Golf Game

Abstract

A game of golf deviates from USGA rules by use of a special marker that may be placed anywhere on a golf course, such as in a sand trap. A group of golfers initiate play from a location proximate the special marker. Play thereafter proceeds according to USGA rules until all players are on the putting green. Ball on the putting green are not marked and removed, but left in place where they can interfere with shots made by members of the group. Predetermined special events are associated with a reduction in points that are used to reduce the USGA score.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A game of golf played by a method comprising the steps of:
 selectively positioning a set of special markers including at least one special marker for each hole in a course of play that includes a plurality of holes, each hole having a tee area, a fairway and a putting green hole;   permitting each golfer in a group of golfers to initiate play by striking a ball with a golf club from a position proximate the special marker;   counting strokes per United States Golf Association (“USGA”) rules as the golfers in the group continue play for the hole until all golfers in the group have landed a ball on the putting green;   deviating from USGA rules by leaving all balls in place on the putting green without marking the position of the balls;   once each member of the group has a ball on the putting green, commencing serially with the golfer whose ball on the putting green is located farthest from the putting green hole, allowing that golfer to putt the ball and then commencing with the next farthest golfer until all golfers in the group who have not holed out have taken a stroke;   counting strokes for each player on the putting green to arrive at a USGA score;   deducting from the USGA score a predetermined number of points for special events that occur during the course of play for the hole; and   repeating the above steps for each hole in the course of play to arrive at a cumulative score that is less than the USGA score.   
     
     
         2 . The game of golf according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of permitting each golfer to initiate play includes positioning the ball by dropping the ball in the same lie no further than two club lengths away from the special marker. 
     
     
         3 . The game of golf according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of specially positioning includes placing at least one special marker in a sand trap. 
     
     
         4 . The game of golf according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more strokes taken by golfers during the step of commencing serially purposefully interferes with a putt that is to be taken by a subsequent golfer. 
     
     
         5 . The game of golf according to  claim 4 , wherein interference with the putt includes positioning a golf ball to block a shot by the subsequent golfer. 
     
     
         6 . The game of golf according to  claim 4 , wherein interference with the putt includes causing a ball to strike the ball of the subsequent golfer. 
     
     
         7 . The game of golf according to  claim 1 , wherein the special events include one or more events selected from the group consisting of: (1) landing closest to the pin when initiating play from the special marker, (2) making a birdie from the special marker, (3) making par by play ninclu89dng a shot from a bunker, (4) holing out from a shot off of the putting green, (5) one-putting the putting green, (6) having the lowest USGA score for the hole, and (6) winning the 9 th  hole by having the lowest USGA score for that hole. 
     
     
         8 . The game of golf according to  claim 7  wherein the special events include at least three events selected from the group. 
     
     
         9 . The game of golf according to  claim 7  wherein the special events include all events from the group. 
     
     
         10 . The game of golf according to  claim 7 , wherein the events are associated with points assessed as follows:
 (1) landing closest to the pin when initiating play from the special marker, −1 point;   (2) making a birdie from the special marker, −2 points;   (3) making par by play ninclu89dng a shot from a bunker, −1 point;   (4) holing out from a shot off of the putting green, −1 point;   (5) one-putting the putting green, −1 point;   (6) having the lowest USGA score for the hole, −1 point; and   (7) winning the 9 th  hole by having the lowest USGA score for that hole, −3 points.   
     
     
         11 . The game of golf according to  claim 1 , wherein the special markers used in the step of selectively positioning are constructed as oversize billiard balls. 
     
     
         12 . A set of special markers for use in golf, comprising:
 a plurality of balls, each having
 a hollow core, 
 a diameter of at least twelve inches; and 
 an outer surface decorated in the manner of a billiard ball, 
 the outer surface including indicia in the form of a number associated with a hole number for a course of play. 
   
     
     
         13 . The set of special markers according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of balls include a mix of stripes and solids. 
     
     
         14 . The set of special markers according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of balls are primarily solids.