US20120190480A1

US20120190480A1 - Golf aid yardage estimator

Info

Publication number: US20120190480A1
Application number: US13/355,780
Authority: US
Inventors: William J. Chaperon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-24
Filing date: 2012-01-23
Publication date: 2012-07-26

Abstract

A golf aid display includes a display defining a length axis and a perpendicular width axis. A target or green is displayed adjacent one end of the display. An elongated fairway extends from a position adjacent the green to an opposite end and along the length axis of the display. A plurality of distance indicators increase in increments from the green along the length axis and width axis of the display. A plurality of distance arcs curve circumferentially a radial distance from the green corresponding to equal length and width distance indicators. The arcs intersect the corresponding length axis perpendicularly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/435,513, filed Jan. 24, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a golf aid, particularly for use during the play of golf to aid in estimating yardage to a green or other target.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

A particularly difficult problem that confronts golfers is estimating the distance from the golfer's ball to the green or any desired shot location. Distance to these points or across certain obstacles determines club selection, and without an accurate determination of this distance, club selection is merely a guess on the part of a player. If the guess is wrong, even where the line of travel is accurate, the shot will be either too short or too long and thus prevent an optimum score.
The problem is particularly acute where the golfer is not familiar with the golf course. Each golf hole is unique in layout and topographical features. If a golfer plays the same course a number of times, he or she becomes aware of these unique features and is able to utilize different landmarks or features relative to his or her own capability and to do a relatively satisfactory job in club selection from various points on the course.
However, on a course where the golfer has never played, or simply is not overly familiar with course layout, distance, features and the like, his or her score will likely be much higher simply from the inability to accurately determine the distance from the golf ball to the target area on each shot.
Most golf courses provide yardage markers and flags in various places on each hole. These markers are always distances from the fairway and usually indicate approach line distance. Not every shot lands on the fairway and thus it is common to play a golf shot from areas referred to as “rough.” Estimating a distance to the green from the rough can be difficult. Estimating improperly will effect club selection and thereby increase the possibility of overshooting or undershooting the green.
Laser rangefinders can provide accurate distance estimates to a desired location, like a flag stick in the middle of a green; however, these devices are expensive and require batteries and recharging. Other distance estimator tools provide aerial views of a specific golf course with distance measurements provided on each specific hole. This requires reproduction of a specific course and is not helpful for other golf courses. Moreover, it typically requires several pages to capture each individual hole.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a universal distance estimator display or tool that can be generated for a relatively low cost and accessible for any golf course or any golf hole.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a golf aid. The golf aid includes: (a) a display defining a length axis and a perpendicular width axis; (b) a target displayed adjacent one end of the display; (c) an elongated fairway extending along the length axis of the display from a fairway end adjacent the target to an opposite fairway end; (d) a plurality of distance indicators increasing in increments from the target along the length axis and width axis of the display; and (e) a plurality of distance arcs curving circumferentially a radial distance from the target corresponding to equal length and width distance indicators. The arcs intersect the corresponding length axis perpendicularly. In an example the display defines a rectilinear geometry. The arcs can be spaced apart in uniform increments. The target can resemble a green as an intended target for a particular golf hole. The green can further include a flag displayed as a particular target location on the green resembling a target hole from which the distance indicators are measured. The arcs can be defined in an area of the display adjacent one side of the fairway representing non-fairway locations of a golf hole. The non-fairway location represents a rough associated with a particular golf hole. The distance indicators represent yardage distance from the center of the target. In an example, the display is formed on a front side of a card. A back side of the card can further display a table of distance values corresponding to estimated distance from the target based on distance away from the fairway. In a further example, the back side of the card includes a decorative illustration or a logo associated with a particular entity which may further include a label portion for placing an individual name.
In yet an even further example, the display can be formed electronically on a computing device. The computing device can be a portable computing device such as a smart phone or a tablet. The electronically formed display can further be coupled to a global positioning systems (GPS) operable on the computing device wherein precise location of a player or ball is visible on the display.
The present disclosure further provides for a method of estimating distance away from a green of a golf hole comprising the steps of: (a) providing a display defining a length axis and a perpendicular width axis and including: (i) a target displayed adjacent one end of the display; (ii) an elongated fairway extending along the length axis of the display from a fairway end adjacent the target to an opposite fairway end; (iii) a plurality of distance indicators increasing in increments from the target along the length axis and width axis of the display; and (iv) a plurality of distance arcs curving circumferentially a radial distance from the target corresponding to equal length and width distance indicators, wherein the arcs intersect the corresponding length axis perpendicularly; (b) selecting a position relative to the target corresponding to a ball location of a golf shot; (c) corresponding the selected position of the ball location with a distance indicator defined on the display.
Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary display associated with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2 a-2 c illustrate the example of FIG. 1 displayed on a golf bag tag including an example estimator chart.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example computing device displaying the display of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides for a golf tool or aid. Referring to FIG. 1, in an example, a display 10 associated with the present disclosure is shown. In this example, display 10 is generally rectilinear defining an elongated length axis-Y and a perpendicular width axis-X. Although in this example axis-Y is relatively longer than axis-X, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to provide square and other various geometries such as circular, elliptical, triangular, and the others. Display 10 of this example defines four sides, a first width side 12 opposite a second width side 14 and a first length side 11 opposite a second length side 13. The four sides of display 10 can form a rectangular geometry intersecting at right angles.
In an example, display 10 includes a fairway 20 adjacent a length side 11. Fairway 20 is elongated along and parallel with the length axis-Y defining a first elongated side 21 adjacent length side 11 and an opposite second elongated side 23. Fairway 20 extends from a first end 22 near the first width side 12 and an opposite end 24 adjacent the second width end 14. Fairway 20 can define a substantially uniform width from first elongated side 21 and second elongated side 23. The width of fairway 20 is less than the width of width sides 12, 22. Accordingly, the width of the fairway only occupies a portion of space of the display 10. In a further example, fairway 20 can include a decorative color and or decorative design to provide a more aesthetic appearance. In a particular embodiment, the fairway is illustrated with a color, green in this example resembling fairway grass, and having a textured look with dots or dashes disposed therein.
In the example shown in FIG. 1, a target 30 resembling a putting surface 30 which can be referred to as a “green” is positioned adjacent or near a first end 21 of the fairway 20 and adjacent a width side 12 of display 10. Green 30 defines a center 31 that can include an optional flag 32 resembling a more precise or particular target. This target resembles a hole that is an intended target for a player on a particular golf hole. Both the green 30 and the flag 32 can be colored as desired to provide indicators and aesthetic appeal. The combination of the green 30 and the fairway 20 resembles a universal golf hole since a golf hole (i.e., a combination of a tee box, a fairway, a rough, optional hazards, a green and a hole having a flag as a target point) on a typical golf course include both a fairway and a green. Display 10 can include an optional hazard 40 to contribute to the aesthetics.
Display 10 includes a non-fairway spatial portion 50 that can be referred to as “rough” generally representing areas around and about the fairway. Although most golfers intend to land shots on the fairway, often the golf shots miss the fairway and land in the rough. The rough 50 is typically associated with harder golf shots compared to those of equal distance from the fairway. Typically distance estimations from shots out of the rough are more difficult (as compared to fairway shots) since yardage markers are positioned in the fairway and the approach line to the green has shifted. Moreover, the grass is typically longer and the ground is more uneven in the rough causing an added degree of difficulty. In this example, rough 50 represents all space on display 10 that are not occupied by the fairway 20 or green 30.
Display 10 includes a set of increasing numbers 15 along the length axis-Y. In this example, these numbers represent yardage distance indicators 15 from the green 30. In this example, the yardage indicators 15 increase in ten yard increments starting at 20 yards from the center of the green 31. The distance indicators 15 are provided along and adjacent first elongated side 21 of fairway 20 and also adjacent first length side 11 of display 10. In this example, the yardage indicators 15 increase from 20 yards away from the center of the green 31, in even ten yard increments, to 150 yards away from the center of the green 31. It is noted that variations in the distance indicator distances are within the scope of the present disclosure. Yardage indicators 15 increase from the center of the green 31 along fairway 20 to opposite end 24. In an optional embodiment, a 100 yard marker 25 is provided as an indicator or dot as shown in FIG. 1. Marker 25 can be identified with unique indicia to provide an immediate visual indicator for a 100 yard distance. Optionally, other specific markers (e.g., 50 yards, 150 yards, 200 yards or the like) can be provided and defined with different unique indicia.
Display 10 further includes a set of increasing numbers 16 along the width axis-X. These numbers represent yardage distance indicators 16 from the center 31 of green 30. In this example, the yardage indicators 16 increase in ten yard increments starting at 20 yards from the center of the green 31. The distance indicators 16 are provided adjacent first end 22 of fairway 20 and also adjacent first width side 12 of display 10. In this example, the yardage indicators 16 increase from 20 yards away from the center of the green 31 in even 10 yard increments to 80 yards. It is noted that variations in the distance indicator distances are within the scope of the present disclosure. Yardage indicators 16 increase from the center of the green 31 along the width side 12 to opposite second length side 13. Yardage indicators 16 represent width distance away from the center of the green 31 spanning across the fairway 20 and rough 50.
