Golf club putter

A golf club putter (10) is provided that includes a head (12) having first and second putting faces (18, 20) positioned perpendicular to one another and at identical predetermined angles to a top surface (14). The head (12) includes an offset hosel (44) extending generally upwardly from the top surface (14). The hosel (44) has a first end portion (46) connected to the head top surface (14) along an edge opposite the first and second putting faces (18, 20), a second end portion (48) projecting upwardly from the top surface (14) along an axis parallel to and proximate one of the first and second putting faces (18, 20) and at a predetermined angle to the other of the first and second putting faces (18, 20), and an intermediate transverse connecting portion (52) extending across the top surface (14). A shaft (54) has a first end portion (56) connected to the hosel second end portion (48) and extends upwardly therefrom. The particular construction of the head (12), hosel (44) and shaft (54), advantageously forms a putter (10) that is convenient to use both in a conventional side swing manner, and also croquet style. Thus, one putter serves both for long putts where distance is the overriding concern, and for short putts where it is important to maintain a line-of-sight from the ball to the cup.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates generally to a club type instrument for striking a 
ball and, more particularly, to a golf club for putting a golf ball. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Golf clubs of various types and designs are readily available on the market 
today. A number of the available golf clubs are specially designed for use 
in putting a golf ball along a substantially smooth grass portion of a 
golf course. Owing to the fact that putting often accounts for nearly half 
of a golfer's total strokes over an average course, such specialized clubs 
are of particular importance to dedicated golfers. 
While a substantial number of golf club putters (putters hereinafter) are 
available, they typically embrace modifies forms of a design common to 
non-putter type golf clubs, i.e., they are intended to be swung in an arc 
substantially across and inclined to the front of the golfer's body. This 
conventional style of swing imparts a great deal of energy to the ball, 
owing to the distance the golf club head travels along the arc of the 
swing, and is advantageous when it is desired to drive the ball a great 
distance through the air. 
In order to accomplish the conventional golf swing, the golfer stands 
facing the ball, with the cup located at an approximate 90 degree angle 
from the direction in which the golfer is facing. Taking this stance, the 
golfer must choose between looking at the ball, the terrain over which the 
ball is intended to travel, or the cup. In no manner can the golfer obtain 
a line-of-sight that includes both the ball and the cup while occupied 
with this stance. Nevertheless, this stance and approach is advantageous 
when attempting very long putts owing to the large amount of energy 
imparted to the ball. However, the vast majority of putts attempted are of 
relatively short distance, and require accuracy rather than brute force. 
For this majority of putts, the conventional stance offers serious 
difficulties, and the long backstroke and follow through provided are of 
no particular benefit. 
As mentioned above, the golfer cannot establish a line-of-sight from the 
ball to the cup while facing 90 degrees from the cup. When using the 
conventional stance, most golfers stand behind the ball to establish such 
a line-of-sight, then loose the effect upon approaching the ball. It has 
been found advantageous in many other sports to continuously maintain such 
a direct line-of-sight. For example, it is generally conceded that the 
jump shot has greatly contributed to modern basketball field-goal 
percentages. The jump shot is especially effective because the shooter 
jumps directly toward the basket when he releases the ball. His hand and 
arm, the ball, and the basket are all along a line or arc extending 
directly in front of the shooter. This is in contrast to the low 
percentage hook shot attempted at approximately a 90 degree angle from the 
front of the shooter's body. Likewise, in baseball, fielders are 
instructed to position themselves directly in front of a ground ball, 
allowing them to follow the ball straight into the glove, and greatly 
reducing the chance of error. Similar logic is believed applicable to 
putting, where the chance of error can be greatly reduced, and the 
percentage of completed putts increased, by keeping the ball in front of 
the golfer along a line-of-sight to the cup. 
Croquet style putters have been proposed in the past, which partially 
recognize the advantage of maintaining such a line-of-sight. However, 
these clubs also exhibit significant disadvantages. For example, the 
United States Golf Association rules require that a golfer have both feet 
on one side of a line extending from the ball to the cup. This rule 
effectively prohibits swinging a croquet style putter between the legs. 
Also, the existing croquet style putters are not configured for use with a 
conventional swing, and so are limited to use in short distance putting. 
Since a golfer is likely to encounter situations requiring both long and 
short putts during the course of a game, such putters constitute an 
additional club to be carried along with a conventional putter. 
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems 
as set forth above. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
In one aspect of the present invention, a golf club for putting is 
provided. The club includes a head having a top surface lying in a 
substantially horizontal top plane, and first and second striking surfaces 
connected to and extending downwardly from the top surface. The striking 
surfaces lie in respective first and second planes which are substantially 
perpendicular to one another and to the top plane. 
The present invention facilitates putting corquet style, standing behind 
the ball and directly facing both the ball and the cup, while complying 
with established golf association rules. In addition, the present 
invention also permits putting in a conventional manner, facing the ball 
while standing at substantially a 90 degree angle to the cup, where the 
lie of the ball dictates such an approach.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring first to FIG. 1, a golf club putter embodying the principles of 
the present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. 
The club includes a head 12 and a shaft 54, connected one to the other by 
a hosel 44. 
While the following discussion refers specifically to FIG. 1, details of 
construction can best be seen by occasional reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 
2C. The head 12 includes first and second striking surfaces 18,20 located 
along respective first and second planes. The first and second striking 
surfaces 18,20 are substantially perpendicular to one another. The head 12 
also includes a top surface 14 located along a top plane, substantially 
perpendicular to each of the first and second striking surfaces 18,20. 
The top surface 14 substantially forms a right triangle having first and 
second adjacent edges 26,28 connected to one another to form an 
approximate right angle, and a third edge 30 connected to the first and 
second adjacent edges 26,28 at respective acute angles. The third edge 30 
substantially forms the hypotenuse of the right triangle. 
The first and second striking surfaces 18,20 extend downwardly from the 
respective first and second adjacent edges 26,28, and each of the first 
and second striking surfaces 18,20 includes a respective bottom edge 
32,34. The third edge 30 is free from having a downwardly extending 
striking surface. The first and second bottom edges 32,34 lie in a bottom 
plane spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the top plane. The 
top and bottom planes, in cooperation with the first and second striking 
surface planes, define a cavity. Each of the first and second bottom edges 
32,34 includes a respective outwardly facing chamber 40,42 along the 
intersection of the bottom plane and the respective first and second 
striking surface plane. 
The hosel 44 includes a first end portion 46 connected to the head top 
surface 14, and a second end portion 48 extending upwardly from the top 
surface 14. "Hosel" herein is used to designate the entire portion of the 
club head 12 extending from the top surface 14 to the shaft 54. The hosel 
first end portion 46 is preferably connected to the top surface 14 at a 
location spaced apart and substantially equidistant from the first and 
second striking surfaces 18,20, and substantially mediate the third edge 
30. The hose second end portion 48 projects upwardly from the top surface 
14 along an axis 50 substantially parallel to one of the first and second 
striking surface planes, and at an acute angle to the other of the first 
and second striking surface planes. The acute angle is preferably less 
than sixteen degrees, and is required to be greater than ten degrees by 
the United States Golf Association rules. The hosel 44 also includes an 
intermediate portion 52 connected to each of the hosel first and second 
end portions 46,48. The hosel intermediate portion 52 preferably slopes 
toward one of the first and second striking surfaces 18,20. 
The shaft 54 includes first and second end portions 56,58, and an 
intermediate portion 60. The shaft first end portion 56 is connected to 
the hosel second end portion 48, in a conventional manner. Each of the 
shaft second end and intermediate portions 58,60 are at least partially 
covered by respective individual gripping portions 62,64. 
USE OF THE INVENTION 
The instant invention is particularly adapted for use in both long and 
short putting situations. Where a relatively long putt is being attempted, 
for example, in excess of 45 feet, a conventional golf stance is assumed. 
The golfer stands facing the ball, with the cup located approximately 90 
degrees from the direction in which the golfer is facing. 
The club 10 is gripped with both hands on the shaft second gripping portion 
62. The club 10 is rotated such that the second striking surface 20 is 
positioned to address the ball, and the golfer positions himself a 
sufficient distance from the ball to cause the top surface 14 of the club 
10 to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the ground. 
Owing to the small angle between the axis of the shaft 54 and the first 
striking surface 18, and the consequentially small angle between the shaft 
54 and a line perpendicular to the surface of the ground, the golfer is 
positioned relatively close to the ball as compared to golf clubs designed 
to propel the ball great distances. The relatively close position of the 
golfer's body to the ball aids in achieving a tightly controlled swing. 
The chamfers 40,42 along the striking surface bottom edges 32,34 prevent 
the head 12 from catching on the grass of the putting surface. 
In the more common putting situation involving a relatively short distance, 
for example, less than 45 feet, the golfer assumes a totally different 
stance, substantially behind and slightly to one side of a line extending 
from the ball to the cup. The club 10 is rotated 90 degrees from the above 
described position, such that the first striking surface 18 is positioned 
to address the ball. The club 10 is preferably gripped with the left hand 
positioned on the second gripping portion 62 and the right hand positioned 
on the intermediate gripping portion 64. It has been found that some 
golfers prefer a backhand or reverse grip to that just described. In 
either event, the golfer is now positioned to accurately stroke the club 
10 back beside his foot along a line extending substantially directly from 
the ball to the cup, and coinciding with his line-of-sight. Little force 
is required for such short putts, and the inertia of the head is 
sufficient to propel the ball to the cup, without need for a long back 
stroke. The offset position of the head 12 relative to the shaft 54, 
caused by the slope of the hosel intermediate portion 52, advantageously 
aids the golfer in keeping the club 10 close to his body while putting, 
and further enhance this style of putting. 
The above description, and the appended Figures, refer specifically to a 
club 10 manufactured for use by a right handed golfer. This assumption is 
made purely for convenience sake, and it would be obvious to one skilled 
in the art to produce a mirror image club designed for use by left handed 
golfers. Such reversal of design, and other minor modifications to the 
described invention, is specifically intended to be embraced by the 
appended claims. Also, although the term line-of-sight is used throughout 
with reference to a line extending from the ball to the cup, it will be 
appreciated that such a line is often found to extend, in fact, from the 
ball to a predetermined point other than the cup, in order to account for 
variations in the terrain intermediate the ball and the cup. 
Other aspect, objects, advantages and uses of the instant invention can be 
obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended 
claims.