Abstract:
A golf putter having a shaft and a putting head connected to the shaft, where the putting head is configured with one or more flat faces to emit different sounds depending on whether the golfer has hit the sweet spot of the putter. In addition, the putter may have concave faces as an alternative means for training the golfer to hit the sweet spot of the putter.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to putters to help improve putting techniques. More particularly, the putter is configured to help the golfer hit the sweet spot on the putter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the more difficult aspects of playing the game of golf is how to properly make putts, and one of the critical aspects of making a putt is proper contact between the golf putter and the golf ball. As such, there is a need for a golf putter to help ensure proper contact with the golf ball. 
     In addition, there is a need for a versatile putter that can be used by any user of any size, whether left handed or right handed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a golf putter having a shaft and a putting head connected to the shaft, where the putting head is configured to help the golfer hit the sweet spot on the putter. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the putter has a pair of oppositely facing curved contact faces and a pair of oppositely facing flat contact faces. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the putter comprises voids configured so as to create a “ping” or ringing sound when the golf ball does not hit the sweet spot of one of the flat contact faces. Hitting the sweet spot may create a ringing sound of a different pitch or may create a dull, non-ringing sound or light thud. 
     With the plurality of contact faces, the putter of the present invention is also versatile so that it can be used by left and right hand putters. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the putter comprises a movable or adjustable shaft to improve the versatility of the putter. For example, the shaft may be removable from the putter so as to be replaced or interchanged with a different shaft, the shaft may be capable of toggling about a transverse axis relative to the putter to change the angle of the shaft to the top surface of the putter, the shaft may be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the top surface, or any combination thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is an elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2C  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , but with a different type of shaft securing fastener. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A  through line  4 B- 4 B. 
         FIG. 4C  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  show a golf putter  100  comprising a base  102  and a plurality of contact faces  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  attached to the base  102 . In the preferred embodiment, the putter  100  comprises a first curved contact face  104 , a second curved contact face  106  opposite the first curved contact surface  104 , a first flat plate  107  having a first flat contact face  108  adjacent to the first and second curved contact faces  104 ,  106 , and a second flat plate  109  having a second flat contact face  110  opposite the first flat contact face  108  and adjacent to the first and second curved contact faces  104 ,  106 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first curved contact face  104  has a radius of curvature that is similar to that of a standard golf ball to help teach the golfer to swing the putter in a straight path. It is understood by those skilled in the art that a golf ball has a diameter of about 1.68 inches (42.67 mm); so the radius of a golf ball is about 0.84 inches (21.34 mm). Any deviation from a straight path swing will be evident when using this putter. For example, if the face of the putter is rotated so as to deviate from a straight path the putter will not receive the golf ball properly. 
     In one embodiment the first curved contact face  104  may be partially-spherical or partially-cylindrical. The first curved contact face  104  further comprises a first radius R 1 , a first curved arm portion  112  terminating at a first terminal end  113 , a second curved arm portion  114  terminating at a second terminal end  115 , a first apex  116  connecting the first curved arm portion  112  to the second curved arm portion  114 , and a first depth D 1  measured from the first apex  116  to a first plane P 1  defined by the first terminal end  113  and the second terminal end  115 . 
     Preferably, the first radius R 1  can be at least the same measurement as a standard, regulation golf ball radius. The first radius R 1  can also be greater than the radius of a golf ball so as to decrease the degree of the curvature of the first contact face  104 . In the preferred embodiment, the first radius R 1  is approximately one inch. The first apex  116  is defined as an imaginary vertical line along the first curved contact face  104  that is the farthest away from the first plane P 1  created by the first terminal end  113  and the second terminal end  115  of the first curved contact face  104 , where the distance is measured orthogonal to the first plane P 1 . 
     The first depth D 1  is defined as a distance between the first apex  116  and the first plane P 1 . In the preferred embodiment, the first depth D 1  on the first curved contact face  104  can range from approximately one-half the radius of a golf ball to about the diameter of a golf ball. In some embodiments, the first depth D 1  on the first curved contact face  104  can be about the same measurement as the radius of a golf ball. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first curved contact face  104  is connected to the base  102  approximately at the first apex  116 . The first curved contact face  104  may be reinforced with stabilization bars  118 ,  120 . A first stabilization bar  118  may connect the first terminal end  113  on the first curved arm portion  112  to the base  102 . The first stabilization bar  118  is connected to the first terminal end  113  and the base  102  in a way so as to create or define a first void  122 . 
     A second stabilization bar  120  may connect the second terminal end  115  on the second curved arm portion  114  to the base  102 . The second stabilization bar  120  may be connected to the second terminal end  115  and the base  102  in a way so as to create or define a second void  124 . 
     The second curved contact face  106  is on the opposite side of the base  102  relative to the first curved contact face  104  and may be partially-spherical or partially-cylindrical. The second curved contact face  106  comprises a second radius R 2 , a third curved arm portion  130  terminating at a third terminal end  131 , a fourth curved arm portion  132  terminating at a fourth terminal end  133 , a second apex  134  connecting the third curved arm portion  130  to the fourth curved arm portion  132 , and a second depth D 2  defined as the distance from the second apex  134  to a second plane P 2  defined by the third terminal end  131  and the fourth terminal end  133 . In the preferred embodiment, the second radius R 2  can be at least the same measurement as the golf ball radius. The second radius R 2  can also be greater than the radius of a golf ball so as to decrease the degree of the curvature of the second curved contact face  106 . The second apex  134  is defined as an imaginary vertical line along the second curved contact face  106  that is the farthest away from a second plane P 2  created by the third terminal end  131  and the fourth terminal end  133  on the second curved contact face  106 . 
     The second depth D 2  is defined as the shortest distance between the second apex  134  and the second plane P 2 . The second depth D 2  of the second curved contact face  106  can range from approximately one-half the radius of a golf ball to approximately the diameter of a golf ball. In some embodiments, the second depth D 2  of the second curved contact face  106  may be the same measurement as the radius of a golf ball. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the second curved contact face  106  is connected to the base  102  at approximately the second apex  134 . The second curved contact face  106  may be reinforced with stabilization bars  136 ,  138 . A third stabilization bar  136  may connect the third terminal end  131  to the base  102 . The third stabilization bar  136  is connected to the third terminal end  131  and the base  102  in a way so as to create or define a third void  140 . In some embodiments, the second curved contact face  106  may be connected to the base  102  by a stem  144 . 
     A fourth stabilization  138  may connect the fourth terminal end  133  to the base  102 . The fourth stabilization bar  138  may connect the fourth terminal end  133  to the base  102  in such a way so as to create or define a fourth void  142 . 
     The first and second flat contact faces  108 ,  110  are adjacent to the first and second curved contact faces  104 ,  106 , and on opposite sides of the base  102 . The first flat contact face  108  is defined by the first flat plate  107  having a first straight arm portion  150 , a second straight arm portion  152  opposite the first straight arm portion  150 , and a first middle portion  154  connecting the first straight arm portion  150  to the second straight arm portion  152 . The first flat plate  107  may be connected to the base  102  at the first middle portion  154 . The first middle portion  154  defines a first sweet spot on the putter  100 . The first flat plate  107  is arranged parallel to the first and third stabilization bars  118 ,  136 . However, the first and second straight arm portions  150 ,  152  of the first flat plate  107  are not connected to the first and third terminal ends  113 ,  131  on the first and second curved contact faces  104 ,  106 , respectively. Therefore, the first and second straight arm portions  150 ,  152  terminate as first and second free ends  151 ,  153 . 
     Since the first flat plate  107  is parallel to the first and third stabilization bars  118 ,  136 , a first channel or elongated gap  170  is created in between the first straight arm portion  150  and the first stabilization bar  118 , and a second channel or elongated gap  172  is created between the second straight arm portion  152  and the third stabilization bar  136 . Therefore, the first straight arm portion  150  and the first stabilization bar  136  create a U-shaped configuration that functions like a tuning fork, the U-shaped configuration having a first open end  174  and a first closed end  176  opposite the first open end  174 , wherein the first closed end  176  is attached to the base  102 . 
     The elongated gap  172  defined by the second straight arm portion  152  and the third stabilization bar  136  create a similar U-shaped configuration having a second open end  178  and a second closed end  180  attached to the base  102 . The first and second closed ends  176 ,  180  of each elongated gaps  170 ,  172  are adjacent to each other. 
     Similarly, the second flat contact face  110  is defined by the second flat plate  109  having a third straight arm portion  160 , and a fourth straight arm portion  162  opposite the third straight arm portion  160 , and a second middle portion  164  connecting the third straight arm portion  160  with the fourth straight arm portion  162 . The second flat plate  109  may be connected to the base  102  at the second middle portion  164 . The second middle portion  164  defines a second sweet spot. The second flat plate  109  is arranged parallel to the second and fourth stabilization bars  120 ,  138 . However, the third and fourth straight arm portions  160 ,  162  on the second flat plate  109  are not connected to the second and fourth terminal ends  115 ,  133  of the first and second curved contact faces  104 ,  106 , respectively. Therefore, the third and fourth straight arm portions  160 ,  162  terminate in third and fourth free ends  161 ,  163 . 
     Since the second flat plate  109  is parallel to the second and fourth stabilization bars  120 ,  138  a third channel or elongated gap  182  is created in between the third straight arm portion  160  and the second stabilization bar  120 , and a fourth channel or elongated gap  184  is created between the fourth straight arm portion  162  and the fourth stabilization bar  138 . Therefore, the third straight arm portion  160  and the second stabilization bar  120  create a U-shaped configuration that functions like a tuning fork, the U-shaped configuration having a third open end  186  and a third closed end  188  opposite the third open end  186 , wherein the third closed end  188  is attached to the base  102 . 
     The fourth straight arm portion  162  and the fourth stabilization bar  138  create a similar U-shaped configuration having a fourth open end  190  and a fourth closed end  192  attached to the base  102 . The third and fourth closed ends  188 ,  192  of each U-shaped configuration are adjacent to each other. 
     Due to the arrangement of the first, second, third, and fourth elongated gaps  170 ,  172 ,  182 ,  184 , the golf putter  100  of the present invention creates a resonating “ping” sound when the putter  100  is not hit on one of its sweet spots on one of the flat contact surfaces  108 ,  110 . The sweet spot on any contact surface is the direct center of the contact face. In the flat contact faces  108 ,  110 , the sweet spot is located at the midpoint between the free ends  151 ,  153  and  161 ,  163 . In the curved contact faces the sweet spot is located at the apex  116 ,  134 . In some embodiments, the sweet spot may be demarcated with an indicator  194 . The indicator  194  may be any marking or etching on the contact face or on the top surface  202  directly above the sweet spot. 
     Since the sweet spot is essentially connected to the base  102 , hitting any of the sweet spots creates a dull thud-type sound, rather than a resonating ping sound. Therefore, the user will know that he has hit the sweet spot. If the user hears the resonating ping sound, the user will know that he missed the sweet spot. 
     The base  102  serves as a foundation onto which the contact surfaces  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  can be connected. A shaft  300  may also be connected to the putter  100  at the base  102 . The base  102  can be any shape. In the preferred embodiment, the base  102  is cylindrical having a wall  200 , a top surface  202  connected to the wall  200 , and a bottom surface  204  opposite the top surface  202  and connected to the wall  200 . 
     The shaft  300  may be connected to the putter  100  at the top surface  202 . Preferably, the shaft  300  is attached to the putter  100  in a way that would facilitate the ability of a user to use any of the contact faces  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,264,557 and 7,396,292 and incorporated in their entirety here by this reference. For example, in one embodiment, the shaft  300  is connected orthogonal to the top surface  202  via an attachment hole  206 . Having the shaft  300  orthogonal to the top surface  202  creates a symmetry that allows the golfer to putt with any of the contact surfaces  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  merely by rotating the golf putter in 90 degree increments about the main axis A, which is perpendicular to the top surface  202 . 
     In some embodiments, the putter  100  of the present invention, or any putter, may comprise a movable shaft for improving the versatility of the putter. For example, the movable shaft  300  may be removable the putter head, capable of toggling back and forth, or capable of rotating about an axis perpendicular to the top surface  202  of the putter head. In one embodiment, the putter may comprise an insert  208  attached to the top surface  202  of the base  102  as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The insert  208  maybe integrally formed with the base  102 , fixed to the base  102 , or removably attached to the base  102 . The insert  208  may be a cylindrical device having an insertion end  210  and a receiving end  212  opposite the insertion end  210  and a cylindrical wall  214  there between. The insertion end  210  may be inserted into the base  102  for secure attachment. In embodiments in which the insert  208  is removably attached to the base  102 , the insertion end  210  may be threaded and the base  102  may have an orifice  216  with reciprocal threading  218  to receive the insertion end  210 . 
     The receiving end  212  of the insert  208  may have an orifice  220  to receive the shaft  300 . The cylindrical wall  214  may comprise a fastener  222  to secure the shaft  300  inside the orifice  220 . For example, the cylindrical wall  214  may have a threaded hole  224 . A threaded bolt  226  attached to a wingnut  228  can be used to advance the threaded bolt  226  through the hole  224 . With the shaft  300  inside the orifice  220 , as the threaded bolt  226  passes through the hole  224 , it will eventually make contact with the shaft  300 . Continued advancement will apply pressure to the shaft  300  thereby preventing the shaft  300  from being removed. This type of fastener will allow the putter  100  to be used with many different types of straight shafts and bent shafts. Many other types of fastening mechanisms can be used. 
     For example, in some embodiments, the user may find that the wingnut  228  obstructs his view of the putter  100  while putting. Therefore, a set screw  225 , such as a blind or headless set screw may be inserted into the threaded hole  224 . The set screw  225  may have a hex socket  231 . The wingnut  228  may comprise an alien wrench  227  to fit the hex socket  231  so that the wingnut  228  can drive the set screw  225  into the threaded hole  224  to secure the shaft  300  to the insert  208 . The set screw  225  maybe dimensions so that it is nearly flush or housed within the threaded hole  224  when the shaft is secured or minimally protruding from the threaded hole  224 . This eliminates or reduces the obstruction caused by the set screw  225 . In some embodiments, the wingnut  228  may have a through-hole  229  through which a keychain or the like can be inserted so that the wingnut  228  can be carried and easily located. Having a shaft  300  removable improves the versatility of the putter by allowing different shafts of varying shapes (e.g. bent shafts, straight shafts, curved shafts, and the like), and sizes (e.g. men&#39;s sizes, women&#39;s sizes, children&#39;s sizes, and the like) to be used with the same putter head. 
     Alternatively, the shaft  300  may be adjustably attached to the top surface  202 , such that the shaft  300  can be flipped, toggled, or shifted from a first position to a second position such that in the first position one contact face can be used and in the second position, the opposite contact face can be used as shown in  FIG. 3 . The shaft  300  can be secured in place by a fastener, such as a quick release locking mechanism  230 , or any other fastening mechanism known in the art for locking movable shafts in place. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C , the shaft  300  may be rotatably coupled to the top surface  202  so that a user can rotate the shaft  300  to select a desired contact face for use. For example, the shaft  300  can rotate or swivel about an axis A perpendicular to the top surface  202 . This will allow the user to merely turn or rotate the shaft  300  relative to the putter  100  to use any contact face without having to remove the shaft  300  from the putter  100 . The shaft  300  can be secured in place either through a locking mechanism, or any other mechanism known in the art for locking movable shafts in place. 
