U.S. patent application number 11/170195 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for golf putter.
Invention is credited to Stephen Boccieri, Robert P. Prince.
Application Number | 20060009303 11/170195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35542087 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060009303 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prince; Robert P. ; et
al. |
January 12, 2006 |
Golf putter
Abstract
A putter for use by a golfer in playing golf. The putter
typically having a length of about 32-37 inches, a 430-550 gram
clubhead and sufficient counter weight to put center of mass 20 to
50 percent up the shaft from the clubhead. An adjustably weighted
clubhead is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Prince; Robert P.;
(Ridgefield, CT) ; Boccieri; Stephen; (South
Salem, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVENS DAVIS MILLER & MOSHER, LLP
1615 L STREET, NW
SUITE 850
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
35542087 |
Appl. No.: |
11/170195 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60590337 |
Jul 23, 2004 |
|
|
|
60584145 |
Jul 1, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/297 ;
473/313; 473/341 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/24 20151001;
A63B 53/007 20130101; A63B 60/02 20151001; A63B 2053/0491 20130101;
A63B 53/0487 20130101; A63B 53/0408 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/297 ;
473/313; 473/341 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/14 20060101
A63B053/14; A63B 53/02 20060101 A63B053/02; A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04 |
Claims
1. A golf putter, including elements comprising: a shaft having a
first end and a second end, and a length of about 32-37 inches, a
430-550 gram clubhead fixed to said first end; and sufficient
counter weight to put a center of mass 20 to 50% of the length up
the shaft from a bottom of a heel of the clubhead, the shaft having
an upper end comprising a handle portion comprising the second end;
at most one hand grip about the handle portion, wherein said
elements are designed, dimensioned, sized and weighted for enabling
a golfer to putt a golf ball by pivoting a putter from an otherwise
conventional crouched stance.
2. The putter of claim 1, wherein the counter weight puts the
center of mass of the putter 30 to 50% of the length up the shaft
from the bottom of the heel of the clubhead.
3. The putter of claim 1, wherein the counter weight puts the
center of mass of the putter 30 to 40% of the length up the shaft
from the bottom of the heel of the clubhead.
4. The putter of claim 1, wherein the counter weight puts the
center of mass of the putter 30 to 35% of the length up the shaft
from the bottom of the heel of the clubhead.
5. The putter of claim 1, wherein the counter weight puts the
center of mass of the putter 25 to 40% of the length up the shaft
from the bottom of the heel of the clubhead.
6. The putter of claim 1, wherein the clubhead weight ranges from
450 to 520 grams and the counter weight puts the center of mass of
the putter 35 to 45% of the length up the shaft from a bottom of a
heel of the clubhead.
7. The putter of claim 1, wherein the hand grip has a length of 10
to 12 inches.
8. The putter of claim 1, the clubhead having removable
weights.
9. The putter of claim 1, the clubhead having removable heel and
toe weights.
10. The putter of claim 1, the clubhead having a base weight of 300
to 430 grams and is provided with weight pockets into which weights
are placed to increase the clubhead weight above its base
weight.
11. The putter of claim 10, the clubhead having a base weight of
400 to 430 grams.
12. The putter of claim 1, the clubhead having removable heel and
toe weights in increments of 10 to 25 grams, to increase heel
and/or toe weight each by as much as 100 grams.
13. The putter of claim 1, wherein the weight pockets are open
through a top wall of the clubhead.
14. A golf putter, including elements comprising: a shaft having a
first end and a second end, a clubhead fixed to said first end; the
shaft having an upper end comprising a handle portion comprising
the second end; wherein the clubhead has removable heel and toe
weights, the clubhead has a base weight of 300 to 430 grams, and is
provided with weight pockets open through a top wall of the
clubhead into which the weights are placed to increase the clubhead
weight as much as 200 grams total above the base weight.
15. A method of using a putter of claim 1, comprising the steps of:
causing a golfer to grasp the hand grip with two hands and arms
hanging from the shoulders; causing the golfer to assume a
substantially conventional crouched stance, wherein both feet of
the golfer are on the same side of the line of travel of the golf
ball after the golf ball has been putted; causing the golfer to
swing the putter; and, causing the golfer to strike said golf ball
with the head of the putter.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This claims the benefit of US Provisional application no.
60/590,337 filed Jul. 23, 2004 and US provisional application no.
60/584,145 filed Jul. 1, 2004 both incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a putter for golf and
methods of playing golf and methods of making a putter for
advantageously putting a golf ball.
[0004] 2. Background Discussion
[0005] Golf putter technology has been the subject of many
innovations in recent years, some of which are scientifically
well-founded, others of which may be considered merely
psychological. However, whether the results are psychological or
based on scientific reasoning, the value of the putter is in the
results. Regardless, innovations which are scientifically sound are
preferred since they are more widely accepted by a large range of
golfers.
[0006] Through the years there has been much effort expended in
improving golf clubs, particularly putters, and with much
concentration on the development of means to enable a golfer to
properly strike a golf ball on a true line toward the hole. In
particular, it has been common to provide a method to align the
head of the putter for more accurate putting. See, for example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,917,277, 3,866,922, 3,955,819, 3,921,984,
4,209,172, 4,519,612, and 3,880,430.
[0007] In addition, numerous efforts have been made to alter the
weight distribution of a putter in an effort to reduce the tendency
of a putter to rotate when a golf ball is struck off center. See,
for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,265,451, 3,843,122, 4,253,667,
4,369,974, and 1,537,320.
[0008] Many types of golf putters have heretofore been developed
for the purpose of improving the chances of an ordinary player to
properly strike the golf ball. These developers have concentrated
on improving the putter's head shape, obtaining a better balance
for the head, changing the ball-striking surface, placing indicia
on the head, and the like.
[0009] As examples of golf putters, attention is directed to the
following U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 196,734, 218,178, 234,206, 234,207,
234,208, 234,209, 234,858, 235,567, 236,517, 239,401, 239,402,
4,592,552, 4,163,554, 5,401,022, 5,474,300, 5,364,102, 4,461,479,
5,465,967 and 5,554,078, 5,209,474, 5,632,691, 5,595,385, 6,213,890
and Des. 239,725, incorporated herein by reference.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,219,348 for instance, describes a golf
putter featuring a handle having a triangular cross section which
is supposed to provide a stabilizing means for gripping the
club.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,332 describes a putter having an
elongated head and is provided with an enlargement projecting
upwardly from the top surface of the head and outwardly from the
rear surface with the shaft connecting to the head at the
enlargement. U.S. Pat. No. 3,923,308 discloses a putter having a
head provided with a vertical slot of sufficient width and length
dimensions to permit visual observations therethrough of the
undersurface, that is, the putting green.
[0012] In U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,207 the player must use a side
stance, that is, he must face the target or cup and stand with both
feet substantially parallel to the line of putt. This putter is
provided with an extra-length shaft which ungulates by about
10.degree. from the vertical and terminates in a special-purpose
handle. The shaft is made purposely longer than a standard shaft
such that the player can putt from a generally upright position.
For this purpose, the shaft is about 50 inches long compared to a
standard shaft which is about 40'' long. The angulation of the
shaft at 10.degree. directs the shaft towards the head of the
player when the head of the putter is located to one side of the
player. The putter head is weighted and a counter-balancing weight
is included on the upper end of the handle. This putter requires
that one player's hand be placed on the balance point along the
shaft and the other hand on the handle.
[0013] As is well known, the stance or style of the player
contributes significantly to his putting ability and his ultimate
chances of success. This is especially true since a large
percentage of all strokes in regulation golf play are putts.
Moreover, putting skill is developed with relatively few available
guidelines compared to the rest of the golf game, resulting in
heavy dependence on the part of the player and on the physical
embodiment of his preferred putter. It is also evident that for a
full understanding of the advantages of one type of putter versus
another type, consideration must be given to the putting style to
be employed with the particular golf putter.
