GB2419294A

GB2419294A - Golf data recording and analysis

Info

Publication number: GB2419294A
Application number: GB0423148A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Robert Morgan
Original assignee: STATSMACHINE Ltd
Current assignee: STATSMACHINE Ltd
Priority date: 2004-10-19
Filing date: 2004-10-19
Publication date: 2006-04-26
Also published as: GB0423148D0

Abstract

A computer program comprising program instructions for creating an interface, displaying the interface to a user of the program, operating the interface to receive data input by the user, the data relating to one or more golf shots played in at least one hole of a round of golf, operating an analysis means of the program to analyse the data and to calculate at least one golf performance criterion of the user, and operating an output means of the program to output the performance criterion to the user, wherein, for one or more shots of the user, the interface is operated to display a representation of at least a part of a hole of a golf course to the user, which representation is divided into regions at least some of which show a possible lie of the ball in a shot, and to receive data indicating the region which comprises the lie of the ball in the shot of the user, on selection of the region by the user.

Description

Title: Golf Data Recordal and Analysis

Description of Invention

The invention relates to a computer program, computer systems and a method for the recordal and analysis of data relating to one or more rounds of golf.

Golf is an extremely popular game throughout the world. For example, it is estimated that there are approximately 3.5 million players in the UK alone.

It is common for both professional and amateur players to record data relating to the shots taken in each hole of one or more rounds of golf. The data can then be analysed to provide performance criteria of the player. There are many systems, computerised and otherwise, which record and analyse golf data.

However, in many of these systems, the recordal of the data can involve a difficult process, which is not straightforward and is time-consuming for the player to use. It is desirable to provide a system in which the data input is relatively easy and quick.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program comprising program instructions for creating an interface, displaying the interface to a user of the program, operating the interface to receive data input by the user, the data relating to one or more golf shots played in at least one hole of a round of golf, operating an analysis means of the program to analyse the data and to calculate at least one golf performance criterion of the user, and operating an output means of the program to output the performance criterion to the user, wherein, for one or more shots of the user, the interface is operated to display a representation of at least a part of a hole of a golf course to the user, which representation is divided into regions at least some of which show a possible lie of the ball in a shot, and, on selection of the region by the user, to receive data indicating the region which comprises the lie of the ball in the shot of the user.

Input of details of the shots played in each hole is very straightforward, and can be managed quickly, for example, details of a complete round can be input in a matter of minutes. These advantages are achieved by the interface created by the computer program, particularly the feature of dividing the representation displayed by the interface into regions, one of which can be quickly and easily selected by the user.

One or more of the regions may show possible lies of the ball in a tee area of the hole. One or more of the regions may show possible lies of the ball in an area of the hole from the tee area to a green high area of the hole. One or more of the regions may show possible lies of the ball in a green high area of the hole. One or more of the regions may show possible lies of the ball in a tee area and in an area of the hole from the tee area to a green high area of the hole.

One or more of the regions may show the possible lie of the ball as a fairway bunker. One or more of the regions may show the possible lie of the ball as out of bounds or lost. One or more of the regions may show the possible lie of the ball as in a water hazard. One or more of the regions may show the possible lie of the ball as unplayable, requiring a penalty drop.

One or more of the regions may show possible lies of the ball as short, or left, or right, or long areas of a fringe of a green of a hole. One or more of the regions may show possible lies of the ball as short, or left, or right, or long greenside bunkers. One or more of the regions may show possible lies of the ball as short, or left, or right, or long areas of a green.

One or more of the regions may show a distance between the lie of the ball and the flag on the green, e.g. a distance less than 3 feet, or less than 10 feet, or less than 25 feet, or greater than 25 feet.

One or more of the regions may show one or more recovery shots, e.g. a region may show chipping from a fringe of a green onto the green, a region may show chipping from a fringe of a green onto the fringe of the green, or a region may show playing from a greenside bunker onto a green, or a region may show playing from a greenside bunker into the bunker.

One or more of the regions may show the number of putts taken by user in a hole, e.g. a region may show zero putts taken, a region may show one putt taken, a region may show two putts taken, or a region may show three putts taken.

The or each or some of the regions may show a specific area of the hole e. g. 50 x 50 yards, or 40 x 40 yards, or 30 x 30 yards, or 20 x 20 yards, or 10 x yards, or 5 x 5 yards.

The representation of the at least part of the hole may be a representation of a generic hole. The representation of the at least part of the hole may be a representation of a specific hole of a specific golf course. The representation may comprise a style of a golf course, e.g. a parkland course, a tree-lined course, a links course, or a US-style course, or any other style of course as may be produced.

The representation may further comprise one or more regions each showing an individual golf club.

The or each or some of the regions may contain a process image.

The computer program may operate the interface such that the user may select a region by using a pointing device to point at the region and to click on the region to select the region.

The computer program may display the interface to the user in a plurality of screens.

The analysis means may calculate a performance criteria selected from the group of fairways hit, average driving distance - all clubs used from the tee, fairway miss pattern, fairway hit/miss pattern through a round, selected driving distance and driving distance performance through a round, greens hit in regulation, greens hit in regulation + 1, greens hit pattern through a round, greens hit performance on each par of hole, greens miss patterns, greens hit sector analysis, performance of each club in bag in relation to greens hit, approach distance for greens hit from each club in the bag, use of clubs from tee and in approaches to greens, total putts per round, total putts on greens in regulation, total putts for recovery from missed greens, putting distance success rates, putting patterns through a round, putting patterns through a season and on different courses, putt success performance rankings, sand saves, chip saves, wedge saves, club distances, overall performance rankings, comparison of any statistic pre and after lessons, club change, ball change, progressive statistics comparison after fitness training, performance ranking for every club in the bag, comparison with players by age. years playing, on specific courses, by handicap on any statistic, recovery (saves) accuracy, bogey (or worse) birdie bounce back, bogey (or worse) par bounce back, greens hit from fairway, greens missed from fairway, performance on hole lengths, selective round comparison.

The computer program may output the performance criterion using the interface. The computer program may output additional data to the user with the performance criterion.

The computer program may be embodied on a record medium. The computer program may be carried on an electrical carrier signal.

The invention may further comprise a computer or a computer network used to run the computer program. The computer program may be run on a central processing unit of a computer, and the interface displayed on a visual display unit of the computer. The output means may also comprise the visual display unit of the computer. For example, the computer may belong to a user, who has purchased the computer program and installed it on the computer.

Alternatively, the computer may belong to a golf course, and the members of the course may be authorised to access the computer program using the computer of the course. The computer program may be run on a server, and the interface displayed on a visual display unit of a computer attached to the server.

The output means may also comprise the visual display unit of the computer attached to the server. In this case, the user will access the computer program on the server using the computer. For example, the computer may access the server via the Internet.

The invention may further comprise a process which is carried out by a computer or a computer network used to run the computer program.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which: Figure 1 is a flow chart showing the process carried out by the computer program according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a screen of the interface of the computer program; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a further screen of the interface of the computer program; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a further screen of the interface of the computer program; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a further screen of the interface of the computer program, and Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a further screen of the interface of the computer program.

Figure I shows the process which is carried out on running the computer program. The computer program is started as illustrated in step 10 of Figure 1.

The program creates an interface as illustrated in step 12 of Figure 1, and displays the interface to a user of the program, as illustrated in step 14 of Figure 1. The interface is displayed as a number of screens. The computer program operates the interface to receive data as illustrated in step 16 of Figure 1, which data is input by the user using one or more of the screens. On receipt of the data, the computer program then operates an analysis means to analyse the data as illustrated in step 18 of Figure 1, and to calculate at least one golf performance criterion of the user. The computer program then outputs the performance criterion to the user, as illustrated in step 20 of Figure 1. The operation of the computer program is then terminated, as illustrated in step 22 of Figure 1. The details of the operation of the program are as follows.

