U.S. patent application number 12/561286 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-17 for golf putters having centrally aligned hosels.
Invention is credited to J. Keith Johnson.
Application Number | 20110065525 12/561286 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43731120 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110065525 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; J. Keith |
March 17, 2011 |
GOLF PUTTERS HAVING CENTRALLY ALIGNED HOSELS
Abstract
Golf putters having centrally aligned hosels are disclosed
herein. According to an embodiment of the presently disclosed
subject matter, a golf putter includes a head defining a surface
for striking a golf ball. The putter also includes an elongated
shaft having an axis spaced forwardly a predetermined distance from
a plane containing the striking surface. Further, the putter
includes a hosel connected to an end of the shaft. The hosel is
connected to a portion of the head substantially aligned with a
center of the golf ball when the head lies in striking position
with respect to the golf ball.
Inventors: |
Johnson; J. Keith;
(Smithfield, NC) |
Family ID: |
43731120 |
Appl. No.: |
12/561286 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/313 ;
473/314; 473/340 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0487 20130101;
A63B 53/02 20130101; A63B 53/0441 20200801; A63B 60/00 20151001;
A63B 53/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/313 ;
473/340; 473/314 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/02 20060101
A63B053/02; A63B 53/04 20060101 A63B053/04 |
Claims
1. A golf putter comprising: a head defining a surface for striking
a golf ball; an elongated shaft having an axis spaced forwardly a
predetermined distance from a plane containing the striking
surface; and a hosel connected to an end of the shaft, wherein the
hosel is connected to a portion of the head substantially aligned
with a center of the golf ball when the head lies in striking
position with respect to the golf ball.
2. The gold putter of claim 1, wherein the striking surface is
substantially flat.
3. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the head is formed of
heavier material than the material forming the hosel and the
shaft.
4. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the hosel extends between
the end of the shaft and the plane containing the striking
surface.
5. The golf putter of claim 4, wherein the hosel is connected to a
portion of the head in the plane containing the striking
surface.
6. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein a portion of the hosel
inclines upwardly from the connection at the portion of the head
towards the shaft.
7. The golf putter of claim 6, wherein the shaft comprises a handle
portion, and wherein the axis of the shaft inclines upwardly from
the connection at the hosel towards the handle portion.
8. The golf putter of claim 7, wherein the upward incline of the
axis of the shaft is greater than the upward incline of the portion
of the shaft.
9. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the hosel is substantially
straight in shape.
10. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the hosel forms an angle of
about 30.degree. with an extended axis of the shaft.
11. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the shaft is positioned
such that the axis extended intersects at least a portion of the
golf ball when the head lies in striking position with respect to
the golf ball.
12. A golf putter comprising: a head defining a substantially flat
surface for striking a golf ball; an elongated shaft having an axis
spaced forwardly a predetermined distance from a plane containing
the striking surface; and a hosel being substantially straight and
being connected to an end of the shaft, wherein the hosel is
connected to a portion of the head substantially aligned with a
center of the golf ball when the head lies in striking position
with respect to the golf ball, wherein a portion of the hosel
inclines upwardly from the connection at the portion of the head
towards the shaft, and wherein the axis of the shaft inclines
upwardly from the connection at the hosel towards the handle
portion.
13. The gold putter of claim 12, wherein the striking surface is
substantially flat.
14. The golf putter of claim 12, wherein the head is formed of
heavier material than the material forming the hosel and the
shaft.
15. The golf putter of claim 12, wherein the hosel extends between
the end of the shaft and the plane containing the striking
surface.
16. The golf putter of claim 12, wherein the hosel is connected to
a portion of the head in the plane containing the striking
surface.
17. The golf putter of claim 12, wherein the shaft comprises a
handle portion, and wherein the axis of the shaft inclines upwardly
from the connection at the hosel towards the handle portion.
18. The golf putter of claim 17, wherein the upward incline of the
axis of the shaft is greater than the upward incline of the portion
of the shaft.
19. The golf putter of claim 12, wherein the hosel forms an angle
of about 30.degree. with an extended axis of the shaft.
20. The golf putter of claim 12, wherein the shaft is positioned
such that the axis extended intersects at least a portion of the
golf ball when the head lies in striking position with respect to
the golf ball.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a golf
putter. Particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter
relates to a golf putter having a hosel connected to a portion of
the putter's head in substantial alignment with a center of a golf
ball when the head lies in striking position with respect to the
golf ball.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The popularity of the game of golf has increased
substantially over the years. As with all games, players are eager
to improve their performance, whether in comparison to a previous
personal best or with other players. However, golf can be
particularly difficult to play well. One area of golf that is
particularly difficult is putting. As a result, many variations of
golf putters have been developed for improving golf players'
putting performance. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for
improved putters for improving players' overall performance in the
game of golf.
SUMMARY
[0003] Golf putters having centrally aligned hosels are disclosed
herein. According to an embodiment of the presently disclosed
subject matter, a golf putter includes a head defining a surface
for striking a golf ball. The putter also includes an elongated
shaft having an axis spaced forwardly a predetermined distance from
a plane containing the striking surface. Further, the putter
includes a hosel connected to an end of the shaft. The hosel is
connected to a portion of the head substantially aligned with a
center of the golf ball when the head lies in striking position
with respect to the golf ball.
[0004] The golf putters disclosed herein can improve player
performance by making the player feel that he or she is striking
the ball's upper, rear quadrant with the hosel. Further, the golf
putter described herein helps to improve golf player performance by
encouraging the golfer to keep his or her head and body still
during the putting motion. Further, players are encouraged by the
design described herein to keep the putter head low during the
initial (or take-away) putting motion. Players are also encouraged
by the design described herein to keep his or her wrist at a proper
angle for putting. The design also encourages a slight
inside-to-inside putting motion and reduces the likelihood of
deceleration of the putter head during putting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when
read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of
illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments;
however, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to
the specific instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putter in accordance
with an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front view of the bottom of the putter shown in
FIG. 1 showing the putter head, hosel, and lower end of the
shaft;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of the putter head, hosel and lower
end of the shaft shown in FIG. 2; and
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top view of the putter head and hosel shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The presently disclosed subject matter is described with
specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the
description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this
patent. Rather, the inventor has contemplated that the claimed
subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include
different elements similar to the ones described in this document,
in conjunction with other present or future technologies.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a golf putter,
generally designated 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the
disclosed subject matter. The putter 100 generally comprises a
shaft 102, a hosel 104, and a putter head 106. The shaft 102, in
the embodiment shown, is straight with a handle 108 and an end 110
that is connected to one end 112 of the hosel 104 at an angle. An
opposing end 114 of the hosel 104 is connected to the putter head
106 at an angle. The shaft 102 can be made of metal, composite
fibers, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material.
[0012] Referring also to FIGS. 2-4, the hosel 104 and the putter
head 106 are shown enlarged. The hosel 104 can be made of metal,
composite fibers, combinations thereof, or any other suitable
material. The hosel 104 is substantially straight and forms an
angle of about 30.degree. with an extended axis 200 of the shaft
102. However, the formed angle may any other suitable angle. For
example, the angle may be between about 25.degree. and about
30.degree., or even in the range of between about 0.degree. and
about 90.degree.. The hosel 104 extends from its connection to the
shaft end 110 in a direction opposing a ball striking direction,
which is generally indicated by direction arrow 202. Thus, the
hosel 104 extends from its connection to the shaft end 110 towards
a ball striking surface 204 of the putter head 106. In FIGS. 2-4,
the striking surface 204 is shown in a position at which a golf
ball (indicated by circular-shaped broken line) 205 is struck after
generally moving in the direction of direction arrow 202. The head
106 is shown striking the ball 205 at the ball's equator E.
[0013] Referring now to FIG. 3, the shaft's extended axis 200 is
spaced forwardly a predetermined distance from a plane 206
containing the head's striking surface 204. The distance is between
about 0.5 inches and about 0.75 inches. Alternatively, the distance
can be any suitable distance, such as, for example, anywhere
between about 0 inches and 3 inches. However, the shaft's extended
axis 200 can be spaced from the plane 206 any suitable distance.
The hosel 104 is connected to the head at a portion that is
substantially in the plane 206.
[0014] The striking surface 204 is substantially flat. However, the
striking surface may alternatively be any other suitable shape. In
addition, the striking portion 204 may be of any suitable shape and
size.
[0015] During normal use of the putter 100, the player should keep
the bottom 212 of the head 104 slightly above the ground G in order
to have a smooth swing. FIGS. 2 and 3 shows this spacing or gap.
Golf balls are all substantially the same size. For example, golf
ball diameters are typically about 1.68 inches (42 mm). The putter
100 may be used with any size golf ball. The head 106 is sized and
shaped to provide a point of contact, if the putter is used
correctly within the normal standards of using a putter.
[0016] The putter head 106 can be made of a suitable material such
as brass, steel, or the like. However, any suitable material could
be used. The putter head 106 may be formed of a heavier material
than the material forming the shaft 102 and/or the hosel 104.
[0017] The putter head 106 has a main body 208 with a top 210, a
bottom 212, a heel 214, a toe 216, and a rear end 218. In the
embodiment shown, the main body 208 has a general block shape with
smooth edges. However, the main body may have any suitable shape.
Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the hosel's end 114 is connected
to a portion of the head 106 substantially aligned along a
horizontal direction (indicated by opposing direction arrows 220)
with a center of the head's striking surface 204. Further, an
extended axis 222 of the hosel 104 also substantially aligns with
the center of the head's striking surface 204. As a result of the
alignments, the player feels that the ball 205 is the primary
target, rather than the golf hole, when putting with the putter
100. Further, the alignments makes the player feel that he or she
is striking the ball's upper, rear quadrant with the hosel 104.
This also helps the player align a putt with the target hole.
[0018] Further, the golf putter described herein helps to improve
golf player performance by encouraging the golfer to keep his or
her head and body still during the putting motion. Further, players
are encouraged by the design described herein to keep the putter
head low during the initial (or take-away) putting motion. Players
are also encouraged by the design described herein to keep his or
her wrist at a proper angle for putting. The design also encourages
a slight inside-to-inside putting motion and reduces the likelihood
of deceleration of the putter head during putting.
[0019] Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the shaft 104 is shown
extending from the end 114. The axis 200 of shaft 104 forms an
angle B of about 10.degree. with a line 400 that is normal to a
striking surface 204. Alternatively, the angle B can be any other
suitable angle, such as, for example, between about 0.degree. and
about 90.degree.. However, the angle can be any other angle.
[0020] It is noted that there is a basic difference between an
ordinary golf shot (with a drive or iron) and a golf putt. The two
types of swings basically have inverse functions. An ordinary
non-putting golf shot is intended to cause the golf ball to become
airborne and, when the ball is struck properly, create a back spin
and/or a side spin on the ball. A putting golf shot is intended to
cause the golf ball to remain on the ground and roll smoothly with
a top spin. The presently disclosed subject matter provides an
improved putter adapted to cause the golf ball to remain on the
ground and initially roll with a top spin.
[0021] While the embodiments have been described in connection with
the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be
understood that other similar embodiments may be used or
modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment
for performing the same function without deviating therefrom.
Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should not be limited to any
single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and
scope in accordance with the appended claims.
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