GB2245187A - Golf board game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A game based on the game of golf has a flat playing surface with tee, pin and hazard indicators; a ball marker; a pivotal stroke member 16 of adjustable playing length, carrying one of a choice of club templates 12 defining at least three possible ball marker sites; and a dice for selecting by chance a particular pivot position and a particular one of the ball marker sites. <IMAGE>

Description

GAME APPARATUS This invention relates to games and particularly to games which are based on the game of golf.

A variety of board games based upon the game of golf are commercially available. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved game which, whilst still played on a board or other flat playing surface, corresponds more closely with the actual game of golf.

Accordingly, the present invention consists in game apparatus comprising a flat playing surface with a representation of at least one golf hole with tee, pin and hazard indicators; at least one ball marker moveable over the playing surface; an elongate stroke member of adjustable playing length, alignable at a first end with the tee indicator for a first stroke and with the ball marker for second and subsequent strokes, and carrying at the second end a club template defining at least three possible ball marker sites; pivot means provided at the first end of the stroke member to enable pivotal movement of the stroke member over the playing surface through defined angular intervals; and chance means for selecting at each stroke a particular one of said angular intervals and a particular one of said ball marker sites.

The choice by the game player of an appropriate length for the elongate stroke member corresponds, in the actual game of golf, with club selection. The chance-determined angular correction of the stroke member, together with the chance selection of a particular ball marker site in the club template, mimic the effect - for example - of a hooked or sliced shot.

The angular correction provides that the error in ball placement will increase with the length of club selected. The separate, but possibly related, chance determinations of angular correction and ball position within the template, provide between them a considerable number of permutations, adding to enjoyment of the game. The two chance determinations may be related in the sense that, say, the six faces of a dice corresponding respectively with six ball marker sites in the club template, may be marked in three different colours corresponding respectively with positive, zero and negative angular movements about the pivot. Alternatively, each ball marker site may correspond with a respective angular position of the stroke member.With both chance determinations, it is possible to offer two modes of play: a first mode in which all possible determinations are equally probable and a second mode in which a lesser or zero probability is attached to determinations which, in a real game of golf, would be regarded as freak occurences.

In a preferred form, the elongate stroke member comprises a base element defining said first end of the stroke member and an elongate shaft element slidable through pre-defined locations relative to the base element and carrying said club template at a free end thereof.

The pre-defined locations may correspond with selected clubs with a small range of locations within each club enabling a fine correction of length by the player.

Advantageously, there are provided a plurality of interchangeable club templates defining different arrangements of possible ball marker sites.

In this way, a further variation is introduced into the outcome of a particular stroke with, say, the ball marker sites in a "driver" club template being considerably more widely scattered than those for a "nine iron". This again corresponds with the realities of a golf game.

This invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a stroke member for a game according to this invention; FIGURE 2 shows in plan view examples of club templates; and FIGURE 3 is a representation of the stroke member positioned in use on the playing surface of the game.

Referring initially to Figure 1, the stroke member shown generally at 10 comprises a club template 12, a base element 14 and a shaft element 1 6.

The shaft element 16 is manufactured from clear plastics strip having an aperture 18 at one end to provide a finger grip. At the opposite end, the stroke element 16 is formed with a rim 20 which supports the club template 12. The template 12 may be formed of the same plastics sheet material as the shaft element 16.

The base element 14 is formed the same plastics sheet material as the template and shaft element and comprises a central section 22 and cut away wing section 24. Within the central section 22, there are provided a ball marker aperture 26 and a series of angle marker apertures 28. With the base element and shaft element being formed of clear material, these apertures can be replaced by printed or engraved indicators.

The shaft element is provided along its length with a large number of equally spaced apertures 36 of the same dimension as the apertures 26 and 28. Appropriate yardages are printed alongside the respective apertures.

As the shaft element 1 6 is slid longitudinally relative to the base element 14, these apertures 36 are brought successively into register with the aperture 26 in the base element. To lock the position of the shaft element 16 with respect to the base element 14, a pin (not shown) may be engaged with the aligned apertures 36 and 26. The pin may be formed integrally with the base element.

The pin would serve the additional purpose of facilitating pivotal movement of the playing member over the playing surface, aithough this can be achieved simply by moving the shaft element in a manner as to maintain alignment between the apertures 26 and 36. To define angular intervals of rotation, the appropriate aperture 36 of the shaft element is brought into alignment with the selected aperture 28 of the base element. These latter apertures correspond with hook, fade, straight, draw and slice shots.

Preferably an additional pin is engaged with the aligned apertures 36,38.

The club template 12 is provided with apertures 44 providing ball marker sites. The game comprises a set of different club templates having different arrays of apertures 44 and reference is directed to Figure 3 in which examples are shown corresponding to particular golf clubs. The various templates may be of the same overall dimension but are not necessarily so. Thus, the templates having a more widely scattered array of apertures 44, such as the driver and woods, may be larger in diameter than, for example the putter template. The templates may be double sided.

