GOLF PUTTER

Abstract

A putter may have a symmetrical head with respect to a shaft of the putter. The head may have a flat surface and a peripheral surface which extends upward to a top surface of the head. The flat surface may be sufficiently large so that the putter may be positioned in the upright position. The golf putter may be utilized by a left or right handed individual and employed in a straight arrow stance, conventional stance and a side saddle stance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/518,460, filed on May 6, 2011, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The device disclosed herein relate to a golf putter.

The game of golf requires skill, knowledge, patience and a great set of equipment. The development of the game of golf can be viewed through the development of the equipment used to play golf such as the golf ball and the golf clubs. Improvements have been made over the years to affect durability, accuracy and distance. For example, golf club shafts were originally manufactured from wood, then metal and now are manufactured from carbon fiber.

Putting is one of the more difficult areas in golf to master. Part of the reason is that the approach and the conventional putting stance requires the golfer to shift his/her perspective. During putting, the golfer inspects the breaks in the green. In doing so, the golfer may hold the putter up in the air and allow the shaft to hang straight down in order to behave similar to a plumb line. During this period of time, the golfer is looking at the ball and the hole with his/her shoulders squared up to the ball and the hole. This is typically described as the approach. The conventional putting stance requires the golfer to turn his/her shoulders ninety (90) degrees. This changes or alters the golfer's original perception of the desired line of travel of the ball to the hole thereby throwing off the golfer's initial assessment.

The golf putter disclosed herein is another improvement to golf clubs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The golf putter disclosed herein addresses the needs discussed above and below.

The improved golf putter disclosed herein is designed to be utilized in a straight arrow stance in which the golfer, the club and the ball are aligned to the initial desired trajectory of the ball. After the golfer has completed his/her approach, the golfer continues to look straight forward and maintains his/her perception of the proposed line of travel of the golf ball to the hole. The golfer may hold the improved putter directly in front of his/her chest with one hand. At this point, the ball, the putter and the golfer are all in alignment to the golfer's desired line of travel of the ball. Also, the golfer's shoulders and head are squared up in the same position during the approach and the swing. The golfer may initiate the back swing with his/her other hand. The forward swing may either be guided with the other hand or the other hand may release the putter and allow gravity to swing the putter forward. The putter at this point pivots about the one hand. Although the improved golf putter is designed to be utilized in the straight arrow stance, the putter may also be utilized in the conventional stance and a side saddle stance. Also, the putter is ambidextrous and can be utilized by left and right handed golfers.

More particularly, a golf putter is disclosed which comprises an elongate shaft defining upper and lower distal end portions; a grip disposed at the upper distal end portion for providing a comfortable and secure surface area to interface with the user's hand; and a head. The head may be disposed at the lower distal end portion of the shaft. The head may have a face and a sole. The face may be symmetrical with respect to the shaft when viewed from the front. The sole may have a flat surface with the shaft perpendicular to the flat surface of the sole (i.e., central axis of the shaft may be 90 degrees with respect to the flat surface of the sole) and an outer curved peripheral surface that extends upward from the flat surface. The shaft and also a center of gravity of the putter may be located vertically above the flat surface of the sole. The sole may adjoin the face to define a lower profile. The lower profile may have a flat bottom.

The shaft, grip and head may be balanced over the flat surface of the sole. This allows the putter to be balanced in the upright position on the flat surface.

The flat bottom may be longer than a height of the head.

The putter may have a head which defines a flat top surface which may be parallel to the flat surface of the sole.

The grip may be bifurcated defining an upper portion and a lower portion separated from the upper portion by a gap.

A center of gravity of the putter may be located on a central axis of the shaft.

The flat surface of the sole may be about 50% of the sole which comprises the flat surface and the peripheral surface.

The curved peripheral surface may extend to a top surface of the head.

A height of the putter from the sole to an upper end of the grip may be about 38 inches to about 48 inches.

Additionally, a method of utilizing a putter to strike a golf ball is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of grasping an upper portion of a grip of the putter with a first hand at about a height of an elbow of a golfer; grasping a lower portion of the grip of the putter with a second hand below the first hand; initiating a back swing of the putter with the second hand; initiating a forward swing to strike the golf ball; and during the initiating back and forward swings, pivoting the putter between a waist and an elbow of the golfer with the first hand.

The pivoting step may comprise the step of pivoting the putter between about 38 inches to about 48 inches above ground.

The method may further comprise the step of prior to grasping the grip, positioning the putter behind the ball in line with a hole in an upright position and inspecting breaks in a green.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putter;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the head of the putter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the head of the putter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the head of the putter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a golfer utilizing the putter shown in FIG. 1 in a straight arrow stance;

FIG. 6 illustrates the golfer utilizing the putter shown in FIG. 1 in a conventional stance; and

FIG. 7 illustrates the golfer utilizing the putter shown in FIG. 1 in a side saddle stance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, a golf putter 10 is shown which can be utilized in a straight arrow stance (see FIG. 5). The golf putter 10 has a lie which is ninety (90) degrees (see FIG. 2). The lie is the angle between a flat sole 12 of the golf putter 10 and a central axis 14 of a shaft 16. The sole 12 is also substantially flat so that the putter 10 could be supported by the sole 12 in the upright position if the sole 12 of the putter 10 is placed on a flat level surface. By this construction, the golfer 18 can, stand behind the ball 20, while facing the hole 22 during the approach. This is the position that all golfers 18 utilize to determine the desired line 24 of ball travel on the green 26. The golfer 18 can leave the putter in the upright position without supporting the putter 10 while studying the breaks in the green. Accordingly, the golf putter 10 allows the golfer to see the line 24 from directly behind the ball 20 and to assume a stance directly behind the ball 20 (i.e., straight arrow stance) when ready to make a swing.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the putter 10 has a head 28, a shaft 16 and a grip 30. The sole 12 is located on the bottom side of the head 28, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The sole 12 has a central front portion 32 and a peripheral portion 34 as shown in FIG. 4. The central front portion 32 is flat. The shaft 16 is located directly above the central front portion 32 so that the putter 10 may stand by itself on a level ground on the flat central front portion 32 of the sole 12. The shaft 16 may also be ninety (90) degrees with respect to the flat central front portion 32. The peripheral portion 34 is generally curved but can also have a straight chamfered configuration. The shaft 16 may extend straight upward from the flat central front portion of the head 28 so that the shaft 16 does not have a skewed lie. The user can determine the desired line 24 of travel of the ball 20 from behind the ball as is typically the case with his/her shoulders squared up. After visualizing the proposed line 24 of travel of the ball 20, the golfer 18 can step up behind the ball and hit the ball down the desired line 24 of travel of the ball 20 while his/her shoulders are still squared up.

The head 28 of the putter 10 has a club face 36 which is flat. The club face 36 may optionally have a plurality of horizontal grooves but such grooves are not necessary. The club face 36 may also be substantially parallel to the central axis 14 of the shaft 16. Other angles are also contemplated as is known in the art. The center of gravity of the putter 10 may also be aligned to the central axis 14 of the shaft 16. During use, the golfer 18 holds the grip 30 with one hand and allows the center of gravity of the putter 10 to drop below the golfer's hand. At this point, the shaft 16 is vertically straight up and down and the club face is generally perpendicular to a level ground.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the face 36 of the club head 28 may have a height 38 which is at least ½ a diameter of a golf ball so that the face 36 can strike the ball 20 through a center of gravity of the ball 20. The central front portion 32 of the sole 12 is flat. This flat central front portion 32 may be located directly underneath the shaft 16 and may intersect the central axis 14 of the shaft 16. The central front portion 32 may be sufficiently large so that the putter 10 can be supported in the upright position on the level surface. The golfer 18 may position the putter 10 in the upright position by balancing the putter 10 on the central front portion 32. During use, the golfer may stand behind the ball to the determine the proposed line 24 of the travel of the ball 20 to the hole 22. Upon determining the proposed line 24 of travel, the golfer may place the golf putter 10 on the green 26 in the upright position and release his/her hand from the putter 10 to further study the breaks in the grass. The golfer may approach the ball 20 and the putter 10 and assume the straight arrow stance to set up for the swing of the putter 10.

The peripheral portion 34 of the sole 12 may be curved upward and provides for a smooth transition to the flat front central portion 32 of the sole 12. This allows the putter 10 to be swung backward without snagging the green 26 on the back swing. The head 28 and more particularly the face 36 of the head 28 may be symmetrical with respect to the central axis 14 of the shaft 16 as shown in FIG. 2. The face 36 and the head 28 are not biased for a left handed or right handed player. Nonetheless, the golf putter 10 is ambidextrous in that the golf putter 10 can be used by a left handed or right handed player.

The grip 30 of the putter 10 may be disposed on an upper portion of the shaft 16. Typically, the grip is a material wrapped around an upper portion of the shaft 16. The grip 30 may be bifurcated as shown in FIG. 1. The grip 30 may have an upper portion 40 and a lower portion 42. The upper portion 40 of the grip 30 may be gripped by one hand of the golfer 18. For example, the upper portion 40 of the grip 30 may be held by the left hand of the golfer 18. The lower portion 42 of the grip 30 is used to initiate the back swing of the putter 10 and may even be used to push the putter 10 forward during the swing. The upper and lower portions 40, 42 of the grip 30 may be fabricated from a non slip, sweat absorbing material to provide comfort and confidence to the golfer utilizing the putter 10. There may be a gap 44 to provide a visual demarcation or separation between the upper and lower potions 40, 42. to communicate where the golfer's hands should grasp the grip 30.

The putter 10 can be utilized in three different stances, namely, the straight arrow stance, the conventional stance and the side saddle stance. For the straight arrow stance, the golfer 18, as shown in FIG. 5, is directly behind the ball 20, hole 22 and the putter 10. The shoulders and head of the golfer are squared up to the ball and the hole. The golfer 18 may hold onto the upper portion 40 of the grip 30 with his/her right hand. The putter 10 will pivot about the upper portion 40, and more particularly, the putter 10 will pivot about the golfer's right wrist. The golfer 18 lifts the putter 10 with the right hand so that the head 28 does not touch the green. The golfer 18 pulls backward on the lower portion 42 of the grip 30 with the left hand to initiate the back swing of the putter 10. The golfer 18 can do one of two things. The golfer 18 may release the lower portion 42 and allow the putter 10 to swing like a pendulum to strike the ball 20. Alternatively, the golfer 18 may guide or push the lower portion 42 of the grip 30 while allowing the putter 10 to swing like a pendulum about the upper portion 42 of the grip 30 or the wrist of the golfer's right hand. The reverse is also possible. The golfer may initially grasp the putter with his/her left hand. The right hand initiates the back swing and possibly the forward swing. Hence, the putter 10 is also ambidextrous.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the putter 10 may be used in the conventional stance. The ball 20 is disposed between the feet 44 of the golfer 18. The shoulders 46 and feet 44 of the golfer 18 are pointed toward the hole 22. The shoulders, head and feet are not squared up to the ball and hole. The putter 10 may be utilized in the same manner discussed above in relation to the straight arrow stance except that the conventional stance is assumed when swinging the putter 10. In the illustration, the golfer 18 is standing on the right side of the ball and utilizing the left hand to grasp the upper portion 40 of the grip 30 and to initiate and/or follow through with the swing with the right hand. However, it is also contemplated that the golfer may reverse his or her stance by standing on the left side of the ball 20. The right hand would grasp the upper portion 40 of the grip 30 and the left hand would be used to initiate and/or follow through with the swing.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the putter 10 may also be used in the side saddle stance. The golfer 18 stands on the one side of the ball 20. In this case, the golfer 18 is standing on the right side of the ball 20. The golfer 18 holds the putter with the left hand. The putter 10 will pivot about the left wrist of the golfer 18 during the forward swing. The right hand may be used to pull back on the putter 10 and/or follow through with the swing. It is also contemplated that the golfer may reverse his/her stance by standing on the other side of the ball 20, specifically, the left side of the ball 20. The right hand would grasp the upper portion 40 of the grip 30. The left hand would grasp the lower portion 42 and initiate the back swing and/or follow through with the forward swing.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A golf putter comprising:

an elongate shaft defining upper and lower distal end portions;

a grip disposed at the upper distal end portion for providing a comfortable and secure surface area to interface with the user's hand;

a head disposed at the lower distal end portion, the head having a face and a sole, the face being symmetrical with respect to the shaft, the sole having a flat surface with the shaft perpendicular to the flat surface of the sole and an outer curved peripheral surface that extends upward from the flat surface, the shaft being located vertically above the flat surface of the sole, the sole adjoining the face to define a lower profile, the lower profile having a flat bottom.

2. The putter of claim 1 wherein the shaft, grip and head are balanced over the flat surface of the sole.

3. The putter of claim 1 wherein the flat bottom is longer than a height of the head.

4. The putter of claim 1 wherein a top surface of the head is flat and parallel to the flat surface of the sole.

5. The putter of claim 1 wherein the grip is bifurcated defining an upper portion and a lower portion separated from the upper portion by a gap.

6. The putter of claim 1 wherein a center of gravity of the putter is located on a central axis of the shaft.

7. The putter of claim 1 wherein the flat surface of the sole is about 50% of the sole.

8. The putter of claim 1 wherein the curved peripheral surface extends to a top surface of the head.

9. The putter of claim 1 wherein a height of the putter from the sole to an upper end of the grip is about 38 inches to about 48 inches.

10. A method of utilizing a putter to strike a golf ball, the method comprising the steps of:

grasping an upper portion of a grip of the putter with a first hand at about a height of an elbow of a golfer;

grasping a lower portion of the grip of the putter with a second hand below the height of the elbow of the golfer;

initiating a back swing of the putter with the second hand;

initiating a forward swing to strike the golf ball;

during the initiating back and forward swings, pivoting the putter between a waist and an elbow of the golfer.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the pivoting step comprises the step of pivoting the putter between about 38 inches to about 48 inches above ground.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of:

prior to grasping the grip, positioning the putter behind the ball in line with a hole in an upright position and inspecting breaks in a green.