Golfing game

• US 5,653,642 A
• Filed: 10/10/1995
• Issued: 08/05/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jimmy Bonacorsi
• Original Assignee: Jimmy Bonacorsi
• Inventors: Bonacorsi, Jimmy
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/541,415
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 473/153, 473/351
• US Class Current: 473/153
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2047/028 pneumatic ball transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3694 for driving only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a golfing game and the apparatus for accomplishing the same. The game apparatus includes a driving range having a tee area and a target or series of targets. Using all the skill he possess, the player(s) strike(s) the ball toward the target(s) attempting to reach the target on one stroke. Upon reaching the target in one stroke a verification system signals the validity of the ball entering the target. After the ball entering the target is declared valid, a notification is activated which alerts the other players and personnel on the driving range. Immediately, thereafter the winning player is provided with additional rewards.

Claims

1. A golf game including a designated special golf ball and a driving range, comprising the steps of:

providing a player ID;

measuring the exact mass of the special golf ball, the exact mass being a unique identification code for the special golf ball;

associating the player ID with the unique identification code for the special golf ball;

placing the special golf ball at a starting position a predetermined distance from a designated target;

striking the golf ball in the direction of the target;

designating an immediate winner for each special golf ball that reaches the target in one stroke using a notification system which is activated upon the target being reached;

verifying the player ID by measuring the exact mass of the special golf ball which has reached the target; and

providing a reward upon the activation of the notification system, whereupon a notification system is activated upon reaching the target and the reward provided.

2. A golf game as set forth in claim 1 wherein the starting point is a driving range tee and the designated target is a golf hole.

3. A golf game as set forth in claim 2, wherein the notification system is automated.

4. A golf game as set forth in claim 3, wherein the notification system comprises an electronic device which upon being activated sounds an alarm and flashes and/or sounding a public notification.

5. A golf game as set forth in claim 1, wherein the steps further include issuing each contestant a game ball having a unique identification code, recording the unique identification code;

and verifying the unique identification code with the records and then allowing the reward to be given.

6. A golf game as set forth in claim 5, wherein the unique identification code includes the ball having a unique alpha numeric code.

7. A golf game as set forth in claim 6, wherein the unique identification code further includes the golf ball being a gold color.

8. A golf game as set forth in claim 6, wherein the notification system includes an optical reader and wherein steps include the optical reader reading the unique alpha numeric code for verifying the winner and then activating the public notification system.

9. A golf game as set forth in claim 5, wherein the unique identification code includes the ball having a unique mass, at, slightly above the standard weight for golf balls, as assigned by the then current standards published by the United States Golf Association or its successor or successors, the game including a notification system which has a means of measuring the mass and verifying the unique weight of the winning ball and wherein the game includes the step of verifying the unique mass of the winning ball and activating the pubic notification system.

10. A golf game as set forth in claim 5, wherein the unique identification code includes the ball having a unique mass at slightly below the standard weight for golf balls, as assigned by the then current standards published by the United States Golf Association or its successor or successors, the game including a notification system which has a means of measuring the mass and verifying the unique weight of the winning ball and wherein the game includes the step of verifying the unique mass of the winning ball and activating the pubic notification system.

11. A golfing game comprising the steps of:

providing a player ID and a special golf ball having an exact mass which is used as a unique identification code for the special golf ball, a driving range having a starting point and a target, and a notification system and means for activating the notification system;

associating the player ID with the unique identification code for the special golf ball;

placing the special golf ball at the starting position a predetermined distance from the designated target;

striking the special golf ball in the direction of the target;

designating a winner for each golf ball that reaches the target in one stroke using the notification system which by activation means upon the target being reached;

verifying the winner by measuring the exact mass of the special golf ball to determine the identiciation code and comparing the identification code with the player ID; and

providing a reward upon the activation of the notification system, whereby when the target is reached the notification system is activated and the reward provided.

12. A golfing game as set forth in claim 11, wherein the game includes an electronic notification system having a electronic display.

13. A golfing game as set forth in claim 12, wherein the notification system includes a verification system for verify that a valid special ball has reached the target.

14. A golfing game as set forth in claim 13, wherein the verification system is electronic and includes the game ball having electronically readable unique identification code and an optical reader for reading such a code and means for sending a verification signal.

15. A golfing game as set forth in claim 13, wherein the verification system is a manual system comprising a manual feed system wherein a ball is retrieved by a gravity chute after entering the target and wherein the special ball has a unique identification code which is manually verified.