Golf course and method of playing golf

Abstract

The present invention provides a golf course having one or more holes equipped with multiple launching positions. The user may choose one of the launching positions to play from commensurate with his or her desired level of difficulty. Each launching position of the present invention provides a distinct playing path to the green independent of the other launching positions. In one embodiment, the level of difficulty associated with each launching position is enhanced through the use of topographical features located between each launching position and the green. In another embodiment, one or more launching positions of the present invention are equipped with difficulty-enhancing terrain such as sand, rough-cut grass and/or uneven surfaces. The golf course of the present invention is ideally suited to provide each individual golfer with an enjoyable and challenging experience, regardless of his or her expertise level.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A golf course having a plurality of golf holes, each having a par value, said course having one or more of said golf holes comprising: 
 at least one fairway having a first end and a second end;    at least one putting green located at said second end of said fairway;    at least one golf ball cup positioned upon said putting green;    a first launching position placed upon said first end of said fairway; said first launching position being generally located a first direction from said green; and    a first area located substantially between said first launching position and said green, said first area defining a first level of difficulty and providing a substantially straight playing path substantially free of obstacles between said first launching position and said green.    
     
     
         2 . The golf course of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more of said golf holes further comprises: 
 a second launching position placed upon a difficulty enhancing terrain adjacent to said fairway; said second launching position being generally located a second direction from said green; and    a second area located substantially between said second launching position and said green, said second area having one or more topographical features defining a second level of difficulty associated with said second area, said second area defining a second playing path from said second launching position to said green such that said first area and said second area provide two separate and distinct routes to said green.    
     
     
         3 . The golf course of  claim 2 , wherein said difficulty enhancing terrain is selected from the group consisting of rough cut grass, sand, and uneven surfaces.  
     
     
         4 . The golf course of  claim 3 , wherein said first launching position and said second launching position are substantially the same distance from said green.  
     
     
         5 . The golf course of  claim 3 , wherein said second level of difficulty requires greater skill than said first level of difficulty.  
     
     
         6 . The golf course of  claim 3 , wherein said topographical features are selected from the group consisting of water, sand, shrubbery, trees, brush, out of bounds markers, undulations, contours, obstacles, obstructions, vegetation, varying grass texture, and varying grass height.  
     
     
         7 . A golf course having a plurality of golf holes, each having a par value, said course having one or more of said golf holes comprising: 
 at least one fairway having a first end and a second end;    at least one putting green located at said second end of said fairway;    at least one golf ball cup positioned upon said putting green;    a first launching position placed upon said first end of said fairway; said first launching position being generally located a first direction from said green; and    a first area located substantially between said first launching position and said green, said first area defining a first level of difficulty and providing a substantially straight playing path being substantially free of obstacles between said first launching position and said green.    
     
     
         8 . The golf course of  claim 7 , wherein said one or more of said golf holes further comprises: 
 a second launching position placed upon said first end of said fairway, said said second launching position generally located a second direction from said green; and    a second area located substantially between said second launching position and said green, said second area having one or more topographical features defining a second level of difficulty associated with said second area, said second area defining a second playing path from said second launching position to said green such that said first area and said second area provide two separate and distinct routes to said green.    
     
     
         9 . The golf course of  claim 8 , wherein said one or more of said golf holes further comprises: 
 a third launching position placed upon a difficulty enhancing terrain adjacent to said fairway; said third launching position being generally located a third direction from said green; and    a third area located substantially between said third launching position and said green, said third area having one or more of said topographical features defining a third level of difficulty associated with said third area, said third area defining a third playing path from said third launching position to said green such that said first area, said second area, and said third area provide three separate and distinct routes to said green.    
     
     
         10 . The golf course of  claim 9 , wherein said difficulty enhancing terrain is selected from the group consisting of rough cut grass, sand, and uneven surfaces.  
     
     
         11 . The golf course of  claim 10 , wherein said first launching position, said second launching position, and said third launching position are substantially the same distance from said green.  
     
     
         12 . The golf course of  claim 10 , wherein said second level of difficulty requires greater skill than said first level of difficulty and said third level of difficulty requires greater skill than said second level of difficulty.  
     
     
         13 . The golf course of  claim 10 , wherein said topographical features are selected from the group consisting of water, sand, shrubbery, trees, brush, out of bounds markers, undulations, contours, obstacles, obstructions, vegetation, varying grass texture, and varying grass height.  
     
     
         14 . A method of playing golf comprising the steps of: 
 providing a golf course having a plurality of golf holes each having a par value, said course having one or more of said golf holes comprising: 
 at least one fairway having a first end and a second end;  
 at least one putting green located at said second end of said fairway;  
 at least one golf ball cup positioned upon said putting green;  
 a first launching position placed upon said first end of said fairway; said first launching position being generally located a first direction from said green; and  
 a first area located substantially between said first launching position and said green, said first area defining a first level of difficulty and providing a substantially straight playing path being substantially free of obstacles between said first launching position and said green;  
 a second launching position placed upon a difficulty enhancing terrain adjacent to said fairway; said second launching position being generally located a second direction from said green; and  
 a second area located substantially between said second launching position and said green, said second area having one or more topographical features defining a second level of difficulty associated with said second area, said second area defining a second playing path from said second launching position to said green such that said first area and said second area provide two separate and distinct routes to said green.  
   determining a desired level of difficulty;    choosing said first launching position or said second launching position according to a desired level of difficulty;    dropping a golf ball upon said first launching position or upon said second launching position according to said desired level of difficulty.    if said first launching position is chosen, utilizing a golf club having a loft of 13 degrees or more, and without the aid of a golf tee, hitting said golf ball a first time toward said green such that said golf ball lands within said first area or upon said green;    if said first shot is made from said first launching position, and said first shot does not result in said golf ball landing upon said green, utilizing a golf club having a loft of more than 13 degrees, and without the aid of a golf tee, hitting said golf ball a second time from said first area onto said green;    if said second launching position is chosen, utilizing a golf club having a loft of 13 degrees or more, and without the aid of a golf tee, hitting said golf ball a first time toward said green such that said golf ball lands within said second area or upon said green;    if said first shot is made from said second launching position, and said first shot does not result in said golf ball landing upon said green, utilizing a golf club having a loft of more than 13 degrees, hitting said golf ball a second time from said second area onto said green; and    utilizing a putter, putting said golf ball into said cup.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said difficulty enhancing terrain is selected from the group consisting of rough cut grass, sand, and uneven surfaces.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said second level of difficulty requires greater skill than said first level of difficulty.  
     
     
         17 . A method of playing golf comprising the steps of: 
 providing a golf course having a plurality of golf holes each having a par value, said course having one or more of said golf holes comprising: 
 at least one fairway having a first end and a second end;  
 at least one putting green located at said second end of said fairway;  
 at least one golf ball cup positioned upon said putting green;  
 a first launching position placed upon said first end of said fairway; said first launching position being generally located a first direction from said green;  
 a first area located substantially between said first launching position and said green, said first area defining a first level of difficulty and providing a substantially straight playing path being substantially free of obstacles between said first launching position and said green;  
 a second launching position placed upon said first end of said fairway, said second launching position being generally located a second direction from said green; and  
 a second area located substantially between said second launching position and said green, said second area having one or more topographical features defining a second level of difficulty associated with said second area, said second area defining a second playing path from said second launching position to said green such that said first area and said second area provide two separate and distinct routes to said green.  
 a third launching position placed upon a difficulty enhancing terrain adjacent to said fairway; said third launching position being generally located a third direction from said green; and  
 a third area located substantially between said third launching position and said green, said third area having one or more of said topographical features defining a third level of difficulty associated with said third area, said third area defining a third playing path from said third launching position to said green such that said first area, said second area, and said third area provide three separate and distinct routes to said green.  
   determining a desired level of difficulty;    choosing said first launching position, said second launching position, or said third launching position according to said desired level of difficulty;    dropping a golf ball upon said first launching position, said second launching position, or said third launching position according to said desired level of difficulty.    if said first launching position is chosen, utilizing a golf club having a loft of 13 degrees or more, and without the aid of a golf tee, hitting said golf ball a first time toward said green such that said golf ball lands within said first area or upon said green;    if said first shot is made from said first launching position, and said first shot does not result in said golf ball landing upon said green, utilizing a golf club having a loft of more than 13 degrees, and without the aid of a golf tee, hitting said golf ball a second time from said first area onto said green;    if said second launching position is chosen, utilizing a golf club having a loft of 13 degrees or more, and without the aid of a golf tee, hitting said golf ball a first time toward said green such that said golf ball lands within said second area or upon said green;    if said first shot is made from said second launching position, and said first shot does not result in said golf ball landing upon said green, utilizing a golf club having a loft of more than 13 degrees, hitting said golf ball a second time from said second area onto said green;    if said third launching position is chosen, utilizing a golf club having a loft of 13 degrees or more, and without the aid of a golf tee, hitting said golf ball a first time toward said green such that said golf ball lands within said third area or upon said green;    if said first shot is made from said third launching position, and said first shot does not result in said golf ball landing upon said green, utilizing a golf club having a loft of more than 13 degrees, hitting said golf ball a second time from said third area onto said green; and    utilizing a putter, putting said golf ball into said cup.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said difficulty enhancing terrain is selected from the group consisting of rough cut grass, sand, and uneven surfaces.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said topographical features are selected from the group consisting of water, sand, shrubbery, trees, brush, out of bounds markers, undulations, contours, obstacles, obstructions, vegetation, varying grass texture, and varying grass height.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said second level of difficulty requires greater skill than said first level of difficulty and said third level of difficulty requires greater skill than said second level of difficulty.