WO1998020942A1

WO1998020942A1 - Golf course

Info

Publication number: WO1998020942A1
Application number: PCT/EP1997/006224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Werner Schnell
Original assignee: Swg Suedwest Golf Beteiligungs; Werner Schnell; Kuhn Hans
Priority date: 1996-11-11
Filing date: 1997-11-10
Publication date: 1998-05-22
Also published as: DE19781260D2; AU5480298A

Abstract

A golf course has a plurality of teeing grounds from which a golf ball is driven onto the target field, the target field being attainable from several teeing grounds.

Description

"Golf course"

The invention relates to a golf course with a plurality of teeing grounds, from where the golf ball is hit in target fields.

The golf courses, as described at the beginning, are well known. Playing golf is known as an elitist and expensive sport. The creation of a golf course is correspondingly complex, since 10 - 30 ha of land generally have to be worked on in order to create a corresponding golf course. These well-known large golf courses are correspondingly complex and expensive to create. Furthermore, the maintenance of such golf courses is correspondingly complex and expensive, since one Large number of people and machines are necessary for the maintenance of the golf course. The high construction costs as well as the relatively high maintenance costs mean that golf is very expensive and so far has not been accessible to a wide audience.

Furthermore, a mini golf game is known, in which a relatively inexpensive game is possible, but this game has little in common with the known golf. A ball is driven on a track with the help of a bat and is played in a hole. However, the length of the game is generally limited to 15 m, and concrete slopes are used instead of lawn as the playing surface. The characters of the two games are essentially different. Tees and long flight lengths are unknown in mini golf. The playground conditions in the single-hole area are also not a problem with mini golf. However, mini golf is widely used because the sport is relatively easy to learn and can be offered very cheaply. The space required for a mini golf course is small and the maintenance costs are not high due to the simple layout of the playing area. However, the two types of game are not comparable, the characters of the games are fundamentally different.

The present invention has set itself the goal of designing a golf course in such a way that the installation and operation of a golf course is as cost-effective as possible, in order thereby to make golfing accessible to a broader section of the population.

This object is achieved in that a golf course, as suggested at the beginning, is improved in that a target field can be played from several teeing grounds. In the conventionally known golf courses, a target field follows behind a teeing ground, these fields generally also having a single-hole field in which the ball is to be sunk. After this "hole" has been played, the players move on to the next tee to aim at the next target field again. This arrangement of teeing ground and target field one after the other means that there is a comparatively very large space requirement and the known golf courses consume 10-30 ha of space in accordance with the design.

Due to the arrangement according to the invention that a target field can be played from several teeing grounds, the target field is used in a variety of ways. After the lane has been played, the teeing ground is changed and from the next teeing ground is played again on the same or on a different target field, whereby the same target field is played by several different teeing grounds or several different target fields are played from one teeing ground. Especially for the training of golf, it is advantageous to bridge different distances between the playing field and the target field, whereby any suitable game situation corresponding to the real golf game on a large course can be realized by a corresponding variable arrangement of the tee fields with respect to the target fields. The multiple use of the target fields significantly reduces the space requirement of the golf course, as a result of which the high costs outlined above do not arise due to the high space consumption.

However, the object is also achieved by a golf course which, as described above, consists of a plurality of teeing grounds, from which the golf ball is struck into the target field, a single-hole field being provided which is separate from the target field. The purpose of golf is to play a small ball in a hole over a longer distance. Putting in particular is a crucial part of the game. If so however, in order to prevent injuries from entering the target field, the single-hole field is arranged separately from the target field. This object is not only an advantage in combination with a target field, which can be played from several teeing grounds. Even if exactly one target field is assigned to a tee, this gives you the opportunity to practice a different game situation without blocking each other. At the teeing grounds, driving the ball over 70 to 150 meters to a target field is trained or played. Punching takes place separately.

The separation of the single-hole field from the target field, which is integrated in the classic golf game, enables a high variability of the sport and a favorable use of the ground.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the size of the single-hole field essentially corresponds to the target field in terms of size, surface, outline, layout, design and / or other playing conditions. The golfer thus finds the single-hole field that is identical to the target field and can train exact game situations there, without entering or blocking the corresponding fairway or target field.

In a further embodiment of the golf course according to the invention it is provided that the single-hole field follows the tee in the direction of play. Such a configuration presents a sequence of game shots that is absolutely identical to the known golf game. The space requirement for the single-hole field is relatively small, and this can be arranged, for example, in a system designed as a round course after the tee. Appropriate monitoring means make it possible to determine the position of the ball on the target field and the player on the single-hole field to do so To specify the game situation. With this configuration, the natural rhythm is maintained when playing golf, that is, long, forceful shots alternate with sensitive, well-measured single-hole shots. Due to the identical design of the single-hole field and the target field, the player initially has the far-away target field in front of him, after the tee he immediately arrives at the identical single-hole field to end the course.

However, it is also possible, in a further variant of the invention, for several single-hole fields to be combined. For example, these single-hole fields are located in the entrance or exit area of the board, in which case the single-hole fields can be played in blocks, the target fields being played in blocks beforehand. In the same way, the single-hole fields are designed identically with the target fields in order to present the game conditions that are as identical as possible for the player at the teeing ground at the target field and also at the single-hole field.

It is particularly favorable if a walkway essentially surrounds the golf course and the tees are on the walkway. The sidewalk, for example, is laid out on the outside of the golf course and connects the tees with each other. The walkway is separated from the target fields in such a way that there is never any risk that the person walking on the walkway will be hit by failed balls. It is also not intended for the player to enter the target fields in order to sink the balls into the hole as in normal golf. Due to the fact that the target fields can be played from different tees, the risk of injury would be too great. Nevertheless, the beating can be trained in a range of 10 to 100 m by the arrangement according to the invention. The arrangement of the walkway is also inexpensive in that it is easy to maintain and has an appropriate landscaping achievable that the players do not leave the sidewalk, because then there would be the risk of injury from a failed ball.

It is advantageous if the walkway is designed as a circular course and the target fields within the circular course. Such a configuration enables variable recording. By arranging the walkway as a circular course, the player is automatically returned to his starting point, and even cross-over target fields is possible, whereby a 9- or 18-hole golf course can be easily realized with a small footprint. The target fields are created within the circuit, which also ensures that the playing people who are outside on the sidewalks are not hit by failed balls, as a sufficient distance between the target fields and the sidewalk is maintained.

It is particularly expedient if a single-hole field separate from the target fields is provided. Since the target fields are played from a plurality of teeing grounds, there is a risk, as described, that a person who is on the target field is injured by a ball hit by a third party. It is therefore provided to separate the hole in the ball from playing on the target field, thereby reliably avoiding the risk of injury. The single-hole field is advantageously integrated into the golf course in such a way that the single-hole field is also arranged on the walkway. Care is taken to ensure that the direction of the tee is chosen such that the single-hole field is not in the extension, thereby preventing balls that are hit too far from flying onto the single-hole field.

It is beneficial if a surveillance means of the target field is provided. Since the risk of injury on the target fields is too great, there is no provision for the player to run after the hit ball and to check the position of the ball. For example, the circular target field has a diameter of up to 15, concentric circles being arranged, the center of which represents the target to be reached. The position of the struck ball is evaluated, for example, by video surveillance. However, ultrasound, light barriers or radar systems can also be used as monitoring means. The task of these monitoring means is to recognize the position of the ball on the target field and to inform the player of this by means of an appropriate evaluation unit. A monitor can serve as an evaluation unit, for example, or the player is given a corresponding sector in which the ball is currently resting. Especially when the single-hole field is to be replayed identically, the player is then able, based on this evaluation, to place the ball in the corresponding sector and to continue playing there.

For a sector-by-sector evaluation, it is favorable that a position sensor for the golf ball is provided on the bottom of the target field. This position sensor also acts as a monitoring means. For example, the target surface is formed from artificial turf and has a design with correspondingly conductive layers in order to ensure that the position can be evaluated. The weight of the ball closes an electrical contact, for example, and a matrix-like control of the sectors allows the ball to be positioned precisely on the position sensor or mat.

It is provided that the player enters the golf course with a large number of balls and a special ball collecting device regularly collects the balls lying on the target fields. It is an advantage if on the Target field a device for collecting or collecting the golf balls is provided. There is no provision for the player to leave the tee in the direction of the target field and to find or collect the balls hit. It would be too dangerous in terms of possible injuries from other balls. It should be noted that the golf course, which is designed in particular as a circular course, will have a relatively high density of flying balls in the interior, which is why it is not favorable to enter the interior. Nevertheless, just in order not to let the need for balls get too big, the sacked balls should be collected. For this purpose, a collecting device is provided which, for example, runs like a rake over the target field or other surfaces and, for example, transports the balls into a transport shaft which is connected to a corresponding sewer system and transports the balls to the clubhouse or the entrance, for example.

It is advantageous if the target fields are shielded from one another by trees, hills, dunes or other landscaping. This ensures that balls that are hit too far do not fly into other target fields and hinder a game there. Furthermore, the arrangement of the landscape serves to vary the degree of difficulty with certain tees or with certain game paths. It is e.g. conceivable that a tee takes place in a sand bunker.

Furthermore, the invention provides a lighting device for the golf course. Since the golf course according to the invention manages with significantly less space with the same attractiveness as a large golf course, it is also possible to illuminate the entire golf course with relatively little effort. It is envisaged to create the golf courses according to the invention with a base area of up to 3 ha, such a course being cheap with appropriate floodlights can be illuminated. The possibility of illuminating the golf course enables the course to be played independently of the time of day, which further improves the profitability of such a golf course. The entire golf course is advantageously illuminated in this way in order to thereby create a game situation similar to daylight.

It is convenient if the walkway is covered. Such a configuration also extends the playability of the course. Due to the roofing, the player is independent of the weather, the golf course can also be used in the rain, for example. It is also advantageous if the sidewalk is at least partially glazed or shielded on the side. The glazing and the shielding effect for an effective weather protection, whereby the attractiveness of such a golf course ^'is increased. In addition, particularly impact-resistant glazing provides further protection against failed balls. In the event that the walkway is heated, for example to ensure that it can be played on cold days, windproof glazing, for example with doors etc., is provided. Of course, an opaque wall can also serve as glazing.

It is also advantageous that a long-range stretch with up to 300 m stretch between the tee and the target field is provided in addition to the walkway. Such a configuration also enables the player to train or play a corresponding long striking distance. The long-range course is easily integrated on the longer side of the golf course, whereby the additional space requirement is not great. The long-range course rounds off golf. Video surveillance for the evaluation of the struck ball can also be provided in the target field. Furthermore, it is also possible in the field area to provide a catch device, for example a net or the like, so that balls which are hit too far do not damage facilities lying behind the golf course or injure people.

It is advantageous if the target field or the single-hole field is made of artificial turf. The use of artificial turf is advantageous in terms of maintenance, as this does not e.g. must be maintained by mowing. Furthermore, laying out the artificial turf is a cost-effective variant of realizing a golf course, since the time-consuming planting and maintenance of the corresponding lawn is no longer necessary. At the same time, the use of artificial turf ensures the same playing characteristics as a normal, natural turf.

It has been found that the golf course can be cared for with one man by the inventive design of the golf course, whereby, as described at the beginning, low maintenance costs for the golf course can be realized. The water consumption for the golf courses according to the invention is also low. Appropriate landscaping can make an ecological contribution. It is also possible to set up the golf course on a relatively small plot, although a 9 or even an 18-hole golf course can still be realized. The attractiveness of such a golf course is given by the variable arrangement of long-range courses in connection with the playing of the target fields in a distance range of up to 100 m and the final single-hole area. All of the stroke distances and stroke positions that are usual in a normal golf course are therefore present in order to enable golf to be played on a relatively small property (approximately only 10% of a normal golf course) in a completely equivalent manner. Due to the low maintenance costs and the small space requirement, the operating costs for operation of a golf course was significantly reduced and golfing was opened up to wide circles thanks to low prices.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if a cooling agent for generating an ice rink is provided on the golf course, in particular on the long-distance stretch. Golf is known to be a sport preferred to be played in the warm seasons. However, the profitability of a golf course according to the invention is increased considerably if an attraction is made available, particularly in the cold seasons. It is particularly useful that the long-range distance, the z. B. is arranged on a long side of the golf course, is provided with cooling means to produce an ice rink or ice rink. This ice rink can then e.g. used for ice skating or ice hockey and gives the golf course a certain appeal even in winter. The coolant used here is e.g. the known cooling coils used, e.g. are well known for creating ice skating rinks. The coolants are connected to a cooling unit or a cooling generator, which produces cold from energy using known processes.

It is favorable that the walkway, the single-hole field and / or the target field of the golf course is heated by the waste heat of a cooling generator of the coolant. Due to physical laws, the generation of cold is also associated with the generation of a certain amount of waste heat. If this waste heat from the cooling generator is now used to heat the sidewalk, the single-hole field and / or the target field of the golf course, the waste heat that would otherwise be uselessly dissipated is used again profitably. Playability of the golf course is achieved even in the cold seasons. By heating the walkway, players can move around in a warm environment. By heating the single-hole field or field defrost these and are therefore playable. The attractiveness of a golf course that can also be played in winter is correspondingly high, the profitability of the course is increased enormously by the double usability, especially in winter.

In principle, it is provided here that a cooling generator is connected on the cold side to corresponding cooling hoses, cooling coils and the like in a known manner. On the heat side, it is provided that the waste heat from the cooling generator is passed through appropriate heating coils, which e.g. are buried in the bottom of the target field or the single-hole field or by heat exchangers, e.g. air heating, which is operated in the sidewalk, is used. Of course it is possible to couple the heating of the clubhouse with the waste heat from the cooling generator.

The invention is shown schematically in the drawing.

Show it:

1, FIG. 2 different variants of the layout of a golf course according to the invention,

Fig. 3 in a vertical section

Details of the golf course according to the invention.

The golf course 1 is, for example, essentially rectangular, as shown in the drawing, and has an edge length of approximately 200 × 150 meters. This width also includes the long-range section 2. On the property of Golf course 1 also includes club house 3. The walkway 4, which is designed as a circular course 40 and essentially surrounds the golf course 1, begins in front of the clubhouse 3. A playground 30 is also provided at clubhouse 3. A parking space is arranged on the back of clubhouse 3.

In a clockwise direction (FIG. 1), the player is led on the sidewalk 4 to a plurality of teeing grounds 5. In the embodiment shown here, for example, ten tees 5 are provided. From the teeing grounds 5, it is possible to play on a total of five playing fields 6, which are located inside the walkway 4 designed as a circular course 40. The walkway 4 is integrated into the landscape of the golf course and can be made correspondingly attractive by appropriate design means 7, such as hills, mountains, trees, bushes, ponds, etc.

In the vicinity of the club house 3 there is the long-range section 2. The long-range section 2 is provided here on the long side of the essentially rectangular golf course and has a total length of approximately 200 meters.

A roofing of the sidewalk 4 not only provides protection against rain, but also protects the players running beneath it from falling balls. Furthermore, side shielding, for example by plexiglass or glass, is also provided.

It is advantageous here to create the walkway 4 in the border area of the property of the golf course 1, in order thereby to make the inside area for the boot fields 6 as large and variable as possible.

It is provided that the target fields 6 are shielded from one another and protected by different landscape designs 7 limit. On the one hand, this results in a certain discretion on the golf course, since the players do not see the further target fields 6, which are relatively close, if they are behind a tree or a hill, for example. Trees 70 or hills 71 are provided as landscape designs 7, on the other hand, the design means serve as natural protective screens.

It is also possible to implement a pond 72 as a target field or, in accordance with the design, as on large golf courses, to provide a pond 72 as a natural obstacle between the teeing ground 5 and the target field 6.

Furthermore, provision is also made for a bunker tee 50 to be set up, the tee taking place here in a sand pit, a so-called sand bunker.

The arrangement of the tees 5 and the target fields 6 is chosen so that in each case in the direct extension of the tee 5 with respect to the target field 6 there is no further tee 5 that could be bombarded by balls hit too far. The possible stroke variants are represented by connecting lines between the teeing grounds 5 and the target fields 6.

The single-hole field 8 is provided in the area of the club house, on the way back from the circular course 40. The single-hole field 8 can also be designed variably and enables the players to train the hole-punching of the ball, with consideration also being taken here that the single-hole field 8 is not played by balls that are hit too far. Additional shielding of the single-hole field 8 can be achieved, for example, by appropriate landscape designs 7. A plurality of game holes 80 are provided on the single-hole field 8. The target fields 6 have group circles 60 which enable the played ball to be evaluated, for example by video surveillance (not shown). It is not provided here that the player enters the target fields 6 in order to either collect the balls or to continue playing them. Since the target fields are played from several teeing grounds, two teeing grounds are regularly provided for each target field, but there may be more, there is a risk that a player who leaves the sidewalk and runs onto the target field will be hit and injured by third-party balls. The more teeing grounds target a certain target field, the more danger there is.

