Abstract:
A pitch and putt lawn golf game that may be played by persons of all ages, golfers and non-golfers alike, and includes a series of hole markers and a golf ball, a putter, and a wedge for every player playing the game. Alternatively, the game may also include a set of irons in place of or in addition to the wedge, and/or a scorecard and pencil or other marking device. To play the game, a golf ball is pitched and putted through a series of hoops, just as a series of holes is played at a golf course. There are many benefits of the game: ease of play; teaching the rudimentary skills of golf; refining a player&#39;s short game skills; short time required to play a “round”; the ability to be used on virtually any lawn; flexible course layout; challenge; portability; requires no holes to be cut in the lawn; and the ease of setting the game up and taking the game down.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of, and claims priority from, co-pending U.S. Conventional Utility application Ser. No. 09/167,094, filed Oct. 5, 1998, entitled Pitch and Putt Lawn Golf, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention generally relates to outdoor games. More specifically, this invention relates to outdoor games for practicing golf skills and entertainment.  
           [0004]    2. Related Art  
           [0005]    Innumerable outdoor games exist in general. A certain number of games involving hitting an object through a hoop exist as well.  
           [0006]    Many of these games require a player to strike an object through a “U-shaped” hoop, such as a croquet game. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,308 (Schlueter et al.) discloses a golf game target and game comprising a series of nine stakes, each having a hoop, inserted into the ground through which a player kicks a golf ball. However, the Schlueter patent does not disclose a game that improves a player&#39;s skills through the use of golf clubs to putt and pitch a golf ball through the hoops.  
           [0007]    Other games require the user to strike an object through a ring-shaped hoop. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,052,226 (Woll) discloses a game comprising the use of looped sticks for manipulating a ball through a hoop-shaped target. Another U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,422 (Burcenski), discloses a game requiring a player to hit a missile through ring-shaped targets. Neither of these patents discloses a lawn golf game, nor do they disclose a game using a golf ball and a golf club.  
           [0008]    There are also design patents disclosing hoop targets for lawn games. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. D 310,698 (Cooper) shows a design for an upright hoop unit for a lawn golf game and U.S. Pat. No. D 243,782 (Hickey) discloses a hoop target for a lawn game. However, neither of these patents discloses an inverted “U-shaped” hoop.  
           [0009]    What is needed is a lawn golf game where the user pitches and putts a golf ball with a golf club through a series of inverted, numbered “U-shaped” hoops.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention is a pitch and putt lawn golf game that can be played by persons of all ages, and by both golfers and non-golfers alike.  
           [0011]    The game comprises a series of hole markers and a golf ball, a putter, and a wedge for every player playing the game. Alternatively, the game may also comprise a set of irons in place of, or in addition to, the wedge and/or a scorecard and pencil or other marking device.  
           [0012]    Playing the game involves pitching and putting a golf ball through a series of hoops, just as a golf ball is pitched and putted at a series of holes at a golf course. For instance, a lawn golf course would be set up using a series of nine hoops, the nine hoops essentially defining the equivalent of nine holes on a real golf course.  
           [0013]    A benefit of the invented game is the fact that the ease of play allows anyone to play. The game is one that can be played by people of different ages—young to old, and by people of diverse skill levels—beginners to professionals.  
           [0014]    A further benefit of the invented game is teaching the rudimentary skills of golf. From learning how to hold a golf club to the proper way to chip or pitch a ball a short distance accurately, the invented game is an excellent way of learning the basics of golf.  
           [0015]    Another benefit of the invented game is refining players&#39; short game skills. Being able to putt and pitch/chip, often referred to as the short game, the ball properly and accurately is one of the most important skills needed in the game of golf. Playing the invented game helps the player to improve his or her short game by giving the player practice hitting balls different distances, from differing surfaces and locations.  
           [0016]    A further benefit of the invented game is the length of time required to play a “round”. A round of pitch and putt lawn golf can easily be played in a short period of time, such as a lunch hour, or even before and/or after dinner. Playing nine holes of the real game of golf is often an investment of two to three hours.  
           [0017]    A further benefit of the invented game is the ability to be used on virtually any lawn. Whether the lawn is small or large, the invented game can be played on it. If the lawn is particularly small, the game can still be played, the players are only limited in the number of holes that can be played at one time. The lawn to be played upon can also range from a flat, open area to lawns having extensive landscaping.  
           [0018]    Another benefit of the invented game is that the layout of the course is flexible. As such, the players can modify, rearrange and position the individual hoops in any number of ways, resulting in countless different configurations. In fact, the number of different “courses” that could be set up on a given lawn is virtually unlimited, as long as the players are creative in setting up the “course”.  
           [0019]    Another benefit of the invented game is portability. The game can be set up almost anywhere: from a backyard, to a city park, to the beach, to the workplace. The game can be later taken down and either moved to another location or stored until its next use.  
           [0020]    This flexible course layout lends itself to another benefit—challenge. The players are able to increase the challenge of the course each time they set-up the game. Increasing the challenge allows for a greater and longer use—the players are less likely to ever master the game because they are able to create more difficult courses easily.  
           [0021]    Still another benefit of the invented game is that unlike the real game of golf, the invented game requires no holes to be cut in the lawn. In the real game of golf, holes must be cut in the golf course greens to receive hit golf balls. However, in the invented game, balls are pitched and putted through hoops and as such do not require the cutting of holes in the ground.  
           [0022]    Another benefit of the invented game is the ease of setting the game up and taking the game down. Setting the game up is as simple as inserting a series of hoops in the ground in various locations within a yard. Taking down is just the opposite—merely requiring the removal of the hoops from the ground. This easy removal is especially important when the user needs to remove the hoops from the lawn in order to mow or water the lawn. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a view of the invented pitch and putt lawn golf game being played outdoors showing the use of the invented hole markers.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of a hole marker used in the game shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of a hole marker used in the game shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a hole marker used in the game shown in FIG. 1.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    The present invention is a pitch and putt lawn golf game that can be played by persons of all ages, and by golfers and non-golfers alike.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 1, the game comprises a series of hole markers  100 , a golf ball  10 , and a set of golf clubs for each and every player playing the game. Preferably, the golf club set comprises a putter, and a wedge, but alternatively, the set may also comprise a number of irons in place of, or in addition to, the wedge. The game may also comprise a scorecard and pencil or other marking device.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 shows a putter  59  being used to strike or putt a ball  10  toward a hole marker  100 , the marker  100  being numbered “1”. This figure also shows how the player or players setting up the course can strategically position the markers  100  so as to place obstacles, such as a tree  99 , in between the markers  100  and the tee-off position, not shown.  
         [0030]    The game preferably comprises a set of hole markers  100 . FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment of the invented hole marker  100 . Preferably, this set comprises nine, numbered, hole markers  100 . Each of these hole markers  100  comprises a generally vertical inverted hoop  20  attached to a generally vertical pin  30  which extends generally vertically to a flag  40 . The preferred hoop  20  is an inverted “U-shape”. Preferably, such attachment is at the apex  21 , or other uppermost center, of the inverted “U-shaped” hoop  20  and attached so that the pin  30  extends within the same vertical plane as the inverted “U-shaped” hoop  20 . However, if the upper portion of the hoop  20  is not rounded, but is instead squared  24 , as in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, then the pin  30  is to be attached at the center of the squared portion  24 . Such squaring could be a length of wood or other material, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, or could be a square bend or piece of the same metal rod material used to create the hoop  20 , not shown. An added benefit of having such a squared portion  24  is the ability to install the marker  100  into the ground by pressing on the squared portion  24  with the foot. The length of the downward portions or legs  22  of the invented hoop  20  is six to twelve inches, however any length greater than about 1.68 inches, the diameter of a golf ball, is envisioned.  
         [0031]    The lowermost portions of the inverted “U-shaped” hoop  20  terminate in a pair of ground insertion points  25 . These points  25  may be blunt, sharpened or angled. The ground insertion points  25 _are preferably four inches apart, however other distances are envisioned, but must be greater than about 1.68 inches, the diameter of a golf ball.  
         [0032]    The pin  30  comprises a stiff piece of metal rod or other material, such as a plastic rod or wooden dowel rod. Preferably, the length of the generally vertical pin  30  is twelve to twenty-four inches long, however other lengths would work so long they are long enough to receive the flag  40 .  
         [0033]    Placement of the marker  100  involves inserting, in a generally vertical fashion, the ground insertion points  25  into the ground to a depth deep enough to hold the hoop securely in place. This depth is generally one-half to two inches deep, but may be more or less depending on the hardness of the soil and the denseness of the ground cover. Preferably, all of the markers  100  used in a particular game will be inserted to the same depth so as to have a consistent opening through which to pitch or putt the ball from marker  100  to marker  100 . Such insertion is done so that the hoop  20  is positioned generally vertically. Alternatively, the marker  100  may not be inserted into the ground, for instance, the side of the marker  100  may be slightly leaned against an object such as a fence rail for vertical support, thereby allowing the players to putt the ball through the hoop  20  and under the fence.  
         [0034]    The inventor also envisions other methods and materials from which to make the “U-shaped” hoop. For instance, the “U-shaped” hoop could comprise a pair of legs  22  descending from the bottom of a lower insertion brace  24 , as shown in FIG. 3, or descending downward from the sides of the lower insertion brace  24 , as shown in FIG. 4. In both of these embodiments, the lower end of the pin  30  inserts into the top surface of the lower insertion brace  24 . Other methods of attaching a pair of legs  22  to a pin  30  to form a hoop  20  are also envisioned.  
         [0035]    The inventor also envisions other hole markers  100  specifically made for use on different surfaces, for instance, the ground insertion points  25  could terminate in a base, thereby allowing the hoops to be positioned on a hard surface, such as a sidewalk, or an interior floor.  
         [0036]    The length of the generally vertical pin  30  allows for easy removal of the marker  100  from the ground. A player is not required to bend over very far to pull the marker  100  from the ground, but instead can merely reach down, grab the top portion of the pin  30 , or the flag  40 , and pull the marker  100  out of the ground. The length of the vertical pin  30  has another advantage—visibility. The higher the flag  40  is above the ground surface, the easier it will be to see the flag  40  from a distance. Preferably, the length of the generally vertical pin  30  is twelve to twenty-four inches; however, other lengths are acceptable provided they are long enough to receive the flag  40 . The user can insert the marker  100  into the ground by pressing downward on the pin  30  with his or her hand, thereby forcing the marker  100  into the ground.  
         [0037]    In the preferred embodiment, the hoop  20  and the pin  30  of the hole marker  100  are made from a stiff metal rod, while the numbered flag  40  comprises a wooden block, painted, with a number painted thereon, said wooden block having a hole, not shown, along its bottom side for receiving the upper end of the pin  30 . The numbered flag  40  may or may not be glued or otherwise affixed to the pin  30 . However, it is envisioned by the inventor that the hole markers  100  may be made of any suitable material, especially the numbered flags  40  which the inventor envisions may also be made of a plastic or cloth-like material. However, Applicant believes that the best mode is a sturdy, injection-molded plastic hole marker  100  having plastic or adhesive indicia.  
         [0038]    A benefit of having a rigid flag  40  rather than a cloth or other less rigid one is ease of installation—the user can insert the marker  100  into the ground by pressing downward on the flag  40  with his or her hand, thereby forcing the marker  100  into the ground.  
         [0039]    The golf ball, putter, wedge and optional irons all comprise golf equipment common to the game of golf. Preferably, the golf balls  10  used are of differing colors in order to help the players easily distinguish one another&#39;s balls, but any color golf ball  10  may be used.  
         [0040]    The scorecard and pencil will preferably be supplied with the game, however players are free to create their own scorecards and use their own pencils and other marking devices.  
         [0041]    Any number of players may play the game at one time. Due to space considerations common to most areas in which the game is likely to be played, the number of players playing at one time is preferably four, but the total number is ultimately up to the players playing the game.  
