WO1999008757A1

WO1999008757A1 - Sequential corridor golf course

Info

Publication number: WO1999008757A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/014325
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas J. Calamia; David W. Fairfield
Original assignee: Calamia Thomas J; Fairfield David W
Priority date: 1997-08-14
Filing date: 1997-08-14
Publication date: 1999-02-25
Also published as: AU3981297A

Abstract

A sequential corridor golf course (10) that allows an 18-hole golf course to be constructed in an area as small as six acres. The course fairways (16) are of various lengths up to 600 yards which allows a golfer to use every club in a golf bag. The fairways (16) are between 20-100 feet wide and are laid-out in a maze-like pattern. The fairways (16) are separated from each other by a netting that is hung from fairway poles (40) and which form fairway corridors (28). To enhance the realism of the course (60), the fairways (16) are covered with three different types of artificial turf (60) rough, fairway and putting green. The entire course (10) can also be lit to allow the course to be played 24 hours per day.

Description

SEQUENTIAL CORRIDOR GOLF COURSE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to the general field of golf courses and more particularly to a sequential corridor golf course that can be constructed in a relatively small parcel of land either outdoors or indoors .

BACKGROUND ART

During the last ten years, the game of golf has increased in popularity at an unprecedented rate. Whereas golf was once thought of as a sport that could only be enjoyed by older, badly-dressed males, it has now been embraced by women and younger people. A large portion of golf's popularity rise can be attributed to the effort by the golf industry to makeover golf's negative image. This makeover consisted of presenting golf as a sport that can not only be enjoyed by all types of people but also a sport that should be enjoyed regardless of race, sex, or social level. The presence of new, young, golf-professionals to the sport, such as Tiger Woods also added major interest. in fact, by mid-1997, some statistics state that Tiger Woods alone has been responsible for increasing the number of golfers under 30 years old by 10-20% in one year only. And, the number of players is likely to increase with each coming year.

Although this increase in golf's popularity is impressive, there are still several contributing factors as to why golf can not be as popular as basketball, or other similar sports. One of the most significant factors is that golf is expensive, in some sports, various aspects can be more expensive, such as target shooting, where a participant must usually invest a considerable amount of money in a good target pistol or rifles, with golf, everything is expensive. Not only are golf clubs expensive, but then a player must invest in balls, clothes and, depending on one's financial resources, either expensive per-game charges at a public course or, expensive memberships at private country clubs. Another cost that is not usually considered is that unlike basketball, which can be played for as short a time as desired and where players just have a sports-bottle of Gatorade with them, golf requires that a player often spend all day on a course and afterward, have something to eat and/or drink with other golfers in a clubhouse. To people on a limited budget, who do not have a great deal of free time, those are serious deterrents. unfortunately, for the golfing industry, it is difficult to remedy these problems. There are some 9-hole, as opposed to regulation 18-hole, courses and also driving ranges, but these have not been able to offer a significant enough alternative to golf's inherent problems. hat is needed is a golf course that does not require the typical 150 acres of land, thereby allowing golf courses to be placed in locations that are more convenient for people who would otherwise have to travel a long distance. Also, a way in which the game itself could be sped-up would aid interest and increase the number of players, especially among younger age groups who prefer a quicker-paced game. And finally, some means to allow the cost of playing golf to be reduced. As long as people can not afford to play golf, and consider it to be overpriced, they are not going to play. If golf can be played at a reasonable cost, at a location fairly close to a person, and not require such an extended period of time, a rise in golf's popularity would rapidly increase even more than its recent growth surge. A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered related: PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED. 5,547,186 Papp, M., et al 20 August 1996

5,431,402 Aguilera, M. 11 July 1995

3,904,209 Thomas, C. 9 September 1975

The 5,5 ,186 patent issued to Fapp, M., et al discloses a limited space enclosed driving range which provides a field, a multiplicity of golfing bays, golf bay enclosing netting, a golf ball collection device and an enclosure raising, holding and lowering device. The multiplicity of golfing bays from which golfers hit golf ball is arranged on a front part of the field. The golf bay enclosing netting has three side nets that surround the field and has a top net that extends over the field and above the multiplicity of golfing bays for substantially enclosing the field and the multiplicity of golfing bays to contain golf balls being hit by the golfers. The enclosure raising, holding and lowering device is adapted for lifting and holding the top net over the field and above the multiplicity of golfing bays and for lowering the top net onto the field to perform maintenance and prevent the top net form being damaged by high wind, heavy snow

