Patent Abstract:
The golf course has a hybrid configuration with a virtual golf simulator tee off for the fairway which transitions to a live play environment once the user approaches the green. The virtual golf simulator can have a booth like configuration with a lounge behind the simulator. The user hits a ball in the simulator and the simulator senses the position and motion of the shot to calculate a starting location on the live play environment. The user then enters the live play environment and finishes the course in live play. A variety of different simulators can be used with the live play environment.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from and is a non-provisional of provisional application 62/201,178 entitled Transition Software For Hybrid Golf Course by inventor David Shultz filed Aug. 5, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is in the field of golf attractions. 
       DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Amusement parks and fun centers have a variety of different attractions, such as roller coasters, trampoline parks and theme park rides. Sometimes modified golf games such as videogame golf, and miniature golf can be added to amusement parks, but unfortunately these are not very realistic and have become passé over time. Therefore, theme parks are always looking for new and exciting attractions. 
         [0004]    A wide variety of different golf simulation games can be played in a virtual environment. A variety of virtual golf simulators have been created for indoor golf. Although the patent literature is highly developed in the field of virtual golf simulators, not all of the systems have been highly accurate until recently. Many of the descriptions of the virtual golf simulators had high error until recently when laser infrared sensor arrays became more widely available on a commercial scale. Previously, laser infrared sensor arrays had only been used in the military for tracking a variety of different military targets. The patent literature is also very complete in discussing laser infrared sensor arrays and their operation. 
         [0005]    For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,791 published Oct. 15, 1991 to inventor Poillon, entitled Golf Simulator And Analyzer System, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the golf simulator can simulate a game of golf. Poillon, teaches, “A system that simulates indoors a game of golf as it would be played outdoors on a conventional golf course and also provides the player with a diagnosis of his golf swing. An accurate determination is made of the trajectory, spin and velocity of a driven golf ball is made to determine the flight path it would take in an unimpeded environment. From this information there is provided to the player a projected image that his golf ball would take on a real golf course as well as diagnostic information about his swing.” 
         [0006]    In United States patent publication US20090191929, published Jul. 30, 2009, entitled Golf Simulator Connected To The Internet, by inventor Nicora, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the inventor shows an internet tournament for golf simulators. This allows a variety of different virtual golf simulators around the world to connect to each other and have an online golf tournament. Unfortunately, the game was still not very realistic until more recently. 
         [0007]    A variety of different virtual golf simulators can provide data on golf shots and compile them into personal statistics. Virtual golf simulators have sensors that can measure total driving distance, carry distance, launch angle, speed in miles per hour, angle to target, backspin, and side spin. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,791 by inventor Poillon issued Oct. 15, 1991, entitled Golf Simulator And Analyzer System the golf simulator has a variety of sensors that can record trajectory spin and velocity of a driven golf ball, the disclosure of which is incorporated here in by reference. 
         [0008]    Tracking systems have also become more powerful and accurate with faster processors. For example in U.S. Pat. No. 9,132,345, by inventor Nicora, et. al., issued Sep. 15, 2015, entitled Methods And Systems For Sports Simulation, a sports simulator calculates the rotational and translational velocity of a golf ball using a set of image analysis and emitters and sensors, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The simulator then computes the future trajectory of the golf ball based on the rotational and translational velocity. Nicora, also describes similar device in U.S. Pat. No. 8,926,416 entitled sports simulator and simulation method, issued Jan. 6, 2015, also discusses image analysis for calculating a velocity vector, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Nicora, also describes that the display screen can allow the golf ball to pass through it into a ball catcher and even return the ball back to the player as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,834,284, issued Sep. 16, 2014, entitled Apparatus For Golf Simulation, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In another related Nicora patent, U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,408 a golf simulator allows the player to launch a golf ball towards a display surface that shows the future trajectory of the golf ball, issued Apr. 9, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0009]    As shot data has improved in accuracy, modern golf simulators have no trouble outputting data such as total driving distance, carry distance, large angle, speed, angle to target, backspin, and side spin. Modern golf simulators can calculate using physics modeling, a virtual lie of the golf ball after a user hits the golf ball. The simulators can also animate for the user the golf ball flying through the air, bouncing on the fairway and even bouncing off of trees or bunkers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is a complete golf game having a hybrid solution utilizing “Traditional golf simulators” in conjunction with an expansive “live play” environment. A physical golf course is combined with a booth having a virtual simulator. The virtual simulator has a software platform that allows players to transition from a golf simulation environment onto a live playing field. The golf virtual simulator adjust for individual user preferences such that players can increase difficulty and challenge as their skill level improves. A software map shows the logical process of the golf simulator. 
