Patent Publication Number: US-2002010033-A1

Title: Putter aiming method and apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] The present application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/304,463, filed May 3, 1999. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] This invention pertains to golf methods and golf systems, and in particular to a method and apparatus for improving the putting aim of a golfer and fitting a golfer with a custom putter which will be correctly aimed when the golfer believes it is correctly aimed.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003] One of the primary objectives of a golfer is to aim correctly when putting. It is well understood that a sphere, such as a golf ball, when lying on a flat planar surface, and when struck by a second flat planar surface, such as the face of a golf putter, will travel along a straight line in a direction perpendicular to second planar surface. If the golf hole in which the golfer desires to sink the ball lies along this line, then it is correct to say that the golfer has correctly aimed the putter (i.e., the golfer has caused the ball to travel along the intended path and into the hole). Thus, when a golf ball lies on a flat surface, the golfer attempts to align the face of the putter to be perpendicular to the desired line of travel of the ball. This is done mostly by visual perception, that is, the putter is “aimed” when the golfer thinks the putter face is aligned perpendicular to the desired path of travel.  
       [0004] Typically in a real-world golf situation, the golf ball does not lie on a flat surface, but rather lies on a contoured surface, and the golfer attempts to make corrections based on “reading the green.” This frequently involves aiming the putter away from the hole so that the contours in the surface will cause the ball to roll into the hole after being struck by the putter. However, making such corrections assumes that the golfer is aiming the putter correctly. If a golfer cannot aim correctly for a flat surface, then there is little hope that the golfer will be able to make proper corrections for a contoured surface. It is therefore desirable that a golfer should be able to properly aim a putter. It is further desirable to provide a golfer with a putter which improves the golfer&#39;s ability to correctly aim the putter.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] The invention includes a putter aiming apparatus. The putter aiming apparatus comprises a plurality of golf putter components including at least one of a plurality of putter heads, a plurality of hosels, or a plurality of putter shafts. The apparatus further includes a target and an object to be aimed towards the target. A putter aim measuring device is also included in the apparatus, and can comprise an alignment determining apparatus to determine the perpendicularity of the point of contact on the face of the putter head to a line along the target and the object.  
       [0006] The plurality of putter heads can include putter heads having a series of distinct alignment marks visible to a golfer using the putter. The putter heads can include putter heads having a series of distinct lofts. The putter heads can be defined by face profiles, and can further include putter heads having differing face profiles.  
       [0007] The plurality of hosels can include hosels producing differing shaft angles for shafts mounted to the putter head using the hosel. The plurality of hosels can further include hosels having differing offsets with respect to one another.  
       [0008] The plurality of shafts can include shafts having different lengths with respect to one another.  
       [0009] The invention further includes a putter fitting method for fitting a golf putter to a golfer. The method includes the steps of providing the golfer with a first putter comprising a first putter head, a first shaft, and a first hosel connecting the shaft to the putter head. The golfer aims the first putter towards a target, and the alignment of the first putter with respect to the target is checked. Then at least one of the first putter head, the first shaft, or the first hosel comprising the first putter is changed with a respective second putter head, second shaft, or second hosel to produce a second putter. The golfer then aims the second putter towards the target, and the alignment of the second putter with respect to the target is checked. The process of changing one of the putter head, the shaft, or the hosel with a different putter head, shaft, or hosel, and having the golfer aim the putter, and checking the alignment of the putter with respect to the target, can be repeated until the putter is aimed at the target.  
       [0010] The alignment of the putter with respect to the target can be determined by measuring the perpendicularity of a flat surface on the face of the putter to a line from the target to the flat surface on the face of the putter. The measurement of perpendicularity of the indicated line can be performed using a focused or coherent light source such as a laser.  
       [0011] The method can further include the step of providing an object in front of the putter head which the golfer attempts to aim towards the target by visually attempting to align the flat surface on the putter face to be perpendicular to a line along the object and the target. The target represents a golf hole; the object represents a golf ball.  
       [0012] A hosel for attaching a golf club head is also disclosed. The hosel comprises an elongated body having a first end configured to be received within a recess in the golf club head, wherein the cross section of the first end is non-circular to prevent rotation of the hosel within the recess in the golf club head. The elongated body of the hosel can comprise a tapered protrubance thereon, the taper being tapered at a first angle to fit within the recess in the golf club head, the recess having a tapered portion to receive the taper of the protrubance. The tapered portion in the putter head is tapered at a second angle less than the first angle such that the hosel is force fitted within the golf club head. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic top view diagram showing one step of the putter aiming method.  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a schematic top view diagram showing another step of the putter aiming method.  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a top view of a putter head having a first style of alignment marking thereon.  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a top view of a putter head having a second style of alignment marking thereon.  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a top view of a putter head having a third style of alignment marking thereon.  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a top view of a putter head having a fourth style of alignment marking thereon.  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a top view of a putter head having no alignment marking thereon.  
     [0020]FIG. 8 is a rear view of the putter head shown in FIG. 6.  
     [0021]FIG. 9 is a front view of a putter head showing a first face profile.  
     [0022]FIG. 10 is a front view of a putter head showing a second face profile.  
     [0023]FIG. 11 is a front view of a putter head showing a third face profile.  
     [0024]FIG. 12 is a front view of a putter head showing a fourth face profile.  
     [0025]FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a first style of hosel.  
     [0026]FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the hosel of FIG. 13, having a first offset.  
     [0027]FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the hosel of FIG. 13, having a second offset.  
     [0028]FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the hosel of FIG. 13, having no offset.  
     [0029]FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of a second style of hosel.  
     [0030]FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the hosel of FIG. 17, having a first offset.  
     [0031]FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the hosel of FIG. 17, having a second offset.  
     [0032]FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the hosel of FIG. 17, having a third offset.  
     [0033]FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the hosel of FIG. 17, having no offset.  
     [0034]FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of the hosel of FIG. 17, having a fourth offset.  
     [0035]FIG. 23 is a front elevation view of a putter showing a variety of shaft lengths.  
     [0036]FIG. 24 is a side elevation view in partial section showing a hosel attachment design.  
     [0037]FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the hosel attachment apparatus of FIG. 24.  
     [0038]FIG. 26 is a front elevation sectional view of a putter head showing the attachment of the hosel attachment apparatus of FIGS. 24 and 25 thereto. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0039] A golfer believes a putter to be properly aimed when the golfer perceives the face of the putter (the ball contact surface) to be perpendicular to the desired initial direction of travel. Such perception is based primarily on the golfer&#39;s visual perception of perpendicularity of the face of the putter to the desired line of travel. The perception can be further based on the feel of the putter in the golfer&#39;s hands when attempting to align or aim the putter. Many factors can affect these perceptions. Thus, frequently when a golfer believes the putter to be correctly aimed, in fact it is not. Tests have shown that, on a level putting surface (the ideal putting green), golfers frequently misalign the putter, resulting in misaiming the putt. We have discovered that a number of variables can lead to visual and tactile misperception of alignment. We have also discovered that by changing these variables, a golfer&#39;s ability to align and aim a putter can be adversely or beneficially affected. We have further discovered that fixing the variables to a set which allows one golfer to properly align a putter can cause another golfer to misalign the putter.  
     [0040] We have used these discoveries to produce the putter aiming methods and apparatus disclosed and described herein. The apparatus allows a golfer to experience different sets of variables relating to the putter to derive a fixed set of the variables for that golfer, which, when incorporated into a putter, will enhance that golfer&#39;s ability to aim his or her putts. The method is the method for determining the fixed set of variables for a given golfer which will produce the optimum putter for that golfer.  
     [0041] Among the variables which we have identified which affect a golfer&#39;s aim of a putter are: (1) alignment markings on the top of the putter head; (2) the front profile of the putter head, and particularly the effect this profile has on the lie angle of the putter; (3) the style of hosel used to attach the shaft to the putter head, and particularly the shaft angle, if any, that the hosel imparts to the shaft; (4) the offset of the hosel used to attach the shaft to the putter head; (5) the length of the shaft; (6) the style of the grip on the shaft; and (7) the size of the grip on the shaft. It should be understood that this list should not be considered exhaustive, and that other variables can also affect a golfer&#39;s ability to aim a given putter. Likewise, not all of these variables will affect every golfer&#39;s ability to properly aim a putter.  
     [0042] The Apparatus  
     [0043] General  
     [0044] The apparatus for fitting a putter to a golfer includes a plurality of golf putter components which can be used to assemble a plurality of different putters, the object being to assemble a putter which is properly aimed when the golfer perceives it to be properly aimed. As will be discussed further below, a putter is assembled from the components, the golfer attempts to align the putter with a golf hole, and the alignment is checked. If the alignment is not correct, one or more of the variables is changed by changing one or more of the components of the putter until a combination is found which results in a properly aimed putter when the golfer believes it to be properly aimed.  
     [0045] The plurality of putter components can include a plurality of putter heads, a plurality of hosels, or a plurality of putter shafts. One or more of these can be used. For example, it is possible to provide a putter aiming apparatus wherein the plurality of putter components comprises only a plurality of putter heads. The heads can be distinguished by having different alignment markings on each head. Alignment markings are markings visible to a user which aid the user in aligning or aiming the putter. The putter heads can also be distinguished by having different face profiles on each head. The face profile is the view of the golf club head from a front elevation view. The face profile of a golf club and generally affects lie angle of the putter. Another distinction between the plurality of heads can be the loft of each head. The loft is well understood in the art, and generally comprises the angle of the face of the putter to a vertical line perpendicular to level ground on which the putter can rest when in a position to putt a golf ball.  
