US 5,558,333 AGranted

Golf game data recorder, analyzer, and game improver using display simulations with plural resolutions

OwnerSteven M. Kelson, Robert E. Kelsoninventors

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Abstract

The system uses a microcomputer (81) to provide a practical and useable graphic representation of the fairways (12) and greens (11) for any golf course in order to record shot locations (14) and measure playing performance during an actual round of golf as contrasted to a simulation of a golf game. A player will interact with the diagrams produced by the system's software and illustrated on a display or monitor (80). The design of the system enables the player to accurately determine the locations of all shots and calculates and displays: (a) shot or club distances (FIG. 6 ); (b) shot or club accuracy (within 1-2 yards) to the center of the green from ball locations (14) ranging up to 200 yards from the center of the green; (c) shot or club accuracy (within 1-2 feet) to the pin (cup location) from ball locations (14) ranging up to 200 yards from the center of the green even though the pin location may be different each time the course is played; (d) statistical data, i.e., score, fairways hit (68), greens in regulation (69), a correctable swing analysis (71), and a complete short-game analysis (54) of putting (63, 64, 65, 66), sand saves (60, 61, 62), and chipping (55, 56, 57, 58, 59); and (e) playback of golf rounds (FIGS. 3 A, 35, 3C) so that improvement can be measured and selected courses played in the past can be reviewed and analyzed.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A system for analyzing, calculating, and displaying results from a person's actual, physical play of any selected hole of a plurality of golf course, regardless of the length and shape of said golf hole, comprising:

a computer having a display, a memory, a data entry means, and means for providing display simulations with plural resolutions for entering data recorded from said person's actual play into said memory for enabling an accurate replication of said actual play of said golf course hole,
said computer being arranged to show a simulation of a fairway of a golf course hole, said simulation of said fairway including a simulation of a green and a plurality of equidistant markers on said fairway that display measurements from the center of said green, a simulation of a tee box, and a simulation of the distance from said center of said green to said tee box, and display means in said computer for displaying said golf course hole in the following three sequential views:
a first view displaying the total length of said golf course hole, measured in predetermined measurement unit from said center of said green, said computer containing means for showing a golf shot placement by a human physical act using a pointing device within a golf course hole placement resolution that is relatively small compared to the length of said golf course hole as displayed on said display means in said first view, thereby providing a visible measurement of said golf shot after said placement, and
a second view displaying a magnified simulation of that part of said golf course hold from said center of said green measured down a center line of said fairway to simulate a relatively long fairway distance to accommodate a bend to dogleg in said fairway, said computer containing means for enabling said person to show a golf shot placement within a fairway placement resolution that is relatively small compared to the length of said fairway as displayed on said display means in said second view, and
a third view displaying a magnified simulation of said green to enable said person to show a putt placement on said green within a green placement resolution that is relatively small compared to the size of said green as displayed on said display means in said third view.

2 more elements

A method for accurately and automatically adjusting for different pin or cup locations on the green of any hole of a plurality of golf courses in a replication of actual play on said golf courses, comprising:

providing a computer having a display, a memory, a data entry means, and means for using display simulations with plural resolutions to enable entering data, recorded from a person's actual play of said golf courses, into said memory for enabling an accurate said replication of actual play, and
providing on said display two different scales of measurement for allowing said person to show golf shot placements on a fairway on said display by a human manipulating a pointing device using a fairway placement resolution that is relatively small compared to the length of said fairway and to show putt placements on said green on said display using a green placement resolution that is relatively small compared to the size of said green.
providing three different views displaying magnified simulations of said hole, whereby accuracy from said golf shots can be displayed in measurement of said green placement resolution without having to enter different screen coordinates, use external devices, or modify said recording or operating procedures to compensate or allow for different said pin locations, regardless of said pin locations on said green of said golf courses.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/158,759Filed 30 Nov 1993
Granted: 24 Sep 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A63B 71/0669
Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills: score-keepers or…
A63B 69/3605
For golf: golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
A63B 71/0672
Score-keepers or score display devices: using non-electronic means
A63B 2071/0691
Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities: maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps