GB2246198A - Computerised caddie cart - Google Patents

Abstract

A computerised caddie cart for use when playing golf calculates the distances to be covered to a hole and, taking this into account, aids the user in selecting suitable clubs to play with particular balls. The cart comprises means for measuring the movement of the cart over the ground, a computer, and means for forwarding information of said movement to said computer. <IMAGE>

Description

Computerised Caddie Cart This invention relates to a computerised caddie cart.

One of the main problems suffered by golfers when playing golf is that they need to know the distance between the ball and the green as accurately as possible. They also need to know how far they can hit the ball with each of their clubs and irons so that they may make the correct club selection for each shot.

Professionals overcome this problem by employing an experienced Caddie, who with his local knowledge can estimate a distance to the green from any part of the hole with considerable accuracy. However, this is not an option normally open to amateur golfers.

Professionals also practice hitting golf balls on the practice ground, the distances of which are measured and noted. With this information in hand the professional may make an informed club selection with confidence.

To date the only way an amateur golfer may judge the distances on a particular course is to buy a yard chart, if available, which is a detailed map of the course with distances measured from the hole or tee to prominent reference points. With this information in hand the golfer must pace the course as accurately as possible while not losing count of his paces, and trying to walk in the line of the shot, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of playing the game.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a computerised caddie cart comprising a wheeled golf cart, a detector capable of detecting and measuring the translational movement of the cart across the ground, a computer, and means for forwarding information on the movement of the cart from the detector to the computer, the computer being programmed to provide information on the position of the caddie cart with respect to a reference point on movement of the cart from one position to another across the ground.

Preferably, the detector measures the number of revolutions of a wheel of the caddie cart.

Preferably, the detector is in the form of a proximity switch and magnet.

Alternatively, other forms of detector may be used, such as low frequency radiation sources, for example infra-red light sources and detectors, one of which may be positioned on the golf cart wheel and one on the frame.

Preferably, the computer is positioned on a frame of the caddie cart.

Preferably, the computer is capable of storing, computing and displaying information, for example, on the length of particular golf holes and subtracting from that length the distance travelled by the caddie cart, as measured by the detector, so as to display the distance to the green or hole from the caddie cart.

Preferably, the computer is also capable of storing and displaying the current average distances obtainable by the user with each of his golf clubs and details of the ball used so as to provide information to aid the user in the selection of the most appropriate club for a shot.

Preferably, the computer is also capable of displaying the distance travelled by the caddie cart.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit for fitment to a caddie cart, comprising a detector capable of detecting and measuring translational movement across the ground, a computer, means for forwarding information from the detector to the computer, means for displaying output from the computer and means of attachment for said detector, said computer, said information-forwarding means and said display means to a caddie cart.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a computerised caddie cart in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the caddie cart of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged more detailed view of the computer of Fig. 1.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a computerised caddie cart comprising a golf cart frame 1 and wheels 2, a detector 3, capable of detecting and measuring the rotational movement of at least one of the golf cart wheels 2, a computer 4, and a means of forwarding the information on the movement of the wheel 2 to the computer 4, in the form of an electrical cable 5. Alternatively, low frequency or infra-red signals can be used.

The detector 3 is in the form of a proximity switch 3A and magnet 3B the proximity switch 3A being positioned on the golf cart frame 1 and the magnet 3B on the golf cart wheel 2. As the golf cart wheel 2 rotates the magnet 3B is sequentially brought into close proximity with the proximity switch 3A and thus triggers the switch 3A and each revolution of the golf cart wheel 2 is counted.

The computer 4 is capable of storing information on the length of a particular golf hole and is also capable of receiving new information on any particular golf hole.

In addition, other information can be included for example, for any particular course, details of distances of bunkers, water or trees may be stored on the computer to allow a course to be measured out, or "cased". This is particularly useful prior to competitions to produce notes for the player beforehand from which to plan his strategy. A variety of computer facilities can be built-in to suit any particular player. Downloading facilities for linking up to a printer, for example, may be incorporated.

This allows a record of all the unique data accrued during the round, and the data can be presented in any suitable manner to best abet the player. The record includes details of all the clubs used per hole, distance hit, number of strokes taken at each hole and the total number taken. Calculations can be made taking the player's handicap into account, and comparisons with previous records made. Thus the progress of the player over a period can be ascertained. A golf ball "menu" is also provided to take differences between balls into account.

