Patent Publication Number: US-2015087432-A1

Title: Golf game device, golf game server, and golf game system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a golf game device, a golf game server, and a golf game system. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A golf game device which includes a field simulating a green, a plurality of cups provided in the field, and a plurality of set positions provided within a prescribed area is known. The device allows a player to hit a golf ball with a golf club, thereby providing the player with realistic feeling of playing golf (for example, see Patent Document 1). 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Document 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-242747 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     In this kind of golf game device, a player can set a golf ball at a set position selected by the player, and hit the ball with a golf club aiming at a cup selected by the player. The player tends to hit the ball aiming at the cup that he/she can easily aim at, from the set position that he/she is good at. As a result, the player may be bored with monotonous game play. 
     The present invention has been accomplished in view of the foregoing, and an object of the present invention is to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from getting bored. 
     Means for Solving the Problems 
     To achieve the above object, the present invention primarily provides a golf game device which includes: 
     a field simulating a green; 
     a plurality of cups provided in the field; 
     a ball-in-cup detecting section which detects that a ball has entered the cup; 
     a cup designating section which designates, to a player, a target cup to be aimed at from among the plurality of cups; 
     a putting position designating section which designates, to the player, a putting position on the field from where the player hits a ball; and 
     a control section operable, in response to the player hitting a ball set at the putting position, to determine whether the hit ball has entered the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup detecting section, and control the progress of a golf game on the basis of the determination result. 
     According to the golf game device described above, it is possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from getting bored. 
     In the golf game device described above, 
     the control section may be operable to
         select one of the plurality of cups as the target cup for the cup designating section to designate,   determine a distance to the selected target cup, and   on the basis of the determined distance, determine the putting position on the field for the putting position designating section to designate.       

     According to the golf game device described above, the putting position is determined on the basis of the distance to the target cup. It is thus possible to enable game play with various difficulty levels. 
     In the golf game device described above, 
     the putting position designating section may designate the putting position to the player by emitting a laser beam onto an arbitrary position on the field. 
     According to the golf game device described above, it is possible to clearly indicate the putting position, making the player readily set a ball at the putting position. 
     In the golf game device described above, 
     for a first shot in the golf game, the control section may be operable to
         select one of the plurality of cups as the target cup for the cup designating section to designate,   determine a first distance to the selected target cup, and   on the basis of the determined first distance, determine a first putting position on the field for the putting position designating section to designate, and       

     for a second shot in the golf game, the control section may be operable to
         determine a second distance to the target cup, the second distance being shorter than the first distance, and   on the basis of the determined second distance, determine a second putting position on the field for the putting position designating section to designate.       

     According to the golf game device described above, even if a player missed the first shot, he/she can easily aim at the cup on the second shot. 
     The golf game device described above may further include a tilting section which is operable to tilt the field. 
     According to the golf game device described above, it is possible to enable game play that is richer in variety. 
     In the golf game device described above, 
     when causing a player to hit a first shot, the control section may operate the tilting section to tilt the field, and 
     when causing the player to hit a second shot, the control section may maintain the tilting of the field on which the first shot was hit, without operating the tilting section. 
     According to the golf game device described above, it is possible to give the player, upon his/her second shot, an impression that he/she is continuously playing on the same green as that on which he/she had hit the first shot. 
     The present invention also provides a golf game system having a plurality of golf game devices and a golf game server, the golf game server being connected to the plurality of golf game devices via a network, 
     the golf game device including:
         a field simulating a green;   a plurality of cups provided in the field;   a ball-in-cup detecting section which detects that a ball has entered the cup;   a cup designating section which designates, to a player, a target cup to be aimed at from among the plurality of cups;   a putting position designating section which designates, to the player, a putting position on the field from where the player hits a ball;   a control section operable, in response to the player hitting a ball set at the putting position, to determine whether the hit ball has entered the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup detecting section, and control the progress of a golf game on the basis of the determination result, to thereby determine game result information including a game score of the player; and   a transmitting section which transmits the game result information of the player to the golf game server via the network;       

     the golf game server including:
         a receiving section which receives the game result information of the player transmitted from the golf game device via the network; and   a storage section which stores the received game result information in association with the player.       

     According to the golf game system described above, it is possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from getting bored. 
     The present invention further provides a golf game server connected to a golf game device via a network, the golf game device including a field simulating a green, a plurality of cups provided in the field, a ball-in-cup detecting section which detects that a ball has entered the cup, a cup designating section which designates, to a player, a target cup to be aimed at from among the plurality of cups, a putting position designating section which designates, to the player, a putting position on the field from where the player hits a ball, a control section operable, in response to the player hitting a ball set at the putting position, to determine whether the hit ball has entered the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup detecting section, and control the progress of a golf game on the basis of the determination result, to thereby determine game result information including a game score of the player, and a transmitting section which transmits the game result information of the player to the golf game server via the network, 
     the golf game server including:
         a receiving section which receives the game result information of the player transmitted from the golf game device via the network; and   a storage section which stores the received game result information in association with the player.       

     According to the golf game server described above, it is possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from getting bored. 
     Advantageous Effect of the Invention 
     As described above, the golf game device, the golf game server, and the golf game system according to the present invention can enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from getting bored. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a network configuration diagram of a golf game system  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a golf game server  10 . 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary configuration of a player table. 
         FIG. 4  is an external view showing the configuration of a golf game device  20  according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the golf game device  20 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cup section  22 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a tilting section  23 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a putting position designating section  24 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the golf game device  20  according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  shows an exemplary configuration of data stored in a storage section  31  concerning the field settings (for a first shot) for each hole. 
         FIG. 11  shows an exemplary configuration of data stored in the storage section  31  concerning the field settings (for a second shot) for each hole. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the golf game device  20  according to the present embodiment. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Embodiment 
     Golf Game System Configuration 
     An exemplary configuration of a golf game system  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a network configuration diagram of the golf game system  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The golf game system  1  of the present embodiment has a golf game server  10  and a plurality of golf game devices  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The golf game server  10  and the golf game devices  20  are configured to be connectable with each other via a network  2 . 
