Golf putter and methods thereof

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a golf putter and methods of using the same. More specifically, embodiments relate to an improved golf putter, designed to allow a golfer to utilize the putter in a novel manner, yielding enhanced results. In one embodiment, a golf putter comprises a club head having a face thereon, the face designed to impact a golf ball; a shaft, connected on a first end to the club head; a golf grip, positioned on a second end of the shaft, the golf grip having a first gripping section positioned beneath a second gripping section; wherein the first gripping section of the golf grip comprises an first ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a control hand of a golfer; and wherein the second gripping section of the golf grip comprises a second ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a stabilizing hand of the golfer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a golf putter and methods of using the same. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to an improved golf putter, designed to allow a golfer to utilize the putter in a novel manner, yielding enhanced results.

2. Description of the Related Art

Golf theory teaches that a putting stroke should be executed in generally pendulum-like fashion. In the conventional method for putting, the hands of the golfer are typically located one beneath the other and grasp the shaft in a reverse overlap grip, thereby positioning one shoulder beneath the other. During the stroke, in order to approximate pendulum-like movement, a body adjustment is made, to compensate for the fact that the shoulders are not naturally level upon address of the ball. Generally, this requires undesired movement of the forearms and/or wrists. While this conventional method has clearly proven satisfactory over time, it is difficult to execute with consistency, since the necessary body adjustment is a complex physical movement.

In addition, when striking the ball, it is often difficult for a golfer to maintain a rigid form, even when concentrating on maintaining form over all other parameters. Too often, a golfer may break his or her wrists at moment before impact, causing the face of the club head to strike the golf ball in an undesirable manner, usually causing a poor putt.

Thus, there is a need for improved golf putter, designed to allow a golfer to utilize the putter in a novel manner, yielding enhanced results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a golf putter and methods of using the same. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to an improved golf putter, designed to allow a golfer to utilize the putter in a novel manner, yielding enhanced results.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a golf putter comprises a club head having a face thereon, the face designed to impact a golf ball; a shaft, connected on a first end to the club head; a golf grip, positioned on a second end of the shaft, the golf grip having a first gripping section positioned beneath a second gripping section; wherein the first gripping section of the golf grip comprises an first ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a control hand of a golfer; and wherein the second gripping section of the golf grip comprises a second ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a stabilizing hand of the golfer.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a golf grip for adaption to a standard golf putter shaft, comprises: a first gripping section comprising an first ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a control hand of a golfer in a traditional manner, whereby the index finger and thumb of the control hand grasp the first gripping section at a point beneath the remaining fingers of the control hand; a second gripping section of the golf grip comprising a second ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a stabilizing hand of the golfer in a manner whereby the index finger and thumb of the stabilizing hand grasp the second gripping section at a point above the remaining fingers of the stabilizing hand; and an adaption means for adapting to a standard golf putter shaft.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, A method of stroking a golf ball on a putting green, comprises: providing a golf putter comprising a club head having a face thereon, the face designed to impact a golf ball; a shaft, connected on a first end to the club head; a golf grip, positioned on a second end of the shaft, the golf grip having a first gripping section positioned beneath a second gripping section; wherein the first gripping section of the golf grip comprises an first ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a control hand; and wherein the second gripping section of the golf grip comprises a second ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a stabilizing hand; gripping the first gripping section using the control hand, whereby the index finger and thumb of the control hand grasp the first gripping section at a point beneath the remaining fingers of the control hand; gripping the second gripping section of the golf grip using the stabilizing hand, whereby the index finger and thumb of the stabilizing hand grasp the second gripping section at a point above the remaining fingers of the stabilizing hand; aligning the face of the club head against the golf ball, positioned perpendicular to a line of desired direction of the golf ball; and creating a pendulum motion using a control shoulder and a stabilizing shoulder, initially in a direction away from the golf ball, followed by a direction towards the golf ball, making contact therewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a golf putter and methods of using the same. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to an improved golf putter, designed to allow a golfer to utilize the putter in a novel manner, yielding enhanced results.

FIG. 1depicts a perspective view of a golf putter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A golf putter100generally comprises a club head110having a face112thereon, a substantially rigid shaft120, and a golf grip130. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the club head110may comprise any type of club head currently utilized and known in the industry, suitable for embodiments of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the club head110may comprise a blade putter head, a peripheral weighted putter head, a mallet putter head, or the like.

Similarly, the face112of the club head110may comprise any suitable face for embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the face112may comprise a traditional metal face, an insert face, a groove face or the like. In many embodiments, the face112is qualified as any surface designed to impact a golf ball when the golf putter100is in use.

The shaft120generally comprises a substantially rigid material, and in many embodiments is made of a metal, a metal alloy, a polymer, combinations thereof or the like. The shaft120may be of any length suitable for embodiments of the present invention, which is often dictated by the height of a golfer and/or the length of a golfer's arms. In many embodiments, the shaft may comprise a length of between about 32 inches and about 52 inches. In other embodiments, the shaft may comprise a length of between about 35 inches to about 42 inches.

The golf grip130generally comprises a first gripping section132, a second gripping section134and an adaption means136for adapting the golf grip130to the shaft120. The adapting means136may comprise any means suitable for embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the adapting means136comprising the opening to a hollow cavity within the golf grip130for allowing the shaft120to enter into the cavity and create a friction fit with the golf grip130. In another embodiment, the adaption means136comprises a snap lock, a screw lock, an adhesive, or the like for adapting the golf grip130to the shaft120.

The first gripping section132section of the golf grip130comprises a first ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a control hand of a golfer. The second gripping section134of the golf grip130comprises a second ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a stabilizing hand of a golfer. Generally, the cross-sections of the first gripping section132and the second gripping section134, respectively, are angled copies of one another (e.g., ranging from about 30 degrees to 90 degrees). That is, in many embodiments, the cross-section of the first gripping section132is the same as that of the second gripping section134, rotated at a predetermined angle. A more detailed discussion of the cross-sections of the first and second gripping sections132and134is provided herein with respect toFIGS. 2,3and3A.

The first gripping section132and the second gripping section134may be positioned adjacent to each other, or may be a set distance apart. In one embodiment, the bottom of the first gripping section132is between about 12 inches to about 24 inches from the top of the second gripping section134. In many embodiments, the length of the golf grip130is dependent upon the length of a golfer's forearm and hand, such that the length of the golf grip130may be substantially the length of the golfer's outstretched fingers up to the elbow. In other embodiments, the length between the first gripping section132and the second gripping section134is about 8 inches to about 14 inches.

The golf grip130may generally comprise any material suitable for embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the golf grip130comprises a corded material having any one of natural or synthetic materials therein. Where a corded material is provided, generally the cord material will be wrapped around the shaft120and will be provided with an adhesive on the underside thereof. Such hard, corded materials may include leather, rubber, or the like.

In another embodiment, the golf grip130may comprise a slip-on material, generally, a natural or synthetic rubber, or blends thereof. A slip-on material is generally assembled as a golf grip130in its entirety before being adapted to a shaft120. Such exemplary slip-on golf grips are often manufactured using a rubber extrusion process, or similar process to yield a self-stabilized grip, independent of any other golf putter component.

FIG. 2depicts a side view of the grip of the golf putter in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As introduced above, the golf grip200generally comprises a first gripping section232, a second gripping section234and an adaption means236for adapting the golf grip200to the shaft220. As portrayed in the exemplary embodiment shown in the Figure, the first gripping section232has a different width (or cross-section) than the second gripping section234, and is clearly more narrow. However, when compared toFIG. 3, depicting a front view of the grip of the golf putter shown inFIG. 2, the second gripping section234is more narrow than the first gripping section232. In such an embodiment, the cross-section of each the first and second gripping sections232and234are substantially oval, positioned at a predetermined angle to one another.

In accordance with many embodiments of the present invention, the cross-section of each of the first gripping section232and second gripping section234may comprise any shape or configuration suitable for embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, such shape need only be ergonomically designed for proper golfer form, as discussed herein. For example, as shown inFIG. 3A, depicting a top view of the exemplary golf grip shown inFIG. 3, the first gripping section232and the second gripping section234comprise substantially oval cross sections, having at least one slightly flattened edge, where such edges are positioned at an angle α away from each other.

While embodiments of the present invention may comprise first and second gripping sections232and234having substantially similar cross-sections at predetermined angles to one another, embodiments of the present invention contemplate any plausible cross-section shape, whereby the first and second gripping sections232and234are independent of one another.

FIG. 4depicts a schematic of a golfer's body positioning in relation to a golf putter in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In use, a golfer410may utilize a golf putter, designed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, to enhance putting performance on a putting green. As shown in the exemplary embodiment depicted in the Figure, a golfer410generally comprises a control hand440at the end of a control arm442, which is connected with a control shoulder (not shown). Similarly, a golfer410comprises a stabilizing hand450at the end of a stabilizing arm452, which is connected with a stabilizing shoulder (not shown).

FIG. 5depicts a flowchart showing a method of utilizing a golf putter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5may be described in connection with the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, and will utilize such reference numbers where appropriate. The method of utilizing a golf putter beings at step510. At step520, a golf putter is provided, the golf putter comprising a shaft420, connected on a first end to a club head having a face, and a golf grip430having a first gripping section432and a second gripping section434.

At step530, a golfer410may grip the first gripping section432using a control hand440, whereby an index finger446and thumb444of the control hand440are situated at a point beneath the remaining fingers of the control hand440.

At step540, a golfer410may grip the second gripping section434using a stabilizing hand450, whereby an index finger456and thumb454of the stabilizing hand450are situated at a point above the remaining fingers of the stabilizing hand450. In one optional embodiment, when gripping the second gripping section434, the golfer410may fully extend and brace at least one finger of the stabilizing hand450against a control arm442. In one of such embodiments, the golfer410may utilize the index finger456of the stabilizing hand450and/or a pinky finger458of the stabilizing hand450to brace against the control arm442for enhanced precision and rigidity of the golfer's frame.

At step550, the golfer410will utilize a line of sight to align the golf putter with a golf ball on a putting green. In many embodiments, the alignment may be between the golf ball and a hole on a putting green. In alternative embodiments, the alignment may be between the golf ball and a desired location, either for advantageous positioning on the golf green or for some other purpose.

At step560, the golfer410will create a pendulum motion with the control shoulder and stabilizing shoulder, while maintaining the golfer's frame. In view of such frame, the control and stabilizing shoulder should naturally rotate simultaneously, as the control arm442and stabilizing arms452, respectively connected thereto, force the shoulders to cooperate with one another. The pendulum motion will generally begin away from the golf ball, when the golfer410is standing with traditional putting footing (i.e., adjacent the golf ball, initially with the putter face aligned proximate the desired striking location of the golf ball). When a desired pendulum force is reached, the golfer410will generally change direction of the pendulum motion back towards the golf ball, and will make contact therewith using the face of the club head of the golf putter. The exemplary method500ends at step570, and the method500may be repeated as many times as necessary until the golfer410satisfactorily completes the golf hole.