Patent Application
20200139205
The present invention relates to golf putters and in particular to a golf putter having a unique weight distribution for enhanced stability during a putting stroke.
When playing the game of golf, it is important and necessary for the golfer to have consistent feel when striking a golf ball in order to produce repeatable golf shots to insure the golf ball travels precise distances and to the desired location. While this is true for all types of golf shots, it is particularly true for golf shots struck with a putter type golf club where the impact force against the golf ball is significantly less than full swing golf shots. Typically, amateur golfers miss hit the golf ball away from the precise center of percussion a large percentage of the time. A given golfer will miss-hit the golf ball more often as the golfer's handicap rises. This is particularly true with older golfers whose physical abilities have declined with age with the result that the golfer's feel is greatly diminished.
The putter type golf club of the present invention is an improvement of my putter shown and described in application Ser. No. 14/792,747, now abandoned. The putter of the present invention is radically different from putters that are currently available in the marketplace that use hollow shafts. The putter is made with a unique weight distribution to increase stability and decrease vibration of the putter during the execution of a putting stroke. The putter uses a traditionally shaped head that is lighter than conventional putter heads of similar shape and a shaft structure preferably made with stainless steel. Preferably the putter head has a blade type shape that is used to strike the ball during the execution of a golfer's putting stroke. The putter head weighs no greater than 310 grams as compared to conventional putter heads that typically weigh 335-370 grams and heavier. The shaft portion is approximately ¼ inch in diameter and weighs approximately 200 grams as compared to conventional putter shafts that typically weigh approximately 100 grams.
In preferred embodiments, the putter uses a grip fixture having an approximate ¼ inch central bore enabling the fixture to be positioned on the upper butt portion of the stainless-steel shaft. The outer circumference of the grip fixture is sized to fit into the axial opening of a conventional, slip on golf grip, typically weighing 55-125 grams to complete the structure of the putter.
The solid core of the putter shaft and weight distribution of the components of the putter resulting in the head feeling lighter with more feel and reduces vibration and torque when the golf ball is not hit in the exact center of percussion of the striking face. The increased weight of the solid rod all the way to the upper end of the putter that typically is under a golfer's hands along with the putter head weight that is lighter than the majority of conventional putters, makes it easier for a golfer to keep the club head on line during a putting stroke.
In summary, the putter of the present invention is made with four separate components that are assembled to produce the putter. A putter head connects to an elongated, solid, rigid stainless-steel shaft extending the entire length of the club. A grip fixture is sized to fit over the upper end of the stainless-steel shaft. A conventional golf grip fits over the grip fixture to complete the putter.
Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a putter type golf club formed of a unique solid and rigid shaft structure extending from the putter head to the upper end of the putter.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a putter type golf club having reduced vibration during the strike of a golf ball.
Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a putter type golf club having a more solid feel providing feedback to the golfer during the strike of a golf ball.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings.
The drawings show a golf putter 100 of the present invention. The putter has four main parts, a conventional club head 102, with a striking face 104, an elongated shaft 106 a grip fixture 110 and a conventional grip 116. The head 102 and shaft 106 are connected in a conventional way by insertion of the shaft into the head 102 or using a hosel, not shown. Preferably the shaft 106 is made of solid, rigid stainless steel and has a ¼ inch diameter extending between the head 102 and an upper end 108 of the putter 100.
The head 102 may be any shape such as a blade or similar conventional shape as an example. It will be appreciated the putter head may include separate structures, such as weight members or face inserts, while maintaining the same overall structure of the head 102.
The grip fixture 110 is attached to an upper section 112 of the shaft 106 from the upper end 108 approximately 10-11 inches on the shaft 106 toward the head 102. The grip fixture 110 is formed with a ¼ inch bore that fits over the shaft 106 when the components of the putter are assembled. The outer surface of the grip fixture 110 is generally cylindrical and is sized to be attached to by insertion into an inner shaft opening 118 of a conventional golf grip 116 when the putter 100 is assembled. The grip fixture 110 provides a solid connection between the grip 116 and the shaft 106 that reduces vibration, twisting and torqueing particularly when a golf ball is not struck precisely at the center of percussion of the club head 102.
Typically, an adhesive type material or double-sided tape will be used to secure the grip fixture 110 to the shaft 106 and to fit the grip 116 onto the grip fixture 110.
The putter 100 of this invention uses a putter head 102 that weighs no greater than 310 grams. The shaft 106 attached to the putter head 102 weighs approximately 200 grams whereby the overall weight of the head 102 and shaft 106 is slightly greater than 500 grams. When the grip fixture 110 and a grip 116 that may weigh between 55 and 125 grams is attached, the putter of the present invention will have an overall weight greatly exceeding 500 grams as compared to conventional putters that typically weigh less than 500 grams. This weight differential results in the putter head feeling heavier even though it is lighter than conventional putter heads. The dynamics of the distribution of the weights in the head, shaft and grip fixture allows the golfer to maintain the putter in alignment during a putting stroke by maintaining stability of the putter in both the back stroke and follow through stroke hitting the golf ball.
It will be appreciated that variations of the putter may be used in keeping within the spirit, intent and scope of the present invention
