GB2202155A

GB2202155A - Golf course distance markers

Info

Publication number: GB2202155A
Application number: GB08804981A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John A Solheim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-03-09
Filing date: 1988-03-02
Publication date: 1988-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2008-03-02
Also published as: GB2202155B; GB8804981D0; JPS63272367A

Abstract

To aid golfers in judging distances, pairs of markers 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 of different contrasting colours are provided, each marker comprising an anchor 34 set in the ground and a body 42 in which is embedded a display having at least two areas (54, 56, 58, Fig. 3) at the surface of the body constituting numerical indicia. Each marker may also be provided with indicia peculiar to the associated hole. <IMAGE>

Description

GOLF COURSE DISTANCE MARKER This Invention relate in general to distance markers and more particularly to a structure for marking distances on a golf course.

As is well known In the art, a full set of golf clubs will contain s.cn. speclalty clubs such es a putter, pitching wedge and sand wedge and a plurality of woods and Irons which are Intended for use at various distances from the green. An experienced golfer will know how far he or she can hit a golf ball with a particular club and thus will select a golf olub In accordance with the dlstance. Of course. other factors enter Into club selectlon, but distance Is a prime consideration. Therefore. a golfer must be aware of distances If he or she Is to select a proper golf club. and some people are better at Judging distance then others.

For this reason, most golf courses provide distance markers of one sort or another for aiding golfers in club selection.

Most golf courdes provide a distance marker at the tee which displays the total distance between the tee and the center of the green. Such distance markers are very useful on relatively short holes such as par S holes where a golfer can expect to hit his or her ball from the tee to the green with a single stroke. However the distance markers located In the tee area provide Little or no help to a golfer who must hit the bell from the fairway to the green as can be expected In longer par 4 and par 6 holes.

For this reason. moat golf courses provide what le commonly referred to as "160 yard markers" In the United States end "160 meter merkers" In some other countries. For convenlence of this descrlptlon, all distances hereinafter discussed In this specIfIcation will be In yards. but It Is to be understood that the dletances could Just as well be discussed in meters.

A "160 yard marker usually Includes n pair of marking articles or structures which are located 160 yards from the center of the green, In alIgnment with each other and on opposite sldes of the falrway. However, the articles or structures which are used as "150 yard markers" are of non-standard configuratlon and will vary from one golf course to another. Some golf courses use trees or other forms of vegetatlon which have characterlstics, such as size, which distinguishes them from the rest of the vegetation on the golf course. Some golf courses use stakes. others use rocks and still others use concrete pylons.

Such a varlety of distance markers makes It very difficult for a person playing a golf course for the first time to Identify the particular marking scheme used on that golf course.

Even when a golf course has easily recognized 160 yard markers. most golfers flnd It very diffIcult to accurately Judge distances whenever they are out of the Imnedlate vicinity ol the 150 yard markers. Some golfers try to solve this problem by pacing off the distances before selectlng a golf club. However, pacing off is not appreciated by other golfers and golf course management pereonnel in that It delays play and thus is out of the question In most Instances.Many professional golfers solve this problem by arriving at a golf course where a tournament Is to be played at least one day early and walking the golf course while making distance charts for used durlng the tournament.

Some golf courses have attempted to enhence thelr distance marking by placing small cement pads. or slabs, at varlous places In the fairway with such pads displayIng the distance from the slab to the center of the green. Due to lewn mower considerations. such slabs are placed at ground level below the grass which , In additlon to the color of cement, makes them very hard to see sod most golfers do not even know they exist unless they happen to be In the Immediate vicinity of such markers.

Another prlor art attempt at enhancement of golf courts distance marking has been made in some golf courses In relatively arid reglons of the country where sprlnkter systems are used for waterlng the falrways. In this prlor art system, small metal plates are attached to the tops of sprinkler heads. and the plates are etched, cast or otherwlse formed to display the distance from the sprlnkler head to the center of the green.

Marking sprlnkler heads In this way suffers from the same low visibility problem as the above described cement pads. But, the biggest problem with such e marking system is the Inconsistent locatlons of the sprlnkler heads. It Is virtually Imposslble for a manufacturer of such distance marking plates to provide all of the plates that would be needed to accurately mark all of the variously located sprinkler heads. Thus. such a marking system must be customized for each hole of each golf course where a distance marking system of this type Is to be used. Even so, many golf courses could not use such a distance marking system even If they wanted to due to the lack of sprinkler systems.

From a golfers vlew point, marking distances on sprinkler heads Is not entirely satisfactory due to the golfer not belng aware of sprinkler head locations on each and every hole of a golf course end due to the low visibility problem mentioned above.

All of the prlor art distance marking artlcles and structures known to me either Indlcate or display the distance from the marker to the center of the green. While the hole.

defined by a cup may be located at or In the vicinity of the canter of a green, the cups whlch are relocated periodically, are often times located near the front or back of the greens with the front edge of e green being the one adjacent the fairway. In that greens vary considerably In size and shape. a cup near the front or back of a green may be reasonably close to the center If the green has a relatively small depth dImensIon. I.e. the distance from the front to the back thereof. However, when a green has a relatively large depth dimension, a cup located near Its front or back edges can be a considerable dIstance from the center. This creates a problem for a golfer In that It is virtually Imposslble for a golfer standing some distance away from a green to Judge the depth of the green and make a reasonable guess as to how far the cup le from the center thereof.

