FAST-PACED GOLF GAME WITH RISK/REWARD-BASED SCORING SYSTEM

Abstract

A method of providing a game of golf using a scorecard, the method comprising designating a number of points available for each shot a player takes in a round of golf when playing towards a golf hole, the number of points being designated according to a difficulty of a shot taken by a player; and providing the scorecard for completion by or for the player with a score achieved after each shot is played.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the game of golf and, more particularly, to a new and improved method for playing a game of golf with equipment including a scorecard that is integral to the game.

BACKGROUND

Disadvantages arise with the prior art game of golf in that the game can lack excitement for players and spectators.

It is an object of the present invention to address the abovementioned disadvantage.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing a game of golf using a scorecard, the method comprising designating a number of points available for each shot a player takes in a round of golf when playing towards a golf hole, the number of points being designated according to a difficulty of a shot taken by a player; and providing the scorecard for completion by or for the player with a score achieved after each shot is played.

The method may also comprise designating a number of points for finishing a given golf hole with a predefined number of strokes.

The method may include providing a plurality of possible points to be scored for each shot played on a given golf hole, with the achieved number of points achieved on a given shot being selected or marked after the shot has been played.

The scorecard may include a location for inserting a sum of the points achieved for a given hole.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a scorecard for a golf game, the scorecard comprising, for each hole of a golf course to be played, a number of points for hitting a regulation shot that would achieve a par number of shots for a given hole, and one or more numbers of points for hitting an under regulation shot that would achieve a sub-par number of shots for the given hole.

The numbers of points may be displayed in abstract symbols, such as squares or circles or the like, or may be displayed in numerals. Each abstract symbol may correspond to a given number of points. The abstract shapes may have different colours, with each abstract shape and colour combination representing a given number of points.

The scorecard may include a location for inserting a sum of the points achieved for a given hole.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a golf course comprising dividing a group of players into sub-groups, setting off each sub-group of players at the start of a different starting golf hole on the golf course to the other sub-groups at substantially the same time, each sub-group playing a golf game on the respective different starting golf holes in a set period of time.

Each of the sub-groups may proceed to a following golf hole on the golf course after playing the respective starting golf holes.

The efficiency of use of the golf course is thereby advantageously improved by arranging the sub-groups to play simultaneously on the respective starting and following golf holes. The throughput of players on the golf course used in this way is maximized for better use of the resource available. The technical benefit of maximizing throughput in a limited resource improves efficiency and lowers a residual cost of running the golf course.

The method may include providing a scoring system for each golf hole on the golf (or playing) course, wherein each player can earn a predetermined number of shot points for each type of shot that the player makes while the player is playing up to a putting surface or green for the golf hole, and each player can also earn a predetermined number of result points for finishing the golf hole with a predefined number of strokes.

According to another aspect of the invention a method of playing a round of golf, comprising one or more of the following steps: a) providing a playing course having a plurality of holes, each hole having a teeing ground, a fairway, a green and a cup on the green; b) dividing a collection of players into a plurality of groups, each group having multiple players; c) assigning each group of multiple players to begin play on one of the plurality of holes on the playing course; d) providing a scoring system for each hole on the playing course, wherein each player can earn a predetermined number of shot points for each type of shot that the player makes while the player is playing up to the green for the hole, and each player can also earn a predetermined number of result points for finishing the hole with a predefined number of strokes; e) activating a starting signal to signal each group in the plurality of groups to start playing on the assigned hole, so that all groups in the plurality of groups are playing the plurality of holes simultaneously, wherein an objective of each player in each group is to strike a ball into the cup on the green for the assigned hole while accumulating the highest number of shot points and the highest number of result points in accordance with the scoring system for the assigned hole; f) rotating each group in the plurality of groups to the next hole on the playing course until all of the players in all of the groups have played all of the holes on the playing course; and g) declaring a particular player to be a winner of the round based on the particular player's score for the round, wherein the particular player's score for the round comprises the sum of the particular player's total number of shot points and total number of result points accumulated during the round.

The plurality of holes for the playing course may comprise six holes.

The collection of players may comprise twenty-four players, or may comprise a smaller number.

The method may further comprise deducting points from a player's score at the end of each round for every ball that the player hit out-of-bounds, or is deemed unplayable, during that hole.

The method may further comprise deducting points from a player's score at the end of hole for every ball that the player lost during that hole.

The method may further comprise deducting points from a player's score at the end of each hole for every ball that the player hit into a water hazard during that hole.

The method may further comprise deducting points from a player's score at the end of each hole for every ball that the player hit into an unplayable lie during that hole.

The method may further comprise the scoring system for a par 3 hole on the playing course rewarding a player with: zero shot points for failing to hit the green on the first stroke; zero result points for failing to drive the ball into the cup on the green in three or fewer strokes; a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green on the first stroke; a positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in exactly three strokes; and a relatively higher positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in less than three strokes.

The method may further comprise the scoring system for a par 4 hole on the playing course rewarding a player with: zero shot points for failing to hit the fairway on the first stroke; zero shot points for failing to hit the green on either the first or second strokes; zero result points for failing to drive the ball into the cup on the green in four or fewer strokes; a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the fairway on the first stroke; a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green on the second stroke; a relatively higher positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green on the first stroke; a positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in exactly four strokes; and a relatively higher positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in less than four strokes.

The method may further comprise the scoring system for a par 5 hole on the playing course rewarding a player with: zero shot points for failing to hit the fairway on the first stroke; zero shot points for failing to hit the fairway on the either the first or the second stroke; zero shot points for failing to hit the green on either the first, the second or third strokes; zero result points for failing to drive the ball into the cup on the green in five or fewer strokes; a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the fairway on either the first or the second strokes; a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green on the third stroke; a relatively higher positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green on either the first or the second strokes; a positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in exactly five strokes; and a relatively higher positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in less than five strokes.

The method may further comprise penalizing a player for failing to hit the ball within a prescribed time limit.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects in any combination.

Golf Warriors™ Overview (Method of Play)

A golf game organized and played in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be known and referred to by some players, spectators, operators, broadcasters or sponsors as a game of “Golf Warriors.™” However, the golf game provided by the present invention also may be known under a variety of different names, depending on marketing, sponsorship, branding and broadcasting objectives. Regardless of the name selected, embodiments of the golf game of the present invention are played on one or more sections of a conventional golf course using conventional golf clubs, golf balls and other golfing equipment. However, the game of the present invention incorporates a fundamentally different scoring system, scoring card and methodology of using a golf course, as well as variations and exceptions in the playing rules of the game that distinguish it from conventional golf games.

