Course layout and scoring method for playing a game on the course layout

Abstract

A method of configuring a plurality of holes for playing a game including providing a plurality of holes and putting greens having predetermined shapes, locating a hole and a putting green on a course selected from the plurality of holes and putting greens. A plurality of hole corridors may be configured to define a grid wherein respective longitudinal axes of at least two hole corridors are substantially parallel and at least one of the hole corridors includes a fairway, a putting green selected from a plurality of putting greens having respective predetermined shapes and sizes and a plurality of tee boxes defining a respective plurality of course-playing routes. A scoring method may include selecting a course-playing route, determining a target score, hitting a ball with a club to a three-dimensional target, determining a score and calculating a differential between the score and the target score.

1 . A method of configuring a plurality of holes for playing a game on a course over at least one course-playing route, the method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of holes having predetermined shapes:    providing a plurality of putting greens having predetermined shapes;    locating a hole on the course, the hole selected from the plurality of holes; and    locating a putting green on the course, the putting green selected for use with the selected hole.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of putting greens are provided with a predetermined association with a respective plurality of playing areas.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , at least one of the plurality of playing areas comprising at least one area selected from the group of a mounded area, a hazard area and a chipping area.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the respective plurality of playing areas is sized to fit substantially within a putting green area of a hole.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , the step of locating a putting green on the course comprising: 
 locating the putting green based on an approach portion of a course playing route, the route defined by a direction between a tee box of the hole and a location of the putting green when used with the selected hole.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing at least one pair of holes configured with opposing arcuate fairway portions.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 locating the pair of holes on the course to form an open area them between to contain a body of water of sufficient size for irrigating a portion of the course.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing a predetermined association between a putting green and a hole.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the predetermined association between the putting green and the hole is based on an approach portion of a course-playing route, the course-playing route defined by a direction between a tee box of a selected hole and a location of the putting green when used with the selected hole.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the predetermined association between the putting green and the hole is based on a configuration of a putting surface of the putting green.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing at least one hole with a predetermined irrigation layout.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing at least one hole with a predetermined lighting configuration.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 locating a plurality of holes on the course to define a course-playing route for playing the game along at least one of two sequential holes having substantially coaxial longitudinal axes and two sequential holes having substantially parallel longitudinal axes.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing the hole with a predetermined placement of at least one tee box.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 providing the hole with a predetermined placement of a short tee box, a medium tee box and a long tee box wherein each of the respective tee boxes is located a different distance from the putting green than the other tee boxes.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 locating a plurality of holes on the course so that an outer boundary of the plurality of holes defines a substantially rectangular configuration.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing each of the plurality of holes with a plurality of color-coded tee boxes wherein a respective plurality of course-playing routes are defined by respective ones of the plurality of color-coded tee boxes having the same color.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing at least one putting green with a three dimensional target having a width and a height substantially greater than the width; and    providing a target attachment material affixed to the three dimensional target.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising: 
 providing at least one hole with a tee box; and    providing a mat and tee assembly for supporting a ball on the tee box.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising: 
 providing a cushion between the three dimensional target and the target attachment material.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 locating a grandstand proximate at least one of the plurality of holes; and    locating a plurality of manikins in the grandstand.    
   
   
       22 . A course layout for playing a game, the course layout comprising: 
 a plurality of holes of substantially equal size each of the plurality of holes comprising a set of substantially identical common features, the plurality of holes configured with respect to one another so that respective longitudinal axes of at least two holes are substantially parallel wherein play of the game on a first one of the at least two holes proceeds along a first direction and play on the second one of the at least two holes proceeds along a direction substantially opposite from the first direction.    
   
   
       23 . The course layout of  claim 22  wherein the plurality of holes are further configured in a rectangular grid comprising at least two columns and at least two rows arranged so that respective longitudinal axes of each of the plurality of holes within one of the at least two columns are substantially parallel with each other, the plurality of holes further configured with respect to one another within the rectangular grid so that respective longitudinal axes of at least two consecutively played holes contained within a first row of the rectangular grid are substantially coaxial wherein play of the game on a first one and a second one of the at least two consecutively played holes proceeds along substantially the same direction.  
   
   
       24 . The course layout of  claim 22  wherein the plurality of holes are further configured with respect to one another so that a longitudinal axis of a first hole is substantially perpendicular with a longitudinal axis of a second hole, the set of substantially identical common features comprising a putting green positioned proximate a first end of a hole and at least one teeing area spaced from the putting green so that a distance from the at least one teeing area to the putting green is substantially the same within each of the plurality of holes.  
   
   
       25 . The course layout of  claim 22  wherein the plurality of holes form a rectangular grid comprising two columns of contiguous holes having substantially parallel longitudinal axes and eight rows of contiguous holes having substantially coaxial longitudinal axes wherein a direction for playing the game over consecutive ones of the plurality of holes proceeds along at least two pairs of contiguous holes having substantially coaxial longitudinal axes.  
   
