CA2239404C - Bowler putter with forward pendular swing - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf putter is provided with a putter head and two light weight split jumbo grips on a light weight shaft which is bent at least 10 degrees from the vertical plane.
This uniquely designed said golf putter used only in a side-saddle manner putting with two-eyes sighting simultaneously on the target line. Said putter head has an elongated flat striking face which is 90 degrees to the ground at the address position and has a semi-circular sole body with a central sole runner on the bottom face.
Said putter shaft attaches on a socket-neck unit which is at the center of the upper portion of said semi-circular sole body. The front portion of said socket-neck recesses 45 degrees from the upper surface of said putter head. The back portion of the neck extends slanting as a ridge to the back of said putter head. Two symmetrical wing stabilizers located at two ends of said putter head. A heavy material is embodied inside the center of said putter head as a forward stabilizer.
The center of gravity of said golf putter is low and located near to said putter head.
By using said putter and said forward putting method, a high percentage of hole-in can be achieved.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION OF
KUNGCHI YANG
for BOWLER PUTTER WITH FORWARD PENDULOUS SWING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a golf putter and a putting method which is different from the conventional putter head configuration and the two-handed sideways putting method in the game of golf 2. Description of the Prior Art A conventional golf putter consists of an elongated flat face of the putter head and a shaft attached to one end of the putter head, i.e., the heel of the putter head. When a golfer putts a golf ball on a green, he stands sideways with two hands overlapping and holding the putter, striking the ball from the right (left) side of his body to the left (right) side of his body for a right-handed (left-handed) putt towards the hole. This method of putting encounters many problems that cannot be easily corrected due to the nature of the putting tool and method. These problems include: a) incorrect depth judgement by using a single eye sighting which is lacking in a three dimensional judgement, b) pulling /pushing problems due to a curvature swing, c) less control and accuracy due to a long suspension point from the spinal bone of the golfer to the putter head, d) less pendulous movement which is the key to striking the ball straight, e) lack of a three dimensional control during the swing due to at least six joint points from the spine of the golfer to the putter head which are involved. These six points are : spine, shoulder, upper arm, lower arm, hand and putter, f) a small forgiven putting area due to the way of putting, g) an unstable swing due to the small shaft diameter and the relatively light weight putter head, h) unsteady gripping due to a relatively small gripping surface, and i) co-ordination problems due to two unequal sized hand muscles which are controlled by two different parts of the human brain. As a result, many golfers, including professionals, have experienced the frustration of failing to sink the ball into the hole, even from a short distance.
Many inventors have constructed various types of golf putters to minimize the problems of the two-handed sideways putting method and to maximize the consistency and accuracy of golf putting. These inventions have been patented in the U.S.A. under the patent nos. D0291,343 (USA), D0297,445 (USA), D0310,699 (USA), D0380,5I4 (USA), D0385,320 (USA),4,986,544(USA), D0239,401, (USA), D0239,402 (USA) and D0239,725 (USA). In Canada, no prior art could be found to reveal any pertinent references.
This present invention is called a bowler putter and has been designed to minimize the shortcomings and problems of the two-handed sideways putting method mentioned previously. Said golf putter greatly maximizes the consistency and accuracy of golf putting. The design of the present invention and its putting method conforms to the rules of golf. Said golf putter is designed to be used in a side-saddle putting manner with two separate gripping hands on a jumbo grip as shown in Figure 7. For a right-handed golfer, the left hand holds the upper grip and functions as a suspension point for a pendulous swing as shown in Figure 7, while the right hand holds the lower gripping area (Figure 7). The left foot is placed at the same base line as that of said golf putter head. The right foot position is one foot behind the base line in the middle of the left foot of said putter head (Figure 8). This foot stance provides a steady standing posture and creates an adequate room for the putter's back swing motion for a long distance putting. While striking , the right eye of the golfer is right on the top of the golf ball for the target line two-eyes sighting.
The right hand grips the lower gripping portion and does a proper back swing before striking the ball forward. The whole unit of said golf putter and the two gripping hands moves forward together towards the target hole after said golf putter head strikes the ball. This forward putting motion ensures the putt will be on a straight line with the ball rolling forward. As a result, a high percentage of hole-ins by using said golf putter and putting method can be achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invented golf putter is designed to be used in a side-saddle manner, putting with two-eyes sighting simultaneously on the target line.
Said golf putter consists of an elongated putter head with a flat striking face having a semi-circular flat sole with a central sole runner and a shaft with circular split jumbo t,~rips. Said putter shaft attaches on a socket-neck which is at the center of the upper portion of said putter head. The light-weighed jumbo grips are located at the end of the putter shaft and at the middle of the putter shaft. The cross-sectional diameter of the jumbo grip is at 30 mm and up, but doesn't exceed 45 mm. The front portion of the neck recesses 45 degrees from the upper surface of said putter head, which ensures a forward swing motion. The back portion of the neck extends slanting downwardly as a ridge to the back of said putter head.
The flat striking face of said putter head is 90 degrees to the ground at the address position. This design ensures the ball rolls forward. Two symmetrical wing stabilizers are located at the two ends of said putter head providing a steady swing for a large forgiven putting area. A heavy material with a shape like two wings space shuttle is embodied inside the center of said putter head as a forward stabilizer. The wing portion of said space shuttle-like stabilizer is parallel to the sole surface of said putter head which provides a low center of gravity in the putter head.
This heavy material portion and said two stabilizer wings function jointly as a forward swing stabilizer which reduces the torque motion of said putter head and also enhances the stability of said putter head forward motion.
The shaft of the present invention with two split grips is inserted into the socket-neck unit. This light-weighed shaft and light-weighed jumbo grip is used for lowering the center of gravity of said putter to near said putter head.
The diameter of the shaft inside the socket-neck unit is no smaller than 15 mm.
The diameter of the two grips is no smaller than 35 mm. Two split grips one at the top of said shaft, the other at the middle point of said shaft of the jumbo grip provide a steady hand grip on the jumbo contact surface of said grip. The shaft is bent ten to fifteen degrees from the vertical plane of ground at any point of said shaft above the socket-neck unit, but no shorter than the distance 127 mm from the bottom of said sole of said putter head. This design conforms to the rules of the golf associations around the world. A high degree of accuracy and consistent putting can be achieved by using the present said invention.
NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION
The novelty of the present said invention and putting method can be summarized as below:
A high degree of forward ball rolling with a zero degree of said putter head face: as described in the previous putting method, a zero degree of said putter head face and a forward movement of the whole putter unit after striking the golf ball ensures the ball will roll forward in a straight line.
2. Minimum pushing/pulling problems with a natural forward arm movement:
said putting method is in accordance with the bone structure of a human body and the natural forward arm movement. Said putting method shows minimum problems , i.e., pushing/pulling which are common phenomena of the two-handed sideways putting method.
3. Maximum forward straight line swing and minimum torque problems with a low center of gravity: The heavy material is embedded inside the sole portion of said putter head and at the center of the neck ridge. Furthermore, the light-weighed grip and shaft will lower the center of gravity. As a result, the center of gravity of said golf putter is located at the center of said shaft and near said putter head . This low center of ~,navity design of said golf putter enables a maximum forward straight line swing and reduces the torque problem.
4. Better control of holding putter with the two separated grips: for a right-handed golfer, the left hand grip on the top of shaft functions as a suspension point which is 80 cm to 90 cm from the top of said putter head. The right hand grip on the lower part of shaft functions as a swing point which is 36 cm from said putter head. As a result, a better control and less variations of putting can be made.

5. Repeatable pendulous movement and a high degree of consistency with a one-handed putting method and with a short suspension point: for a right-handed golfer, the left hand grip on the top of the shaft functions as a suspension point. This suspension point is firmly held by the left hand near the left chest of a golfer. The right hand functions as a striker, which moves forward like a pendulum. This putting method involves only one joint, i.e., suspension point. As a result, a repeatable and consistent striking can be achieved. The conventional two-handed sideways putting involves six joints.
With the traditional two-handed putting method, a consistent putting cannot easily be achieved.

6. A proper distance perception with two-eyes sighting: a golfer uses the forward putting method with said golf putter using two-eyes sighting simultaneously. A proper putting line and distance of the hole can only be judged with two eyes. Therefore, a proper line can be chosen and a proper weight of striking can be imparted. The conventional two-handed sideways putting method uses only one eye to determine the putting line and the distance of the hole. This one eye sighting creates the problem of distance misjudgment and putting line misreading.

7. A firm hold with a jumbo grip: a large diameter of grip, i.e., no less than mm of the diameter of grip area, provides more contact surface between the hand and the grip surface. As a result, a more controlled and firm holding can be obtained. This large gripping surface l,~reatly enhances the consistency and accuracy of golf putting.

8. More forward swing and less torque motion with an imbedded stabilizer: the stabilizer located at the center of said putter head increase the putter head forward swing motion in a straight tine and reduces the torque motion of the putter head.

9. Less choking problems and increasing the center of gravity by installing a sole runner: a sole runner is located at the center and lower portion of the sole of said putter head. Choking is a common problem of using the conventional two-handed sideways putting. Said putter head with a sole runner eliminates the problem of choking to a great extent.

10. Enhance forward and pendulous motion by a large shaft diameter connecting to the socket-neck unit: a large diameter of shaft connecting to the socket-neck unit increases the stability of putter head movement. A shaft 10 degree from the vertical plane ensures a high degree of pendulous swing.

11. Less torque motion with a proper position of striking putter head face:
the 0 degree striking putter face is parallel to the center line of shaft inside the socket-neck unit. This design greatly reduces the problem of torque motion of said putter head.

12. A large forgiven area by constructing two symmetrical wing stabilizers at two ends of said putter head: two wings located at two ends of said putter head enlarge the forgiven area on the putter head face. The off line striking can be balanced with wings which act as a counter-force function. These two wings also function as a stabilizer of said putter head forward movement.
The problems of two-handed sideways putting can be reduced by using the present invention and putting method. A high degree of accuracy and consistency of golf putting can be obtained. The following table shows a performance difference of golf putting between the present invention forward putting arid a conventional two-handed sideways putting on a basement carpet surface.
The hole-in percentage was calculated by putting 200 golf balls at five different distances from the hole. This table illustrates a betterment of the present invention forward putting in comparing to the conventional two-handed sideways putting.
Distance from the Present invention Conventional two-handed hole ,m putting,% sideways putting, DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a general three dimensional view of the front elevation of the proposed invented bowler putter showing the divergence of the shaft and location of hand grip;
Fig. 2 is a face view of the putter head with at least 500 grams in weight showing a symmetrical design of various parts of the putter head and a center located socket-neck portion;
Fig. 3 is a due side view of the putter head showing the socket-neck unit with a width of at least 20 mm , neck-ridge and vertical putting face;
Fig. 4 is a rear view of the putter head showing a symmetrical design of various parts of the putter head and location of a forward stabilizer;
Fig. S is a three dimensional view of the side-rear elevation of the proposed invented bowler putter showing the location and distribution of the forward stabilizer;
Fig. 6 is a three dimensional view of side-rear elevation of the forward stabilizer.
Fig. 7 is a putting method with a side-saddle putting manner with two separate gripping hands on a jumbo grip.
Fig. 8 is the position of foot stance while striking a golf ball.

8 circular grip 3 shaft 12 degree of divergence 14 socket 16 neck I 8 degree recess 20 neck ridge 22R connecting wall (right) 22L connecting wall (left) 24R wing stabilizer (right) 24L wing stabilizer (left) 26 elongated striking face 28 divergent distance 30 sole runner 32 semi-circular sole body 34 front neck face line 36 forward stabilizer 38R forward stabilizer wing {right) 38L forward stabilizer wing (left) 40 putting aim guide line DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
Figure l illustrates a 3-D general view of the invented putter which is constructed with a shaft 10 with two separated circular grip portions 8 and a putter head with at least 500 grams in weight. The low gripping point provides a steady motion of said putter head forward motion. Said shaft diverges at the divergent distance 28 127 mm or less from the bottom of sole runner 30 at least 10 to 12 degrees of divergence from the vertical plane 12 . This design conforms to the rule of golf. Said putter head is composed of an elongated striking face 26, a pair of symmetrical wing stabilizers 24R,24L and a socket-neck unit located at the center of upper portion of said putter head. Said socket-neck unit located at the center of said putter head enhances the stability of pendulous forward swing movement and thereafter increases the accuracy of putting. A slope downward connecting wall 22R, 22L connects said stabilizer wing and the socket-neck unit. A socket-neck unit (Figs 1 ,2, 3 ) has a width of at least 20 mm and comprised of a socket 14 for said shaft connection, a neck 16 with a 45 degree recess 18 on said striking face side and a neck ridge 20 which runs from said striking face down to the rear portion of the putter head. The location of the socket-neck unit at the center of the putter head and the structure of the socket-neck unit enhances the pendulous forward swing motion and reduces the torque motion of said putter head. A sole runner 30 is Smm thick and 20 mm wide and located at the center bottom of the semi-circular sole body which runs from the striking face to the rear portion of the putter head. A 45 degree recession from the striking putter head face of said sole runner right beneath the center of said putter face exhibits a distinguished function which prevents the putter head from the choking of the grass. The position of said striking face 2b is located at the distance of half of the diameter of said socket behind the front neck face line 34 of said socket-neck unit. This design ensures the striking force transmitting from the shaft parallel to the putting line by hitting the center of the golf ball and reduces the torque of said putter head.
A forward stabilizer 36 (Figs. 4 and 5) with two forward stabilizer wings 38R, 38L consisting of a heavier material than that of said semi-circular sole body is embedded in the middle of said neck ridge and said semi-circular sole body.
The shape of said forward stabilizer (Figs. 5 and 6) correspond to the shape of said neck ridge and semi-circular sole body . The higher portion of said forward stabilizer located near the striking face. This unique weight distribution enhances the stability of said putter head forward swing movement. Two putting aim guide lines 40 with a distance of the diameter of golf ball are engraved due top center of said semi-circular sole body. Two-eyes sighting and a forward arm movement putting method produces more control, more confidence and more joy in golf putting. More accurate and more consistent golf putting can be achieved.

Claims (11)

1. A golf putter comprising of a putter head includes a vertically oriented elongated striking face body: a flat horizontally oriented semi-circular sole body unit includes a neck ridge which slopes upwardly from the rear portion of said putter head to a location above the flat striking face: a sole runner extends along the bottom of said body unit which extends centrally from the front striking face to the rear of the putter head: a pair of wing stabilizer units are directly behind the horizontal ends of said putter face: a set of connecting wall units located between said wing stabilizer units: a shaft extends from the socket-neck unit which includes a pair of spaced-apart jumbo grip: a forward stabilizer unit which is located behind said striking face inside said putter head.

2. The golf putter according to claim 1 wherein the mass of said putter head is at least 500 gram in weight.

3. The golf putter according to claim 1 wherein said sole runner is at least 5 mm thick and 20 mm wide which slopes at an angle of 45 degrees from the lower edge of said striking face of said putter head.

4. The golf putter according to claim 1 wherein the position of said striking face is perpendicular to said neck ridge such that the striking face falls within the vertically oriented plane defined by the horizontal center of said socket-neck unit.

5. A golf putter according to claim 1 wherein the socket-neck unit has a width of at least 20 mm.

6. A golf putter according to claim 1 wherein the forward face of said socket-neck unit tapers at an angle of 45 degree to the striking face and ends at the top of said connecting wall units.

7. A golf putter according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of said shaft inside said socket-neck unit is at least 15 mm.

8. A golf putter according to claim 1 wherein the rear face of said connecting wall which slopes downwardly to the top face of said semi-circular sole body.

9. A golf putter according to claim 1 wherein said shaft diverges at 10 to 12 degrees from the vertical plane toward the end of said putter head face: this divergent distance must be 127 mm or less from the bottom of said sole runner.

10. A golf putter according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of each grip is between 35 mm and 45 mm: said grips are located at the top and middle portions of said shaft.

11. The golf putter according to claim 1 wherein the material of said forward stabilizer unit is heavier than that of said semi-circular sole body.