Putter grip

An overly wide putter grip includes an elongated body of generally uniform diameter along an axial length thereof and an outer gripping sleeve that fits over the skeleton. The body is a skeleton having a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first and second portions includes an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, and a bore disposed within said lower end and extending upwardly so as to be configured to receive a shaft of a putter. The first portion and the second portion of the skeleton are preferably held together by a system of fasteners that go through bores in the first portion of the skeleton and into the second portion to hold the two skeleton portions together. A method of making the putter is also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to golf putter grips, and more particularly, to putter grips designed to inhibit a putter from twisting or turning during the putting stroke or to otherwise improve the ability of a golfer to grip the putter.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

One of the most important, if not the most important, part of any golfer's game is the ability to make putts accurately and with consistency. Indeed, when one considers that putting strokes typically account for one-half or more of a golfer's strokes, the age old expression “drive for show, putt for dough” becomes quite apt. It is therefore of little surprise that golfers and golf equipment manufacturers have devoted a significant amount of time and resources to produce putters which aid golfers in consistently striking the ball on the intended line and with the intended hardness. Most such designs deal with the composition and/or configuration of the putter head. Accordingly, oversized putter heads, specially shaped putter heads, putter heads with arrows and crosses, and putter heads made of brass and other materials designed to improve the “feel” of the putting stroke have all been proposed.

A few attempts have also been made to improve the putting stroke through improved shaft or grip design. Most notably, the so-called “long shaft” putter, having an unusually long shaft, has gained increased acceptance in recent years as a mechanism for improving putting accuracy.

One problem experienced by many golfers, and particularly high-handicappers, is the inability to hit the ball squarely. Even if a golfer having this problem manages to properly initially align the face of the putter with the ball, he or she has a tendency to twist or turn the club face either in or out during the putting stroke, causing the ball to veer away from its intended line after it is struck. This problem is especially evident in so-called mid-range puts in the range of 3–10 feet in which many golfers have a tendency to rush their putt and to look up before they should so that they can follow the path of the ball towards the hole. Mechanism designed to help golfers align the putter with the ball and/or to improve the feel of the putting stroke do little, if anything, to alleviate this problem.

Another problem in previous putter grips is that, given a shaft of a particular, standard length, the “grip height”, i.e., the distance from the ground to the top of the grip, is fixed. This is an unattractive feature for tall golfers and those who like to grip at a higher point. For example, some golfers prefer to grip the putter at a higher point and to bend less. The effective lengths standard grips cannot be adjusted to provide different grip height.

An additional problem in previous putter grips is that the grip was not removably affixable to the shaft. A drawback to this is that the grip position can unexpectedly shift. In addition, the rules of the United States Golf Association do not permit adjustment of a grip during a game of golf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, which is defined by the claims set out at the end of this disclosure, is intended to solve at least some of the problems noted above. An overly wide putter grip is provided. The putter grip includes an elongated body of generally uniform diameter along an axial length thereof and an outer gripping sleeve that fits over the skeleton. The body is a skeleton having a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first and second portions includes an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end. A bore is disposed within the lower end and extends upwardly so as to be configured to receive a shaft of a putter.

The first portion and the second portion of the skeleton are preferably held together by a system of fasteners that go through bores in the first portion of the skeleton and into the second portion to hold the two skeleton portions together.

The outer gripping sleeve that fits over the skeleton has an outer peripheral surface that includes a first surface portion that is partially cylindrical in shape and a second surface portion that is at least generally flat and that is continuous with the first surface portion.

The grip is configured to form a step with the shaft. The step is dimensioned and configured to receive two fingers of a golfer on opposite sides of the shaft. The grip is configured and dimensioned to be removably affixed to the shaft by fasteners.

The grip may be provided with an optional extender tube that includes an upper portion that fills a gap between an upper end of the bore in the body and the shaft.

In addition, a putter is provided comprising a head, a shaft, and a grip. The head has a heel, a toe, and a striking face. The shaft has a lower end attached to the head between the heel and the toe thereof and has an upper end located above the lower end.

Also provided is a putter grip that includes an elongated tubular grip having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral gripping surface, and a bore extending from the lower end toward the upper end. The bore is dimensioned and configured to permit the grip to be mounted on an end of a putter shaft. The putter grip also includes a plurality of fasteners which can be accessed from the gripping surface to affix the grip to the shaft. The fasteners preferably are setscrews accessible through recesses in the gripping surface. The setscrews preferably are pointed so as to at least dimple the shaft upon being tightened against the shaft.