A general description of a Golf Warriors™ tournament played in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described at a high level in order to provide context and thereby improve the reader's understanding and comprehension of the specific game rules and improved scoring system, both of which are described in more detail below. It is understood, however, that variations and modifications may be employed for any particular game, tournament, match or friendly competition of Golf Warriors™, without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.

In general, Golf Warriors™ is organized so that a group of players play a round of golf simultaneously, or otherwise, on a selected portion of a conventional golf course. In preferred embodiments the group of players comprises twenty four players, or a smaller number, and the selected portion of a conventional golf course comprises six of the eighteen holes found on a conventional golf course. However, the exact size of the group of participating players and the exact number of holes on the course are not critical aspects of the invention. Embodiments of the present invention may be played with larger or smaller groups of players, as well as larger or smaller golf courses. Thus, the Golf Warriors™ course may comprise, for example, the first six holes, designated 1 through 6, on the 18-hole golf course, or middle five holes of an 18-hole golf course, the last nine holes on a 36-hole golf course, and so on, depending, for instance, on the size of the group of participants, the desired number of rounds, or the desired duration of the game or tournament. In preferred embodiments, the size of the course is six holes because using six holes tends to provide a sufficient amount of competitive excitement, as well as game durations that are well-suited for broadcasting as live or taped television events.

When the field comprises twenty-four players and the size of the course comprises 6 holes, the twenty-four players are divided into six groups of four players each (each group is referred to as “a foursome”), and each foursome is assigned to begin play at one of the six holes on the course. As each foursome completes a hole, that foursome will move on to play the next hole on the 6-hole golf course, until every foursome has played every hole in the 6-hole course. Thus, the foursome assigned to start the game on hole 1, will first play hole 1, then play hole 2, then hole 3, and so on, until that foursome has played at all six holes. The foursome assigned to begin the game on hole 2 will also play all six holes on the 6-hole course, except that the second foursome will first play hole 2, followed by playing at holes 3, 4, 5, 6 and 1, in that order. The third foursome begins play at hole 3, and then plays holes 4, 5, 6, 1 and 2. The fourth foursome begins on hole 4, and then proceeds to play at holes 5, 6, 1, 2 and 3. Likewise, the fifth foursome starts on hole 5 and finishes on hole 4, while the sixth foursome starts on hole 6 and finishes on hole 5. Playing all six holes on the 6-hole course is referred to as completing a “round.”

Notably, but it is not essential, all of the foursomes may start playing substantially simultaneously. Thus, when a game official or referee gives a start signal by, for example, activating a starter gun or horn, play commences substantially simultaneously on all six holes of the course. More specifically, when the start signal is given, the first player in every foursome must, within a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 35 seconds), attempt to strike his or her golf ball off of a tee in the tee box associated with the hole assigned to that foursome, with the objective of hitting the golf ball onto the fairway or onto the green for the assigned hole. After the first player has taken his or her tee shot, the other three players in the foursome will take their turns attempting to hit their own golf balls out of the tee box and onto the fairway or onto the green (depending on the length and par of the hole). After all of the players in a foursome have teed off from the tee box of the assigned hole, each player in the foursome then proceeds to move down the fairway toward the new resting positions of their golf balls, and then takes additional shots as necessary to accomplish striking or putting their respective golf balls into the cup on the green. When all of the players in a foursome have put their golf balls into the assigned hole, the entire foursome will then move to the tee box for the next hole on the 6-hole course. Play continues in this manner until all six holes have been played by all six of the foursomes. The goal of every player is to play all six holes on the course, thereby completing the round, while accumulating as many points as possible, in accordance with the Golf Warriors™ rules and the Golf Warriors™ scoring system, as described below. The winner of the round is the player who accumulates the highest score for that round. In some embodiments, multiple winners may be declared for each round based on their high scores.

The group of twenty-four players playing simultaneously on a 6-hole Golf Warriors™ course may be referred to as a “pod.” In tournament play, while the first pod plays a round on a first 6-hole course, any number of additional pods of 24 players each may be playing at the same time on any number of other 6-hole courses. Thus, while pod A plays on holes 1-6 of an 18-hole golf course, two other pods, e.g., pods B and C, may be playing on holes 7-12, and holes 13-18, respectively, of the same 18-hole course at the same time. Likewise, if the setting is a 36-hole golf course, then additional pods, e.g., pods D, E and F, may also be playing on holes 19-24, holes 25-30 and holes 31-36, respectively, at the same time that pods A, B and C are playing on holes 1-18. At the end of each round in the tournament, a certain number of players (e.g., 8 or 12 players from each pod) are eliminated from the tournament because they have lower scores, while a certain number of higher-scoring players (e.g., the top 18 or top 12 players from each pod) are selected to move on to the next round. New pods of 24 players each are formed from the collection of players that have not been eliminated. Then all of the scores for all of the players in the new pods are reset to zero and new rounds are started with the new pods playing multiple 6-hole courses simultaneously.

As each new round is completed, additional players are eliminated from the tournament for having the lowest scores in the round. By this process of elimination, the total number of players in the tournament will eventually be reduced to 24 players (i.e., just enough players to form a final, single pod). At this point, the last 24 players in the final pod are divided into six foursomes and a final round is played on a course comprising six designated holes. The player (or players) with the highest score(s) in this final round will be declared the winner of the tournament.

Golf Warriors™ Scoring System

In a conventional game of golf, the unit of scoring typically comprises either the total number of strokes taken plus penalty strokes assessed over one or more rounds (stroke play), or the total number of holes won and holes awarded over one or more rounds (match play). Therefore, the winner of a conventional game of golf in stroke play is the player who accumulates the fewest number of strokes, and the winner of a conventional game of golf in match play is the player who wins the most holes. Unlike the scoring systems in conventional games of golf, however, the scoring system for the game of the present invention is based on an accumulated point system, wherein each player earns a certain number of points for each individual shot that the player makes while playing the hole, plus a certain number of points for finishing the hole by taking a predefined number of strokes, such as the number of strokes required to make par, a birdie, an eagle or an albatross on the hole. In other words, a player can earn multiple points for successfully executing each shot in a series of shots taken while playing an individual hole. And a player can earn additional points on the hole for finishing the hole with an eagle (which is two strokes under regulation). So, for example, if the hole is a par 5, and a player hits the ball four times to move the ball the 500 or so yards between the golf tee in the tee box and the cup on the green, then that player could earn as many as four separate point rewards on the hole, one reward for successfully executing each one of his first three shots, plus a fourth reward for putting the ball in the cup in fewer shots than the defined regulation or five strokes. The player who accumulates the most points over the entire round is declared the winner of the round.

