Abstract:
A golf putter including a plurality of physical and visual aids for assisting the golfer to more consistently assume a good head and body position and to better putt a golf ball toward a remote hole. The putter head is engaged with one of a plurality of detachable flanges. The flanges all have different lengths, weights and shapes and are selectively engaged with the putter head to change its center of gravity and thereby change the characteristics of the putter. The golfer selectively engages the appropriate one of the plurality of flanges to give the putter head the type of characteristics that best suit his personal putting abilities and deficiencies and is thereby aided in correctly and accurately striking the golf ball. Each of the detachable flanges is provided with a first reflective surface and a second non-reflective surface. The reflective surfaces are all provided with a second linear marking thereon. The second linear marker is alignable with a first linear marking on the putter head and with the remote hole toward which the ball is to be putted. The reflective surface is used during practice sessions to aid the golfer in correctly positioning his head and body. The selected flange is removed and rotated during USGA sanctioned golf games to present the non-reflective surface on the upper side of the club. The different flanges are quickly and easily engaged with the putter head, so the golfer may change the nature of the putter for each hole they encounter on the golf course.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/337,428 filed Jan. 23, 2006, which is a standard utility application that claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/702,131, filed Jul. 25, 2005, the entire specifications of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     This invention generally relates to golf clubs. More particularly, the invention relates to a golf putter. Specifically, the invention relates to a golf putter that includes a variety of visual aids useful for training the golfer to correctly position their head and body so as to more consistently putt well.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     Golfers are always trying to improve their game and, consequently, they are always seeking out aids, teaching tools, videos and programs that will assist them in improving their game and achieving their potential as a golfer. The golfer may utilize all of these resources yet still encounter problems when they are actually out on the course. Many amateurs presume that the most important part of the game is driving the ball to the green and they consequently spend a lot of their self-improvement efforts in correcting their strokes to minimize slicing or hooking of the ball and to drive the ball as far as possible. While these aspects of the game are important, most golfers tend to drop strokes when they reach the putting green. This is because the typical golfer tends to have little awareness of the position of their body, and especially their head, in relation to the position of the ball when they are putting. The golfer&#39;s stance and head position are extremely important in determining where the putted ball will land up once struck. Even if the golfer is aware that their head position and their stance are of great importance for the accuracy of their putt, they may not know if the stance they are actually assuming is correct and appropriate for viewing the correct line to the hole. Typical amateur golfers tend to position the putter head on the grass, glance up at the hole once or twice to try and ensure that they are putting the ball in the correct direction and then they strike the ball. On occasion, the position of the golfer&#39;s head relative to the putter head is accidentally correct and the putt is good. At other times, the golfer&#39;s head is not in a good position relative to the putter head and the putt is bad. The golfer is therefore inconsistent in their putting and their overall game is weakened.  
         [0006]     There is therefore a need in the art for a device which will aid the golfer in more consistently and correctly positioning their head and assuming the correct putting stance.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The device of the present invention comprises a golf club, and more specifically a putter, that includes a plurality of physical and visual aids for assisting the golfer to more consistently assume a good head and body position for putting and to strike a golf ball more correctly and accurately. The club includes a putter head mounted on a shaft. The putter head is selectively engaged with any one of a plurality of detachable flanges. The flanges are all of different lengths, weights and shapes and are designed to change the center of gravity of the putter head when they are individually engaged therewith. The change in the center of gravity aids in helping the golfer to correctly and accurately strike the golf ball. Each of the detachable flanges includes a first reflective surface and a second non-reflective surface and all are also provided with a second linear marking that is alignable with a first linear marking on the putter head. The reflective surface is used during practice sessions to aid the golfer in correctly positioning his head by aligning his eyes along the second linear marker and aligning the first and second linear markers with a remote hole. The golfer uses this reflective surface to train himself to hold his head correctly. The reflective surface is not allowed, however, in United States Golf Association (USGA) sanctioned games. In order to bring the putter into compliance with USGA regulations, the selected one of the flanges is quickly and easily removed from the putter head, flipped over and reinserted into the putter head so that the non-reflective surface is facing upwardly. The putter of the present invention is also provided with spaced apart weight ports into which small weights may be inserted so as to balance the putter head and help the golfer hold the putter head in a correct orientation for successful putting. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a golfer using the golf putter with a reflective head insert in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the putter head showing a small section of the shaft of the club extending outwardly away from the putter head;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the golf putter head showing the removeable flange engaged with the putter head and having the reflective surface facing outwardly;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an exploded top view of the putter head; the removeable flange and the reflective insert;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional rear view of the putter head through line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional top view of the putter head through line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the golf putter head with the removeable flange that has been rotated through 180° so that the non-reflective surface of the flange is facing upwardly;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a golf putter head in accordance with the present invention and showing a second embodiment of a removeable flange engaged therewith;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a golf putter head in accordance with the present invention and showing a third embodiment of a removeable flange engaged therewith;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is an illustrative front view of the golf putter head with the toe of the putter head lifted off the ground;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is an illustrative top view of the golf putter head of  FIG. 10 , showing the relative position of the first linear marking and second linear marking;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is an illustrative front view of the golf putter head with the heel of the putter head lifted off the ground;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is an illustrative top view of the golf putter head of  FIG. 12 , showing the relative position of the first linear marking and second linear marking;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is an illustrative front view of the golf putter head correctly soled on the ground;  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is an illustrative top view of the golf putter head of  FIG. 14 , showing the relative position of the first linear marking and second linear marking;  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a top view of a golf putter head in accordance with the present invention and showing a fourth embodiment of a removeable flange engaged therewith; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  is a top view of a golf putter head in accordance with the present invention and showing a fifth embodiment of a removeable flange engaged therewith. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a golfer  10  holding a golf putter  12  in accordance with the present invention. Putter  12  includes a handle  16 , a shaft  18  and a putter head  20 . Putter head  20  is illustrated as soled on the ground  14 , i.e., putter head  20  is disposed resting substantially horizontally relative to ground  14 . Golfer  10  is illustrated standing with their head  21  and eyes  22  positioned correctly over putter head  20 , so that golfer  10  is ready to most accurately putt the ball  23  into a remote hole (not shown).  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 2-6 , and in accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, putter head  20  comprises a generally U-shaped base  24  that engages a removeable flange  26 . Base  24  preferably is manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminum and flange  26  preferably is manufactured from stainless steel. The aircraft-grade aluminum gives the putting stroke a soft feel and gives the golfer optimum control of ball  23 .  
         [0028]     Flange  26  has an upper side  26   a  and a lower side  26   b , with the upper side  26   a  including a reflective surface, as will be hereinafter described, and the lower side  26   b  including a non-reflective surface. Flange  26  can be selectively removed from base  24 , flipped over through over 180° and reinserted into base  24 , depending on whether the golfer wants the reflective surface or non-reflective surface facing outwardly away from the ground  14  and toward his eyes  22 . Typically, flange  26  would be retained in base  24  with the reflective surface facing upwardly during practice sessions. During an actual game, flange  26  would be reversed so that the non-reflective surface would face upwardly so that the putter would meet the rules and regulations of the USGA.  
         [0029]     Base  24  preferably is an integrally formed member having a front wall  28  and a pair of substantially parallel legs  30 ,  32  extending outwardly and rearwardly away from front wall  28 . Legs  30 ,  32  are spaced a distance apart from each other and thereby define a gap  42  between them. Front wall  28  includes a front face  52  adapted to contact ball  23 , a back face  54 , an upper surface  46  and a lower surface  48 . The shaft  18  of putter  12  extends upwardly and outwardly away from upper surface  46 . Shaft  18  may be received within an aperture (not shown) in upper surface  46  or it may be welded to upper surface  46 . A pair of spaced apart apertures  44  are provided in back face  54  of front wall  28  in the region disposed between legs  30  and  32 . As seen in  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 , a bottom wall  40  extends rearwardly away from front wall  28  and proximate the lower surface  48  thereof. Bottom wall  40  preferably is generally triangular in shape and extends into gap  42 . The outermost side edge of each leg  30 ,  32  preferably is tapered inwardly so that putter head  20  has an aerodynamic profile that allows air to flow more fluidly over and around putter head  20 . Legs  30 ,  32  terminate in terminal ends  76  and  78  respectively. The bottom wall  40  terminates in an apex  40   a  that is disposed a distance inwardly of terminal ends  76 ,  78  of legs  30 ,  32 .  
         [0030]     In accordance with one of the specific features of the present invention, upper surface  46  of front wall  28  includes a first linear marking  50  that is disposed substantially at right angles to front face  52  of putter  12 . First linear marking  50  is adapted to be lined up with a remote hole (not shown) in which golfer  10  is attempting to sink his golf ball  23 . First linear marking  50  preferably is in the form of a groove formed in upper surface  46  and extending between front face  52  and back face  54  of front wall  28 . Alternatively, first linear marking  50  may comprise a ridge or a line that is physically marked on upper surface  46  in paint, ink or the like. First linear marking  50  preferably terminates in a small arrow-shaped protuberance  56  which extends rearwardly into gap  42 .  
         [0031]     In accordance with another specific feature of the present invention, flange  26  is removeably received in gap  42  and is detachably secured to base  24 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, flange  26  is secured to rear surface  54  of front wall  28 . However, it will be understood that flange  26  could also be secured to one or both legs  30 ,  32  or to a combination of the legs  30 ,  32  and rear face  54  of front wall  28 . Flange  26  comprises a housing  58 , preferably having an inverted V-shaped back end  60 , a substantially planar front end  62  and an intermediate portion  64  disposed between front and back ends  62 ,  60 . Back surface  54  of front wall  28  may be provided with a recess shaped to receive the front end  62  of flange  26  therein. Both of the back end  60  and front end  62  of flange  26  extend laterally outwardly beyond intermediate portion  64  so that an indentation  65  is effectively formed on either side of housing  58 . Intermediate portion  64  has an upper surface  64   a  and a lower surface  64   b , with upper surface  64   a  defining a recess  66  therein. Recess  66  is configured to retain a mirrored plate  68  therein. Both the recess  66  and mirrored plate  68  can be of any desired shape, but mirrored plate  68  preferably is retained within recess  66  by both an adhesive (not shown) and the flanges  64   c  formed in intermediate portion  64  surrounding at least a portion of recess  66 . Second linear marking  70   a  is inscribed on mirrored plate  68 . This second linear marking  70   a  may be in the form of a centrally disposed groove or ridge or simply be a line that is physically marked on mirrored plate  68  in paint, ink or the like. Second linear marking  70   a  is designed to be alignable with first linear marking  50  on front wall  28  when flange  26  is oriented in putter head  20  so that the reflective surface  66  faces upwardly and outwardly, as will be hereinafter described.  
         [0032]     The lower surface  64   b  of flange  26  has a non-reflective surface. Lower surface  64   b  is also provided with a central groove, ridge or line that serves as a second linear marking  70   b . This second linear marking  70   b  is designed to be alignable with first linear marking  50  on front wall  28 , when flange  26  is flipped over in putter head  20  so that the non-reflective surface faces upwardly, as will be hereinafter described.  
         [0033]     Flange  26  is secured to base  24  by a plurality of fasteners  72  that are inserted into holes  74  in front end  62  of flange  26  and then into threaded apertures  44  in rear face  54  of front wall  28 . As seen in  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 , fasteners  72  preferably are Allen screws that are rotatable by way of an Allen key (not shown) that is inserted through apertures  61  in back end  60  of housing  58 . When fasteners  72  are rotated in a first direction, they secure flange  26  to base  24 . When fasteners  72  are rotated in a second direction, they release flange  26  from base  24 . When flange  26  is secured to base  24 , the back end  60  of flange  26  preferably is substantially continuous with the terminal ends  76 ,  78  of legs  32 ,  30  respectively, so that putter head  12  has an aerodynamic trailing edge. Flange  26  is secured to base  24  in such a manner that when legs  30 ,  32  are resting on ground  14 , flange  26  is held a spaced distance above bottom wall  40  ( FIG. 5 ) resulting in less drag on the putter  12  as the stroke is executed. This distance is ideally around 4/10 inch.  
         [0034]     In accordance with another specific feature of the present invention, each leg  30 ,  32  includes a longitudinal bore  34 ,  36  ( FIG. 6 ) configured to receive one or more weights  38  therein. The weights  38  provided may be of any suitable size, such as around  15   g  or  30   g  each, and one or more weights  38  may be selectively inserted into one or both bores  34 ,  36 . This enables golfer  10  to balance putter head  20  in a manner that is pleasing to the golfer. Weights  38  preferably include a threadable portion  38   a  ( FIG. 6 ) that engages an internally threaded portion  34   a ,  36   a  of bore  34 ,  36  respectively. Each weight  38  may be provided with a recess (not shown) which allows it to be inserted or removed by an Allen wrench. It should be noted that the gap  42  formed between legs  30  and  32  in conjunction with weights  38  results in a putter head with an increased moment of inertia and a center of gravity that is positioned about 1.4″ from the club face. This reduces the backspin in the golf ball  23  and results in a smoother stroke.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a differently shaped flange  126  for engagement in putter head  20 . Flange  126  has an upper surface having a shaped mirrored insert  168  including a second linear marking  170   a . Flange  126  has a V-shaped back end  162 , the apex  162   a  of which is disposed inwardly of the terminal ends  76 ,  78  of legs  32 ,  30 . All other components of flange  126  are substantially identical to that of flange  26 , including the feature that the lower surface (not shown) of the flange  126  has a non-reflective surface and a second linear marking thereon. Back end  162  of flange  126  is again substantially continuous with terminal ends  76 ,  78  of base  24 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  illustrates yet another shape of flange which is indicated generally at  226 . Flange  226  includes a peripheral wall  262  that is not substantially continuous with terminal ends  76 ,  78  of legs  32 ,  30 . Flange  226  includes an upper surface having a mirrored insert  268  therein and a lower surface (not shown) that is non-reflective. As with previous embodiments, flange  226  is easily removed by unscrewing the Allen screws (not shown) that secure it to the base  24 . It will be understood that any suitably shaped flange can be received within the gap  42  between legs  30 ,  32  of base  24  without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIGS. 10-15 , putter  12  is used in the following manner. (It should be noted that the specific elements of the putter head, save for the front wall and reflective insert, have been removed from these figures for the sake of clarity.) When the golfer is preparing to putt, he places putter head  20  on the ground  14 . Normally, the golfer would not be able to determine very easily if the putter head was soled or not, i.e., if the putter head  20  was lying with both the toe portion  20   a  and heel portion  20   b  in contact with the ground  14 . As will be described hereinafter, the putter  12  of the present invention solves this problem.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the situation where toe portion  20   a  is out of contact with ground  14  and as a consequence, from the viewpoint of the golfer, the first linear marking  50  lies closer to the golfer than does the second linear marking  70   a . The non-alignment of first linear marking  50  and second linear marking  70   a  tells the golfer that he does not have putter head  20  soled properly. The fact that the first linear marking  50  is disposed closer to the golfer than the second linear marking  70   a , lets the golfer know that toe portion  20   a  is lifted off ground  14 .  
         [0039]      FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the situation where heel portion  20   b  is out of contact with ground  14 . In this instance, first linear marking  50  is disposed further away from the golfer than is second linear marking  70   a . This tells the golfer that the heel portion  20   b  is lifted off the ground  14 .  
         [0040]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the situation where putter head  20  is correctly soled on ground  14 . The golfer can tell the putter head is correctly positioned because first linear marking  50  lies in complete alignment with second linear marking  70   a.    
         [0041]      FIG. 16  illustrates a putter head  20  that is engaged with a fourth embodiment of a removeable flange, which flange is generally indicated at  326 . Flange  326  is secured to rear surface  54  of front wall  28  of base  24 . However, it will be understood that flange  326  could also be secured to one or both legs  30 ,  32  or to a combination of the legs  30 ,  32  and rear face  54  of front wall  28 . Flange  326  is substantially identical to flange  26  except that flange  326  is at least one of a reduced size and different weight to flange  26 . When flange  326  is engaged with base  24 , the V-shaped back end  360  of flange  326  terminates a distance inwardly from terminal ends  76 ,  78  of base  24 . Flange  326  includes a mirrored plate  368  on an upper surface thereof and is non-reflective on a lower surface (not shown). As with previous embodiments, flange  326  is provided with a second linear marking  370   a  that serves as an extension of first linear marking  50  on front wall  28 . Flange  326  may be either lighter or heavier than flange  26 . The different length and weight of flange  326  relative to flange  26  allows the golfer the opportunity to change the center of gravity of putter head  20  and to thereby alter the characteristics of the putter. The center of gravity of putter head  20  can be shifted forwardly toward front face  52  by using flange  326 . The center of gravity of putter head  20  can be shifted rearwardly toward terminal ends  76 ,  78  by using flange  26 . This is especially useful in pendulum type motions and different loft angles. If putter  12  has a face  52  with negative loft (e.g., −6 degrees) then switching the center of gravity from the front to the back or from the back to the front of the putter head  20  by engaging the appropriate flange  26  or  326  therewith may be beneficial to the golfer&#39;s game. If the golfer drags putter  20  straight back and straight through the ball, he might find that the ball rolls better when the center of gravity of putter head  20  is somewhere between the front face  52  and middle section A-A′ of the putter head  20 . If the golfer has a pendulum motion to their backswing, then moving the center of gravity of putter head  20  to between the middle section A-A′ and terminal ends  76 ,  78  may be beneficial. The golfer is therefore able to select the appropriate size and weight flange  26 ,  326  to change the center or gravity of the putter head. The position of the center of gravity of the putter head  20  may also make a difference in the roll of the ball depending on whether the golfer positions the ball off his front foot or in the middle of his stance. It would be beneficial to position the center of gravity in the middle section A-A′ or just off the front face  52  of putter  12  by selecting a shorter flange  326  if the golfer places the ball more toward his front foot. This way the club face will stay parallel to the ground and will tend to strike the ball squarely at impact. If the golfer places the ball in the middle of his stance, then the center of gravity of putter head  20  would be more beneficially positioned toward the terminal ends  76 ,  78  of head  20 . This could be achieved by selecting a longer flange  26 . This will create a more pendulum-like action, allowing the club to strike the ball on the upstroke and will tend to eliminate “blocking” or striking the ball on the downstroke, which tends to cause hopping/skipping or backspin in the struck ball.  
         [0042]      FIG. 17  illustrates a fifth embodiment of flange, being the flange indicated generally at  426 . Flange  426  is substantially identical to the flange  226  shown in  FIG. 8 , except flange  426  is again of a diminished size and different weight to flange  226 . Flange  426  includes a peripheral wall  462  that is not substantially continuous with terminal ends  76 ,  78  of legs  32 ,  30 . Peripheral wall  462  terminates a distance inwardly of terminal ends  76 ,  78  of base  24 . Flange  426  includes an upper surface having a mirrored insert  468  therein and a lower surface (not shown) that is non-reflective. Mirrored insert  468  also includes a second linear marking  470   a  that aligns with the first linear marking  50  on base  24 . As with previous embodiments, flange  426  is easily removed by unscrewing the Allen screws (not shown) that secure it to the base  24  and this makes it easy for the golfer to switch between various length, weight and shape flanges and to thereby change the putting characteristics of his putter. It would be beneficial if the golfer places the ball to more toward his front foot, then shifting the center of gravity of the putter head to proximate the middle section B-B′ or just off the front face  52  can be achieved by selecting a shorter flange  426 . The golfer could have provided to him a range of shorter flanges that are of different weights. In this instance, selecting one of the shorter but heavier flanges  426  will cause the movement of the center of gravity to be even more pronounced.  
