Patent ID: 6435975
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A method of improving the putting stroke of a golfer using a putter as a training device, said putter having a club head with at least one striking face at the base of which is a front edge from which rearwardly extend side edges, said side edges ultimately developing into a rear edge, said front, side and rear edges defining the base shape of the club head which further has a predetermined thickness, said club head base shape including an aperture defined throughout the thickness of the club head behind the striking face, said aperture being of a size and shape capable of receiving a golf ball which can pass through the aperture without hindrance from the edges or sides which define said aperture, said putting stroke including a backswing, a downswing, and a follow through, said method including the steps ofplacing a first golf ball in said aperture when the club head is stationary on a surface prior to commencing the stroke, placing a second golf ball immediately in front of the striking face of the putter and also in alignment with the first golf ball so that both first and second golf balls are on the notional line on said surface in which direction it is desired to cause the second ball to travel, firstly executing a controlled backswing so that the club head rises above the surface by a distance less than the diameter of a golf ball thus causing the first ball to roll along the surface but ensuring said first ball is retained in the aperture, secondly executing a downswing whereby the club is accelerated from the top of the backswing towards its starting position until the striking face impacts the second ball and causes it to move in an impact direction, and finally executing a follow through whereby the club head is raised above said surface by an amount greater than the diameter of a golf ball so that the first ball is released from the aperture in a release direction dependent on the direction of travel of the club head at the moment of release, the impact direction and the release direction being ideally identical and easily distinguishable in the event that they are different by virtue of the divergence of the first and second balls as they travel in different directions.