KR101164735B1 - Putters with enhanced alignment visualization - Google Patents

Abstract

The putter and putter head better camouflage the body of the head and / or emphasize the aiming aid. The top surface of the head (as viewed from the ball address orientation) may optionally be finished with a non-reflective matte finish of the collar that is selected to mix or match with the dark collar and / or the collar of the golf green. At least a portion of the shaft member may be colored and finished in this same manner. These features contribute to the visualization of the aiming aid (which may also be configured to assist in aiming). If desired, the collar and finish of the club head and / or shaft may be custom made based on the greens on a particular golf course, the greens of a particular geographic area, the greens of a particular grass type, the greens at a particular time or under certain conditions, and the like. have.

Description

PUTTER WITH ENHANCED ALIGNMENT VISUALIZATION with Enhanced Aiming Visualization

The present invention generally relates to golf putters and putter heads made to better avoid visual distraction and to suppress and / or suppress false visual cues during aiming and / or swing and to better emphasize the aiming aid of the putter.

The importance of vision and the reaction of the human eye's light during athletic activities cannot be overstated. In recent years, advances have been made in which an athlete sees objects better during athletic activities. For example, US Patent Nos. 6,631,987 and 6,893,127 to Alan W. Reichow et al. Describe optical filters that enhance the wearer's visual perception of an object such as a golf ball and eyewear including such optical filters. These patent documents are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The sports equipment itself may also be configured to improve the way the athlete sees and / or the interaction with the light during the exercise. For example, US Patent Publication 2005/0170920 A1 describes an improved visibility ball structure, such as a soccer ball, that includes an area with an improved visibility color. US Patent Publication No. 2006/0185066 A1 describes a protective face mask (eg, for baseball or softball catchers, football, etc.) with a multicolored inner surface that matches the visual characteristics of the environment of use. These patent publications are also each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

As with other sports, accurate vision is very important in golf. Vision is important when aiming accurately for many golf activities, especially golf shots and / or when reading a golf green. Despite recent technological advances in golf equipment, putting remains a difficult part of the game for many golfers. Putting requires the golfer to perform many independent tasks, take into account information relating to many different variables, and then combine the results of these tasks and analyzes into physical golf strokes. More specifically, first, the golfer must “read” the green to determine the desired speed at which the ball is to be pushed (ie the force applied to the ball with the putter) and the desired direction to push the ball. These features allow a given putt to be generally driven in a variety of different speeds and in different directions, and because of the particular combination of speed and direction (especially on sloped terrain, as with most golf greens), the ball will be successful in the hole. They are dependent on each other in that they can be putt. For example, a putt strike in the first direction may miss the hole at a first speed (by “passing” or “not reaching” the hole) but at different speeds (or within a relatively narrow range of speeds in the same direction). Putt pushed into) can enter hall. Similarly, a putt can be hit within a range of directions if the golfer properly adjusts the speed of the putt for a particular direction of hitting. After reading the green (eg, taking into account the "slope" of the green) and determining the line and speed, the golfer must use the putter to hit the ball in the desired direction and at the desired speed. Deviations in either of these judgments or actions can lead to incorrect putts.

Even if the golfer correctly determines the direction in which the putt should be hit, many factors can cause the golfer to hit the putt in the wrong direction. For example, after the golfer determines the desired putt line, the golfer typically hits the ball after repositioning the address. The golfer moves the body from the putt read position to the put address position, so that the track of the desired line can be lost and / or inadvertently aimed.

Also, before or during the course of the swing, the putter head is twisted or otherwise misaligned, causing the putt to deviate from the desired line. This problem can be exacerbated when the club head itself contains sources of visual distraction, such as shiny surfaces, sharp corners or edges. For example, if these visual distractions grab the user's eyes when the putter swings, the golfer's eyes, head or other body parts move at least slightly, which adversely affects the speed and / or direction of movement of the putter. Can give Moreover, these visual distractions can make it difficult to know other parts that may adversely affect the visualization, putting direction of the clubhead's aiming aid.

Fatigue can also play a role in the putting process. In long-term activities where fatigue may play a role in particularly harsh, moody, and changing daytime conditions, such as golf, visual attention and focus can be affected by the details of interest (eg, aiming aids). The brightest (the strongest visual cue) over the field of view is more easily maintained. As mentioned above, disrupting the recess and the putter movement of the putter head can cause even more problems when fatigue occurs over the course of a golfer's round.

Thus, improvements in putters that help golfers aim better and / or avoid visual distraction during putting are welcome in the art.

In order to provide a basic understanding of the invention and its various features, a general summary of aspects of the invention is provided below. This Summary is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way, but simply provides a general outline and context for the following more detailed description.

Overall, an aspect of the present invention is a club head body having a ball striking surface and an upper surface as viewed from a ball address orientation, the majority of the upper surface being optionally mixed or substantially mixed with the collar of the golf green grass. A club head body having a non-reflective matte finish (optionally of one or more dark collars of green, black, brown, dark gray, dark brown, etc.) selected to match, and (b) provided on or on the top surface Integrally formed as part of a face and optionally with one or more luminescent, reflective and / or bright colors (eg, "prominent" colors including luminescent or fluorescent white, yellow, pink, crimson, orange, blue or green) Optional aiming aids formed (eg, highly contrasted to other top face collars) and (c) shaft members engaged with the club head body, optionally At least a portion of the shaft member adjacent to the furnace club head body has an antireflective matte finish (optionally of collar and / or finish selected to substantially mix or substantially match the collar of the top face and / or the grass collar of the golf green). A shaft member having a portion and / or (d) a grip or handle member engaged with the shaft member, wherein the aiming aid (of one or more independent parts) covers less than a majority of the top surface of the club head body. Such putters and putter heads may be constructed, tinted and finished to reduce or minimize visual information from outside on the putter top surface or to disrupt it and / or to better emphasize and focus the golfer's attention to the aiming aid. Can be. These objectives are at least in part by configuring the aiming aid in a particular desired form, thereby positioning the aiming aid in various desired positions on the top face of the club head (to avoid sharp corners or edges and to avoid sharp surface height changes). Further advances in some structures in accordance with the present invention by rounding corners or edges of the top face, covering the entire or substantially all of the top face with either a matte finish or aiming aid, thereby coloring and finishing the shaft in the same manner as the top face. Can be.

