Golf putter

A golf putter, with an extended length shaft having an upper end adapted to be held against the front of the golfer's body in an anchor position during the putting stroke. A club head is affixed to the lower end of the shaft, and has a planar ball-striking face formed thereon. A shaft grip is positioned intermediate the upper and lower ends. The shaft grip extends backwardly from the shaft means away from and transverse to the ball-striking face of the club head. The shaft grip is positioned along the length of the shaft to enable gripping thereof by the golfer's other hand. The shaft grip may be one elongated member, or a pair of vertically spaced elongated members. When the spaced elongated members are used, the shaft may be separated at the inner ends of the elongated members while the outer ends are connected together to form a U-shaped shaft grip whereby the shaft grip becomes a part of a continuous shaft having a U-shaped bend intermediate the club head and the upper end of the shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the invention 
This invention relates to golf putters in general and, in particular, to 
golf putters which can be used to stroke a putt with a minimum of body 
movement to improve accuracy. 
2. Description of the Prior Art. 
A major part of the game of golf is putting, which requires a great deal of 
precision. There are a wide number of different types of putting strokes, 
each of which are slightly different from each other. These strokes all 
have one common ingredient and that is that the stroke is to be precisely 
repeated each time. Difficulty arises in achieving that precise repetition 
For example, in the most common putting stroke with available commercial, 
standard length putters, the golfer addresses the ball in a stance that is 
parallel to the target line, bends over the target line, and strikes the 
ball by moving the putter back and forward with his arms. While most think 
that only the arms are moving, in fact there are minute weight and body 
balance changes that all take place during the putting stroke. These 
minute body motion changes affect the wrists, elbows, upper arms, hips, 
knees and ankles, all at the same time. These minute changes begin the 
instant we initiate the stroke, creating initial moderate upper body 
motion and changing the weight and body balance. 
Preferably, the conventional putting stroke is one fluid motion. The ankles 
and feet evert and invert with the back swing and reverse follow on the 
forward swing, with a right foot plantar flex. The knees flex and the 
quadriceps and hamstrings contract isometrically as the golfer addresses 
the ball. The back is straight in the coronal and sagittal planes, but 
rotates around the vertical axis as the shoulders rotate with respect to 
the plane of the feet. This truncal rotation occurs because the hips do 
not rotate as much as the shoulders. 
All of the above-noted changes are relatively minute, except for the arm 
swing. The usual result is a "hip arc" putter path motion as the ball is 
stroked, causing the putter face to be "open" at the end of the back swing 
and "closed" at the end of the forward swing. While the "open" and 
"closed" positions are only slight deviations, they are nonetheless 
deviations from the required putter face orientation at the point of 
impact, i.e. perpendicular to the desired path for the ball to travel. So, 
considering all of the variables noted above, even though each has only a 
minute impact, it is not hard to understand why it is so difficult to 
obtain and maintain a correct, repetitive putting stroke--even for 
professional golfers. 
Obviously, since the ability to have a good, repetitive putting stroke is 
so important, a number of products have been developed to improve putting 
strokes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,228 discloses a putter configuration which is 
used in a modified croquet style stance using the golfer's arm as a part 
of a pendulum arm. However, because of the relatively short shaft, 
constant modification of the golfer's stance is required in order to use 
the putter for various length putts, causing inconsistent results. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,207 also teaches the use of a modified croquet style 
putting using an extended length or long shaft putter. While the position 
and stance variation problems are alleviated by this configuration, the 
golfer's body has a tendency to twist as the putter is swung, introducing 
the "hip arc" effect described above. 
Another interesting development is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,668. 
While this putter was developed for use by golfers who are handicapped by 
having only one arm for use during the putting stroke, it does help reduce 
some unwanted body motion. This putter has an extended length shaft, with 
the top end of the shaft having affixed thereto a semi-circular C-shaped 
band which is adapted to support the shaft about and against the upper 
portion of the golfer's forearm. The shaft is bent intermediate the club 
head and top end into a generally horizontally disposed V-shape, with the 
top leg of the V defining a handle or gripping area. However, the C-shaped 
band engaging the forearm is also moving during the swing, so that there 
is no fixed reference point. 
Therefore, none of the above-noted or other prior art putters meet the goal 
of reducing or eliminating as many of the physical geometric body control 
variables as possible. 
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved golf 
putter. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved golf putter 
which eliminates unnecessary body movement and reduces other body control 
variables during the putting stroke. 
Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become 
apparent when the following description is take in conjunction with the 
accompanying drawings. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An improved, extended length shaft golf putter which includes a putter 
having a ball-striking face, and a shaft means for moving the putter head. 
The lower end of the shaft means is affixed to the putter head, and the 
upper end is adapted to be held in a fulcrum-anchor position against the 
golfer's chest by one of the golfer's hands. 
A shaft grip section means is positioned and joined to the shaft 
intermediate the ends of the shaft means. The shaft grip means extends 
backwardly away from and is perpendicular to the ball-striking face of the 
putter head. 
In a first embodiment, the shaft grip means is an elongated member normally 
disposed in a substantially horizontal position, which may be pivoted to a 
position adjacent the shaft for storage. A second embodiment has a 
U-shaped configuration. The shaft has upper and lower portions. An upper 
leg of the U-shape is joined to the lower end of the upper portion of the 
shaft. A lower leg of the U-shape is joined to the upper end of the lower 
portion of the shaft. Other handle configurations are discussed in the 
description hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5 there is illustrated a first embodiment 
of a golf putter embodying the teachings of this invention. The putter 
indicated generally at 10 includes a club head 14 having a ball-striking 
face 16 formed thereon the face preferably being planar across the entire 
face surface. 
A shaft means 20 has an upper end 22 and a lower end 24 affixed to the club 
head 14 by any of the various methods well known to those skilled in the 
art. In the front view of FIG. 2 it can be seen that the lower end 24 of 
the shaft 20 is affixed to club head 14 at a point offset from the center 
of club head 14, as may be preferred by some golfers. The end of the club 
head 14 which is remote from the shaft 20 may be weighted to reduce or 
eliminate any torque effect from the ball being struck by face 16 away 
from the axis of shaft 20. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 20 
may be affixed to the center of the club head 14, to assist in alignment 
of a desired ball striking position on the club face 16, and to remove any 
torque effect with respect to shaft 20. 
A shaft grip section means is indicated generally at 30, and in this 
embodiment is an elongated member 32 joined to shaft 20 intermediate the 
upper end 22 and lower end 24. The member 32 is in a substantially 
horizontal position, but may be tilted slightly upwardly or slightly 
downwardly, depending upon how the golfer grips the handle, e.g. how many 
fingers are to be wrapped around the handle. In FIG. 1, the elongated 
member 32 may be joined to shaft 20, by a pin, bolt or other suitable 
means known to those skilled in the art, in a substantially horizontal 
position. The member 32 extends backwardly away from shaft 20 and 
transverse or perpendicular to the plane of the ball striking point on the 
face 16 of club head 14. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a means for selectively 
joining said elongated member 32 to one of a plurality of vertically 
spaced positions along shaft 20 to accommodate different body dimensions 
of different golfers, e.g. different arm lengths, leg lengths, trunk 
lengths, etc. A sleeve 34 having a plurality of transverse bores 36 formed 
therein is slidably mounted on shaft 20. A plurality of bores 38 are 
formed in shaft 20, with spacing therebetween corresponding to the bores 
36 formed in sleeve 34. The sleeve 34 can be moved up or down shaft 20 and 
secured in a selected position by pins, bolts, screws, or the like. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a shaft grip joining means 
which includes means 42 for pivotably supporting the elongated handle 
member 32. A clamp means 46 carries a pivot pin 44 which is threaded 
through ear extensions of clamp 46. The end 33 of member 32 adjacent the 
shaft 20 is pivotably mounted on pin 44 between the ear extensions of 
clamp 46. The member end 33 is chamfered at 31 to enable handle 32 to be 
pivoted up to and back from a position adjacent the shaft 20, as noted by 
the handle position shown in phantom lines and the two-headed, arcuate 
arrow. The end 29 of the chamfer 31 is long enough so that when the member 
32 is returned to the substantially horizontal position, the end 29 will 
jam against shaft 20 to hold the member 32 in that position for putting. 
The putter may thus be more easily inserted into and removed from a golf 
bag. Alternate structures are available holding the member 32 in both the 
vertical and horizontal positions. 
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the 
teachings of this invention. The putter indicated generally at 58 includes 
a club head 86 having a ball-striking face 88 formed thereon, the face 
preferably being planar across the entire face surface. 
A shaft means is indicated generally at 70, and includes an upper portion 
72 having an upper end 74 and a lower end 76, and further includes a lower 
portion 78 having an upper end 80 and lower end 82. The lower end 82 of 
shaft portion 78 is affixed to the club head 86 by any of various methods 
known in the art. 
A shaft grip section means is indicated generally at 60, and includes 
vertically spaced elongated members 62, 64. The members 62,64 may be 
spaced closely enough together so that a golfer's hand may grip the handle 
means 60 by wrapping the hand around both members 62,64. Alternatively, 
the members 62, 64 may be spaced far enough apart so that the golfer may 
grip either one to move the putter to strike the ball. However, some 
golfers will receive more "feel" or feedback if they grip the lower member 
64 and position the back of the gripping hand against the upper member 62. 
This tactile "feel" that may be obtained by the golfer may be obtained 
with variations of the structure shown. For example, the lower end 76 of 
upper portion 72 of shaft means 70 may be connected to the upper end 80 of 
lower portion 78 of shaft means 70, to form a continuous shaft. 
Obviously, if this structural variation is used, the shaft means 70 will be 
manufactured as a single piece shaft as shown in FIG. 1. Then the 
elongated members 62, 64 are joined to the shaft 70 in vertically spaced 
positions, with the spacing depending upon whether the golfer wants to be 
able to wrap his hand around both members, grip the top member only, or 
grip the lower member while positioning the back of that hand against the 
upper member. 
The "feel" is obtained from the "tuning fork" effect obtained from the 
spaced elongated members. In the structure just discussed, the two 
elongated members act as the tines or prongs of a tuning fork which will 
try to vibrate at a frequency indicating that the ball has been struck 
properly. This can be felt by the golfer's gripping hand. In this 
instance, the flex points of the members 64 is at their connection point 
with the shaft 70. 
In the structural variation shown in FIG. 6, the lower end 76 of upper 
shaft portion 72 is separated from the upper end 80 of lower shaft portion 
78 by a space 84. The inner end of upper elongated member 62 is connected 
to the lower end 76 of upper shaft portion 72. The inner end of lower 
elongated member 64 is connected to the upper end 80 of lower shaft 
portion 78. 
As shown in FIG. 6, the outer ends of elongated members 62, 64 are 
connected by a bight or curved member 66, to form a U-shaped shaft grip 
section means 60. There are flex points at the inner ends of elongated 
members 62, 64 at their connection points with the shaft portions 72, 78. 
There are also flex points at the outer ends of members 62, 64 at their 
connection points to the bight 66. Thus, there are four flex sections of 
the putter that can contribute to the "tuning fork" effect and to the 
"feel" imparted to the golfer. It is therefore believed that this 
structure provides the most "feel" for the golfer. While both the shaft 
grip means and the upper end of the shaft may be covered by a grip wrap of 
leather, rubber, plastic, etc., a golfer may prefer that the handle means 
is left unwrapped to obtain more "feel", particularly the U-shaped handle. 
This embodiment should be constructed as a single piece shaft, whereby the 
shaft grip section means becomes a part of a continuous shaft having a 
U-shaped bend intermediate the club head and the upper end of the shaft. 
The height of the two elongated members 62, 64 can be changed with respect 
to either the upper end or lower end of the shaft means by providing a 
telescoping structure in either the upper portion or the lower portion, or 
both, of the shaft means. Thus, at the time of purchase the putter can be 
specifically fitted to the individual golfer's body dimensions. After the 
telescoping portions have been adjusted, they can be fixed at the adjusted 
position by crimping, adhesive, welding, or the like. 
To use either of the two embodiments disclosed herein, the golfer takes his 
stance at address parallel to the target line desired. The target line 
referred to is the direction that the golfer desires for the ball to 
travel initially. If the green is level, this is a straight line from the 
ball to the hole. If the green has one or more "breaks" between the ball 
and the hole, the target line is the initial direction that the golfer 
starts the ball, allowing the breaks to curve the ball back to the hole. 
The line described by the toes of the golfer's feet is preferably parallel 
to the target line. 
As shown in FIG. 7 and 8, the golfer leans forward until his putting arm 
and hand hang straight down. The golfer grasps the upper end of the putter 
with the other hand, obtaining a fulcrum-anchor position for the upper end 
of the putter by holding his other hand and the upper end of the putter, 
in position for pivoting the putter shaft, against the front of his 
body--preferably against the upper chest area. It is preferred that the 
putter shaft will be vertical and directly above the target line. If the 
putting arm is also hanging straight down over the target line, both the 
axes of the putter shaft and the putting arm will define a plane that 
includes the target line. 
The shaft grip section is grasped by the hand of the putting arm. In FIG. 7 
the putting hand is gripping the upper elongated member of the U-shaped 
means. In FIG. 8, the putting hand is gripping the lower elongated handle 
of the U-shaped means, with the back of that hand touching the upper 
elongated member to obtain more "feel" during the putting stroke. As noted 
hereinafter, the two elongated members of the U-shaped means may be placed 
close enough together so that the putting hand and fingers can wrap around 
and grasp both members. As also noted hereinbefore, a single elongated 
member may be used as a shaft grip section means to be gripped by the 
putting hand. 
Whichever shaft grip means is used it should be located along the shaft so 
that when the golfer assumes his stance and leans over as described above, 
the putting arm is fully extended downwardly in a straight line, so that 
the putting arm pivots only at the shoulder. Since the putting arm is 
being held straight down, it is much more difficult to have any volar and 
dorsal flexion of the wrist when there is no ulnar deviation in the 
forearm. The wrist can be virtually locked. 
With the axes of the putter handle, putter shaft, and putter arm being in 
the same plane, and the shaft and arm hanging straight down, a smooth 
pendulum motion can be obtained along the target line with virtually no 
motion in any joints other than that shoulder of the putting arm. Since 
fewer body elements are called into motion, the tendency of other body 
parts to interreact to maintain body balance is reduced, or eliminated. 
In contrast, when a conventional long shaft putter is used with the upper 
end of the shaft being held against the chest, the putter shaft itself 
must be gripped by the putting hand along the vertical shaft. This puts 
the wrist in a position where there can be considerable flexion in the 
wrist, as well as more ulnar deviation in the forearm, plus movement in 
other joints as the palm of the putting hand pushes the putter. 
While the choice of the specific components, and their arrangement in the 
preferred embodiments described hereinbefore, provide the best results and 
advantages over the prior art, the invention is not limited to those 
specific components and their arrangement. Therefore, the forms of the 
invention shown and described is to be taken as illustrative only, and 
changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the 
invention. 
There has thus been disclosed apparatus which differs structurally from, 
provides functions not performed by, and has clear advantages over the 
prior art.