Golf putter

An improvement to a golf club putter for aligning the putter head to the golf ball consisting of placing measured thickness protrusions consisting of parallel surfaces on both sides of the hosel of the putter head, the thickness of the protrusions such that when the golfer using the club first aligns himself to the cup and then visually sights along the protrusions to the lower edges of the putter faces, and no portion of the lower edges of the putter faces below the protrusions are visible on either side of the protrusions, the face of the putter head is correctly aligned with respect to the golfer in order to correctly strike the ball for a true travel to the cup. Further, by the added weight resulting from the inclusion of the protrusions to the hosel, the sweet spot of the golf club is thereby enlarged which has the effect of enlarging the area of the head whereby a solid hit is achieved. Lastly, the putter head is partially split longitudinally allowing an extra push to be exerted upon the ball by the putter as it leaves the putter when it is struck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In the game of golf, putting is considered one of the fine arts. 
Accordingly, each year sees the introduction of numerous new putters all 
supposedly designed to improve over the already existing hundreds of 
putters. Each new putter seems to offer a new twist to the state of the 
art, incorporating various designs into the shape of the putter head, or 
in the method in which the head is attached to the putter shaft. Putting, 
being such a fine art, requires utmost concentration to assure that the 
golf ball is hit straight and solid, and that it should commence rolling, 
rather than sliding, as soon as possible after being struck by the putter. 
A sliding ball is not a controlled ball as is a rolling ball. 
Putter construction, in accordance with the rules of the U.S. Golf 
Association, require that the face of the putter, i.e., the portion which 
strikes the ball, shall not have any degree of concavity and shall be 
generally smooth. Most, if not all, putter faces are flat. For a well 
directed strike or hit, the golfer must orient himself so that he faces at 
a right angle to the direction which he wishes the golf ball to commence 
its travel after being struck. In a case where it is desired that the ball 
roll straight into the golf course cup, the golfer's stance would be such 
that he faces perpendicularly to a line drawn between the golf ball and 
the cup. That being so, the putter face which is to strike the golf ball 
should be in line with the direction the golfer is facing, and also 
perpendicular to the direction which it is desired that the golf ball 
should commence its travel. 
With today's golf putters, the perpendicular angle at which the club is to 
strike the golf ball to send it on its way is determined by the golfer 
looking at the face of the putter head and then by rotating the head until 
the golfer believes that the proper right angle alignment of the putter 
head with respect to the golf ball has been achieved for the subsequent 
striking of the golf ball. 
In striking the golf ball with the putter head, it is important that that 
portion of the head known as the "sweet spot" contact the ball. The sweet 
spot is generally defined as that portion of the putter head where a solid 
hit is achieved, and is the center of mass of the putter head. According 
to the November 1984 issue of GOLF MAGAZINE, the "sweet spot" or center of 
mass may be determined by holding the putter loosely between the thumb and 
the forefinger in a hanging position and gently tapping the face of the 
putter with the eraser end of a pencil. The point at which the head 
resists twisting is the sweet spot. 
Obviously then, it becomes a great advantage to the golfer to know if there 
exists some means by which the golfer may ascertain through a mechanical 
method that his putter head is in right alignment with his stance, he 
increases his changes that he will properly strike the golf ball and that 
the golf ball will commence its travel in the proper direction relative to 
the golfer. It is also an obvious benefit to the golfer if the golfer can 
hit the ball in the sweet spot of the putter so, accordingly, if the sweet 
spot of the putter has been modified such as to enlarge it, more 
repetitive solid hits of the golf ball can be expected. 
It is the object of the subject invention to provide these improvements to 
the golfer in order to enhance his golf game. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The embodiment of the invention described consists of placing added metal 
upon the shaft or "hosel" as it is known, of a golf club putter head in 
the form of protrusions or projections whereby the golfer, by sighting 
along the sides of the protrusions or projections on the shaft, can 
rightly align the golf club putter head in relationship to his stance and 
be perpendicular to an imaginary line drawn between the cup and the golf 
ball, or any other direction that it is desired the golf ball travel 
immediately after being hit. By virtue of the protrusions or projections 
which are added to the putter hosal, weight is also added with the effect 
that the sweet spot area at which a solid hit is achieved is enlarged. 
To accomplish the above, the inventor forms on the shaft or hosel of the 
putter head two protrusions on opposite sides directed outwardly of the 
shaft and having a cross-section which may be round, square, heart-shaped, 
or the like. The faces of these protrusions are parallel and flat on their 
cross-sectional surfaces, and are aligned to be parallel with the lower 
edge of the face of the putter head, i.e., the edge at the bottom of the 
portion which strikes the golf ball. Since the bottom edges of the putter 
head are also parallel and symmetrical with respect to the hosel, the face 
of each protrusion is thus parallel with the bottom edge of the putter 
face directly below it. The protrusions which emerge from opposite sides 
of the hosel have a total side to side thickness such that the golfer, 
when holding the golf club and viewing the putter head, can rightly align 
the putter head by sighting along the outside surfaces of the protrusions, 
and when the bottom edges of the face of the putter head and the opposite 
side are in alignment with the protrusions and are just covered by the 
protrusions, the putter head is correctly aligned with respect to the 
golfer's stance. Now if the golfer's stance is such that he faces at right 
angles to the direction which the golfer intends that the ball should 
travel, the putter head will also be in correct right angle alignment for 
striking the golf ball. 
The Inventor has chosen to form the protrusions with a cross-sectional 
shape of an inverted heart for decorative purposes, although any shape, 
which may be in cross-section round or square or other shape, would also 
work. 
It has been determined that with the addition of the weight of the 
protrusions added to the putter head hosel, the sweet spot where the 
putter will most solidly strike the ball is enlarged and drawn somewhat 
rearward towards the heel of the putter head. 
In the preferred embodiment, the Inventor has located the sightline, a 
notch transversely across the putter head, as the most forward point of 
the area of the sweet spot. 
In addition, it has been determined that an additional push can be given to 
the struck golf ball by placing a slot lengthwise through the bottom 
portion of of the putter head to divide longitudinally the head into two 
partially separated portions. By such means, when the golf ball is struck, 
the portion of the head divided by the slot which first engages the golf 
ball, flexes backwards a slight amount, and then springs forward as the 
golf ball leaves the head and thereby imparts an added push or velocity to 
the ball. 
In an alternate embodiment, the slot directed longitudinally through the 
putter head is eliminated for those who prefer a more solid single 
striking of the golf ball. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide means by 
which correct alignment of the putter head relative to the golfer may be 
achieved. 
It is another object of the subject invention whereby the correct alignment 
of the putter head to the golfer is provided by the golfer's sighting 
along the putter head shaft. 
It is still further another embodiment of the subject invention to provide 
means by which the sweet spot of the putter head is enlarged. 
It is another object of the subject invention to provide a means whereby 
the putter head may flex upon hitting of the golf ball and thereby impart 
an additional push to the ball as it leaves the putter head. 
Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part 
appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus 
possessing the construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of 
parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the 
scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to FIG. 1, a side view of the inventive putter head 10 is 
shown. Firstly, the right portion of the head 10 is known as the toe 12 of 
the putter, and the rear portion known as the heel 14. Located at a point 
slightly more than half the distance from the toe 12 to the heel 14 is the 
area where the hosel or shaft 16 joins the head. The hosel 16, which is 
shown emerging upward from the head, is a solid shaft about which the golf 
club shaft held by the golfer encompasses in a fixed connection to form a 
completed golf club. The hosel may also be sleeve shaped, but still 
adapted to receive the shaft of the golf club to firmly attach the putter 
head to the golf club. 
Attached to the hosel is an inverted heart-shaped lateral protrusion 18 
which emerges equally distant on both sides of the hosel, and has a fixed 
face to face known thickness. The surfaces of opposite faces of the 
protrusions are flat, parallel with themselves, and are also parallel with 
the bottom edges of the sides of the head. The ball striking side of the 
head is known as the "face", i.e., that portion adapted to strike the golf 
ball, and the other side known as the "side opposite the face". The face 
is denominated as numeral 24. As is readily apparent, if the putter head 
has only one face, then the club may be used by only right handed golfers, 
or left handed golfers, but not both. Now it is common for the putter head 
to have both sides finished to form ball hitting faces on both sides so 
the golf club is adaptable by both right and left handed golfers. 
Accordingly, the heads shown in FIGS. 2-4 show a head which has ball 
hitting faces on both sides. 
Shown on the putter head, immediately forward of the area where the hosel 
joins the club head, is notch 20 formed transversely across the head. This 
notch, known as the "sightline", locates the forward limit of the "sweet 
spot" area of the club. Shown passing from toe 12 to heel 14 is a dotted 
line representing groove or slot 22 which, in the preferred embodiment, 
essentially splits almost all of the putter head 10 into two separate 
pieces. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, a front view of putter head 10 is disclosed. 
Commencing at the top of FIG. 2, hosel 16 is shown emerging from the main 
body of head 10, here a solid shaft adapted to be encompassed at its end 
by a blind hole in the end of the golf club shaft (not shown). Located on 
hosel 16 is outwardly directed protrusions 18 shown in the front view 
detailing how the protrusions emerge from both sides of the hosel 16. It 
is noted that the side to side thickness of protrusions 18 is the same 
thickness as the distance between the bottom edges of the lowest portion 
of the body of the head 10, and that the sides of protrusions 18 are 
parallel to the bottom edges of head 10. Next, toe 12 is seen with slot 22 
passing through the total length of putter head 10. It is noted that the 
face of the putter head, i.e., that portion adapted to strike the ball and 
designated numeral 24, generally rises from the bottom-most part of the 
head at an angle of not more than 10.degree. from the vertical. This is 
known as the "loft" of the face 24. In the subject invention, both sides 
of putter 10 are alike and therefore either side may serve as the hitting 
face, thus the putter head is adaptable to both left and right handed 
golfers. Accordingly, the face opposite face 24 is denoted by numeral 26 
and all discussion relative to face 24 is equally applicable to face 26. 
The face 24 is machined smooth and flat with horizontal grid lines running 
from toe to heel. In the event that it is desired to restrict the club to 
either a right handed or left handed golfer solely, then the face opposite 
the intended hitting face may be left free of machining as desired. 
Continuing, FIG. 3 shows a top view of the subject putter head 10 
disclosing, in order, hosel 16, heart-shaped protrusions 18, notch 20, toe 
12, and heel 14. It is noted that opposite sides of the putter are 
parallel, meaning that the thickness of the toe and heel are the same. The 
top and bottom edges of face 24 and its opposite side, face 26, may be 
seen as two pair of two parallel lines. 
With the improvements which the Applicant has added to the art of putter 
construction, it is now possible for the Applicant to visually align the 
putter head adjacent the golf ball such that the face of the putter head 
is correctly aligned to an imaginary line drawn between the golf ball and 
the hole or cup or other direction that the golfer is attempting to direct 
the golf ball providing the golfer has properly aligned himself with 
respect to the golf ball and cup, or other direction desired. 
Utilizing a putter possessing the inventive putter head described, and 
assuming that the golf club shaft has been properly applied to the hosel 
of the subject putter head, the golfer first takes a position with respect 
to an imaginary line drawn between the cup and the golf ball or other 
direction the ball is to travel, such that he or she faces perpendicularly 
to that line, feet apart, and immediately above the golf ball with the 
golf ball approximately equal distance from each foot. This is the common 
and usual stance taken by golfers when making the putting shot. With the 
golf club in a vertical plane, the golfer aligns the putter to the golf 
ball and cup by positioning the putter head immediately behind the golf 
ball in such a position that the face of the head is aligned perpendicular 
to the imaginary line drawn between the cup and the golf ball. This 
alignment the golfer achieves with the subject putter head by viewing down 
upon the head as he holds the putter shaft. If the putter head is so 
aligned that when the golfer sights past both sides of the heart-shaped 
protrusions on the hosel to the bottom edges of both putter faces in the 
immediate viewing sector defined by the perimeter lines of the faces of 
the heart-shaped protrusions, then the golfer knows that the faces of the 
putter are aligned with respect to his stance. Accordingly, if the 
golfer's stance is properly aligned with the imaginary line to the cup, 
then so will be the putter head. 
If the face 24 of the putter head is not properly aligned to the golfer and 
thus to the imaginary line between the cup and the ball, a portion of 
faces 24 or 26 will be visible immediately adjacent to the edge of the 
face of the heart-shaped protrusions as viewed from above. The 
heart-shaped protrusions are so sized and have a thickness so determined 
that they will shadow portions of both faces, together with their 
respective edges, from the golfer's view. By such means, the golfer then 
knows that the face of the putter is in proper alignment with respect to 
him. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of the protrusions 
transversely to the longitudinal direction of the head is the same 
thickness as the thickness at the bottom of the body of the head. Since 
the protrusions are slightly closer to the eye of the golfer, it will 
appear slightly larger and shadow the like thickness of the putter below 
or behind it. 
Once the putter head is properly aligned, the golfer then needs to assure 
himself that he will be hitting the ball in the club's "sweet spot", which 
is determined in the subject invention to be that area from the rear limit 
of the heart-shaped protrusion on the heel portion of the head (as viewed) 
to the notch or sightline 20. Striking the ball with the putter head 
aligned, and in the area from the rear portion of the heart-shaped 
protrusion to the notch, produces a well defined, solid, and consistent 
hit. The rear limit to the "sweet spot" substantially extends to a point 
which is immediately vertically below the rear edge of the heart-shaped 
protrusions. With the addition of the protrusions to the hosel, more 
weight is placed in the vicinity of the existing "sweet spot" proximate 
the point where the hosel attaches to the faces of the head and, with the 
addition of weight in that immediate area, the effect is to enlarge the 
"sweet spot". An enlargement of the "sweet spot" makes it easier for the 
golfer to achieve a more solid strike of the ball. 
It has been determined that by forming longitudinal slot 22 through the 
greater portion of the vertical portion of putter head 10, more "spring" 
is imparted to the golf ball when it is struck by the putter head. This 
allows the face 24, when striking the golf ball, to firstly yield slightly 
backwards and then, as it returns to its original place, to urge the golf 
ball on its way with an extra push. 
Continuing on, FIG. 4 discloses an alternate embodiment of the invention 
wherein in the front view shown, the longitudinal slot 22 of the preferred 
embodiment has been deleted so that the putter head is a solid, unslotted 
piece. In this respect then, the putter will act like most putters and 
does not exhibit the spring back portion of the head as does the preferred 
embodiment. In all other aspects, however, the putter head shown in FIG. 4 
is the same as that shown in the first three Figures, i.e., the 
heart-shaped protrusions 18 still are designed to enable the golfer to 
visually ascertain that the club head is rightly aligned to the golfer's 
stance. 
While a preferred embodiment of the device, together with an alternate 
embodiment has been shown and described, it will be understood that there 
is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather it is 
intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions following 
within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the 
appended claims.