1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to golf clubs. More particularly, the invention relates to golf putters. Specifically, the invention relates to a golf putter that has a reflective upper surface on its head to help the golfer learn to position his head correctly and thereby putt more accurately.
2. Background Information
Golfers are always trying to improve their game and there are consequently numerous aids, teaching tools, videos and programs aimed at the golfer to assist them in achieving their potential. The golfer may utilize all of these resources yet still encounter problems when they are out on the course. Many amateurs presume that the most important part of the game is driving the ball to the green. Consequently, the golfer may spend a lot of their self-improvement time and effort in an attempt to correct their drive to minimize slicing or hooking of the ball and hitting the ball as far as possible.
While these aspects of the game are important, most golfers tend to drop strokes when they reach the putting green. The problem many golfers face on the putting green is that they have little awareness of where their head should be in relation to the ball and whether or not their position is appropriate for viewing the correct line of sight to the hole. They therefore tend to place the club before striking the ball, look at the hole one or twice and then execute a motion to try and sink the ball in the hole. On occasion, the position of the putter head and the position of the golfer's head and body is correct and they accidentally manage to make a good putt. Other times, however, because the golfer is not aware of the position of their head in relation to the head of the golf club, they tend to assume an incorrect body and putter position and they make a bad putt. The golfer therefore tends to be inconsistent in their putting and their overall game is weakened.
There is therefore a need in the art for a device which will aid the golfer in becoming more consistent and successful in their putting.
The device of the present invention is a golf putter that has a head with a reflective upper surface. The reflective surface on the upper surface of the putter allows the golfer to see the reflection of his eye position in the reflective surface. The putter is positioned adjacent the golf ball so that the putting surface abuts the ball and the reflected image of the golfer's eyes lies slightly behind and below the golf ball. As the golfer putts, he maintains his head in the position he assumed when he addressed the ball. The putter of this invention helps the golfer learn to keep his or her head in the correct position while they are putting and helps them develop a more consistent putting stroke.
The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
Referring to
In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, upper surface 16 includes a reflective surface 22. Upper surface 16 preferably is substantially flat so that when a golfer stands in a correct position with their head immediately over club head 14, the golfer is able to observe their reflection in reflective surface 22. Furthermore, reflective surface 22 preferably is sufficiently reflective so as to allow the golfer 24 to easily and clearly observe his reflection 26 therein (
Golfer 24 then alternatively checks the line of sight to the remote hole and the relative position of the image 26 of his reflected eyes 32 and ball 30 until the ball is aligned with the golfer's best estimated line of site to the remote hole. Golfer 24 then swings putter 10 rearwardly while maintaining the position of their head and eyes. Golfer 24 then swings putter 10 forwardly to strike ball 30 while continuing to maintain the position of their head and eyes.
As golfer 24 practices and plays with putter 10, his putting will become more consistent. He will learn through practice the correct position and placement of the putter 10 relative to ball 30 in order to obtain the correct line of sight to the hole. He will also learn through repetitiously correctly positioning the reflection of his eyes in reflective surface 22 of head 14, where to hold his head when he putts.
Golfer 24 may practice drawing putter 10 rearwardly and turning his head slightly to, attempting to keep the reflection of his eyes 32 in the same position on surface 22 as putter 10 is drawn rearwardly. However, when golfer 24 intends to actually strike ball 30, he assumes the correct stance and putter head 14 placement as previously described, draws putter 10 rearwardly while maintaining the set-up position of both his head and eyes (i.e., not turning his head or moving his eyes to follow the movement of putter head 14) and then swings putter 10 forwardly so that head 14 strikes ball 30 while continuing to keep his head and eyes in the set-up position (i.e., not moving his head or eyes to follow either the swing of putter head 14 or the movement of the ball 30 after it is struck.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
This is a standard utility application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/702,131 which was filed on Jul. 25, 2005, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60702131 | Jul 2005 | US |