WO1997022388A1

WO1997022388A1 - A golf records keeping system

Info

Publication number: WO1997022388A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000863
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth Charles Campbell
Original assignee: Kenneth Charles Campbell
Priority date: 1995-12-20
Filing date: 1995-12-20
Publication date: 1997-06-26
Also published as: AU4322496A

Abstract

Golf records keeping system using computer processing means (12) which has an input interface (16) by which a golfer identifies himself amongst the database records. A personalised golf scorecard is printed for the golfer to use on the golf course by display means (20). This provides the most recent update of player details. The scorecard has the player's name, handicap and for each hole a unique area of each possible stroke which is manually marked off during the game. At the completion of the game the scorecard is read by input interface means (18) and the system updates the stored database records.

Description

A GOLF RECORDS KEEPING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a golf records keeping system using computer processor means for computerised records keeping.

Background of the Invention In the game of golf each player is required to maintain a scorecard for the round of golf being played. The score card should ideally contain details such as the player's name, his handicap and must include the number of strokes played for each and every hole played during the round. After each hole is played the score or number of strokes for that hole is written or otherwise marked upon the scorecard. At the end of the game the scorecard bearing the player's name and the number of strokes taken for each hole and for the entire round is deposited with an authorised person of the golf club at which the player is a member so that the information appearing on the scorecard can be processed to maintain or upgrade the records or statistics of the club and of the player, including the handicap of the player and to provide other details about the round of golf, and the player.

Presently, details from each individual golf scorecard are manually entered into a record keeping system that is manually maintained or manually entered into a computer system, if such a system is available. Some of the disadvantages of using manual systems are that it is necessary for an authorised or delegated person to interpret, collate and read the completed scorecards, some of which are not written legibly either on purpose or due to circumstances, and either manually manipulate the information or manually enter the results into the computer, all of which leads to errors being recorded both resulting from incorrectly interpreting or reading the information in the first place or from incorrectly transcribing the information during entering and recording of the information. In transferring information from an individual scorecard to a master list there is potential for error in transcribing the identity of an individual player and/or in entering the score for a hole or the overall score.

Object and Statement of the Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a computerised golf records keeping system to overcome one or more of the above problems .

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a golf records keeping system using computer processing means which has input interface means and output display means, said computer processing means being under control of a program for system operation, said system involving:

(a) inputting via βaid input interface means identification data to identify a particular player amongst records in said computer processing means, said records being those of a multitude of players with stored data for each player;

(b) in response to inputting in step (a) ascertaining stored data for the identified player and printing from said display means a personalised printed golf score card with the stored data for that player so it can be carried by the player during a round of golf;

(c) manually marking the score card with the player's golf strokes per hole during a game of golf;

{d) at completion of the game providing said score card to said input interface means so that the player's golf strokes per hole can be read thereby;

(e) updating said stored data with the player's golf strokes, whereby the computer processing means can, when next requested, provide the most recent update for the particular player and wherein said printed personalised golf score card has the player's name and handicap printed thereon and wherein for each hole, there is printing defining a unique area on said card for each possible stroke, and wherein marking of the strokes per hole is effected by marking a unique area.

Preferably said stored data includes data of earlier stored data for the particular player so the computer processing means can, when requested, provide an audit of the player's data.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view of the front of one scorecard used in the game of golf in accordance with the system and method of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a hardware configuration of the system;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cabinet having a membership card reader, a scorecard printer, and a scorecard reader, and a monitor screen; and

Figures 4 through 7 are flow diagrams showing examples of algorithm steps of the system.

Details Description of Preferred Embodiment

In the example, members of a golf club are provided with a personalised membership card which can be a magnetically coded card or "swipe card" or other card such as a punched card which contains information unique to the individual member. When a member wants to play a round of golf, on arriving at the club house or pro-shop or similar, the player or some attendant passes his card through a member card reader which "reads" information about the member and transmits this information to a central processing unit in a computer. The reader can therefore be termed an input interface device.

The reader is linked directly to a central processing unit such as for example in a personal computer or in a mainframe computer located in the club house, in-the pro- shop or at some other remote location. The computer can then address records of a multitude of players in records in the memory of the computer. These can be of all club members with unique data stored for each player. After recording details of the member as a player for that day, the computer provides by means of a suitable printer located in the pro-shop a personalised scorecard 2 - see Figure 1 - for the particular member for use in that day's play. The printer can therefore be termed an output display means .

Typically, the information provided on the personalised scorecard 2 for the day's play includes the member's name, date, the individual's membership number and current handicap as determined from the records stored in the computer. This information is typically printed along the top section 4 of the scorecard 2. It is to be noted that any other additional information can be provided in top section 4 of scorecard 2. This could include particular rules for the day of play and/or other information such as "IT'S JOHN DOE'S BIRTHDAY", etc.

After removing the printed scorecard 2 from the printer, it can be placed into a plastics protective cover, folder or similar and the player can attach the plastic folder or cover to golf buggy, such as by way of a cord looped through the cover, folder or similar. It is to be noted that the cover is provided with an aperture through which the scorecard can be marked to indicate the number of played strokes for each hole.

During play the member marks the card for each hole according to the number of strokes taken to play from the tee to the cup for that hole. The number of stokes per hole is recorded on the scorecard by marking the number corresponding to the number of strokes selected from a range of numbers appearing alongside the hole number. In one embodiment each hole has the digits from 1 to 11 located alongside of the number representing the hole so that for example if six strokes were taken for hole 1 , the numeral 6 would be marked, such as by pencil line through this digit, or similar. The details relating to the first nine holes of the golf course are provided in the upper main selection 6 of the card 2 whereas details relating to the second nine holes are provided in the lower main selection 8 of card 2. Such marking is of updating data for the holes for that particular player.

On completing the round of golf, the member ensures that there is a number marked for each hole. Spaces for the entire round of golf are provided in section 10 located below the lower main part 8, such as the respective totals for the first nine holes, the second nine holes and the full round. It is optional for the player to complete this section of the score card.

After checking that the scorecard has been signed by both the player and a marker in the space provided at the extreme lower part 12 of card 2, the scorecard 2 can then be provided to the input interface device which may include a score card reading device such as, for example, an optical reader/scanner which transfers all of the marked information, or selected information, depending on circumstances, on the scorecard 2 to the central processing unit of the computer for recording, retention and subsequent processing, and in readiness for a subsequent round of golf by that individual player. In other words, the score card 2 is read by the input interface means and updating data for that player per hole transferred to the computer.

The input interface reader/scanner device typically includes an optical mark reader or other suitable device, which is able to recognise forms or information J.n a format similar to that of a form. Commercially available optical readers, optionally containing dedicated software, are available which can be used or modified to read the scorecard. Alternatively, a dedicated scanner/reader can be designed to the task.

The information received by the central processing unit from the reader/ canner includes the member's name, the code number allocated to the member, the date that the round of golf was played and the existing handicap of the player. Such information is stored in a database of player statistics, and other statistics in the memory of the computer. Additionally, the number of strokes taken for each hole will be recorded and the total number of strokes taken for the first nine holes and for the second nine holes respectively will also be recorded. This information will enable the total number of strokes for the 18 holes to be calculated by the computer so that the member's current handicap can be subtracted so as to produce the net score for the round and produce the overall result for that player.

Any other additional information required by the club from time to time can also be provided. The information accumulated from all previous rounds which is stored in the data base as a log of the records can be used to re-handicap the player/member if required. When the member requires to play the next round of golf, a new golf score card is produced in a manner similar to that described previously either with the old handicap or with a new handicap if it has been amended in accordance with the player's statistics compiled from previous rounds of golf.

Thus, by using the system the golf score card is used both as the input and as an output of the system.

It should be appreciated that the score card may be pre¬ printed with the details of the round of golf or may be printed by the printer of the output display means on demand when the member introduces his membership card to the input interface means.