[0014] To coordinate the golfer's stance, eyesight alignment, club
head movement, and club head angle at impact so that the ball moves
along its intended path for the desired distance, takes many hours
of practice in order to achieve even marginal success. In an effort
to make "lining-up" of a putt somewhat easier, certain golfers have
preferred to use a croquet-style putter. This style allows the
golfer to stand with one foot positioned on each side of a line
coincident with the intended path of travel for the ball and to
sight directly through the ball rather than standing at a right
angle and slightly perpendicular to the intended path. However, in
accordance with at least the "1977 Rules of Golf" as approved by
the United States Golf Association (USGA), any putter which is
intended to be "legal" for USGA sanctioned play shall be designed
such that "the axis of the shaft from the top to a point not more
than five inches above the sole shall diverge from the vertical by
at least 10.degree. in relation to the horizontal line determining
length of head." Consequently, unless a putter is designed with
this side angle of at least 10.degree., a feature conventional
croquet-style putters do not have, it will not be a "legal" putter.
The USGA rules also require that the golfer stand to one side of
the intended path rather than being positioned such that a line
extension of this intended path is located between the feet.
[0015] Putting principles are also described U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,679,207 and 4,227,694. Each of the above inventions addresses one
or several of the three most important elements of successful
putting which are: 1) orienting the putter head such that at the
point of impact the head face is perpendicular to the desired path
for the ball to travel, 2) impacting the ball at its centerline,
and 3) swinging the putter with a smooth motion in line with the
desired direction of ball travel.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,228 teaches that there are various
problems related to putting which golfers have attempted to
overcome in their search for the ultimate putter.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,207 teaches the use of a modified
croquet style of putting using a long shaft putter. This long shaft
putter helps the golfer by allowing the use of a similar stance and
body/putter relationship under varying conditions. While the
position and stance variation problems with putters used in a
modified croquet style is alleviated by this configuration, the
golfer's body has a tendency to twist as the putter is swung. This
twisting results in a roundhouse swing at the ball which makes
hitting the ball centerline with the putter face perpendicular to
the desired path of ball travel very difficult to consistently
accomplish.
[0018] The putter of U.S. Pat. No. 3,170,690 uses a rigid shaft
hinged to a rigid handle which, due to its employment of a
pendulum-like principle, enables the golfer to more consistently
impact the putter head at the ball centerline. While the putter is
an improvement over non-pendulum putters, the bi-directional hinged
construction uses a singular pivot axis which is difficult to align
with the desired ball path. This construction also makes the ball
roll distance difficult to control.
[0019] The invention of U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,323 is also difficult
to maintain in proper alignment. In this patent, the bearing faces
located at the putter top have a singular pivot axis and must be in
correct alignment with the desired ball path. Because of the small
size of the club's gripping device, it is difficult to appreciate
its alignment with the desired ball path; consequently, aiming the
putter is relatively difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention provides a new and improved golf
putter with a particular head weight and putter weight distribution
selected to provide improved putting.
[0021] Other objects, features, and advantages of the instant
invention, in its details of construction and arrangement of parts,
will be seen from the above, from the following description of the
preferred embodiment when considered in light of the drawings and
the appended claims.
[0022] The putter has a selected length L (FIG. 7) of 32-37 inches
from the bottom of a heel of the head to the upper end of the
shaft, typically 32-36 inches, 430-550 gram clubhead with
sufficient counter weight to put center of mass (gravity) 20% to
50%, 25% to 40%, or 30% to 50% of the length "L" of the putter up
from the bottom of the heel of the clubhead.
[0023] Typically, the center of mass (gravity) is 30% to 40%, 30 to
35%, 35 to 45%, or 40 to 45% of the length "L" of the putter up
from the bottom of the heel of the clubhead. Thus, a typical center
of mass (gravity) of may be 31, 32 or 33% of the length "L" of the
putter up from the bottom of the heel of the clubhead.
[0024] If desired the clubhead may have removable weights,
preferably removable heel and toe weights.
[0025] The club does not have a split grip as it is intended to be
gripped as is a regular putter.
[0026] The putter of the present invention would be a substantially
different and better putter than a conventional putter of the same
length (330-350 gram clubhead with no counter weight.).
[0027] The present putter typically provides a number of benefits.
It improves stroke, including more consistent swing path, more
consistent and controlled acceleration. The ball rolls better
because higher center of gravity reduces whip (less angular
velocity at lower portion of shaft and clubhead). It provides a
higher moment of inertia due to extreme heel-toe weighting and
heavy head (larger sweet spot). Also, heavier mass reduces putter
acceleration for given hand force (acceleration equals force
divided by mass) and for same reason less variability in
acceleration given differences in hand force. This allows more
consistent control of distance. Also, the present putter allows a
more full stroke on fast greens and downhill putts instead of a
tiny jab.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 depicts fragmented views of the present putter.
[0029] FIG. 2 depicts the manner in which the present putter is
used by a golfer in a traditional crouched stance with a golf ball
directly below the eyes of a golfer.
[0030] FIG. 3 graphically depicts the approximate location of the
center of gravity of the present putter.
[0031] FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the head of the present
putter.
[0032] FIG. 5 depicts a back view of the head of the present
putter.
[0033] FIG. 6 depicts a cross-section of a portion of a handle of
the present putter to show a typical counterweight location.
[0034] FIG. 7 schematically shows the present putter.
[0035] FIG. 8 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the instant
putter having an enclosed space in the head of the putter.
[0036] FIG. 9 depicts a second embodiment of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 10 depicts a third embodiment of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 11 depicts a schematic cross-sectional front view of a
fourth embodiment of the invention with removable weights placed
through a top wall of the clubhead. The cross-section cut to expose
the respective diameters of clubhead heel and toe weights.
[0039] FIG. 12 depicts a photograph of the embodiment of FIG.
11.
[0040] FIG. 13 depicts a photograph shows a set of typical clubhead
weights and shaft counterweights usable in the embodiment of the
putter of FIG. 12.
[0041] FIG. 14 shows a schematic cross-sectional top view of a
fifth embodiment of the invention with removable weights placed
through a back wall of the clubhead. The cross-section is made at
about the midpoint of the height of the clubhead to expose the
respective diameters of clubhead heel and toe weights.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] As specifically depicted in FIG. 1, the present invention
discloses a golf putter 10 for use by a golfer in playing golf. The
putter 10 includes a shaft 1 and a clubhead 2. The clubhead 2 has a
back 24, a face 22 (FIG. 4), a heel 6 and a toe 7 (FIG. 1). The
clubhead 2 is integral with or attached to the shaft 1.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows the manner in which the present putter is used
by a golfer in a traditional crouched stance with a golf ball
directly below the eyes of the golfer and the arms of the golfer
hanging from the shoulders such that the hands of the golfer and
the handle of the putter are away from the body of the golfer.
[0044] The shaft 1 includes a handle portion 3 integral with or
attached to the remainder of the shaft 1. The putter 10 has a
selected length L (FIG. 7) of 32-37 inches, typically 32-36 inches
from the heel 6 to the upper end of the shaft 1.
[0045] The putter 10 has a selected 430-550 gram clubhead 2 with
sufficient counter weight to put center of mass (also known as
center of gravity) of the putter 20% to 50%, 25% to 40%, or 30% to
50% of length "L" up the shaft from the bottom of the heel 6 of the
clubhead 2. Typically, the clubhead 2 weight ranges from 450 to 520
grams. Also, typically the counter weight puts the center of mass
of the putter 30% to 40%, 30 to 35%, 35 to 45%, or 40 to 45%, of
length "L" up the shaft from the bottom of the heel 6 of the
clubhead 2.
[0046] The clubhead may be a single piece or have multiple
pieces.
[0047] If desired, the clubhead may have removable weights,
preferably removable heel and toe weights. For example, the
clubhead may have a base weight of 300 to 430 grams, 350 to 430
grams or 400 to 430 grams and be provided with weight pockets into
which weights are placed to increase the clubhead weight above its
base weight. For example, weights in increments of 10 to 25 grams,
e.g., 10, 15, 20 or 25 grams, could be provides to increase heel
and/or toe weight each by as much as 100 grams (as much as 200
grams total added weight) while achieving the desired clubhead
weight.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 11, weight cylinders 312 are placed into
the weight pockets 310 which open through the top wall 330 of the
club head. The weight cylinders 312 have a longitudinal through
hole through which a screw 320 passes and screws into a threaded
opening 322 in the clubhead 300 at the bottom of the weight pocket
310. The screw 320 has an opening 324 for an Allen wrench or any
other suitable turning means.
[0049] FIG. 12 shows a photograph of an embodiment of the clubhead
300 of a putter of the present invention having weight pockets open
through the top wall of the clubhead. Thus, the weights typically
could increase the heel weight and toe weight by as much as 100
grams each (200 grams total).
[0050] FIG. 13 shows a photograph showing a set of weights 390
including a variety of typical clubhead weights in the foreground
of the photograph and shaft counterweights in the background of the
photograph usable in the embodiment of the putter of FIG. 12.
[0051] FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of a clubhead 400 in which
weight cylinders 412 are placed into weight pockets 410 which open
through a back wall 430 of the club head. The weight cylinders 412
have a longitudinal through hole through which a screw 420 passes
and screws into a threaded opening 422 in the clubhead 400 at an
inner end of the weight pocket 410. The screw 420 has an opening
424 for an Allen wrench or any other suitable turning means.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the handle portion 3 of the shaft 1 is
covered by one grip 4. The grip 4 runs continuously from its upper
end 12 a length D of about 10 inches to about 16 inches, typically,
from about 10 inches to about 12 inches. The remainder of the shaft
1 has a length F such that, combined with the length D of the grip
4 and the downward length of the clubhead 2, the putter 10 has the
desired overall length L.
[0053] The putter 10 has a single grip 4, rather than a split grip,
as the putter 10 is intended to be gripped as a regular putter held
conventionally a distance below the navel or abdomen of the golfer.
The overall length "L" of the putter 10 (FIG. 7) is sufficiently
short for the putter to be held conventionally a distance below the
navel or abdomen of the golfer. Typical head dimensions (FIG. 4)
include a width "A" of about 3-4 inches, a length "B" of about 5
inches, and a face height "C" of about 1 inch. Face heights range
typically from about 3/4 to about 1 inch.
[0054] The shaft 1 may be constructed of substantially any
conventional material of construction or any known combination of
such materials; including but not limited to: iron, steel,
titanium, lead, nickel, aluminum, brass, bronze, tungsten and the
like; as well as any conventionally known plastic or plastic
composite, including but not limited to: carbon fiber composite,
fiberglass, and the like used alone or in any suitable
combination
[0055] Suitable materials of construction for the clubhead 2, e.g.,
clubhead weights (if any), include any conventionally known
material or combination of such materials currently used for this
purpose, including but not limited to: iron, steel, lead, nickel,
brass, bronze, tungsten, combinations thereof and the like. Of the
foregoing, steel, lead, nickel and brass are more typical. The head
2 is permanently fixed to one end of the shaft 1, by any
conventional arrangement known in the art; including but not
limited to: mechanical fixing, including but not limited to: screw
and thread, and the like; permanent bonding, including but not
limited to: welding, brazing, gluing, cementing, and the like.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the head 2 may be provided with a
hollow in the back 24 behind the face 22.
[0057] FIG. 8 shows a head 102 of solid metal having a back 124 and
a face 122.
[0058] The handle portion 3 may be constructed as a separate
portion of the shaft 1, or merely as an extension of the remainder
of shaft 1. If constructed as a separate section, the handle 3 is
permanently fixed to the other end of the shaft 1 in the same or
similar manner as the head 2. Regardless of whether the handle
portion 3 is integral or separate relative to the remainder of the
shaft 1, the handle portion 3 may be constructed of substantially
any conventional material of construction or any known combination
of such materials; including but not limited to: iron, steel,
titanium, nickel, lead, aluminum, brass, bronze, and the like; as
well as any conventionally known plastic or plastic composite,
including but not limited to: carbon fiber composite, fiberglass,
and the like.