     For example, in one embodiment the base  202  may have a main hole  232  defined by the inner wall  233  of the base  202  and an auxiliary hole  234  adjacent to the main hole  232 . The main hole  232  may be circular defining a central axis A. A cylindrical hub  236  is configured to fit inside the main hole  234  in a rotatable manner so as to rotate about the central axis A. The cylindrical hub  236  may sit on a support plate  238  to facilitate rotational movement. At the bottom end  240  of the cylindrical hub  236  are a plurality of notches  242  separated circumferentially about the cylindrical hub  236 , preferably at 90 degree intervals. A release mechanism  244  is housed in the auxiliary hole  234 . The release mechanism  244  may comprise a button  246 , a latch  248  movable by the button  246 , a pin  250  upon which the latch  248  and button  246  can be mounted, a compression spring  252  wrapped about the pin  250  to create a biasing force against the latch  248 , and a clip  251  to secure the pin  250 . In the resting state, the latch  248  abuts against the cylindrical hub  236 . When the cylindrical hub  236  is oriented relative to the latch  248  with one of the notches  242  facing the latch  248 , the latch  248  can be wedged inside the notch  242 , thereby preventing the cylindrical hub  236  from rotating. Depression of the button  246  forces the latch  248  to move in a downward direction thereby compressing the spring  252 . The downward motion of the latch  248  removes the latch  248  from the notch  242  thereby allowing the cylindrical hub  236  to rotate about the central axis A. Upon release of the button  246 , the latch  248  presses against the smooth wall of the cylindrical hub  236  but still allows the cylindrical hub  236  to rotate about the central axis A. When the next notch  242  approaches the latch  248 , eventually the latch  248  will wedge into the notch  242  and lock the cylindrical hub  236  in place at its new orientation 90 degrees from the previous notch  242 . This can continue so that the cylindrical hub  236  can rotate a full 360 degrees. 
     At the top  241  of the cylindrical hub  236  is a cutout  254  that goes through the bottom  240  of the hub  236 . A shaft receiver  256  can be placed inside the cutout  254  and secured by a transverse pin  258 . The transverse pin  258  may be secured to the hub  236  by set screws  259 . The shaft receiver  256  may have a through-hole  260  through which the transverse pin  258  can be inserted and attached to the inner wall  262  of the cylindrical hub  236 . The transverse pin  258  is cylindrical thereby allowing the shaft receiver  256  to rotate about the transverse axis T of the transverse pin  258 . This allows the shaft receiver  256  to change angles relative to the top surface  202 . 
     In some embodiments, the shaft receiver  256  may have a split  264  from the through-hole  260  to a surface  266  of the shaft receiver  256  creating a pair of clamp arms  268 ,  270 . A threaded through-hole  272  may be created through the first clamp arm  268  into the second clamp arm  270 . A nut  274  can be threaded into the through-hole  272  so as to close the split  264  thereby causing clamp arms  268 ,  270  to compress the transverse pin  258 . This prevents the shaft receiver  256  from rotating about the pin  258 . In order to change the angle of the shaft receiver  256 , the user can unscrew the nut  274  releasing the pin  258  from the clamping action of the clamping arms  268 ,  270  thereby providing room for the shaft receiver  256  to rotate about the pin  258 . This embodiment allows a shaft  300  to be rotated about a central axis A or toggled back and forth about a transverse axis T perpendicular to the central axis A. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom  276  of the shaft receiver  256  may be serrated. A bottom cover  278  may support a protrusion  280  directly underneath and abutted against the bottom  276  of the shaft receiver  256 . The protrusion can interact with the serrated bottom  276  of the shaft receiver to create a stepped adjustment of the shaft receiver  256 . 
     Although the means for making the shaft  300  movable or adjustable relative to the putter has been described with the putter  100  of the present invention, the means for making the shaft  300  movable or adjustable can be applied to any putters. 
     The sole  282  of the putter  100  is opposite the top surface  202 . The sole  282  can be generally flat. In some embodiments, the sole  282  can be generally convex. 
