Target Golf Game System

Abstract

A golf target system featuring a hitting bay including a golf ball launch monitor system, a playing area including a plurality of illuminated panels, and a controller in communication with the golf ball launch monitor system and the plurality of illuminated panels, wherein the controller selectively controls the illumination of the plurality of panels to define one or more visual targets observable from the hitting bay and receives information from the golf ball launch monitor system such that, when a golf ball is hit from the hitting bay towards the playing area, the golf ball launch monitor system communicates data to the controller sufficient for the controller to identify a landing position of the golf ball with respect to the one or more visual targets.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to systems for playing golf with electronic scoring. More specifically, the present invention relates to a target golf system for practicing and playing golf more fully integrating the travel of each golf ball put into play, without the limitations of previous target golf courses.

Target golf ranges are an increasingly popular way to enjoy golf. Target golf ranges typically add electronic scoring to the traditional driving range. Previous target golf ranges have used microchipped golf balls that players hit towards a small number of target locations. In some versions, these target locations are large ball collection points that funnel balls to readers that read the microchip to determine the player that hit the ball.

Previous target golf ranges have suffered from a variety of drawbacks. For example, balls that do not hit targets do not register and are lost. Also, some balls hit the target, bounce out, and do not register. Even when the target is hit, some balls do not register for a reason such as read error. Conversely, in some situations, balls that miss the target may roll into the target following an unintended path. Accordingly, there is a need for target golf ranges that can register and score all hit balls.

Additionally, in some previous target golf ranges, balls that do not land in the collection point may come to rest on the range and score no points for the player. In such a system, the difference between a ball getting a high score or getting no score at all may be a matter of inches. Therefore, there is a need for target golf ranges that can score all balls that land on the field without sharp boundaries imposed by the limitations of the targets.

Further, previous target golf ranges often include static targets that are built into the playing field. Players must shoot at targets with fixed geographical locations and no variety. These static targets cannot or cannot easily be reconfigured. Thus, the static layout of the golf range may result in static, unchanging gameplay. Accordingly, there is a need for target golf ranges that include reconfigurable targets that provide for varied, interesting gameplay.

Even further, previous target golf ranges only provide limited feedback to players. A player may view his or her score and limited stroke feedback based on the location of any targets the player has hit, but the player is not given any feedback on the manner of the player's swing, stance, etc. Because repeating the same known moves without instruction simply reinforces bad habits, there is a need for player feedback that directly observes player actions and gives relevant feedback.

Accordingly, there is a need for target golf system that provides a rich target environment, observes the players swing and the travel path of the ball, and accurately determines the landing location of the ball, as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides a target golf system that provides a target rich environment, observes the player's swing and the travel path of the ball, and accurately determines the landing location of the ball.

In an embodiment, the target golf system may be embodied in a driving range that can simultaneously function as a traditional driving range, a gaming center for individuals or groups, and a learning center providing complete and accurate feedback about every aspect of a person's golf swing. The target golf system may include one or more hitting bays from which users or groups of users hit golf balls. Each bay may include a user interface, such as a touchscreen display, to control gameplay, view scores, view feedback regarding a swing, etc. For example: games, targets, and mode of play may be selected on the user interface in the bay. The user interfaces may be controlled by one or more controllers, such as a PC-type system running specialized target golf software that provides the functionality described herein.

Using the user interface, users may select a quantity of balls, amount of reserved bay time, or number of games from a menu and are assigned to a hitting bay from the one or more driving range bays. The user interface may determine and record the order of play for the group much the same as order of play is established in a bowling alley. Players may take turns hitting balls in the determined order. The controller may assume that the person who is hitting from a given bay is the person whose turn is determined by the established order. Maintaining the proper rotation sequence may be made the responsibility of the players in that bay.

The mode of play may be selected by the user(s) using the user interface. When used in game mode, the user is presented a wide selection of games and targets that can be customized for the skill level of each individual player. When used in training mode, the user is encouraged and directed to work on improvement of their individual skills and may be provided feedback regarding the user's swing.

In an embodiment, the target golf system may use multiple tracking sensors, individually or in concert, to track the origination, flight path, and landing location of ordinary golf balls. In an embodiment, these sensors may be any combination of optical cameras, infrared cameras, lasers, radar devices or ultrasound transducers. In an embodiment, the sensors may be high-speed optical cameras. To assist in ball tracking, the golf balls may be marked with one or more surface markings that aids in ball rotation calculation.

