US20170036094A1

US20170036094A1 - Direction indicating device for putter

Info

Publication number: US20170036094A1
Application number: US15/039,933
Authority: US
Inventors: Hai Sung KIM
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-01-15
Filing date: 2015-01-14
Publication date: 2017-02-09
Also published as: KR20150085478A; KR101746721B1

Abstract

A direction indicating device for a putter according to the present invention corresponds to a direction indicating device for a putter having a putter head, comprising: a base member attached to one side surface of the putter head; and a direction indicating member detachably coupled to the base member wherein at least a part of the direction indicating member extends frontward of the putter head in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head while being maintained at a level higher than a golf ball. According to the present invention as described above, since a user can visually identify an alignment state of the putter head at the time of putting, the user can easily move the putter head along a target line and thus can improve the accuracy of the putting.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a direction indicating device for a putter in which the putter has a putter head.
The present application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0005255 filed on Jan. 15, 2014 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0006068 filed on Jan. 13, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

There are different types of golf clubs, woods, irons, and putters used for their specific purposes. Among them, the putter is mainly used for putting to get a golf ball into a hole cup on a green. The putting consists of address for assuming a preparatory posture, back swing for moving a putter head at a predetermined distance rearward of the putter head from a spot where address is attained after address, forward swing for moving the putter head toward a golf ball again after back swing, impact for hitting the golf ball, and follow through for finishing the putting while moving the putter head at a predetermined distance frontward of the putter head from a spot where impact is attained after impact. That is, putting refers to an entire motion starting with moving the putter head rearward with respect of the golf ball and ending with moving frontward of the golf ball again.
For accurate putting, it is preferred to move the putter head along a target line and hit the center of the golf ball on a sweet spot of the putter head in a state that the bottom of the putter head is parallel to the ground.
The sweet spot of the putter head refers to the best hitting spot for accurately throwing the golf ball in a desired direction, and is the center of the face of the putter head where a contact with the golf ball is made. Also, the target line of the putter head refers to an imaginary line connecting the sweet spot of the putter head to the center of the golf ball. That is, the target line of the putter head refers to an imaginary line extending rearward of the putter head from a connection of an intended spot at which a shot is taken to land the golf ball 7, the center of the golf ball, and the center of the putter head made with a straight line.
Generally, a putter has a direction indicating line drawn on an upper surface of a putter head to indicate a direction perpendicular to a sweet spot of the putter head in order to dispose the putter head at a target line. However, the direction indicating line is situated posterior to the face of the putter head where a contact with a golf ball occurs, making the direction indicating line spaced away at a predetermined distance or more from the center of the golf ball when hitting the golf ball on the face of the putter head. For this reason, the conventional putter is difficult to accurately determine whether the direction indicating line is perpendicular to the center of the golf ball, so the direction indicating line is not greatly helpful in disposing the putter head at the target line.
Also, the conventional putter is not provided with an angle measuring means that measures an angle between the bottom of the putter head and the ground, causing golfers to determine whether the bottom of the putter head is parallel to the ground in reliance on their sense. Accordingly, the conventional putter is incapable of accurately determining whether the bottom of the putter head is parallel to the ground, resulting in reduced accuracy of putting.
In addition, the conventional putter has reliance on the sense of golfers for putting, requiring a long-term repeated practice to enhance the accuracy of putting, so beginners has difficulty in improving their putting skill.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

To solve the problem of the conventional art, the present disclosure is directed to providing a direction indicating device for a putter with an improved structure to easily determine whether a sweet spot of a putter head and the center of a golf ball are positioned at a target line of the putter head.
Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a direction indicating device for a putter with an improved structure to easily determine whether the bottom of a putter head is parallel to the ground.
Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a direction indicating device for a putter with an improved structure to enhance the efficiency of putting practice.

