Abstract:
Disclosed is a golf scorecard and golf playing booklet for assisting players in playing a round of golf at a golf course and keeping score. The invention comprises panels, created by folding required for easy storage, that contain according to the teaching of the present invention course information, graphical depictions of the holes of a golf course including particulars such as hazards and yardage markers, and spaces for information related to course play including golfer names, hole numbers, distances from tees to green, handicap for each hole, score for each hole for each player, and score totals for each player. Some of the particular features of the present invention include prominent and repeatedly viewable advertising panels and a removable insert further containing course information, local course rules, instructions for booklet use, and/or additional, repeatedly viewable advertising space.

Description:
BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0001]    Golf is a popular and growing sport with over 25 million golfers in the United States. Presently, U.S. golfers play at their choice of approximately 17,000 golf courses. Traditionally, the clubhouse of a golf course makes scorecards available to golfers before they begin playing a round of golf. Also available in some locations is a golf course yardage booklet that provides graphic illustrations, comments, and distances relating to each hole of the golf course. Some courses add cosmetic changes to their scorecards and presently provide small graphical representations of each hole either as part of one layout aerial view or as one of several individual views and in either case, the graphics lack distances and provide few details of the individual golf holes.  
           [0002]    The traditional scorecards used in golf play are largely comprised of a sheet of cardstock folded once on what becomes a vertical fold line forming panels, or pages. In practice, one page is a front cover, one page is a back cover, while the two adjacent pages display the scoring grid and information relating to the golf round. Various golf scorecard and yardage book combinations have been introduced in the U.S. but their use has been extremely limited, almost to the point of no courses adopting their use. One patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,340 to J. K. Laasko, describes a 10 or 11 page, accordion style folded booklet that will fit in a clothing pocket. Other scorecard and yardage booklet combinations consist of multiple pages of golf course hole graphics that are bound on a common edge by stitching, staples or wire binding as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,451 to M. G. Glamack and U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,425 to J. W. Davis. Similar prior art has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,411 to Andrews, U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,417 to Zoretic, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,070 to Maude. Other art shows variations of scoring systems to enhance keeping track of information used for gambling purposes between golfers. Little space is provided for scoring in these booklets. The above-mentioned prior art is generally expensive to produce, unwieldy to use, far from being traditional in look and use, and accordingly it is exceedingly rare to find the prior art being adopted for golf course use. The result is that golf courses have stayed with the more traditional look scorecards while trying to enhance them by additions to their design. One example of this design change is where very small golf hole graphics are added at various places on the card with no increase in size of the card itself. Further, scorecard booklets are generally only utilized by one score keeper for the round and then discarded after playing a round. The other members of the golfing group, normally groups of four, get one chance to see their score and then all evidence of the round disappears leaving little memory of the round to each golfer. With the number of different courses and rounds played each year by a normal golfer, there often is almost no conscious memory of a round except for a few specific shots and possibly a general memory of the number of strokes generally taken.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0003]    The present invention is a golf scorecard and golf playing booklet for assisting players in playing a round of golf at a golf course and scorekeeping, comprising a rectangular sheet of foldable material, folded into a highly portable booklet of panels that contain in whole or in part course information, graphical depictions of the holes of a golf course accompanied by yardage markers from tee and to pin, information regarding course play including golfer names, hole numbers, distances from tees to green, handicap for each hole, space for recording a score for each hole for each player, and spaces for recording score totals for each player, with one or more panels reserved for advertising or other information. The present invention includes an insert for instructions regarding use of the booklet and course play that may be withdrawn and reinserted by the user.  
