Golf putter

Abstract

A golf putter including an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end with the shaft being tapered so as to have a larger diameter at its upper end than at its lower end. The shaft is approximately 3 feet 9 inches and has an elongated cylindrical, oversized grip approximately 2 feet 4 inches long mounted on the upper end of the shaft and which has a diameter of approximately 1 5/16th inches. A generally T-shaped putter head is secured to the lower end of the shaft in such a manner so that the shaft extends upwardly from the putter head at least 10° from vertical. The putter head has adjustable weights mounted at the rear end and at the forward sides thereof. The putter is preferably to be used as a side-straddle putter but may be used as a chest putter if so desired. A modified form of the golf putter is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/997,145 filed Oct. 1, 2007, entitled GOLF PUTTER.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a golf putter and more particularly to a golf putter which is primarily designed for use as a side-straddle putter but which also may be used as a chest putter. More particularly, in one embodiment, the golf putter of this invention includes an elongated, oversized grip which is approximately 2 feet 4 inches long and which is approximately 1 5/16^th inches in diameter. In another embodiment, a split grip is utilized.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many hundreds of different types of putters have been previously provided in an attempt to improve a golfer's putting or to solve a golfers putting woes. For many years, conventional putters were designed so that the golfer would stand approximately parallel with respect to the putting line. Perhaps 30 to 40 years ago, a croquet style putter was developed wherein the golfer faced the cup and positioned the ball between his/her feet. The croquet style putters were outlawed by the USGA many years ago. Subsequently, belly putters were utilized wherein the butt end of the putter was placed adjacent the golfer's navel with the golfer standing at right angles to the putting line. The belly putter progressed to a chest putter wherein the butt of the putter was positioned adjacent the golfer's chest with the golfer being-aligned at right angles to the putting line. In both of the belly putters and the chest putters, the shaft of the putter had a pair of spaced-apart or split grips, both of which were normally tapered from the upper end to the lower end thereof.

Although all of the putters described above may work for some people for some time, there is still a drastic need for a golf putter which represents a distinct improvement in the prior art putters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A golf putter is disclosed which includes an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end with the shaft being preferably tapered so as to have a larger diameter at its upper end than at its lower end. Preferably, the shaft is approximately slightly over 3 feet 9 inches. An elongated cylindrical, oversized grip which is approximately 2 feet 4 inches long is mounted on the upper end of the shaft and preferably has a diameter of approximately 1 5/16^th inches.

A putter head which is generally T-shaped is secured to the lower end of the shaft in such a manner so that the shaft extends upwardly from the putter head at least 10° from vertical. The top face of the putter has a centerline formed therein for-alignment purposes. The putter head also has adjustable weights mounted at the rear end and at the forward sides thereof. The putter is preferably to be used as side-straddle putter but may be used as a chest putter if so desired. A modified form of the putter is also disclosed which utilizes a split grip.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved golf putter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a golf putter which is approximately 3 feet 9 inches long and which has an oversized, single grip provided on the upper end of the shaft which is approximately 30 inches long and which has a diameter of approximately 1 5/16^th inches.

A further object of the invention is to provide a putter which is extremely well balanced to enable the putter to be easily moved through its back swing and forward swing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a putter of the type described which enables a person to stand facing the hole in a side-straddle manner.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the golf putter of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rear exploded perspective view of the head of the putter of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the head of the putter of FIG. 2 with attached shaft; and

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 2 of a modified form of the putter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The golf putter of this invention (FIGS. 1-3) is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. Putter 10 includes a conventional tapered shaft 12 which is preferably comprised of a steel material but may be comprised of aluminum, boron, graphite, fiberglass or composite material. The lower end of shaft 12 is received by a bore or hole 14 formed or drilled into the putter head 16 and secured thereinto by glue or the like. Shaft 12 extends upwardly from head 16 at least a 10° angle as viewed from the front or rear of the putter. As viewed from the side, shaft 12 is generally parallel to the plane of face 18. An elongated cylindrical, oversized grip 17 is mounted on the upper end of shaft 12 and is approximately 2 feet 4 inches long and preferably has a diameter of approximately 1 5/16^th inches.

Putter head 16 includes a face 18, rearward end 20, side portions 22 and 24 extending rearwardly from the outer ends of face 18, arcuate side wall portions 26 and 28, an upper surface 30 and a bottom surface or sole 32. The width of face 18 is approximately 4 inches with the width of rearward end 20 being preferably 1⅛^th inches. The thickness of face 18 is preferably 1⅛^th inches where face 18 adjoins side portions 22 and 24 and is preferably approximately 1 5/16^th inches at the center of the face 18 thereby providing a side-to-side “rocker” sole to the head 16. The rearward end of the “rocker” sole is also tapered upwardly to prevent the rearward end of the sole from dragging on the green as the golfer makes his/her back stroke.

The numeral 34 refers to an alignment line which is preferably etched or formed in the upper surface of putter head 16 and which is at right angles to the plane of face 18. Preferably, an internally threaded bore 36 extends inwardly into the rear of the putter head 16 and is adapted to have a weight 38 received therein. The outer end of bore 36 is closed by a threaded plug 40. Preferably, internally threaded bores are also formed in the side portions 22 and 24, respectively, and which are adapted to receive weights 46 and 48 therein, respectively. The outer ends of the bores 42 and 44 are selectively closed by threaded plugs 50 and 52, respectively. The weights 46 and 48 allow the golfer to vary the weights in each of the bores to achieve the desired feel and swing needed for that particular golfer.

In use, the golfer will sole the putter head 16 on the ground directly behind the golf ball with the shaft 12 extending upwardly in a vertical fashion and to one side of the putter head at least the 10° angle previously described. The golfer will then stand at one side of the putter head and preferably rearwardly thereof and will grasp the upper end of the grip 17 with the thumb of the gripping hand being positioned on the upper end of the grip 17. The golfer will then grasp the oversized grip 17 adjacent the lower end thereof with his/her other hand so as to be able to make a rearward and forward stroke. The long oversized grip has been found to dramatically increase the control and handling of the putter and lends the necessary stability to the overall balance of the putter.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified form of the putter and which is referred to by the reference numeral 10′. The putter head 16 of putter 10′ is identical to the putter head 16 of putter 10 as is shaft 12. The only difference between putter 10 and putter 10′ is that a two-piece or split grip is used in putter 10′ which is comprised of grip portions 50 and 52. Grip portion 50 is approximately 6 inches long and has a constant diameter of approximate 1 1/16^th inch. Grip portion 52 is approximately 12¾ inches long and has a constant diameter of approximately 1 1/16^th inch. The upper end of grip portion 52 is spaced approximately 2¼ below the lower end of grip portion 50. Putter 10′ is used in the same fashion as putter 10.

Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

1. A golf putter, comprising:

a putter head including an upper end, a lower end, a face having an inner end and an outer end, a rearward end spaced rearwardly of said face, first and second side portions having forward and rearward ends, said first and second side portions extending rearwardly from said inner and outer ends respectively, first and second arcuate side wall portions, having forward and rearward ends, which extend rearwardly and inwardly from said rearward ends of said first and second side portions respectively to said rearward end;

an elongated putter shaft having upper and lower ends;

said lower end of said shaft being secured to said putter head rearwardly of said face and extending upwardly from said putter head at an angle with respect thereto;

and a putter grip means embracing said shaft.

2. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said putter grip has upper and lower ends, is cylindrical in cross-section, and has a constant diameter from its said upper end to its said lower end.

3. The golf putter of claim 2 wherein the diameter of said putter grip is approximately 1 5/16th inches.

4. The golf putter of claim 2 wherein said putter grip is approximately 2 feet 4 inches long.

5. The golf putter of claim 3 wherein said putter grip is approximately 2 feet 4 inches long.

6. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said putter grip comprises spaced-apart upper and lower grip portions.

7. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second side portions are transversely disposed with respect to said face.

8. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said lower end of said putter head defines a rocker sole.

9. The golf putter of claim 1 further including selectively removable weights in said side portions.

10. The golf putter of claim 1 further including a selectively removable weight in said rearward end of said putter head.

11. The golf putter of claim 9 further including a selectively removable weight in said rearward end of said putter head.

12. The golf putter of claim 1 further including an alignment line formed in said upper end of said putter head, which extends transversely rearwardly from said face towards said rearward end of said putter head.

13. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said putter head and said shaft define a side-straddle putter.

14. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said putter head and said shaft define a chest putter.

15. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said putter head is generally T-shaped.