         [0043]     If the golfer places the ball in the middle of his stance, then the center of gravity of putter head  20  would be more beneficially positioned toward the terminal ends  76 ,  78  of head  20 . This could be achieved by selecting a longer and/or heavier flange  26 . This shift in the center of gravity will create a more pendulum-like action, allowing the club to strike the ball on the upstroke and will tend to eliminate “blocking” or striking the ball on the downstroke.  
         [0044]     It is envisaged that putter  12  might be sold as a base  24  that may be selectively engaged with any one of a plurality of flanges that are manufactured in different shapes, weights or lengths. The golfer would then select a first-shaped flange of his choice and attach the same to the base  24 . If he decides that the selected first-shaped flange is not helping him in the manner he desires, he could simply detach the first-shaped flange and replace it with a second-shaped flange. The golfer might alternatively select a different length or weight of flange to purposefully change the center of gravity of the putter head  20  to compensate for or enhance his putting style.  
         [0045]     The golfer can train himself to correctly position his head by utilizing the mirrored inserts  68 ,  168 ,  268 ,  368  or  468  that is provided on any of the shaped flanges  26 ,  126 ,  226 ,  326  and  426 . For instance, when the mirrored insert  68  of flange  26  is facing upwardly on putter head  20 , the golfer will be able to see the reflection  22   a  of one or both of his eyes  22  in insert  68 . When putter head  20  is properly soled on ground  14 , the golfer would move his head until the reflection  22   a  of his eyes  22  is disposed along second linear marking  70   a  or just slightly below second linear marking  70   a . Repeated positioning of his head in this manner will help the golfer train himself to correctly position his head under circumstances where the flange  26  is positioned with the non-reflective surface facing upwardly and toward him.  
         [0046]     Putter  12  is also designed so that the golfer can add weights  38  into one or the other or both of the bores  34 ,  36  in legs  32 ,  30  in order to balance putter head  20  and thereby reduce his tendency to hold the putter head with either the toe portion  20   a  or heel portion  20   b  out of contact with ground  14 . Alternatively, if the golfer finds that he plays better with the putter in a slightly unbalanced mode, he can add one or more weights to one or the other bore  34 ,  36  to cause the putter head  20  to be more easily held in the toe-up or heel-up position. The golfer can also utilize the relative positioning of first linear marking  50  and second linear marking  70   a  or  70   b  to determine how to habitually hold putter  12  if they wish to play with the putter head in the toe-up or heel-up position. If they wish to play with putter head  20  in toe-up position, then shaft  18  is pulled slightly toward the body to ensure that first linear marking  50  is positioned closer to the body than is second linear marking  70   a  or  70   b . If the golfer wishes to play with putter head in the heel up position, then they push shaft  18  slightly away from their body to move first linear marking  50  so that it lays further from their body than does the second linear marking  70   a  or  70   b.    
         [0047]     The golfer is trained by frequent and regular use of the alignment mechanism, i.e., the first and second linear markings  50 ,  70 , to consistently position their head relative to the putter head  20 ; and to position the putter head  20  in a particular manner relative to the ground; and to line up a putter head with the ball and with a remote flag/hole. Regular use of the weights  38  also help the golfer to more consistently hold the putter at a particular angle. Essentially, all of these aids help the golfer develop his muscle memory by helping him to consistently position his body and most specifically position his shoulders, head and eyes relative to the putter head.  
         [0048]     It will be understood that while flange  26  is shown as reversibly connected to said front wall  28 , flange  26  could alternatively be connected to one or both legs  30 ,  32  or to said legs and said front wall. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment has shown the flange  26  mounted within a gap  42  defined between legs  30 ,  32 , flange  26  could alternatively be mounted in a recess formed in the putter head rearwardly of front wall  28 .  
         [0049]     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.  
         [0050]     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.