WO1998031436A1

WO1998031436A1 - Big hole golf

Info

Publication number: WO1998031436A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/000103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roan Mackay Taylor
Original assignee: Roan Mackay Taylor
Priority date: 1997-01-20
Filing date: 1998-01-14
Publication date: 1998-07-23
Also published as: GB2321199B; GB9701112D0; GB2321199A

Abstract

Big hole golf requires an elliptical shaped hole as shown in the figure within the measurements of maximum length 3 metres and minimum length 1.5 metres and maximum width 1.5 metres and minimum width 0.5 metres and with a surface area of between 0.5625 square metres and 3.375 square metres to be dug on the putting surface of each green (9) of a traditional or new golf course to a depth (10) of approximately 150 centimetres. The hole is to be filled with sand (11) or similar impact absorbent material, dyed or coloured by a similar method to make it clearly visible from the surrounding landscape. The positioning of each hole on the putting surface will provide the most strategic challenge to the golfer on each hole.

Description

BIG HOLE GOLF

This invention relates to golf course design.

Traditional golf courses have followed the same design for over one hundred years. The players begin each of the holes from a tee and hit the golf ball along a fairway until the ball lands on the green or putting surface where it is putted into the hole.

The scoring system applied in golf places great emphasis in putting the ball into the hole. This only uses one club for around half of the shots played in a complete round. It does not make great use of all the other clubs carried.

The invention is to change the shape and size of the hole on the putting surface. This will place more emphasis on good stroke play and reduces the reliance on putting to make a good score. This does not affect the rules of golf.

The proposed new hole design will incorporate the following features.

The hole cut into the putting surface 9 will be an elliptical shape as shown in fig.1 . The maximum length of the ellipse must be not more than 3 metres and the minimum length not less than 1.5 metres. The maximum width of the ellipse must be not more than 1 .5 metres and the minimum width must be not less than 0.5 metres. The maximum surface area of the hole must not exceed 3.375 square metres and the minimum surface area of the hole must not be less than 0.5625 square metres.

The positioning and the cutting of each hole on the putting surface of each of the greens will be at the discretion of the greenkeeper of each course. The important factor to be taken into account by that person is that because of the new hole size it will remain in that position for a greater length of time than is the norm for traditional golf course holes. The hole should be positioned to provide the optimum test for accuracy and skill in keeping with the principles currently followed by green keepers in hole placement.

Figures 2-6 show examples of hole placement in relation to the direction of approach from the fairway represented by the arrow.

The hole does not require to be relocated so frequently due to reduced wear and tear on the green surface around the hole and regular players will appreciate the consistency of challenge that the continuous hole placement provides.

The hole will be filled with sand 11 or similar impact absorbent material dyed a distinctive colour to differentiate it from the surrounding landscape as shown in Fig.1 . The sand will prevent long shots which land directly into the hole from bouncing out. Red is the preferred colour but the natural surroundings may make an alternative colour a better option.

The sand or similar impact absorbent material will be a flat surface approximately 150cm lower than the surrounding putting surface.

The sides of the hole will be finished in metal 10 or a similar strengthening material to prevent the collapse of the putting surface into the hole as shown in Fig.1. It will be painted the same colour as the material used to fill the hole.

There will be a flagpole similar to those currently used on traditional golf courses placed in the approximate centre of the hole.

Claims

1. Big hole golf requires an elliptical hole within the following dimensions be cut into the putting surface of each hole of a traditional golf course or any new course as shown in Fig.1. Maximum length of the ellipse must be not more than 3 metres. Minimum length of the ellipse must be not less than 1.5 metres. Maximum width of the ellipse must be not more than 1.5 metres. Minimum width of the ellipse must be not less than 0.5 metres. The maximum surface area of the hole must not exceed 3.375 square metres.

The minimum surface area of the hole must not be less than 0.5625 square metres.

2. Holes cut as claimed in Claim 1. will require to be filled with sand or similar impact absorbent material dyed a distinctive colour to differentiate it from the surrounding landscape.

3. Holes cut as claimed in Claim 1 will require to be approximately 150 cm lower than the surrounding putting surface.

4. Holes cut as claimed in Claiml will require to be positioned on the putting surface to provide the most strategic challenge to the players at the discretion of the greenkeeper as shown in Fig. 2-6.