Space-Saving Golf Course

Abstract

A golf course for playing golf includes at least three cups. Each of the at least three cups is configured to receive a golf ball. The golf course also includes at least one set of putting greens. At least one set of putting greens included in the golf course includes at least three cups. The golf course further includes at least one teeing area. The golf course also further includes at least one hole. Each of the at least one holes included in the golf course includes a teeing area and a set of putting greens, such that the teeing area corresponds to the set of putting greens.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/681,003, filed on Jun. 5, 2018, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a golf course for playing a game of golf.

BACKGROUND

Golf is a sport that is played over large parcels of land commonly referred to as a golf course. The units of play found on a conventional golf course are called holes. Typically, the conventional golf course includes eighteen holes, although some golf courses laid out on smaller parcels of land only include nine holes. A typical hold begins at a single teeing area and ends at a putting green that has a single cup for receiving a golf ball. During the play of each hole, a golfer starts from the single teeing area by directing a ball in the direction of the single putting green, and, more specifically, the single cup that corresponds to the one teeing area. The object of golf is putting the ball in the cup in the least amount of strokes.

A golfer's interest and enjoyment of a conventional golf course is dramatically influenced by the variety of features found between the teeing area and the putting green. These features affect the beauty, as well as the difficulty, of each hole and may include one or more fairways, different types of vegetation, changes in topography, and/or hazards such as sand bunkers or bodies of water. But perhaps the most significant feature of any individual golf hole is the distance between the teeing area and the putting green, and thereby takes chief precedence as a golfer considers his strategy for playing that hole. Although the average length of a conventional golf hole is approximately 350 to 400 yards, the length associated with individual holes varies widely. Some holes may be shorter than 150 yards, while others may be longer than 600 yards. The width of the conventional golf hole, typically between 60 and 75 yards for safety reasons, shall also be considered. Therefore, in order to accommodate the sum total of the length and width of each individual golf hole, the conventional eighteen-hole golf course usually requires about 140 to 180 acres of land, while those parcels hosting a conventional nine-hole golf course require about 70 to 90 acres of land. In other words, conventional eighteen-hole or nine-hole golf courses require large parcels of land.

Unfortunately, developed cities and neighborhoods do not always have the requisite parcels of land available for the establishment of conventional golf courses. Furthermore, even when the requisite parcels of land are available, the costs associated with purchasing the land, as well as developing and maintaining a conventional golf course can be exorbitant. These costs are normally passed onto the golfer in the way of higher play fees, which reduces the general public's ability to participate.

Accordingly, a golf course that dramatically reduces the amount of space required for its operation would be an improvement that would directly address the high costs normally associated with the purchase, development, and maintenance of conventional golf courses. Lower costs would result in lower fees to play and increase the affordability of the game for those people who want to participate.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one embodiment, a golf course for playing golf includes two holes, a first hole and a second hole. The first hole includes a teeing area and a set of putting greens collectively having at least three cups, each cup being configured to receive a golf ball. The teeing area of the first hole is located relative to the set of putting greens of the first hole such that a golf ball can be directed from the teeing area towards any of the at least three cups. The second hole includes a teeing area and a set of putting greens collectively having at least one cup, the cup being configured to receive a golf ball. The teeing area of the second hole is located relative to the set of putting greens of the second hole such that a golf ball can be directed from the teeing area towards any of the at least one cups.

Accordingly, the golf course includes at least one hole that provides a teeing area corresponding to at least three cups, whereas conventional golf courses include holes where the teeing area corresponds to only one cup. Because at least one hole provides a teeing area that corresponds to at least three cups, the parcels of land required for the golf course are decreased as compared to conventional golf courses. Moreover, the cost of acquiring the land, developing the golf course, and maintaining the golf course is reduced as compared to conventional golf courses. These reduced land requirements and reduced costs associated with the development and maintenance of the golf course improve the golf course's affordability for the general public.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, exemplary illustrations are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent examples, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated or schematic in form to better illustrate and explain a particular aspect of an illustrative example. Any one or more of these aspects can be used alone or in combination with one another. Further, the exemplary illustrations described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting or restricting to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplary illustrations are described in detail by referring to the drawings as follows:

FIG.1 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a golf course including six holes.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a first hole of the golf course.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a second hole of the golf course.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a third hole of the golf course.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a fourth hole of the golf course.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a fifth hole of the golf course.

FIG. 7A is a diagrammatic view of a sixth hole of the golf course.

FIG. 7B is a diagrammatic view of a second instance of the sixth hole of the golf course.

FIG. 7C is a diagrammatic view of a third instance of the sixth hole of the golf course.

FIG. 7D is a diagrammatic view of a fourth instance of the sixth hole of the golf course.

FIG. 7E is a diagrammatic view of a fifth instance of the sixth hole of the golf course.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a golf course 10 for playing a game of golf is shown. During a game of golf, a player attempts to direct a golf ball into cups placed around a golf course using a golf club. The golf course 10 includes at least three cups. In the embodiment of the golf course 10 shown in FIG. 1, the golf course 10 includes eighteen cups C1-C18 configured to receive a golf ball during a game of golf. However, in other embodiments, the golf course 10 may include a different number of cups.

Additionally, the golf course 10 includes at least one teeing area and at least one set of putting greens. As shown in FIG. 1, the golf course 10 includes six teeing areas T1-T6 and six sets of putting greens G1-G6. Furthermore, at least one set of putting greens includes at least three cups. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the six sets of putting greens G1-G6 each include three of the eighteen cups C1-C18. For example, the set of putting greens G1 includes cups C1-C3. However, in other embodiments, the golf course 10 may include a different number of teeing areas and sets of putting greens. Furthermore, the sets of putting greens may include a different number of cups. For instance, in another embodiment, the golf course 10 may include three teeing areas and three sets of putting greens, and the sets of putting greens may include two, three, and five cups for a total of ten cups.

The golf course 10 also includes at least one hole, which includes a teeing area and a set of putting greens. For example, referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the golf course 10 includes six holes H1-H6. Each hole H1-H6 includes a teeing area and a set of putting greens. For instance, hole H1 includes teeing area T1 and the set of putting greens G1. Additionally, a teeing area of a hole corresponds to a set of putting greens for that hole. A teeing area corresponds to a set of putting greens such that, during play, a golf club is used to direct (hit) a golf ball toward a cup of the set of putting greens from the teeing area. For example, teeing area T1 corresponds to the set of putting greens G1 such that, during play, a golf club is used to direct a golf ball from teeing area T1 toward cup C1, C2, or C3.

Furthermore, the golf course 10 may include any suitable number of holes, teeing areas, and sets of putting greens. Additionally, each putting green may include any suitable number of cups. In one such instance, the golf course 10 may include three holes, three teeing areas, and three sets of putting greens, with each set of putting greens including three cups, such that the golf course 10 includes a total of nine cups. In another instance, the golf course 10 may include two holes, two teeing areas, and two sets of putting greens, with each set of putting greens including six cups, such that the golf course 10 includes a total of twelve cups.

The teeing areas of the golf course 10 may include a tee location for directing a golf ball toward a cup of the set of putting greens. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the teeing area T1 of hole H1 includes a tee location T11, which may be used to direct a golf ball toward cups C1, C2, or C3. The teeing areas may include any suitable number of tee locations. For instance, the teeing area T1 includes the two tee locations T11 and T12, which allow golfers to choose a tee location for directing a golf ball toward cups C1, C2, or C3. In some instances, the teeing areas may include tee locations for golfers of different abilities. For example, in FIG. 2, tee location T11 is further from cups C1, C2, and C3 than tee location T12. A golfer with higher ability may choose to hit from tee location T11. In contrast, a golfer with lower ability may choose to hit from tee location T12. In other instances, the teeing areas may include more or less than two tee locations. Furthermore, the tee locations within a teeing area may be unmarked and/or without a boundary. For example, in FIG. 2, an unmarked area between tee location T11 and tee location T12 may be used to direct a golf ball toward cups C1, C2, or C3. In other instances, in FIG. 2, an unmarked area in front of tee location T12 or behind tee location T11 may be used to direct a golf ball toward cups C1, C2, or C3.