Therefore, e need exists for a new and useful golf course distance marking system end marking structures which overcome some of the problems and shortcomings of the prlor art.

In accordance with the present Invention, a new and useful set of distance marking structures for use in marking distances on golf courses and a system for deployment of the marking structures Is disclosed.

Each distance marking structure of the set Includes an anchor means for placement In the ground so that the upper end of the anchor means le proxlmate ground level. An especially conflgured marker body of substantially planar, end preferably disk shaped. configuration Is deslgned for fixed attachment to the upper end of the anchor means and the marker body Is molded or otherwise formed to display a predetermined numerical indicie thereon. The predetermined numerical Indicle is, of course, the distance from the marking structure to the center of the green.

And, the marker body Is further provided with predetermined and pre-marked locations thereon so that the marker body may be customized to display additional numerical Indlcla Indicative of the distance from the marking structure to the back edge of the green, end the distance from the marking structure to the front edge of the green.

It Is preferred that the marker body be molded from a suitable synthetic resin In highly contrasting colors. That Is.

the marker body per se le of one color and the Indicia, both the predetermined and the custom formed Indicia, belng of a highly contrasting color. It Is further preferred that a varlety of visually appearing different bodles be provided, each being formed with different predetermined numerical Indicle thereon and each having different contrasting colors.For example. marker bodies displaying the predetermined numerical Indlcla of 150, would be used, of course at a distance of 150 yards from the center of the green, and such marker bodies could be fabricated In standardized contrasting colors such as n red body wlth whlte numerical Indlola. Another marker body displaying a predetermined numerical Indlcla of 1?5 could be formed of different contrasting colors such as a black body with white numerals. From this.It will be appreclated that the set of distance marking structures of the present invent ion can be made with a variety of predetermined numerical Indicia thereon and Iri various combinations of contrasting colors for standardized color coded distance marking of golf courses.

Further In accordance with the present Invention, a system of standardized deployment of the above described set of distance marking structures Is disclosed. The system Includes placement of a matching pair of the marking structures in the fairway at predetermined distances on opposite sides of an Imaginary centerline of the falrway, end similarly placing different matching sets ot the marking structures et various distances from the green.In this way, eeslly recognized end easily distinguished standardized distance markers can be provided on ell. golf courses to mark multiple distances, end with the individual marking structures belng located In the falrway, rather than out of the fairway In the rough, as Is the case with some prior art markers, so that they can not become obscured by vegetatlon and the like, and can be easily located even by a golfer playing that course for the first time.

Accordingly, It Is an obJect of the present Invent ion to provide new end useful set of distance marking structures for use In marking the distances on golf courses.

Another obJect of the present invent Ion Is to provide a new and useful set of golf course distance marking structures which are manufactured with a predetermined numerical Indlcla thereon to display the distance from the marking structure to the center of the green and is provided with predetermined and pre-marked locations wherein customized numerical Indicla may be provided Indicative of the distances from the marking structure to the front and back edges of the green.

Another object of the present Invent Ion is to provide a set of golf course distance marking structures of the above described character whereln each marking structure Includes an anchor means for insert ion In the ground and a planar, preferably disk shaped, marker body fixedly mounted on the anchor means for displaying both the predetermined and the customized Indlcla, with the marker body per se belng formed in one color and both the predetermined and customized numerical Indlcla being of a contrasting color.

Another obJect of the present invent Ion le to provide multiple pairs of golf course distance marking structures for use at various distances from the green with each of the multiple pairs belng formed to display different predetermined numerical Indloia end each ot the multiple pairs belng formed of different contrasting colors.

Still enother object of the present invention Is to provide a new end Improved system of deploying the above described set of distance marking structures In the fairways of golf courses with the deployment system Including the placement of at least one matching palr of distance marking structures at predetermined distances on the opposite sides of an Imaginary centerline of the falrway, and at a distance from the green which coincides with the predetermined numerical Indicla displayed by the matching pair of distance marking structures.

The foregolng and other obJects of the present Inventlon, as well as the Invention Itself, may be more fully understood from ,\ the following description when read In conJunctlon with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 Is a perspective vlew of a typical golf course hole having the distance marking structures deployed thereon In accordance with the present Invention.

FIG. 2 is en enlarged sectional vlew taken along the line 22 of Figure I showing s typical one of the distance marking structures of the present Invention.

FIG. 3 is en enlarged top view of a marking structure of the present invention with portions thereof belng broken away to show the various features thereof.

FIG. 4 is a bottom vlew of the marker body.

FIG. 5 Is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional vlew taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 Is e top view of marker body similar to Figure 3 and showing the marker body with customized numerical indicia.

FIGS. 8A-8E are top vlews of a plurality of marker bodies which make up a set of marker bodies.

Referring more particularly to the dr-wlnga, Flgure 1 Illustrates a typical golf course hole which ie indicated In Its entirety by the reference numeral 10, and, as is well known, In the ert, Includes a tee area 12, a green 14 with a fairway 16 extending therebetween. To ensure a clear understanding of this description, the term "hole" will be wherein used to descrlbe the above mentloned elements which cooperate to form the entire golf course hole 10, and the term "cup" will be used when preferring to the hole formed in' the green.Thus, the green 14 of the golf course hole 10 has the usual cup 18 formed there In and e flag 20 Is removably carrled In the cup 18.

In accordance with the present invention, the golf course hole 10 is provided with a plurality, or set, of distance marking structures to aid golfers in judging distances from varlous polnts on the falrway 16 to the green 14. In the preferred embodiment, a set of distance marking structures will Include a pair of 100 yard marking structures 22, a palr of 125 yard marking structures 24, a pair of 150 yard marking structures 26, a palr of 175 yard marking structures 28, a pair of 200 yard marking structures 30 and e pair of 225 yard marking structures 32.As will herelnafter be described In detail, the marking structures 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and a2 are structurally similar except for the numerical indicla displayed thereon and a distinguishing color cording system. Therefore, the following detailed description of one of the pair of 150 yard marking assembllés will be understood to apply to the other marking structures with the exceptlon of the differences mentloned above.

As seen In Flgure 2, the marking structure 26 Includes an anchor means 34 In the preferred form of a cylindrical length of pipe, with the pipe belng preferably fabricated of a suitable synthetic resin such es polyvinyl chlorlde (PVC) acrylonitrilebutadine-styrene copolymere (ASS), or the like. The anchor pipe 34 le sunk Into the ground 38 eo that Its upper end 37 protrudes slightly above the ground level and the bore 38 of the pipe may be filled with cement 40 or any other suitable anchorlng filler material.

The 160 yard marker structure 26 further includes a marker body 42 which is mounted on the upper end 37 of the anchor means 34 and Is preferably fixedly attached thereto such as by means of a suitable adhesive. The marker body 42 Is preferably fabricated of a synthetic resin that Is compatible with the materials of which the anchor pipe 34 Is fabricated so that conventlonal adhesives can be used for joining the marker body 42 to the anchor means 34. As will herelnafter be described, the marker body 42 Is a substantIally fiat, low profIle structure which when mounted on the anchor means will sit below the cutting plane of the grass In the fairway 16.

The marker body 42 Is preferably of disk-shaped configuration having a substantIally planar upper surface 44, an opposIte bottom surface 4b and has a sklrt 48 which depends axially from the bottom surface 46. The skirt 48 defines a downwardly opening bore for receiving the upper end 37 of the anchor pipe 34 as shown In Flgure 2.

The marker body 42 Is formed of a sultable synthetic resin which Is molded In a two-stage molding operation so that a premolded display means. or Insert 50 Is embedded In the body 42.

The pre-molded display insert 50 Is provided with a central portlon 52 that Includes, In the Illustrated embodiment, a first land area 54 which Is shaped to be Indicative of the numeral "1", a second lend area 56 which Is shaped to be Indlcative of the numeral "5" end a third land area 58 which Is shaped to be IndIcatIve of the numeral "0". The first and second land areas 54 and 56 respectively, are spaced from each other and interconnected by n pair of stringers B0, and the second and third land areas 66 and 68, respectively, are similarly spaced and Interconnected by a pair of strlngere 62.The pre-molded display Insert 50 may also Includes an upper pad area 64 which Is spaced above and connected to the second land area 56 by a palr of strlngers 66, and a lower pad area 69 which is spaced below and connected to the second land area 56 by a pair of stringers 70. Both the upper and lower pad areas 64 and 88 are preferably of rectangular planar configuration and have suitable protruslons 72 extending normally from each corner thereof.

As shown best In Flgures 5 and 6. the lend areas 54. 56 and 58 and the corner protrusions of the pad areas 64 and 68 all lie In n slngle plane which is flush wlth the upper surface 44 of the marker body 42 when the two-stage molding operation of the marker body Is completed.The Interconnecting stringers 60, 62, 66 and 70 as well as the pad areas 64 and 68 are recessed relative to the plane of the land areas 54 56. and 58 and the corner protruslons.. Therefore, the land areas 54 56, and 58 and the corner protrusions 72 will bear agalnst one surface of the mold (not shown) which is used to form the marker body 42 around the pre-molded display Insert 50 so that the exposed upwardly facing surfaces of the land areas 54, 55, and 58 and the upwardly facing surfaces of the corner protruslons 72 will be flush with the upper surface 44 of the marker body 42.And, the strlngers 60, 62. 66 and 70 as well as the rectangular pads 64 and 68 will be recessed below the upper surface 44 of the marker body 42.

As seen best In Flgure 4, the pre-molded display Insert 50 Is also provided with a plurality of stand-off bosses, or protrusions 74 which extend normally from the underneath surfaces of the lend areas 54. 56. and 58 and from the pad areas 64 and 68. Each of the protrusions 74 bear against the opposIte surface of the mold (not shown) which Is used to form the marker body 42 around the pre-molded insert 50.

