System for providing information on playing golf

Abstract

A system for providing information on playing golf includes: an input unit; a processing unit that receives input information from the input unit and calculates output information concerning playing golf; and a display unit portable by a golf player that displays the output information. The input information may be a current position of a golf ball of the golf player. The golf ball may include an RFID system storing information concerning the golf ball. The input unit may include a reading unit for reading the information stored in the RFID system without any contact from the golf ball, and the information read by the reading unit is shown on the display unit. The system may include a data receiver that receives information dispatched by other player via a network. The system may include a data transmitter that transmits information dispatched by the golf player via a network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for providing information on playing golf, comprising:
 an input unit;   a processing unit that receives input information from the input unit and calculates output information concerning playing golf; and   a display unit portable by a golf player that displays the output information calculated by the processing unit.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the input information from the input unit to the processing unit is a current position of a golf ball of the golf player. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the output information concerning playing golf is a layout of a golf course where the golf ball currently is. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , further comprising a data receiving unit that receives information concerning the layout of golf course via a network and supplies it to the processing unit. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the output information concerning playing golf is a distance from the current position of the golf ball to a target position on the layout. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the target position is a cup, a bunker, a water hazard or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the output information concerning playing golf is a condition of a golf country club or a golf course where the golf ball currently is. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the condition of the golf country club or the golf course is at least one selected from a group consisting of weather information and length, density, hardness, and water content of a lawn. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a data receiver that receives information concerning the condition of the country club or the golf course via a network and supplies it to the processing unit. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the output information concerning playing golf is a recommended number of a golf club for hitting the golf ball from the current position to the target position on the layout. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the processing unit calculates the recommended number of the golf club taking into account the condition of the country club or the golf course where the golf ball currently is as well. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a data storage unit that stores a result of previous plays of the golf player, wherein the processing unit calculates the recommended number of the golf club taking into account the result of the previous plays as well. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the input unit comprises a manual input device for inputting information of the current position of the golf ball manually. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the input unit comprises a GPS receiver for receiving information of the current position of the golf ball. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the golf ball comprises an RFID system,
 wherein the input unit comprises a reading unit for reading information stored in the RFID system without any contact from the golf ball, and   wherein when the reading unit reads the RFID system in the golf ball, the GPS receiver obtains the information of the current position.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the golf ball comprises an RFID system storing information concerning the golf ball,
 wherein the input unit comprises a reading unit for reading the information stored in the RFID system without any contact from the golf ball, and   wherein the output information concerning playing golf is the information read by the reading unit.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the output information concerning playing golf is information concerning whether the golf ball read by the reading unit is the golf player's golf ball or not. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the output information concerning playing golf is attribute information of the golf ball read by the reading unit. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the attribute information of the golf ball is at least one selected from a group consisting of manufacturer's name, trade name and characteristics of the golf ball, and comments of a user. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the characteristics of the golf ball is at least one selected from a group consisting of a hardness, feeling of striking the golf ball, suitable head speed, spin performance and fly course type of the golf ball. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 18 , further comprising a data receiver that receives the attribute information of the golf ball via a network and supplies it to the processing unit. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a data receiver that receives information dispatched by another player via a network. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the information dispatched by another player is a playing situation. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the information dispatched by another player is a comment on golf gear. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 23 , wherein the playing situation is at least one selected from a group consisting of a player's position in a country club or a golf course, player's score, ball fly distance, name of golf gear, text message, voice, moving image and still image. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a data transmitter that transmits information dispatched by the golf player via a network. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the information dispatched by the golf player is a playing situation. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the information dispatched by the golf player is a comment on golf gear. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 28 , wherein the playing situation is at least one selected from the group consisting of a player's position in a country club or a golf course, player's score, ball fly distance, name of golf gear, text message, voice, moving image and still image.