The game apparatus includes, in addition to the described stroke member, a flat playing surface having a representation of a golf hole. In one example, nine laminated paper or similar plastics sheets are provided, printed on both sides, to provide representations of eighteen golf holes.

Each representation will contain a tee, pin and hazard indicators. The apparatus will further include typically four ball markers which may take the form of small discs of appropriate diameter to fit within the apertures 44. Typically the disc will be clear having a printed mark identifying the exact ball position.

RULE 1 Playing from the Tee.

1 - I The player positions their ball between the relevant Tee marker and then chooses the appropriate "club" that he believes will give the best distance or lie prior to setting up the "driving shaft" in readiness for play.

1 - 2 Position the base element over the Tee location so that the "ball spot" sits over the player's ball. Next place the shaft element over the base, lining up the chosen "club" distance with the "ball" and insert the pivot pin.

1 - 3 The player's chosen "clubs template an now be secured onto the shaft head ready for setting up the player's "line of play".

1 - 4 The "line of play" is the direction the player proposes to drive the ball and the object is to align the shaft and the base directly towards the chosen area of play.

1 - 5 On the base, there are 10 numbered holes (numbers 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 marked in red) (and numbers 1, 4, 6, 8 and 0 marked in blue. Each hole relates to a landed ball position as indicated on the player's "club" face.

1 - 6 In order to compensate for the diverse mode of play you would expect between the different characteristics of each of the 18-holes to be played, each layout has been coded to produce a variable challenge factor aligned to the hazards, course configuration and its PAR rating.

1 - 7 Once the player's "line of play" has been established, and an agreement has been made between all players on which "fairway dice system" is to be used, i.e. the "Dual" dice or the "Fade" and the "Draw" dice, the player is ready to start and rolls the appropriate dice.

1 - 8 Having thrown the dice, whatever code is shown face up, the player refers to the same code as indicated on the course layout "Challenge from the Fairway", which displays a corresponding number to the dice code. This number will now become the landed ball position by inserting the "challenge marker" pin through the shaft into the same corresponding number on the base. This operation will now re-position the "club" face attached.

1 - 9 In the event of a player driving off from the Tee and the ball's landed position is off the course layout (deemed "out of bounds"), the player will be penalised two penalty strokes and after the remaining players have taken their Tee stroke, the offending player will be required to Tee off again (deemed three off the Tee), all as per Rule 1 - 8.

1 - 10 In the case of a ball finding additional hazards, the procedure of play is clarified under "Rule 2".

RULE 2 Hazard Play from the Tee 2 - 1 When a ball lands on the line of the fairway and the rough, the ball is deemed to have travelled onto the fairway.

2 - 2 If a ball lands within trees or shrubbery, the following stroke can only be taken between trees and QQt over trees, using irons 7, 8 and 9 or a Pitching Wedge.

2 - 3 Any ball that lands in the rough, the recovery stroke can only be made using irons 7, 8 and 9 or a Pitching Wedge.

2 - 4 When a ball lands on the line of a bunker, the ball is deemed to have entered that bunker and when taking a stroke out of the offending hazard, only irons 8 and 9 or a Sand Wedge are p ermissable.

2 - 5 In the case of a ball landing on the line of a water or ditch hazard, the ball is deemed to have entered the hazard and the player will be penalised one penalty stroke.

2 - 6 The penalised player's next stroke must be positioned 5 yards {distance between the centre of the holes on the driving "shaft") away from the offending hazard and the flagstaff and in the case of water, the new position can be any lie away from where the ball deemed to have crossed the line of water but no nearer to the hole.

RULE 3 Playing from the Fairway 3 - 1 Once all the players have successfully played off from the Tee, the player whose ball is furthest from the green (flagstaff) is required to take his next stroke.

3 - 2 The player will choose a club that they believe will give the best distance or lie as specified on the 'club" " face palying from the fairway, nFW".

3 - 3 Having assembled the shaft, base and "club template" las previously carried out from the Tee) and aligned the ball to the required "line of play', the player is ready to roll the appropriate "fairway dice" and follows the same procedure as playing from the Tee and remembering to retrieve the ball from the previous stroke.

RULE 4 Fairway Hazard Play 4 - 1 If a ball lands outside the course layout, the ball is deemed lost or "out of bounds" and the player is penalised a two-stroke penalty.

4 - 2 The penalized player will take his next stroke, deemed a "drop " ball, 5 yards {distance between centre of holes on the driving "shaft") away from where the ball travelled "out of bounds".

4 - 3 The new lie must be further away from the flagstaff and if additional hazards impede play, further 5 yard lengths may be taken until a suitable lie is found.

4 - 4 All other hazards will be treated in the same procedure as in Rule 2.

RULE 5 Approaching the Green.

5 - 1 Once all the players have completed their Tee shots and approach the green, the long shaft may be replaced with the short shaft in line with the reduced distance to the pin (flag).

5 - 2 On both the "Sand" iron and the nutter", the "club" templace face has a series of holes leading from the shaft, each 5 yards (to scale) apart in order to allow the player to manoeuvre the ball as close to the pin as necessary. This means that when the player sets up his "line of play", the "pivot marker" can be inserted through the "club" face at any of the 6 hole positions from 30 yards down to 5 yards.

RULE 6 Putting from the Green 6 - 1 When each player's ball has landed on the green, the procedure is for the player furthest from the flagstaff to putt first. lCare will need to be taken to avoid interfering with competing player's balls and if necessary or as agreed, offending player may request to putt out first).

6 - 2 Having set up the "driving system and putter" over the target area, and inserted the "pivot marker" through into the base at whatever yardage position is believed most suitable within the "line of play", the player rolls the green "putting dice" and whatever code is shown face up, the player refers to the same code as indicated on the course "Challenge on the green" layout which displays a corresponding number to the dice code. This number will now become the putted ball position by inserting the "challenge marker" through the "club" template and into the corresponding number on the base. This operation will now re-position the "club" template face to show the final lie of the ball. The player's ball is now positioned through the corresponding coded hole on the "club" template.

6 - 3 In the situation where the putted ball lands on the line of the hole (cup), the ball is deemed to have entered the hole.

6 - 4 If the ball falls within or on the dotted line around the hole, then the ball is deemed to be holed on the next putt (give you).

6 - 5 When a ball lands outside the dotted area, then the player is obliged to putt again after the other players further away from the hole have taken their putt. (Care will need to be taken to avoid interfering with competing player's balls and if necessary or as agreed, offending player may request to putt out first).

6 - 6 After each player has successfully sunk his ball, each player will agree and mark down on the score card their score and continue on to the next Tee with the player who won the hole having the "honour" to tee of first with the other leading players following.

A fuller understanding of the way in which the same apparatus is used may be had by reference to Figure 3 which shows the elongate stroke member 10 positioned on a playing sheet 50. The sheet 50 carries a representation 52 of a golf hole having, by way of illustration, a green 54, pin 56 and hazards such as bunkers 58 and stream 60 distributed about a fairway 62.

It should be understood that this invention has been described by way of example only, and a wide variety of modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The shaft member may, for instance, slide within a track formed at the underside of the base element or pass through a channel. Such a modification will be particularly appropriate when injection moulding techniques are employed.

Alternatively, a stroke member of adjustable length could be formed with a club template sliding longitudinally of an elongate base member. In a more drastic modification the template and base element are interconnected by a flexible tape marked in length intervals and sufficiently broad to define accurately the angular position of the template. Whilst it is preferred to have a plurality of interchangeable templates, one would suffice. This could be marked with only one set of ball marker sites or with a number of different sets associated visually with, say wood, iron and putter.

The ball marker may be arranged to adhere gently to the playing surface, by the use of flexible plastics film, for example. This will reduce the risk of accidental dislodgement. To assist in picking up and re-placing of the ball markers, a small suction device may conveniently be included in the game apparatus. Whilst a physical ball marker (ideally two of the same colour for each player) is preferred, the alternative exists on apropriate playing surfaces - of using a bail marker pen, with ball marks of appropriate colours, wiped from the playing surface after each game.

Variation is similarly possible in the pivot means enabling the stroke member to be moved through an angular interval selected by chance. Whilst it is convenient to make use of the same element which serves to lock together the adjustable parts of the stroke member, a separate piece could be employed in the form - for example - of a disc held firm on the playing surface and engaging within a semi-circular recess at the edge of the base member. The angular intervals could be defined otherwise than through the described array of apertures in the base element, using protractor-type markings, for example. Also, instead of the stroke member being arranged for pivotal movement relatively to the base, the entire arrangement of template, stroke member and base could be pivoted relatively to the playing surface.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS:

1. Game apparatus comprising a flat playing surface with a representation of at least one golf hole with tee, pin and hazard indicators; at least one ball marker moveable over the playing surface; an elongate stroke member of adjustable playing length, alignable at a first end with the tee indicator for a first stroke and with the ball marker for second and subsequent strokes, and carrying at the second end a club template defining at least three possible ball marker sites; pivot means provided at the first end of the stroke member to enable pivotal movement of the stroke member over the playing surface through defined angular intervals; and chance means for selecting at each stroke a particular one of said angular intervals and a particular one of said ball marker sites.

2. Game apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said elongate stroke member comprises a base element defining said first end of the stroke member and an elongate shaft element slidable through pre-defined locations relative to the base element and carrying said club template at a free end thereof.

3. Game apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein there are provided a plurality of interchangeable club templates defining different arrangements of possible ball marker sites.

4. Game apparatus according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the shaft member is arranged for pivotal movement with respect to the base element.

5. Game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each ball marker comprises a flat disc and wherein said ball marker sites in the or each club template comprise apertures dimensioned to receive the ball marker.

6. Game apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said pivot means comprises a pivot element mounted for pivotal movement relative to the base element such that with the pivot element held in position on the playing surface, the base element may be pivoted relative to the playing surface.

7. Game apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.