US20040142763A1

US20040142763A1 - Golf training putter

Info

Publication number: US20040142763A1
Application number: US10/747,380
Authority: US
Inventors: John Zarganis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-03
Filing date: 2003-12-29
Publication date: 2004-07-22

Abstract

The present invention provides a golf training putter comprises a putter head that is connected to a shaft in a manner which enables the putter head to rotate around the shaft.

Description

CROSS REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefits from provisional application No. 60/437,772 filed Jan. 3, 2003 and provisional application No. 60/503,126 filed Sep. 15, 2003, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.[0001]

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention pertains to a training aid for improving the path of a golfers putting stroke and also for improving the ball contact made during the putting stroke. The training aids of the present invention may resemble a standard golf putter comprised of a shaft with a grip and a putter head. The putter head will unconventionally be allowed to rotate around the shaft in order to provide both visual and physical feedback regarding the quality of the putting stroke and ball contact.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There are two critical components to a good golf-putting stroke. The first key to a good stroke is comprised of a repeatable back swing and forward swing that follows along an intended target line in a pendulum motion. Secondly, the putting stroke should ensure that the ball is struck with the center of the putter head to impart a consistent forward roll along the intended target line. Inconsistencies in either of those two key components can cause putts to travel off-line or to not travel the intended distance. These inconsistencies result in more missed putts and undesirably higher golf scores. This invention pertains to a golf putter with unique features that will improve a golfers ability to make a repeatable putting stroke by providing physical and visual feedback due to any inconsistencies to one or both of the key swing components during the stroke.

A wide variety of inventions and devices exist to help improve a golfer's putting stroke. U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,099 describes a laser alignment device that can be easily attached to a club or putter shaft. This laser device will emit a line of light on the ground creating a target line for the putter head to follow. While this line is useful for alignment purposes, it may encourage the golfer to rotate their head slightly and look in front of the ball during the putting stroke instead of keeping the eyes focused on the ball until it is struck. Not watching the ball as it is struck frequently results in putts that are miss-hit and not struck in the center of the putter head. These putts tend to stray off line and not travel the intended distance. In addition, since the laser device is attached to the shaft of the club, any inadvertent rotation of the shaft during the putting stroke will also rotate the alignment marking line that is transmitted on the ground. This alignment adjustment may not be easily perceivable to the user and putts may be missed if the putter head follows the altered alignment marking.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,039 describes a putting training device that consists of a curved track and an engagement feature on the bottom of a putter head that forces the putter head to follow the curved track during a putting stroke. The curved track lies relatively flat in the middle of the golfer's stance where the ball is placed prior to putting. The track gradually increases in height as it moves back and away from the golfer. This increase in height represents the pendulum motion a good putting stroke would follow. The features of this invention encourage a putting stroke that travels straight back and straight through along the target line and also encourage that the ball be struck in the center of the putter head, both of which are desirable results. However, this type of apparatus is a cumbersome device for a golfer to carry and use in different locations. In addition, this device may not be well suited for all different body types. For instance, a shorter golfer may not make a stroke with the same pendulum arc that a taller golfer may make. Using a track not fitted for your swing path or body type may begin to develop some uncomfortable aspects throughout the stroke by forcing your stroke along an unnatural path. This can affect the fluidity of the putting stroke. Therefore, it may be required that each curved track be custom fitted for each particular golfer body type which can be expensive for the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a golf putter that can be used both indoors on a carpet or floor and also outdoors on a golf putting green or similar surfaces by both left-handed and right-handed golfers. It is a further aspect of the invention that it may be used in all arenas either as a training aid or as a standard golf putter depending on how the various features of the invention are configured. If the putter is used as a training aid, it is an aspect of the invention to improve the path of a golfer's putting stroke. A good putting stroke is comprised of a repeatable back swing and a forward swing that follows an intended target path in a pendulum motion. To accomplish this intention, the putter head will unconventionally be allowed to rotate around the shaft in order to provide both visual and physical feedback regarding the quality of the putting stroke. If the putting stroke were to undesirably travel off line during the stroke, the putter head would rotate and the golfer will be able to visually see the rotation of the putter head and become aware of the poor putting stroke. Or, the rotation of the putter head would result in the ball being struck at some angle other than perpendicular to the intended target line, causing the ball to travel off the intended target line, which the golfer would visualize at impact.