           [0004]    Objects and Advantages  
           [0005]    Objects of the present invention include providing a relatively inexpensive, golf scorecard and golf playing booklet useful for those golfers seeking graphic assistance before their strokes and a graphical recordation system after each stroke and providing a combination of the look and utilitarian aspect of a traditional golf scorecard and yardage cards while showing hole characteristics in specificity such as hazards and yardage markers. A further object is to provide a means of recording a round of golf that will be informative and enhance the recollective memory of: the holes themselves, the shots played and the personal score of each golfer. Another object of the present invention is to provide space for informational or promotional content for use by the course and/or advertisers. The importance of this aspect of the booklet is that the information/promotional space is repeatedly viewed by the golfers while the round of golf is being played. The information provided is exposed multiple times to the golfers who are demographically desirable for marketing of the services of the golf course and also commercial or governmental advertisers. Another object of the present invention is to provide a medium so that an additional piece of paper can be loosely inserted in the folded booklet. One side of the sheet of paper contains information on use of the booklet, suggestions on how to keep personal stroke and shot statistics, and rules and course-oriented information. The second side of the sheet of paper inserted for the golfer&#39;s use is a customizable space for the course to use for example in promoting golf services and listing tournaments. The production of this insert is flexible enough that it can be updated at periods of golf course desire enabling customized marketing to the golfers. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a view of the top side of the preferred embodiment of the booklet in its expanded format.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a view of the reverse side of the booklet.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a view of the booklet with a parallel fold having been made.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is a view of the booklet with a second parallel fold having been made.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is a view of the final compact form of the booklet  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 is a view of the top side of the expanded booklet with the hole graphics in an alternative horizontal layout.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 is a view of the reverse side of the booklet&#39;s alternative hole graphics layout.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 8 is a view of the top side of the expanded form of the booklet showing an alternative orientation of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 9 is a view of the reverse side of the expanded form of the booklet showing an alternative orientation of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 10 is a view of the booklet after a horizontal fold has been made.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 11 is a view of the compact form of the secondary embodiment of the booklet where two folds have been made.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 12 is a view of an alternate arrangement of the secondary embodiment of the booklet with the golf hole graphics laid out in a horizontal format.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 13 is a view of an example of one of the graphical designs the elements of which are varied to adequately represent each hole of the booklet.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 14 is a view of a paper insert to be placed inside a pocket formed in the booklet of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 15 is an example of graphical representation of one of the content and layout combinations of one side of the insert of the booklet.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 1, 2,  3 ,  4  and  5  illustrate the preferred embodiment of a golf scorecard and golf-playing booklet  20 . FIGS. 1 and 2 are the opposite sides of the booklet  20  in an expanded form. FIGS. 3 and 4 show intermediate steps in the folding of the expanded form of booklet  20  resulting in the final compact form of the booklet  20  as shown in FIG. 5. The booklet  20  comprises a single sheet of paper or card stock where the preferred embodiment has two approximately parallel fold lines, an upper fold line  92  and a lower fold line  94 . FIGS. 3 and 4 show the booklet  20  after parallel folds have been made. FIG. 5 shows the booklet  20  folded on fold line  96  that is perpendicular to the upper fold line  92  and the lower fold line  94 . After the three folds have been made, six panels, each with two sides are formed.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 illustrates six panels on the top side of the expanded form of the booklet  20  and are: left upper panel  82 A, right upper panel  80 A, left middle panel  86 A, right middle panel  84 A, left lower panel  90 A, and right lower panel  88 A.  
         [0023]    The back cover  64  is located on left middle panel  86 A of FIG. 1. The back cover  64  of the booklet  20  contains local rules and regulations, course information such as address and phone numbers, and/or an aerial depiction view of the golf course showing the relationships of holes to each other. The aerial view on the back cover  64  also contains course identifying features such as the clubhouse, driving range, and parking lots.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 illustrates a partial scorecard  26  positioned on left upper panel  82 A and a partial scorecard  28  positioned on right upper panel  80 A. The partial scorecard  28  contains scores, ratings and handicaps for holes 1 through 9. The partial scorecard  26  contains scores, ratings and handicaps for holes 10 through 18. The partial scorecard  26  and the second partial scorecard  28  are in a inverted fashion (i.e., with the bottom of the graphics toward first edge  44 ). This print orientation allows the graphic to be viewed correctly as shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 also illustrates the left lower panel  90 A and the right lower panel  88 A together containing graphic depictions of six holes of the golf course. The left lower panel  90 A depicts holes 4 through 6 and the right lower panel  88 A depicts holes 1 through 3. These two panels contain hole graphics with a print orientation such that the bottom is along the lower horizontal edge  76 . This print orientation of holes 1 through 6 allows the hole graphics to be viewed correctly when the booklet  20  is viewed as in the form of FIG. 3.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 illustrates the six panels of the opposite side of the expanded form of booklet  20  and are: left upper panel  80 B, right upper panel  82 B, left middle panel  84 B, right middle panel  86 B, left lower panel  88 B, and right lower panel  90 B. The booklet  20  as shown in FIG. 2 is ready to be used to assist the play of golf on holes 7 through 18.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 further illustrates a space  58  located on the left upper panel  80 B that contains specific information, promotional information, and/or advertising of local, regional or national entities. A second space  60  located on the right upper panel  82 B contains specific information, promotional information, and/or advertising by local, regional or national entities.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 also illustrates the left middle panel  84 B and the right middle panel  86 B. These two panels contain depictions of a grouping of golf course holes 7 through 12. The left lower panel  88 B and the right lower panel  90 B contain depictions of a grouping of golf course holes 13 through 18.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 illustrates a step in the process of forming the compact form of booklet  20 . The lower two panels of booklet  20  are folded at lower fold line  94  so that second edge  68  becomes adjacent to upper fold line  92  and the left lower panel  88 B faces the left middle panel  84 B and the right lower panel  90 B faces the right middle panel  86 B. This folding on lower fold line  94  forms an edge  76 . In the format of FIG. 3 the booklet  20  is ready to be used to assist the play of golf on holes 1 through 6.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 illustrates the second step in the process of forming the compact form of booklet  20 . The upper two panels of booklet  20  are folded at fold line  92  so that edge  44  becomes adjacent to edge  76  and the left upper panel  80 B (not shown) faces the left lower panel  88 A (not shown) and the right upper panel  82 B (not shown) faces the right lower panel  90 A (not shown). This folding of the booklet  20  on fold line  92  also forms upper horizontal edge  74 . This form of the booklet  20  is used to score the round of golf using the scorecard now in view.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 illustrates the final compact form of the preferred embodiment of booklet  20 . The booklet  20  of FIG. 4 is folded at the vertical fold line  96  so third edge  72  lies adjacent to fourth edge  70  and the right upper panel  80 A (not shown) and left upper panel  82 A face each other. The fold on the vertical fold line  96  forms a spine edge  78  perpendicular to the parallel horizontal edges of booklet  20  (i.e, upper horizontal edge  74  and lower horizontal edge  76 ). The compact form of the booklet  20 , as shown in FIG. 5, can be carried in the pocket of an article of clothing.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 also shows that the front cover  62  of the booklet  20  can contain the golf course name, a logo or picture related to the course, and/or other desired course information. The front cover  62  is located on right middle panel  84 A of FIG. 1.  
         [0033]    Alternative Arrangement of Graphics of Preferred Embodiment  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternate arrangement of the graphic depictions of the golf holes shown on the preferred embodiment of the booklet  20 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6 illustrates the graphics depicting the golf course holes grouped horizontally. Holes  7  through  9  are depicted on the left middle panel  84 B and holes 10 through 12 on the right middle panel  86 B. The left lower panel  88 B contains holes 13 through 15 and the right lower panel  90 B contains holes 16 through 18.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 7 illustrates the reverse side of the alternative arrangement of the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 6 where now the left lower panel  90 A contains holes 4 through 6 and the right lower panel  88 A contains holes 1 through 3 and the hole graphics are positioned horizontally.  
