Golf course speed of play monitoring system and method

Abstract

A golf course monitoring system includes transmitters located throughout the golf course, a central receiver, and a processing unit for computing the speed of play on the golf course based on the signals issued by the transmitters and received by the central receiver. The monitoring system does not require any specialized inputs from golfers and can monitor the speed of play on the golf course based on signals generated as a result of natural actions of the golfers playing a round of golf.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A monitoring system for a golf course, comprising: 
 a plurality of signal generators respectively arranged on each hole of the golf course;    a signal receiver; and    a central processing unit connected to the signal receiver and programmed to calculate when play has completed on each hole of the golf course based on a plurality of signals issued by the signal generators and received by the signal receiver.    
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one signal generator is located on each hole of the golf course.  
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the signal generators are installed on flag sticks, one of which is located on each hole of the golf course.  
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each flag stick is normally positioned within a cup and wherein a signal generator mounted on said flag stick is actuated to issue a signal when the flag stick is removed from the cup.  
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each flag stick is normally positioned within a cup and wherein a signal generator mounted on said flag stick is actuated to issue a signal when the flag stick is returned to the cup.  
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein each hole of the golf course includes a green and at least one signal generator is located in close proximity to each green.  
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the signal generators are actuated to issue a signal in response to motion.  
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the signal generators are actuated to issue a signal in response to noise.  
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least two signal generators are located on each hole of the golf course.  
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein a first one of said at least two signal generators is mounted on top of a flag stick and a second one of said at least two signal generators is located in close proximity to said first one.  
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said second one of said at least two signal generators is actuated to issue a signal in response to a signal issued by said first one.  
     
     
         12 . A method of monitoring speed of play on a golf course, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) calculating an actual time for the holes played by a group;    (b) comparing the actual time with a target time for the holes played;    (c) displaying an alarm indicator if the actual time is slower than the target time.    
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of receiving signals transmitted from various holes on the golf course, wherein the actual time is calculated based on the received signals.  
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the alarm indicator is displayed on the next hole to be played by the group.  
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the alarm indicator is displayed at a central location of the golf course.  
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the alarm indicator is displayed at a portable electronics device carried by a ranger.  
     
     
         17 . A golf course monitoring system, comprising: 
 means for transmitting a signal from at least one hole on the golf course;    means for receiving said signal; and    a programmable unit connected to the means for receiving for calculating a time of hole completion based on a number of said signals transmitted and received over time as different groups play said at least one hole.    
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said means for transmitting is located in close proximity to a green for said at least one hole.  
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said means for transmitting is installed on a flag stick for said at least one hole, and is actuated to transmit said signal for a predetermined period of time when the flag stick is repositioned within a holding cup after having been removed from the holding cup.  
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said means for transmitting comprises a transmitter, a timer, a switch, and a power source, the transmitter drawing current from the power source for a period of time, as controlled by the timer, after actuation of the switch.