Putter head with alignment indicator grid

Abstract

An improved putter head having an alignment enhancing grid pattern formed of line elements arranged generally according to the golden mean. The grid pattern includes ball-bracketing lines and a horizonatal centerline positioned therebetween that center a golf ball at address and facilitate solid contact with the ball during the stroke.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/692,597, filed Jun. 21, 2005 (Jun. 21, 2005).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs and, more particularly, to a putter having visual alignment indicator grid on the upper surface of the putter head for improving a player's ability to visualize the optimal line of the putt and, thus, to improve putting performance.

2. Discussion of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR §§1.97, 1.98

Putting is notoriously difficult. This is due not only to the fact that putting greens are rarely truly flat and level, to the fact that the effect of one or more slopes on ball roll is challenging to predict, and to the fact that the stroke itself, however simple it may appear, is subtle and excruciatingly demanding of precision.

In terms of stroke production, putting is unlike any other stroke in the game: It is performed with a relatively motionless trunk and lower torso; there are generally no discernible leg movements; and in current theory even independent arm movements are minimized so as to eliminate all extraneous motion that might undermine accurate alignment of the putter as it strikes the ball. It is now recommended that the force applied in a putting stroke come only from upper torso rotation about the thoracic region of the spine. All other parts of the body remain essentially still. In effect, putting mechanics are reduced to only whatever is necessary and sufficient for delivering the putter head into and through the resting ball along the intended line of the putt with a squarely aligned putter face and with sufficient force to deliver the ball the distance to the hole. Presumably, this ensures the greatest likelihood of keeping the putter square and “on-line.”

To the ball-striking purist, however, the rigid and seemingly non-athletic quality of the putting stroke makes it an awkward companion to the powerful and graceful quality of well-executed full swings. The incongruity is so great that putting has been aptly likened to sitting down to play chess in the middle of a tennis match. Consequently, many golfers have wished that putting be wholly jettisoned from the game of golf, including Ben Hogan, who only grudgingly conceded that it ought to be a part of the game. Regardless of the carping and complaining, however, putting is here to stay, and it will continue to be the ruin of many an otherwise fine professional player.

It should be remarked that it is only in putting that the phenomenon of the yips is evident. Byron Nelson retired early in no small part because of a bad case of the “yips.” Considerable investigation has gone into determining the cause of this vexing problem, and until recently it was largely a mystery. Now, due to brain imaging studies by Nancy Byl, Ph.D., and Michael Merzenich of the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, the “yips” may have been identified as an instance of learning-induced de-differentiation of the representation of the hand in the primary somatosensory cortex. See, for example, Byl, N N, Merzenich, M M, Jenkin, W M, A primate genesis model of focal dystonia and repetitive strain injury: Ann Neurrology 1996; 47: 509-520; and Byl, N N, Merzenich, M., The neural consequences of repetition: Clinical implications of a learning hypothesis. J. of hand Therapy, 1997; April-June: 160-174. The studies suggest that in some cases, repetitive practice of stereotypical movements involving co-contractions of the muscles of the hand and arm may induce a learning catastrophe resulting in potentially permanent neurological changes giving rise to uncontrollable muscular contractions, including spasms. It is possible that a contributory factor to this malady is the inability of the golfer to easily and clearly see the line of the putt, introducing a level of anxiety in the performance, and thus placing too much emphasis on the feel and the control of the putter. When practiced repetitively in this emotionally heightened environment, the somatosensory map of the action/feel expands too broadly within the brain, and too many neurons are recruited to sense and control the simple action. This undermines appropriate muscular inhibition de-differentiates the appropriate muscular involvement. In effect, too many muscles fire off simultaneously, the hands turn into virtual claws, and the putter is jerked, yanked, “yipped” in a convulsive or spasmodic manner. Obviously, this is not the optimal internal performance climate. And one route to avoiding such extreme conditions is to provide strong visual cues to assist in performing the precise actions more easily.

Countless innovative golfers have contributed to the art and science of putting with inventive contributions to golf club technology. Some have endeavored to enhance a player's ability to develop “feel” for putting by improving the materials and shapes of the putter head, the shaft, and the grip. Some have endeavored to improve a player's ability to “read” a green, or visualize the ideal line of a putt for an intended force applied to the ball. Some have endeavored to improve putting stroke mechanics by altering the weight distribution of mass in the putter head, or changing the very way the putter is employed. And some have endeavored to improve the player's ability to ascertain at address whether the putter face is properly aligned with the intended line of the putt or whether during the stroke the putter head is traveling on a proper path. It is to this latter class of improvements that the instant invention belongs.

There is little disagreement about the need to“read” a putt well and then to “see” clearly that the putter is properly oriented relative to the intended line of the putt, both at address and as the putter head moves through the ball. There is much disagreement, however, about how this is best accomplished. Historically, the efforts have concentrated in improved reference lines and their placement on the putter head, lighted guides of various kinds; training mats and club guides; and combinations thereof. Recent technology intended to solve the problem of properly aligning a putter is reflected in the following exemplary references:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,799, issued Jan. 4, 2005 to Cameron et al, discloses a method of aligning a putter, which includes the steps of providing a putter having a head and an offset hosel, and a flat striking face that includes a removable reflecting surface for receiving and reflecting incident light. Laser light directed down the shaft of the putter is partly reflected from the reflecting surface and is directed to and detected by a reference device the compares the alignment with predetermined reference lines.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,112, issued Jun. 1, 2004 to Nelson, shows a golf putter visual alignment aid comprising a rear edge parallel to the front surface of the putter head, and a back body having a flange portion that extends rearwardly and has an upper surface displaced below the top ledge of the putter head. The flange includes a reference line perpendicular to the front surface and rear edge. The face member and back body have contrasting colors.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,619, issued Jun. 25, 2002, teaches a putter precision machined to have a concave horizontal face from the heel to toe of the hitting face. The curvature of the concave horizontal face may range from an arc of a five-foot radius circle to an arc of a one-foot radius circle with the center point at the center of the hole. Accordingly, the curvature of the striking face ranges from the reciprocal of five feet to the reciprocal of one foot. Markings on the top surface assist with both aiming and centering the ball in the curvature. The marking is an arc of a concentric circle of the golf ball in front of the putter face and has a radius of curvature which is a function of the radius from the center point of a golf ball abutting the striking face.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,035, issued Jun. 29, 1999 to Caiozzo, discloses a putter head having an elongate flat front hitting surface, an arcuate cavity extending from the back surface toward the hitting surface, and a substantially semicircular rear section attached to and extending back from the front section. The rear section has a semicircular lip arranged around the edge, and a keyhole-shaped cutout extending from a rearmost point of the rear section toward a center point of the front section. The putter head has a beveled bottom surface encompassing the front and rear sections. Parallel grooves are arranged on the top surface of the front section. The grooves run in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the hitting surface and are arranged above the arcuate cavity. The grooves define an optimum area for hitting a golf ball.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,731, issued Jun. 22, 1999 to Westerman, shows a mallet-style putter head with a blade front surface attached such that its bottom surface is suspended above the bottom surface of the mallet portion for reducing unwanted scuffing of the putting surface during the striking of the golf ball. The mallet portion has its mass uniformly distributed between heel and toe portions of the mallet portion. A shaft extends upwardly from a heel of the mallet portion and includes a double bend spaced from the mallet portion for positioning a shaft handle above the blade portion and providing face balancing to the putter. The mass of the mallet portion is sufficient for reducing torque on the shaft during the striking of the golf ball and provides a desirable feel for the golfer during the putting stroke. Alignment aids include a smoothly contoured channel carried within a top surface of the mallet portion which forms opposing parallel side wall edges transversely spaced by the diameter of the golf ball for aligning the golf ball within imaginary lines extending forward from the opposing side wall edges through the front face.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,078, issued Nov. 3, 1998, to McMahan, teaches a putter head having a planar front surface and a rear portion of the club head includes a cantilever portion including a semi-circular arc bisected by a centerline extending substantially perpendicular to the front surface. The semi-circular arc includes a expansion which moves the center of mass of the rear portion a distance rearward of the respective centers of mass of the heel and toe portions and rearward of the combined center of mass of the heel and toe portions. Front and rear sighting lines may also be included along the central axis of the club head at or near the top edge of the head or on the expansion of the cantilever portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,070, issued Nov. 28, 1995, to Bendo, discloses a putter having a T-shaped head with an elongated stem extending rearwardly from the front face and laterally extending arms which terminate in integral enlargements that form weights. The stem and arms of the T-shape have a forward, normally vertically arranged surface which provide a ball striking surface on the head. Markings may be formed on the upper surface of the arms and stem for providing sight lines for aiming the stem along a desired direction.

The foregoing patents and prior art devices reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, these patents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of prospective claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described herein. Moreover, many of the disclosed putters have a “busy” appearance, making alignment at address a needlessly cerebral affair. Still further problems reside in the sometimes exotic, and even displeasing appearance that the putters must assume to embody the disclosed technology.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved putter head having a grid pattern with unique alignment characteristics and features.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved putter head having an alignment enhancing grid pattern formed of line elements arranged generally according to the golden mean, golden ratio, golden proportion, divine proportion, extreme ratio, golden section, golden cut, or sectio divina, as it is variously known.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved putter head that gives the user increased confidence resulting from the geometric balance inherent in its alignment aiding grid pattern.

A further object or feature of the present invention is a new and improved putter head comprising a block of material that itself is dimensioned according to the golden ratio.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novel putter head having a grid pattern on its top surface which includes parallel ball bracketing lines that assist in placing the center of mass of the putter head behind the ball at address and directing it at the center of mass of the ball through impact.

Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention does not reside in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.

There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the putter head of the present invention showing the putter positioned in relation to a ball, as it would be at address in preparation for a putt;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the putter head showing the top surface and visual alignment grid;

FIG. 3 is a rear side view in elevation taken along the lines shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view looking toward either the heel or toe portion of the first preferred embodiment, each view being identical in visual features;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the putter head;

FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation taken along the lines shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view looking toward either the heel or toe portion of a second preferred embodiment, each view being identical in visual features;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a third preferred embodiment of the inventive putter head;

FIG. 9 is a side view in elevation taken along the lines shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view looking toward either the heel or toe portion of a third preferred embodiment, each view being identical in visual features;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a fourth preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a fifth preferred embodiment.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 100 putter head
• 110 block
• 120 top surface
• 130 bottom surface
• 140 toe portion
• 150 heel portion
• 160a ball-striking surface
• 160b ball-striking surface
• 170 grid
• 180 horizontal line
• 185 toe portion intermediate horizontal line
• 190 horizontal line
• 195 heel portion horizontal line
• 200 vertical line
• 210 vertical line
• 220 horizontal centerline
• 230 toe portion of vertical centerline
• 230′ heel portion of vertical centerline
• 240 apex
• 240 apex
• B golf ball
• 260 intersection point of centerlines
• 270 shaft hole
• 230′ heel portion of vertical centerline
• 300 second preferred embodiment
• 310 block
• 320 top surface
• 330 a bottom surface
• 340 a toe portion
• 350 a heel portion
• 350a front ball-striking surface
• 360b rear ball-striking surface
• 370 visual indicator grid
• 380a upper horizontal line
• 380b upper ball bracketing line
• 390a lower horizontal line
• 390b lower ball bracketing line
• 400 front vertical line
• 410 rear vertical line
• 420 horizontal centerline
• 430 vertical centerline
• 440 apex
• 450 apex
• δ distance between ball bracketing lines
• 460 intersection point of horizontal and vertical centerlines
• 470 shaft hole
• S club shaft
• ABCD upper rectangle
• DCEF lower rectangle
• 500 third preferred embodiment
• 510 heel portion
• 520 toe portion
• 530a front surface
• 530b rear surface
• 600 fourth preferred embodiment
• 610 rectangle
• 620 rectangle
• 630 rectangle
• 640 rectangle
• 650 toe
• 660 heel
• 670 front side
• 680 back side
• 690 grid forming rectangle
• 700 grid forming rectangle
• 710 grid forming rectangle
• 720 grid forming rectangle
• 800 fifth preferred embodiment
• 810 rectangle
• 820 rectangle
• 830 rectangle
• 840 rectangle
• 850 toe
• 860 heel
• 870 front side
• 880 back side
• 890 grid forming rectangle
• 900 grid forming rectangle
• 910 grid forming rectangle
• 920 grid forming rectangle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 12, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved golf putter head, the illustrative five preferred embodiments of which are herein generally denominated 100, 300, and 500, 600, and 800, respectively.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the inventive putter head 100, showing that the novel apparatus comprises a mallet-style block 110 with its mass substantially evenly distributed, and having a substantially planar top surface 120, a bottom surface 130 (preferably substantially planar), a toe portion 140, a heel portion 150, and at least one planar ball-striking surface 160a, 160b, one of which will comprise a back surface, depending on the side from which the user putts.

The planar top surface of the putter head includes visual alignment indicator lines comprising a grid 170 of a tone or color that sharply contrasts with the color or tone of the block. Preferably the block is black and the grid is white, though any of a number of suitable contrasting colors and tones can be employed. The grid includes, at a minimum, parallel upper and lower horizontally disposed lines, 180, 190, respectively; parallel front and rear vertically disposed lines, 200, 210, respectively; a horizontal centerline 220 parallel to the upper and lower horizontally disposed lines; and a vertical centerline having a toe portion 230 and a heel portion 230′, each being parallel to the front and rear vertically disposed lines. Preferably, the grid also includes a toe portion intermediate horizontal line 185 disposed between the upper horizontal line and the horizontal centerline, and a heel portion intermediate horizontal line 195 disposed between the lower horizontal line and the horizontal centerline.

Collectively, the horizontal and vertical lines form a grid of eight rectangles: four equally-sized small exterior rectangles and four equally-sized large interior rectangles. The short sides of the smaller (uppermost and lowermost) rectangles have a length x that is substantially in the golden ratio relative to the length of the short sides y of the larger rectangles. That is:
(y+x)÷y=y÷x

As is well known, this ratio is an irrational number with a value of 1.618033989. However, as a practical matter, manufacturing limitations do not permit such careful control of the grid dimensions, and the sides therefore have a ratio with a value of approximately 1.618.

Next, the vertical centerline is immediately above the longitudinal axis of the center of mass of the block. Further, it will be appreciated that in the first preferred embodiment, the heel and toe portions are each convex, curving gently outwardly from the center of the block, each having an apex 240, 250, intersected by a hypothetical projection or extension of the vertical centerline.

The horizontal centerline is immediately above the lateral axis of the center of mass of the block. Accordingly, the horizontal centerline may be employed as an aid to aligning the putter head with the center of mass of a golf ball B for solid contact. Additionally, the horizontal centerline and the vertical centerline intersect at a point 260 immediately above the geometric center and the center of mass of the block, which point is also the uppermost tangent to the shaft hole 270 into which the club shaft S is installed at an angle suited to the user's needs. If extended hole 270 into which the club shaft S is installed at an angle suited to the user's needs. If extended beyond the upper and lower horizontally disposed lines, the vertical centerline would intersect the apices of each of the convex arcs at the heel and toe portions. Preferably, the center of mass of that portion of the shaft embedded in the block is coincident with the center of mass of the block. In each of the preferred embodiments, the center of mass of the putter head block lies substantially on the horizontal centerline, whether or not it is located on the vertical centerline. Overall, then, the putter head of the present invention is geometrically and structurally balanced with no element that would compromise or undermine the subtle cues that inform proper alignment and mechanics in the putting stroke.

As the element name implies, the visual indicator lines are employed as an aid to alignment. In the instant invention, the vertically disposed lines are used to help see, track, and select the intended line and the intermediate alignment point. The heel portion 230′ of the vertical centerline 230, as viewed from above while addressing the ball, should be not visible either in the setup or stroke. If the user's head is too far forward or too far back at setup, he or she will see the line on either side of the shaft. Also if the user fans the face open or closed, he or she will see the line which will indicate that he is swinging the putter on the proper swing plane. If the hands are pressed too far forward or too far back at address, he will see the heel middle line. All of these things are intended to help develop a solid and connected setup of your hands, arms and body to the putter. Using this visual indicator as described, the correct setup forces the user to position his eyes behind the ball and over the intended line of the putt, which also facilitates seeing the line better.

Ideally the ratio of the length of the block (as measured from the tip of the toe to the base of the heel) to the width of the block (as measured from the front to rear planar striking surfaces), preferably conform to the golden ratio (1.618033989), or a substantial approximation thereof. It is known that rectangles having these dimensional ratios are most pleasing to the eye, and it is submitted that this phenomenon contributes to the overall effectiveness of the alignment system of the inventive apparatus. More specifically, the putter head of the present invention includes alignment indicating geometry that closely approximates the golden proportion not merely because such the proportion is pleasing to the eye, but because it facilitates a more accurate perception of the optimum putting line and initial direction of the line of the putt.

