WO2001097925A2

WO2001097925A2 - A method of keeping score in a golf game and a golf scoring system

Info

Publication number: WO2001097925A2
Application number: PCT/IB2001/001082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Hendrikus Du Plooy
Original assignee: Johannes Hendrikus Du Plooy
Priority date: 2000-06-20
Filing date: 2001-06-20
Publication date: 2001-12-27
Also published as: WO2001097925A3; AU2001274377A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system of keeping score in a golf game. The system 10 includes a processor 12, typically in the form of a personal computer, positioned at a golf club and associated with each processor, a plurality of remote stations 14 into which a golfer can enter the number of shots played on each hole. This information is then communicated to the processor which is programmed to calculate the golfer's score as well as the outcome of a competition which a number of golfer's have played. The system further includes a data base on which a plurality of golfers' details are stored. The data base 16 is connectable in communication with the processors so as to provide the processor with the golfer's details and to permit the data base to be updated with information from the processor.

Description

A METHOD OF KEEPING SCORE IN A GOLF GAME AND A GOLF

SCORING SYSTEM

THIS INVENTION relates to golf. More particularly it relates to a method of keeping score in a golf game and to a golf scoring system. It also relates to a remote station for use in the system and to a computer program product.

One of the problems encountered in playing golf is keeping score. This arises by virtue of the fact that golf games are played in a variety of formats, eg medal, individual Stableford, betterball and the like and this, combined with the handicapping system, sometimes leads to confusion. In addition, the format of score cards vary from club to club which can lead to further confusion. In addition, the space provided on the score card for entering scores is sometimes inadequate.

As a result of these problems at the end of a competition score cards must be checked carefully. This leads to substantial delays in determining the results of the competition and occasionally to errors.

It is an object of this invention to provide means which the Inventor believes will at least alleviate this problem. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of keeping score in a golf game which method includes the steps of receiving data relating to the number of shots played by at least one player in the game into a remote station; and communicating the data from the remote station to a processing station.

Preferably, the method includes receiving into the remote station identification data regarding each of a plurality of players to identify the players and data relating to the number of shots played by each of the players.

The method may include the steps of retrieving historical data relating to the or each player into the processing station; and processing the historical data and the data received from the remote station to provide an output of the or each player's score.

The historical data may be retrieved from a database having stored fields of historical data relating to the or each player, for example the club at which the player is a member, the player's handicap and the like.

The method may include the step of communicating the score of the or each player to the remote station.

This permits the or each player to monitor his real time score and his position vis-a-vis other players as his round progresses. The method may include the step of communicating data relating to the score of the or each player to the database and thereby updating the stored fields of historical data relating to the or each player. Hence, after a round of golf a player's handicap can be updated automatically.

In one embodiment of the invention, the remote station is a portable handheld electronic device.

The device will them typically be carried by a player or his caddy for the duration of the round.

In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of remote stations may be provided at different points on the golf course.

Typically, they will be provided at positions which enables players to enter the number of shots they played on one hole before starting play on the next hole.

The data may be communicated between the processing station and the database via a network.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data is communicated between the processing station and the database via the internet.

Access by the processing station to the database may be subject to the payment of a fee. The invention extends to a computer program product for controlling a computer to carry out at least part of the method described above.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of keeping score in a golf game which includes the steps of: retrieving historical data relating to at least one player from a database containing data relating to a plurality of players into a processor; receiving data from a remote station or stations relating to the number of shots played by a player on each hole, into the processor; and processing the data to provide an output of the player's score using the historical data in combination with the data received from the remote station.

Retrieving historical data may include retrieving data regarding the player's handicap and processing the data may include calculating the score based on the handicap, the number of shots played and the format of the competition being played.

The method may include receiving into the processor from the remote station or stations the number of shots played by each of a plurality of players retrieving historical data from the data base in respect of each player and processing the data to provide an output of each player's score as well as the result of the competition being played.

Typically, the processor is a computer and retrieving the historical data is via the internet. The invention extends to a computer program product for controlling a computer to carry out the method as described above.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a golf scoring system which system includes at least one remote station having data receiving means for receiving data relating to the number of shots played on each hole by at least one player; and a processor with which the remote station is connected or connectable in communication, the processor being configured to process the data and provide an output of the player's score from the data received from the remote station.

In one embodiment of the invention the remote station may be a portable handheld electronic device and the data receiving means may be capable of receiving data relating to the scores of at least four players. Hence, a single remote station can be carried by each four ball.

In another embodiment of the invention the remote station may be located at a fixed position on the golf course. Typically, the system includes a plurality of remote stations positioned so as to permit players to enter the number of shots played on one hole prior to starting play on the next hole.

The remote station may communicate with the processor in a wireless fashion by electromagnetic waves, the system then including a transmitter and a complementary receiver which are connected respectively with the or each remote station and the processor. Instead or in addition, the remote station may be connectable to the processor via a connection port.

The connection between the remote station and the processor may form part of a two-way communication system allowing the transfer of data between the processor and the remote station.

The golf scoring system may include a database having stored fields of data relating to a plurality of players which data is retrievable by the processor for use together with the data received from the remote station to provide the output of the player's score.

The database and the processor may communicate via the internet. Naturally, the database may be local, eg registered players in a particular region or country or it could be global.

The golf scoring system may include a plurality of processors each of which is located at a different golf club and a set of remote stations associated with each processor.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a golf scoring system which includes a database having stored fields of data relating to a plurality of golfers; and a plurality of processors into which golfers' scores can be entered, the database and processors being in communication to permit the exchange of data therebetween.

The processors may be located at different golf clubs. Communication between the processors and the database may be via the internet.

The processor may be a computer. Each computer may have a memory in which is stored information concerning the associated course, eg the stroke index of each of the holes which information is used in processing the player's score.

In addition, the computer will typically have sufficient memory capacity to store the scores of a full field of players, ie at least 240 players, for at least a four day golf tournament.

The invention extends to a remote station suitable for use in a golf scoring system described above.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a remote station for use in a golf scoring system which includes a user interface whereby a user can enter information relating to his score into the remote station; and a processor interface whereby the remote station can communicate the information with a processor.

The remote station may include a memory capable of storing information relating to the scores of a plurality of players.

The remote station may be a portable handheld electronic device which includes a power source. The processor interface may include a transmitter for transmitting the information relating to the scores to a complementary receiver connected to the processor.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing which shows schematically a golf scoring system in accordance with the invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a golf scoring system in accordance with the invention.

The system 1 0 includes a plurality of processors or processing stations 1 2 which are located at different golf clubs.

The system 1 0 further includes, associated with each processing station 1 2, a plurality of remote stations 14.

Further, the system includes a database 1 6 with which the processing stations 1 2 are in communication.

The database 1 6 is typically in the form of an internet site and includes historical data of all registered golfers. The historical data will typically include the golfers' personal details such as his home club, a predetermined number, typically at least his last twelve scores, his handicap and the like.

Each central processing station 1 2 is typically in the form of a PC which is positioned at a convenient location within a golf club and is connected or connectable to the database 1 6 by means of the internet. In one embodiment of the invention each remote station 1 4 is in the form of a portable electronic handheld device. Each remote station 14 is capable of receiving and storing the number of shots each of the players playing together in a golf game has on each hole. To this end each remote station has a used interface, eg in the form of a key pad 14, whereby a golfer can enter his score. It will be appreciated that the user interface could take any suitable form, eg it could be a touch screen or the like.

The remote stations 1 4 are connectable in communication with the associated processing station to permit the uploading of information from the remote stations 14 to the processing station 1 2 for further processing. The connection between the remote stations 1 4 and the processing station 1 2 can take any suitable form. Hence, they may be in wireless, eg radio communication. Instead, or in addition, the processing station may include a connection port to which each of the remote stations 1 4 is disconnectably connectable. The remote station will then include a memory with sufficient capacity to store the scores entered by several players for an entire round of golf.

