Method and system for implementing a closest to the pin challenge

Abstract

A method is disclosed for facilitating a golf competition. The method includes providing a camera that is utilized to capture an image of a golfer in the act of striking a ball. The camera is also utilized to capture an image of the ball after the ball has come to rest. The distance between the ball and pin is evaluated.

1 . A method of facilitating a golf competition, the method comprising: 
 providing a camera;    utilizing the camera to capture an image of a golfer in the act of striking a ball;    utilizing the camera to capture an image of the ball after the ball has come to rest; and    evaluating a distance between the ball and a pin.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising supplying the image of the golfer and the image of the ball for review over a computer network.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein supplying comprises supplying over the Internet.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising offering at least one of the image of the ball and the image of the golfer for sale.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 changing the placement of the pin to a second pin location;    utilizing the camera to capture an image of a golfer in the act of striking a ball;    utilizing the camera to capture an image of the ball after the ball has come to rest; and    evaluating a distance between the ball and the second pin location.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a camera comprises providing a camera that is mounted so as to be rotatable.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein providing a camera comprises providing a camera having a connection to a gimbal structure.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a laser configured to assist identifying a location for pin placement.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein evaluating a distance comprises evaluating a distance relative to a plurality of substantially circular rings at a progressively varying distance from the pin.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein evaluating a distance comprises classifying based on the plurality of substantially circular rings.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising awarding a prize based on the distance.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising awarding a prize based on the distance relative to a plurality of distances associated with other golfers.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the plurality of distances associated with other golfers was measured at a location remote from said golfer.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a camera comprises providing a computer controlled globe-enclosed camera.  
   
   
       15 . A system for facilitating a golf competition, the system comprising: 
 a camera configured to capture an image of a golfer in the act of striking a ball, the camera being further configured to capture an image of the ball after it has come to rest; and    a measurement system functionally engaged to the camera and configured to measure a distance between the ball and a pin.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a laser pointer for identifying a different location to which the pin can be moved.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a kiosk for interacting with the golfer prior to the act of striking the ball.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the kiosk is configured to receive credentials from the golfer.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the kiosk is configured to receive information from a magnetic card associated with the golfer.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the kiosk is configured to provide a copy of an image captured by the camera.