[0059] Further included in the handle 3 is a counterweight 26 (FIG.
6) fixedly positioned substantially near or within the hand grip 4
sufficient to provide the putter with a higher than normal center
of gravity. The exact location of the counterweight will depend on
its weight and the weights of other elements of the putter 10.
Thus, the entire counterweight need not be within the handle
portion depending on its weight and the weights of other elements
of the putter 10.
[0060] In an alternative, the counterweight 126 could be placed to
encircle the outside perimeter of the handle portion 3 of the shaft
1 below a grip 104 (FIG. 9).
[0061] In another alternative, portions of the shaft can be
designed to integrally provide the desired center of gravity. For
example, the wall or material of the handle portion 226 at least
partially covered by a grip 204 could be made thicker or otherwise
heavier than the remainder of the shaft 1 (FIG. 10).
[0062] Generally, the shaft and handle are sufficiently stiff to
avoid undue flexing during putting.
[0063] The grip 4 may be constructed from any known grip material,
including but not limited to: leather, plastic, rubber, metal,
wood, and the like. Leather is most preferred where esthetics are
concerned. Rubber is most preferred where economy is concerned.
[0064] The present invention controls the putter weight
distribution, rather than split the grip into upper and lower
grips, to give a golfer better leverage to control the heavy putter
head.
[0065] FIG. 3 graphically depicts the approximate location of the
center of gravity 8 of an embodiment of the instant putter. Further
a general description of the concept of center of gravity of golf
clubs is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,923, with particular
reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No.
5,671,923 is incorporated herein by reference.
[0066] The term "sweet spot" (and its variants), as used herein,
means: that area on a club face which should come into contact with
a golf ball to give the greatest and straightest flight to the ball
and the best handling feeling. The sweet spot is an area about the
"center of percussion." The center of percussion is generally a
small part of the club face, wherein there is very little or no
torque when this part of the club face contacts the golf ball. In
general use, the sweet spot is the area about the center of
percussion over which this torque is non-existent or substantially
not noticeable by a golfer.
[0067] In many conventional configurations, the mass of the club
head is concentrated just behind the sweet spot to provide the
desired characteristics. With the mass so concentrated, the sweet
spot tends to be relatively small. This would thus make it more
difficult for most golfers to consistently cause the sweet spot to
come into contact with the ball. Missing the sweet spot usually
causes the ball to travel a considerably lesser distance and often
contributes to the tendency to "push" or "pull" the ball (to the
right or left, respectively). The techniques to broaden the sweet
spot generally provide a means to concentrate the weight of the
club head in the heel and the toe rather than directly behind the
sweet spot. In one particular design, the head is fabricated of a
relatively light material and inserts of denser material are
provided in the area of the heel and toe of the club head. In
another design, the portion of the club head directly behind the
club's ball-striking face is removed so that the weight is
necessarily located in other portions of the head, namely the toe
and heel portions. In both of these designs the sweet spot is
indeed broadened, however, the striking face of each of these clubs
would lack the stiffness needed to advantageously utilize the
elastic energy generated in the golf ball if it is not made thick
enough. This stiffness is needed in order to preclude any
deformation of the face, under impact, that would tend to increase
the area of contact between the face of the ball and thus dissipate
energy in the club head instead of imparting it to the ball.
Physical Considerations
[0068] To most fully understand the instant invention,
consideration must be given to the physical principles that have
been exploited in support of it; namely inertia of motion and
inertia of rest.
Inertia of Motion--Inertia of Rest
[0069] It is well known physical principle that a body in motion
tends to stay in motion; the greater the mass of a moving object,
the greater its inertia or momentum of motion. When the momentum of
motion of a body is increased, a correspondingly greater force is
required to cause it to deviate from its prescribed path. Thus, by
providing a putter head having a substantially greater mass than
known by the prior art, it would take a correspondingly greater
deviating force, i.e., an unintended or involuntary muscle twitch
or the like, to otherwise spoil a golfer's intended stroke.
