U.S. patent application number 10/178940 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-25 for golf putter and method of putting.
Invention is credited to Gammon, Robert W. JR..
Application Number | 20030236130 10/178940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29734819 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030236130 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gammon, Robert W. JR. |
December 25, 2003 |
Golf putter and method of putting
Abstract
A method of putting a golf ball includes a golfer standing erect
with the head up and the body facing the hole. The golf ball is
positioned to the side of the golfer on his dominant side. A
uniquely designed putter is grasped in the dominant hand with the
grip of the putter extending upwardly along and against the
dominant arm to a position above the elbow. The upper portion of
the grip and the dominant arm are grasped firmly with the
non-dominant hand to provide stability and the dominant arm and
club are swung smoothly in a pendulum-like motion from the shoulder
of the dominant arm. The result is a smooth consistent putting
swing wherein the effects of flexing elbows and twisting wrists are
eliminated and, ultimately, a better putting game and lower golf
score. The invention also includes an unique putter for carrying
out the inventive putting technique.
Inventors: |
Gammon, Robert W. JR.;
(Clemmons, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
P.O. Box 7037
Atlanta
GA
30357-0037
US
|
Family ID: |
29734819 |
Appl. No.: |
10/178940 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/293 ;
473/337; 473/341; 473/342 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/293 ;
473/341; 473/342; 473/337 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/04; A63B
069/36 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of putting a golf ball in a target direction, said
method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a putter with a head
and a with shaft sufficiently long to extend upwardly to a location
above a golfer's elbow when the head of the putter is adjacent the
ground; (b) aligning the body generally with the target direction
with the golf ball to the dominant side of the body; (c) locating
the head of the putter to the dominant side of the body in putting
relationship relative the to golf ball; (d) grasping a mid-portion
of the putter shaft with the dominant hand and with the shaft
extending upwardly along the dominant arm with its upper portion
located above the elbow; (e) judging the intended line of the put
with the head up and facing the target direction; and (f) swinging
the dominant arm from the shoulder to swing the putter head through
the ball.
2. A method of putting a golf ball as claimed in claim 1 and
further comprising the step of grasping the upper portion of the
shaft and the dominant arm with the non-dominant hand prior to
swinging to stabilize the putter and the dominant arm during the
swing.
3. A method of putting a golf ball as claimed in claim 2 and
wherein the target direction is generally toward a golf hole and
wherein step (b) includes aligning the body generally toward and
facing the hole.
4. A technique of putting a golf ball toward the hole comprising
the steps of aligning the body in a direction generally facing the
hole with the golf ball located to the dominant side of the body,
standing substantially upright with the head level and facing the
hole; grasping a putter in the dominant hand with the shaft of the
putter extending upwardly along the dominant arm to a position
above the elbow and with the head of the putter located behind the
golf ball, visually judging the intended line of the put while the
head is in its level and hole facing orientation, and swinging the
putter through the ball in a pendulum-like motion with the dominant
arm pivoting at the shoulder and with the putter shaft stabilizing
the elbow to prevent flexing during the swing.
5. A technique of putting a golf ball as claimed in claim 4 and
further comprising the step of grasping the upper portion of the
shaft and the dominant arm above the elbow with the non-dominant
hand to stabilize the shaft and dominant arm further, the
non-dominant hand following the dominant arm throughout the
swing.
6. A technique of putting a golf ball as claimed in claim and
wherein the golfer's head is maintained in its level hole facing
orientation throughout the swing.
7. A golf putter comprising a head, a hosel mounted to the head and
extending upwardly therefrom at a predetermined angle, and a shaft
mounted in and extending upwardly from the hosel, the shaft being
sufficiently long to extend upwardly to a position above a golfer's
elbow when the golfer is standing upright with the putter to the
side of the golfer.
8. A golf putter as claimed in claim 7 and wherein said head has an
upper surface formed with an non-circular insert and wherein said
hosel is mounted to said head with a non-circular tongue that mates
with and extends into said non-circular insert.
9. A golf putter as claimed in claim 8 and wherein said
non-circular insert and said non-circular tongue are symmetric
about a vertical center line of said head so that said hosel and
said shaft can be mounted in a first orientation to form a right
handed putter and a second orientation to form a left handed
putter.
10. A golf putter as claimed in claim 9 and wherein said insert and
said tongue are square in shape.
11. A golf putter as claimed in claim 7 and wherein said
predetermined angle is at least the minimum lie angle for a putter
specified by USGA regulations.
12. A golf putter as claimed in claim 11 and wherein said
predetermined angle is at least ten degrees.
13. A golf putter as claimed in claim 7 and wherein said head is
symmetrical about a vertical center line and wherein said hosel is
mounted to said head along said vertical centerline.
14. A golf putter as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising
balancing means in said head for precisely balancing the head.
15. A golf putter as claimed in claim 14 and wherein said balancing
means comprises a pair of spaced holes formed on either side of
said head, said holes containing balancing inserts of the proper
weights to balance the head along a vertical centerline
thereof.
16. A method of assembling a golf putter comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a head that is symmetrical along a vertical
centerline and that has an upper surface formed with a non-circular
insert positioned along the centerline; (b) providing a hosel
having a non-circular tongue sized and shaped to extend into and
mate with the non-circular insert in the head; (c) mounting the
hosel to the head by inserting its non-circular tongue into the
non-circular insert of the head and with the hosel extending
upwardly from the upper surface of the head at a predetermined lie
angle, the non-circular insert and tongue being shaped such that
mounting the hosel to the head in one orientation forms a right
handed putter and mounting the hosel to the head in an opposite
orientation forms a left handed putter; and (d) mounting a shaft in
the free end of the hosel.
17. The method of claim 16 and wherein the insert and tongue are
square.
18. The method of claim 16 and wherein the shaft is sufficiently
long to extend upwardly along a golfer's arm to a position above
the golfer's elbow when the golfer is standing upright with the
putter to his side.
19. A method of putting a golf ball comprising the steps of
standing substantially upright with the body facing along the
intended line of the put and with the golf ball to the side of the
body, locating the head of a putter behind the golf ball and
grasping a mid-portion of the shaft of the putter with one hand
such that the upper portion of the shaft extends upwardly along the
arm to a position above the elbow; judging the line of the putt
while standing substantially upright with the head up, level, and
facing the target; and swinging the arm and putter in a
pendulum-like motion from the shoulder so that the head of the
putter swings through the golf ball to putt the golf ball along the
line of the putt.
20. A method of putting a golf ball as claimed in claim 19 and
further comprising the step of grasping the upper portion of the
shaft and the arm above the elbow with the free hand to stabilize
the putter shaft and arm during the putt.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to the game of golf and
more particularly to putting.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Golf is a challenging endeavor requiring extreme physical
discipline and countless hours of practice to establish and
maintain proper form throughout the golf swing. Proper form is
perhaps no more important than when putting a golf ball on the
green. It is widely held that a consistent and accurate putting
style requires a smooth pendulum-like swing of the putter.
Historically this is accomplished by addressing the golf ball with
the shoulders aligned generally with the hole, gripping the putter
handle firmly, locking the arms so that they do not flex at the
elbow during the swing, and swinging the club head smoothly through
the ball. The goal is that the arms and the putter form a pendulum
that swings smoothly from the shoulders and that flexing at the
elbows and wrists not affect the smooth swing of the putter. It is
also very important that the club head remains fixed square with
the ball throughout the swing.
[0003] Although the mechanics of a good putting swing are well
understood, putting them into practice reliably and consistently is
an elusive goal among golfers. While every effort is made by
golfers to keep the arms and hands rigid throughout the swing,
there is virtually always some flexing at the elbows and some
twisting of the wrists. Unfortunately, even the slightest amount of
such flexing and twisting can affect the distance and particularly
the line of the putt rather drastically so that fewer putts are
sunk. As a result, golfers invest countless hours of practice to
improve their putting swing and to establish the smooth
pendulum-like swing discussed above. Unfortunately, while
perfection can be approached in this regard, it can rarely be
attained reliably and consistently.
[0004] In addition to the difficulty of establishing a good putting
swing, the traditional putting stance also can affect one's putting
game negatively. This is because the golfer's body faces not with
the hole, which is the target of the putt, but instead faces the
ball. This relationship of the body to the hole increases the
difficulty of judging the distance and line to the hole because the
hole is viewed with the head down and turned sideways toward the
hole. This is an unnatural way for humans to judge distance and
angle.
[0005] Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved putting
methodology that insures a smooth pendulum-like swing virtually
every time with a minimum of required practice and physical
discipline. There also is a need for a putting style in which the
distance and line to the hole can be judged more accurately by
viewing the hole naturally with the head up, level, and facing the
hole throughout the swing. It is to the provision of such a putting
methodology and a unique putter for practicing the methodology that
the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly described, the present invention, in a preferred
embodiment thereof, is an improved method of putting a golf ball
wherein the golfer addresses and faces the hole instead of the ball
throughout the swing. The golf ball is positioned to the dominant
side of the golfer; that is, the side corresponding to the golfer's
dominant arm. The unique putter of the invention, which has a
specially designed head and extra long shaft and grip, is grasped
with the dominant hand at the lower portion of the grip. The upper
portion of the grip extends upwardly along the dominant arm to a
position above the elbow. The golfer then grasps his upper arm and
the upper portion of the grip firmly with the non-dominant hand to
anchor the shaft of the putter to the dominant arm above the elbow.
The dominant arm and the putter shaft are thereby locked together
forming a rigid pendulum that swings from the shoulder of the
dominant arm. The golfer then surveys the hole to judge distance
and line by facing the hole with the head up and level. In this
way, the golfer's natural binocular vision results in an improved
estimate of the proper distance and the proper line to the hole.
The stroke is then made with the dominant arm swinging smoothly
back and through to the golfer's side, similar to a bowling motion,
with the non-dominant hand and arm riding along to maintain
stability. The inventors have discovered that this highly unique
putting method and putter results in a significant improvement of
the putting game almost immediately. Further, it does not require
hours of practice to master and can be used successfully by
beginning golfers and pros alike to improve their putting games and
reduce their scores. These and other features, objects, and
advantages of the putting method and putter of this invention will
become more apparent upon review of the detailed description set
forth below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing
figures, which are briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a golf putter that
embodies principles of the present invention in a preferred
form.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golfer in the process of
carrying out the putting method of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the face of the putter
of FIG. 1 illustrating the unique method of attaching the hosel to
the head.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the head of the putter
of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the putter of FIG. 1
showing the contoured bottom and back of the head, the attachment
of the hosel, and the mounting of the shaft within the hosel.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the hosel of the
putter illustrating its angle, which provides for assembling left
and right handed putters from the same components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Referring now in more detail to the drawing figures, in
which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views, FIG. 1 shows a unique putter for carrying out the
putting method of the invention. The putter 11 has a head 12, a
hosel 13, a shaft 14, and a grip 15. The head 12, described in more
detail below, is formed with a generally flat top surface 17, a
contoured bottom surface 26, sides 28, a back surface 29, and a
face 18. Holes are formed through the head from its face rearwardly
and these holes are filled with balancing inserts 19, whose density
and weight are carefully chosen to balance the head 12.
[0014] The hosel 13, through which the shaft 14 is connected to the
head 12, is generally cylindrical and, as shown in FIGS. 3-6, has a
depending square mounting tongue 24 that is that fits and is
secured within a corresponding square hole or insert 23 formed in
the top surface of the head. The hosel body is oriented relative to
the mounting tongue to form an angle 21 that is at least 10
degrees, which insures the USGA minimum of 10 degrees of lie angle
for a putter. The square insert 23 in the head and the
corresponding square mounting tongue 24 insures precise alignment
of the hosel and shaft with the head during putter assembly.
Further, since the head 12 is symmetrical about its center line,
left handed putters and right handed putters can be manufactured
from the same components by simply orienting the hosel to angle to
the right or the left as necessary. The shaft 14 is mounted within
a hole 25 (FIG. 6) in the top of the hosel and extends upwardly
therefrom. The grip 23 is disposed on the shaft and may be made of
a rubber or other appropriate material to provide a secure friction
grip for a golfer. The shaft and grip are a minimum of 18 inches
long to comply with USGA regulations and, more importantly, are
long enough to extend beyond the elbow of a golfer's dominant arm
when at address position, as described in more detail below.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates the unique putting style and methodology
of this invention. A golfer 31 is shown at address position on a
green 39 putting a golf ball 37 toward the hole 38. The golfer 31
in this illustration is right handed such that his right arm 32 and
right hand 33 are dominant and his left arm 34 and left hand 36 are
non-dominant. When putting, the ball is positioned to his right
side, which is his dominant side. It will be understood that the
same basic technique described herein also is applicable to left
handed golfers, except that, for them, the putt is made from their
left side rather than from their right side. Referring still to
FIG. 2, rather than addressing and facing the ball while putting,
as is traditional, the golfer 31 addresses and faces the hole 38
when practicing the present putting method. The putter 11 is held
with the dominant hand 33 gripping the lower portion 16 of the grip
and with the upper portion 22 of the grip lying and extending along
the dominant arm 32 to a position above the elbow. The non-dominant
hand 36 firmly grasps the top portion 22 of the grip and the
dominant arm 32 to maintain the grip of the putter firmly against
the dominant arm, to provide stability during the swing, and to
prevent the dominant arm from bending or twisting at the elbow. It
will thus be seen that the dominant arm 32 and the putter 11
together form a rigid pendulum that swings from the shoulder of the
dominant arm.
[0016] The golfer 31, when in the just described address position,
aligns the head 12 of the club with the ball, which is positioned
to the side of his dominant foot 20. The golfer then surveys the
hole with his head up, level, and facing the hole. It has been
found that when surveying the hole from this position, the golfer
is able to form a more accurate mental assessment both of the
distance to the hole as well as the intended line of the putt. It
is believed that this results from the natural use of the golfer's
binocular vision; i.e. with the head up and the eyes level, rather
than the head down position of a traditional putting stance. In any
event, the golfer uses the improved mental assessment of the
distance and line to square the putter face with the intended line
of the putt. The putter is then drawn back and swung through the
ball all in a smooth pendulum-like motion. During the swing, the
putter shaft and the dominant arm are rigid and monolithic
resulting in an almost pure pendulum swing from a pivot point at
the golfer's dominant shoulder. The non-dominant hand and arm
follow along during the swing to maintain stability throughout the
swing.
[0017] As a result of the just described putting technique, it has
been found that the head of the putter follows a smooth arc
throughout the swing. It has also been found that the head of the
club stays square with the intended line of the putt throughout the
entire swing, including at the moment of impact with the ball.
Because of the outstanding stability of the dominant arm and club
during the swing, the golfer is able to keep his eyes on the target
rather than on the ball throughout the swing. In traditional
putting swings, of course, the eyes are on the ball during the
putt. This, in combination with the unique mechanics of the swing,
has been found to enhance the accuracy of the putt even more. The
ultimate result is an improved overall putting score, a consistency
from putt-to-putt that heretofore has been almost unachievable, and
a more enjoyable experience for the golfer.
[0018] FIGS. 3-6 illustrate in more detail a preferred embodiment
of the unique putter of this invention and the unique method of its
assembly. It should be understood, however, that the particular
configuration shown in these figures may be modified in a variety
of ways without departing from the broader invention. Therefore,
the preferred embodiment of the putter illustrated here is not and
should not be considered to be limiting upon the inventions
disclosed herein.
[0019] In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the head 12 of the
putter has a face 18 with a zero degree loft and is symmetrical
about a vertical center line. A pair of holes are formed in the
head extending rearwardly from its face 18 to accommodate a pair of
balancing inserts 19. The balancing inserts themselves can be made
of metal, plastic, a composite, or any material whose density and
weight are chosen for their ability to balance the club head
precisely. Balancing insert technology itself is known to those of
skill in the art and need not be discussed in more detail here. It
also should be noted that the club might be formed with no
balancing inserts at all if desired or balancing may be
accomplished in any of a number of ways other than balancing
inserts, as is known to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the
balancing inserts shown in the illustrated embodiment and, indeed,
balancing in general, is not and should not be considered to be a
limitation of the invention.
[0020] The head 12 further includes a generally flat top surface
27, a contoured bottom surface 26, sides 28, and a contoured or
curved back surface 29. The hosel 13 is mounted to the top surface
of the head 12 by means of a square mounting tongue 24, which is
received in a corresponding square insert 23 formed in the head 12.
Further, as mentioned above, the hosel 13 forms an angle 21 (FIG.
6) of at least ten degrees with respect to the square mounting
tongue 24. This insures a lie angle of at least ten degrees between
the head 12 and the shaft 14, which complies with USGA regulations.
The square mounting tongue and insert simplifies fabrication of the
putter significantly because the hosel is precisely and
automatically oriented with respect to the head by simply inserting
and securing the tongue within the hole. In addition, left and
right hand putters may be fabricated with the same components by
simply turning the hosel to the left or right as needed before
securing it to the head, as indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 3.
The hosel 13 is formed with an shaft receiving hole 25 (FIG. 6)
into which the bottom end of the shaft 14 is secured to mount to
shaft to the head.
[0021] As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the bottom surface 26
of the head is smoothly contoured both from side-to-side and
front-to-back to approximate the arc of a swing relative to the
playing surface. In this regard, the contoured bottom surface may
be designed to be more curved for shorter players and less curved
for taller players if desired. The back surface 29 of the head also
is curved, primarily for reasons of aesthetics and for balance. As
shown in FIG. 5, the shaft 14 of the putter extends upwardly from
the hosel at a lie angle equal to the angle 21 of the hosel itself.
The method of assembly of the club of this invention includes
securing the hosel to the head, securing the shaft in the hosel,
and providing the shaft with a grip of the proper
characteristics.
[0022] The invention has been described herein in terms of
preferred embodiments and methodologies. It will be understood by
those of skill in the art, however, that various additions,
deletions, and modifications might be made to the illustrated
embodiments within the scope of the invention. For instance, the
particular shapes and configurations of the putter head and hosel
illustrated herein may be modified in scores of ways without
exceeding the bounds of the invention or affecting the unique
putting methodology of the invention. The mounting tongue of the
hosel may be formed with a variety of shapes other than square such
as, for example, triangular or star shaped. All such shapes provide
the advantage of automatic alignment of the hosel with the head,
which is an aspect of the invention. The mounting tongue might even
be cylindrical and not automatically aligning where precise
alignment and adjustment of the shaft and head are desired.
Variations may also be made to the putting method of the invention.
For instance, it may be possible to practice the invention with or
without grasping the club and dominant arm with the non-dominant
hand. A golfer may wish to align his body slightly to one or
another side of the target rather than directly with it as shown in
the preferred embodiment. The knees may be slightly bent as shown
in FIG. 2 or straight as desired. Finally, it should be noted that
the shape of the club head, the length and shape of the shaft and
grip, the lie angle of the hosel, and any other similar parameters
will comply with USGA regulations in all cases, and may be updated
to reflect changes in these regulations. For instance, should the
USGA change its regulations for an at least 10 degree lie angle for
the hosel in the future, then the angle of the hosel of the present
application will simply change to satisfy the new requirements.
These and other additions, deletions, and modifications of the
illustrated and preferred embodiments might well be implemented by
those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as disclosed herein.
* * * * *