As the golfers ability to make a repeatable straight-back, straight-through stroke improves, it may be desirable to add a feature to the putter head that makes the putter head more susceptible to small imperfections of the putting stroke to fine tune the golfers stroke even further. To accomplish this, it is a further optional aspect of the invention that an adjustable counterweight may be attached to or removed from the putter head as desired. The counterweight may be attached to the putter head on a “Y” shaped support device. In this configuration, the two tips of the fork of the “Y” shaped support would be attached to the two ends of the putter commonly referred to as the “toe” (end of the putter farthest from the golfer) and “heal” (end of the putter nearest the golfer). This method of attachment would allow the counterweight to be attached to the stem of the “Y” shaped support and be located directly behind the center of the length dimension of the putter head. The counterweight would ideally be allowed to slide closer to, or further away from the putter head along the stem of the “Y” shaped support as desired. Positioning the weight farther away from the putter head increases the length of the moment arm by which the counterweight can impart a rotational force on the putter head and cause the head to rotate around the shaft. A longer moment arm will impart more torque on the putter head with less force and would therefore increase the susceptibility of the putter head to rotation as a result of small imperfections of the putting stroke, such as an off-line stroke path. Conversely, locating the counterweight closer to the putter head will decrease the length of the moment arm thereby reducing the putter heads susceptibility to rotation from small imperfections of the putting stroke. It is a further aspect of the invention that heavier or lighter counterweights may be interchangeably utilized to meet a particular feel or susceptibility level as desired by the user.

It is another aspect of the invention that the length of the stem of the “Y” be adjustable by either extending or retracting the length of the stem, thereby allowing the counterweight to be placed a desired distance from the putter head. To easily extend or retract the length of the stem, it is a further aspect of the invention that the stem of the “Y” shaped wire may be comprised of a telescopic structure. It is yet a further aspect of the invention that the counterweight be located at the tip of the telescopic structure thus providing the ability to easily extend or retract the counterweight to the desired level of difficulty.

It is a further aspect of the invention that the putter head have additional optional mounting holes for inserting the tips of the “Y” wire along the centerline of the width of the putter head. These holes may be spaced apart from one another, beginning from the heal and the toe of the putter head and moving closer inward towards the shaft of the putter. Inserting the tips of the “Y” wire into the mounting holes that are closer to the heal and toe of the putter will increase the susceptibility of the putter head to rotation. Having the tips spaced far away from the shaft increases the rotational force moment arm that tips will impart a rotational force across onto the bearing. Depending on the skill level of the golfer, a novice golfer may want to place the tips of the “Y” wire into mounting holes closer to the putter shaft to reduce the length of the moment arm and make the putter head less susceptible to rotation due to an improper stroke. As the golfer's putting stroke improves, the tips of the “Y” wire can be gradually moved further away from the shaft to increase the level of difficulty.

To further improve the visual feedback provided to the golfer, it is another aspect of the invention that the putter has alignment markings on the top of the putter head. These alignment markings can be both parallel and perpendicular to the intended target line of the putt. The alignment markings that are parallel to the putting path assist the golfer in properly aligning the putter head along the intended-putting path. The alignment markings perpendicular to the putting path provide the golfer with additional visual feedback if the putter head begins to undesirably rotate during the putting stroke. These markings assist the golfer in noticing subtle rotations of the putter head.

It is another aspect of the invention when used as a training aid to improve a golfer's ability to strike the ball repeatedly with the center of the putter head, commonly referred to as a “sweet spot”. A putt that is struck with the center of the putter head travels with a consistent forward roll along the intended target line. By allowing the putter head to rotate around the putter shaft, putts hit inadvertently off center will cause the putter head to rotate and visually inform the golfer of the miss hit. The farther off center the ball is struck, the more the putter head will rotate providing additional information on how far off center the putt was struck. This feedback will work for both putts hit off either the toe or heal of the putter. Putts hit near the toe of the putter will cause the putter head to rotate clockwise around the shaft for a right-handed golfer. Putts hit towards the heal of the putter will cause the putter head to rotate counter clockwise for a right-handed golfer. The rotational directions are reversed if the golfer is putting left-handed.

If desired to use the invention as a standard golf putter, the invention provides various locking features that can be incorporated and used to immobilize the putter head to prevent it from rotating about the shaft. A locking feature will allow the golfer to use the same putter as both a training aid and as a standard putter thereby keeping the size, shape and weight of the putter the same, which is important. If a golfer were to practice with a putting device that is heavier than the standard putter the golfer uses during a round of golf, the golfer's putting stroke may become quick due to the lighter weight of the standard putter. This is a similar result to a baseball player that takes several practice swings with a weight attached to the bat prior to hitting a pitch from an opposing player. Practice swings with a heavier bat help the baseball player to increase their bat speed during their actual hitting attempt by providing both a physical and psychological feel that the bat is lighter. An increased bat speed will increase the distance a baseball will travel when struck. Therefore, a golfer putting with a putter that is lighter than the practice putter used may encourage a putting stroke that is faster than required and hit putts that travel longer than intended. The reverse also holds true. If a golfer were to practice with a putting device that is much lighter than the normal putter used, when the heavier putter is used during competition or play, a golfer's putts may not travel the entire intended distance due to the reduced swing speed.

There are numerous methods for incorporating locking or immobilization features into this invention. Three such locking features are described in detail here within. However, it should be appreciated that other locking features that are obvious to someone skilled in the art may be incorporated into this invention.

In one aspect of the invention, the locking feature is attached onto the shaft of the putter. In this configuration, a rigid appendage could be affixed to the shaft as a portion of the locking feature and be forced to rotate along with any rotation of the shaft. Threaded or unthreaded holes may be incorporated through the thickness of the appendage into which threaded or unthreaded rigid members can be inserted. One or more corresponding receiving holes could also be incorporated into the putter head that could simultaneously receive the rigid members that are passed through the appendage. The rigid members should also contain certain features that allow the members to be easily inserted or removed by hand without the need for a special tool. The rigid members would then be in contact simultaneously with the putter head and the appendage. Since the appendage is affixed to the shaft, the putter head would only rotate along with any rotation of the putter shaft and not be allowed to rotate around the shaft thus allowing the putter to be used as a conventional putter.

In another aspect of the invention, the locking mechanism will be comprised of a threaded feature extending outward from the end of the putter shaft nearest the head of the putter. In this aspect, the threaded feature extends beyond the lower edge of the rotational device towards the bottom of the putter head. One or more rubber, metal, plastic or similar washers with inner diameters slightly larger than the diameter of the putter shaft could then be inserted over the threaded device and putter shaft and allowed to make contact with the rotational device. The washers can be secured in place with a threaded nut inserted onto the threaded device and tightened securely. Tightening the nut securely will ensure that sufficient pressure is applied to the rotational device by the washer thus preventing the rotational device from moving and thus preventing the putter head from rotating around the shaft. The locking nut should also contain certain features that allow the nut to be tightened or loosened by hand without the need for a special tool.

In a further aspect of the invention, the locking mechanism would be accomplished by threading the inner diameter of the putter shaft at the end of the putter nearest the putter head. One or more rubber, metal, plastic or similar washers with inner diameters slightly larger than the diameter of the putter shaft could then be inserted over the putter shaft and allowed to make contact with the rotational device. The washers can be secured in place with a threaded rigid member inserted into the threaded inner diameter of the putter shaft and tightened securely. Tightening the threaded rigid member securely will ensure that sufficient pressure is applied to the rotational device by the washer thus preventing the rotational device from moving and thus preventing the putter head from rotating around the shaft. The threaded rigid member should also contain certain features that allow the member to be tightened or loosened by hand without the need for a special tool.

It is another aspect of the invention that a device may be attached to the putter that will return the putter head to the desired staring position that is perpendicular to the intended target line of the putt. While it shall be appreciated that a variety of solutions may be employed to achieve this result, the preferred embodiment would utilize an elastic mechanism for returning the putter head perpendicular to the target line after each stroke. The return mechanism would be comprised of a ring with one or more elastic strings attached to the ring. The ring itself would be rigidly attached to the putter shaft and be allowed to rotate along with the putter shaft. The elastic strings could be attached to one or more ends of the putter head along the centerline of the putter width. Ideally, the elastic string would provide sufficient resistance to allow the putter head to return to the desired starting position but should not provide so much resistance that it restricts the ability of the putter head to rotate during the stroke or impact. The putter head would essentially act like a saloon style door that will swing back and forth but eventually return to the staring position perpendicular to the intended target line.

These and other aspects of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates three components of the invention, a shaft, a rotational device and a putter head that is allowed to rotate around the shaft. [0019]
FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the three components of the invention described in FIG. 1. [0020]
FIG. 3 illustrates the invention with a locking mechanism that is comprised of a rigid appendage and rigid objects that can be used to immobilize the putter head for use as a standard golf putter when training is not desired. [0021]
FIG. 4 illustrates the invention along with a locking mechanism that is comprised of a threaded rigid object at the end of the putter shaft. Washers and a locking nut can then be threaded onto the threaded rigid object creating sufficient pressure against the rotational device to prevent the head from rotating. [0022]
FIG. 5 illustrates the invention along with a locking mechanism that is comprised of a threaded rigid object that can be threaded into the inner diameter of the putter shaft. The head of the threaded rigid object is shaped in a manner that will exert sufficient pressure against the rotational device and prevent the head from rotating. [0023]
FIG. 6 illustrates the invention along with the counterweight and “Y” shaped support device. [0024]
FIG. 7 illustrates the invention along with a return mechanism that will force the putter head back into a square alignment position with the intended target line after each stroke.[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures below, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a [0026] practice putting apparatus 5 that is encompassed by the present invention. Apparatus 5 shows a putter shaft 20 connected to putter head 10 by a rotational device 30. Putter shaft 20 can be made from a multitude of materials including, but not limited to, aluminum and similar alloys, steel and similar alloys, graphite, wood or similar substances. Putter head 10 can be made from a multitude of materials including, but not limited to, aluminum and similar alloys, steel and similar alloys, brass, copper, iron, nickel or similar materials. Putter shaft 20 is connected to putter apparatus 5 by first passing freely through hole 13 of putter head 10. Hole 13 has a slightly larger diameter than the outer diameter 21 of shaft 20 so that no friction or contact is made and putter head 10 can rotate around shaft 20. Putter shaft 20 can then be connected to the inner diameter 31 of rotational device 30. One method for connecting shaft 20 to inner diameter 31 utilizes an interference friction fit between the two features. This interference friction fit can be accomplished by using a putter shaft 20 where the end of shaft 20 where the interface with rotational device 30 occurs has an outer diameter 21 that is equal to or slightly larger than inner diameter 31 of rotational device 30. Rotational device 30 may be forced onto shaft 20 via pressure, or, rotational device 30 may be heated to an elevated temperature to temporarily expand inner diameter 31 of rotational device 30 to reduce the pressure required to assemble rotational device 30 onto shaft 20. When rotational device 30 cools, inner diameter 31 contracts and increases the interference friction between the rotational device 30 and shaft 20. The interference friction would not be so great that it would inhibit rotational device 30 from rotating properly. However, the interference friction should be sufficient enough to maintain the mechanical connection between the rotational device 30 and shaft 20 for many years and over various temperature ranges and weather conditions that the putter may be exposed to during practice or a round of golf.
Another method that can be used to attach [0027] rotational device 30 to shaft 20 is to use a putter shaft 20 with an outer diameter 21 that is smaller than inner diameter 31 of rotational device 30. The space that would exist between outer diameter 21 and inner diameter 31 could then be filled with epoxy, glue or other substance that would create a mechanical bond between outer diameter 21 and inner diameter 31. This mechanical bond would be sufficient enough to maintain the mechanical connection between rotational device 30 and shaft 20 for many years and over various temperature ranges and weather conditions that putter apparatus 5 may be exposed to during practice or a round of golf.
In order to improve the visual feedback provided to the golfer by the invention, [0028] alignment markings 80 could be included as a feature on the top of putter head 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Alignment markings 80 can be parallel or perpendicular to the intended target line 100 of the putt. The intent of alignment markings 80 that are parallel to the putting path is to assist the golfer in properly aligning the putter head along intended target line 100. The intent of alignment markings 80 perpendicular to target line 100 is to provide the golfer with additional visual feedback if putter head 10 begins to undesirably rotate during the putting stroke. These markings allow the golfer to more easily notice subtle rotations of putter head 10.
Referring now to FIG. 2, [0029] rotational device 30 is attached to putter head 10 by similar methods used to attach rotational device 30 to putter shaft 20. An interference friction fit can be created between rotational device 30 and putter head 10. To accomplish this, inner diameter 11 of hole 15, at the bottom surface of putter head 10, will be equal to or slightly smaller than outer diameter 32 of rotational device 30. The rotational device 30 may be forced into hole 15 via pressure, or hole 15 may be heated to an elevated temperature to temporarily expand the inner diameter 11 and reduce the pressure required to assemble rotational device 30 into putter head 10. When hole 15 cools, inner diameter 11 contracts and increases the interference friction between outer diameter 32 of rotational device 30 and inner diameter 11 of hole 15. The interference friction would not be so great that it would inhibit rotational device 30 from rotating properly. However, the interference friction should be sufficient enough to maintain the mechanical connection between rotational device 30 and putter head 10 for many years and over various temperature ranges and weather conditions that putter apparatus 5 may be exposed to during practice or a round of golf.
Another method that can be used to attach [0030] rotational device 30 to putter head 10 is to create hole 15 with inner diameter 11 that is larger than the outer diameter 32 of the rotational device 30. The space that would exist between inner diameter 11 and the outer diameter 32 could then be filled with epoxy, glue or other substance that would create a mechanical bond between the inner diameter 11 of hole 15 and outer diameter 32 of rotational device 30. This mechanical bond would be sufficient enough to maintain the mechanical connection between rotational device 30 and putter head 10 for many years and over various temperature ranges and weather conditions that putter apparatus 5 may be exposed to during practice or a round of golf.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention described in detail in FIG. 1 along with locking features that can immobilize the putter head and prevent the [0031] putter head 10 from rotating around shaft 20 if desired. The apparatus shown in FIG. 3 contains all of the same aspects, such as shaft 20, rotational device 30, putter head 10 and alignment markings 80, that are mentioned in the detailed description for FIG. 1. The additional aspects shown in FIG. 3 make up the locking mechanism and are comprised of rigid appendage 40 with one or more threaded or unthreaded holes 41 and one additional hole 42 passing through appendage 40. Hole 42 will be used to rigidly affix appendage 40 to shaft 20. Hole 41 of rigid appendage 40 could be used along with threaded or unthreaded rigid object 50 and one or more threaded or unthreaded hole 12 in putter head 10 that align with hole 41. To immobilize putter head 10, rigid object 50 would pass through hole 41 of appendage 40 and simultaneously pass through hole 12 in putter head 10 making both appendage 40 and putter head 10 rotate along with the rotation of shaft 20, preventing putter head 10 from rotating independently.