In this embodiment, multiple high-speed cameras and specialized software are used to track the motion of the ball. Optical motion tracking may rely on the ambient lighting to illuminate the ball travel path, however, in other embodiments, artificial lighting may be used to enhance detection of the ball. Each ball is tracked from the moment it leaves a bay until it reaches the playing surface. Alternatively, in other embodiments, a portion of the ball's flight path may be analyzed to calculate its likely landing location given the balls velocity, direction, rotation, present wind speed, and aerodynamic drag of the ball. A ball leaving a bay may be assigned to a particular player in the same way that a bowling ball is assigned to an individual bowler. In an embodiment, the bay may detect when the ball is hit, for example, the bay may include an electronic tee that detects the hit, or the bay may use a microphone to detect the hit based upon sound, etc.

When the user hits the ball, the controller may begin analyzing the video feed from the cameras to determine the motion of the ball. For example, the controller may use multiple frames of video captured by the high-speed camera to determine the velocity and direction of the ball. Rotation of the ball may additionally be inferred from the video frames. For example, in an embodiment, a ball may include various colors painted onto opposing faces of the ball. By detecting the colors shown in each image from both cameras, the controller may calculate the axis of rotation and speed of rotation of the golf ball.

In an embodiment, the motion of the golf ball and its ultimate landing location on the driving range may be calculated using physics calculation from the measured initial ball motion, including velocity, direction, and rotation of the ball. To further improve the accuracy of the calculation, the system may include sensors to determine course conditions, such as wind speed, temperature, air pressure, and humidity to further refine the expected motion of the ball. The controller may use the measured initial ball motion and the measured course conditions to calculate a landing location sufficiently accurate for the scoring of the game and providing sufficient feedback to the user. The calculation may take into account the balls kinematics, gravity, the Magnus effect, air friction, wind direction, etc.

In other embodiments, the motion of the golf ball and its ultimate landing location may be tracked by a plurality of cameras during the full flight path of the ball. For example, the system may include bay cameras that detect the initial ball motion and one or more range cameras that are controlled by the controllers to track the ball through the full flight path. For example, in an embodiment, a bay may include a computer-aided range camera for each bay that is controlled by the controller to move the ball into focus based on the detected initial motion viewed by the bay cameras. In an embodiment, the various video feeds from the bay cameras and the ranged cameras may be assembled into a replay video for subsequent viewing by the user to understand the motion of the ball.

After the controllers determine the motion of the ball, the player may be scored for the swing. The score awarded for a given flight path may vary based upon the game the user has chosen, a level of play chosen by the user, etc. For example, in an embodiment, the user may be playing a game such that the hitting range is divided into various sections with each section worth an assigned number of points. The user may then be awarded the points corresponding to the section that her ball landed in.

In an embodiment, the target golf system includes: a hitting structure with individual hitting bays, possibly located on multiple levels; high-speed cameras focused on the players; the hitting bays, each equipped with a touch-screen computer console; the three-dimensional hitting range area; high-speed cameras focused on the three-dimensional hitting area; a playing surface equipped with a means of displaying targets, graphics and messages; and a computer system that will take inputs from the cameras and the inputs from the players through computer consoles located in each hitting bay and provide information to the displays on the playing surface and to the players through the computer consoles located in each hitting bay. The facility of the target golf system may also include an adequate water retention area for rainwater runoff and a safety fence.

In an embodiment, the players may interface with the controller through their bay's touch-screen user interface to select the games or mode of play, determine the order of play among players in that bay, select and highlight targets on the console and in the display on the playing surface, access information related their own shots or reference information for a shot or to compare information on their shots to those of professional players. When reviewing shot performance, players may be able to identify points and angles of their body position and compare these to those of professionals for similar shots. In game mode, the controller may determine what points are to be awarded to each player for their shots and records the progress of each game.