         [0037]    Alternate Embodiment of the Booklet  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 8, 9,  10  and  11  illustrate an alternate embodiment of booklet  20 . FIGS. 8 and 9 are the opposite sides of the booklet  20  in its fully expanded form. FIGS. 10 and 11 show intermediate steps in the folding of the expanded booklet  20  resulting in the compact form of the booklet  20  as shown in FIG. 11. The booklet  20  comprises a single sheet selected from any thickness of commercially available paper or card stock.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 8 illustrates four panels on the top side of the fully expanded format of booklet  20  and are left upper panel  82 A, right upper panel  80 A, left lower panel  86 A, and right lower panel  84 A. The front cover  62  of the booklet  20  as shown in FIG. 8 contains the golf course name, a logo or picture related to the course, and/or other desired course information. The front cover  62  is located on the right lower panel  84 A of FIG. 8. The back cover  64  of the booklet  20  contains local rules and regulations, course information such as address and phone numbers, and/or an aerial view perspective of the golf course showing the relationship of holes to each other, and course&#39;s distinctive features such as the clubhouse, driving range, and parking lots. The back cover  64  is located on the left lower panel  86 A of FIG. 8.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8 also illustrates one half of a score notation device  26  and a second half of a score notation device  28 . The score notation device  28  placed on the right upper panel  80 A relates to holes 1-9. The score notation device  26  placed on the left upper panel  82 A relates to holes 10-18. The scorecard of the booklet  20  is laid out with the bottom of the graphics towards edge  44 . This print orientation allows the graphic to be viewed correctly as shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 9 illustrates the panels of the opposite side of the fully expanded format of the booklet  20  as shown in FIG. 8 where now there are a left upper panel  80 B, a right upper panel  82 B, a left lower panel  84 B, and a right lower panel  86 B. In this form the booklet  20  may be used to assist in the play of golf on holes 1 through 18. FIG. 9 illustrates a first promotional space  58  located on left upper panel  80 B containing specific information, promotional information, and/or advertising by commercial of governmental entities. Another space  60  located on right upper panel  82 B may contain specific information, promotional information, and/or advertising by commercial or governmental entities.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 9 also illustrates the left upper panel  80 B and the right upper panel  82 B where these two panels contain depictions of a grouping of golf course holes 1 through 9.  
         [0043]    In addition, FIG. 9 illustrates a left lower panel  84 B and a right lower panel  86 B. These two panels contain depictions of a grouping of golf course holes 10 through 18 reading from left to right.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 10 illustrates a step in the process of forming the compact form of the booklet  20  shown in FIG. 11. The lower two panels of the booklet  20  are folded at the foldline  92  so that the first edge  44  becomes adjacent to the second edge  68  and the left lower panel  84 B faces the left upper panel  80 B and the right lower panel  86 B faces the right upper panel  82 B as these panels are shown in FIG. 9.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 11 illustrates the compact form of the alternate embodiment of the booklet  20 . The booklet  20  is folded at fold line  96  so the edge  72  lies adjacent to the fourth edge  70  and the left upper panel  82 A and faces the right upper panel  82 A. The folding of FIG. 11 on the fold line  96  forms the spine edge  78 .  
         [0046]    Alternate Embodiment&#39;s Alternative Arrangement of Format  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 12 illustrates one of a plurality of alternate layouts of the graphic depictions of the golf holes shown on the alternate embodiment of the booklet  20 .  
         [0048]    Graphic Representation of Holes  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 13 illustrates one example  30  of a graphic representation  32  of a golf course hole layout including hole number, par for the hole, distance to the green, hazards, local properties (trees, water, etc.), and measured distances allowing variations that may show distance from the tee and/or distance to the green.  
         [0050]    Insert For Booklet  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 14 illustrates an insert  40  that may be inserted into a fold of the booklet  20  in order to provide a additional information for the golfer in a format for ready reference.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 15 illustrates a rectangular sheet of variable thickness paper comprising an insert  40  for the booklet  20 . This insert  40  preferably containing information related to the use of the booklet  20 , and course and/or promotional information.  
         [0053]    While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention. The scope of each claim term is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.  
         [0054]    Therefore, the invention has been disclosed by way of example and not limitation, and reference should be made to the following claims to determine the scope of the present invention.