Figure 2 shows a block schematic diagram of an example of a hardware configuration of a typical system. Here, there is provided a personal computer 12 which is provided with a touch sensitive monitor screen 14. The personal computer 12 also has a swipe card reader 16, a score card reader 18 and a score card printer 20 connected therewith. Typically, the PC 12, monitor 14, swipe card reader 16, score card reader 18 and printer 20 are assembled in a cabinet of a type similar to that shown in Figure 3. Here, the cabinet 22 is an upstanding cabinet mounting the touch monitor 14 at an inclined angle in an upper part of the cabinet 22. The swipe card reader 16 is also provided in the upper part of the cabinet 22 as well as a score card reader 18. The printer 20 is provided in a lower portion of the cabinet 22. Typically, the cabinet 22 can be provided in the Pro shop or alternatively at some convenient position to the first hole. Desirably, the cabinet 22 can be provided in a sheltered building so it is not subjected to deterioration through exposure to weather. The cabinet 22 may be positioned at more than one locations at a golf course. For example, it may be provided at the exit door of the dressing rooms or it may be provided at the entry door of the club house. The exact positions of locating of the cabinet(s) 22 can be decided by individual clubs .

As stated previously, the computer 12 is provided with a touch sensitive monitor 14. Appropriate software is provided within the computer 12 to enable appropriate displays and addressing of touch areas on the monitor 14. Thus, on a member approaching the cabinet 22 the^ monitor screen may be displaying a welcome sign which instructs the member to swipe his membership card through the swipe card reader 16. In the case of a guest, there can be an area on the screen 14 which is to be touched which, in turn, will invoke a keyboard display on the monitor 14. In that way, a guest can input information into the system by touching appropriate key pads which are then displayed. This information may be the guest's name and the guest's official handicap. It may also provide for the guest to indicate his club name so that a connection can be made via a modem arrangement, see Figure 2, where a modem connection can be made via a public service telephone network (PSTN) to the member's club at a remote location. Here, information retained in a computer, such as a personal computer 24, can be obtained and provided back to the PC 12.

Alternatively, a guest may swipe his membership card through the swipe card reader 16 and the swipe card reader 16 can extract relevant information from the guest's card to, in turn, activate the modem to make connection with the guest's club and obtain information concerning the guest's handicap from a computer 24 at the guest's club. In this way, the guest will not have to enter details through the touch screen 14 concerning his name and club details. The particular player's information is then held in the PC 12 and delivered to the printer 20 to provide a printed score card 2 for the game to be played. This will include the information previously referred to.

On completion of play, and after signing off of the cards, the marked score cards can be introduced to the score card reader 18 to obtain the game scores as previously explained. The information is then retained in the PC 12 and records for the particular player updated. In the case of a guest, the information can be conveyed via the modem and the PSTN to the member's club so it can update information at the member's club computer concerning any changed handicap.

Figure 2 shows a PC 26 configured in a network arrangement with PC 12. The PC 26 may be a personal computer or other like computer at the actual club house. The computer 26 may be arranged to provide all the records keeping and updating facilities as well as any logs of historical game plays of the individual members. Thus, a plurality of cabinets 22 with their associated personal computers 12 may be interconnected in the network to connect with the computer 26 in the club house. Thus, a player or member can obtain a card personalised for game play at one location and after game play provide the card to a score card reader 18 at a different location and the information still conveyed to a central area for processing.

Figure 4 shows an algorithm of the process steps involved in generating a personalised score card prior to game play for a member.

Figure 5 shows the algorithm steps concerning the similar process to that in Figure 4 but for a guest.

Figure 6 shows the process algorithm steps after completion of game play by a member.

Figure 7 shows similar algorithm steps to that of Figure 6 but for a guest.

It should be appreciated that instead of providing a printed score card 2 which can be physically marked with a pencil or pen that an electronic golf score card can be provided from the printer 20. In this case, the printer 20 is not a physical printer, per-se, but a device which will discharge, through the printer output slot, an electronic score card device which is pre-programmed with the player's name and handicap. Thus, the electronic golf score card can have a LCD type screen thereon on which this information is displayed. If an electronic golf score card is provided it will contain a plurality of buttons representing the plurality of events whereby operation of the buttons provides an indication of the actual number of strokes taken by a player for each hole. Thus, operation of the buttons will electronically mark the card. The marked card can then be returned to an appropriate reader after game play so it can be interrogated to extract the relevant player's name, handicap and game score information. The card can then be cleared of information ready for subsequent use by another player.

One modification of the information printed on the scorecard is if it is contemplated that a four ball competition or similar be played, then after entering the name of the member who is about to play the round of golf, a letter "P", or similar code can be provided to inform the computer that another name is about to be entered so that the computer waits for the entering of the partner's name before producing the scorecard.

The touch screen 14 can be used to provide a visual display to the player after his marked score card has been read by - li ¬ the reader 18 concerning the total strokes for the game with the handicap applied. This can provide the member or player with an automatic calculation of the total score of the game without the need for the player to actually add up the individual strokes and perhaps make errors. It can also announce the particular player's position in a competition at the time when the card is introduced to the score card reader 18. It can also announce messages for the particular player which could not be provided during game play. For example, one message may be to phone the office. Another message may be to phone the wife.

The software necessary for implementing the functions outlined above can be readily written by a software programmer without any special inventive input by the programmer. Each of the swipe card reader 16, score card reader 18, printer 20 are common devices which utilise standard software. The programmer merely needs to implement software to interact therewith to provide the desired functions outlined previously. It is considered that knowing the required algorithm steps this software can be readily produced by any person reasonably skilled in the art of producing dedicated software and hence has not been detailed herein.

The advantages of the present invention include the following. In addition to the effort and money being saved by not having to manually record the strokes of each player for each hole on each day of play the information is automatically entered into the computer which results in considerable time and effort being saved as well as being substantially error-free so far as transcription and data entry errors as well as calculation errors are avoided.

One advantage of the present invention arises from the fact that the golf scorecard can be used as both the input and output of the system which simplifies record keeping and reduces the amount of stock of pre-printed dedicated cards that must be maintained at the club house. Also as the scorecard to be used on that date is printed on demand as required by the golfer, the exact information required by the golfer including details of the exact competition being played that day and details of any specific rules of play or hazards of pertaining to the course on that day can readily be provided. Additionally, messages or other information from the club to the member or between members can be conveyed by printing on the card as the card is printed for the day's game.

In addition, other advantages include as the system of the records a log of accumulations of the performance of each individual at each hole, over time, the individual member will be able to determine if improvement has been achieved at a particular hole.

Club management will be able to organise a competition for "champion per hole" for the golf course using the information obtained from all previous golf scorecards being recorded and stored simply by retrieving the information from the central processing unit.

Club management has an instant record of exactly who is playing on the golf course on a given day and who has not handed in their completed scorecard after finishing the round of golf by simply requesting the information from the central processing unit.

As the details of each scorecard are recorded and stored within the central processing unit there is no longer the need of having to physically store completed scorecards from each round by each member since the computer has an exact record of each member's card in accordance with the information provided by each member for each round of golf. There is a benefit of being able to provide instant competition results on receipt of the completed scorecards and "leader board" style information is continuously available as each member finishes the round and hands-in the completed scorecard. As soon as the last player of each round within a competition hands-in the completed score card the results for the entire day's play by all members is instantly available.

Other advantages include being able to accommodate any change of format to the day's play or day's competition including the type of competition being played for that day and can be readily adapted to provide information relating to non-members such as, for example, on corporate golf days where many players who are not members of the club are invited to compete, and to be able to operate a leader's board for the players even though they may not be members .

Another advantage is that the players after passing their score cards through the reader can retain their score cards since the computer retains all of the information and there is no requirement for the club to retain the score cards for record keeping or any other reason.

The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features hereindisclosed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A golf records keeping system using computer processing means which has input interface means and output display means, said computer processing means being under control of a program for system operation, said system involving:

(a) inputting via said input interface means identification data to identify a particular player amongst records in said computer processing means, said records being those of a multitude of players with stored data for each player;

(d) at completion of the game providing said score card to said input interface means so that the player's golf strokes per hole can be read thereby;

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stored data includes data of earlier stored data for the particular player so the computer processing means can, when requested, provide an audit of the player's data.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said computer is provided with a monitor screen for displaying information relating to the player following reading of a marked score card at step (d) .