The first piece of information which must be provided to the computer if the system is to be used is the circumference of the golf cart wheel 2. The computer can also store information on the present average distance obtainable by the user with each of his golf clubs.

To use the computerised caddie cart for example on a par 4, 360 yard hole, the user must first stop the caddie cart at the official distance peg and load 360 yards into the computer as the hole distance (HD).

In this particular embodiment this is done by pressing the on" button followed by the "HD" button which locates the hole distance memory. The yardage (360 yards) is then entered and the "enter" button (ENT) is pressed. Thereafter, detected movement of the wheel 2 results in automatic change in the hole distance (HD) reading as the golf cart wheels 2 rotate. This is achieved through the rotation being measured by the detector 3 and the distance equivalent to the circumference of the wheel 2 being automatically subtracted from the hole yardage.

The user next moves the caddie cart to the tee off position at which point the shot distance memory (SD) is zeroed. At this point as the caddie cart is moved forward the memory will automatically start to count the yardage of the shot.

For example the user may have driven 210 yards with perhaps a number 1 wood and consequently when he arrives at the ball and presses (SD) the computer will display how far the ball has travelled ie 210 yards.

This distance may be added to the number 1 wood memory or if there is a distance already present in the memory the numbers may be combined in order to provide a more accurate and up to date average of the distance obtainable with that club.

If the user now presses the hole distance key (HD) the display will show up 150 yards which is the distance to the centre of the green from the ball. The user may now run through the memory for each club to see his present average distance obtainable with each club until he obtains a club with a distance as close to the distance to the green as possible, Taking into account the wind direction the golfer can now select his appropriate club with confidence.

Should the golfer have to make a detour he may press the "freeze button (FR) on the computer 4 which will allow him to make this detour without the distance being measured and forwarded to the computer 4. In this way the golfer may traverse a stream by crossing at a bridge which may be at a distance from his balls projectory. Once the golfer is back on line he may again press the "freeze" button whereupon the distance will again by measured and forwarded to the computer 4.

Other illustrations of the caddie cart in use are given in the following Examples.

The Examples describe three variations of the information available on the computer and use of this whilst playing a round of golf and an example of how to case the course. Other formats may be applied to suit the course and player.

Data for a new course can be pre-entered before playing.

EXAMPLE 1 FUNCTION KEYS DISPLAY NOTES SWITCH ON Select Play = 1 Play Case Course = 2 1 Select Course AV Scroll through 1 Banchory 1-9 with AV Press ENTER to select or ER to delete ENTER Select Ball Type Scroll through 1 Dunlop 65 as above ENTER Banchory Hole 1 Playing known Par 3 Dist 250 yds course FUNCTION KEYS DISPLAY NOTES ENTER Select Club Scroll Wood Wood Iron Putt ENTER Select Wood 1 Scroll 1-7 Max250 210 Min200 only 1 is a driver or return to menu ENTER Dist=000 Green=250 Now walk to Save Y=l N=2 FR=0 ball.Digits will start to count Dist=150 Green=100 At ball Save Y=l N=2 FR=0 1 Select Club 1 Wood Memory Wood Up-dated Scroll ENTER Select Iron 1 1-9 Irons PW Max200 190 Minl80 SI or Return Scroll to 8 Iron ENTER Dist=000 Green=100 Walk to ball Save Y=1 N=2 FR=0 As above ENTER Select Club Scroll to Putt Wood FUNCTION KEYS DISPLAY NOTES ENTER Putter Selected Put in Numbers Enter Strokes -- and enter as Banchory Hole 1 above for the 4 Stroke Bogey other holes ENTER Banchory Hole 2 Par 4 Dist 350 yds EXAMPLE 2 UNKNOWN COURSE FUNCTION KEYS DISPLAY NOTES SWITCH ON Select Play = 1 Play Case Course = 2 1 Select Course "V Scroll through 2------------ 1-9 with ^V Press ENTER to select or ER to delete ENTER Enter Course Name Scroll through A---------------- and fix letters with 0.ENTER to save name ENTER Select Ball Type Scroll through 1 Dunlop 65 as before FUNCTION KEYS DISPLAY NOTES ENTER Torphins Hole 1 Enter numbers Par - Dist - Yds Fix or Correct ENTER Select Club Scroll Wood Wood Iron Putt ENTER Select Wood 1 Scroll 1-7 Max250 210 Min200 only 1 is a driver or return to menu ENTER Dist=000 Green=250 Now walk to Save Y=l N=2 FR=0 Ball. Digits will start to count Dist=150 Green=100 At Ball Save Y=1 N=2 FR=0 Then continued as in Example 1 to complete the hole.

EXAMPLE 3 NEW BALL NOTE:- Ball type must be taken into account when calculating distance of shot; i.e. Max Min will vary. The memory holds information for ten different ball types.

FUNCTION KEYS DISPLAY NOTES SWITCH ON Select Play = 1 Play Case Course = 2 1 Select Course "V Scroll through 1 Banchory 1-9 with "V Press ENTER to select or ER to delete ENTER Select Ball Type Scroll through 1 Titleist 1-10 as above ENTER Banchory Hole 1 Playing known Par 3 Dist 250 yds course ENTER Select Club Scroll Wood Wood Iron Putt ENTER Select Wood 1 Scroll 1-7 Max260 220 Min210 Only 1 is a driver or return to menu FUNCTION KEYS DISPLAY NOTES ENTER Dist=000 Green=250 Now walk to Save Y=l N=2 FR=0 ball.Digits will start to count Dist=150 Green=100 At ball Save Y=l N=2 FR=0 EXAMPLE 4 CASING A COURSE FUNCTION KEYS DISPLAY NOTES SWITCH ON Select Play = 1 Play Case Course = 2 2 Case=l Replay=2 Erase=3 1 Enter Course Name A---------------- As in Example 2 ENTER Enter Hole Number -- Enter number ENTER Banchory Hole 1 000 Count will start when trolley moves (can be zeroed by pressing ER) As the distance progresses the codes for features on the hole are entered as the features are reached. For example if a sand bunker is encountered at 200 yards the code BU is entered at that point for retention in the memory. Other features are for example trees (TR), water (WT), walls (WL) and houses (HO), and in this way the distance of such features from the tee or green, or from other features on the hole, are recorded.

Each hole can be dealt with in the same way, and a chart or aide memoire drawn up after the course has been cased, for future reference during a competition round. In this way a course can be accurately mapped out with reference to its features, and the distances correlated against the average distances that the player achieves with each club, thereby providing valuable information for the player and facilitating his club selection.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A computerised caddie cart comprising a wheeled golf cart, a detector capable of detecting and measuring the translational movement of the cart across the ground, a computer, and means for forwarding information on the movement of the cart from the detector to the computer, the computer being programmed to provide information on the position of the caddie cart with respect to a reference point on movement of the cart from one position to another across the ground.

2. A caddie cart as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the detector measures the rotational movement of a wheel of the cart.

3. A caddie cart as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the detector measures the number of revolutions of the wheel.

4. A caddie cart as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the detector is in the form of a proximity switch and magnet.

5. A caddie cart as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the detector includes an infra-red light source.

6. A caddie cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer is disposed on a frame of the golf cart.

7. A caddie cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer stores, computes and displays information.

8. A caddie cart as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the computer has a memory which stores information on the total distance of a golf hole and computes residual distance continuously on receipt of information from the detector on the distance travelled by the caddie cart.

9. A caddie cart as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the computer stores information on the distance expected to be achieved by a player using any of a plurality of golf clubs.

10. A caddie cart as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the computer stores information on relative distances moved under similar conditions by a plurality of golf balls and correlates such information with the information regarding said distances expected to be achieved by a player to provide modified distances expected to be achieved by the player with each golf ball.

11. A computerised caddie cart substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A kit for fitment to a caddie cart, comprising a detector capable of detecting and measuring translational movement across the ground, a computer, means for forwarding information from the detector to the computer, means for displaying output from the computer and means of attachment for said detector, said computer, said information-forwarding means and said display means to a caddie cart.

13. A method of monitoring and calculating distances on a golf course, comprising storing information regarding the length of a golf hole, continuously measuring the distance traversed along the golf hole by a player in moving from a position at which the player hits a golf ball to a position at which the ball comes to rest, calculating the length of the golf hole remaining to be traversed from said position at which the ball comes to rest by subtracting the distance traversed along the golf hole from the length of the golf hole, storing information regarding the expected distances that the player will achieve in hitting the golf ball with any of.a plurality of golf clubs, and correlating said calculated length and said expected distance information to determine a golf club to be used.

14. A method of monitoring and calculating distances on a golf course substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples.