Principle-based device and method for using an asymmetrical target zone to improve golf-putting skill

Abstract

Multiple variations on a novel device and method for improving golf-putting skills are disclosed. Specifically, the present invention relates to the construction and use of an asymmetrical golf-putting target zone that encourages users to direct putts to land within a specific two-putt range on the high-percentage side of the cup, where the high-percentage side is determined by the slope and pitch of the putting surface. The motivation for the asymmetry is disclosed, as are the principles for constructing, implementing, and using the asymmetrical zone. Specifically, the axis separating the asymmetrical subregions of the zone is placed either approximately perpendicular to, or approximately coincident upon, an ideal line of the ball's approach and is oriented such that the larger subregion is placed on the side of the cup with the higher elevation, or on the side of the cup further away from the putting location if the putting surface is flat.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices and methods for improving golf-putting skills, such as golf-putting practice greens, targets, games, and game procedures. Specifically, the present invention relates to a vastly improved golf-putting target and golf-putting green which, by virtue of its principled design, reinforces good putting habits. Also disclosed herein are one or more methods for using the device. The present invention provides, among other things, an improvement on a standard golf-practice putting green and golf-practice putting target that is designed around a principled method of analyzing different putting situations based on the topology of the putting surface.

Obviously, in the game of golf the primary objective of putting is to get the ball into the cup. That said, most first putts taken from the green actually miss. What is needed then is some principled way of teaching putters how to putt toward the hole so that the ball stands the best possible chance of going into the hole and, perhaps more importantly, that, if it misses the hole, then it goes in on no more than the second putt taken from the green. That is to say, to the extent there is a principled way to view the art of putting so that one can avoid three-putting (i.e., taking three putts from the green to sink the ball), what is needed, then, is a device and method for reinforcing such principles.

Fortunately, such principles do exist and can be stated relatively easily. The first of such principles reads:

• • Secondary Objective of Putting: A “good miss” preferably comes within “two-putt” range of the cup, which for most golfers is approximately 18 inches. Beyond this distance, most players run a non-trivial risk of three-putting.
    Quite intuitive in its meaning, this objective merely states that a “good miss” comes within no more than 18 inches of the hole. Experience teaches that putts landing within this range have a very high likelihood of being sunk on the next attempt. Obviously, different playing populations (e.g., juniors, children, professionals, seniors, etc.) may have different needs, but fixing the two-putt range at roughly 18 inches seems appropriate for the largest segment of the golfing world. Modifications in the present invention can be made as needed, however, since this distance is not etched in stone.

Central to the present invention is another basic though less intuitive principle of good putting, which reads:

• • Percentage-Based Principle of Good Putting: For every putt taken, there is a high-percentage side of the hole and a low-percentage side of the hole that are determined by the topology of the putting surface as viewed from the putting location. Specifically, in most circumstances the high-percentage side is on the side of the hole with the highest elevation, and the low-percentage side is on the side of the hole with the lowest elevation.
    This principle states merely that for every putting situation an imaginary line can be drawn through the cup that divides the area near the cup into a low-percentage side and a high-percentage side. Generally speaking, putts that miss the hole but land within a short distance of the cup on the high-percentage side should be viewed as at least slightly preferable to putts that land an equal distance from the cup but on the low-percentage side. This is so because, first, as the name suggests putts that are directed toward (or that land within) the high-percentage side of the hole stand a greater chance of going into the hole than those putts that are directed toward (or land within) the low-percentage side of the hole. Secondly, putts that are directed toward or land within the high-percentage side of the hole stand a greater chance of landing within eighteen inches of the hole than putts that are directed toward or land within the low-percentage side of the hole, because on the side of the hole with the higher elevation gravity tends to move the ball back toward the hole, whereas on the low side of the hole gravity tends to move the ball away from the hole. As such, it is possible to rank the approximate quality of a “good miss” both in terms of its distance from the hole and in terms of which side of the hole it lands on.

The Percentage-Based Principle of Good Putting can best be explained by a simple example that will form the basis upon which more complex situations can be clearly analyzed. On a flat putting surface without any right-to-left or left-to-right pitch, a ball that does not make it at least all the way to the hole stands absolutely no chance of going in. Such a ball simply did not travel far enough and is said to have been “underputt.” Conversely, if a ball makes it all the way to the hole but misses and goes a little bit farther than the hole (i.e., is “overputt”), while it still may have missed, it had at least some opportunity of going in. It did, after all, travel at least far enough to have had some possibility of falling in. Hence, for flat pitchless putting surfaces we can think of the area in front of the cup (as viewed from the putting location) as the low-percentage side of the cup—i.e., because underputted balls never go in. Similarly, we can think of the area behind the cup as the high-percentage side of the cup—i.e., because overputted balls at least stand some chance of going in. All things being equal (which is a vastly encompassing and greatly oversimplifying assumption indeed) on flat, pitchless surfaces overputted balls are at least slightly preferable to underputted balls.

Consequently, the line that divides the cup area on a flat pitchless putting surface into a high-percentage side and a low-percentage side is simply a straight line through the cup that is perpendicular to the balls' (straight) trajectory from the putting location to the cup. Similarly, as detailed more thoroughly in the discussion that follows, we can construct a similar dividing line for all common putting-surface topologies—e.g., uphill slope, downhill slope, flat or no slope, left-to-right pitch, right-to-left pitch, and reasonable combinations of these slopes and pitches. Although the following discussion will elaborate the point in fine detail, it can be generalized that the high side of the cup (i.e., the side of the cup at a higher elevation) is in fact also the high-percentage side.

What is needed, then, is a putting device and method that encourages players to putt to within two-putt range (or 18 inches) of the hole on the high-percentage side and that discourages putting to the low-percentage side. As will be illustrated throughout the following discussion, among the many aims of the present invention, it fulfills these needs. Specifically, the present invention is directed toward encouraging users to practice good putting habits by establishing a practice putting green and target region that encourage putts directed toward the high-percentage side of the hole and that reward “good misses” both that stop within 18 inches on the high-percentage side of the hole and that stop within 12 inches on the low-percentage side of the hole.

The present invention accomplishes this and other objectives by providing an asymmetrical putting target with a large region (or “long side”) and a small region (or “short side”). By placing the large region of the target on the high-percentage side of the hole and the small region on the low-percentage side, the present invention encourages players always to aim for the high-percentage side of the hole. Furthermore, although several sizes and shapes can be used as the target zone in accordance with the present invention, one set of embodiments encourages users to putt the ball to within no more than 12 inches on the low-percentage side and to within no more than 18 inches on the high-percentage side. Within this set of embodiments, one embodiment also uses a target zone that is circular in shape.

While choosing a boundary 12 inches from the cup on the low-percentage side is somewhat arbitrary, it is a distance that is generally agreed to be the outer boundary of what is referred to as “tap-in range,” i.e., that distance from which a putting attempt is almost always successful. It was furthermore selected with two things in mind—i.e., i) that such distance had to be a shorter than 18 inches (the boundary on the high-percentage side), so as to discourage putting to the low-percentage side, and ii) that the short distance had to be realistic in conforming to widely held views about the meaning of a “good put,” inasmuch as putts that come close to the hole even on the low-percentage side are often widely considered to be quite good. Under such considerations 15 inches seems too generous, and 6 inches seems too stingy, although for some circumstances and some player populations, they too might be appropriate. While strict determination for the low-percentage side distance is not possible with exacting precision, 12 inches seems appropriate for the widest range of circumstances and players—although modifications are possible.

SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ART

While several creative arrangements for a golf-putting target region have been offered through the years, to date easily the most common arrangement contains a set of one or more concentric circles forming a “bull's-eye” pattern with the cup placed at dead center. U.S. Pat. No. 1,738,265 to Scanlon; U.S. Pat. No. 1,979,584 to Thompson; U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,769 to Torbett; U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,027 to Vallas; U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,619 to Brobston; U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,665 to Schultz et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,076 to Borys; U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,789 to Kluttz et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,590 to Criger; U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,121 to McKeen, Jr.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,192,360 to Tamulweicz, as examples, all teach golf-putting games or devices that include placing a golf cup at dead center to one or more concentric areas (typically circular in shape) to form a target region. Scoring methods are then devised so as to give a preferential score to putts that land closer to the cup (as measured by circular areas of smaller radius) than to those that land farther away, but without giving consideration to which side of the cup the ball eventually lands on. Justifications for such arrangements tend to focus on their simplicity or perhaps the visual aesthetics of a certain degree of symmetry within a bull's-eye.

These arrangements, however, are not justified by the aforementioned principles of good putting (i.e., getting the ball to within two-putt range on the high-percentage side of the hole). The problem with placing the cup at the exact center of a circular target region is that doing so effectively reinforces bad putting habits. For example, if a putt is made from a flat putting surface with no breaking slant to the green and then ends 14 inches in front of the cup, it is scored by each of the aforementioned prior-art methods to be equal in caliber to a putt made from the same location that lands 14 inches behind the cup. As such, this scoring method, and hence the target regions themselves, does not follow the percentage-based approach to good putting—i.e., that the high-percentage side of the hole is to be preferred over the low-percentage side. Other things being equal (again, a widely encompassing assumption), the ball that was overputt by 14 inches should be seen as somewhat superior to the ball that was underputt by 14 inches and should be scored more preferentially.

Consequently, any scores arising from putting games played with such target regions do not accurately reflect relative putting quality. Even more importantly, by placing a highly visible set of rings concentrically surrounding the cup—upon which the putter must focus intense mental concentration while lining up her stroke—the aforementioned devices are subconsciously reinforcing the notion that all putts that land an equal distance from the cup are of equal quality. The player will then begin to visualize a set of concentric circles around the cup on all of her putts, including those putts taken during real golf play. This is a powerful but unintentional subconscious message that these devices are sending to unsuspecting golfers looking to improve their putting game.

Other arrangements for a putting target have been proposed as well, including a shuffleboard pattern (U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,769 to Florian), a plurality of cups arranged like bumpers in a bumper-pool table (U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,250 to Torbett), and even a Cartesian grid with the cup placed at the origin (U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,360 to Shiffman). While these arrangements may make for entertaining and novel game play, they do not do enough to reinforce good putting habits so as to maximize the value of a user's valuable practice time in the same manner as the presently disclosed invention does.

At best some prior-art putting games have taught the placement of a cup inside one or more concentric areas (whether circular or otherwise) at an unspecified location instead of at dead center. While it may be possible for random cup placement to reinforce good putting habits in accordance with the principles of the present invention, such a state of affairs comes about only by pure accident, since the references do not teach or claim, either explicitly or implicitly, such principles. In fact at least one such device indirectly teaches placement of the cup at a location that exaggerates the impact of reinforcing bad putting habits. U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,027 to Surbeck discloses a set of thin plastic tubes of varying length that can be made to form enclosed irregular regions of differently sized areas. The enclosed regions thereby formed are then placed around the cup to form a series of telescoping boundaries surrounding the cup. No specific methodology for placing the tubes around the cup so that proper putting skills are reinforced is taught explicitly by Surbeck. The main illustration from the Surbeck patent, however, (Surbeck FIG. 5) shows an exemplary arrangement in which the cup is placed at or near the very farthest point within each of the enclosed regions, which are presumed to be on a flat surface with no noticeable pitch.

While other embodiments without this drawback are indeed contemplated by Surbeck, this arrangement strongly encourages underputting on flat surfaces by rewarding putts that fall short of the cup by several feet while simultaneously punishing heavily those putts that go beyond the cup by only a few inches. Though it is very likely unintentional, this arrangement encourages users to putt in such a manner that the ball stands a relatively lower chance of going in than even the center-placed cup within concentric circular regions. Namely, the user is encouraged to underputt on flat surfaces for fear of being penalized by going beyond the marked boundary by even a small distance and thereby securing a lower score for the putt.