[0070] It is an equally well known physical principle that a body
at rest tends to stay at rest; the greater the mass of a body at
rest, the more likely it will stay at rest. The present invention
exploits this principle by providing a counterweight 26 (FIG. 6) of
substantial mass in the handle 3 of the instant putter 10 proximate
the hand grip 4, at about the point that the golfer pivots the
putter 10 after committing to a putt stroke. This achieves a putter
having a head of substantial mass while also having a relatively
normal center of gravity to facilitate putting. The mass of the
counterweight 26 can be readily approximated by the general
formula: m.sub.1d.sub.1=m.sub.2(1-d.sub.1) where: [0071]
m.sub.1=the mass of the putter head [0072] d.sub.1=the distance of
the center of gravity of the putter head to the overall center of
gravity of the putter [0073] m.sub.2=the mass of the counterweight
to be approximated; and, [0074] l=the overall length of the
putter
[0075] Although lead is a preferred material of construction for
the instant counterweight 26, any other commonly known such
material would be suitable. As the mass of the point is increased,
its tendency to remain at rest is increased. Thus, as is the case
of the instant putter head 2, by providing a substantial mass at
about the instant pivot point, its tendency to move or be moved,
after the golfer commits to a putt stroke, is correspondingly
diminished. Thus, as in the case of the instant putter head, an
increased mass at the instant pivot point would require a
correspondingly increased force such as an unintended or
involuntary muscle twitch and the like, to deviate it from the
golfer's intended stroke.
DEFINITIONS
[0076] Typically, the club has an angle "A" (FIG. 5) between the
shaft 1 and the head 2 less than about 90.degree. and more than
about 45.degree..
[0077] The term "of greater than conventional mass" (and its
variants) as to the novel head disclosed herein, means: a golf club
head having a mass greater than any other known conventional golf
club head. The term is intended to relate to golf club heads in
general, and putter heads in particular. Typically, such a mass is
defined by the range of at least greater than about 16 ounces.
[0078] The term "conventional crouched stance" (and its variants)
as used herein, relates to that bodily stance that a golfer
typically assumes when preparing to strike a golf ball with a golf
club in general; and, a putter in particular. Such a stance is in
part distinguishable from other atypical stances, less often used
in the game of golf, such as a croquet stance.
EXAMPLE
Heavy Putter.TM. vs. Leading Brand Putter
[0079] The following describes a test conducted at the Hank Haney
Golf Ranch, Mckinney, Tex. Oct. 18-Nov. 10, 2004, Conducted by:
Marius Filmalter and Pierre Noizet, who are not inventors
[0080] Purpose
[0081] Heavy Putter.TM. LLC contacted Research Projects, a company
created by Marius Filmalter and Pierre Noize, and together they
developed and implemented a procedure to test whether the Heavy
Putter.TM. golf putter produces a more consistent and accurate
putting stroke than a conventional leading brand putter.
[0082] Procedure
[0083] There are two variables that determine whether a golfer
holes putts--Distance and Direction. Using the `Super Sam` Putting
Analysis device at the Hank Haney Golf Ranch in McKinney Tex.,
Marius Filmalter and Pierre Noize tested 72 golfers of varying
levels of ability. The golfers were asked to make 5 putts with the
Heavy Putter.TM. golf putter of the present invention and five
putts with a leading brand conventional putter. The Super Sam
device recorded the results for the following velocity and
direction variables:
[0084] Distance
[0085] Maximum Acceleration during the Stroke
[0086] Maximum Velocity during the Stroke
[0087] Acceleration directly after Impact
[0088] Direction
[0089] Putter Head Alignment at Impact
[0090] Putter Head Path Direction at Impact
[0091] Putter Face Alignment in Relation to Path at Impact
[0092] Combined
[0093] Impact Spot on the Putter Face
[0094] Next, Marius and Pierre employed statistical analysis
software to test the variables. The statistical validity of the
results was then confirmed by a Marketing Research Professor, B. P.
