Patent Application
20130288828
Most golfers can significantly improve their scores by learning to putt properly. Proper putting requires golfers to position their eyes directly above a golf ball, position their eyes at a correct vertical height above the golf ball, and correctly gauge a distance of a target from the golf ball.
Applicant has noticed that golfers do not always properly position their eyes directly above a golf ball when attempting to putt the golf ball. Applicant has also noticed that golfers do not always position their eyes at a correct vertical height above the golf ball, and that golfers often have trouble gauging a distance of a target from the golf ball. Embodiments of the current invention solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a distinct advance in the art of golf putting aids and methods for instructing a golfer to putt a golf ball. More particularly, embodiments of the invention provide a simple yet highly effective golf putting aid that permits a golfer to determine when his eyes are properly positioned directly above a golf ball by visually aligning a hole or other target with the golf putting aid. Embodiments of the current invention also assist the golfer in determining when his eyes are at a correct vertical height above the golf ball and determining a distance of the target from the golf ball.
An embodiment of the golf putting aid comprises first and second vertically extending members and a horizontally extending member attached between the first and second vertical members. The first and second vertical members are generally spaced between 2 to 6 inches apart. The horizontal member and the vertical members cooperatively define a first partially enclosed space beneath the horizontal member through which a golf ball may be putted and a second partially enclosed space above the horizontal member through which a golfer may align a target for the golf ball.
In use, the golf putting aid is placed between the target and the golf ball with the partially enclosed spaces occupying a plane perpendicular to a line between the target and the golf ball. The golfer assumes a putting stance, positioning his eyes above the golf ball. In this example, the golfer is assumed to be left-handed. The golfer then looks in the direction of the target, which will appear between the vertical members. If the target appears closer to the left vertical member, the golfer should move his head horizontally toward the golf ball, until the target appears halfway between the vertical members. If the target appears closer to the right vertical member, the golfer should move his head horizontally toward his body, until the target appears halfway between the vertical members. This ensures that the golfer's eyes are properly positioned directly above the golf ball. The golfer then attempts to putt the golf ball through the first partially enclosed space and toward the target.
Other embodiments of the golf putting aid may also include vertically extending extension posts that extend above the vertical members. The extension posts increase the height of the second partially enclosed space to assist the golfer in aligning the golf ball with the target when the golf ball is nearer the target. The vertical members are generally configured to receive or support the vertical extension posts.
Other embodiments of the golf putting aid may be selectively adjustable to increase or decrease the distance between the vertical members and thus the widths of the partially enclosed spaces through which the golf ball is putted. In such embodiments, the horizontal member is selectively adjustable in length and includes telescoping, collapsible, or otherwise adjustable sections. The horizontal member may also be removably connected to the vertical members and replaced with shorter or longer horizontal members. This permits the golfer or an instructor to shorten or adjust the horizontal member and thereby decrease the widths of the partially enclosed spaces as the golfer's skill level increases.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the current invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
Embodiments of the current invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The drawing figures do not limit the current invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention.
The following detailed description of the invention references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the current invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the current invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the current technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.
Turning now to the drawing figures, and initially
The vertical members 22a,b are generally from about 0.5 to 3 inches thick and preferably about 1.5 inches thick, and from about 4 to 18 inches in height and preferably about 18 inches in height. The vertical members 22a,b may be cylindrical, square, rectangular, flat, or other shape, and may be solid or hollow. The vertical members 22a,b may be formed of any suitable material such as PVC pipe, plastic, rubber, metal, and wood. The vertical members 22a,b are generally spaced between 2 to 6 inches apart, and preferably about 6 inches apart. The vertical members 22a,b may include first and second sockets 30a,b spaced from 3 to 6 inches and preferably about 6 inches above their lower ends. The sockets 30a,b face each other for receiving the horizontal member 24. The vertical members 22a,b may be configured to receive or support first and second vertically extending extension posts 32a,b (described below).
