Patent Grant
11154762
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention generally relates to the field of golf instruction tools.
Many golfers find themselves making the same mistakes when putting both short and long-range distances, whether they push or pull the ball, hit shots past the hole, or don't hit the ball square on. Other golfers lack putting consistency from improper alignment of their eyes over the ball. Unfortunately, this inconsistency is often attributed to a lack of muscle memory, which can lead to more strokes, higher scores, and depleted confidence. A suitable solution is desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,690 is directed at a golf putter with alignment means.
ABSTRACT: Disclosed is a golf club alignment device for showing a target area of a golf ball to be impacted by a golf club having a base head with a center mark calibrated to a center line of a securely mounted reflective plate having a mirror quality finish angled back from the corresponding striking surface of the club head, a centering scale, silhouetted at the base portion of the reflective plate, made up of short lines, 0.125 inch spaced increment deviations on either side of the center line in progressive numerical order to allow the golfer to compensate for contours of putting surfaces, a grip reasonably secured to a shaft, of the club head having at a selected distance above the club head to the shaft, a centering standard projecting horizontally forward and parallel to the club head, an alignment mark existing near out board end of the centering standard, calibrated to the center mark of the club head, also calibrated to center line of the reflective plate, in conjunction with the reflection of alignment mark of the centering standard, thus subsequently positioning the corresponding striking surface of club head perpendicular to the reflection of the target or achieving a misaligned putt by using an offset of the centering scale right or left of center line for compensating for contoured putting surfaces of the putt being negotiated.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,226 is directed to a golf putter having an alignment apparatus.
ABSTRACT: Disclosed is a putter head that has a striking surface and is adapted to mount to a shaft of a putter. The putter head has an alignment apparatus, which includes a sighting device and a flat surface. The sighting device has an upright element and a base element that is symmetrically positioned around the bottom of the upright element. When viewed from above, centering the base element around the upright element every time positions a golfer's eyes and head in the same position every time. The flat surface is centered under the upright element. The flat surface whereby positioning the flat surface on a surface positions the putter head in the same relationship with the surface every time.
The present invention helps golfers reduce strokes in their short game for lower scores. It corrects common problems with a putting stroke, including misalignment, inaccuracy, speed of striking, and pushing or pulling the ball to the left or the right. It effectively allows golfers to discover their natural stance, grip, and posture when putting. It improves muscle memory and creates a more routine putting motion. It builds confidence in golfers of all ages and skill levels.
This disclosure relates to a golf instruction tool that has a linear putting guide with a longitudinal axis, a putter mounting base connected to the linear putting guide through a slidable connection, and an artificial green. The linear putting guide can be placed underneath the artificial green, and the putter mounting base can be placed above the artificial green with the connection extending through a slot in the artificial green. In some versions, the linear putting guide employs a slide to provide the linear motion. In these or other embodiments, the linear putting guide comprises functionality to align the golfer's body correctly above the tool. In some versions, a mirror mounted on a mirror mount connected to the putter mounting base serves to align the golfer's body above the tool.
In some embodiments, the linear putting guide provides 10 inches of linear range, which provides 10 inches of linear travel to the putter mounting base. The putter mounting base has a putter interface that secures the putter to the putter mounting base through an interference or friction fit. In some embodiments, the tool also has a club alignment guide extending up from the putter mounting base perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some versions, the mirror mount and mirror connect on the base's front, the putter interface mounts on the base's back, and the alignment guide sits between the mirror and the interface. The alignment guide is spaced apart from the interface in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the space between the alignment guide and the putter interface receives the head of a golf club and interacts with the putter mounting base through friction or an interference fit. Some versions comprise a gravity ball feed and a movable cup. In some versions, the artificial green is imprinted or otherwise marked with various graphics to facilitate instruction with the tool. Related methods are also disclosed. These include providing the tool, placing the club in the tool, practicing a back stroke and a forward stroke, and in some cases, periodically practicing an actual put with an actual golf ball.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved by any single embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood by referencing the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a surface staining composition and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
The One Putt System provides an effective and convenient way for golfers to practice their short game consistently. This innovative product features an 8′ putting green, made from felt or other imitation material. The putting green can have a linear slide guide, accompanied by an affixed movable putter resting/secure base, made of a steel bracket and cut sponge, connected in precision alignment. The linear slide guide can be located under the green, hidden from view, and the movable putter resting/secure base can be positioned on a putter for straight back-and-forth practice. A small square mirror can be affixed to the front of the movable putter resting/secure base. Additionally, the green can have a gravity ball feed, made of foam or other suitable material, and a running track to feed golf balls to users. Varying distance markers can be added to the putting green's surface to track length accuracy. The green may also have marks to work on the touch/strength of ball striking of short distance putting. The putting green can also have movable cups or holes to practice aim and accuracy. The exact specifications may vary upon manufacturing.
Components:
Linear putting guide 510, best seen in
In operation, golfer 10 places club 20 onto interface 830, which is connected to putter mounting base 130. Additionally, golfer 10 aligns clubface 22 on or against club alignment guide 630.
Following the graphics, golfer 10 begins this shot with a backswing. Since club head 21 interacts with putter mounting base 130 because of interface 830, the backswing moves putter mounting base 130 backward in slot 150. Since putter mounting base 130 is attached to linear putting guide 510, slide 810 causes the putter to move backward along slide 810. As seen in
Methodical practice with club 20 held in the right place and with the stroke moving backward linearly and then forward linearly allows golfer 10 to develop a feel for directing his or her muscles correctly to make the golf stroke successfully. Methodical practice develops muscle memory so that golfer 10 can consciously or unconsciously remember the feeling of holding club 20 correctly and stroking the put correctly.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary, and numerous modifications, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.
The steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).
The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/836,013 filed Apr. 18, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200330846 A1 | Oct 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62836013 | Apr 2019 | US |
