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Device for recording parameters of a golf game

Device for recording parameters of a golf game description/claims

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/482,059, filed Dec. 29, 2003; which is a 371 of PCT/IE02/00084 filed Jun. 25, 2002; which claims priority from Ireland Application No. S201/0584 filed Jun. 25, 2001, the disclosures of each which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a device for recording parameters of a golf game.

In general, when one is playing a game of golf, it is normal to record the scores on a card. The recordal of the scores of the golf game, in general, is carried out manually where one enters one's score on each hole played by writing the score on the card. While this method is quite adequate for the purpose of recording a player's score in a golf game, and for the purpose of determining the winner in a golf competition, it is not ideal for allowing a player to analyse a game subsequently. A player can only compare his or her score as written on the score card with the scores of other games which he or she may have played on the same course at earlier dates. Thus, in general, the only comparison which can be made is a comparison between the number of shots taken on each hole. This, while it does permit some degree of meaningful comparison, at the same time only provides a limited degree of comparison. It does not permit a player to analyse, for example, distances of drives, chips and putts which were played by the player on respective different games, nor does it permit a player to analyse the accuracy and the direction of his or her shots, for example, if the shots were on line with the hole or otherwise, if any of the shots ended up in the rough, in a sand bunker, a water hazard or the like.

There is therefore a need for a device for recording parameters of a golf game which overcomes at least some of these problems.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a device.

According to the invention there is provided a device for recording parameters of a golf game, characterised in that the device comprises a display means for displaying graphically a representation of a reference fairway, a means for indicating on the reference fairway a position indicative of a location taken up by a ball after a shot, a reading means for reading the indicated position, and a computing means responsive to the reading means reading an input which indicates that a ball has been holed for summing the number of indicated positions indicated on the reference fairway for determining the number of shots from a tee to a hole, and a first storing means for storing the determined number of shots from the tee to the hole.

In one embodiment of the invention a second storing means is provided for storing graphical representations of a plurality of reference fairways, the pars of the holes of which are different.

In another embodiment of the invention the graphical representations of the respective reference fairways differ depending on the par of the hole. Preferably, the means for displaying the graphical representation of one of the reference fairways is provided for selectively displaying a selected one of the reference fairways.

In one embodiment of the invention the display means displays a graphical representation of respective selected ones of the reference fairways for each of a number of holes to be played in the golf game.

In another embodiment of the invention the computing means computes the score of a round of golf, and the first storing means stores the score of a round of golf. Preferably, the first storing means stores the graphical representation of each reference fairway displayed for the respective holes with the indicated positions on the respective graphical representations of the reference fairways for each hole played.

In one embodiment of the invention the graphical representation of each reference fairway comprises a representation of a rough location. Preferably, the graphical representation of each reference fairway comprises an out of bounds location. Advantageously, the graphical representation of each reference fairway comprises a sand bunker location. Ideally, at least some of the reference fairways comprise a water hazard location.

In another embodiment of the invention the reading means reads the type of location in which the location taken up by the ball after a shot is indicated on the selected reference fairway. Preferably, the reading means determines from the indicated position the type of location in which the ball is indicated as being located after a shot. Advantageously, the reading means determines from the indicated position the lie of the ball to the left or right of a line joining the tee to the hole.

In one embodiment of the invention the graphical representation of each reference fairway indicates an area between a green and the tee which is within a predetermined distance from the green, and the reading means reads the indicated position for determining if the indicated location of the ball is within the predetermined area.

In another embodiment of the invention the second storing means stores a graphical representation of at least one reference green independently of the reference fairways. Preferably, the second storing means stores a plurality of graphical representations of reference greens, and the respective reference greens are stored in the second storing means cross-referenced with corresponding reference fairways.

In another embodiment of the invention the display means selectively displays a graphical representation of a reference green corresponding to each reference fairway displayed. Alternatively, the display means displays a reference green independently of each reference fairway.

In another embodiment of the invention the display means displays a reference green corresponding to a reference fairway independently of the reference fairway.

Preferably, the graphical representation of each reference green is provided with a plurality of bands of predetermined radial distance from and extending around a hole on the reference green for defining predetermined distances from the hole. Advantageously, the means for indicating the position indicative of a location taken up by a ball is provided for indicating the position relative to the hole taken up by the ball on the selected reference green.

In one embodiment of the invention the means for indicating the position indicative of a location taken up by a ball after a shot on the selected one of the selected reference fairway or the selected reference green is provided by a cursor.

In another embodiment of the invention the visual display means comprises a touch sensitive screen.

In a further embodiment of the invention the means for indicating the position indicative of a location taken up by a ball after a shot on the selected one of the selected reference fairway or the selected reference green is provided by a means for reading the position on the screen on which the screen is externally touched.

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