Technical Solution

To achieve the above objects, a direction indicating device for a putter according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure corresponds to a direction indicating device for a putter in which the putter has a putter head, and includes a base member that is attached to one side surface of the putter head, and a direction indicating member that is detachably coupled to the base member, and having at least a part extending frontward of the putter head in parallel with a stroke direction of the putter head while being maintained at a level higher than a golf ball.
Preferably, the base member has a double-sided tape interposed between a bottom surface and one side surface of the putter head.
Preferably, the direction indicating member includes a coupling part that is detachably coupled to the base member and is disposed in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head, a vertical part extending in a vertical direction from the coupling part, and an extended part extending frontward of the putter head from the vertical part such that at least a part is parallel to the stroke direction of the putter head.
Preferably, the extended part includes a first extended part extending frontward of the putter head from the vertical part such that the first extended part is parallel to the stroke direction of the putter head, and a second extended part extending rearward of the putter head from the vertical part such that the second extended part is parallel to the stroke direction of the putter head.
Preferably, a length of the second extended part is shorter than a length of the coupling part.
Preferably, the extended part has a slope part inclined upwards at a front end.
Preferably, the base member has a coupling groove to which the direction indicating member is detachably coupled.
Preferably, any one of the base member and the direction indicating member has at least a part made of a magnet having magnetic properties, and the other one of the base member and the direction indicating member has at least a part made of a metal material that is attachable to the magnet or made of a magnet.
Preferably, the base member has an insertion groove formed by depression of one side surface, and a magnet that is inserted and installed into the insertion groove, and the direction indicating member is formed including a metal material that is attachable to the magnet.
Preferably, the base member has a direction indicating line formed on an upper surface in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head.
Preferably, at least one of the coupling part and the extended part has a direction indicating line formed on an upper surface in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head.
To achieve the above objects, a direction indicating device for a putter according to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure corresponds to a direction indicating device for a putter in which the putter has a putter head, and includes a direction indicating member that is detachably attached to one side surface of the putter head, and having at least a part extending frontward of the putter head in parallel with a stroke direction of the putter head while being maintained at a level higher than a golf ball.
Preferably, the direction indicating member includes a coupling part that is detachably attached to one side surface of the putter head and is disposed in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head, a vertical part extending in a vertical direction from the coupling part, and an extended part extending frontward of the putter head from the vertical part such that at least a part is parallel to the stroke direction of the putter head.
Preferably, the extended part includes a first extended part extending frontward of the putter head from the vertical part such that the first extended part is parallel to the stroke direction of the putter head, and a second extended part extending rearward of the putter head from the vertical part such that the second extended part is parallel to the stroke direction of the putter head.
Preferably, the extended part has a slope part inclined upwards at a front end.
Preferably, the coupling part has a magnet.
Preferably, the coupling part has a double-sided tape interposed between a bottom surface and one side surface of the putter head.

Advantageous Effects

The direction indicating device for a putter according to the present disclosure has the following effects:
Firstly, the placement of a putter head may be visually identified at the time of putting, allowing the putter head to easily move along a target line, thereby enhancing the accuracy of putting.
Secondly, putting may be done with the bottom of a putter head parallel to the ground.
Thirdly, a direction indicating line of a putter head may be extended to the top of a golf ball.
Fourthly, a posture may be corrected to assume the best address posture.
Fifthly, the center of a golf ball may be accurately hit on a sweet spot of a putter head.
Sixthly, the time taken to practice putting may be reduced.
Seventhly, it may be optionally attached to a putter head only when practicing putting, and detached from the putter head in an actual game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a direction indicating device for a putter according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing that a sweet spot of a putter head matches the center of a golf ball.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a method of observing the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 1 from the top of a putter head.

FIGS. 6 through 12 are diagrams for describing a method of adjusting an address posture using the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 13 through 16 are diagrams for describing a method of moving a putter head along a target line using the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a direction indicating device for a putter according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is an assembled perspective view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a base member of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 17.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are diagrams for describing a method of adjusting an address posture using the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 17.

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a direction indicating device for a putter according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is an assembled perspective view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a side cross-sectional view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 23.

MODE FOR PRACTICING THE INVENTION

It should be understood that the terms or words used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation. Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the illustrations provided in the accompanying drawings are just a most preferred embodiment, but do not represent all the technical aspects of the present disclosure, so it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications could be made to replace them at the time when the invention was made.
In the drawings, the size of each element or a particular part of the element has been exaggerated or omitted or schematically illustrated for convenience of description and clarity. Accordingly, the size of each element does not entirely reflect the actual size. When a certain detailed description of related known functions or elements is deemed as unnecessarily rendering the essence of the present disclosure ambiguous, their detailed description is omitted herein.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a direction indicating device for a putter according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG.
For convenience of description, prior to describing the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a putter with the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is first described.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the putter (not shown) is a golf club usually used for putting to get a golf ball 7 into a hole cup on a green, and includes a putter head 2, a grip (not shown), and a shaft 6.
The putter head 2 is a part for hitting the golf ball 7, and is provided at the bottom of the putter. The putter head 2 is not limited to a particular structure. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the putter head 2 includes a face 3, a concave groove 4, and a direction indicating line 5. Also, the grip (not shown) is provided at the top of the putter to provide a gripping surface, and the shaft 6 connects the grip to the face 3.
The face 3 is provided on the front surface of the putter head 2, and comes into contact with the golf ball 7 at the time of putting. That is, the face 3 provides a hitting surface for hitting the golf ball 7 at the time of putting. The concave groove 4 is formed such that the center of the upper surface of the putter head 2 is depressed concavely. The direction indicating line 5 is formed at the center of the upper surface of the putter head 2 in parallel with a stroke direction of the putter head 2. There is no particular limitation on the method of forming the direction indicating line 5. For example, the direction indicating line 5 may be formed by embossing a fine groove at the center of the upper surface of the putter head 2 and applying paint to the embossed groove. Here, the stroke direction of the putter head 2 refers to a direction in which a stroke is taken when swinging the putter, and is perpendicular to the front surface of the face 3 where a contact with the golf ball 7 is made and is parallel to a target line 9 as described later. Accordingly, the direction indicating line 5 of the putter head 2 may indicate a direction perpendicular to the center of the front surface of the face 3.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may be installed in the putter head 2, and includes a base member 10 and a direction indicating member 20.
The base member 10 is attached to one side surface of the putter head 2, and includes a coupling groove 12 and a direction indicating line 14. The coupling groove 12 may allow detachable coupling of the direction indicating member 20. The direction indicating line 14 may be formed in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2 on the upper surface of the base member 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, the base member 10 may be attached to the center of the upper surface of the putter head 2. However, the base member 10 is not limited thereto, and may be installed at a peripheral area of the upper surface of the putter head 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the base member 10 may have a trapezoidal plate shape. However, the base member 10 is not limited thereto, and may have plate shape in various forms including circle and polygon.
Also, at least a part of the base member 10 is made of a metal material that can be attached to a magnet. This allows at least a part of the direction indicating member 20 made of a magnet to be detachably coupled to the base member 10. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the base member 10 may be made of a magnet while the direction indicating member 20 may be made of a metal material, or the base member 10 may be provided with a hook or other fastening means to allow detachable coupling of the direction indicating member 20. For convenience of description, the present disclosure is described, taking at least a part of the base member 10 made of a metal material as an example.
As shown in FIG. 1, the center of the upper surface of the base member 10 is depressed at a predetermined depth to form the coupling groove 12 to which a coupling part 21 of the direction indicating member 20 may be detachably coupled. The direction indicating line 14 is formed in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2 on the upper surface of the coupling groove 12. There is no particular limitation on the method of forming the direction indicating line 14. For example, the direction indicating line 14 may be formed by embossing a fine groove on the upper surface of the coupling groove 12 and applying paint to the embossed groove.
The base member 10 with this structure may be disposed at the center of the upper surface of the putter head 2 by attaching it to the concave groove 4 of the putter head 2 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. More specifically, the base member 10 is disposed at the center of the upper surface of the putter head 2 by bringing the front surface of the base member 10 and the rear surface of the face 3 into close contact with each other, and attaching the base member 10 to the upper surface of the concave groove 4 such that the direction indicating line 14 of the base member 10 matches the direction indicating line 5 of the putter head 2. Accordingly, the direction indicating line 14 of the base member 10 may indicate a direction perpendicular to the center of the front surface of the face 3 in the same way as the direction indicating line 5 of the putter head 2.
There is not particular limitation on the method of attaching the base member 10, and the base member 10 may be attached to the upper surface of the putter head 2 by a method such as below.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the base member 10 may be provided with a double-sided tape 16 interposed between the bottom surface of the base member 10 and the upper surface of the putter head 2. That is, the base member 10 may be attached to the upper surface of the concave groove 4 with the double-sided tape 16 interposed the bottom surface of the base member 10 and the upper surface of the concave groove 4. As the base member 10 is attached to the upper surface of the putter head 2 using the double-sided tape 16 having a relatively weak adhesive strength as described above, the base member 10 and the putter head 2 may be detachably coupled to each other.
