Golf putting training template

A golf putting template for training golfers to more accurately putt a golf ball towards the cup along the preferred line of travel has a base member with an open area at its forward end that extends rearwardly to define a ball placement area and a center position for placement of the golf ball. An aim line extends rearwardly from the center position for aligning the template with a target line marked on the ground. An arc line extends rearwardly from the center position in a substantially elliptical direction to define the travel of the putter head during the back and forward strokes, which is achieved through rotation of the golfer's shoulders. Tracking lines perpendicularly intersect the arc line to guide the putter head face during the putting stroke. A plurality of follow-through lines guide the follow-through swing. Alignment indicia align the golfer's feet and stance relative to the template.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The field of the present invention relates generally to golf training devices and methods. In particular, the present invention relates to golf training devices and methods that are specifically directed to improving a golfer's putting techniques. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such putting training aids that are provided in a flat plate or plate-like configuration for ease of use and portability.

B. Background

Golfing is one of the most popular played sports throughout the world, on both a competitive and recreational level. One of the most important aspects of golfing is putting the ball once it lands on the green around the hole or cup. Because golfing requires a relatively high amount of skill to properly hit the golf ball in the desired direction and with the desired amount of force, the vast majority of people take golf lessons and must practice on a relatively routine and frequent basis. This is particularly true with putting. Although driving the ball to get to the green is very important to the game of golf, the inability to putt the ball into the hole once it is on the green is often one of the most frustrating problems for the amateur and professional golfer alike. While many golfers may adequately learn techniques to drive the ball further and straighter, or other desired direction, the lack of proper putting skills is very common and generally results in an undesirable high score from multiple missed putts. It is well known that in order to be successful at putting it is important for the golfer to learn and practice the proper putting techniques so that he or she will be able to develop a consistent, high quality putting stroke.

Studies of putting techniques generally indicate that the number one reason most golfers have difficulty putting is due to bad or improper aim. As used in the present disclosure, the “preferred line” is the path that the golf ball should follow between where it is located when hit and the cup in order for the golf ball to end up in the cup. Bad aim results in a golf ball that travels to the left or right of this preferred line. As a result of the golfer's inability to properly aim the golf ball towards the cup along this preferred line, the golfer generally compensates his or her putting stroke to produce a stroke that attempts to “steer” the golf ball towards the cup. The steered stroke typically manifests itself when the golfer tries to guide the golf ball by taking the putter straight back and then moves it forward in a manner that guides the face of the putter head down the preferred line to the cup. Unfortunately, the failure to properly aim the stroke down the preferred line makes developing a consistent putting stroke very difficult for the golfer.

Another common problem many golfers have with putting is failing to hit the golf ball at the desired location on the putter head face. To obtain the desired distance and straight ball travel, the area of the center of gravity of the putter head should be what strikes the golf ball. The portion of the putter face which is directly forward of the center of gravity of the putter head is commonly referred to as the “sweet spot”. Failure to hit the golf ball exactly at this sweet spot is very likely to result in errant or misdirected travel for the ball (i.e., travel to the left or right of the preferred line). Generally, the further away from the sweet spot that the golf ball is struck by the putter head, the more misdirected the golf ball will travel. A golf ball hit towards the toe of the putter head will generally travel to the right of the preferred line and a golf ball hit towards the heel of the putter head will travel to the left of the preferred line. As is well known, a golf ball deviating to the right or left of the preferred line will not get to the cup and will result in a higher score.

Yet another common problem most golfers have with putting is the inability to properly contact the golf ball with the putter head. The general goal of a good putting stroke is to strike the golf ball with the face of the putter at a point in the swing where the plane of the putter head face is generally perpendicular or square with the desired direction of travel. To achieve the desired contact with the golf ball the golfer must properly hold and guide the putter head while rotating his or her shoulders during the putting stroke. As is well known, this is not easy to achieve. In order to be somewhat successful with putting, the golfer must train his or her body to swing the putter through the putting stroke in a manner that results in the putter head face perpendicularly striking the golf ball.

Over the years, a number of training devices for teaching golfers a proper or preferred putting stroke have been patented. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,870 to Froggatte discloses an alignment guide for practice putting comprising a base having perpendicular target and putter face lines and a pair of spaced apart guide rails secured to the base parallel to the preferred line and forming a channel for the putter head. U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,343 to O'Conner, et al., describes a golf putt training apparatus that has a pair of mutually opposing guide rails that each have a plurality of rigid teeth projecting towards the opposing guide rail to guide the putter head along the preferred line. U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,486 to Sweinhart describes a putter practice apparatus having a frame structure with an upper horizontal bar member that acts as a guide for the putter shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,920 to Hamilton describes a golf putting guide that has a vertical front surface facing the ball that is part of the elliptical vertical projection of desired swing path of the putter head. The heel of the putter head slides along the front surface of the guide to guide the putter in a swing circle centered between the golfer's shoulders. This device is commercially available as The Putting Arc® from The Putting Arc, Inc. U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,852 to Kim describes a putting guide comprising a rectangular frame that defines a path for the putter head. Back and front stop members define the beginning and end of the putting stroke. U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,106 to Adams discloses a putting stroke training device that comprises a flat base with an adjustable channel running its length to define a path for the putter head. U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,685 describes a golf putting device having a base plate and a pair of elongated members slidably mounted on the base plate to form a guide for the putter head. U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,557 to Casillas, et al. discloses a putting practice device that comprises a mat having a pair of parallel, separated raised portions that define a putting stroke path. U.S. Pat. No. 2,866,645 to Cayot describes a putting practice device comprising a plate having two upstanding parallel rails on which the golf ball is placed and an upstanding wall, parallel to the rails, which the toe of the putter head travels in a parallel direction during the putting stroke. Although the foregoing are configured to assist the golfer with his or her putting stroke, they do so by controlling the movement of the putter head or golf ball through an artificial mechanism. While repetitious use of these devices may ultimately improve the golfer's putting skills, the forgoing devices do not optimally train the golfer's body and mind to move in a manner that will best achieve the desired putting stroke.

The use of mats, plates and other generally planar devices for use in training golf putting are also known in the art and the subject of patents. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,719 to Franklin describes a golf putting teaching aid comprising a mat-like putting surface having a cup near one end and a plurality of putting guide patterns on the upper surface of the mat. U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,625 to Miner describes a putting practice device comprising a thin, flat T-shaped member having an elongated portion with a centerline thereon and a V-shaped notch in the T-shaped member that connects to the centerline at the apex of the V. A sighting bore is positioned on the centerline of the base for proper positioning of the golfer's head. U.S. Pat. No. 2,992,005 to Lockhart describes a putting guide comprising a thin, generally rectangular sheet having a rectangular notch at one end with a direction line along the centerline of the sheet that intersects the center of the notch for placement of the ball and guidance of the putter head to the ball. Although the foregoing patents describe generally mat or mat-like putting training devices to improve the golfer's putting stroke, they are configured only to guide the putter head along a straight line to the golf ball. As such, they do not provide putting training devices that effectively train the golfer's body to properly putt the golf ball.

What is needed, therefore, is an improved golf putting training device that is provided in a generally thin, flat mat or mat-like configuration for ease of use and portability. The preferred golf putting training device will not require the movement of the putter or golf ball to be controlled by the training device so as to optimize the training of the golfer's body to properly putt the golf ball. The preferred golf putting training device will facilitate correct movement of the putter head through the putting stroke so as to contact the golf ball at the sweet spot of the putter head and with the face generally perpendicular to the preferred line. The preferred golf putting training device will also facilitate assisting the golfer with proper aim of his or her putt along the preferred line. The preferred golf putting training device will also assist the golfer with proper placement of his or her feet relative to the position of the golf ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The golf putting training template of the present invention provides the benefits and solves the problems identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses a golf putting training template that effectively and efficiently trains the golfer to more accurately putt the golf ball towards the cup. In the preferred embodiment, the golf putting training template of the present invention is configured as a mat-like template that is easily utilized on the ground and easy to transport. The golf putting training template does not utilize any non-golfer external control of the putter head and/or golf ball, thereby optimizing the golfer's putting training by effectively teaching the golfer's body to properly putt the golf ball towards the cup. The golf putting training template of the present invention has a arc line with plurality of parallel putter head face lines that corresponds to the proper direction of travel and angle for the putter head during the putting stroke to visually guide the sweet spot to the golf ball. The present invention has a plurality of parallel follow-through lines to train the golfer on the proper follow through for his or her putt. The golf putting training template of the present invention has an aim line that is configured to assist the golfer with aiming his or her golf ball along the preferred line towards the cup.

In one aspect of the present invention, the golf putting training template has a forward base member and a rear base member that are placed in abutting relationship to define the template base member. In an alternative embodiment, the base member can be a single component, made of two or more hingedly joined components or more than two components. An open area extends rearwardly from the first end of the base member, positioned towards the cup or hole where the golf ball is to be aimed, to define a ball placement area configured to receive the golf ball. At the rearward side of the open area is a center position that defines where the center of the golf ball is positioned during use. An aim line extends rearward from the center position and is used to align the template with a target line that is drawn at least partially along the preferred line the golf ball should take to reach the cup or hole. An arc line extends rearward in a substantially elliptical manner from the center position towards the first or golfer side of the template. In the preferred embodiment, the base member has a plurality of tracking lines that more or less perpendicularly intersect the arc line to provide a guide for the golfer's swing during his or her backstroke and forward stroke by aligning the face of the putter head with the tracking lines. The arc line defines the preferred travel of the putter head during the putting stroke, which is achieved by rotation of the golfer's shoulders. On the forward side of the center position the base member comprises a plurality of follow-through lines that guide, by keeping the face of the putter head parallel thereto, the golfer's follow-through swing. To assist with the golfer's feet positioning, the base member of the preferred embodiment of the template includes a stance line for aligning the middle of the golfer's stance and indicia for positioning the golfer's left and right feet. Positioning apertures on the base member are used for securing the template to the ground or other surface. Using the template of the present invention, the golfer rotates his or her shoulders to swing the putter head along the arc line and then hit the sweet spot of the putter head solidly against the golf ball to direct the golf ball toward the cup.

In use, the golfer first marks a target line along at least a portion of the preferred line the golf ball should take to the cup or hole. The golfer places the first end, having the open area, towards the cup and aligns the aim line on the template with the target line on the ground. In the preferred embodiment, the template is secured to the ground, with the aim line in alignment with the target line, by placing a golf tee through each of one or more positioning apertures. The golf ball is placed at the ball placement area and the golfer stands near the template with the middle of his or her stance aligned with the stance line and his or her feet aligned with the feet alignment indicia. The sweet spot of the putter head is placed adjacent the golf ball. The golfer rotates his or her shoulders to swing the putter head along the arc line while keeping the putter head face in alignment with the tracking lines that perpendicularly intersect the arc line. The sweet spot of the putter head face contacts the golf ball to direct the golf ball towards the cup while the golfer continues to rotate his or her shoulders and keeps the putter head face substantially aligned with the follow-through lines on the forward side of the base member. Using the template of the present invention for putting practice will result in the golfer training his body how to correctly and consistently putt the golf ball.

Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a golf putting training template that provides the advantages discussed above and overcomes the disadvantages and limitations which are associated with presently available golf putting training devices.

An important objective of the present invention is to provide a golf putting training template that optimizes putter training by more effectively teaching the golfer's body and eyes to recognize the correct putting stroke (peripheral vision) without utilizing any guide members, channeling devices or other non-golfer control mechanisms to guide the putter head to the golf ball.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a golf putting training template that helps train the golfer to improve the aim of his or her putt along the preferred line.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a golf putting training template that is in a flat plate or plate-like configuration to facilitate ease of use and portability thereof.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a golf putting training template that provides for rotation of the golfer's shoulders during the putting stroke by guiding the putter head along an arc line on the upper surface of the template to direct the sweet spot of the putter head to the golf ball with the putter head face perpendicular to the preferred stroke path.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a golf putting training template having an upper surface configured to visually train the golfer's swing through the entire putting stroke.

The above and other objectives of the present invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of processes presently described and understood by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a golfer using a golf putting training template configured according to the principles of the present invention to practice using a putter to hit a golf ball towards a cup;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a golf putting training template configured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the forward section of the golf putting training template of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of the rear half of the golf putting training template of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an isolated perspective view showing the sweet spot on the putter head before it contacts the ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. As is understood by those skilled in the art, the enclosed figures and drawings are merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment and represents one of several different ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are set forth below and illustrated in the drawings, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For purposes of this disclosure, references are generally to a two-piece golf putting training template, however, it is understood that the disclosure herein applies to a single piece template or a template configured from more than two separate pieces.

A golf putting training template that is manufactured out of the components and configured pursuant to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally as 10 in the figures. As shown in FIG. 1, a golfer 12 utilizes golf putting training template 10 with a putter 14 having a putter head 16 to putt a golf ball 18 towards a hole or cup 20 along its preferred line, shown as 22. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, template 10 comprises two separate template sections, forward section 24 and rear section 26 that are shown in abutting relationship in FIGS. 1 and 2 and separately in FIGS. 3 and 4. Forward section 24 comprises a substantially planar and thin mat or mat-like forward base member 28 having a first end 30, an opposing second end 32, a first side 34 and an opposing second side 36, as best shown in FIG. 3, and rear section 26 comprises a substantially planar and thin mat or mat-like rear base member 38 having a first end 40, an opposing second end 42, a first side 44 and an opposing second side 46, as best shown in FIG. 4. As apparent from FIG. 1, when forward section 24 is placed in abutting relationship with rear section 26, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first or forward end of template 10 corresponds to first end 30 and the second or rearward end of template 10 corresponds to second end 42. As explained in more detail below and shown in FIG. 1, the first end 30 of forward section 24 is placed toward ball 18 when golfer 12 utilizes template 10 for putting training and rear section 26 is placed against forward section 24 in a position rearward thereof, relative to ball 18. Generally, template 10 will be placed on the ground 48, such as a substantially flat area of a golf course putting green, during use for putting training. Using template 10, the golfer will direct the sweet spot 50 of putter head face 51, shown in FIG. 5, of putter head 16 towards golf ball 18.

In the preferred embodiment of template 10 of the present invention, forward 28 and rear 38 base members are made from a lightweight, generally rigid material, such as a variety of plastics including acrylic (i.e., polymethyl methacrylate). Although it is not intended for the putter head 16 to contact template 10 during use thereof, the materials for base members 28 and 38 should be selected to be sufficiently durable to withstand such impact in case the golfer 12 inadvertently hits base members 28 and 38 while training. Although the preferred embodiment shows template 10 comprising two separate base members 28 and 38, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention is not so limited. Template 10 can comprise a single base member, two or more base members that are hingedly joined or more than two separate base members. The inventor has found the present configuration to provide a template 10 which is storable, portable and easy to utilize.

Forward section 24, best shown in FIG. 3, has an open area 52 that extends forward from stance line 54 to the first end 30 and which defines a ball placement area 56 just forward of stance line 54. Stance line 54 is for the golfer 12 to align the middle of his or her stance with when using template 10. Edges 58 and 59 of open area 52 diverge from the forward edge of stance line 54 for unobstructed travel of golf ball 18 past front end 30 after it is hit by putter head 16. The center of ball placement area 56, identified as center position 60, is the position where the center bottom of golf ball 18 is placed against the rearward side of open area 52. In the preferred embodiment, edges 58 and 59 diverge in a generally symmetrical manner in relation to the aim line 62, which extends rearward from center position 60 towards second end 42 of rear base member 38 (as explained in more detail in regard to rear section 26 below). In the preferred embodiment, ball placement area 56 is configured such that when the golf ball 18 is placed therein at center position 60, the rear facing edge of golf ball 18 is positioned at ball contact point 64, which is where golf ball 18 is to be hit by the sweet spot 50 of putter head 16. The bottom side of golf ball 18 rests on the ground and, if hit properly, will travel along the preferred line 22 to cup 20. Along edges 58 and 59 are one or more follow-through lines, shown as first follow-through line 66, second follow-through line 68 and third follow-through line 70. The follow-through lines 66, 68 and 70 are utilized to guide the movement of the putter head 16 after it hits golf ball 18. Proper follow-through of the putt will result in the plane of the putter face 51 moving across open space 52 parallel to follow-through lines 66, 68 and 70.

The preferred embodiment of forward section 24 also includes a visual head guide 72 on stance line 54 that the golfer 12 can utilize to assist him or her to insure that he or she has their head properly over golf ball 18 when putting. As shown, visual head guide 72 is also configured to help the golfer 12 more clearly direct the sweet spot 50 of putter head 16 to ball contact point 64. Located at the first end 30 of first side 34 is left foot alignment mark 74 that is utilized to assist the golfer 12 in properly placing his or her left foot when utilizing template 10 for putting training purposes. Generally, the golfer will place his or her left big toe in alignment with left foot alignment mark 74 at the first side 34 of forward base member 28. The preferred embodiment of forward section 24 also includes two forward positioning apertures 76 that are used by the golfer 12 to hold forward section 24 in place during putting practice. Preferably, the forward positioning apertures 76 are sized and configured to receive a golf tee, not shown, therein. Golf tees are useful for the holding mechanism due to the fact golfer 12 generally has a supply of such tees readily available. Forward section 24 also has fourth tracking line 88, the purpose of which is explained in relation to FIG. 4 below.

Rear section 26, best shown in FIG. 4, primarily comprises the main portion of aim line 62 and arc line 80, which is the track of the putting stroke that the golfer 12 will follow when using template 10 to putt golf ball 18. As best shown in FIG. 2, aim line 62 extends rearward from the center position 60 of ball placement area 56. As explained in more detail below, the purpose of aim line 62 is to facilitate proper placement of the template 10 relative to cup 20. Arc line 80 extends rearward from the center position 60 in a substantially elliptical direction towards first side 44 of rear base member 38 and is configured to represent the line that a golfer 12 takes when he or she is allowed to naturally swing putter 14 as the result of a controlled turn of the golfer's shoulders. During use of template 10, putter head 16 will follow along arc line 80 such that the plane of putter face 51 will remain perpendicular to the path of arc line 80, as illustrated by first tracking line 82, second tracking line 84, third tracking line 86 and fourth tracking line 88. The golfer will follow arc line 80, maintaining the face 51 of putter head 16 in alignment with tracking lines 82, 84, 86 and 88, which are approximately perpendicular (i.e., 88 to 92 degrees) to arc line 80, during both the backstroke and forward stroke. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the width of arc line 80 can increase from where it contacts stance line 54 to the second end 42 of rear section 26 to accommodate various sized golfers. Located generally along the first end 40 of the first side 44 of rear section 26 is right foot alignment mark 90. The right big toe of golfer 12 should be generally aligned within the area defined by right foot alignment mark 90. The toe positions set forth herein assumes the golfer's elbows are more in front of his or her stomach than on his or her side (which would cause the putter to tend to go back outside arc line 80). As with forward section 24, rear section 26 includes two rear positioning apertures 92 to hold rear section 26 in place during putting practice. As with forward positioning apertures 76, the rear positioning apertures 92 are preferably sized and configured to receive a golf tee, not shown, therein.

Use of template 10 of the present invention requires proper set-up on a substantially flat area of ground 48. Initially, the golfer 12 utilizes a chalk line to mark a target line 94, shown in FIG. 1, that corresponds to at least a portion of the preferred line 22, such as an approximately twelve inch portion of preferred line 22 that is located approximately eight feet from the cup 20. While the chalked target line 94 could extend the entire preferred line 22 distance to cup 20, this is generally not necessary as twelve inches is usually sufficient and about the extent that most people can aim correctly. With the chalked target line 94 in place, which the golfer 12 can make by marking a hole in the ground 48 with a tee or the like, the golfer 12 aligns aim line 62 on the forward section 24 with the target line 94 and secures the forward base member 28 to the green with golf tees through forward positioning apertures 76. Once forward section 24 is in place, the golfer places the first end 40 of rear base member 38 in abutting relation with the second end 32 of forward base member 28 and secures rear section 26 to the green by placing golf tees through the rear positioning apertures 92. Prior to beginning training, the golfer 12 should step back and ensure that aim line 62 is aimed directly down the chalked target line 94 to the center of the cup 20. If desired, the golfer can mark one or more golf balls 18 with a circular line around the center circumference of the golf ball 18. The golf ball 18 is placed at ball placement area 56 such that the circular line is in alignment with the chalked target line 94.

Once template 10 is secured in place, the golfer 12 places a golf ball 18 at ball placement area 56 such that the rearward facing side of the golf ball is at the ball contact point 64. The golfer 12 then places his left big toe in alignment with left foot alignment mark 74 and the right big toe in alignment with the right foot alignment mark 90 standing approximately twelve inches from the first sides 34 and 44 of forward base member 28 and rear base member 38, respectively. Depending whether the center of the putter head 16 is above or below the arc line 80, the golfer 12 may need to move slightly closer to or further away from the side of template 10. Once in the proper position, the center of the golfer's body is aligned with stance line 54 and golf ball 18 should be at or near the center of the golfer's stance. For proper stance, approximately 60% of the golfer's weight should be on his or her left foot. The golfer 12 then uses his or her normal putting grip, with soft grip pressure, standing upright with the elbows touching his or her body closer to the front of the golfer's body rather than the sides. The shoulders and arms should be relaxed. The golfer 12 then bends forward at the hips to place the putter head 16 at the start position, with sweet spot 50 adjacent to the ball contact point 64. While holding his or her head still, the golfer 12 rotates their shoulders such that the sweet spot 50 of putter head follows arc line 80, with the putter head face 51 being aligned with the tracking lines 82, 84, 86 and 88, to the end of the backstroke. No movement in the knees should take place. The golfer's grip on the putter 14 should be such that the putter head 16 will naturally follow the arc line 80 on template 10 when the shoulders turn. Regardless of grip, the angle of the backs of the left and right wrists must remain constant throughout the stroke. The golfer 12 watches the place where he or she wants sweet spot 50 on the putter head face 51 to strike golf ball 18. The wrists are not to move when the golfer 12 hits golf ball 18. The golf ball 18 is hit or tapped by the sweet spot 50 of putter head 16. The hit must be done with the shoulders and the one piece feeling created by the closeness of the elbows to the near front of the body. Once the putter head 16 hits golf ball 18, it must be allowed to follow through slightly by the upward turn of the left shoulder, which must continue to move upward during impact to get a good hit on golf ball 18. If the shoulders stop as contact takes place, the putter head 16 will decelerate. Generally, golfer 12 should imagine his or her forward line arc at nearly the same curve as the rearward arc line 80, although it may be very straight for a few inches at impact due to the tap of the ball 18, before it curves to the left. The speed with which putter head 16 hits golf ball 18 should be constant (i.e., no acceleration or deceleration) throughout the stroke. As stated above, the putter head 16 should not contact the surface of template 10 during the stroke. The plane of the putter head face 51 should be in alignment with follow-through lines 66, 68 and 70 after the golf ball 18 is hit. The key for use of template 10 is to have the plate of the putter head face 51 follow arc line 80 and stay as near as possible to near perpendicular (i.e., 88 degrees to 92 degrees) of arc line 80 (i.e., parallel to tracking lines 82, 84, 86 and 88) and not aim line 62. The goal is to learn to avoid forced manipulation of putter 14 (i.e., steering of the golf ball) and merely allow the putter head 16 to follow the arc created by the movement of the golfer's shoulders.

While there are shown and described herein a specific form of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape, and use. For instance, there are numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.

Claims

1. A golf putting training template for use by a golfer to putt a golf ball along a preferred line with a putter head having a sweet spot on a face thereof, said training template comprising;

a base member having a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side;
an open area beginning at said first end of said base member and extending rearward therefrom, said open area defining a ball placement area for receiving said golf ball, said base member having a center position at said ball placement area for alignment of said golf ball;
an aim line on said base member, said aim line extending rearward from said center position of said ball placement area; and
an arc line on said base member, said arc line extending rearward in a substantially elliptical direction from said center position of said ball placement area towards said first side of said base member.

2. The training template according to claim 1 further comprising a stance line on said base member, said stance line passing through said center position and defining the approximate middle of the stance of said golfer and a ball contact point.

3. The training template according to claim 2 further comprising a ball contact point on said stance line in alignment with said aim line, said ball contact point defining the position of contact between said golf ball and said sweet spot on said face of said putter head.

4. The training template according to claim 1 further comprising one or more tracking lines on said base member, each of said one or more tracking lines perpendicularly intersecting said arc line, said one or more tracking lines defining the desired travel of said putter head prior to hitting said golf ball.

5. The training template according to claim 1 further comprising one or more follow-through lines on said base member, each of said follow-through lines intersecting said open area and defining the desired travel of said putter head after hitting said golf ball.

6. The training template according to claim 5 further comprising one or more tracking lines on said base member, each of said one or more tracking lines perpendicularly intersecting said arc line.

7. The training template according to claim 6 further comprising a stance line on said base member, said stance line passing through said center position and defining the approximate middle of the stance of said golfer and a ball contact point.

8. The training template according to claim 1 further comprising a left foot alignment mark at said first end of said base member, said left foot alignment mark configured to generally align the left foot of said golfer.

9. The training template according to claim 8 further comprising a right foot alignment mark at said first side of said base member, said right foot alignment mark configured to generally align the right foot of said golfer.

10. The training template according to claim 1 further comprising a visual head guide on said base member at said center position, said visual head guide configured to align the head of said golfer.

11. The training template according to claim 1, wherein said base member further comprises one or more positioning apertures.

12. The training template according to claim 1, wherein said base member comprises a forward base member defining a forward section and a rear base member defining a rear section, said open area and said center position on said forward base member, said forward base member and said rear base member configured for placement in abutting relation to join said aim line and said arc line extending rearward from said center position onto said rear base member.

13. A golf putting training template for use by a golfer to putt a golf ball along a preferred line with a putter head having a sweet spot on a putter face thereof, said training template comprising;

a forward base member having a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side, said forward base member defining a forward section;
a rear base member having a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side, said rear base member defining a rear section, said first end of said rear base member configured to be placed in abutting relationship with said second end of said forward base member;
an open area on said forward section, said open area beginning at said first end of said forward base member and extending rearward therefrom, said open area defining a ball placement area for receiving said golf ball, said forward base member having a center position at said ball placement area for alignment of said golf ball;
an aim line on said forward base member and said rear base member, said aim line extending rearward from said center position of said ball placement area;
an arc line on said forward base member and said rear base member, said arc line extending rearward in a substantially elliptical direction from said center position of said ball placement area towards said first side of said rear base member;
one or more tracking lines on said rear base member, each of said one or more tracking lines perpendicularly intersecting said arc line, said one or more tracking lines defining the desired travel of said putter face prior to hitting said golf ball; and
one or more follow-through lines on said forward base member, each of said follow-through lines intersecting said open area and defining the desired travel of said putter head after hitting said golf ball.

14. The training template according to claim 13 further comprising a stance line on said forward base member, said stance line passing through said center position and defining the center of the stance of said golfer.

15. The training template according to claim 14 further comprising a ball contact point on said stance line in alignment with said aim line, said ball contact point defining the position of contact between said golf ball and said sweet spot on said face of said putter head.

16. The training template according to claim 13 further comprising a left foot alignment mark at said first end of said forward base member and a right foot alignment mark at said first end of said rear base member, said left foot alignment mark aligning the left foot of said golfer and said right foot alignment mark aligning the right foot of said golfer so as to place the middle of the stance of said golfer in substantial alignment with said center position.

17. The training template according to claim 16 further comprising a visual head guide on said forward base member at said center position, said visual head guide configured to align the head of said golfer.

18. The training template according to claim 13, wherein each of said forward base member and said rear base member further comprises one or more positioning apertures.

19. A method of utilizing a golf putting training template to practice putting a golf ball on a surface along a preferred line towards a cup with a putter head having a sweet spot on a face thereof, said method comprising the steps of:

a) Marking a target line along at least a portion of said preferred line;
b) Placing a first end of a base member towards said cup;
c) Aligning an aim line on said base member with said target line, said aim line extending rearward from a center position at a ball placement area defined in an open area at said first end of said base member, said open area beginning at said first end of said base member and extending rearward therefrom;
d) Securing said base member to said surface with said aim line linearly disposed relative to said target line;
e) Placing said golf ball at said ball placement area;
f) Standing adjacent to said base member such that the middle of the stance of said golfer is substantially aligned with a stance line on said base member at said center position;
g) Placing said sweet spot of said putter head adjacent said golf ball at said center position;
h) Rotating the shoulders of said golfer so as to swing said putter head along an arc line on said base member with said face of said putter head substantially parallel to one or more tracking lines on said base member, said arc line extending rearward in a substantially elliptical direction from said center position of said ball placement area, each of said one or more tracking lines perpendicularly intersecting said arc line; and
i) Contacting said golf ball with said sweet spot of said putter head so as to direct said golf ball towards said cup while continuing to rotate the shoulders of said golfer, said face of said putter head substantially aligned with one or more follow-through lines on said base member, each of said one or more follow-through lines intersecting said open area.

20. The training method according to claim 19 further comprising the step of aligning the left foot of said golfer with a left foot alignment mark at said first end of said base member and aligning the right foot of said golfer with a right foot alignment mark at said first side of said base member before said standing step, said left foot alignment mark and said right foot alignment mark configured to substantially align the middle of the stance of said golfer with said center position.

Patent History
Publication number: 20070173339
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 25, 2006
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2007
Inventor: Mark Rivard (Fresno, CA)
Application Number: 11/339,185
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 473/266.000; 473/270.000; 473/409.000
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101); A63B 57/00 (20060101);