In a preferred embodiment, the putter grip includes a segmented skeleton that has at least first and second portions that are fastened to one another by removable fasteners. The putter grip also includes a gripping portion that is mounted over the skeleton and that presents the gripping surface.

Also provided is a method of making a putter. A putter is provided that includes a head having a heel, a toe, and a striking face. The putter also includes a putter shaft having a lower end attached to the head and having an upper end. An elongated tubular grip having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral gripping surface, and a bore extending from the lower end toward the upper end is also provided. The bore is dimensioned and configured to permit the grip to be mounted on an end of a putter shaft. The gripping surface includes a first, semi-cylindrical surface portion and a second, at least generally flat surface portion. The upper end of the shaft is inserted into the bore in the grip. The grip is orientated with the flat surface portion in a desired orientation relative to the striking face of the putter head. A plurality fasteners are tightened on the grip against an outer surface of the shaft to affix the grip to the shaft. The fasteners are accessible from the gripping surface of the grip.

An effective length of the shaft can be set prior to mounting the grip on the shaft. Preferably, the effective length is set by mounting an extender on top of the shaft to form an extended shaft and inserting the extended shaft into the bore until an upper end of the extended shaft contacts a bottom inside surface of the grip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Pursuant to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a putter grip is provided which has a generally cylindrical body extending from a lower end to an upper end. The body is overly wide compared to conventional putter grips, and has little or no taper so as to form a step between the lower end of the grip and the shaft that. The step is suitable for receiving a user's index and middle fingers on opposite sides of the shaft to help ensure that the golf club will not twist or turn during a putting stroke and thus enhance the ability of the golfer to strike the ball squarely and to drive it along the intended line of travel. The cylindrical body may have a portion cut away so as to produce an elongated flat surface extending from the lower end of the grip to the upper end. The flat surface may be configured to further stabilize the club during the putting stroke. Optional spacers or a shaft extender can be inserted between an upper end of the shaft and a ceiling of the bore of the grip to set a spacing between the upper end of the shaft and the ceiling bore.

2. Construction and Operation of a First Preferred Embodiment

Referring now toFIGS. 1–3, a putter10is illustrated which is conventional in construction except for incorporating a grip constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The putter10thus includes a head12, a shaft14, and a grip16.

The head12may be any commercially available putter head formed from aluminum, brass, or any other material commonly used in putter heads. As is conventional, the head includes a front toe18, a rear heel20, a flat striking face22designed to engage the ball, and a top surface24.

The shaft14is also conventional and may be formed from a steel tube as illustrated or from graphite or any other material commonly used in shafts. The shaft14has an upper end25which is covered by the grip16and a lower end26which is attached to the top24of the head12. The shaft14is generally cylindrical and, therefore, has a longitudinal axis28.

A first preferred embodiment of the grip16includes an elongated tubular molded body30whose outer periphery consists of a first wall or surface32that is partially cylindrical in shape and a second wall or surface34that is generally flat. The body may be molded from a single material such as natural rubber, silicon rubber, plastic, or any other material commonly used in putter grips. The body30has an upper end36which is fully or partially closed either by an end portion molded integrally with the remainder of the body or by a cap or plug capable of fitting onto or into the upper end of the shaft14. The body30further includes a lower end38which is open so as to be capable of sliding over the shaft14. Preferably, the top end36of the grip16has a hole54to permit air to escape as the grip16is mounted on the shaft14. An axial bore44is created within the grip16and is aligned with a longitudinal axis42of the grip16. The diameter of the bore closely matches the diameter of the shaft so that the grip16tightly surrounds the shaft14when the shaft is inserted into the grip16.

The grip16is constructed such that the maximum diameter of the grip formed by walls32and40is approximately 1⅝ to 1¾ inches maximum, with 1 11/16 inches preferred. This overall larger grip decreases flexing of the user's wrists during use. The grip16also has little or no taper so that its minimum diameter is at least 1½″. As a result, when the grip16is mounted onto the ⅜″ diameter shaft14, a step35of considerable width is formed between the lower end38of the grip and the shaft14. The step typically will be on the order ¼″ to ⅝″.

When the grip16is made of a material with relevant low resilience and/or the shaft14has a substantial taper such that the inner perimeter of the grip16will not form a tight seal with the outer perimeter of the shaft14, one or more tapered wedges46can be inserted in the gap between the grip16and the shaft14. This gap typically will be on the order 1/16″ to ⅛″ thick. The wedge(s) may be made from rubber, a polymeric material, or the like. Alternatively, the gap may be filled with an adhesive resin or the like to secure the grip16to the shaft14.

Optionally, one or more spacers48may be inserted between an upper end50of the upper end25of the shaft14and a ceiling52of the bore44in the grip16. The optional spacer(s) determine(s) the amount of overlap of the grip16onto the shaft14by setting a spacing between the upper end50of the shaft14and the ceiling52of the bore44. This permits the position of the grip16relative to the shaft14to be adjusted by varying the number and/or thickness of the spacers48, hence varying the putter's grip height.

It is contemplated that the user will engage the flat wall34with the palm of his or her forward hand and will engage the step35with his or her two fingers of the trailing hand on opposite sides of the shaft. The flat wall34therefore is aligned generally parallel with the flat striking space22. The user's trailing hand then will engage the grip16generally around the partially cylindrical wall32. Thus, the embodiment shown inFIG. 1is designed for a left-handed golfer. The grip16could just as easily be configured for a right-handed golfer by mounting the grip onto the shaft14rotatably offset 180 degrees from the illustrated embodiment. However, the flat portion could be anywhere (i.e., the user can put it on any side the user wants).

In use, when a golfer is preparing to put, he or she aligns the clubface22of the putter10with the ball in the conventional manner. Assuming the golfer is a left handed golfer, he or she then grasps the grip16with the left hand in the conventional manner and with the right hand in a manner which is for the most part conventional. However, rather than overlapping the index finger of the golfer's right hand over the left hand, the golfer engages the step35of the grip16with his or her two fingers of the left hand on opposite sides of the shaft. Additionally, the golfer's wrist of his or her right hand will engage the flat wall34. Gripping the club10in this manner has been found to inhibit or prevent the golfer from twisting or turning the club face in or out during the putting stroke, thereby greatly enhancing the golfer's ability to drive the ball along its intended travel path. It is believed that the geometry of the grip16achieves this result much more efficiently than grooves, furrows, or other irregularities in the surface of grips designed to improve a golfers hold on the grip. Moreover, unlike grooves, etcetera, and except for providing a new point of engagement for one of the golfer's fingers, the golfer is free to grasp the grip16in any way he or she desires with comfort and without interference from the surface of the grip16. Furthermore, engaging the flat wall34of the grip16with the golfer's wrist of his or her right hand keeps the backside of the right hand square to the target, further enhancing the golfers ability to drive the ball along its intended travel path.

While the grip16includes both the cylindrical wall32and the flat wall34, it could also be completely cylindrical. In this modification, the golfer's grip would be conventional except that the index and middle fingers of his or her trailing hand would engage the step35on opposite sides of the shaft.

3. Construction and Operation of a Second Preferred Embodiment

Although the grip16discussed above is preferred because it can be formed in a single molding step, it may be desirable to provide a grip made of two components. A grip made of two components, although more difficult to manufacture and more expensive than a grip made in a single molding step, may be advantageous to some because molding a rubber as thick as is required by the first preferred embodiment may be difficult.

Toward this end, referring toFIG. 4, a two-component grip116is illustrated for a putter110that is identical to the putter10of the first embodiment except that it incorporates two materials into the grip116. Elements of the putter110ofFIG. 4corresponding to elements of the putter10ofFIGS. 1–3are, accordingly, designated by the same reference numerals, incremented by 100. The club110thus includes a head (not shown), a shaft114, and a grip116. A bore144in the grip116slips over the end of the shaft114to fix the grip in place. Also as in the first embodiment, a wedge146may be inserted in the gap between the bottom end of the grip116and the shaft114to help secure the grip116to the shaft114. Spacers148may be inserted between the top150of the upper end125of the shaft114and the ceiling152of the bore144in the grip116to set the grip height of the grip116.

The grip116differs from the grip16of the first embodiment only in that it is made of two components, a relatively rigid inner plastic sleeve156and a relatively pliant outer grip portion158. The inner plastic sleeve156is preferably a high density polyethylene or a polypropylene. The two components grip116could be molded in a bi-material co-extrusion process. Alternatively, the two component grip116may be manufactured in separate steps, and the outer grip portion158may be slipped over and glued onto or otherwise affixed to the inner sleeve156.