What is needed, then, is a target region that rewards putting toward the high-percentage side of the hole, that encourages the player to come within no more than two-putt range of the cup (i.e., no more than 18 inches or so, as modified by player necessity), and that provides visual reinforcement of a properly constructed target region surrounding the cup. Of its many objectives the present invention fulfills each of these needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Unlike prior-art putting greens, the present invention places a golf cup slightly off center within a target region in a precise manner that encourages adherence to the two aforementioned putting principles. Traditionally, putting targets were designed by placing the cup at dead center to one or more concentric circles, but as will be demonstrated throughout the present discussion, this old way of thinking does not conform to the principles of good putting. As described more thoroughly below, an improved target region is formed by identifying a proper, preferred, or even ideal line of approach to the cup in view of the putting location's spatial relationship to the hole and in light of the slope (uphill or downhill) and pitch (right-to-left or left-to-right break) of the putting surface. The target region is then formed either: a) by establishing a boundary of the region approximately 18 inches away from the hole on the high-percentage side of the hole and 12 inches away from the hole on the low-percentage side of the hole, and then completing the boundary in any desired shape; or b) by assuring that a pronounced majority—in the neighborhood of sixty percent (60%) to seventy percent (70%)—of a boundary's area is located on the high-percentage side of the hole in light of the aforementioned putting-surface topology (e.g., behind the hole for uphill and flat surfaces and in front of the hole for downhill surfaces). As will be demonstrated below in connection with FIG. 1B, these two alternative ways of constructing the target zone (by distance or by area) are closely related in a geometric sense.

Since one preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises the use of a circular target region, and since a standard golf cup (another preferred embodiment) is four and one-quarter inches (4.25″) wide, taking into account the two aforementioned distances to the target region's boundaries results in a circular target region with a diameter of exactly thirty-four and one quarter inches (34.25″), wherein the cup is located twelve inches (12″) away from one side of the target region and eighteen inches (18″) away from the opposite side of the target region as measured along a shared diameter of the circle. The target region is then situated on the target green with the short (twelve inch) side in one direction and the long (eighteen inch) side in the other direction according the principles discussed herein that address the slant and slope of the putting surface. This particular embodiment has been demonstrated to produce good results in the improvement of a player's putting game.

Alternative embodiments to the circular region can also be constructed as well. As will also be demonstrated below in connection with FIG. 1B, placing a standard golf cup twelve inches from one side of a circle and eighteen inches from the opposite side along a single diameter results in the cup dividing the circle (by constructing a line through the cup that is also perpendicular to the diameter in question) into two regions of approximately 40% and 60% of the circle's total area. This 40:60 (or 2:3) ratio of areas on each side of the cup can then be applied to target shapes that are not strictly circular. As such, a variety of target shapes can be produced in accordance with the present invention as discussed below in connection with FIGS. 2A through 2E.

Alternatively, some applications of the present invention require a deviation from strict adherence to there being twelve inches and eighteen inches on either side of the cup so as to accommodate the needs of different player groups—e.g., longer for juniors and children, and shorter for professionals. Consequently, additional embodiments of the present invention are constructed by modifying these two distances but maintaining the same 12:18 ratio of distances (which coincidentally also equals 2:3) to the hole from either side of the target boundary. Several variations (although not a comprehensive set) on this and the prior theme are explained at length below in connection with a detailed description of the invention.

Furthermore, another objective of the present invention is to provide a playing method that simulates the scoring of regulation golf play and that at least roughly correlates to the actual putting performance of a true round of golf in which putts of the same quality are made.

Therefore in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method for playing a game with the disclosed apparatus is claimed in which the aforementioned scoring objectives are achieved. Specifically, one stroke is made from each of one or more fixed locations at varying distances from a cup that is enclosed within a target region designed in accordance with the principles disclosed herein. For each putt that makes its way into the hole with only this one putt, a preferred score (typically negative one point) is assigned to this putt; for each putt that makes its way into the target zone but not into the cup, a slightly less preferred score (typically zero points) is assigned; for every putt that stays on the putting surface but does not make its way into the target zone, an even slightly less preferred score (typically positive one point) is assigned; and for every putt that does not remain on the official putting surface, a still yet slightly less preferred score (typically positive two points) is assigned. (It is worth noting that in the typical scoring scheme, a higher score, like in actual golf play, is considered less preferred than a lower score.)

Most significantly, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a final putt is made from a location that is particularly far away from the cup in relative comparison to the aforementioned one or more putting locations. This final putt (called a “superputt”) is scored in a fashion similar to the regular putts described above, but the point values assigned to the different destination regions are adjusted to reflect the increased difficulty of the superputt. (Typically, each of the point values provided above is lowered by one point—i.e., minus two for the cup, minus one for the target zone, zero for the surface, and positive one for out of bounds.) In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the putt made from the extra-long putting distance is not a compulsory component of the putting game, but rather is made only if the score achieved from the original set of putts achieves some threshold score. (In such cases, the superputt is considered a bonus putt because it is optional.)

The score thus assigned correlates nicely to actual golf play, encourages good putting habits, and provides a rough estimate of a player's actual putting skill as would be reflected in a true round of golf. To wit, if the suggested values are used, a net score of zero would indicate that the golfer is putting on par for the “course” reflected in the one or more initial putting locations. Conversely, a positive score would reflect strokes over par, and a negative score would reflect strokes under par, for the putting component of a hypothetical round of golf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, in which:

The multiple views of FIG. 1 (FIGS. 1A through FIG. 1C) illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a golf cup is placed inside an asymmetrical target zone. FIG. 1A. illustrates a circular golf-putting target zone wherein the hole is placed off center on a given diameter. FIG. 1B provides important geometric details to the aforementioned asymmetrical circular target zone so as to derive important proportionality information for subsequent analogous application to other, non-circular shapes and non-preferred-embodiment sizes. FIG. 1C illustrates in clear detail an important trigonometric relationship between the center-to-hole distance and the circular target zone's radius.

The multiple views of FIG. 2 (FIGS. 2A through 2E) illustrate additional embodiments of the present invention in which a golf cup is placed inside asymmetrical target zones of various, non-circular shapes. FIG. 2A illustrates a triangular target zone. FIG. 2B illustrates a square target zone. FIG. 2C illustrates a rectangular target zone. FIG. 2D illustrates an oval-shaped target zone. FIG. 2E illustrates an irregular (or “amoeboid-shaped”) target zone.

The multiple views of FIG. 3 (FIGS. 3A through 3E) illustrate the concept of a “line of ideal approach,” which is a critical component for understanding the present invention. FIG. 3A illustrates the construction of a line of ideal approach for a putt taken on a surface without any right-to-left or left-to-right pitch. FIG. 3B illustrates the construction of a line of ideal approach for a putt taken on a surface with left-to-right pitch. FIG. 3C illustrates the construction of a line of ideal approach for a putt taken on a surface with right-to-left pitch. FIG. 3D illustrates how slight perturbations may occur within the construction of a line of ideal approach on a given surface with pitch (in this case, right-to-left pitch) and that such perturbations are contained within some reasonable boundaries. FIG. 3E illustrates the construction of a line of ideal approach for a given hole in light of a plurality of putting locations.

The multiple views of FIG. 4 (FIGS. 4A through 4G) illustrate how the target zone is situated on putting surfaces of differing topologies (i.e., slopes and pitches) in accordance with the presently described invention. FIG. 4A illustrates how the target zone is situated on a flat or uphill surface that has no pitch. FIG. 4B illustrates how the target zone is situated on a flat or uphill surface that has left-to-right pitch. FIG. 4C illustrates how the target zone is situated on a flat or uphill surface that has right-to-left pitch. FIG. 4D illustrates how the target zone is situated on a downhill surface that has no pitch. FIG. 4E illustrates how the target zone is situated on a downhill surface that left-to-right pitch. FIG. 4F illustrates how the target zone is situated on a downhill surface that has right-to-left pitch. FIG. 4G illustrates the manner in which the various combinations of slope and pitch, as depicted in FIGS. 4A through 4F, can be conceptually joined as all lying on a hypothetical, perfectly planar surface and oriented with respect to the cup from different directions.

The multiple views of FIG. 5 (FIGS. 5A and 5B) illustrate methods for using the presently described invention in accordance with two preferred embodiments of a putting-practice game. FIG. 5A illustrates a method for using the presently described invention, such that a superputt is taken from a particularly long putting location so as to provide an adjustment means to a putting-game's score. FIG. 5B illustrates a method for using the presently described invention, such that a bonus putt is taken from a particularly long putting location so as to provide an adjustment means to a putting-game's score, provided that the player's interim score meets a minimum, threshold quality.

The multiple views of FIG. 6 (FIGS. 6A through 6D) illustrate an additional four (4) preferred embodiments in which a plurality of putting locations are placed in relation to a golf cup enclosed by an asymmetrical target zone on different topological variations of a putting surface in accordance with the presently described invention. FIG. 6A illustrates the placement of a plurality of putting locations on a putting surface that slopes downhill without pitch. FIG. 6B illustrates the placement of a plurality of putting locations on a putting surface that slopes uphill without pitch. FIG. 6C illustrates the placement of a plurality of putting locations on a putting surface that is flat but pitches from right to left. FIG. 6C illustrates the placement of a plurality of putting locations on a putting surface that slopes uphill and that pitches from left to right.

FIG. 7 illustrates an additional embodiment in which both uphill and downhill putting can be practiced on the same surface, containing a plurality of putting locations, with use of a single target zone designed in accordance with the presently described invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. In the drawings, the same reference numerals and reference letters are employed for designating the same elements throughout the several figures. The following discussion describes in detail several embodiments of the invention and several variations on those embodiments. This discussion should not be construed as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments or variations. Persons skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments and variations as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, reference is made to the appended claims.

The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “two-o'clock,” “four-o'clock,” “six-o'clock,” “eight-o'clock,” “ten-o'clock” and “twelve o'clock” (and the identically meaning “2-o'clock,” “4-o'clock,” “6-o'clock,” “8-o'clock,” “10-o'clock,” and “12-o'clock”) refer to the relative off-center placement of a golf cup within a circular target region. If the circular region is analogized to a watch or clock face, the golf cup would then be placed at or near the tip of a hypothetical hour hand placed in the appropriate position at the described time, where the clock face is viewed from a fixed putting location (or plurality thereof) facing the circular region and where the “twelve-o'clock” position is imaged to lie directly ahead. When such orientation terms are used in connection with the included drawings, a legend or key is provided so that clarity can be secured.

The terms “pitch,” “slope,” “break,” and “slant” also have specific non-synonymous meanings in connection with the topology of a putting surface, as explained in the following discussion. Similarly, the term “line of ideal approach” is a term constructed for the purpose of describing the disclosed invention. It too is defined in great detail in the following discussion in connection with the multiple views of FIG. 3.

At the core of the presently disclosed invention lies a simple but thoughtfully engineered golf target zone that encourages good putting habits. While the present invention encompasses much more than just a target region, understanding the other facets of the present invention first requires understanding how the target region is designed.

FIG. 1A illustrates the basic golf-putting target contemplated by the present invention. A golf cup 101 is placed slightly off center within a circular target region 102 on a given diameter of the circle 108. To assure that the cup 101 is off center within the circular region 102, the distance 103 from the cup 101 to one side of the circle along the diameter 108 is shorter than the distance 104 from the cup to the other side of the circle along the diameter 108. A preferred embodiment has the shorter of the two distances, in this case distance 103, equal to twelve inches (12″), and the longer distance, in this case distance 104, equal to eighteen inches (18″). Though it is not required in order to constitute an embodiment of the present invention, if cup 101 is a standard, regulation-sized golf cup of diameter four and one quarter inches (4.25″), then circular region 102 will have a total diameter 108 of thirty-four and one-quarter inches (34.25″).

It should also be noted that although the present discussion proceeds largely on the assumption that target zone 102 is incorporated into the surface of a putting green (e.g., a target zone painted onto the surface), that need not always be the case. According to one set of embodiments of the present invention, the target zone can be made of a thin, flexible material, such as plastic, vinyl, cloth, or the equivalent, which can be fixably removed from the putting surface. In such cases, the “cup” 101 of these embodiments corresponds to an aperture in the flexible material that would be placed over the actual cup on a putting surface, thereby permitting the golf ball to flow through the material into the actual golf cup. In other words these embodiments represent stand-alone golf putting targets that are portable from one putting surface and golf cup to another—not exclusively golf-putting greens permanently attached to the ground (although the present discussion will treat these cases as equivalent and focus on the latter). For the sake of convenience, such apertures will be treated as the equivalent to a golf cup in the present discussion unless otherwise specified.

It should be noted that the long-side distance 104 was selected as the “two-putt” range, which in a preferred embodiment equals 18 inches. The short-side distance 103 was chosen so as to be shorter than long-side distance 104 but still reasonably accommodating for putts that land close to the hole but on the low-percentage side. If the long-side distance equals 18 inches, in accordance with one preferred embodiment, then the short-side distance equals 12 inches, in accordance with the same preferred embodiment. Naturally, variations can be introduced into both of these distances in accordance with the foregoing discussion.

This particular 12 and 18 inch embodiment has been demonstrated to be quite effective, when used in accordance with the other principles and teachings of the present invention, in reinforcing good golf-putting habits. From time to time, however, modifications must be made in order to accommodate players with different needs or otherwise to introduce some degree of variety into the playing qualities of the present invention. In order to make such modifications to circular target region 102, two design features can be extracted from the aforementioned preferred embodiment in a generalized manner.

First, it is to be noted that the ratio of shorter length 103 to longer length 104 is 12:18, which reduces to the equivalent ratio of 2:3. Circles of different sizes and even other non-circular shapes of different sizes can be constructed, (as will be demonstrated below in connection with FIGS. 2A through 2E) by more or less observing this ratio between different distances from the cup 101 to the outer boundary of the target region 102.

Secondly, other modifications can be made to circular target region 102, inasmuch as a comparison of the relative magnitude of the two sub-areas 106 (the larger, or “high-percentage” sub-area) and 107 (the smaller or “low-percentage” sub-area) within the target region 102 (one on either side of the cup 101) can be made and then approximately generalized to other shapes and sizes. To address these other shapes and sizes, a detailed geometric understanding of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1A is first required. The appropriate geometric principles can then be analogized accordingly.

In FIG. 1A a diving line 105 is drawn through the center of the cup 101 that is perpendicular to the aforementioned reference diameter 108 through the cup 101. As such, circular region 102 is divided into a region, small region 107, on one side of perpendicular dividing line 105 and another region, large region 106, on the other side of perpendicular dividing line 105. (For convenience of reference these two subregions, 106 and 107, will be described as lying on one or the other side of cup 101, not just as lying on one or the other sides of perpendicular dividing line 105.) Perpendicular dividing line 105 is provided for reference purposes only. Actual embodiments of the present invention do not necessarily need to have the line physically represented on the actual target region 102 (although they may).

FIG. 1B elaborates this idea by providing sufficient geometric detail to permit relatively accurate calculation of the relative sizes of small region 107 and large region 106 for the embodiment in which the diameter of circular region 102 is a preferred thirty-four and one-quarter inches (34.25″) as described above. Within circular region 102, dividing line 105 is redrawn through the cup 101 perpendicular to the diameter 108 on which the cup 101 sits. In addition, radii 109a and 109b are drawn connecting the cup 101 to the two points of intersection, 110a and 110b, respectively, between perpendicular dividing line 105 and circular region 102. An equilateral triangle is thereby formed with sides comprising the aforementioned radii 109a and 109b along with the segment from the perpendicular dividing line 105 that lies within circular region 102. These lines connect the center 112 of the circular region 102 with the aforementioned points of intersection 110a and 110b between the perpendicular dividing line 105 and the circular region 102.

The angle 111 formed by the intersection of the two radii 109a and 109b at the center 112 of circular region 102 is denoted Θ (the capital Greek letter theta) for convenience. From a standard table of formulas, one learns that the size of small area 107, denoted A for convenience, is given by:

A=½R²(Θ−sin Θ).

If what one is concerned about, however, is the ratio of this area 107 to the area of the circular region 102, (which equals π R²), then one needs:

$\begin{array}{c}A/A\odot =1/2R^2\left(\Theta -\sin \Theta \right)/\pi R^2\\ =\left(\Theta -\sin \Theta \right)/2\pi ,\end{array}$

where R denotes the length of radius (or one half of the diameter 108) of the circular region, which, in a preferred embodiment, is 34.25″. If we let w denote the width of the cup 101 (which, in a preferred but not mandatory embodiment, is the standard 4.25″), and if we let 2a and 3a equal the lengths of the subject diameter 108 on either side of the cup 101, respectively, (where, in a preferred embodiment a=6″, so that 2a=12″ and 3a=18″ thereby giving the precise lengths listed in connection with FIG. 1A describing one preferred embodiment), we can calculate the distance 113 between the center of the cup 101 and the center 112 of the circular region 102. Notably, this cup-to-center distance 113, denoted L for convenience, is given by the formula:

L=R−(2a+½w).

Since w, R, and a are all known quantities for a preferred embodiment and follow the relation w+2a+3a=2R (because each side of this equation equals the diameter 108 of the circular region 102), we see that 2a+½w=2R−3a−½w. Therefore:

$\begin{array}{c}L=R-\left(2R-3a-1/2w\right)\\ =3a+1/2w-R,\end{array}$

which for the aforementioned preferred embodiment is equal to:

$\begin{array}{c}L=3\left(6^{″}\right)+1/2\left({4.25}^{″}\right)-1/2\left({34.25}^{″}\right)\\ ={18}^{″}+{2.125}^{″}-{17.125}^{″}\\ =3^{″}.\end{array}$

FIG. 1C aids in the calculation of the magnitude of Θ, and thereby the size of small sub-area 107 by the aforementioned equation. It brings into clear focus the right triangle formed by the center 112 of the circular region 102, the cup 101, and the point of intersection 110 between the perpendicular dividing line 105 and the circular region 102. By definition of its construction, perpendicular dividing line 105 forms a right angle between the segment joining the cup 101 and the center 112 of the circular region 102. As discussed in connection with FIG. 1B, the cup-to-center line segment 113, is length L. Symmetry dictates, furthermore, that the angle formed between the radius 109 (of length R) and the cup-to-center segment 113 equals Θ/2. Applying the definition of the cosine function to this triangle, we note:

$\begin{array}{c}\cos \left(\Theta /2\right)=\left(L+1/2w\right)/R\\ \Theta =2{\cos }^{-1}\left(\left(L+1/2w\right)/R\right)\\ =2{\cos }^{-1}\left(\left(R-\left(2a+1/2r\right)+1/2w\right)/R\right)\\ =2{\cos }^{-1}\left(\left(R-2a\right)/R\right).\end{array}$

For target regions whose diameter is considerably larger than the diameter of the cup, as is the case in most preferred embodiments of the present invention, 2R≈5a, and therefore R−2a≈.2R. Hence, we can approximate Θ as:

$\begin{array}{c}\Theta \approx 2{\cos }^{-1}\left(\mathrm{.2}\right),\mathrm{for}wR\\ \approx {2.7389}_{\mathrm{radians}}.\end{array}$

Θ therefore equals approximately 2.7389 radians (or 157°), as is confirmed empirically by FIGS. 1A and 1B, which are both drawn roughly (though not perfectly) to scale. (FIGS. 1A and 1B are not drawn precisely to scale, because center-to-hole distance 113 would be so short as to cause crowding of element reference numerals and other important details, and consequently the ratio of long-side distance 104 to short-side distance 103 is skewed, as is intimated in FIG. 1B, where the length of long-side 104 is drawn as to be larger than the preferred 3a lengths.)

With a good approximation for Θ in hand, we can return to a calculation of the ratio of small area 107 compared to the totality of the circular region 102, as follows:

$\begin{array}{c}A/A\odot =\left(\Theta -\sin \Theta \right)/2\pi \\ =\left(2{\cos }^{-1}\left(\mathrm{.2}\right)-\sin \left(2{\cos }^{-1}\left(\mathrm{.2}\right)\right)\right)/2\pi \\ \approx 0.3735.\end{array}$

Or in other words, the small subregion 107 comprises approximately 37.35% of the area of circular region 102. By implication then, the larger subregion 106 comprises approximately 62.65% of the area of the circular region 102. Rounded off, this is roughly a 40-60 split, which amounts to a ratio of approximately 2:3. (This, coincidentally, is the same value as the ratio between the short 103 and long 104 lengths between the cup 101 and the opposite sides of the circular region 102.)

These ratios, however, represent only an ideal embodiment of the present invention, not an immutable feature. Experimentation and experience with the art of instructing players on how to improve their putting game reveals that these ratios can be adjusted from anywhere between 1:3 and 3:1 for the length ratios and, likewise, anywhere between 1:3 and 3:1 for the area ratios.

Experimentation and experience also indicate that the target region 102 need not always be a preferred circular shape. FIGS. 2A through 2E illustrate alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the target region 102 is triangular 201, square 202, rectangular 203, oblong ovular 204, and irregular (or “amoeboid”) 205, respectively. For each of FIGS. 2A through 2E, the distance from the cup 101 to the edge of the target region is denoted by “b” for the short distance and “c” for the long distance. Similarly, the small subregion within each target zone is denoted as “d,” and the large subregion within each target zone is denoted as “e.” Constructing a target region in accordance with the present invention for each shape requires only that either the ratio between lengths b and c lies within the above-stated length-ratio ranges (i.e., 1:3≦b:c≦3:1) or the ratio between sub-areas d and e lie within the above stated area-ratio ranges (i.e., also 1:3≦d:e≦3:1).

The shapes illustrated in FIGS. 2A through 2E are not exhaustive, however, of the many embodiments of the invention, but the target region may instead assume any desired shape as long as the restrictions on either the length ratio or the area ratio are roughly followed. Within such a construction the present invention is designed to reinforce good putting habits in accordance with the principles discussed herein. As will be discussed in great detail below, the smaller area or shorter length is placed on the less desirable or “low-percentage” side of a hole, and the larger area or longer length is placed on the more desirable or “high-percentage” side of the hole. The golfer is thereby encouraged to putt within two-putt range on the high-percentage side of the hole.

The exact placement and orientation of the target region, however, requires a fair amount of discussion, since properly reinforcing the desired good putting habits requires that the target region accurately reflect the totality of a particular putting situation. Specifically, the slope (i.e., upward or downward elevation from the putting location to the cup) and the pitch (or “slant” or “break”—i.e., transverse changes in elevation from one side of the cup to the other as viewed from the putting location) of a given putting surface will impact the orientation and placement of the target zone.

It should be noted that as used herein the terms “slope” and “pitch” (or “slant” or “break” in place of “pitch”) are not synonymous as might be typically understood in most non-technical situations. As used herein “slope” refers to the change in elevation of the putting surface as viewed from the perspective at the putting location. Generally speaking if the golf cup is at a higher elevation than the putting location, the surface “slopes” uphill. Conversely if the cup is at a lower elevation than the putting location, the surface “slopes” downhill. And, furthermore, if the cup has the same elevation as the hole, we consider this surface to have “no slope” and possibly even to be “flat.” (Of course, there may be intermediating changes in elevation for some surfaces that erode the meaning of these terms as applied thereto, but we will not be concerned with such complex surfaces within the present discussion.)

As used herein the terms “slant,” “pitch,” or “break” refer to the quality of some surfaces to change elevation in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction from the putting location to the cup. Such surfaces leave one side of the cup, either the left or the right (as viewed from the putting location), at a higher elevation than the other. As the term is used herein, a surface with “right-to-left pitch” has a higher elevation on the right side of the cup than on the left side of the cup, as viewed from the putting location, such that a ball putted from the putting location will be inclined to veer off of a straight trajectory and move. (or “break”) in a leftward direction (i.e., from right to left) in accordance with gravity. Conversely, a surface with “left-to-right pitch” has a higher elevation on the left side than on the right, and a ball putted from the putting location will break to the right instead. If the surface has right and left sides of the cup with equal elevation, we refer to such a situation as “pitchless” (as distinct from “flat,” which refers to surfaces with no slope). Of course, some putting scenarios can involve both slope and pitch in the same putt, and the present discussion will address basic combinations of those scenarios as needed.

FIGS. 3A through 3E illustrate different aspects of an important conceptual tool that must be firmly understood not only to use the present invention but also to master the art of accurate putting—i.e., the concept of a “line of ideal approach.” This term will be used frequently throughout the present discussion and, most importantly, within the appended claims that follow, in order to accurately and precisely define the present invention. As discussed below, this term is a very useful concept for analyzing putting situations and accurately reflects the intuitive feel for a particular putting surface that an experienced golfer eventually obtains. As further discussed below, however, it is not absolute in its nature, and its intuitive application by different golfers to a given putting situation may result in disagreements as to the proper way to approach a given putt—even if both of those golfers are experienced players or even highly decorated professionals. The concept, however, does provide enough certainty so as to properly disclose the present invention and particularly point out and claim its features.