In vlew of the above. It will now be seen that the premolded display Insert 50 Is embedded In the marker body 42 so that the numerical Indleln presented by the land areas 54, 66 and 68 will be displayed on the upper surface 44 of the marker body 42. Also, the corner protrusions 72 will be displayed on the upper surface of the marker body and thereby delineate the boundaries of the upper end lower pad areas 64 and 66 which are embedded In the marker body 42 below the upper surface 44 thereof.

In order for the displayed numerical Indlela and the corner dellneatlons 72 to be visIble, and for further reasons which will become apparent as this description progresses. the pre-molded display insert 50 and the marker body 42 are molded of differently colored synthetic resins with the colors belng selected to provide a high degree of contrast. For this reason and for color coding purposes as will hereinafter be described.

the marker body 42 which Is used on the 150 yard marking structures 26, Is shown as belng formed of a synthetic resin which Is red In color. and the pre-molded display Insert which is embedded In the marker body 42 Is formed of a white synthetic resin.

As described above, the palr of 150 yard marking structures 26 are intended to be located in the fairway 16 at a distance which Is 150 yards from the center of the green 14. Therefore, the marker bodies 42 are manufactured to display the predetermined numeral 150 thereon. In order to provide additional information for the golfer. the marker bodies may be customized to display additional numerical Indicia thereon with the customized numerical Indlcla belng determined by the particular golt course hole upon which the 150 yard marking structures 26 are to be used.

As shown In Figure 7. the marker body 42 can be engraved or otherwise cut In any suitable manner between the corner protrusions 72 above the upper pad area 64 to provide three openings 76, 77 and 78 through which the contrasting color of selected areas ot the upper pad 84 are exposed.Similarly, three openings 80, 81 and 82 may be cut in the upper surface 44 of the marker body 42 above the lower pad 68 so that selected areas of the contrasting color of the lower pad 88 will be exposed through the cut openings 90. 91, end 92. The openings 76, 77, 78. 80. 81 and 82 are In the shapes of numbers, with the three upper numerically shaped numbers 76. 77 and 79 being indIcative of the distance from the 150 yard marking structures 26 to the back edge of the green. Similarly, the three lower numerically shaped openings 80, 81 and 82 are indicative of the distance from the 150 yard marking structures 26 to the front edge of the green.

In vlew of the above, It will be appreclated that each of the yardage marking structures 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 can be provided with the customized Indicla, In addition to the predetermined indlcia, at any time after it has been determined what the size of the green is on the particular golf course hole on which the distance marking structures are to be used. And, when customized In this manner, the golfer will be provided with considerably more distance information than is customarlly being provided by the prior art distance markers.

It will be noted that In the above description the marker body 42 used on the 150 yard marking structures 26 was described as having the three openings 76, 77 and 78 formed therein as belng Indicative of the distance to the back of the green. This will be the case tn all of the distance markers 22, 24, 26, 29, 30 and 32. However, In the 100 yard distance marking structures 22, all of the three holes 60, 91, end 82 may not be needed In that the distance to the front of the green from the 100 yard marking structures 22 could very well be less than 100 yards.

In accordance with the present invention. the set of distance marking structures 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 are preferably color coded for easy recognition by golfers. As hereinfors discussed, the marker bodles 42 used on the 160 yard marking structures 26 are preferably formed of red synthetic resin with white numerical Indicia. Reference Is now made to Figures 8A through 8E which Illustrates a suggested color coding scheme for the other yardage marking structures.

Flgure 8A shows n marker body 64 for use on the 100 yard marking structures 22. The marker body 84 Is shown as belng formed a yellow synthetic resin wlth the pre-molded display insert 96 belng formed of a black synthetic resin so that the numerical indlcia will be of a contrasting color.

Flgure 8B shows a marker body 88 for use on the 125 yard marking structures 24. The marker body 88 Is shown as being formed of an orange synthetic resin with the pre-molded display insert 90 thereof be formed of a contrasting black synthetic resin.

Flgure 9C shows a marker body 92 for use on the 175 yard marking structures 28. The marker body 92 Is shown as belng formed of a black synthetic resin with the pre-molded display insert 94 thereof belng formed of a contrasting white synthetic resin.

Figure 9D shows a marker body 96 for use on the 200 yard marking structures 30. The marker body 96 Is shown as belng formed of a blue synthetic resin with the pre-molded display Insert 98 thereof belng formed of a contrasting white synthetic resin.

Flgure 8E shows a marker body 100 for use on the 225 yard marking structures 32. The marker body 100 is shown as belng formed of a white synthetic resin with the pre-molded display Insert 102 thereof belng formed of a contrastlng black synthetic resin.