To promote more competitive and entertaining games, considerably more points are awarded to players for successfully executing higher-risk, more difficult and exciting shots, as opposed to lower-risk, easy and routine shots. Consequently, players in the game of the present invention are almost constantly encouraged and motivated to eschew safe and routine shots in favor of trying extraordinary and audacious shots, especially when those players are playing from behind and need to increase their scores dramatically in order to catch players who are currently leading on accumulated points. Accordingly, skilled players who play the course in an aggressive manner, consistently taking advantage of opportunities to make difficult shots, will almost always have the point advantage at the end of a round over players who play conservatively. On the other hand, players who methodically plod through a round in conservative, workman-like manner, consistently taking and making shots that are safe, easy and routine, and declining to attempt more challenging and dramatic shots, will usually fail to accumulate a sufficient number of points to win the round, despite accumulating all of the points available for playing the course on par (i.e., achieving no better or worse than the predetermined regulation score). Because the scoring system encourages bold and aggressive play, and inspires players to take and make sensational, and sometimes heroic shots, the golf game of the present invention dramatically increases the drama and excitement of every round for players and spectators alike.

A more detailed description of the scoring system will now be provided. As in conventional golf, regulation play on a par 5 hole comprises taking three strokes to get the ball onto the green and putting twice on the green to get the ball into the cup. “Under regulation” play for a par 5 hole requires striking the ball onto the green in two or fewer strokes and placing the ball into the cup with no more than a total of four strokes all together. Regulation play on a par 4 hole comprises taking two strokes to get the ball onto the green and putting twice on the green to get the ball into the cup. Under regulation play for a par 4 hole requires striking the ball onto the green in two or fewer strokes and placing the ball into the cup with no more than a total of three strokes all together. Regulation play on a par 3 hole comprises taking one stroke to get the ball onto the green and putting twice on the green to get the ball into the cup. And under regulation play for a par 3 hole requires striking the ball onto the green in one stroke and placing the ball into the cup with no more than a total of two strokes all together.

In embodiments of the golf game of the present invention, shot attempts that are typically supposed to hit the fairway have two possible outcomes, namely a regulation hit (the ball comes to rest on the fairway) or a miss (the ball does not come to rest on the fairway). Normally, the fairway for a particular hole is defined as the closely mown area of the course lying between the teeing ground and the green for that particular hole. Therefore, a ball will be deemed to be on the fairway for the hole if the ball comes to rest on this closely mown area between the teeing ground and the green for the hole while the player is playing that particular hole. When a player shoots an errant shot and the ball comes to rest on a nearby fairway for a different hole, instead of the fairway for the hole that is currently being played, then the shot is considered a miss.

Shot attempts that are typically supposed to hit the green have three possible outcomes, namely a regulation hit, an under regulation hit, or a miss. Whether a shot that lands on the green is a regulation hit or an under regulation hit depends, of course, on the par for the hole, as well as whether the shot is the first, second or third shot for the hole. Regulation hits are rewarded with a predetermined number of points. Under regulation hits are rewarded with substantially more points than regulation hits. Shots that are classified as misses are not rewarded with any points. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, successfully executing a regulation hit on the fairway or the green might be rewarded with 2 points. But successfully executing an under regulation hit on the green from the same location might be rewarded with as many as 8 points, which is a substantial increase. The additional points awarded for executing under regulation shots while trying to get the ball onto the green provides a very strong incentive for players to take more risks while shooting from the tee box, from the rough or from the fairway. But passing up the opportunity to hit a regulation shot onto the fairway or onto the green, and instead attempting to hit the fairway or the green in an under regulation shot, does not come without risks. Any shot that fails to hit the fairway and also fails to hit the green is considered a complete miss, which earns no points at all.

Sometimes a ball will come to rest with only part of the ball on the fairway or the rough. In embodiments of the present invention, a ball is deemed to be on the fairway if the ball comes to rest with any part of the ball overhanging or touching the fairway of the playing hole. Likewise a ball is deemed to be on the putting green if the ball comes to rest with any part of the ball overhanging or touching the putting green of the playing hole. In these situations, the player who hit the ball may consult with his playing partners to determine whether the ball will be deemed to rest on the fairway or the green.

In addition to rewarding under regulation shots made during the run up to the green, embodiments of the present invention also provide greater rewards for better final results on each hole. Specifically, in embodiments of the present invention, there are five possible results on each hole, namely a par, a birdie, an eagle, an albatross, or a miss. To provide additional incentives for aggressive play, as well as opportunities for amazing comebacks and dramatic collapses, each one of these five possible results earns a different number of points. In preferred embodiments, for example, the points awarded for results classified as pars, birdies, eagles and albatrosses might be 2 points, 6 points, 10 points and 16 points, respectively, and the awarded for achieving a result that is anything worse than a par is 0 points.

To better illustrate the scoring system of the present invention, suppose the hole is a par 5, where an average player is expected to hit the fairway on his first shot, hit the fairway again on his second shot, and then hit the green on his third shot. If the player hits these three shots as expected, then each one of his first three shots will be classified as a regulation hit, for which the player will earn the predetermined number of points for regulation hits. If the predetermined number of points for regulation hits is “2,” for instance, then the player will receive 2 points for hitting the fairway on the first shot, 2 points for hitting the fairway again on the second shot, and 2 points for hitting the green on the third shot, thereby collecting a total of 6 points. Conversely, if the player fails to hit the fairway on his first shot (shooting into the rough, for example), then the first shot will be considered a miss, and the player will get zero points for the first shot. If the player also fails to hit the fairway on his second shot, then he will get zero points for his second miss (failing to hit his second shot in regulation). If the player fails to hit the fairway on his first shot, fails to hit the fairway or the green on his second shot, and also fails to hit the green within three shots, then he will collect zero points for missing all three of his first three shots leading up to the green on the par 5 hole. Put another way, the player will have squandered the opportunity to collect at least 6 regulation points for that hole. The player has also squandered an opportunity to collect even more under regulation points for that hole.