Generally speaking, a line of ideal approach is the line formed by the trajectory of a hypothetical perfectly putted ball right at the moment it falls into the cup. It is specifically defined in a proper geometric sense by referencing the point lying at the center of the cup (i.e., a mathematical point) and the direction of the hypothetical perfectly putted ball right as it drops into the cup (i.e., with said mathematical point coupled to a mathematical direction, thus defining a line).

FIG. 3A illustrates that for putting surfaces that have no pitch, the line of ideal approach 301 is simply a straight line between the putting location 303 and the cup 101 and, under perfect conditions, coincides with the ball's trajectory 302. This is true irrespective of the putting surface's slope. That is to say, the line of, ideal approach is the same straight line whether the surface is flat, slopes uphill, or slopes downhill, as long as there is no left-to-right or right-to-left change in elevation near the cup 101 or anywhere along the trajectory 302.

The line of ideal approach, as the term is used herein (and particularly in the following claims), must not be confused with the ball's actual trajectory however, even though for perfectly pitchless surfaces the two coincide. To wit, when pitch is introduced into the putting surface, the ball's trajectory is no longer a straight line to the cup from the putting location. The force of gravity on a pitched surface will force the ball to veer off of the direction in which it was putted and eventually roll in a “downwardly” direction along the pitched surface. (For uphill or downhill putts made from a surface without pitch, on the other hand, gravity may accelerate or decelerate the ball's movement, respectively, in its putted direction, but it will not force the ball to veer off a straight course.) The direction that the ball is traveling just as it enters the cup, however, is the defining feature for the “line of ideal approach” as used throughout the present discussion. The ball's direction is not constant throughout its travels along a pitched slope, and the line formed by its final direction is not the same as either a straight line from the putting location or the curved line of the balls' trajectory.

FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate how the introduction of pitch into a putting surface affects the line of ideal approach. In FIG. 3B, which offers a putting surface that slants from left to right (i.e., has left-to-right pitch), the golfer must compensate for gravity's impact on the ball by putting the ball in a direction that is leftward of the straight line 304 to the cup 101 by some relatively small offset angle 305, denoted as φ. As the ball travels, gravity corrects its trajectory 302 such that just prior dropping into the cup 101, the ball is traveling “down” the pitched surface in a generally rightward direction (on top of whatever remains of its forward motion, of course). The line of ideal approach 301 for this particular putting situation, then, is ascertained by fixing a point at the center of the cup 101 and constructing the line 301 through said point whose direction is the same as the ball's direction at the very last moment before the ball drops in. FIG. 3C reflects the precisely opposite but symmetrical situation when the putting surface is pitched from right to left instead. In either case, the line of ideal approach 301 is illustrated with a thick, dark line that coincides with the ball's trajectory 302 at the cup 101 and lies in the same direction thereat. The “line of ideal approach” should therefore not be confused with the actual trajectory followed by the ball. It is only on perfectly pitchless surfaces (whether flat, uphill or downhill) that the two coincide.

As mentioned previously, however, pitched surfaces may also slope upward or downward to the cup as viewed from the putting location. This means golfers may experience the combined effect of pitch and slope in any given putting scenario. The present invention, therefore, is designed to accommodate these scenarios by adjusting to them in the manner discussed below. Such matters will be discussed in reference to the precise placement and orientation of the target zone for each of the commonly encountered surface variations in connection with FIGS. 4A through 4F and in their totality in connection with FIG. 4G.

FIG. 3D illustrates how different players may have slight disagreements over the precise geometric construction of a line of ideal approach for a given putting situation. Experience dictates that, largely for reasons of how hard the ball is initially struck, a ball may follow any one of several trajectories into the cup. FIG. 3D illustrates that these trajectories 302 lie within a reasonably constrained region 306 (shown somewhat exaggerated in FIG. 3D). Different trajectories within the region 306 will result in slightly different lines of ideal approach 301 being constructed for the given hole. (Furthermore, while only the situation involving right-to-left pitch is illustrated in FIG. 3D, there is no such limitation in reality; a mirror image reflecting the same situation for left-to-right pitch could also be shown, but is omitted for convenience.) In addition to these minor ambiguities, the hole has a specific diameter (instead of being a mathematical point), and in reality putting surfaces out on actual golf courses present all sorts of irregularities (e.g., gradual changes in pitch or slope, depressions, mounded areas, obstructions, changes in turf conditions, etc.). There is also wind, which, for reasons of simplicity, is entirely ignored within the present discussion. Each of these elements can introduce further small perturbations within the range of trajectories that will result in a sunken or well-putted putt. Hence, highly qualified and greatly experienced golfers may come to reasonable disagreements as to which precise line within these perturbations will qualify as the official or precise line of ideal approach that a given putting situation presents. These differences, however, appear only within a relatively small deviation of one another and do not render the concept of “a line of ideal approach” as overly vague or meaningless. Instead, the term refers to an asymptotic, hypothetical ideal over which there may be some reasonable bounded disagreement as to its precise construction under specific circumstances.

Furthermore, as FIG. 3E illustrates, the line of ideal approach will vary depending upon the putting location. While it is irrelevant to ordinary golf play out on a real course that different putting locations will result in different lines of ideal approach (since a player is presented with only one putting location per putt), these differences must be taken into account in certain golf-putting practice games, such as several embodiments of the present invention discussed in connection with FIGS. 6A through 6D and FIG. 7, below, where a plurality of putting locations are marked out on a practice putting green in relation to a single golf cup marked with a single target zone. In the case of a flat putting surface, like the one presented in FIG. 3E, the lines of ideal approach for each of the marked putting locations, 303a through 303e will form different orientation angles, 308a through 308e, respectively (denoted with lower-case Greek letters alpha “α” through epsilon “ε,” respectively), with respect to an arbitrary line 307 drawn through the cup 101. (For present purposes, line 307 is truly arbitrary and does not necessarily coincide with perpendicular dividing line 105 separating the low-percentage side of the cup from the high-percentage side, although it may be the same if circumstances warrant.)

As will be discussed in great detail below, the placement and orientation of the target zone used in connection with the present invention is dependent not just upon the slope and pitch of the surface, but is also dependent upon how the putting location is situated with respect to the cup. The proper placement and orientation of the target zone therefore requires choosing a single, specific line of ideal approach. To arrive at a line of ideal approach that can be used in connection with a plurality of putting locations, some type of averaging system must be used.

In the case of those putting locations illustrated in FIG. 3E, the orientation angles α, β, γ, δ, and ε can be either simply averaged or combined into a weighted average, where the weight is equivalent to the distance d_α, d_β, d_γ, d_δ, and d_ε between the corresponding putting location 303a through 303e and the cup 101, respectively. As such, any of the following equations can be used to determine an appropriate orientation angle 309 (denoted by lower-case Greek letter phi “104 ”) for the aggregate line of ideal approach 301 with respect to the same arbitrary line 307 from which orientation angles α, β, γ, δ, and ε are measured (although each equation provides a slightly different answer):

Simple Average:

ψ=(α+β+γ+δ+ε)/5

Weighted Average (directly proportional to putt distance):

ψ=(d_αα+d_ββ+d_γγ+d_δδ+d_εε)/(d_α+d_β+d_γ+d_δ+d_ε)

Weighted Average (indirectly proportional to putt distance):

ψ=(α/d_α+β/d_β+γ/d_γ+δ/d_δ+εd_ε)/(1/d_α+1/d_β+1/d_γ+1/d_δ+1/d_ε)

Of course, these formulas can also be extended indefinitely to account for a very large set of putting locations. For a set of N putting locations (not shown), instead of just five, the formulas generalize as follows, if the distances are denoted d_i through d_N (not shown) and orientation angles are denoted α₁ through α_N (not shown):

$\underset{\_}{\mathrm{Generalized}\mathrm{Simple}\mathrm{Average}}\text{:}$ $\psi =\sum _{i=1}^N{\alpha }_i/N$ $\underset{\_}{\mathrm{Generalized}\mathrm{Weighted}\mathrm{Average}\left(\mathrm{directly}\mathrm{proportional}\mathrm{to}\mathrm{putt}\mathrm{distance}\right)}\text{:}$ $\psi =\sum _{i=1}^Nd_i{\alpha }_i/\sum _{i=1}^Nd_i$ $\underset{\_}{\mathrm{Generalized}\mathrm{Weighted}\mathrm{Average}\left(\mathrm{indirectly}\mathrm{proportional}\mathrm{to}\mathrm{putt}\mathrm{distance}\right)}:\psi =\sum _{i=1}^Nd_i{\alpha }_i/\sum _{i=1}^N\left(1/d_i\right)$

Other averaging or aggregating functions or methods may be used to estimate an approximate line of ideal approach for a plurality of putting locations surrounding a given hole (e.g., using another common distribution function, such as a Gaussian, to further adjust the distance weights), and should be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the appropriate mathematical arts in light of the teachings of the present discussion. Such methods should therefore be seen as reasonably equivalent to those provided here and are thereby incorporated herein.

Except where specifically noted to the contrary, it will be assumed throughout the present discussion that the putting locations in reference to which a line of ideal approach is being determined for a given golf cup and putting surface are all grouped together in a sufficiently close proximity to one another and all lie to a single side of the golf cup so that a line of ideal approach can be reasonably constructed for them in the aggregate according to the aforementioned methods. (FIG. 7, as one example where this generalization is not strictly adhered to, illustrates an embodiment in which putting locations are placed on several sides of the target zone, both above and below the cup on an inclined surface, but the specific topology involved allows for the construction of a single, aggregate line of ideal approach because of a particular geometric symmetry explained at length in connection with FIG. 4G between pitchless uphill and pitchless downhill putting scenarios.) In actual practice, however, the ascertainment of line of ideal approach is not an exacting geometric task, but rather an exercise of experienced judgment. Aggregating a line of ideal approach for a cluster of putting locations is likewise that much more imprecise and approximate, but remains conceptually viable and can be carried out in exacting detail if required and if appropriate means for accurate measurement are used.

Now that the peculiar qualities of a target region have been specified and that the concept of a line of ideal approach has been articulated in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to discuss the placement and orientation of a target zone around a given golf hole in light of the surrounding putting conditions. Specifically, the target region will be placed around the golf cup slightly differently depending upon whether the surrounding putting surface is flat, slopes upward, slopes downward, pitches from right to left, pitches from left to right, or has some combination of slope and pitch. In each instance, however, the target zone is situated so as to reinforce good putting habits and to provide the player with proper visual reinforcement of a target zone that encourages good putting habits. The following discussion will address the placement and orientation of the target zone with respect to each of the above conditions.

The basic concept to keep in mind is that the perpendicular dividing line 105 between the low-percentage side 107 and the high-percentage side 106 of the hole 101 will be placed so that it is either approximately coincident with or approximately perpendicular to the line of ideal approach 301 depending upon the surface topology (subject to caveats discussed below). Then a determination must be made as to which sides of the hole 101 to place the short side (or small subregion) 107 and long side (or large subregion) 106 of the target region 102. As will be illustrated in connection with FIGS. 4A through 4F, the answer depends upon the slope and pitch of the surrounding putting surface. Generally speaking, however, the high-percentage area (or large area) 106 is placed on the side of the hole 101 with the highest elevation, where flat putting surfaces are treated equivalently to uphill putting surfaces for this purpose.

FIG. 4A illustrates the proper placement and orientation of a target zone 102 on a putting surface 401a that is either flat (i.e., has no slope) or slopes uphill and that has relatively no pitch. For this topology the dividing line 105 between the low-percentage side 107 and the high-percentage side 106 of the hole 101 is placed so as to be approximately perpendicular to the line of ideal approach 301 (defined in relationship to trajectory 302), and the long distance 104 or, alternatively, the large subregion 106, will be placed on the side of the cup 101 away from the putting location 303 (or plurality of putting locations, if a plurality is contemplated). If the surface slopes uphill, the side of the cup 101 that lies away from the putting location 303 will, in fact, be the high side of the cup 101. (For ease of understanding, we will therefore treat flat surfaces as equivalent to uphill surfaces in this limited respect.) For ease of comprehension, it should be noted that under perfect conditions this placement of the cup coincides with the “6 o'clock” position if the target region is seen as a watch or clock face as viewed from above the putting location. (A key is provided in connection with FIG. 4 for the easy determination of clock positions.)