The sets of putting greens of the golf course 10 may include a varying number of putting greens, which may be coupled to one another. For example, in the embodiment of the golf course 10 shown in FIG. 1, the sets of putting greens G1-G6 include one to three putting greens. In instances where the set of putting greens includes more than one putting green, such as the sets of putting greens G1, G2, G4, G5, and G6, the putting greens may be coupled to one another. To further illustrate the varying number of putting greens, which may be coupled to one another, a variety of sets of putting greens, including the sets of putting greens G1-G6, are further shown in FIGS. 2-7E and are further described herein.

For example, a set of putting greens of the golf course 10 may include a single putting green, which may include at least three cups. For instance, referring to FIG. 4, the set of putting greens G3 of hole H3 includes a single putting green G31. As shown, the putting green G31 includes the cups C7, C8, and C9.

In another instance, a set of putting greens of the golf course 10 may also include two putting greens, a first putting green and a second putting green. The first putting green and the second putting green may each include at least one cup such that the set of putting greens may include at least three cups. For example, the set of putting greens G4 of hole H4 shown in FIG. 5 and the set of putting greens G5 of hole H5 shown in FIG. 6 each include two putting greens. The set of putting greens G4 includes a first putting green G41 and a second putting green G42. The first putting green G41 includes the cup C10 and the second putting green G42 includes cups C11 and C12 such that the set of putting greens G4 includes three cups C10, C11, and C12. Similarly, the set of putting greens G5 includes a first putting green G51 and a second putting green G52. The first putting green G51 includes the cup C13 and the second putting green G52 includes cups C14 and C15 such that the set of putting greens G5 includes three cups C13, C14, and C15.

Additionally, in instances of the golf course 10 where a set of putting greens includes two putting greens, a first putting green and a second putting green, the first putting green and the second putting green may be coupled to one another. For example, referring to hole H4 of FIG. 5, a narrow strip of putting green 28 coupled the first putting G41 and the second putting green G42 of the set G4 to one another. In contrast, referring to hole H5 of FIG. 6, the first putting green G51 and the second putting green G52 are not coupled to one another.

Furthermore, a set of putting greens of the golf course 10 may also include at least three putting greens and each of the putting greens may include at least one cup. For example, the set of putting greens G1 of hole H1 shown in FIG. 2, the set of putting greens G2 of hole H2 shown in FIG. 3, and the set of putting greens G6 of hole H6 shown in FIG. 7A each include three putting greens. The set of putting greens G1 includes a first putting green G11, a second putting green G12, and a third putting green G13. The first putting green G11 includes cup C1, the second putting green G12 includes cup C2, and the third putting green G13 includes cup C3. The set of putting greens G2 includes a first putting green G21, a second putting green G22, and a third putting green G23. The first putting green G21 includes cup C4, the second putting green G22 includes cup C5, and the third putting green G23 includes cup C6. The set of putting greens G6 includes a first putting green G61, a second putting green G62, and a third putting green G63. The first putting green G61 includes cup C16, the second putting green G62 includes cup C17, and the third putting green G63 includes cup C18.

Moreover, in instances of the golf course 10 where a set of putting greens includes at least three putting greens, the at least three putting greens may be configured such that at least two of the putting greens are coupled to one another. For example, referring to hole H2 of FIG. 3, a narrow strip of putting green 26 couples the first putting green G21 to the second putting green G22. Referring to hole H6 of FIG. 7A, the first putting green G61 is coupled to the second putting green G62 by a narrow strip of putting green 30, the second putting green G62 is coupled to the third putting green G63 by a narrow strip of putting green 32, and the third putting green G63 is coupled to the first putting green G61 by a narrow strip of putting green 34. FIG. 7B illustrates a second instance of hole H6, labelled hole H6′, to provide another example wherein at least two putting greens of the at least three putting greens are coupled to one another. As shown, the first putting green G61 is coupled to the second putting green G62 by the narrow strip of putting green 30 and the second putting green G62 is coupled to the third putting green G63 by the narrow strip of putting green 32. However, in contrast to hole H6 of FIG. 7A, the third putting green G63 is not coupled to the first putting green G61.

In other instances, the at least one set of putting greens of the golf course 10 may vary from the configurations shown in FIGS. 2-7B. For example, the putting greens of a set of putting greens may vary in number, shape, size, topography, orientation, and/or proximity to one another. Referring to FIGS. 7C, 7D, 7E, three instances of hole H6, labelled hole H6″, H6′″, and H6″″, respectively, are shown to provide such examples. As shown in FIG. 7C, the three putting greens G61, G62, and G63 are arranged in a vertical line, in contrast to the three putting greens G61, G62, and G63 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, which are arranged circularly. In FIG. 7D, an instance of putting greens G61, G62, and G63 is shown wherein the putting greens G61, G62, and G63 are enlarged and labelled putting greens G61’, G62′, and G63′. In FIG. 7E, an additional putting green G64 is included within the hole H6″″ to illustrate that a set of putting greens may include more putting greens than cups. Similarly, any other set of putting greens of a hole of the golf course 10 may have putting greens that vary in number, shape, size, topography, orientation, and/or proximity to one another.

The golf course 10 in FIG. 1, which includes holes H1-H6 and the sets of putting greens G1-G6, may vary. For example, the golf course may exclude sets of putting greens G1-G6 represented within FIGS. 2-7E. The golf course 10 may include holes with sets of putting greens that are not represented within FIGS. 2-7E. The golf course 10 may include multiple holes that include the same set of putting greens shown in FIGS. 2-7E.

The holes of the golf course 10 may themselves be configured in any suitable fashion and may vary in number, shape, size, topography, orientation, proximity to one another and/or placement of landscape features and hazards. For instance, in FIG. 1, the holes H1-H6 are arranged such that the golf course 10 has a rectangular outer boundary. In other embodiments, the holes may be arranged to have a differently shaped boundary. For example, the outer boundary may be polygonal, curvilinear, or any combination thereof.

The distance between the teeing area and the set of putting greens may vary by hole, creating a mixture of longer and shorter holes. For example, the golf course 10 includes two shorter-length holes H3 and H5, two medium-length holes H2 and H4, and two longer-length holes H1 and H6. In other instances, the golf course 10 may include a different combination of hole lengths. For example, the golf course 10 may include two shorter-length holes, three medium-length holes, and one longer-length hole. In another instance, the golf course 10 may include one shorter-length hole, four medium-length holes, and three longer-length holes.

The order of the hole lengths for the golf course 10 may vary in any suitable way. For example, the order of the hole lengths in golf course 10 are as follows: longer-length (H1), medium-length (H2), shorter-length (H3), medium-length (H4), shorter-length (H5), and longer-length (H6). In another instance, the order of the hole-lengths may be arranged differently and may include a different number of shorter, medium, and longer hole-lengths. For example, the order of the hole-lengths for the golf course 10 may be as follows: medium-length, shorter-length, longer-length, medium-length, shorter-length, and medium-length. In another instance, the order of the hole-lengths for the golf course 10 may be as follows: medium-length, longer-length, shorter-length, medium-length, and medium-length.

The individual holes of the golf course 10 may include a fairway. A fairway is an area between a teeing area of a hole and a putting green of a hole. Grass may be kept shorter on a fairway than on surrounding areas. For example, referring to FIG. 1, holes H1, H2, H4, H5, and H6 include fairways 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20, respectively. In contrast, hole H3 of FIG. 4 does not have any fairway.

Furthermore, the individual holes of the golf course 10 may include hazards. For instance, the golf course 10 of FIG. 1 includes a stream 22. The golf course 10 also includes sand bunkers, such as sand bunkers S1 and S2 of hole H1, shown and labelled in FIG. 2. In other instances, the golf course 10 may include other hazards, such as, but not limited to, mounding and other forms of changing topography, waste areas, trees and shrubs with or without vegetation, forest areas, bodies of water that can be of any shape or size, rock outcroppings, and/or man-made objects. Hazards may affect the plat of golf. For example, while playing hole H1 shown in FIG. 2, a player may land their golf ball in sand trap Si while attempting to direct their golf ball from the teeing area T1 to the set of putting greens G1. In another instance, while playing hole H3 shown in FIG. 4, a player may land their golf ball in the stream 22.

The golf course 10 may also include other features, such as facilities. These facilities may include, but are not limited to, a driving range, a practice putting green, a clubhouse, a parking lot, a maintenance area, a golf shop, and a restaurant. For example, the golf course 10 of FIG. 1 includes a clubhouse 24.

