Modular putter

Info

Publication number: 20060172816
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 3, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 3, 2006
Inventor: Lanny Johnson (Okemos, MI)
Application Number: 11/049,807

Abstract

A modular golf putter head, kit, and method of assembling the putter head are disclosed. The putter head has a body with one or more recesses each of which have access to holes passing through the putter head body through which screws or other fasteners removably secure weight inserts. The weight inserts can be situated at a plurality of sites along the length, width and height of the putter head to allow a golfer the choice of many possible weighting configurations for the putter head. The putter head also can be configured to have one of a number of face plates, such that the golfer can choose a preferred shape for a striking surface which contacts the golf ball when assembling the putter head.

Description

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf putters, and more particularly to modular golf putters. Specifically, the present invention relates to a modular golf putter having variable weighting.

(2) Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,832 to Ebbing discloses a variably configurable putter head having a body and a striker assembly. The striker assembly can be mounted to provide either a right handed or left handed putter configuration. Additionally, the striker assembly has a cavity for containing removable weights allowing the golfer to adjust the weight of the putter. While weights can be placed in the cavity to adjust the weight of the putter, the cavity do not allow for placement of the weights peripherally within the putter head.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,067 to Cook discloses a putter head having a frame, a face, and a heel weight and a toe weight. The heel weight and toe weight provide a high moment of inertia about the sweet spot. Preferred embodiments have over seventy percent of the weight of the head within three-quarters of an inch of the heel and toe ends.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,274 to Clay discloses a golf club head having a capacity for housing multiple weights to establish a desired balance of the club head. The upper insert has two horizontal cross bores at equal distances from the longitudinal center of the insert for receiving weight slugs. Additionally, bores are provided in a lower insert part at locations offset at equal distances from the longitudinal center of the insert. Weight slugs can also be inserted into these bores.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,257 to Busnardo discloses an adjustable golf putter with interchangeable face plate assemblies which provide for changing the mass of the putter. The face plate assembly can be made of plastic or can also include a metal plate encased in a resilient material. The thickness and mass of the metal plate can be adjusted to change the weight of the putter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,938 to Hines discloses a golf putter capable of left hand or right hand use which allows for selective weighting of the head both forward and rearward of a hosel position by the addition of face weight plates and rear weight plates on the putter head. The putter is also provided to have variable cylindrical dead weights and inertia weights.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,647 to Tingelstad discloses a golf putter having adjustable weighting which can be used by either a right handed or left handed golfer. Four weights are provided to use in attachment points in the head which are not used for a neck extension for the shaft.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,423 to Merko discloses a putter head having heel and toe weighting and capable of having additional weights attached to the toe and heel of the head.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,375 to McKinley discloses a golf putter having a high center of gravity with interchangeable weight inserts for adjustment of the heel and toe weighting. The weight inserts are placed within weight chambers within the heel and toe ends of the putter.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,487 to Hamburger discloses a putter head having a plurality of cavities which contain removable weights attached within the cavity to vary the weight characteristics of the putter head, either front-to-back or heel-to-toe. The faceplates of the putter can be selected from a variety of different types of curved or flat shaped faces.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0032075 to Vatsvog which discloses a golf putter having toe and heel cavities with weights which can be arranged to vary the front-to-back and toe-to-heel weight distribution, and the center of gravity of the putter. The putter has a plurality of differently shaped interchangeable face plates which can be convex or flat with loft angles of 3, 4 or 5 degrees.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0098908 to James et al. discloses a putter having a high inertia of rotation with a base, a striking face, and toe and heel weights. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0132541 to Macllraith discloses a variable golf club with various head weights with different densities, dimensions and shapes for placement within the putter head. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0171433 to Ashton discloses a golf club head constructed to have a preferred weighting and optional having weights directly behind the arm face.

While the related art teach modular putter heads having weights, there still exists a need for a putter head having inserts of varying weights which are removably secured by a fastening means in the putter head along any of the toe-to-heel, front-to-back, and top-to-bottom dimensions of the putter head.

OBJECTS

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a modular putter having interchangeable weights.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a modular putter having interchangeable striking surfaces.

These and other objects will become increasingly apparent by reference to the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a modular golf putter head comprising: a putter head body with a width defined by a front side and an opposed back side, a length defined by a heel side and an opposed toe side, and a height defined by a top side and an opposed bottom side of the body, the top side having an opening into which a shaft can be affixed, wherein the body has one or more recesses each of which have access to two or more holes which pass through the putter head body; a plurality of fastening means passing through the holes in the putter head body; a face plate having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, removably secured to the front side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes; and two or more weight inserts, each weight insert being removably secured in one of the one or more recesses by a fastening means passing through the weight and in one of the holes in the putter head body, wherein the weight can be situated at a plurality of sites along the length, width and height of the putter head. In preferred embodiments of the putter head a back plate is removably secured to the back side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes. Preferably, the body further comprises elastic inserts in a wall of the recesses to control vibration of the weight inserts when inserted within the putter head.

In further embodiments, the body further comprises a second opening into which a shaft can be affixed. In still further embodiments, one opening is towards the center and a second opening is towards the heel side of the putter. In further embodiments, the plurality of sites are arranged as one or more arrays. In still further embodiments, the one or more arrays are three-dimensional. Preferably, the body has two recesses. In preferred embodiments, a first of the two recesses is situated in the front side and a second of the two recesses is situated in the back side of the putter head body. In some embodiments the striking surface of the face is convexly rounded. In further embodiments the striking surface of the face is a narrow edge. In still further embodiments, the striking surface of the face is flat. Preferably, the striking surface of the face is angled such that the striking surface has a loft when attached to the putter head. More preferably, the loft is four degrees from vertical. In preferred embodiments, the two or more weight inserts are constructed of metal. More preferably, the weight inserts are constructed of two or more metals with different densities. In further embodiments, one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of brass and aluminum. In still further embodiments, one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals.

The present invention provides a golf putter comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and an opposed distal end; a grip affixed upon the proximal end of the shaft; a putter head body having a top side with an opening into which the distal end of the shaft is affixed, with a width defined by a front side and an opposed back side, a length defined by a heel side and an opposed toe side, and a height defined by the top side and an opposed bottom side of the body, wherein the body has one or more recesses each of which have access to two or more holes which pass through the putter head body; a plurality of fastening means passing through the holes in the putter head body; a face plate having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, removably secured to the front side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes; and two or more weight inserts, each weight being removably secured in one of the one or more recesses by a fastening means passing through the weight into one of the holes in the putter head body, wherein the weight can be situated at a plurality of sites along the length, width and height of the putter head. In preferred embodiments, the putter further comprises a back plate removably secured to the back side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes. Preferably, the body further comprises elastic inserts in a wall of the recesses to control vibration of the weight inserts when inserted within the putter head.

In further embodiments, the body further comprises a second opening into which a shaft can be affixed. In still further embodiments, one opening is towards the center and a second opening is towards the heel side of the putter. In further embodiments, the plurality of sites are arranged as one or more arrays. In still further embodiments, the one or more arrays are three-dimensional. In preferred embodiments, a first of the sites is situated towards the front side and a second of the sites is situated towards the back side of the putter head. In some embodiments, the striking surface of the face is convexly rounded. In some embodiments, the striking surface of the face is flat. In further embodiments, the striking surface of the face is a narrow edge. In preferred embodiments, the striking surface of the face is angled such that the striking surface has a loft when attached to the putter head. Preferably, the loft is four degrees from vertical. In preferred embodiments, the weight inserts are constructed of metal. Preferably, the weight inserts are constructed of two or more metals with different densities. In further embodiments one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of brass and aluminum. In still further embodiments, one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals.

The present invention provides a method of assembling a modular golf putter head comprising: providing a modular golf putter head having a putter head body with a width defined by a front side and an opposed back side, a length defined by a heel side and an opposed toe side, and a height defined by a top side and an opposed bottom side of the body, the top side having one or more openings into which a shaft can be affixed, wherein the body has one or more recesses each of which have access to two or more holes which pass through the putter head body; a plurality of fastening means passing through the holes in the putter head body; a face plate having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, removably secured to the front side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes; and two or more weight inserts, each weight being removably secured in one of the one or more recesses by a fastening means passing through the weight and in one of the holes in the putter head body, wherein the weight can be situated at a plurality of sites along the length, width and height of the putter head; arranging the two or more weight inserts in a desired configuration; and securing the face plate and the weight inserts in place with the fastening means.

In further embodiments of the method the weight inserts are arranged so that the center of mass of the putter head is towards the back side and towards the bottom side of the putter head. In still further embodiments, the weight inserts are arranged so that the putter head is weighted along the periphery of the putter head. In preferred embodiments, the weight inserts are arranged so that the putter head has more weight towards the toe end and the heel end than the center of the putter head, more weight towards the bottom side than the top side of the putter head, and more weight towards the back side than the front side of the putter head. In further embodiments, the weight inserts are arranged so that the putter head has an increased moment of inertia around a top-to-bottom axis of the putter head and an increased moment of inertia around a toe-to-heel axis of the putter head than without the weight inserts.

The present invention provides a modular golf putter kit comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the shaft having a grip affixed upon the proximal end; a putter head body having a width defined by a front side and an opposed back side, a length defined by a heel side and an opposed toe side, and a height defined by the top side and an opposed bottom side of the body, the top side with one or more openings capable of receiving the distal end of the shaft, wherein the body has one or more recesses each of which have access to two or more holes which pass through the putter head body; a plurality of fastening means for passing through the holes in the putter head body; a face plate having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, capable of being removably secured to the front side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes; and two or more weight inserts, each weight capable of being removably secured in one of the one or more recesses by a fastening means passing through the weight into one of the holes in the putter head body, wherein the weight can be situated at a plurality of sites along the length, width and height of the putter head.

Preferred embodiments of the kit further comprise assembly instructions. In preferred embodiments, the fastening means are screws, bolts, clips or pins. Preferably, the fastening means are Allen screws. Preferably, the Allen screws are comprised of two or more sets of Allen screws of different lengths. Preferably, the kit comprises a short set, a medium length set, and long set of Allen screws. In further embodiments of the kit, the Allen screws of each set weigh 3.0 grams, 3.7 grams or 4.4 grams, respectively. In some embodiments the Allen screws are 7/64 inch. Some embodiments of the kit further comprising a guide pin for module alignment. Preferred embodiments of the kit further comprise an Allen wrench for assembly of the putter head.

In preferred embodiments of the kit, the body further comprises elastic inserts adjacent to the sites to control vibrations of the weight inserts when inserted within the putter head so as to minimize noise during putting. In further embodiments, at least one of the one or more face plates have a striking surface which is convexly rounded. In still further embodiments, at least one of the one or more face plates have a striking surface which is flat. In still further embodiments, the striking surface of the face is angled such that the striking surface has a loft when attached to the putter head. Preferably, the loft is four degrees from vertical. In still further embodiments, at least one of the one or more face plates have a striking surface which is a narrow edge. In preferred embodiments, the two or more weight inserts are constructed of metal. Preferably, the weight inserts are constructed of two or more metals with different densities. In further embodiments, one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of brass and aluminum. In still further embodiments, one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals. Preferably, the golf putter can be configured as a left-handed or a right-handed club.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a putter head 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the putter head 10.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the putter head 10.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a putter head 10 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a putter head 10 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 having a face plate 26 with a flat striking surface 26A.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a putter head 10 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 having a face plate 27 with a convex striking surface 27A.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a putter head 10 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 in a centrally-weighted configuration with multiple weight inserts 24 in a front recess 18 and multiple weight inserts 24 in a back recess 19 secured with medium screws 22B.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a putter head 10 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 in a back-weighted configuration without weight inserts in a front recess 18 and having weight inserts 24 in a back recess 19 secured with short screws 22A.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a putter head 10 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 in a peripherally-weighted configuration with weight inserts 24 at the toe end 12C and heel end 12D of the front recess 18 secured with short screws 22A.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a putter head 110 of the present invention having a central opening 114 and a heel opening 115 for alternate placements of a shaft 116.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the putter head 110 having a central opening 114 and a heel opening 115 for alternate placements of a shaft 116.

FIGS. 12-21 schematically illustrate various weighting configurations of the putter head 10 for testing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All patents, patent applications, government publications, government regulations, and literature references cited in this specification are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present description, including definitions, will control.

The term “proximal” as used herein refers to the side nearest to the golfer.

The term “distal” as used herein refers to the side farthest from the golfer.

The term “front” as used herein refers to the side of the putter head placed towards the golf ball when putting. Some putters having a central shaft can be used in a right or left handed fashion under U.S.G.A. rules. Right handed designations are used herein with reference to the Figures, however left handed uses and configurations are encompassed by the present invention.

The term “back” as used herein refers to the side of the putter head opposite to the front.

The term “toe” as used herein refers to the side of the putter head which is away from the golfer when putting.

The term “heel” as used herein refers to the side of the putter head which is placed near the golfer when putting.

The term “width” as used herein refers to the dimension of the putter head running between the front side and the opposed back side.

The term “length” as used herein refers to the dimension of the putter head between the heel side placed towards the golfer when putting and an opposed toe side.

The term “height” as used herein refers to the dimension of the putter head running between the bottom side and the top side of the body.

The term “peripheral” as used herein refers to lying towards an outer location away from the center, such as towards a toe, heel, or back side of the putter head.

The term “horizontal” as used herein refers to an orientation parallel the ground upon which the golf ball lies.

The term “vertical” as used herein refers to an imaginary line which is normal to the horizontal plane of the ground upon which the golf ball lies.

The term “striking surface” as used herein refers to the portion of the front of the putter head used to contact the golf ball when putting. The striking surface encompasses convex and flat surfaces, however it can also refer to a sharp edge which is used to contact the golf ball.

The term “fastening means” as used herein refers to any means known in the art of fastening, including screws of a number of types, bolts, pins, and clips.

The term “weight inserts” as used herein refers to any of a variety of solid materials having a size and shape capable of being removably secured by a fastening means within a recess in the body of the putter head, which can have a wide range of densities and masses. Preferably the weight inserts are constructed of a variety of metals having different densities, however the weight inserts can be constructed of lighter materials to be used as spacers to place the heavier weight inserts at locations further forward or backward from the center of the putter head body.

The term “twist” as used herein refers to the deflection side-to-side around a vertical axis through the putter head blade that a front-to-back line of the putter makes with respect to the line of contact with the ball.

The term “pitch” as used herein refers to the deflection around a horizontal heel-to-toe axis of the putter that the plane of the putter head blade makes up or down with respect to a horizontal plane through the golf ball.

The ideal putter is not just one or another feature of the putter. For instance, some golfers prefer a blade over a mallet. It is not that simple. The “perfect” putter is a result of the best combination of geometry of the face, geometry of the head, total weight, weight distribution and shaft insert position. By providing a calculated 270 million options, the putter head of the present invention provides an immense number of possible configurations to choose from to provide an ideal configuration for each golfer.

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate one embodiment of a modular golf putter head 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the putter head 10 has a rectangular body 12 with a width W defined from a front side 12A of the body 12 which is placed towards a golf ball when a golfer is putting to which a face plate 26 is removably secured, to an opposed back side 12B of the body 12 to which a back plate 28 is removably secured. The body of other embodiments of the invention can have other shapes. The body 12 has a length L defined from a heel side 12D, which is placed nearest to a golfer when putting a golf ball, to an opposed toe side 12C of the body 12. The body has a height H from a bottom side 12F of the body 12 which is placed along the putting surface when a golfer is putting, to an opposed top side 12E. The top side 12E of the body 12 has an opening 14, centrally located along the width W, and close to centrally located along the length L of the body 12, into which a shaft 16 can be affixed. While the described embodiment is configured as a right-handed club, the putter head 10 can also be configured as a left-handed club. Since the body 12 is symmetrical along the center of the width W, the golf putter can be assembled as a left-handed club by switching the face plate 26 and the back plate 28 of the putter head 10. In other embodiments the opening is located towards the heel side for a heel shaft configuration. The opening can be drilled into the body at a variety of angles φ from vertical. In some embodiments the angle φ is 19 degrees. In some embodiments the angle φ is 11 degrees. Any shaft known in the art can be inserted into the opening 14 having any shaft length, including regular, belly type, and long putter shafts. In some embodiments the shaft is 35 inches in length.

As seen in FIGS. 4-9, within the body 12 of the modular putter head 10 are two recesses 18, 19. A first recess 18 is situated towards the front side 12A, and a second recess 19 is situated towards the back side 12B of the body 12, each of which have access to two or more holes 20 which pass through the putter head body 12. Within the holes 20 are inserted plurality of fastening means, preferably Allen screws 22A, 22B or other similar means of fastening known in the art. A set of short screws 22A, medium screws 22B or long screws (not shown) are used depending upon whether a golfer wishes to attach one, two or three weight inserts 24, respectively, at each site. The screws 22A, 22B are first placed through holes 29 in the back plate 28, holes 25 in the weight inserts 24, central holes 20 through the body 12, holes 25 in the weight inserts 24 in the front recess 18, and threaded into threaded holes 26B of a flat face plate 26 (shown in FIG. 5) or threaded holes 27B of a convex face plate 27 (shown in FIG. 6) so as to removably secure the weight inserts 24, back plate 28, and one of the front plates 26, 27 onto the body 12. The putter body 12 has elastic supports 30 extending toe-to-heel along a wall 18A at the back of the front recess 18, and a wall 19A at the front of the back recess 19 at the sites where the weight inserts 24 can be removably secured so as to press against and dampen any vibrations of the weight inserts 24 once they are secured in the putter head 10. The elastic supports thereby act to minimize noise during putting.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flat face plate 26 having a flat striking surface 26A with a loft θ, removably secured to the front side 12A of the putter head body 12 by the plurality of screws 22A passing through the holes 20 in the body 12. In some embodiments the putter head body 12 is aluminum with a weight of 142 grams. In an alternative configuration of the modular putter head 10 as shown in FIG. 6, a rounded face plate 27 (“rolled” face) is affixed to the body 12 such that the putter head 10 has a convexly rounded striking surface 27A for contacting a golf ball. The convexly rounded striking surface 27A can have any radius of curvature. In some embodiments the radius of curvature is less than the radius of curvature of a regulation size golf ball. In some embodiments, the rounded face plate 27 has a 0.05 inch radius. In some embodiments the rounded face plate 27 is aluminum and has a weight of 56.0 grams. Since the face plates 26, 27 are interchangeable, the modular putter head 10 of the present invention encompasses a variety of configurations. In further embodiments of the putter head 10, a face is affixed to the front side 12A of putter body 12 having any of a variety of shapes such that the striking surfaces are flat (with or without loft), convexly curved or sharp, or alternatively having a narrow edge blade projecting forward from the face plate. The flat face plate 26, as shown in FIG. 5, has a striking surface 26A which is angled to have a loft θ relative to vertical when the face plate 26 is attached to the putter head 10. The present invention encompasses a putter head 10 having an affixed face plate 26 with any loft θ angle which a golfer prefers. In one embodiment, the loft is zero degrees. Preferably, the loft is four degrees from vertical. In some embodiments the flat face plate 26 is aluminum and has a weight of 50.0 grams.

In FIGS. 3 and 5-8 are shown a back plate 28 removably secured to the back side 12B of the putter head body 12 by the plurality of Allen screws 22A passing through the holes 20. The weight inserts 24 can be situated at a plurality of sites along the length L, width W and height H of the putter head 12. The putter head 10, therefore has a plurality of sites for the arrangement of weight inserts 24 in a three-dimensional array. In some embodiments the back plate 28 is aluminum and has a weight of 46 grams. Preferably, the weight inserts 24 are constructed of metal. More preferably, the weight inserts 24 are constructed of two or more metals with different densities to provide more possible weight configurations to the golfer. The weight inserts 24 can be constructed of metals such as brass and aluminum, so that weight inserts 24 with different weight can be inserted at any of the sites which are available in the putter head 10. In some embodiments brass weight inserts are provided having a weight of 19.0 grams. In some embodiments aluminum weight inserts are provided having a weight of 6.0 grams. However, the weight inserts 24 can be selected from any material, and some embodiments incorporate metal weight inserts constructed of gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals.

The present invention also comprises a method of arranging the two or more weight inserts 24 to achieve a preferred putter. It has been calculated that the embodiment illustrated in the Figures have over 172 million choices of weighting arrangements. An advantage of the modular putter head is that the center of mass of the putter head can be adjusted along all dimensions of the putter head. Therefore a golfer can adjust the center of mass of the putter along the toe-to-heel length, the front-to-back width, and the top-to-bottom height of the putter head 10. By doing so, the golfer can adjust the center of mass to a preferred location along any of these three dimensions of the putter head. Preferably the weight inserts 24 are arranged so that the center of mass of the putter head is towards the back side 12B and towards the bottom side 12F of the putter head.

Another advantage of the putter head 10 of the present invention is the capacity to adjust the moment of inertia with respect to vertical or horizontal axes of the putter head 10. The weight inserts 24 can be arranged so that the putter head has an increased moment of inertia around a top-to-bottom (vertical) axis of the putter head to affect the resulting pitch of the putter head 10 when striking a golf ball away from a center of the face plate. Additionally the weight inserts 24 can be arranged to increase the moment of inertia around a toe-to-heel (horizontal) axis of the putter head than without the weight inserts 24 to affect the twist of the putter head 10 when striking a golf ball off center of the striking surface 26. The weight inserts 24 can be arranged so that the putter head is weighted along the periphery of the putter head to increase moment of inertia around a vertical axis. For example the weight inserts 24 can be arranged so that the putter head has more weight towards the toe end and the heel end than the center of the putter head to increase the moment of inertia around a vertical axis so as to minimize the resulting twist of the putter head 10 when contact is made towards the toe or heel side of the putter head 10. Additionally, more weight can be added towards the back side of the putter head to increase the peripheral weighting even more so increase the moment of inertia around a vertical axis and minimize the resulting twist of the putter head 10 even more. Alternatively, more weight can be added towards the bottom of the putter head, thereby increasing the moment of inertia around a horizontal toe-to heel axis so as to minimize the resulting pitch of the putter head 10 when contact is made towards the top or bottom side of the striking surface 26A.

The modular putter head 10 of the present invention can be configured using fastening means, such as Allen screws 22A, 22B of different lengths. A kit of the present invention provides one or more sets of screws of different lengths. Preferably, three sets of screws are including a set of short screws 22A, a set of medium screws 22B, and a set of long (not shown) screws. Preferably, these screws weigh 3.0 grams, 3.7 grams or 4.4 grams, respectively. The sets of screws provide for the configuration of the modular putter head 10 to have either one, two or three weight inserts 24 affixed at any site in the front recess 18 or back recess 19 of the putter head 10. This gives the golfer the capacity to adjust weighting, center of mass, and moments of inertia to a greater extent than with a single set of short screws 22A. A kit of the present invention can further include a guide pin for module alignment, and an Allen wrench for assembly of the various configurations of the putter head 10.

FIGS. 5, 7, 8 and 9 show four of a very large number of possible weight insert 24 configurations. FIG. 7 shows the putter head 10 configured so as to be centrally-weighted by using multiple weight inserts 24 in a front recess 18 and multiple weight inserts 24 in a back recess 19 secured with medium screws 22B. This configuration increases the total weight of the putter head 10 compared to putter heads having fewer weight inserts 24, while keeping the center of mass of the putter head near the center of the putter head. In some embodiments, the total weight of the putter head is 237.6 grams to 368.4 grams. By adding more weight inserts 24 at the front side 12A and the back side 24B of the putter head 10 the moment of inertia relative to a toe-heel axis of the putter head 10 is increased to minimize twist and pitch when a golf ball is struck away from a central portion of the striking surface 26A, 26B. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a putter head 10 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 in a back-weighted configuration without weight inserts 24 in a front recess 18 and having weight inserts 24 in a back recess 19 secured with short screws 22A. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a putter head 10 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 in a peripherally-weighted configuration with weight inserts 24 at the toe end 12C and heel end 12D of the front recess 18 secured with short screws 22A.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of a modular golf putter head 110 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the putter head 110 has a rectangular body 112 with a width W defined from a front side 112A of the body 112 which is placed towards a golf ball when a golfer is putting to which a face plate 126 is removably secured, to an opposed back side 112B of the body 112 to which a back plate 128 is removably secured. The body of other embodiments of the invention can have other shapes. The body 112 has a length L defined from a heel side 112D, which is placed nearest to a golfer when putting a golf ball, to an opposed toe side 112C of the body 112. The body has a height H from a bottom side 112F of the body 112 which is placed along the putting surface when a golfer is putting, to an opposed top side 112E. The top side 112E of the body 112 has a central opening 114, centrally located along the width W, and close to centrally located along the length L of the body 112, into which a shaft 116 can be affixed. The body 112 also has a heel opening 115 located towards the heel side 112D for a heel shafted configuration. The openings 114, 115 can be drilled into the body 112 at a variety of angles φ from vertical. In some embodiments the angle φ is 19 degrees. In some embodiments the openings 114, 115 are ¼ inch deep. Any shaft known in the art can be inserted into the openings 114, 115 having any shaft length, including regular, belly type, and long putter shafts. While the described embodiment is configured as a right-handed club, the putter head 110 can also be configured as a left-handed club. Since the body 112 is symmetrical along the center of the width W, the golf putter can be assembled as a left-handed club by switching the face plate 126 and the back plate 128 of the putter head 110.

EXAMPLES

FIGS. 12-21 schematically illustrate various weighting configurations of the putter head 10 for testing. Independent testing was performed at Swing Dynamics in Carlsbad, Calif. on the Putting Track Monitor. This is an elaborate computerized system including photographic documentation of the roll. The instrument identifies the optimum roll conditions of a putt and enables players of all skill levels to choose a putter that rolls the ball with the best physics.

Swing Dynamic's Putting Track Monitor measured 10 critical components of the putt; takeaway face angle, takeaway path, impact face angle, impact club path, impact club speed (MPH), swing tempo, impact ball speed (MPH), impact ball spin (RPM), skid distance (inches), true roll speed (MPH) and Putt Efficiency Index (PEI).

The skid is defined as any ball forward movement in excess of the circumference of the ball, 2.216 inches. The skid segment is a dominant factor in holding the putt's line. The shorter the skid distance the better.

True roll is when the ball forward movement is 2.216 inches per revolution. True roll is important criteria in evaluating a putter performance. The higher the number the better.

The True Roll Speed (TRS) is measured in MPH. The impact ball speed is held at 4.0 MPH on the machine. The higher number is better.

The system calculates the Putt Efficiency Index (PEI). Putt Efficiency Index is the % of retained kinetic energy when the ball assumes the “True Roll” state. “True Roll” is the dominant factor in distance control. 1.0 is perfect. The higher the number the better.

Independent Testing: We tested 10 different combinations of face, weight, weighting and geometry. The specific and individualized testing results give the golfer some idea of where to start and the results of testing. The putter head was set up in the ten different configurations as schematically shown in FIGS. 12-21. FIGS. 12-21 each illustrate the placement of flat face plate 26 (“flat face”), convex face plate 27 (“round face”), body 12 (“body”), back plate 28 (“back plate”), and weight inserts 24 constructed of brass (“Brass”) or aluminum (“Al.”) viewed in cross-section along the upper level and the lower level of the putter head. Table 1 gives individual testing results for each configuration. The range of the resulting data for the ten configurations are:

Weight: 237.6 to 368.4 grams

Face: rounded face plate 27 (“Roll”) or flat face plate 26 (“Flat”).

Skid: 13.7 to 18.7 inches

TRS: 3.27 to 3.47 mph

PEI: 0.782 to 0.886

TABLE 1 Testing Results of Putter Configurations of FIGS. 12-21. Putter head setup Weight Skid TRS (FIG.) Face (grams) (inches) (MPH) PEI 12 Flat 321 15.1 3.35 83 13 Roll 328.4 14.9 3.35 85.1 14 Roll 304.9 15.1 3.4 84.3 15 Flat 298.3 13.9 3.28 84.0 16 Roll 324 13.7 3.47 88.6 17 Flat 317.4 16.3 3.45 82.9 18 Flat 361.8 15.1 3.27 84.5 19 Roll 368.4 16.3 3.27 80.7 20 Roll 244.2 18.7 3.32 78.2 21 Flat 237.6 18.2 3.32 80.1

While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrated embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited hereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings herein will recognize additional modifications and embodiments within the scope thereof. Therefore, the present invention is limited only by the Claims attached herein.

Claims

1. A modular golf putter head comprising:

(a) a putter head body with a width defined by a front side and an opposed back side, a length defined by a heel side and an opposed toe side, and a height defined by a top side and an opposed bottom side of the body, the top side having an opening into which a shaft can be affixed, wherein the body has one or more recesses each of which have access to two or more holes which pass through the putter head body;

(b) a plurality of fastening means passing through the holes in the putter head body;

(c) a face plate having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, removably secured to the front side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes; and

(d) two or more weight inserts, each weight being removably secured in one of the one or more recesses by a fastening means passing through the weight and in one of the holes in the putter head body, wherein the weight can be situated at a plurality of sites along the length, width and height of the putter head.

2. The putter head of claim 1 further comprising a back plate removably secured to the back side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes.

3. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises elastic inserts in a wall of the recesses to control vibration of the weight inserts when inserted within the putter head.

4. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a second opening into which a shaft can be affixed.

5. The golf putter of claim 4 wherein one opening is towards the center and a second opening is towards the heel side of the putter.

6. The putter head of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sites are arranged as one or more arrays.

7. The putter head of claim 6 wherein the one or more arrays are three-dimensional.

8. The putter head of claim 1 wherein the body has two recesses.

9. The putter head of claim 8 wherein a first of the two recesses is situated in the front side and a second of the two recesses is situated in the back side of the putter head body.

10. The putter head of claim 1 wherein the striking surface of the face is convexly rounded.

11. The putter head of claim 1 wherein the striking surface of the face is a narrow edge.

12. The putter head of claim 1 wherein the striking surface of the face is flat.

13. The putter head of claim 12 wherein the striking surface of the face is angled such that the striking surface has a loft when attached to the putter head.

14. The putter head of claim 12 wherein the loft is four degrees from vertical.

15. The putter head of claim 1 wherein the two or more weight inserts are constructed of metal.

16. The putter head of claim 15 wherein the weight inserts are constructed of two or more metals with different densities.

17. The putter head of claim 15 wherein one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of brass and aluminum.

18. The putter head of claim 15 wherein one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals.

19. A golf putter comprising:

(a) a shaft having a proximal end and an opposed distal end;

(b) a grip affixed upon the proximal end of the shaft;

(c) a putter head body having a top side with an opening into which the distal end of the shaft is affixed, with a width defined by a front side and an opposed back side, a length defined by a heel side and an opposed toe side, and a height defined by the top side and an opposed bottom side of the body, wherein the body has one or more recesses each of which have access to two or more holes which pass through the putter head body;

(d) a plurality of fastening means passing through the holes in the putter head body;

(e) a face plate having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, removably secured to the front side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes; and

(f) two or more weight inserts, each weight being removably secured in one of the one or more recesses by a fastening means passing through the weight into one of the holes in the putter head body, wherein the weight can be situated at a plurality of sites along the length, width and height of the putter head.

20. The putter of claim 19 further comprising a back plate removably secured to the back side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes.

21. The putter of claim 19 wherein the body further comprises elastic inserts in a wall of the recesses to control vibration of the weight inserts when inserted within the putter head.

22. The golf putter of claim 18 wherein the body further comprises a second opening into which a shaft can be affixed.

23. The golf putter of claim 22 wherein one opening is towards the center and a second opening is towards the heel side of the putter.

24. The putter of claim 19 wherein the plurality of sites are arranged as one or more arrays.

25. The putter of claim 19 the one or more arrays are three-dimensional.

26. The putter of claim 19 wherein a first of the sites is situated towards the front side and a second of the sites is situated towards the back side of the putter head.

27. The putter of claim 19 wherein the striking surface of the face is convexly rounded.

28. The putter of claim 19 wherein the striking surface of the face is flat.

29. The putter of claim 19 wherein the striking surface of the face is a narrow edge.

30. The putter of claim 19 wherein the striking surface of the face is angled such that the striking surface has a loft when attached to the putter head.

31. The putter head of claim 19 wherein the loft is four degrees from vertical.

32. The putter of claim 19 wherein the weight inserts are constructed of metal.

33. The putter of claim 19 wherein the weight inserts are constructed of two or more metals with different densities.

34. The putter of claim 19 wherein one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of brass and aluminum.

35. The putter of claim 19 wherein one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals.

36. A method of assembling a modular golf putter head comprising:

(a) providing a modular golf putter head having a putter head body with a width defined by a front side and an opposed back side, a length defined by a heel side and an opposed toe side, and a height defined by a top side and an opposed bottom side of the body, the top side having one or more openings into which a shaft can be affixed, wherein the body has one or more recesses each of which have access to two or more holes which pass through the putter head body; a plurality of fastening means passing through the holes in the putter head body; a face plate having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, removably secured to the front side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes; and two or more weight inserts, each weight being removably secured in one of the one or more recesses by a fastening means passing through the weight and in one of the holes in the putter head body, wherein the weight can be situated at a plurality of sites along the length, width and height of the putter head;

(b) arranging the two or more weight inserts in a desired configuration; and

(c) securing the face plate and the weight inserts in place with the fastening means.

37. The method of claim 37 wherein the weight inserts are arranged so that the center of mass of the putter head is towards the back side and towards the bottom side of the putter head.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the weight inserts are arranged so that the putter head is weighted along the periphery of the putter head.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein the weight inserts are arranged so that the putter head has more weight towards the toe end and the heel end than the center of the putter head, more weight towards the bottom side than the top side of the putter head, and more weight towards the back side than the front side of the putter head.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein the weight inserts are arranged so that the putter head has an increased moment of inertia around a top-to-bottom axis of the putter head and an increased moment of inertia around a toe-to-heel axis of the putter head than without the weight inserts.

41. A modular golf putter kit comprising:

(a) a shaft having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the shaft having a grip affixed upon the proximal end;

(b) a putter head body having a width defined by a front side and an opposed back side, a length defined by a heel side and an opposed toe side, and a height defined by the top side and an opposed bottom side of the body, the top side with one or more openings capable of receiving the distal end of the shaft, wherein the body has one or more recesses each of which have access to two or more holes which pass through the putter head body;

(c) a plurality of fastening means for passing through the holes in the putter head body;

(d) a face plate having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, capable of being removably secured to the front side of the putter head body by the plurality of fastening means passing through the holes; and

(e) two or more weight inserts, each weight capable of being removably secured in one of the one or more recesses by a fastening means passing through the weight into one of the holes in the putter head body, wherein the weight can be situated at a plurality of sites along the length, width and height of the putter head.

42. The kit of claim 41 further comprising assembly instructions.

43. The kit of claim 41 wherein the fastening means are screws, bolts, clips or pins.

44. The kit of claim 41 wherein the fastening means are Allen screws.

45. The kit of claim 44 wherein the Allen screws are comprised of two or more sets of Allen screws of different lengths.

46. The kit of claim 45 comprising a short set, a medium length set, and long set of Allen screws.

47. The kit of claim 46 wherein the Allen screws of each set weigh 3.0 grams, 3.7 grams or 4.4 grams, respectively.

48. The kit of claim 47 further comprising a guide pin for module alignment.

49. The kit of claim 41 further comprising an Allen wrench for assembly of the putter head.

50. The kit of claim 41 wherein the body further comprises elastic inserts adjacent to the sites to control vibrations of the weight inserts when inserted within the putter head so as to minimize noise during putting.

51. The kit of claim 41 wherein at least one of the one or more face plates have a striking surface which is convexly rounded.

52. The kit of claim 41 wherein at least one of the one or more face plates have a striking surface which is flat.

53. The kit of claim 52 wherein the striking surface of the face is angled such that the striking surface has a loft when attached to the putter head.

54. The kit of claim 53 wherein the loft is four degrees from vertical.

55. The kit of claim 41 wherein at least one of the one or more face plates have a striking surface which is a narrow edge.

56. The kit of claim 41 wherein the two or more weight inserts are constructed of metal.

57. The kit of claim 56 wherein the weight inserts are constructed of two or more metals with different densities.

58. The kit of claim 56 wherein one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of brass and aluminum.

59. The kit of claim 56 wherein one or more of the weight inserts are selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals.

60. The kit of claim 41 wherein the golf putter can be configured as a left-handed or a right-handed club.