Abstract:
Golf putters having centrally aligned hosels are disclosed herein. According to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, a golf putter includes a head defining a surface for striking a golf ball. The putter also includes an elongated shaft having an axis spaced forwardly a predetermined distance from a plane containing the striking surface. Further, the putter includes a hosel connected to an end of the shaft. The hosel is connected to a portion of the head substantially aligned with a center of the golf ball when the head lies in striking position with respect to the golf ball.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a golf putter. Particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to a golf putter having a hosel connected to a portion of the putter&#39;s head in substantial alignment with a center of a golf ball when the head lies in striking position with respect to the golf ball. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The popularity of the game of golf has increased substantially over the years. As with all games, players are eager to improve their performance, whether in comparison to a previous personal best or with other players. However, golf can be particularly difficult to play well. One area of golf that is particularly difficult is putting. As a result, many variations of golf putters have been developed for improving golf players&#39; putting performance. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improved putters for improving players&#39; overall performance in the game of golf. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Golf putters having centrally aligned hosels are disclosed herein. According to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, a golf putter includes a head defining a surface for striking a golf ball. The putter also includes an elongated shaft having an axis spaced forwardly a predetermined distance from a plane containing the striking surface. Further, the putter includes a hosel connected to an end of the shaft. The hosel is connected to a portion of the head substantially aligned with a center of the golf ball when the head lies in striking position with respect to the golf ball. 
         [0004]    The golf putters disclosed herein can improve player performance by making the player feel that he or she is striking the ball&#39;s upper, rear quadrant with the hosel. Further, the golf putter described herein helps to improve golf player performance by encouraging the golfer to keep his or her head and body still during the putting motion. Further, players are encouraged by the design described herein to keep the putter head low during the initial (or take-away) putting motion. Players are also encouraged by the design described herein to keep his or her wrist at a proper angle for putting. The design also encourages a slight inside-to-inside putting motion and reduces the likelihood of deceleration of the putter head during putting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a golf putter in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the bottom of the putter shown in  FIG. 1  showing the putter head, hosel, and lower end of the shaft; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the putter head, hosel and lower end of the shaft shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the putter head and hosel shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    The presently disclosed subject matter is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventor has contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a golf putter, generally designated  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. The putter  100  generally comprises a shaft  102 , a hosel  104 , and a putter head  106 . The shaft  102 , in the embodiment shown, is straight with a handle  108  and an end  110  that is connected to one end  112  of the hosel  104  at an angle. An opposing end  114  of the hosel  104  is connected to the putter head  106  at an angle. The shaft  102  can be made of metal, composite fibers, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material. 
         [0012]    Referring also to  FIGS. 2-4 , the hosel  104  and the putter head  106  are shown enlarged. The hosel  104  can be made of metal, composite fibers, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material. The hosel  104  is substantially straight and forms an angle of about 30° with an extended axis  200  of the shaft  102 . However, the formed angle may any other suitable angle. For example, the angle may be between about 25° and about 30°, or even in the range of between about 0° and about 90°. The hosel  104  extends from its connection to the shaft end  110  in a direction opposing a ball striking direction, which is generally indicated by direction arrow  202 . Thus, the hosel  104  extends from its connection to the shaft end  110  towards a ball striking surface  204  of the putter head  106 . In  FIGS. 2-4 , the striking surface  204  is shown in a position at which a golf ball (indicated by circular-shaped broken line)  205  is struck after generally moving in the direction of direction arrow  202 . The head  106  is shown striking the ball  205  at the ball&#39;s equator E. 
         [0013]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the shaft&#39;s extended axis  200  is spaced forwardly a predetermined distance from a plane  206  containing the head&#39;s striking surface  204 . The distance is between about 0.5 inches and about 0.75 inches. Alternatively, the distance can be any suitable distance, such as, for example, anywhere between about 0 inches and 3 inches. However, the shaft&#39;s extended axis  200  can be spaced from the plane  206  any suitable distance. The hosel  104  is connected to the head at a portion that is substantially in the plane  206 . 
         [0014]    The striking surface  204  is substantially flat. However, the striking surface may alternatively be any other suitable shape. In addition, the striking portion  204  may be of any suitable shape and size. 
         [0015]    During normal use of the putter  100 , the player should keep the bottom  212  of the head  104  slightly above the ground G in order to have a smooth swing.  FIGS. 2 and 3  shows this spacing or gap. Golf balls are all substantially the same size. For example, golf ball diameters are typically about 1.68 inches (42 mm). The putter  100  may be used with any size golf ball. The head  106  is sized and shaped to provide a point of contact, if the putter is used correctly within the normal standards of using a putter. 
         [0016]    The putter head  106  can be made of a suitable material such as brass, steel, or the like. However, any suitable material could be used. The putter head  106  may be formed of a heavier material than the material forming the shaft  102  and/or the hosel  104 . 
         [0017]    The putter head  106  has a main body  208  with a top  210 , a bottom  212 , a heel  214 , a toe  216 , and a rear end  218 . In the embodiment shown, the main body  208  has a general block shape with smooth edges. However, the main body may have any suitable shape. Referring particularly to  FIG. 3 , the hosel&#39;s end  114  is connected to a portion of the head  106  substantially aligned along a horizontal direction (indicated by opposing direction arrows  220 ) with a center of the head&#39;s striking surface  204 . Further, an extended axis  222  of the hosel  104  also substantially aligns with the center of the head&#39;s striking surface  204 . As a result of the alignments, the player feels that the ball  205  is the primary target, rather than the golf hole, when putting with the putter  100 . Further, the alignments makes the player feel that he or she is striking the ball&#39;s upper, rear quadrant with the hosel  104 . This also helps the player align a putt with the target hole. 
         [0018]    Further, the golf putter described herein helps to improve golf player performance by encouraging the golfer to keep his or her head and body still during the putting motion. Further, players are encouraged by the design described herein to keep the putter head low during the initial (or take-away) putting motion. Players are also encouraged by the design described herein to keep his or her wrist at a proper angle for putting. The design also encourages a slight inside-to-inside putting motion and reduces the likelihood of deceleration of the putter head during putting. 
         [0019]    Referring particularly to  FIG. 4 , the shaft  104  is shown extending from the end  114 . The axis  200  of shaft  104  forms an angle B of about 10° with a line  400  that is normal to a striking surface  204 . Alternatively, the angle B can be any other suitable angle, such as, for example, between about 0° and about 90°. However, the angle can be any other angle. 
         [0020]    It is noted that there is a basic difference between an ordinary golf shot (with a drive or iron) and a golf putt. The two types of swings basically have inverse functions. An ordinary non-putting golf shot is intended to cause the golf ball to become airborne and, when the ball is struck properly, create a back spin and/or a side spin on the ball. A putting golf shot is intended to cause the golf ball to remain on the ground and roll smoothly with a top spin. The presently disclosed subject matter provides an improved putter adapted to cause the golf ball to remain on the ground and initially roll with a top spin. 
         [0021]    While the embodiments have been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.