Putter Golf Club

This invention relates to a putter golf club (putter). More particularly, the present invention relates to a putter with a head having weights high in or on the head and a shaft positioned rearward of at least a substantial portion of the weights relative to the front face of the putter.

At the present time, there are available a wide variety of putters which are golf clubs designed for striking a golf ball on substantially smooth grass portions of a golf course known as "putting greens". Since putting accounts for approximately one half of the golf strokes which a normal golfer takes during a round of golf, it is particularly important that the putter be designed to permit an accurate putting stroke.

The most common putter design at the present time is some variation of a simple relatively light weight "blade" on the end of a relatively short shaft as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,875. A blade type putter is relatively low weight club which requires the user to strike the ball with a higher velocity in order to impart a desired momentum (mass times velocity) to the golf ball. When utilizing the required higher velocity, the user tends to lose control over the putting stroke. In addition, with a relatively low weight club head, the inertia of the ball and club head are similar so that when the ball contacts the club head slightly off-line from the center of mass of the club head, the club head tends to rotate thereby causing the ball to move away from the club head at an angle that deviates from the intended direction together with a spinning motion on the ball that further adversely influences the balls path. With a relatively low weight club head any small irregular motion on the part of the user produces a relatively large deviation in the club head velocity and direction which results in erratic putting.

There are also available a wide variety of putters having a club head which includes weights or which have a head having a larger weight than a blade putter. Such structures are exemplified by those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,762,717; 4,195,842; 4,411,430; 4,756,535;4,834,387 and 5,082,277. These putter structures represent attempts to enlarge the "sweet spot" on the club head face. The sweet spot" is the area on the putter face which, when used to strike the golf ball imparts little or no vibration and little or no torque to the putter. It is desirable to enlarge the sweet spot so as to provide the user with a large margin of error when striking the ball.

Another common problem among golfers is the inability to initiate a putting motion i.e., freezing during preparation for a putt, known in golfing terminology as the "yips". This condition may result, in part from the sensitive nature of the putt and the application that the slightest lack of control and the delicate putting motion will result in an unwanted result. Prior attempts to overcome this condition include the use of putters having a relatively long shaft such as are exemplied by those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,163,554 and 5,209,474.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a putter that allows the user to have a more consistent putting stroke which would thereby provide more accuracy in putting a golf ball. In addition, it would be desirable to provide a putter with a head having a large sweet spot. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide a putter with a shaft positioned to minimize undesired club head movement when executing a putting stroke.

In accordance with this invention, a golf club putter is provided which comprises a head and a shaft wherein the head includes spaced-apart weights and the shaft is positioned with respect to the weights so that a majority of the length of the weights is positioned closer to a front face of the putter than is the shaft. The spaced-apart weights are positioned with respect to each other and with respect to a bottom surface of the putter and have a density relative to the density of the remaining portion of the head so as to maximize the area of the sweet spot on the front face of the putter. The weights are positioned so as to locate the center of gravity of the head toward the side edges of the head and forward of the point of entry of the shaft into the head. The weights have any elongated configuration extending between the back edge and the front face of the head. The head comprises a mallet-like club head having a flat front face and wherein all or a portion of the side edges and back edge of the putter are curved. The putter shaft is inserted directly into the head and enters the head at a compound angle wherein the shaft is angled sightly toward the front face of the head and is angled slightly toward the user of the putter. The shaft is positioned in a rearward position closer to the back edge than the front face of the head so that at least a majority of the weights are positioned forward of the shaft toward the front face.

It has been found that the putter of this invention provides a larger sweet spot as compared to putters having a different weight distribution and/or shaft configuration and position. By positioning the shaft rearwardly of the majority of the weight of the weights added to the head, the rearward portion of the putter including the shaft follows the forwardly positioned portion of the weights. After motion of the putter has been initiated the momentum of the moving forward portions of the weights reduces the need for added force on the shaft by the user and thus reduces the opportunity for applying undesirable force direction to the shaft by the user.

An elongated shaft can be utilized so that the end of the shaft distal from the head can be rendered essentially motionless by the application of force of the user's arm against the shaft and against the user's ribs.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the putter head of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the putter head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the putter head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a putter head of this invention having weights extending from the top surface of the putter.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the putter head of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is front view of the putter head of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a putter of this invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the use of a putter of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the use of an alternative putter of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of an alternative putter of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the putter of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternative putter of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a top view of an alternative putter of this invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the putter of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the putter of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a top view of an alternative putter of this invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the putter of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the putter of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 illustrates a screw fitting for the shaft of the putter of this invention.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the screw fitting of FIG. 19.

The putter of this invention has a mallet-like head having a front face which is used to contact the golf ball, a back edge, a top surface through which a shaft extends and a bottom surface. The putter head has a density less than weights which are positioned within the head. The head can be formed from any metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, or brass or a non-metallic material such as a polymeric composition, e.g., polycarbonate, preferably aluminum or low density aluminum alloy. Weights which are spaced apart substantially equidistant from the center of gravity of the head are positioned adjacent to or through the back edge or through the front face of the head and extend a substantial portion of the length of the putter at least about 35%, preferably at least about 50% and most preferably at least about 60% of the maximum distance between the back edge and the front face of the putter head. In addition, the two weights are spaced apart at least about 50%, preferably at least about 60% of the maximum width of the front face and they are positioned at least about 50%, preferably at least about 75% of the maximum height of the front face above the bottom surface. In addition, at least a portion of the weights can extend above the top surface of the putter. The weights, such as lead have a higher density than the head without the weights. For example, aluminum for the head has a density of 2.70 g/cc while lead has a density of 11.3 g/cc. The shaft is positioned at least about 70%, preferably at least about 85% of the maximum length of the putter head away from the front face. By positioning the weights along a substantial portion of the length of the putter head and toward the side edges of the putter as well as an upper portion of the head, certain advantages are obtained. First, by positioning the weights forward of the shaft, when the putter is moved initially, less force must be applied to shaft by the user since the momentum of the front portion of the weights pull the shaft in the desired direction. In addition, this positioning of the weights permits applying an overspin to the golf ball when it is struck so that is moves in the desired direction rather than an undesired direction such as would be caused by imparting side spin to the ball. Also, since the weights are widely spaced apart, the tendency for the head to turn when striking a golf ball is substantially reduced. The total weight of the weight means comprises at least about 20%, preferably, up to about 80%, and, most preferably between about 25% and 40% of the weight of the head without the weight means. The weights preferably are made of lead.

The shaft extends directly into the head at a compound angle. A first angle of the shaft relative to a direction normal to the top surface of the head through the putter head is between about 10.degree. and 20.degree. preferably between about 11.degree. and 14.degree. toward the front face of the head. By angling the shaft in this manner, the tendency for the wrists to break down during the putting stroke is substantially reduced. The shaft also extends from the direction normal to the top surface of the head toward the user grasping the shaft at an angle between about 10.degree. and 20.degree., preferably between 14.degree. and 18.degree.. The bottom-most surface of the shaft is positioned within the head. The shaft can be formed of any conventional material such as steel, graphite composition, aluminum, aluminum alloy or the like. It is preferred to utilize a low density material for the shaft such as aluminum or low density aluminum alloy.

The shaft has a center line extending the length of the shaft through the center of the shaft. On the center line, a mid-point is defined as being equidistant from the top surface of the head and the bottom surface of the shaft located within the head. It is desirable to locate that mid-point on the line normal to the top surface and perpendicular to the maximum width of the front face which passes through the center point on the front face which defines the center of the front face. This position of the midpoint can be varied a maximum distance of 10% of the maximum width of the front face, preferably less than about 5% and, most preferably 0% of the maximum width.

In use, the end of the shaft distal from the head can be positioned between the user's arm closest to front face of the putter and the ribs of the user. Typically, the shaft length in this embodiment is between about 50 and about 60 inches. The hand of the user most remote from the front face is then positioned at an intermediate portion of the shaft and is used to initiate movement of the putter head. Alternatively, the shaft can have a conventional length with the shaft not contacting the user's upper body of between about 30 and 40 inches.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the putter head of this invention 10 includes the front face 12 a back edge 14 which comprises the rearward edge of the head 10 extending from points 16 and 18. The points 16 and 18 correspond to the forward most portion of weights 20 and 22. The center lines of weights 20 and 22 are shown respectively as 24 and 26. The portion of the outer surface of the head 10 extending from points 16 to front face 12 and from point 18 to front face 12 are referred to herein as the side edges in order to distinguish them from the back edge 14 and the front face 12. Front face 12 can comprise a separate thin plate attached to the head 10 in any conventional manner or can comprise a surface of the head 10. As best shown in FIG. 1, the outermost surface of the mallet, extending from the front face is entirely curved from the back edge toward the front face. The particular shape of the curve is not critical to the present invention and, for example, can be a portion of circular curve, or a portion of an ellipse, parabolic or hyperbolic curve. In addition, a portion of the side edges can be linear, e.g. portion A of FIG. 1, if desired such that the portions of the curve on opposing surfaces can be linear and parallel. As best shown in FIG. 3, the front face has major width comprising the longest distance 27 in the width direction.

