Method and system for allocating revenue derived from use of GPS-equipped golf carts

Abstract

A method of allocating revenues attributable to rental and use of a golf course information system implemented in golf carts with local monitor adapted to display any or all information from among course and hole layout, course features, and distance to selected features of a hole in play, to assist a golfer in play of the golf course, and to display advertising, promotional messages and golf tips to enhance the golfing experience. The method includes steps of: renting an assigned golf cart implemented with the information system to a golfer for commencing a round of play on the course; and automatically allocating all revenues applicable to the golfer's use of the information system on the assigned cart during a round of play on the course, commensurate with a predetermined agreement among the golf course and its cart supplier, and contemporaneously with renting the cart to the golfer.

1 . A method for administering use of a golf course information system implemented in golf carts with local monitor adapted to display any or all information from among course and hole layout, course features, and distance to selected features of a hole in play, to assist a golfer in play of the golf course, and to display advertising, promotional messages and golf tips to enhance the golfing experience, said method comprising the steps of: 
 assigning a golf cart implemented with said information system to a golfer on commencing a round of play on the course; and    automatically allocating revenue, from a fee for the golfer's rental of the assigned cart and use of the information system thereof during play of the course, among the golf course and the cart supplier to the golf course according to a predetermined revenue sharing arrangement, contemporaneously with assigning the golf cart to the golfer.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , including the step of mandating the golfer's use of the golf cart in play of the golf course by administration of the golf course.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , including the step of giving the golfer the option to use a golf cart implemented with said golf course information system in play of the golf course and performing the automatic allocation of revenue upon the golfer's exercise of said option.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , including the step of giving the golfer the option to use a golf cart implemented with said golf course information system for a gratis trial period at the commencement of a round of play of the golf course, and performing the automatic allocation of revenue upon the golfer's continued use of the information system beyond said gratis trial period and authorization of payment for such use by the end of the trial period.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , including the step of automatically allocating revenue for advertising displayed on said local monitor of the golf cart during use of the cart in a round of play, according to said predetermined revenue sharing arrangement, contemporaneously with assigning the golf cart to the golfer.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cart supplier to which said revenue allocation is made includes a distributor of the golf carts to the golf course.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cart supplier to which said revenue allocation is made includes a lessor of the golf carts to the golf course.  
     
     
         8 . A method for administering use of a golf course information system implemented in golf carts with local monitor adapted to display any or all information from among course and hole layout, course features, and distance to selected features of a hole in play, to assist a golfer in play of the golf course, and to display advertising, promotional messages and golf tips to enhance the golfing experience, said method comprising the steps of: 
 renting a golf cart implemented with said information system to a golfer prior to commencing a round of play on the course; and    automatically allocating cart rental and monitor-displayed advertising revenues applicable to use of the information system of the golf cart for a round of play by the golfer, among the golf course and the cart supplier contemporaneously with assigning the golf cart to the golfer.    
     
     
         9 . A method of allocating revenues attributable to rental and use of a golf course information system implemented in golf carts with local monitor adapted to display any or all information from among course and hole layout, course features, and distance to selected features of a hole in play, to assist a golfer in play of the golf course, and to display advertising, promotional messages and golf tips to enhance the golfing experience, said method comprising the steps of: 
 renting a golf cart implemented with said information system to a golfer for commencing a round of play on the course; and    automatically allocating all revenues applicable to use of the information system on the golf cart during a round of play on the course, commensurate with a predetermined agreement among the golf course and its cart supplier, and contemporaneously with renting the golf cart to the golfer.    
     
     
         10 . A system for allocating revenues attributable to rental and use of a golf course information system implemented in golf carts with local monitor adapted to display any or all information of said system to assist a golfer in play of the golf course, said system comprising: 
 a golf cart processing point in proximity to tee boxes of the first hole of the golf course at which golf carts implemented with said information system are assigned to golfers for commencing a round of play on the course; and    calculating means positioned at least in part at said processing point for automatically allocating all revenues from golfers for their respective use of the information system on the golf carts during a round of play on the course, according to a revenue sharing agreement between the golf course and its cart supplier, contemporaneous with revenue collection from the golfers upon making the golf cart assignments.