     The distance between the top surface  202  and the sole  282 , or height H, can be at least one-half the radius of a golf ball. In one embodiment the distance between the top surface  202  and the sole  282  is about the same measurement as a golf ball radius. In another embodiment the distance between the top surface  202  and the sole  282  is about the same measurement as a golf ball diameter. Since the diameter of a golf ball is about 1.68 inches (42.67 mm) and the radius of a golf ball is about 0.84 inches (21.34 mm), the distance between the top surface  202  and the sole  282 , or the height H of the putter  100 , can range from about 0.42 inches to about 1.68 inches. In the preferred embodiment, the height H of the putter  100  is approximately 1 inch. The distance from the first and second terminal ends  113 ,  115  on one curved contact face  104  to the third and fourth terminal ends  131 ,  133  of the other curved contact face  106 , or the length L of the putter  100 , can be from 4 inches to approximately 5.5 inches. Preferably, the length L of the putter is approximately 4.8 to 4.9 inches. The distance from one flat contact face  108  to the other flat contact face  110  through the center C, or the width W of the putter  100 , ranges from 3 to 4 inches. Preferably, the width of the putter is approximately 3.2 inches to 3.3 inches. The thickness T of each of the flat plates  107 ,  109  is less that 0.75 inch. Preferably, the thickness T of each flat plate  107 ,  109  is less than 0.5 inch. In the most preferred embodiment, the thickness T is approximately 0.275 inch. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the distance from the center of one curved contact face  104  to the center C of the putter  100  may range from 1.5 to 2 inches. The distance from the center C of the putter  100  to the center of the first curved contact face  104  is approximately 1.5 to 2.5 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the distance from the center C of the putter  100  to the center of the first curved contact face  104  is approximately 1.9 inches. The distance from the center C of the putter  100  to the center of the second curved contact face  106  is approximately 2.5 to 3 inches. Preferably, the distance from the center C of the putter  100  to the center of the second curved contact face  106  is approximately 2.6 inches. The diameter of the base  102  may be approximately 1 inch to approximately 2 inches. Preferably, the diameter of the base  102  is approximately 1.5 inches. 
     In use, the user can putt with any contact face  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . If using a straight shaft  300  inserted perpendicularly to the top surface  202 , then the user merely rotates the putter 90 degrees increments to select the surface with which he desires to putt. If using a bent shaft, the user merely releases the shaft fastener and rotates the shaft  300  to the proper orientation to use any of the contact faces. In some embodiments, the user can release the locking mechanism  230  on the shaft receiver  256  to toggle the shaft  300  at angles ranging from 0° to 180° relative to the top surface  202 . In some embodiments, the user can rotate the shaft receiver  256  to use the proper contact surface. In some embodiments, the user can toggle shaft  300  and rotate the shaft receiver  256  to get the precise orientation he wants. 
     The user can use the curved contact faces  104 ,  106  to help practice swinging the putter  100  in a straight line. With the curved contact faces  104 ,  106  the user can place the golf ball within the curved contact face and push the golf ball in the desired direction. If the swing a straight, the ball should go straight. 
     The user can use the flat surfaces  108 ,  110  to help identify the sweet spot. If the user misses the sweet spot, due to the elongated gaps  170 ,  172  or  182 ,  184  and free terminal ends  151 ,  153  or  161 ,  163  the putter will create a ringing or pinging sound. If the user hits the sweet spot, a different sound will be made. 
     The putter  100  of the present invention can be made from known methods with any hard material used in making golf putters. Preferably, the golf putter  100  is made of metal. More preferably, the putter  100  is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Most preferably, the putter  100  is made completely of metal or metal alloy without other non-metallic material that could absorb the vibrating capability of the metal or metal alloy. For example, the putter  100  should not comprise plastic or other non-metallic inserts, or should not comprise non-metallic inserts for other purposes, that could interfere with the pinging sound generated by the flat plates  107 ,  109  when a golf ball misses the sweet spot on the flat plates  107 ,  109 . In some embodiments, the putter may be anodized. The anodized putter can also be dyed in a variety of different colors. 
     While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.