         [0011]    The golf course has a hybrid configuration with a virtual golf simulator tee off for a fairway and then transitions to a live play environment once the user approaches the green. The virtual golf simulator can have a booth like configuration with a lounge behind the simulator. The user hits a ball in the simulator and the simulator senses the position and motion of the shot to calculate a starting location on the live play environment. After a user, or all of the users in a group tee off and are ready for the live play environment, the users can travel through a passage, which can be behind the screen, around the screen, or through an opening in the screen to a large live play area that is preferably indoors. The live play area can be set up in a warehouse that is climate controlled, or can be partially outdoors or completely outdoors. 
         [0012]    The transition gives the illusion that the user has hit the ball down the fairway and is walking to the ball for close game shots on the green or near the green. As the user walks into the live play area, a position indicator such as a lighted indicator such as an overhead beam of light generated by LCD backlighting, or an overhead mounted laser can project an augmented reality indication of where the next ball will be hit. The user can place the ball themselves, or a human caddy can place the ball based upon the augmented reality indication. The lighted indicator is generated from the algorithm which correlates the virtual golf simulator data with a location on the live play golf course. The lighted indicator can also include player identifying information such as a player number or a player name. The lighted indicator can be customized for additional game variability. 
         [0013]    The virtual and live play hybrid golf attraction includes a virtual fairway apparatus simulating a fairway golf stroke. The virtual fairway apparatus includes a screen, player area, a ball sensor and a processor calculating a virtual ball lie from sensor input taken from the virtual fairway stroke. The processor calculates a ball placement location based on the virtual ball lie. A live play area is not virtual and has a green area and a hole target on the green area. The ball placement location is a physical location on the live play area. 
         [0014]    The processor checks if the virtual ball lie is on the green area or the fairway area, and if the virtual ball lie is on the fairway area, the processor continues the virtual fairway play until the player is on the green area, and if the virtual ball lie is on the green area, the processor refers the player to the live play area. The processor calculates a ball placement intersection from the virtual ball lie, and the ball placement intersection includes an x-coordinate line and y-coordinate line. 
         [0015]    The virtual and live play hybrid golf attraction optionally has a visual indicator marked on the playing field that indicates initial ball placement. The location of the visual indicator is calculated from the virtual ball lie. A software algorithm provides a scaled difficulty. The ball placement location is scaled to be closer to the hole target or further from the hole target than the virtual ball lie depending on user preferences. In a one to one mode the ball placement location is equivalent to the virtual ball lie. 
         [0016]    The display screen of a display device has a simulation bay assignment screen indicating a bay assignment to a user. A simulation bay is formed as a booth with a pair of sidewalls and a ceiling. The virtual fairway apparatus is installed in the simulation bay. The display device includes a ball location screen with a map of the live play area. The ball can be a golf ball icon such as a flashing red sprite. 
         [0017]    As exciting as virtual golf can be, users still desire a more satisfying experience. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a live play environment which could be 20,000 ft. 2 , or any size tailored according to the venue. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a grid assignment definition. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a software mapping algorithm for transition between simulation and live play 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the hybrid golf course. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart diagram showing screenshots of a display device having a circular display screen. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows the installation of the simulator in the booth. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows an indoor live play area with a hole target. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide to reference the call out numbers of the drawings.