Referrlng once again to Flgure I whereln a preferred system of deployment of the set of distance marking structures Is Illustrated. As hereinbetore described. each golf course hole, such as the one Indlcated at 10, includes a fairway 16 which extends between the tee area 12 end the green 14. The deployment system of the present Invention Includes bisecting of the fairway 16 by means of a longitudinally extending Imaginary centerline 104 and placing each pair of the distance marking structures on opposite sides of the centerline at a predetermined distances therefrom.More specifically, the matching palr of 225 yard marking structures 32 are located on opposite sides of the Imaginary centerline 104 at approxlmately equal distances therefrom as Indicated at the distances marked A. As Is well known. not all fairways are straight and they will vary In width, thus the illustration of Figure 1 Is intended to show the principle and cannot begin to show all of the varlables of golf course topography. Thls applies also to the dimensions A whIch, of course, may vary.However, It Is preferred that the sets of marking structures be located In the fairway 16, es opposed to the comnon prior art practice of locating marking structures off of the falrway In the rough, and that the distances A be approximately 20 yards.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear In the Illustrated embodiments, there will be Imnedlately obvious to those skilled In the art, many modifications of structure, arrangements, proportions, the elements, materials and components used in the practice of the invent Ion and otherwlse, which are particularly edapted for specific environments and operation requirements without departing from those prlnciples.

For example, the upper and lower pad areas 84 and 68 may be deleted from the pre-molded display Insert 50. If the pads 64 and 88 are deleted, the customized numerical Indlcia can still be provided on the marker bodles. The customized openings 78, 77, 78, 80, 81 and 82 can be cut In the above described manner into the top surface of the marker body 42. But Instead of exposing the contrasting color of the pad areas, the openings will be of the same color as the marker body. The openings will not be as easy to see, however, It has been found that they will fill up wlth dirt when used on the golf course, and such fillIng will provide sufficient contrast.

The appended claims are therefore intended to cover and embrace any such modlflcatlons within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the Invention.

Claims

1. A distance marking structure for use In marking the distance from seld marking structure to the green of a golf course hole, said distance marking structure comprising: a) anchor means defIning an upper end, said anchor means being for placement in the ground at a predetermined distance from the center of the green with the upper end of sald anchor means belng proxlmate the ground surface; b) a marker body mounted on the upper end of anchor means and defining a substantially planar upper surface; and c) display means embedded In sald marker body and having an encapsulated portion with at least two land areas which extend from sald encapsulated portion onto the upper surface of sald marker body, each of sald land areas belng formed in the shape of a numeral for collectively providing numerical Indlcla Indicative of the distance from the center of the green to said anchor means when said anchor means is placed In the ground and displaying that numerical Indlcla on the upper surface of sald marker body.

2. A distance marking structure as claimed In Clalm 1 wherein sald anchor means is of cylindrical configuration.

3. A distance marking structure as claimed In Claim 1 whereln said anchor means is an elongated length of pipe defining a bore for roce iving an anchoring filler material.

4. A distance marking structure as claimed in Claim I whereln said marker body and sald display means are formed In contrasting colors.

5. A distance marking structure as claimed In Claim I wherein said encapsulated portlon of sald display means Includes at least one pad area having protrusions extending therefrom onto the upper surface of said marker body to provide visual indications of the location of said pad area.

6. 1 A distance marking structure as claimed In Clalm 5 whereln sald marker body is provided with at least two openings which extend from the upper surface of said marker body to sald pad area so as to dlsplaylngly expose those areas of sald pad area which are under said openings of said marker body, each of sald openings of said marker body belng selectively configured In the shape of a numeral to collectively display customized numerical Indicia Indicative of additional distance Informatlon relating to the distance from the green to sald anchor means when said anchor means Is placed In the ground.

7. A distance marking structure as claimed in Clalm 1 whereln sald encapsulated portion of said display means Includes first and second pad areas each having protruslons extending therefrom onto the upper surface of sald marker body to provide visual Indlcatlons of the locations of said first and second pad areas.

8. A distance marking structure as claimed In Clalm 7 whereln said marker body further comprises: a) a first set of openings formed In the upper surface of eald marker body to extend therefrom to said first ped area so as to dlaplayingly expose those areas of eeld first pad area which ere under said first set of openings. each opening of sald first set of openings of said marker body being selectively configured In the shape of a numeral so es to collectively display n first array of customized numerical Indlcle Indicative of the distance from the back edge of the green of the golf course hole to sald anchor means when said anchor means is placed in the ground; and b) a second set of openings formed In the upper surface of sald marker body to extend therefrom to said second pad area so as to displayingly expose those areas of said second pad area which are under sald second set of openings of said marker body, each opening of said second set of openings of said marker body being selectively configured In the shape of a numeral so as to collectively display a second array of customized numerical indlcia Indicative of the distance from the front edge of the green of the golf course hole to said anchor means when said anchor means is placed in the ground.

9. A distance marking structure as clalmed in Claim I whereln said marker body Is molded of a synthetic resin having a predetermined color and said display means ie molded of a synthetic resin having a predetermined contrasting' color.

