CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

62/546,559, filed on August 17th, 2017, titled "Par Method of Playing Target Golf With Limited Flight Balls"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/637,986, filed on March 2nd, 2018, also titled "Par Method of Playing Target Golf With Limited Flight Balls"; both of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirs entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is in the technical field of outdoor target golf. More particularly, the present invention pertains to the field of target golf using a par system of scoring and possibly the use of limited flight balls.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] Conventional target golf courses and/or games are generally not designed for players of varying skill and ability while still being motivational for all players. Conventional target golf courses and/or games are ordinarily limited in the number of players that may play at one time, thusly excluding group play for groups having relatively many players. It is also apparent that conventional target golf courses and games do not provide practice situations, especially for pitching and chipping, which allow for performance to be quantified and improved upon under conditions similar to those associated with traditional golf so that skills acquired and reinforced in practice may be directly applied to traditional golf. Conventional target golf games typically lack a readily understandable system of rules and scoring compatible with the concepts of traditional golf. Additionally, target golf games are generally not adaptable for being laid out on an irregular piece of ground using the existing topography with minimal or no modifications.

[0004] In light of the foregoing, there is a need for an outdoor bulls-eye target golf game which incorporates chipping and pitching shots taken under conditions analogous to those encountered in traditional golf without the need for time- consuming setup and capable of being played by relatively large groups of players and according to an uncomplicated, easily comprehensible system of rules and scoring compatible with the concepts of traditional golf.

SUMMARY

[0005] The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims and detailed description of a preferred embodiment, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. In addressing many of the problems experienced in the related art, such as those relating to methods of scoring, use of traditional golf balls, and the characteristics of the target used in target golf itself the present disclosure generally involves a par scoring system that more accurately reflects traditional golf, the use of a ball with limited flight capabilities that allows the players to play in smaller ranges, and a more versatile target.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES [0006] The present disclosure can provide a number of advantages depending on the particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. None of the particular objects or advantages that follow must be entirely satisfied as they are non-exclusive alternatives and at least one of the following objects is met; accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0007] each player may complete their own score card similarly to traditional golf;

[0008] scoring may be done using a par method of scoring;

[0009] use of limited flight balls allows for a smaller playing field;

[0010] an outdoor bulls-eye target golf course and game may be laid out on a

relatively small area;

[0011] loss of ball is unlikely;

[0012] to improve the practice opportunities available to golfers for chipping and pitching;

[0013] These and other objectives and advantages of the instant invention will

become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of the instant invention. The drawings are intended to constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Various embodiments are described herein with reference to the following Drawings. Certain aspects of the Drawings are depicted in a simplified way for reason of clarity. Not all alternatives and options are shown in the Drawings and, therefore, the Claims are not limited in scope to the content of the Drawings. FIGURES

[0015] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a target golf target, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

1001 1 Fig. 2 illustrates a method of par scoring that is harder for the user to get a low score, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Fig. 3 illustrates a method of par scoring that is easier for a user to get a low score, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Fig. 4 illustrates a scorecard for a par method of scoring, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Fig. 5 illustrates a method of arranging a target golf course for the par scoring method, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Fig. 6 illustrates a method of arranging a target golf course for the par scoring method, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Fig. 7 illustrates a method of arranging a target golf course for the par scoring method, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Fig. 8 illustrates a method of arranging a target golf course for the par scoring method, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0023] Fig. 9 illustrates a method of arranging a target golf course for the par scoring method, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components

throughout the several figures of the Drawings. Elements in the several figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be emphasized relative to other elements for facilitating understanding of the various presently disclosed embodiments. Also, common, but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

REFERENCES

20 Target Golf Target

22 First Circular Target Line

24 Inner Target Zone

26 Second Circular Target Line

28 Intermediate Target Zone

30 Third Circular Target Line

32 Outer Target Zone

34 Exterior Target Zone 36 Target Hole

38 Ball

40 Hitting Area

42 Scoring System A

44 Scoring System B

46 Score Card DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary

embodiments, many additional embodiments of this invention are possible. It is understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The scope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the Claims. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic that is described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0026] The phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and/or" are open-ended

expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. The terms "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" can be used

interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," and "having" can be used interchangeably.

[0027] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the

present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

[0028] The present invention relates generally to a method for playing target golf games using a par scoring system, and more particularly target golf games

incorporating skills applicable to traditional golf and typically using most full swing clubs (any club except a putter). Putting is typically not included in target golf. A target golf game typically involves each player taking turns hitting one or more balls or limited flight projectiles from one or more hitting location, which may be tee boxes. The number of tee stations may be determined by the customizable set up configurations established at the beginning of a game or tournament.