The first screen of the interface which is displayed is a home page screen. This screen contains registration/log-in details. Generally, it is desirable for the computer program to be configured to receive a username and a password of a user, for the user to be able to gain access to further screens of the interface. This increases the security of access to the computer program.

The home page also comprises information concerning the functions of the computer program, and a menu comprising several options for gaining further information, for example about various of the functions of the computer program, golf news, and advertising for sponsors etc. Once the computer program has received the log-in details of a user, it displays the next screen, which is a home page for that user. This comprises a profile of the user (i.e. details such as their name, golf handicap, ranking, etc.).

This further comprises a menu, comprising options for entering data relating to details of a new round of golf, editing a past round of golf, viewing details of their golf performance criteria, creating/editing their profile, and comparing their performance criteria with other users of the computer program. The user chooses an option from the menu by using a pointing device such as a mouse to point at the desired option and clicking the mouse. The computer program receives data identifying the option, and acts upon this.

When the user chooses the option for entering data relating to details of a new round of golf, the computer program displays a number of screens of the interface in sequence, which enables the user to input and the computer program to receive data relating to one or more golf shots played in at least one hole of the round of golf. The number of screens and the content of the screens which are displayed, will vary according to the details of the shots taken by the user.

The computer program first displays a screen comprising a menu of options for selecting the course on which the round of golf was played. The options comprise the county or region in which the course resides, choosing from a list of courses previously entered by the user, or searching for a course name from a supplied list. Courses may be identified using a unique code for each course.

If the computer program receives data indicating a county of the course, it displays a screen comprising a drop-down list of courses in that county. The user selects a course by pointing to and clicking on the course, and the program receives and stores data indicating the course selection.

The program then displays a screen comprising drop-down menus for selection of the date on which the round was played, and a script box for entering a description of the round. The user selects a date, and enters a description if desired, and the program receives and stores data indicating the

date and description.

The program then displays a screen comprising representation of all possible golf clubs that the user can play with. The representation is divided into regions, and each region indicates an individual golf club. The user then inputs data relating to the golf clubs which were present in their bag when playing the round of golf, by pointing at and clicking on the regions which indicate these golf clubs. The program receives and stores data indicating the clubs of the user.

The program then displays a screen of the interface comprising a menu of options for selection of the subsequent representation of the holes played in the round. The user selects either a sectioned representation of each of the holes, or a full representation of each of the holes. In either sectioned or full hole representation, the representations can be in a number of styles of image, each style to reflect a type of golf course, for example, parkland, tree-lined, US style, links, etc. When the program receives data indicating the option of a full representation of each of the holes, it displays a screen comprising information concerning substantially the full area of the first hole. The screen comprises a grid of regions. A process image is placed in each region. The size of the regions represents a specific area of the hole, e.g. a region could represent a SO yard x 50 yard area of the hole. This representation of distance/area is applicable to the representation of a hole until the player reaches the green and its surrounds, known as 'green high'. The screen will be sized by the length of the hole and the size of the regions used on the interface screen, the latter parameter meaning that the actual representation of the hole will be to the closest multiple of the square yardage representation within the yardage of the hole, i.e. if a hole measures 390 yards and a region of the interface screen represents 50 yards, the hole will be represented by seven regions by four regions. When the user selects a full representation of each hole, they will be able to make their own decision on the distance of each shot. When they select a finishing position for a shot, the representation of the hole displayed for the next shot will be only the remainder of the hole. This will be repeated for all shots to reach green high. The user may make a decision on the distance of a shot by guess-work, using the regions of the representation of the hole to select the region most likely to comprise the lie of the ball. Alternatively, the user may employ a satellite positioning system using, for example, a mobile phone to record the position of each lie of the ball during the round, and use this to help select a distance of a shot.

When the program receives data indicating the option of a sectioned representation of each of the holes, it displays a number of screens comprising information concerning an area of the hole. Each screen may indicate the name of the course, the date on which the round was played, the hole, the par of the hole, the yardage of the hole, and the stroke (or shot) index, along a top portion thereof. Each screen may further indicate a possible message (from the program), the shot number, the club used, a list of the holes as front 1 to 9 and back 1 to 9, and options for deleting and saving the round, along a bottom portion thereof.

The program first displays a screen comprising information concerning the tee area of the first hole, as shown in Figure 2. The screen comprises three sectors 30, 32, 34, each sector divided into a number of regions. The first sector 30, in a middle portion of the screen, shows a representation of the tee area of the first hole. This is divided into regions 36, each of which contains a process image showing a part of tee area of the hole, i.e. possible lies of the ball on the fairway, short of the fairway, in the rough to the right of the fairway, or in the rough to the left of the fairway, in the tee shot. The second sector 32, in a left portion of the screen, comprises three regions 38, 40, 42, each containing a process image showing further possible lies of the ball in the tee shot. The region 38 shows the possible lie of the ball as in a fairway bunker. The region shows the possible lie of the ball as out of bounds and lost (i.e. an unplayable shot with no possibility of a drop). The region 42 shows the possible lie of the ball as in a water hazard (i. e. an unplayable shot which can be dropped). The region 44 of the sector 32 shows a recovery shot, which is selected when the lie of the ball of the previous shot is in such a position that a player is able to strike the ball but not move it any significant distance. (It will therefore obviously not be selected for the tee shot, i.e. the first shot, of a hole).

The third sector 34, in a right portion of the screen, comprises a plurality of regions 46, each comprising a process image showing a club which the user has previously selected as being contained in their bag.

The user then inputs the details of the tee shot at the first hole. They choose the club they played the tee shot with, by selecting (pointing at and clicking on) the region 46 which shows that club. They then input the lie of the ball, by selecting (pointing at and clicking on) one of the regions 36 or one of the regions 38, 40 or 42, i.e. a lie of the ball as on the fairway, or short of the fairway, or in the rough (trees etc.) to the right of the fairway, or in the rough (trees etc.) to the left of the fairway, or in a fairway bunker, or out of bounds or lost, or in a water hazard. The program operates the interface to receive and store data indicating the club used for the tee shot, and the lie of the ball in the tee shot.

If the lie of the ball in the tee shot is in such a position that the next shot is playable but not moveable by any significant distance, e.g. the lie of the ball in the tee shot is behind a tree etc., the user selects the region 36 which comprises the lie of the ball, and the program operates the interface to receive data indicating this region.

If the lie of the ball is out of bounds or lost, the rules of golf indicate that a penalty of a shot must be added to the player's score, and that the first shot must be replayed from where it was originally hit. When the computer program receives data indicating that the lie of the ball is in region 40, i.e. out of bounds or lost from the first tee shot, the program stores data indicating the penalty shot, and maintains the display of the screen comprising information concerning the tee area, i.e. that shown in Figure 2. The user then inputs details of a second tee shot, i.e. selects the club used in the second tee shot, and the lie of the second tee shot, and the program operates the interface to receive and store data indicating the club used for the second tee shot, and the lie of the ball in the second tee shot. (It will be understood that if the second or any subsequent tee shot also ends up out of bounds or lost, that this process is repeated, until the user records that a tee shot was in play).

If the lie of the ball is in a water hazard, the rules of golf indicate that a penalty of one shot must be added to the player's score, and that a new ball is dropped relative to the position where the first ball entered the hazard, and the second shot is played from that position. When the computer program receives data indicating that the lie of the ball is in region 42, i.e. in a water hazard, the program stores data indicating the penalty shot, and displays a screen of the interface comprising information concerning the area from that shown in Figure 2 to the green high area of the first hole, as shown in Figure 3.

When the computer program receives data indicating that the lie of the ball is in one ofthe regions 36 or the region 38, i.e. on the fairway, short of the fairway, in the rough, or in a fairway bunker, the program displays a screen of the interface comprising information concerning the area of the first hole from that shown in Figure 2 to the green high area of the first hole, as shown in Figure 3.