Fortunately, all is not lost for this player because the scoring system in embodiments of the present invention provides ample opportunities for dramatic comebacks, provided the player can manage to execute a very good or amazing shot from the player's current location. Thus, a player who has failed to hit the fairway or the green on his first three shots on a par 5 hole, and who's ball is therefore sitting in the rough instead of on the fairway or the green, could nevertheless collect a decent number of points on the hole by hitting his ball directly into the hole from the rough on his fourth shot (resulting in a birdie for 6 points), or placing his ball very close to the hole on his fourth shot, thereby setting himself up to sink the ball into the hole on his fifth shot, to make par and collect 2 points.

To further illustrate the scoring system of the present invention, Table 1 above shows an example of a filled-out scorecard that could be used to keep score in a game of Golf Warriors™ organized, played and scored in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the game. As shown on the scorecard in Table 1, this particular course comprises 6 holes, numbered 1-6, comprising two par 5 holes, two par 4 holes and two par 3 holes. It should be understood, however, that the total number of holes on the course, as well as the number of par 5 holes, par 4 holes and par 3 holes, are not a critical aspect of the invention. The game of the present invention may be played on a course comprising any number of holes, as well as any number or combination of par 5 holes, par 4 holes, and par 3 holes. Thus, the game might be played on a 10-hole course instead of a 6-hole course, on a course comprising all par 5 holes, all par 4 holes, or any combination of par 3, 4 and 5 holes without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The first column on the scorecard shown in Table 1 contains the number and par for the hole. The second column of the table, labeled “Fairway 1,” shows, for each hole, the number of points that will be awarded for hitting the fairway on the first shot of the hole. Notably, no points are available for hitting the fairway on the first shot for holes 2 and 5 because those two holes are par 3 holes, and the player is expected to hit the green on the first shot. The third column, labeled “Fairway 2,” shows the number of points available for hitting the fairway on the second shot. As indicated by the shaded cells at rows 2, 3 and 4 of the third column of the table, however, sometimes no points are available for hitting the fairway on the second shot. In this case, points are earned for hitting the fairway on the second shot only on holes 1 and 4. No points are earned for hitting the fairway on the second shots of holes 2, 3, 5 and 6 because the average golfer is expected to put the ball onto the green on his first or second shot. The fourth column shows the number of points available for hitting the green. Notably, there are two possible outcomes (other than misses) for hitting the green, namely 2 points for hitting the green on a regulation shot, and 8 points for hitting the green on an under regulation shot. The fourth column, labeled “Result,” shows four different point rewards for achieving one of the five possible results on the hole. The fifth possible result, not shown in the Results column, is a miss, which gets zero points.

In the exemplary scorecard of Table 1, the points earned by and awarded to a particular player are circled. Misses, however, which earn no points, are not marked or otherwise indicated on the scorecard. Based on the circled numbers on the scorecard shown in Table 1, it is evident that, on hole No. 1, this player scored a regulation hit on the fairway on his first shot (earning 2 points), scored an under regulation hit on the green on his second shot (earning him 8 points), and putted twice on the green to register a birdie for the hole (which earned him 6 points). Therefore, the player accumulated a total of 16 points (2+8+6) on the first hole. Because there is no circle around the “2” located in the column labeled “Fairway 2” and there is a circle around the “8” located in the column labeled “Green,” it should be clear that the player elected to drive his second shot all the way to the green from the location on the fairway where the ball came to rest after his first shot. If the player had instead elected to execute an easier, less risky and routine shot to hit the fairway a second time, instead of hitting the green on his second shot, the player would have earned only 2 points for hitting the green in regulation, instead of earning 8 points for hitting the green in under regulation.

On the other hand, if the player's second shot had missed both the fairway and the green, then the player would not have earned the 2 points available for hitting the fairway on his second shot or the 8 points available for hitting the green on his second shot. In that event, the player would have earned a total of 8 points for the hole, instead of 16. On the second hole, a par 3 hole, the player successfully executed a regulation hit onto the green on his first shot from the tee box (earning him 2 points for hitting the green in regulation), and then two-putted on the green to bring his total number of strokes to three, which is par on a par 3 hole. Shooting par on hole 2 earned the player an additional 2 points. Therefore, the player's total score for hole 2 is 4 points (2+2). Using the same method of interpreting the rest of the circled numbers in Table 1, it is seen that the player using the scorecard earned 6 points on hole 3, 16 points on hole 4, 2 points on hole 5, and 10 points on hole 6, all of which combine to produce a subtotal score of 54 points for the round, not counting any deductions taken off of the score for hitting balls out of bounds, into a water hazard or into an unplayable lie. But a subtotal score of 54 points compares very favorably with the 36 points that the player would have earned had he merely played it safe and shot for par on every one of the six holes.

In preferred embodiments, as further illustrated by Table 1, points have an asterisk on each hole if point deductions are required from the player's subtotal score at the end of the round for every ball that the player loses or hits out-of-bounds, into a water hazard or into an unplayable lie. In this case, 8 penalty points are deducted from the player's subtotal score of 54 to produce a final score of 46 points.

Although the exemplary scorecard shown in Table 1 above combines certain cardinal numbers, rows, columns, circles and shading to indicate the points available and the points awarded for successfully executing certain shots, readers of this disclosure will recognize and appreciate the fact that, in alternative embodiments, a variety of alternative symbols, marks and graphical elements may be employed to practice the scoring system for games of Golf Warrior™ played in accordance with the present invention. As will be discussed in more detail below, for example, the scorecard for the scoring system could use a combination of colors, shapes, check marks, rows and columns to represent potential and actual point awards, instead of the combination of cardinal numbers, circles, shading, rows and columns shown in Table 1, without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.

Golf Warriors™ Game Rules

The game rules for Golf Warriors™ substantially incorporate the rules used in American and European golf (as promulgated, for example, by the United States Golfing Association® and the R&A, respectively), with the following variations and exceptions:

GAME COURSE—The course may comprise any number of holes, such as six holes, nine holes, 15 holes or eighteen holes. In a preferred embodiment, however, the course comprises 6 holes. When the course comprises 6 holes, three separate games of Golf Warriors™ may be played simultaneously on a single eighteen-hole golf course.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS—Golf Warriors™ may be played with any number of players and any number of pods. In some embodiments, the game begins and ends with 24 players (four players per hole) all playing on the same 6-hole course simultaneously. In other embodiments, however, such as in a tournament, Golf Warriors™ may be played with multiple pods of 24 players per pod, thereby raising the field of players to 48, 72, 144, or some other large number of players. In still other embodiments, Golf Warriors™ may be played with a different number of players per hole, such as 2 or 3 or 5 players per hole, instead of the typical foursome, thereby creating pods of 12, 18 or 30 players, instead of pods of 24 players, all playing simultaneously on the same 6-hole course.

