U.S. patent application number 13/901745 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for putting practice aid.
The applicant listed for this patent is Patrick Lambert. Invention is credited to Patrick Lambert.
Application Number | 20130324278 13/901745 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49670919 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130324278 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lambert; Patrick |
December 5, 2013 |
PUTTING PRACTICE AID
Abstract
The putting practice aid mounts on the front face of the putter
head and provides a horizontal arm extending in the opposite
direction of the intended initial trajectory of the putted golf
ball and a second arm perpendicular to the intended trajectory.
When these arms are maintained parallel to the putting surface it
assures that the golfer has positioned the shaft at the correct
angle relative to the putting surface and that the golfer has
correctly aimed the club. The putting practice aid may also
comprise an observable coating on the surface of the indicator side
of the attachment tab which facilitates establishment of a proper
angle between the surface of the face of the putter head and the
putting surface. The design of the putting aid allows for use with
commercially available putters of varying loft and accommodates
handedness preferences. The concepts included in the putting
practice aid may be directly incorporated into a putter, which
itself then becomes a putting training device.
Inventors: |
Lambert; Patrick; (LaPlace,
LA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lambert; Patrick |
LaPlace |
LA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49670919 |
Appl. No.: |
13/901745 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61653469 |
May 31, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/255 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/3685 20130101;
A63B 2214/00 20200801; A63B 2209/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/255 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Claims
1) A putting practice aid attachable to a putter having a putter
face, said putting practice aid comprising: a) a first arm, a
second arm, and an attachment tab; b) wherein said putter face
forms an angle with a putting surface of between 81 degrees and 93
degrees; c) wherein said first arm is substantially longer than it
is wide, where said first arm is attachable so that said first arm
is substantially on the side of the putter opposite the putter
face, and points in a direction of an intended trajectory of the
golf ball; d) wherein said first arm is connected to said second
arm forming a right angle with said second arm; e) wherein said
second arm is substantially longer than it is wide, and where said
second arm points in a direction perpendicular to said intended
trajectory of the ball; f) wherein said first arm and said second
arm fall within a first plane; g) wherein said second arm has a
side of said second arm that is opposite the location of said first
arm; h) wherein said attachment tab is connected to said side of
said second arm; i) wherein said attachment tab falls within a
second plane that is perpendicular to said first plane; j) wherein
said attachment tab has an indicator side of said attachment tab
and an attachment side of said attachment tab; k) wherein said
indicator side of said attachment tab falls in said second plane;
l) wherein said attachment side of said attachment tab forms at
least one angle with said putting surface of between 87 degrees and
99 degrees; and m) wherein a means of attachment attaches said
attachment side of said attachment tab to said putter face.
2) The putting practice aid of claim 1, wherein said first arm and
said second arm are parallel to said putting surface and said
indicator tab is in a plane perpendicular to said putting surface
when said putter is held in a correct position.
3) The putting practice aid of claim 1, wherein the sum of said
angle between said attachment side of said attachment tab and said
putting surface and said angle between said putter face and said
putting surface is substantially 180 degrees.
4) The putting practice aid of claim 1, wherein a shim is added
between the putter face and the attachment side of the attachment
tab such that the sum of the angle of the shim, said angle between
said attachment side of said attachment tab and said putting
surface and said angle between said putter face and said putting
surface is substantially 180 degrees.
5) The putting practice aid of claim 1, wherein said putting
practicing aid is removably attachable to said putter face.
6) The putting practice aid of claim 1, where said angle between
said attachment side of said attachment tab and said putting
surface is substantially 93 degrees.
7) The putting practice aid of claim 1, where the indicator side of
the attachment tab has an observable coating.
8) The putting practice aid of claim 1, wherein the means of
attachment include an adhesive material.
9. A putter, said putter comprising: a) a putter head and a putting
aid tab; b) whereas said putter head has a putter face, and a upper
surface; c) where said upper surface of said putter head is in a
first plane that is parallel to a putting surface, and forms an
angle with said putter face of between substantially 81 degrees and
substantially 93; d) whereas said putting aid tab is connected to
said upper surface of said putter head; e) whereas said putting aid
tab comprises at least one indicator surface that falls in a plane
that is perpendicular to said plane that encompasses said upper
surface of said putter head; and f) whereas said at least one
indicator surface falls in a second plane which is perpendicular to
said putting surface.
10) The putter of claim 9, wherein said putting aid tab has two
indicator surfaces.
11) The putter of claim 9, wherein said putting aid tab is
permanently attached to said upper surface of said putter head.
12) The putter of claim 9, wherein said putting aid tab is
removably attachable to said putter face.
13) A method for training putting technique, comprising: a)
providing an apparatus comprising: i) a putter having a putter face
and a putting practice aid; ii) wherein while putting, said putter
face forms an angle with a putting surface between substantially 81
degrees and substantially 93 degrees; iii) wherein the putting aid
comprises a first arm, a second arm, and an attachment tab: iv)
wherein said first arm is substantially longer than it is wide,
where said first arm is located on the side of the putter opposite
the putter face, and extends in a direction of an intended
trajectory of the golf ball; v) wherein said first arm is attached
to said second arm forming a substantially 90 degree angle with
said second arm; vi) wherein said second arm is substantially
longer than it is wide, and where said second arm extends in a
direction perpendicular to said intended trajectory of the ball;
vii) wherein said first arm and said second arm are located within
a first plane; viii) wherein said second arm has a side of said
second arm that is opposite the side of said second arm where said
second arm attaches to said first arm and is in a second plane that
is perpendicular to said first plane; ix) wherein said attachment
tab is connected to said side of said second arm; x) wherein said
attachment tab falls within a within a second plane that is
perpendicular to said first plane; xi) wherein said attachment tab
comprises an indicator side of said attachment tab and an
attachment side of said attachment tab; xii) wherein said indicator
side of said attachment tab is located in said second plane; xiii)
wherein said attachment side of said attachment tab forms at least
one angle with the putting of between substantially 87 degrees and
substantially 99 degrees; xiv) wherein an attachment means attaches
said second side of said attachment tab to said putter face; b)
aiming said putter face by aligning said first arm in said
direction of an intended trajectory of the golf ball; c) leveling
said putter face by maintaining said first arm in a position that
is parallel to said putting surface; d) leveling said putter face
by maintaining said second arm in a position that is parallel to
said putting surface; and e) adjusting said putter face to said
angle with said putting surface by adjusting said putter head
placement until said indicator tab is perpendicular to said putting
surface and no longer observable from directly above.
14) The putting practice aid of claim 13, wherein the sum of said
angle between said attachment side of said attachment tab and said
putting surface and said angle between said putter face and said
putting surface is substantially 180 degrees.
15) The putting practice aid of claim 13, wherein a shim is added
between the putter face and the attachment side of the attachment
tab such that the sum of the angle of the shim, said angle between
said attachment side of said attachment tab and said putting
surface and said angle between said putter face and said putting
surface equals 180 degrees.
16) The putting practice aid of claim 13 wherein said putting
practicing aid is removably attachable to said putter face.
17) The putting practice aid of claim 13, where said angle between
said attachment side of said attachment tab and said putting
surface is substantially 93 degrees.
18) The putting practice aid of claim 13, where said angle between
said attachment side of said attachment tab and said putting
surface is substantially 94 degrees.
19) The putting practice aid of claim 13, where the indicator side
of the attachment tab has an observable coating.
20) The putting practice aid of claim 13, wherein the means of
attachment include an adhesive material.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claim priority to the provisional U.S.
patent application No. 61/653,469 entitled "Right Angle Putting
Practice Aid," filed May 31, 2012.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A "SEQUENCE LISTING," A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER
PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 shows the top view of the potting practice aid. This
view illustrates that the attachment side of the attachment tab is
tapered, whereas the forward or indicator side is flat.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows another view of the putting practice aid, this
time from the top and side, illustrating that the forward or
indicator surface of the putting practice aid is flat.
[0006] FIG. 3 shows the putting practice aid attached to the face
of a putter from a top and side perspective.
[0007] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the putting practice aid from a
perspective perpendicular to the trajectory of the putted golf
ball.
[0008] FIG. 4A shows a side view of the putter head.
[0009] FIG. 4B shows a side view of the attachment tab.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the putting practice aid from a
perspective directly in the trajectory path of a putted golf ball.
FIG. 5 illustrates the relative perspective of the lie
leveling/aiming arm to the ground surface when the putter is in the
correct position.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the putter practice aid as
attached to a standard shafted putter.