Superimposed on the rough 50 are a plurality of spaced apart lines or arcs 51. Each arc 51 curves circumferentially from the width side 12 to the fairway 20 a radial distance from the center of the green 31. Each arc 51 can be marked with a distance measurement corresponding to a distance marking on both yardage indicators 15 and 16. In this example, the arcs 51 increase in identical 10 yard increments corresponding to the increased increments of yardage indicators 15 and 16. Each arc 51 curves from the width end to the length end interesting the direct lines of the incremental indicators 15 and 16 and those intersections are perpendicularly. Moreover, indicators 15 and 16 intersect with each other at the center of the green in a perpendicular relationship as shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, display 10 provides distance estimation to the center of the green 31 in various shot locations in the rough 50 by way of the radial arcs 51. This in turn provides distance estimation for proper club selection for a given golf shot from the rough. Display 10 can be used on any golf course for any golf hole. In a further example, faint grid lines corresponding to the distance indicators are provided on the display 10 corresponding to the incremental distances associated with indicators 15 and 16.
In an example method of use, a golfer can land a shot anywhere in the rough. Without a display 10, the golfer may falsely estimate the distance the shot is away from the green based on yardage indicators provided in the fairway. Having a display 10, the golfer can readily identify the yardage indicator on the fairway which shows a fairway distance from the center of the green and then correspond his ball position in the rough relative to the fairway yardage marker. This will correspond to a particular radial arc 51 which provides a more accurate distance estimation from the center of the green. A golfer is generally able to more accurately estimate a short distance such as the normal distance from his position to the fairway centerline, as compared to a longer distance such as the distance from his position to the final target (i.e., estimations without any other aids). In this way, the golfer reduces potential estimation errors and the display 10 provides the more accurate distance estimation. If the golfer knows his shot is a given distance from the green rather than trying to guess based on the fairway yardage marker, then a more educated club selection for the shot can be made resulting better distance estimation.
Referring to FIG. 2 a-2 b, the display 10 of FIG. 1 is provided on an example card or bag tag 60. In this example, bag tag 60 can be a bag tag adapted to attach to any standard golf bag. The bag tag 60 can be fabricated from any suitable material including plastic or having a plastic sleeve adapted to receive a paper insert including the display 10. Tag or card 60 can have a front or first side 61 and a back or second side 62. Display 10 can be printed or illustrated on the surface of first side 61. A second opposite side 62 of bag tag 60 defines a surface and can optionally include space for one or more desired logos, brands, designs, decorative illustrations such as artwork, or the like. In this example, a “name” portion 64 is provided to allow for printing of an individual name, a logo, a brand, or any desired designation. An opening or hole 63 can be defined on bag tag 60 to allow for a mounting feature such as a hook or a connector (not shown) to fasten the bag tag 60 to a desired object such as a golf bag. In a particular example a standard clip (not shown) can be used to hang bag tag 60 onto a desired object. Bag tag 60 can be provided as a hand held card as a bag tag. In even yet a further example, alternative geometries for the fairway can be illustrated such as distance estimations for a dog-leg golf hole where the fairway is non-linear. It is further contemplated that a golf cart includes a display 10 mounted anywhere in plain sight to the players as an added convenience. This can include mounting the display on the steering wheel or hanging display 10 from the cart ceiling.
In a further example as shown in FIG. 2C, a table or chart of distance numbers can be provided on the back side 62 of a card 60 that correspond to an estimated distance from a hole based on the distance from the fairway and the vertical distance from the hole. For example, if the ball location is in the rough about 40 yards from the center of the green along the width axis and 30 yards away along the fairway length axis then the table would provide an estimated distance of about 50 yards away from the center of the green. FIG. 2C shows a partial cutout of distance estimates which can extend a desired number of values and calculated based on triangular mathematic formulas such as Pythagorean theorem.
Referring to FIG. 3, the present disclosure further provides for an example wherein the display 10 is provided electronically for example on computing device. The computing device can include a portable phone such as a smart phone 70 or a tablet. The display 10 can be downloaded remotely and electronically as an application referred to in the smart phone industry as an “app” which is accessible through the electronic device. In a further example, the display 10 can be coupled with a global positioning system (“GPS”) device or application to provide a more precise ball or player location relative to a hole or green on a golf course. In an example, a given golf course could electronically or manually ((i.e., user could download from the golf course or manually type in) provide a set of GPS pin coordinates for use by the application. The user would indicate his current hold and the phone's GPS could compute relative positions based on hole-specific reference positions (i.e., wherever the pin happens to be on a given day) and then show the user's position/distance on the universal display 10.
Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claim, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A golf aid comprising:

(a) a display defining a length axis and a perpendicular width axis;

(b) a target displayed adjacent one end of the display;

(c) an elongated fairway extending along the length axis of the display from a fairway end adjacent the target to an opposite fairway end;

(d) a plurality of distance indicators increasing in increments from the target along the length axis and width axis of the display; and

(e) a plurality of distance arcs curving circumferentially a radial distance from the target corresponding to equal length and width distance indicators, wherein the arcs intersect the corresponding length axis perpendicularly.

2. The display of claim 1 wherein the display defines a rectilinear geometry.

3. The display of claim 1 wherein the arcs are spaced apart in uniform increments.

4. The display of claim 1 wherein the target resembles a green as an intended target for a particular golf hole.

5. The display of claim 4 wherein the green further includes a flag displayed as a particular target location on the green.

6. The display of claim 1, wherein the arcs are defined in an area of the display adjacent one side of the fairway representing non-fairway locations of a golf hole.

7. The display of claim 6 wherein the non-fairway location represents a rough associated with a particular golf hole.

8. The display of claim 1, wherein the distance indicators represent yardage distance from the center of the target.

9. The aid of claim 1, further comprising a card having a front and back side and the display formed on the front side.

10. The aid of claim 9 wherein the back side of the card displays a table of distance values corresponding to estimated distance from the target based on distance away from the fairway.

10. The aid of claim 1, wherein the display is formed electronically on a computing device.

11. The aid of claim 10 wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

12. The aid of claim 11 wherein the portable computing device includes a smart phone.

13. The aid of claim 10 wherein the electronically formed display is coupled to a global positioning systems (GPS) operable on the computing device wherein precise location of a player or ball is visible on the display.

14. A method of estimating distance away from a green of a golf hole comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a display defining a length axis and a perpendicular width axis and including: (i) a target displayed adjacent one end of the display; (ii) an elongated fairway extending along the length axis of the display from a fairway end adjacent the target to an opposite fairway end; (iii) a plurality of distance indicators increasing in increments from the target along the length axis and width axis of the display; and (iv) a plurality of distance arcs curving circumferentially a radial distance from the target corresponding to equal length and width distance indicators, wherein the arcs intersect the corresponding length axis perpendicularly;

(b) selecting a position relative to the target corresponding to a ball location of a golf shot; and

(c) corresponding the selected position of the ball location with a distance arc defined on the display; and

(d) optionally selecting a golf club corresponding to an estimated total distance to the target determined with the distance arc.