Northern Golfers, How Do You Satisfy Your Craving for Winter Golf?
Perhaps a golf board game is the answer to the winter blues. Interestingly, a patent recently issued on one such game. The patent is USPN 7448628 titled “Golf Board Game” and describes the game as:
To accomplish this, the present golf board game consists of a game board, a token representing a golf ball, a list card, scorecards, and a die. The game board is imprinted with a club house and a number of rectangular spaces situated so as to replicate an 18-hole golf course. Each hole is numbered and its Par and Stroke Index are indicated at the tee. The distance to the flag is indicated by numbered spaces from the tee. The boundary of the green is indicated by an outer bold circle. Thus, for example, to the left of the club house is a square space labeled “Hole 1, Par 4, Index 10”, said space representing a tee. To the left of the space labeled “Hole 1, Par 4, Index 10” are rectangular spaces sequentially numbered from 1 through 22. Various symbols appear within the numbered spaces. The symbols are listed and explained on the back of the scorecard. A numbered space bearing a flag represents a golf hole. On some holes with water hazards, there are parallel dashed lines imprinted on the game board, such dashed lines representing an alternative route to take from the tee, if the player prefers to do so. The player may choose a shorter and more risky route over a hazard or choose a longer and safer route around a water hazard. Before the player throws the die, the player must decide and declare which route he intends to follow. The list card represents a golf bag. The list card is imprinted with a list of ten clubs and possible distances and outcomes when playing with each of the clubs. The ten clubs listed are: a driver, a 3-wood, a 5-wood, a long iron, a medium iron, a short iron, a pitching wedge, a sand iron, a lob wedge, and a putter. The driver may be used from the tee when a player decides to do so. Other clubs may be played for certain circumstances as well. The movement of a token depends upon which club is selected by a player, the throw of the die, as well as the route chosen. The distances and outcomes chart provides the number of spaces and direction of movement based upon a club selected by a player and the number of eyes on the die.
The instant golf board game may be played an unlimited number of times by multiple players and players of a variety of ages. The present game is suitable for play by 1 to 4 players, which simulates the number of golfers in a real round of golf. The lightweight and portable golf board game can be easily transported to and played at almost any location. The limited number of parts simplifies storage of the present golf board game. The golf board game is compact for storage in limited space. The present golf board game is made of typical materials known in the art.
Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Numerous golf board game patents have issued over the years, just check out these patents…. USPN’s 3826498; 3944229; 4277065; 4364569; 4809985; 5234218; and 5924693 .
Dave Dawsey – The Golf Lawyer