The method according to at least some embodiments of the present invention may further comprise steps involved in selecting a particular collar for finishing the club head and / or shaft member. Darker colors tend to be less visually confusing to provide a good background that can result in highly contrasting aiming aids (such as luminescent or fluorescent colors). In some embodiments according to the present invention, the top surface of the shaft member and / or club head may be colored and / or finished to blend well in the background during use, ie, on the golf green. Such methods include, for example, (a) examining a grass color of a particular golf green, a particular set of greens (eg, a green on a particular golf course, a green of a particular geographic area, a green of a particular type of grass, etc.), b) producing a finish collar of the putter head and / or shaft based at least in part on the grass collar (the finish collar is applied to the putter head and / or shaft during manufacture). The "irradiation" may include spectral analysis of grass color (eg, light reflection properties, light absorption properties, light emission, etc.). In this way, the putter head and / or shaft may be, for example, a green on a particular golf course, a green on a particular area (eg Pacific Northwest, Florida, Texas, Arizona, etc.), a particular grass type (eg bent grass). May be specifically designed to target the color of the green, bluegrass, etc.), the green at a particular time or in a particular daylight, climate or climate condition.

Such golf head and / or shaft structures may be used as golf clubs in any desired manner, including conventional manners incorporated into and / or incorporated in the overall golf club structure and known in the art.

According to the present invention, a putter can be produced that helps the golfer better aim and / or avoids visual distraction during putting.

A more complete understanding of the invention and its specific advantages can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
1A-1D illustrate a putter structure including recesses in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.
2 illustrates another example putter structure including recesses in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention.
3A and 3B show another example putter structure including recesses in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.
4-8 illustrate additional example putter structures that include recesses in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.
9 illustrates another example putter structure including recesses in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention.
10 illustrates the motion of a “camouflage” putter structure including recesses in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention.
The accompanying drawings show that they are not necessarily drawn to scale.

In the following description of various example structures in accordance with the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown illustratively various golf club heads and golf club structures in accordance with the present invention. In addition, it will be understood that other specific components or structures may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "side", "bottom" and "top" are used herein to describe various exemplary features and components of the present invention. Although used, these terms are used herein for convenience based on, for example, the exemplary orientation shown in the figures and / or the orientation in normal use. This specification should not be construed as necessarily requiring a specific three-dimensional, ie, spatial orientation of the structure to fall within the scope of the present invention.

A. General description of the putter head and the putter according to the embodiment of the present invention

Overall, as noted above, aspects of the present invention relate to putters and putter heads for use in golf. According to at least some aspects of the invention, the putter head according to the invention is a club head body having a ball striking surface and an upper surface as viewed from the ball address orientation, the majority of the upper surface being one or more dark collars (e.g., (B) a club head body having a non-reflective matte finish of green, black, brown, dark gray, dark brown, etc.) and (b) formed on the top surface or integrally formed as part of the top surface, and having one or more luminescence, reflections, Aiming aids (e.g. highly contrasted to other topside colors) formed of a bright color (e.g., a "prominent" color, including luminescent or fluorescent white, yellow, pink, crimson, orange, blue or green) And the aiming aid covers less than a majority of the top surface of the club head body. The combination of these features allows light emission (luminance) and / or color (color) between the golf head body, aiming aid and / or background so that the aiming aid "better" better in the golfer's field of view relative to the club head and / or background. Adjust the contrast. When incorporated into the putter structure, the shaft member can be engaged with the putter head and a grip member or other handle element can be coupled to the shaft member.

Although the aiming aids on the putter head according to embodiments of the present invention may take various forms, more specific examples of aiming aid structures also constitute at least some embodiments of the present invention. When viewed from the ball address orientation, the top surface of the putter head may include a ball striking surface front portion (adjacent to the ball striking surface) and a main body portion extending rearward from the ball striking surface portion and away from the ball striking surface. According to at least some embodiments of the invention, the aiming aid is disposed integrally with or on the ball striking surface portion of the upper surface and the first portion disposed on or integrally formed as part of the main body portion of the upper surface. It may be a two part aid comprising a second part to be. In some more specific embodiments according to the present invention, the main body portion of the aiming aid is, optionally, in the form of an isosceles triangle, optionally a flat surface that is closest to the ball striking surface and extends substantially parallel to the ball striking surface. And a triangular shaped element having a single vertex region disposed towards the rearmost portion of the center of the main body portion. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the ball striking face of the aiming aid may comprise an elongate substantially polygonal element or line extending along the ball striking face (and optionally parallel to the flat surface of the triangular portion). Can be.

According to at least some embodiments of the present invention, the top surface of the putter head will be colored and configured to minimize external visual information (such as most of the putter head) and to emphasize the visual information of the aiming aid. This can be achieved, at least in part, by configuring the top surface of the putter head so that the top surface contains little or no antireflective matte finish collar and aiming aid (eg, shines, reflects little or no; Small or no logo, model number or other identification information; little or no other color variations). In some embodiments of the invention, at least 65% of the top surface (the ratio of the top surface seen from the ball address position) has a non-reflective matte finish, and even at least 75% or at least 85% of the top surface has a non-reflective matte finish You have wealth. With regard to the aiming aid, in some specific embodiments of the present invention, less than 35% of the top surface includes the aiming aid, and even less than 25% or less than 15% of the top surface may constitute the aiming aid. In at least some embodiments of the putter head structure in accordance with the present invention, at least 85% of the top surface collar consists of a combination of (a) an antireflective matte finish and (b) an aiming aid, in another embodiment This ratio may be at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98% or even at least 99%. As will be apparent from the above discussion, the top surface color of the putter head, if desired, may consist substantially of (a) an antireflective matte finish in the putter head and the putter structure according to the invention, and an aiming aid.

Other aspects of the putter head and / or putter structure may help to reduce or minimize disruptive and / or visual information from the outside and to emphasize the aiming aid in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. . For example, sharp corners and edges in the structure may be more visually apparent when viewed from the human eye, especially when the structure is set during exercise. Thus, if desired, the top surface of the putter head can be configured to include fewer sharp corners and / or abrupt surface elevation changes (if any) seen from the ball address orientation. In other words, the top surface of the putter head may be configured to have a gently curved corner and a gently transitioned surface lift change. That is, the top surface may include curved corners and smoothly change in surface elevation. This means, for example, that all (substantially all) top surfaces with round, fillet or other corners are circular or radial in nature (eg at least 0.25 mm radius, in some embodiments at least 0.5 mm, at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm). , At least 5 mm, or even at least 10 mm). Similarly, all (or substantially all) visible edges and / or other raised changes present on the top surface of the club head may be rounded (eg, at least 0.25 mm radius round) to avoid sharp surface lift changes. Or radius of edge, in some embodiments, at least 0.5 mm, at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least 5 mm or even at least 10 mm; inclined walls between adjacent surfaces, etc.).

The putter shaft can also be a source of visual distraction (due to the usual shiny appearance, due to the contrasting collar relative to the club head and / or ground). According to at least some embodiments of the present invention, at least a portion of the shaft member adjacent to the putter head is one or more collars of non-reflective matte selected to substantially match most of the collar and / or finish of the top surface of the club head body. It may be configured to have a finish, optionally the collar and finish described above. While any portion of the putter shaft can be colored and / or finished in this manner, according to at least some embodiments of the invention, at least 10% of the total length of the shaft member is colored and / or with the aforementioned non-reflective matte finish. And, in some more specific embodiments, at least 25%, at least 50% or even at least 75% of the total length of the shaft member may be colored and / or finished in this manner. If desired, the non-reflective matte finish of the collar and / or finish where the entire visible portion (or at least substantially the entire visible portion (eg, except the printed portion, etc.) of the shaft member optionally matches or substantially matches the top surface of the club head It will include wealth.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a putter head and a putter structure, wherein (a) a club head body having a ball striking surface and an upper surface as viewed from a ball address orientation, the majority of the upper surface having a green, non-reflective matte finish And optionally the club head body, wherein the collar of the matte finish is selected to substantially mix or substantially match the grass collar on the golf green, and (b) is provided on the top surface or integrally formed as part of the top surface. As an aiming aid, the aiming aid may optionally be formed in one or more contrasting (eg, luminescent, reflective, bright, etc.) collars and covers less than most of the top surface of the club head body; and (c A shaft member coupled to the club head body, optionally wherein at least a portion of the shaft member adjacent the club head body is green ( And, optionally, a non-reflective matte finish of the collar and / or finish of the top surface and / or the collar and / or finish selected to substantially mix or substantially match the grass collar on the golf green. And / or (d) one or more of a grip or handle member engaged with the shaft member. When pigmented and / or finished to better blend with the grass background, the combination of features adjusts the luminescence (brightness) and coloration (color) contrast between the club head body, aiming aid and / or background to allow the club head to Better blending and aiming aids "better" better in the golfer's view of the club head and / or background. The putter head and / or shaft may also include other features described above (eg, round corners or edges; shafts, aiming aids and / or matte finish collars; form, location and / or other characteristics of aiming aids; matte finishes and And / or the ratio of the top surface and / or shaft covered by the aiming aid.

B. Overall description of an exemplary method for making and / or using a putter head and / or putter according to the present invention.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a putter head and / or a method of making a putter according to the invention (eg, of the various types described above). Such methods include, for example, (a) the club head when viewed in ball address orientation such that the majority of the top surface has a non-reflective matte finish (a darker color, green, a color selected to substantially match the color of the golf green, etc.). Finishing at least an upper surface of the body, and (b) forming an aiming aid on or as part of the upper surface, wherein the aiming aid is optionally one or more highly contrasting (eg, luminescent, reflective, glowing) Etc.) to cover less than most of the upper surface of the club head body; and (c) engaging the shaft member with the putter head (optionally, at least a portion of the shaft member adjacent to the putter head is of a non-reflective matte finish). Has a finish and optionally has a collar and / or finish substantially coincident with most of the collar and / or finish of the top surface of the putter head), And / or (d) engaging the grip member with the shaft member. The putter head and / or shaft may also be of any of the other features described above (eg, round corners or edges; shaft, aiming aids and / or matte finish collars; form, location and / or other features of aiming aids; matte finishes). And / or the ratio of the top surface and / or shaft member covered by the aiming aid (s), and the like.

Some methods in accordance with the present invention may include additional steps to aid in collar selection for the top face and / or shaft member. For example, such a method may include (a) examining a grass color of a particular golf green, a particular set of greens (eg, a green on a particular golf course, a green of a particular geographic area, a green of a particular type of grass, etc.), (b) producing a finish collar of the putter head and / or shaft member based at least in part on the grass collar (the finish collar is applied to the putter head and / or shaft during manufacture). The irradiation may include spectral analysis of grass color (eg, light reflection properties, light absorption properties, light emission, etc.). In this way, the putter head and / or shaft may be, for example, a green on a particular golf course, a green on a particular area (eg Pacific Northwest, Florida, Texas, Arizona, etc.), a particular grass type (eg bent grass). Can be specifically designed or customized to have a color corresponding to the green of a bluegrass, etc., green at a particular time or in a particular daylight, climate or climate.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described merely to illustrate examples of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

C. Specific Embodiments of the Invention

1A-1D show the putter structure 100 of the first embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in these figures, the putter structure 100 of this embodiment includes a club head member 102 that includes a ball striking surface 104 attached to the club head body 106 or integrally formed as part of the club head body. ). The shaft member 108 may be in any desired manner, such as via a binder or adhesive; Via screw or other mechanical connectors; The club head member 102 is coupled via welding, brazing soldering or other fusion techniques. Moreover, shaft member 108 and / or club head 102 may be formed of any desired number of parts and / or any desired material, including conventional components, conventional materials, in conventional structures known and used in the art. Can be prepared.

1C and 1D better show the portion of the club head surface visible to the golfer when the top surface 106a of the club head body 106, in particular the club head 102, is placed in a ball address orientation during preparation for putting. . The upper surface 106a is divided into two main parts, namely, the front or ball striking surface portion 106b (ie, the portion of the top surface 106a immediately adjacent to the ball striking surface 104) and the rear or main body portion 106c. ) (Ie, the portion of the top surface 106a extending from the ball striking surface portion 106b and away from the ball striking surface 104). The ball striking face portion 106b may be made of a different material and / or a different component than the main body portion 106c (in fact, may be made of a physical piece of the same material constituting the ball striking face 104), Various parts of club head 102 may be integrally formed with one another as a single structure. The boundary between the ball striking surface 104, the ball striking surface portion 106b and / or the main body portion 106c may or may not be apparent.

According to at least some exemplary aspects of the invention, a dark collar such as green, black, brown, dark gray or dark tan, optionally, such that most of the top surface 106a of the club head body 106 finishes in an antireflective matte type. Is formed. This matte finish can be applied to the club head body 106 in any desired manner without departing from the present invention by painting, anodizing or other electroplating techniques or the like. Dark collars and matte finishes help to reduce the golfer's focus on the main body of the putter and help to ensure that light is reflected from the putter head, thus preventing the golfer from being visually distracted when aiming and / or putting Becomes The term “matte finish”, as used herein, is not intended to refer to any particular finishing technique or method, but rather generally refers to any blurry finish or drag finish and / or finish technique that hardly reflects light. Used to indicate

1C and 1D further illustrate the aiming aid 110 included on the top surface 106a of the putter head 102. The aiming aid according to at least some examples of the invention may be fabricated with a high contrast color (eg, a luminescent or fluorescent type color that reflects light well). Aiming aid 110 may be of any desired color, and in at least some examples of the invention, it may be fabricated in a color that contrasts sharply with the blurry dark color of the remainder of top surface 106a of club head body 106. And / or may be produced in a color that contrasts sharply with a green background, such as white or brightly luminous white or luminescent or fluorescent “highlight” type colors such as yellow, pink, purple, orange, blue, green, and the like.

Aiming aid 110 may be provided on or formed with club head 102 in any desired manner without departing from the present invention. For example, if desired, aiming aid 110 may be painted or otherwise applied to a portion of club head structure 102 or may be integrally formed as part of club head structure. As another example, if necessary, the aiming aid 110 may be a separate element (eg, attached to the club head 102 or otherwise attached to the recess, for example using a mechanical connector, a binder or adhesive, a fusion technique, or the like). , Metal plates, plastic plates, etc.). If necessary, the aiming aid 110 may be made detachably so that it can be replaced with another aiming aid, such as a sighting aid of different size, shape, structure, color, and the like.

Combining a blurry, dark body color with a bright, high contrast aiming aid 110 helps to prevent the golfer's attention and attention from any visual information related to the club head body 106, And help focus attention on the aiming aid 110. As mentioned above, most of the top surface 106a of the club head body 106 may be colored in a hazy drag color (at matte finish), while the rest (or substantially the rest) of the top surface is aiming aids. Configure 110. If desired, in accordance with at least some examples of the present invention, the top surface of the putter head may consist of only non-reflective matte finish color and aiming aid, or may consist of almost non-reflective matte finish color and aiming aid (eg, little or no glazing). Or the top surface 106a of the putter head 102, such as no reflection, no or no logo, model number, or other identifying information, no joints or joints between visible parts, etc. Can be colored and / or finished. In some more specific examples of the club head structure according to the present invention, at least 65% of the top face (ratio of the top face visible at the ball address position) is non-reflective matte finish, even at least 75% or even of the top face. At least 85% has a non-reflective matte finish. With regard to the aiming aid, in some specific examples of the invention, less than 35% of the top surface comprises the aiming aid, and even less than 25%, or less than 15% of the top surface may constitute the aiming aid. In at least some examples of the invention, at least 85% of the top surface coloration portion consists of a combination of (a) an antireflective matte finish and (b) an aiming aid, in another example this ratio is at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or even at least 99%. As is apparent from the foregoing description, if desired, the top surface coloration of the putter head may consist essentially of (a) an antireflective matte finish and (b) aiming aid in the putter head and the putter structure according to the present invention. Other visual features of the distracting top surface, such as visible joints between parts, any textual information, etc., may be masked, hidden, or at least partially camouflaged or hidden. During putting, portions of the putter structure that are usually invisible (eg, soles) may be colored, designed, and / or otherwise configured in any desired manner and / or without departing from the present invention. Whereas information (such as logos, etc., see FIG. 1A), these surfaces can also be colored in a matte finish or otherwise colored to match the rest of the club head structure as needed.

The shape of the aiming aid 110 may also be useful to help focus the golfer's gaze for alignment purposes. As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, this specific exemplary aiming aid 110 has a club head body 102 with one flat side edge 110a extending substantially parallel to the ball striking surface 104. It is a triangle shape (isosceles triangle shape) in which the vertex 110b is located toward the center rearmost part of (). This aiming aid 110 shape helps the observer's line of sight toward the ball and ball striking surface 104 when viewed from above in the ball address direction and helps the golfer align the center of gravity position of the club head to the ball. [In this exemplary device 100, the central shaft can be considered to form a second portion of the aiming aid]. The feature that the triangular flat side edges 110a are parallel to the ball striking surface 104 aids in the alignment process in the directional plane.

2 illustrates a view of another putter structure 200 from above (eg, at a ball address location) in accordance with at least some examples of the present invention. This exemplary putter 200 remains as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D (eg, putter head 202, ball striking surface 204, top surface 206a (ball striking surface portion 206a and mains). Including a body member 206 and a shaft 208), including a body portion 206c), with some notable differences. First, as will be readily apparent, the overall putter head 202 has a different shape than the putter head shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. Aspects of the present invention may be practiced using any preferred type of putter structure, including mallet type putters, blade type putters, heavy putters, putters with large body sizes, and the like.

In addition, the putter 200 of FIG. 2 has a different aiming aid as compared to the putters of FIGS. 1A-1D. The aiming aid of FIG. 2 has a number of different components. Specifically, in this illustrated example, the aiming aid is shaped and disposed on the main body portion 206c of the club head body 206 in a manner very similar to the aiming aid 110 shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D. A first triangular portion 210 (having a flat side portion 210a and a vertex 210b). The second portion 212 of the aiming aid of FIG. 2 is included as part of the ball striking surface portion 206b of the top surface 206a of the club head body 206. Specifically, in this exemplary structure 200, the second portion 212 of the aiming aid is parallel to / parallel (substantially parallel / parallel) to the flat side 210a or to the ball striking surface 204. It extends along a predetermined line along a parallel (substantially parallel) ball striking surface portion 206b. Like the flat side 210a of the aiming aid 210, this long line or polygonal structure 212 helps direct the golfer's gaze and attention to the front, i.e. the ball, and the golfer hits the ball. Better alignment of the face 204 helps to focus on the center of gravity of the club head and the alignment of the ball. If desired, as shown in FIG. 2, the position of the center of gravity of the club head may also be indicated on the top surface 206a of the club head 202, such as by a notch or other center of gravity indicator 214. . This center of gravity indicator 214 also helps to direct the golfer's gaze and attention to the front, ie, towards the ball, to allow the golfer to better see and focus the ball head's center of gravity and alignment of the ball. Help. The long features of the aiming aid 212 (and the high contrast color, if made in this manner) provide a good visual indication of the direction and orientation of the striking face 204 relative to the ball.

3A illustrates another exemplary putter structure 300 in accordance with the present invention. In this exemplary structure 300, a two-part aiming aid similar to that shown in FIG. 2 (including a triangle portion 310 and a line or long polygon aiming aid portion 312) is attached to the blade type putter body 302. Apply. However, in this exemplary structure 300, the position of the center of gravity is applied across the line or long polygon aiming aid 312 and is the top surface of the club head 302 by contrasting color portion 314. 306a. This contrasting colored portion 314 helps the golfer's gaze and attention to be directed forward, i.e., towards the ball, and helps the golfer better focus on the center of gravity of the club head and ball alignment. Becomes In contrast to intensely contrasting colors, if desired, the center of gravity location 314 may be indicated by notches, asterisks, indentations, or other marks or schemes without departing from the present invention.

3A and 3B illustrate other features that may be provided in the putter structure in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The sharp corners and edges of the components tend to be visually noticeable to the observer when the object is stationary, as well as when the object is in motion. To reduce such visual confusion for golfers during putting, the top surface 306a of the putter structure 300 (or other putter structures described herein) avoids sharp corners, sharp edges, and / or abrupt surface height changes. It can be formed to reduce the number (and / or can be formed to reduce the length of any visible sharp edge or abrupt surface height change portion). In other words, at least some of the visible corners and edges of the putter structure 300 may be gently rounded to avoid sharp corners and edges. This feature is more clearly shown in a side view of the toe end of the putter structure 300 of FIG. 3B. As shown in FIG. 3B, the rounded edge 320 forms a sharp (eg, orthogonal) corner or edge from the ball striking surface portion 306b of the top surface 306a to the ball striking surface 304. It is a gentle transition without doing anything. Similarly, rounded edge 322 and rounded edge 324 also smoothly transition top surface 306a between ball striking surface portion 306b and body portion 306c. Likewise, the rearmost edge 326 of the visible top surface 306a also rounds smoothly between the body portion 306c and the club head sool 316.

If desired, the putter head 300 (and / or other putter heads described herein) may be, for example, rounded corners by casting, forming, machining or other methods for manufacturing the putter head 300; And / or have an edge. In this way, the putter head 300 has rounded or curved characteristics (eg, a radius of at least 0.25 mm) in all (or almost all) visible corners of the top surface, and in some embodiments at least 0.5 mm, at least 1 mm. , At least 2 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, at least 15 mm, even at least 20 mm). Likewise, all (or nearly all) of the edges present on the top of the club head may be chamfered to avoid sudden surface height changes (eg, edges of at least 0.25 mm, in some embodiments at least 0.5 mm, at least Round or curved to have a radius of 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, at least 15 mm, even at least 20 mm, or to provide inclined walls between adjacent surfaces. The smooth, rounded nature of the top helps attract attention and focus the golfer's attention on the aiming aids (eg, 310, 312, 314) and the ball. As mentioned above, any joint that may be visible from the top surface between the club head parts may be hidden or at least somewhat camouflaged.

It is also possible to use other aiming aids or features without departing from the invention. For example, in FIG. 4, three component aiming aids, ie a triangular body part aiming aid 410, a straight ball striking face partial aiming aid 412, and a middle positioned between these two assisting tools 410, 412 A putter structure 400 is shown that includes an alignment aid portion 414. In this exemplary putt structure 400, the triangular aiming aid 410 has a border area 410a as opposed to a slightly different color interior area 410b (eg, the interior area 410b is a border area). Have the same general color as 410a, but perhaps some contrast.

4 generally illustrates other features provided in the putter structure in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, the putter according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a shaft member 408, which may be colored and / or with most of the top surface 406 of the club head body 402. It may be finished in the same color and / or finish manner (eg, in one or more dark colors (eg green, black, brown, dark grey, and / or dark tan, etc.) with a dull matt finish. The putter shaft, which is usually made of steel, can generally be polished in chrome, stainless steel, or otherwise. This can visually confuse golfers because the glossy surface reflects light. In addition, the change in reflectance can cause visual confusion, especially because the putter moves during the swing, which causes the user to slightly jump or move, causing the club head to move away from the intended line, and / or from the line intended to be putt. You can get away. At least a portion of the putter shaft 408 located adjacent to the club head 402 provides a dark color and / or a dull matt finish to reduce reflection at the shaft 408 such that the shaft 408 is the club head body 402. ) To better match (and thus reduce visual clutter).

As discussed above, at least the portion of the shaft 408 closest to the club head body 402 is optionally subjected to a non-reflective matte finish in a dark color such as green, black, brown, dark gray, or dark tan. Can be formed. This feature can be applied to any of the particular putter head structures described and illustrated in the specification and drawings. The matte finish can be applied to the shaft 408 in any desired manner, such as painting, anodizing, other electroplating techniques, etc. without departing from the present invention. If desired, the shaft 408 is, for example, NIKE, Inc., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0252572A1 in the name, it may be manufactured in a “unitized” manner with club head 402 and / or purchased from NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon, USA. Can be manufactured in the form of a series of "integrated" putters.

5 and 6 illustrate additional putter structures 500 and 600, respectively, with similar but somewhat different aiming aids 510 and 610 as shown in FIG. These figures illustrate that the aiming aid can take a variety of different forms without departing from the invention. In this exemplary configuration, the rearward aiming aids 510 and 610 generally take a triangular appearance through a series of parallel lines. The different lengths and different thicknesses of the various lines help to direct the golfer's eyes to the front center of the club head body in a manner similar to the triangular structure described above. These figures also illustrate various other potential variations that may be provided in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention for the entire club head 500, 600 and the aiming aid located forward.

7 and 8 illustrate additional exemplary putter structures 700 and 800, respectively, with different types of aiming aids in color that contrast significantly with the corresponding top surfaces 706 and 806. FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the blade-shaped putter head 702 is divided into two halves 710a and 710b by an intermediate portion 710c which is generally triangular in shape but whose triangular shape extends along its length. A rear aiming aid 710. The middle portion 710c may be of the same color as most of the top surface 706, or may be of a different color (eg, the color may be contrasted with the top surface 706, or two halves 710a and 710b). In contrast to]. Although each of the two halves 710a and 710b has a generally right triangle shape in the exemplary aiming aid 710 shown, the long sides (or hypotenuses) of these triangle halves 710a and 710b need to be straight. It may be somewhat curved. However, in addition to the two triangular halves 710a and 710b, the entire aiming aid 710 is generally triangular in shape (optionally having one or more curved side edges).

FIG. 8 has a rear aiming aid 810 similar to that shown in FIG. 7 (eg, two generally right triangle shaped halves 810a, 810b, where half of the first right triangle shape has a ball striking surface). And a first single vertex region extending parallel to and parallel to the first single vertex region located towards the central rearmost region of the main body portion, wherein a half of the second right triangle shape is proximate the ball striking surface. May comprise a second flat surface extending in parallel and a second vertex region located towards the central rearmost region of the main body portion. 810 is longer due to the wider dimension of the mallet-type putter head 802 (from front to back). In this example structure 800, the rear aiming aid 810 is located on the ridge 818 extending along the putter head 802 from the face 804 to the rear center region. To reduce the weight of the putter head 802 (optionally to allow the weight to be placed in another desired position, such as toward the rear corners in the putter head body 802), center / side along the ridge 818 Regions 820 and 822 can be reduced in thickness or even eliminated completely (forming two holes through head 802 to expose ground through head 802). Further, in the example structure 800, the rear aiming aid 810 is formed integrally with or separate from the putter head body 802 (in this case, cement or adhesive; mechanical connectors; welding, soldering, brazing or the like). Fully into the putter face 804, which may be coupled by a fusion technique or the like. This type of mallet putter can be of various overall shapes, sizes, and configurations without departing from the invention.

Preferably, the putter structure of FIG. 8 (or indeed any of the putter structures described herein) is a port or other structure (such as a putter head, for receiving one or more removable and / or removable weights). Threaded sockets for receiving screw elements that impart weights to clips or other retaining structures, etc.) may be provided or include. This property, when present, allows the user or club Peter to allow a custom fit or custom weight on the putter head, such as correcting swing deficiencies to user preferences, making green speeds or other play conditions better, etc. It can be done. Preferably, the putter can be sold with one or more weights and with a mechanism for removing / separating them so that the user can selectively change the wafer, change the overall putter weight, and change the weight position. You can.

As noted above, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, most of the upper surface of the putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention may be finished by finishing with a dark color such as green, black, brown, dark gray, dark tan, etc. Can be. This feature can aid in mask brightness (brightness) contrast and therefore highlight between the club head and ground and provide golfers with better focus attention for high contrast (eg luminescence and / or light reflection) aiming aids. do. Preferably, further efforts may be made to "camouflage" the top of the club head. Specifically, preferably, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, the color of the top of the putter mimics or blends with the color of the grass on the green (thus the color contrast and brightness between the top of the putter and the background) Luminance) can be selected. In this way, when the golfer looks down the putter from the ball hitting direction, the top of the putter head may blend better in the green (i.e. background), which may cause the aiming aid to be more noticeable to the golfer's eyes. Can help you more.

The top surface of the putter head also does not need to be finished in monochrome. Rather, preferably, various colors may be used, that is, various shades of matte green, mixed with grass colors, leaves of grass, shadows, etc .; One or more shades of brown / tan, black / gray, and / or combinations of matte finish, imitating grass color, grass foliage, shadows, underlying sand or soil on the ground, and one or more shades of green Combination of; Other camouflage combinations of color and finish fills can be used.

9 shows an example putter 900 similar to that shown in the other figures. However, in FIG. 9, the top surface 906 of the putter head 902 includes various colors (eg, background matte colors having different colors in the gray region) in a camouflage fashion. Any desired camouflage pattern of colors (or random combination and / or pattern of colors) can be used without departing from the present invention. Likewise, in this exemplary structure 900, at least the end of the putter shaft 908 adjacent to the putter head 902 is painted and / or polished in the same or similar manner as that of the putter top surface 906. Any desired camouflage pattern (s) and / or combination of colors may also be used for the putter shaft 908. Also, as described above, in the arrangement of this embodiment (covering a portion less than the majority of the top surface 906), the aiming aid (s) 910, 912 are prominent on the putter head top surface 906 in the golfer's eyes. It may be made or trimmed to a contrasting, shiny, and / or reflecting color to make it. Any desired aiming aid or combination of aiming aids can be used in combination with the “grass colored” top finished putter head and / or shaft member, including without departing from the invention, including the various aiming aid features described above. .

10 is a putter head that has been colored and / or polished to reduce both luminance and color contrast with the background 1020 (ie, colored and / or polished to better match the grass of the green, as described above). 1002 illustrates the operation of putter 1000 including top surface 806 and shaft 1008. The putter 1000 may also have any of the other various features described above, that is, those described with respect to FIGS. 1-9. As shown in FIG. 10, visual scattering is reduced by coloring and / or finishing (and optionally reducing sharp corners or edges) on the putter head 1002 in the upper surface 1006 in this manner. This is because the 1002 is not “tapped” much to the golfer's eye against the similarly painted green background 1020. In addition, this characteristic helps the aiming aid (s) 1010, 1012 to better stand out to the golfer's eye and to better focus the alignment of the ball 1022 in the desired direction using the aiming aids 1010, 1012. Allow.

Features of the present invention as described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10 provide additional various features that may be included in the putter head in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. For example, the color and / or finish of the top of the putter head may include one or more green grass colors at a particular golf course; Grass color of green in certain geographic regions (eg, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Florida, Arizona, Europe, etc.); The color of certain types or types of green grass (eg, bentgrass, Bermuda grass, etc.); Grass color of green in various different years; Turfgrass green at certain race times (eg, early morning, midday, late afternoon, dusk, etc.); Grass color of green under certain race conditions (eg very sunny, cloudy or cloudy, rain, dew or fog, etc.); It can be specifically designed or customized to better fit the back and the like. The putter may be sold according to at least some embodiments of the present invention as a kit or system, the putter shaft is equipped with an optional removable head, and the user (as described above, aims to meet various different conditions). It is possible to accept (or accept) various heads of different colors. Preferably, rather than replacing the entire head, the putter head is a removable top element (covering all or part of the top surface of the putter head) that can be selectively removed and replaced with another colored top element. Can be equipped.

Additionally or alternatively, the putter "kit" or "system" may preferably include various putter shafts, various colors, color combinations, etc. so that the user may use during a particular round of golf to better suit the conditions. You can choose a specific shaft to Preferably, rather than replacing the entire head, the putter shaft is removable sleeve (covering all or part of the visible portion of the shaft) that can be selectively removed and replaced with another colored shaft sleeve element. The element may be equipped.

Any preferred way of actually selecting the color for the top finish and / or shaft member can be used without departing from the present invention, and the production of putter heads by trial and error type methods (e.g. various different colors, color combinations, finishes, etc.). ) And determine the best fit for your individual turf color, turf type, date, year, and geographic location. Alternatively, preferably, the spectral data (eg, color adsorption data, color reflection data, luminance data, etc.) may optionally have a particular turf under various conditions (eg, different years; different dates; different races or light conditions). (E.g., a particular golf course; a particular geographic area; a particular type or type of turf), and this data may be selected (previously for selecting a color or other finish of paint for the club head top and / or shaft). Matching paint to a known color can be used to help). Specific data of this type may be used to determine customized club head top and / or shaft colors, preferably for specific golf courses and / or other conditions. Measuring the color of the turf using digital image analysis, for example, D.E. Karcher et al., "Turfgrass Science: Qunatifying Turfgrass Color Using Digital Image Analysis," Crop Science, Vol. 43, May-June, 2003, pp. 943-951, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Is included.

Many changes to the entire putter head structure and / or the entire putter structure can be made without departing from the present invention. For example, many changes may be made to the part or portions of the club head structure, to the manner in which the portions of the club head structure are joined together with respect to the material used to make the club structure. In addition, many changes may be made to the thickness, weight, shape, size, and / or other physical properties of the part or parts that make up the overall club structure. Other changes may be made in the way that the putter head and associated parts are made, including changes in the specific methods used to manufacture the part, changes in the materials used to manufacture the part, and the order in which the parts are manufactured and the club head is assembled. Changes and the like. Aspects of the present invention may be practiced with putter heads and putters of conventional shape and / or configuration, including putter heads and putters of commercially available shapes, configurations, and designs. Such putter heads and putters may include various features such as adjustable weights, one or more openings in the body where the green can be seen, and the like.

conclusion

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, including the presently preferred modes of practicing the invention, those skilled in the art will understand that many variations and modifications of the above systems and methods exist. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present invention should be made broadly as described in the appended claims.

Claims (131)

As a putter head,
A club head body having a ball striking face and an upper face when viewed from a ball address orientation,
Aiming aid provided on the top surface or integrally formed as part of the top surface
Wherein at least half of the top surface has at least one dark collar non-reflective matte finish, wherein the aiming aid is formed with at least one collar that contrasts with the color of the dark or non-reflective matte finish of the top face and has a club head. Covered less than half of the upper surface of the body,
The club head body comprises a ridge extending along the club head body from the ball striking surface to the rear center region and two central regions defined by two holes located along the ridge and penetrating the club head body; ,
Wherein the first portion of the aiming aid comprises a half of a first right triangle shape and a half of a second right triangle shape separated from the half of the first right triangle shape. The putter head of claim 1, wherein the one or more dark collars of the top surface of the club head body include one or more collars selected from the group of green, brown, black, or gray. 3. The putter head of claim 2, wherein the at least one contrasting collar of the aiming aid comprises at least one collar selected from the group of white, yellow, pink, crimson, orange, blue, or green. delete 2. The putter head of claim 1 wherein the top surface of the club head body comprises a ball striking surface portion and a main body portion extending from and away from the ball striking surface portion. 6. The putter head of claim 5 wherein the first portion of the aiming aid is disposed on or integrally formed as part of the main body portion. 7. The putter head of claim 6, wherein the aiming aid includes a second portion disposed on the ball striking surface portion or integrally formed as part of the ball striking surface portion. 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first right triangle shape half of the aiming aid is positioned toward a first flat surface extending in parallel to the ball striking surface and toward a central rearmost region of the main body portion. A second versatile triangular shape comprising a single vertex region, wherein the half of the second right triangular shape of the aiming aid is positioned toward a second planar surface extending parallel to the ball striking surface and toward the central rearmost region of the main body portion; A putter head comprising a vertex region of two. 9. The putter head of claim 8, wherein the second portion of the aiming aid comprises a line or elongate polygonal element extending along the ball striking face. delete delete 6. The putter head of claim 5, wherein the aiming aid includes a second portion disposed on the ball striking surface portion or integrally formed as part of the ball striking surface portion. 13. The putter head of claim 12, wherein the second portion of the aiming aid comprises a line or elongate polygonal element extending along the ball striking face. The putter head of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the club head body includes curved corners when viewed from a ball address orientation. 2. The putter head according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the club head body has a smooth change in surface elevation when viewed from the ball address orientation. 2. The putter head of claim 1 wherein the top surface of the club head body comprises a gently curved corner and the change in surface elevation is smooth. The putter head of claim 16, wherein the at least one dark collar of the top surface of the club head body comprises green. The putter head of claim 16, wherein the one or more dark collars of the top surface of the club head body include one or more collars selected from the group of green, brown, black, or gray. The putter head of claim 1, wherein at least 65% of the top surface has at least one dark collar, anti-reflective matte finish. The putter head of claim 1, wherein at least 75% of the top surface has at least one dark colored, anti-reflective matte finish. The putter head of claim 1, wherein at least 85% of the top surface has at least one dark colored, anti-reflective matte finish. The putter head of claim 1 wherein less than 35% of the top surface comprises an aiming aid. The putter head of claim 1 wherein less than 25% of the top surface comprises an aiming aid. The putter head of claim 1 wherein less than 15% of the top surface comprises an aiming aid. 2. The collar of claim 1 wherein the collar of the top surface is formed of (a) one or more dark, non-reflective matte finishes, and (b) one or more collars that contrast with the color of the dark or non-reflective matte finishes of the top face. A putter head consisting of an aiming aid. 27. The putter head of claim 25, wherein the at least one dark collar of the top surface of the club head body comprises green. The method of claim 1, wherein at least 85% of the top surface collars comprise (a) one or more dark collar non-reflective matte finishes, and (b) one or more collars that contrast with the color of the dark or non-reflective matte finishes of the top side. A putter head comprising an aiming aid formed by. delete delete The method of claim 1, wherein at least 98% of the top surface collars comprise (a) one or more dark collar non-reflective matte finishes, and (b) one or more collars that contrast with the color of the dark or non-reflective matte finishes of the top side. A putter head comprising an aiming aid formed by. 31. The putter head of claim 30, wherein the dark collar of the top surface of the club head body comprises green. As a putter,
A club head body having a ball striking face and an upper face when viewed from a ball address orientation,
An aiming aid provided on the upper surface or integrally formed as part of the upper surface;
Shaft member coupled to the club head body
Wherein at least half of the top surface has at least one dark collar non-reflective matte finish, wherein the aiming aid is formed with at least one collar that contrasts with the color of the dark or non-reflective matte finish of the top face and has a club head. Covered less than half of the upper surface of the body,
The club head body comprises a ridge extending along the club head body from the ball striking surface to the rear center region and two central regions defined by two holes located along the ridge and penetrating the club head body; ,
Wherein the first portion of the aiming aid comprises a half of a first right triangle shape and a half of a second right triangle shape separated from the half of the first right triangle shape. 33. The putter of claim 32, wherein the at least one dark collar of the top surface of the club head body comprises at least one collar selected from the group of green, brown, black or gray. 33. The putter of claim 32, wherein the one or more luminescent and reflective colors of the aiming aid include one or more colors selected from the group of white, yellow, pink, crimson, orange, blue, or green. 33. The putter of claim 32 wherein the top surface of the club head body includes a ball striking surface portion and a main body portion extending from and away from the ball striking surface portion. 36. The putter of claim 35 wherein the first portion of the aiming aid is disposed on or integrally formed as part of the main body portion. 37. The putter of claim 36 wherein the aiming aid includes a second portion disposed on or integrally formed as part of the ball striking surface portion. 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the first right triangle shape half of the aiming aid is positioned toward a first flat surface extending in parallel to the ball striking surface and toward a central rearmost region of the main body portion. A second versatile triangular shape comprising a single vertex region, wherein the half of the second right triangular shape of the aiming aid is positioned toward a second planar surface extending parallel to the ball striking surface and toward the central rearmost region of the main body portion; A putter comprising a vertex region of two. 39. The putter of claim 38 wherein the second portion of the aiming aid comprises an elongate polygonal element or lines extending along the ball striking face. delete delete 36. The putter of claim 35 wherein the aiming aid comprises a second portion disposed on or integrally formed as part of the ball striking surface portion. 43. The putter of claim 42 wherein the second portion of the aiming aid comprises an elongate polygonal element or lines extending along the ball striking face. 33. The putter of claim 32 wherein the top surface of the club head body may comprise curved corners when viewed from a ball address orientation. 33. The putter of claim 32 wherein the top surface of the club head body has a smooth change in surface elevation when viewed from a ball address orientation. 33. The putter of claim 32 wherein the top surface of the club head body comprises a gently curved corner and the change in surface elevation is smooth. 47. The putter of claim 46 wherein at least one dark collar of the top surface of the club head body comprises green. 33. The putter of claim 32 wherein at least 65% of the top surface has at least one dark collar, anti-reflective matte finish. delete delete 33. The putter of claim 32 wherein less than 35% of the top surfaces comprise aiming aids. delete 33. The putter of claim 32 wherein less than 15% of the top surface comprises an aiming aid. 33. The collar of claim 32, wherein the collar of the top surface is formed of (a) one or more dark, non-reflective matte finishes, and (b) one or more collars that contrast with the color of the dark or non-reflective matte finish of the top face. A putter consisting of aiming aids. 55. The putter of claim 54, wherein the at least one dark collar of the top surface of the club head body comprises green. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein at least 85% of the top surface collar comprises (a) at least one dark collar, non-reflective matte finish, and (b) at least one collar contrasting the collar of the dark or non-reflective matte finish of the top side. A putter comprising an aiming aid formed by. 57. The putter of claim 56 wherein at least one dark collar of the top surface of the club head body comprises green. delete delete 33. The method of claim 32, wherein at least 98% of the top surface collars comprise (a) at least one dark collar non-reflective matte finish and (b) at least one collar that contrasts with the color of the dark or non-reflective matte finish of the top side. A putter comprising an aiming aid formed by. 61. The putter of claim 60 wherein at least one dark collar of the top surface of the club head body comprises green. 33. The putter of claim 32 wherein a portion of the shaft member adjacent the club head body has one or more dark collar, non-reflective matte finishes. 63. The putter of claim 62 wherein the non-reflective matte finish of the shaft member coincides with a collar and finish of at least half of the top surface of the club head body. 63. The putter of claim 62 wherein the portion of the shaft member having the non-reflective matte finish constitutes at least 10% of the total length of the shaft member. 63. The putter of claim 62 wherein the portion of the shaft member having the non-reflective matte finish makes up at least 25% of the total length of the shaft member. delete 63. The putter of claim 62 wherein the portion of the shaft member having the non-reflective matte finish constitutes at least 75% of the total length of the shaft member. 33. The putter of claim 32 wherein the entire visible portion of the shaft member has one or more dark collar antireflective matte finishes. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete As a manufacturing method of a putter,
Providing a putter head comprising a ball striking face and an upper face when viewed from a ball address orientation,
Engaging the putter head and shaft member
Wherein at least half of the top surface has at least one dark colored non-reflective matte finish, wherein the aiming aid is included on or as part of the top surface, and the aiming aid is dark or non-obvious of the top surface; Formed as one or more collars in contrast to the collar of the reflective matte finish and covering less than half of the top surface of the club head body,
The club head body comprises a ridge extending along the club head body from the ball striking surface to the rear center region and two central regions defined by two holes located along the ridge and penetrating the club head body; ,
Wherein the first portion of the aiming aid comprises a half portion of a first right triangle shape and a half portion of a second right triangle shape separated from the half of the first right triangle shape. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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