In another embodiment of the invention instead of being portable, the remote stations may be fixed in position. The system will then typically include a plurality of remote stations 1 located at different positions on the golf course. Typically the remote stations 14 will be positioned on the tees or between the green of one hole and the tee of the next hole. This arrangement permits the players to enter into a remote station 14 the number of strokes played on a hole before starting play on the next hole. In this embodiment of the invention, the remote stations 14 can be connected to the processor 1 2 by cabling, eg underground cabling and/or in a wireless fashion.

In use, when use is made of the portable remote stations 14, a four ball is typically issued at the start of its round with at least two remote stations 14, i.e. one for the players and one for a marker. Prior to the round, the players' personal details are entered into the remote stations 14. This could be achieved relatively simply by downloading the player's details from the database 1 6 into the processing station 1 2 and transferring it to the remote station 1 4. As an alternative the players may enter their details into the remote station. This will permit players who do not have time to register at the processor before the round of golf to enter their scores and their personal details such as handicap can then be verified later.

After each hole is played the players' score for that particular hole is entered into the remote station 14. Typically each player will first be identified and his score on a particular hole will then be entered. The player may be identified by means of a prompt from the remote station. Instead or in addition the player may identify himself to the remote station, eg by entering a password. The remote station may be similar to a calculator and have a keypad whereby the password, if required, and the scores can be entered. Further, the remote station is configured such that it can provide the players with an indication of the state of their game, e.g. the number of shots taken and/or the number of Stableford points scored at any stage during the round .

When the remote stations 14 are fixed then the players enter their scores into the nearest remote station after completing each hole. Depending on the mode of communication between the processing station 1 2 and the remote stations 14, the information contained in the remote stations 14 can be uploaded on a continuous basis to the processing station 1 2. Alternatively, once the round has been completed, the remote station 14 can be connected to the central processing station 1 2 and the information contained thereon uploaded onto the processing station 1 2.

The processing station 1 2 is provided with the necessary software to process the scores of the individuals and, taking into account handicaps, the format of the competition, the stroke indexing of the holes of the particular golf course, etc. calculate the results of the competition.

In addition, the golfers' scores are communicated to the database 1 6 in order to update the historical data in respect of the golfer contained in the database 1 6.

The invention extends to a computer program product which contains software which an be loaded onto a computer to control the computer and permit it to carry out at least part of the method described above.

Each processor 1 2 is typically connected to a printer 1 8 whereby a hard copy of the scores of each of the players and the results of the competition can be printed out. In a particular embodiment of the invention a completed scorecard may be printed out for each of the players. The processors 1 2 may include a user interface such as a keyboard, touch screen or the like whereby players may enter details manually. This permits the system to be used even where lines of communication, eg between the remote stations and the processors and the database are down. The database will then be updated when the lines of communication are restored.

In addition, the remote stations and processors are configured to enable social or non-registered golfers to use the system to score their round of golf. If desired, the particulars of the non-registered or social golfers can be stored on the database for subsequent use.

At present, errors are often made when filling in scorecards which in turn can lead to delays and sometimes mistakes in calculating the results of competitions. In contrast, with the present invention, the golfers need merely enter the number of strokes taken at each hole and their effective score, taking into account their handicaps and the stroke index of the hole, as well as the results of the competition are calculated automatically.

The Inventor accordingly believes that an advantage with the system in accordance with the invention is that it is fast, accurate and reliable. In addition, real time information on the progress of competitions is available. Individual handicap information is accurate, up to date and accessible in real time. In addition, the game of golf will be speeded up since there will be no confusion and calculation errors to waste time when entering scores. Further, historical data of all players will be available on the website for the golfer as well as handicap committees.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A method of keeping score in a golf game which method includes the steps of receiving data relating to the number of shots played by at least one player in the game into a remote station; and communicating the data from the remote station to a processing station.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , which includes receiving into the remote station identification data regarding each of a plurality of players to identify the players and data relating to the number of shots played by each of the players.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which includes the steps of retrieving historical data relating to the or each player into the processing station; and processing the historical data and the data received from the remote station to provide an output of the or each player's score.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the historical data is retrieved from a database having stored fields of historical data relating to the or each player.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, which includes the step of communicating the score of the or each player to the remote station.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, which includes the step of communicating data relating to the score of the or each player to the database, and updating the stored fields of historical data relating to the or each player.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 inclusive, in which the data is communicated between the processing station and the database via a wireless network.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, inclusive, in which data is communicated between the processing station and the database via the internet.