     In this golf game system  1 , the golf game device  20  allows a player to hit a golf ball with a golf club to play a golf game. Further, in the golf game system  1 , the golf game server  10  is able to manage various kinds of information regarding the player who has played using the golf game device  20 , including his/her score, level, progress in a game, play history, etc. Furthermore, the golf game system  1  can provide various services. For example, when the golf game server  10  is accessed via the network  2  from an information processing terminal (not shown) such as a mobile phone or a smartphone owned by a player, a Web page can be distributed to the information processing terminal to allow the player to view various kinds of information about the player. 
     &lt;Golf Game Server Configuration&gt; 
     An exemplary configuration of the golf game server  10  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the golf game server  10 .  FIG. 3  shows an exemplary configuration of a player table. 
     The golf game server  10  of the present embodiment includes: a server control section  11  such as a central processing unit (CPU); a server storage section  12  such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM); a server display section  13 ; a server operation section  14 ; and a server communication section  15  for connecting the golf game server  10  to the golf game device  20  via the network  2  in an information-communicable manner. 
     The server control section  11  has the function of performing centralized control and information processing for the golf game system  1 . 
     The server storage section  12  includes: a ROM, which is a read-only storage area having stored therein a system program for the golf game server  10 ; and a RAM, which is a rewritable storage area having stored therein various data (flags used in the system program, and calculated values) generated in the server control section  11  and which is also used as a work area when the server control section  11  performs arithmetic processing. The server storage section  12  is connected to the server control section  11  via the bus, and the data stored in the server storage section  12  is referred to, read, or rewritten in accordance with the processing performed by the server control section  11 . The server storage section  12  according to the present embodiment includes a system program and a player table, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In the player table, various kinds of information regarding a player are stored in association with the player&#39;s ID. The player table of the present embodiment stores, as shown in  FIG. 3 , player information, including a player ID for identifying the player, player name, level, and dominant hand information indicating the player&#39;s dominant hand, and game result information, including score, ranking, and play history. 
     The server display section  13  is connected to the server control section  11  via the bus, and displays an operation screen for a system administrator, on the basis of an instruction from the server control section  11 . For example, the server display section  13  is implemented by a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like. 
     The server operation section  14  is operated by a system administrator or the like to input various data (such as player information). For example, the server operation section  14  is implemented by a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like. When a player inputs an operation using an operation button  27   a  in the golf game device  20 , an operation signal corresponding to the player&#39;s operation is transmitted to the server control section  11  connected via the bus. 
     The server communication section  15  communicates with the golf game device  20  and others. The server communication section  15  has the function as a receiving section which receives various data and signals transmitted from the golf game device  20 , and the function as a transmitting section which transmits various data and signals to the golf game device  20  in accordance with an instruction of the server control section  11  connected via the bus. 
     &lt;Golf Game Device Configuration&gt; 
     An exemplary configuration of the golf game device  20  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 9 .  FIG. 4  is an external view showing the configuration of the golf game device  20  of the present embodiment.  FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the golf game device  20 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cup section  22 .  FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a tilting section  23 .  FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a putting position designating section  24 .  FIG. 9  is a side view of the golf game device  20  of the present embodiment. 
     The golf game device  20  is a game device used by a player to play a golf game. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the golf game device  20  of the present embodiment is made up of a field portion  20 A, which serves as a play field, and an upright portion  20 B, which stands in the up-and-down direction (vertical direction) with respect to the field portion  20 A. The golf game device  20  includes: a field plate  21 , a cup section  22 , a tilting section  23 , a putting position designating section  24 , a ball supplying section  25 , a ball collecting section  26 , an operation section  27  for a player to perform an operation, a display section  28  for displaying images, a control section  30  such as a central processing unit (CPU), a storage section  31  such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), an image generating section  32  which generates game images and the like, an audio output section  33  which outputs sound effects and the like, and a communication section  34  for connecting the golf game device  20  to the golf game server  10  via the network in an information-communicable manner. 
     The field portion  20 A is a rectangular play field, as shown in  FIG. 4 . A player can play a golf game on the field plate  21  disposed on the upper surface of the field portion  20 A. The field plate  21  is covered with artificial turf and simulates a green on a golf course. In the present embodiment, a player can play a golf putting game by hitting a golf ball with a putter. 
     The cup section  22  is disposed near one short side among the long and short sides of the field portion  20 A, as shown in  FIG. 4 . This cup section  22  includes, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , a plurality of cups  22 H, cup lights  22 L for illuminating the corresponding cups  22 H, and ball-in-cup sensors  22 S detecting a ball that has entered the corresponding cups  22 H. 
     In the present embodiment, the cups  22 H include two cups  22 HR and  22 HL. One cup  22 HR is positioned in an area, within the entire area of the field plate  21 , that is on the right hand side of the player (right-side area of the field plate  21 ) when the short side on which the cups  22 H are located is seen from the central position of the other short side. The other cup  22 HL is positioned in an area, within the entire area of the field plate  21 , that is on the left hand side of the player (left-side area of the field plate  21 ) when the short side on which the cups  22 H are located is seen from the central position of the other short side. 
     The cup light  22 L is an example of a cup designating section, which designates, to a player, one of the plurality of cups  22 H that is to be aimed at (hereinafter, referred to as a “target cup”). The cup lights  22 L of the present embodiment include a cup light  22 LR provided for one cup  22 HR, and a cup light  22 LL provided for the other cup  22 HL. Each cup light  22 L of the present embodiment is made up of an LED substrate having LED elements mounted thereon, and is arranged along the inner periphery of the cup  22 H, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The ball-in-cup sensor  22 S is an example of a ball-in-cup detecting section, which detects that a ball hit by a player has entered a target cup. Such ball-in-cup sensors  22 S are provided respectively for the two cups  22 HR and  22 HL. 
     The ball-in-cup sensor  22 S of the present embodiment is an optical sensor, which includes a light emitting element  22 S 1  which emits infrared light, and a light receiving element  22 S 2  which receives the infrared light. The ball-in-cup sensor  22 S is arranged inside the cup  22 H, with the light emitting element  22 S 1  and the light receiving element  22 S 2  facing each other, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The ball-in-cup sensor  22 S can detect that there is a golf ball that has dropped into the cup  22 H when the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element  22 S 1  is interrupted by the golf ball and, thus, the light receiving element  22 S 2  cannot receive the infrared light. 
