Abstract: An open field game arrangement includes glowing targets and provides responses, such as lights and sounds, when the targets are hit.

Abstract: A 3-Dimensional golf game having a horizontal surface, a vertical surface, and a curvilinear surface that interconnects the horizontal and vertical surfaces, wherein at least the vertical surface includes one or more ball-receiving cups. The game of skill is played by one or more players putting or striking a golf ball along the horizontal surface with sufficient force to travel through the curvilinear surface and up the vertical surface. The force of gravity then causes the ball to return back down the vertical surface and—if appropriately aimed and struck—the ball travels downwardly into the opening of the least one ball receiving cup. Players are awarded points for successfully landing the ball into the ball receiving cup and the game may include differently sized and/or positioned cups having different point values.

Abstract: A golf putting game includes at least one putting green defining a putting surface and a plurality of putting cups disposed within the putting surface at a different location on the putting green. Each putting cup has an exterior housing and an interior core disposed within and removably attached to the exterior housing. The interior core is removable from the exterior housing with the putting cup disposed within the putting surface of the putting green. Each putting cup is illuminated by a different predetermined color and assigned a different predetermined number of base points corresponding to the predetermined color. A player score is determined from a number of putting strokes made by a player to putt a putting ball into the putting cup and the predetermined number of base points assigned to the putting cup.

Abstract: An open field game arrangement includes glowing targets and provides responses, such as lights and sounds, when the targets are hit.

Abstract: A golf ball verification system and method is described. The illustrative golf ball verification system includes balls, bays and at least one target. Each of the balls includes a unique ID indicator. Additionally, each of the bays includes a ball dispenser, a first ball ID reader, a first diverter, and a first reject ball chute. The first ball ID reader identifies any of the balls having unreadable ID indicators. The first diverter selects any of the balls having unreadable ID indicators for collection by the first reject ball chute. Furthermore, each target includes a ball detector, a second ball ID reader, a second diverter, and a second reject ball chute. The second ball ID reader identifies any of the balls having unreadable ID indicators. The second diverter selects the balls having unreadable ID indicators for collection by the second reject ball chute.

Abstract: An open field game arrangement includes glowing targets and provides responses, such as lights and sounds, when the targets are hit.

Abstract: A foldable target game having a circular foldable target having a lip and a pocket continuously disposed on an outer perimeter. A flexible wire ring is disposed within the pocket. The circular foldable target has an open configuration having a first diameter of at least six feet and an alternate folded configuration having a second diameter of most three feet. An inner circle design and a middle circle design are disposed on the circular foldable target. A plurality of tear shaped apertures, a plurality of ovular apertures, a plurality of pie shaped apertures, and a circular aperture are disposed through the circular foldable target. A webbing is disposed on the bottom side of the circular foldable target across each aperture. A telescopable flag pole is planted within the circular aperture. A projectile such as a golf ball is shot onto the target to score points in a game.

Abstract: The present invention is to easily read out an information code. A stereoscopic information code includes a plurality of same information codes arranged on the surface of a stereoscopic object at equal distances; and an alignment mark placed near each of the information codes. The stereoscopic information code reading device includes a scan unit that obtains a scanned image of the surface of stereoscopic object; an alignment mark distinguishing unit that distinguishes at least two alignment marks from the scanned image obtained by the scan unit; and an information code reading unit that reads an information code existing between two of the alignment marks distinguished by the alignment mark distinguishing unit.

Abstract: A golf game system is provided, including at least one ball, at least one club and at least one hole area. The club has a striking sensor for sensing a striking action of the club on the ball, and a score display for displaying a score related to the striking action. The hole area has a tee for placing the ball and a hole for receiving the ball, wherein the hole has a ball-in-the-hole sensor for communicating with the club. Scores are automatically printed for players at game conclusion, and club scores are erased to allow reuse by subsequent players.

Abstract: A sports apparatus for monitoring movement of a sport projectile includes a sensor and a wireless interface disposed within the sport projectile for communicating sampled data signals from the sensor, a portable communication device in wireless communication with the wireless sensor for receiving sampled data signals from the wireless sensor, the sampled data signals indicative of a motion of the sport projectile. The portable communication device includes a controller having a memory including programming instructions that when executed by the processor cause the controller to detect a sensor signal from the wireless interface, determine a motion characteristic of the sport projectile from the motion characteristic from the sensor signal, and determine if the motion characteristic is passage of the sports projectile through a goal structure, motion of the sports projectile after a shot or an impact of the sport projectile with an object.

Abstract: A first embodiment of the invention presented herein describes a miniature golf game that has three components, a putting green, a tee base, and obstacles. The putting base comprised of a tee platform, a tee and bumps representing obstacles. The putting green has one or more depressions simulating sand trap hazards and/or water hazards and a rotatable disk having hole simulating a golf cup, the center of hole positioned away from the center of the rotatable disk By positioning the putting green in various orientations relative to the tee base, orienting the tee base in various positions relative the putting green, placing the obstacles in various positions between the putting green and the tee base, and finally rotating the rotatable disk relative to the putting position so the hole from the putting green, a virtually infinite number layouts may be created. Other embodiments are presented.

