CA1185285A

CA1185285A - Golf putter

Info

Publication number: CA1185285A
Application number: CA000385191A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Richard B.C. Tucker
Original assignee: WM T Burnett and Co Inc
Current assignee: WM T Burnett and Co Inc
Priority date: 1980-09-11
Filing date: 1981-09-03
Publication date: 1985-04-09
Also published as: GB2083366A; AU7513781A; GB2141035A; IE52136B1; AU554479B2; JPH0731803Y2; GB8416132D0; GB2141035B; IE812079L; GB2083366B; JPH0674167U

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
A putter having a soft elastomeric striking face is described. The elastomer of the striking face has a controlled hardness and rebound response to impart to the putter an improved sense of touch and feel while producing a putt of maximum distance with a minimum of effort and enhanced directional accuracy. Additionally, there is disclosed a golf putter for use with a stance wherein the natural body movement of the golfer is utilized in stroking or swinging the putter, eliminating the necessity of swinging the putter around the body while trying to keep the face of the putter moving in a straight line. The head of the putter includes a face having a width greater than its height, with the base of the face having a contour substantially across the width of the face. The shaft is positioned in the head at an angle to a vertical line extending through the center of a horizontal line extending across the face of the putter. The top of the putter face is masked in order that when the shaft of the putter is held in a substantially vertical position the putter, when viewed from the top, has the appearance of having a low point on the base of the face substantially in line with the shaft. There is also disclosed a method of putting wherein the natural body movement of the golfer is utilized in stroking or swinging the putter, eliminat-ing the necessity of swinging the putter around the body while trying to keep the face of the putter moving in a straight line.

Description

1~ 85Z~15 GOLF PUTTER

_ IELD OF INVENTIO~
This invention relates to golf clubs. More parti-cularly, this invention relates to golf putters having a sof-t striking face of controlled properties which im- ¦
parts to the golfer using the putter improved touch, feel,and control, and enhanced ball rebound response from the p~ltter face.
. - i .BACKGROUND OF INVE~TION
It is recognized by a golfer that the game of golf has two fundamentally distinct aspects. One aspect is on the driving tee and fairway, and the other is on the putting green. On the driving tee and fairway the golEer looks to equipmen-t which will maximize the distance of ball travel even a-t some sacrifice in ball control. Golf woods and irons, therefore, normally utilize a relatively heavy head set a-t the end of a relatively long shaf-t.
These woods and irons are normally swung with the great-est power possible, consistent with position and conditions on the golE course, all to provide grea-ter distance of ball travel. It has been suggested -to incorporate into the head or face of a wood a plastic ma-terial having high resiliency and hardness to provide greater distances of ball travel.
On -the putting green, the golfer is not primarily concerned wi-th power and distance, bu-t needs to accurately propel the ball to and into the hole wi-th as few strokes as possible. ~ccura-te propulsion of -the ball to and into the hole requires a sense of touch and feel by the golfer ;
,~

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between the golf ball on the green and his put-ter. The desire of the golfer to maximize the touch and feel neces-sary to accurately control the direction of the ball mc)ve-men~ and the distance of the ball movement on the putting green has led to literally hundreds o~ putter shapes and designs. The various shapes and designs have included pu-tters havincJ heads with an inereased mass to increase the distance oE ball travel with a short backswing, which increases accuracy; localiza-tion and balancing of the mass in the head to impreve directional accuracy; decreased mass in the putter head to provide increased accuraey, a~d the use of a striking face made oE rubber or plastic ma-terial to impart a sense of feel and touch while controll-ing the rebound characteristics of the ball when struck with the rubber or plastic face Ot the putter. The vari-ous putter designs and various metal striking faces of different shapes and weights have received a mixed degree oE suecess. However, up until now no putter having a rub-ber or plastie striking face has been sueeessfully marketed and none are presently being marketed.
OBJECTS AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THIS INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a golf putter having a soft face formed from an elastomer chemieally formulated to provide enhanced toueh, feel, and ball eontrol, as well as eontrolled rebound eharae-teristies.
Another objeet is to provide a golf putter designed for use with a stanee wherein the natural body movement o the golfer is utilized in s-tro~incJ or swinc~ing the putter.
fleretofore when a cJolf putter utilizing a rubber or plastie Eaee has been sugcJested, i-t was believed that the essen-tial eharaeteristics oE-the rubber or plastie was high hardness. It was believed -that a soEt material gave a slow rebound, and that inereased hardness gave an increased re-bound and increased speed as well as what was believed to be the neeessary durability. ~ccordingly, hardness was the ultimate and only criteria used in the seleetion of the elas-tomer.

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I-t has now been determined that high hardness is not required and, in fact, can be detrimental to pro~iding a striking face on a putter having the critical characteris-tics of touch, feel, and ball control. Rubber and plastic resilient faces having high hardness as described in the prior ar-t wer~ placed on putters having a metal head and contrary to expecta-tion, the putters did not provide im-proved touch and feel. Moreover, the rebound characteris-t:ics were substan-tially lowered relative to a putter with a me-tal s-triking Eace. Surprisingly, however, it has been discovered that an elastomer having high resiliency, i.e., a resiliency above abou-t ~5~ rebound (Bashore) with a mini-mum hardness of about 70 Durometer A and preferably a hardness below the hardness of a golf ball which is in the range oE, or above 99 Durometer A and 50 Durometer D
at the surface of the ball, gave excellent touch and Eeel permitting accurate ball control. Additionally, such elastomers had rebouncl charac-teristics equal to or better than the rebound characteristics of a metal head.
It is believed that elastomers which have a hardness above about 70 Durometer A, but below the hardness of a golf ball, are still sufficiently soft so that the elasto-mer face and golf ball are compatible, which provides better touch and feel. Additionally, the coefficient of fric-tion of elastomers having a hardness within the afore-said range improves ox contributes to the feel and touch.
It is further believed that an elastomer on a putter face having a hardness as above defined permits the golf ball when soE-tly or cJently s-troked, as on a putting green, to penetrate into the elastomer face in contras-t to the golf ball being compressed as is the case if -the face of the putter has a hardness greater than the hardness oE
the ball. The high resiliency oE the elastomer without shock-absorbing or dampening efEect causes the ball, after penetratincJ into the elastomer, to rebound sharply without energy Ioss. The sharp rebound without energy loss in-creases -the distance of ball travel. The increased distance ~5~15 of ball travel in turn permits the utilization of a shorter backswing, substantially increasing the accuracy of the swing and, thus, direction of ball travel.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a golf putter which comprises a shaft and a head having a striking face at one end of the shaft. The head has an elastomer on at least the striking area of the face of the head. The elastomer has a hardness of at least 70 Durometer A and a hardness less than the hardness of a golf ball and a high resiliency with controlled dampening. The hardness permits penetration of a golf ball into the elastomer when a ball is stroked with the face. The resiliency and controlled dampening causes th~ stroked ball to rebound from the face a dis-tance at least as great as the distance of the rebound of the ball when the ball is stroked with an equal force with a metal putter head of equal mass. This putter, because of the soft face with its unique characteristics, provides excellent touch and feel, con-tributing to greater control of direction and distance of a stroked golf ball. However, elastomers having the hardness and resiliency as above defined are sufficiently tough to resist abrasion and tear.
A preferred putter provided by the present invention in-cludes a head having a face with a width greater than its height, the base of the face having a contour, preferably a curvature, from one side of the face to the other. Additionally, the shaft is positioned in the head at an angle to a vertical line passing through the center of a hori~ontal line extending across the face of the putter. The top of the face of the putter is masked so that when the shaft is in a substan-tially vertical position the head has the appearance, when viewed from the top of the putter, of having a low point of the base of the face substantially in line with the shaft.
Accordingly, when the putter is positioned for putting by grasping the shaft of the putter at about mid-length or thereabouts with a single hand, the free end of the shaft extending up the fore-arm oE the gripping hand, the golfer sees the head of the putter as though the lowermost point, or a lowermost point, on the face of the putter is substantially in line with the shaft, whether or not the lowermost point, or a lowermost point, is directly below the shaft or is spaced to one side or the other. The golfer, therefore is not detracted as to where the actual lowermost point . . .

of the face of the putter is, giving the golfer confidence in making a natural swinging or stroking arm movement substantially the same as in bowling.
In a further embodiment, the invention contemplates a package contai~ning a plurality of elastomer pads constructed and arranged with means for applyin~ the faces to the face of a putter. The plurality of elastomers has varying rebound character-istics with the elastomers having a hardness of at least 70 Duro-meter ~ and high resiliency with controlled dampening.
~laving described the invention in general terms, a specific and presently preferred embodiment will be described in detail in reference to the illustrative drawing wherein -FIGURE 1 is a perspective view from the front of a pre-ferred putter having a double wing club head and molded thereon an elastomeric face of controlled hardness and resiliency, inter-mediate portions of the shaft of the putter being broken away;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view from the front of another putter head wherein an elastomeric face of controlled hardness and resiliency is indented into a metal head;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view from the front of another putter comprising a metal head portion integrally molded with the putter shaft and an elastomer having controlled properties molded entirely around the metal head portion;
FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the putter of FIGURE 3 taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view from the front of a putter head similar to the putter illustrated in FIGURE 2, but wherein the face of the putter comprises first and second elastomers;
FIGURE 6 is a sche~atic view of a package con-taining a plurality of elastomeric pacls for affixing to the striking face of a putter;
FIGURE 7 is a schemat:ic perspective view showing the me-thod of putting of this invention; and FIGURE 8 is a schemat:ic perspective view illustrating a modification oE the method of putting as shown in FIGURE 7.

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Reference is first made to FIGURE 1 which illustrates a putter generally identified by the numeral 15 which in-cludes a double wing head generally identified by the numeral 16 and a shaft 17 extendincJ upwardly from head 16.
Head 16 includes a pla-t:elike front portion 8 which includ~s a strikin~ face 9 ha~in,g a contoured base including a flat por-tion 7. Head 16 has a rearwardly e~tending body 10 to provide a substantially T-shaped putter. As shown, shaft 17 extends upwardly from the -top of the rearwardly extend-ing head por-tion 10 at an angle of at least 10 degrees in relation to the flat portion 7. The ~ace 9 of -the putter has molded thereto a resilie~t elastomer 6. The elas-tomer face as shown is approximately three-sixteenths (3/16"~
inch in thickness and completely covers face 9. The elastomer is fabricated from ADIPRENE 5~18, a urethane elastomer manufactured ana sold by the duPont Company.
ADIPRENE 5~18 is the reaction product of a polyether and diphenyl methane 4,4'-diisocyanate, the polymer terminated with free isocyanate groups which were subsequently cured with 1,4-butane-diol. The elastomer has a hardness of 83 Durometer A and a resiliency of 70% (Bashore). The hard-ness and resiliency compares with a hardness of 90 Duro-meter D and a resiliency of 15% (Bashore) for a brass metal face putter.
The putter of FIGURE 1 having the elastomer face pre-vents a golf ball when stroked with the putter from skidding or slippincJ even when a backspin or twist is applied to the golf ball. This is in contradistinction to a metal face where slipping and skidding will occur. ~dditionally, the elastomer face permits a golE ball to penetrate into the elastomeric ace when stroked with a golf putter due ta its rela-tively low hardness in rela-tion to the ~olf ball, with the ball reboundincJ sharply from the elastomer and rebounding a distance cJreater than the distance of rebound of a golf ball when struck with a metal face putter with equal force.
In contradistinc-tion, an elastomeric face made from each of ~DIPRENE L-100, a urethan~ polymer based on a poly-ether reacted with -toluene diisocyanate and terminated with free isocyanate groups, ana cured with MOCA (4,4'-me-thylene-bis-2-chloroaniline), and ADIPRENE L-315, a urethane polymer which is the reaction product of a poly-ether and toluene diisocyanate cured with MOCA failed to provide the desired Eeel and touch; and, additionally, had rebound characteristics inferior to the rebound characteristics of a metal face putter. The L-100 poly-mer had a hardness of 90 Durometer ~ and a resiliency o:E approximately 50~, whereas ADIPRENE L-315 had a hard-ness o:E 99-~ Durome-ter ~, 73 Durome-ter D, and a resiliency o~ approximately 50%.
The aforesaid examples establish the critical nature of the elas-tomer in providing a putter having the sense of feel and touch essential for good ball control as to direction and distance.
FIGURE 2 illustrates an e~bodiment of a putter wherein the elastomeric face 6-is indented into a brass putter head 10. The putter, therefore, has a slightly raised soft elastomeric Eace 6.
FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate a putter wherein an elastomer 6' surrounds a metal head portion 10' which is integrally connected to shaft 17. The putter of.this de-sign can be used by either a right- or left-handed gol~er.
FIGURE 5 illustrates a putter having an elastomer face section 6 and an elastomer face section 6'. Face section 6 providing a first point of contact is made from the elastomer ~DIPRENE 5418 having a hardness of 83 Duro-meter ~ and a resiliency of 7~%. This point of contactJ
as hereinbeEore stated, provides a sharp rebound. Face sec-tion 6' utilizes ~n elastomer having a lowex rebound re~.ponse, as Eor example elastomer ~DIPREN~ L-100. The ~ol:Eer can stroke tl~e ball wi-th the put-ter o FIC7URE 5 so tha-t the ball will contact face section 6 under normal putting conditions. However, if the gol~er is putting downhill and desires less ball response, the toe of the putter having the face section wi-th a lower response can be utllized to contac-t the ball. In this manner, the ball can be carefully controlled.

~ -8-~8~

FIGURE 6 illustrates a package 20 containin~ our differen-t elastomeric pads 22 having differen-t de~rees of hardness and resiliency, and different rebound char-acteris-tics. Each of the elastomer pads contained in ¦ package 20 has means on a second face thereof, such as ! a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which permi-ts the bonding of the elastomer pad to the face of a pu-tter. In this wa~ -the golfer can select -the particular elastomeric face io suit his own desires, or he can change elastomer faces, if he desires. As apparent, therefore, the ~olEer can effectively tailor his own putter having a rebound response conforming to his particular golfing techniclue and desires.
As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, vari-ous polymers including polymers havin~ different chemical ¦ formùlations can be fabricated to meet the hardness and I rebound characteristics essential to provide an elasto-i meric face in accordance with the present invention. The essential characteristic, as hereinbefore stated, is that the elastomer be chemically formulated to produce the unique rebound response which permits penetration of the elastomer by a golf ball when stroked and a sharp rebound without substantial energy loss. Urethane polymer ADIPRENE
5418 is illustrative of such elastomers. Moreover, the thickness of the elastomeric face can vary. Although it has been found that a thickness of three-sixteenths (3/16") inch is acceptable, -the thickness can be increased or clecreased with accep-table performance of the putter.
As used herein, "percent resiliency" is determined usincJ the standard Bashore rebound method. "Hardness Durome-ter A and Durometer D" are based on procedures ASTM D676-59T and ASTM D1484-59. The -term "elastomer"
as employed herein is used in the broad sense to include materials polymeric in nature and which have the essential hardness and resilience properties herein defined. "Con-trolled dampening," as used herein, means that the elastomer will permi-t penetration and will rebound withou-t substantial energy loss. "Stroked," as i-t is used hereir, is to define _9_ the c3en-tle or soft contact of a golf ball with a putter on a pu-ttiny green in con-trast to ~he power swing utilized by the golfer on the driving tee or fairway.
FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate a preferred method of using the put-ter illustrated in FIGURE 1 which utilizes free wris-t movement. In the embodimen-t of EIGURE 7 the golfer will stand in a slightly crouched position with only a slight bending of the knees, slightly to one side of the ball 18. Preferably the ball will be sliyhtly forward of the inside foot of the golEer. The shaft of the put-t~r is gripped in hand 20 at a point remo-te from the free end of shaft 17, with the free end of the shaft ex-tendiny upward with respect to the golfer's forearm and terminating at a point below the inner elbow of the gripping arm. Free arm and hand 24 of the golfer is ex-~ tended across the golfer's body, with the hand engaging ¦ the shaft-gripping arm substantially at the wrist with thumb and forefingers. With tni~ engagement the free - end of shaft 17 is maintained in loose contact with the fore-arm and with the free arm,permit~ing free movement of the wrist of t~e gripping hand. When the putter is stroked to engage the ball, the free movement of the wrist of the - gripping hand proviaes exceptional feel as the putter face contacts the ball. The free wrist movement permits good control of the force of contact between the ball and the face of the putter resulting in good accuracy in both direction and distance of ball travel.
In the modifica-tion of FIGURE ~, the putter is gripped substantially as described with reference to FIGURE 7.
However, in this modification the free hand does not en-ya~e the grippiny hand or arm, but rather loosely engages the free end of -the club shaft, again permi-t-ting free movement of the wrist. The free wrist movement ayain permits control oE the put-ter as the putter Eace contacts th~ yol~ ball, providiny accuracy in direction and dis-tance of ball -travel. The engagemen-t between the free end oE -the shaft and the free hand extending across the body provides improved guidance and s-tabili-ty -to the putter in the course of stroking -the put~er.

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The present invention includes, therefore, an improved method of putting, permitting increased putter control while utilizing natural body movement.
he variations as above sta-ted and others, being within the spirit and scope of the invention, are to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A putter comprising a shaft and a head having a striking face at one end of said shaft, said head having an elastomer on at least the striking area of said face of said head, said elastomer having a hardness of at least 70 Durometer A and a hardness less than the hardness of a golf ball and a high resiliency with controlled dampening, said hardness permitting penetration of a golf ball into said elastomer when a ball is stroked with said face, and said resiliency and controlled dampening causing said stroked ball to rebound from said face a distance at least as great as the distance of the rebound of said ball when said ball is stroked with an equal force with a metal putter head of equal mass.

2. The putter of claim 1 wherein the resiliency and controlled dampening causes said stroked ball to re-bound from said face a distance greater than the distance of the rebound of said ball when said ball is stroked with an equal force with a metal putter head of equal mass.

3 The putter of claim 1 wherein the elastomer has a hardness of at least 70 and below 90 Durometer A, and a resiliency of greater than 60% (Bashore).

4. The putter of claim 3 wherein the elastomer is a urethane polymer.

5. The putter of claim 4 wherein the elastomer is ADIPRENE 5418.

6. The putter of claim 1 wherein the elastomer face is bonded to a metal head.

7. The putter of claim 6 wherein the elastomer face is bonded to the metal head by casting.

8. The putter of claim 6 wherein the elastomer face is bonded to the metal head by molding.

9. The putter of claim 1 wherein the elastomer face is recessed into a metal head.

10. The putter of claim 1 wherein the elastomer is molded entirely around a metal head portion and said shaft is integral with said head portion.

11. The putter of claim 1 wherein said elastomer is at substantially the striking area of said face only and a second elastomer providing a second point of con-tact is on the toe of said face, said second elastomer having a slower rebound response thereby providing first and second points of contact on said face having differ-ent rebound characteristics.

12. The putter of claim 1, said head including a face having a width greater than its height, said face having a contoured base; said shaft positioned in said head at an angle to a vertical line extending through the center of a horizontal line extending across said face of said putter, said putter being constructed and arranged whereby the head, when the shaft is in a sub-stantially vertical position, has the appearance when viewed from the top of the putter of having a lowest point on the base of the face of the putter substantially in axial alignment with said shaft.