         [0042]    To play the game the course must be created first. Such course set-up is done by placing the markers  100  in the ground in various locations in the area in which the game is to be played. The layout of the markers  100  is up to the players, allowing the game to be used on any lawn, by players of every skill level. Placement of the markers  100  is also influenced by the skill or challenge sought by the players. For an easy game, the markers  100  could be placed within an open, level area of the yard or playing field. If the players wish to have a more challenging course, or more challenging “holes”, the markers  100 , or some of the markers  100 , could be placed in challenging locations. For instance, the players can take advantage of natural or artificial landscape features such as rock gardens, planters, trees, ponds, or moveable obstacles such as wheelbarrows, wheeled sculptures or wheeled planters in order to make a more challenging course. The players can also change the course pattern from time to time to make the game more interesting.  
         [0043]    Preferably, the players will set at least nine markers  100  thereby allowing the players to work through the markers  100  sequentially, from marker  100  number one to marker  100  number nine. Other numbers of markers  100  may be used, more or less than nine, most preferably eighteen, the same number of holes in a round of golf.  
         [0044]    While the game has certain set rules, the rules are intended to be flexible, allowing the players to customize the rules to make their playing experience more fun. The game is played by first determining an initial place to tee-off for the first marker  100 . All players will tee-off from this location, attempting to pitch and putt the ball to and through the hoop  20  of the first marker  100 . This process involves setting a golf ball  10  on the ground, aiming a club  59  and pitching or putting the golf ball  10  toward a marker  100 . After all players have teed-off for the first marker  100 , the player whose ball is the farthest from the first marker  100  is allowed to take his or her second pitch or putt toward the first marker  100 . The players then all take turns pitching and putting their balls closer and closer to the first marker  100 , continuing until all of the players have moved their balls  10  through the first hoop  20 . The markers  100  do not have a front or back. The balls  10  may be driven through each hoop  20  from any direction.  
         [0045]    Scoring involves counting the pitches and putts (“strokes”) required to get the ball  10  through the hoop  20 . For instance, if it took a player four pitches and one putt to move his ball  10  through the hoop  20 , then that player would have stroke count of five for that marker  100 . Each pitch or putt, or each attempted pitch or putt, results in a stroke. Each player is required to keep track of his or her individual strokes for each marker  100  or “hole” and is then to tell that number to the person carrying the scorecard at the completion of the hole, if the group of players has designated such a person. The fewer number of such pitches and putts, the better—the goal of the game being to end the game with the fewest number of strokes.  
         [0046]    Alternatively, the goal of the game may be to win the most holes by having the fewest number of strokes on each of those holes. The player having the fewest number of strokes on a hole is deemed to have won that hole. For instance, if a player has the lowest stroke count of five of the nine holes, then that player has won five holes. The overall goal of the game is more about improving skills and scores rather than winning the game, making the game fan for both beginners and skilled golfers to play at the same time.  
         [0047]    If the ball  10  goes out of bounds, for instance, if the ball  10  is pitched or putted off the lawn, the player doing so is assessed an extra stroke penalty and the ball  10  is to be played from the point that it left the lawn. If the ball  10  hits an obstacle off the lawn and bounces back onto the lawn, the player is not assessed with a penalty. If the ball  10  lands in a location where the player is unable to pitch or putt the ball  10  toward the marker  100 , the player is allowed to move the ball  10  to a position allowing the player to pitch or putt the ball  10 . A one-stroke penalty may or may not be assessed. A one-stroke penalty means that the player penalized adds an additional stroke on his or her scorecard as a penalty.  
         [0048]    After the completion of the first marker  100 , the players then take turns teeing-off for the second marker  100 . Teeing-off is to take place approximately one golf club&#39;s length from the previous hoop  20 . For instance, the teeing-off area, not shown in FIG. 1, for hole number two would be located within a club&#39;s length from the hoop  20  of hole one.  
         [0049]    The player with the lowest total number of strokes on the previous hole is given the privilege of making the first pitch or putt. Starting with player having the lowest stroke count from the previous hole and ending with the player having the highest stroke count from the previous marker  100 , the rest of the players then tee-off. This same process is followed for the rest of the markers  100 .  
         [0050]    Before play begins, based on the difficulty of each of the marker  100  layouts, a par value for each marker  100  is designated. A default value of three is assigned to all the markers  100  in the course, but this number may be adjusted up or down depending on the difficulty of each of the markers  100 . Players would then be able to compare their final scores to the total par score for the course.  
         [0051]    Although this invention has been described above with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the scope of the following claims.