Accordingly, preferred dimensions of the inventive putter head include a length of 4.0 inches, a width of 2.5 inches, and a height (measured from the top to the bottom surface) of 0.979 inches. As will be readily appreciated by those with skill in the art, different lengths and widths could be used while preserving the desired ratio, and there is nothing in the inventive design that necessitates the specific preferred dimensions described herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, in a second preferred embodiment 300, the inventive putter head is generally identical to the first preferred embodiment, thus comprising a block 310 with an evenly distributed mass, a planar top surface 320, a bottom surface 330, a toe portion 340, a heel portion 350, and front and rear planar surfaces 360a, 360b, each of may be employed for striking putts.

The visual indicator grid 370 includes an upper horizontal line 380a, an upper ball bracketing line 380b, respectively, each disposed above the shaft hole; as well as a lower horizontal line, 390a, and a lower ball bracketing line 390b, respectively, each disposed below the shaft hole, and all of which are parallel to one another. The grid further includes front and rear vertically disposed lines, 400, 410, respectively. A horizontal centerline 420 is parallel to all other horizontally disposed lines, and a vertical centerline 430 is parallel to the front and rear vertically disposed lines. In this second preferred embodiment, the heel and toe portions are each concave, curving gently inward toward the center of the block from substantially the front planar surface 360a to the rear planar surface 360b, and each having an apex 440, 450, intersected by a hypothetical extension of the vertical centerline 430.

As suggested in FIG. 5, the distance δ between the ball bracketing lines is that of the diameter of a golf ball, preferably the smallest diameter of a ball allowed under the USGA Rules of Golf, Appendix III, i.e., 1.680 inches (42.67 mm). Thus, using the ball bracketing lines the player may literally bracket the golf ball at address and during the stroke. These lines alone will assist the user in finding the geometric center of mass of the inventive putter head, as that point is located precisely between the ball bracketing lines and behind the front surface 360a. The horizontal centerline 420 complements the ball-bracketing lines in aiding the user to place the center of mass of the putter head directly behind the center of mass of the golf ball, both preparatory to and during the stroke.

As in the first preferred embodiment, the vertical centerline of the second preferred embodiment is immediately above the longitudinal axis of the center of mass of the block and the horizontal centerline is immediately above the lateral axis of the center of mass of the block. Again, the horizontal centerline may be employed as an aid to aligning the putter head with the center of mass of a golf ball B for solid contact. And, again, the horizontal centerline and the vertical centerline intersect at a point 460 immediately above the center of mass of the block, which point is also the uppermost tangent to the shaft hole 470 into which the club shaft S is inserted.

If the block of the putter head is not made in substantial conformity with dimensions conforming to the golden ratio, it is preferable that the length-to-width ratio of the sides of the upper and lower rectangles, ABCD and DCEF, respectively, be substantially those of the golden ratio. In fact, it is more important that the rectangles immediately above and below the shaft be the golden ratio than it is that the block itself be dimensioned to embody the golden ratio. Accordingly, in view of the fact that the ball bracketing lines are separated 1.680 inches (±0.10 inches) in diameter, the ideal distance from ball bracketing lines 380b and 390b to horizontal centerline 420 is 0.82 inches (±0.10 inches), and the length of the lines AB and FE is 1.359 (±0.10 inches); i.e., 0.82 inches multiplied by 1.6180. With these geometric principles incorporated into the visual indicator grid atop the upper surface of the block, the block may take any of a number of functional shapes having a balanced distribution of mass about the center of mass of the putter head. This is seen most clearly in the slightly more complex (but nonetheless balanced) designs shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, in a third preferred embodiment 500, the putter head of the present invention is substantially identical to the second preferred embodiment in all of its elements, features, and characteristics, with the exception that the concave heel and toe portions, 510, 520, do not extend from substantially the front and rear planar surfaces 530a, 530b. Rather, the concavity comprises an interior region of the heel and toe portions, thereby leaving the block with a substantially rectangular appearance.

Once again, it is more important that the rectangles ABCD and DCEF embody the golden ratio than it is that the putter head block do so. Indeed, as FIGS. 11 and 12 show, fourth and fifth preferred embodiments, 600 and 800, respectively, include variations on the placement of the geometric elements of the present invention. In these embodiments, representing a dome-shaped putter head 600, and bell-shaped putter head 800, the rectangles comprising the golden mean are rotated relative to those presented on the top surface of the earlier embodiments. Accordingly, in FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, rectangles 610, 620, 630, and 640, and 810, 820, 830, and 840 are arranged so that the shortest sides of the side-by-side rectangles are adjacent as viewed from putter head toe 650 to heel 660, and 850, 860. Thus, the longest sides are adjacent as viewed from putter head front 670 to back 680, and 870, 880. In each embodiment, additional rectangles 690, 700, 710, 720, and 890, 900, 910, 920, are included to provide the advantageous grid pattern that aids in alignment.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. For instance, the bottom surface of the block can be manufactured to have a beveled surface, wherein with the block inverted, so that the bottom surface is uppermost, all sides of the block can slope inwardly to form a truncated tetrahedron with all of the bevels having a trapezoidal shape. This will also help in elevating the center of mass of the putter well above the ground and above the horizontal line running through the center of mass of the ball, thus ensuring that the ball, when struck, tends to roll over, rather than pop up into the air, as happens with putters having a center of mass below the line through the center of mass of the ball.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A golf putter head, comprising a putter head block having having a toe portion, a heel portion, at least one planar ball-striking surface, a bottom surface, and a top surface having a visual alignment indicator, wherein either said putter head block or said visual alignment indicator includes line elements sized in accordance with the golden ratio.

2. The putter of claim 1, wherein said visual alignment indicator is a grid comprising a plurality of lines including parallel upper and lower horizontal lines, parallel front and rear vertical lines, a horizontal centerline parallel to said upper and lower horizontal lines, a toe portion intermediate horizontal line disposed between said horizontal centerline and said upper horizontal line, a heel portion intermediate horizontal line disposed between said said horizontal centerline and said lower horizontal line, and a vertical centerline parallel to said front and rear vertical lines.

3. The putter head of claim 2, wherein said horizontal and vertical lines form a grid of eight rectangles.

4. The putter head of claim 3, wherein said rectangles include four equally-sized large interior rectangles and four equally sized small exterior rectangles.

5. The putter head of claim 4, wherein the short sides of said small rectangles and the length y of said short sides of said large rectangles are substantially in the golden ratio.

6. The putter head of claim 2, wherein said putter head block has a longitudinal axis of a center of mass, said vertical centerline includes a toe portion and a heel portion, and said toe portion of said vertical centerline is disposed above said longitudinal axis of the center of mass of said putter head block.

7. The putter head of claim 2, wherein one or more of said heel and toe portions are convex.

8. The putter head of claim 7, wherein said heel and toe portions each include an apex which intersects an extension of said vertical centerline.

9. The putter head of claim 2, wherein one or more of said heel and toe portions are concave.

10. The putter head of claim 2, wherein said putter head block includes a lateral axis of the center of mass, and wherein said horizontal centerline is disposed above said lateral axis of the center of mass of said putter head block.

11. The putter head of claim 2, wherein said horizontal centerline and said vertical centerline intersect at a point disposed immediately above the geometric center and center of mass of said putter head block.

12. The putter head of claim 11, wherein said point is a tangent to a shaft hole into which the a golf club shaft is installed at an angle.

13. The putter head of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of said block to the width of said block is substantially that of the golden ratio.

14. The putter head of claim 2, including upper and lower ball bracketing lines separated by a distance approximately that of the diameter of a regulation golf ball.

15. The putter head of claim 14, wherein said horizontal centerline is evenly positioned between said upper and lower ball bracketing lines.

16. The putter head of claim 2, wherein said putter head block is dome-shaped.

17. The putter head of claim 2, wherein said putter head block is bell-shaped.

18. A golf putter head, comprising:

a putter head block having a top surface with line elements arranged generally according to the golden mean.

19. The putter head of claim 18, wherein said line elements form a plurality of rectangles.

20. The putter head of claim 19, wherein said rectangles in combination include at least two lines that bracket and center a golf ball at address.