Golf course

Abstract

A golf course (100/200) comprising a series of tee-areas T(1)-T(18), each containing a golf tee and a series of green-areas G(1)-G(18), each containing a golf hole. The tee-areas and the green-areas defining a first set of sequential fairway paths F1(1)-F1(18) between each tee-area and a target green-area in a first direction. The tee-areas and the green-areas also defining a second set of sequential fairway paths F2(1)-F2(18) between each tee-area and a target green-area in a second opposite direction. A first golf game may be played along the first set of fairway paths (e.g., clockwise) and a second golf game may be played along the second set of fairway paths (e.g., counterclockwise).

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/534,430 filed on Jan. 6, 2004. The entire disclosure of this provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally, as indicated, to a golf course and, more particularly, to a golf course comprising a series of tee areas and a series of green areas which define a sequential series of fairway paths therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A golf course commonly comprising a series (e.g., eighteen) of tee-areas each containing a golf tee and a series (e.g., eighteen) of green-areas each containing a golf hole. The tee-areas and the green-areas are separated by fairways. When driving a golf ball from a tee-area to the corresponding green area, a fairway path can be defined therebetween. Accordingly, the golf course can be viewed as comprising a sequential series of fairway paths, each path being defined by the route between a particular tee-area and its corresponding target green-area. When playing a game of golf, the golfer starts at the first tee-area and sequentially travels through the fairway paths to reach the last green-area (e.g., the eighteenth hole). Golfers typically enjoy playing at different courses during a golfing season as the challenge of changing courses adds to the enjoyment of the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a golf course which allows two different games of golf to be played on the same golf course at different times. Thus, a golfer could play one game of golf on a first day and then return the following day to play a completely different game of golf on the same golf course. Such a golf course design may find special application where land is at a premium, as it requires only one piece of land while still providing the challenge of two different golf games.

More particularly, the present invention provides a golf course comprising a series of tee-areas each containing a golf tee and a series of green-areas each containing a golf hole. The tee-areas and the green-areas define a first set of sequential fairway paths between each tee-area and a target green-area in a first direction (e.g., clockwise). The tee-areas and the green-areas also define a second set of sequential fairway paths between each tee-area and a target green-area in a second opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise). A first golf game may be played along the first set of fairway paths (e.g., clockwise) and a second golf game may be played along the second set of fairway paths (e.g., counterclockwise).

These and other features of the invention are fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention which are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a golf course 100 according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the golf course 100, with a first set of fairway paths being shown.

FIG. 3 is a view of the golf course 100, with a second set of fairway paths being shown.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a golf course 200 according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view of the golf course 200, with a first set of fairway paths being shown.

FIG. 6 is a view of the golf course 200, with a second set of fairway paths being shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a golf course 100 according to the present invention is shown. The golf course 100 comprises a series of tee-areas T, each containing a golf tee, and a series of green-areas G, each containing a hole. The illustrated golf course 100 is an eighteen-hole course whereby it includes eighteen tee-areas T(1)-T(18) and eighteen green-areas G(1)-G(18). That being said, the present invention could easily be modified to accommodate a different sized golf course (e.g., nine-hole, eighteen-hole, thirty-six hole, etc.) by increasing or decreasing the tee-areas and the green-areas.

The golf course 100 occupies a piece of land which may be viewed as having a central region 102 and a perimeter region 104. The central region 102 is a non-course area (i.e., does not form part of the golf course 100). Practice greens 106, parking lots 108, driving ranges 110, club houses 112, and/or tennis courts 114 may be located in the central region 104.

The tee-areas T(1)-T(18) and the green-areas G(1)-G(18) occupy the perimeter region 104. Hazards and stake-out boundaries may also occupy the perimeter region 104 to enhance the character and/or the complexity of the game. For example, sand traps 120 are positioned about green-areas G(1) and G(2), and green-areas G(4) and G(5) and waterway 122 borders green-areas G(10) through G(16). Green-area G(9) is located on an island in the waterway 122 and tee-area T(16) is located on another island in the waterway 122. Roads 124 into the central region 102 can also pass through the perimeter region 104.