     10  Playing Field     11  Building Wall     12  Building Ceiling     20  Green     21  Bunkers     22  Inside Rough     23  Outside Rough     24  Outside Wall     25  Right Wall     26  Left Wall     27  First Hole     28  Second Hole     29  Third Hole     30  Field Map     31  X-Coordinate Lines     32  Y-Coordinate Lines     33  Ball Placement Intersection     34  Grid     35  Outside Boundary     36  Right Boundary     37  Left Boundary     38  Inside Boundary     40  Software Mapping Algorithm     41  Golf Simulation Software     42  Transition Software     43  Live Play Dataform     44  Mode Selector     45  Hole Selection     46  Golf Simulation Operation     47  Recording Data     48  Recording Ball Lie     49  Capture Player Feedback     50  Capture Hole And Strokes     51  Map Ball Placement     52  Grid Algorithm     53  Grid Mapping Algorithm     54  Player Preference Algorithm     60  Clubhouse     61  Stairs     62  Second Floor Area     63  Booth     64  Transition Passage Entrance     65  Staging Area     66  Transition Passage     67  Fence     71  First Live Play Area     72  Second Live Play Area     73  Third Live Play Area     74  Four Live Play Area     75  Fifth Live Play Area     76  Sixth Live Play Area     77  Live Play Area     81  Golf Ball     82  Sloped Panel     83  Right Changeable Backdrop     84  Outside Backdrop     85  Referee Observation Window Display     90  Tee Area     91  Tee     92  Orientation Mat     93  Ball Sensor     95  Front Screen     96  Right Screen     97  Left Screen     98  Booth Ceiling     99  Fabric Ball Net     101  User Selection Screen     102  Main Menu     103  Choose Simulation Bay Screen     104  Simulation Queue Position Screen     105  Start Live Play Screen     106  Join Group Screen     107  Locate Ball Coarse Screen     108  Locate Ball Fine Screen     109  View Score Screen     110  Create Group Screen     111  Edit Score Screen     112  Enter Score Screen     120  Display Device     121  Processor     188  Operation Return To Main Menu   
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0107]    The present invention starts with a commercially available virtual golf simulator as seen in  FIG. 6 . The virtual golf simulator has a variety of different standard components including a tee area  90  for a user to stand. A tee  91  can be mounted on an orientation mat  92  which faces a front screen  95 . The front screen  95  can be flanked by a right screen  96  and a left screen  97  for a wraparound 180° visual effect. Additional screens can be added to have a 360° visual effect. The screen can be back projected, projected, LCD or the like. The ceiling  98  can also be back projected, projected or painted with texture. The ball sensor  93  can have various infrared laser arrays and have sensors mounted on the screens as well. Around the screens, a fabric ball net  99  catches golf balls after the user takes a shot. The booth ceiling  98  preferably also has a fabric ball netting for minimizing ricochet and bounce backs. Commercially available golf simulators produce a golf shot data set for each golf shot. The data can be output from the golf simulator. The virtual golf simulator is preferably housed in a booth on the first floor. 
         [0108]    The data from the golf shot is used to transition the user to a live play environment based on individual preferences. The live play environment is a nonvirtual green and chipping fringe area that is located in or near the same building preferably with artificial grass. The live play environment is divided in a grid structure with thousands of unique locations to play from. Each grid has different characteristics that define the level of difficulty to play from that point to any of the  18  flag sticks on the course. The live play environment could be a single hole of only 1000 ft. 2 , or could be a large area of 80,000 ft. 2 . The architectural orientation of the live play environment and virtual simulator can be flexibly tailored to the needs of the attraction venue. 
         [0109]    The live play area include a playing field  10  and green  20 . The green  20  can have a first hole  27 , a second hole  28 , and a third hole  29  to allow multiple users to play on the same large expansive green. The large expansive green can be about 20,000 ft. 2  with multiple levels or tiers. An outside rough  23  can be bounded inside a curved outside wall  24 . The playing field  10  can be formed as an arc shaped field of synthetic or natural grass. The playing field  10  also includes bunkers  21 , fringe or rough areas  22  boundary between a right wall  25  and a left wall  26 . The playing field  10  can be indoors and housed in a warehouse structure to provide air-conditioning and artificial lighting for the players. The playing field  10  can be lighted to simulate dawn or dusk with artificial lighting, or can be located outside close to the virtual golf simulator. 
         [0110]    The live play environment playing field  10  is represented virtually as a field map  30  of the live play area. The field map  30  includes a grid  34  formed by a plurality of x-coordinate lines  31  and y-coordinate lines  32 . The outside boundary  85  of the field map  30  can conform to an outside wall  24  of the playing field  10 . The grid  34  presents a number of locations for placing a ball including a ball placement intersection  33 . The field map  30  can be generated from a rasterized overhead photograph of the actual playing field  10 . Alternatively, the actual playing field  10  can be made according to the field map  30  which was used as a blueprint for constructing the site. 
         [0111]    After a user takes a few strokes, the user gets to the green area of the simulation and the user is prompted to go to the live play area such as the playing field  10  for finishing the close game portion of the hole in a nonvirtual environment. The processor  121  calculates the location of the nonvirtual starting location based upon an algorithm. If a user is aiming at the first hole  27 , the algorithm can scale the distance between the hole and the ball placement intersection  23  so that the ball lie is improved by being placed closer to the first hole  27  than ordinarily allowable under USGA rules. The scaling of the distance is proportional to the user level. A proportional handicap for the ball placement intersection  33  can produce a handicap that puts the ball closer along the x-coordinate lines  31  or along the y-coordinate lines  32 . The x-coordinate lines  31  are locations where an x-coordinate is constant, and the y-coordinate lines  32  are lines where the y-coordinate is constant. For example, a beginner golfer could play according to a beginner mode that decreases the distance between the hole and the ball along the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates. For example, each of the X and Y coordinates could be decreased by 20% closer to the first hole  27 . Also, difficult breaks can be removed by relocating the ball in an area of the green that is more flat. The scaling of the distance between the hole and ball placement intersection  33  is based on Cartesian coordinates and thus can be scaled in a linear or nonlinear relationship according to difficulty. 
         [0112]    A customized transition from the virtual to the live play environment is thus based on individual preferences. The real putting green and chipping fringe area is divided into grids, providing at least 1500 unique locations to play from. Each grid has different characteristics that define the level of difficulty to play from that point to any one of the  18  flag sticks on the course. All of this data is mapped into a database and used by the transition software to allow players to tune their golf experience as they desire. 
         [0113]    A beginner mode can be provided for user so that a player has a relatively easy shot from the green every time they transition from the simulation to live play. This is independent of the final resting position of their ball during simulation play. In a novice mode, the player will be given a shot that is relatively easier than the final resting position during simulation play, but more difficult than in beginner mode. Short chips are introduced in novice mode as well. The distance between the hole and the calculated resting location of the ball will be scaled such as by being decreased to be 20% closer to the first hole  27 . In a real-life mode, a 1-for-1 relationship exists between final resting position in simulation and initial location to play from in live play. Thus, a user must land on the green area in the simulation to transfer over to live play. In the novice mode, the player could have a distance between the hole and the resting location of the ball that is scaled so that the user ends up in the green area of the simulation which transfers the player over to live play. Alternatively, in an expert mode, the player will always receive the most difficult shot available as their first shot in live play environment, independent of their final resting position in simulation. 
         [0114]    The live play environment can use standard USGA rules identical to a traditional golf environment. A variety of different algorithms can be used for finding the live play ball location from the virtual simulator data. The virtual simulator data often has ball speed sensors and trajectory sensors that can determine the initial flight characteristics of the ball before the ball is arrested by the net, or screen. The initial flight characteristics in the simulator can be used to make a kinematical calculation based upon elementary physics to determine the live play location of the ball. Alternatively, a simpler method of calculation could correlate a location on the virtual simulator screen with a location on the live play green. 
         [0115]    The grid can be at a large revolution such as a ′4×′4 resolution where each starting point is 4 feet away from the next starting point. An expansive green of about 20,000 ft. 2  could be used and could have multiple tiers. The ′4×′4 resolution grid can have ball placement intersections  33  that have varying degrees of difficulty, where each starting location has assigned attributes. The transition software uses grid data along with data from the simulation environment to assign players their first shot location in a live play environment. Also, the transition software can learn player preferences and adjust the experience accordingly. 
         [0116]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , a software mapping algorithm  40  has three components, namely the traditional golf simulation software  41 , the transition software  42 , and the live play dataform  43 . Beginning with the traditional golf simulation software  41 , the user selects a game mode in a mode selector  44 . The mode selector selects a difficulty level or playing mode such as beginner, intermediate or expert. Then, the user selects a hole in a hole selection  45 . The golf simulation software operates in a golf simulation operation  46 . The golf simulation software can be run for example until he shot comes to rest within  40  yards of the flagstick. The software then records a hole number plate and number of shots taken which is then mapped to a digital scorecard application in a recording data  47  step. The lie of the ball is also recorded which includes distance from pin, elevation, slope on green whether or not it is in a bunker and other related data in a recording ball lie  48  step. 
         [0117]    After the recording ball lie  48  step, the ball placement is mapped on a map ball placement  51  step. The map ball placement algorithm can consider skill level, previous ball placements, data from the live play database and player preference settings for setting a ball placement. The map ball placement  51  step includes a variety of different functions. 
         [0118]    The map ball placement  51  step has a first step of querying the grid algorithm  52 . In querying the grid algorithm  52 , the live play environment is divided into a grid with each grid intersection being a certain uniform location away from other grid positions. The grid  34  is a defined as a plurality of x-coordinate lines  31  and y-coordinate lines  32 . The x-coordinate line  31  and the y-coordinate lines intersect at ball placement intersections  33 . The ball placement is at one of the ball placement intersections  33 . The field map  30  is a virtual map of the playing field  10 . The processor  121  correlates the playing field&#39;s physical dimensions and profile to a virtual field map  30 . 
         [0119]    When a user transitions to the playing field  10  the system generates a ball placement for the user. The ball placement is at the ball placement intersection  33 . The ball placement intersection  33  is calculated from the output data of the virtual simulator. The virtual simulator is preferably at the booth  63 . When the user passes through the transition passage  66  to the live play areas, the user has a wireless device that indicates ball location. Also, a lighted indicator generated from a projected light source such as a laser light can indicate ball placement. 
         [0120]    The grid mapping algorithm  53  step provides for physical attributes of each grid ball placement intersection  33  to be mapped to the database used by the transition software to select the appropriate location for user to start when entering the live lay environment. The physical attributes can include information such as x-coordinate, y-coordinate, distance from pin and slope. The database maintains a player preference algorithm  54  and player preference information. The player preference algorithm  54  allows players to choose their own preferences for starting the live play experience based on skill level and desire to be challenged. The player preference algorithm  54  can suggest to a user of low skill to try a beginner setting, and as the user statistically improves, the player preference algorithm  54  can suggest a more challenging setting. The suggested setting is mediated by the user selection in the mode selector  44  step. The mode selector therefore can work differently for different users. 
         [0121]    After completion of live play, the transition software captures the hole number and number of strokes taken from the user interface application. The capture hole and strokes step  50  allows the transition software to capture player feedback  49  to return the player to the next hole. The capture player feedback  49  step can send data to a database for return visits. The software can run on the processor and the processor can have a memory and a wireless transmitter for sending data. 
         [0122]    The venue design, as seen in  FIG. 4 , can include a large area that has a clubhouse  60  with stairs  61  leading to a second floor area  62 . The staging area  65  can be a line area, lounge, restaurant or a ticket sales area. The staging area  65  is bounded by a fence  67 . The second floor area  62  is above virtual simulator booths  63 . The booths  63  have a floor, ceiling and sidewalls. A transition passage entrance  64  allows users to pass through a transition passage  66  to travel from the booth  63  to the live play areas. A first live play area  71  can have a first hole  27 . A second live play area  72  can have a second hole  28 . A third live play area  73  can have a third hole  29 . A fourth live play area  74 , a fifth live play area  75 , a sixth live play area  76  and a seventh live play area  77  can fit in the playing field  10 . The playing field  10  is preferably bounded by a building wall  11 . 
         [0123]    In a busy amusement park or theme park, dozens of users can be congregating around the attraction. Users need navigation and direction while traveling around the golf attraction. A display device  120 , as seen in  FIG. 5 , can be provided to each user to maintain crowd control. The display device  120  has a display screen that can be an wrist mounted LED devices such as a smart watch running android or iOs or the like. Users are provided display devices  120  for the term of their use of the attraction. 
         [0124]    The display device  120  first begins at a user selection screen  101 . The user selection screen can have a round LCD display area with a ring-shaped border, or the display can be rectangular. The user selection screen  101  allows the player to identify the account that the player is using. After the user selection screen, the main menu screen  102  provides a view of the holes played and not played. The main menu screen  102  keeps track of the holes in a list to provide a quick visual reference for the user. If the hole has not yet been started, the user can select the hole and proceed to a choose simulation bay screen  103 . The choose simulation bay screen  103  may have a list of bay numbers and a queue of users to provide an orderly usage of the simulation bay mounted in the booth. The display device  120  can then notify the user to start the simulation at a simulation queue position screen  104  so that the user can know when to proceed to the simulation bay. The user can relax in the lounge, or hang out with other friends while waiting so that the users do not need to stand in line waiting for a simulation bay. 
