_/ A Golf Arena. x,

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a golf arena in the form of a leisure facility for playing the game of golf.

The game of golf is conventionally played on a golf course incorporating nine or eighteen holes where players have to strike a golf ball using a club or clubs in order to drive the golf ball into each of the holes in turn from respective teeing areas associated with each of the holes.

A problem in providing a conventional golf course is finding a sufficiently large area of land to accommodate nine or eighteen holes where the overall length of each hole (the distance from the teeing area to the hole) can be in excess of 200 metres for each hole.

It is known to provide a golf course which is of a reduced size and this is sometimes to referred to as a 'pitch and putt course' or is sometimes referred to as 'mini golf. The drastic reduction in overall size of the course-in such arrangements results in players being unable to play full power strokes i.e. being unable to strike the ball over the full distance they are capable of striking the ball and thus one of the main aspects of the game is lost in playing on a reduced size course of this nature.

Another golf game is disclosed in German Patent No. DE 3 909 467 which also enables the game to be played on a smaller area than that of conventional course. The main problem associated with this prior proposal is the safety of the players, as well as the time factor and the limitation as to the number of players who can play the game at the same time.

The present invention seeks to provide a golf arena which addresses the above problems whilst permitting players to play the game of golf in a manner which is as close as possible to the conventional game of golf.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a golf arena comprising a main course defining a teeing off area positioned at one end of the main course so that the players may hit golf balls from the teeing off area onto the main course, the main course defining at least one hole dimensioned so as to receive a conventional golf ball, the main course being provided with means for identifying predetermined distances on the main course from the teeing off area, the arena further comprising a putting green which is separate from the main course and which is positioned adjacent the teeing off area.

Preferably at least one hole defined on the main course is provided with markings defining a plurality of areas surrounding the hole, the putting green defining a plurality of starting locations from which a player must strike a ball towards a hole, each of the areas defined by the markings around the hole being associated with one of the starting positions, the different starting positions providing differing degrees of difficulty for the task of hitting the ball from that starting position into a hole.

Conveniently the hole provided with said markings is located at a position less than 50 metres from the teeing off area.

Advantageously the markings around said hole extend over an area which is positioned between 25 metres and 50 metres from the teeing off area.

Preferably the main course defines three holes each dimensioned to receive a conventional golf ball.

Conveniently one hole defined on the main course is provided with means for sensing the presence of the ball in the hole and indicating means are provided which are responsive to the sensing means for providing an indication when a ball is present in the hole.

Advantageously the arena further comprises a sand trap area which is separate from the main course and which is positioned adjacent the teeing off area, the sand trap area comprising a depression filled with sand to simulate a bunker on a conventional golf course, therebeing a grassed area adjacent the sand filled depression.

Preferably the means for identifying predetermined distances on the main course from the teeing off area comprise lines marked on the main course, the lines denoting the said predetermined distances. _t

Conveniently the teeing off area defines a plurality of cubicals from which players may hit golf balls onto the main course.

Advantageously the overall length of the main course is less than 300 metres.

Preferably the main course defines one hole which is located at least 100 metres from the teeing off area.

According to a second aspect this invention provides a golf arena comprising a main course defining a teeing off area positioned at one end of the main course so that the players may hit golf balls from the teeing off

area onto the main course, the main course defining at least one hole dimensioned so as to receive a conventional golf ball, the arena further comprising a putting green which is separate from the main course and which is positioned adjacent the teeing off area, there being one hole on the course provided with markings defining a plurality of areas surrounding the hole, each of the areas being associated with a starting position on the putting green.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a golf arena in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is an illustration of a score card for use when playing the game of golf on a golf arena as shown in Figure 1.

^" Looking initially at Figure 1 a golf arena in accordance with the present invention comprises one or more main courses or fields. In the illustrated example two main courses or fields l, 2 are illustrated although it is to be appreciated that the arena may comprise any desired number of main courses or fields.

The boundary of each main course is defined by white lines 3. As can be seen from Figure l of the drawings the two fields 1, 2 are combined at one end in a common region. The two main courses l, 2 are therefore angled towards one another and extend radially outwardly

from the common end region which effectively forms a sector of a circle having a radius R as shown in Figure 1. The main courses or fields are designed so as to resemble the layout of a conventional golf course. Thus, each field may comprise horizontal portions as well as sloping or inclined portions together with combinations of all the features which are found on a conventional golf course. The main courses or fields are therefore provided with sand traps or bunkers 4 and water traps or ponds 5.

At one end of each main course there is provided a teeing off area 6 from which players strike golf balls onto the main course or field. Each main course also incorporates a first hole 7 which will be referred to as a 'hole in one' hole and one or more further holes 8 at a position relatively close to the teeing off area 6. In Figure 1 of the drawings only the right hand course is shown with the additional holes 8. Each of the additional holes 8 is surrounded by concentric markings 9 defining areas at varying distances from the hole, the purpose of which will become apparent hereinafter. The markings may be referred to as a mosaic or pattern.

^" In addition to the main fields or courses the arena incorporates a club house or building 10 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is positioned between the teeing off areas 6 for the two main courses, as well as a putting green 11 and a sand trap area 12 for each of the main courses.

The complete arena is contained within a boundary defined by a fence 13. Access to the facilities of the arena is via an entrance 14.

The overall length of the basic courses or fields is designed to permit a player to strike a golf ball at full power with the ball still landing on the main course. It is known from experience that the longest distance over which a player can strike a golf ball is approximately 225 metres. Thus, the overall length from the teeing off areas 6 to the far end of the arena (designated by reference numeral 15 in the drawings) is approximately 225 metres. The sand trap areas and the putting greens are positioned behind but adjacent their respective teeing off areas 6 and the overall length from the perimeter fence 13 behind the clubhouse 10 to the teeing off areas 6 is approximately 25 metres which, when added to the overall length of the main courses gives a total length of the arena (in plan view) of approximately 250 metres. It is to be appreciated that this is not a fixed dimension for the arena and could be shorter or longer depending upon requirements. The width of the main course or field will depend upon the area available but will be sufficient to allow for balls which have been mishit as commonly occurs in the classical game of golf.

It will be appreciated that the overall dimensions of the golf arena a significantly less than the dimensions of a conventional golf course but, as will be explained hereinafter, the arena still enables a game of golf to be played in a manner very closely resembling the conventional game of golf.

The main courses or fields will normally comprise an uneven area which can be a natural ground surface or a man made construction. Thus, synthetic materials can be used in the construction of the courses or fields if desired. The arena may be floodlit to enable play during hours of darkness.

It will be seen from Figure 1 that the main courses each carry markings 17 identifying predetermined distances from the teeing off area 6. These markings 17 are provided to enable a player to see how far he has struck the ball from the teeing off area 6 over the main course. Thus there are markings identifying distances in increments of 25 metres from the teeing off area. In addition there is a marking 18 surrounding each of the 'hole in one' holes 7 which defines an area surrounding the hole. As mentioned above, each of the additional holes 8 is surrounded by markings 9 provided on the course. The markings 17 may comprise lines on the surface of the course itself or any other appropriate means which enable a player to determine the length of a stroke from the teeing off area 6.

Each of the 'hole in one ¹ holes 7 is provided with a flag as is provided in each of the holes on a conventional golf course. In addition each of the hole in one holes is provided with a ball sensor to sense the presence of a ball in the hole. The flag provided in each of the hole in one holes 7 incorporates visual indicating means such as a lamp or the like which is activated by the ball sensor when the presence of a ball in the hole is detected. Thus, if a ball lands in the hole 7 the ball sensor activates the visual indicating means in order that the player can see that the ball has landed in the hole. The position of the hole in one holes 7 can be changed from time to time if desired.

The additional holes 8 may also be provided with ball sensors and visual means for indicating the presence of a ball in the hole in the same way as the hole in one holes 7.

In summary, a game of golf is played in the golf arena by striking balls from the teeing off area 6 onto the main course in front of it. The player notes the distance which the ball travels from the markings 17 and deducts this from the overall distance of a hypothetical hole as set out on a score card such as is shown in Figure 2. The player plays all of the main driving strokes from the teeing off area 6 using a new ball for each stroke until the total distance of the shots which he has played just exceeds the overall length of the hole as set out on the score card. The player then plays a shot which is aimed at one of the additional holes 8 and where the ball lands in relation to that hole dictates a position on the putting green 11 from which the player must then strike the ball into a hole provided on the putting green. Thus, the main driving strokes are all played from the teeing off area 6 out onto the main course. The player then concludes the playing of a hole by transferring to the putting green 11, unless he has managed to play the ball directly into either the hole in one hole 7 or one of the additional holes 8.

It will be appreciated from the above that it is the mosaic or pattern defined by the markings 9 around the holes 8 which dictate the position from which a player must play his putting strokes on the putting green. It is also these holes 8 and the surroundings markings 9 which form the effective 'transition' between the driving strokes and the putting strokes. Thus, if any player manages to strike his final driving shot into the area closest to the hole 8 then he will achieve the best putting position. Each of the putting greens 11 defines a number of different initial putting positions which are associated with differing degrees of difficulty. Thus, the position on the putting green which is associated with the area closest to the hole 8 will be the position from which it should be easiest

to strike the ball into a hole provided on the putting green. Conversely the position on the putting green which is associated with the area which is furthest from the hole 8 (as defined by the markings 9) will be the position from which it should be most difficult to strike the ball into a hole provided on the putting green. If when striking the ball towards the hole 8 as a final driving stroke a player manages to strike the ball into the hole 8 then there is no need for him to play on the putting green 11. As will be seen from the main course 1 shown on the right in Figure 1 of the drawings two additional holes 8 with associated mosaic markings are provided. The number of these such holes can, of course, be varied depending upon the width of the main field or course and the number of players competing. Similarly whilst concentric rectangular markings 9 have been shown around each hole 8 the markings could, of course, be varied.

The putting green area 11 is designed to resemble a conventional putting green. Each putting green 11 will define a plurality of holes, into one of which a player must strike his ball. It is envisaged that each putting green may have nine holes. The perimeter of the green defines the starting positions from which a player must strike his ball towards a specified one of the holes defined on the putting green. The different starting positions correspond with differing degrees of difficulty associated with the task of striking the ball into the specified hole on the putting green. The starting positions are, as mentioned above, associated with particular areas defined by the markings 9 surrounding the holes 8. Once a players starting position has been determined by his shot towards the hole 8 he will then place his ball at the appropriate starting position on the putting green and execute as many strokes as are necessary

in order to land the ball in the specified hole on the putting green. The shape and size of each putting green area can of course be varied.

The sand trap area 12 which is positioned adjacent the putting green 11 and the teeing off area 6 is used when a player strikes a ball into one of the sand traps or bunkers 4 on the main course. Each sand trap area 12 comprises a depression which is filled with sand, the depression being bordered by a grass area which is in turn surrounded by a fence. If a players shot on the main course lands in one of the bunkers 4 then he must note this event and at a later stage must play a shot from the sand in the sand trap area 12. When a player plays a shot from the sand trap area he must initially throw his ball over his shoulder into the sand. If when attempting to play out of the sand the ball hits or travels over the border fence then the player must play another shot from the sand and each shot counts as a stroke on his score sheet until successful recovery from the sand trap area is accomplished when the ball lands on any part of the grassy area adjacent the sand.

It will ^" be appreciated that although the conventional rules of golf have to be varied slightly when playing the game in a golf arena in accordance with the present invention, the arena does enable all types of golf shots and strokes that are used in the conventional game to be played. The principle difference between playing a game of golf on a conventional course and playing in a golf arena in accordance with the present invention is that the player does not physically follow the ball by walking around the course. The balls and golf clubs used when playing are exactly the same as those used in a conventional game of golf. As mentioned above each player

uses a new ball for every driving stroke effected from the teeing off area 6 and leaves the ball where it has landed. The position of the ball dictates the players next shot in a similar way as happens in a conventional game of golf.

It will be appreciated from the description given above that all of the main driving strokes are executed from the teeing off area 6 with the finishing or putting strokes being executed on a separate putting green located close to the teeing off area. The teeing off area 6 will be divided into a number of cubicals to enable a number of golfers to play or train at the same time on the same course or field. When a player plays a stroke from the teeing off area he does not physically follow the ball but merely makes a note of its path and position in terms of distance from the teeing off area as can be seen from the marking 17. All of the balls which are played from the teeing off area are left on the main course and are collected during an interval or at the end of the day. When balls are to be collected from the main course then a warning signal is given and this may comprise a visual signal such as a warning light or an audible signal such as a bell in order to notify players in the teeing off area that they must not play any shots. Thus, a red light may be illuminated in each of the cubicals in the teeing off area whilst balls are being collected from the main course. Once the warning lights is extinguished players know that it is again safe to play shots from the teeing off area onto the main course. It will be appreciated that the playing of finishing or putting strokes on a separate putting green does not disturb players who are playing driving shots from the teeing off area 6 and players do not need to move onto the main course at any time whilst playing.

Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a scoring card used when playing on the arena as shown in Figure 1 and the card sets out various parameters relating to imaginary holes which are to be played by players and constitutes a document upon which the results of the players' game are recorded. The game can be played by one or more players where the players may compete to see who can get their ball into the hole in the least number of strokes as in a conventional game of golf. Each player has his or her own individual score-card with the same hole parameters marked on each of the cards and each player marks their own score on their own score card.

The card is made up of a number of rows and columns. The first column sets out the hole numbers which may, for example, comprise nine holes on a nine-hole course or eighteen holes on a eighteen-hole course. The second column sets out the par value for each of the holes. The third and fourth columns have a joint heading of "length" and the third column sets out the hypothetical length of the hole in metres for male players whilst the fourth column sets out the hypothetical length of the hole in metres for females. The fifth column defines various boxes where a.player's results are entered. The sixth column is a "total" column where a player enters his total score for each of the holes.

It will be appreciated that the score card defines an imaginative course with holes of various hypothetical lengths as set down in columns three and four. The length of any one hole on the course may be greater than or less than the overall length of the actual main course. Normally all nine or eighteen holes of a course are of differing lengths. It will be appreciated that the score card shown in Figure 2 has only been completed in respect

of hole number one and similar parameters and markings would be entered on the score card for each of the holes. The par value for each of the holes, as set out in column two of the score card, is determined on the basis of the length of the hole.

In the example shown on the score card of Figure 2, the first hole is a 370 metres (for males) par four hole. It will be appreciated that it is the parameters given on the score card which determine the task to be accomplished by each player at each hole.

A description of how the game of golf is played on the arena of the present invention will now be given together with details of how the game is scored, with contrasts being made with the conventional game of golf.

When playing on the arena of the present invention the player needs to make a note not only of the number of strokes which are played from the teeing-off area 6 but also the length of each of the individual strokes so that the length of the individual strokes can be deducted from the hypothetical length of the hole which is being played and thereby give the player the remaining length of the hole to be covered. The length of each individual stroke is marked in the fifth column alongside the word "length".

In a conventional game of gold it is not necessary to determine the length of any particular stroke played since the player carries on striking the ball from the position where is lands. With the present invention where the player does not follow the ball it is important to record the length or stroke and this is done by noting the position of the ball relative to the markings or lines 17 which show the distance from the teeing-off area 6. The

distance accorded to a particular stroke is the distance of the furthest line marking 17 which is crossed by the ball before it stops on the course. Thus, the ball will land between two lines 17 and it is the line which marks the lesser distance which gives the distance for the shot. This distance is then deducted from the overall distance of the hole as set out in column three or four of the score card to give a remaining distance in order to complete the hole. All strokes which are played from the teeing-off area are recorded on the score card. The player plays as many shots as are necessary in order to cover the total length of the hole, but the final shot should land between two markings 17 so that the total length of all the shots played just exceeds the length at the hole, i.e. exceeds the length of the hole by no more than 25m.

If, when approaching the end of the hole a player "over-shoots" the length of the hole, that is to say the total length of the strokes which a player has played comes to more than 25m in excess of the specified length of the hole then an additional stroke is added to the score card as a penalty. Furthermore, if the player "over-shoots" the length of the hole in this way then for each division between the lines 17 (corresponding to a distance of 25 metres) which is crossed in excess of the total length of the hole, one penalty stroke is accorded. For example, say the first hole is 200m and the player's first tee shot was 125m then he'd want his second tee shot to land over the 75m line but before the 100m line. If successful then he would score 2 strokes for the first hole fairway. When the total length of executed strokes is greater than total length of hole, one (1) stroke is added for every 25m over the desired length. So if player mis-hits his second shot on the first hole and lands over the 125m line, he would have to score 4 strokes.

If the ball comes to rest on the distance line, then the length of that stroke corresponds to value of that distance line.

If the ball lands in one of the bunkers or sand traps 4 the player notes the length of the stroke in the usual way as dictated by the line markings 17 and must then play a shot from the sand trap area 12. When playing from the sand trap 12 the number of strokes taken to successfully get out of the sand are recorded on the score card in the fifth column alongside the markings "ST".

