Portable Golf Game Board

A portable golf game board includes a board, a playing surface, a golf ball, at least one first handle and at least one second handle. The playing surface represents a realistic golf course with simulated water hazards, trees, bunkers, greens, tees, etc. A golf ball is rolled onto the playing surface and, using the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle attached at either end of the board, players move the board to direct the golf ball from a tee section on the board to a hole on the board whilst trying to avoid various hazards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of golf games of existing art and more specifically relates to a portable game simulating a game of golf.

RELATED ART

Golf is a game generally played on a golf course that consists of a series of ‘holes’ having one or more tee-off boxes, a fairway, a green having a hole therein, and a variety of hazards such as ponds, rivers, sand bunkers, trees, etc. The object of the game is to get a golf ball from a tee-off box into the hole on the green in as little strokes as possible. Players must navigate through the fairway and try to avoid the variety of hazards that are positioned in between the tee-off box and the hole.

Golf is and has been a hugely popular sport for hundreds of years. However, there are circumstances in which it is difficult to play golf. For example, golf is typically played outdoors, and as such, the ability to play is dependent on the weather conditions that day. Further, for some individuals, their access to golf courses is limited. This can be due to their location, finances, weather conditions, etc. As such, it would be desirable to provide a portable game that simulates a game of golf and is playable by any individual in a variety of locations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known golf game art, the present disclosure provides a novel portable golf game board. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a game including realistic features of a golf course and providing one or more players with an alternative to playing a game of golf on a golf course.

A portable golf game is disclosed herein. The portable golf game may include a board, a playing surface, a golf ball for rolling about the playing surface, at least one first handle and at least one second handle. The board may include a top side opposite a bottom side, a first side opposite a second side and a first end opposite a second end. The playing surface may be disposed on the top side of the board. The playing surface may represent a golf course and may include at least one hole, at least one tee section and at least one hazard. The at least one first handle may be attached about the first end of the board and the at least one second handle may be attached about the second end of the board, opposite the at least one first handle. The at least one first handle and the at least one second handle may provide at least one user with a means of moving the board, thereby moving the golf ball about the playing surface and directing it from the at least one tee section to the at least one hole.

According to another embodiment, a method of playing a portable golf game is also disclosed herein. The method may include the steps of: providing the portable golf game as above wherein the at least one hole includes at least three holes and the at least one tee section includes at least three tee sections; placing the golf ball at a first tee section of the at least three tee sections, thereby beginning a round; grasping, by at least a first player, one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle; moving the board, via at least the one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle, thereby directing the golf ball from the first tee section, about the playing surface and into a first hole of the at least three holes; placing the golf ball at a second tee section of the at least three tee sections; grasping, by at least the first player, the one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle; moving the board, via at least the one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle, thereby directing the golf ball from the second tee section, about the playing surface and into a second hole of the at least three holes; placing the golf ball at a third tee section of the at least three tee sections; grasping, by at least the first player, the one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle; and moving the board, via at least the one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle, thereby directing the golf ball from the third tee section, about the playing surface and into a third hole of the at least three holes, which then may, in some embodiments, complete the round.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to golf games and more particularly to a portable golf game board. Generally, the portable golf game board may include a board including realistic fairways with simulated water hazards, trees, bunkers, and/or the like. A golf ball may be rolled onto the board and, using handles attached at either end of the board, players may move the board to direct the golf ball from a tee section on the board to a hole on the board by following the fairway and trying to avoid trees, bunkers, water and out of bounds areas. Winning may be measured not by strokes, as in a real game of golf, but in a time it takes to complete the ‘course’ on the portable golf game board.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown inFIGS.1-6, various views of a portable golf game100. As shown in these figures, the portable golf game100may include a board110, a playing surface120, a golf ball130, at least one first handle140and at least one second handle150. As discussed above, the portable golf game100may represent an actual golf course having imitation greens, tee-off sections, holes and hazards.

The board110may include a top side111opposite a bottom side112, a first side113(i.e., a left side) opposite a second side114(i.e., a right side) and a first end115(i.e., a front end) opposite a second end116(i.e., a rear end). The playing surface120may be disposed on the top side111of the board110and, as above, may represent an actual golf course. For example, the playing surface120may offer a rollable surface for which a golf ball130(FIG.1) is able to roll thereon and may particularly include at least one hole121, at least one tee section122and at least one hazard123. As shown in these figures, the playing surface120may also include at least one imitation green124on which the at least one hole121is located, again, as in a real golf course. A remaining portion of the playing surface120may represent an actual golf course fairway.

