WO1998008576A9 - Golf putter - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf putter (10) comprising an elongated shaft (12) having upper and lower gripping means (24, 25) thereon is disclosed. A clubhead (11) connected to the elongated shaft (12) has a putting face (17), a rear face (18), a sole (19), a toe (20), a heel (21) and a vertical axis (22) which is perpendicular to longitudinal axis (23) of the clubhead (11). The elongated shaft (12) has a lower offset portion (16) which is connected to the clubhead (11), the offset portion (16) extending from the clubhead (11) to a main portion (13) of the elongated shaft (12) which is divergent by at least 10 degrees from the vertical axis (22) of the clubhead (11). The offset portion (16) forms an elbow (29) with angle of at least 170 degrees with respect to the main portion (13) of the elongated shaft (12). The elbow (29) is positioned substantially adjacent the toe (20) in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis (22) of the clubhead (11) and is less than 127 mm above the sole (19) of the clubhead (11).

Description

GOLF PUTTER

The present invention relates to golf putters and, in particular, to a putter which enables the golfer to stand so that his line of sight is towards the hole in order that the golfer can focus on the hole or chosen target while executing his stroke, rather than at the ball as is the conventional practice. More particularly, the invention provides an improved method of putting, useful for teaching and learning an improved putting method.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The traditional golf putter is constructed similar to other golf clubs whereby the golfer takes a stance similar if not the same as his stance when addressing the ball with the other golf clubs. This stance is perpendicular to the intended line of travel of the ball and the golfer often stoops to a degree which each individual varies according to his own style. Unfortunately, even professional golfers who can devote many hours to improving their game, and in particular, their putting skills, experience limited success. Amateur golfers find success even more fleeting. As the object of a game of golf is to complete the golf course with as few strokes as possible, and because putting often accounts for almost half of the golfer's total strokes over the average golf course, putters are of particular importance to all golfers.

In an effort to make the act of putting somewhat easier, certain golfers have preferred to use a so-called broomstick putter, which uses a pendulum style of putting. However, it has been found that there is still the difficulty that the golfer is still standing perpendicular to the intended line of travel of the ball and therefore is not looking at the hole when striking the ball.

Some croquet-style putters have been developed whereby the golfer stands with one foot positioned on either side of the ball and hence a line coincident with the intended path of travel of the ball and thereby sight directly through the ball rather than standing perpendicularly to the intended line of travel. However the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews which formulates the Rules of the game stipulates that the golfer must stand to one side of the intended path rather than the stance in classic croquet style, therefore it is not possible to use these types of clubs. Since the golfer must stand to one side of the intended line of travel of the ball other putters have been developed which allows the golfer to face towards the hole while putting. These putters allow the golfer to have his feet positioned behind the ball pointing in a direction parallel to the intended path. The golfer must then lean to the side so that his head extends over the intended path to have his line of sight coincident therewith.

Because it is difficult to achieve this stance with a standard length putter which means that the golfer must bend at the waist in an unnatural awkward stance, some putters have been designed with elongated shafts similar to the so-called broomstick putters. These putters as described in US Patent 4,163,554 issued to Bernhardt and US Patent 3,679,207 issued to Florian, allow the golfer to stand at the side as in a modified style of croquet style putting, have elongated shafts which are offset conventional at a ten degree angle to the side relative to the line of the intended travel of the ball.

However because of the position of the heads of the putters relative to the shafts, the golfer must lean at his hips away from the ball so that there is sufficient room for the shaft of the putter to swing in its pendulum motion. This lean away at the hips with the shoulder being aligned with the intended path of travel of the ball results in an awkward stance which makes it difficult to obtain a steady stance which is a prerequisite for any good putting stroke.

Such a steady stance would enable the golfer using an improved modified style of croquet style putting which did not require the golfer to lean away from the ball at his hips, to align the clubhead perpendicularly to the intended putting line. This would be possible not only while addressing the ball, but also during any practice stroke and most importantly during the execution of the actual putting stroke. This steady stance would enable the golfer to practice the intended stroke in an arc above the ball as well as focussing on the target rather than the ball during a conventional stroke. This steady stance would alleviate the risk of ongoing posture related injuries.

Therefore it would be advantageous to provide a golf putter and method of putting which enables the golfer when putting to face the intended line of travel of the golf ball in a steady stance with no leaning away from the ball. It is believed that such a golf putter which conforms to the Rules of the game would provide a method for more accurately putting a golf ball by judging the direction and distance of travel more accurately, prior to and during the execution of the putting stroke, as well as being able to control the "follow through" with the clubhead of the putter directly at the intended target.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf putter which substantially overcomes or ameliorates the above mentioned disadvantages. At the very least, the object of the invention is to provide an alternative to known golf putters.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a golf putter comprising an elongated shaft having upper and lower gripping means thereon; a clubhead connected to said elongated shaft, said clubhead having a putting face, a rear face, a sole, a toe, a heel and a vertical axis; said vertical axis being perpendicular to longitudinal axis of said clubhead; wherein said elongated shaft divergent by at least 10 degrees from said vertical axis of said clubhead and is connected to said clubhead with said clubhead extending substantially in the direction of the divergent elongate shaft and being positioned such that the toe of said clubhead is at least substantially vertically aligned with or offset from a portion of said elongate shaft which is positioned furthest from the heel of said clubhead in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of said clubhead.

Preferably, said elongated shaft has a lower offset portion which is connected to said clubhead, said offset portion extending from said clubhead to a primary longitudinal axis portion of said elongated shaft which is divergent by at least 10 degrees from said vertical axis of said clubhead, said offset portion forming an elbow with angle of at least 170 degrees with respect to the primary longitudinal axis portion of said elongated shaft, said elbow being positioned adjacent said toe in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis of said clubhead and being less than 127mm above the sole of said clubhead. Preferably, the lower offset portion has a secondary longitudinal axis and is connected to the clubhead such that the secondary longitudinal axis intersects at the sole with a vertical plane at the centreline of the putting face which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clubhead.

Preferably the angle of intersection is in the range 30 to 60 degrees, but most preferably at 45 degrees which means that the preferred angle of the elbow is 135 degrees. In the preferred form, the length of the lower offset portion is approximately 80mm from the sole of the clubhead and the centre of the elbow is substantially aligned with the toe.

In another preferred form of the invention, the planar putting face of the clubhead is in a plane which is preferably between 2 to 6 degrees to a vertical plane of the a primary longitudinal axis portion of said elongated shaft, ie the angle between the planar putting face and the sole is preferably between 84 to 88 degrees if the sole is perpendicular to the vertical plane of the a primary longitudinal axis portion of said elongated shaft.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a golf putter comprising an elongated shaft having upper and lower gripping means thereon; a clubhead connected to said elongated shaft, said clubhead having a putting face, a rear face, a sole, a toe, a heel and a vertical axis; said vertical axis being perpendicular to longitudinal axis of said clubhead; wherein said elongated shaft has a lower offset portion which is connected to said clubhead, said offset portion extending from said clubhead to a primary longitudinal axis portion of said elongated shaft which is divergent by at least 10 degrees from said vertical axis of said clubhead, said offset portion forming an elbow with angle of at least 170 degrees with respect to the primary longitudinal axis portion of said elongated shaft, said elbow being positioned adjacent said toe in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis of said clubhead and being less than 127mm above the sole of said clubhead.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a golf putter comprising an elongated shaft having upper and lower gripping means thereon; a clubhead connected to said elongated shaft, said clubhead having a putting face, a rear face, a sole, a toe, a heel and a vertical axis; said vertical axis being perpendicular to longitudinal axis of said clubhead; wherein said elongated shaft divergent from or parallel to said vertical axis of said clubhead and is connected to said clubhead with said clubhead extending substantially in the direction of the divergent elongate shaft and being positioned such that the toe of said clubhead is at least substantially vertically aligned with or offset from a portion of said elongate shaft which is positioned furthest from the heel of said clubhead in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of said clubhead.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a golf putter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a left side view of the golf putter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail of a connection joint of the golf putter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detailed front view of the clubhead and the lower offset portion of the shaft of the golf putter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detailed left side view of the clubhead and the lower offset portion of the shaft of the golf putter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is front view of a golfer using the golf putter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a right side view of the golfer of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detailed front view of the clubhead and the lower offset portion of the shaft of a variation of the golf putter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a detailed left side view of the clubhead and the lower offset portion of the shaft of the golf putter of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a detailed front view of the clubhead and the lower offset portion of the shaft of a variation of the golf putter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a detailed plan view of the clubhead and the lower offset portion of the shaft of a variation of the golf putter of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 12 is a detailed cutaway exploded side view of the clubhead of a variation of the golf putter of Fig. 1.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A golf putter 10 of a first embodiment and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 has a clubhead 11 and elongated shaft 12. The elongated shaft 12 has main portion 13 having a free end 14 and a lower end 15, and an offset portion 16 which extends between the lower end 15 and the clubhead 11.

The clubhead 11 has a putting face 17, a rear face 18, a sole 19, a toe 20, a heel 21 and a vertical axis 22 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 23 of the clubhead 11. In this first embodiment the offset portion 16 connects to the rear face 18 which is shaped obliquely to the putting face 17. It is within the scope of the present invention for the offset portion 16 to be connected to the clubhead 11 in any appropriate manner depending on the shape and configuration of the clubhead 11.

As seen in Figs. 1, 2 6 and 7, the elongated shaft 12 is longer than a conventional putter (not illustrated) and corresponds generally to the length of a so-called broomstick putter (not illustrated). Therefore, the main portion 13 of the elongated shaft 12 has an upper gripping portion 24 and a lower gripping portion 25, whereby the upper gripping portion 24 is positioned at the free end 14 while the lower gripping portion 25 is positioned at approximately the mid section 26. In this particular embodiment the elongated shaft is formed from two sections having a joint 27 which is a screw type connection. This is a preferred feature so that the upper detachable shaft section can be constructed in varying lengths so as to accommodate the varying body heights of golfers and in addition the putter 10 is more manageable to fit into a standard golf bag (not illustrated). Naturally the putter 10 can be formed by one or more sections if desired.

A further benefit is that two or more shaft sections joined (or screwed) together bend to a lesser extent than one single length and therefore the shaft sections do not have to be increased in size or strength to accommodate the longer shaft lengths for this type of putter or any other putter requiring longer shaft lengths.

The main portion 13 of the elongated shaft 12 has a primary longitudinal axis 28 which is divergent by at least 10 degrees from the vertical axis 22 in accordance with the Rules of the Game. If the unforeseen circumstance of a change of the rules occurs, it is within the scope of the invention that this angle can be less if so ruled.

The offset portion 16 forms an elbow 29 at the lower end 15 of the main portion 13 with the elbow 29 being positioned offset from the toe 20 in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis 23 of the clubhead 11. In this embodiment the offset portion 16 and the main portion 13 are in the same plane but it is within the scope of the present invention for the offset portion 16 to be in a different plane to that of the main portion 13. The elbow 29 can also with advantage be positioned substantially adjacent the toe 20 with no offset.

It is seen from Fig. 4 that the offset portion 16 has a secondary longitudinal axis 30 of the elongated shaft 12 which is straight and which intersects at the sole 19 and vertical plane at the centreline 31 of the clubhead 11. This angle of intersection is 45 degrees in this preferred embodiment but can be any other angle within the scope of the invention. It has been found that 45 degrees is the optimum angle, even though the intersection at other angles and positions on the clubhead 11 would suffice. For example, the offset portion could be curved and could connect at a position closer to the toe 20.

It is seen from Fig. 5 that the plane 32 of the putting face 17 and the plane 33 of the sole 19 intersect at an angle of approximately 86 degrees which is in the preferred range of 84 to 88 degrees. This means that a certain amount of topspin is imparted to a ball when struck. It is noted that this is only a preferred feature and it is within the scope of the invention for this angle to vary as desired for different performance. The angle of intersection (or even if parallel) between the planes 32 and 33 to the plane of the main portion 13 can also vary according to the desired performance of the putter 10.

In use the putter 10 is held by a golfer 40 as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. The golfer 40 takes 5 a stance whereby he faces the direction the ball 41 is intended to travel slightly behind the ball 41 with both feet substantially parallel with the toes substantially aligned. The golfer is substantially erect with the eyes directed towards the intended direction of travel. The upper gripping portion 24 is held by the left hand around the chest region adjacent the right arm while the lower gripping portion 25 is held by the right hand substantially behind the 10 lower gripping portion 25 directing the path of travel of the putter 10 in a pendulum like motion. The free end 14 of the shaft 12 is held to the chest while the clubhead 11 is swung in the pendulum motion towards the intended direction of travel of the ball 41.

It has been found that the stance of the golfer 40 is steady and hence stable which allows the golfer to look at the target or intended path of travel of the ball 41 to more easily gauge the

15 distance and direction of travel of the ball prior to and during the impact of the ball 41. The steady face on stance allows the golfer 40 to perpendicularly align the clubhead 11 during the practice stroke as well as the actual stroke. The practice stroke can be made in an arc over the ball by the golfer standing slightly more erect than he stands when addressing the ball for an actual stroke. The offset portion 16 allows the golfer 40 to stand substantially

20 erect without the need to lean to one side which makes the stance unsteady as is the case with the prior art putters.

The substantial offset shape of the putter 10 ensures that the putter 10 will swing past the adjacent leg, hip and body without interference whilst the golfer 40 is standing substantially erect and facing the target. This is a crucial element of the present invention as the golfer 25 40 must be confident that, with appropriate practice, he can putt the ball 41 whilst not looking at the ball so that he can look directly at the intended path of the ball 41 prior to and during the execution of the stroke.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the clubhead 11 is attached to the offset portion 16 in a similar manner to that already described. In this embodiment, the elbow 29 is substantially adjacent the vertical position of the toe 20. The putting face 17 is also at different angles to the longitudinal axes of the main portion 13 and the offset portion 16 of the main shaft 12 than is shown and described in the previous embodiment. It has been found that these angles provides a different balanced swing than the other embodiment.

In the variation of the putter 10 as illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12, the putting face 17a is detachable. In this example, the detachable face 17a is able to be screwed into position by a pair of screws 51 into corresponding internally screwed apertures 52 in raised portions 53 at the front of the clubhead. Naturally, more than two screws can be used if so desired. Therefore a gap or slot 54 is provided behind the detachable face 17a which allows it to resonate. The putting face 17a can be formed from a number of different types of materials having a variety of types of surfaces having varying qualities such as hardness and tactile response. The type of putting face can be selected for the individual golfer and can be changed if so desired.

A further advantage of this type of detachable arrangement is that the so-called "sweet spot" of the clubhead is substantially increased in size. This is achieved by the "spring" of the detachable face 17a from the toe to the heel, allowing the face to resonate or flex along the entire unsupported length of the detachable face 17a.

It is envisaged that the putting face 17a will be sold as a replacement part to the putter 10. It is further envisaged that the putter head shown in Figs. 8 to 10 can be utilised for any form of existing or future type putters.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the elongate shaft can be connected substantially at the toe of the clubhead such that the toe of the clubhead is at least substantially vertically aligned with a portion of the elongate shaft which is positioned furthest from the heel of said clubhead in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of said clubhead. This means that the clubhead is positioned between the shaft at its furthest point and the golfer when putting. The balance of the putter is arranged so that it has a smooth swing when being used.

Claims

1. A golf putter comprising an elongated shaft having upper and lower gripping means thereon; a clubhead connected to said elongated shaft, said clubhead having a putting face, a rear face, a sole, a toe, a heel and a vertical axis; said vertical axis being perpendicular to longitudinal axis of said clubhead; wherein said elongated shaft divergent by at least 10 degrees from said vertical axis of said clubhead and is connected to said clubhead with said clubhead extending substantially in the direction of the divergent elongate shaft and being positioned such that the toe of said clubhead is at least substantially vertically aligned with or offset from a portion of said elongate shaft which is positioned furthest from the heel of said clubhead in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of said clubhead.

2. The putter according to claim 1 , wherein, said elongated shaft has a lower offset portion which is connected to said clubhead, said offset portion extending from said clubhead to a primary longitudinal axis portion of said elongated shaft which is divergent by at least 10 degrees from said vertical axis of said clubhead, said offset portion forming an elbow with angle of at least 170 degrees with respect to the primary longitudinal axis portion of said elongated shaft, said elbow being positioned adjacent said toe in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis of said clubhead and being less than 127mm above the sole of said clubhead.

3. The putter according to claim 2, wherein the lower offset portion has a secondary longitudinal axis and is connected to the clubhead such that the secondary longitudinal axis intersects at the sole with a vertical plane at the centreline of the putting face which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clubhead.

4. The putter according to claim 3, wherein the angle of intersection of the offset portion and the clubhead is in the range 30 to 60 degrees.

5. The putter according to claim 4, wherein the angle of intersection of the offset portion and the clubhead is 45 degrees.

6. The putter according to claim 5, wherein the length of the lower offset portion is approximately 80mm from the sole of the clubhead and the centre of the elbow is substantially aligned with the toe.

7. A golf putter comprising an elongated shaft having upper and lower gripping means thereon; a clubhead connected to said elongated shaft, said clubhead having a putting face, a rear face, a sole, a toe, a heel and a vertical axis; said vertical axis being perpendicular to longitudinal axis of said clubhead; wherein said elongated shaft has a lower offset portion which is connected to said clubhead, said offset portion extending from said clubhead to a primary longitudinal axis portion of said elongated shaft which is divergent by at least 10 degrees from said vertical axis of said clubhead, said offset portion forming an elbow with angle of at least 170 degrees with respect to the primary longitudinal axis portion of said elongated shaft, said elbow being positioned adjacent said toe in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis of said clubhead and being less than 127mm above the sole of said clubhead.

8. A golf putter comprising an elongated shaft having upper and lower gripping means thereon; a clubhead connected to said elongated shaft, said clubhead having a putting face, a rear face, a sole, a toe, a heel and a vertical axis; said vertical axis being perpendicular to longitudinal axis of said clubhead; wherein said elongated shaft divergent from or parallel to said vertical axis of said clubhead and is connected to said clubhead with said clubhead extending substantially in the direction of the divergent elongate shaft and being positioned such that the toe of said clubhead is at least substantially vertically aligned with or offset from a portion of said elongate shaft which is positioned furthest from the heel of said clubhead in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of said clubhead.

9. The putter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said putting face is detachable.

10. The putter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said putting face is made from a material which provides a tactile response.