SHOT CLOCK—Unless an official time out is in effect (as determined and called by an official referee), every player must hit his or her shot within a predetermined period of time (e.g., 35 seconds). Failure to do so before the predetermined period of time expires shall result in that a player forfeiting all of the points available for that particular shot (without forfeiting the points earned or points available for other shots on the same hole).

OBSTACLES ARE INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE COURSE—All roads, paths, waste bunkers, trees and other natural and man-made obstacles are integral parts of the course and the ball must be played as it lies or be declared unplayable. However, in some embodiments of the game, where a road, path or any other man-made or natural obstacle is deemed “ground under repair” or deemed to be dangerous to the welfare of the golfer, the golfer may be permitted to drop his ball at the nearest point of relief without taking a penalty.

NO CADDY CONSULTATIONS ON PUTTING SURFACES—Caddies are allowed to consult with their players on tee boxes as well as their fairway approach shots, subject to the shot clock rule. Caddies are not however permitted to consult with their caddies on the putting surfaces. Players deemed to have breached this rule will forfeit whatever points they may have made in relation to par (par, birdie, eagle, albatross).

NO BALL-PLACEMENT MARKING AFTER PUTTING BEGINS—Once a player has commenced putting on a green, that player must finish out the hole without stopping to mark the position of the ball on the green. As with shots taken from other locations on the course, the shot clock rule applies to every putt.

PENALTIES ASSESSED FOR LOSING A BALL, HITTING A BALL OUT OF BOUNDS, HITTING A BALL INTO A LATERAL OR WATER HAZARD, HITTING A BALL INTO AN UNPLAYABLE LIE—IF A PLAYER HAS CAUSE TO LOSE A BALL OR TO HIT IN INTO AN UNPLAYABLE LIE—Points (e.g., 4 points) will be deducted from a player's hole tally of points for each occurrence.

PENALTIES ASSESSED FOR HITTING A BALL OUT OF BOUNDS—Points (e.g., 4 points) will be deducted from a player's final tally of points for the hole if, on any hole, the player hits a shot that results in the ball coming to rest outside any wall, fence or white stake defining the boundary of the course.

Where the out of bounds is defined by white stakes or fence posts, the line joining the nearest inside points at the ground level defines the boundary. A ball is out of bounds or deemed lost when all of it lies on or over such line.

A ball that crosses a road defined as out of bounds and comes to rest beyond that road is considered out of bounds, even if the ball lies on another part of the course.

MANDATORY MULLIGANS FOR LOST BALLS AND OUT-OF-BOUNDS SHOTS—When a shot results in a ball becoming lost on the course or coming to rest out-of-bounds, the player must “replay” shot (i.e., take a mulligan) from the same location where the errant shot was first taken.

The player is permitted a maximum of 3 Mulligans in total per round after which he is disqualified from the game. Deducted penalty points are assessed and recorded at the end of each hole. The penalties may comprise, for example, a deduction of 4 points for each ball lost during the round, and a deduction of 4 points for each ball hit out-of-bounds on each hole during the round.

When a player takes a mulligan shot, all of the previous shots, including all of the previous mulligan shots taken from the same position on the course are ignored for purposes of calculating the total number of strokes in the player's result for that hole. Thus, a player may still attain a regulation or under-regulation result (i.e., a par, birdie, eagle or albatross) on a hole, regardless of how many mulligan shots and penalty assessments are required by that player to complete the hole. This rule permits and encourages players to attempt increasingly difficult shots in order to accumulate enough points to overcome the penalty assessments for hitting balls that become lost or go out-of-bounds.

The shot clock is reset prior to each mulligan shot after an official confirms that the previous shot has resulted in the ball becoming lost or going out-of-bounds.

PENALTIES ASSESSED FOR HITTING A BALL INTO A WATER HAZARD OR LATERAL HAZARD—Points (e.g., 4 points) will be deducted from a player's final tally for the round if, on any hole, the player hits a shot that results in the ball coming to rest in a water hazard. Water hazards are defined by yellow (water hazard) or red (lateral hazard) lines.

MANDATORY MULLIGANS FOR UNPLAYABLE BALLS IN A WATER OR LATERAL HAZARD—When a shot results in a ball becoming unplayable in a water or lateral hazard, the player must “replay” shot (i.e., take a mulligan) from the same location where the errant shot was first taken.

THE PLAYER IS PERMITTED A MAXIMUM OF 3 MULLIGANS IN TOTAL PER ROUND AFTER WHICH HE IS DISQUALIFIED FROM THE EVENT. Deducted penalty points are assessed and recorded at the end of each hole. The penalties may comprise, for example, a deduction of 4 points for each ball lost during the round, and a deduction of 4 points for each ball hit out-of-bounds on each hole during the round.

When a player takes a mulligan shot, all of the previous shots, including all of the previous mulligan shots taken from the same position on the course are ignored for purposes of calculating the total number of strokes in the player's result for that hole. Thus, a player may still attain a regulation or under-regulation result (i.e., a par, birdie, eagle or albatross) on a hole, regardless of how many mulligan shots and penalty assessments are required by that player to complete the hole. This rule permits and encourages players to attempt increasingly difficult shots in order to accumulate enough points to overcome the penalty assessments for hitting balls that become lost or go out-of-bounds.

The shot clock is reset prior to each mulligan shot after an official confirms that the previous shot has resulted in the ball becoming lost or going out-of-bounds.

In an alternative version, if a player hits a ball into the water from the teeing ground area, fairway or rough, the player may (1) take another shot (mulligan) from that same teeing or hitting area, or (2) forfeit his right to take a mulligan and hit his next shot from a defined drop zone associated with the water hazard. If a player hits a ball into a lateral water hazard, then the player must hit his next shot from a position that is within two club lengths of the lateral water hazard and on a line coinciding with the trajectory of the original ball when the original ball crossed over the boundary of the hazard. Shots that resulted in the ball going into the water hazard are ignored for purposes of calculating the total number of strokes in the player's result for that hole, should a player elect to take up the option to play a mulligan from his original lie. Thus, a player may still attain a regulation or under-regulation result (i.e., a par, birdie, eagle or albatross) on a hole, despite having hit one or more balls into the water hazard and suffering one or more penalty assessments at the end of the round for doing so. This rule permits and encourages players to attempt increasingly difficult shots in order to accumulate enough points to overcome the penalty assessments for hitting balls into water hazards.