The 5,431,402, patent issued to Aguilera, M. discloses a golf course for playing golf in a reduced space while maintaining the continuity of the game and minimizing the time that other players have to wait. The golf course includes elongated first, second and third shot areas adjacent to each other. The areas are provided with the teeing area of the first shot area in close proximity to the fairway and approach putting shot areas thereby minimizing the walking required from the player. The landing grid areas and the fairway and approach/putting areas are quadriculated in order to permit the ready identification of where a ball landed and to transpose to the landing position for the next shot . The 3,904,209 patent issued to Thomas, C. , discloses an improved, compact golf course having non-walking fairways and greatly reduced area requirements compared to conventional golf courses. A player can utilize all of the golf clubs normally used on a conventional golf course without having the need to walk the conventional distances required. This golf course utilizes a plurality of hitting area chutes. Each hutting chute is arranged to give a different angular orientation to a target area located on the golf course.

For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention is related reference may be made to the remaining cited patents. FATENT NQ. INVENTOR ISSUER 5,580,319 Hamilton, c. 3 December 1996 5, 65, 875 Fitzgerald, J. 30 November 1993 5, 213, 330 Benson, D. 25 May 1993 4, 928,973 Ferry, R. , et al 29 May 1990 4, 726, 89 Gπgas, P. 23 February 1988 4,413,827 Aberg, E. 8 November 1983 4, 157,831 Rεnn, c. 12 June 1979 4, 145, 053 Healey, G. 20 March 1979 4, 129, 300 Magnuson, A. 12 December 1978 4, 063, 738 Michalson, G. 20 December 1977 3,897,067 smith, A. 29 July 1975 3, 620, 536 Lau, E. 16 November 1971 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The sequential corridor golf course allows a golf game to be played within the confines of an enclosed parcel of land that can vary from six acres to as much as 40 acres. With a 10-acre parcel, a full, regulation length 18-hole golf course can be erected. in its most basic design, the sequential corridor golf course is comprised of: o a substantially flat surface that is covered with an artificial turf, o a plurality of adjoining and sequential fairways positioned within the flat surface, and o a fairway partition located on each adjoining side of each fairway to form a plurality of fairway corridors. Each fairway corridor has a beginning end which includes a tee section and an ending end which includes a putting green section further having a golf ball cup. The parcel of land used to create the corridor golf course can be square, rectangular or be in an irregular shape. Thus a corridor golf course can utilize unused or otherwise undesirable lots that are located in urban or suburban locations as well as roof areas on larger buildings. The configuration of the parcel of land determines the location, width and length of the partitioned fairways. in all cases, the fairways are adjacent to one another and can be located in straight paths, curved paths, U-shaped paths and in various combi ations thereof.

The game play of corridor golf is identical to regular golf and since the holes are at full length, all the golf clubs may be used. The length of the holes on a corridor golf course can vary from 100 to 600 yards and the width of the fairway is between 20 and 100 feet.

Corridor golf courses can utilize natural grass or artificial turf which is applied in three different grades: rough, fairway and putting green. By using artificial turf, water and maintenance costs can be greatly reduced. Therefore, allowing a player's co5t-per-game to drop substantially. Also, by using the artificial turf, the upkeep of the fairways is reduced by as much as 80 percent.

The tees used in the corridor golf course are the same as the tees used on a regular course and the greens are regulation size or slightly smaller, depending on how much room is available. To simulate conventional golf courses, obstacles such as trees, bushes, hills, sand traps and water hazards can be located on the course.

Poles having a height of 40-60 feet are located on each side of the fairways at appropriate spacing to support netting that is attached from pole to pole, top to bottom, to form the fairway corridors. This netting keeps the ball in the fairway regardless of the quality of the shot. Netting also covers the top of the fairway corridors to keep the balls on the fairway. Thus a misplayed shot will be deflected by the netting and remain on the fairway. shots may be intentionally played off the netting or the partition for an intentional carom shot. This is especially useful for the holes that have turns or a U-shaped path.

Lighting fixtures are affixed to the top of the poles so that corridor golf can be played at night, when playing on hot days, water pipes which extend up the poles, can be designed to spray a fine mist onto the course and golfers. Corridor golf courses located in areas where it snows can be installed with underground heating systems to melt off the snow and ice for year-round play. Corridor golf courses can also utilize solid roofs and outer walls to provide completely enclosed environments that can incorporate air conditioning. in view of the above disclosure, it is the primary object of the invention to provide at least a two-hole and up to a regulation 18-hole golf course that can be economically built in an area as small as six acres. In addition to the primary object, it is also an object of the invention to provide a golf course that: o can be fully functional within 120 days, compared to two years for a conventional course, o allows the golf game to be easily and comfortably practiced because the ball remains in play due to the confines of the partitions, o allows aggravating slices and hooks to be controlled, o is fully removable - no permanent buildings or structures are required, o allows the course to be played faster since conventional rough areas have been eliminated. Thus, more rounds can be played per day. o allows both professional and beginners to use the confines of the partitioned fairways to sharpen their skills and focus more fully on the actual fairway, o allows the ball to be played off the walls to go around a corner into a fairway that includes an angular extension, o minimizes the effect of wind and allows the game to be played during inclement weather, o can include lights which allow the corridor golf course to be played 24-hours per day. o requires very little maintenance - the basic maintenance consists of blowing the leaves and dirt off the course to keep it neat and clean, and occasionally raking the sand beneath the artificial turf to keep it smooth, and o is cost effective from builder, proprietor and customer points of view.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION QF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view of the sequential corridor golf course.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a typical golf course having a plurality of fairways designed to be included in a rectangular surface.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of a perimeter or fairway pole having a shape that resembles a tree.

FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of a remote electronics unit that allows the number of players in a particular group to be inputted, and which provides a readout that shows the current scores of each player and the final score of each player.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational side view of a golf course that includes at least one central pole that extends above the perimeter poles and which allows a cover to be draped over the entire golf course to protect the course from inclement weather.

FIGURE 6 is an elevat lonal -sect lonal view of an enclosed structure that houses the entire sequential corridor golf course. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment which allows a person to play a regulation 18-hole golf course on a parcel of land as small as six acres. The preferred embodiment of the sequential corridor golf course 10, as shown in FIGURES 1-6 is comprised of the following major elements: a substantially flat surface 12, a fairway 16, a fairway corridor 28, a perimeter pole 32, a fairway pole 40, a cable 48, material 50, a perimeter barrier 56. and artificial turf 60.

The substantially flat surface n includes an outside perimeter 14, as shown in FIGURE l, and can be in a square, rectangular or circular shape or can have an irregular shape. Thus, odd-shaped or unused parcels of land located in urban and suburban areas can be utilized for the flat surface 12. The total area of the flat surface 12 can range from an area of six acres to ten or more acres. With six acres, a par-3 18-hole golf course can be erected. With a ten-acre parcel a regulation 18-hole golf course can be erected.

The flat surface 12, as shown in FIGURE 2, is divided into a plurality of adjoining and sequential fairways 6 that are positioned within the flat surface 12 in a fixed pattern. The fixed pattern selected varies with the shape of the flat surface 12 and the requirements of the end user. A typical pattern for a rectangular flat surface 1 is shown in FIGURE 2. At the beginning end 18 of each fairway 16 is located a tee section 20; and at the ending end 22 of each fairway 16 is located a putting green section 24 which further includes a golf ball cup 26. Each fairway 16 has a width of between 20 feet (6 meters) and 100 feet (30 meters) and a length between 100 yards (91 meters) and 600 yard (549 meters). The width and length of each fairway depends on the overall size and shape of the flat surface 12.

To allow the sequential corridor golf course to be safety played, it is necessary to enclose the flat surface 12 and the fairways 16. To accomplish this requirement, a plurality of perimeter poles 32 having an upper end 34 and a lower end 36; and a plurality of fairway poles 40 also having an upper end 42 and a lower end 44 are utilized. In lieu of poles, a specially designed structure (not shown) can also be uti 1 lzed.

The lower end 36 of the perimeter poles 32 are attached, by an attachment means, to at least the corners 38 of the flat surface 12 as shown in FIGURE 2. To the upper end 34 of each of the perimeter poles 32 is attached, by an attachment means, a taut cable 48 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Likewise, the lower end 44 of the fairway poles 40 are attached, by an attachment means to at least the intersections of the fairways 16 and at selected increments, such as 50 feet (15 meters) as best shown m FIGURE 1. To the upper end 42 of each of the fairway poles 40 is attached, by an attachment means, a taut cable 48 as also best shown in FIGURE 1.

To enclose the entire perimeter of the flat surface 12, a material 50 having an upper edge 52 and a lower edge 54 is used. The upper edge 52 is attached, by an attachment means, to the cable 48 to form a perimeter barrier 56 as shown in FIGURE 2. The material that' encloses the flat surface 12 is constructed of a plastic wire-mesh material that allows outside ambient light to penetrate through the material .

To enclose the fairway 16 a material 50 having an upper edge 52 and a lower edge 54 is used. The upper edge 52 is attached, by an attachment means, to the cable 43 to form a fairway corridor 28 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The material 50 that is used to form the fairway corridor may be lighter than the material for the perimeter barrier and may also consist of a plastic wire-mesh material that either allows light from an adjoining corridor 28 to show through or, the wire mesh may be tight-knit to minimize the entrance of light. If a tight-knit material is used, it is possible to add indicia to the fairway corridor 26. For example, trees, bushes or other scenic items may be painted onto the material to aesthetically enhance the game. Also, some of the fairway intersections 30 are curved, as shown in FIGURE 2, to allow a golf ball to easily enter a fairway corridor 28 that includes an angular or U-shaped corridor extension as also shown in FIGURE 2. The walls of the fairway corridors can also be used to carom the golf ball into an adjoining fairway corridor, as shown in FIGURE 1. To further prevent an errant golf ball from entering an adjoining fairway corridor 28, an overhead structure 46 is utilized. This structure, which may be curved, as shown in FIGURE 1, has ends 47 that are attached, by an attachment means, to the upper ends 42 of the fairway poles 40. The attached structure 46 is then covered with a netted material 50. To add to the realism of the sequential corridor golf course 10, the fairways 16 are covered with either a permanent or a removable artificial turf 60 that preferably is a sanded-in artificial turf that has the appearance and feel of real grass. Three grades of turf are utilized: a rough grade 62, a fairway grade 64 and a putting green grade 66. By using three grades at selectable locations the feel of a conventional golf course is further achieved. In some geographical areas, the use of real grass is practical. To further enhance the reality of the golf course 10, at least one of the fairway corridors 28 may include obstacles such as a sand trap 68, a water hazard 70, a tree 72, a bush 74 or a hill 76. These obstacles are shown in both FIGURES 1 and 2.

The following ancillary items may also be added to the basic design of the sequential corridor golf course to add to the enjoyment and aesthetics of the invention.

The perimeter poles 32 and fairway poles 40 may be made to have the appearance of a tree, as shown in FIGURE 4. The poles may also be equipped with an electrical circuit 80 which includes a central switch 82 that is typically operated by the manager of the corridor golf course 10. The switch controls the operation of a lamp assembly 84 mounted on the upper end of the poles as shown in FIGURE 1. The lamp assemblies 84 allows the corridor golf course 10 to be played at night.

A water misting system 86 can be included that allows mist to be emitted from the overhead structure 46 or from selected perimeter and/or fairway poles as shown in FIGURE 1. The mist would be selectively activated, by an activating means, in areas where a high-humidity detracts from the enjoyment of playing the corridor course 10. A remote electronics unit 90, as shown in FIGURE 4 is also available to the players. The unit may be rented at the beginning of play or be permanently attached to selected structures on the corridor golf course 10. The unit 90 includes a circuit means that operates a keypad 92, current score display 94 and a total final score display 96. To utilize the unit a particular golfer, in the golfing group, inputs his or her assigned number. when the number is inputted, the golfers current score is displayed on the display 94 and when the game is over, the golfer's final score is displayed on the display 96. in areas where inclement weather, such as snow is common, the sequential corridor golf course can include at least one central pole 92 that extends above the upper end 34 of the perimeter poles 32. Over the central pole(s) 92 is draped a material 94 that forms a protective canopy 96 that extends to the cables 48 attached to the perimeter poles 32 as shown in FIGURE 5. Alternatively, the entire course 10 can be located in an enclosed, structure 98 as shown in FIGURE 6. While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAI MS

1. A sequential corridor golf course comprising: a) a substantially flat surface having an outside perimeter, b) a plurality of adjoining and sequential fairways positioned within said flat surface, and c) a fairway partition located on each adjoining side of each said fairway to form a plurality of fairway corridors wherein each said fairway corridor has a beginning end which includes a tee section and an ending end which includes a putting green section further having a golf ball cup.

