Systems and methods for improving golf skills and related features are provided. A user may be identified and may hit a golf ball at the kiosk. The distance the golf ball travels may be determined at the kiosk. The kiosk may be a standalone kiosk, or a network-enabled kiosk that may communicate with one or more other kiosks at the same location and/or other locations, one or more local servers (e.g., an administrative server) and/or one or more remote servers (e.g., a web server). The determined distance may be used to simulate various games such as darts, poker, or other games. The determined distance may be also used to assess a skill rating of the user. The assessed skill rating may be stored. The stored skill rating may be retrieved via a website, at the standalone kiosk, or at the one or more other kiosks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Accurately and consistently hitting a golf ball at particular distances is important to golfing success. It is not unusual for an individual to expend a significant amount of time and/or money to try and improve his or her golf skills. Typical ways to improve one's golf skills may, for example, involve lengthy and expensive training sessions with a professional instructor, as well as numerous trips to inconveniently-located driving ranges. Because of these and other difficulties, it is not uncommon for some golfers to lose focus when trying to improve their golf skills.

[0004] Conventional systems and methods intended to address these issues often fail to adequately engage a golfer to help the golfer remain committed to the learning process. Furthermore, most conventional systems and methods do not adequately provide consistent and constant feedback regarding progress. Many known systems and methods also fail to provide a convenient, fun, and easy-to-use experience for the golfer. Additionally, conventional systems and methods fail to take advantage of and/or integrate golf instructors, business partnerships, and golf tournaments, for example.

[0005] These and other drawbacks exist with known golf training systems and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention addressing these and other drawbacks in the art relates to a system and method for improving golf skills.

[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to a system and method for improving golf skills (e.g., distance, accuracy, and/or other golf skills) and related features. One implementation of the invention includes a kiosk through which a user can be identified, and by which the distance a user hits a golf ball can be determined. The kiosk may be a standalone kiosk, or a network-enabled kiosk that may communicate with one or more network nodes. The network nodes may comprise one or more other kiosks at the same location and/or other locations, one or more local servers (e.g., an administrative server) and/or one or more remote servers (e.g., a web server).

[0008] By way of example, one or more kiosks may be located at a first location (e.g., at a driving range). The kiosk(s) at the first location may communicate over a communication path with at least one local server (e.g., a server at the driving range) and/or at least one remote server (e.g., a web server). The communication path may include any suitable wired and/or wireless communication path. The kiosks may also be enabled to communicate directly and/or indirectly with other kiosks at the first location and/or at other locations. For example, the kiosks may communicate directly with one another via a wired or wireless communication path. The kiosks may communicate indirectly with one another by communication through a network node (e.g., a local server and/or a remote server). Other configurations and system architectures may be used.

[0009] In one implementation, a kiosk may include at least one or more of a housing, a processor, a memory, a display, one or more input devices, one or more output devices, a golf ball distance determining device, a rolling device, a golf ball stand, a golf ball corral and mat, a user interface module, a payment module, a communications module, and/or other modules.

[0010] The housing may comprise any suitable housing in which some or all of the kiosk components may be housed and/or otherwise associated. In some implementations, wherein kiosks are to be located outdoors, the housing may be constructed (using any number of suitable materials) so as to be resistant to various weather conditions (e.g., extreme heat or cold, rain, etc.).

[0011] The processor, memory, display and input and output devices may comprise any suitable components which individually are known in the art, including those described elsewhere herein.

[0012] The golf ball distance determining device may comprise any device suitable for determining the distance that a golf ball has traveled after being struck. Such devices may include, for example, Doppler radar-based detection devices, among others.

[0013] The user interface module may provide a user, such as a golfer, local operator, golf instructor, and/or other user with an interface through which to select among a plurality of operating modes, and may present a graphical and/or textual interface. The payment module may provide the user with the ability to make and view payments, for example. The communications module may enable the kiosk to communicate with one or more other kiosks and/or one or more other nodes of the invention. The kiosk mode module may enable selection among a plurality of operating modes of the kiosk.

[0014] The user interface module may comprise one or more hardware and/or software modules through which various features and functionality of the kiosk may be implemented. For example, the user interface module may include one or more of the following hardware and/or software modules: a user profile module, a login module, a reports module, a mode selection module, and/or other modules. The kiosk may comprise one or more modules through which the kiosk may be operable in various modes. For example, the kiosk may include one or more hardware and/or software modules such as, for example, a skills practice module, shots and course strategy module, games module, and/or other modules.

[0015] The payment module may include one or more hardware and/or software modules through which making payments and account maintenance may be implemented. The module may include one or more hardware and/or software modules such as, for example, a credit card reader module, online payment module, cash acceptance module, account status module, token reader module, token writer module, and/or other modules.

[0016] The communications module may include one or more hardware and/or software modules through which the kiosk may communicate with a local server, a remote server, another kiosk, and/or other device. The module may include one or more hardware and/or software modules such as, for example, a wireless communications module, a wired communications module, and/or other modules.

[0017] The local server, in various implementations, may include one or more hardware and/or software modules through which a user, such as a system operator, may administer the system. For example, the local server may include one or more hardware and/or software modules such as, for example, a range reports module, account management module, contact module, and/or other modules. The local server may be in communication with one or more kiosks within the same location, one or more remote servers, one or more other local servers, and/or other networked devices.

[0018] The remote server, in various implementations, may host one or more applications, such as a website or other application, that may be accessed by a user. Although the application (or client interface) is described herein as a website, any application or client interface may be utilized.

[0019] In one implementation, the website may be accessed by a user such as, for example, a golfer, local operator, golf instructor, advertiser and/or other user. The remote server may include one or more hardware and/or software modules such as, for example, a login module, demonstration module, golfer's account module, operator module, instructor module, instructor directory module, golf industry module, tournament module, advertisement module, and/or other modules. The website may be in communication with the kiosks, one or more locations, other websites, and/or other nodes as detailed below.

[0020] In operation, a kiosk may be placed at a location suitable for a golfer to hit golf balls. The kiosk may be positioned such that the golf ball distance determining device may be positioned to determine the distance that a golfer, at that kiosk, hits a golf ball. If the golfer has not already registered with the system, the golfer may register at a kiosk, a local server, a remote server or otherwise. Assuming the golfer has already registered with the system, a golfer may initiate a session by logging-in or otherwise identifying himself or herself to the kiosk. If the golfer has not registered with the system, the golfer may be issued a session identifier, which may be used to associate session information with the golfer upon registration.

[0021] In one implementation, through the user interface, the golfer may select one or more options including, for example, a mode option (e.g., skills practice mode, shots and course strategy mode, games mode, and/or other modes), and then hit golf balls. The distance determining device will measure the distance that the golf ball has traveled, and generate distance data. The kiosk may display, store, transmit and/or otherwise process the distance data. Depending on the mode selected, the kiosk may process the distance data, provide immediate feedback to the user, prompt the user to take certain action, and/or take other action. When the golfer completes a session, all of the distance data and/or other session data may be stored locally and/or remotely. The session data may be subsequently available at the same or other kiosks, whether located in the same or other locations (e.g., different driving ranges or other venues).

[0022] For example, after a first session at a first kiosk, a golfer may engage in a second session at a second kiosk. The data from the prior session at the first kiosk may be available for use at the second kiosk once the golfer identifies himself or herself to the second kiosk.

[0023] The golfer may also access his or her data via a website. The golfer may access information about the system, including where to locate the nearest kiosk, benefits of using the system, and/or other information related to the system. The golfer may also, for example, login using a registered identity and view reports, skill ratings, high scores, account balances, payment history, and/or other information. The golfer may also, via the website, edit account information, rate his or her own skills, pre-pay additional balances, and/or enter other information. The golfer may also use the website to pre-register an identity for use at kiosks or the website.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, a local operator may access the system to apply to acquire kiosks, view reports, edit local operator account information, update contact information, and/or other perform other functions.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, a golf instructor may access the system to locate the nearest kiosk, view information related to using the system to increase his or her profits, edit golf instructor account information, manage student lists (e.g., monitor skill progress, register golfers as students), and/or other perform other golf instructor functions.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the golf industry may access the system to view and update information related to various businesses or entities. The golf industry may include, for example, businesses or entities interested in licensing, distributing, or partnering deals.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, a variety of payment options may be available. Payment options may include, for example, an option where the amount paid by the golfer may be associated with time remaining to use the kiosk, a pay-as-you-play option, a pre-paid pay option, gift pay options, and/or any other payment option. For example, as a golfer continues to play at the kiosk, his or her remaining time may decrease, which may cause a corresponding decrease in account balance. Adding payments to the system using any of the aforementioned methods may replenish remaining time corresponding to the payment entered.

[0028] Additionally, according to one aspect of the invention, advertising space may be sold, wherein advertisements are presented to the golfer via the user interface.

[0029] Various other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent through the detailed description and the drawings attached hereto. It is also to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and not restrictive of the scope of the invention.