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 hard rubber plate forms a striking surface that covers most of a front face of a body of a club head of a putter. The thickness of the plate prevents an uncovered edge of the front face from striking a golf ball. The front face has an arcuate shape that indicates a part of the striking surface that ideally strikes the golf ball. A sighting fin extends rearward from the front face. The fin has a horizontal sighting surface that provides sighting in a direction perpendicular to the striking surface. The body has a plurality of threaded holes wherein a screw is engaged to provide a desired weight and distribution of weight of the club head. When a mallet putter is oriented with its hosel extending vertically above its body, a bottom of the mallet putter's body slopes upward from its front face to a back of the body. Disadvantages of a large front to back length of a mallet putter are obviated by the upward slope.

Abstract: An alignment device for aligning a stroke path of a golf club comprises a body portion and a pair of spaced apart guide members. The body portion includes a mounting portion which is configured to mount to a shaft portion of a golf club. The body portion is positioned along and generally above a club head of the golf club when the mounting portion is mounted to the shaft portion. The guide members are spaced apart and extend from the body portion and extend generally perpendicularly to the face of the golf club head when the mounting portion is mounted to the shaft portion of the golf club. The spaced apart guide members facilitate alignment of the stroke path of the golf club without interfering with the line of sight from the golfer to the golf club head and/or the golf ball during the golf swing or practice stroke.

Abstract: A golf club swinging guide releasably attachable to a lower end of a golf club shaft. The guide includes a stationary member having an alignment surface which, when adjustably aligned parallel to the striking face of the golf club head, automatically orients the visual intended line of flight perpendicular to the club face. A movable member is connected for free rotation to the stationary member about an upright axis of rotation which passes centrally through an enlarged clearance aperture through the stationary and movable members to facilitate installation over the grip area of the shaft. A wind vane extends laterally from one end of the movable member whereby the movable member is responsive to movement of air to visually align itself in a direction that the golf club is swung. Visual misalignment between the intended line of flight and the actual direction of golf club swing is viewable during a golf swing. Temporary securement of the alignment at the instant of golf ball impact is also provided.

Abstract: A Planar-Parallactic Golf Alignment Aide is disclosed. Also disclosed is a device that provides the golfer with a planar alignment sight line for aligning the club face with the target. The invention further provides the golfer with a parallactic alignment sight line for placing his or her head in the proper and repeatable position in order to eliminate unintentional stance variations. The aide may be incorporated within the club head and operate by aligning an aperture or line with the projected image of that aperture or line to use the phenomena of parallax for head alignment. The aperture or line is formed in the top of a dome, and the projected image then appears on a projection surface below the dome. The device may either be an attachment for a conventional club head, or may incorporated into the head itself.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a ferrule at one side for connecting a club, a striking face formed in a front side, and an angle indicating device fitted in an upper center portion of the club head easily seen by a player. The angle-indicting device has a pointing member and an angle indicating marks. Then a golf player can look at the point of the angle indicating marks where the top of the pointing member is pointing to, and adjust and confirm the angle between the striking surface of the club head and the ball according to the condition of the courses of the gold link. Thus a player can strike a ball with the best angle to achieve striking stability by means of the angle-indicating device.

Abstract: A golf putting training device for quickly attaching to a golf putter and used on a practice putting green without interfering with other golfers practicing on the same putting green. The training device helps teach the fundamentals of putting a golf ball with proper line of sight over the center of a putter head and the center of a golf ball. The golf putting training device includes a putter shaft attachment housing adapted for adjustably mounting along a length of a golf putter shaft. The shaft includes a lower end attached to the putter head. One end of a first and second brace are releasably attached to the attachment housing. An opposite end of the first and second brace is hinged to one side of a ball alignment arm. The ball alignment arm includes a sight gap along a length of the arm. The sight gap is used to position the alignment arm directly over a center of the golf ball and next to the putter head.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a device that attaches to sporting equipment for the purpose of generating an audible sound under predetermined conditions. The device 10 is selectively attached to hand held sporting equipment, such as a golf club 18 and tennis racquet 38, that travels through a sweeping motion. By attachment of the sound generating device to the aforementioned equipment it will be possible to cause audible sounds under abrupt increases in velocity. The device of the preferred embodiment is comprised of a sound generation element 12 such as a pliable material, and may include a means of attachment element 14. The sound generation element 12 can be permanently or semi-permanently fixed to the sporting equipment. In the permanent/semi-permanent state the sound generation element is fixedly positioned by means of adhesive 40, or any other bonding means known within the art, to the sporting equipment thereby having no need for a means of an attachment element 14.

Abstract: A swing training golf iron has a solid metal linear shaft attached to an iron golf head and a hand grip. The side of the shaft facing the iron golf head has linear indicia located between the head and grip to provide visual orientation of the angular orientation of the golf head relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The hand grip has a pair of projections for locating the golfer's hand son the grip. Each projection has a V-shaped indicia to aid in the angular orientation of the iron golf head.

Abstract: A golf club head having a body including a striking surface and a lower portion which couples with one of a plurality of flanges adapted to be fastened to the lower portion of the body. Each flange is configured to have a lower ground engaging surface defining a predetermined bounce angle such that replacing one of the plurality of flanges alters the bounce angle of the head. Preferably, the flange includes a plurality of cavities for receiving interchangeable weights for altering the weight characteristics of the club head.

Abstract: There is disclosed a golf club such as a putter and in one embodiment an attachment for the same. The club head has at least one striking face, a rear face and side faces or edges defining a body of a predetermined thickness to which a shaft is attached. Within the body of the head there is provided a recess in a form which opens into the rear face of the head or as a closed aperture completely defined within the body which is of marginally greater dimensions than, and adapted to receive an object such as a conventionally sized golf ball. The recess or aperture can be disposed substantially centrally of the head behind the striking face of the club head so that the “sweet spot” on the striking face can be substantially centrally disposed of said recess or aperture. Ideal toe-heel weight distribution can be achieved in this manner.

Abstract: A golf club having a hollow shaft whose flexibility is determined by the tension on a wire coinciding with the shaft longitudinal axis. The is attached between a fixed assembly in the handle and a fixed assembly at the shaft lower end. The upper assembly includes a cap member, a wire-end clamping member, and a tension support member. A first embodiment uses a thin round wire. A second embodiment uses a thin tape-shaped wire.

Abstract: A golf club having a hollow shaft whose flexibility is altered by rotating the club handle. Change in flexibility results from change in tension on a wire coinciding with the shaft longitudinal axis. The wire is attached between a longitudinally movable assembly in the handle and a fixed assembly at the shaft lower end. The movable assembly includes outer and inner tension tuner members, a collar, a clamp and bifurcated collet, and outer and inner twist-prevention housings.

Abstract: A body is attached to a rubber cuff. A sighting tube extends transversely through the body. A notch is depressed into a top face of the body. The notch is positioned at a 90 degree angle with respect to the sighting tube. The sighting apparatus is attached to a putter by inserting a shaft of the putter into the rubber cuff. The sighting apparatus is aligned properly by placing a golf tee or pencil in the notch and rotating the body until the tee or pencil is parallel to a face of a head of the putter. By placing the putter behind a golf ball and sighting a hole through the sighting tube, a golfer can align the face of the head of his or her putter for a proper stroke.

Abstract: Indicia attached to a golf club grip or shaft indicates the proper positioning of the golf club and hands during gripping of the golf club and during the golf swing. The indicia may also warn the golfer that the golf club is incorrectly positioned. The indicia may be attached to an existing golf grip or shaft, or integrally formed with the golf grip or shaft. Additionally, the indicia may be permanently or removably attached to the golf grip or shaft. The indicia, for example, may include a first line and a second line which are visible to the golfer during a golf swing to indicate that the golf club is in the desired position, but if the first or second lines are not visible, that indicates the golf club is not in the desired position. Hand positioning indicia having a generally V-shaped configuration extends between the first and second lines, and the first and second lines are preferably spaced at least about 120.degree.

Abstract: A golf putter includes a head, a shaft, and a sighting apparatus attached to the shaft such that a geometric plane containing both a longitudinal axis of the sighting apparatus and a longitudinal axis of the shaft forms a right angle with a face of the head. When the shaft is oriented vertically, and the hole or flag pole is viewable through the sighting apparatus, the face of the head of the golf putter is pointed toward the hole, thus aligning the golf putter for the putt.

Abstract: A golf putter comprises a putter head which is generally triangular in plan view with a front face for engaging the ball and a flat base surface generally at right angles to the front face and extending rearwardly therefrom while tapering to a rear apex centrally of the putter face. An upper surface of the putter head includes a central ridge line extending downwardly from a top of the putter face to the rear apex of the base surface. The shaft is positioned centrally of the putter head and extends vertically upwardly therefrom at right angles to the base. The shaft is formed in two sections including a lower shaft section and an upper shaft section which can be moved relative to the lower shaft section from a conventional aligned position to a position at right angles thereto projecting at right angles to the front face of the putter head and rearwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A golf club has a head with a ball contact face and a shaft with surface indicia thereon or on an attachment thereto which may be used to provide for aligning the club face to be in a plane substantially perpendicular to a predetermined ball trajectory. The shaft or attachment may be of rectangular or square cross section with one or two surfaces extending normal to the club face and including contrasting indicia on such surfaces with respect to surfaces which extend parallel to the club face. The shaft may be of circular cross section with contrasting indicia provided on opposite sides of the shaft with respect to a plane through the central axis of the shaft and parallel to the club face, or include a hand grip with a generally flat thumbrest surface with contrasting indicia and extending in a plane perpendicular to the ball contact face.

Abstract: A golf swing teaching aid designed to be removably attached to a golf club grip and having a planar member with an opening that encircles the golf club grip and the golfer's hands gripping the club, such that the planar member does not interfere with the golfer's hands or swinging of the golf club. The planar member attaches to the grip at two points, preferably with a friction fit, and locates the edges of the planar member about the grip aligning the planar member with the longitudinal axis of the club. The golfer's hands are located within the opening of the planar member and normally wrap around the grip. The planar member includes a highlighted or contrasting edge to aid the golfer in observing and assessing the position and alignment of the golfer's hands and the golf club face during the swing. The planar member provides the golfer or an instructor with an instantaneous visual picture of the true hand position and swing plane of the golfer's swing to provide for correction of the golf swing.

Abstract: A golf training device adapted for attachment to a golf club grip for training a golfer to pivot and maintain a solid leading arm is disclosed. The device includes a body contacting arm having a first end adapted for attachment to the golf club grip and a free second end which contacts the body of a golfer when the golfer fails to pivot or maintain a solid leading arm as the golfer strikes a golf ball. The body contacting arm is shaped to lie adjacent, but not touch, the front hip of a golfer when the body contacting arm is properly attached to the golf club grip and the golfer addresses the golf ball. In use, the second end of the body contacting arm moves adjacent, but does not contact, the front hip of the golfer when the golfer pivots and maintains a solid leading arm as the golfer strikes the golf ball. However, the second end of the body contacting arm contacts the golfer if the golfer fails to properly pivot or maintain a solid leading arm as the golfer strikes the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf putter alignment device includes a torsion spring clamp that firmly but releasably engages a shaft or a hosel of a golf putter. An elongate positioning rod is disposed within an elongate groove formed in a first arm of the clamp, and a transversely disposed end of a torsion spring overlies the elongate positioning rod to retain it within the elongate groove while allowing the elongate positioning rod to be slideably and rotationally disposed within the elongate groove for positioning purposes. A transversely disposed cradle is secured to a leading end of the elongate positioning rod and receives and supports an elongate alignment rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fitting individual golfers for golf putters provides for determining the balanced position of the putter shaft relative to the putter head. The proper angle of the putter shaft relative to the putter head horizontal axis is measured for the particular golfer, and this measured angle is utilized to determine the point of attachment of the putter shaft on the horizontal axis of the putter head. The determined values are then employed to manufacture a "face balanced" putter for that particular golfer.

Abstract: A training device for golf putting, said device being removably securable to a golf putter having a putter face and vertically disposed shaft, said device comprising:clamping means for removably securing said teaching device in a generally horizontally plane,said alignment member including an elongate portion for longitudinally axial alignment with a longitudinal axis of the putter face;elongated flexible guide means secured to said elongate portion of said alignment member for guiding a golf ball to a target; andmeans for tensioning said guide means and maintaining tension on said guide means from said alignment member to the target during a stroke of the putter.

Abstract: A golf putting training device (22) attached to the shaft (30) of a putter (14) has a shape that extends out from the shaft (30) and forms an elongated edge (24) that is aligned by a user (10) along the heel (16b) of the putter (14) so that a spacing (38) is formed between the edge (24) and a golf ball (12) adjacent the putter head face (16a) at address. The user (10) moves the putter head (16) along the putting stroke so that the spacing (38) is maintained essential constant throughout the stroke thereby ensuring the putter head face (16a) is maintained perpendicular to the target line (36) during the putting stroke.

Abstract: A golf stroke instruction device comprising an elongate, pivotally mounted club-engaging component whose range of motion can be selectively controlled by the user. This novel club-engaging component is operatively mounted adjacent at least one generally vertically disposed planar member. The planar member has an upper portion upon which the component is pivotally mounted for free swinging motion, with the planar member also having a face portion as well as a pair of side portions. A motion-limiting arrangement is utilized on each side portion of the planar member, serving to limit the motion of the club-engaging component as it moves along the face portion of the planar member and approaches a side portion.

Abstract: A golf club aligning aid is provided which allows a golfer to quickly improve his or her golf swing. The aligning aid can be a small strip of flexible material which can be disposed with a planar "flag" portion which is disposed perpendicular to the shaft of the club. This planar portion can be rotated about the shaft for proper alignment with respect to the leading edge of the face of the golf club head. Preferably, the aligning aid is attached on or near the handle of the club by being snugly wrapped around the shaft and attached to itself, such as by a hook and loop fastener. In one embodiment, the aligning aid also has a graphical design disposed on one end of the planar portion. The graphical design has a first axis which, when the aid is attached to the clubs is perpendicular to the shaft of the golf club and a second axis designed to be disposed parallel to the shaft of the club. The ratio of the length of the second axis to the length of the first axis is between about 0.25 and about 0.75.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a heel end, a toe end, and a front face arranged for impact with a golf ball. A plurality of elongated grooves are formed in the front face of the body. A pair of visual indicators are provided on the front face and are aligned with one of the grooves. One of the visual indicators is aligned with a heel end of the groove, and the other visual indicator is aligned with a toe end of the groove. When the club head is placed at "address" behind a golf ball, the visual indicators are utilized in a manner to position the club head so that the elongated grooves in the front face lie perpendicular to an intended target line. This prevents the club head from being inadvertently positioned with the front face "open" or "closed".

Abstract: The proximal and distal parts of a golf club shaft that has been cut into two parts are pivotally interconnected to one another and are releasably lockable into any one of a plurality of different positions of angular adjustment by a device having a proximal end and a distal end that are interlockable to one another. The proximal end of the device includes a sleeve that nonreleasably receives the proximal end of the golf club shaft and the distal end of the device includes a sleeve that nonreleasably receives the distal end of the shaft. The device includes a middle part having a first face plate formed by the proximal end of the device and a second face plate formed by the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a head with a club face connected to the lower end of the shaft. A ground engageable guide surface is provided on the head. The guide surface is mounted laterally next to the face of the head and extends toward the front and toward the top. The guide surface may be mounted so as to be adjustable relative to the head or the shaft of the club. The guide surface is mounted on an intermediate piece which is removably attached to the shaft on a side of the head facing away from the club face of the head. The guide surface may be formed by a resilient plate-shaped member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf putter designed to improve accuracy of putting by providing an alignment means on the putting head of the putter by which the putting head can be aligned with a line running from a point near the hole through the golf ball to a point substantially behind the golf ball. The alignment means extends towards the back of the putting head, which allows the putting head to be aligned with the center of the ball and the point behind the ball. The point behind the golf ball is closer to the ball than the point near the hole, thus providing for a more accurate alignment between the putting head and the line. Further, the alignment means is of a sufficient length to accurately align the putting head to the line. The device of the present invention includes a grip, a shaft, a putting head, and an alignment means.

Abstract: A training/playing aid for clamping on the shaft of a golf club for use in the measurement of movement in degrees that a golfer comes over the top of the ball at impact. Upon measurement of this movement, the training/playing aid is adjusted making it possible to position the golfer in a correct golf ball addressing stance. The training/playing aid comprises an elongated arm having a clamp at one end for securing the arm to the shaft of the golf club to extend laterally thereof. The clamp comprises a cylindrical shell having an opening at one side for clamping on the shaft of the golf club. The arm is streamlined with a streamlined pointer movably mounted on the arm of the golf club in a direction parallel with the head of the club with the pointer aligned with the "sweet spot" of the golf club.

Abstract: A golf club especially constructed to eliminate the backspin imparted on a golf ball when striking the ball and to improve the player's control and accuracy of the golf putt by ensuring that the center of the ball, the center of the clubface and the center of the golf club all meet at one point when the putter strikes the ball.

Abstract: The present invention apparatus is a golf putting training device for training a golfer to properly putt a golf ball in a training environment. Training apparatus comprises two elongated telescoping guide members each having an outer guide and an inner guide, the guide members are removably affixed to the head portion of the golf putter.

Abstract: A training apparatus that indicates the alignment of a practice golf stroke includes a base plate and a club member. The base plate includes a body, a pointer, a guide strip, and a warning background. The club member attaches to a golf club, and includes a mounting clip, an extension arm, and a colored translucent blade coupled together. The guide strip, warning background, and blade cooperate to indicate a first color when the practice stroke is aligned and a second color when the practice stroke is misaligned. The apparatus is configured such that a golf ball travels over the practice surface during use, and such that a user can clearly view the golf ball in the address position and as it is struck by the golf club.

Abstract: Apparatus for stance improvement includes an aperture which may have optical sight therein, located in the grip or shaft of a golf club so that the ground or light is visible to the player when the club is properly aligned, the player's feet, knees, hips, and shoulders are properly located; and the player's head is in the correct position to hit a straight golf shot with an iron or fairway wood on which the golfer's downward line of sight intersects the club grip or shaft. The aperture is positioned at the point of intersection between the club grip or shaft and the line of sight. Several such apertures may be formed in the shaft and/or grip to assist the golfer in addressing the ball for different golf shots, such as a straight shot or a draw or a fade.

Abstract: A golf swing teaching aid golf club is provided herein. It includes a golf club which is simple in construction and is devoid of complicated mechanical, electrical or electronic gadgetry. The golf teaching aid includes a golf club having a grip portion and a head portion, and a hollow cylindrical transparent shaft interposed between the grip portion and the head portion. The hollow cylindrical portion contains a predetermined volume of colored flowable liquid of low viscosity. Such liquid is freely flowable, unimpeded, from one end of the hollow cylindrical transparent shaft portion adjacent the grip portion to the other end thereof adjacent the head portion to check the correctness of the swing of a golfer. Before the golf swing, the liquid adopts a position within the hollow cylindrical transparent shaft at selected marker lines.