PENALTIES ASSESSED FOR TAKING RELIEF FROM UNPLAYABLE LIES—Points (e.g., 2 points) will be deducted from a player's final tally for the round if, on any hole, the player hits a shot that results in the ball coming to rest in an unplayable position on the course.

MANDATORY MULLIGANS FOR UNPLAYABLE LIES—When a shot results in a ball becoming UNPLAYABLE LIE, the player must “replay” shot (i.e., take a mulligan) from the same location where the errant shot was first taken.

The PLAYER IS PERMITTED A MAXIMUM OF 3 MULLIGANS IN TOTAL PER ROUND AFTER WHICH HE IS DISQUALIFIED FROM THE EVENT. Deducted penalty points are assessed and recorded at the end of each hole. The penalties may comprise, for example, a deduction of 4 points for each ball lost during the round, and a deduction of 4 points for each ball hit out-of-bounds on each hole during the round.

When a player takes a mulligan shot, all of the previous shots, including all of the previous mulligan shots taken from the same position on the course are ignored for purposes of calculating the total number of strokes in the player's result for that hole. Thus, a player may still attain a regulation or under-regulation result (i.e., a par, birdie, eagle or albatross) on a hole, regardless of how many mulligan shots and penalty assessments are required by that player to complete the hole. This rule permits and encourages players to attempt increasingly difficult shots in order to accumulate enough points to overcome the penalty assessments for hitting balls that become lost or go out-of-bounds.

The shot clock is reset prior to each mulligan shot after an official confirms that the previous shot has resulted in the ball becoming lost or going out-of-bounds.

In an alternative version, if when in situation above, the player must either (1) drop the ball within two club lengths of where the ball came to rest, or (2) hit the ball from a position that is on a direct line backwards from the unplayable ball, the line being defined by the positions of the unplayable ball and the flag for the hole.

If a player cannot exercise either one of the two options above, then the ball shall be deemed to be “lost,” and the player must take the penalty for losing a ball (described above) for the round. In this instance, the player must return to the point from which he hit his last shot.

Shots that resulted in an unplayable lie are ignored for purposes of calculating the total number of strokes in the player's result for that hole. Thus, a player may still attain a regulation or under-regulation result (i.e., a par, birdie, eagle or albatross) on a hole, despite having hit into one or more unplayable lies and suffering one or more penalty assessments at the end of the round for doing so. This rule permits and encourages players to attempt increasingly difficult shots in order to accumulate enough points to overcome the penalty assessments for hitting balls into unplayable lies.

In preferred embodiments, if a player hits a ball out-of-bounds or into a water hazard, or an unplayable lie that player must replay the shot from where he last played. There is however a maximum of 3 mulligans per round. Suppose, for example, that the hole is a par 5. On his first shot, the player hits the fairway, and therefore earns 2 points for hitting the fairway. He then proceeds to his second shot, where he attempts, without success, to drive the ball all the way to the green. Instead, the ball flies into a water hazard. At this point, the player must hit another shot from his same position, as if he were playing his second shot. In other words, the player's “first” second shot, which he hit into the water, does not count as his second shot and will not be counted as a stroke against the player's final stroke tally for the hole. If the hits the green on his replay of his second shot (which is in reality his third shot), then he will receive 8 points for his replayed shot because his replayed shot will be treated as his second shot for purposes of the hole. If he then proceeds to the green and puts the ball into the cup in two putts, his total number of strokes for the hole will be 4 strokes, which is a birdie on a par 5 hole. Therefore, the player will receive another six points for picking up the birdie. All told, the player will have received 2 points for his first shot from the tee, 8 points for his replayed second shot from the fairway, and 6 points for the birdie, for a total of 16 points on the hole. However, when the round ends and he tallies up his scorecard for the round, he must subtract four points from his final tally to account for hitting the ball into the water on his original second shot.

In the case of hitting into an unplayable lie, the same concept applies. The player is entitled to take relief from the unplayable lie by moving his ball to the closest point of relief in order to hit his next shot. But when the player tallies up his scorecard at the end of the round, he must deduct two points for every ball hit into an unplayable lie.

Exemplary Scoring Events for a Round Played by Four Players

To further illustrate the features, benefits and advantages of the scoring system for the Golf Warrior™ game of the present invention, the events and the scoring for an entire round played by four players will now be described with reference to the exemplary scorecards shown in FIGS. 1-4, and the exemplary hole layouts shown in FIGS. 5-10. Unlike the previous example, however, where cardinal numbers and circles are placed in a table to represent potential and actual scoring for each shot, this example utilizes shapes (rectangles and circles) and colors (green, red, purple and orange) or symbols instead of colours (e.g. solid shape, shape with a plus, shape with a cross, shape with a star) to represent the number of points available for each shot or hole result, and check marks to represent the actual scores on each shot and each hole.

The following key describes the scoring system used in this example:

Scoring System Key

Scorecard Columns

F1 Scoring Column 1=Points Available for Successful First Fairway Shot (Hit)

F2 Scoring Column 2=Points Available for Successful Second Fairway Shot (Hit)

G Scoring Column 3=Points Available for Successful Green Shot (Hit)

R Scoring Column 4=Points Available for Overall Results on Hole (i.e., Par, Birdie, Eagle, Albatross)

From the Tee Box to the Green (Columns F1, F2 and G):

Solid Square=2 points (Regulation Play)
Red Square=8 points (Hitting green under regulation)

Overall Results on the Hole (Column R):

Solid Circle=Par=2 points (Regulation Play)
Purple Circle=Birdie=6 points (1 shot below regulation play)
Blue Circle=Eagle=10 points (2 shots below regulation play)
Orange Circle=Albatross=16 points (3 shots below regulation play)

Regulation Definitions

Par 3—On the green in 1 stroke, plus 2 putts to put the ball in the cup.
Par 4—On the green in 2 strokes, plus 2 putts to put the ball in the cup.
Par 5—On the green in 3 strokes, plus 2 putts to put the ball in the cup.

Penalty Deductions

Each Lost Ball—4 points
Each Ball hit Out-of-Bounds—4 points
Each Ball hit into a Water Hazard—4 points
Each Ball hit into an Unplayable Lie—2 points

As shown on the score cards of FIGS. 1-4, the four players participating in the round are John McHenry, Paul Tingle, Cathy D'Arcy and Luke Walker. FIG. 11 shows the final tallies for all participants.

Scoring Events on Hole No. 1 (Par 5)

John McHenry

Missed the fairway with his first tee shot and so gets no opportunity to record 2 points in the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the fairway with his second shot and so records 2 points for that (solid square) in the second column from the left

Hit the green in regulation (3 shots—the amount of shots assigned towards hitting the green on a par 5) and so records 2 points for that (solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 5 and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

John McHenry Therefore Records a Total of 6 Points on the 1^st Hole

Paul Tingle

Hit the fairway with his first tee shot and so registers 2 points in the first left hand column.

Hit the green with his second shot (green under regulation) and so records 8 points for that by ticking the red box in the third column

1 putted the green for an eagle (two shots below the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 10 points by ticking the blue circle in the fourth column

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 20 points on the 1^st hole

Cathy D'arcy

Hit the fairway with her first tee shot and so registers 2 points in the first left hand column.

Hit the green with her second shot (green under regulation) and so records 8 points for that by ticking the red box in the third column.

2 putted the green for a birdie (one shot below the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 6 points by ticking the purple circle in the fourth column

Cathy Darcy therefore records a total of 16 points on the 1^st hole

Luke Walker

Hit the fairway with his first tee shot and so registers 2 points by ticking the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the fairway with his second shot and so records 2 points (solid square) in the second column from the left

Hit the green in regulation (3 shots) and so records 2 points for that (solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 5 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 8 points on the 1^st hole

Scoring Events on Hole No. 2 (Par 3)

John McHenry

Missed the green with his tee shot and so fails to record 2 points (in solid box column 3)

However he chips and 1-putts for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

John McHenry therefore records a total of 2 points on the 2^nd hole

Paul Tingle

Hit the green with his tee shot and so records 2 points (in solid box column 3)

He then 2 putts for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 4 points on the 2^nd hole

Cathy D'arcy

Hit the green with her tee shot and so records 2 points (in solid box column 3)

She then 2 putts for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Cathy Darcy therefore records a total of 4 points on the 2^nd hole

Luke Walker

Hit the green with his tee shot and so records 2 points (in solid box column 3)

He then 2 putts for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 4 points on the 2^nd hole

Scoring Events on Hole No. 3 (Par 4)

John McHenry

Hit the fairway with his tee shot and therefore earns 2 points in the solid box in the first left hand column.

Missed the green in regulation (2 shots) and so has no opportunity to record two points in the solid box in the third column from the left

Fails to make a par 4 on the hole and therefore also has no opportunity to record 2 points in the solid circle in the fourth column

John McHenry therefore records a total of 2 points on the 3^rd hole

Paul Tingle

Drives the green with his tee shot (green under regulation) and is rewarded by recording 8 points in the red box in the third column

He then 2 putts the green for a birdie (one shot below the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 6 points by ticking the purple circle in the fourth column

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 14 points on the 3^rd hole

Cathy D'arcy

Hit the fairway with her tee shot and so record 2 points in the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green in regulation and records a further 2 points (solid square in column 3)

She then 1 putts the green for a birdie (one shot below the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 6 points by ticking the purple circle in the fourth column

Cathy Darcy therefore records a total of 10 points on the 3^rd hole

Luke Walker

Hit the fairway with his first tee shot and so registers 2 points by ticking the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green in regulation (2 shots) and so records 2 points for that (solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 4 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 6 points on the 3rd hole

Scoring Events on Hole No. 4 (Par 5)

John McHenry

Missed the fairway with his tee shot and so gets no opportunity to record 2 points in the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green with his second shot (green under regulation) and so records 8 points for that by ticking the red box in the third column

2 putted the green for a birdie (one shot below the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 6 points by ticking the purple circle in the fourth column

John McHenry therefore records a total of 14 points on the 4^th hole

Paul Tingle

Hit the fairway with his tee shot and so records 2 points in the first left hand column.

Hit the fairway with his second shot and so records 2 points for that (solid square) in the second column from the left

Hit the green in regulation (3 shots) and so records 2 points for that (solid square) in the third column from the left

3 putted the green for a bogey 6 (one shot over the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so gets no opportunity to record 2 points in the solid circle in the fourth column.

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 6 points on the 4^th hole

Cathy D'arcy

Missed the fairway with her tee shot and so gets no opportunity to record 2 points in the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green with her second shot (green under regulation) and so records 8 points for that by ticking the red box in the third column

2 putted the green for a birdie (one shot below the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 6 points by ticking the purple circle in the fourth column

Cathy D'arcy therefore records a total of 14 points on the 4^th hole

Luke Walker

Hit the fairway with his first tee shot and so records 2 points by ticking the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the fairway with his second shot and so records 2 points for that (solid square) in the second column from the left

Hit the green in regulation (3 shots) and so records 2 points for that (solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 5 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 8 points on the 4^th hole

Scoring Events on Hole No. 5 (Par 3)

John McHenry

Missed the green with his tee shot and so fails to record 2 points (in solid box column 3)

Failed to make a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so fails to record 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column.

John McHenry therefore records a total of 0 points on the 5^th hole

Paul Tingle

Missed the green with his tee shot and so fails to record 2 points (in solid box column 3)

He then chipped and one putted for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 2 points on the 4^th hole

Cathy D'arcy

Missed the green with her tee shot and so fails to record 2 points (in solid box column 3)

She then chipped and one putted for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Cathy Darcy therefore records a total of 2 points on the 4^th hole

Luke Walker

Hit the green with his tee shot and so records 2 points (in solid box column 3)

He then 2 putted for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 4 points on the 4^th hole

Scoring Events on Hole No. 6 (Par 4)

John McHenry

Hit his tee shot onto the green (green under regulation) and is rewarded by recording 8 points in the red box in the third column

He then 1 putted the green for an eagle (two shots below the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 10 points by ticking the purple circle in the fourth column

John McHenry therefore records a total of 18 points on the 6th hole

Paul Tingle

Missed the fairway with his tee shot onto the green (green under regulation) and so had no opportunity to record 2 points in the solid box in the first left hand column.

Missed the green in regulation (2 shots) and so had no opportunity to record two points in the solid box in the third column from the left

He then chipped and one putted for a par 4 and so ticked the solid circle in the fourth column

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 2 points on the 6^th hole

Cathy D'arcy

Hit the fairway with her first tee shot and so records 2 points by ticking the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green in regulation (2 shots) and so records 2 points for that (solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 4 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Cathy Darcy therefore records a total of 6 points on the 6^th hole

Luke Walker

Hit the fairway with his first tee shot and so registers 2 points by ticking the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green in regulation (2 shots) and so records 2 points for that (solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 4 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 6 points on the 6^th hole

In some embodiments, handicap points are calculated, based on the size and difficulty of the course and the skill levels of the players, and those handicap points are added to each player's scores at the end of the round. FIG. 11 shows the final tallies for all participants, including final scores after penalty points have been deduced and handicaps have been added.

In an alternative embodiment the markings for scoring on the scorecard are replaced as follows:

Solid square=green square;
Empty square=red square;
Solid circle=green circle;
Empty circle=red circle;
Plus circle=blue circle; and
Crossed circle=orange circle.

In this alternative embodiment the ease of playing may be improved, because the colours used make the scoring symbols more visually distinctive and easier for players, commentators and spectators to commit to memory and discuss during a round of play. Coloured scoring symbols may also provide a more aesthetically pleasing scorecard. In that way the coloured symbols may make the game easier to play.

The method described herein significantly reduces the overall time required for players to complete a round or a match, and also encourages players to play more aggressively, and to take more high-risk and high-reward shots, thereby maximizing the action and drama of gameplay, and increasing the interest, attention and entertainment value for players and spectators alike.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of providing a game of golf using a scorecard, the method comprising designating a number of points available for each shot a player takes in a round of golf when playing towards a golf hole, the number of points being designated according to a difficulty of a shot taken by a player; and providing the scorecard for completion by or for the player with a score achieved after each shot is taken.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising designating a number of points for finishing a given golf hole with a predefined number of strokes.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a plurality of possible points to be scored for each shot played on a given golf hole, wherein an achieved number of points on a given shot is selectable or markable after the shot has been taken.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the scorecard includes a location for inserting a sum of points achieved for a given hole.

5. A scorecard for a golf game, the scorecard comprising, for each hole of a golf course to be played, a first number of points for hitting a regulation shot that would achieve a par number of shots for a given hole, and a second number of points for hitting an under regulation shot that would achieve a sub-par number of shots for the given hole.

6. The scorecard of claim 5, wherein the first and second numbers of points are displayed in an abstract symbol selected from a set of abstract symbols.

7. The scorecard of claim 6, wherein each abstract symbol in the set of abstract symbols corresponds to a given number of points.

8. The scorecard of claim 7, wherein a specific color of abstract symbol corresponds to a given number of points, and a combination of the specific color with a specific abstract symbol represents a specific number of points.

9. The scorecard of claim 5, which includes a location for inserting a sum of points achieved for a given hole.

10. A method of using a golf course, comprising dividing a group of players into sub-groups, setting off each sub-group of players at the start of a different starting golf hole on the golf course to the other sub-groups at substantially the same time, each sub-group playing a golf game on the respective different starting golf holes in a set period of time.

11. The method of claim 10, in which each of the sub-groups proceeds to a following golf hole on the golf course after playing the respective starting golf holes.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a scoring system for each golf hole on the golf course, wherein each player can earn a predetermined number of shot points for each type of shot that the player makes while the player is playing up to a green for the golf hole, and each player can also earn a predetermined number of result points for finishing the golf hole with a predefined number of strokes.

13. A method of playing a round of golf, comprising the following steps: a) providing a playing course having a plurality of holes, each hole having a teeing ground, a fairway, a green and a cup on the green; b) dividing a collection of players into a plurality of groups, each group having multiple players; c) assigning each group of multiple players to begin play on one of the plurality of holes on the playing course; d) providing a scoring system for each hole on the playing course, wherein each player can earn a predetermined number of shot points for each type of shot that the player makes while the player is playing up to the green for the hole, and each player can also earn a predetermined number of result points for finishing the hole with a predefined number of strokes; e) activating a starting signal to signal each group in the plurality of groups to start playing on the assigned hole, so that all groups in the plurality of groups are playing the plurality of holes simultaneously, wherein an objective of each player in each group is to strike a ball into the cup on the green for the assigned hole while accumulating the highest number of shot points and the highest number of result points in accordance with the scoring system for the assigned hole; f) rotating each group in the plurality of groups to the next hole on the playing course until all of the players in all of the groups have played all of the holes on the playing course; and g) declaring a particular player to be a winner of the round based on the particular player's score for the round, wherein the particular player's score for the round comprises the sum of the particular player's total number of shot points and total number of result points accumulated during the round.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of holes for the playing course comprise six holes.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein or claim 1, wherein the collection of players comprises twenty-four players.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising deducting points from a player's score at the end of the hole for every ball that the player hit out-of-bounds during the round.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising deducting points from a player's score at the end of the hole for every ball that the player lost during the round.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising deducting points from a player's score at the end of the hole for every ball that the player hit into a water hazard during the round.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising deducting points from a player's score at the end of the hole for every ball that the player hit into an unplayable lie during the round.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising, for a par 3 hole on the playing course, rewarding a player with zero shot points for failing to hit the green on the first stroke, zero result points for failing to drive the ball into the cup on the green in three or fewer strokes; a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green on the first stroke, a positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in exactly three strokes, and a relatively higher positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in less than three strokes.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising, for a par 4 hole on the playing course, rewarding a player with zero shot points for failing to hit the fairway on the first stroke, zero shot points for failing to hit the green on either the first or second strokes, zero result points for failing to drive the ball into the cup on the green in four or fewer strokes, a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the fairway on the first stroke, a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green on the second stroke, a relatively higher positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green on the first stroke, a positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in exactly four strokes, and a relatively higher positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in less than four strokes.

22. The method of claim 13, further comprising, for a par 5 hole on the playing course, rewarding a player with zero shot points for failing to hit the fairway on the first stroke; zero shot points for failing to hit the fairway on the either the first or the second stroke, zero shot points for failing to hit the green on either the first, the second or third strokes, zero result points for failing to drive the ball into the cup on the green in five or fewer strokes, a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the fairway on either the first or the second strokes, a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green on the third stroke, a relatively higher positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green on either the first or the second strokes, a positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in exactly five strokes, and a relatively higher positive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green in less than five strokes.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising penalizing a player for failing to hit the ball within a prescribed time limit.