GB2124090A - Golf putter - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf putter has a head (12) is provided with a ball-contacting member (18) which is bridged between two slides (14, 16). The two slides serve to support the head on the ground and allow the head to be slid through the ball position during a putting stroke, the member (18) being positioned to provide suitable ground clearance. The shaft 10 may be adjustably hinged to the head, and may be positioned for right or left-handed players. Sighting notches or markings may be provided on the member 18. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Golf putter The present invention relates to a golf putter.

One of the difficulties which a golfer experiences in putting is maintaining a smooth action to swing the putter head through the golf ball along the intended line of the putt. In addition, the putter head has to be maintained at the right ground clearance to avoid contacting the ground before or as the ball is hit. Afurther problem which can arise is coloquially known as the "yips" the symptons of which are a general inability to putt with a smooth action which of course makes it impossible to putt accurately. The causes are unknown but are believed to be psycological in nature arising from a fear of not being able to putt accurately.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved form of golf putter.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a golf putter whose head is provided with at least one member for slidably supporting the head on the ground during a putting movement of the head.

Advantageously, the golf putter has two such members.

The present invention is further described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the head and connecting shaft portion of a golf putter according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the putter head; and Figure 3 is a front elevation of a modified form of golf putter head.

The golf putter which is partially shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a shaft 10 and a head 12, the shaft 10 being inclined to the head 12 at a suitable angle as in conventional putters. The head 12 is provided with two slides or members 14, 16 which serve to support the putter head 12 typically 1/8" above a putting surface. The members 14, 16 are shaped so as to allow the putter head to be slid along the putting surface during a putting stroke as well as the alternative of being maintained above the putting surface as is normally the case during putting.

Sliding the putter head along the putting surface results in a more secure and accurate putting stroke and in particular helps the user to execute a steady putting stroke and mitigate the problem sometimes known as the "yips" which causes a very rapid deterioration of the normal putting action.

The members 14,16 are preferably elongate with their axes parallel to one another and perpendicular to the plane in which the axes of the putter head 12 and shaft 10 lie. Typically the members 14, 16 are 1/2" in width and between 11/2" and 2" in height. A ball-contacting member or bridge 18 interconnets the two members 14, 16 and may be provided with one or more notches or markings or the like to assist the user to line up the putter with a golf ball and the desired putting line. Together, these features of the design allow the chosen putting line to be defined more accurately and result in greater visual awareness of that line.

For practice putters the shaft 10 may be hinged to the putter head to allow adjustment of the angle between the shaft and head and allow the user to discover his most suitable angle.

In the illustrated embodiment the bridge 18 has a receptive hole 20 provided adjacent each end to accomodate the shaft 10 for left- or right-handed players.

As will be appreciated, although two members 14 and 16 are shown, one or three or more may be used to suit the user.

Figure 3 shows a front elevation of a modified form of putter head, those parts similar to parts of the putter head shown in Figures 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals primed.

In this embodiment the members 14', 16' are curved in cross section over their lower regions and are provided with cut away portions at their leading end edges to receive the bridge 18'. In addition, the head is provided with a lug 22 provided with a central bore to accommodate the putter shaft (not shown in the drawing). As can be seen from Figure 3 the lug 22 is inclined to the vertical to allow for the angle of the shaft meeting the bridge 18' although the angle of the lug, and therefore the bore, can be of any desired value and, where the putter shaft has a vertical end piece the lug 22 can be arranged vertical.

Conveniently the lug 22 is secured to both the bridge 18 and the adjacent member 14', 16' although it can adequately be secured to either one.

In addition, although only one lug is shown in the drawing two may be provided, one adjacent each member 14' 16' to allow for positioning of the putter shaft for left- or right-handed players.

1. A golf putter having ball-contacting member and at least one member connected thereto for slidably supporting the head on the ground during a putting movement of the head.

2. A golf putter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said supporting member extends transversely of said ball-contacting member.

3. A golf putter as claimed in claim 1 or 2 where two said members are provided.

4. A golf putter as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the or at least one of the supporting members is connected adjacent one end thereof to the ball-contacting member.

5. g A golf putter as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the or at least one of the supporting members is connected intermediate its ends to the ball-contacting member.

6. A golf putter as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the ball-contacting member and the or each supporting member have the axes arranged substantially at right angles to one another.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Golf putter The present invention relates to a golf putter. One of the difficulties which a golfer experiences in putting is maintaining a smooth action to swing the putter head through the golf ball along the intended line of the putt. In addition, the putter head has to be maintained at the right ground clearance to avoid contacting the ground before or as the ball is hit. Afurther problem which can arise is coloquially known as the "yips" the symptons of which are a general inability to putt with a smooth action which of course makes it impossible to putt accurately. The causes are unknown but are believed to be psycological in nature arising from a fear of not being able to putt accurately. The present invention seeks to provide an improved form of golf putter. Accordingly, the present invention provides a golf putter whose head is provided with at least one member for slidably supporting the head on the ground during a putting movement of the head. Advantageously, the golf putter has two such members. The present invention is further described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the head and connecting shaft portion of a golf putter according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the putter head; and Figure 3 is a front elevation of a modified form of golf putter head. The golf putter which is partially shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a shaft 10 and a head 12, the shaft 10 being inclined to the head 12 at a suitable angle as in conventional putters. The head 12 is provided with two slides or members 14, 16 which serve to support the putter head 12 typically 1/8" above a putting surface. The members 14, 16 are shaped so as to allow the putter head to be slid along the putting surface during a putting stroke as well as the alternative of being maintained above the putting surface as is normally the case during putting. Sliding the putter head along the putting surface results in a more secure and accurate putting stroke and in particular helps the user to execute a steady putting stroke and mitigate the problem sometimes known as the "yips" which causes a very rapid deterioration of the normal putting action. The members 14,16 are preferably elongate with their axes parallel to one another and perpendicular to the plane in which the axes of the putter head 12 and shaft 10 lie. Typically the members 14, 16 are 1/2" in width and between 11/2" and 2" in height. A ball-contacting member or bridge 18 interconnets the two members 14, 16 and may be provided with one or more notches or markings or the like to assist the user to line up the putter with a golf ball and the desired putting line. Together, these features of the design allow the chosen putting line to be defined more accurately and result in greater visual awareness of that line. For practice putters the shaft 10 may be hinged to the putter head to allow adjustment of the angle between the shaft and head and allow the user to discover his most suitable angle. In the illustrated embodiment the bridge 18 has a receptive hole 20 provided adjacent each end to accomodate the shaft 10 for left- or right-handed players. As will be appreciated, although two members 14 and 16 are shown, one or three or more may be used to suit the user. Figure 3 shows a front elevation of a modified form of putter head, those parts similar to parts of the putter head shown in Figures 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals primed. In this embodiment the members 14', 16' are curved in cross section over their lower regions and are provided with cut away portions at their leading end edges to receive the bridge 18'. In addition, the head is provided with a lug 22 provided with a central bore to accommodate the putter shaft (not shown in the drawing). As can be seen from Figure 3 the lug 22 is inclined to the vertical to allow for the angle of the shaft meeting the bridge 18' although the angle of the lug, and therefore the bore, can be of any desired value and, where the putter shaft has a vertical end piece the lug 22 can be arranged vertical. Conveniently the lug 22 is secured to both the bridge 18 and the adjacent member 14', 16' although it can adequately be secured to either one. In addition, although only one lug is shown in the drawing two may be provided, one adjacent each member 14' 16' to allow for positioning of the putter shaft for left- or right-handed players. CLAIMS

1. A golf putter having ball-contacting member and at least one member connected thereto for slidably supporting the head on the ground during a putting movement of the head.

2. A golf putter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said supporting member extends transversely of said ball-contacting member.

3. A golf putter as claimed in claim 1 or 2 where two said members are provided.

4. A golf putter as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the or at least one of the supporting members is connected adjacent one end thereof to the ball-contacting member.

5. g A golf putter as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the or at least one of the supporting members is connected intermediate its ends to the ball-contacting member.

6. A golf putter as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the ball-contacting member and the or each supporting member have the axes arranged substantially at right angles to one another.

7. A golf putter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A golf putter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 when modified according to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.