The controller may also display targets for the mode of play and these targets may correspond directly with points of reference displayed on the playing surface. In an embodiment, the playing surface of the driving range may have embedded LED lights that may be turned on and off by the controllers to create points of reference patterns on the playing field corresponding to targets in the user's selected game. In an embodiment, the user interface may display more specific information for a target or game. For example, the user interface may display target information related to the points of reference on the playing surface. This may permit the user interface to display more than may be displayed on the playing surface because information that is specific to players in one hitting bay may work to confuse players in another hitting bay.

When starting a game, in an embodiment, individual players can select their preferred skill level: novice, intermediate or expert. This selection may limit or expand their required accuracy and affect how points are awarded for the user's shots. In an embodiment, the user may also select as to whether the end of the shot is determined by the point at which the ball first touches the playing surface, the point of final forward motion, or the best result with respect to proximity to the targets for the game being played.

Each bay of the hitting structure, by its physical location, has its own unique 3-dimensional (x-y-z) coordinates. The cameras may identify a ball as originating from a bay by the x-y-z coordinates associated with the origination of its flight. The computer stitches together the multiple inputs from the cameras to map the x-y-z flight path of each golf ball from beginning to end. The beginning identifies the bay of origin. The play order determines the person who made the shot. The finish of the flight path determines the proximity to selected targets and is used by the controller to compute the point total to be awarded to that player for each shot. The total three-dimensional flight path may also be displayed to show the shape of each shot and may be displayed alongside other information, such as hang-time, ball speed, ball rotation and flight direction (pull, hook, draw, straight, fade, slice or push).

In an embodiment, the tracking sensors may be activated as they register a ball exiting each hitting bay. Each ball may be tracked and its flight path recorded as it travels from the hitting bay until it first contacts the playing surface or it completes its roll. The controllers may display the information on ball flight on the user interface of the originating hitting bay. Statistics on each ball that may be recorded include, but are not limited to, club head speed, initial ball speed, ball rotation, flight path, hang time, distance travelled, and proximity to target. When used in a game or competition, points may be awarded based on proximity to various targets.

In an embodiment, the playing surface may comprise a plurality of identical panels that are covered with a heating pad and artificial turf. Although any sized panel could be used, in an embodiment, panels that measure 15-feet by 20-feet would be convenient because they could be used to calculate distances without the aid of a computer (15-feet is 5-yards and the 20-foot width makes the diagonal measurement 25-feet (3-4-5 triangle)).

In an embodiment, the heating pad provides a cushion and helps to maintain a temperature above the freezing point of water to eliminate the accumulation of snow and ice to permit cold weather play. Additionally, the cushion provided by the heating pad and the artificial turf may work to simulate the bounce and roll of playing on actual turf. The panels may be tilted and mounted on an incline to provide better visibility from the hitting bays. Gravity may be used to return balls to the hitting area. Balls and moisture may move down the slope of a panel to fall to a water collection and ball-return surface below the playing surface. The collection surface may be sloped to guide the balls and water back to a collection point near the hitting bay structure. The balls may be strained from the water to return to the hitting structure for re-use. The water may be guided to a retention pond.

All balls that are returned to the hitting area may be screened for fitness for continued use and then cleaned. The screening can be accomplished by rolling each ball down an incline to gain speed, then dropping to a solid surface. Balls that are fit for further use will bounce above a pre-determined height and land in a collection area to be transferred on for cleaning and further inspection. Balls that do not have adequate bounce (cut balls, for example) will not clear the screening level and will not make it to the collection area. These balls will be discarded. Balls maybe washed and checked optically to see that they carry proper markings. Remarking will occur, if necessary. Balls may then be transferred to the hitting bays, possibly using an elevator and gravity dispenser system.

A fence or screen may surround the playing surface. In an embodiment, this fence is of sufficient height to prevent balls from escaping the hitting area. The towers that support the surrounding fence can also be used to support VAWT (vertical axis wind turbines). The VAWT can be used to supply power that is supplemental to the required power grid. The towers may also be used to support the high-speed cameras and field lights used in the ball flight tracking system. The towers may also be rented as cell towers to provide additional income. The high-speed cameras and lights may also be protected from ball strikes by including some type of mesh shroud.