2. The golf course as specified in claim 1 wherein said flat surface is covered with artificial turf or natural grass.

3. The golf course as specifie in claim 2 wherein said artificial turf is comprised of sanded-in artificial turf that is applied in three grades: rough, fairway and putting green.

4. The golf course as specified in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of perimeter poles located around the outside perimeter of said substantially flat surface wherein to the upper end of said perimeter poles is attached a cable from where is attached a partition that extends downward to said flat surface.

5. The golf course as specified in claim 1 wherein said fairway partitions are held in a vertical position by a cable attached to an upper end of a multiplicity of fairway poles that are attached at selected fairway increments.

6. The golf course as specified in claim 5 further comprising an overhead structure having ends that are attached, by an attachment means, to the upper ends of said fairway poles, wherein said arched structures are covered with a netted material.

7. A sequential corridor golf course comprising: a) a substantially flat surface having an outside perimeter, b) a plurality of adjoining and sequential fairways positioned within said flat surface in a fixed pattern, wherein at the beginning end of each said fairway is located a tee section, and at the ending end of of each said fairway is located a putting green section further having a golf ball cup, c) a perimeter pole having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end is attached, by an attachment means, to at least the corners of said flat surface perimeter, and wherein to the upper end of said perimeter poles is attached, by an attachment means, a taut cable, d) a fairway pole having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end is attached, by an attachment means, to at least the intersections of said fairways, and wherein to the upper end of said fairway poles is attached a taut cable, e) a material having an upper edge that is attached by an attachment means, to said cable to form a perimeter barrier and, f) a material having an upper edge that is attached, by an attachment means, to said cable to form a fairway corridor.

8. The golf course as specified in claim 7 wherein said flat surface has a rectangular shape.

9. The golf course as specified in claim 7 wherein said flat surface has an irregular shape.

10. The golf course as specified in claim 7 wherein said fairways are covered with a removable sanded-in artificial turf that is applied in three grades: rough, fairway and putting green.

11. The golf course as specified, in claim 7 wherein each said fairway has a width of between 20 feet (6 meters) and 100 feet (30 meters) and a length between 100 yards (91 meters) and 600 yards (549 meters) .

12. The golf course as specified in claim 7 wherein said flat surface has an area which allows at least a two-hole golf course to be erected.

13. The golf course as specified in claim 7 wherein said flat surface has an area of ten acres which allows a regulation length 18-hole golf course to be erected.

14. The golf course as specified, in claim 10 wherein at least one of said fairway corridors further comprise an obstacle such as a sand trap or a water hazard.

15. The golf course as specified in claim 10 wherein at least one of said fairway corridors further comprise an obstacle such as a tree, a bush or a hill.

16. The golf course as specified in claim 5 wherein said fairway intersections are curved to allow a golf ball to easily enter an adjoining fairway corridor.

17. The golf course _ as specified in claim 5 wherein said perimeter and fairway poles further comprise an electrical circuit which includes a. central switch that controls the operation of a lamp assembly mounted on the upper end of said poles.

18. The golf course as specified in claim 17 wherein said poles have the appearance of a tree.

19. The golf course as specified in claim 5 wherein said partitions are constructed, of a plastic wire-mesh material.

20. The golf course as specified in claim 5 further comprising a water misting system that is emitted, from said, overhead structure, from selected said perimeter or fairway poles and that is selectively activated by an activation means.

21. The golf course as specified in claim 18 further comprising at least one central pole that extends above the upper ends of said perimeter and fairway poles, wherein over said at least one central pole is draped a material that forms a protective canopy that extends to said cable attached to said perimeter poles.

22. The golf course as specified in claim 5 further comprising a remote electronics unit having circuit means to input the number of golfers in a particular group, the current scores of each golfer and the final total score of each player.

23. The golf course as specified in claim 5 wherein the entire sequential golf course can be located in an enclosed structure that allows the golf course to be played in any inclement weather.

24. The golf course as specified in claim 7 wherein said structure that forms said fairway corridors includes a means for allowing said fairway corridors to be removed and be repositioned to accommodate a change in the design of said flat surface.