     [0046] The plurality of putter components can also comprise a plurality of shafts. For example, the shafts can be distinguished by having different lengths from one another.  
     [0047] The plurality of putter components can also comprise a plurality of hosels. The hosels can be distinguished from one another either by offset, or by the shaft angle that the hosel imparts to a shaft when the hosel is used to attach a shaft to a putter head. The hosels can include a plurality of hosels including hosels having both a difference in offset from one another, and a different in shaft angle they produce. Offset is well understood in the art, and generally comprises the orthogonal distance between a line extending from the centerline of the shaft, and a line extending from the centerline of the hosel at the attachment point of the hosel to the putter head. The shaft angle is the angle between a line extending from the centerline of shaft, and a line extending vertically from a level surface on which the putter head can rest.  
     [0048] The apparatus further includes a target and an object to be aimed towards the target. The target is understood to represent the golf hole to which the golfer intends a golf ball to be projected by the putter. That is, the golfer aims putter such that a golf ball, real or virtual, will be propelled towards the target when struck by the putter. The target can either be a real golf hole, a representation of a golf hole (such as a photograph), or a marking on a surface across which a golf ball propelled by the putter would move. The target can also comprise the point of origin of a laser beam pointed in the direction of the putter face. The object can be a golf ball, a representation of a golf ball (such as a marking on a surface across which a golf ball propelled by the putter would move), or the face of the putter itself. Preferably, the object comprises a real physical object to simulate the actual putting experience, although, as indicated, the putter face itself can be the object aimed at the hole.  
     [0049] The apparatus also includes a putter aim measuring apparatus. The putter aim measuring apparatus is configured to measure the direction in which a putter is aimed. One such apparatus comprises an alignment determining apparatus which is configured to determine the perpendicularity of the face of the putter head to a line along the target and the object. More particularly, the alignment determining apparatus is configured to determine the perpendicularity of the actual or theoretical point of contact where the putter face contacts the golf ball to the desired path of travel of a golf ball struck by the putter. Since a large number of putter faces are essentially flat, the alignment determining apparatus can be configured to measure the perpendicularity of the putter face to a line extending from the target to the object, i.e, the desired line of travel of the golf ball. If the putter face is perpendicular to this line, it is fair to say that the putter is correctly aimed. The putter aim measuring apparatus will be discussed more fully below.  
     [0050]FIG. 1 shows a plan view of one embodiment of the putter aiming apparatus. The system  10  includes a putter  20  assembled from putter components such as a putter head  21 , a shaft  26 , and a hosel  24  which attaches the shaft to the putter head. The apparatus  10  as shown further includes a target  30 , an object  32  to be aimed towards the target  30 , and a putter aim measuring apparatus  34 .  
     [0051] Putter Aim Measuring Apparatus  
     [0052] The putter aim measuring apparatus is preferably configured to measure the perpendicularity of a tangent line to the ball striking surface on the face of the putter. One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The putter aim measuring apparatus of FIG. 1 comprises a laser  34  which directs a beam of coherent light  36  towards the putter face  22 . A reflective surface  28 , such as a mirror, affixed to the face  22  of the putter, reflects the laser beam  36  at an angle of incidence equal to the deviation from normal (perpendicular) of the laser beam  36  to the face of the putter. When the face  22  of the putter  20  is perpendicular to the laser beam  36 , the beam is reflected back along its original path, albeit with possible vertical deviation resulting from loft imparted to the face of the putter, indicating that the putter is correctly aimed. When the face  22  of the putter  20  is not perpendicular to the laser beam  36 , the beam  36  will be reflected either to the right or left of the line of the source beam  36 . For example, the misaimed putter  20  of FIG. 2 caused the reflected beam  38  to be projected at an angle of incidence Θ as shown. The angle of incidence is half of the angle between the source beam  36  and the reflected beam  38 .  
     [0053] In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a solid golf ball is used as the object  32 . The golfer attempts to aim the putter  20  to strike the object  32  towards the hole or target  30 . The laser can be turned on during this aiming process. Once the golfer believes the putter to be correctly aimed, the object  32  can be removed allowing the laser beam  36  to be reflected from the mirror  28  on the face  22  of the putter  20 . The direction of the reflected beam  38  of FIG. 2 tells the golfer if he or she has correctly aimed the putter.  
     [0054] Other putter aim measuring apparatus can be used. For example, the laser  34  of FIG. 1 can be replaced with any source capable of generating a focused light beam. The laser  34  can also be placed on the putter such that the aim of the putter is indicated by the laser beam directly from the laser, and not a reflected beam. In such case the laser beam is then compared to the desired line of travel, which can be indicated by a line between the object  32  and the target  30 . Alternately, the perpendicularity of the face of the putter to the desired line of travel, indicated by the line  36  in FIG. 1, can be measured using a protractor. Other configurations to measure the aim of the putter using sensors and detectors can be used. The invention includes other known and unknown apparatus and methods for measuring the aim of a putter, and the disclosure of only certain examples and embodiments should not be read as precluding those other apparatus and methods.  
     [0055] Putter Components: Putter Heads  
     [0056] The plurality of golf putter components can include a plurality of putter heads. The putter heads can be distinguished from one another by certain characteristics. One such characteristic is alignment marks on the top of the putter head, which marks are visible to a golfer using the putter. As discussed previously, we have discovered that different alignment marks can cause different golfers to correctly or incorrectly aim a putter, depending on the particular golfer and the particular set of alignment marks. Turning to FIGS. 3 through 7, one embodiment of a series of putter heads having different alignment marks is shown. The putter heads of FIGS.  3 - 7  are preferably all the same, except for the alignment marks. A rear view of the putter head of FIGS.  3 - 7  is shown in FIG. 8. The putter head  100  of FIG. 8 has a scalloped out area  106  at the rear of the club head opposite the face  102  (FIG. 3). The scalloped out area is typical of all of the club heads shown in FIGS.  3 - 7 . It is understood that the scallop is not related to the aiming of the putter, but is a typical design feature only.  
     [0057] In FIG. 3, a plan view of a first putter head  100  is shown. Towards the face  102  of the putter, an alignment mark  104  is placed on the top of the putter head. A second putter head  110  is shown in FIG. 4, having a single alignment mark  114  placed on the top of the putter head in the scalloped out area  116  opposite the face  112  of the putter. A third putter head  120  is shown in FIG. 5, having a single alignment mark  124  placed on the top of the putter head towards the face  122  of the putter, and having two alignment marks  125  and  126  placed on the top of the putter head in the scalloped out area  128  opposite the face  122  of the putter. The rearward alignment marks  125  and  126  are positioned on either side of the forward alignment mark  124 . A fourth putter head  130  is shown in FIG. 6, having a single alignment mark  134  placed on the top of the putter head towards the face  132  of the putter, and having three alignment marks  136 ,  137  and  138  in the scalloped out area  135  opposite the face  122  of the putter. The rearward alignment marks  136  and  138  are positioned on the top of the putter head on either side of the forward alignment mark  134 , while rearward alignment mark  137  is aligned with the forward alignment mark  134 . A fifth putter head  140 , having no alignment markings, is shown in FIG. 7. In some instances, we have found that golfers tend to align putters better only using the face of the putter as an “alignment mark”.  
     [0058] It is understood that different club head geometries and different alignment markings than those shown in FIGS.  3 - 8  can be used for the plurality of heads having differing alignment marks. In addition to marks perpendicular to the face of the putter, lines at other angles, including in particular lines parallel to the face of the putter, can be used. FIGS.  3 - 8  show only one embodiment of a series of golf club heads having alignment marking for illustrative purposes.  
     [0059] Another characteristic which can be used to distinguish one putter head from another in a plurality of interchangable club heads is the putter face, or more particularly, the front profile of the putter, or the face profile, as we will call it. The face profile can affect the lie angle of the putter. Lie angle is well understood by those in the art, and is demonstrated in FIG. 9. The lie angle α of putter  150  of FIG. 9 generally comprises the angle between level ground  2  and a horizontal balance line through the face  152  of the putter. Different face profiles can affect the lie angle for a particular golfer, and lie angle can affect aim of the putter. In addition to lie angle, the shape of the top surface of the putter can also affect a golfer&#39;s perception of alignment of the putter.  
     [0060]FIGS. 8 through 12 show four different putters having different face profiles, tending to produce four different lie angles for the same golfer. FIG. 9 shows a putter  150  having a rather sharply curved sole portion  156  and an essentially flat top portion  158 . FIG. 10 shows a putter  160  having a much flatter sole portion  162  than that of the putter of FIG. 9, and an essentially flat top portion  164 . FIG. 11 shows a putter  170  having a scalloped curved sole portion  172  which tends to prevent any rocking of the putter (resulting in a lie angle of zero). The top  174  of putter  170  is curved convexly with respect to the golfer&#39;s view of the top of the putter. FIG. 12 shows a putter  180  having a rather sharply curved sole portion  182  similar to that of the putter  150  of FIG. 9. The top portion  184  of the putter  180  is curved convexly similar to that of the putter  170  of FIG. 11.  
     [0061] Other variations in putter heads can include such things as the loft of the face of the putter, the top profile of the putter head, the weight of the putter head, and so on. The above examples should not be considered as limiting the possible types of putter heads that can be used in the present invention, or the types or variables which can be varied within the putter heads.  
     [0062] Putter Components: Hosels  
     [0063] The plurality of golf putter components can include a plurality of hosels used to attach the putter head to a shaft. The hosels can be distinguished from one another by certain characteristics. Changes in these characteristics can affect how a golfer perceives the putter to be aimed. One such characteristic is the shaft angle the hosel imparts to the shaft when the hosel is used to connect a shaft to a putter head. Shaft angle is a term well understood in the art, and generally refers to the tilt of the shaft with respect to a vertical line, and particularly tilt in the plane of the face of the putter. The putter of FIG. 23 has a shaft angle of about 30 degrees. Turning to FIG. 13, a front view of a first style of hosel is shown. The front view of FIG. 13 should be compared to the side view of the same hosel in FIG. 14. As can be seen in the two figures, although the hosel is offset by dimension d 1  as indicated in FIG. 14, lines extending from the both the upper end  202  and lower end  204  of hosel  200  are both vertical lines, indicating that no shaft angle is imparted to the shaft by this hosel. This is confirmed by reference to the front view in FIG. 13. The hosel of FIGS. 13 and 14 should be compared with the hosel of FIG. 17. In FIG. 17 a front view of a hosel  230  is shown wherein the upper end  232  is tilted by an angle β from the vertical. This results in a shaft angle of the same amount.  
     [0064] In addition to the two styles of hosels shown in FIGS. 13 and 17, other hosels imparting a variety of shaft angles to the shaft can be used.  
     [0065] The plurality of hosels can further include hosels having differing offsets with respect to one another. Offset is well understood in the art, and comprises the distance between parallel vertical lines extending from the hosel lower end and the hosel upper end. Changing offset typically changes how a golfer perceives the putter to be aligned. Turning to FIGS. 13 through 16, a first style of hosel is shown. FIG. 13 is the front view of the hosels of FIGS. 13 through 16. In FIG. 14, side view of a first variation of the hosel  206  is shown. The upper end  202  of the hosel is offset from the lower end  204  by a distance d 1 . FIG. 15 shows the same style of hosel, but with a greater offset than the hosel of FIG. 14. In FIG. 15, the upper end  212  is offset from the lower end  214  by a distance d 2 , as indicated. Yet a third variation of the hosel of FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. 16. In FIG. 16, the hosel  220  does not have any offset, as is known as a “zero-offset” hosel.  
     [0066] The hosels of FIGS. 13 through 16 can be manufactured by forming the main body portion  206  of FIG. 14 from a length of metal which is rectangular in cross section, and which is bent or formed to produce the curves which give the hosel its offset. It should be noted that the hosels of FIGS. 14 and 15 make a smooth offset transition from the lower end to the upper end. This is to be contracted with the discontinuous offset of the hosels shown in FIGS. 19 through 22.  
     [0067] Turning to FIGS. 17 through 22, a second style of hosel is shown. FIG. 17 is a common front view of the hosels of FIGS. 18 through 22. As described above, these hosels mount the shaft to the putter head at an angle to the vertical. FIG. 18 shows a front view of a hosel having no offset, as indicated by the continuous vertical line through the body  242 , upper end  244 , and lower end  246  of the hosel. FIG. 19 shows a first variation of the hosel of FIG. 17. In FIG. 19, the hosel  250  has an upper end  252  offset a distance d 3  from lower end  254 . FIG. 20 shows a second variation of the hosel of FIG. 17, wherein the upper end  262  of the hosel  260  is offset a distance d 4  from the lower end  264 . Yet a third variation of the hosel of FIG. 17 is shown in FIG. 21 wherein the upper end  272  of the hosel  270  is offset a distance d 5  from the lower end  274 . Note that d 5  is greater than d 4 , and d 4  is greater than d 3 . A fifth variation of the hosel of FIG. 17 is shown in FIG. 22. The hosels shown in FIGS. 19 through 21 are all offset towards the read or trailing edge of the putter head, whereas the hosel  280  of FIG. 22 is offset a distance d 6  towards the face or leading edge of the putter head.  
     [0068] The hosel of FIGS. 19 and 22 show hosel offsets of approximately the same amount, but in different directions. The same effect can be achieved with hosel  210  of FIG. 15 merely by rotating it 180 degrees in the mounting hole in the putter head. This is possible since hosel  210  does not produce any shaft angle, as do hosels  250  and  280  of FIGS. 19 and 22, respectively. It is obvious that if hosel  250  were rotated 180 degrees, the shaft would be angled in the wrong direction. However, if the hosel of FIG. 15 is provided with a putter head mounting configuration which does not allow rotation of the hosel with respect to the putter head, then to get offsets on either side of the hosel, a separate hosel for each offset direction is required.  
     [0069] It is understood that additional hosels having other variations, or greater ranges of variations than those shown, or finer gradations between variations than those shown, can also be used with the invention without detracting from the overall concept of the invention.  
     [0070] Putter Components: Shafts  
     [0071] The plurality of golf putter components can include a plurality of shafts which are attached to the putter head, typically by a hosel. The shafts can be distinguished from one another by certain characteristics. Changes in these characteristics can affect how a golfer perceives the putter to be aimed. One such characteristic is the length of the shaft. Turning to FIG. 23, a putter  290  is shown. The shaft  295  of putter  290  is connected to a putter head  292  by hosel  294 . The shaft terminates at upper end  296 . Five additional variations of the putter  290  are shown in FIG. 23 by dashed lines, each variation having a longer shaft than the one before, as indicated by progressive upper ends  296 ( a ) through  296 ( e ) of the shaft  295 .  
