GB2470456A

GB2470456A - Provision of golf-related missions or tasks during a round of golf

Info

Publication number: GB2470456A
Application number: GB1006067A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoff Chapman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-01
Filing date: 2010-04-13
Publication date: 2010-11-24
Also published as: US20100279799A1; GB201006067D0

Abstract

A golf side-game includes the provision of golf-related missions or tasks to golfers partaking in a round of golf, and rewarding golfers upon completion of the missions. In a preferred embodiment the missions are provided as instructions on cards. Each card may bear a plurality of missions, with each card preferably bearing the same number of missions as a numbered list. In use, a card is given to each golfer, and each golfer is set a specific number of missions to complete during the round. The number of missions requiring completion may be dependent on the player's golfing handicap rating, with the cards each detailing how many completed missions each handicap rating requires. An uncompleted mission may be deemed complete if the golfer pars a particular hole. The missions may include avoiding lost balls, sand and/or water traps on one or more specified holes, obtaining par or better on a series of sequential holes, and holing out in a specified number of holes using fewer than a specified number of putts. In an alternative embodiment the cards and/or the missions are provided electronically, e.g. on a mobile phone display.

Description

I

Golf-related Gan

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to games and in particular to a golf-related game.

BACKGROUNDTOTHE INVENTION

Golf is a well-known and popular sport where players aim to get the ball into a series of holes in the lowest number of strokes. Playing the game well requires a high level of skill and skill levels can be raised by increasing focus, learning good course management and a commitment to lowering one's score.

Further, experienced and casual players can also sometimes welcome the

introduction of additional variety into the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a golf-related game that meets at least some of the above objectives.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus adapted for a golf-related game, the apparatus including: at least one device configured to display at least one instruction relating to at least one respective golf-related task, where, in use, a player attempts the at least one golf-related task and is rewarded upon successful completion of the at least one attempted golf-related task.

The at least one device may comprise at least one card. A surface of a said card may display a plurality of said golf-related task instructions. In some embodiments, a set of said cards is provided, and all the cards may each display a same number of said golf-related tasks. The golf-related tasks may be arranged on the card as a numbered list.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of playing a golf-related game, the method including: obtaining an instruction relating to at least one golf-related task; attempting the at least one golf-related task, and rewarding a player upon successful completion of the attempted golf-related task.

The method may include setting the player a specific number of the golf-related tasks to attempt, and the specific number may be based on a golfing handicap rating of the player. A plurality of ranges of golfing handicap ratings may be displayed on a said card, each of the ranges being associated with a different said specific number of golf-related tasks to attempt. A winner or winners of the game may be determined as the player or players who successfully complete the set specific number of the golf-related tasks.

The method may include a said player announcing that the specific number of said golf-related tasks set for that player have been successfully completed in order for a winner of the game to be determined.

The method may include providing an alternative way of awarding the player; for example, a player may be awarded for completing a course in par or better.

The golf-related tasks may be selected from a set: hitting a ball into a specific number of holes using no more than a specific maximum number of puffs; avoiding landing a ball in sand and/or water when attempting at least one specific hole; hitting a ball into a set of (possibly sequential) holes within par for each of those holes; no lost balls when attempting at least one specific hole.

According to a general aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of playing a sport-related game, the method including: obtaining an instruction relating to at least one sport-related task; attempting the at least one sport-related task, and rewarding a player upon successful completion of the at least one attempted sport-related task.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of features set out above or in the following description.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature. Thus, the invention extends to such specific combinations not already described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way of example only, embodiments thereof will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a game card bearing instructions for playing the golf-related game, and Figures 2A -2E show other game cards bearing sets of instructions for golf-related tasks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example of the rules of the golf-related game is set out on the card of Figure 1, which refers to the task instruction-bearing cards 200A 200E of Figures 2A -2E. Each player is given, or randomly selects, one of the cards 200A -200E. In some cases some of the cards may contain instructions for tasks intended for players having a particular skill level, e.g. handicap rating.

The cards may have dimensions similar to those of conventional playing cards and can formed of flexible plastic, cardboard or any other suitable material. It will be understood that items/devices other than playing cards can be used to provide the instructions to p'ayers, e.g. the instructions may be printed/embossed on items/surfaces that are not flat. Such items need not all be physically separated/separable from each other, although having a set of discrete cards does make it easier to assign a set of instructions to each individual player.

In the example card 200A of Figure 2A, there are six golf-related tasks: o No more than six putts on the first three holes o Hit first par 3 green or drive the following fairway o No sand or water on the last three holes o No more than four puffs on the 11th and 12th holes o Paranyfourholeslnarow o HIt nine greens in regulation It will be understood that the lists of tasks are exemplary only and many variations are possible. Having six tasks on each card Is also not essential and eachcardcanlndudeoneormore,tjcuon. Someofthetasksmaybe duplicated on other cards and In some cases entire cards may be duplicated.

NormSly all of the cards will bear the same number of tasks, but thIs Is also not essential. The formatting of the tasks as a numbered list Is also only one example of how the tasks can be presentedldisplayed on a surlace of the card.

After receMng their cards, each player attempts a certaIn number of the tasks displayed on the card. The number of tasks to be attempted may be determined by the skill/handicap level of the player as set out on the Instruction card of FIgure 1, although itwill be understood thatthls Is optional and variations are possible, e.g. one player selects specific tasks for another player to attempt all players attempt the same number of tasks etc. In one version of the game a player must vocally announce to the other players that he has completed a task so that It can be validated by the others. In some versions of the game players may be awarded poInt(s) upon successful completion of a (validated) task, the total number of points being used to determIne the winner(s). The Instructions may also provide at least one way for a player to reecu& a failed mission. An example Is shown in Figure 1, as well an IndIcation of how the winner can be determined after playing the game.

It will be understood that many variations to the concept described herein are possible. For example, at least some of the tasks may relate to sports or activities other than golf. Alternative apparatus for presenting the task instructions to players may be provided, e.g. an electronic screen on one or more devices. For instance, data simulating the cards may be downloaded and displayed on mobile electronic devices, e.g. mobile phones, and/or the task instructions may be shown all at once or in a sequence. However, using a set of cards has advantages, including ease/cost of manufacture and it is also possible to individualise sets of cards, e.g. include a golf club or corporate logo on at least some of the cards and packaging for the cards. Embodiments of the game set goals which must be completed within the normal round to win or remain in the game. This focuses the players, adds pressure and forces them to take a considered approach to the various challenges thereby improving the player's course management and, in most cases, overall score. The game is suitable for use as a focus tool in solo practice rounds and also in games featuring any number of players.

Claims

Golf MissionCLAIMSI claim 1. Apparatus adapted for a golf related game, the apparatus including: at least one device configured to display at least one instruction relating to at least one respective golf-related task, where, in use, a player attempts the at least one golf related task and is rewarded upon successful completion of the at least one attempted golf related task.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one device comprises at least one card.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a surface of a said card displays a plurality of said golf-related task instructions.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a set of said cards is provided, and all the cards each display a same number of golf-related tasks.
5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the golf-related tasks are arranged on the cards as a numbered list.
6. A method of playing the golf-related game, the method including; obtaining an instruction relating to at least one golf-related task; attempting the at least one golf related task, and rewarding a player upon successful completion of the attempted Q golf-related task.
7. A method according to claim 6, including setting the player a specific number of the golf-related tasks to attempt.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the specific number is based on a golfing Q handicap rating of the player.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of ranges of golfing handicap ratings are displayed on a said card, each of the ranges being associated with a different said specific number of golf-related tasks to attempt.
1O.A method according to claim 7, wherein a winner or winners of the game is determined as the player or players who successfully complete the set specific number of the golf-related tasks.
11. A method according to claim 10, including a said player announcing that the specific number of said golf-related tasks set for that player have been successfully completed in order for a winner of the game to be determined.
12.A method according to claim 6, including providing an alternative way of rewarding the player.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the player is awarded for completing a hole in par or better.
14.A method according to claim 6, wherein the golf-related tasks are selected from a set: hitting a ball into a specific number of holes using no more than a specific maximum number of putts: avoiding landing a ball in sand and br water when attempting at least one specific hole; hitting a ball into a set of (possibly sequential) holes within par for each of those holes; and br no lost balls when attempting at least one specific hole.
15.An electronic device configured to execute a method of playing a golf-related game according to claim 6.