S Murthi, PhD, of the University of Texas at Dallas.
[0095] For each putter, the variables were tested on a basis of
accuracy and consistency:
[0096] Accuracy was determined by comparing the mean value of a
variable versus the optimal value for that variable. For example,
the optimal value for Putter Head alignment at impact is zero
degrees in relation to the target. If tests proved, that for each
variable the means of the two samples were different, then the one
closest to the optimal value would be more accurate.
[0097] Consistency was determined by comparing the standard
deviation of a variable for each sample. If tests proved, that for
each variable the variances of the two samples were different, then
the smallest Standard deviation of the two would be more
consistent.
[0098] Results (Combined Variables)
[0099] Impact Spot on the Putter Face--Test Statistics are
summarized in TABLE A
[0100] Measured in millimeters from the center (sweet spot) of the
putter
[0101] Optimal Value of Mean=0
[0102] Optimal Value of Standard Deviation=0
[0103] F Value=2.00
[0104] Pr>F=0.0001
[0105] t value=2.64
[0106] Pr>|t|=0.0086 TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A LeadingBrand
HeavyPutter Mean (1.246) 0.135 Standard Deviation 5.610 3.976
Coefficient of Variance (4.504) 29.348 Minimum (20.870) (8.810)
Maximum 21.030 18.980 Range 41.900 27.790 Difference in Range
14.110 % Difference in Range 33.7% Difference in Coeff of Var
(33.851) % Difference in Coeff of Var -751.6% Difference in St.
Dev. 1.633 % Difference in St Dev 29.1% Difference in Mean 1.110 %
Difference in Mean 89.1%
[0107] Statistical Conclusions
[0108] Since Pr>F<0.05 the Variances are different at a
99.99% confidence level. The Standard Deviation of the Heavy
Putter.TM. is lesser than that of the leading brand putter and
therefore the Heavy Putter.TM. is more consistent.
[0109] Since Pr>|t|<0.05 the Means are different at a 99.14%
confidence level. The Impact Spot of the Heavy Putter.TM. is more
accurate since its mean is closer to zero.
[0110] Statistical Analysis
[0111] Heavy Putter.TM. produces a mean that is 89% closer to
zero.
[0112] Heavy Putter.TM. produces a standard deviation that is 28%
closer to zero.
[0113] Conclusion: Heavy Putter.TM. produces a more consistent and
more accurate Impact spot.
[0114] Conclusions
[0115] Distance
[0116] The Heavy Putter.TM. needs less acceleration to produce the
same velocity as the leading brand putter. It therefore seems that
the golfer influences the dynamic energy of the club to a lesser
extent. Because it is more consistent on all three variables,
Maximum Acceleration, Maximum Velocity, and Acceleration after
Impact, we conclude that The Heavy Putter.TM. produces better speed
control than the leading brand putter.
[0117] Direction
[0118] The alignment of the Heavy Putter's at impact is more
accurate than the Leading Brand Putter which implies that the Heavy
Putter.TM. head remains squarer through impact. This produces putts
that are more accurate in respect to their intended target
line.
[0119] Compared to that of the Leading Brand Putter, Heavy
Putter.TM. produces a more consistent Putter Head Path at impact. A
consistent path allows a golfer to repeatedly stroke the putts on
the intended direction.
[0120] The Heavy Putter.TM. has a more consistent Putter Head
Alignment in Relation to Path than the Leading Brand Putter. This
implies that the Heavy Putter.TM. produces putts with better
direction. A consistent face alignment combined with a consistent
path maximizes the golfer's ability to putt the ball on his or her
intended line.
[0121] Combined
[0122] Compared to the Leading Brand Putter, the Heavy Putter.TM.
produces more consistent and accurate impact on the sweet spot of
the putter face which results in greater distance and directional
control.
[0123] Although the invention has been described with reference to
certain preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the
broad principles of the invention. Hence, it is intended that the
preferred embodiments and all of such variations and modifications
be included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *