US20030195057A1

US20030195057A1 - Golf putter and method of putting

Info

Publication number: US20030195057A1
Application number: US10/338,606
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph Hakas; Sharon Hakas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-15
Filing date: 2003-01-08
Publication date: 2003-10-16

Abstract

The present invention is a golf putter, including an elongated shaft with a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion having a neck engaging portion. The golf putter also includes a putter head element, having a top portion with a head portion and a hosel or butt portion. The first end of the shaft is attached to and extends from the top portion. The putter head element also includes a bottom portion and a putting face for contacting the golf ball. The elongated shaft is sized to extend at least adjacent a user's neck area, such that the neck engaging portion contacts the user's neck. A method of putting a golf ball is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/372,443, filed Apr. 15, 2002, entitled “Golf Putter and Method of Putting”.[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs and golfing, and, in particular, to an elongated golf putter and method of putting.

2. Description of Related Art

Golf is one of the most popular sports and pastimes in the world today. It is one of the few sports that attracts a wide range of players and demographics. Due to the popularity of golf, new and improved golf clubs, as well as other equipment, are continually developed in order to assist and improve the game and the player's scores, including the scores of professional, amateur and recreational players. Golf clubs are particularly subject to research and development and are the most important equipment components in the game.

One of the most important aspects of the game of golf is the “putting game.” Using a golf putter, a player strikes the golf ball, typically when it is located on or near the golf green toward and preferably into the hole. As putting is a critical aspect of the game, many different golf putters have been developed. For example, putters have been developed with various shapes and designs, which attempt to assist a user in his or her putting stroke. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,328,185 to Finnigan et al.; 5,465,971 to Tischler; 5,520,392 to Foresi et al.; 6,123,625 to Koblentz; 6,190,266 to Pamias; and 6,283,874 to Studebaker. Further, certain shaft modifications and putting training devices have been developed, also to assist the user in putting. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,156,401 to Hodgkiss; 5,308,071 to Lewis; and 5,342,055 to Diley. Finally, in order to increase stability, putters have been developed with elongated and substantially straight shafts, together with methods of using these putters. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos.: 1,967,355 to Edwards; 3,524,646 to Wheeler; 4,163,554 to Bernhardt; 5,024,438 to Candow; 5,029,860 to Ehrich; 5,083,779 to Ungermann; 5,127,650 to Schneller; 5,209,474 to Voyer; 5,282,619 to Napolitano et al.; 5,649,870 to Harrison; 5,653,644 to Jaeckel; 5,947,837 to Perry; 5,961,399 to Boyle; 6,039,657 to Gidney; and 6,048,275 to Gedeon.

While prior art golf putters may provide some assistance in maintaining a consistent putting stroke, increasing accuracy and increasing putting consistency, there remains considerable room in the art for further improvement in golf putters and methods of putting. For example, consistency in one's putting stroke is important, such that the only remaining variable when putting is the slope, distance and grain of the putting surface. Therefore, increased consistency will lead to increased accuracy, an improved putting stroke, and a lower score.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf putter and method of putting which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf putter and method of putting that improves a golfer's putting stroke consistency. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a golf putter and a method of putting that lead to increased accuracy and stability of stroke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a golf putter, including an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion having a neck engaging portion. The golf putter also includes a putter head element, which has a top portion with a head portion and a hosel or butt portion, and the first end of the shaft is attached to and extends from the top portion. The putter head element includes a bottom portion, as well as a putting face for contacting the golf ball. Typically, a pliant padding element, in the form of a grip or other pad surrounds a portion of the shaft. The elongated shaft is sized to extend at least adjacent a user's neck area, such that the neck engaging portion contacts the user's neck.

The present invention is also directed to a method of putting a golf ball, including the steps of: (a) providing a golf putter with an elongated shaft having a putter head element attached to an end of the elongated shaft; (b) placing a portion of the elongated shaft against a user's shoulder area and adjacent and in contact with a user's neck; (c) moving the golf putter in a pendulum swing pattern, with a portion of the elongated shaft adjacent the user's neck acting as a fulcrum; and (d) striking the golf ball with the putter head element.

The present invention, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with the additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putter according to the present invention; and [0012]
FIGS. 2[0013] a-2 d show various photographic views of a person engaging and using the golf putter of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper” “lower”, “right”, “left ”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. [0014]
Various numerical ranges are disclosed in this patent application. Because these ranges are continuous, they include every value between the minimum and maximum values. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, the various numerical ranges specified in this application are approximations. [0015]
FIG. 1 illustrates a [0016] golf putter 10 according to the present invention. This golf putter 10 includes an elongated shaft 12 having an elongated shaft first end 14, an elongated shaft second end 16, and a length a. Further, this elongated shaft 12 includes an elongated shaft intermediate portion 18, which includes a neck engaging portion 20.
Located on the elongated shaft [0017] first end 14 and attached thereto, is a putter head element 22. This putter head element 22 has a top portion 24 having a head portion 26 and a hosel portion 28. Specifically, the elongated shaft first end 14 is attached to the top portion 24 of the putter head element 22 and extends away from this top portion 24. The putter head element 22 also includes a bottom portion 30 and a putting face 32. The putting face 32 is used to contact a golf ball 40 in order to direct the golf ball 40 towards the hole on the green. The elongated shaft first end 14 is connected to the top portion 24 of the putter head element 22 in a conventional manner and using techniques well known in the art. For example, the elongated shaft first end 14 can be welded to the top portion 24, or, the elongated shaft first end 14 can be adapted to frictionally fit a hosel on the hosel portion 28 and welding, adhesive, bonding or other fixation means used to permanently attach the elongated shaft first end 14 with the putter head element 22.
As shown in FIG. 2, the [0018] elongated shaft 12 is sized such that it extends at least adjacent to a neck 34 of a user 36. Specifically, the neck engaging portion 20 is adapted to contact the user's neck 34, while the user's hands 38 grip the elongated shaft 12 on the elongated shaft intermediate portion 18. The combination of the user's grip on the elongated shaft intermediate portion 18 and the contact between the neck engaging portion 20 and the user's neck 34 provides a steadier hold on the golf putter 10.
In operation, as seen in FIG. 2, after the [0019] user 36 grips the elongated shaft intermediate portion 18 and places the neck engaging portion 20 in contact with his or her neck 34, the user 36 moves the elongated shaft intermediate portion 18 away from the golf ball 40 using a pendulum swing pattern, but maintaining contact between the neck engaging portion 20 and the user's neck 34. This pendulum swing pattern results in the neck engaging portion 20/neck 34 interface acting as a fulcrum or pivot point.
After the [0020] user 36 has moved the putter head element 22 away from the golf ball 40 by moving the elongated shaft intermediate portion 18, the user 36 then moves the putter head element 22 towards the golf ball 40, such that the putting face 32 of the putter head element 22 contacts the golf ball 40, moving it in the desired direction. It is the use of the elongated shaft 12, together with the engagement of the user's neck 34 by the neck engaging portion 20, that provides stability, and therefore, consistency, in the user's putting stroke.
In order to provide the [0021] user 36 with a better grip between his or her hands 38 and the elongated shaft 12, it is envisioned that a pliant padding element 42 be utilized. This pliant padding element 42 is located on the elongated shaft intermediate portion 18 at a position that corresponds with a typical user's grip location. A second pliant padding element 44 may also extend at or near the neck engaging portion 20, providing the user 36 with a guide and non-visual (touch) feel for the positioning of the golf putter 10. Alternatively, a one piece pliant padding may extend from the elongated shaft intermediate portion 18 at a position that corresponds with a typical user's grip location to the elongated shaft second end 16. The first pliant padding element 42 and the second pliant padding element 44 can be manufactured from a variety of materials. For example, materials of manufacture may include rubber, foam, leather, polymer, plastic, padding material, etc. Further, one or both of the first pliant padding element 42 and the second pliant padding element 44 can be constructed from multiple layers, such as a first padding layer surrounded by a leather grip.
Depending upon the height of the [0022] user 36, it is envisioned that the shaft 12 length a may be 58 inches for a typical user 36. However, the length a would vary according to the height of the user 36. For example, it is also envisioned that multiple and different sized golf putters 10 could be offered (58 inch, 63 inch, 68 inch, etc.). The elongated shaft 12 length a may be in the range of about 36 inches to about 80 inches, as long as the neck engaging portion 20 is appropriately positioned by the user.
In the preferred embodiment, the elongated shaft [0023] first end 14 is attached to the hosel portion 28 of the putter head element 22 and may have any range of lie angles. For example, the elongated shaft 12 may have a lie angle of 83°, with respect to the flat surface upon which the bottom portion 30 of the putter head element 22 rests. However, any lie angle is envisioned, for example the lie angle may be in the range of about 80° to about 90° with respect to the flat surface upon which the bottom portion 30 of the putter head element 22 rests.
The present invention is also directed to a method of putting a golf ball. As seen in FIG. 2, the [0024] user 36 grips the pliant padding element 42 with his or her hands 38 and places the neck engaging portion 20 of the elongated shaft 12 against his or her neck 34.
Once in position, the [0025] user 36 moves the putter head element 22 away from the golf ball 40 by moving the pliant padding element 42 away from the golf ball 40, while continuing to keep the neck engaging portion 20 in contact with the user's neck 34. This necessarily results in a pendulum swing pattern, with the neck engaging portion 20 acting as a fulcrum or pivot point for the user's movement. After the user 36 has moved the putter head element 22 the desired distance from the golf ball 40, the user 36 then moves the putter head element 22 towards the golf ball 40, thereby striking the golf ball 40 towards a target area, such as a golf cup.
The [0026] golf putter 10 and method of putting of the present invention provides extra stability for a golfer's putting stroke. The golf putter 10 and method of putting therefore increases accuracy and consistency in the golfer's putting game. Further, the golf putter 10 is necessarily sized and shaped to appropriately and adequately accommodate the varying heights of the golfer.
This invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations. [0027]

Claims

The invention claimed is

1. A golf putter, comprising:

an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion having a neck engaging portion;

a putter head element, including:

(i) a top portion having a head portion and a hosel portion, wherein the first end of the shaft attached to and extending from the top portion;

(ii) a bottom portion; and

(iii) a putting face configured to contact a golf ball;

wherein, the elongated shaft is sized to extend at least adjacent a user's neck area and the neck engaging portion is configured to contact the user's neck area.

2. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the elongated shaft first end is attached to the putter head element top portion via a welding process.

3. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the hosel portion includes a hosel orifice, and the elongated shaft first end is configured to frictionally engage the hosel orifice, thereby securing the elongated shaft to the putter head element.

4. The golf putter of claim 3, wherein the elongated shaft first end is further secured within the hosel orifice via at least one of welding, adhesive and bonding.

5. The golf putter of claim 1, further comprising a pliant padding element surrounding at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the elongated shaft.

6. The golf putter of claim 5, wherein the pliant padding element is positioned at least partially in a user's grip area located on the elongated shaft and configured to allow a user to grip the pliant padding element to assist in utilizing the golf putter.

7. The golf putter of claim 5, wherein the pliant padding element is positioned at least partially on the neck engaging portion of the intermediate portion of the elongated shaft and configured to allow a user to place the user's neck against the pliant padding element.

8. The golf putter of claim 5, wherein the pliant padding element extends substantially from the elongated shaft first end to the elongated shaft second end.

9. The golf putter of claim 5, wherein the pliant padding element is at least partially manufactured from at least one of rubber, foam, leather, polymer, plastic and padding material.

10. The golf putter of claim 1, further comprising:

a first pliant padding element surrounding a user's grip area located on the elongated shaft and configured to allow a user to grip the first pliant padding element to assist in utilizing the golf putter; and

a second pliant padding element surrounding the neck engaging portion of the intermediate portion of the elongated shaft and configured to allow a user to place the user's neck against the second pliant padding element.

11. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the length of the elongated shaft is in the range of about 36 inches to about 80 inches.

12. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the length of the elongated shaft is in the range of about 50 inches to about 70 inches.

13. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the length of the elongated shaft is 58 inches.

14. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein an angle created between the elongated shaft first end and the top portion of the putter head element is in the range of about 80° to about 90°, with respect to a substantially flat surface upon which the bottom portion of the putter head element rests.

15. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein an angle created between the elongated shaft first end and the top portion of the putter head element is 83°, with respect to a substantially flat surface upon which the bottom portion of the putter head element rests.

16. A method of putting a golf ball, comprising the steps of:

providing a golf putter with an elongated shaft having a putter head element attached to an end of the elongated shaft;

placing a portion of the elongated shaft against a user's shoulder area and adjacent and in contact with a user's neck;

moving the golf putter in a pendulum swing pattern, with a portion of the elongated shaft adjacent the user's neck acting as a fulcrum; and

striking the golf ball with the putter head element towards an object point.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a pliant padding element surrounds at least a portion of the elongated shaft.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the length of the elongated shaft is in the range of about 36 inches to about 80 inches.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the length of the elongated shaft is in the range of about 50 inches to about 70 inches.

20. A golf putter, comprising:

a first pliant padding element surrounding a user's grip area located on the elongated shaft and configured to allow a user to grip the first pliant padding element to assist in utilizing the golf putter;

a second pliant padding element surrounding the neck engaging portion of the intermediate portion of the elongated shaft and configured to allow a user to place the user's neck against the second pliant padding element; and

a putter head element, including:

(ii) a bottom portion; and

(iii) a putting face configured to contact a golf ball;

wherein the length of the elongated shaft is in the range of about 36 inches to about 80 inches;

wherein an angle created between the elongated shaft first end and the top portion of the putter head element is in the range of about 80° to about 90°, with respect to a substantially flat surface upon which the bottom portion of the putter head element rests.