In the illustrated embodiment, each tee-area T is roughly radially aligned with a green area G. Specifically, the first tee area T(1) is roughly radially aligned with the eighteenth green-area G(18) and the other tee-areas T(2)-T(18) are roughly radially aligned respectively, with the green-areas G(1) through G(17). Some of the tee-areas (T(1), T(4), T(6), T(7), T(9), T(10), T(11), T(12), T(13), and T(15)) are positioned radially inward from the green-areas (G(18), G(3), G(5), G(6), G(8), G(9), G(10), G(11), G(12) and G(14)) with which they are roughly radially aligned; some of the tee-areas (T(2), T(3), T(5), T(8), T(14), T(16), T(17), and T(18)) are positioned radially outward from their aligned green-areas (G(1), G(2), G(4), G(7), G(13), G(15), G(16), and G(17)).

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the tee-areas T(1)-T(18) and the corresponding green areas G(1)-G(18) are separated by fairways. As shown in FIG. 2, a first set of sequential fairway paths F1(1)-F1(18) can be defined between each tee-area and a target hole-area in the clockwise direction. Specifically, the first set of fairway paths would sequentially comprise the paths defined by T(1) to G(1), T(2) to G(2), T(3) to G(3), T(4) to G(4), T(5) to G(5), T(6) to G(6), T(7) to G(7), T(8) to G(8), T(9) to G(9), T(10) to G(10), T(11) to G(11), T(12) to G(12), T(13) to G(13), T(14) to G(14), T(15) to G(15), T(16) to G(16), T(17) to G(17), and T(18) to G(18). As shown in FIG. 3, a second set of sequential fairway paths F2(1)-F2(18) can be defined between each tee-area and a target hole-area in the counterclockwise direction. Specifically, the second set of fairway paths would sequentially comprise the paths defined T(1) to G(17), T(18) to G(16), T(17) to G(15), T(16) to G(14), T(15) to G(13), T(14) to G(12), T(13) to G(11), T(12) to G(10), T(11) to G(9), T(10) to G(8), T(9) to G(7), T(8) to G(6), T(7) to G(5), T(6) to G(4), T(5) to G(3), T(4) to G(2), T(3) to (G1), and T(2) to (G18).

Two sets of sequential fairway paths can be defined depending on whether the golf course 100 is being played in a first (e.g., clockwise) direction or a second (e.g. counterclockwise) direction. In this manner, two different games of golf to be played on the same golf course at different times. Thus, a golfer could play one game of golf on a first day and then return the following day to play a completely different game of golf on the same golf course. The golf club (or other establishment) could, for example, designate certain times of the day, certain days of the week or month, or certain weeks of the season when the golf course 100 is played in the first direction (FIG. 2), with the golf course 100 being played in the second direction (FIG. 3) during the remaining time periods.

In any event, a completely different golf game is provided depending upon whether one is playing in the first direction of the second direction. For example, in FIG. 2 the fairway between the eighteen tee-area T(18) and the eighteenth green area G(18) occupies the approximately the same section of land as the fairway between the first tee-area T(1) and the seventeenth green area G(17) (FIG. 3). However, when playing in the first direction (FIG. 2), the shot from the eighteen tee-area T(18) to the eighteenth green area G(18) is somewhat complicated (e.g., par 5). At the same time, when playing in the second direction (FIG. 3), the shot from the first tee-area T(1) to the seventeenth hole G(17) would be relatively simply (e.g., par 3). The “signature hole” for the golf course 100 could be one hole (e.g., G(17)) when the game is being played in the first direction (e.g., clockwise) and could be another hole (e.g., G(12)) when the game is being played in the second direction (e.g., counterclockwise).

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, another golf course 200 according to the present invention is shown. The golf course 200 is similar to the golf course 100 and it comprises a series of tee-areas T(1)-T(18), each containing a golf tee, and a series of green-areas G(1)-G(18), each containing a hole. The golf course 200 occupies a piece of land which may be viewed as having a central region 202 and a perimeter region 204. The central region 202 is a non-course area (i.e., does not form part of the golf course 200) and is shown with a club house 212. The tee-areas T(1)-T(18) and the green-areas G(1)-G(18) occupy the perimeter region 104, which surrounds the central non-course region 202 in a horseshoe-like shape. In this manner, the road 224 to the clubhouse 212 need not intersect the gold course 200. Hazards and stake-out boundaries may also occupy the perimeter region 204 to enhance the character and/or the complexity of the game.

As shown in FIG. 5, a first set of sequential fairway paths F1(1)-F1(18) can be defined between each tee-area and a target hole-area in the clockwise direction. Specifically, the first set of fairway paths would sequentially comprise the paths defined by T(1) to G(1), T(2) to G(2), T(3) to G(3), T(4) to G(4), T(5) to G(5), T(6) to G(6), T(7) to G(7), T(8) to G(8), T(9) to G(9), T(10) to G(10), T(11) to G(11), T(12) to G(12), T(13) to G(13), T(14) to G(14), T(15) to G(15), T(16) to G(16), T(17) to G(17), and T(18) to G(18). As shown in FIG. 6, a second set of sequential fairway paths F2(1)-F2(18) can be defined between each tee-area and a target hole-area in the counterclockwise direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the second set of fairway paths would sequentially comprise the paths defined T(1) to G(17), T(18) to G(16), T(17) to G(15), T(16) to G(14), T(15) to G(13), T(14) to G(12), T(13) to G(11), T(12) to G(10), T(11) to G(9), T(10) to G(8), T(8) to G(7), T(9) to G(6), T(7) to G(5), T(6) to G(4), T(5) to G(3), T(4) to G(2), T(3) to (G1), and T(2) to (G18). Thus, two sets of sequential fairway paths can be defined depending on whether the golf course 200 is being played in a first (e.g., clockwise) direction or a second (e.g. counterclockwise) direction.

In the illustrated golf courses 100 and 200, the first tee-area T(1) is the initial tee-area and the eighteenth hole-area G(18) is the final hole-area regardless of whether the first golf game is being played in the first direction or the second golf game is being played in the second direction. Other arrangements are possible with, and contemplated by, the present invention. For example, the initial tee-area for the first golf game (i.e., when the course 100/200 is being played in the first direction) could be nine fairways removed from the initial tee-area for the second golf game (i.e., when the course 100/200 is being played in the second direction). Also in the illustrated golf courses 100 and 200, some of the fairway paths in the first set of fairway paths intersect with some of the fairway paths in the second set of fairway paths and some do not. That being said, it may be possible and/or desirable to construct the golf course 100/200 so that all or none of the fairway paths in the first set intersect with the fairway paths in the second set.

One may now appreciate the present invention provides a golf course 100/200 which allows two different games of golf to be played on the same golf course at different times. Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent and obvious alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all such alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A golf course (100) comprising a series of tee-areas T(1)-T(N), each containing a golf tee and a series of green-areas G(1)-G(N), each containing a golf hole;

the tee-areas and the green-areas defining a first set of sequential fairway paths F1(1)-F1(N) between each tee-area and a target green-area in a first direction; and

the tee-areas and the green-areas also defining a second set of sequential fairway paths F2(1)-F2(N) between each tee-area and a target green-area in a second opposite direction;

wherein a first golf game may be played along the first set of fairway paths and a second golf game may be played along the second set of fairway paths;

wherein the first direction is clockwise and the second direction is counterclockwise.

2. (canceled)

3. A golf course as set forth in claim 3, wherein the tee-areas T(1)-T(N) and the green-areas G(1)-G(N) are arranged in a perimeter region around a central non-course region.