10. A color coded set of distance marking structures for aidIng a golfer In Judging distances from various locations on a golf course hole to the green of thet hole, said eet of distance marking structures comprlslng: a) e first matched pair of distance marking structures for spaced apart positioning relative to each other at a first predetermined distance from the center of the green of the golf course hole, each of sald fIrst matched pair of distance marking structures Including a marker body with display means for displaying numerical Indlcla indicative of sald first predetermined distance, said marker body and sald display means belng form, ad In a first set ot contrasting colors; end b) a second matched palr of distance marking structures for spaced apart positioning relative to each other at a second predetermined distance from the center of the green of the golf course hole, each of sald second matching palr of distance marking structures Including a marker body wlth display means for displaying numerical Indlela indicative of sald second predetermined distance, said marker body and said display means of each of sald second matching pair of distance marking structures belng formed In a second set of contrastlng colors which Is different from the first set of contrasting colors of sald first matching pair of distance marking structures.

ll. A color coded set of distance marking structures as clalmed In Claim 10 and further comprlslng a third matched pair of distance marking structures for spaced apart positloning relative to each other at a third predetermined distance from the center of the green ot the golf course hole. each of seld third matching pair of distance marking structures Including a marker body wlth display means for displaying numerical Indlola indicative of said third predetermined distance. se!d marker body and said display means ot said third matching pair of distance marking structures belng formed In a third set of contrestlng colors which Is different from the first and second sets of contrast,lng. colors of sald first and second matching pairs of distance marking structures.

12. A color coded set of distance marking structures as claImed In ClaIm II and further comprising a fourth matched palr of distance marking structures for spaced apart positioning relative to each other at a fourth predetermined distance from the center of the green of the golf course hole, each of sald fourth matching palr of distance marking structures Including a marker body with display means for displaying numerical indlcla Indicative of sald fourth predetermined distance, sald marker body end display means of seld fourth matching palr of distance marking structures belng formed In a fourth set of contrasting colors which Is different from the first, second and third sets of contrasting colors of said first, second and third matching palrs of distance marking structures.

13. A color coded set of distance marking structures as claimed In Claim 12 end further comprisIng a flfth metched pair of distance marking structures for spaced apart posItioning relative to each other at a fifth predetermined distance from the center of the green of the golf course hole, each of said fifth matching palr of distance marking structures Including a marker body wlth display means for displaying numerical Indicia Indlcative of said fifth predetermined distance, sald marker body and said display means of sald fifth matching pair of distance marking structures belng formed in a fifth set of contrasting colors which Is different from the first, second. third and fourth ;;sets of contrasting colors of sald first. second, third and fourth matching palrs of distance marking structures.

14. A color coded set of distance marking structures as clalmed In Claim II and further comprising a sixth matched palr of distance marking structures for spaced apart pdsltloning relative to each other et a sixth predetermined distance from the center of the green of the golf course hole, each of sald sixth matching pair of distance marking structures Including a marker body with display means for displaying numerical Indicia IndIcative of said sixth predetermined distance, eald marker body and display means of said sixth matching palr of distance marking structures belng formed In a sixth set of contrasting colors which is different from the first. second, third. fourth.

and fifth sets of contrasting colors of said first. second, third, fourth and fifth matching palrs of distance marking structures.

115. A color coded eet of distance marking structures as claimed In Claim 14 and further comprising: e) said first matched pair of distance marking structures are each configured to display the numerals 100 to provide the numerical Indlcla which is Indicative of said first predetermined distance; b) said second matched pair of distance marking structures are each conflgured to display the numerals 125 to provide the numerical indicia which Is Indicative of said second predetermined distance;; c) said third matched pair of distance marking structures are each configured to display the numerals 150 to provide the numerical Indlcla which Is indicative of said third predetermined distance; d) sald fourth matched palr of distance marking structures are each configured to display the numerals 175 to provide the numerical indicla which is indicative of sald fourth predetermined distance; e) said fifth matched pair of distance marking structures are each configures to display the numerals 200 to provide the numerical Indicia which Is Indicative of sald fifth predetermined distance; and f) sald sixth matched palr of distance marking structures are each configured to display the numeral 225 to provide the numerical Indlcia which Is indicative of said sixth predetermined distance.

16. A color coded set of distance marking structures as claimed In Claim (4 and further comprlslng: a) said first matched pair of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color yellow and its display means formed of the color black to provide sald first set of contrasting colors:: b) said second matched pair of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color orange and Its display means formed of the color black to provide said second set of contrasting colors; c) said third matched pair of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color red and Its display means formed of the color white to provide sald third set of contrasting colors; d) said fourth matched palr of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color black and its display means formed of the color white to provide sald fourth set of contrasting colors; ; e) said fifth matched palr of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color blue with Its display means formed of the color white to provide said fifth set of contrasting colors; and f) sald sixth matched palr of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color white with Its display means formed of the color black to provide said sixth set of contrasting colors.