Abstract: A novel golf game device includes a field simulating a green, a plurality of cups provided in the field, a ball-in-cup detecting section which detects that a ball has entered the cup, a cup designating section which designates to a player a target cup to be aimed at from among the plurality of cups, a putting position designating section which designates to the player a putting position on the field from where the player hits a ball, and a control section which is operable, in response to the player hitting a ball set at the putting position, to determine whether the hit ball has entered the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup detecting section, and control the progress of the golf game on the basis of the determination result.

Abstract: A golf game system is provided, including at least one ball, at least one club and at least one hole area. The club has a striking sensor for sensing a striking action of the club on the ball, and a score display for displaying a score related to the striking action. The hole area has a tee for placing the ball and a hole for receiving the ball, wherein the hole has a ball-in-the-hole sensor for communicating with the club. Scores are automatically printed for players at game conclusion, and club scores are erased to allow reuse by subsequent players.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus includes first and second end rails, a flexible rectangular playing surface, and first and second side rails. A first end edge of the surface is connected to the first end rail, and a second end edge of the surface is connected to the second end rail. The first and second side rails are configured for removable attachment to the first and second end rails. A method includes unrolling a flexible rectangular playing surface and attaching first and second side rails. Further, an apparatus comprises a rectangular playing surface, a rectangular raised perimeter border, and a plurality of golf course construction elements, wherein at least some of the elements comprise complementary curves so that the elements fit with each other.

Abstract: A golf game system is provided, including at least one ball, at least one club and at least one hole area. The club has a striking sensor for sensing a striking action of the club on the ball, and a score display for displaying a score related to the striking action. The hole area has a tee for placing the ball and a hole for receiving the ball, wherein the hole has a ball-in-the-hole sensor for communicating with the club. Scores are automatically printed for players at game conclusion.

Abstract: Golf balls and a system for finding golf balls and methods for making golf balls and methods for using such balls. In the case of one exemplary golf ball, the ball includes a shell and a core material which is encased in the shell and a tag which is disposed within the core material and which has at least one perforation. The tag includes a diode and an antenna which are coupled together. Another exemplary golf ball includes a shell and a core material which is encased within the shell and a tag which is within the core material and which includes an electrical element which is coupled to an antenna; the tag is detectable over a range of at least 20 feet from a handheld device, and the golf ball has high durability and substantially complies with the golf ball specifications of the United States Golf Association.

Abstract: The present invention features a golf game system 100 comprising a mat 210 for placing on a ground surface; a post 110 disposed at a first position on the mat, wherein the post 110 functioning as a target, wherein disposed on a first end of the pole 110 is a scoreboard system 220; and a first camera 310 extending from the first end of the pole 110 in a first direction, and a second camera 320 extending from the first end of the pole 110 in a second direction, wherein the cameras function to localize the ball and calculate its position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simulated golf putting device to improve a golfer's putting skill, comprising means to execute a simulated putt and to determine if the putt would be on target, and if not in which direction the simulated putt would miss the target. The device provides near-instantaneous signals to the user whether a simulated putt is good or a miss. The device is compact and self-contained, and can be readied for use in virtually any location in seconds.

Abstract: A portable golf practice game consisting of a wall having a front face, rear face, and base. The wall includes a plurality of openings along the base for the entry of an object there-through. Each opening includes an opening sensor to detect the presence of an object there-through. The wall further includes proximity sensors along the base to detect the presence of an object not passing though an opening. The sensors emit a signal which is detected by a processor connected to the wall. Each opening has a corresponding graphic element which displays a value interpreted by the processor. A user chooses a game on the input device, then propels an object toward the wall, a sensor emits a signal, the processor interprets the signal and the graphic element displays an assigned value.

Abstract: A golf driving range target (112) comprises pockets (150, 183) suspended for cables (146, 176), the pockets feeding received golf balls to a common receptacle. Between the exits (166) of the pockets and the common receptacle, the balls, which are coded, pass code-reading devices for identification. The pockets have walls (162, 165) which are shaped to direct received balls quickly to the exit (166) and may have internal ball-directing baffle members (163, 167). The pockets may be arranged concentrically or in an array.

Abstract: A golf game employing r.f-tag coded golf balls has a playing area with r.f. antennae located underneath to enable the number of strokes taken by a player to be counted. Separate antennae are provided for the tee area and hole, respectively, and the antennae around the hole are smaller to improve resolution. The antennae are connected to a computer which monitors successive moving and stationary phases of a golf ball to count the number of strokes taken by a player.

Abstract: An apparatus for uniquely identifying a golf ball at a target includes a simulated golfing green having one or multiple target area apertures therein. A ball collector is mounted under each aperture. A ball identification means cooperates with the ball collector for identifying uniquely identified game balls from non-uniquely identified golf balls and transmits identity information corresponding to each game ball of the game balls to a remote processing station for correlating the identity of a golfer with the identity information. A surveillance means cooperates with the first target area so as to provide for remote monitoring of the first target area. A first signal means is provided for signalling the golfer and a remote monitor when a uniquely identified game ball has entered the aperture. A first sensor means is provided for detecting when a uniquely identified game ball lands in the first target area and for signalling the golfer and a remote monitor upon such detection.

Abstract: A golf training device. The device is used for training a player's approaching skill and putting skill. The device includes a main member, a board, an alley, an assisting board and a cage. The main member has two lateral walls and a back wall and the board. The alley and the assisting board are secured on he base member in sequence and a hole is provided thereon to be the goal. The cage consists of a frame and a net and the frame is mounted on the walls of the base member and the net is secured to the frame. Three elevating assembly are provided between the base member and the board to change slopes of the board. If a ball flies over the base member, the cage will stop it so that the player can practice the approaching skill.

Abstract: A flying sphere is photographed twice at a predetermined time interval and two static images thus obtained are used to measure a rotation of the sphere through an image processing based on a recognition mark of a surface of the sphere. The recognition mark includes a central mark having a directivity and a rotating angle calculating mark provided to surround the central mark. The central mark includes a rectangle and a circle provided apart from the rectangle adjacent to one of short sides of the rectangle. Three or more rotating angle calculating marks are provided. Respective center positions of the rotating angle calculating marks are present in a region provided apart from a center position of the central mark by 13 mm to 17 mm.

Abstract: A ball target assembly into which a rolling ball is directed and the associated method of playing a game using the ball target assembly. The ball target assembly has a base section wherein at least one ramp extends from the base section. A cup is disposed in the top surface of the base section. The ramp provides a surface upon which a rolling ball approaching the base section can roll to reach the cup. A flag indicator is provided that is selectively positionable between a down position and a raised position. The position of the flag indicator is controlled by an activation mechanism. The activation mechanism moves the flag indicator from its down position to its raised position when a ball is received in the cup. As such, when a ball rolls into the cup, the flag indicator automatically is raised.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the practicing or playing of golf may include, alone or in combination, a golf target subsystem, a detection subsystem, and a golf ball dispensing subsystem. The golf ball dispensing subsystem comprises a free standing device placed at the teeing area which may be configured to provide various functions, such as, for example, receiving and storing a quantity of golf balls, exposing non-illuminated golf balls to an illuminating source contained therein, and thereby illuminating the golf balls, and/or dispensing the illuminated golf balls to the golfer. The golf target subsystem is suitably configured to permit a golfer to locate and identify the target area while addressing the golf ball so that the golfer may attempt to land the golf ball within the target area. In addition, to facilitate the identification of the target during nighttime conditions, i.e., conditions without external lighting, the golf target is preferably illuminated.

Abstract: A putting practice system for aiding golfers in maintaining putting skill levels. The practice system includes a surface contour that is adaptable by a user by inflating one or more air bladders to offer putting challenges not provided by a smooth even putting surface.

Abstract: A practice putting green assembly has a strip of artificial grass supported on an articulated multi-sectional frame. A plurality of motor/lift arm combinations can selectively raise or lower individual hinge points between the frame sections. A programmable circuit such as a microprocessor, is able to store a repertoire of programs of different movements responsive to the individual motor/lift arm combinations. This way, a series of topographies of the artificial grass strip may be selected by a player from a plug-in console connected to the programmable circuit. Putted balls are returned to a player over the grass surface by automatically inclining the target end of the grass strip toward the player, causing a pendulum controlled cup to empty and any balls on the grass surface to roll under gravity back to the player.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golfing game and the apparatus for accomplishing the same. The game apparatus includes a driving range having a tee area and a target or series of targets. Using all the skill he possess, the player(s) strike(s) the ball toward the target(s) attempting to reach the target on one stroke. Upon reaching the target in one stroke a verification system signals the validity of the ball entering the target. After the ball entering the target is declared valid, a notification is activated which alerts the other players and personnel on the driving range. Immediately, thereafter the winning player is provided with additional rewards.

Abstract: A golf game uses radio signals from golf balls to signal to a central computer for automatic score-keeping by the computer. Sensors in each hole also send signals to the computer on the completion of each hole play for each golfer. The golf balls are distinguishable by the computer according to their radio frequencies or digital or other signal processing and coding encoding. The golf balls transmit struck by special golf clubs which incorporate magnets; the balls include magnetic or other corresponding sensors. Each player, upon starting the game, inputs his/her name or initials which action identifies the specific ball he/she has been assigned use on the course. Scores are reported optionally at each hole, and a final score is reported by the computer at the conclusion of play.

Abstract: A golf driving range system for golfers to practice their driving skills is provided. The driving range system includes a plurality of tee boxes. Each tee box has a renewable ball stock and an automatic golf ball tee-up machine. The balls in the ball stock of each tee box have identifying characteristics for relating the balls to the particular tee box. The system has a yard and ball return gutters. The yard has sloped surfaces to cause any golf balls landing on the yard to roll toward the ball return gutters. At least one target is positioned in the yard. The target has a winning ball identification apparatus for sensing the identifying characteristics of a ball hitting the target and relaying this information to a scoring device. The ball return gutters deliver balls landing in the yard to a ball distribution apparatus, which has a return ball identification apparatus for sensing the identifying characteristics of a ball and distributing the ball back to the renewable ball stocks of the tee boxes.