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention described in detail in FIG. 1 along with locking features that can immobilize [0032] putter head 10 and prevent putter head 10 from rotating around shaft 20 if desired. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 contains all of the aspects and methods for attaching the components, such as shaft 20, rotational device 30, putter head 10 and alignment markings 80, that are mentioned in the detailed description for FIG. 1. The additional aspects shown in FIG. 4 make up the locking mechanism and consist of a threaded rod 70, one or more washers 90, and a locking nut 60. Threaded rod 70, extends outward from the bottom of shaft 20 and can be attached to shaft 20 through a variety of methods. These methods include but should not be limited to a mechanical interference fit, a chemical-mechanical bond such as epoxy, glue or cement, or other similar methods to secure threaded rod 70 to shaft 20. When assembled and shaft 20 is securely attached to rotational device 30 as described in the detailed description of FIG. 1, threaded rod 70, should extend beyond the bottom of rotational device 30. Threaded rod 70 should extend far enough so that one or more washers 90 and locking nut 60 can be assembled onto threaded rod 70. The inner diameter 91 of washer 90, should be slightly larger than outer diameter 71 of threaded rod 70 and larger than outer diameter 21 of shaft 20 so that washer 90 can be forced up against the bottom of rotational device 30. Locking nut 60 is assembled after washer 90 and is allowed to tighten up against washer 90 in order to increase the pressure and friction washer 90 imparts on rotational device 30. Locking nut 60 and washer 90 should be able to provide sufficient pressure and friction to prevent rotational device 30 from rotating and effectively immobilize putter head 10 to prevent it from rotating about shaft 20. Washer 90 can be created from a variety of metal, plastic and/or rubber materials. Metal washers could be used to increase the overall weight of the putter if desired. Plastic or rubber washers tend to have a higher coefficient of friction and therefore would reduce the amount of pressure locking nut 60 would have to impart in order to prevent rotational device 30 from rotating.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention described in detail for FIG. 1 along with locking features that can immobilize the putter head and prevent [0033] putter head 10 from rotating around shaft 20 if desired. The apparatus shown in FIG. 5 contains all of the same components and methods for attaching the components, such as shaft 20, rotational device 30, and putter head 10, that are mentioned in the detailed description for FIG. 1. FIG. 5 also shows a threaded locking rod 130 that can be passed through the rotational device and threaded into the inner diameter 22 of shaft 20. Head 135 of the locking rod 130 is shaped in a manner that will allow head 135 to make sufficient contact pressure and friction against rotational device 30 to prevent rotational device 30 from rotating and effectively immobilize putter head 10 and prevent it from rotating about shaft 20. In additional pressure against rotational device 30 is required, washer (not shown) can be inserted prior to the insertion of locking rod 130 similar to the methods described in the detail description for FIG. 4. Additionally, locking head 135 may be shaped in such a manner that will allow locking rod 130 to be threaded or inserted into inner diameter 22 of shaft 20 by hand without the use of special tools.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the invention described in detail for FIG. 1. The apparatus shown in FIG. 6 contains all of the same components and methods for attaching the components, such as [0034] shaft 20, rotational device 30, and putter head 10, that are mentioned in the detailed description for FIG. 1. FIG. 6 also shows counterweight 120 and “Y” shaped support structure 110. Support Structure 110 is comprised of stem 115 along with the two ends 111. Counterweight 120 could be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to metals such as steel, galvanized steel, brass, aluminum, copper, or tin. Counterweight 120 is located along stem 115 and is allowed to slide along stem 115 to move closer to or farther away from putter head 10 as desired. The friction between stem 115 and counterweight 120 should be sufficient enough to retain counterweight 120 in a desired location along stem 115 yet still be easily adjustable by hand with out the use of special tools. Locating counterweight 120 farther away from putter head 10 will increase the putter's susceptibility to rotation due to imperfections in a putting stroke. If counterweight 120 is not maintained directly behind the center of putter head 10 throughout the putting stroke, the momentum of the stroke will impart a force onto counterweight 120. Force acting on counterweight 120 will in turn impart a rotational force onto rotational device 30 and cause putter head 10 to rotate around shaft 20. Placing counterweight 120 farther away from putter head 10 increases the length of the moment arm that imparts the rotational force onto rotational device 30. A longer moment arm increases the amount of rotational force applied to rotational device 30. Therefore, a longer moment arm requires less force from counterweight 120 to impart sufficient rotational force to cause putter head 10 to rotate. With counterweight 120 placed farther away from putter head 10, a more consistent putting stroke with a straight-back and straight-through pendulum motion is required to keep counterweight 120 positioned directly behind the center of mass of putter head 10 throughout the stroke. Conversely, positioning counterweight 120 closer to putter head 10 will decrease the length of the moment arm thus making putter head 10 less susceptible to rotation.
Any rotational force imparted onto [0035] putter head 10 by counterweight 120 is transmitted through support structure 110 where it connects to putter head 10 at ends 111. As an additional means of adjusting the difficulty level of the putting aid, it is a further aspect of this invention that support structure 110 be flexible enough to allow ends 111 to flex and align with holes 105 in putter head 10. To allow for flexibility, support structure 110 could be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to metals such as steel, galvanized steel, brass, aluminum, copper, tin, or plastics such as polycarbonate, polycarbonate/ABS blends, polystyrene, polyethylene, or PVC. Similar to the positioning of counterweight 120, positioning ends 111 into holes 105 that are located farthest away from shaft 20 increases the length of the moment arm between ends 111 and rotational device 30, thereby making putter head 10 more susceptible to rotation. Conversely, positioning ends 111 into holes 105 that are closer to shaft 20 will decrease the length of the moment arm thus making putter head 10 less susceptible to rotation. Varying the length of the moment arm between these key features allows for the invention to be adjustable to all skill levels.
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the invention described in detail for FIG. 1. The apparatus shown in FIG. 7 contains all of the same components and methods for attaching the components, such as [0036] shaft 20, rotational device 30, and putter head 10, that are mentioned in the detailed description for FIG. 1. FIG. 7 also shows features of a return mechanism comprised of ring 150 and one or more elastic strings 145. In this configuration, ring 150 would be rigidly attached to putter shaft 20 and be allowed to rotate along with putter shaft 20. One end of elastic string 145 is attached to ring 150. The other end of elastic string 145 is attached to insertion feature 160 with geometry capable of mating with hole 105 on putter head 10. Insertion feature 160 can be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to metal, plastic, rubber, or wood. Insertion feature 160 should be shaped in such a manner so that it is easily inserted or removed from hole 105 by hand, without the use of any special tools. The intention of elastic string 145 is to return putter head 10 to the desired starting position that is perpendicular to the intended target line at the beginning of the putting stroke. As putter head 10 rotates, tension force will constantly be loaded and unloaded in elastic string 145 until all energy is dissipated and putter head 10 is returned to its original starting position. Locating insertion feature 160 into hole 105 that is farthest away from shaft 20 will increase the tension in elastic string 145 prior to the start of the stroke. More initial tension in elastic string 145 will cause the energy imparted on the strings through the rotation of putter head 10 to dissipate more quickly. Therefore, putter head 10 would return more quickly to its starting position, where all forces acting on the putter head are neutral until the putting device is set into motion again. Conversely, locating insertion feature 160 into hole 105 that is closer to shaft 20 would reduce the initial tension in elastic string 145 and allow putter head 10 to rotate back and forth for more iterations before coming to rest. This flexibility in pre-loading the tension of elastic string 145 allows the user to adjust how quickly putter head 10 returns based upon the users preference.
While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. [0037]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A golf training putter comprising:

a shaft; and

a putter head that is connected to a shaft in a manner which enables the putter head to rotate around the shaft.

2. The golf training putter of claim 1 wherein the putter head is connected to the shaft by a rotational device.

3. The golf training putter of claim 2 wherein said rotational device is a bearing.

4. The golf training putter of claim 1 wherein the putter head has one or more visual alignment marking lines that are perpendicular to an intended target line of a putt.

5. The golf training putter of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism that immobilizes the putter head and prevent the putter head from rotating around the shaft.

6. The golf training putter of claim 5 wherein the locking mechanism is comprised of a rigid appendage that is affixed to the shaft and rotates along with the rotation of the shaft.

7. The golf training putter of claim 6 wherein the appendage has one or more holes through the appendage.

8. The golf training putter of claim 7 wherein the putter head has at least one aligning hole in the putter head that aligns with at least one hole in the appendage in one or more orientations of the putter head.

9. The golf training putter of claim 8 wherein at least one rigid object is passed through at least one hole in the appendage and simultaneously through the aligning hole in the putter head to immobilize the putter head and prevent the putter head from rotating around the putter shaft.

10. The golf training putter of claim 9 where the rigid objects have features at one end to facilitate passing the rigid objects through the holes by hand, without the use of a specific tool.

11. The golf training putter of claim 7 where the locking mechanism is comprised of a threaded rod extending outward from the end of the putter shaft that engages with the putter head.

12. The golf training putter of claim 11 where a locking nut is threaded onto a threaded rod extending from the shaft and is allowed to tighten with sufficient pressure against the rotational device to prevent the device from rotating and prevent the putter head from rotating around the putter shaft.

13. The golf training putter of claim 12 where one or more washers are inserted between the locking nut and the rotational device.

14. The golf training putter of claim 12 where the locking nut is designed to facilitate threading the nut onto the threaded rod of the shaft by hand, without the use of a tool.

15. The golf training putter of claim 7 wherein the locking mechanism is comprised of:

one end of the putter shaft having a threaded inner diameter; and

a locking rod inserted into the threaded inner diameter of the putter shaft wherein at least one portion of the locking rod is allowed to contact the rotational device in a manner that prevents the rotational device from rotating.

16. The golf training putter of claim 15 wherein washers are inserted between the locking rod and the rotational device.

17. The golf training putter of claim 15 wherein the locking rod is designed to facilitate threading into the threaded inner diameter of the shaft by hand, without the use of a tool.

18. The golf training putter of claim 1 wherein a counterweight is attached to the putter head by a support device.

19. The golf training putter of claim 18 wherein the support device is shaped in the form of a Y.

20. The golf training putter of claim 19 wherein the ends of the support device align with at least two holes in the putter head.

21. The golf training putter of claim 20 wherein the counterweight is attached to a stem portion of the Y shaped support device.

22. The golf training putter of claim 21 wherein the counterweight is allowed to slide closer to or farther away from the putter head along the stem of the Y shaped support device.

24. The golf training putter of claim 19 wherein the stem of the Y shaped support device is telescopic.

25. The golf training putter of claim 23 wherein the counterweight is attached to the end of the stem of the Y shaped telescopic support device.

26. The golf training putter of claim 24 wherein the counterweight is interchangeable with other counterweights of various size and weight.

27. The golf training putter of claim 1 further comprising a return mechanism to return the putter head to a specific starting position prior to each putting stroke while still allowing the putter head to rotate around the shaft.

28. The golf training putter of claim 26 wherein the return mechanism is comprised of a ring attached to the shaft.

29. The golf training putter of claim 27 wherein the ring has at least one elastic member extending from the ring and is connected to at least one portion of the putter head.

30. A golf training putter comprising:

a grip;

a shaft;

a putter head; and

a means for rotatably connecting the putter head to the shaft.

31. A method for manufacturing a golf training putter, the method comprising:

providing a shaft; and

attaching a putter head to a shaft in a manner that allows the putter head to rotate about the shaft.