DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a game board invented for the invention. There are eighteen golf links shown in FIG. 1 , and a water hazard in the form of river 16 . The main tee area of each link is in the same playing section as is the link's number 10 . To illustrate all of the various components of the golf links, for the first link, link 1 , all of the various components of the link are numbered, however, Green Side Bush is not on the first link, and therefore Green Side Bush is not seen or numbered on the first link. Green Side Bush first appears and is numbered on the sixth link. For additional clarity, some of the components of the golf links have been numbered on various other of the golf links shown in FIG. 1 .

[0030] In FIG. 1 , as can be seen on link 1 , each golf link has a main tee area 9 a , a link number 10 , a secondary tee area 9 b , fairway playing sections 11 and/or 14 , sand traps 12 , and a green area 15 . In addition some of the golf links shown in FIG. 1 also have Fairway Bush sections 13 a and/or Green Side Bush sections 13 b , and a water hazard section 16 a.

[0031] FIG. 2 a illustrates a preferred embodiment of half of the front faces of the first specialty set of cards. FIG. 2 b illustrates a preferred embodiment of the other half of the front faces of the first specialty set of cards. FIG. 2 c illustrates a preferred embodiment of the back face of each of the cards of the first specialty set of cards. The cards illustrated in FIGS. 2 a , 2 b and 2 c are one example of a first specialty set of cards of the present invention. Other cards could be used to make up the first specialty set of cards of the invention. It can be seen that not all of the cards in the first specialty set of cards of the invention are unique. Therefore, another example of a first specialty set of cards of the invention is the cards of FIG. 2 a , each duplicated, thereby making up 20 cards, and again using the back face shown in FIG. 2 c . In the preferred embodiment of the invention the first set of specialty cards contains twenty cards. However, it is not necessary that the first set of specialty cards contain twenty cards. Another example of a first specialty set of cards is the cards of FIG. 2 b plus a duplication of the first column of the cards of FIG. 2 b , with a back face on which are written in small letters the word “BUSH” a multiple of times. In order for a set of cards to be a first specialty set of cards for the present invention the set of cards must (i) be comprised of some cards that affect a player's position on the game board, and (ii) be comprised of some cards that affect the number of strokes a player must count, and (iii) it does not matter if one or more of the cards does both (i) and (ii).

[0032] As can be seen from the cards illustrated by FIGS. 2 a , 2 b , and 2 c , the illustrated first specialty deck of cards offers four possible outcomes, (i) nothing, (ii) the player's position on the game board is affected; (iii) the number of strokes the player is counting on the golf link is affected, and (iv) both the player's position on the game board is affected and the number of strokes the player is counting on the golf link is affected.

[0033] FIG. 3 a illustrates a preferred embodiment of the front faces of the second specialty set of cards. FIG. 3 b illustrates the back face of each of the cards of the second specialty set of cards. The cards illustrated in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are one example of a second specialty set of cards of the present invention. Other cards could be used to make up the second specialty set of cards of the invention. It can be seen that not all of the cards in the second specialty set of cards of the invention are unique. Therefore, another example of a second specialty set of cards of the invention is the cards of the first column of FIG. 3 a , each duplicated, thereby making up 10 cards, and again using the back face shown in FIG. 3 b . In the preferred embodiment of the invention the second set of specialty cards contains ten cards. However, it is not necessary that the second set of specialty cards contain ten cards. Another example of a second specialty set of cards is the cards of FIG. 3 a plus a duplication of the second column of the cards of FIG. 3 a , with a back face on which are twice written, in small letters, the words “GREEN SIDE BUSH”. In order for a set of cards to be a second specialty set of cards for the present invention the set of cards must (i) be comprised of some cards that affect the number of strokes/putts a player must count, and (ii) it does not matter if one or more of the cards also affects the player's position on the game board.

[0034] As can be seen from the first specialty die illustrated in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b , that die has the number 1 on two of its faces, the number 2 on three faces, and the number 3 on one of its faces. It is not essential that the first specialty die have the number 1 on two of its faces, the number 2 on three faces, and the number 3 on one of its faces. It is essential that at least one of the faces of the first specialty die have the number 1 on it and that at least one of the faces of the first specialty die have the number 2 on it and that at least one of the faces of the first specialty die have the number 3 on it. Consequently, another first specialty die would be a six sided die with the number 1 on two of its faces, the number 2 on two of its faces, and the number 3 on its last two faces.

[0035] As can be seen from the second specialty die illustrated in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b , that die has the word “Fairway” marked on three faces, the word “Rough” marked on one face, the word “Sand” marked on one face, and the words “Out of Bounds” marked on one face. It is not essential that the second specialty die have the word “Fairway” marked on three faces. It is essential that at least one of the faces of the second specialty die have “Fairway” marked on it, and that at least one of the faces has the word “Rough” marked on it, and that at least one of the faces has the word “Sand” marked on one face, and that at least one of the faces has the words “Out of Bounds” marked on it. Consequently, another second specialty die would be a six sided die with the word “Fairway” marked on two of its faces, the word “Rough” marked on two of its faces, the word “Sand” marked on one face, and the words “Out of Bounds” marked on one face.

[0036] The preferred embodiment of the invention also includes a standard six sided die, with a different one of the numbers 1 to 6 inclusive marked on each of the die's faces.

[0037] In the following examples of rules for use with the invention the first specialty die is also referred to as the “putting die”.

[0038] An example of a set of rules for the preferred embodiment of the invention described above and illustrated in the drawings, is as follows:

[0039] There may be 1-4 players. Each player takes a coin or similar small object and uses it as his playing piece. The object of the game is to play the 18 holes in the least number of strokes. The number of strokes that a player counts per hole is as follows: Each role of the die is one stroke; Plus any strokes added on because of hazards such as Out of Bounds, water, and bush; Plus the number of putts; Plus the penalties accrued from landing on hazards, on die, for out of bounds, add 2 strokes , for sand back up 1 space (no stroke), for rough—back up 1 space (no stroke); Plus the penalties accrued from the board, for water add 1 stroke, for bush 13 a pick a card from the first specialty set of cards and follow the instructions on the card, for bush 13 b pick a card from the second specialty set of cards and follow the instructions on the card.

[0040] The dice are used as follows: (A) all dice are rolled at once on all par 3's; and (B) all dice are rolled at once at holes #10 and #13 when playing those par 4's from the front tees; and (C) all dice are rolled at once whenever the player has a chance to reach the green (6 spaces or less from the green); and (D) only the standard six sided die and the second specialty die need to be rolled whenever the player cannot reach the green; and (E) the player rolls only the specialty dice whenever they are only 1 space from the green; and (F) the player rolls only the first specialty die to determine the number of putts when they have chosen that option.

[0041] The darker shaded areas of the fairway 14 are the safe zones, and within three spaces from the green is a safe zone. However, a player is subject to hazards within the safe zone when the player has entered one of the hazards, including the out of bounds and the sand and rough, while playing from outside the safe zone. Rolling a 1, 2 or 3 on the standard die is not subject to the hazards marked on the second specialty die, but is subject to the hazards on the board, water, bush, except when playing from within the safe zone. When a player is playing from the bush they are subject to water hazards on the board except when moving backward. A player rolling a 4 or 5 on the standard die is subject to all hazards, except when playing from within the safe zone. A player will not be subject to water and bush hazards when backing onto these spaces. Hazards on the die take precedence over hazards on the board A player does not need to roll the exact number to the green. A player is considered to have reached the green if the player rolls a higher number than what is needed to reach the green. (e.g., 2 spaces away from green and rolls a 3 or higher). However, if the player is 4 spaces away (1 space outside the safe zone) and rolls a 5 and either sand or rough, then the player will proceed from the side of the green. When the player is only 1 space from the green or playing from the side of the green, the player is automatically on the green with the next roll, and needs to roll only the specialty dice.

[0042] Whenever the player has reached the green they have the option of taking the number of putts on the putting die or they may choose to roll the putting die to determine the number of putts. The player must take the number of putts they roll when they have chosen to roll the putting die.

[0043] The Rolling a 6 Rule: In the playing of the game, on the standard die, rolling a 6 is not subject to hazards at any time during play. Rolling a six on the standard die allows a player to advance 6 spaces or less without penalty. A player playing from within a safe zone 14 is not subject to any hazards at any time.

[0044] To begin the game, the players may start from the first tee area, 9 a , or from the second tee area, 9 b . The player rolling highest number on the standard die plays first to start the game. The first player plays until he has completed the first hole and then records his score before the next player plays, and so on. After the first hole has been completed, the player with the lowest score on the preceding hole plays the next hole before a player with a higher score on the preceding hole. The player with the lowest score at the end of 18 holes is the winner. In case of a tie, the players tied will play sudden death starting from hole number 1 and continue until a winner is declared.

[0045] An example of an easier set of rules for the preferred embodiment of the invention described above and illustrated in the drawings, is using the above set of rules but removing the “Rolling a 6 Rule”, and replacing it with the following: In the playing of the game, all rolls of the standard dice will be subject to all hazards at all times, except when playing from within the safe zone.

[0046] Another example of a game board for a preferred embodiment of the invention, would be the game board illustrated in FIG. 1 , with the omission of the 9 b tee areas. Such a game board may not allow the players to change the level of difficulty of a golf board game played using the apparatus containing it, however, it would still allow for an apparatus of the present invention.

[0047] To the best of the Inventor's knowledge, the instant invention accomplishes its objectives by the invented combination of the invented new specialty dice, the invented specialty card sets and the invented game board that allows the specialty dice and card sets to be used in combination with it to create the new golf board game apparatus of the instant invention. The use and understanding of the putting dice is simple, the number you roll is the number of putts you count, according to the example rules included above. The use and understanding of the two specialty card sets is simple, according to the example rules above, when you land on a Bush section you pick a Bush card and do as it instructs; when you land on a Green Side Bush section you pick a Green Side Bush card, and do as it instructs. The board is also easy to use and understand, as is the second specialty dice, having a single word or simple phrase plainly written on its faces. In combination, all of the above elements provide for a great deal of variety and a very large number of game possibilities. In combination the elements also provide, to the best of the Inventor's knowledge, a unique and different playing environment and experience in the playing of a golf board game. It is also clear that the above described embodiments also create golf board game apparatuses that require the players to use different elements, each of which are easy and direct to use, while playing the game, and that adds to the games interest and variety. It can also be seen that in some of the preferred embodiments presented above the players can set the game's degree of difficulty by choosing either tee area 9 a or 9 b from which to begin.

[0048] Variations to the invention can be made, as discussed and explained above, in addition other variations will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and they are covered by the appended claims, as they are within the scope of the invention.