     [0072] In addition to varying the shaft length in the plurality of shafts, the plurality of shafts can also include different styles of grips, and different sizes of grips. Other factors which can affect a golfer&#39;s ability to aim a putter, and which can be attributable to characteristics of the shaft, can also be changed, such as the overall weight of the shaft, the progressive weighting of the shaft, and the material of construction of the shaft. It is understood that additional shafts having other variations, or greater ranges of variations than those shown, or finer gradations between variations than those shown, can also be used with the invention without detracting from the overall concept of the invention.  
     [0073] Putter Components: Assembly  
     [0074] Preferably, the plurality of putter components are configured such that they can be easily assembled and disassembled. Since the putter aiming apparatus is particularly useful in fitting a golfer with a putter which is correctly aimed when the golfer perceives it to be so aimed, it is useful to have a system wherein the components can be easily interchanged until a combination of components which works for a particular individual golfer is found. Once the right combination of putter components is identified for a particular golfer, a putter having the characteristics of the fitted putter can be manufactured in the traditional manner. Less preferably, the putter can also be assembled from the fitted components.  
     [0075] To allow for interchangability of shafts, shafts having threaded ends can be fitted to hosels having complementary threaded ends. For example, the hosels shown in FIGS. 13 through 22 all have externally threaded upper ends which can be fitted to shafts have internally threaded lower ends. In a like manner, to allow for interchangability of hosels and putter heads, the hosels can be configured to be secured to the putter head with a fastener such as a screw.  
     [0076] Preferably, the hosel or hosels are configured such that they can only be inserted into the head in one particular orientation and will not rotate with respect to the putter head. This removes a variable which can affect aim, and over which it is difficult to exercise control. One method of accomplishing this is shown in FIG. 24, which depicts a partial sectional side view of a hosel  300 , only which a portion thereof is shown in the figure. The hosel  300  includes an elongated body  302  and a lower portion  304 . The lower portion  304  is configured to fit within a complementary recess formed within a putter head. The elongated body  302  terminates in an upper portion (not shown), which connects to a shaft. The lower portion  304  further comprises a protrubance  306  which projects outwardly from the main body  314  of the lower portion. The lower portion  304  has an internally threaded void  310  formed in the bottom thereof. The protrubance  306  on the lower portion  304  of the hosel  300  includes a tapered lower portion  308  which tapers downwardly from the upper most outward edge of the protrubance into the main body  314  of the lower portion.  
     [0077] Turning to FIG. 26, a sectional view of a putter head  320  is shown. The putter head  320  is provided with an upper recess  322  in the top of the putter head. A lower recess  326  allows a fastener such as the threaded screw  330  to be received in the lower recess. A passageway  324  allows the threaded portion  336  of the fastener  330  to pass from the lower recess  326  into the upper recess  322 , where the threaded portion of the fastener can engage the internally threaded portion  310  of the hosel  300 . The head  338  of fastener  330  is received within lower recess  326 , and presses against ledge  340  to secure the hosel  300  within the upper recess  322  in the putter head  320 . The upper recess  322  is further provided with a keyway  328  configured to receive the protrubance  306  of the hosel  300 . The keyway includes a lower tapered section  332 . The taper of section  332  tapers at an angle slightly greater than the taper of tapered portion  308  of the hosel lower portion  304 . In this way, when the fastener  330  is tightened into the hosel, the tapered portion  308  of the hosel is pulled tightly into the tapered section  332  of the upper recess  322 . Thus, not only does protrubance  306  of hosel  300  prevent rotation of the hosel when fitted into the putter head  320 , but a force fit is obtained, significantly reducing any relative movement between the hosel and putter head.  
     [0078] Turning now to FIG. 25, a bottom view of the hosel  300  of FIG. 24 is shown. In order to more firmly secure the hosel  300  to the putter head  320 , the lower portion  314  can include a flat section  312  as shown. The flat section  312  will be aligned with the rear of the putter head when the hosel  300  is inserted into the recess  322  in the top of the putter head  320 . A threaded opening  342  is provided in the back of the putter head  320 , providing access to the upper recess  322 . Once the hosel is secured in the putter head by fastener  338 , a set screw can be inserted into the opening  342  to contact the flat portion  312  of the hosel  300 . The set screw provides additional security for the hosel. In one variation, the lower recess  326  in the putter head  320 , and the fastener  338 , can be eliminated and the hosel  300  secured to the putter head  320  using only the set screw in the manner described above. If the upper recess  332  of the hosel is provided with a complementary flat section, then the protrubance  306  of hosel  300 , as well as the keyway  328  in the upper recess  322 , can be eliminated, since the engagement of the flat section  312  of the hosel lower portion  304  with the flat section in the upper recess  322  of the putter head  320  will tend to prevent rotation of the hosel within the putter head.  
     [0079] In addition to using the methods described above for securing a hosel to a putter head for the putter aiming apparatus described herein, the methods can also be used on production golf clubs to allow ease of repair and interchangability of components.  
     [0080] The Method  
     [0081] In one embodiment the putter fitting method of the present invention for fitting a golf putter to a golfer comprises providing the golfer with a first putter comprising a first putter head, a first shaft, and a first hosel connecting the shaft to the putter head. The golfer then attempts to aim the first putter towards a target. The alignment of the first putter with respect to the target is measured or determined. Then at least one of the first putter head, the first shaft, or the first hosel on the first putter is interchanged with a respective second putter head, second shaft, or second hosel to produce a second putter. Preferably, only one of the components is changed. The golfer then aims the second putter towards the target, and the alignment of the second putter with respect to the target is again measured. Preferably, the acts of interchanging one or more of the components of the putter and checking the aim of the golfer is repeated until a combination of components is found which allows the golfer to correctly aim the putter. Preferably, only one of the components is changed each time before the aim is checked.  
     [0082] The target can comprise a simulated golf hole or cup, and can also be a real golf hole. The target can be a putting practice cup, or an image of a golf cup. The target can also be the point of origin of a beam of light, such as a laser beam. The method can further include placing an object in front of the putter for the golfer to align with the face of the putter, the object being representative of a golf ball to be propelled towards the target by the putter.  
     [0083] In one embodiment, the act of measuring the aim of the putter is performed using a laser. Turning to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a putter aim measuring apparatus which can be used in the method of the present invention is shown. FIG. 1 depicts a plan view of a putter  20  assembled from putter components such as a putter head  21 , a shaft  26 , and a hosel  24  which attaches the shaft to the putter head. The apparatus  10  as shown further includes a target  30 , an object  32  to be aimed towards the target  30 , and laser  34 . In a preferred embodiment, the object  32  comprises a golf ball. The laser is aligned such that a beam of light generated by the laser (a “laser beam”) will pass over the center of the target  30  and towards the center of the object  32 . The path of the laser beam indicates the ideal path of travel for a properly aimed putter to sink the object in the target. A golfer then attempts to align the putter  20  with the object  30  and the target  32 . The laser can be either on or off while the golfer is aiming.  
     [0084] Once the golfer believes the putter to be correctly aimed, the object is removed to allow the laser beam to strike the face  22  of the putter. If the face of the putter is provided with a reflective surface, such as mirror  28 , then the source beam  36  will be reflected at an angle of incidence equal to the deviation of the face of the putter from normal (i.e., the deviation from being perpendicular to the source beam). By observing the position of the reflected beam on a secondary surface  29  as shown in FIG. 2, the putter aim is thus measured. Alternately, small particles can be suspended in the air around the laser beams to cause the beams themselves to be visible, and the putter aim can be measured by observing the laser beams. For example, an aerosol such as air freshener can be sprayed in the general area to cause a portion of the laser beam to be dispersed and thus observed. It should be noted that “measuring the aim” is not limited to taking a precise measurement, but can also include observing the resulting aim of the putter and comparing the resulting aim to the desired aim. Such comparison can be done by observation as well as by precise measurement, as indicated.  
     [0085] Other methods of measuring the aim of the putter can be employed. Variations on the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be employed wherein the laser is replaced with a source of focused light, such as a flashlight having a beam collimator. In another variation, the light source or laser can be mounted to the putter itself, and a reflective surface provided on the side of the target opposite the putter. The reflected beam is then detected in the direction of the putter, rather than away from the putter.  
     [0086] The method can further include providing a plurality of interchangable putter components. In one embodiment, the interchangable putter components include a plurality of putter heads. In a first variation, each putter head has a distinct set of alignment marks which can be used by the golfer to aid in aligning the putter. In another variation, the putter heads each have a different face profile, which can affect both lie angle as well as visual perception of alignment. In yet another variation, the putter heads include putter heads having different lofts.  
     [0087] In a second embodiment the interchangable putter components include a plurality of hosels which are used to attach a shaft to a putter head. In a first variation each shaft imparts a different shaft angle to the shaft when the hosel is used in an assembled putter. In a second variation, each hosel is provided with a different offset to effectively move the shaft closer to or farther away from the face of the club when the hosel is used in an assembled putter.  
     [0088] In a third embodiment the interchangable putter components include a plurality of shafts which can be attached to the putter head. The shafts can be distinguished from one another by such variables as length, total weight, weight distribution, flexibility, and cross sectional geometry. Other embodiments can include providing a plurality of shaft grips.  
     EXAMPLE  
     [0089] The following example illustrates but one example of the method of the present invention. It is understood that this example is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be considered as limiting the invention.  