The screen of Figure 3 comprises three sectors 50, 52, 54, in a central portion thereof, each sector divided into a number of regions. The first sector 50, again in a middle portion of the screen, shows a representation of the area of the first hole from that shown in Figure 2 to the green high area of the first hole. This is divided into regions 56, each of which, as before, contains a process image showing a part of this area of the hole, i.e. possible lies of the ball on and around the fairway and the green high area. The second sector 52, again shown in a left portion of the screen, comprises three regions 58, 60, 62, each containing a process image showing further possible lies of the ball in the second shot, corresponding to those detailed for regions 38, 40, 42 of Figure 2.

The region 64 of the second sector shows a recovery shot, as detailed for Figure 2. The third sector 54, again shown in a right portion of the screen, comprises a plurality of regions 66, each comprising a process image showing a club which the user has previously selected as being contained in their bag.

The user then inputs the details of the second shot at the first hole. They choose the club they played the second shot with, by selecting (pointing at and clicking on) the region 66 which shows that club. They then input the lie of the ball, by selecting (pointing at and clicking on) one of the regions 56 or one of the regions 58, 60, 62 or 64. The user can therefore choose a lie of the ball as on or around the fairway or green high, or in a fairway bunker, or out of bounds or lost, or a penalty shot, or in a water hazard. The program operates the interface to receive and store data indicating the club used for the second shot, and the lie of the ball in the second shot.

When the computer program receives data indicating that the lie of the ball is in region 60, i.e. out of bounds or lost, the program stores data indicating the penalty shot, and maintains the display of the screen comprising information concerning the area of the first hole from that shown in Figure 2 to the green high area of the first hole, i.e. that shown in Figure 3. The user then inputs details of a second 'second' shot, i.e. selects the club used in the second second' shot, and the lie of the second 'second' shot, and the program operates the interface to receive and store data indicating the club used for the second second' shot, and the lie of the ball in the second 'second' shot. (It will be understood that if the second or any subsequent 'second' shot also ends up out of bounds or lost, that this process is repeated, until the user records that a second shot was in play).

When the computer program receives data indicating that the lie of the ball is in region 62, i.e. in a water hazard, the program stores data indicating the penalty shot, and displays a screen of the interface comprising information concerning the area of the first hole from that shown in Figure 2 to the green high area of the first hole, i.e. displays the screen of Figure 3 again.

When the lie of the ball in the tee shot is in such a position that the second shot is playable but not moveable by any significant distance, e.g. the lie of the ball in the tee shot is behind a tree etc., the user selects the region 64, i.e. a recovery shot. When the computer program receives data indicating a recovery shot, the program stores data indicating the recovery shot, and displays a screen of the interface comprising information concerning the area of the first hole from that shown in Figure 2 to the green high area of the first hole, i.e. displays the screen of Figure 3 again. The computer program disregards the data relating to the club used in the second shot, if this shot is a recovery shot.

When the computer program receives data indicating that the lie of the ball is in one of the regions 56 indicating a lie on or around the fairway, or the region 38 indicating a lie in a fairway bunker, the program displays a screen of the interface comprising information concerning the area of the first hole from that shown in Figure 2 to the green high area of the first hole, i.e. displays the screen of Figure 3 again. The user then inputs the details of the third shot at the first hole. They choose the club they played the third shot with, by selecting (pointing at and clicking on) the region 66 which shows that club. They then input the lie of the ball, by selecting (pointing at and clicking on) one of the regions 56 or one of the regions 58, 60, 62 or 64. The user can therefore choose a lie of the ball as on or around the fairway or green high, or in a fairway bunker, or out of bounds or lost, or a penalty shot, or in a water hazard.

The program operates the interface to receive and store data indicating the club used for the third shot, and the lie of the ball in the third shot. This process is repeated until the user selects a lie of the ball on the green high area.

When the computer program receives data indicating that the lie of the ball is in one of the regions 56, indicating a lie on the green high area, the program displays a screen of the interface comprising information concerning the green high area, as shown in Figure 4.