Other embodiments of this invention may include a golf target system featuring a hitting bay including a golf ball launch monitor system, a playing area including a plurality of illuminated panels, and a controller in communication with the golf ball launch monitor system and the plurality of illuminated panels, wherein the controller selectively controls the illumination of the plurality of panels to define one or more visual targets observable from the hitting bay and receives information from the golf ball launch monitor system such that, when a golf ball is hit from the hitting bay towards the playing area, the golf ball launch monitor system communicates data to the controller sufficient for the controller to identify a landing position of the golf ball with respect to the one or more visual targets.

The embodiment above may also include a hitting bay with a user interface in communication with the controller such that the user interface receives information related to the landing position of the golf ball with respect to the one or more visual targets. This interface may allow for a user's selection of the illumination of the plurality of panels defining one or more visual targets observable from the hitting bay to the controller. The user interface may also display target information related to the one or more visual targets observable from the hitting bay.

Other embodiments of the golf target system may feature a golf ball launch monitor system which includes a first camera and a second camera. The first camera may communicate information to the controller regarding an initial position of the ball hit from the hitting bay and the second camera communicates information to the controller regarding a subsequent position of the ball hit from the hitting bay.

The playing area of the embodiment above (and others) may include one or more panels positioned within the playing area and are angled towards the hitting bay. These panels may be supported by a pivot point enabling the positioning of the supported panel within a range of angles.

The embodiments above and others may also feature a golf target system which can identify the landing position of a golf ball as calculated based on the information received from the golf ball launch monitor system via calculation or monitoring.

A goal of this invention is to provide a target golf game system which is flexible and adaptable to all users, play styles, and settings. The present invention can be set up as a full-sized golf ball diving range or made smaller in scale and allow those in urban environments or other areas with limited space to enjoy target golf.

An advantage of the present invention is that it tracks each ball hit by users from tee to landing, meaning users will no longer lose their ball(s). Additionally, the present system can automatically tally the score based off where a ball lands to make the various iterations of target golf more accessible without the tedious aspects of the sport (e.g., keeping score).

Another advantage of the present system is that it enables game modes and the playing surface to be updated at the press of a button. The present system can control the color, patterns, etc. of the panels which make up its playing surface. Using this control, the playing surface can be made into a virtually limitless number of visual designs and configurations.

Practically, the present invention also enables driving range owners the ability to collect and maintain their facilities with much less work than a traditional diving range. The design of the present system not only encourages users to hit balls in play, it also prevents balls hit out of play from escaping and automatically aggregates balls hit in one easy to manage location.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a top down view of a target golf system's playing area.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a target golf system.

FIG. 3 is a side vide of a target golf system without barriers.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hitting bay in use.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the electronic components of the target golf system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a top down view of a target golf system's 100 playing area 120. As is shown, the target golf system 100 includes a hitting structure 110 and bays 112 overlooking a rectangular driving range playing area 120. Each hitting bay 112 within the hitting structure 110 may be at least 10-feet wide and feature a control panel 500 (discussed in FIG. 5). The side of the hitting structure 110 that faces the playing area 120 may be curved so that it is the same distance from each hitting bay 112 (shown in FIGS. 3-5) to the center of the playing area 120. The hitting structure 110 may also house the front desk, snack bar, meeting rooms and party rooms, rest rooms, indoor hitting facilities and maintenance areas. Hitting bays 112 may be located on multiple levels of the hitting structure 110. The playing area 120 may be subdivided into various panels 125 for scoring, as shown here in contrasting patterns (note: different colors, images, shapes, etc. can be displayed upon the panels 125). When a user hits a ball onto a given panel 125, the user may be awarded points for the landing location of the ball.

In this embodiment, pattern differentiation of the designs on the panels 125 may allow players to visually distinguish one panel 125 from another. The patterns, colors, images, etc. on panels 125 may be alternated in a repeating pattern to help distinguish landing areas and targets (with different points being awarded for different panels which a user lands a ball on). For example, this differentiation could be as simple as alternating rows of light green and dark green turf In the example shown in FIG. 1, panels with differing patterns have been arranged at random to provide users a high degree of difficulty when attempting to land a specific targeted panel 125. An out of bounds area 127 may surround the outside of the playing area 120 and be made up of partial panels. For playing purposes, the out of bounds area does not award points when a user's ball lands upon this area.

Another example of alternating panel 125 design could be the Rigby-DML pattern, which stands for Red, Yellow, Green, Blue-Dark, Medium, Light. The pattern of the Rigby-DML field would alternate with rows of Red, Yellow, Green and Blue, while the columns would alternate with shades of dark, medium and light. The outer 10-feet of the left and right sides and partial panels 125 at the front of the playing surface may be considered OB (out of bounds) and will not be used in scoring.

It is appreciated that the playing area 120 is large. Accordingly, for a 400×900 foot playing area 120, there may be approximately 1,200 individual panels 125. If each panel 125 is individually colored or patterned, the playing area 120 may become visually overwhelming. Therefore, multiple panels 125 may be visually combined to display a single color, pattern, etc. as a mosaic. For example, it would make sense to combine four panels into a 2 by 2 matrix resulting in a color section that measures 40-feet wide by 30-feet deep. The depth of 30-feet equals 10-yards (a fairly standard measure in golf) and the diagonal of the colored area would be 50-feet. This would work well in allowing a player to quickly, visually determine the length of his or her own shot without the aid of the computer.

In an embodiment, artificial turf may coat the top side of the panels 125 and incorporate optic fibers for display purposes. The optic fibers may be woven into the fabric of the artificial turf and may be distributed evenly throughout the turf. The optic fibers may extend above the turf to approximately the same height as the turf fibers to avoid being blocked by the turf fibers. LED lights incorporated into the panel below the turf may illuminate the optic fibers. The LED lights may, in turn, be controlled by the controller to illuminate the optic fibers. In an embodiment, each optical fiber may be connected to a red, a green, and a blue LED to permit a full range of displayable colors. Alternatively, laser projections may also be used for display purposes to create more detailed colors, images, targets (e.g., a bullseye or virtual hole).

When illuminated, the optic fibers mentioned above can be used to display targets, graphics and messages on the playing surface that are visible from the hitting bays 112. In addition, each panel 125 may be surrounded on three sides (top, left and right) with boundary LEDs (these can be colored to match the color of the artificial turf). These boundary LEDs may be recessed into the gap between the panels to prevent damage due to contact with moving golf balls and help create a seamless visual display for users.

The system 100 may utilize these display capabilities to identify a particular target before a shot or to identify a panel 125 once a ball hits it. For example, in an embodiment, the LEDs of all panels 125 may initially start out a specific color (e.g., green) and may be changed to another color (e.g., red) upon being hit by a player from any bay. The lighting of the LEDs and optic fibers may be controlled by the controller based on inputs by the users or the calculated ball trajectory as determined by input from cameras.

In some embodiments, the LEDs and optic fibers may be illuminated, as required, to define certain target boundaries. For example, LEDs and optic fibers could be illuminated to outline the wedges of a dartboard for certain games. Alternately, different LEDs and optic fibers within this same matrix could be illuminated to display the Target Golf logo or to broadcast text or pictorial announcements to all users.

Additional physical targets and patterns may be built into the playing surface. The additional targets may be recessed to prevent damage from ball strikes but not so recessed as to limit visibility from the hitting bays 112. The additional targets may be removable so that they are installed and used only for certain occasions. These additional targets may be used to highlight targets and acknowledge hits.

In an embodiment, ball flight and strikes may be embellished using sounds played from the computer console in a given hitting bay. For example, free games earned by a user can be announced by an accompanying sound of a golf ball falling into a cup; this sound is both familiar and satisfying. Sounds and display lights may be used to indicate the initial strike of a ball on the playing surface and distract the player's attention from subsequent bounce and roll of their ball. In an embodiment, the bounce and roll of the balls will approximate, as closely as possible, the performance of a ball in actual play through the selection of playing surface materials, but because of the artificial contours of the playing surface this performance cannot be the same as actual ball performance experienced on a golf course. The player may look to the user interface for an estimate of the actual bounce and roll of their ball.

Targets may be displayed on the computer console in each hitting bay and in the LEDs and optic fibers on the playing surface. Displays on the panels 125 may be momentarily brightened or flashed by highlighting them on the computer console in each hitting bay to assist the player in visually identifying the targeted panel 125.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a target golf system 100. As shown in FIG. 2, barriers 200 in the form of walls, netting, opaque panels, etc. enshroud the exterior of the playing area 120. This keeps plays hit by system 100 users from the hitting bays 112 (within the hitting structure 110) in the playing area 120 while also preventing balls from hitting nearby cars, structures, etc. The angled nature of the panels 125 relative to the hitting bays 112 can also be seen in this figure.

FIG. 3 is a side vide of a target golf system 100 without barriers 200. In this embodiment, the lower level bay(s) 114 may be used for players who want the traditional driving range experience. These lower level bays 114 may not be equipped with computers or cameras. The panels 125 of the fully equipped bays 112 may be situated above the eye level of an average height player standing in one of the lower hitting bays 114 to maintain the enjoyment of use for users of the lower bays 114. The panels 125 may also have a pivot point 126 to allow repositioning and maintenance as well as a heating element embedded within them to prevent ice and snow accumulation.

In an embodiment, the playing area 120 may range from 300 ft.×750 ft. to 450 ft.×1050 ft. Ideally, the playing area 120 will measure 420 ft.×900 ft. with a 10-ft. wide out-of-bounds (OB) area 127 along each side inside the barriers 200. In an embodiment, the hitting structure 110 that is located at a narrow end of the playing area 120 and will measure approximately 470 ft.×100 ft.

In an embodiment, the orientation of the facility housing this system 100 may be planned to minimize problems caused by wind and sun. For example, if the facility is built in Northern Illinois, to take advantage of the prevailing winds and to position the sun predominately at the player's back, the entire facility should be situated so that the balls are hit from Southwest to Northeast. Hitting balls from South to North would be less desirable. Hitting balls from West to East would be even less desirable because the morning sun could be in a player's eyes. For this example, hitting in any other direction would not be acceptable.

In one example, the water collection and ball-return surface 300 may be angled upward away from the hitting structure on a two percent grade (the minimum angle required to guarantee the free flow of water). For a return surface 300 under a playing area 125 with a 900-foot run, this translates to an 18-foot rise. A smooth, non-porous covering may cover the heating material to provide a surface for the water and balls to travel upon as they head toward the hitting structure. The heating material may warm the water and ball return surface to just above the freezing point of water, when needed, to prevent the accumulation of ice and snow on the surface. The panels of the playing surface may be mounted on scaffolding and elevated above the water and ball return surface. The panels and scaffolding may be angled to match the two percent grade of the water and ball return surface. The panels may be attached to the scaffolding on hinges that allow the panels to be tilted beyond the two percent grade. The hinges may be configured to be locked to provide fixed tilt-angles of the individual panels. The locked position of the panels may be set to provide a minimum gap between panels to allow balls to pass through and drop to the ball return surface, below. The tilt of the panels may also be increased, if required, to exceed the minimum angle of repose for golf balls on the specific turf material being used. An individual panel may also be angled and locked in place to allow maintenance access to the next adjacent panel away from the hitting structure and provide a protective screen for the maintenance worker from moving golf balls that are travelling away from the hitting structure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hitting bay 112 in use. As shown in this figure, each bay 112 may include two or more high-speed bay cameras 400 to permit determination of the ball's trajectory in three-dimensions. For example, in this embodiment, the bay includes a first camera 401 with a field of view including the golf tee 101 from a front facing angle to the user and a second camera 402 with a field of view including the golf tee 101 from an overhead angle to the user. A controller 510 (shown in FIG. 5) may use the video feeds from the first camera 401 and the second camera 402 to determine the velocity, direction, and rotation of the ball shortly after being struck by the user. The frame rate of the cameras 400 may be chosen such that each camera (401 and 402) captures multiple locations of the ball before it leaves the field of view of the given camera 400. Additionally, the shutter speed may be chosen to minimize motion blur of the ball in each capture. The cameras (401 and 402) may record video continuously into a limited-size buffer.

In addition, hitting bays 112 may be equipped with the cameras 400 to aid in a person's ability to monitor their own performance. Golf is a side-on sport, meaning that one side (their leading side) is facing the playing field. Cameras 400 may be positioned facing the player and on their trailing side to record the swing for each shot. The player may review the swing on the user interface (shown in FIG. 5) in real time or in slow motion. This monitoring equipment may capture and display club-head speed, ball speed, ball rotation, as well as, swing motion. These images may be available to the player on a display console and uploaded to flash drives for review and swing analysis. Players may also compare their swings to recorded examples of other players. Markers may be added to the recorded video to identify body parts, body angles, and swing planes. Players may also access instructional videos on their computer console. Digital copies of their recorded sessions may also be purchased.