For example, the base member 10 may have an adhesive pad (not shown) interposed between the bottom surface of the base member 10 and the upper surface of the putter head 2. That is, the base member 10 may be attached to the upper surface of the concave groove 4 with the adhesive pad interposed between the bottom surface of the base member 10 and the upper surface of the concave groove 4. The adhesive pad is not limited to a particular material, and the adhesive pad may be formed of a material per se having an adhesive strength of a predetermined level or more without a separate adhesive, such as, for example, silicone and rubber materials. When the adhesive pad is used as described above, a sticky adhesive is not left on the surface where the base member 10 and the concave groove 4 are adhered to each other, achieving detachable coupling of the base member 10 and the putter head 2 more cleanly than the case where the double-sided tape 16 is used.
For example, after coating the bottom surface of the base member 10 with an adhesive (not shown), the base member 10 may be attached to the upper surface of the concave groove 4. When the base member 10 is attached using the adhesive, the base member 10 is attached to the upper surface of the concave groove 4 semi-permanently due to a strong adhesive strength of the adhesive, and the base member 10 is eventually integrated into the putter head 2.
The direction indicating member 20 may be detachably coupled to the base member 10, and may extend frontward of the putter head 2 in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2 while being maintained at a level higher than the golf ball 7. Also, the direction indicating member 20 includes a coupling part 21, a vertical part 22, an extended part 23, and direction indicating lines 24, 25 and 26.
The coupling part 21 is detachably coupled to the base member 10 and disposed in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2, the vertical part 22 extends in the vertical direction from the coupling part 21, and the extended part 23 extends frontward of the putter head 2 from the vertical part 22 in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2. Each of the direction indicating lines 24, 25 and 26 may be formed on the upper surface of the direction indicating member 20.
As shown in FIG. 1, the coupling part 21 is provided with a magnet pad 27 having magnetic properties on the bottom surface, and is detachably coupled to the coupling groove 12 of the base member 10 by the magnet pad 27. The vertical part 22 extends in the vertical direction from the front end of the coupling part 21, and has a height of a predetermined height or more to prevent the extended part 23 from colliding with the golf ball 7 at the time of putting. The extended part 23 extends frontward of the putter head 20 from the top of the vertical part 22, and has a length of a predetermined length or more to jut frontward of the putter head 2 beyond the face 3.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the direction indicating member 20 and the base member 10 are coupled, the coupling part 21 is disposed at the center of the putter head 2 in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2, and the extended part 23 extends frontward of the putter head 2 in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2 while being maintained at a level higher than the golf ball 7 by the vertical part 22. That is, each of the coupling part 21 and the extended part 23 is disposed perpendicular to the center of the front surface of the face 3, and the vertical part 22 forms a height difference between the coupling part 21 and the extended part 23.
As shown in FIG. 1, the direction indicating lines 24, 25 and 26 of the direction indicating member 20 may be respectively formed at the center of the upper surface of the coupling part 21, the vertical part 22, and the extended part 23. There is no limitation on the method of forming the direction indicating lines 24, 25 and 26. For example, the direction indicating lines 24, 25 and 26 may be respectively formed by embossing a fine groove on the upper surface of the coupling part 21, the vertical part 22, and the extended part 23, and applying paint to the embossed groove.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the direction indicating member 20 and the base member 10 are coupled, the direction indicating line 24 of the coupling part 21 goes across the center of the upper surface of the putter head 2 in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2, and the direction indicating line 26 of the extended part 23 extends frontward of the putter head 2 in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2.
Accordingly, each of the direction indicating line 24 of the coupling part 21 and the direction indicating line 26 of the extended part 23 may indicate a direction perpendicular to the center of the front surface of the face 3. However, the direction indicating line 25 of the vertical part 22 indicates an upward direction of the putter head 2, and is irrelevant to the accuracy of putting. That is, the direction indicating line 25 of the vertical part 22 is provided for the unity of design, and may be omitted.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing that the sweet spot of the putter head matches the center of the golf ball, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a method of observing the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 1 from the top of the putter head.
Also, FIGS. 6 through 12 are diagrams for describing a method of adjusting an address posture using the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 13 through 16 are diagrams for describing a method of moving the putter head along the target line using the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 1.
For accurate putting, it is preferred to hit the center 7 a of the golf ball 7 on the sweet spot 3 a of the putter head 2, while moving the putter head 2 along the target line 9 with the bottom of the putter head 2 parallel to the ground 8.
The sweet spot 3 a refers to the best hitting spot for accurately throwing the golf ball 7 in a desired direction, and is the center 3 a of the face 3 where a contact with the golf ball 7 is made. The target line 9 is an imaginary line that extends longitudinally frontward and rearward of the putter head 2, vertically going through the center 7 a of the golf ball 7 and the sweet spot 3 a respectively, and refers to an optimal movement trajectory of the putter head 2 for accurate putting. That is, the target line 9 refers to an imaginary line extending rearward of the putter head 2 from a connection of an intended spot at which a shot is taken to land the golf ball 7, the center 7 a of the golf ball 7, and the sweet spot 3 a made with a straight line.
However, the conventional putter has a direction indicating line on the upper surface of a putter head that is spaced away at a predetermined distance or more from a golf ball at the time of putting, making it difficult to accurately determine a positional relationship between the golf ball and the putter head even though the direction indicating line is used. For this reason, the conventional putter causes golfers to determine whether the putter head is moving along a target line in reliance on their sense at the time of putting. In addition, the conventional putter is not provided with an angle measuring means to measure an angle between the putter head and the ground. Thus, the conventional putter causes golfers to determine whether the bottom of the putter head is parallel to the ground in reliance on their sense. Accordingly, the conventional putter has low accuracy of putting, and requires many experiences to enhance the accuracy of putting.
In contrast, when the direction indicating device for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is installed in the putter, the putter head 2 may be easily moved along the target line 9 with the bottom of the putter head 2 parallel to the ground 8, thereby enhancing the accuracy of putting. Hereinafter, provided is a description of a method of moving the putter head 2 along the target line 9 with the bottom of the putter head 2 parallel to the ground 8 using the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
First of all, address starts by placing the putter head 2 with the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure close to the golf ball 7 to bring it into contact with the golf ball 7. Then, the extended part 23 having a height higher than the golf ball 7 by the vertical part 22 extends to the top of the golf ball 7 without collision with the golf ball 7.
Subsequently, the putter head 2 is disposed with the bottom of the putter head 2 parallel to the ground 8. A height difference is formed between the coupling part 21 and the extended part 23 by the vertical part 22. Accordingly, when the bottom of the putter head 2 is disposed at an oblique angle to the ground 8, the direction indicating line 24 and direction indicating line 26 do not form a straight line when the upper surface of the putter head 2 is viewed from the top of the putter head 2 as shown in FIG. 5.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the upper surface of the putter head 2 is viewed from the top of the putter head 2, if the direction indicating line 26 is inclined toward a tow of the putter head 2 as compared to the direction indicating line 24, the putter head 2 is displaced with a heel positioned higher than the tow as shown in FIG. 7.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the upper surface of the putter head 2 is viewed from the top of the putter head 2, if the direction indicating line 26 is inclined toward a heel of the putter head 2 as compared to the direction indicating line 24, the putter head 2 is disposed with the tow positioned higher than the heel as shown in FIG. 9.
Accordingly, whether or not the putter head 2 is disposed with the bottom parallel to the ground 8 can be determined by determining whether the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26 form a straight line when the upper surface of the putter head 2 is observed from the top of the putter head 2. That is, whether or not the bottom of the putter head 2 is parallel to the ground 8 can be visually identified using the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26.
If the bottom of the putter head 2 is disposed at an oblique angle to the ground 8, the angle of inclination of the putter head 2 is adjusted to make the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26 form a straight line as shown in FIG. 10, so that the putter head 2 may be disposed with the bottom of the putter head 2 parallel to the ground 8 as shown in FIG. 11.
Subsequently, address finishes by placing the putter head 2 at the target line 9. Here, each of the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26 indicates a direction perpendicular to the sweet spot 3 a of the putter head 2. Accordingly, whether or not the putter head 2 is disposed at the target line 9 can be determined by determining whether the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26 are perpendicular to the center 7 a of the golf ball 7 when the upper surface of the putter head 2 is viewed from the top of the putter head 2. That is, whether or not the putter head 2 is disposed at the target line 9 can be visually identified using the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26.
If the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26 are not perpendicular to the center 7 a of the golf ball 7 dissimilar to FIG. 10, the putter head 2 may be disposed at the target line 9 by moving the putter head 2 to make the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26 be perpendicular to the center 7 a of the golf ball 7 as shown in FIG. 12.
Subsequently, back swing, forward swing, impact and follow through are done in a sequential order while moving the putter head 2 along the target line 9. As the placement of the putter head 2 can be visually identified using the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26, back swing, forward swing, impact and follow through may be done while visually identifying each of the positional relationships between the putter head 2 and the ground 8 and between the putter head 2 and the target line 9.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 13 through 15, if the putter head 2 deviates from the target line 9 due to a sidewise direction movement or a movement of the axis during putting, it can be visually identified through the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 16, back swing, forward swing, impact, and follow through may be done while moving the putter head 2 along the target line 2 with the bottom of the putter head 2 parallel to the ground 8.
When the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is installed in the putter, the placement of the putter head 2 can be visually identified accurately using the direction indicating line 24 and the direction indicating line 26 without relying on the sense of golfers. Accordingly, when the putter head 2 moves to an incorrect path, putting may be done while immediately correcting a bad posture, dramatically enhancing the accuracy of putting. Also, a bad swing motion is done in a repeated pattern when practicing putting, the bad swing motion can be visually identified and corrected, thereby increasing the practice efficiency and easily improving the putting skill.
On the other hand, although the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the present disclosure is described as being used in a state that the direction indicating member 20 is coupled to the base member 10, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
For example, the direction indicating member 20 may be coupled to the base member 10 when practicing putting, and the direction indicating member 20 may be separated from the base member 10 in an actual game. Because using the direction indicating member 20 in an actual game is against the rule, it is preferred to play a game after separating the direction indicating member 20 from the base member 10 in an actual game. Because the direction indicating line 14 is provided on the upper surface of the base member 10, the direction indicating line 14 of the base member 10 may be used instead of the direction indicating line 5 of the putter head 2 in an actual game with no need to separate even the base member 10.
For example, the direction indicating member 20 may be separated from the base member 10 during transfer of the putter. If the putter is transferred with the direction indicating member 20 coupled to the base member 10, it is inconvenient to transfer and there is the likelihood that the direction indicating member 20 may be damaged. Accordingly, when transferring the putter, it is preferred to separately transfer the direction indicating member 20 and the base member 10 after separating the direction indicating member 20 from the base member 10.
That is, the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the present disclosure may optionally couple the direction indicating member 20 to the base member 10 only when practicing putting, and separate the direction indicating member 20 from the base member 10 in an actual game or during transfer of the putter.
FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a direction indicating device for a putter according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 18 is an assembled perspective view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 17.
Also, FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 17, and FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a base member of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 17.
Referring to FIGS. 17 through 19, the direction indicating device 100 for a putter according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base member 110 that is attached to one side surface of the putter head 2, and a direction indicating member 120 that is detachably coupled to the base member 110 and extends in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2 while at least a part of the direction indicating member 120 is maintained at a level higher than the golf ball 7.
As shown in FIG. 17, the base member 110 is the same as the base member 10 of the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure in that it is installed at the center of the upper surface of the putter head 2 and includes a coupling groove 111, a direction indicating line 112, and a double-sided tape 113.
However, as shown in FIG. 20, the base member 110 is different from the base member 10 of the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure in that it has a curved shape and further includes a grip protrusion 114, an insertion groove 115, a magnet 116, and a cover 117.
The grip protrusion 114 is protrusively formed on at least one of the two side surfaces of the base member 110. The grip protrusion 114 is stuck by finger tips or nails when a user grips the base member 110, to allow the user to easily grip the base member 110.
The insertion groove 115 is formed by depression of one side surface of the base member 110 to be situated below the coupling groove 111, and provides a space for installation of the magnet 116.
The magnet 116 has a corresponding shape to the insertion groove 115, and is inserted and installed into the insertion groove 115. The magnet 116 may couple the direction indicating member 120 made of a metal material to the base member 110. Also, the magnet 116 may couple the base member 110 to the putter head 2 made of a metal material in aid of or instead of the double-sided tape 113.
The cover 117 is mounted on one side surface of the base member 110, and covers an opening of the insertion groove 115 to prevent the magnet 116 from escaping from the insertion groove 115. Here, the base member 110 may further include a cover groove 118 formed on one side surface of the base member 110 to be situated at the periphery of the insertion groove 115 and configured to mount the cover 117.
As shown in FIG. 17, the direction indicating member 120 is the same as the direction indicating member 20 of the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure in that it is detachably coupled to and installed in the coupling groove 112 of the base member 110, and includes the coupling part 121, the vertical part 122, the extended part 123, and the direction indicating lines 124, 125 and 126.
However, as shown in FIG. 17, the direction indicating member 120 is different from the direction indicating member 20 of the direction indicating device 10 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure in that it is made of a metal material that can be attached to the magnet 116 of the base member 110, includes the extended part 123 further having a second extended part 123 b and a slope part 123 c, and further includes a support part 128.
The direction indicating member 120, to be more exact, the coupling part 121 that is coupled to the coupling groove 111 of the base member 110 has at least a part made of a metal material that can be attached to the magnet 116 of the base member 110. For example, the coupling part 121 may include a metal pin 129 embedded and installed therein as shown in FIG. 19.
The extended part 123 includes a first extended part 123 a extending frontward of the putter head 2 from the top of the vertical part 122 in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2, and a second extended part 123 b extending rearward of the putter head 2 from the top of the vertical part 122 in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2.
Here, the first extended part 123 a includes a slope part 123 c formed inclined upwards at the front end. Also, the direction indicating line 126 of the extended part 123 includes a first direction indicating line 126 a formed on the upper surface of the first extended part 123 a in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2, and a second direction indicating line 126 b formed on the upper surface of the second extended part 123 b in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2.
The first extended part 123 a performs the same function as the extended part 23 of the direction indicating member 20 of the direction indicating device 1 for a putter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The slope part 123 c is inclined upwards to prevent the first extended part 123 a from coming into contact with the golf ball 7 when putting, and accordingly, the user may do putting stably without any concern about a contact of the first extended part 123 a and the golf ball 7.
The second extended part 123 b extends rearward of the putter head 2 to be situated above the coupling part 121, making it possible to determine whether the direction indicating line 126 of the extended part 123 and the direction indicating line 124 of the coupling part 121 form a straight line more easily. Here, the second extended part 123 b preferably has a shorter length than the coupling part 121 to cover only a part of the coupling part 121, but is not limited thereto.
The support part 128 is provided at a corner where the first extended part 123 a and the vertical part 122 meet each other, and supports the first extended part 123 a. The support part 128 is not limited to a particular shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the support part 128 may have a curved shape such that the side surface is coupled to the vertical part 122 and the upper surface is coupled to the first extended part 123 a. Accordingly, the support part 128 may support the first extended part 123 a from the bottom, and through this, the support part 128 may prevent the damage or deformation of the first extended part 123 a.
FIGS. 21 and 22 are diagrams for describing a method of adjusting an address posture using the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 17.
As the extended part 123 has a height higher than the golf ball 7 and the first extended part 123 a of the extended part 123 extends frontward of the putter head 2, when the putter head 2 is placed close to the golf ball 7 to bring into contact with the golf ball 7 in order to assume an address posture, the first extended part 123 a extends to the top of the golf ball 7 without colliding with the golf ball 7 as shown in FIG. 21.
Because the extended part 123 and the coupling part 121 has a height difference by the vertical part 122 interposed therebetween, if the bottom of the putter head 2 is not parallel to the ground 8, the direction indicating line 126 of the extended part 123 and the direction indicating line 124 of the coupling part 121 do not form a straight line. Accordingly, whether or not the putter head 2 is disposed with the bottom parallel to the ground 8 may be determined by visually identifying whether the direction indicating line 126 of the extended part 123 and the direction indicating line 124 of the coupling part 121 form a straight line.
However, the extended part 123 includes the second extended part 123 b extending rearward of the putter head 2 in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2. Accordingly, if the bottom of the putter head 2 is parallel to the ground 8, when the putter head 2 is viewed from the top, the second extended part 123 b covers the front end of the coupling part 121 and the second direction indicating line 126 b of the extended part 123 and the direction indicating line 124 of the coupling part 121 form a straight line as shown in FIG. 21. In contrast, if the bottom of the putter head 2 is not parallel to the ground 8, when the putter head 2 is viewed from the top, the second extended part 123 b does not cover the front end of the coupling part 121 and the second direction indicating line 126 b of the extended part 123 and the direction indicating line 124 of the coupling part 121 do not form a straight line as shown in FIG. 22.
Due to additionally having the second extended part 123 b as described above, the direction indicating device 100 for a putter according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure allows the direction indicating line 126 of the extended part 123 and the direction indicating line 124 of the coupling part 121 to form a straight line more easily than the case where the direction indicating device 100 has only the first extended part 123 a. Accordingly, the direction indicating device 100 for a putter according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may perform a sequent operation after placing the putter head 2 with the bottom of the putter head 2 parallel to the ground 8 more accurately when assuming an address posture. Accordingly, the golf ball 7 may be accurately hit on the sweet spot 3 a of the putter head 2, and the accuracy of putting may be remarkably enhanced.
FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a direction indicating device for a putter according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 24 is an assembled perspective view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 23, and FIG. 25 is a side cross-sectional view of the direction indicating device for a putter of FIG. 23.
Referring to FIGS. 23 through 25, the direction indicating device for a putter according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure includes a direction indicating member 220 that is detachably attached to one side surface of the putter head 2 and extends frontward of the putter head 2 in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head 2 while at least a part is maintained at a level higher than the golf ball 7.
As shown in FIGS. 23 through 25, the direction indicating member 220 has a similar structure to the direction indicating member 120 of the direction indicating device 100 for a putter according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, the direction indicating member 220 includes a coupling part 221, a vertical part 222, an extended part 223, direction indicating lines 224, 225 and 226, and a support part 228. Also, the extended part 223 includes a first extended part 223 a and a second extended part 223 b. Also, the direction indicating line 226 of the extended part 223 includes a first direction indicating line 226 a and a second direction indicating line 226 b. Here, the direction indicating member 220 is not limited to a particular shape, and the direction indicating member 220 may have not only the above mentioned shape but also a variety of other shapes.
The direction indicating device for a putter according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the direction indicating devices 1 and 100 for a putter according to the other embodiments of the present disclosure in that the base member is omitted and the direction indicating member 220 is directly attached to the putter head 2 as shown in FIG. 24.
Because the direction indicating member 220 is directly attached to the putter head 2, if the direction indicating member 220 has the same height as the direction indicating members 20 and 120 of the direction indicating devices 1 and 100 for a putter according to the other embodiments of the present disclosure, there is the likelihood that the slope part 223 c of the first extended part 223 a may collide with the golf ball 7 at the time of putting. Accordingly, the direction indicating member 220 preferably includes the vertical part 222 having a height higher than the direction indicating members 20 and 120 of the direction indicating devices for a putter according to the other embodiments of the present disclosure.
The direction indicating member 220 is not limited to a particular placement type. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the direction indicating member 220 may be attached to the concave groove 4 of the putter head 2 and disposed at the center of the upper surface of the putter head 2. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 25, the direction indicating member 220 may be disposed at the center of the upper surface of the putter head 2 by bring the front surface of the vertical part 222 and the rear surface of the face 3 into close contact and attaching the coupling part 221 to the upper surface of the concave groove 4 such that the direction indicating line 224 of the coupling part 221 matches the direction indicating line 5 of the putter head 2. Accordingly, each of the direction indicating line 226 of the extended part 223 and the direction indicating line 224 of the coupling part 221 may indicate a direction perpendicular to the center of the front surface of the face 3 in the same way as the direction indicating line 5 of the putter head 2.
There is no particular limitation on the method of attaching the direction indicating member 220, and the direction indicating member 220 may be attached to the upper surface of the putter head 2 by the method such as the above.
For example, as shown in FIG. 25, after a magnet pin 229 is embedded in the coupling part 221, the direction indicating member 220 may be detachably attached to the upper surface of the putter head 2 by attaching the coupling part 221 to the upper surface of the putter head 2 using the magnetism of the magnet pin 229. That is, because the putter head 220 is generally made of a metal material to which a magnet can be attached, the direction indicating member 220 is attached to the putter head 2 using the magnetism of the magnet. Here, there is no particular limitation on the installation form of the magnet, and the magnet may be installed in the coupling part 221 in a variety of other forms as well as the above mentioned form.
For example, after a double-sided tape (not shown) is attached to the bottom surface of the coupling part 221, the direction indicating member 220 may be detachably attached to the upper surface of the putter head 2 by attaching the coupling part 221 to the upper surface of the putter head 2 using the adhesive strength of the double-sided tape. That is, the direction indicating member is attached to the upper surface of the putter head 2 with a double-sided tape interposed between the bottom surface of the coupling part 221 and the upper surface of the putter head 2.
Of the method using the magnet and the method using the double-sided tape, any one is not necessarily selected and both may be simultaneously used.
Because the direction indicating member 220 is directly attached to the putter head 2, the direction indicating device for a putter according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure has an advantage over the direction indicating devices 1 and 100 for a putter according to the other embodiments of the present disclosure in the respect that the cost required to provide the base member is reduced.
While the present disclosure has been hereinabove described with respect to a limited number of embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art within the technical aspect of the present disclosure and the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A direction indicating device for a putter in which the putter has a putter head, comprising:

a base member that is attached to one side surface of the putter head; and

a direction indicating member that is detachably coupled to the base member, and having at least a part extending frontward of the putter head in parallel with a stroke direction of the putter head while being maintained at a level higher than a golf ball.

2. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 1, wherein the base member has a double-sided tape interposed between a bottom surface and one side surface of the putter head.

3. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 1, wherein the direction indicating member comprises:

a coupling part that is detachably coupled to the base member and is disposed in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head;

a vertical part extending in a vertical direction from the coupling part; and

an extended part extending frontward of the putter head from the vertical part such that at least a part is parallel to the stroke direction of the putter head.

4. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 3, wherein the extended part comprises:

a first extended part extending frontward of the putter head from the vertical part such that the first extended part is parallel to the stroke direction of the putter head; and

a second extended part extending rearward of the putter head from the vertical part such that the second extended part is parallel to the stroke direction of the putter head.

5. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 4, wherein a length of the second extended part is shorter than a length of the coupling part.

6. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 3, wherein the extended part has a slope part inclined upwards at a front end.

7. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 1, wherein the base member has a coupling groove to which the direction indicating member is detachably coupled.

8. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 1, wherein any one of the base member and the direction indicating member has at least a part made of a magnet having magnetic properties, and

the other one of the base member and the direction indicating member has at least a part made of a metal material that is attachable to the magnet or made of a magnet.

9. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 8, wherein the base member has an insertion groove formed by depression of one side surface, and a magnet that is inserted and installed into the insertion groove, and

the direction indicating member is formed including a metal material that is attachable to the magnet.

10. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 1, wherein the base member has a direction indicating line formed on an upper surface in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head.

11. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the coupling part and the extended part has a direction indicating line formed on an upper surface in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head.

12. A direction indicating device for a putter in which the putter has a putter head, comprising:

a direction indicating member that is detachably attached to one side surface of the putter head, and having at least a part extending frontward of the putter head in parallel with a stroke direction of the putter head while being maintained at a level higher than a golf ball.

13. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 12, wherein the direction indicating member comprises:

a coupling part that is detachably attached to one side surface of the putter head and is disposed in parallel with the stroke direction of the putter head;

a vertical part extending in a vertical direction from the coupling part; and

14. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 13, wherein the extended part comprises:

15. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 13, wherein the extended part has a slope part inclined upwards at a front end.

16. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 13, wherein the coupling part has a magnet.

17. The direction indicating device for a putter according to claim 13, wherein the coupling part has a double-sided tape interposed between a bottom surface and one side surface of the putter head.