Alternative game of golf
An alternative to the game of golf utilizing any conventional golf course while incorporating a plurality of elevated target disks having a vertical planar attitude and a circular central opening, a ball having an outer diameter substantially lesser than that of the circular central opening in the target disks, and a variety of ball launchers each having the ability to accept various handle implements. The goal of the game is to either strike or penetrate the target disks in as few tosses as possible from the T-off point.
The present invention relates to an alternative to the game of golf wherein the present invention utilizes any conventional golf course but incorporates the following: a plurality of elevated target disks having a vertical planar attitude and a circular central opening, a ball having an outer diameter substantially lesser than that of the circular central opening in the target disks, a variety of ball launchers each having the ability to accept various handle implements. The goal of the game is to either strike or penetrate the target disks in as few tosses as possible from the T-off point.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe ever-popular game of golf has become one of the most enjoyed sports since the last decade or more. In some geographic areas, this sport came be played year-round. However, in areas where winter months embrace the greens in a snowy blanket, the game simply halts. Furthermore, course owners generate no revenue during these downtimes.
The inventor sought to provide players and golf course owners with a solution to this dilemma, by creating an alternative to the conventional game of golf, in that, course owners can stay open, even during winter months, and players can continue playing an alternative to their favorite pastime.
Thus the inventor presents your commissioner with an alternative to the game of golf whereas: one target at or near each of the holes of a conventional golf course is provided, having a planar disk with a central opening therethrough, mounted to a vertical post, which in turn is pierced into the ground, and a variety of launchers with long or short handles, and a ball.
While prior art teaches of a plurality of ball launching devices, the applicant has failed to uncover the scope of the present alternative to golf.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is thus the object of the present invention to provide players with an alternative to the game of golf, having a target disk, launchers and a ball.
In one aspect of the invention, the diameter of the central opening of the target is directly proportional to the diameter of the ball used in the game.
In another aspect of the invention, the target is mounted onto a vertical post.
In a further aspect of the invention, the target is mounted to a floatation device so as to enable play in a body of water.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the ball can be any generally dense ball, similar to a golf ball.
In another aspect of the invention, a spring is mounted between the launcher head and its handle so as to provide greater momentum at each power launch.
Accordingly, the device of the present invention therefore provides players with an alternative to the game of golf, having a target disk, launchers and a ball, that can be played virtually anywhere, anytime.
Although the preferred embodiment illustrates the use of the present game in conjunction with golf courses, the utility of the present invention includes but is not limited to such golf course.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThese and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following brief description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
While the invention is described in conjunction with preferred illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTIn the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.
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Upon referring to the drawing figures and the above specification, it can be understood that the alternative game of golf—as presented in the above specification and appended drawings—provides players with a variety of alternatives to golf, especially when true golf is not an option. Furthermore, golf course owners can now remain open for business during long winter months.
Claims
1. An alternative game of golf comprising:
- a. a land target further comprising a disk shaped planar rigid sheet having a central opening, a mounting plate, and markings on one face of said disk shaped planar sheet,
- b. a water target further comprising a base having a plurality of openings therethrough so as to lighten its weight, an array of floats fixedly attached to floats struts also attached to the base, a central target mount fixedly attached to the center upper portion of the base, a target disk having a planar circular sheet-like form and a numeric indicia on one or both faces of said target, a disk bracket fixedly attached to the lower most area of the target, and a lock bolt threadedly engaged within a matingly threaded opening through one edge of the central target mount,
- c. a curved launcher further comprising a generally C-shaped side view, and a cross section having inwardly raised ridges within the inner portion of the launch rail, reducing the surface contact area between the ball and rail, and
- d. score keeping means.
2. The alternative game of golf of claims 1 or 2 wherein the target is mountable onto a pole-like ground-penetrating post adapted to accept the target mounting plate.
3. The alternative game of golf of either claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the target is mountable onto a non ground-penetrating pedestal-like post having a planar rigid horizontal sheet fixedly attached to the base of said pedestal-like post.
4. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the curved launcher further comprises a plurality of spaced perforations traversing the central area along the length of the curved rail, decompressing air ahead of the ball thus reducing drag,
5. The alternative game of golf of either claim 1, 5 or 6 wherein a spring is located between the launcher and the handle.
6. The alternative game of golf of either claim 1 or 7 wherein the handle further comprises a long handle, which said handle is adapted to releasably attach to the bottom end of the spring.
7. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the handle is a short handle generally the length of an opened hand, which said handle is also adapted to releasably attach to the bottom end of the spring.
8. The alternative game of golf of either claim 1, 8 or 9 wherein either handle is attached to the lower portion of the spring by means of a male-female joint releasably held together by a spring nipple.
9. The alternative game of golf of either claim 1 or 8 wherein a tubular cylindrical sleeve having an inner diameter only slightly greater than the outer diameter of the handle and spring so as to enable longitudinal motion of said sleeve over said handle and spring.
10. The alternative game of golf of either claim 1 or 11 wherein the sleeve has a plurality of perforations along its length so as to enable the spring nipple to also traverse one of same perforations.
11. The alternative game of golf of either claim 1, 11 or 12 wherein the sleeve provides longitudinal sliding motion of the player's upper hand along the long handle during a launch.
12. The alternative game of golf of either claim 1, 11, 12 or 13 wherein the sleeve has a plurality of perforations along its length so as to enable the spring nipple to also traverse one of same perforations.
13. The alternative game of golf of either claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 wherein the alternative game of golf easily adapts to present day golf courses.
14. The alternative game of golf of either claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 wherein the use thereof is to provide players and golf course owner or the like the opportunity to enjoy continued use of a golf course regardless of seasonal situations.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 12, 2005
Publication Date: Oct 12, 2006
Inventor: Christopher Presley (Sundridge)
Application Number: 11/103,575
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101);