17. A color coded set of distance marking structures as claImed In Claim 14 whereln each distance marking structure of said first. second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth matched pairs of distance marking structures comprises: a) anchor means defIning an upper end, said anchor means belng for placement In the ground at a particular one of sald first. second, third, fourth. fifth and sixth predetermined distances with the upper end of said anchor means belng proximate the ground surface; b) said marker body be Inc mounted on the upper end of said anchor means and defining a substantially planar upper surface; and c) sald display means belng embedded In sald marker body and including an encapsulated portlon with at least two land areas which extend from the encapsulated portlon onto the upper surface of said marker body, each of sald land areas belng formed In the shape of a numeral for collectively providing the numerical Indlela which is Indicative of the particular predetermined distance from the center of the green to said anchor means when said anchor means Is placed In the ground and displaying that numerical Indlcla on the upper surface of sald marker body.

18. A color coded set of distance marking structures as claimed in Claim 17 whereln said anchor means Is an elongated length of pipe deflnlng a bore for receiving en anchoring filler material.

19 A color coded set of distance marking structure as clalmed In Claim 17 whereln said encapsulated portlon of said display meons includes at least one pad area having protruslons extending therefrom onto the upper surface of said marker body to provide visual indications of the location of sald pad area.

20. A color coded eet of distance marking structure es claimed In Claim 10 whereln sald marker body Is provided wlth at least two openings which extend from the upper surface of sald marker body to said pad area so as to displayingly expose those areas Of said pad area which are under said openings of sald marker body, each of said openings of sald marker body belng selectively configured In the shape of a numeral to collectively display customized numerical Indicla Indlcatlve of additional distance Information relating to the distance from the green to sald anchor means when said anchor means Is placed In the ground.

21. A color coded set of distance marking structure as clalmed In Claim 17 whereln said encapsulated portlon of sald display means Includes first and second pad areas each having protruslons extending therefrom onto the upper surface of said marker body to provide vlsual Indications of the locations of sald first and second pad areas.

22. A color coded set of distance marking structure as claimed In Claim 21 whereln said marker body further comprises: a) B first set of openings formed in the upper surface of said marker body to extend therefrom to said first pad area so as to displayingly expose those areas of sald first pad area which are under said first set of openings, each opening of said first set of openings of said marker body being selectively configured In the shape of a numeral so as to collectively display a first array of customized numerical indic Ia indicative of the distance from the back edge of the green of the golf course hole to said anchor means when said anchor means Is placed in the ground; and b) a second set of openings formed In the upper surface of sald marker body to extend therefrom to sald second pad area so as to displayingly expose those areas of said second pad area which are under said second set of openings of said marker body; each opening of sald second set of openings of sald marker body belng selectively configured In the shape of a numeral so as to collectively display a second array of customized numerical Indlcla indicative of the distance from the front edge of the green of the golf course hole to sald anchor means when sald anchor means is placed In the ground.

23. A system for marking distances on a golf course hole for aiding golfers In Judging distances from various locatlons on the golf course hole to the green of that hole, said system comprlslng in combination: a) a golf course hole including a green having a center, a back edge and e front edge, sald golf course hole further including a tee area with a fairway extending between said tee area and the front edge of sald green. said fairway being substantlally bisected by an Imaginary centerllne which extends longitudinally thereof;; b) a first matched palr of distance marking structures located in the fairway of said golf course hole on substantially equally spaced opposite sides of the Imaginary centerlIne of the fairway and at a first predetermined distance from the center of the green of said golf course hole, each of said first matched pair of distance marking structures Including a marker body with display means for dlsplaying numerical Indicia indicative of said first predtermlned distance; and c) a second matched palr of distance marking structures located in the falrway of sald golf course hole on substantially equally spaced opposite sides of the imaginary centerlIne of the fairway and at a second predetermined distance from the center of the green of sald golf course hole, each of sald second matched palr of distance marking structures Including a marker body with display means for displaying numerical indlcla indicative of said second predetermined distance.

24. A system as claimed In Claim 23 end further comprlsing a third matched palr of distance marking structures located in the fairway of said golf course hole on substantially equally spaced opposite sides of the imaginary centerlIne of the fairway and at e third predetermined distance from the center of the green of sald golf course hole, each of said third matched pair of distance marking structures Including a marker body with display means for displaying numerical Indlcla indicative of said third predetermined distance.

25. A system as clalmed In Claim 24 and further comprising a fourth matched palr of distance marking structures located in the fairway ot sald golf course hole on substantially equally spaced opposite sides of the Imaginary centerline of the falrway and at a fourth predetermined distance from the center of the green of sald golf course hole, each of said fourth matched pair of distance marking structures Including a marker body with display means for displaying numerical indicla indicative of said fourth predetermined distance.

26. A system as clalmed In Claim Z5 and further comprising a fifth matched palr ot distance marking structures located in the fairway of said golf course hole on substantially equally spaced opposite sides of the Imaginary centerline of the fairway and at a fifth predetermined distance from the center of the green of said golf course hole, each of said fifth matched palr of distance marking structures Including a marker body with display means for displaying numerical Indlola indicative of sald fifth predetermined distance.

27. A system as claimed In Claim 26 and further comprising a sixth matched patr of distance marking structures located In the fairway of said golf course hole on substantially equally spaced opposite sides of the Imaginary centerline of the fairway and et a sixth predetermined distance from the center of the green of sald golf course hole, each of said sixth matched pair of distance marking structures Including a marker body with display means tor displaying numerical Indicia indicative of sald sixth predetermined distance.