     [0090] To set up the aim measuring apparatus, a laser is provided and is set low and level over a flat surface representing the putting surface. The laser should be positioned such that a beam from the laser will strike the face of a putter which is in a putting position. The laser is positioned against a wall, with the beam discharge end pointing outward, so that reflected laser light can be visually detected on the wall. The laser beam discharge point from the laser will serve as the target to which the golfer will attempt to aim the putter.  
     [0091] A golf ball is placed about 12 feet (about 4 meters) in front of the laser discharge point, such that a beam from the laser hits the center of the ball.  
     [0092] A small mirror is attached to the face of a first putter head. The mirror is attached using double-backed tape. A golfer for whom the putter is being fitted takes the putter and attempts to align the putter such that the golf ball will be putted “into” the laser if the putter is aimed correctly. The golfer must assume that the surface between the golf ball and the laser is a flat, level putting surface, so that the golfer does not attempt to make any corrections for “the lie of the green.” The golf ball is removed, and the laser beam from the laser strikes the mirror on the face of the putter. The mirror reflects the laser beam to the wall behind the laser. The reflection of the laser beam onto the wall is noted. If the beam is reflected to a point either to the right or left of the laser beam point of origin, then the putter is misaimed. If the laser beam is reflected to a point along a vertical line which includes the laser beam point of origin, then the putter is correctly aimed. When the putter head comprises loft on the face, the laser beam should ideally be reflected to a point slightly above the laser beam point of origin.  
     [0093] A putter head having a face profile should be selected such that, when the golfer holds the putter in the putting position, the putter sits flat on its sole from the leading edge (front) to the trailing edge (rear) of the putter head. Further, once the golfer&#39;s posture, arm and grip position have been adjusted to preferred putting technique positions, the putter head should be positioned toe-to-heal such that the sweet spot of the putter is directly above the point of contact of the sole of the putter with the ground. This step is known as adjusting the lie angle of the putter. This will also affect any loft the putter head has.  
     [0094] The aim of the golfer using the putter is then checked. If the putter is misaimed, then a different hosel should be fitted to the putter. A hosel having a different offset should be selected. The aim should be checked several times (three to five, for example) using the new hosel without making any other changes. If the aim is still off, another hosel having different offset is selected as is fitted to the putter. Preferably, the hosels should be interchanged starting either with a zero-offset hosel and working towards progressively greater offsets, or at a maximum offset, and progressively working towards a zero-offset or reverse-offset position. The hosel which reflects the laser beam back to the wall most accurately and consistently should be considered the correct hosel for the particular individual golfer being fitted.  
     [0095] Next, the aim of the golfer should be checked using putter heads having different alignment markings on the top thereof. A first putter head is selected having a first set of alignment markings, such as a single line towards the face or leading edge of the putter. The aim should be checked several times (three to five, for example) using the new putter head without making any other changes. If the aim is still off, another putter head having different alignment markings should be selected and fitted to the putter. For example, the progression of putter heads will next include a putter head having a single alignment mark oriented toward the rear (trailing edge) of the putter, a putter head having a single mark towards the leading edge of the putter head and two alignment marks towards the trailing edge of the putter head and on either side of the forward alignment mark, and a putter head having no alignment marks. The putter head with alignment marks (or no marks) which reflects the laser beam back to the wall most accurately and consistently should be considered the correct putter head alignment marking configuration for the particular individual golfer being fitted.  
     [0096] Next, the aim of the golfer should be checked using hosels producing different shaft angles. A first putter hosel is selected having essentially no shaft angle. The aim should be checked several times (three to five, for example) using the new hosel (shaft angle) without making any other changes. If the aim is still off, another hosel producing a different shaft angle is selected and fitted to the putter. One such hosel will product a shaft angle directed slightly back towards the golfer. The hosel which provides the shaft angle which reflects the laser beam back to the wall most accurately and consistently should be considered the correct hosel (shaft angle) for the particular individual golfer being fitted.  
     [0097] After the above described fitting steps have been performed, the identified components are assembled to produce a fitted, correctly aimed putter. This putter should be checked for aim on a real putting green. If the putts are misaimed on the real putting green, the shaft flex and shaft weight can be varied to improve aim. A further step can include varying the grip type and size to further improve the aim of the golfer with the putter.  
     [0098] As a further step, a complete sets of woods and irons, having optics and dynamics which match those of the fitted putter, can be provided to provide the golfer with a complete matched set of golf clubs, which can improve the performance of the golfer with all clubs in his or her set of golf clubs.  
     [0099] While the above invention has been described with particularity to specific embodiments and examples thereof, it is understood that the invention comprises the general novel concepts disclosed by the disclosure provided herein, as well as those specific embodiments and examples. Specific recited structures and acts should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, and equivalent structures and acts which those skilled in the art would readily identify as being within the scope of the disclosure should be considered as covered by this invention.