   
       26 . The course layout of  claim 25  wherein the direction for playing the game over consecutive ones of the plurality of holes proceeds along a first pair of the at least two pairs of contiguous holes within a first row of the rectangular rid in a first substantially linear direction and a second pair of the at least two pairs of contiguous holes within a second row of the rectangular grid in a second substantially linear direction that is substantially opposite the first direction.  
   
   
       27 . The course layout of  claim 22 , the set of substantially identical common features comprising: 
 a putting green located proximate a first end of each respective one of the plurality of holes; and    at least one tee box positioned in relation to the putting green to define a course-playing routes from the at least one tee box to the putting green of substantially the same distance within each of the plurality of holes.    
   
   
       28 . The course layout of  claim 22 , the set of substantially identical common features comprising a standardized irrigation layout.  
   
   
       29 . The course layout of  claim 22 , the set of substantially identical common features comprising a standardized lighting layout.  
   
   
       30 . The course layout of  claim 22 , the set of substantially identical common features comprising: 
 a putting green selected from a group of putting greens having 2,000, 2,500, 3,000 square foot surfaces areas respectively;    a plurality of tee boxes positioned in relation to one another and the putting green to define a respective plurality of course-playing routes from each respective tee box to the putting green so that the distance from each of the respective plurality of tee boxes to the putting green is substantially the same in each hole of the plurality of holes;    a standardized irrigation layout; and    a standardized lighting layout.    
   
   
       31 . The course layout of  claim 22 , the set of substantially identical common features comprising; 
 a playing area;    a mounded area;    a hazard;    an approach area; and    a chipping area.    
   
   
       32 . The course layout of  claim 22 , the set of substantially identical common features comprising: 
 a putting green selected from a group of putting greens having 2,000, 2,500 and 3,000 square foot surface areas respectively;    a plurality of tee boxes positioned in relation to one another and the putting green to define a respective plurality of course-playing routes from each respective tee box to the putting green so that the distance from each of the respective plurality of tee boxes to the putting green is substantially the same in each hole of the plurality of holes;    a standardized irrigation layout;    a standardized lighting layout; and    a playing area comprising:    a mounded area having a predetermined size and shape;    a hazard area having a predetermined size and shape;    an approach area having a predetermined configuration; and    a chipping area having a predetermined configuration.    
   
   
       33 . The course layout of  claim 22 , the set of substantially identical common features comprising: 
 a fairway having substantially the same length;    a putting green selected from a group of putting greens having varying contoured surfaces; and    a plurality of color-coded tee boxes spaced from each other and the putting green thereby defining a plurality of course-playing routes of varying distances from each of the plurality of color-coded tee boxes to the putting green.    
   
   
       34 . (canceled)  
   
   
       35 . The course layout of  claim 22 , the set of substantially identical common features comprising: 
 a putting green;    the course layout further comprising a three dimensional target having a width and a height substantially greater than the width, the three dimensional target placed on the putting green; and    a target attachment material affixed to the three dimensional target.    
   
   
       36 . The course layout of  claim 35 , the set of substantially identical common features further comprising: 
 at least one tee box; and    the course layout further comprising a mat and tee assembly for supporting a ball on the at least one tee box.    
   
   
       37 . The course layout of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 a cushion between the three dimensional target and the target attachment material.    
   
   
       38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . A course for playing a game, the course comprising: 
 a plurality of hole corridors of substantially equal size configured to define a grid wherein respective longitudinal axes of at least two hole corridors are substantially parallel to each other, each of the plurality of hole corridors comprising a set of substantially identical common features comprising;    a fairway having substantially the same length;    no more than one putting green located proximate a first end of a respective hole corridor selected from a group of putting greens having respective predetermined shapes and sizes; and    a plurality of tee boxes positioned with respect to the putting green to define a respective plurality of course-playing routes of varying distances from respective ones of the plurality of tee boxes to the putting green within each of the plurality of hole corridors.    
   
   
       40 . The course of  claim 41  further comprising: 
 a recreational area adjacent the rid the recreational area comprising at least one facility selected from the group of a soccer field, a softball field, a volleyball court, a swimming pool and a set of batting cages.    
   
   
       41 . The course of  claim 40  wherein the grid and the recreational area are contained within an area of approximately 50 acres.  
   
   
       42 . The course of  claim 39  further comprising: 
 at least two of the plurality of hole corridors contiguous to one another within a first row of the grid having respective longitudinal axes that are substantially coaxial; and    at least two of the plurality of hole corridors continuous to one another within a first column of the grid having respective longitudinal axes that are substantially parallel.    
   
   
       43 . The course of  claim 42  further comprising: 
 at least one hole corridor comprising the set of substantially identical common features adjacent to the grid having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of one of the plurality of a hole corridors defining the grid.    
   
   
       44 . The course of  claim 39 , the set of substantially identical common features further comprising a standardized irrigation layout comprising a pair of spaced apart parallel pipes and a set of sprinkler heads attached to each pipe for irrigating an area within each of the plurality of hole corridors.  
   
   
       45 . The course of  claim 44 , the set of substantially identical common features further comprising a standardized lighting configuration comprising a plurality of illumination sources positioned with respect to the respective plurality of tee boxes and putting green within each of the plurality of hole corridors to illuminate an area within a respective hole corridor.  
   
   
       46 . The course of  claim 39 , at least one of the plurality of hole corridors further comprising: 
 a three dimensional target having a width and a height substantially greater than the width, the three dimensional target attached to the putting green; and    a target attachment material affixed to the three dimensional target.    
   
   
       47 . The course of  claim 46 , the at least one of the plurality of hole corridors further comprising: 
 a mat and tee assembly on at least one of the plurality of tee boxes for supporting a ball on the tee box.    
   
   
       48 . The course of  claim 47 , the at least one of the plurality of hole corridors further comprising: 
 a cushion between the three dimensional target and the target attachment material.    
   
   
       49 - 51 . (canceled)  
   
   
       52 . A scoring method for playing a game on a course comprising at least one hole wherein a plurality of course-playing routes are defined between a respective plurality of tee boxes and at least one putting green, the scoring method comprising: 
 selecting a course-playing route for playing the game;    determining a target score for the course-playing route;    hitting a ball with a club to propel the ball from a tee box on the course-playing route to a three-dimensional target removably attached to a putting green on the course-playing route;    determining a score by counting a number of times the ball is hit to propel the ball from the tee box until the ball contacts the three-dimensional target; and    calculating a differential between the score and the target score.    
   
   
       53 . The scoring method of  claim 52  further comprising: 
 determining a distance assessment level for a player.    
   
   
       54 . The scoring method of  claim 53 , the step of determining a distance assessment level for a player comprising: 
 calculating an average distance the player hits a ball using a club.    
   
   
       55 . The scoring method of  claim 53  further comprising: 
 determining a target score for the player based on the player's distance assessment level.    
   
   
       56 . The scoring method of  claim 55  further comprising: 
 determining a differential for the player; and    determining a competitive rating for the player based on the player's target score and the differential for the player.    
   
   
       57 . The scoring method of  claim 52  further comprising: 
 determining a climatic difficulty factor; and    determining a daily target score based on the target score for the course-playing route and the climatic difficulty factor.    
   
   
       58 . The scoring method of  claim 52 , the selected course-playing route comprising a plurality of holes wherein at least two of the plurality of holes have respective longitudinal axes that are substantially coaxial and at least two of the plurality of holes have respective longitudinal axes that are substantially parallel.  
   
   
       59 . The scoring method of  claim 58  wherein the selected course-playing route is defined by respective ones of the plurality of tee boxes having a same color-coded synthetic surface.  
   
   
       60 . The scoring method of  claim 52  further comprising: 
 determining a plurality of target scores for a course-playing route;    associating the plurality of target scores with a plurality of distance assessment levels so that a player may determine a target score based on a distance assessment level determined for the player.    
   
   
       61 . The scoring method of  claim 60  further comprising: 
 determining a competitive rating for the player based on the target score determined for the player.    
   
   
       62 . The scoring method of  claim 60  further comprising: 
 associating the plurality of target scores with a respective plurality of levels used to determine a competitive rating for a player;    determining at least one class differential range for at least one of the respective plurality of levels used to determine a competitive rating for a player, and    determining a competitive rating for a player based on a target score determined for the player and a differential calculated for the player after playing the game on a course-playing route.    
   
   
       63 . The scoring method of  claim 52  further comprising: 
 determining a plurality of target scores for a course-playing route;    associating the plurality of target scores with a plurality of distance assessment levels so that a plurality of players may determine a respective target score based on a respective distance assessment level determined for respective ones of the plurality of players;    associating the plurality of target scores with a respective plurality of levels used to determine a competitive rating for a player;    determining a plurality of class differential ranges for each of the respective plurality of levels used to determine a competitive rating for a player;    determining a respective competitive rating for each of the plurality of players based on a respective target score determined for each of the plurality of players and a respective differential calculated for each of the plurality of players after playing the game on the course-playing route; and    assigning a tournament division to each of the plurality of players based on the respective competitive rating determined for each of the plurality of players.    
   
   
       64 . The scoring method of  claim 52 , the course-playing route comprising: 
 a putting green having a predetermined shape and size;    a hole selected from a plurality of holes having predetermined shapes;    a predetermined irrigation layout;    a mat and tee assembly for supporting the ball on a tee box; and    a plurality of color-coded tee boxes defining a respective plurality of course-playing routes between the color-coded tee boxes and a putting green.