Method of scoring rounds of golf

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention herein resides in the art of sports and, more particularly, to the field of golf. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for scoring rounds of golf, either singularly or for tournament play. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of scoring rounds of golf that relies significantly on the utilization of worst ball scoring, in contradistinction to the best ball scoring that is often employed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The sport of golf is widely embraced by participants and spectators alike. While the athletic ability of the participants and the skills demonstrated in their “long” and “short” games contribute significantly to the enjoyment of the game for both the participant and spectators, further enjoyment, intrigue and challenge comes from the method of scoring employed. Those familiar with the game of golf are aware of a broad range of formats by which the game is played and scored. By way of example, these formats include skins, match play, best ball, points, alternate shot, scramble and the like. Tournaments are often fashioned upon these formats or various combinations thereof.

In team play rounds or tournaments, a best ball format is often employed. In that format, the field may be broken into teams of two players each, and on each hole the lowest or “best” score between the two partners is entered for the team. At the end of this best ball round or tournament, the two man team with the lowest score (aggregate of lowest scores on each hole) is the winner.

A problem with best ball play for such tournaments is the fact that a dominant player on any team can remove any doubt as to the outcome of the round or tournament early in that round or tournament, reducing the suspense or intrigue at the end of the round or tournament, where it is typically desired to be highest. Moreover, such best ball tournaments often serve to effectively reduce the two golfer team to a one golfer team, again reducing the suspense and intrigue in the round or tournament itself.

There is a need in the sport of golf for a scoring method that gives consideration to the worst ball on at least certain of the holes of the round or tournament, with the resultant effect of leaving the outcome effectively indeterminate until the last putt is made. Consideration of worst balls in the scoring method also has the tendency to reduce the significance of a single dominant player, ensuring that the scores of both players will likely be used, and effecting more of a team result than a single player result.

It is most desirable to have a scoring method in golf that considers both the best and worst contributions of team members, that leaves the suspense as to who will win until the last putt, and that is adaptable to implementation in various formats.

In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide a method of scoring rounds of golf in which the best and worst contributions from team members are considered in the scoring.

Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a method of scoring rounds of golf in which the effect of a dominant player on any team is reduced by the necessity of scoring the worst ball on various holes.

Yet a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a method of scoring rounds of golf that leaves the outcome of the round or tournament in suspense until the last putt on the last hole.

Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a method of scoring rounds of golf in which the effects of the impact of the worst ball on scoring can be regulated.

Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of a method of scoring rounds of golf that is exciting for both spectators and participants, encompasses the full range of performance of team members, and precludes the weakest team member from simply being carried.

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention that will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a method of scoring a golf tournament between competing teams of at least two persons each, comprising the following steps: entering for each team the lowest score of the team members for a first set of holes of the tournament; entering for each team the highest score of the team members for a second set of holes of the tournament; and totaling the scores entered for each team from said first and second sets of holes, and determining the winner of the tournament to be the team with the lowest total score.

Further aspects of the invention which will become apparent herein are achieved by a method of scoring a golf tournament between competing teams of at least two persons each, comprising the following steps: entering as a first score for each team the lowest score of the team members for a first set of holes of the tournament; entering as a second score for each team the highest score of the team members for a second set of holes of the tournament; entering as a third score for each team a weighted aggregate score of the team members for a third set of holes of the tournament; and totaling said first, second and third scores, and determining the winner of the tournament as the team with the lowest total score.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention herein will be discussed with regard to a golf tournament. In the context of this description, a tournament may be that typically known to participants and spectators as a multiple day event, where rounds of golf are played on each day. In the context of the description herein, a tournament may also be as small as a single round of golf, such as a 9 hole or 18 hole round.

In the broadest sense, the invention contemplates that certain holes of golf in the tournament will be scored on a best ball basis, and others on a worst ball basis. The invention further contemplates that other holes might be scored utilizing a weighted aggregate score, in which the best ball and worst ball are scored, and in which one of those scores can be weighted greater than the other. In any and all events, it is contemplated that the participants in the tournaments or rounds are teams made up of two golfers each.

In one format of the invention, the best ball and worst ball are scored on alternating holes. In this arrangement, the best ball may be scored on the odd numbered holes and the worst ball on the even numbered holes, or the arrangement may be reversed. Alternatively, it is contemplated that for any 18 holes of play, the best ball can be played on the front 9 of the course, and the worst ball be scored on the back 9 of the course. Yet further, it is contemplated that the tournament might be structured primarily as a best ball tournament with the worst ball being scored only on the last hole of any round, whether it be a 9 hole or 18 hole round.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a 54 hole tournament is contemplated in which teams of two golfers each are paired against each other. During the first day of competition (an 18 hole round of golf) a best ball format may be employed. On that day, the best (lowest) score for each hole played that day is the score that is actually entered on behalf of the team. On the second day of the tournament, a low and aggregate format may be employed. By this, it is meant that the scores of the two golfers on each hole are added together and the lowest score is added again to that sum, the result being the score entered for each hole on that day. It will be appreciated that this has the effect of enhancing the value or impact of the best ball or lowest score, while also considering and giving value to the score of the other team player. On this day of the tournament, the lowest score or “best ball” is given twice the consideration as the worst ball. On the final day of the tournament, a worst ball format is followed. Here, the highest score on each hole by a team member is entered on behalf of the team. This final day of the tournament keeps the outcome of the entire tournament in play until the final putt is made. This final day of the tournament also has a leveling effect against the first day of the tournament in which only the best ball was scored. Of course, the team with the lowest score is the winner or tournament champion.

The tournament format just described serves to ensure that the input of each team member is considered and counted. Not only the scores of the stronger member of the team but the weaker member as well impact the final score. The second day of the tournament, in which the score is weighted in favor of the best ball, while still giving value to the worst ball, serves to ensure that the total score is impacted more by better play and than worse play. The invention does, however, contemplate scoring formats that include the combination of an aggregate score and the worst score, giving more significance to the worst score on particular holes than the better score.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of formats can be implemented consistent with the foregoing. When the worst ball is scored and how it is weighted is, in the context of the invention herein, is a matter of choice, dictated by tournament desire. The number of times that the worst ball is scored, when it is scored, and how it is weighted is all given to variation in implementation sufficient to achieve the result of giving credence to both the best and worst of the play in the tournament, while maintaining the outcome of the tournament in suspense throughout.

Thus it can be seen that the various aspects of the invention have been attained by the method presented above. While in accordance with the patent statutes only the best known and preferred embodiments of the invention have been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. For a true appreciation of the scope and breadth of the invention reference should be made to the following claims.