4. Construction and Operation of a Third Preferred Embodiment

Although the grips16and116discussed above are beneficial because the position of the grip can be set in a desired position, it may be desirable to provide a grip in which the position can be permanently set in a desired position.

Toward this end, referring toFIGS. 5–13, a grip216is provided for a putter210that is at least generally identical in size and shape to the putter10of the first embodiment. Hence the outer periphery of the grip216consists of a first surface232that is partially cylindrical in shape and a second surface234that is at least generally flat. The maximum diameter of the grip216formed by walls32and40is approximately 1⅝ to 1¾ inches maximum, with 1 11/16 inches preferred. This overall larger grip decreases flexing of the user's wrists during use. The grip216also has little or no taper so that its minimum diameter is at least 1½″. As a result, when the grip16is mounted onto the ⅜″ diameter shaft14, a step35of considerable width is formed between the lower end38of the grip and the shaft14. The step typically will be on the order ¼″ to ⅝″.

The grip216differs from the grips16and116primarily in that it can be securely but removably fixed in a desired position on the shaft214using selectively tightenable fasteners and without using the wedges of the first embodiment. Putter210also differs from putter10in that the molded body230is formed from a two-piece skeleton260and an outer gripping portion or sleeve262that covers the skeleton260and that preferably is formed form an elastomeric material. Elements of the putter210ofFIGS. 5 and 13corresponding to elements of the putter10ofFIGS. 1–3are, accordingly, designated by the same reference numerals, incremented by 200. As is shown inFIG. 5, the putter210thus includes a head212, a shaft214, and a grip216.

Referring nowFIGS. 6–11, and13the elongated skeleton260has a first portion264and a second portion266screwed or otherwise attached to one another to form a single tubular skeleton. The first and second portions264and266of the skeleton260preferably are of identical construction. Preferably, each portion264and266is formed from injection molded plastic, although other materials can be used. Each portion includes an outer section268and an inner section270attached to one another by a plurality of radial ribs272extending between the inner and outer sections270and268. The outer sections268and the inner sections270of the respective first and second portions264and266face one another upon assembly of the skeleton260such that, when the first and second portions264and266are attached to one another, the outer sections268mate to form an outer wall274of the skeleton260and the inner sections270mate to form an inner wall276. The outer surface of the outer wall274defines a support surface for the sleeve262and has a shape identical to that of the sleeve262, i.e., it has a first, semi-cylindrical surface portion278and a second surface portion280that is at least generally flat. In the illustrated embodiment, the flat portion280is on the second portion266of the grip216. The inner surface of the inner wall276defines a bore282. Annular supports284, spaced axially along the bore282and formed from mating arcuate ribs284extending inwardly from the inner wall276, are configured to surround and engage the outer periphery of the grip216after assembly as best seen inFIGS. 7 and 8. Three such supports284are provided in the illustrated embodiment, spaced unequally along the length of the skeleton260.

Each skeleton portion264and266also includes upper and central braces288and290that extend between the inner and outer sections270and268so as to matingly engage each other upon grip assembly as seen inFIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. The braces288and290in the first portion264are aligned with corresponding recesses292and293in the outer section268of the flat portion280. At least two such recesses292and293are spaced peripherally around the outer periphery of the flat portion280. An Allen screw294or the like is adapted to be inserted through each recess292and293in the outer section268of the first portion264, through a through-bore296and297in the corresponding brace288and290, and into a mating tapped bore298and299in the corresponding brace288or290of the second skeleton portion266, thereby rigidly attaching the first and second skeleton portions264and266to one another. This configuration permits the heads of the Allen screws294to be fully recessed within the skeleton260, thereby preventing the Allen screws294from interfering with subsequent sleeve attachment or grip use.

A cap300is formed at the upper end302of the skeleton260from mating sections of the first and second skeleton portions264and266. The cap300is convex in shape, having an upper surface304, a bottom surface306, and an outer peripheral surface308. The outer peripheral surface308has a shape that complements that of the outer surface of the grip216(i.e., it has a semi-cylindrical surface portion and a flat surface portion). The outer peripheral surface308has a diameter that is slightly larger than that of the outer surface278,280of the skeleton260so as to present a lower step or shoulder310against which the sleeve262engages upon grip assembly. The bottom surface306of the cap300acts as an abutment surface for the top of the shaft214or a shaft extender312(should the user wish to employ an extender as described below). A hole314is formed axially through in the center of the cap300for permitting air to escape while mounting the grip216on the shaft214.