     The tilting section  23  is disposed in the field portion  20 A, and causes the field plate  21  to be tilted such that a slope is formed in the field portion  20 A. The tilting section  23  of the present embodiment includes four lift mechanisms  23 A to  23 D which support the four corners of the field plate  21  from beneath, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     The lift mechanisms  23 A to  23 D each have a ball screw shaft  231  and a motor  232 . The ball screw shaft  231  has screwed thereon a ball screw nut (not shown) which is attached to the undersurface of the field plate  21 . When the motor  232  is driven, the ball screw shaft  231  rotates, causing the ball screw nut to move along the ball screw shaft  231 . That is, the rotational motion of the ball screw shaft  231  caused by driving the motor  232  is converted into the linear motion of the ball screw nut, so the field plate  21  to which the ball screw nut is attached moves up and down in the axial direction. 
     In the present embodiment, the control section  30  drives and controls the motors  232  of the respective lift mechanisms  23 A to  23 D, to allow the tilting section  23  to form an ascending slope, a descending slope, a left to right descending slope (hereinafter, a rightward slope), a right to left descending slope (hereinafter, a leftward slope), or the like, in the field portion  20 A. 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the tilting section  23  causes only the two lift mechanisms  23 A and  23 B on the front side to perform a lift-up operation, the front end of the field plate  21  moves upward from the reference position, so an ascending slope can be formed in the field portion  20 A. When the tilting section  23  causes only the two lift mechanisms  23 C and  23 D on the back side to perform a lift-up operation, the back end of the field plate  21  moves upward from the reference position, so a descending slope can be formed in the field portion  20 A. When the tilting section  23  causes only the two lift mechanisms  23 B and  23 D on the left side to perform a lift-up operation, the left end of the field plate  21  moves upward from the reference position, so a rightward slope can be formed in the field portion  20 A. When the tilting section  23  causes only the two lift mechanisms  23 A and  23 C on the right side to perform a lift-up operation, the right end of the field plate  21  moves upward from the reference position, so a leftward slope can be formed in the field portion  20 A. Further, the tilting section  23  can operate the lift mechanisms  23 A to  23 D to form a slope as a combination of the ascending or descending slope and the rightward or leftward slope. 
     In this manner, a variety of slopes can be formed in the field portion  20 A, enabling game play rich in variety. 
     The putting position designating section  24  designates, to a player, a putting position on the field plate  21  from where the player hits a ball. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the putting position designating section  24  is installed in the upright portion  20 B which stands upward from the field plate  21 , so any position on the entire area of the field plate  21  can be designated as a putting position to the player. 
     The golf game device of the present embodiment does not have a putting position fixed to the field plate  21  (for example, a mark printed on the field) as in a conventional device. Any position on the field plate  21  can be designated as a putting position in accordance with the progress of the game. Conventional devices had a problem that a player would be unable to find the putting position (for example, the mark printed on the field) and, thus, unable to determine where on the field plate  21  the ball should be set. The golf game device of the present embodiment has this putting position designating section  24 , which can clearly designate the putting position on the field plate  21  to the player. In particular, in the case where the putting position is changed in accordance with the progress of the game, the putting position designating section  24  can clearly indicate to the player where on the field plate  21  the ball should be set. 
     The putting position designating section  24  of the present embodiment includes, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a laser beam emitting section  24   a  which emits a laser beam, a first shaft  24   b  arranged in the lateral direction, a first motor  24   c  connected to the first shaft  24   b , a second shaft  24   d  arranged in the up-and-down direction, a second motor  24   e  connected to the second shaft  24   d , and a bracket  24   f  which rotatably supports the laser beam emitting section  24   a  via the first shaft  24   b  and the second shaft  24   d.    
     The laser beam emitting section  24   a  is attached to the first shaft  24   b  which is in turn connected to the first motor  24   c , and the first shaft  24   b  is rotatably supported by the bracket  24   f  via bearings (not shown). Therefore, as the first motor  24   c  is driven, the laser beam emitting section  24   a  rotates about the first shaft  24   b  and, thus, can emit a laser beam onto an arbitrary position in the front-and-back direction (longitudinal direction) of the field plate  21 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , an arbitrary position A in the front-and-back direction (longitudinal direction) of the field plate  21  is designated as a putting position as the putting position designating section  24  (laser beam emitting section  24   a ) emits a laser beam (shown by a dash-dot-dot line) onto that position. 
     The bracket  24   f  which rotatably supports the laser beam emitting section  24   a  about the first shaft  24   b  is attached to the second shaft  24   d  which is in turn connected to the second motor  24   e . With this configuration, the laser beam emitting section  24   a  not only rotates about the first shaft  24   b , which is driven by the first motor  24   c , but also rotates about the second shaft  24   d , which is driven by the second motor  24   e , together with the bracket  24   f . As a result, the laser beam emitting section  24   a  is able to emit a laser beam onto any position on the entire area of the field plate  21  as a putting position. 
     As explained above, the putting position designating section  24  can emit a laser beam onto the field plate  21  to designate a putting position, so it can clearly indicate the putting position. This allows a player to readily set a ball at the putting position. The putting position can be marked with no irregularities formed on the field, so there will be no influence on the rolling of the ball. 
     The ball supplying section  25  is located at a lower portion of the upright portion  20 B, and supplies a ball onto the field plate  21  for a player to use it for game play. In the present embodiment, a ball supplying motor (not shown) is driven to send out balls, one by one, to a guide rail, so that the ball is guided onto the field plate  21 . 
     When a ball is supplied by the ball supplying section  25 , the player picks it up off the field plate  21 , and sets it at a putting position on the field plate  21  that is designated by the putting position designating section  24 . The player is then ready to hit the set ball. 
     The ball collecting section  26  is located at a lower portion of the upright portion  20 B, and collects the ball that did not get in the cup. In the present embodiment, the ball collecting section  26  includes a channel into which the ball that did not get in the cup falls, and a falling detection sensor (not shown) which detects the ball that has fallen into the channel. When a ball that passed the cups  22 H falls into the channel, a detection signal is transmitted from the falling detection sensor to the control section  30  connected via the bus. The ball that has fallen into the channel is guided by a guide rail (not shown) back to the ball supplying section  25 . 
     The operation section  27  accepts operations input by a player. The operation section  27  of the present embodiment is disposed on an upper surface of the upright portion  20 B, as shown in  FIG. 4 , and includes an operation button  27   a  and a card reader/writer (R/W)  27   b  which is an example of a reading section. 
     The operation button  27   a  is used when a player performs game operations, for example when selecting or determining a game mode (type of game) or the like. In the case where two or more players play the game, the operation button  27   a  is used to switch to a next player. 
     The card R/W  27   b  is used for reading player information (player ID, player name, level, etc.) recorded on an IC card owned by a player and fetching the information as digital data, or for writing game result information (score, ranking, etc.) to the IC card. The IC card is an example of information recording medium owned by a player. 
     The display section  28  is disposed on a front surface (facing the player) of the upright portion  20 B, and displays various images (game images etc.) which are generated by the image generating section  32 , described later, on the basis of instructions from the control section  30 , described later. For example, the display section  28  is implemented by a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like. 
     The control section  30  passes data between the cup section  22 , the tilting section  23 , the putting position designating section  24 , the ball supplying section  25 , and other sections. The control section  30  also performs various kinds of control and information processing for the entire golf game device  20 . The control section  30  is implemented as a central processing unit (CPU) executes a program stored in the storage section  31 . 
     The storage section  31  includes: a ROM, which is a read-only storage area in which a system program for the golf game device  20 , a game program, and others are stored; and a RAM, which is a rewritable storage area in which data (flags used in the system program, game program and others, and calculated values) generated in the control section  30  as well as various kinds of information received from the golf game server  10  are stored, and which is also used as a work area when the control section  30  performs arithmetic processing. This storage section  31  is connected to the control section  30  via the bus, and the data stored in the storage section  31  is referred to, read, or rewritten in accordance with the processing performed by the control section  30 . 
     The image generating section  32  generates images in accordance with the player&#39;s operations and the progress of the game play. The image generating section  32  has the function of drawing three-dimensional CG. That is, in order to generate a three-dimensional CG game image or the like, the image generating section  32  reads, from the storage section  31 , polygon data (vertex data) or non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) data (curves and control points data) constituting an object to be displayed on the display section  28 , and disposes the object formed by the polygons in a world coordinate system which is a three-dimensional virtual space, and converts the coordinates of the object from those in the local coordinate system to those in the world coordinate system. The image generating section  32  also sets, in the world coordinate system, a virtual viewpoint (virtual camera) generated through the player&#39;s operations or the progress of the game play, and converts the coordinates of any object that falls within the range of vision when viewed from the viewpoint in a prescribed viewing direction and view angle, into those in a viewing coordinate system having the coordinates of the viewpoint as its origin. Then, the image generating section  32  performs light source processing and other interpolation processing on the object, and also maps texture data stored in the storage section  31  onto the object, to thereby give details to the surface of the object. To display the object on the display section  28 , the image generating section  32  projects the three-dimensional object (polygons) onto a two-dimensional surface (screen), and converts the three-dimensional coordinates (in the viewing coordinate system) of the object into the two-dimensional coordinates (in the screen coordinate system). In this manner, the image generating section  32  generates a two-dimensional image in which objects are displayed preferentially from the one having the coordinates closest to the coordinates of the viewpoint in the world coordinate system, and outputs the generated image to the display section  28 . 
     The audio output section  33  uses a digital amplifier or the like to amplify audio signals (audio information) of music, voice, sound effects and others output from the control section  30 , to output sound. The audio output section  33  is implemented by, for example, a speaker or the like. 
     The communication section  34  has the function of connecting the golf game server  10  and the golf game device in an information-communicable manner, and includes a receiving section and a transmitting section. The receiving section receives various data and signals transmitted from the golf game server  10 . The transmitting section transmits various data and signals according to various kinds of processing performed in the golf game device  20 , to the golf game server  10 . 
     &lt;Outline of Golf Game&gt; 
     A golf game performed in the golf game device  20  of the present embodiment will now be outlined. 
     In the golf game of the present embodiment, a player sets a golf ball, on the field plate  21  which has been configured to be tiltable, at a putting position designated by the putting position designating section  24 , and he/she putts, aiming at a target cup (cup  22 HR or cup  22 HL) illuminated by the corresponding cup light  22 L. The putting position, the target cup, and the tilting of the field plate  21  in this golf game are determined by the control section  30  of the golf game device  20 . Accordingly, the player challenges the golf game on the play field (green) conditions automatically determined in the above-described manner. 
     In the golf game of the present embodiment, one game has a plurality of holes set for a golf putting game. For example, nine holes from the first hole to the ninth hole are set for one putting game. A player can hit up to two putts in each hole. That is, a player can hit 18 putts (nine holes×two putts) in total in one game. 
     The golf game of the present embodiment begins with the first shot on the first hole which is a birdie challenge. That is, when the ball rolls into the cup with the first putt, the player finishes the first hole with a “birdie”, and the score becomes “−1”. When the player misses the first putt, he/she hits the second shot. When the ball falls into the cup with the second putt, the player finishes the hole with a “par”, and the score becomes “±0” (does not change). When the player misses the second putt, the player finishes the hole with a “bogey”, and the score becomes “+1”. 
     On the second hole and on, in the case where the player had finished the previous hole with one shot, the first shot on the new hole is a birdie challenge. On the other hand, in the case where the player could not finish the previous hole with one shot, the first shot on the new hole is a par putt. 
     For example, suppose that a player had put the ball in the cup with one shot and finished the first hole with a “birdie”. In this case, when the player puts the ball in the cup with the first putt on the second hole, the player finishes the second hole with a “birdie”, and “−1” is added to the current score. When the player puts the ball in the cup with the second putt, the player finishes the hole with a “par”, and the score is unchanged. When the player misses the second putt, the player finishes the hole with a “bogey”, and “+1” is added to the current score. On the other hand, suppose that the player could not finish the first hole with a “birdie”. In this case, when the player puts the ball in the cup with the first putt on the second hole, the player finishes the second hole with a “par”, and the score is unchanged. When the player puts the ball in the cup with the second putt, the player finishes the hole with a “bogey”, and “+1” is added to the current score. When the player misses the second putt, the player finishes the hole with a “double bogey”, and “+2” is added to the current score. 
     When the game play is repeated for nine holes in the above-described manner, one golf putting game is finished, and the player&#39;s game results, including the total score for the nine holes and ranking, are determined. The determined game result information is transmitted from the golf game device  20  to the golf game server  10  via the network, and managed in the golf game server  10 . 
     It should be noted that a plurality of players can participate in the golf game. In the present embodiment, it is configured such that up to four players can play the golf putting game at the same time. In such a case, the players&#39; rankings are determined in accordance with their total scores at the end of the ninth hole. 
     &lt;Operation of Golf Game Device&gt; 
     An exemplary operation of the golf game device  20  according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 12 .  FIG. 10  shows an exemplary configuration of the data stored in the storage section  31  concerning the field settings (for the first shot) for each hole.  FIG. 11  shows an exemplary configuration of the data stored in the storage section  31  concerning the field settings (for the second shot) for each hole.  FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the golf game device  20  of the present embodiment. 
     ==Field Settings for Respective Holes== 
     First, when a golf putting game is started, the golf game device  20  of the present embodiment performs field settings for the respective holes before allowing a player to hit a golf ball with a putter. That is, in the present embodiment, field settings (setting of putting positions, setting of target cups, and setting of tilting of the field plate  21 ) are performed in advance for nine holes from the first hole to the ninth hole. 
     Specifically, in the golf game device  20  of the present embodiment, for performing the field settings for the respective holes, tilting determination processing, distance determination processing, cup determination processing, and putting position determination processing are carried out. 
     First, the tilting determination processing for determining the tilting of the field plate  21  is carried out. Specifically, the control section  30  sets a longitudinal height difference and a lateral height difference of the field plate  21 , to determine an ascending slope, a descending slope, a rightward slope, a leftward slope, or a slope as a combination thereof. 
     At this time, the control section  30  determines the tilting of the field plate  21  for each of the nine holes, and stores the tilting information of the field plate  21  determined for the respective holes, into the storage section  31  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). 
     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the height differences are recorded as the tilting information of the field plate  21 . With the height differences recorded, for example in the case of forming an ascending slope with the longitudinal height difference of 25 mm in the first hole (for the first shot), the control section  30  raises only the lift mechanisms  23 A and  23 B of the tilting section  23  (see  FIG. 7 ) by 25 mm from the reference positions, with the lift mechanisms  23 C and  23 D being held in the reference positions. Further, in the case of forming a rightward slope with the lateral height difference of 15 mm in the third hole (for the first shot), the control section  30  raises only the lift mechanisms  23 B and  23 D of the tilting section  23  (see  FIG. 7 ) by 15 mm from the reference positions, with the lift mechanisms  23 A and  23 C being held in the reference positions. It should be noted that, when the height difference of the tilting is “0”, all the lift mechanisms  23 A to  23 D are held in the reference positions, so the field plate  21  remains flat, without being tilted. 
     With this configuration, a player putts, aiming at a target cup, on the field plate  21  with the slope that has been determined by the control section  30 . This allows the player to enjoy the game play on a variety of slopes that change in accordance with the progress of the game. It is thus possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from getting bored. 
     Next, the distance determination processing for determining a distance on the basis of the tilting that has been determined by the tilting determination processing is carried out. Specifically, the control section  30  refers to a distance setting table (stored in the storage section  31 ), which specifies distances to target cups, to determine a distance to a target cup for each hole. 
     At this time, the control section  30  determines, for each of the nine holes, a first distance to a target cup for the first putt and a second distance to a target cup for the second putt, and stores the information about the first and second distances determined for the respective holes, into the storage section  31  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). 
     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the second distance is set shorter than the first distance. Therefore, even when a player has missed the first putt, he/she can aim at the target cup with ease on the second putt. This can increase the player&#39;s motivation for the game play. Further, the level of difficulty of the game varies in accordance with the distance to the target cup determined by the control section  30 . It is thus possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from getting bored. 
     Next, the cup determination processing for determining a target cup from among a plurality of cups  22 H is carried out. Specifically, the control section  30  selects either the cup  22 HR or the cup  22 HL at random, and determines it as a target cup. 
     At this time, the control section  30  determines, for each of the nine holes, a target cup for the first putt and a target cup for the second putt, and stores the information about the target cups determined for the respective holes, into the storage section  31  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). 
     In the present embodiment, for each hole, different cups are determined as the target cup for the first putt and the target cup for the second putt, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     With this configuration, a player putts aiming at the target cup determined by the control section  30 . 
     Next, the putting position determination processing for determining a putting position on the field plate  21  at which a player is caused to set a ball is carried out. Specifically, the control section  30  determines a position on the field plate  21  that is apart from the target cup determined by the cup determination processing by the distance determined by the distance determination processing, as the putting position. 
     At this time, the control section  30  determines, for each of the nine holes, a first putting position on the field plate  21  on the basis of the first distance to the target cup for the first putt, and a second putting position on the field plate  21  on the basis of the second distance to the target cup for the second putt, and stores the coordinate information of the first and second putting positions determined for the respective holes, into the storage section  31  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). 
     More specifically, the control section  30  determines, as the first putting position on the field plate  21 , an arbitrary position on an arc that is drawn about the corresponding target cup with a radius equal to the first distance. Further, the control section  30  determines, as the second putting position on the field plate  21 , an arbitrary position on an arc that is drawn about the corresponding target cup with a radius equal to the second distance. 
     In the present embodiment, as the coordinate information of each putting position, XY coordinate information with the lateral direction along the short sides of the field as the X direction and the longitudinal direction along the long sides of the field as the Y direction is stored, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     With this configuration, a player sets a ball at the putting position on the field determined by the control section  30 , and putts from the putting position, aiming at the target cup determined by the control section  30 . As a result, the player can enjoy the game play on various golf courses that vary in accordance with the progress of the game. It is thus possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from getting bored. 
     ==Operations in Golf Game== 
     After having finished the field settings for the respective holes, the golf game device  20  of the present embodiment carries out golf putting game processing for allowing a player to hit a golf ball with a putter. 
     First, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the golf game device  20  displays, on the display section  28 , a game image showing a hole to be played (one of the first through ninth holes; hereinafter, called the “play hole”) (S 101 ). 
     Specifically, the control section  30  instructs the image generating section  32  to generate a game image showing the play hole (one of the first through ninth holes) for the player to play, in accordance with the progress of the golf game. The image generating section  32 , in response to the instruction from the control section  30 , generates a game image showing the play hole, and outputs the generated game image to the display section  28 . This allows the player to see the game image displayed on the display section  28  and recognize the play hole that the player is about to play. 
     Next, before allowing the player to play a first putt on the play hole, the golf game device  20  displays an effect image showing a distance, for notifying the player about the distance (length) to the cup (S 102 ). 
     Specifically, the control section  30  instructs the image generating section  32  to generate an effect image. The image generating section  32 , in response to the instruction from the control section  30 , generates an effect image, and outputs the generated effect image to the display section  28 . This allows the player to see the effect image displayed on the display section  28  to confirm the distance (length) to the cup. As a result, the player can recognize the level of difficulty of the game in the play hole that the player is playing. 
     Next, the golf game device  20  operates the cup section  22 , the putting position designating section  24 , and the tilting section  23 , to thereby set the conditions of the play field (green) for a corresponding one of the first through nine holes (S 103 ). 
     Specifically, when operating the cup section  22 , the control section  30  performs control to turn on the cup light  22 L corresponding to the cup  22 H (target cup) to be aimed at (by the first shot) on the play hole. The target cup (cup  22 HR or cup  22 HL) to be aimed at by the first shot has been predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the control section  30  turns on the cup light  22 LR corresponding to the cup  22 HR or the cup light  22 LL corresponding to the cup  22 HL, on the basis of the information about the target cup stored in the storage section  31  (see  FIG. 10 ). As a result, when the player is about to hit the first putt on the play hole, the player can recognize that the cup  22 H being illuminated by the cup light  22 L is the target cup. 
     When operating the putting position designating section  24 , the control section  30  performs control such that the putting position designating section  24  emits a laser beam onto a putting position on the field plate  21  (for the first shot) on the play hole. The first putting position for the first shot has been predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the control section  30  drives and controls the first motor  24   c  and the second motor  24   e  such that the laser beam emitting section  24   a  emits a laser beam onto the first putting position on the field plate  21 , on the basis of the coordinate information of the first putting position stored in the storage section  31  (see  FIG. 10 ). As a result, when the player is about to hit the first putt on the play hole, the player can recognize that the point on the field plate  21  being illuminated by the laser beam is the first putting position. 
     When operating the tilting section  23 , the control section  30  controls the tilting section  23  such that the field plate  21  has a prescribed slope (for the first shot) on the play hole. The tilting of the field plate  21  for the first shot has been predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the control section  30  drives and controls the lift mechanisms  23 A to  23 D on the basis of the tilting information about the tilting (height difference) of the field plate  21  stored in the storage section  31  (see  FIG. 10 ). As the tilting of the field plate  21  changes in this manner, the player can play the golf game with various difficulty levels. 
     Subsequently, for causing the player to putt on the play hole, the golf game device  20  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the putt is the first putt (S 104 ). As the player sees the game image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can start the first putt on the play hole. 
     Next, the control section  30  of the golf game device  20  determines whether the current play hole is the first hole among the first through ninth holes (S 105 ). 
     If the control section  30  determines that the play hole is the first hole (YES in S 105 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the first shot of the first hole is a birdie challenge (S 106 ). As the player sees the game image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can increase his/her motivation for the game play. 
     When the player hit a putt, the control section  30  determines whether the first putt on the first hole was successful (S 107 ). That is, when the golf ball set at the first putting position was hit by the player, the control section  30  determines whether the golf ball rolling on the field plate  21  has dropped into the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup sensor  22 S. If the ball-in-cup sensor  22 S can detect the golf ball that has entered the target cup, the control section  30  determines that the first putt was successful; otherwise, the control section  30  determines that the first putt was a failure. When the golf ball rolling on the field plate  21  has fallen into the channel of the ball collecting section  26 , the control section  30  receives a detection signal from the falling detection sensor (not shown). In this case as well, the control section  30  can determine that the first putt was a failure. 
     If the control section  30  determines that the first putt was successful (SUCCESS in S 107 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  an effect image indicating that the first putt was successful (S 108 ). As the player sees the effect image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can confirm that he/she sank the first putt on the first hole. 
     At this time, the control section  30  performs control to turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating section  24 . 
     Subsequently, the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the player has scored a birdie as a result of the birdie challenge (S 109 ). 
     The control section  30  then updates the player&#39;s total score by setting it to “−1” (S 110 ). 
     On the other hand, if the control section  30  determines that the first putt was a failure (FAILURE in S 107 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section an effect image indicating that the first putt was a failure (S 111 ). As the player sees the effect image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can confirm that he/she missed the first putt on the first hole. 
     At this time, the control section  30  performs control to turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating section  24 . 
     Next, the control section  30  operates the cup section  22  and the putting position designating section  24  to reset the conditions of the play field (green) now for the second putt on the first hole (S 112 ). At this time, the control section  30  refrains from operating the tilting section  23 . That is, the tilting of the field plate  21  is made the same for the first shot and the second shot on the first hole. By maintaining the tilting of the field plate  21  in this manner, when the player is hitting a second putt, it is possible to make the player feel like he/she is continuously playing on the same green as that on which he/she had hit the first putt. 
     Specifically, when operating the cup section  22 , the control section  30  performs control to turn on the cup light  22 L corresponding to the cup  22 H (target cup) to be aimed at (by the second shot) on the first hole. The target cup (cup  22 HR or cup  22 HL) to be aimed at by the second shot has been predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the control section  30  turns on the cup light  22 LR corresponding to the cup  22 HR or the cup light  22 LL corresponding to the cup  22 HL, on the basis of the information about the target cup stored in the storage section  31  (see  FIG. 11 ). As a result, when the player is about to hit the second putt on the play hole, the player can recognize that the cup  22 H being illuminated by the cup light  22 L is the target cup. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the target cup for the second putt is changed from the target cup for the first putt. 
     Further, when operating the putting position designating section  24 , the control section  30  performs control such that the putting position designating section  24  emits a laser beam onto a putting position on the field plate  21  (for the second shot) on the first hole. The second putting position for the second shot has been predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the control section  30  drives and controls the first motor  24   c  and the second motor  24   e  of the putting position designating section  24 , on the basis of the coordinate information of the second putting position stored in the storage section  31  (see  FIG. 11 ). As a result, the laser beam emitting section  24   a  emits a laser beam onto the second putting position on the field plate  21 . When the player is about to hit the second putt on the play hole, the player can recognize that the point on the field plate  21  being illuminated by the laser beam is the second putting position. 
     Next, when causing the player to putt on the first hole, the golf game device  20  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the putt is the second putt (S 113 ). As the player sees the game image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can start the second putt on the first hole. 
     The control section  30  then displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the second shot of the first hole is a par putt (S 114 ). As the player sees the game image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can increase his/her motivation for the game play, because the player can try for a par, although he/she cannot try for a birdie. 
     Next, when the player hit a putt, the control section  30  determines whether the second putt on the first hole was successful (S 115 ). That is, when the golf ball set at the second putting position was hit by the player, the control section  30  determines whether the golf ball rolling on the field plate  21  has dropped into the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup sensor  22 S. If the ball-in-cup sensor  22 S can detect the golf ball that has entered the target cup, the control section  30  determines that the second putt was successful; otherwise, the control section  30  determines that the second putt was a failure. When the golf ball rolling on the field plate  21  has fallen into the channel of the ball collecting section  26 , the control section  30  receives a detection signal from the falling detection sensor (not shown). In this case as well, the control section  30  can determine that the second putt was a failure. 
     If the control section  30  determines that the second putt was successful (SUCCESS in S 115 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  an effect image indicating that the second putt was successful (S 116 ). As the player sees the effect image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can confirm that he/she sank the second putt on the first hole. 
     At this time, the control section  30  performs control to turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating section  24 . 
     Subsequently, the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the player has scored a par as a result of the par putt (S 117 ). 
     On the other hand, if the control section  30  determines that the second putt was a failure (FAILURE in S 115 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  an effect image indicating that the second putt was a failure (S 118 ). As the player sees the effect image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can confirm that he/she missed the second putt on the first hole. 
     At this time, the control section  30  performs control to turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating section  24 . 
     Subsequently, the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the player has scored a bogey as a result of the par putt (S 119 ). 
     The control section  30  then updates the player&#39;s total score by setting it to “+1” (S 120 ). 
     Returning to step S 105 , if the control section  30  determines that the current play hole is not the first hole (NO in S 105 ), it means that the play hole is one of the holes other than the first hole. The control section  30  then determines whether the first putt on the previous play hole was successful (S 121 ). 
     If the control section  30  determines that the first putt on the previous play hole was successful (YES in S 121 ), the control section  30  performs the processing in the above-described step S 106  and on. That is, the control section  30  performs the same processing as in the first hole. In this case, the first putt on the current play hole (one of the second through ninth holes) is a birdie challenge, as with the first shot on the previous play hole (one of the first through eighth holes). Therefore, the player can try for a birdie in a row. 
     On the other hand, if the control section  30  determines that the first putt on the previous play hole was not successful (NO in S 121 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the first shot of the current play hole is a par putt (S 122 ). As the player sees the game image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can increase his/her motivation for the game play, because the player can try for a par, although he/she cannot try for a birdie. 
     Next, when the player hit a putt, the control section  30  determines whether the first putt on the play hole was successful (S 123 ). That is, when the golf ball set at the first putting position was hit by the player, the control section  30  determines whether the golf ball rolling on the field plate  21  has dropped into the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup sensor  22 S. If the ball-in-cup sensor  22 S can detect the golf ball that has entered the target cup, the control section  30  determines that the first putt was successful; otherwise, the control section  30  determines that the first putt was a failure. When the golf ball rolling on the field plate  21  has fallen into the channel of the ball collecting section  26 , the control section  30  receives a detection signal from the falling detection sensor (not shown). In this case as well, the control section  30  can determine that the first putt was a failure. 
     If the control section  30  determines that the first putt was successful (SUCCESS in S 123 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  an effect image indicating that the first putt was successful (S 124 ). As the player sees the effect image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can confirm that he/she sank the first putt on the play hole. 
     At this time, the control section  30  performs control to turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating section  24 . 
     Subsequently, the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the player has scored a par as a result of the par putt (S 125 ). 
     The control section  30  then displays on the display section  28  an effect image indicating that the first putt of the next play hole will be a birdie challenge (S 126 ). As the player sees the game image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can increase his/her motivation for the game play, because the player can try for a birdie on the next play hole. 
     On the other hand, if the control section  30  determines that the first putt was a failure (FAILURE in S 123 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section an effect image indicating that the first putt was a failure (S 127 ). As the player sees the effect image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can confirm that he/she missed the first putt on the play hole. 
     At this time, the control section  30  performs control to turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating section  24 . 
     Next, the control section  30  operates the cup section  22  and the putting position designating section  24  to reset the conditions of the play field (green) now for the second putt on the play hole (S 128 ). At this time, the control section  30  refrains from operating the tilting section  23 . That is, the tilting of the field plate  21  is made the same for the first shot and the second shot on the play hole. By maintaining the tilting of the field plate  21  in this manner, when the player is hitting a second putt, it is possible to make the player feel like he/she is continuously playing on the same green as that on which he/she had hit the first putt. 
     Specifically, when operating the cup section  22 , the control section  30  performs control to turn on the cup light  22 L corresponding to the cup  22 H (target cup) to be aimed at (by the second shot) on the play hole. The target cup (cup  22 HR or cup  22 HL) to be aimed at by the second shot has been predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the control section  30  turns on the cup light  22 LR corresponding to the cup  22 HR or the cup light  22 LL corresponding to the cup  22 HL, on the basis of the information about the target cup stored in the storage section  31  (see  FIG. 11 ). As a result, when the player is about to hit the second putt on the play hole, the player can recognize that the cup  22 H being illuminated by the cup light  22 L is the target cup. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the target cup for the second putt is changed from the target cup for the first putt. 
     Further, when operating the putting position designating section  24 , the control section  30  performs control such that the putting position designating section  24  emits a laser beam onto a putting position on the field plate  21  (for the second shot) on the play hole. The second putting position for the second shot has been predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the control section  30  drives and controls the first motor  24   c  and the second motor  24   e  of the putting position designating section  24 , on the basis of the coordinate information of the second putting position stored in the storage section  31  (see  FIG. 11 ). As a result, the laser beam emitting section  24   a  emits a laser beam onto the second putting position on the field plate  21 . When the player is about to hit the second putt on the play hole, the player can recognize that the point on the field plate  21  being illuminated by the laser beam is the second putting position. 
     Next, when causing the player to putt on the play hole, the golf game device  20  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the putt is the second putt (S 129 ). As the player sees the game image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can start the second putt on the play hole. 
     The control section  30  then displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the second shot of the play hole is a bogey putt (S 130 ). As the player sees the game image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can increase his/her motivation for the game play, because the player can try for a bogey, although he/she cannot try for a par. 
     Next, when the player hit a putt, the control section  30  determines whether the second putt on the play hole was successful (S 131 ). That is, when the golf ball set at the second putting position was hit by the player, the control section  30  determines whether the golf ball rolling on the field plate  21  has dropped into the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup sensor  22 S. If the ball-in-cup sensor  22 S can detect the golf ball that has entered the target cup, the control section  30  determines that the second putt was successful; otherwise, the control section  30  determines that the second putt was a failure. When the golf ball rolling on the field plate  21  has fallen into the channel of the ball collecting section  26 , the control section  30  receives a detection signal from the falling detection sensor (not shown). In this case as well, the control section  30  can determine that the second putt was a failure. 
     If the control section  30  determines that the second putt was successful (SUCCESS in S 131 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  an effect image indicating that the second putt was successful (S 132 ). As the player sees the effect image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can confirm that he/she sank the second putt on the play hole. 
     At this time, the control section  30  performs control to turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating section  24 . 
     Subsequently, the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the player has scored a bogey as a result of the bogey putt (S 133 ). 
     The control section  30  then updates the player&#39;s total score by adding “+1” to the current score (S 134 ). 
     On the other hand, if the control section  30  determines that the second putt was a failure (FAILURE in S 131 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  an effect image indicating that the second putt was a failure (S 135 ). As the player sees the effect image displayed on the display section  28 , he/she can confirm that he/she missed the second putt on the play hole. 
     At this time, the control section  30  performs control to turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating section  24 . 
     Subsequently, the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  a game image indicating that the player has scored a double bogey as a result of the bogey putt (S 136 ). 
     The control section  30  then updates the player&#39;s total score by adding “+2” to the current score (S 137 ). 
     Next, the control section  30  determines whether there is a next player (S 138 ). The control section can determine the number of the players who are participating in the golf game, on the basis of a signal input from the operation section  27  at the start of the game. If the control section  30  determines that there is a next player (YES in S 138 ), the control section  30  displays on the display section  28  a game image instructing to switch to the next player (S 139 ). The control section  30  then continues the processing in the step S 104  and on. 
     On the other hand, if the control section  30  determines that there is not a next player (NO in S 138 ), the control section  30  terminates the current play hole (S 140 ). 
     As described above, according to the golf game device of the present embodiment, the putting position on the field determined by the control section  30  is designated by the putting position designating section  24 , and the target cup determined by the control section  30  is designated by the cup designating section  22 L. This allows the player to set the ball at the putting position and putt from the putting position aiming at the target cup. The player can enjoy the game play on a variety of play fields (greens) that change in accordance with the progress of the game. It is thus possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from getting bored. 
     Further, the tilting section  23  can tilt the field plate  21  in accordance with the tilting determined by the control section  30 . The player can enjoy the game play on a wider variety of play fields (greens). It is thus possible to enable game play that is richer in variety. 
     Modified Embodiments 
     It should be noted that the above embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and shall not be construed as limiting the invention. 
     Further, needless to say, the present invention can be modified or improved without departing from the scope thereof, and the present invention encompasses equivalents thereto. In particular, the present invention covers the embodiments described below. 
     &lt;Cup Section  22 &gt; 
     In the above embodiment, the golf game device  20  had two cups  22 H in the field portion  20 A. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto; two or more cups  22 H may be provided. 
     &lt;Tilting Section  23 &gt; 
     In the above embodiment, the tilting section  23  for tilting the field plate  21  included the lift mechanism having the ball screw shaft  231  and the motor  232 . The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. The tilting section may include, for example, a mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic pantograph jack. 
     &lt;Putting Position Designating Section  24 &gt; 
     In the above embodiment, the putting position designating section  24  designated the putting position by emitting a laser beam onto the field plate  21 . The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. For example, the laser beam may be replaced with a spotlight. Further, instead of focusing light on the field surface, the field may be divided into grid areas, for example, and LED lamps may be embedded in the field for the respective grid areas. In this case, the putting position designating section  24  may turn on the LED lamp corresponding to one of the areas, in accordance with an instruction from the control section  30 , to designate the putting position on the field. 
     Further, at the time of determining a putting position, the putting position designating section  24  may determine the putting position irrespectively of the distance to the target cup. 
     &lt;Cup Determination Processing&gt; 
     In the above embodiment, in the cup determination processing, it was configured such that the target cup for the first putt would not be the same as the target cup for the second putt. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. The same cup may be determined as the target cup for the first and second putts. 
     &lt;Distance Determination Processing&gt; 
     In the above embodiment, in the distance determination processing, it was configured such that the second distance for the second putt would be shorter than the first distance for the first putt. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. It may be configured such that the first distance becomes longer than the second distance. This can increase the difficulty level of the game. 
     &lt;Tilting Determination Processing&gt; 
     In the above embodiment, in the tilting determination processing, it was configured such that the tilting of the field plate  21  would be the same for the first putt and the second putt. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. The tilting may be changed between the first and second putts. 
     &lt;Field Settings for Respective Holes&gt; 
     In the above embodiment, the field settings for the respective holes were determined in the order of: tilting determination processing, distance determination processing, cup determination processing, and putting position determination processing. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. The field settings for the respective holes may be determined in a different order. 
     &lt;Setting of Each Hole&gt; 
     In the golf game device  20  of the above embodiment, a player was allowed to hit a first putt and a second putt in each hole. The present invention, however, is not limited to this specific number of putts. 
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               1 : game system 
               2 : network 
               10 : golf game server 
               11 : server control section 
               12 : server storage section 
               13 : server display section 
               14 : server operation section 
               15 : server communication section 
               20 : golf game device 
               20 A: field portion 
               20 B: upright portion 
               21 : field plate 
               22 : cup section 
               22 H: cup 
               22 L: cup light 
               22 S: ball-in-cup sensor 
               22 S 1 : light emitting element 
               22 S 2 : light receiving element 
               23 : tilting section 
               23 A to  23 D: lift mechanism 
               231 : ball screw shaft 
               232 : motor 
               24 : putting position designating section 
               24   a : laser beam emitting section 
               24   b : first shaft 
               24   c : first motor 
               24   d : second shaft 
               24   e : second motor 
               24   f : bracket 
               25 : ball supplying section 
               26 : ball collecting section 
               27 : operation section 
               27   a : operation button 
               27   b : card R/W 
               28 : display section 
               30 : control section 
               31 : storage section 
               32 : image generating section 
               33 : audio output section 
               34 : communication section