In some embodiments, the at least one hole121may include a physical hole, or cavity, extending into the playing surface120. In other embodiments, the at least one hole121may include a circular demarcation that does not extend into the playing surface120. Further, as shown inFIGS.1-3, the at least one tee section122may include a ball support section to support the golf ball130thereon, as with an actual tee. In addition, in some embodiments, the playing surface120may include different textures to represent an actual golf course terrain. For example, the at least one imitation green124may include a smoother surface than the rest of the playing surface120, simulating a difference between an actual golf course green and an actual golf course fairway.

As shown inFIGS.1-5, the at least one first handle140may be attached at the first end115of the board110, and the at least one second handle150may be attached at the second end116of the board110and opposite the at least one first handle140. Particularly, as shown inFIG.4, the at least one first handle140and the at least one second handle150may be attached to the bottom side112of the board110. The at least one first handle140and the at least one second handle150may provide at least one player with a means of moving the board110, thereby moving the golf ball130about the playing surface120and directing it from the at least one tee section122to the at least one hole121.

In some examples, the portable golf game100may be played in teams of one or more working against each other to complete a round in the least amount of time; in other examples players may all work together. Preferably, the portable golf game100may be played by between 1-4 players. As such, the at least one first handle140and the at least one second handle150may accommodate 1-4 . For example, if playing solo, a player may simply grasp one of the at least one first handle140or the at least one second handle150to move the board110. Further, when playing solo, the portable golf game100may further include a center leg (not illustrated) attached to the bottom side112of the board110. For example, the center leg may either be removably attached to the bottom side112or may fold out from the bottom side112of the board110. To play with two players, a first player may grasp one of the at least one first handle140or the at least one second handle150and a second player may grasp the other one of the at least one first handle140or the at least one second handle150(at an opposite end of the board110than the first player).

To aid in play with four players, the at least one first handle140may include a pair of first handles1401,1402and the at least one second handle150may include a pair of second handles1501,1502. In this embodiment, in one example, the first player may grasp one of the pair of first handles (i.e.,1401) the second player may grasp one of the pair of second handles (i.e.,1501), a third player may grasp another one of the pair of first handles (i.e.,1402) and a fourth player may grasp another one of the pair of second handles (i.e.,1502). As such, in this example, the first player and the third player may be at the first end115of the board110; and the second player and the fourth player may be at the second end116of the board110.

For play with one or two players in this embodiment, each player may grasp both handles on a particular end115,116of the board110. For example, when playing solo, a player may grasp either both of the pair of first handles1401,1402or both of the pair of second handles1501,1502. When playing with two players, one of the players may grasp both of the pair of first handles1401,1402; and another player may grasp both of the pair of second handles1501,1502.

As discussed above, the object of the portable golf game100is for the player(s) to move the board110(via the at least one first handle140and/or the at least one second handle150) to move the golf ball130from the at least one tee section122to the at least one hole121, whilst avoiding the at least one hazard123and trying to prevent the golf ball130from falling off of the board110, in the least amount of time. Again, as above, the portable golf game100may replicate a realistic game of golf. As such, as shown, the playing surface120may include multiple holes121and tee sections122such that the player(s) may complete multiple holes121in one round.

For example, as shown inFIGS.1-3, the at least one hole121may include at least three holes121located at different positions on the playing surface120and the at least one tee section122may include at least three tee sections122located at different positions on the playing surface120. Further, the at least one imitation green124may include at least three imitation greens124and each of the at least three holes121may be located on one of the imitation greens124. To play the portable golf game100in this embodiment, the player(s) may begin a round at a first tee section1221of the at least three tee sections122, and move the board110to move the golf ball130into a first hole1211of the at least three holes121; the player(s) then may move the golf ball130to a second tee section1222and move the board110to move the golf ball130into a second hole1212; finally, the player(s) may move the golf ball130to a third tee section1223and move the golf ball130into a third hole1213. This may complete the round. However, it should be appreciated that the playing surface120is not limited to three tee sections122or three holes121and as such, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the round may not be completed at the third hole1213.

As shown inFIGS.1-3, at least one hole121may be located about either the first end115or the second end116of the board110and the at least one tee section122may be located about another of the first end115or the second end116of the board110, with the plurality of hazards123located therebetween. In embodiments including more than one hole121and more than one tee section122, the first tee section1221may be located at one of the ends (i.e.,115) and the first hole1211may be located opposite it at another one of the ends (i.e.,116), the second tee section1222may be located at one of the ends (i.e.,116) and the second hole1212may be located opposite it at another one of the ends (i.e.,115), and so on.

To increase a difficulty of play, the at least one hazard123may include a plurality of hazards123. Again, the hazards123may resemble actual hazards123typical on actual golf courses. For example, as shown in these figures, the plurality of hazards123may include (but are not limited to) at least one imitation water hazard1231, a plurality of imitation tree hazards1232and a plurality of imitation bunker hazards1233. As shown, the plurality of hazards123may be spaced about the playing surface120between the at least one tee section122and the at least one hole121and configured to obstruct or otherwise hinder movement of the golf ball130across the playing surface120.

As shown, the at least one imitation water hazard1231may include a cavity extending into the playing surface120. In some embodiments, the at least one imitation water hazard1231may represent a river hazard. As such, the cavity may be an elongated narrow cavity. In some embodiments, as shown, the at least one imitation water hazard1231may include ‘bridges’ defined by the playing surface120which allow the golf ball130to cross the at least one imitation water hazard1231. The at least one imitation water hazard1231may be sized to receive the golf ball130, thus if the golf ball130falls into the at least one imitation water hazard1231the golf ball130is unable to get back onto the playing surface120(without the player(s) stopping play and physically removing the golf ball130from the at least one imitation water hazard1231).

The plurality of imitation tree hazards1232may include clusters of trees, or forest areas, located around various areas of the playing surface120. The plurality of imitation tree hazards1232may each include a long thin body that extends upwardly (vertically) from the playing surface120and resembles a tree. The clusters, or forest areas, may thus act as obstructions for the golf ball130, preventing the golf ball130from passing therethrough and forcing the player(s) to move the golf ball130therearound, which may cause the golf ball130to fall into another hazard123or off of the board110. As shown inFIGS.1-3, the plurality of imitation bunker hazards1233may also be located around various areas of the playing surface120. The plurality of imitation bunker hazards1233may include depressions extending into the playing surface120, to resemble real sand bunkers, and acting as another hindrance for the golf ball130.

Further, another ‘hazard’ associated with the play of the portable golf game100may be the sides113,114and the ends115,116of the board110, in that movement of the board110may cause the golf ball130to fall off the playing surface120(and off the board110). As such, the board110may further include an out of bounds catch area160disposed around a periphery thereof, preventing the golf ball130from falling to a ground if it falls from the playing surface120(and thereby causing an unnecessary stall in the play). Particularly, the out of bounds catch area160may include a first side panel161attached at the first side113of the board110; a second side panel162attached at the second side114of the board110; a first end panel163attached at the first end115of the board110; and a second end panel164attached at the second end116of the board110.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the playing surface120may be interchangeable. For example, the tee section(s)122, the hole(s)121, the hazard(s)123, etc. may be removed, replaced and/or relocated, thereby enabling different playing surface120designs, different orientations, different features, etc. This may permit the addition of replicas of real life golf courses, allowing a user to personalize the portable golf game100.

Referring now toFIG.7showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of playing a portable golf game200according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method200may include one or more components or features of the portable golf game100as described above. As illustrated, the method200may include the steps of: step one201, providing the portable golf game; step two202, placing the golf ball at a first tee section of the at least three tee sections, thereby beginning a round; step three203, grasping, by at least a first player, one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle; step204, moving the board, via at least the one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle, thereby directing204athe golf ball from the first tee section, about the playing surface and into a first hole of the at least three holes; step five205, placing the golf ball at a second tee section of the at least three tee sections; step six206, grasping, by at least the first player, the one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle; step seven207, moving the board, via at least the one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle, thereby directing207athe golf ball from the second tee section, about the playing surface and into a second hole of the at least three holes; step eight208, placing the golf ball at a third tee section of the at least three tee sections; step nine209, grasping, by at least the first player, the one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle; step ten210, moving the board, via at least the one of the at least one first handle and the at least one second handle, thereby directing210athe golf ball from the third tee section, about the playing surface and into a third hole of the at least three holes. Thereby, in some embodiments, completing the round. However, again as above, the portable golf game100is not limited to three holes and as such the round is not limited to being completed at the third hole.

Further, as discussed above, who wins the portable golf game may be determined by the time it takes to complete the round, rather than strokes. As such, as shown inFIG.7, the method200may further comprise the steps of: step eleven211, measuring an amount of time taken to complete the round; and step twelve212, awarding at least one point to a player (or team) who completes the round in the least amount of time.

It should be noted that certain steps are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method200are illustrated using dotted lines inFIG.7so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method200. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for playing a portable golf game are taught herein.