PARTS LIST
[0012] Aiming/loft leveling arm 1 [0013] Lie leveling/aiming arm 2
[0014] Attachment tab 3 [0015] Attachment side of attachment tab 4
[0016] Indicator side of attachment tab 5 [0017] Aiming tab
extension 6 [0018] Shim 7 [0019] Aiming center line 8 [0020]
Perpendicular line 9 [0021] Putter face 10 [0022] Putting surface
11 [0023] Loft angle 12 [0024] Attachment side angle 13
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Embodiments disclosed herein may be used for the purpose of
improving putting technique by identifying correct putter loft, lie
and alignment. The putting practice aid provides indications that
the putter is being held by a golfer in correct position, meaning
that with a correct loft, lie, and alignment.
[0026] The forward surface of the putter, which is used to strike
the golf ball, is referred to as the putter face. Putter faces are
often tapered so that the bottom of the putter face extends outward
and the top of the putter face contracts inwards, making a small
angle with a plane perpendicular to the ground; this angle is
referred to as the "loft" of a particular putter. One of the
objectives of the putting technique training device described
herein, is to train an individual to hold the putter so the putter
face actually forms the angle with the ground, according to its
rated loft. The putting practice aid assists the individual in
obtaining the objective of holding the putter correctly by
maintaining various elements either parallel or perpendicular to
the ground.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, the putting practice aid has two
arms, an aiming/loft leveling arm 1 and a lie leveling/aiming arm
2. The two arms, falling in the same plane, are perpendicular to
each other with the aiming/loft leveling arm 1 extending in the
opposite direction of the trajectory of the golf ball and the lie
leveling/aiming arm 2 extending in a direction that is
perpendicular to the desired initial trajectory of the golf ball.
When properly installed, the aiming/loft leveling arm 1 points
directly at the center of the putter face, which is the desired
location to strike the golf ball. An attachment tab 3 is connected
to the lie leveling/aiming arm 2 and is substantially perpendicular
to the two arms. In this embodiment, the attachment tab 3 is
positioned adjacent to the outer edge of the lie leveling/aiming
arm 2 via an aiming tab extension 6. In an alternate embodiment,
the putting aid practice does not have an aiming tab extension
6.
[0028] In this embodiment, the attachment side of the attachment
tab 4, beginning at the aiming extension tab 6, is tapered, i.e.,
the angle formed between the plane that encompasses the two
perpendicular arms and the plane containing the surface on the
attachment side of the attachment tab 4 ranges from 87 degrees to
99 degrees. In this embodiment, the surface of the attachment side
of the attachment tab 4 above and below the aiming extension tab 6
are similarly tapered.
[0029] The attachment side of the attachment tab 4 is tapered so as
to facilitate connection with the face of the putter, which is also
tapered. For example, in one embodiment, a putter with a 3 degree
loft (i.e., forms an angle of 87 degrees with the putting surface)
could be mated-up with a putting practice aid with an attachment
side of attachment tab 4 that has a 93 degree angle. Embodiments of
the pulling practice aid are selected so that the sum of the angles
of the putter face 10 and the attachment side of the attachment tab
4 is substantially equal to 180 degrees.
[0030] In this embodiment, the attachment sides of the attachment
tab 4, above and below the plane that encompasses the two
perpendicular arms, are tapered. Since each of the attachment sides
of the attachment tab 4 are tapered, it is possible to attach the
putting practice aid to left-handed and right handed putters by
rotating the putting practice aid so that the top side of the two
arms becomes the bottom side when attached to a putter with the
opposite handedness.
[0031] In the embodiment illustrated, in FIG. 1, an aiming center
line 8 is imposed substantially down the center of the rectangular
shaped aiming/loft leveling arm 1. In one embodiment, the aiming
center line 8 may be coated with an observable coating to
facilitate easy observation. Such observable coatings may be
reflective or of a color and or texture that presents sufficient
contrast to the putting surface to be visible by the ordinary user
when attempting to use the putting aid. In one example, the
observable coating is white, providing good contrast against the
color of the putting surface 11 which is usually green. In another
embodiment the aiming center line 8 may be grooved. In yet another
embodiment, the aiming center line 8 may be a raised surface.
[0032] In the embodiment Illustrated in FIG. 1, a perpendicular
line 9 is imposed substantially in the center of the rectangular
shaped lie leveling/aiming arm 2. In one embodiment, the
perpendicular line 9 may be coated with an observable coating to
facilitate easy observation. Such observable coatings may be
reflective or of a color and or texture that presents sufficient
contrast to the putting surface to be visible by the ordinary user
when attempting to use the putting aid. In one example, the
observable coating is white, providing good contrast against the
color of the putting surface 11 which is usually green. In another
embodiment the perpendicular line 9 may be grooved. In yet another
embodiment, the perpendicular line 9 may be a raised surface.
[0033] The putting practice aid may be formed as a single
continuous unit or may be constructed such that the two arms and
attachment tab snap together to form the unit. Embodiments that
include multiple pieces that snap together may be joined by pegs
and holes or snug fitting protrusions and receivers.
[0034] Now referring to FIG. 2, the putting practice aid is
presented from a different angle. In addition to showing the
features described above as illustrated in FIG. 1, this
illustration includes details that illustrates that the indicator
side of the attachment tab 5 is not tapered and instead is
substantially flat. The indicator side of the attachment tab 5 is
perpendicular to the plane that encompasses the two perpendicular
arms. When the putting practice aid is attached to a putter and is
held in the correct position, the indicator side of the attachment
tab 5 is perpendicular to the putting surface. In one embodiment
the indicator side of the attachment tab 5 is coated with an
observable coating to facilitate easy observation, or lack therein,
of the surface of the indicator side of the attachment tab 5. Such
observable coatings may be reflective or of a color and or texture
that presents sufficient contrast to the putting surface 11. In one
example, the observable coating is white, providing good contrast
against the color of a typically green putting surface.
[0035] Now referring to FIG. 3, the putting practice aid is
attached to a putter. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a
portion of the lie leveling/aiming arm 2 rests upon the top surface
of the putter. Embodiments of this device may utilize this contact
surface for attaching the putting practice aid to the putter,
although other embodiments need not rely on attaching the surface
of the lie leveling/aiming arm 2 to the upper surface of the
putter. Attachment may be accomplished with adhesives or magnetic
surfaces. The aiming/loft leveling arm 1 is perpendicular to the
lie leveling/aiming arm 2 and extends in the opposition direction
of the intended initial trajectory of the putted ball. When
properly installed, both the aiming/loft leveling arm 1 and the
aiming center line 8 point to the middle of the putter face 10.
When the putting practice aid is attached to a putter and is held
in the correct position, both the lie leveling/aiming arm 2 and the
perpendicular line 9 are perpendicular to the planned initial
trajectory of the golf ball.
[0036] The attachment tab 3 is removably attached to the
approximately vertical face of the putter. Placement of the
attachment tab 3 on the putter face 10 allows for a full moment
connection to support the cantilevered aiming/loft leveling arm 1.
In one embodiment, the putting practice aid is removably connected
to the putter face 10 via the attachment tab 3 with adhesives. In
another embodiment, the attachment tab may be magnetic or contain a
magnetic coating which would removably attach to a metal club
face.
[0037] FIG. 3 also shows the relative placement of the attachment
tab 3, relative to the horizontal length of the putter face 10. In
this embodiment, the attachment tab 3 is attached to the putter
toward the end of the putter face 10, so as to avoid the
(horizontal) center of the putter face 10, as the putter is
intended to strike the ball at the center of the putter face 10.
The embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, is consistent with a
standard shafted putter. In this embodiment, the attachment tab 3
is located toward the center of the lie leveling/aiming arm 2. Such
arrangement would be consistent for standard shafted putters, i.e.,
shaft extends from the end of the putter head. In another
embodiment, the attachment tab 3 is placed closer to the
intersection of the aiming/loft leveling arm 1 and the lie
leveling/aiming arm 2. That embodiment is consistent with an
attachment to a heel or center shafted putter. Other embodiments
may include an attachment tab 3 that is located anywhere from the
end of the lie leveling/aiming arm 2 that is closest to the
aiming/loft leveling arm 1 to about two-thirds the length of the
lie leveling/aiming arm 2 in the other direction.
[0038] Now referring to FIG. 4, the putting practice aid is
attached to a putter. FIG. 4 illustrates the relative position of
the aiming/loft leveling arm 1 and the indicator side of the
attachment tab 5 to the putting surface 11. The aiming/loft
leveling arm 1 is parallel to the putting surface 11; the indicator
side of the attachment tab 5 is perpendicular to the putting
surface 11. Maintaining these relative positions are indicators
that the putter is being held in a correct position.
[0039] The putter face 10 head slants inward, as illustrated in
FIG. 4; the amount of angle deviation from vertical is known as the
loft angle 12. Correct putter loft is obtained when the aiming/loft
leveling arm 1 is parallel with the ground and the indicator side
of the attachment tab 5 is perpendicular to the putting surface 11.
When correct putter loft position is obtained, the actual angle of
the deviation from vertical is consistent with the loft rating of
the golf club. When improper putter loft position is obtained, the
actual deviation from vertical is an angle different than the
rating of the golf club.
[0040] FIG. 4 also demonstrates use of a shim 7. Shims are used
when the angle of loft for a specific putter exceeds the required
angle of the attachment side of the attachment tab 4 to facilitate
parallel and perpendicular indicators as discussed previously. For
example, when connecting a putting practice aid with a attachment
side angle 13 of 93 degree (relative to a plane horizontal to the
putting surface 11) to a putter with a loft angle 12 of 5 degrees
(which has a face that makes an 85 degree angle with reference to
the putting surface), it is necessary to insert a shim 7 with a 2
degree angle (relative to the vertical plane). The shim may come as
an angled adhesive, i.e., that is a shim of a desired angle that
has adhesive material on both sides, or may be magnetic. The shim
may also be made of plastic, cellulosic, or metal, requiring the
addition of an adhesive material on each side to mount it in
place.
[0041] Now referring to FIG. 4A, the putter face 10 makes an angle
in reference to the putting surface 11 ranging from 81 degrees to
93 degrees. Putter faces are often tapered so that the bottom of
the putter face extends outward and the top of the putter face
contracts inwards, making a small angle with a plane perpendicular
to the ground; this angle is referred to as the loft angle 12 of a
particular putter. For example, a particular putter may have a loft
angle 12 of 3 degrees. A putter face 10 with a loft angle 12 of 3
degrees will form an angle with the putting surface II of 87
degrees.
[0042] Now referring to FIG. 4B, the angle of the tapered
attachment side the attachment tab 4 is herein referred to as the
attachment side angle 13, which may vary, but is usually between 87
degrees and 99 degrees when comparing the horizontal plane
containing the aiming/loft leveling arm 1 and the attachment side
of the attachment tab 4. Multiple embodiments of the putting
practice aid may be produced with fixed attachment side angles 13
ranging from 87 degrees to 99 degrees; for example embodiments
could be at 87 degrees, 93 degrees, up to 99 degrees, including any
angle in between. In an alternative embodiment, the putting
practice device is produced with a single angle and fitted with
shims 7 of varying small angles to make up the differences.
[0043] Now referring to FIG. 5, the putting practice aid is
attached to a putter. FIG. 5 illustrates the relative perspective
of the lie leveling/aiming arm 2 to the putting surface 11. The
shaft of a golf club rises diagonally as it leaves the putter head;
the angle between the shaft and the ground is called the "lie."
Correct putting position is obtained, and the angle of rise matches
the rated lie, when the top surface of the putter head is parallel
to the putting surface 11. Correct putter lie position is obtained
when the aim leveling arm 2 is parallel with the ground. When the
aim leveling arm 2 is parallel to the putting surface 11, the upper
surface of the putter head is also parallel to the ground.
[0044] Now referring to FIG. 6, which presents a top view of the
putting practice aid, attached to the top side of a standard
shafted putter. This diagram illustrates the use of the aiming/loft
leveling arm 1 to line up the golf ball to assure that the actual
original trajectory of the golf ball, alter striking the ball, is
lined up with the Intended trajectory. FIG. 6 also illustrates that
when the putter is maintained in the correct position, that the
indicator side of the attachment tab 5 is no longer visible to an
individual (such as the golfer holding the putter) that is standing
directly above the putter.
[0045] In one embodiment, the putting practice aid may be used on
both left-handed and right handed putters. Both the surface of the
attachment side of the attachment tab 4, above and below the plane
that encompasses the two perpendicular arms are tapered to form an
alternate angle with the putter face 10. Since both sides are
tapered, it is possible to attach the putting practice aid to
left-handed and right handed putters by rotating the putting
practice aid so that the top side of the two arms (initially facing
upward) becomes the bottom (subsequently facing the putting surface
11) side when attached to a putter with the opposite handedness. In
another embodiment, the putting practice aid may have only one
taper attachment tab below the plane that encompasses the two
perpendicular arms. Under such circumstances, the resulting putting
practice aid will be either a left-handed or right handed device,
depending on the configuration.
[0046] Multiple embodiments of the putting practice aid will allow
for use with putters having varying lofts. As described above, the
putting practice aid may have a fixed angle to match-up
conveniently with specific commercially available putters. For
example, a putting practice aid with an attachment side angle 13 of
93 degrees would be appropriate to match up with a putter with a 3
degree loft. Otherwise, the effective loft of a fixed angle putting
practice aid may be altered by adding shims as previously described
to increase the angle to the angle desired.
[0047] As discussed above, one result of correct putter loft
position is that the indicator side of the attachment tab 5 is
perpendicular to the ground. As a result of this relative position
of the indicator side of the attachment tab 5 in reference to the
ground, said indicator side "disappears" from the view of the
golfer. Although such may also happen in the event that the golfer
over rotates the club by forward pressing the putter head too much,
the golfer may appropriately determine proper alignment by
maintaining a position where said front surface has just
disappeared from the golfers sight.
[0048] Features of different embodiments can be combined in one
device even if discussed separately in the application. For
example, a flat panel or putting aid tab, similar in shape to the
attachment tab 3, could be attached on the upper surface of a
putter head. In this embodiment, a putting aid tab, similar to the
indicator side of the attachment tab 5 would be attached to the top
surface of the putter so that the putting aid tab is perpendicular
to the ground when the putter was held in the correct position,
with the actual loft (in reference to the putting surface 11)
matching the loft angle 12 of the putter. This putting aid tab
could be permanently attached to the putter, or could be
temporarily attached to the upper surface of the putter via
temporary connections, such as a peg and hole arrangement. Under
such circumstance, one could produce a standard or tournament
approved putter that has receivers (e.g., holes) in the upper
surface, to accept the indicator tab connectors (e.g. pegs). Also,
since the backside of the putting aid tab is not used for
attachment, one or both sides of the indicator tab may be coated
with an observable coating, and may be used to assure that the
putter is placed in the correct position to achieve the desired
actual loft. Such observable coatings may be reflective or of a
color and or texture that presents sufficient contrast to the
putting surface 11 to be visible by the ordinary user when
attempting to use the putting aid. In one example, the observable
coating is white, providing good contrast against the color of the
putting surface 11 which is usually green.
[0049] Considering the above, the various parts of the practice
putting aid have different but related purposes. For example, the
attachment tab 3 has at least two functions: attachment of the
device to the putter head and indication of correct loft. As
discussed previously, the attachment side of the attachment tab 4
is removably attached to the putter face 10. When properly used,
the indicator side of the attachment tab functions as an indicator
that the relative angle of the putter face 10 to the putting
surface 11 is correct; that is consistent with the rating of the
putter loft.
[0050] The aiming/loft leveling arm 1 has multiple purposes. When
properly installed, this arm points directly at the center of the
putter face 10, which is the desired location to strike the golf
ball. When properly used, the aiming/loft leveling arm 1 also
functions as an indicator that the relative angle of the putter
face 10 to the putting surface 11 is correct; that is consistent
with the rating of the putter loft. The aiming/loft leveling arm 1
also aids in establishing correct alignment of the golfers feet;
perpendicular to the aiming/loft leveling arm 1, with the tip of
the shoes (or toes) forming a line that is parallel to the line
formed by the aiming/loft leveling arm 1. Finally, the aiming/loft
leveling arm 1 functions by providing an indication of the initial
path of the ball off the face of the putter head, allowing for
improved aim.
[0051] The lie leveling/aiming arm 2 has multiple functions. First
the lie leveling/aiming arm 2 extends the putter face 10 for more
accurate perpendicular alignment to the intended putting line.
Second, the lie leveling/aiming arm 2 improves the aiming of the
putter face 10 by setting it perpendicular to the intended putter
face. Finally, the lie leveling/aiming arm 2 provides an indication
that the putter face 10 is level, resulting in a putter position
that is consistent with the rated value of the putter, which is the
angle between the shaft and the ground, known as the lie angle.
[0052] Use of the putting practice aid facilitates correct body
position and holding of the putter by the golfer by providing
indication of achieving the desired and correct loft, lie, and
alignment of the putter. Correct position means that 1) the actual
loft angle 12 is consistent with the putters rating, the shaft of
the putter is maintained at the correct lie angle, resulting is a
top surface of the putter head maintaining a position that is
parallel with the putting surface, and the putter face is aligned
in the direction of intended trajectory. A golfer maintains correct
position of the putter though use of the putting practice aid by
maintaining the aiming/loft leveling arm 1 and the lie
leveling/aiming arm 2 parallel to putting surface 11, the indicator
side of the attachment tab in a position that is perpendicular to
the putting surface 11, and the lie leveling/aiming arm 2 is
pointing in the direction of initial trajectory.
* * * * *