28., A system as claimed in CLaim 27 whereln said marker bodies end sald display means of each ot sald fIrst, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth matched palrs of distance marking structures are formed of different sets of contrasting colors for color coding purposes.

29. A system as claImed In Clalm 27 whereln each matched palr of said first, second, third, fourth, flfth and sixth matched palr of distance marking structures Is located on opposlte sides of the Imaginary centerline of the falrway of sald golf course hole at a distance of approximately 20 yards.

30. A system as claimed In Claim 27 and further comprising a) said first matched pair of distance marking structures are each confIgured to display the numerals 100 to provide the numerical Indlcia which Is Indicative of said first predetermined distance; b) said second matched palr of distance marking structures are each configured to display the numerals 125 to provide the numerical Indicia which is indicative of said second predetermined distance; c) sald third matched palr of distance marking structures are each configured to display the numerals 150 to provide the numerical Indlcla which is indicative of said third predetermined distance;; d) sald fourth matched pair ot distance marking structures are each configured to display the numerals 175 to provide the numerical Indlcla which Is indicative of said fourth predetermined distance; e) sald fifth matched pair of distance marking structures are each configured to display the numerals 200 to provide the numerical Indlcla which Is indicative of seld fifth predetermined distance; and f) sald sixth matched pair of distance marking structures are each configured to display the numeral 225 to provide the numerical Indlcla which Is Indicative of sald sixth predetermined distance.

31. A color, coded set of distance marking structures as clalmed in Clalm 27 and further comprising: a) said first matched pair of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color yellow and Its display means formed of the color black; b) sald second matched palr of distance marking structures each having its marker body formed of the color orange and Its display means formed of the color black:: c) said third matched pair of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color red an Its display means formed of the color whIte; d) sald fourth matched pair of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color black and Its display means formed of the color white; e) said flfth matched palr of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color blue with Its display means formed of the color whIte; and f) said sixth matched palr of distance marking structures each having Its marker body formed of the color white with Its display means formed of the color black.

32. A system as claimed in Cleim 27 wherein each distance marking structure of said first, second, third. fourth, fifth end sixth matched paIrs of distance marking structures comprises: e) anchor means definIng en upper end, said anchor means belng placed In the ground at a particular one of said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth predetermined distances wlth the upper end of sald anchor means being progimate the ground surface; b) said marker body belng mounted on the upper end of said anchor means and defining a substantIally planar upper surface; and c) said display means being embedded In sald marker body and Including an encapsulated portlon wlth at least two land areas which extend from the encapsulated portion onto the upper surface of sald marker body, each of sald land areas belng formed In the shape of a numeral for collectively providing the numerical Indlcla which Is Indlcative of the particular predetermined distance from the center of the green to sald anchor means when sald anchor means Is placed in the ground and displaying that numerical Indlcla on the upper surface of said marker body.

33. A system as claimed In Clalm 32 wherein said anchor means Is an elongated length of pipe defining a bore for receiving an anchoring filler material.

34. A distance, marking structure as claimed In Claim 32 whereln said encapsulated portion of sald display means Includes at least one pad area having protrusions extending therefrom onto the upper surface of said marker body to provide visual indications of the location of said pad area.

36. A distance marking structure as claimed In Clalm 34 whereln said marker body Is provided with at least two openings which extend from the upper surface of sald marker body to sald pad area so as to displayingly expose those areas of said pad area which are under said openings of said marker body, each of said openings of said marker body belng selectively configured in the shape of a numeral to collectively display customized numerical Indlela Indicative of addItIonal distance Information relatlng to the distance from the green to said anchor means when sald anchor means is placed In the ground.

36. A distance marking structure as claimed In Clalm 32 whereln said encapsulated portion of sald display means Includes first and second pad areas each having protruslons extending therefrom onto the upper surface of sald marker body to provide visual Indlcatlons of the locatlons of said first and second pad areas.

37. A distance marking structure as claimed In ClaIm 36 wherein said marker body further comprises: a a first set of openings formed In the upper surface of sald marker body to extend therefrom to said first pad area so as to displayingly expose those areas of said first ped area which are under said first set of openings. each opening ot said first set of openings of said marker body being selectively configured in the shape of a numeral so as to collectively display a first array of customized numerical indicia Indicative of the distance from the back edge of the green of the golt course hole to said anchor means when said anchor means is placed In the ground; and bX a second set of openings formed in the upper surface of said marker body to extend therefrom to said second pad area so as to displayingly expose those areas of said second pad area which are under said second set of openings of said marker body, each openlng of seid second set of openings of said marker body belng selectively configured In the shape of a numeral so as to collectively display a second array of customized numerical Indlcle indicative of the distance from the front edge ot the green of the golt course hole to said anchor means when said anchor means Is placed In the ground.

38. A distance marking structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1 and Figs. 2 to 6, or in Figs.

1 and 7, of the accompanying drawings.

39. colour coded set of distance marking structures substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 8A to 8E of the accompanying drawings.

40. A system for marking distances on a golf course hole substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.