Golf-related Game

Abstract

A golf-related game includes obtaining an instruction relating to at least one golf-related task; attempting the at least one golf-related task, and rewarding a player upon successful completion of the attempted golf-related task.

Description

The present application claims priority from US provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/174,605, filed on May, 1, 2009, entitled “Golf-related Game”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to games and in particular to a golf-related game.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Golf is a well-known and popular sport where players aim to get the ball into a series of holes in the lowest number of strokes. Playing the game well requires a high level of skill and skill levels can be raised by increasing focus, learning good course management and a commitment to lowering one's score. Further, experienced and casual players can also sometimes welcome the introduction of additional variety into the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a golf-related game that meets at least some of the above objectives.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus adapted for a golf-related game, the apparatus including:

at least one device configured to display at least one instruction relating to at least one respective golf-related task, where, in use, a player attempts the at least one golf-related task and is rewarded upon successful completion of the at least one attempted golf-related task.

The at least one device may comprise at least one card. A surface of a said card may display a plurality of said golf-related task instructions. In some embodiments, a set of said cards is provided, and all the cards may each display a same number of said golf-related tasks. The golf-related tasks may be arranged on the card as a numbered list.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of playing a golf-related game, the method including:

obtaining an instruction relating to at least one golf-related task;

attempting the at least one golf-related task, and

rewarding a player upon successful completion of the attempted golf-related task.

The method may include setting the player a specific number of the golf-related tasks to attempt, and the specific number may be based on a golfing handicap rating of the player. A plurality of ranges of golfing handicap ratings may be displayed on a said card, each of the ranges being associated with a different said specific number of golf-related tasks to attempt. A winner or winners of the game may be determined as the player or players who successfully complete the set specific number of the golf-related tasks.

The method may include a said player announcing that the specific number of said golf-related tasks set for that player have been successfully completed in order for a winner of the game to be determined.

The method may include providing an alternative way of awarding the player; for example, a player may be awarded for completing a course in par or better.

The golf-related tasks may be selected from a set:

hitting a ball into a specific number of holes using no more than a specific maximum number of putts;

avoiding landing a ball in sand and/or water when attempting at least one specific hole;

hitting a ball into a set of (possibly sequential) holes within par for each of those holes;

no lost balls when attempting at least one specific hole.

According to a general aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of playing a sport-related game, the method including:

obtaining an instruction relating to at least one sport-related task;

attempting the at least one sport-related task, and

rewarding a player upon successful completion of the at least one attempted sport-related task.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of features set out above or in the following description. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature. Thus, the invention extends to such specific combinations not already described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way of example only, embodiments thereof will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a game card bearing instructions for playing the golf-related game, and

FIGS. 2A-2E show other game cards bearing sets of instructions for golf-related tasks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example of the rules of the golf-related game is set out on the card of FIG. 1, which refers to the task instruction-bearing cards 200A-200E of FIGS. 2A-2E. Each player is given, or randomly selects, one of the cards 200A-200E. In some cases some of the cards may contain instructions for tasks intended for players having a particular skill level, e.g. handicap rating.

The cards may have dimensions similar to those of conventional playing cards and can formed of flexible plastic, cardboard or any other suitable material. It will be understood that items/devices other than playing cards can be used to provide the instructions to players, e.g. the instructions may be printed/embossed on items/surfaces that are not flat. Such items need not all be physically separated/separable from each other, although having a set of discrete cards does make it easier to assign a set of instructions to each individual player.

In the example card 200A of FIG. 2A, there are six golf-related tasks:

No more than six putts on the first three holes

Hit any par 3 green or one 3 on the card

No sand on the last three holes

Par any three holes in a row

Three 3rs of better on the card

Hit three fairways on the front nine and three on the back nine

It will be understood that the lists of tasks are exemplary only and many variations are possible. Having six tasks on each card is also not essential and each card can include one or more instruction. Some of the tasks may be duplicated on other cards and in some cases entire cards may be duplicated. Normally, all of the cards will bear the same number of tasks, but this is also not essential. The formatting of the tasks as a numbered list is also only one example of how the tasks can be presented/displayed on a surface of the card.

After receiving their cards, each player attempts a certain number of the tasks displayed on the card. The number of tasks to be attempted may be determined by the skill/handicap level of the player as set out on the instruction card of FIG. 1, although it will be understood that this is optional and variations are possible, e.g. one player selects specific tasks for another player to attempt; all players attempt the same number of tasks, etc.

In one version of the game a player must vocally announce to the other players that he has completed a task so that it can be validated by the others. In some versions of the game players may be awarded point(s) upon successful completion of a (validated) task, the total number of points being used to determine the winner(s). The instructions may also provide at least one way for a player to “rescue” a failed mission. An example is shown in FIG. 1, as well an indication of how the winner can be determined after playing the game.

It will be understood that many variations to the concept described herein are possible. For example, at least some of the tasks may relate to sports or activities other than golf. Alternative apparatus for presenting the task instructions to players may be provided, e.g. an electronic screen on one or more devices. For instance, data simulating the cards may be downloaded and displayed on mobile electronic devices, e.g. mobile phones, and/or the task instructions may be shown all at once or in a sequence. However, using a set of cards has advantages, including ease/cost of manufacture and it is also possible to individualize sets of cards, e.g. include a golf club or corporate logo on at least some of the cards and packaging for the cards. Embodiments of the game set goals which must be completed within the normal round to win or remain in the game. This focuses the players, adds pressure and forces them to take a considered approach to the various challenges thereby improving the player's course management and, in most cases, overall score. The game is suitable for use as a focus tool in solo practice rounds and also in games featuring any number of players.

Claims

1. Apparatus adapted for a golf-related game, the apparatus including:

at least one device configured to display at least one instruction relating to at least one respective golf-related task, where, in use, a player attempts the at least one golf-related task and is rewarded upon successful completion of the at least one attempted golf-related task.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one device comprises at least one card.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a surface of a said card displays a plurality of said golf-related task instructions.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a set of said cards is provided, and all the cards each display a same number of said golf-related tasks.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the golf-related tasks are arranged on the card as a numbered list.

6. A method of playing a golf-related game, the method including:

obtaining an instruction relating to at least one golf-related task;

attempting the at least one golf-related task, and

rewarding a player upon successful completion of the attempted golf-related task.

7. A method according to claim 6, including setting the player a specific number of the golf-related tasks to attempt.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the specific number is based on a golfing handicap rating of the player.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of ranges of golfing handicap ratings are displayed on a said card, each of the ranges being associated with a different said specific number of golf-related tasks to attempt.

10. A method according to claim 7, wherein a winner or winners of the game is determined as the player or players who successfully complete the set specific number of the golf-related tasks.

11. A method according to claim 10, including a said player announcing that the specific number of said golf-related tasks set for that player have been successfully completed in order for a winner of the game to be determined.

12. A method according to claim 6, including providing an alternative way of awarding the player.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the player is awarded for completing a course in par or better.

14. A method according to claim 6, wherein the golf-related tasks is selected from a set:

hitting a ball into a specific number of holes using no more than a specific maximum number of putts;

avoiding landing a ball in sand and/or water when attempting at least one specific hole;

hitting a ball into a set of (possibly sequential) holes within par for each of those holes; and/or

no lost balls when attempting at least one specific hole.

15. An electronic device configured to execute a method of playing a golf-related game according to claim 6.