FIG. 4B illustrates the proper placement and orientation of a target zone 102 on a putting surface 401b that is either flat (i.e., has no uphill or downhill slope) or slopes uphill and, in either case, that pitches from left to right. For this topology the dividing line 105 between the low-percentage side 107 and the high percentage-side 106 of the hole 101 is placed approximately so as to coincide with the line of ideal approach 301 (defined in relationship to trajectory 302), and the long distance 104, or alternatively the large subregion 106, will be placed on the high side of the cup 101 (or, in the case of flat putting surfaces, on the side of the cup that would be the high side if, in fact, the surface were to slope upward from the putting location).

As FIG. 4B illustrates, if the target zone 102 is seen as a watch or clock face, the hole 101 is placed at roughly somewhere between the 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock positions, as viewed from above the putting location. As is the case with all putting surfaces that have either left-to-right or right-to-left pitch, constructing the precise line of ideal approach 301, and therefore the proper placement of the line dividing line 105 between the low-percentage side 107 and the high-percentage side 106 of the cup 101, is a matter of experienced judgment, and not typically an exercise of geometric precision. Consequently, achieving a perfect coincidence of the dividing line 105 with the line of ideal approach 301 is not always possible. A preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, simply places the cup in the 4 o'clock position for all flat or upward sloping surfaces that have a left-to-right pitch. While this generalization may not provide an exacting geometrical construction of the target zone 102, the approximation achieved thereby is sufficient to reinforce good putting habits nonetheless.

FIG. 4C illustrates the proper placement and orientation of a target zone 102 on a putting surface 401c that is flat or uphill and that also pitches from right to left. For this topology the dividing line 105 between the low-percentage side 107 and the high-percentage side 106 of the hole 101 is placed approximately so as to coincide with the line of ideal approach 301 (defined in relationship to trajectory 302), and the large subregion 106, will be placed on the high side of the cup 101 (or on what would be the high side of the cup if a flat surface were in fact treated as an uphill surface when viewed from the putting location).

As FIG. 4C illustrates, if the target zone 102 is viewed as a watch or clock face, the hole 101 is placed at roughly somewhere between the 7 o'clock or 8 o'clock positions. For simplicity a preferred embodiment of the present invention places the cup in the 8 o'clock position for all flat or upward sloping surfaces that have a right-to-left pitch.

When the target region is placed in this fashion for flat and uphill putts, the player is encouraged to putt the ball at least to the hole (or within a short distance thereof, which equals twelve inches in a preferred embodiment) but not to let the ball go too far beyond the hole (or eighteen inches in a preferred embodiment) so as to have an “ideal miss” if, in fact, the putt misses the hole at all. Furthermore, such placement also conforms to the well-known golfing maxim that on breaking putts one should “putt above the break,” inasmuch as in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the high-percentage side 106 of the target zone 102 is placed in such a manner as to encourage putting to the high side of the cup 101. Placement of the target zone 102 in this fashion also provides visual reinforcement that the “sweet spot” of the particular putt lies on the opposite side of the hole 101 from the putting location 303, since that is where the majority of the target zone 102 (and therefore the majority of its visual impact) is situated. Proper selection of trajectory and swing effort is thereby reinforced with this arrangement for flat and uphill putts both with and without pitch.

It should be noted that for putts on flat or uphill surfaces, the high-percentage side of the hole always occurs on the side farthest away from the putting location (which is the “high side” of the hole). This is because, as alluded to throughout the present discussion, all things being equal it is best to make it at least all the way to the hole if not a little bit beyond. For downhill putts, however, this logic does not hold. (In fact, it can lead to very bad putts indeed.) Because there is a tendency to overputt on downhill surfaces, and because once a ball rolls past the cup on a downhill slope it is likely to continue on for quite some distance, good putting habits focus on getting the ball to “die into the cup” on downhill putts. That is, for downhill putting it is best to have the ball run out of momentum just as it drops into the cup. This prevents what might appear to be near misses from overshooting the cup and going a very long distance beyond, thereby creating a very bad putt. Consequently, the high-percentage side of the cup on a downhill putt is, generally speaking, the near side of the cup, which conveniently is still of higher elevation. It therefore still makes sense to say that the present invention teaches placing the high-percentage side of the target zone on the side of the cup with the higher elevation. This has repercussions for how the target region is situated on downhill surfaces, for which the following discussion addresses the typical scenarios.

FIG. 4D illustrates the proper placement and orientation of a target zone 102 on a putting surface 401d that slopes downhill without any pitch. For this topology the dividing line 105 between the low-percentage side 107 and the high percentage-side 106 of the hole 101 is placed so as to be approximately perpendicular to the line of ideal approach 301 (defined in relationship to trajectory 302), and the long distance 104 or, alternatively, the large subregion 106, is placed on the high side of the cup 101 toward the putting location 303 or plurality of putting locations. This placement of the cup coincides with the “12 o'clock” position if the target region is viewed as a watch face as seen from above the putting location.

FIG. 4E illustrates the proper placement and orientation of a target zone 102 on a putting surface 401e that slopes downhill and that pitches from left to right. For this topology the dividing line 105 between the low-percentage side 107 and the high percentage-side 106 of the hole 101 is placed so as to be approximately perpendicular to the line of ideal approach 301 (defined in relationship to trajectory 302), and the large distance 104 or, alternatively, the large subregion 106, will be placed on the high side of the cup 101, toward the putting location 303.

As FIG. 4E illustrates, if the target zone 102 is viewed as a watch or clock face, the hole 101 is placed at roughly somewhere between the 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. For simplicity a preferred embodiment of the present invention places the cup in the 2 o'clock position for all downward sloping surfaces that have a left-to-right pitch.

FIG. 4F illustrates the proper placement and orientation of a target zone 102 on a putting surface 401f that slopes downhill and that pitches from right to left. For this topology the dividing line 105 between the low-percentage side 107 and the high percentage-side 106 of the hole 101 is placed so as to be approximately perpendicular to the line of ideal approach 301 (defined in relationship to trajectory 302), and the large distance 104 or, alternatively, the large subregion 106, will be placed on the high side of the cup 101, near the putting location 303.

As FIG. 4F illustrates, if the target zone 102 is viewed as a watch or clock face, the hole 101 is placed at roughly somewhere between the 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock positions. For simplicity a preferred embodiment of the present invention places the cup in the 10 o'clock position for all downward sloping surfaces that have a right-to-left pitch.

When the target region 102 is placed in this fashion for downhill sloping surfaces, the player is encouraged not to putt the ball beyond the hole 101. Placement of the target zone 102 in this fashion also provides visual reinforcement that the “sweet spot” of the particular putt lies on the close side of the hole 101 from the putting location 303, since that is where the majority of the target zone 102 (and therefore the majority of its visual impact) is situated. Proper selection of trajectory and swing effort is thereby reinforced with this arrangement for downhill putts with or without pitch.

Table 1 summarizes the “clock-position” placement of the cup 101 within the target zone 102 and the “axis orientation” (either perpendicular or coincidental) between the line of ideal approach 301 and the dividing line 105 separating the high-percentage side 106 of the cup 101 from the low-percentage side 107, for the surface topologies considered herein for a preferred embodiment of the invention.

TABLE 1
Summary of Hole Placements and Axis Orientations for
Different Putting Surface Topologies
			HOLE	AXIS
FIG.	SLOPE	PITCH	PLACEMENT	ORIENTATION
4A	flat/uphill	none	6 o'clock	perpendicular
4B	flat/uphill	left-to-right	4 o'clock	coincident
4C	flat/uphill	right-to-left	8 o'clock	coincident
4D	downhill	none	12 o'clock	perpendicular
4E	downhill	left-to-right	2 o'clock	perpendicular
4F	downhill	right-to-left	10 o'clock	Perpendicular

While these “clock-position” placements of the cup within the target region are good general-purpose approximations for those surfaces with right-to-left or left-to-right pitch, it should be noted that these are not the only placements contemplated by all embodiments of the present invention. Under ideal circumstances it would be possible to construct a precise and unique line of ideal approach 301 for all putting surfaces, whether they are pitched or not, and from there to orient the dividing line 105 as either perpendicular or coincident thereto. While such precision is not always possible, some putting surfaces lend themselves to easy adjustment of the aforementioned preferred-embodiment cup locations. Experience playing on any of such surfaces may indicate that an adjustment is needed, and anyone versed in the principles of the present invention would be able to make reasonable adjustments as their need becomes evident.

FIG. 4G provides the conceptual tools necessary to understand how the different surface topologies (i.e., combinations of slope and pitch) depicted in FIGS. 4A through 4F and summarized in Table 1 are geometrically related to one another, so as to simplify the rules and procedures for placing the target zone 102 around a golf cup 101 on a given surface 401. Although the rules for placement and orientation of the target zone 102 have been taught herein via rote procedures for the surfaces 401a through 401f respectively, they are all connected through simple geometric symmetry. In short, one can consider each of the surfaces 401a through 401f from FIGS. 4A through 4F as subsets of a hypothetical, perfectly planar surface, 401g, as illustrated in FIG. 4G. It can then be shown that a single, unique placement of the target zone 102 around the cup 101 can be made that is acceptable—according to the underlying principles of the presently disclosed invention—for all of the putting locations 303a through 303f that are associated with the different surfaces 401a through 401f.

Specifically, if a hypothetical, perfectly planar surface 401g is tilted with respect to the force of gravity so as to create an inclined plane, then putting locations 303a through 303f can be located on the plane 401g, such that as viewed from the putting location in question, 303a through 303f, all of the surface topologies discussed thus far are, in fact, properly addressed. (Of note, in FIG. 4G the magnitude of this incline with respect to gravity is illustrated in a rather aggressive manner for the sake of illustration and clarity of drawing only; it is unlikely that such an aggressive incline would ever be met on a real golf course—or at least not very often.) To create a putting scenario with uphill slope but without right-to-left or left-to-right pitch, the putting location 303a must be situated directly below the cup 101 on the plane 401g. Conversely, for a downhill putting scenario without pitch, the putting location 303d must be situated directly above the cup 101 on the plane 401g.

Introducing pitch into these scenarios simply requires offsetting another putting location either to the left or to the right (depending upon the type of pitch desired) of these two putting locations 303a and 303d. An uphill putting scenario with left-to-right pitch can therefore be created by situating the putting location 303b below the cup 101 on the plane 401g but also offset to the left (as viewed while facing the cup 101). A downhill putting scenario with left-to-right pitch can be created by situating the putting location 303e above the cup 101 on the plane 401g but offset to the right (as viewed while facing the cup 101). Similarly, an uphill putting scenario with right-to-left pitch can be created by situating the putting location 303c below the cup 101 on the plane 401g but also offset to the right (as viewed while facing the cup 101). And, finally, a downhill putting scenario with right-to-left pitch can be created by situating the putting location 303f above the cup 101 on the plane 401g but also offset to the left (as viewed while facing the cup 101). Trajectories 302a through 302f of a golf ball as it approaches the cup 101 are also drawn within FIG. 4G and correspond to those discussed in connection with FIGS. 4A through 4F.

One could, conceivably, take each of the surfaces 401a through 401f from

FIGS. 4A through 4F and line up the cup 101 and target zone 102 on each surface to produce a figure that looks very much like FIG. 4G. The harmony of this situation is so striking in fact that similar ovular outlines 401a through 401f to each of these putting scenarios are included within FIG. 4G so that the similarity to the putting surfaces 401a through 401f of FIGS. 4A through 4F can be clearly shown. Each oval shape is, in fact, nothing but a surface boundary drawn around a particular putting topology (and, hence, the use of identical reference numerals to identify corresponding elements is proper). To the extent that the ovular outlines to the putting surfaces 401a through 401f overlap, boundaries within the overlap region are not shown, so as to maintain clarity of FIG. 4G.

