GOLF PUTTER HEADS AND PUTTERS

Abstract

A golf putter head with a very high moment of inertia about the shaft. The putter head is shaped and weighted with a percentage of the mass of the head extending beyond a MOI point determined by the point at which the axis of the shaft intersects a plane of the head.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/682,246, filed 8 Jun. 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to golf putter heads and putters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golfers are often seeking equipment to improve their ability to play and enjoy the game. A putter that enhances a golfer's ability to perform better by making it easier to hit their putts on their intended line and at their intended speed is a very beneficial piece of equipment to have. Many designs of putters have been made throughout the history of the game for this purpose.

In the world of golf, regarding putters, moment of inertia (MOI) is commonly thought of as a means to improve a putter's performance by improving how it performs when the ball is not contacted in the center of the clubface. Moment of inertia is defined as a measure of a body's resistance to angular acceleration. Or in other words resistance to rotation. The equation for moment of inertia is mass times radius squared. This means that the more mass you have at a farther radius from the axis of rotation, the more resistance to rotation that object will have. The axis of rotation that is relevant to the collision of impact with the golf ball is the putter head's center of mass.

When a golf ball contacts the face of a putter while striking a putt, if the contact is imbalanced with the putter's mass, which is usually caused by contact that is not in the center of the putter's face, the impact collision will cause the putter to rotate during the strike and adversely affect the performance of hitting the ball in the golfer's intended direction and with the intended speed. This is why in golf MOI is commonly thought of and talked about in terms of a measurement from the putter head's center of mass or center of gravity. Currently, “High MOI” putters are designed to locate more of their mass out on the perimeter of the putter head where it is farther away from the center of the putter head's mass. So when a player contacts a ball away from the center of the clubface with a putter that has “high MOI”, the ball will go farther and straighter than when they hit a ball in the same place on a lower MOI putter because it is harder for the impact of the ball to rotate the clubface during impact.

While it is true that having a greater MOI about the axis of the putter head's center of mass is beneficial for minimizing the negative effects of off center hits, it does not help the player's ability to control the rotation of the putter during his or her putting stroke. A player's ability to control the rotation of the putter head during the putting stroke is very important to overall putting performance. But the current putters on the market are not considering this, they are only considering improving the performance of off center hits and they are designing putters to meet that goal in regard to MOI.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved golf putter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf putter which will increase a golfer's control of the rotation of the putter head.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a golf putter which will reduce unwanted golfer initiated rotation of the putter head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention provided is a putter including a putter head defining a horizontal plane and having a mass. A shaft having a straight grip portion and an end is coupled to the putter head. A longitudinal axis is defined by the straight grip portion of the shaft. The longitudinal axis intersects the horizontal plane at a MOI point. A selected percentage of the weight of the putter head is distributed a selected distance from the MOI point.

In a specific aspect, the distribution of the mass of the putter head includes one of at least 50% of the mass of the putter head positioned three or more inches from the MOI point, at least 20% of the mass of the putter head positioned four or more inches from the MOI point, at least 7.5% of the mass of the putter head positioned four and one half or more inches from the MOI point, and at least 5% of the mass of the putter head positioned five or more inches from the MOI point.

In another aspect, the putter head weighs less than 401 grams and distribution of the weight of the putter head includes one of at least 18% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.5 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 13% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.7 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 2% of the weight of the putter head positioned 4.5 or more inches from the MOI point.

In yet another aspect, the putter head weighs less than 451 grams and distribution of the weight of the putter head includes one of at least 50% of the weight of the putter head positioned 2.8 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 30% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 17% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.5 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 13% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.7 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 5% of the weight of the putter head positioned 4 or more inches from the MOI point and at least 2% of the weight of the putter head positioned 4.5 or more inches from the MOI point.

Also provided is a method of increasing the MOI of a putter head about a shaft. The steps include providing a putter head defining a horizontal plane and having a mass, providing a shaft having a straight grip portion and an end coupled to the putter head and determining a longitudinal axis defined by the straight grip portion of the shaft. An MOI point of the putter is found by determining where the longitudinal axis intersects the horizontal plane. Also included is the step of distributing a selected percentage of the weight of the putter head to a selected distance from the MOI point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a putter having a bent shaft, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rotated perspective view of the putter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the putter of FIG. 1, including the grip and shaft and a view of the shaft's extended axis;

FIG. 4 is top plan view illustrating the dimensions of a putter head according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the putter with a bent shaft and the shaft's extended axis designating a MOI point forward of the putter head;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the putter with a hosel replacing the bend of shaft in the putter of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the putter including the grip and shaft, the shaft being straight;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the putter including the grip and shaft and the shaft's extended axis designating a MOI point rearward of the front edge of the putter head; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the putter including the grip and shaft and the shaft's extended axis designating a MOI point forward of the front edge of the putter head and toward the heal of the putter head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 which illustrate a putter having a head 10 and a shaft 8 coupled to and extending from head 10. Shaft 8 includes a grip 7 at an end opposing head 10 and defining a straight portion of shaft 8. shaft 8 has a longitudinal axis 9 extending along the straight portion thereof. In this preferred embodiment, shaft 8 has a bend formed therein proximate head 10 and is attached off center from a central bisecting axis 25 of head 10. In this preferred embodiment, longitudinal axis 9 extends along the straight portion of shaft 8 and intersects head 10 at a MOI point proximate the front of head 10 and at central bisecting axis 25 thereof. The MOI point defines an axis about which head 10 is pivoted by shaft 8. Weights 12 are carried by head 10 and are located in the back portion of head 10 providing maximum distance between weights 12 and the MOI point determined by extended axis 9. This increases the percentage of total putter head weight that is located at larger radiuses from the MOI point which gives the putter a higher MOI about the rotational axis at the MOI point.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, radii are illustrated radiating outwardly from the MOI point. Radiuses 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and their circumferences 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 are drawn from the extended axis of the shaft 9 where it crosses the vertical height of the putter head's face 13 at the MOI point. Shaft 8 has a bend to it but the extended axis 9 of the shaft from where the putter is gripped still goes through the leading edge of central bisecting axis 25 of the putter head's face 13 where the ball is ideally contacted so the radiuses are drawn from there.

Putter head 10 and shaft 8 are configured so that specified percentages of the putter head's weight fall outside of each of the radiuses. Putter head 10 has a shape that insures portions thereof extend beyond these radiuses, allowing it to have weight out beyond these radiuses.

When considering the use of moment of inertia regarding the golfer's ability to control the rotation of the putter head during the putting stroke, the axis that is relevant is the axis generally perpendicular to head 10 at the MOI point determined by the extension of axis 9 of shaft 8 from the straight portion at grip 7. This is a different axis of rotation from an axis defined at the center of mass of putter head 10, the commonly considered axis used for improving performance of off center contact with the golf ball. There is a different axis and a different purpose for MOI in the designing of a golf club in this invention.

Using the moment of inertia about the axis of rotation at the MOI point of the present invention is to inhibit the rotation of putter head 10 about the shaft during the putting stroke, especially from the beginning of the putting stroke until impact. When a club is designed to put more mass farther away on a radius perpendicular to the MOI point from where the putter is gripped, the moment of inertia about the shaft's axis is higher and that means it takes more force for the golfer to rotate the putter head's face during the putting stroke. The purpose of this use is to give the golfer more control of where the putter's face is directed while performing the putting motion. The direction of the putter's face at impact is a major factor in determining the accuracy of where the ball goes. This allows the golfer to feel more stability and control and hit the ball with more accuracy. When the putter face is not square to the intended target line at impact it is very unlikely that the ball will roll along the intended target line. This is because the ball will be deflected off line because the angle of the putter face isn't on line. It is a great functional benefit to the golfer to have a putter that makes hitting a putt on the intended line easier to do and it adds to the golfer's enjoyment of the game as well.

Because each particle of weight in the putter head contributes to the total MOI by its mass and by the square of its distance from the MOI point, that contribution is increased by increasing the distance. For example, if the particle is at a distance of 6 inches from the MOI point, it would contribute 9 times as much as if it were at a distance of 2 inches. Where various fractions of the putter head's total mass are placed is critical to the total MOI of the putter head. Specifying the ranges of mass within ranges of radii is an important part of the present invention. Designing a putter so that the mass is properly distributed in these ranges provides the increased MOI about the MOI point that in turn results in more stability during the stroke.

A heavier overall weight of the putter head will also increase the moment of inertia. However, when a putter's weight gets too heavy it can inhibit the function of the putter to the golfer because the heavier overall weight can be hard to control and use effectively. But while holding the overall total weight of the putter's head constant at an amount that is suitable to the golfer's liking and performance, a putter that has a larger percentage of its putter head's weight located at a farther radius from the MOI point will give a much larger moment of inertia. This larger moment of inertia gives a stroke performance benefit to the golfer while not costing the golfer anything in regards to being too heavy overall. This gives the golfer the benefit of more control over the rotation of the face of the putter head during the stroke by having a higher MOI about the MOI point while also controlling the putter head's weight and speed during the stroke which helps for distance control of the ball that's being struck.

To make a putter head that has a higher MOI about the MOI point, the MOI point needs to be determined and then more of the putter head's mass needs to be located on farther radii from that point. Putters may have different styles of shafts that have a variety of curves or bends to the shaft, or a shaft with no curve or bend at all. There may also be different positioning of the shafts, and the style and positioning of the shaft may alter where the extended shaft's axis from where the putter is gripped is located. In other words, a straight part of the shaft of the putter is gripped by the golfer. The longitudinal axis of the shaft is determined by this straight portion. The longitudinal axis is then extended to the putter head where the intersection thereof determines the MOI point about which the MOI is calculated. It will be understood that the extended axis of the shaft may or may not directly intersect the putter head in specific configurations. The axis may, for example, pass forward of the putter head. It will be understood that the putter head defines a plane and the extended axis of the shaft can intersect that plane apart from the putter head, thus establishing a MOI point spaced from the putter head.

A putter head having a shape with portions extending beyond farther radiuses and their circumferences allows it to have higher percentages of its total putter head weight out beyond these radiuses. Any materials or combination of materials can be used and any shape or combination of shapes of the putter head, hosel, or shaft may be used that allows the specified percentage of its total putter head weight to be located out beyond said radiuses without departing from this invention. And any process can be used to make the putter without departing from this invention.

The point at which the extended longitudinal axis of the shaft intersects the head of the putter determines the MOI point for the radii that determine the MOI about the shaft's axis. The larger the percentage of the putter head's mass that is placed at farther radii from MOI point, the higher the MOI will be. A heavier or lighter total putter head weight is sometimes preferred by a golfer. But the MOI about the MOI point will be higher relative to any particular putter's total weight if a larger percentage of the putter head's total weight is located at a farther radius. For example, if a putter head's total weight is 400 grams and 25% of it, 100 grams, is located at a 4 inch radius from the MOI point, then that putter head will have a higher MOI about the shaft's axis than it would if only 10% of the 400 gram total weight, 40 grams, were located at that radius. If another putter were to have the same 100 grams at a 4 inch radius from the shaft's axis but at a lower percentage of overall putter head weight, for example 15%, then that putter would have still have the same MOI from the mass at that radius but the total head weight of the putter would now be 667 grams, a total head weight that most golfers would have a problem with mainly because it's too heavy for them while they make their stroke. So, this takes away from the benefit they gain from a higher MOI about the shaft's axis.

To maximize the MOI about the MOI point relative to total head weight, this invention specifies percentages of the putter head's total weight outside of each of the radiuses drawn for the horizontal cross section of the radiuses from the MOI point. The horizontal cross section applies to the entirety of the putter head's mass. And this is done for different specified total head weight ranges. This shows which portions of the putter head are inside and portions are outside of the radiuses so they can be seen and measured easily.

Putter head 10 is shaped, in relation to the MOI point, to include portions that extend beyond the radiuses, allowing putter head 10 to have weight out beyond these radiuses. Weights may be added or heavier materials may be used in making the putter to give it a higher percentage of its total head weight out beyond these radiuses. It will be understood that a putter head can have any shape that allows for enough of a percentage of its total putter head weight to be located outside of the specified radiuses without departing from this invention.

Still referring to FIG. 3, with additional reference to FIG. 4, putter head 10 is configured to hold 50% or more of the putter head's weight, including any weight 12 affixed to putter head 10, outside of radius 28. In this embodiment, radius 28 is 3 inches from the MOI point. Circumference 38 is shown at radius 28 so it can be seen which portions of putter head 10 are inside and outside the 3 inch radius 28.

In this embodiment, 50% of the mass of putter head 10 is carried by the portions of putter head 10 outside circumference 38.

A variation includes putter head 10 being configured to hold 50% or more of the putter head's weight, including any weight 12 affixed to putter head 10, outside of radius 29. In this embodiment, radius 29 is 3.5 inches from the MOI point. Circumference 39 is shown at radius 29 so it can be seen which portions of putter head 10 are inside and outside the 3.5 inch radius 29. In this embodiment, 50% of the mass of putter head 10 is carried by the portions of putter head 10 outside circumference 38.

While 50% of the mass of putter head 10 is required to be positioned outside of radii between 3 inches and 4 inches from the MOI point, at 4 inches, the percentage of the mass can be reduced to obtain the desired effects, due to the greater distance from the MOI point. A variation includes putter head 10 being configured to hold 20% or more of the putter head's weight, including any weight 12 affixed to putter head 10, outside of radius 30. In this embodiment, radius 30 is 4 inches from the MOI point. Circumference 40 is shown at radius 30 so it can be seen which portions of putter head 10 are inside and outside the 4 inch radius 30. In this embodiment, at least 20% of the mass of putter head 10 is carried by the portions of putter head 10 outside circumference 40.

As the distance from the MOI point increases, the percentage of the mass of putter head needed outside a radius can also decreases. A variation includes putter head 10 being configured to hold 7.5% or more of the putter head's mass, including any weight 12 affixed to putter head 10, outside of radius 31. In this embodiment, radius 31 is 4.5 inches from the MOI point. Circumference 41 is shown at radius 31 so it can be seen which portions of putter head 10 are inside and outside the 4.5 inch radius 31. In this embodiment, at least 7.5% of the mass of putter head 10 is carried by the portions of putter head 10 outside circumference 41.

Another variation includes putter head 10 being configured to hold 5% or more of the putter head's mass, including any weight 12 affixed to putter head 10, outside of radius 32. In this embodiment, radius 32 is 5 inches from the MOI point. Circumference 42 is shown at radius 32 so it can be seen which portions of putter head 10 are inside and outside the 5 inch radius 32. In this embodiment, at least 5% of the mass of putter head 10 is carried by the portions of putter head 10 outside circumference 42.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a top plan view of is illustrated of the area a putter can fit in under USGA rules. A generic area is designated for a putter head with a MOI point at the leading edge and central bisecting axis 25. The USGA rules state that the distance from the heel to toe of the putter head must be less than or equal to 7 inches. And the rules also state that the distance from the heel to toe is greater than the distance from the putter's face where the ball is struck to the back edge. So a 7 inch by 7 inch square 21 meeting the USGA rules is shown. The side that the putter's face is on is 22 and the side that represents a putter's back edge maximum distance is 23. Most putters currently available on the market today are not larger than approximately 4 inches by 4 inches. A 4 inch by 4 inch square 26 shows this approximate size within the 7 inch by 7 inch area. The vast majority of conventional putters have a putter face to back edge distance of close to 3.5 inches. Another rule of golf regarding the dimensions of the putter head states that the distance from the heel to the toe of the face is greater than or equal to two thirds of the distance from the face to the back edge of the head.

This means that if the heel to toe distance is at a max of 7 inches and the face to back edge distance is at a max of 6.99 inches then the heel to toe of the face measurement has to be at least 4.67 inches. This 4.67 face distance 27 is shown with a center of the face point 25. Radiuses with their circumferences are drawn for the horizontal cross section of the radiuses from the MOI point so it can be seen which portions of the generic area of a putter head that could be used with this invention are inside and outside of them. A 3 inch radius 28 from the MOI point is shown with its circumference 38. A 3.5 inch radius 29 from the MOI point is shown with its circumference 39. A 4 inch radius 30 from the MOI point is shown with its circumference 40. A 4.5 inch radius 31 from the MOI point is shown with its circumference 41. A 5 inch radius 32 from the MOI point is shown with its circumference 42. A 5.5 inch radius 33 from the MOI point is shown with its circumference 43.

In a comparison of two putter heads which have the same total weight, the putter with a larger percentage of its weight located at a larger radius from the axis at the center of the putter head's face will have a larger MOI about that axis than if the weight was located closer to the axis at the center of the face at a smaller radius. So, when designing a putter to have a higher MOI in this regard it is beneficial to have a significant percentage of the putter head's total weight out at a farther radius from the shaft's extended axis, which in this example goes through the center of the putter head's face. The shape of the putter must reach out to a large enough radius to allow having weight out there to be possible. This principle is true regardless of the rules of golf. However, it is notable to see where the radii and their corresponding circumferences are in relation to the dimensional constraints of the rules of golf.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a putter is illustrated including putter head 10, shaft 8 and grip 7. Shaft 8 in this embodiment has a bend to it which sets the putter head 10 back away from the extended axis 9 of the shaft 8 from where the putter is gripped. Thus, the extended axis 9 of shaft 8 does not directly intersect head 10, but intersects a plane defined by head 10 as described previously. The intersection of extended axis 9 places the location of the MOI point forward of head 10. Since MOI point is spaced forwardly from the leading edge of putter head 10, radii spaced from MOI point are shifted forwardly with respect to head 10, closer to the front edge of head 10. Thus, the putter head can be reduced in size and still have substantial portion outside the radii, or more mass can be more easily position outside the radii. The putter head's mass is now farther away from the MOI point and that alters how much of the mass is within each radius. This is an example of a shaft and a putter head shape combination that could hold a significant percentage of the putter head's weight outside of each of the radiuses drawn from the MOI point.

Referring to FIG. 6, a putter with a very similar offset shaft situation as in FIG. 5 is illustrated. The difference being that the shaft is straight and is coupled to head 10 by a “bent neck hosel” that offsets the shaft from the leading face of the putter head. Again, the MOI point is forward of the putter head.

Referring to FIG. 7, an example of a putter from an overhead view is illustrated, showing the entirety of a putter including the putter head 10, the shaft 8 and grip 7. The shaft 8 is straight with no curve or bend all the way down to the putter head 10. Because of this, the extended axis of the shaft 9 from where the putter is gripped is still inside the shaft and goes into the body of the putter head, indicating the location of the MOI point.

Turning to FIG. 8, an example of a putter from an overhead view is illustrated, showing the entirety of a putter including the putter head 10, the shaft 8 and grip 7. The shaft 8 is straight with no curve or bend all the way down to the putter head 10. Because of this, the extended axis of the shaft 9 from where the putter is gripped is still inside the shaft and goes into the body of the putter head, indicating the location of the MOI point. In this embodiment, the shaft's axis is near the center of the putter head's mass which affects the lengths of radii from the shaft's axis that can be covered by the mass of the putter head. The more central shaft's axis does not allow for larger radii to be covered by the putter head's mass as it would on the same size putter head if the shaft's axis were closer to the leading face of the putter. Not allowing for larger radii means more mass would have to be put at smaller radii if the same MOI about the shaft's axis were to be achieved. This would likely cause an increase in the total weight of the putter's head and could cause it to lose some function from the standpoint of being too heavy in total putter head weight. Or a larger sized putter head could be used to cover larger radii, but that would also be likely to cause an increase in the total weight of the putter's head and could cause it to lose some function from that standpoint as well.

Referring to FIG. 9, illustrated is an example of a putter from an overhead view showing the entirety of a putter including the putter head 10, the shaft 8 and grip 7. Like in FIG. 6, the shaft 8 is straight and goes into a “bent neck hosel” that offsets the shaft in front of the leading face of the putter head. Thus, in this preferred embodiment, the hosel coupled the end of the shaft to the head. Additionally, in this example, the shaft's axis is also nearer to the heel 17 of the putter head, the heel meaning the side of the putter head nearest to the entirety of the shaft and grip. This shaft location alters where the shaft's extended axis is located (MOI point) and causes the radii drawn from it to be off center from the center of the putter's leading face and instead nearer to the heel side of the putter head. Radiuses 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and their circumferences 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 are drawn from the MOI point located by the extended axis of the shaft 9 for the horizontal cross section where it crosses the vertical height of the putter head's face 13. This is an example of a shaft and a putter head shape combination that could hold a significant percentage of the putter head's weight outside of each of the radiuses drawn from the shaft's extended axis.

Specific examples of mass distribution of the putter head portion, include any weight affixed to it, having 50% or more of its total weight at least 2.8 inches away on a radius drawn for the horizontal cross section of the radius from the MOI point, with the total putter head weight being less than 451 grams; 30% or more outside 3 inches, with total weight being less than 451 grams; 15% or more outside 3.5 inches, with total weight being less than 451 grams; 10% or more outside 3.7 inches, with total weight being less than 451 grams; 5% or more outside 4 inches, with total weight being less than 451 grams; and 0% or more outside 4.5 inches, with total weight being less than 451 grams

Examples of a lighter putter head include 15% or more mass outside 3.5 inches, with total weight being less than 401 grams; 10% or more mass outside 3.7 inches, with total weight being less than 401 grams; 0% or more mass outside 4.5 inches, with total weight being less than 401 grams.

The examples shown in these figures are presented for convenient explanation and not to be taken as limiting. Any weight affixed to the putter head is included in the putter head's weight. Any shape or design or configuration or modification of a putter head can be used in these parameters without departing from this invention. All parts of the putter, comprising the shaft, the grip, the putter head and the hosel may be made of any desired materials or combination of materials without departing from this invention. And any process can be used to make the putter without departing from this invention.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same,

Claims

1. A putter comprising:

a putter head defining a horizontal plane and having a mass;

a shaft having a straight grip portion and an end coupled to the putter head;

a longitudinal axis defined by the straight grip portion of the shaft;

the longitudinal axis intersecting the horizontal plane at a MOI point; and

distribution of the mass of the putter head including one of at least 50% of the mass of the putter head positioned three or more inches from the MOI point, at least 20% of the mass of the putter head positioned four or more inches from the MOI point, at least 7.5% of the mass of the putter head positioned four and one half or more inches from the MOI point, and at least 5% of the mass of the putter head positioned five or more inches from the MOI point.

2. The putter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the MOI point is proximate a forward edge of the putter head.

3. The putter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the MOI point is spaced forwardly of a forward edge of the putter head.

4. The putter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the MOI point is one of proximate a forward edge and spaced forwardly of the forward edge, and at a central bisecting axis of the putter head.

5. The putter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mass of the putter head includes at least one weight attached to the putter head.

6. A putter comprising:

a putter head defining a horizontal plane and having a weight of less than 401 grams;

a shaft having a straight grip portion and an end coupled to the putter head;

a longitudinal axis defined by the straight grip portion of the shaft;

the longitudinal axis intersecting the horizontal plane at a MOI point; and

distribution of the weight of the putter head including one of at least 18% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.5 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 13% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.7 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 2% of the weight of the putter head positioned 4.5 or more inches from the MOI point.

7. The putter as claimed in claim 6 wherein the MOI point is proximate a forward edge of the putter head.

8. The putter as claimed in claim 6 wherein the MOI point is spaced forwardly of a forward edge of the putter head.

9. The putter as claimed in claim 6 wherein the MOI point is one of proximate a forward edge and spaced forwardly of the forward edge, and at a central bisecting axis of the putter head.

10. The putter as claimed in claim 6 wherein the mass of the putter head includes at least one weight attached to the putter head.

11. A putter comprising:

a putter head defining a horizontal plane and having a weight of less than 451 grams;

a shaft having a straight grip portion and an end coupled to the putter head;

a longitudinal axis defined by the straight grip portion of the shaft;

the longitudinal axis intersecting the horizontal plane at a MOI point; and

distribution of the weight of the putter head including one of at least 50% of the weight of the putter head positioned 2.8 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 30% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 17% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.5 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 13% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.7 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 5% of the weight of the putter head positioned 4 or more inches from the MOI point and at least 2% of the weight of the putter head positioned 4.5 or more inches from the MOI point.

12. The putter as claimed in claim 11 wherein the MOI point is proximate a forward edge of the putter head.

13. The putter as claimed in claim 11 wherein the MOI point is spaced forwardly of a forward edge of the putter head.

14. The putter as claimed in claim 11 wherein the MOI point is one of proximate a forward edge and spaced forwardly of the forward edge, and at a central bisecting axis of the putter head.

15. The putter as claimed in claim 11 wherein the mass of the putter head includes at least one weight attached to the putter head.

16. A method of increasing the MOI of a putter head about a shaft comprising the steps of:

providing a putter head defining a horizontal plane and having a weight;

providing a shaft having a straight grip portion and an end coupled to the putter head;

determining a longitudinal axis defined by the straight grip portion of the shaft;

finding an MOI point of the putter by determining where the longitudinal axis intersects the horizontal plane; and

distributing a selected percentage of the weight of the putter head to a selected distance from the MOI point.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the step of distributing a selected percentage of the weight includes distributing the selected percentage of the weight of the putter head to one of at least 50% of the weight of the putter head positioned three or more inches from the MOI point, at least 20% of the weight of the putter head positioned four or more inches from the MOI point, at least 7.5% of the weight of the putter head positioned four and one half or more inches from the MOI point, and at least 5% of the weight of the putter head positioned five or more inches from the MOI point.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the step of providing a putter head having a weight include providing a putter head having a weight less than 401 grams and the step of distributing a selected percentage of the weight includes distributing the selected percentage of the weight of the putter head to one of at least 15% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.5 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 10% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.7 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 2% of the weight of the putter head positioned 4.5 or more inches from the MOI point.

19. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the step of providing a putter head having a weight include providing a putter head having a weight less than 451 grams and the step of distributing a selected percentage of the weight includes distributing the selected percentage of the weight of the putter head to one of at least 50% of the weight of the putter head positioned 2.8 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 30% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 15% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.5 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 10% of the weight of the putter head positioned 3.7 or more inches from the MOI point, at least 5% of the weight of the putter head positioned 4 or more inches from the MOI point and at least 2% of the weight of the putter head positioned 4.5 or more inches from the MOI point.

20. The method as claimed in claim 16 further including the step of positioning the shaft so that the MOI point is proximate a forward edge of the putter head.

21. The method as claimed in claim 16 further including the step of positioning the shaft so that the MOI point is spaced forwardly of a forward edge of the putter head.

22. The method as claimed in claim 16 further including the step of positioning the shaft so that the MOI point is one of proximate a forward edge and spaced forwardly of the forward edge, and at a central bisecting axis of the putter head.