A portable scoring device

A portable device 10 which may be used for a game such as golf, has a first 14 input for pre-prepared data such as course information, and second input 12 such as a keyboard for data such as cores input during the game and an output 15 for transferring data to a central computer 21 once the game is over. The device 10 may be linked to the central computer 21 by direct electrical contact, where the first input 14 and the output 15 are electrical terminals. Alternatively, the device 10 may have a port for receiving a data transfer module such as a floppy disk, in which case the port would serve as the fist input 14 and the output 15. The device may have a clip to secure it to a golf bag, a shield for the LCD display and a waterproof keyboard. The central computer 21 can store pre-prepared data relating to, for example, the course to be played, and can download this information to each of a plurality of devices carried by different groups of players when required. Data such as scores may also be transferred from the portable device 10 to the central computer 21 at the end of the game, and the computer 21 can calculate handicap details and carry out other statistical analysis.