If the ball lands in one of the water traps 5 the player again notes the length of the stroke in the usual way as dictated by the line markings 17 (100 metres in the case of the example shown in Figure 1) . In addition, one penalty stroke is added to the player's score. There is no special way of playing out of the water trap.

If the ball lands outside of the boundary marked by the lines 3 then the length of the stroke is not recorded or deducted from the overall length of the hole but one stroke is noted on the score card. In order to return to the main course playing area and continue with-the game the player must play a shot from the teeing-off area 6 in such a way that the ball lands within the confines of the main course and before the first line 17 which marks the length of 25 metres. The player must play as many strokes as are necessary in order to achieve this position, with each of the strokes being entered on the score card, before he can continue to play the normal game.

If the ball comes to land in the hole 7, then it is considered that a hole in one has been successfully achieved regardless of how many strokes have been played

previously in relation to that particular hole before the ball lands in the hole. Thus, successfully getting the ball in the hole 7 at any point during the playing of a hole will result in a score of 1 stroke for that particular hole. It is envisaged that the main "hole in one" hole will be the hole 7 although the game could be arranged so that either the hole 7 or one of the holes 8 gives rise to a hole in one.

There are three main ways in which any one hole can be completed:

Firstly, a hole may be completed by landing the ball in the "hole in one" hole 7 when driving from the teeing-off area 6. A score of one stroke only is then accorded to that particular hole. A second way of completing a hole is to strike the ball so that it lands in one of the holes 8. In this case the hole is considered to be completed, but is not a "hole in one", and the number of strokes for that particular hole will comprise the total number of strokes taken including the one in which the ball lands in the hole 8.

^** The third way in which a hole is completed is by playing on the putting green 11. In this case when the total length of a particular hole has been achieved on the main course, the player plays a shot from the teeing-off area 6 towards one of the holes 8 so that the ball lands within one of the areas defined by the markings 9. The position of the ball within the pattern or mosaic defined by the markings 9 then dictates a starting position at the perimeter of the putting green 11 from which the player must play his ball into the hole on the putting green which is associated with the particular hole presently being played. If the player does not manage to land his ball in

the area covered by the markings 9 then he must continue to play shots from the teeing-off area uη,til the ball does land within the area covered by the markings 9 and the number of strokes taken to accomplish this task are entered on the score card in the fifth column in the row carrying the marking "M". Once a player has successfully landed his ball within the area covered by the mosaic markings 9 he must then use the position of that ball to determine his start position on the putting green and does not play any further strokes towards the hole 8. The player then adjourns to the putting green 11 and plays the required number of shots from the predetermined starting position to the appropriate hole with the number of shots being recorded in the fifth column of the score card in the row carrying the marking "PG".

The total number of strokes to complete a particular hole comprises the sum of the strokes required in all areas of play, that is to say the strokes played as driving shots from the teeing-off area 6 on to the main course, as well as the shots aimed at the area covered by the mosaic markings 9 and shots played on the putting green, as well as any shots which are played in the sand trap and any penalty strokes which may, for example, result from a ball landing in the water trap 5.

After completing the first hole the player then plays the second and subsequent holes under the same rules and scoring system as described above with the results of the individual holes being totalled in the sixth column on the score card. The winner, when all holes have been completed is the player with the least number of total strokes for the complete game.

It will be appreciated that there are various ways in which the game can be varied. Thus the game can be played on differing main courses and against fictional opponents. The main course or courses provided in the arena may be constructed from natural materials as in the case of a conventional golf course. However, the arena could be constructed on several levels with the use of synthetic materials, such as artificial turf. Thus a multi-tier construction could be provided with each tier accommodating an arena as shown in Figure l of the drawings. In this case the overall plan area of the total construction would be no greater than that for the single arena. As mentioned above, the equipment used to play a game of golf on the arena of the present invention is the same as the equipment which is used in the conventional game of golf, namely clubs, balls, golf-bags etc. Other equipment and the balls of behaviour and etiquette are the same as for the conventional game of golf. It should also be noted that in addition to the comments made above concerning the rules and behaviour of players in the game played on the arena of the present invention, the protection of nature also plays an important role in the game which is played on the arena of this invention.