In the embodiment shown here, all situations occurring in a normal golf game are offered. There is a long-range course with up to 300 meters, as well as landscape-challenging game designs in various lengths from 20 to 100 meters and the possibility of punching the ball in a variety of different game situations on the single-hole field 8.

Another embodiment of the golf course is selected in FIG. There is a 9-hole course, which is run counter-clockwise on a circuit 4. The usual design means 7, trees, ponds, shrubs, hills, etc. are also provided here in order to separate the individual fairways from one another. Here, too, are the single-hole fields 8 in the area of the clubhouse 3, the new single-hole fields shown here corresponding to the corresponding target fields with regard to their layout. In particular, reference is made here to the single-hole field 81 and 86, which are identical to the corresponding target fields 61 and 66. Of course, this applies in the same way to all other nine single-hole fields. This makes playing on a golf course even more realistic. Through the monitoring means described it is possible to precisely determine the position or location of the golf course on the target fields 6 and to transmit them accordingly. The player then places his ball in the corresponding sector on the single-hole field and can train the ball in there undisturbed. As already described, the player does not have to enter the target field and therefore runs no risk of being injured. On the other hand, tee 5 is free again after the player has played his ball. The simulated one-hole field, individualized to the target field, can also directly connect to the corresponding fairway in the circuit after the corresponding play point 5, whereby the normal playing rhythm is maintained, i.e. long, forceful strokes alternate with precise position strokes for punching the ball .

3 shows a vertical section through a mat 100, this mat serving as a position sensor. The mat is essentially constructed from artificial turf 101, which is arranged on the top and is used, for example, as a playing surface for the target field or single-hole field. The artificial turf track is arranged on two metal-conducting foils 102, 103, these foils being designed in such a way that a sector-by-sector reading is possible. This is achieved, for example, by a corresponding matrix configuration with one of the two foils 102, 103. Elastic pressure elements 104 are arranged between the two foils 102, 103 and hold the two foils apart in the uranium-loaded state. If, however, a golf ball falls or lies on this mat, the pressure element 104 is compressed and there is electrical contact between the two foils 102 and 103. It is possible to determine the exact position of the ball by means of appropriate evaluation electronics. Such a method is well known, for example, when driving LCD screens.

Claims

claims

1. Golf course with a plurality of teeing grounds, from where the golf ball is hit in target fields, characterized in that a target field (6) from several teeing grounds (5) is playable.

2. Golf course with a plurality of teeing grounds, from where the golf ball is hit into target fields, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that a single-hole field (8) is provided which is separate from the target field (6).

3. Golf course according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the single-hole field (8) corresponds in size, surface, outline, outline, design and / or other playing conditions to the target field (6) substantially.

4. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the single-hole field (8) follows the tee (5) in the direction of play.

5. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that several single-hole fields (8) are combined.

6. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a walkway (4) substantially surrounds the golf course (1) and the teeing grounds (5) lie on the walkway (4).

7. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the walkway (4) is designed as a circular course (40) and the target field (6) within the circular course (40).

8. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a monitoring means of the target field (6), in particular for the position of the golf ball struck.

9. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target fields (6) by trees (70), hills (71), dunes or other landscape designs (7) are shielded from each other.

10. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by an illumination device for the golf course.

11. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the walkway (4) is covered and / or laterally at least partially glazed or shielded and / or sealed windproof.

12. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base area of the golf course (1) is up to about 3 ha.

13. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the walkway (4), a long-range section (2) with up to 300 m section between the teeing ground (5) and target field (6) is provided.

14. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target field (6) and / or the single-hole field (8) is made of artificial turf.

15. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that several target fields can be played from a tee.

16. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a device for collecting or collecting the golf balls is provided on the target field (6).

17. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a position sensor for the position of the golf ball is provided at the bottom of the target field (6).

18. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the golf course, in particular on the long-distance section (2), a coolant is provided for generating an egg runway.

19. Golf course according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the walkway (4), the single-hole field (8) and / or the target field (6) is heated by the waste heat of a cooling generator of the coolant.