Furthermore, FIG. 4G illustrates the manner in which several apparently divergent principles of the present invention now harmonize into a single, coherent conceptual system. Notably, it is now seen that the high-percentage region 106 of the target zone 102 is placed on the side of the cup 101 with higher elevation, and that this principle holds true irrespective of the putting topology involved. Likewise low-percentage region 107 of the target zone 102 is placed on the side of the cup 101 with lower elevation, irrespective of putting topology. It is further illustrated that trajectories 302d, 302e, and 302f for the three downhill putting locations 303d, 303e, and 303f, respectively, converge approximately into a single trajectory as they near the cup 101. This convergence would coincide with an aggregated line of ideal approach for these three putting locations, if one were included in FIG. 4G, which it is not. (This convergence, moreover, lends further credence to the concept of an aggregated line of ideal approach, as discussed in connection with FIG. 3E.)

Additionally, the pitchless uphill putting location 303a also has a trajectory 302a that coincides with the trajectories from the downhill putting locations 303d, 303e, and 303f, but the ball would be traveling from the opposite direction. Target zone 102 is therefore oriented such that dividing line 105 is situated perpendicular to these convergent trajectories 303a, 303d, 303e, and 303f, and the corresponding aggregated line of ideal approach (not shown). Furthermore, for the pitched uphill putting locations 303b and 303c, it can be seen how their trajectories 302b and 303c enter the target zone 102 from the sides and thereby necessitate the placement of the dividing line 105 coincident with their lines of ideal approach (not shown), instead of perpendicular to them, as is the case for the remaining putting locations 303a, 303d, 303e, and 303f. In each of these cases, a single orientation and placement of the target zone 102 will suffice.

Describing placement of the cup 101 within the target zone 102 by use of a watch or clock face analogy can also be illustrated clearly in reference to FIG. 4G. Positional keys 402a through 402f are shown in FIG. 4G as being associated with each of the putting locations 303a through 303f. The keys consist both of a circle representing a watch or clock face and of the numerals “3,” “6,” “9,” and “12” representing the four cardinal time positions on the watch or clock face. For each key 402a through 402f the twelve-o'clock position (denoted as “12” inside the key) is illustrated as oriented on the page in the direction in which the hole 101 lies as viewed from the putting location 303a through 303f. The circular region inside the key is then analogized both to a watch or clock face and to the target zone 101 simultaneously. A black dot is then placed inside of each key 402a through 402f at the approximate location where a hypothetical golfer standing at the corresponding putting location 303a through 303f would view the golf cup 101 within the target zone 102. In this manner it can be seen that the dot or “cup” 101 is located at approximately the six-o'clock position for putting location 303a, at approximately the four-o'clock position for putting location 303b, at approximately the eight-o'clock position for putting location 303c, at approximately the twelve-o'clock position for putting location 303d, at approximately the two-o'clock position for putting location 303e, and at approximately the ten-o'clock position for putting location 303f. A convenient, accurate, and perfectly consistent shorthand system can therefore be used to describe the orientation of the target zone around a specific golf cup when viewed from a particular putting location. This shorthand system will be used in the following appended claims in connection with the orientation of the target zone 102 in light of different putting topologies.

While the uses of the presently described apparatus are many and varied, experience has taught that particular methods of use within a golf-putting game with special rules results in optimal teaching performance. Therefore two methods of use in particular are worth noting in connection with the presently disclosed apparatus.

FIG. 5A illustrates the procedure for playing one type of game, using a feature referred to as a “super putt” with a target zone specified in accordance with the present invention. The game begins with a player putting one or more balls from one or more putting locations marked out on a putting surface, step 501. The putting locations are typically situated toward one side of a golf cup that is surrounded by a target zone in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the locations are different distances to the cup and do not necessarily lie in a straight line, but are clustered in sufficiently close alignment that a line of ideal approach can still be reasonably approximated by the averaging methods described herein in connection with FIG. 3E. In a preferred embodiment, the number of balls putt is nine (9). When putting is completed (or simultaneously while putting is taking place, since the steps easily overlap), each ball is scored according to where the putt lands. Only one putt is taken on each ball. It should also be noted that in some particular embodiments the putting surface is bounded, and there is a clearly defined region which is considered out of bounds.

In accordance with step 502, if a ball lands in the cup, it is given a score of A points, which, in a preferred embodiment that simulates actual golf play, equals minus one point (corresponding to a birdie putt). If a ball lands in inside the target region but not in the cup, it is scored B points, which, in a preferred embodiment that simulates actual golf play, equals zero points (corresponding to a par putt). If the ball lands outside the target zone but remains on the putting surface, it is scored C points, which, in a preferred embodiment that simulates actual golf play, equals plus one point (corresponding to a bogie putt). And, lastly, if the ball lands out of bounds in an embodiment that has a clearly bounded putting surface, it is scored D points, which, in a preferred embodiment that simulates actual golf play, equals plus two points (corresponding to a double-bogie putt). Of note, although the specific point scores offered for a preferred embodiment are listed here as being in ascending order of value so as to simulate regulation golf play, there is no requirement that the point values be so ordered. In an embodiment with alternative scoring arrangements, the point values decrease in value as the corresponding putts fall farther and farther away from the hole. All that matters for another preferred embodiment of the present invention is that, whether a high score is considered “better” than a low score or a low score is considered “better” than a high score, A is “better” than B, which in turn is “better” than C, which in turn is “better” than D. Conceivably, however, even this rule could be broken, and alternating “good” and “bad” point values could hypothetically be assigned to the different regions out of any strict ascending or descending order, although one is hard pressed to see the instructional value of such a putting game.

In accordance with step 503, one or more putts (although in a preferred embodiment it is only one putt) are taken from each of one or more locations significantly farther away from the cup than the locations used for putting in step 501. If more than one further-away putting location is used, in a preferred embodiment they too are different distances to the cup and do not necessarily lie in a straight line, but are clustered in sufficiently close alignment that a line of ideal approach can still be reasonably approximated by the averaging methods described herein in connection with FIG. 3E.

Then, in accordance with step 504, the one or more additional further-away putts are scored according to a point system that is similar to the one used in step 502, but reflecting the fact that the putts were made from longer distances. As such, putts into the cup are scored at E points (or minus two points in a preferred embodiment that simulates real golf play, corresponding to an eagle putt), putts into the target region are scored at F points (or minus one point in a preferred embodiment that simulates real golf play, corresponding to a birdie putt), putts that remain on the surface are scored at G points (or zero points in a preferred embodiment that simulates real golf play, corresponding to a par putt), and putts that leave the surface are scored at H points (or plus one point in a preferred embodiment that simulates real golf play, corresponding to a bogie putt). As with the arrangement of point values in step 502, point values E, F, G, and H need not necessarily be in ascending or descending numerical order, but only in an order that reflects the relative quality of the putt according to the scoring system used. That is, E should be “better” than F, which in turn should be “better” than G, which in turn should be “better” than H. But what is more, these values should also be selected such that they reflect the relative difficulty of the further-away putts made in step 502 than the putts made in Step 502 from a closer distance. As such, E should also be “better” than A, F should also be “better” than B, G should also be “better” than C, and H should also be “better” than D.

In Step 505, a final score is tabulated that includes the sum of all point values for all putts taken. In a preferred embodiment, lower scores are better than higher scores, as they are in actual golf play. Furthermore, if the preferred point values are followed as outlined above (i.e., if A=−1, B=0, C=1, D=2, E=−2, F=−1, G=0, and H=1), then the final score of a game played according to this embodiment of the present invention will correlate nicely to the putting performance the same player can expect during an actual round of golf. This is so because the present method of use is designed with the, assumption that the player's driving game was sufficient to land the ball from the tee into the assigned putting positions within the standard par values for a hole. As such, requiring two putts to sink the ball from any one starting location will preserve par, whereas a single putt to sink the ball will result in one stroke under par, and more than two putts will leave the player an equal number of strokes over par. From this assumption it can be seen that assigning values of A=−1, B=0, C=1, and D=2 will achieve this goal. It is assumed, of course, that if a player makes a putt into the target zone, the next putt will be virtually guaranteed to be successful. (This is because the size of the target zone was selected with the two-putt distance in mind, as discussed in connection with FIG. 1A.) It is further assumed, quite conservatively, that any putt that lands outside the target zone but remains in bounds will require two additional putts to complete. These assumptions are made so as to provide a realistic but conservative estimate of the player's putting score and so as to form an approximate upper bound on such score. Performance during actual play might be better than the performance estimated by this method, inasmuch as the player may be able to sink a putt that lands outside of the equivalent target zone but remains on the putting surface in one putt instead of two (e.g., if the putt lands almost, but not quite, inside the target zone), thereby achieving a lower score than expected. Of course, on occasion a player will miss a putt that lands inside of the equivalent target zone, and will require two additional strokes instead of just one. Nevertheless, the score achieved in accordance with this preferred method will provide a realistic approximation to regulation play.

FIG. 5B illustrates a variation on the aforementioned method using a feature that is referred to as a “bonus putt.” It begins with steps 501 and 502, which are identical to those discussed in connection with FIG. 5A. One or more balls are putt and scored from a set of specified putting locations in accordance with the aforementioned discussion. However, instead of immediately proceeding to putting from the more distant putting locations of step 503, an interim score is tabulated in step 506 and compared to some predefined threshold score in step 507, which in a preferred embodiment is zero points or lower (corresponding to a score of par or better), and in another preferred embodiment it is negative one points or lower (corresponding to one putt under par, or better, for the holes putted thus far). If the threshold score is not reached, the interim score is made final in steps 508 and 505, and no other putts are taken. The resulting score can then be compared to actual golf play if a preferred embodiment for scoring is used (i.e., if A=−1, B=0, C=1, D=2, E=−2, F=−1, G=0, and H=1). If, on the other hand, the interim score does reach the predetermined threshold, then the player continues the game in step 503 by taking the additional long putts as described in step 503 in connection with FIG. 5A, above, which are then scored in step 504 according to the same arrangement as described in connection with FIG. 5A, above, as well. Hence, it is only if the player's interim score meets a minimum requirement that the player is rewarded with the chance to lower his or her score with taking long putts that are scored more preferentially.

Furthermore, in constructing games out of the component parts of the present invention, it is often desirable to practice putting from multiple putting surfaces having different slopes and pitches within the same game. The following embodiments permit precisely such combinations.

FIG. 6A illustrates one preferred embodiment in which a plurality of putting locations 303a through 303h is situated on a downhill putting surface 401 with no pitch. Golf cup 101 and the surrounding circular target zone 102 are located downhill on putting surface 401 from putting locations 303a through 303h. As such the larger subregion 106 of circular target zone 102 is placed on the close side of the circular target zone 102 to the plurality of putting locations 303, which is, in fact, the high side of the cup 101. Smaller subregion 107 is placed on the far side of the target zone 102, thereby placing cup 101 at the 12 o'clock position inside target zone 102, in accordance with the foregoing discussion and FIG. 4D. A hypothetical and aggregated line of ideal approach 301 (not shown) can be estimated for the plurality of putting locations 303. The dividing line 105 between the high-percentage side 106 and low-percentage side 107 of the cup situated perpendicularly to this line of ideal approach 301. Notable too is the fact a separate putting location 601 is illustrated such that the distance from 601 to the cup 101 is considerably longer (25 feet in a preferred embodiment) than any of the putting locations within the plurality 303 (which are located at 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 feet, respectively, from the cup 101 in a preferred embodiment). Putting location 601 thereby acts as the longer putting location from which to take superputts or bonus putts according to an embodiment of the present invention as described in connection with FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively.

Hypothetical line 602 demarcates the boundary of a playable surface for putting surface 401, such that once any ball putted from the region of the plurality 303 or the longer putting location 601 passes the boundary 602, it is considered out of play. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, boundary 602 is located 18 inches behind the furthest edge of the circular target zone 102 and 18 inches in front of the farthest edge (as viewed from the putting locations 303 and 601) of putting surface 401. In a preferred embodiment, boundary 602 is made to be distinctly visible, either through coloration on the putting surface 401 or by a change in turf type from smooth to rough. Alternatively, in another embodiment, hypothetical line 602 can be physically implemented as a sand or water trap or other equivalent golf-course obstacle. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, putting locations 303 are made to be distinctly visible on the putting surface through the use of a coloration technique, which, in another preferred embodiment consists of yellow or red circles. In another preferred embodiment, longer putting location 601 is also made to be distinctly visible on the putting surface, optionally in another preferred embodiment as a larger yellow or red putting marker. In yet another preferred embodiment, putting distances (i.e., distances to the golf cup 101) are indicated on the putting surface 401 next to each of the putting locations 303 and 601, as is illustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6B illustrates another preferred embodiment in which a plurality of putting locations 303a through 303h are situated on a putting surface 401 that slopes upward toward the golf cup 101 and that has no pitch. Analogous components to those shown in FIG. 6A are provided, and all features and embodiment disclosures discussed in connection with FIG. 6A also apply to FIG. 6B. Specifically, there is a plurality of putting locations 303a through 303h situated uphill from golf cup 101. Of note, however, is the fact the larger subregion 106 of circular target zone 102 is placed on the uphill side of the cup 101. Consequently, the cup 101 is located at the 6 o'clock position, in accordance with the foregoing discussion and FIG. 4A. A hypothetical and aggregated line of ideal approach 301 (not shown) can be estimated for the plurality of putting locations 303. The dividing line 105 between the high-percentage side 106 and low-percentage side 107 of the cup 101 is situated perpendicular to this line of ideal approach 301. An analogous separate putting location 601 is illustrated such that the distance from 601 to the cup 101 is considerably longer (30 feet in a preferred embodiment) than any of the putting locations within the plurality 303 (which are located at 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 feet, respectively, from the cup 101 in a preferred embodiment). Putting location 601 thereby acts as the longer putting location from which to take super putts or bonus putts according to an embodiment of the present invention as described in connection with FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively.

Hypothetical line 602 similarly demarcates the boundary of a playable surface from putting surface 401, such that once any ball putted from the region of the plurality 303 or the longer putting location 601 passes boundary 602, it is considered out of play. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, boundary 602 is located 18 inches behind the furthest edge of the circular target zone 102 and 18 inches in front of the farthest edge (as viewed from the putting locations 303 and 601) of putting surface 401. In a preferred embodiment, boundary 602 is made to be distinctly visible, either through coloration on the putting surface 401 or by a change in turf type from smooth to rough. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, putting locations 303 are made to be distinctly visible on the putting surface through the use of a coloration technique, which, in another preferred embodiment, consists of yellow or red circles. In another preferred embodiment, longer putting location 601 is also made to be distinctly visible on the putting surface 401, optionally in the form of a larger yellow or red putting marker. In yet another preferred embodiment, putting distances (i.e., distances to the golf cup 101) are indicated on the putting surface 401 next to each of the putting locations 303 and 601.

FIG. 6C illustrates another preferred embodiment in which a plurality of putting locations 303a through 303h is situated on a flat putting surface 401 with right-to-left pitch. Analogous components to those shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B are provided, and all features and embodiment disclosures discussed in connection with FIGS. 6A and 6B also apply to FIG. 6C. Specifically, there is a plurality of putting locations 303a through 303h situated at varying distances from golf cup 101. Of note, however, is the fact the larger subregion 106 of circular target zone 102 is placed on the uphill side of the cup 101. Consequently, cup 101 is located at the 8 o'clock position, in accordance with the foregoing discussion and FIG. 4C. A hypothetical and aggregated line of ideal approach 301 (not shown) can be estimated for the plurality of putting locations 303. The dividing line 105 between the high-percentage side 106 and low-percentage side 107 of the target region 102 is situated along this line of ideal approach 301. An analogous separate putting location 601 is illustrated such that the distance from 601 to the cup 101 is considerably longer (35 feet in a preferred embodiment) than any of the putting locations within the plurality 303 (which are located at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 feet, respectively, from the cup 101 in a preferred embodiment). Putting location 601 thereby acts as the longer putting location from which to take super putts or bonus putts according to an embodiment of the present invention as described in connection with FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively.

Hypothetical line 602 similarly demarcates the boundary of a playable surface from putting surface 401, such that once any ball putted from the region of the plurality 303 or the longer putting location 601 passes boundary 602, it is considered out of play. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, boundary 602 is located 18 inches behind the furthest edge of the circular target zone 102 and 18 inches in front of the farthest edge (as viewed from the putting locations 303 and 701) of putting surface 401. In a preferred embodiment, boundary 602 is made to be distinctly visible, either through coloration on the putting surface 401 or by a change in turf type from smooth to rough. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, putting locations 303 are made to be distinctly visible on the putting surface through the use of a coloration technique, which, in another preferred embodiment, consists of yellow or red circles. In another preferred embodiment, longer putting location 601 is also made to be distinctly visible on the putting surface 401, optionally in the form of a larger yellow or red putting marker. In yet another preferred embodiment, putting distances (i.e., distances to the golf cup 101) are indicated on the putting surface 401 next to each of the putting locations 303 and 601.

FIG. 6D illustrates another preferred embodiment in which a plurality of putting locations 303a through 303h are situated on a putting surface that slopes upward toward the golf cup 101 and that has a left-to-right pitch. Analogous components to those shown in FIGS. 6A through 6C are provided, and all features and embodiment disclosures discussed in connection with FIGS. 6A through 6C also apply to FIG. 6D. Specifically, there is a plurality of putting locations 303a through 303h situated downhill from golf cup 101. Of note is the fact the larger subregion 106 of circular target zone 102 is placed on the high side of the cup 101. Consequently, cup 101 is located at the 4 o'clock position, in accordance with the foregoing discussion and FIG. 4B. A hypothetical and aggregated line of ideal approach 301 (not shown) can be estimated for the plurality of putting locations 303. The dividing line 105 between the high-percentage side 106 and low-percentage side 107 of target region 102 coincides with this line of ideal approach 301. An analogous separate putting location 601 is illustrated such that the distance from 601 to the cup 101 is considerably longer (40 feet in a preferred embodiment) than any of the putting locations within the plurality 303 (which are located at 5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, and 30 feet, respectively, from the cup 101 in a preferred embodiment). Putting location 601 thereby acts as the longer putting location from which to take super putts or bonus putts according to an embodiment of the present invention as described in connection with FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively.

Hypothetical line 602 similarly demarcates the boundary of a playable surface from putting surface 401, such that once any ball putted from the region of the plurality 303 or the longer putting location 601 passes boundary 602, it is considered out of play. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, boundary 602 is located 18 inches behind the furthest edge of the circular target zone 102 and 18 in front of the farthest edge (as viewed from the putting locations 303 and 601) of putting surface 401. In a preferred embodiment, boundary 602 is made to be distinctly visible, either through coloration on the putting surface 401 or by a change in turf type from smooth to rough. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, putting locations 303 are made to be distinctly visible on the putting surface 401 through the use of a coloration technique, which, in another preferred embodiment, consists of yellow or red circles. In another preferred embodiment, longer putting location 303 is also made to be distinctly visible on the putting surface 401, optionally in the form of a larger yellow or red putting marker. In yet another preferred embodiment, putting distances (i.e., distances to the golf cup 101) are indicated on the putting surface 401 next to each of the putting locations 303 and 601.

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6D can be used individually or in combination with one another. In fact, a preferred embodiment of the present invention combines all four embodiments illustrated in the aforementioned figures into a single, coherent golf-putting practice game by utilizing the methods described in connection with FIGS. 5A and 5B. In such an embodiment, a round using either the feature “superputt” or the feature “bonus putt” is played on each of the four surfaces, in any order (although in a preferred embodiment, it is the order presented here) and the scores combined. When used in combination with one anther, the game played on surfaces illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6E is known commercially as “BirdZone® Tour 4.”

FIG. 7 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a plurality of putting locations 303a through 303h are situated on a pitchless putting surface 401 that either slopes upward to the hole or downward to the hole depending upon the putting location in question. It too shares several features in common with the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6D, but is referred to commercially as “BirdZone® 9.” Analogous components are provided, and many of the features and embodiment disclosures discussed in connection with FIGS. 6A through 6D also apply to FIG. 6E. Specifically, there is a plurality of putting locations 303c through 303e situated uphill from golf cup 101. There is also a plurality of putting locations 303f through 303h located downhill from golf cup 101. As such, larger subregion 106 is therefore placed on the uphill side of the putting surface 401. Therefore, depending upon the putting location in question, placement of the cup 101 inside target zone 102 is either in the 6 o'clock position (for uphill putts) or the 12 o'clock position (for downhill putts), in accordance with the foregoing discussion and FIGS. 4A and 4D, respectively.

Furthermore, a hypothetical and aggregated line of ideal approach 301 (not shown) can be estimated for the plurality of putting locations 303. The dividing line 105 between the high-percentage side 106 and the low-percentage side 107 of the cup 101 situated perpendicularly to this line of ideal approach 301. An analogous separate putting location 601 is illustrated such that the distance from 601 to the cup 101 is considerably longer (20 feet in a preferred embodiment) from the cup 101 than any of the putting locations within the plurality 303 (which are located at 4, 6, 9, 12, and 15 feet, respectively, from the cup 101 in a preferred embodiment). Putting location 601 thereby acts as the longer putting location from which to take super putts or bonus putts according to an embodiment of the present invention as described in connection with FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, putting locations 303 are made to be distinctly visible on the putting surface 401 through the use of a coloration technique, which, in another preferred embodiment, consists of yellow or red circles. In another preferred embodiment, longer putting location 601 is also made to be distinctly visible on the putting surface 401, optionally in the form of a larger yellow or red putting marker. In yet another preferred embodiment, putting distances (i.e., distances to the golf cup 101) are indicated on the putting surface 401 next to each of the putting locations 303 and 601.

Claims

1. A golf-putting target consisting of:

a bounded region surrounding an aperture suitable for affixing to a golf cup;

either wherein the distance from one side of the region to the aperture forms approximately a 2:3 ratio with the distance from the other side of the region to the aperture, or wherein a line can be constructed through the center of the aperture which divides the region into two sub-regions whose areas form approximately a 2:3 ratio;

wherein the shorter length or smaller sub-region is placed on the lower-percentage side of the cup, when the aperture is affixed thereto, in light of the surrounding surface topology and a specified putting location; and

wherein the longer length or larger sub-region is placed on the higher-percentage side of the cup, when the aperture is affixed thereto, in light of the surrounding surface topology and the specified putting location.

2. The golf-putting target of claim 1 wherein the target is constructed of a flexible material, such as plastic, paper, cardboard, vinyl, neoprene, polyester, canvass, or cloth, and can be fixably attached and detached to a golf-putting surface.

3. The golf-putting target of claim 1 wherein the region is circular, rectangular, oval, square, lenticular, irregular, or amoeboid in shape.

4. The golf-putting target of claim 1 wherein the region is circular in shape and has a diameter of 34.25 inches, and wherein the aperture suitable for affixing to a golf cup is regulation size of 4.25 inches, such that the shorter distance between the aperture and one side of the circular region is 12 inches and the longer distance from the other side of the aperture to the other side of the circular region, as measured along the same diameter, is 18 inches.

5. The golf-putting target of claim 4, such that when the target is placed over an actual golf cup on a playing surface, the aperture and cup is placed within the circular region at approximately the: where the aforementioned clock positions and surrounding surface topologies are determined in reference to a vantage point located at an elevation just above the specified putting location and facing the cup.

six-o'clock position, if the surrounding surface topology is flat or slopes uphill and does not have any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch;

four-o'clock position, if the surrounding surface topology is flat or slopes upward and has left-to-right pitch;

eight-o'clock position, if the surrounding surface topology is flat or slopes upward and has right-to-left pitch;

twelve-o'clock position, if the surrounding surface topology slopes downward and does not have any right-to-left or left-to-right pitch;

two-o'clock position, if the surrounding surface topology slopes downward and has left-to-right pitch; or

ten-o'clock position, if the surrounding surface topology slopes downward and has right-to-left pitch;

6. A golf-putting improvement game device consisting of:

a surface,

a plurality of markings on the surface,

a target zone, and

a golf cup,

wherein the plurality of markings is spaced at various distances from the golf cup and indicates putt locations for a user of the device;

wherein the golf cup is located within the target zone such that the center of the golf cup divides a line segment running from one edge of the zone to the other edge of the zone into two segments of unequal length, as measured from the edge of the golf cup to the edge of the zone along said segment; and

wherein either: a) the two segments have lengths that form approximately a 2:3 ratio, or b) the perpendicular line to said line segment running through the cup from one edge of the target zone to the other edge divides the target zone into two subregions whose areas form approximately a 2:3 ratio.

7. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6,

wherein the target zone is a circle of diameter 34.25 inches;

wherein the golf cup is a regulation golf cup of diameter 4.25 inches; and

wherein the golf cup divides a diameter of the circle into two segments of 12 and 18 inches respectively, as measured from the edge of the golf cup to the edge of the target zone along said diameter.

8. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, further comprising an exclusionary zone, wherein the exclusionary zone abuts an edge of the surface near the target zone and is designed to impede a golf ball from rolling back toward the golf cup once the golf ball enters the exclusionary zone.

9. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 8, wherein the exclusionary zone is located 18 inches away from a boundary of the target zone.

10. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, wherein the target zone is red in color.

11. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of markings on the surface are red or yellow in color.

12. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the plurality of markings on the surface is accompanied by an indicator of the marking's distance from the golf cup.

13. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of markings are located at one or more of the following combinations of distances from the golf cup:

a) 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 feet;

b) 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 feet;

c) 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 feet; or

d) 5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, and 30 feet.

14. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, wherein one or more markings is considerably farther from the golf cup than any of the other markings within the plurality of markings.

15. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 14, wherein the one or more markings that are considerably farther from the golf cup than any of the markings within the plurality of markings are visually distinct from the other markings within the plurality of markings.

16. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 15, wherein the one or more markings that are considerably farther from the golf cup than any of the other markings within the plurality of markings are denoted by a larger red or yellow marker.

17. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 16, wherein the one or more markings that are considerably farther from the golf cup than any of the other markings within the plurality of markings are located at one or more of the following distances from the golf cup:

a) 25 feet, if the markings within the plurality of markings are located at 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 feet from the cup;

b) 30 feet, if the markings with the plurality of markings are located at 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 feet from the cup;

c) 35 feet, if the markings within the plurality of markings are located at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 feet from the cup; or

d) 40 feet, if the markings within the plurality of markings are located at 5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, and 30 feet from the cup.

18. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, wherein the surface is:

a) relatively flat or slopes generally upward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone, and is largely devoid of any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings;

b) relatively flat or slopes generally upward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone, and simultaneously has a left-to-right pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings;

c) relatively flat or slopes generally upward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone, and simultaneously has a right-to-left pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings;

d) slopes generally downward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone, and is largely devoid of any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings;

e) slopes generally downward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone, and simultaneously has a left-to-right pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings; or

f) slopes generally downward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone, and simultaneously has a right-to-left pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings.

19. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 18, wherein the line perpendicular to and equally dividing the line segment running through the cup from one edge of the target region to the other edge lies: where the aforementioned lines of ideal approach, surface topologies, high sides of the cup, and further-away sides of the cup are defined with respect to a vantage point located at one or more of the markings within the plurality of markings on the surface, either singly or in the aggregate.

a) approximately perpendicular to a line of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes generally upward without any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch, or is placed on the side of the cup further away from the one or more plurality of markings, if the surface is relatively flat without any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch;

b) approximately coincident to a line of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes generally upward with left-to-right pitch, or is placed on the side of the cup further away from the one or more plurality of markings, if the surface is relatively flat with left-to-right pitch;

c) approximately coincident to a line of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes generally upward with right-to-left pitch, or is placed on the side of the cup further away from the one or more plurality of markings, if the surface is relatively flat with right-to-left pitch;

d) approximately perpendicular to a line of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes generally downward without any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch;

e) approximately perpendicular to a line of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes generally downward with left-to-right pitch; or

f) approximately perpendicular to a line of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes generally downward with right-to-left pitch;

20. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 19, wherein when the target zone is viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings, the cup is located within the target zone at approximately the:

six-o'clock position if the surface is relatively flat or slopes generally upward without any right-to-left or left-to-right pitch;

four-o'clock position if the surface is relatively flat or slopes generally upward with left-to-right pitch;

eight-o'clock position if the surface is relatively flat or slopes generally upward with right-to-left pitch;

twelve-o'clock position if the surface slopes generally downward without any right-to-left or left-to-right pitch;

two-o'clock position if the surface slopes generally downward with left-to-right pitch; or

ten-o'clock position if the surface slopes generally downward with right-to-left pitch.

21. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, wherein the surface is approximately between 250 and 600 square feet in size.

22. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, wherein the surface is square, rectangular, oval shaped, circular, lenticular, kidney shaped, or amoeboid shaped.

23. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, wherein the surface has dimensions of approximately 25 to 50 feet long by 7 to 15 feet wide.

24. The golf-putting improvement game device according to claim 6, wherein the surface consists essentially of artificial turf, playable carpet, dirt, asphalt, wood, plastic, rubber, linoleum, natural grass, sand, vegetation, water, rocks, stone, gravel, or some combination thereof.

25. A game process for improving golf putting skills comprising the steps of:

putting one or more golf balls from one or more of a plurality of fixed locations on a bounded playing surface that are varying distances from a golf cup,

tabulating a score according to the following scheme: A point(s) for each ball that lands within the golf cup, B point(s) for each ball that lands within a target zone surrounding the golf cup, C point(s) for each ball that lands outside the target zone but remains on the playing surface, and D point(s) for each ball that leaves the playing surface,

such that a score of A points is more desirable than a score of B points, which in turn is more desirable than a score of C points, which in turn is more desirable than a score of D points;

putting a golf ball from one of one or more fixed locations that are substantially further away from the cup than are the plurality of fixed locations of the prior putts; and

scoring the final, longer putt according to the following scheme: E point(s) for landing within the golf cup, F point(s) for landing within the target region, G point(s) for landing outside the target region but staying on the playing surface, and H point(s) for each putt that leaves the playing surface,

such that a score of E points is more desirable than a score of F points, which in turn is more desirable than a score of G points, which in turn is more desirable than a score of H points, and such that a score of E points is a more desirable score than a score of A points, a score of F points is a more desirable score than a score of B points, a score of G points is more desirable score than a score of C points, and a score of H points is a more desirable than a score of D points.

26. The game process of claim 25, wherein having a lower score is considered more desirable than having a higher score; and where:

A is negative one point,

B is zero points,

C is positive one point,

D is positive two points,

E is negative two points,

F is negative one point,

G is zero points, and

H is positive one point.

27. The game process of claim 25, wherein the second putting step, consisting of putting a golf ball from a single fixed location that is substantially further away from the golf cup than are the plurality of fixed locations of the prior putts, is executed only if the total score received after the first putting step is more desirable than a threshold score.

28. The game process of claim 27, wherein:

A is negative one point,

B is zero points,

C is positive one point,

D is positive two points,

E is negative two points,

F is negative one point,

G is zero points,

H is positive one point;

wherein having a lower score is considered more desirable than having a higher score; and

wherein the threshold score for determining whether the optional second putting step is executed is a cumulative score of zero or lower for all putts tabulated up to that point.

29. The game process of claim 25, wherein the target zone is situated with respect to the golf cup such that the golf cup divides a line segment running from one side of the target zone to the other into two segments of unequal length, as measured from the edge of the cup to the edge of the target zone, and wherein either: a) the lengths of the two uneven segments form approximately a 2:3 ratio, or b) the line perpendicular to the two segments and that intersects the cup divides the target region into two subregions whose area forms approximately a 2:3 ratio.

30. The game process of claim 29, wherein the target zone is a circle of diameter 34.25 inches; wherein the golf cup is a regulation golf cup of 4.25 inches; and wherein the golf cup divides said diameter of the circle into two segments of 12 and 18 inches respectively.

31. The game process of claim 30, wherein an exclusionary zone abuts an edge of the surface near the target zone and is designed to impede a golf ball from rolling back toward the golf cup once the golf ball enters the exclusionary zone.

32. The game process of claim 31, wherein the exclusionary zone is located 18 inches away from a boundary of the target zone.

33. The game process of claim 31, wherein the target zone is red in color.

34. The game process of claim 25, wherein the plurality of markings on the surface are red or yellow in color.

35. The game process of claim 25, wherein the one or more markings that are considerably farther from the golf cup than any of the other markings within the plurality of markings are visually distinct from the markings within the plurality of markings.

36. The game process of claim 35, wherein the one or more markings that are considerably farther from the golf cup than any of the other markings within the plurality of markings are denoted by a larger red or yellow marking.

37. The game process of claim 25, wherein one or more of the plurality of markings on the surface is accompanied by an indicator of the marking's distance from the golf cup.

38. The game process of claim 25, wherein the plurality of markings are located at one or more of the following combinations of distances from the golf cup: wherein the one or more markings that are considerably farther from the golf cup than any of the other markings within the plurality of markings are located at one or more of the following distances from the golf cup:

a) 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 feet;

b) 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 feet;

c) 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 feet; or

d) 5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, and 30 feet; and

a) 25 feet, if the locations within the plurality are located at 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 feet;

b) 30 feet, if the locations within the plurality are located at 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 feet;

c) 35 feet, if the locations within the plurality are located at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 feet; or

d) 40 feet, if the locations within the plurality are located at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 feet, respectively.

39. The game process according to claim 25, wherein the surface:

a) is relatively flat or slopes generally upward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone and is largely devoid of any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings;

b) is relatively flat or slopes generally upward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone and simultaneously has a left-to-right pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings;

c) is relatively flat or slopes generally upward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone and simultaneously has a right-to-left pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings;

d) slopes generally downward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone and is largely devoid of any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings;

e) slopes generally downward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone and simultaneously has a left-to-right pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings; or

f) slopes generally downward in elevation from one or more of the plurality of markings toward the target zone and simultaneously has a right-to-left pitch as viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings.

40. The game process according to claim 39, wherein a linear boundary that intersects the cup and separates either the two segments whose lengths form approximately a 2:3 ratio or the two subregions whose areas form a 2:3 ratio lies:

a) approximately perpendicular to a line of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes uphill without any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch, or is placed on the side of the cup further away from the one or more plurality of markings, if the surface is relatively flat without any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch;

b) approximately coincident to a line of ideal of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes uphill with left-to-right pitch or is placed on the side of the cup further away from the one or more plurality of markings, if the surface is relatively flat with left-to-right pitch;

c) approximately coincident to a line of ideal of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes uphill with right-to-left pitch or is placed on the side of the cup further away from the one or more plurality of markings, if the surface is relatively flat with right-to-left pitch;

d) approximately perpendicular to a line of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes downhill without any left-to-right or right-to-left pitch;

e) approximately perpendicular to a line of ideal of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes downhill with left-to-right pitch; or

f) approximately perpendicular to a line of ideal of ideal approach, and wherein the longer segment or the larger subregion is placed on the higher side of the cup, if the surface slopes downhill with right-to-left pitch,

where the aforementioned lines of ideal approach, surface topologies, high sides of the cup, and further-away sides of the cup are defined with respect to a vantage point located at one or more of the markings within the plurality of markings on the surface, either singly or in the aggregate.

41. The game process according to claim 40, wherein when the target zone is viewed from the one or more of the plurality of markings, the cup is located within the target zone at approximately the:

a) six-o'clock position if the surface is relatively flat or slopes generally upward without any right-to-left or left-to-right pitch;

b) four-o'clock position if the surface is relatively flat or slopes generally upward with left-to-right pitch;

c) eight-o'clock position if the surface is relatively flat or slopes generally upward with right-to-left pitch;

d) twelve-o'clock position if the surface slopes generally downward without any right-to-left or left-to-right pitch;

e) two-o'clock position if the surface slopes generally downward with left-to-right pitch; or

f) ten-o'clock position if the surface slopes generally downward with right-to-left pitch.

42. The game process of claim 25, wherein the playing surface is approximately between 250 and 600 square feet in size.

43. The game process of claim 25, wherein the playing surface is square, rectangular, oval shaped, circular, lenticular, kidney-shaped, or amoeboid shaped.

44. The game process of claim 25, wherein the surface has dimensions of approximately 25 to 50 feet long by 7 to 15 feet wide.

45. The game process of claim 25, wherein the surface consists essentially of artificial turf, playable carpet, dirt, asphalt, wood, plastic, rubber, linoleum, natural grass, sand, vegetation, water, rocks, stone, gravel, or some combination thereof.