Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/730,307, filed Dec. 5, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,768, issued Sep. 30, 2003, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/169,443, filed Dec. 7, 1999, the entireties of both of which are incorporated by reference herein. 

   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&#39;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&#39;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. 
   Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a putter incorporating a grip constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional side elevation view of the grip of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the grip of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional side elevation view of a grip constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a putter incorporating a grip constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional side elevation view of the grip through line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional top plan view of the grip through line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional top plan view of the grip through line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional top plan view of the grip through line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional side elevation view of a setscrew that is used to attach the grip of  FIG. 5  to a shaft; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the grip of  FIG. 5 , a shaft extender, and an upper end of the shaft; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a shaft extender of that can be used in combination with the grip of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional side elevation view corresponding to  FIG. 6  but showing an alternative configuration of the shaft extender; and 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a putter incorporating a grip constructed in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   1. Resume 
   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&#39;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 to  FIGS. 1–3 , a putter  10  is illustrated which is conventional in construction except for incorporating a grip constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The putter  10  thus includes a head  12 , a shaft  14 , and a grip  16 . 
   The head  12  may 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 toe  18 , a rear heel  20 , a flat striking face  22  designed to engage the ball, and a top surface  24 . 
   The shaft  14  is also conventional and may be formed from a steel tube as illustrated or from graphite or any other material commonly used in shafts. The shaft  14  has an upper end  25  which is covered by the grip  16  and a lower end  26  which is attached to the top  24  of the head  12 . The shaft  14  is generally cylindrical and, therefore, has a longitudinal axis  28 . 
   A first preferred embodiment of the grip  16  includes an elongated tubular molded body  30  whose outer periphery consists of a first wall or surface  32  that is partially cylindrical in shape and a second wall or surface  34  that 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 body  30  has an upper end  36  which 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 shaft  14 . The body  30  further includes a lower end  38  which is open so as to be capable of sliding over the shaft  14 . Preferably, the top end  36  of the grip  16  has a hole  54  to permit air to escape as the grip  16  is mounted on the shaft  14 . An axial bore  44  is created within the grip  16  and is aligned with a longitudinal axis  42  of the grip  16 . The diameter of the bore closely matches the diameter of the shaft so that the grip  16  tightly surrounds the shaft  14  when the shaft is inserted into the grip  16 . 
   The grip  16  is constructed such that the maximum diameter of the grip formed by walls  32  and  40  is approximately 1⅝ to 1¾ inches maximum, with 1 11/16 inches preferred. This overall larger grip decreases flexing of the user&#39;s wrists during use. The grip  16  also has little or no taper so that its minimum diameter is at least 1½″. As a result, when the grip  16  is mounted onto the ⅜″ diameter shaft  14 , a step  35  of considerable width is formed between the lower end  38  of the grip and the shaft  14 . The step typically will be on the order ¼″ to ⅝″. 
   When the grip  16  is made of a material with relevant low resilience and/or the shaft  14  has a substantial taper such that the inner perimeter of the grip  16  will not form a tight seal with the outer perimeter of the shaft  14 , one or more tapered wedges  46  can be inserted in the gap between the grip  16  and the shaft  14 . 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 grip  16  to the shaft  14 . 
   Optionally, one or more spacers  48  may be inserted between an upper end  50  of the upper end  25  of the shaft  14  and a ceiling  52  of the bore  44  in the grip  16 . The optional spacer(s) determine(s) the amount of overlap of the grip  16  onto the shaft  14  by setting a spacing between the upper end  50  of the shaft  14  and the ceiling  52  of the bore  44 . This permits the position of the grip  16  relative to the shaft  14  to be adjusted by varying the number and/or thickness of the spacers  48 , hence varying the putter&#39;s grip height. 
   It is contemplated that the user will engage the flat wall  34  with the palm of his or her forward hand and will engage the step  35  with his or her two fingers of the trailing hand on opposite sides of the shaft. The flat wall  34  therefore is aligned generally parallel with the flat striking space  22 . The user&#39;s trailing hand then will engage the grip  16  generally around the partially cylindrical wall  32 . Thus, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is designed for a left-handed golfer. The grip  16  could just as easily be configured for a right-handed golfer by mounting the grip onto the shaft  14  rotatably 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 clubface  22  of the putter  10  with the ball in the conventional manner. Assuming the golfer is a left handed golfer, he or she then grasps the grip  16  with 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&#39;s right hand over the left hand, the golfer engages the step  35  of the grip  16  with his or her two fingers of the left hand on opposite sides of the shaft. Additionally, the golfer&#39;s wrist of his or her right hand will engage the flat wall  34 . Gripping the club  10  in 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&#39;s ability to drive the ball along its intended travel path. It is believed that the geometry of the grip  16  achieves 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&#39;s fingers, the golfer is free to grasp the grip  16  in any way he or she desires with comfort and without interference from the surface of the grip  16 . Furthermore, engaging the flat wall  34  of the grip  16  with the golfer&#39;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 grip  16  includes both the cylindrical wall  32  and the flat wall  34 , it could also be completely cylindrical. In this modification, the golfer&#39;s grip would be conventional except that the index and middle fingers of his or her trailing hand would engage the step  35  on opposite sides of the shaft. 
   3. Construction and Operation of a Second Preferred Embodiment 
   Although the grip  16  discussed 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 to  FIG. 4 , a two-component grip  116  is illustrated for a putter  110  that is identical to the putter  10  of the first embodiment except that it incorporates two materials into the grip  116 . Elements of the putter  110  of  FIG. 4  corresponding to elements of the putter  10  of  FIGS. 1–3  are, accordingly, designated by the same reference numerals, incremented by 100. The club  110  thus includes a head (not shown), a shaft  114 , and a grip  116 . A bore  144  in the grip  116  slips over the end of the shaft  114  to fix the grip in place. Also as in the first embodiment, a wedge  146  may be inserted in the gap between the bottom end of the grip  116  and the shaft  114  to help secure the grip  116  to the shaft  114 . Spacers  148  may be inserted between the top  150  of the upper end  125  of the shaft  114  and the ceiling  152  of the bore  144  in the grip  116  to set the grip height of the grip  116 . 
   The grip  116  differs from the grip  16  of the first embodiment only in that it is made of two components, a relatively rigid inner plastic sleeve  156  and a relatively pliant outer grip portion  158 . The inner plastic sleeve  156  is preferably a high density polyethylene or a polypropylene. The two components grip  116  could be molded in a bi-material co-extrusion process. Alternatively, the two component grip  116  may be manufactured in separate steps, and the outer grip portion  158  may be slipped over and glued onto or otherwise affixed to the inner sleeve  156 . 
   4. Construction and Operation of a Third Preferred Embodiment 
   Although the grips  16  and  116  discussed 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 to  FIGS. 5–13 , a grip  216  is provided for a putter  210  that is at least generally identical in size and shape to the putter  10  of the first embodiment. Hence the outer periphery of the grip  216  consists of a first surface  232  that is partially cylindrical in shape and a second surface  234  that is at least generally flat. The maximum diameter of the grip  216  formed by walls  32  and  40  is approximately 1⅝ to 1¾ inches maximum, with 1 11/16 inches preferred. This overall larger grip decreases flexing of the user&#39;s wrists during use. The grip  216  also has little or no taper so that its minimum diameter is at least 1½″. As a result, when the grip  16  is mounted onto the ⅜″ diameter shaft  14 , a step  35  of considerable width is formed between the lower end  38  of the grip and the shaft  14 . The step typically will be on the order ¼″ to ⅝″. 
   The grip  216  differs from the grips  16  and  116  primarily in that it can be securely but removably fixed in a desired position on the shaft  214  using selectively tightenable fasteners and without using the wedges of the first embodiment. Putter  210  also differs from putter  10  in that the molded body  230  is formed from a two-piece skeleton  260  and an outer gripping portion or sleeve  262  that covers the skeleton  260  and that preferably is formed form an elastomeric material. Elements of the putter  210  of  FIGS. 5 and 13  corresponding to elements of the putter  10  of  FIGS. 1–3  are, accordingly, designated by the same reference numerals, incremented by 200. As is shown in  FIG. 5 , the putter  210  thus includes a head  212 , a shaft  214 , and a grip  216 . 
   Referring now  FIGS. 6–11 , and  13  the elongated skeleton  260  has a first portion  264  and a second portion  266  screwed or otherwise attached to one another to form a single tubular skeleton. The first and second portions  264  and  266  of the skeleton  260  preferably are of identical construction. Preferably, each portion  264  and  266  is formed from injection molded plastic, although other materials can be used. Each portion includes an outer section  268  and an inner section  270  attached to one another by a plurality of radial ribs  272  extending between the inner and outer sections  270  and  268 . The outer sections  268  and the inner sections  270  of the respective first and second portions  264  and  266  face one another upon assembly of the skeleton  260  such that, when the first and second portions  264  and  266  are attached to one another, the outer sections  268  mate to form an outer wall  274  of the skeleton  260  and the inner sections  270  mate to form an inner wall  276 . The outer surface of the outer wall  274  defines a support surface for the sleeve  262  and has a shape identical to that of the sleeve  262 , i.e., it has a first, semi-cylindrical surface portion  278  and a second surface portion  280  that is at least generally flat. In the illustrated embodiment, the flat portion  280  is on the second portion  266  of the grip  216 . The inner surface of the inner wall  276  defines a bore  282 . Annular supports  284 , spaced axially along the bore  282  and formed from mating arcuate ribs  284  extending inwardly from the inner wall  276 , are configured to surround and engage the outer periphery of the grip  216  after assembly as best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Three such supports  284  are provided in the illustrated embodiment, spaced unequally along the length of the skeleton  260 . 
   Each skeleton portion  264  and  266  also includes upper and central braces  288  and  290  that extend between the inner and outer sections  270  and  268  so as to matingly engage each other upon grip assembly as seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , respectively. The braces  288  and  290  in the first portion  264  are aligned with corresponding recesses  292  and  293  in the outer section  268  of the flat portion  280 . At least two such recesses  292  and  293  are spaced peripherally around the outer periphery of the flat portion  280 . An Allen screw  294  or the like is adapted to be inserted through each recess  292  and  293  in the outer section  268  of the first portion  264 , through a through-bore  296  and  297  in the corresponding brace  288  and  290 , and into a mating tapped bore  298  and  299  in the corresponding brace  288  or  290  of the second skeleton portion  266 , thereby rigidly attaching the first and second skeleton portions  264  and  266  to one another. This configuration permits the heads of the Allen screws  294  to be fully recessed within the skeleton  260 , thereby preventing the Allen screws  294  from interfering with subsequent sleeve attachment or grip use. 
   A cap  300  is formed at the upper end  302  of the skeleton  260  from mating sections of the first and second skeleton portions  264  and  266 . The cap  300  is convex in shape, having an upper surface  304 , a bottom surface  306 , and an outer peripheral surface  308 . The outer peripheral surface  308  has a shape that complements that of the outer surface of the grip  216  (i.e., it has a semi-cylindrical surface portion and a flat surface portion). The outer peripheral surface  308  has a diameter that is slightly larger than that of the outer surface  278 ,  280  of the skeleton  260  so as to present a lower step or shoulder  310  against which the sleeve  262  engages upon grip assembly. The bottom surface  306  of the cap  300  acts as an abutment surface for the top of the shaft  214  or a shaft extender  312  (should the user wish to employ an extender as described below). A hole  314  is formed axially through in the center of the cap  300  for permitting air to escape while mounting the grip  216  on the shaft  214 . 
   The bottom of the skeleton  260  is formed from a segmented ring  316  having first and second sections  318  and  320  formed on the respective first and second portions  264  and  266  of the skeleton  260 . As best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 11 , the first ring section  318  has spaced indented recesses  322  aligned with corresponding through-bores  324  formed therein. As with the upper and central braces  288  and  290 , an Allen screw  294  or the like is adapted to be inserted through each recess in the of the first section  318 , through the corresponding through-bore  324 , and into a mating tapped bore  326  in the second section  320  of the ring  316  to hold the first and second skeleton portions  264  and  266  together. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 11 , the grip  216  further includes an annular collar  328  that is clamped in a groove  330  in the segmented ring  316  upon skeleton  260  assembly. An inner peripheral surface of the collar  328  is dimensioned such that the shaft  214  of the putter  210  can fit therethrough. Grooves  332  in the mating ring sections  318  and  320  ( FIG. 11 ) form opposed recesses  332  in the assembled ring  316  that provide access to setscrews  334  that extend through the collar  328  as best seen in  FIG. 9 . These setscrews  334  preferably comprise button-head Allen setscrews. The recesses  332  and corresponding setscrews  334  preferably are spaced approximately 90° in opposite directions from the flat surface  234  of the grip  216 . As is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 9 , the setscrews  334  facilitate initial positioning of the grip  216  on the shaft  214  in any desired orientation and can be tightened to lock the grip  216  to the shaft  214 . Preferably, the setscrews  334  have pointed tips or are otherwise configured to at least dimple the shaft  214  as best seen in  FIG. 10  so as to form more than just a friction fit against it. This dimpling provides a secure attachment that effectively prevents adjustment of grip  216  orientation during a round of golf. More preferably, the setscrews  334  puncture the shaft  214  to some extent, but not so much as to ruin the integrity of the setscrew  334  to shaft  214  attachment. 
   In addition, a third button-head setscrew  336 , accessible through another recess  352  in the grip  216 , is threaded through a tapped insert  338  mounted in the skeleton  260  approximately one-quarter way up the grip  216  and spaced 180° spaced from the flat surface portion  234  of the grip  216  as best seen in  FIG. 8 . The third setscrew  336  is identical to the aforementioned setscrews  334  and is configured to engage the shaft  214  in the identical manner as the aforementioned setscrews  334 , further enhancing the integrity of the grip  216  to shaft  214  attachment. 
   The outer gripping portion  262  of the grip  216  comprises a tubular sleeve  262  that is blow-mounted over the skeleton  260  using conventional blow-mounting. This blow-mounting provides a very secure, permanent friction fit that prevents relative movement of the outer gripping portion  262  relative to the skeleton  260  after mounting. The sleeve  262  has a tubular outer periphery  340 , an open upper end  342 , and a lower end  344  having a central opening  346  for receiving the shaft  214 . The upper end  342  abuts the shoulder  310  on the cap  300  after the sleeve  262  is blow-mounted on the skeleton  260 . The lower end  344  forms the bottom of the grip  216 . The outer periphery  340  forms the gripping surface of the grip  216  and presents the aforementioned semi-cylindrical surface  232  and generally flat surface portion  234 . First, second, and third openings  348 ,  350 , and  352  are formed through the outer peripheral surface  340  of the sleeve  262  in alignment with the corresponding recesses in the skeleton  260  in order to provide access to the Allen setscrews  334  and  336  after the grip  216  is fully assembled. 
   The grip  216  as described above is assembled by placing the collar  328  between the skeleton portions  264  and  266 , aligning the skeleton portions  264  and  266  with one another, and attaching the skeleton portions  264  and  266  to one another using the Allen screws  294 . The sleeve  262  is then blow-mounted over the skeleton  260  from below to complete the assembly process. All of these operations may be performed at the factory. 
   After assembly, the grip  216  is simply slipped over the end of the shaft  214  from above and inserted fully onto the shaft  214  until the end of the shaft  214  (or the shaft extender  312 , if provided) contacts the bottom inside surface  306  of the cap  300 . The flat portion  234  of the outer surface of the grip  216  may be oriented in any desired direction relative to the club head  212 , including parallel with the striking face, parallel with the rear surface, parallel with the nose, or parallel with the toe. The grip  216  is then secured in place by tightening the setscrews  334  and  336  until they at least dimple, and preferably pierce, the shaft  214 . The grip  216  can subsequently be repositioned between rounds but, because of the tight mounting of the setscrews  334  and  336 , is not designed to be repositioned during a round. 
   The assembled grip  216  has 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 spacers  48  of the previous embodiment may be employed with the grip  216  of this embodiment in order to set the amount of overlap of the grip  216  onto the shaft  214  by setting a spacing between the upper end of the shaft  214  and the ceiling of the grip&#39;s bore  282 . As indicated above, setting the shaft-to-grip end spacing in this manner permits the height of the grip  216  relative to the putter head  212  to be adjusted, hence altering the effective length of the shaft  214  and the putter grip&#39;s height. The same effect may be achieved using a single, stepped shaft extender or spacer tube  312 . One such tube is shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  11 , and  12 . The tube  312  comprises a stepped plastic tube  312  having a relatively small diameter lower portion  354  and a relatively large diameter upper portion  356  joined to the lower portion  354  at a step  358 . The step  358  forms a support surface for supporting the tube  312  on the upper end of the shaft  214 . The diameter of the lower portion  354  closely matches the diameter of the bore  282  in the shaft  214  so as to permit the lower portion  354  to be snugly inserted into the bore  282 . The diameter of the upper portion  356  is greater than that of the bore in the shaft  214  but not significantly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft  214  in order to permit the bore  282  in the skeleton  260  to fit over it. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the upper portion  356  of the tube  312  is about 1.60 inches and the diameter of the lower portion  354  is about 1.55 inches. 
   The lower portion  354  of the tube  312  should be sufficiently long to provide a secure, stable fit within the shaft  214 . Preferably, the length of the lower portion  354  of the tube  312  is between 1 and 3 inches and most preferably about 1¾ inches. The upper portion  356  of the tube  312  has a maximum length that corresponds to the maximum desired extension of the shaft  214 . Maximum lengths of 2 inches to 6 inches or more are feasible. The currently preferred maximum length is 5 inches. As best seen in  FIG. 12 , graduations  360  are spaced equally along the upper portion  356  at increments corresponding to desired height adjustment increments, preferably ¼ inch. The graduations  360  preferably take the form of score lines  360  to facilitate cutting of the tube  312  in a desired location, hence facilitating tube  312  height selection. 
   The user can set the effective height of the grip  216  by cutting the tube  312  along the desired graduation  360 , and inserting the lower portion  354  of the tube  312  into the shaft  214  until the step  358  rests on top of the shaft  214 . A comparison of  FIGS. 6 and 11  reveals that the effective height of the shaft  214  can be altered significantly if one chooses to cut the tube  312  along one of the lower graduations  360  to form a short extension as seen in  FIG. 6  or chooses to cut the tube  312  along one of the higher graduations  360  (or not cut it at all) to form a long extension as seen in  FIG. 13 . Of course, the user need not use the tube  312  or the corresponding spacers  48  of the prior embodiments at all. The grip  216  could simply be slipped over and mounted directly on the shaft  214 . 
   Once the user cuts the tube  312  to the desired length, he or she then fixes the tube  312  in place, preferably using both glue and tape to prevent the tube  312  from shifting or being removed from the shaft  214 . The grip  216  then slips over the tube  312  and is pushed down over the tube  312  and shaft  214  until the top of the tube  312  abuts the inner surface  306  of the cap  300  of the grip  216 . The grip  216  is then secured to the shaft  214  using the Allen setscrews  334  and  336  as described above. 
   As with the other preferred embodiments of the putter, with this preferred embodiment of the putter  210 , rather than overlapping the index finger of the golfer&#39;s right hand over the left hand, the golfer engages the step  235  of the grip  216  with his or her two fingers of the left hand on opposite sides of the shaft  214 . 
   5. Construction and Operation of a Fourth Preferred Embodiment 
   A fourth preferred embodiment of a grip  416  is illustrated in  FIG. 14  that is identical to the putter  210  of the third embodiment except that its outer periphery surface has a slightly different shape, having a first generally flat surface portion  562  and a second generally flat surface portion  434  that are of equal length and spaced 180 degrees from each other. The first and second flat surface portions  562  and  434  are linked by first and second arcuate surface portions  564  and  566 , each preferably taking the form of a partial cylinder. Elements of the putter  410  of  FIG. 14  corresponding to elements of the putter  210  of  FIGS. 5–13  are, accordingly, designated by the same reference numerals, incremented by 200. The putter  410  thus includes a head  412 , a shaft  414 , and a grip  416 , as is shown in  FIG. 14 . The generally flat first surface portion  562  aligned with the striking face  520  of the putter  410  and the generally flat second surface portion  434  is aligned with the rear surface  418  of 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.