[0029] As illustrated in Fig. 1 a target golf game comprises one or more portable targets (20) that are easy to disassemble and can be assembled at customized locations for play. The target (20) may be referred to as a "bullseye" or a "bullseye target"; but they are all the same thing. The target (20) can be made of any material suitable for its purpose and can be buoyant so that it can be placed in a pool or other body of water. The target (20) may also be a permanent fixture for regular play in a singular location, meaning it can be built into a surface the way a Frisbee golf hole would be.

[0030] The target (20) itself optionally (preferably) comprising two or more

concentric target lines which may include a first circular, curved, or polygonal target line (22) of a first diameter circumscribing an inner target zone (24), a second circular, curved, or polygonal target line (26) of a second diameter, greater than the circumference of the first target line, circumscribing an intermediate target zone (28) between the first target line (22) and the second target line (26), and a third circular, curved, or polygonal target line (30) of a third diameter, greater than the

circumference of the second target line, circumscribing an outer target zone (32) between the third target line (30) and the second target line (24); and also

circumscribing an exterior target zone (34) outside of the third target line (30). There may also be a target hole (36) at the center of the inner target zone (24). The target hole (36) can be an upright cone as depicted or any physical geometric configuration capable of containing a sub region: on the plane of, above, below, or the around, the center of the inner target zone (24). The target may also have a flagpole, preferably attached to a central hub of the target (20). Obviously, additional fourth, fifth, and so on... target lines could be added with inherent additional circumscribed target zones.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the target (20) may comprise uniform lengths of flexible rods wrapped in buoyant tubular foam forming concentric shapes interconnected by a plurality of thin flexible radial spokes radiating from a central hub. The concentric shapes may be segmented into quadrants, octants, or pluralities connected and held together by flexible interlocking quick-detachable joints.

[0032] The target (20) and areas defined by the target lines and possible target hole (36) are used to determine the score of a ball (38) which may be a limited flight ball such as a Birdieball (a hollow cylinder), whiffle ball, plastic ball, or any other ball capable of being hit and travelling a much shorter distance than a solid ball; such balls may also be buoyant such that they are easily retrieved from water and made in various colors and designs so that a player may easily discern their ball from that of another player. The method of using a limited flight ball allows the game to be played in smaller areas, such as areas as small as 20 yards by 40 yards. The lighter weight of the limited flight balls also makes them safe for use around vulnerable or fragile objects as they have lower momentum and can apply less force to objects they strike.

[0033] The method of scoring the target golf game is new in that it more closely

approximates scoring of a normal game of golf and uses a par system, unlike previous methods of playing target golf. As seen in Fig 5, At least one hitting area (40), which may be a tee box, is set up at a distance from the target (20) and a player hits a ball (also called a player's "stroke"); where the ball ends its movement in relation to the target (20) determines the player's score for hitting that ball (that stroke). The player's score in relation to said hit ball can be determined using the par method in a variety of ways: so long as one of the possible scores is a "Par". A "Par" score is essentially a zero score; in relation to this Par (zero) score there must also be scores which are both positive in relation to Par as they move from one region to another away from the center of the target (20) as defined by the target lines; and negative in relation to Par as they move toward the center of the target (20) as defined by the target lines.

[0034] Importantly, this method of scoring reflects the system of "Par" used in

traditional golf where there is an expected number of strokes to get the golf ball in the hole and doing so in fewer strokes is better, which is why in this method of scoring getting your ball closer to the hole is equivocal to taking less strokes in a traditional game of golf. There are a number of ways of implementing a method of par scoring using any number of target lines and scoring zones with either par, negative, or positive scores. Preferably the total number of par, positive, or negative scores would reflect the possible par, positive, or negative scores of a traditional game of golf; thus the relative scores would carry the same symbolic meaning in relation to the improvement of the player's abilities, even if it is just in the scoring system itself and not in actual performance, although practice in target golf should impart some benefit to the play of traditional golf.

[0035] By way of example, and not to be limiting in any sense, a couple of the best methods of establishing the score of a hit are illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a possible par scoring method "Scoring System A" (42). Scoring System A represents a less forgiving par scoring method as the player's score for their hit depends upon the ball landing closer to the center of the Target (20) to achieve at least a Par (zero) score with a lower possible maximum low score (in this case being a -2). This scoring system would make sense if the players are good or are hitting the ball from a short distance. In Scoring System A (42) the Par score is set in the intermediate target zone (28) with the inner target zone (24) scoring a -1, and the target hole scoring a -2. Going away from the center of the target, the outer target zone (32) scores a +1, and the exterior target zone (34), by far the easiest since it is not circumscribed inside of a target line, scores a +2.

[0036] Similarly, Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a possible par scoring method "Scoring System B" (44) representing a more forgiving par scoring method as the player's score for their hit depends upon the ball landing farther from the center of the Target (20) to achieve at least a Par (zero) score with a higher possible maximum low score (in this case being a -3). This scoring system would make sense if the players are not as good or are hitting the ball from a greater distance.

[0037] In Scoring System B (44) the Par score is set in the outer target zone (32) with the intermediate target zone (28) scoring a -1, the inner target zone (24) scoring a -2, and the target hole scoring a -3. Going away from the Par outer target zone (32), the exterior target zone (34) only scores a +1. Under this scoring system it would be easier to maintain a zero, or par score.

[0038] Generally, this method of playing a game of target golf comprises the

following steps: step one, each player hits one or more balls from one or more tee locations to one or more targets, each target comprising at least a target hole and a first circular target line of a first diameter circumscribing an inner target zone, or a first circular target line of a first diameter circumscribing an inner target zone and a second circular target line of a second diameter, greater than the first diameter, circumscribing an intermediate target zone; in either case, said step of hitting comprises each player hitting one or more balls with only one swing. In step two, each player scores the balls they hit according to where they landed in relation to the target, balls that land closest to the center of the target receive a negative point score, balls that landed outside of all the target lines receive a positive point score, and balls that landed in at least one zone between the two receive a zero, or par, point score. In step three, each player totals their points upon completion of said scoring, whereby the player with the lowest total points is declared the winner of the game.

[0039] Other methods of using the par scoring system are possible with additional target lines and inherent additional circumscribed target zones, but the idea is to keep the scoring within the realities of scoring traditional golf games; meaning the par zones would have to have circumscribed target zones with positive outside of the par zone and negative values inside the par zone.

[0040] Keeping with the method of imitating traditional golf scoring a scorecard may be used. Fig. 4 illustrates one embodiment of such a scorecard (46). Such scorecard could have any number of holes for players and any number of players. Preferably the scorecard (46) would be able to keep track of either 9 or 18 holes to simulate traditional golf scoring. Holes with different par values and yards from the tee box to the target could be accounted for as well as player handicaps, net scores, bogey scores, and all the traditional golfing scorecard data and computations.

[0041] The par method of scoring target golf does not require a specific set up

between the location where the player hits their ball (40), which may be a tee box, and the target (20) but some setups will help to improve the player's abilities better than others as well as help replicate the 9 or 18 hole scoring system that is used in traditional golf and by which the par method of scoring is particularly well suited to replicate. Figs. 5 through 9 show examples of different methods for setting up one or more tee boxes for efficient and skillful play of the game. The target and hitting surfaces may be set up to rest on the surface of various terrains, such as Grass, earth, sand, water, snow, or any padded flooring surface both outdoors or indoors (assuming adequate space is available).

[0042] Fig. 5 illustrates three tee boxes (40) arranged linearly with the target (20). In this set up the players can practice the power of their stroke. Three tee boxes at three different distances from the target (20) allow each player to hit from each tee box either 3 or 6 times to simulate the scoring of a traditional game of golf using the par method of scoring.

[0043] Fig. 6 illustrates three tee boxes (40) arranged equidistantly from the target (20) but at different angles. In this set up the players can practice consistency in the power of their stroke from different angles. Again, three tee boxes (40) allow each player to hit from each tee box (40) either 3 or 6 times to simulate the scoring of a traditional game of golf using the par method of scoring.

[0044] Fig. 7 illustrates six tee boxes (40) arranged equidistantly from the target (20) but at different angles in a baseball diamond. In this configuration the players would need to hit from each tee box (40) 3 times to simulate an 18 hole game of golf.

[0045] Fig. 8 illustrates six tee boxes (40) arranged equidistantly from the target (20) in a circular fashion. Again, in this configuration the players would need to hit from each tee box (40) 3 times to simulate an 18 hole game of golf.

[0046] Fig. 9 illustrates nine tee boxes (40) arranged equidistantly from the target (20) in a circular fashion. In this configuration the players would need to hit from each tee box (40) either once to simulate a traditional a nine hole round of golf or twice to simulate an 18 hole game of golf.

[0047] Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of

attaining the above-described object of the present disclosure, the presently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; and is, thus, representative of the subject matter; which is broadly contemplated by the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, wherein any reference to an element being made in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments as regarded by those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims.

8] Moreover, no requirement exists for a system or method to address each and every problem sought to be resolved by the present disclosure, for such to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, that various changes and modifications in form, material, work-piece, and fabrication material detail may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the appended claims, as may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, are also encompassed by the present disclosure.