		4		347 (380)
	9	3			173 (190)
	9	2	5	2	2880 (3155)

LEGEND:	HOLE	PAR			METRES (YARDS)
	10			5	439 (480)
	11		4		256 (280)
	12	3			146 (160)
	13		4		320 (350)
	14		4		320 (350)
	15		4		256 (280)
	16			5	439 (480)
	17		4		320 (350)
	18	3			118 (130)
TOTALS:	9	2	5	2	2614 (2860)
18 HOLE GOLF COURSE TOTALS	18	4	10	4	5494 (6015)

Claims

A golf course including a first elongate core and having a plurality of golf holes each being of generally regulation length, said core comprising:
a pair of opposite ends and a pair of sides extending between said opposite ends;
a plurality of greens providing three cups, each green having at least one cup;
a plurality of tee areas, each providing a means to initiate playing to a respective one of said cups in a common direction;
said three cups being arranged relatively close to one another and near one end of said core so that the longest distance between adjacent cups is relatively small compared to the distance between each of said three cups and its corresponding tee area, and
a second elongate core arranged generally along side said first core, and having a pair of opposite ends and a pair of sides extending therebetween;
a second plurality of greens providing three further cups, each green having at least one cup;
a second plurality of tee areas, each providing a means to initiate playing to a respective one of said further cups in a common direction;
said three further cups being arranged relatively close to one another and near one end of said second core so that the longest distance between adjacent cups is relatively small compared to the distance between each of said three cups and its corresponding tee area, thereby allowing a player to play three holes of golf simultaneously on each of the first and second cores.
A golf course according to claim 1, wherein:
the greens for at least two holes in each plurality of greens lie on the same core;
at least two holes in each plurality of greens are located relatively close to said one end of its core;
and at least two tee areas in each plurality of tee areas are located relatively remote from said one end.
A golf course according to claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of tee areas comprises:
at least one tee area located relatively remote from said one end of said core containing said plurality of greens;
said one tee area situated to define one of said holes in said first plurality of holes as a par 5;
a second tee area situated to define another of said holes in said first plurality of holes as a par 4;
and a third tee area situated to play still another of said holes in said first plurality of holes as a par 3.
A golf course according to claim 1, wherein another of said plurality of tee areas comprises:
three tee areas each situated to define three respective holes each as a par 4.
A golf course according to claim 1, wherein each said elongate core has an area of about 4 hectares (10 acres).
A golf course according to claim 1, wherein:
each tee area includes marking means so that each said tee area is visually distinguishable from marking means provided at each other tee area in said core;
each green includes marking means so that each said green is visually distinguishable from marking means provided at each other green in said core, and which is substantially similar to the marking means of the corresponding tee area to define a single golf hole;
and said fairway includes a plurality of marking means which are substantially similar to the corresponding marking means for the corresponding tee area and green, to provide a visually distinguishable target area from each tee area for the corresponding hole.