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8 inclusive, in which access by the processing station to the database is subject to the payment of a fee.

1 0. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the remote station is a portable handheld electronic device.

1 1 . A computer program product for controlling a computer to carry out at least part of the method of any one of the preceding claims.

1 2. A method of keeping score in a golf game which includes the steps of retrieving historical data relating to at least one player from a database containing data relating to a plurality of players into a processor; receiving data from a remote station or stations relating to the number of shots played by a player on each hole, into the processor; and processing the data to provide an output of the player's score using the historical data in combination with the data received from the remote station.

1 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 2, in which retrieving historical data includes retrieving data from the database regarding the player's handicap, and processing the data includes calculating the score based on the handicap, the number of shots played and the format of the competition being played.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1 2 or claim 1 3, which includes receiving into the processor from the remote station or stations the number of shots played by each of a plurality of players, retrieving historical data from the data base in respect of each player and processing the data to provide an output of each player's score as well as the result of the competition being played.

1 5. A method as claimed in any one of claim 12 to 1 4 inclusive, in which the processor is a computer and retrieving the historical data is via the inernet.

1 6. A computer program product for controlling a computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 12 to 1 5, inclusive.

1 7. A golf scoring system which system includes at least one remote station having data receiving means for receiving data relating to the number of shots played on each hole by at least one player; and a processor with which the remote station is connected or connectable in communication, the processor being configuresto process the data to provide an output of the players score from the data received from the remote station.

1 8. A golf scoring system as claimed in claim 1 7, in which the remote station is a portable handheld electronic device and the data receiving means is capable of receiving data relating to the scores of at least four players.

1 9. A golf scoring system as claimed in claim 1 7 or claim 1 8, in which the remote station communicates with the processor in a wireless fashion, the system then including a transmitter and a complementary receiver which are connected respectively with the remote station and the processor.

20. A golf scoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 7 to 1 9, inclusive, in which the remote station is connectable to the processor via a connection port.

21 . A golf scoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 7 to 20, inclusive, in which the connection between the remote station and the processor forms part of a two-way communication system allowing the transfer of data between the processor and the remote station.

22. A golf scoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 7 to 21 , inclusive, which includes a database having stored fields of data relating to a plurality of players, which data is retrievable by the processor for processing together with the data received from the remote station to provide the output of the player's score.

23. A golf scoring system as claimed in claim 22, in which the database and the processor can communicate via the internet.

24. A golf scoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 7 to 23, inclusive, which includes a plurality of processors each of which is located at a different golf club and a set of remote stations associated with each processor.

25. A golf scoring system which includes a database having stored fields of data relating to a plurality of golfers; and a plurality of processors into which golfers' scores can be entered, the database and processors being in communication to permit the exchange of data therebetween.

26. A golf scoring system as claimed in claim 25, in which the processors are located at different golf clubs.

27. A golf scoring system as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, in which communication between the processors and the database is via the internet.

28. A golf scoring system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 27, inclusive, in which the or each processor is a computer.

29. A remote station suitable for use in a golf scoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 7 to 24, inclusive.

30. A remote station for use in a golf scoring system which includes a user interface whereby a user can enter information relating to his score into the remote station; and a processor interface whereby the remote station can communicate the information with a processor.

31 . A remote station as claimed in claim 30, which includes a memory capable of storing information relating to the scores of a plurality of players.

32. A remote station as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, which is a portable handheld electronic device which includes a power source.

33. A remote station as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 32 inclusive, in which the processor interface includes a transmitter for transmitting the information relating to the scores to a complementary receiver connected to the processor.

34. A method of keeping score in a golf game as claimed in claim 1 or claim 1 2, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

35; A computer program product as claimed in claim 1 1 or claim 1 6 substantially as described and illustrated herein.

36. A golf scoring system as claimed in claim 1 7 or claim 25, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

37. A remote station as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

38. A new method, system or station, substantially as described herein.