Each bay may also be used to provide a timed practice session. The focus of a timed practice session is to provide feedback on a person's technique rather than to promote access to the restaurant and bar. The player may view the actual flight-path of each shot displayed on the control panel. The control panel may also allow the players to identify their intended target and their proximity to that target or accept a computer-recommended target and subsequent proximity. A comparison may also be made between intended flight path and actual flight path.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the electronic components of the target golf system 100. As shown in FIG. 5, the target golf system 100 may feature a control console 500 within a hitting bay 112 which can be any type of interactive computer system (in this case a touchscreen computer, but could also be a mobile device, PC, etc.). This control console may display a system 100 control graphical user interface 505 from which users can review data collected by the system. For example, users can review footage of their screen captured by the system's 100 cameras 400 (as shown in FIG. 4). The console 500 is supported by a system 100 controller 510. The controller 510 can be incorporated into the console 500 or be a standalone device (e.g., a separate computing device). The controller 510 not only supports the information displayed on the console 500 but also communicates with the system 100 panels 125, cameras 400, and other sensors to collect and send information to and from these components. Such communication may be carried out by wired (e.g., networking cable, USB connection, etc.) or wireless means (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee). For example, in the embodiment shown, the controller 510 may receive instructions via the control console 500 to highlight a certain panel 125 in the playing area 120. The controller will then communicate with the chosen panel 125 (wirelessly in this example) and the panel 125 will be more brightly lit, have its color changed, etc. to make it stand out. Once the panel is highlighted, the user may then carry out their shot. The system 100 will record the shot data, landing spot, etc. via its cameras 400 and other sensors. Such data will be sent to the controller 510 (in this case data from the camera 400 is sent via wired connection). The controller 510 will then analyze, collate, and pass the data on to the console 500 for display to end users.

It should also be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.

Claims

1. A golf target system comprising:

a hitting bay including a golf ball launch monitor system;

a playing area including a plurality of illuminated panels; and

a controller in communication with the golf ball launch monitor system and the plurality of illuminated panels, wherein the controller selectively controls the illumination of the plurality of panels to define one or more visual targets observable from the hitting bay and receives information from the golf ball launch monitor system such that, when a golf ball is hit from the hitting bay towards the playing area, the golf ball launch monitor system communicates data to the controller sufficient for the controller to identify a landing position of the golf ball with respect to the one or more visual targets.

2. The golf target system of claim 1, wherein the hitting bay further includes a user interface in communication with the controller such that the user interface receives information related to the landing position of the golf ball with respect to the one or more visual targets.

3. The golf target system of claim 2, wherein the user interface communicates a user's selection of the illumination of the plurality of panels defining one or more visual targets observable from the hitting bay to the controller.

4. The golf target system of claim 2, wherein the user interface displays target information related to the one or more visual targets observable from the hitting bay.

5. The golf target system of claim 1, wherein the golf ball launch monitor system includes a first camera and a second camera.

6. The golf target system of claim 5, wherein the first camera communicates information to the controller regarding an initial position of the ball hit from the hitting bay and the second camera communicates information to the controller regarding a subsequent position of the ball hit from the hitting bay.

7. The golf target system of claim 1, wherein one or more panels positioned within the playing area and are angled towards the hitting bay.

8. The golf target system of claim 7, wherein one or more of the panels are supported by a pivot point enabling the positioning of the supported panel within a range of angles.

9. The golf target system of claim 1, wherein the identified landing position of the golf ball is calculated based on the information received from the golf ball launch monitor system.

10. The golf target system of claim 1, wherein the identified landing position of the golf ball is observed based on the information received from the golf ball launch monitor system.

11. A golf ball flight tracking system comprising:

a first camera;

a second camera;

a controller communicatively coupled;

wherein the controller receives from the first camera data regarding a first location of a golf ball prior to the ball being struck and receives from the second camera data regarding a second location of the ball subsequent to the ball being struck;

wherein the controller determines a landing location of the golf ball by utilizing the data regarding the balls first and second positions.