The guide lines GL1-GL6 shown in FIG. 1, and also shown in FIGS. 2-7A, along with the guide lines GL11-GL13 shown in FIG. 2 and the guide lines GL6′-GL6″″ shown in

FIGS. 7B-7E approximate an ideal path for a golf ball from the teeing areas T1-T6 to the cups C1-C18. These guide lines are shown for illustrative purposes only. These guide lines are not physically present within a real-world embodiment of the golf course 10.

It will be further appreciated that the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” have the same meaning as the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising.”

Several embodiments have been discussed in the foregoing description. However, the embodiments discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure to any particular form. The terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A golf course for playing a game of golf comprising:

a first hole comprising: a teeing area; and

a set of putting greens collectively having at least three cups, each cup being configured to receive a golf ball, wherein said teeing area of said first hole is located relative to said set of putting greens of said first hole such that a golf ball can be directed from said teeing area of said first hole towards any of said at least three cups; and

a second hole comprising:

a teeing area; and

a set of putting greens collectively having at least one cup, each cup being configured to receive a golf ball, wherein said teeing area of said second hole is located relative to said set of putting greens of said second hole such that a golf ball can be directed from said teeing area of said second hole towards any of said at least one cups.

2. The golf course of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first hole and said second hole comprises a fairway.

3. The golf course of claim 1, wherein at least one of said teeing area of said first hole and said teeing area of said second hole comprises a tee location such that a golf ball can be directed toward a cup.

4. The golf course of claim 1, wherein at least one of said set of putting greens of said first hole and said set of putting greens of said second hole comprises one putting green, said putting green comprising at least three cups of said at least three cups.

5. The golf course of claim 1, wherein at least one of said set of putting greens of said first hole and said set of putting greens of said second hole comprises a first putting green and a second putting green, said first putting green and said second putting green comprising at least one cup of said at least three cups such that said set of putting greens comprises at least three cups of said at least three cups.

6. The golf course of claim 5, wherein said first putting green and said second putting green are coupled to one another.

7. The golf course of claim 1, wherein at least one of said set of putting greens of said first hole and said set of putting greens of said second hole comprises at least three putting greens, each putting green of said at least three putting greens comprising at least one cup of said at least three cups.

8. The golf course of claim 7, wherein at least two putting greens of said at least three putting greens are coupled to one another.

9. A golf course for playing a game of golf comprising:

eighteen cups configured to receive a golf ball; and

six holes, each of said six holes comprising:

a set of putting greens comprising three cups of said eighteen cups; and

a teeing area, wherein said teeing area is located relative to said set of putting greens such that a golf ball can be directed from said teeing area towards any of said three cups.

10. The golf course of claim 9, wherein said set of putting greens comprises one putting green, said putting green comprising three cups of said eighteen cups.

11. The golf course of claim 9, wherein said set of putting greens comprises a first putting green and a second putting green, said first putting green comprising a cup of said eighteen cups and said second putting green comprising two cups of said eighteen cups.

12. The golf course of claim 11, wherein said first putting green and said second putting green are coupled to one another.

13. The golf course of claim 9, wherein said set of putting greens comprises a first putting green, a second putting green, and a third putting green, each of said first putting green, said second putting green, and said third putting green comprising a cup of said eighteen cups.

14. The golf course of claim 13, wherein at least two of said first putting green, said second putting green, and said third putting green are coupled to one another.

15. A golf course for playing a game of golf comprising:

nine cups configured to receive a golf ball; and

three holes, each of said three holes comprising:

a set of putting greens comprising three cups of said nine cups; and

a teeing area, wherein said teeing area is located relative to said set of putting greens such that a golf ball can be directed from said teeing area towards any of said three cups.

16. The golf course of claim 15, wherein said set of putting greens comprises one putting green, said putting green comprising three cups of said nine cups.

17. The golf course of claim 15, wherein said set of putting greens comprises a first putting green and a second putting green, said first putting green comprising a cup of said nine cups and said second putting green comprising two cups of said nine cups.

18. The golf course of claim 17, wherein said first putting green and said second putting green are coupled to one another.

19. The golf course of claim 15, wherein said set of putting greens comprises a first putting green, a second putting green, and a third putting green, each of said first putting green, said second putting green, and said third putting green comprising a cup of said nine cups, and wherein at least two of said first putting green, said second putting green, and said third putting green are coupled to one another.

20. (canceled)