4. A golf course as set forth in claim 3, wherein the perimeter region surrounds the central non-course region in a donut-like manner.

5. A golf course as set forth in claim 3, wherein the perimeter-region surrounds the central non-course region in a horseshoe-like manner.

6. A golf course as set forth in claim 3, wherein a club house, a parking lot, a practice green, and/or a tennis court are located on the central non-course area.

7. A golf course as set forth in claim 3, wherein the first tee area T(1) is roughly radially aligned with the last green-area G(N) and other tee-areas T(2)-T(N) are roughly radially aligned respectively, with the green-areas G(1)-G(N−1).

8. A golf course as set forth in claim 7, wherein at least some of the tee-areas T(1)-T(N) are positioned radially inward from the green-areas G(1)-G(N) with which they are roughly radially aligned.

9. A golf course as set forth in claim 7, wherein at least some of the tee-areas T(1)-T(N) are positioned radially outward from the green-areas G(1)-G(N) with which they are roughly radially aligned.

10. A golf course as set forth in claim 7, wherein some of the fairway paths in the first set of fairway paths F1(1)-F1(N) intersect with some of the fairway paths in the second set of fairway paths F2(1)-F2(N).

11. A golf course as set forth in claim 7, wherein some of the fairway paths in the first set of fairway paths F1(1)-F1(N) do not intersect with any of the fairway paths in the second set of fairway paths F2(1)-F2(N).

12. A golf course as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first tee-area T(1) is the initial tee-area and the last green-area G(N) is the final green-area regardless of whether the first golf game is being played in the first direction or the second golf game is being played in the second direction.

13. A golf course as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first set of fairway paths comprise the paths defined by T(1) to G(1), T(2) to G(2)... T(N) to G(N); and

wherein the second set of fairway paths comprise the paths defined by T(1) to G(N−1), T(N) to G(N−2), T(N−1) to G(N−3)... T(2) to G(N).

14. A golf course as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tee-areas comprise eighteen tee-areas T(1)-T(18), the green-areas comprise eighteen hole areas G(1)-G(18);

wherein the first set of fairway paths comprise the paths defined by T(1) to G(1), T(2) to G(2), T(3) to G(3), T(4) to G(4), T(5) to G(5), T(6) to G(6), T(7) to G(7), T(8) to G(8), T(9) to G(9), T(10) to G(10), T(11) to G(11), T(12) to G(12), T(13) to G(13), T(14) to G(14), T(15) to G(15), T(16) to G(16), T(17) to G(17), and T(18) to G(18);

wherein the second set of fairway paths comprise the paths defined by T(1) to G(17), T(18) to G(16), T(17) to G(15), T(16) to G(14), T(15) to G(13), T(14) to G(12), T(13) to G(11), T(12) to G(10), T(11) to G(9), T(10) to G(8), T(9) to G(7), T(8) to G(6), T(7) to G(5), T(6) to G(4), T(5) to G(3), T(4) to G(2), T(3) to G(1), and T(2) to G(18).

15. (canceled)

16. A golf course as set forth in claim 13, wherein the tee-areas T(1)-T(18) and the green-areas G(1)-G(18) are arranged in a perimeter region around a central non-course region.

17. A golf course as set forth in claim 16, wherein the perimeter region surrounds the central non-course region in a donut-like manner.

18. A golf course as set forth in claim 16, wherein the perimeter region surrounds the central non-course region in a horseshoe-like manner.

19. A golf course as set forth in claim 16, wherein a club house, a parking lot, a practice green, and/or a tennis court are located on the central non-course area.

20. A golf course as set forth in claim 19, wherein the first tee-area T(1) is the initial tee-area and the last green-area G(18) is the final green-area regardless of whether the first golf game is being played in the first direction or the second golf game is being played in the second direction.

21. A golf course as set forth in claim 14, wherein the first tee-area T(1) is the initial tee-area and the last green-area G(18) is the final green-area regardless of whether the first golf game is being played in the first direction or the second golf game is being played in the second direction.