Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method and system for obtaining accurate measurements of distance of a golf ball from features of interest on a hole of a golf course including tee boxes, cups, water hazards, sand traps, rough areas adjacent fairway, and cart path, uses a golf cart equipped with a computerized navigation system including a display monitor. Survey data for the course are stored in the navigation system database as part of a map of so that fixed positions of at least some of the features of the course, including the cart path and outline of the hole of the computerized navigation system, can be selectively displayed in the map or portion thereof on the cart monitor screen during play of the course. The navigation system has a capability to detect and indicate the real time position of the golf cart as an icon on the course map displayed on the monitor screen, and has, in its database, a ball icon line approximating the longitudinal center-line of the hole. A ball icon is established distinct from the cart icon for display in the map on the monitor screen, and is arranged to move along the ball icon line in unison with movement of the cart icon along the cart path. Distance measurements are enabled and displayed from the ball icon to features on the map when the features are respectively selected by a pointer on the monitor display. A positioning device is provided to move the ball icon from the ball icon line to approximate the position of a ball in play on the hole to measure distance to a selected feature.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim