US20190224553A1

US20190224553A1 - Putting aid to generate professional putting posture

Info

Publication number: US20190224553A1
Application number: US16/327,989
Authority: US
Inventors: Casey A. Schiel
Original assignee: 911 Golf LLC
Current assignee: 911 Golf LLC
Priority date: 2016-12-02
Filing date: 2017-11-27
Publication date: 2019-07-25
Also published as: WO2018102251A1

Abstract

A golf training putting aid that attaches to or is built into any putter club head to assist with self-teaching and development of professional putting fundamentals of posture and stroke. The removable aid will produce a professional, consistent, and repeatable putting posture through muscle memory habits with immediate visual feedback.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility patent application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/429,128, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 2, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Golf is a popular worldwide sport. It is unique and challenging for many reasons including its use of various clubs that must be mastered in order to drive a golf ball from a tee into a fairway then onto a putting green and finally into a cup using the fewest shots possible. The typical golf bag includes a driver, as many as nine wedges and irons, and a putter. Depending on a fairway's length, the average golfer usually learns to drive the golf ball from tee to putting green in three or four shots. Putting, however, remains many golfers' nemesis even after years of playing. Many golfers commonly “three putt” on the putting green due to bad putting habits, which cause “birdies” and even a “par” on a given hole to remain elusive. As the old saying goes, “Drive for show, putt for dough.”
Bad putting habits are difficult to identify and correct without instruction or feedback from a seasoned or professional golfer. Professional lessons can be expensive and unfortunately, even after lessons, bad putting habits can return after a brief time away from golfing.
What is needed in the game of golf is a training aid that teaches professional muscle memory habits and quickly reinstates professional putting fundamentals before the next round of golf.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed in general to devices that are compatible with assorted styles and brands of putters. The devices may be used with left- or right-handed putters to teach and establish professional muscle memory habits for golfers and to reinstate professional putting fundamentals before every round of golf.
One device according to the present disclosure is a removable putting aid that teaches professional muscle memory habits and quickly confirms professional putting fundamentals, to include posture and stroke, with an emphasis on posture, before the next round of golf. Through repetition and regularized use, the golfer will be taught the necessary muscle memory to form a habit that consistently repeats the professional putting posture without the use of the putting aid during a normal round of golf.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a putting aid may include a reflective body having a major body axis and a minor body axis, the major body axis being aligned with a first horizontal axis in a horizontal plane; a spirit level having a major level axis and a minor level axis, the major level axis being aligned with a second horizontal axis normal to the first horizontal axis in the horizontal plane; and attachment means for connecting the reflective body to a putter head.
The reflective surface may be a mirror or polished metal and may include assorted colors, lines or etchings to create a reflective window for a golfer to see a reflection of his eyes when properly positioned over a golf ball. When the spirit level is balanced simultaneously with the reflection of the golfer's eyes, a professional putting posture is achieved.
Other embodiments include the foregoing and other elements and steps described herein, and their equivalents, in various combinations.
Additional objects and advantages of the present subject matter are set forth in, or will be apparent to, those of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referenced, and discussed features, processes, and elements hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter. Variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of the various embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a putting aid according to an aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a first end view of the putting aid as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the putting aid system as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another bottom perspective view of the putting aid system as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from a second end of the putting aid as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the putting aid as in FIG. 1 shown in an intended use environment;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a putting aid in exemplary use according to an aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the putting aid in use as in FIG. 7, particularly showing an enlarged view of the aid in use;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary putting posture and eye position simultaneously caused by the putting aid as in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 shows an off-balance and improper weight distribution according to an indicator of the putting aid as in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 shows another off-balance and improper weight distribution according to the indicator of the putting aid as in FIG. 7; and

FIGS. 12 through 17 show an exemplary putting aid attachable to assorted styles of putter heads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as their equivalents.
In general, the present disclosure provides a putting aid that teaches a professional, consistent, repeatable, putting posture through muscle memory. The putting aid enables a golfer to recreate the proper putting posture and stroke each time the golfer addresses a golf ball.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term or acronym herein, those in this section prevail unless stated otherwise.
Wherever the phrase “for example,” “such as,” “including” and the like are used herein, the phrase “and without limitation” is understood to follow unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly, “an example,” “exemplary” and the like are understood to be non-limiting.
The term “substantially” allows for deviations from the descriptor that do not negatively impact the intended purpose. Descriptive terms are understood to be modified by the term “substantially” even if the word “substantially” is not explicitly recited.
The term “about” when used in connection with a numerical value refers to the actual given value, and to the approximation to such given value that would reasonably be inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and or measurement conditions for such given value.
The terms “comprising” and “including” and “having” and “involving” (and similarly “comprises”, “includes,” “has,” and “involves”) and the like are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Specifically, each of the terms is defined consistent with the common United States patent law definition of “comprising” and is therefore interpreted to be an open term meaning “at least the following,” and is also interpreted not to exclude additional features, limitations, aspects, etcetera. Thus, for example, “a device having components a, b, and c” means that the device includes at least components a, b and c. Similarly, the phrase: “a method involving steps a, b, and c” means that the method includes at least steps a, b, and c.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
Any discussion of prior art in the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
The various embodiments of the disclosure and/or equivalents falling within the scope of present disclosure overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or provide a useful alternative.
Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examples embodying the present subject matter are shown. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features of the drawings. The drawings and detailed description provide a full and written description of the present subject matter, and of the manner and process of making and using various exemplary embodiments, so as to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to make and use them, as well as the best mode of carrying out the exemplary embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Thus, the examples set forth in the drawings and detailed descriptions are provided by way of explanation only and are not meant as limitations of the disclosure. The present subject matter thus includes any modifications and variations of the following examples as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Turning now to FIG. 1, a golf putting aid according to an aspect of the disclosure is designated in general by the numeral 10. The putting aid 10 broadly includes a body or frame 12, a spirit level 14, and an attachment device or mechanism 16. The exemplary body 12 has a first side or reflective surface 18, a second surface or bottom 20, a first or distal end 22, and a second or proximal end 24. The reflective surface 18, which may be a mirror or reflective, polished metal, may have etching or score or indication lines 26, 28 that extend from the first end 22 to the second end 24 to form three sections or divisions 30, 32, 34 in the surface 18. Here, the middle section 30 is sized to reflect a golfer's eyes when properly spaced and positioned as explained by way of example operation below. Also, although the indication lines 26, 28 extend substantially the entire length of the body 12 in this example, the lines 26, 28 may be of any length and position on the reflective surface 18 to form the three sections 30, 32, 34. Moreover, the lines 26, 28 can be painted, overlaid such as by taping, or printed on the surface 18 rather than scored or etched. Still further, the sections 30, 32, 34 may be sized differently. For instance, the middle section 30 can be wider than the outer sections 32, 34, and the sections 30, 32, 34 can be circles, ovals, squares, or other shapes. Additionally, the number of sections 30, 32, 34 can vary from a single section to more than the example shown.
With more particular reference to the spirit level 14 in FIG. 1, there is a fluid container 36 for holding liquid 38. In this example, the level 14 is positioned at the second end 24 of the body 12 (but could be arranged alternatively at the first end 22). As shown, the quantity of liquid 38 is less than a volume of the container 36 in order to form a bubble 40 within the container 36. Here, the bubble 40 is free to move between indicators or lines 42, 44, which will indicate to the golfer whether the level 14 is balanced in a horizontal plane.
FIG. 1 also shows the attachment device 16. The device 16 may be a magnet, an adhesive patch, a hook and loop combination such as Velcro®-brand fastener, and the like (see also, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 4). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the device 16 is positioned between the reflective surface 18 and the bottom 20.
Turning to FIG. 2 the attachment device 16, which in this example is a magnet, is shown positioned under the spirit level 14 at end 24 and between the reflective surface 18 and the bottom 20 as introduced above. Here again, the surface 18 extends away from the spirit level 14 in which the bubble 40 moves within the liquid 38 in the container 36. In this instance, the bubble 40 is between lines 42, 44, which indicate that the putting aid 10 is level.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show the putting aid 10 from bottom perspectives. Here again, the level 14 is attached or located at the second end 24 of the body 12, and the magnet 16 is shown below the container 36 sandwiched between the top surface 18 and the bottom 20. The bottom 20 may be made of, or include, a protective coating to protect a finish or metal surface of a putter from being scratched or damaged by the magnet 16 when the removable putting aid 10 is attached as explained below.
FIG. 4 most clearly shows the trademark of the putting aid 10 Eye Putt Pro® silkscreened, stamped or otherwise applied to the bottom 20 for easy consumer recognition. Other marks, words, numbers, or designs can be applied instead of or in addition to Eye Putt Pro®. Additionally, or in the alternative, an attachment instrument 17 may be a Velcro® brand patch, an adhesive patch, or the like that may be used in place of or with the magnet 16. In this example, the adhesive patch 17 may be circular in shape, or it may be square or rectangular to conform to or align within a perimeter of the bottom 20, which itself may be shaped differently than the example shown. The adhesive 16 may be desirable if a putter head is not made of metal or is non-magnetic. Preferably, the adhesive 16 is reusable and can be cleaned and stored with the putting aid 10 when not in use.
With reference to FIG. 5, the spirit level 14 can be seen in a level mirror image 46 in the reflective surface 18. As noted above, the liquid 38 and the bubble 40 are free to move within the container 36. Here, although the bubble 40 is between lines 42, 44, it is closer to line 42, which indicates that the putting aid 10 is not perfectly horizontal in this instance. Also shown in FIG. 5, the frame 12 may be rectangular in shape and thus have a larger or major axis 12A and smaller or minor axis 12B. Although the aid 10 is not limited to this shape, a rectangular arrangement may be preferable to provide a larger reflective surface 18 in which the major axis 12A more naturally matches a line of a golfer's eyes in a horizontal plane; however, the aid 10 is not so wide as to be cumbersome when attaching it to a putter head in line with the minor axis 12B of the frame 12. Similarly, the level 14 shown here may be rectangular in shape with a large or major axis 14A and smaller or minor axis 14B. Here, the major axis 14A is parallel to the minor axis 12B, with the frame 12 and the level 14 substantially arranged in the same horizontal plane. As a point of reference, a Cartesian grid system may be used to define the horizontal plane by x-z axes. Here, the major body axis 12A is substantially aligned or parallel with the first horizontal axis z when in the horizontal plane, and the minor body axis 12B is substantially aligned with a second horizontal axis x. Likewise, the major level axis 14A is parallel to the second horizontal axis x, which is orthogonal or normal to the first horizontal axis z in the horizontal plane.
In FIG. 6 the putting aid 10 is shown attached to a putter 1 having a head 3, a shaft 5, and a cavity or pocket 7. In this example, the putting aid 10 is attached within the pocket 7. Not all styles of putter heads 3 are designed with a cavity 7. Therefore, in such instances, the putting aid 10 can be attached on any surface of the putter head 3 using the most efficient attachment mechanism 16 in such a manner to achieve the same professional putting posture results described herein. As explained below, the putting aid 10 will cause a golfer to assume a proper putting position relative to a putting surface 9, which includes simultaneously leveling the club head 3 and positioning the golfer's eyes over the putter head 3, which results in a correct spinal angle relative to the putter 1, ball, and target or cup.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show the putting aid 10 relative to the putter head 3, the handle 5, and a golf ball 11. As introduced with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, all or part of the putting aid 10 may be inserted in the pocket 7 of the head 3. In this example, the body 12 and its mirror surface 18 extend from the head 3 with the level 14 substantially contained within the pocket 7. As most clearly shown in FIG. 7, a golfer 13 sees a reflection of his eyes 15 in the reflective surface 18, more particularly between the indication lines 26, 28. The golfer 13 also simultaneously sees the bubble 40 at a midpoint of the level 14, between spirit level lines 42, 44. Seeing the level bubble 40 and eyes 15 between the lines 26, 28 as in FIG. 7 signifies to the golfer 13 that the professional, consistent, repeatable, putting posture has been achieved. This professional putting posture distributes weight evenly as in FIG. 8, causing the correct spine angle 48 as in FIG. 9, and levels the club head 3 and eyes as indicated by number 50 in FIG. 9 with the golf ball 11. Through repetition and regularized use as described, the golfer 13 is taught the necessary muscle memory to form a habit that consistently repeats the professional putting posture and stroke without the use of the removable putting aid 10 during a normal round of golf.
FIG. 10 shows the bubble 40 rising away from the golfer as indicated by arrow 52 (arrow 54 is downward). This teaches the golfer that the putter head 3 is too upright and that the golfer's body weight is on his heels; i.e., he is off balance and the professional putting posture is incorrectly established. Similarly, FIG. 11 shows the bubble 40 rising toward the golfer as indicated by arrow 52 (again, arrow 54 indicates downward direction). This teaches the golfer that his putter is too flat and that the golfer's body weight is on his toes; i.e., he is off balance in another direction and the professional putting posture is once again incorrectly established.
FIGS. 12 through 17 show that the putting aid 10 is not limited to any one style of putter. The putting aid 10 may be temporarily connected to a variety of club heads 3 using the magnet 16 or attachment devices 17 as described above and/or by using temporary adhesives, or the putting aid 10 may be built into a putter head 3. The aid 10 is mobile with quick set-up, attachment and detachment within seconds. There are no complicated adjustments and the mirror surface 18 as described above (see, e.g., FIG. 1) can be easily cleaned with a soft cloth, and the aid 10 stored in a pocket or microfiber bag within seconds for protection and future use.
Once a golfer has practiced a few minutes with the aid 10 shown in FIGS. 12 through 17, a professional putting posture will be recorded in the golfer's muscle memory. The benefits and features of the aid 10 are to self-teach a professional putting posture with consistent, repeatable muscle memory; correctly distribute golfer's weight during set-up and putting stroke; mechanically forces ideal spine angle during stroke set-up; perfectly positions the golfer's eyes over the golf ball, putter when addressing the golf ball; gives the golfer the option to learn an inside or outside golf ball positioning professional putting posture; creates a slight hands forward press toward the intended putting line; promotes a “rocking from shoulders” action during the putting stroke; teaches a square-to-square putting method; confirms the muscle memory for the professional putting fundamentals within five minutes prior to tee time or conveniently in home or office anytime.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment 1

A removable putting aid, comprising a reflective body having a major body axis and a minor body axis, the major body axis being aligned with a first horizontal axis in a horizontal plane; a spirit level having a major level axis and a minor level axis, the major level axis being aligned with a second horizontal axis normal to the first horizontal axis in the horizontal plane; and attachment means for connecting the reflective body to a putter head.

Embodiment 2

The removable putting aid of embodiment 1, wherein the reflective body is a mirror.

Embodiment 3

The removable putting aid of any one of embodiments 1-2, wherein the reflective body includes at least two lines thereon to form a reflective eye window therebetween.

Embodiment 4

The removable putting aid of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the reflective body is shaped to form a reflective eye window.

Embodiment 5

The removable putting aid of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 6

The removable putting aid of any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein, the reflective body and the spirit level are disposed in the horizontal plane.

Embodiment 7

A putting aid, comprising a reflective body having a major body axis and a minor body axis, the major body axis being aligned with a first horizontal axis in a horizontal plane; a level having a major level axis and a minor level axis, the major level axis being aligned with a second horizontal axis normal to the first horizontal axis in the horizontal plane; and an attachment device for connecting the reflective body to a putter head.

Embodiment 8

The putting aid of embodiment 7, wherein the reflective body has a mirror surface.

Embodiment 9

The putting aid of embodiments 7-8, wherein the reflective body includes at least two indicators disposed thereon to form a reflective eye window therebetween.

Embodiment 10

The putting aid of any one of embodiments 7-9, wherein the reflective body is shaped to form a reflective eye window.

Embodiment 11

The putting aid of any one of embodiments 7-10, wherein the attachment device includes a magnet.

Embodiment 12

A method for creating a professional putting posture, the method comprising providing a putting aid having a spirit level disposed in a horizontal plane, the spirit level having an oscillating bubble therein, the putting aid further having a reflective surface and an attachment device connected proximate the reflective surface; attaching the putting aid to a putter head with the attachment device; leveling the bubble; while maintaining the level bubble, bending from waist toward the putter head; and while maintaining the level bubble, reflecting eyes in the reflective surface.

Embodiment 13

The method of embodiment 12, wherein the attachment device is one of a magnet, a hook and loop fastener and an adhesive.

Embodiment 14

The method of embodiments 12-13, wherein the putter head includes a pocket and the putting aid is attached at least partially within the pocket.

Embodiment 15

The method of embodiments 12-14, further comprising moving hands ahead of a ball at the putter head to create a forward press to an intended putting line.
While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

That which is claimed is:

1. A removable putting aid, comprising:

a reflective body having a major body axis and a minor body axis, the major body axis being aligned with a first horizontal axis in a horizontal plane;

a spirit level having a major level axis and a minor level axis, the major level axis being aligned with a second horizontal axis normal to the first horizontal axis in the horizontal plane; and

attachment means for connecting the reflective body to a putter head.

2. The removable putting aid as in claim 1, wherein the reflective body is a mirror.

3. The removable putting aid as in claim 1, wherein the reflective body includes at least two lines thereon to form a reflective eye window therebetween.

4. The removable putting aid as in claim 1, wherein the reflective body is shaped to form a reflective eye window.

5. The removable putting aid as in claim 1, wherein the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener and combinations thereof.

6. The removable putting aid as in claim 1, wherein, the reflective body and the spirit level are disposed in the horizontal plane.

7. A putting aid, comprising:

a level having a major level axis and a minor level axis, the major level axis being aligned with a second horizontal axis normal to the first horizontal axis in the horizontal plane; and

an attachment device for connecting the reflective body to a putter head.

8. The putting aid as in claim 7, wherein the reflective body has a mirror surface.

9. The putting aid as in claim 8, wherein the reflective body includes at least two indicators disposed thereon to form a reflective eye window therebetween.

10. The putting aid as in claim 7, wherein the reflective body is shaped to form a reflective eye window.

11. The putting aid as in claim 7, wherein the attachment device includes a magnet.

12. A method for creating a professional putting posture, the method comprising:

providing a putting aid having a spirit level disposed in a horizontal plane, the spirit level having an oscillating bubble therein, the putting aid further having a reflective surface and an attachment device connected proximate the reflective surface;

attaching the putting aid to a putter head with the attachment device;

leveling the bubble;

while maintaining the level bubble, bending from waist toward the putter head; and

while maintaining the level bubble, reflecting eyes in the reflective surface.

13. The method as in claim 12, wherein the attachment device is one of a magnet, a hook and loop fastener and an adhesive.

14. The method as in claim 12, wherein the putter head includes a pocket and the putting aid is attached at least partially within the pocket.

15. The method as in claim 12, further comprising moving hands ahead of a ball at the putter head to create a forward press to an intended putting line.