The bottom of the skeleton260is formed from a segmented ring316having first and second sections318and320formed on the respective first and second portions264and266of the skeleton260. As best seen inFIGS. 6 and 11, the first ring section318has spaced indented recesses322aligned with corresponding through-bores324formed therein. As with the upper and central braces288and290, an Allen screw294or the like is adapted to be inserted through each recess in the of the first section318, through the corresponding through-bore324, and into a mating tapped bore326in the second section320of the ring316to hold the first and second skeleton portions264and266together.

Still referring toFIG. 11, the grip216further includes an annular collar328that is clamped in a groove330in the segmented ring316upon skeleton260assembly. An inner peripheral surface of the collar328is dimensioned such that the shaft214of the putter210can fit therethrough. Grooves332in the mating ring sections318and320(FIG. 11) form opposed recesses332in the assembled ring316that provide access to setscrews334that extend through the collar328as best seen inFIG. 9. These setscrews334preferably comprise button-head Allen setscrews. The recesses332and corresponding setscrews334preferably are spaced approximately 90° in opposite directions from the flat surface234of the grip216. As is illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 9, the setscrews334facilitate initial positioning of the grip216on the shaft214in any desired orientation and can be tightened to lock the grip216to the shaft214. Preferably, the setscrews334have pointed tips or are otherwise configured to at least dimple the shaft214as best seen inFIG. 10so as to form more than just a friction fit against it. This dimpling provides a secure attachment that effectively prevents adjustment of grip216orientation during a round of golf. More preferably, the setscrews334puncture the shaft214to some extent, but not so much as to ruin the integrity of the setscrew334to shaft214attachment.

In addition, a third button-head setscrew336, accessible through another recess352in the grip216, is threaded through a tapped insert338mounted in the skeleton260approximately one-quarter way up the grip216and spaced 180° spaced from the flat surface portion234of the grip216as best seen inFIG. 8. The third setscrew336is identical to the aforementioned setscrews334and is configured to engage the shaft214in the identical manner as the aforementioned setscrews334, further enhancing the integrity of the grip216to shaft214attachment.

The outer gripping portion262of the grip216comprises a tubular sleeve262that is blow-mounted over the skeleton260using conventional blow-mounting. This blow-mounting provides a very secure, permanent friction fit that prevents relative movement of the outer gripping portion262relative to the skeleton260after mounting. The sleeve262has a tubular outer periphery340, an open upper end342, and a lower end344having a central opening346for receiving the shaft214. The upper end342abuts the shoulder310on the cap300after the sleeve262is blow-mounted on the skeleton260. The lower end344forms the bottom of the grip216. The outer periphery340forms the gripping surface of the grip216and presents the aforementioned semi-cylindrical surface232and generally flat surface portion234. First, second, and third openings348,350, and352are formed through the outer peripheral surface340of the sleeve262in alignment with the corresponding recesses in the skeleton260in order to provide access to the Allen setscrews334and336after the grip216is fully assembled.

The grip216as described above is assembled by placing the collar328between the skeleton portions264and266, aligning the skeleton portions264and266with one another, and attaching the skeleton portions264and266to one another using the Allen screws294. The sleeve262is then blow-mounted over the skeleton260from below to complete the assembly process. All of these operations may be performed at the factory.

After assembly, the grip216is simply slipped over the end of the shaft214from above and inserted fully onto the shaft214until the end of the shaft214(or the shaft extender312, if provided) contacts the bottom inside surface306of the cap300. The flat portion234of the outer surface of the grip216may be oriented in any desired direction relative to the club head212, including parallel with the striking face, parallel with the rear surface, parallel with the nose, or parallel with the toe. The grip216is then secured in place by tightening the setscrews334and336until they at least dimple, and preferably pierce, the shaft214. The grip216can subsequently be repositioned between rounds but, because of the tight mounting of the setscrews334and336, is not designed to be repositioned during a round.

