Abstract: A training device can easily be affixed or mounted to the hitting face of a golf club. The training device may provide auditory, tactile, and directional feedback for the user during practice so that he/she may learn how to strike the ball consistently on the sweet spot. A training device may include several raised surfaces of varying shapes rising from the base surrounding an aperture centered over the sweet spot of the golf club and larger than the surface area contacted by the ball. Use of the training device may reduce the user's variance from the “sweet spot” due to a strike not only along the longitudinal axis but also along the vertical axis. The user avoids impingement with the raised surfaces of the training device by striking the ball within a pre-set tolerance as well as within the boundaries of the aperture.

Abstract: A golf club head with an interchangeable or reversible sole rail system having a rail member configured to be received within one or more channels formed on the club head. The rail system allows the player to employ rails along a surface of the club head to improve the interaction between the club head and the ground during the swing.

Abstract: Devices and methods are generally provided for indicating the location of a most recent strike on a face of a golf club. One exemplary embodiment of an impact indication device can include a patch that can be attached to the face of a golf club and can display the impact location of a most recent strike without displaying impact locations of previous strikes. The impact locations of previous strikes can be removed from the patch without the user having to do anything more than take another swing. In some embodiments, the device includes a yield-stress material that assist in displaying impact a most recent impact location without displaying previous impact locations. Other features that can allow patches to work in this fashion, as well as methods related to the same, are also provided. Further, disclosures pertaining to a mobile impact recorder are also provided.

Abstract: A golf club head with an interchangeable or reversible sole rail system having a rail member configured to be received within one or more channels formed on the club head. The rail system allows the player to employ rails along a surface of the club head to improve the interaction between the club head and the ground during the swing.

Abstract: A golf club head, and particularly a putter head, comprising at least one visual reference point that shows a golfer the ideal vertical impact height at address and at impact is disclosed herein. The visual reference preferably is an alignment aid, such as an alignment pin or bar, which delineates the vertical center of the face between the top and bottom portions of the golf club head along the vertical z axis.

Abstract: A golf teaching tool to provide instant user feedback, while explaining and encouraging proper ball impact. The golf teaching tool includes a rectangular plate with a cutout section. The golf teaching tool is placed on a playing surface with the cutout section pointed towards an intended target. A golf ball is placed on the playing surface within the cutout section and subsequently hit. Sound, impact, ball flight and movement of the golf teaching tool due to the golf club hitting the golf teaching tool, or no movement of the golf teaching tool provide the user immediate feedback regarding the correctness of the swing.

Abstract: A golf putter practice device for practicing repetitive ball striking develops consistent contact on an optimal position on the striking surface of a putter. The device includes a body having a top surface, a front surface, and a channel extending through the body. The channel receives a flange of the putter therein whereby the front surface of the body covers a striking surface of the putter. Alignment indicia transverse to the channel is positioned on the top surface of the body. The alignment indicia has a front section abutting and extending rearwardly from a junction of the top surface with the front surface. A fastener is coupled to the body for securing the body on the putter.

Abstract: An adaptable training putter head for use in a training putter includes an outer alignment guide, an inner alignment guide, and a sighting bar, all mounted to a conventional style putting head, to which is also attached a hosel, allowing for both right-handed and left-handed operation of a putting club. The adaptable training putter head allows a golf player to visually ensure that a putting club is oriented correctly during a putting swing, and is designed to improve accuracy during practice and recreational golf games. The adaptable training putter head can be used in a regulation conformant mode, with all alignment guides and sighting bar detached. A golf putter training clip-on device can include one or more alignment guides, a bridge, an elongator, and a clip, such that the golf putter clip-on device can be attached to a putter, with the elongator allowing for position and height adjustment.

Abstract: A golf teaching tool to provide instant user feedback, while explaining and encouraging proper ball impact. The golf teaching tool includes a rectangular plate with a cutout section. The golf teaching tool is placed on a playing surface with the cutout section pointed towards an intended target. A golf ball is placed on the playing surface within the cutout section and subsequently hit. Sound, impact, ball flight and movement of the golf teaching tool due to the golf club hitting the golf teaching tool, or no movement of the golf teaching tool provide the user immediate feedback regarding the correctness of the swing.

Abstract: An apparatus which uses a club having a head portion and a shaft. Integrated with the head portion is a golf ball holder. The golf ball holder is capable of gripping and holding a golf ball with a predetermined force requirement for release, which requires the user to execute a proper golf swing to release the ball. The predetermined force requirement may be adjustable. The user also may vary the angle of the club face on various planes relative to the shaft, thereby changing the swing required to release the ball.

Abstract: Attachable systems and methods allow a golfer to ‘zero in’ on the desired striking zone or “sweet spot” of a club, including putters and non-putters. One or more guides are positionable relative to the desired striking zone, such that if a golf ball interacts with a guide during a swing, the guide provides aural or tactile feedback that the club has hit the ball outside of the desired striking zone. The device may include at least two guides, one positionable on one side of the desired striking zone and the other positionable on the other side of the desired striking zone. The device may comprise guides in the form of a tab or leaf pivotable from an up position when not in use to a down position for use. If the club head has a back side, a portion of the device may contact with the back side.

Abstract: A golf club head is provided and includes a club head body, a club head face connected to a front portion of the club head body, wherein the club head face includes a club face surface having a plurality of face cavities arranged across the club face surface and a plurality of protrusion posts, wherein each of the plurality of protrusion posts includes a post body having a post base and a post head, wherein the plurality of protrusion posts is associated with the club face to extend away from the club face surface such that the post base of each of the plurality posts is located in separate cavities of the plurality of face cavities.

Abstract: A golf training accessory has a body that defines at least two elongated ball striking surfaces having different widths, each width being less than approximately 10 mm. An attachment arrangement attaches the body to a head of a putter in manner in which either one of the ball striking surfaces is coincident with an intended strike zone of the putter head. The attachment arrangement is configured to permit a user to select a ball striking surface to be coincident with the intended strike zone.

Abstract: A ball directing putter attachment includes a panel that has a first side, a second side, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The first side is concavely arcuate from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge. A base is attached to the second side. The base is attached to a putter face.

Abstract: Attachable systems and methods allow a golfer to ‘zero in’ on the desired striking zone or “sweet spot” of a club, including putters and non-putters. One or more guides are positionable relative to the desired striking zone, such that if a golf ball interacts with a guide during a swing, the guide provides aural or tactile feedback that the club has hit the ball outside of the desired striking zone. The device may include at least two guides, one positionable on one side of the desired striking zone and the other positionable on the other side of the desired striking zone. The device may comprise guides in the form of a tab or leaf pivotable from an up position when not in use to a down position for use. If the club head has a back side, a portion of the device may contact with the back side.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided having a training strike plate for training a user to consistently strike a golf ball at an optimal point on the putter face while putting. The golf putter has a club head. A training strike plate is selectively couplable to the club head. The training strike plate has a protrusion that extends from a face of the club head when the training strike plate is coupled to the club head. The protrusion has an elongated narrow face such that the protrusion is designed for driving a golf ball away from the protrusion at an acute angle relative to the face of the club head when the golf ball is contacted by an edge of the face of the protrusion.

Abstract: Attachable systems and methods allow a golfer to ‘zero in’ on the desired striking zone or “sweet spot” of a club, including putters and non-putters. One or more guides are positionable relative to the desired striking zone, such that if a golf ball interacts with a guide during a swing, the guide provides aural or tactile feedback that the club has hit the ball outside of the desired striking zone. The device may include at least two guides, one positionable on one side of the desired striking zone and the other positionable on the other side of the desired striking zone. The device may comprise guides in the form of a tab or leaf pivotable from an up position when not in use to a down position for use. If the club head has a back side, a portion of the device may contact with the back side. In particular, if the club is an iron with a rear cavity on the club head, a portion of the device may be received in the cavity to enhance stability, particularly during a swing. Training methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a golf training club with an elevated clubface and sweet spot so that when the ball is struck anywhere but the center of the club the ball would exaggerate its flight to the right, left, up or down; the ball will fly straight only when hit right in the center of the club. The invention helps a golfer to practice precise contact, verify that the face of the golf club has not been inadvertently rotated during the swing and become more conscious of the direction and angle of their swing.

Abstract: An apparatus which uses a club having a head portion and a shaft. Integrated with the head portion is a shaped recess with a golf ball holder. The golf ball holder is capable of gripping and holding a golf ball with a predetermined force requirement for release, which requires the user to execute a proper golf swing to release the ball. The predetermined force requirement may be adjustable. The user also may vary the angle of the club face on various planes relative to the shaft, thereby changing the swing required to release the ball.

Abstract: An invertible golf putting accessory having a body with an upper surface, a lower surface and a plurality of sides. Two of the sides converge towards each other to form an apex and one of the sides is removably connectable to a face of a putter by magnetic and/or adhesive material. The body includes an aperture that is configured to receive a golf ball positioned therein. The accessory is attached to the face of a putter so that a portion of the golf ball can extend above the upper surface and another portion can extend below the lower surface. In use, a golf ball is pulled back and automatically released in a desired direction as the user extends the foreswing beyond the constraints of the aperture. The body also includes indicia on one or more of the surfaces. The indicia may be used to assist in sighting the putter.

Abstract: This golf rules conforming dual-purpose putter invention is created to provide a golf putting club that can be either used to play the game of golf with the flat front face surface or be used for putting practice to train the eyes and muscles of the golfer. Precise putting practice develops the neurological sequencing of optimal skeleto-muscular effectiveness and is affected by using the radiused, ovoid back surface of the putter, to consistently strike the ball in a manner causing the ball to roll perfectly on the chosen path to and into the hole upon execution of the perfect putting stroke. This invention is for a golf putting club that provides immediate visual feedback of any positive, symmetrical, or negative, asymmetrical, contact between the planar centers of the putter and the golf ball. Imprecise contact at the putter center line, instead at a point toward the toe or the heel of the putter, and the impact point of the golf ball will cause the ball to roll in an erratic, off-axis direction.

Abstract: Attachable systems and methods allow a golfer to ‘zero in’ on the desired striking zone or “sweet spot” of a club, including putters and non-putters. One or more guides are positionable relative to the desired striking zone, such that if a golf ball interacts with a guide during a swing, the guide provides aural or tactile feedback that the club has hit the ball outside of the desired striking zone. The device may include at least two guides, one positionable on one side of the desired striking zone and the other positionable on the other side of the desired striking zone. The device may comprise guides in the form of a tab or leaf pivotable from an up position when not in use to a down position for use. If the club head has a back side, a portion of the device may contact with the back side. In particular, if the club is an iron with a rear cavity on the club head, a portion of the device may be received in the cavity to enhance stability, particularly during a swing. Training methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A golf practicing apparatus is provided which includes a club with a latch member. A target is provided which is held by a mount. When the golf club is swung in a predetermined manner, the target is released from the mount and is connected with the golf club.

Abstract: A golf club head having a body and a strike face for striking a golf ball. The strike face is arranged at the front of the body, and a projection projecting forwardly of the body at one side of the strike face. In use, the projection extends in the same direction as a strike direction of the strike face. The golf club head further comprises an alignment marking which extends along an upper surface of the projection.

Abstract: A putting guide assembly and its associated method of use. The putting guide assembly attaches to the head of a putter. The putter head has a striking surface for striking a golf ball. The putting guide assembly is attached to the putter and presents a flexible guide surface that extends forward of the putter's striking surface. The flexible guide surface can be configured into different curvatures. As the flexible guide surface is adjusted, the perceived curvature observed by a golfer holding the putter changes. A golfer can therefore selectively change the perceived curvature to match the natural curvature inherent in that golfer's putting swing.

Abstract: A training golf club includes a shaft having a gripping end and an opposite end coupled with a club head. A club head face includes a planar striking face that is spaced from a club head sole. A lower face of the club head extends between a lower edge of the striking face to the sole of the club head, downwardly and rearwardly from the plane of the striking face. Striking a ball below a mid-plane of the ball with the striking face produces a desirable shot, whereas striking the ball above the mid-plane produces an undesirable shot. Repeated use of the club teaches a user to consistently swing a club with a forward shaft lean for optimal impact with a ball.

Abstract: A golf club, particularly a “putter” or “chipper”, is provided with a concave ball striking face that establishes line contact with a golf ball rather than the usual point contact and enhances the capability of a user to control the direction of ball movement resulting from a golf stroke. The concave ball striking surface may be curved and may have the same or greater curvature than the curvature of a golf ball and may have smoothly and gently merging surface regions of compound curvature. The concave ball striking face surface may have compound regions including a curved region and a planar region being smoothly and gently merged. The concave ball striking surface may be defined on an integral metal club head structure or may be defined by a polymer insert that is recessed into an insert receiving receptacle of the club head.

Abstract: A golf putter includes a pair of aiming arms at each end of the putter head having opposite and inward facing arcuate surfaces corresponding to the outline of a golf hole. The aiming arms may be removed manually or may be made to pivot. In the latter, each arm is pivotally connected at opposing ends of the putter head and adapted to pivot about an axis between a forward aiming position and a second position away from the forward aiming position. Control of the rotation of the aiming arms may be by a lever operable from the putter shaft, or by a spring actuated by pushing downward on the putter shaft.

Abstract: A club head for use with a golf putter is provided. This club head includes a body having a center longitudinal axis passing lengthwise therethrough; a first guide rod mounted within and passing through the body parallel to the center longitudinal axis and on one side thereof, wherein the first guide rod is selectively positional lengthwise within the body; and a second guide rod mounted within and passing through the body parallel to the center longitudinal axis and on the opposite side thereof, wherein the second guide rod is selectively positionable lengthwise within the body.

Abstract: A practice putter comprised of a shaft and a putter head attached to the shaft. The putter head is comprised of a first substantially V-shaped assembly and a second substantially V-shaped assembly.

Abstract: A putting training system is described which includes a modified putter head and may include a modified golf ball. The putter head includes sensor prongs which project from the putter head face.

Abstract: A putting guide assembly and its associated method of use. The putting guide assembly attaches to the head of a putter. The putter head has a striking surface for striking a golf ball. The putting guide assembly is attached to the putter and presents a rod that extends forward of the putter's striking surface. The rod has a first end, a second end and at least one curved section in between those two ends. The rod can be rotated into different orientations while being attached to the putter. As the rod is rotated, the perceived curvature of the rod that is observed by a golfer holding the putter changes. A golfer can therefore selectively change the perceived curvature of the rod to match the natural curvature inherent in that golfer's putting swing.

Abstract: An alignment device for attachment to the striking face of a golf club head includes a pair of elongate guide rods, a pair of connection plates for attachment between the proximal ends of the guide rods and the striking face of the head, and an adhesive layer for mounting the connection plates to the striking face. Each guide rod includes a magnet and each connection plate is constructed of a magnetically attractive material so that the guide rods can be used during practice and removed during play.

Abstract: A putting training device having two alignment guides positioned to extend from the blade of a putter. In one embodiment the alignment guides extend generally parallel to each other to facilitate a generally parallel putting stroke. In an alternative embodiment, each of the alignment guides generally arcuate in shape and extends from the blade of the putter in a generally concentric manner, to facilitate a generally arcuate putting stroke. The ends of the alignment guides are tapered to prevent the alignment guides from catching on the putting surface. Additionally, at least one of the alignment guides is movable, such that the space between the two alignment guides can tailored for the experience level of each user.

Abstract: A golf putting training device is provided which comprises a pair of alignment guides extending from the club face to provide a visual means of reference for the golfer during the putting stroke. The training device provides a means for the golfer to improve his accuracy through repeated use and allows muscle memory to remember the correct motion during the golf club swing.

Abstract: A practice attachment device for removable attachment to the head of a putter. The device is designed to aid a golfer improve a putting stroke when using a blade or heel-toe putter. The device includes a frame, an aligning rod, and a clamp to attach the combination of the frame and the rod to the putter head. The rod is cylindrical in shape and positioned in front of the putter head face such that it strikes the ball. If the putter head, and thus the rod, is not properly aligned with the ball, the ball will travel off target when struck. The golfer must change the stroke until the rod is properly aligned with the ball on contact. The frame includes a sight port to allow the golfer to align the frame on the putter at the center of the putter head.

Abstract: A golf club with optical indicating system includes a head having an elongate planar face defining the hitting surface of the golf club. Above the hitting surface, at least a pair of spaced-parallel forwardly protruding guides are located extending perpendicularly to the hitting surface. The guides define the indicating system that visually helps the player to determine the best path between the position of the ball on the golf green and the hole. The guides may be integral with the body of the club's head or may be separate parts thereof.

Abstract: A golf practicing apparatus is provided which includes a club with a latch member. A target is provided which is held by a mount. When the golf club is swung in a predetermined manner, the target is released from the mount and is connected with the golf club. When the golf club is swung in an improper manner the target pivots downward and is retained by the mount.

Abstract: A putter assembly and the method of converting a putter assembly between a practice configuration and a regulation play configuration. The putter assembly has a shaft. A putter head is attached to the shaft. The putter head has a striking surface for striking a golf ball. A connection receptacle is disposed on the striking surface of the putter head. A training rod is provided that has a predetermined weight. A plug is also provided that has a weight generally equal to that of the rod. Either the rod or the plug can be attached to the connection receptacle in the putter head. When the rod is attached, the putter is configured for use in training, wherein the rod provides a reference guide during putting. When the rod is removed and the plug is set in place, the putter is ready for regulation play.

Abstract: A golf putter assembly and its associated method of use. The putter assembly has a putter head disposed at the end of a traditional shaft. The putter head has a striking surface for striking a golf ball. A rod is provided that extends forward of the striking surface. The rod has a first end, a second end and at least one curved section in between those two ends. The rod can be rotated into different orientations prior to being attached to the putter head. As the rod is rotated, the perceived curvature of the rod that is observed by a golfer holding the putter changes. A golfer can therefore selectively change the perceived curvature of the rod to match the natural curvature inherent in that golfer's putting swing.

Abstract: A golf putter having a virtual hitting face frontward offset from an actual hitting face of a putter head is disclosed. The golf putter comprises a putter head having a hitting face, a toe part and a heel part, a hosel connected on the putter head, a shaft which is formed with a grip at an upper end thereof, a shaft receiving part connected to the hosel to receive a lower end of the shaft; and a virtual hitting position decision plate which, when a golfer look downward at the hitting face, covers the hitting face, and has a virtual hitting face at a position forwardly offset from the hitting face.

Abstract: A golf practicing apparatus is provided which includes a club with a latch member. A target is provided which is held by a mount. When the golf club is swung in a predetermined manner, the target is released from the mount and is connected with the golf club. When the golf club is swung in an improper manner the target pivots downward and is retained by the mount.

Abstract: Improvements are provided for a putter. The putter includes a club head. The improvements are removably mounted on the putter and facilitate the practice of a putting stroke in which the putter club head moves along a path of travel that is generally parallel to the ground.

Abstract: A golf putter having a virtual hitting face frontward offset from an actual hitting face of a putter head is disclosed. The golf putter comprises a putter head having a hitting face, a toe part and a heel part, a hosel connected on the putter head, a shaft which is formed with a grip at an upper end thereof, a shaft receiving part connected to the hosel to receive a lower end of the shaft; and a virtual hitting position decision plate which, when a golfer look downward at the hitting face, covers the hitting face, and has a virtual hitting face at a position forwardly offset from the hitting face.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method to facilitate use of a golf club, having a face, as a system to improve a user's performance in the game of golf. The device includes a body having first and second opposed surfaces; and a clamping mechanism connected to the body to securely affix the body to the golf club, with the second surface being coextensive with the first surface and having an arcuate shape with a constant radius of curvature.

Abstract: An attachment for the head of a golf putter which is to be used to train a golfer in making a precise smooth swing when striking of a golf ball in order to propel the golf ball directly to the target. The attachment comprises a rigid body which has an arcuate outer surface. The attachment is to be removably adhesively secured to the striking face of the golf putter. The arcuate surface of the attachment extends in an arc from a direction directly adjacent the toe of the head of a golf putter to a position directly adjacent the heel of the head of the golf putter.

Abstract: Several features are combined to provide a balanced putter, which assists a player in perfecting a putt stroke during practice and repeating it with the same club during play. The clubhead is substantially symmetric around the shaft and has tapered top and bottom surfaces such that the angle of the shaft relative to the sole of the putter is no more than 80 degrees. The shaft is attached at the center of the clubhead, and the clubhead and shaft are arranged so that the center of gravity of the clubhead strikes the center of the golf ball. The clubhead has a playing surface on one face that is parabolic and can be flat in the extreme. The clubhead has a practice surface on the other face that is curved, preferably elliptical, to assist the golfer in learning the proper stroke. The putter conforms to the Rules of Golf so that the player does not have to change clubs between practice and play. The club may be used for a right- or left-handed stroke.

Abstract: A laser or other focused beam is mounted in a device with the appearance from above of a golf ball which device can either rest on the ground in contact with a putterface or be attached to a putterhead or other clubhead such that the focused beam is at a 90 degree angle to the putterface. After the device user is satisfied that the club is properly aimed or aligned at a target, the laser beam is activated via a wired foot, or finger, or wireless switch such that the actual aim can be compared on a visible or blind screen behind the target with the intended target. The device can be used with any putter for putter training, putter club fitting, and putter aim testing and selection.

Abstract: A pair of error amplification deflectors, releasably attached to the face of a golf club with hook and loop patches, are spaced to provide a central zone on the face of the club for directing a golf ball along a normal path upon squarely striking the ball, but are shaped for redirecting the path of the ball upon striking the ball to provide a signal indicative of an off-center putting stroke or golf swing. The hook and loop patches permit adjustment of the width of the center zone for different levels of practice difficulty, and provide further indication of an off-center stroke by absorbing energy to decelerate the speed of the redirected ball.

Abstract: A golf putter training system for developing a controlled putter head velocity and acceleration during a putting swing. The golf putter training system includes a body having a rear portion and a front portion, a main aperture within the body for receiving a conventional golf ball in a rotatable manner, a rear opening within the rear portion of the body connected to the main aperture, a plurality of brace members extending below the lower edge of the putter head, and a plurality of lower members and upper members extending from the rear portion for receiving a plurality of connector members. The connector members are attachable about the putter head thereby securing the body thereto. A plurality of apertures may be positioned within the rear portion of the body for receiving an elongate attachment member that is attachable to the shaft of the putter club. Alternative, a first bracket and a second bracket maybe attached to the body for receiving the connectors.