The screen of Figure 4 comprises three sectors 70, 72, 74, in a central portion thereof, each sector divided into a number of regions. The first sector 70, again in a middle portion of the screen, shows a representation of the green high area of the first hole. This is divided into regions 76, each of which, as before, contains a process image showing a part of this area of the hole, i.e. possible lies of the ball on the green high area. The regions 76 together for a representation of a generic green high area, with four options for missing the green not in a bunker, four options for missing the green in a bunker, and four options for hitting the green. The options for missing the green, missing the green in a bunker, and hitting the green are short, left, right and long. The second sector 72 and the third sector 74 are inactive in this screen.

The user then inputs the lie of the ball of the shot just played, in the green high area. They input the lie of the ball, by selecting (pointing at and clicking on) one of the regions 76. The user can therefore choose a lie of the ball as on the green or on its surrounds, whether on the fringes of the green or in a greenside bunker. The program operates the interface to receive and store data indicating the lie of the ball in the green high area.

When the computer program receives data indicating that the lie of the ball is in one of the regions 76 indicating a lie on the fringes of the green or in a greenside bunker, the program displays a screen of the interface comprising information concerning a representation of recovery shots onto the green, as shown in Figure 5.

The screen of Figure 5 comprises three sectors 80, 82, 84, in a central portion thereof, each sector divided into a number of regions. The first sector 80, again in a middle portion of the screen, shows four regions. Region 80a contains a process image showing a recovery shot of playingfrom a greenside bunker onto the green. Region 80b contains a process image showing a recovery shot of playing from a greenside bunker but failing to reach the green.

Region 80c contains a process image showing a recovery shot of chipping from the fringe of the green onto the green. Region 80d contains a process image showing a recovery shot of chipping from the fringe of the green but failing to reach the green. The second sector 82, again shown in a left portion of the screen, comprises three regions as detailed for Figure 2, however, in this screen, these regions are inactive. The third sector 84, again shown in a right portion of the screen, comprises a plurality of regions 86, each comprising a process image showing a club which the user has previously selected as being contained in their bag.

The user then inputs the details of the recovery shot at the first hole.

They choose the club they played the recovery shot with, by selecting (pointing at and clicking on) the region 86 which shows that club. They then input the result of the recovery shot, by selecting (pointing at and clicking on) one of the regions 80a, 80b, 80c or 80d. Where the recovery shot is from a greenside bunker into the same greenside bunker (region 80b), a second (and further as necessary) recovery shot from the bunker is input, until the green is reached.

Where the recovery shot is out of the greenside bunker but into another greenside bunker, a second (and further as necessary) recovery shot from the second bunker is input, until the green is reached. Where the recovery shot is from a greenside bunker but did not make the green, the chip success and failure process images of regions 80c and 80d are used to input a second (and further as necessary) recovery shot, until the green is reached. Where the recovery shot is a chip from the fringe of the green onto the fringe of the green (region 80d) the chip success and failure process images of regions 80c and 80d are used to input a second (and further as necessary) recovery shot, until the green is reached. Where the recovery shot is from the fringe of the green into a greenside bunker, a second (or further) recovery shot from the bunker is input, until the green is reached. For each further recovery shot which is input, the user selects the club used for the recovery shot. The program operates the interface to receive and store data indicating the club used for the or each recovery shot, and the lie of the ball in the or each recovery shot.

When the computer program receives data indicating that the lie of the ball of the recovery shot is on the green, the program displays a screen of the interface comprising information concerning a representation of putts taken on the green, as shown in Figure 6.

Similarly, when the computer program receives data indicating that the lie of the ball is in one of the regions 76 of Figure 4 indicating a lie on the green, the program displays a screen of the interface comprising information concerning a representation of putts taken on the green, as shown in Figure 6.

The screen of Figure 6 comprises three sectors 90, 92, 94, in a central portion thereof, each sector divided into a number of regions. The first sector 90, again in a middle portion of the screen, shows four regions. Region 90a comprises a process image showing that no putts were taken. Region 90b comprises a process image showing that I putt was taken. Region 90c comprises a process image showing that two putts were taken. Region 90d comprises a process image showing that three putts (or more) were taken. The second sector 92, again shown in a left portion of the screen, comprises four regions each comprising a process image showing the approach distance i.e. the distance between the lie of the ball on the green and the flag, either for hitting the green from the fairway or from a recovery shot. The third sector 94, again shown in a right portion of the screen, comprises a plurality of regions each comprising a process image showing a club which the user has previously selected as being contained in their bag. In this screen, this sector is inactive, as only the putter may be used on the green, and the computer program automatically selects the putter without need of input from the user.

The user then inputs the details of the putt or putts taken at the first hole.

If they holed a recovery shot, or a shot from the fairway, they select the shortest approach distance, and then the region 90a indicating no putts were taken. If this is not the case, the user selects the appropriate approach distance, and then the number of putts taken, using regions 90b, 90c, and 90d. The computer program receives and stores data indicating the approach distance and the number of putts taken.

This completes the input for the first hole of the course. The computer program then displays screens of the interface to allow the user to input data for the next hole. This is continued until entry of the round is complete, or until the user has input all the details which they wish to, i.e. the details of only part of a round may be entered. The computer program then displays a screen which indicates that the full or partial round has been saved, and the options of editing the last round to complete it, or returning to the user home page screen.

The interface does not simply allow a user to only input the shots they play that conform to those for standard golf statistics collection, i.e. to record only 'green in regulation' shots. The interface, through using the penalty shots, repeated sections or progressive indicated movement, asks a user to input every shot they actually take (including more than 3 putts, although 4 putts and above will each be stored as a 3 putt). This increases the number of performance criteria that can be calculated, as well as creating a complete playing record for the user.

It will be appreciated that entry of the details of the shots played in each hole is very straightforward, and can be managed quickly, for example, details of a complete round can be input in a matter of minutes. These advantages are achieved by the interface created by the computer program, particularly the feature of dividing the representation shown by each screen of the interface into regions, which can be quickly and easily selected by the user. This is enhanced by use of a generic representation of each hole, although a representation of holes of an actual course could also be used, without losing the advantages of the interface.

The computer program then operates the analysis means to calculate a plurality of golf performance criteria of the user. The calculation of the criteria may be based on the round just input, or based on a plurality or rounds stored for the user. The performance criteria which may be calculated include the following.

I) Fairways hit 2) Average driving distance - all clubs used from the tee 3) Fairway miss pattern 4) Fairway hit/miss pattern through a round 5) Selected driving distance and driving distance performance through a round 6) Greens hit in regulation 7) Greens hit in regulation + 1 8) Greens hit pattern through a round 9) Greens hit performance on each par of hole 10) Greens miss patterns I I) Greens hit sector analysis 12) Performance of each club in bag in relation to greens hit 13) Approach distance for greens hit from each club in the bag 14) Use of clubs from tee and in approaches to greens 15) Total putts per round 16) Total putts on greens in regulation 17) Total putts for recovery from missed greens 18) Putting distance success rates 19) Putting patterns through a round 20) Putting patterns through a season and on different courses 21) Putt success performance rankings 22) Sand saves 23) Chip saves 24) Wedge saves 25) Club distances 26) Overall performance rankings 27) Comparison of any statistic pre and after lessons, club change, ball change 28) Progressive statistics comparison after fitness training 29) Performance ranking for every club in the bag 30) Comparison with players by age. years playing, on specific courses, by handicap on any statistic 31) Recovery (saves) accuracy 32) Bogey (or worse) birdie bounce back 33) Bogey (or worse) par bounce back 33) Greens hit from fairway 34) Greens missed from fairway 35) Performance on hole lengths 36) Selective round comparison The computer program then operates the output means to output one or more of the performance criteria to the user. The program may output the criteria using the interface, and using a number of screens, as with the input of 1 5 data.

The computer program may be run on a central processing unit of a computer, and the interface displayed on a visual display unit of the computer.

The output means may also comprise the visual display unit of the computer.

For example, the computer may belong to a user, who has purchased the computer program and installed it on the computer. Alternatively, the computer may belong to a golf course, and the members of the course may be authorised to access the computer program using the computer of the course. The computer program may be run on a server, and the interface displayed on a visual display unit of a computer attached to the server. The output means may also comprise the visual display unit of the computer attached to the server. In this case, the user will access the computer program on the server using the computer. For example, the computer may access the server via the Internet.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A computer program comprising program instructions for creating an interface, displaying the interface to a user of the program, operating the interface to receive data input by the user, the data relating to one or more golf shots played in at least one hole of a round of golf, operating an analysis means of the program to analyse the data and to calculate at least one golf performance criterion of the user, and operating an output means of the program to output the performance criterion to the user, wherein, for one or more shots of the user, the interface is operated to display a representation of at least a part of a hole of a golf course to the user, which representation is divided into regions at least some of which show a possible lie of the ball in a shot, and, on selection of the region by the user, to receive data indicating the region which comprises the lie of the ball in the shot of the user.

2. A computer program according to claim I in which one or more of the regions show possible lies of the ball in a tee area of the hole.

3. A computer program according to claim I or claim 2 in which one or more of the regions show possible lies of the ball in an area of the hole from the tee area to a green high area of the hole.

4. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which one or more of the regions show possible lies of the ball in a green high area of the hole.

5. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which one or more of the regions show the possible lie of the ball as a fairway bunker.

6. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which one or more of the regions show the possible lie of the ball as out of bounds or lost.

7. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which one or more of the regions show the possible lie of the ball as in a water hazard.

8. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which one or more of the regions show possible lies of the ball as short, or left, or right, or long areas of a fringe of a green of a hole.

9. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which one or more of the regions show possible lies of the ball as short, or left, or right, or long greenside bunkers.

10. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which one or more of the regions show possible lies of the ball as short, or left, or right, or long areas of a green.

11. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which one or more of the regions may show a distance between the lie of the ball and the flag on the green.

12. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which one or more of the regions show one or more recovery shots, e.g. chipping from a fringe of a green onto the green, or playing from a greenside bunker onto a green.

13. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which one or more of the regions show the number of putts taken by user in a hole.

14. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which the or each or some of the regions contain a process image showing a possible lie of the ball in a shot.

15. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which the or each or some of the regions show a specific area of the hole.

16. A computer program according to claim 15 in which the area is 50 x 50 yards.

17. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which the representation further comprises one or more regions each showing an individual golf club.

18. A computer program according to any preceding claim which operates the interface such that the user may select a region by using a pointing device to point at the region and to click on the region to select the region.

19. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which the computer program displays the interface to the user in a plurality of screens.

20. A computer program according to any preceding claim in which the analysis means calculates a performance criteria selected from the group of fairways hit, average driving distance - all clubs used from the tee, fairway miss pattern, fairway hit/miss pattern through a round, selected driving distance and driving distance performance through a round, greens hit in regulation, greens hit in regulation + 1, greens hit pattern through a round, greens hit performance on each par of hole, greens miss patterns, greens hit sector analysis, performance of each club in bag in relation to greens hit, approach distance for greens hit from each club in the bag, use of clubs from tee and in approaches to greens, total putts per round, total putts on greens in regulation, total putts for recovery from missed greens, putting distance success rates, putting patterns through a round, putting patterns through a season and on different courses, putt success performance rankings, sand saves, chip saves, wedge saves, club distances, overall performance rankings, comparison of any statistic pre and after lessons, club change, ball change, progressive statistics comparison after fitness training, performance ranking for every club in the bag, comparison with players by age. years playing, on specific courses, by handicap on any statistic, recovery (saves) accuracy, bogey (or worse) birdie bounce back, bogey (or worse) par bounce back, greens hit from fairway, greens missed from fairway, performance on hole lengths, selective round comparison.

21. A computer program according to any preceding claim embodied on a record medium.

22. A computer program according to any of claims I to 20 carried on an electrical carrier signal.

23. A computer or a computer network used to run the computer program according to any of claims I to 22.

24. A process which is carried out by a computer or a computer network used to run the computer program according to any of claims 1 to 22.

25. A computer program substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.