The assembled grip216has all of the benefits discussed above in connection with the first and second embodiments. All three embodiments have the additional benefit of tending to reduce the pressure applied to the grip during a putting stroke. This leads to a much looser grip, which leads to an improved stroke by any user but particularly for those who have stiff fingers, and particularly those with arthritis. Studies have shown that the oversized grip reduces the pressure by about 40 percent.

The spacers48of the previous embodiment may be employed with the grip216of this embodiment in order to set the amount of overlap of the grip216onto the shaft214by setting a spacing between the upper end of the shaft214and the ceiling of the grip's bore282. As indicated above, setting the shaft-to-grip end spacing in this manner permits the height of the grip216relative to the putter head212to be adjusted, hence altering the effective length of the shaft214and the putter grip's height. The same effect may be achieved using a single, stepped shaft extender or spacer tube312. One such tube is shown inFIGS. 6,11, and12. The tube312comprises a stepped plastic tube312having a relatively small diameter lower portion354and a relatively large diameter upper portion356joined to the lower portion354at a step358. The step358forms a support surface for supporting the tube312on the upper end of the shaft214. The diameter of the lower portion354closely matches the diameter of the bore282in the shaft214so as to permit the lower portion354to be snugly inserted into the bore282. The diameter of the upper portion356is greater than that of the bore in the shaft214but not significantly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft214in order to permit the bore282in the skeleton260to fit over it. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the upper portion356of the tube312is about 1.60 inches and the diameter of the lower portion354is about 1.55 inches.

The lower portion354of the tube312should be sufficiently long to provide a secure, stable fit within the shaft214. Preferably, the length of the lower portion354of the tube312is between 1 and 3 inches and most preferably about 1¾ inches. The upper portion356of the tube312has a maximum length that corresponds to the maximum desired extension of the shaft214. Maximum lengths of 2 inches to 6 inches or more are feasible. The currently preferred maximum length is 5 inches. As best seen inFIG. 12, graduations360are spaced equally along the upper portion356at increments corresponding to desired height adjustment increments, preferably ¼ inch. The graduations360preferably take the form of score lines360to facilitate cutting of the tube312in a desired location, hence facilitating tube312height selection.

The user can set the effective height of the grip216by cutting the tube312along the desired graduation360, and inserting the lower portion354of the tube312into the shaft214until the step358rests on top of the shaft214. A comparison ofFIGS. 6 and 11reveals that the effective height of the shaft214can be altered significantly if one chooses to cut the tube312along one of the lower graduations360to form a short extension as seen inFIG. 6or chooses to cut the tube312along one of the higher graduations360(or not cut it at all) to form a long extension as seen inFIG. 13. Of course, the user need not use the tube312or the corresponding spacers48of the prior embodiments at all. The grip216could simply be slipped over and mounted directly on the shaft214.

Once the user cuts the tube312to the desired length, he or she then fixes the tube312in place, preferably using both glue and tape to prevent the tube312from shifting or being removed from the shaft214. The grip216then slips over the tube312and is pushed down over the tube312and shaft214until the top of the tube312abuts the inner surface306of the cap300of the grip216. The grip216is then secured to the shaft214using the Allen setscrews334and336as described above.

As with the other preferred embodiments of the putter, with this preferred embodiment of the putter210, rather than overlapping the index finger of the golfer's right hand over the left hand, the golfer engages the step235of the grip216with his or her two fingers of the left hand on opposite sides of the shaft214.

5. Construction and Operation of a Fourth Preferred Embodiment

A fourth preferred embodiment of a grip416is illustrated inFIG. 14that is identical to the putter210of the third embodiment except that its outer periphery surface has a slightly different shape, having a first generally flat surface portion562and a second generally flat surface portion434that are of equal length and spaced 180 degrees from each other. The first and second flat surface portions562and434are linked by first and second arcuate surface portions564and566, each preferably taking the form of a partial cylinder. Elements of the putter410ofFIG. 14corresponding to elements of the putter210ofFIGS. 5–13are, accordingly, designated by the same reference numerals, incremented by 200. The putter410thus includes a head412, a shaft414, and a grip416, as is shown inFIG. 14. The generally flat first surface portion562aligned with the striking face520of the putter410and the generally flat second surface portion434is aligned with the rear surface418of the putter. This particular orientation is believed to be especially effective at stabilizing the putting stroke.

Of course, many modifications could be made to the invention as described an illustrated without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The scope of such changes will become apparent from the appended claims.