         [0125]    After the user goes to the simulation bay and plays the strokes, the display device  120  goes to the main menu which then notes that the simulation portion of the hole has now been played. Users can play other simulation portions or continue with the hole at their leisure so that there is no rush or excessive waiting. If the simulation is complete, the user can proceed to the live play area when notified in the start live play screen  105 . The start live play screen  105  shows the shots taken, the yards to the hole and explains to start live play. If playing alone, the user is sent directly to the coarse ball location screen  107 , but if the user is playing with a group, the user is sent to the join group screen  106 . The join group screen  106  can group players together for a common close game. The join group screen  106  can interface with a variety of different social media network applications. The user can also create a group in the create group screen  110 . 
         [0126]    The first ball location screen  107  gives a general location of the ball which can be shown as a circle. In this case, the ball is located at a rough area past the second hole between the second green on the third green. The user then has a locate ball fine screen  108 . The ball location can be highlighted with a ceiling mounted laser or colored light. The locate ball fine screen  108  shows that the indicator color is red and the enter score button below the locate ball button. Pressing the locate ball button on the fine locate ball screen  108  can produce a laser or lighted indicator on the ground. The lighted indicator can be a crosshairs, an arrow or the like. After playing the hole, the user can press the enter score button, or can be automatically referred to the enter score screen  112 . 
         [0127]    The user can be automatically referred to the enter score screen  112  if the user has a radiofrequency identification tag located on the golf ball that interacts with a radio frequency identification scanner mounted in the hole. The enter score screen  112  allows the user to enter the number of strokes in the live play portion of the game. The user is then sent back to the main menu  102 . 
         [0128]    Once the simulation and live play are both complete, the user can go to a view score screen  109  and view or optionally edit the score in an edit score screen  111 . Additionally, the game referee can contact the user through the display screen  120  if necessary for sending the user a message. 
         [0129]    As seen in  FIG. 7 , the user hits the golf ball  81  and the golf ball  81  is traveling toward the first hole  27  of the green  20 . When made indoors, the ball placement intersection indicator  86  can be shown as a cross that is illuminated from a laser lighting system. Either a single laser can be used that projects multiple intersection indicators, or multiple lasers can project multiple ball placement intersection indicators  86 . The ball placement intersection indicator  86  has a position that is calculated to correspond to the ball placement intersection  33  of the field map  30 . The ball placement intersection indicator  86  is a physical indicator made of photons reflecting from the playing field  10 . The building ceiling  12  can be covered by a suspended screen to project an outdoor environment. The building wall  11  is preferably not seen because it is covered by the outside wall  24 . The outside wall  24  can have a sloped panel  82  that forms a roof like structure to roll stray balls back toward the playing field  10  if the balls leave the playing field  10 . The outside wall  24  can have a referee observation window display  85  that can be a one-way mirror to allow a referee to view the players. The referee observation window display  85  can also display messages for the players. The right wall  25  can also have a sloped panel  82 . The right wall  25  can have a right changeable backdrop  83  and the outside wall  24  can have an outside changeable backdrop  84 . The changeable backdrop can be projected by overhead projectors, or can be back projected from rooms under the sloped panels  82 . 
         [0130]    Also, the ball location indicator can be performed manually such as by a human caddy placing a ball or coin marker rather than an overhead lighting device such as a laser projecting an ball location indicator icon on the playing field. The ball location indicator could be formed by having coordinates marked on the playing field for example, or have coordinate locations on the walls surrounding the playing field. Also, the ball location indicator can be indicated on the virtual golf simulation screen so that after the user reaches the green, the screen of the virtual golf simulator can show where to go to place the ball at the coordinate intersection. The coordinates could be marked in letters along the y-axis and numbers on the x-axis for example. 
         [0131]    The following description describes an example of the invention which is defined by the claims below. Persons of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that obvious modifications to the preferred embodiment do not depart from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims below. For example, user defined difficulty level settings can change the scaled difficulty which influences the ball placement location in a nonlinear proportional relationship.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6