The shaft 30 has a centerline 32 which extends through the center of the shaft 30 along its length. The portion of the centerline 32 positioned within the head 10 and extending from top surface 34 to the bottom surface 36 of the shaft 30 within the head 10 has a midpoint 38 which is equidistant between the top surface 34 and the bottom surface of the shaft 30. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the midpoint 38 defines a plane 42 with a line 40 normal to the top surface 34 which extends through the center of face 12. This midpoint 38 also is substantially equidistant from weights 20 and 22. The midpoint 38 should not deviate from the center point on the face 12 more than about 10%, preferably less than 5% of the distance and most preferably 0% of the distance of the maximum width of the front face. By so-positioning the center point 38, a larger sweet spot on front face 12 is obtained. As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 30 enters the head 10 at a angle F from the direction normal 40 to the top surface 34 toward the user between about 10.degree. and 20.degree., preferably between about 14.degree. and 18.degree.. As shown in FIG. 2, the shaft 30 extends at an angle E from the direction normal 40 to the top surface 34 toward the front face 12 of between about 10.degree. and 20.degree., preferably between about 11.degree. and 14.degree.. The weights 20 and 22 are positioned at a height above the bottom surface 44 of head 10 at least about 50% of the maximum height of the face 12 and preferably at least about 60% of the maximum height of face 12. At least a portion of the weights 20 and 22 can extend above the top surface 34, if desired. As shown in FIG. 2, the leading edge B of bottom surface 44 can be curved and the trailing edge C of the bottom surface 44 also can be curved. Also, the front face can have an angle D of between 0.degree. and about 4.degree., preferably between about 1.degree. and about 2.degree.. The weights 20 and 22 are formed of any high density material such as lead or the like. The weights can be conveniently inserted into head 10 by drilling holes therein and then soldering the exposed surface and finishing the exposed surface. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, it is preferred to utilize an aluminum head 10 and lead weights 20 and 22. According to the rules of the United States Golf Association, the width of a putter head must have a greater distance than the length of the putter head. Typical dimensions of the putter head of this invention are from 3 to 31/2 inches maximum width with a maximum length between the back edge and the front face being about 1/8 to 1/16 inch shorter.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, an embodiment of this invention is shown wherein a portion of the weights 20 and 22 extend above top surface 34. The putter 50 also is providing with the shaft 66 having a midpoint 68 which are positioned in the same manner as described above with reference to midpoint 38 and shaft 30 with respect to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Like reference numbers of FIGS. 4,5 and 6 as for FIGS. 1,2 and 3 refer to the same elements.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 an embodiment comprising the entire putter of this invention is shown which includes head 10 and a shaft 30. The shaft 30 can be formed from one or multiple pieces. When multiple pieces are utilized, a screw fitting 70 or the like is providing to attach upper portion 30A of the shaft to the shaft 30. Alternatively, the grips 72 and 74 can be formed of a single grip extending the substantially the entire length of upper shaft a portion 30A. The shaft 30 can be providing with a grips 72 and 74 which can be formed of rubber or the like. The grip 74 is positioned between the forward arm of the user and the user's ribs while the grip 72 is grasped by the user's hands to effect movement of the putter. As shown in FIG. 8, the user 76 positions the putter of this invention with grips 74 positioned between the user's forward arm 78 and user's ribs 80. The grip 72 is grasped by the user's hands 73 and 75 in order to propel the head 10 against the golf ball 82.

Referring to FIG. 9, the user 76 grasps a putter having a short shaft 77, provided with grip 72 to be gripped by the user's hands 73 and 75.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the weights 80 and 82 can be introduced into the head 83 through holes in said the front face 84. Head 83 has centerline 85 which extends through the center of gravity of head 83. A shaft 86 enters head 83 through hole 89 and ends at shaft end 90. As shown in FIG. 10, the front face 91 is flat and has an angle from the bottom surface to the top surface of between about 0.degree. and 4.degree..

Referring to FIG. 12, an alternative shaft structure 100 is illustrated. The shaft 96 includes a bend 97 between straight shaft sections 96 and 98. Straight section 98 enters head 99 a depth which extends to bottom shaft surface 95. The shaft comprising shaft sections 96, 97 and 98 can be rotated 360.degree. so that bend 97 can be oriented as desired by the user to position the top of the shaft (not shown) as desired the user's hands relative to the head 99.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, head 110 can have a higher section 112 adjacent shaft 114 so that additional weight is positioned rearward on the head 110 adjacent the shaft 114. The head 110 also is provided with weights 116 and 118.

Referring to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, the putter head 101 has shaft 102 attached to it. Weights 103 and 104 are positioned within the head 101. In addition, a weight 105 is positioned on the head 101 adjacent shaft 102 and is attached to the head 101 through a hole 106 provided in head 101. Any means for attaching the weight 105 to the head 101 can be employed such as a screw or by pouring molten lead or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the screw fitting 70 includes a male member 115 having an extension and a threaded extension. Extension 111 snugly fits into hollow shaft 30 and threaded extension 113 fits in threaded hole 117 of female member 119. Extension 121 fits snugly into hollow shaft extension 30A. The screw fitting 70 permits breaking down of the shaft 30 and upper shaft portion 30A by unscrewing the threaded extension 113 from the threaded hole 117 such as when travelling with the putter of this invention.