Remote Golf Match Play With Normalized Hole Differentials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf scoring systems, such as those used by the USGA, require players to compete on the same course and day, limiting remote competition between players on different courses and times, and do not allow for equitable hole-by-hole comparisons.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for calculating normalized hole ratings using USGA course and hole ratings, allowing for hole-by-hole score comparisons and determining winners remotely by calculating course and hole handicap components, and using delta values to compare player differentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If players compete on the same course and day using traditional scoring systems, then score comparison is straightforward, but remote competition between players on different courses and times is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms raw scores into normalized hole differentials by applying mathematical adjustments based on course ratings, hole ratings, and handicap components. This parameter transformation enables apples-to-apples comparison of scores from different courses and times while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary normalization process that mediates between disparate scoring conditions. By calculating adjusted gross scores and hole differentials as intermediate values, the system enables fair comparison without requiring players to compete on the same course simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If traditional USGA scoring is used, then official score recognition is maintained, but hole-by-hole score comparison across different courses is not equitable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall score into individual hole differentials, allowing hole-by-hole comparison. By breaking down the total score into component parts (each hole's differential), the system enables precise comparison while maintaining the ability to calculate overall results from these segmented values.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by transforming raw scores into adjusted hole differentials using course ratings, hole ratings, and handicap adjustments. This mathematical transformation enables equitable hole-by-hole comparison without requiring complex manual calculations by players.
3Adaptability or versatility
If players play on different courses with different difficulty levels, then each player experiences their local course conditions, but fair comparison becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent normalizes scores from different courses by applying mathematical adjustments based on course ratings and hole ratings. This parameter transformation converts scores from different difficulty levels into a common scale, making interpretation simple while enabling multi-course competition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates equipotentiality by adjusting all scores to a common reference frame using course and hole ratings. This normalization process equalizes the playing field across different courses, making score comparison as straightforward as traditional scoring while enabling broader competition.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of a system of enabling remote head to head golf play may include: a hole rating calculation module for calculating a course component of a hole rating and a hole handicap component of a hole using a hole par and a first predetermined percentage of a course rating and further for calculating the hole handicap component by using the hole's nine hole handicap rating value and a second predetermined percentage of the course rating; a score receiving module; a hole differential calculating module for calculating a plurality of hole differential scores for each player; a hole score sorting module for sorting each player's hole differential scores within a front nine holes and within a back nine holes; a hole delta calculating module for calculating a set of delta values between the players' differential scores; and a score reporting module for reporting which player won the head to head round.