The horizontal member 24 is generally from about 0.5 to 3 inches thick and preferably about 1.5 inches thick. The horizontal member 24 may be cylindrical, square, rectangular, flat, or other shape, and may be solid or hollow. The horizontal member 24 may be formed of any suitable material such as PVC pipe, plastic, rubber, metal, and wood. The horizontal member 24 may be integrally formed with the vertical members 22a,b, may be an individually formed piece permanently joined with the vertical members 22a,b, or may be connectable to and removable from the vertical members 22a,b via the sockets 30a,b, as best shown in
The horizontal member 24 may be selectively adjustable in length to increase or decrease the distance between the vertical members 22a,b and thus the widths of the partially enclosed spaces 26, 28 (described below), and may include telescoping, collapsible, or otherwise adjustable sections. The horizontal member 24 may also be removably connected to the vertical members 22a,b and replaced with shorter or longer horizontal members 24. For example, the golfer 12 or an instructor may shorten the horizontal member 24 and thereby decrease the widths of the partially enclosed spaces 26, 28 as the golfer's skill level increases. In one embodiment, and as detailed in
The first partially enclosed space 26 is from 2 to 6 inches wide and preferably about 6 inches wide, and from 3 to 6 inches tall and preferably about 6 inches tall. The second partially enclosed space 28 is from 2 to 6 inches wide and preferably about 6 inches wide, and from 1 to 15 inches tall and preferably about 12 inches tall. The second partially enclosed space 28 may be heightened as described below.
An embodiment of the golf putting aid 10 may also include first and second vertically extending extension posts 32a,b that are received within and extend above the vertical members 22a,b, as shown in
The extension posts 32a,b are between 18 to 48 inches tall, and preferably about 48 inches tall, and thus heighten the second partially enclosed space 28 between 18 to 48 inches, and preferably 48 inches. The extension posts 32a,b may be cylindrical, square, rectangular, flat, or other shape, and may be solid or hollow. The extension posts 32a,b may be formed of any available material such as PVC pipe, plastic, fiberglass, rubber, metal, and wood. The extension posts 32a,b may be integrally formed with the vertical members 22a,b, or may be removable therefrom, as shown in
The extension posts 32a,b may include a plurality of distance indicators 40, as shown in
The extension posts 32a,b may further include a plurality of eye height indicators 42. The eye height indicators 42 may be marks, notches, or other indicators and may include indicia such as heights corresponding to a height of the golfer's eyes above the golf ball 16. The golfer 12 observes the eye height indicator 42 that is vertically closest to his eye level to determine the height of his eyes above the golf ball 16. The golfer 12 then compares his eye height with a desired eye height. If his eye height is greater than the desired eye height, then he should lower his head, and if his eye height is less than the desired eye height, then he should raise his head, until his eye height is the same as the desired eye height.
An embodiment of the golf putting aid 10 may also include first and second bases 44a,b, as shown in
The bases 44a,b each include a straight side 46a,b, and the straight sides 46a,b are parallel and face each other, as shown in
The bases 44a,b each include a vertical through hole 48a,b through which fasteners 50a,b may be inserted, as shown in
The present invention further includes a method of instructing a golfer to putt. In this example, the golfer is left-handed. Turning again to
The instructor then instructs the golfer 12 to position his eyes above the golf ball 16 while visually aligning the target 14 through the second partially enclosed space 28. The golfer 12 can look in the direction of the target 14, which will appear horizontally between the extension posts 32a,b. If the target 14 appears closer to the left extension post (30a in
If the golf putting aid 10 has distance indicators 40, then the method may include the step of instructing the golfer 12 to use the distance indicators 40 to gauge a distance from the golf ball 16 to the target 14. The golfer 12 observes the distance indicator 40 that appears closest to the target 14 when the golfer 12 looks at the target 14 through the second partially enclosed space 28, to determine the distance to the target 14, and uses the corresponding distance to judge how hard to hit the golf ball 16.
If the golf putting aid 10 has eye height indicators 42, then the method may include the step of instructing the golfer 12 to use the eye height indicators 42 to gauge a vertical height between his eyes and the golf ball 16. The golfer 12 observes the eye height indicator 42 that is vertically closest to his eye level to determine the height of his eyes above the golf ball 16. The golfer 12 then compares his eye height with a desired eye height. If his eye height is greater than the desired eye height, then he should lower his head, and if his eye height is less than the desired eye height, then he should raise his head, until his eye height is the same as the desired eye height.
Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.
This non-provisional patent application claims priority benefit, with regard to all common subject matter, of earlier-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/639,512, filed Apr. 27, 2012, and entitled “GOLF PUTTING AID.” The identified earlier-filed provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61639512 | Apr 2012 | US |
