GB2466627A

GB2466627A - Golf putting aid

Info

Publication number: GB2466627A
Application number: GB0823511A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Michael Thrower
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-24
Filing date: 2008-12-24
Publication date: 2010-06-30
Also published as: GB0823511D0

Abstract

A golf putting aid comprises a transparent member 1 that affixes to the front face 10 of a golf putter 9 by means of magnets 6 and includes a hole 3 with crosshair wires and sight line 2 to assist the golfer in aligning the golf ball in the centre of the putter face by maintaining a perpendicular eye line over the golf ball. The putter 9 is also provided with a sight line 12.

Description

DESCRIPTION (SPECIFICATION)

This invention relates to a golf putting aid which enables true alignment of the golf ball with the centre of the putter face, a perpendicular eye line between the golfer and the centre of the golf ball, and with the use of the sight lines, straighter alignment of the golf ball to go along its intended path, and enabling the golfer to develop a straighter backward and forward putting stroke.

While practice putting aids are not allowed in competitive golf under the rules of the R&A and the USGA, golfers spend many hours practising their putting skills as this is invariably where the game of golf is won or lost. On average, the professional golfer takes 21 to 27 putts per round of 18 holes of golf whereas the amateur golfer can average 30 to 38 puffs.

The key to good putting is being able to identify the path of the putt, and then being able to hit the golf ball with the putter club straight along the intended path. It is essential for the golf ball to be struck from the centre of the putter face as any off-centre puffs will not follow a straight line. Putting is done by the use of a pendulum motion of the shoulders which naturally encourages the backward and forward stroke to be done in its own circular arc, pulling the puffer around you at the end of the backstroke, and similarly pulling the puffer at the end of the forward stroke. Convention also has it that ideally the golfer must stand straight over the ball at address with a perpendicular eye line to the centre of the golf ball to enable a more central alignment and a straighter puffing stroke.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the putting aid in flat form Figure 2 shows how the puffing aid aligns with the face of a golf putter Figure 3 shows the putting aid and a puffer in a side view with a golf ball in situ Figure 4 shows the fixing block that can be used either way up Figure 5 shows a rear view of a puffer with the putting aid affixed.

In Figure 1, the puffing plate 1 is made of a clear transparent material, with a printed sight line 2. A hole 3 has been cut through which one looks down upon the golf ball. To enable a better visual sense of alignment as to where the centre of the ball is, there is a set of wire crosshairs 4. On either side of the flat plate 1, there are two feet 7 which are bent down 8 to a 90 degree angle. Mounted on the feet are two sets of magnets -the lower set 6 which affix to the puffer face, and the upper set 5 which are used when fixing blocks are attached.

Figure 2 shows the putting plate 1 aligned with the face of the puffer 10. The putter 9 usually has some form of sight line 12 to both indicate the centre of the putting face and to help align the ball towards the intended target path. The sight line 2 of the putting aid lines up with the puffer sight line 12 to give a longer and more continuous sight line. The legs of the putting aid have been bent 7 at a 90 degree downward angle. The puffer shaft 11 is affixed to the top of the puffer, and this can be fixed anywhere along this top, according to the golfer's preference, whether he be left or right-handed.

Figure 3 is a side view of the putting aid I affixed to the face 10 of the putter 9 with the use of the lower magnets 6 mounted on each leg. 13 shows a golf ball directly underneath the hole 3 of the putting aid. There is a pre-determined gap between the golf ball 13 and the underside of the plate 1 to ensure the plate does not come into contact with the ball either during the back stroke or the forward stroke. The upper magnets 5 are higher than the face of the putter as this is where the fixing blocks are mounted.

Figure 4 shows the fixing block 14 of which there are two; each to be affixed on the upper parts of the feet 7. On one side of the fixing block 14, there is a metal strip 15 which affixes to the upper magnets 5. The block is versatile in that it can be used in one of two ways for affixing to the upper lip of the putter face 18. One way is for the magnet 16 to be affixed to the lip, or turned upside down, the strut 17 on the fixing block can be used as a fixing mechanism with the use of grub screws or similar.

Figure 5 is a view from the rear of the putter showing how the sight lines on both putter and putting aid line up with each other and the lower magnets (hidden from view) have been affixed to the face of the putter. The upper magnets 5 are above the putter face and show how the fixing blocks 14 can be attached; in this figure showing the fixing block magnet being affixed to the upper lip 18 of the putter face. The alternative is for the fixing blocks to be mounted upside down so that the fixing struts 17 may be used instead of the fixing block magnet. Hidden from view of the fixing block is the metal strip 15 on the side of the fixing block which attaches to the upper magnets 5. There are two fixing blocks for mounting on each side of the upper sections of both feet of the putting aid and then being fixed to the upper lip or edges of the putter face.