GB2081590A

GB2081590A - Golf putter

Info

Publication number: GB2081590A
Application number: GB8124259A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-08-07
Filing date: 1981-08-07
Publication date: 1982-02-24

Abstract

A golf putter has a head having a ground engaging sole and a ball contact face disposed, in operative position of the putter with the sole contacting a horizontal surface, in a plane which intersects the direction of putt through the contact face at right angles and a shaft rigidly connected with the head and formed at an end thereof remote from the head with a grip engaged on the shaft. The axis of the shaft is inclined to the vertical plane containing the direction of putt at an angle in the range 10 DEG to 25 DEG and to a vertical plane normal to the direction of putt at an angle in the range 15 DEG to 40 DEG . <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in golf putters This invention relates to golf putters. In the game of golf, methods of putting vary considerably but in general there are two techniques which embrace most methods. One such technique is often referred to as the "pendulum" technique and involves the player addressing the golf ball with the contact face of the head of the putter disposed normal to the direction of putt through the contact face. The putter and the hands, arms and shoulders of the player are swung as nearly as possible as a simple pendulum having its centre of oscillation at a point on or near the spine and on or near the base of the neck of the player. In this method the ball is stroked as the head of the putter passes through its bottom dead centre position.

The second technique is known as "rap" putting.

The golf ball is addressed as in the pendulum technique and the putter is swung through a small arc using the wrists as the centre of oscillation to give the golf ball a sharp blow, the head of the putter being arrested very shortly after imparting its blow to the golf ball.

To perform these techniques of putting, putters generally are made with the shaft ofthe putter contained, in the operative position of the putter, in or close to the vertical plane at or near the contact face of the putter and normal to the direction of putt through the contact face.

Both of the methods described suffer from the disadvantage that in the nature of the human body a large number of degrees of freedom are present in the execution of either of the techniques described. It is an object of the present invention to provide a putter for use in a putting technique of a more reliable character than those described.

The present invention consists in a golf putter comprising a head having a ground engaging sole and a ball contact face disposed, in operative position of the putter with the sole contacting a horizontal surface, in a plane which intersects the direction of putt through the contact face at right angles and a shaft rigidly connected with the head and formed at an end thereof remote from the head with a grip engaged on the shaft, characterised in that the axis of the shaft in said operative position of the putter is inclined to the vertical plane containing the direction of puttat an angle in the range 10 to 25 and to a vertical plane normal to the direction of putt at an angle in the range 15" to 40".

Preferably, the angle formed between the axis of the shaft and a vertical plane normal to the direction of putt is in the range 18" to 25". Preferably also, the angle formed between the axis of the shaft and the vertical plane containing the direction of the putt is in the range iSto 18".

Advantageously, the contact face of the putter in said operative position is downwardly and rearwardly inclined at a small angle to the vertical so that, in operation, contact with the golf ball takes place at a location above the horizontal plane containing the centre of the ball. Preferably, the angle of the contact face to the vertical is in the range 5"to 20".

Suitably, the grip is formed of flexible moulded material and when fitted to the shaft includes a flat surface facing in a direction away from that of the contact face.

The technique of putting for which the putter according to the invention is designed, involves the player addressing the ball with a so-called "open stance", that is to say, in the case of a right handed player with the left foot drawn back from a line parallel with the direction of putt. The player bends forward from the waist so that his left eye is approximately vertically above the ball and his left arm hangs vertically and free to pivot in a vertical plane parallel with the direction of putt about the joint of the arm with the left shoulder. In this position of the arm, the knuckles of the left hand extend closer to a direction parallel with than a direction normal to the direction of putt and the putter is gripped with the left hand in this position thus holding the putter in what is known in thwart as a "strong" grip.The thumb of the left hand engages the flat surface of the grip. The right hand is placed lightly on the putter adjacent and below the left hand in a position to suit the comfort of the player.

Employing the left arm and the putter as a simple pendulum the putter is swung back slightly inside the line of putt and forwards through the ball position to contact the golf ball on the contact face of the head on the side of the mid-length of that face nearer the shaft of the putter. It will be found that with a little practice the putter can be swung along the desired swing path with a high degree of reliability so that the golf ball is propelled forwards accurately along the intended line of putt.

The invention will now be described, by way of exampie, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a golf putter according to the invention, Figures 2 and 3 are elevational view taken from the front and rear respectively of the putter of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the putter of Figure 1 taken from the side of the putter on which the player stands, and Figure 5 is a sectional view normal to the axis of the shaft of the putter at an upper part thereof.

The putter illustrated in the drawings is for use by a right-handed player but made in "mirror image" form would be equally suitable for a left-handed player.

The putter comprises a head 1 and a shaft 2. The head is formed with a sole 3 and a contact face 4. In the operative position of the putter, as is best seen in Figure 4, the contact face 4 is downwardly and rearwardly inclined, suitably, at an angle to the vertical in the range 10" to 20 , so that, in the course of a putting stroke, contact is made with the golf ball slightly above the horizontal plane containing the centre of the golf ball. In this way, top spin, i.e. forward rotation of the ball in the vertical plane, is imparted and this tends to keep the ball travelling in the direction of the blow imparted thereto.

The shaft 2 at the end thereof remote from the head 1 is formed with a grip 5 of moulded natural or synthetic rubber for ease of gripping by the player.

When fitted to the shaft 2, the grip provides a flat surface 6 which faces away from the contact face 4.

Instead of a moulded grip a leather grip may be emp loyed which is built up to the same profiie as the grip illustrated.

In the operative position of the putter when the latters disposed for addressing a golf ball, and the sole ofthe club is engaged with a horizontal surface, the contact face 4 is positioned at right angles to the direction of putt through the contact face. In this position the angle A formed between the axis ofthe shaft and a vertical plane normal to the direction of putt is preferably in the range 18"to 25" though this angle may vary from 15" to 40". With the putter in the operative position described the angle B formed between the shaft axis and the vertical plane contain ing the line of putt is preferably in the range 1 to 18" though it can lie in the range 10" to 25".

With the putting technique hereinbefore described in which the player stands in an "open" position and uses the left arm and putter as a simple pendulum swinging about the joint of the left arm with the left shoulder and with the left arm swinging in a vertical plane parallel with the direction of putt and the left hand holding the putter in a "strong" position, the left thumb engaging the flat surface 6 of the grip, it has been found that with a little practice the head of the putter can be reliably swung back from the ball on a path slightly inside the line of putt and forwards through the ball position to propel the ball accurately long the line of putt. The top spin imparted by the angled back contact face also assists in maintaining the motion of the ball along the direction ofthe line of putt.

Claims

1. Agolf putter comprising a head having a ground engaging sole and a ball contact face disposed, in operative position of the putter with the sole contacting a horizontal surface, in a plane which intersects the direction of putt through the contact face at right angles and a shaft rigidly connected with the head and formed at an end thereof remote from the head with a grip engaged on the shaft, characterised in that the axis of the shaft in said operative position of the putter is inclined to the vertical plane containing the direction of putt at an angle in the range 10" to 25" and to a vertical plane normal to the direction of putt at an angle in the range 15"to40".

2. A golf putter as claimed in claim 1, chafacter- ised in that the angle formed between the axis of the shaft and a vertical plane normal to the direction of putt is in the range 18" to 25".

3. A golf putter as claimed in claim 1 orclaim2, characterised in that the angle formed between the axis of the shaft and the vertical plane containing the direction of the putt is in the range 15" to 18 .

4. A golf putter as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the contact face of the putter in said operative position is downwardly and rearwardly inclined at a small angle to the vertical so that, in operation, contact with the golf ball takes place at a location above the horizontal plane containing the centre of the ball.

5. A golf putter as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the angle of the contact face to the vertical is in the range 5"to 20".

6. A golf putter as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the grip engaged on the shaft includes a flat surface which extends along the length of the grip and faces in a direction away from that of the contact face of the putter head.

7. A golf putter comprising a head having a ground engaging sole and a ball contact face disposed, in operative position of the putter with the sole contacting a horizontal surface, in a plane which intersects the direction of putt through the contact face at right angles and a shaft rigidly connected with the head and formed at an end thereof remote from the head with a grip engaged on the shaft constructed and adapted to operate as heretofore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.