US20020016213A1 - Multiple feedback putting guide and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a putting guide for providing both physical and acoustical feedback of the proper putting stroke. The putting guide is comprised of a guide rail, a base, and securing receptacles. The guide rail is defined at an angle substantially perpendicular relative to the plane of the base to enable a golfer to practice a linear putting stroke. The securing receptacles extend through the base for receipt of a securing device. The putting guide is also provided with elastomeric end caps to hold the guide off an indoor putting surface which can dampen the aural feedback of the guide.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/216,867 filed Jul. 7, 2000.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a putting guide for practicing the golf putting stroke. More specifically, the present invention relates to a putting guide that provides physical, visual, and audible feedback to the user in order to improve the user's putting stroke.[0002]
• Not only is putting one of the most important parts of a golfer's game, but it is also one of the most difficult skills to master. A proper putting stroke requires precision in the golfer's grip, stance, backswing, downswing, followthrough, club speed, club direction combination, and club face at impact. Imprecision in anyone of the above swing variables can adversely affect the putt. For example, a slight deviation in the club face or club direction will cause the struck ball to deviate from its intended path. Thus, in order to eliminate variances in the numerous swing variables, it is imperative that the golfer develop a consistent and repeatable putting stroke.[0003]
• Practicing of the putting stroke enables the golfer to develop precision in the combination of the swing variables. The golfer must continually correct the swing variables until the desired stroke is attained. Once attained, the putting stroke must be continually repeated to develop muscle memory, at which point the stroke becomes natural and is consistently repeatable.[0004]
• To date, several devices exist which provide the golfer with physical feedback regarding the putting stroke during practice. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,685 to Fonseca et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,065 to LeQuyea provide putting practice devices comprised of a base plate and a pair of guide rails. The base plate in both devices is intended to be placed on top of the putting practice surface and the guide rails help to keep the putter in linear alignment. As the golfer practices the stroke, if the travel of the putter begins to deviate from a proper linear stroke, the putter head or heel will strike the guide rails and be forced back into proper alignment. The golfer thereby develops physical feedback during the practice of the putting stroke.[0005]
• Although the golfer is able to practice the proper linear putting stroke with the Fonseca et al. and the LeQuyea devices, a drawback to each device is that the elevation of the putter in relation to the actual putting surface is skewed. Each device requires that the guide rails be mounted onto a base plate. Regardless of whether the base plate is solid or soft, the putter must be elevated to account for the thickness of the base plate. Even though the thickness may be seemingly insignificant, the putting stroke is an extremely precise stroke that is affected by such variances.[0006]
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,442 to Sindelar, Sr. provides a putting practice device that provides physical feedback to the golfer and avoids the above mentioned problem associated with a base plate. The Sindelar, Sr. patent provides an elongated training aid including lengthwise adjacent and coextensive guide surfaces on its opposite sides. The training aid is affixed directly to the practice putting surface and the golfer uses the guide surfaces to direct the putter during the stroke. The putter heel is held against one of the guide surfaces and is moved along the guide surface throughout the putting stroke. One of the guide surfaces is vertical to enables golfers to practice a linear putting stroke, while the other guide surface is an inclined surface enabling golfers to practice an “in to in” (or “in and up”) method of putting in which the golfer takes the putter head to the inside and slightly up on the back swing, returns to the ball and brings the putter in and up on the follow through. By continually practicing the putter stroke with the heel of the putter guided by the training aid, the golfer receives physical feedback and is able to develop muscle memory for the stroke.[0007]
• Although providing physical feedback (and some visual feedback in the form of calibration markings) to the golfer, none of the above mentioned patents offer any acoustical feedback. The Fonseca et al. and LeQuea devices are not intended to provide any acoustical feedback. The putter head is intended to remain clear of the guide rails. The guide rails function to provide physical feedback when the putter deviates from proper alignment. Further, any acoustical signal originating from the putter head striking the guide rails is dampened by the attachment of the guide rails to the base plate. Similarly, the Sindelar, Sr. device is not intended to provide acoustical feedback. The structural geometry of the Sindelar, Sr. training aid is such that any acoustical signals originating from the sliding of the putter head across the guide surfaces is significantly dampened. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the Sindelar Sr. device is comprised of a material inherently having poor acoustical properties, namely, plastic.[0008]
• There exists, therefore, a need for a putting practice device which combines physical and visual feedback with acoustical feedback. Combining the types of feedback simultaneously would enable the golfer to more quickly and more efficiently attain the proper stroke. Because the proper stroke would be reinforced physically, visually, and audibly, the development of the desired muscle memory would occur at a more rapid rate.[0009]
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
• A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a putting guide for providing both physical and acoustical feedback of the proper putting stroke. The putting guide is comprised of a guide rail, a base, and securing receptacles. The guide rail is defined at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the plane of the base such that the guide rail is substantially vertical. The securing receptacles extend therethrough the base for receipt of a securing device.[0010]
• Additional feedback is provided in the form of visual feedback by having calibration markings placed on the upper surface of the guide rail. The golfer can visually inspect the amount of backswing and compare with the distance the struck ball travels to better gauge putting distances.[0011]
• Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing physical and acoustical feedback during practice of the proper putting stroke with a putter. A secured guide rail is provided for contacting the heel of the putter throughout the putting stroke to physically guide the putter into the proper putting stroke. The guide rail is manufactured of metallic material such that the contact between the heel of the putter and the guide rail throughout the putting stroke results in an audible signal varying in intensity relative to the force and amount of contact. Thus, both physical and audible feedback are received by the golfer.[0012]
• Other objects, and the advantages, of the present invention will be made clear to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.[0013]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the putting guide of the present invention.[0014]
• FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the putting guide of the present invention.[0015]
• FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a preferred embodiment of the putting guide of the present invention.[0016]
• FIG. 4 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the putting guide of the present invention in alignment with a practice hole.[0017]
• FIG. 5 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the putting guide of the present invention shown with a putter.[0018]
• FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the putting guide of the present invention shown with a putter.[0019]
• FIG. 7 is a side plan view of a preferred embodiment of the putting guide of the present invention illustrating the acoustical characteristics.[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• FIGS.[0021]1-3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the putting guide of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view, FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view, and FIG. 3 illustrates a side plan view. The putting guide (indicated generally as1) is a metallic bracket type device comprised of aguide rail10 and abase12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the puttingguide1 is formed from annodized aluminum alloy 6063 about 30 inches long, 1¼ inch wide and 1¼ inch high. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that other 6000 series alloys or other metals having acoustical properties can be used to advantage and remain within the purview of the invention.
• The[0022]guide rail10 of the present invention has aguide surface14 and atop surface16. Theguide surface14 is used to guide the putter head (not shown) throughout the putting stroke. Thetop surface16 has calibration marks20 which provide visual feedback to enable the golfer to determine putting distance based upon the amount of backswing of the putting stroke. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theguide rail10 is defined at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the plane of the base12 such that theguide rail10 is substantially vertical. With theguide rail10 substantially vertical, theguide surface14 is substantially vertical enabling the puttingguide1 to be used to practice the linear putting stroke.
• One skilled in the art will recognize that having the[0023]guide rail10 defined at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to thebase12 of the puttingguide1 enables golfers to practice a linear putting stroke in which the putter travels substantially parallel with the intended direction of travel of the golf ball. With modern “face weighted putters”, a linear putting stroke is preferred over older techniques such as the “in to in” or “in and up” methods.
• The[0024]base12 of the puttingguide1 is substantially perpendicular to theguide rail10. The base is comprised of aground surface22, securingreceptacles26, and anupper surface24. Theground surface22 interacts with the putting practice surface (i.e., the practice green, the practice mat, the ground, etc.) such that the puttingguide1 is provided with stable footing. Theground surface22 can additionally be comprised of a frictional surface such as a rubber backing to prevent inadvertent movement of the puttingguide1.
• The securing[0025]receptacles26 are holes extending therethrough theupper surface26 of thebase12 and are defined by thebase12. The securingreceptacles26 extend from theupper surface24 through the base12 to theground surface22. The securingreceptacles26 are for the receipt of a securingdevice30, such as a golf tee or pin, used to firmly secure the puttingguide1 to the practice surface in the alignment being practiced.
• Additionally, the preferred embodiment is provided with elastomeric end caps[0026]27 at each end of theguide1 that serve to hold theguide base12 off the floor when used indoors to prevent the acoustical resonance of the base from being damped by the floor, thereby assuring the appropriate aural feedback to the user. These end caps also serve to resist movement of the puttingguide1 while the user practices putting on an indoor slick surface.
• One skilled in the art will recognize that the base[0027]12 must be of sufficient weight to prevent the puttingguide1 from toppling under the weight of theguide rail10. Additionally, thebase12 must be of sufficient weight to prevent the puttingguide1 from toppling due to incidental contact by the putter. However, if the weight alone is not sufficient, the securingdevice30 inserted through the securingreceptacles26 will assist the base12 in preventing the device from toppling. The preferred embodiment is formed with ⅛^thinch aluminum that is anodized to provide a protected surface to provide long service in all varieties of climate.
• In use, the putting[0028]guide1 is first placed upon the practice putting surface and aligned with a target. FIG. 4 provides a top view illustration of the puttingguide1 in alignment with a golf hole50. The puttingguide1 is aligned with the hole50 such that a perfectly linear stroke that strikes a ball placed at the point ofimpact34 will result in the ball traveling into the hole50. To acquire the proper alignment, after the puttingguide1 is placed upon the practice putting surface, a securingdevice30 is inserted through one of the tworeceptacles26 such that the puttingguide1 can still be rotated about the axis of the inserted securingdevice30. A putt is performed and based upon the results of the putt, the puttingguide1 is rotated to adjust for any deviation from the target. Once the target is reached (i.e., the ball goes into the hole), another securingdevice30 is inserted into the other securingreceptacle26 to maintain the alignment of the puttingguide1.
• It should be understood that, as mentioned above, the[0029]ground surface22 of the puttingguide1 can also be provided with a frictional surface such as by attaching a rubber insert to theground surface22. The frictional surface can be used in conjunction with the securingdevices30, or can be used to maintain the alignment of the puttingguide1 without the necessity of the securingdevices30 depending upon the composition of the practice putting surface. All such modifications are intended to fall within the purview of the invention.
• Once aligned, the putting[0030]guide1 is ready for repeated practice of the putting stroke. To illustrate, FIGS. 5 and 6 show the puttingguide1 in use with a putter (indicated generally as40). FIG. 5 illustrates a side view and FIG. 6 is a front perspective view. The putter40 being used in conjunction with the puttingguide1 is comprised of ahead42 affixed to ashaft44. Thehead42 of the putter40 has atoe46 and aheel48. It will be understood that the putter40 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is intended for illustration purposes only and not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that any number of putters can be used to advantage with the present invention.
• As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, to practice the putting stroke, the golfer places the[0031]heel48 of the putter against theguide surface14 of theguide rail10. Keeping theheel48 in contact with theguide surface14, the putter40 is moved throughout the putting stroke. The putter40 is first pulled backward to perform the backswing and then moved forward striking the ball and then continuing into the followthrough of the stroke. By maintaining contact between theheel48 of the putter40 and theguide surface14, the golfer is provided physical feedback. The physical feedback is a result of theguide rail10 keeping the putter40 in linear alignment. By repeatedly practicing the stroke and maintaining continual contact between theheel48 of the putter40 and theguide surface14, the golfer develops muscle memory of the proper stroke.
• Additionally, maintaining contact between the[0032]heel48 of the putter40 and the guide surface40, provides the golfer with acoustical feedback. The acoustical feedback is the result of theheel48 of the putter40 imparting a vibrational force on theguide rail10. As shown in FIG. 7, the bracket shape of the puttingguide1 is such that constant forces upon theguide rail10 result in theguide rail1 vibrating (as shown by the dashed lines) as theheel48 of the putter40 moves along the length of theguide surface14. The vibration results in the production of sound waves whose intensity varies with the force existing between theheel48 of the putter40 and theguide surface14. A proper putting stroke results in a substantially uniform audible signal received by the golfer.
• As discussed above, the putting[0033]guide1 of the present invention is made of a metallic substance. In a preferred embodiment, the puttingguide1 is comprised of an annodized aluminum. The metallic construction allows the puttingguide1 to provide the proper acoustical feedback due to the interaction between themetallic guide surface14 and theheel48 of the putter40. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not so limited.
• Referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, the golfer also receives visual feedback from the[0034]calibration markings20 located on thetop surface16 of theguide rail10. By visually inspecting the amount of backswing on a particular stroke and then comparing the backswing with the distance the ball travels, the golfer is given visual feedback pertaining to putting distance.
• Thus, the[0035]guide rail10 provides the golfer with physical, acoustical, and visual feedback simultaneously. Receiving the three types of feedback simultaneously acts to further reinforce the combination of variables necessary to produce a proper putting stroke. As such, the golfer is able to more quickly determine the proper putting stroke and is then able to more efficiently continue to practice the same.
• Although described in terms of the preferred embodiments shown in the figures, those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that changes can be made to the individual components thereof and to their manner of use which do not change the manner in which the putting guide achieves the intended result. For example, depending upon the golfer's preference, rather than using the[0036]guide rail10 to guide the putter through contact with the heel of the putter, the guide rail could equally be used to advantage to guide the putter through contact with the toe of the putter. This alternative manner of use merely requires the golfer to orient the puttingguide1 accordingly. If used in such a manner, the puttingguide1 will still provide physical, visual, and acoustical feedback to the golfer. All such changes are intended to fall within the scope of the following non-limiting claims.

Claims (7)

1] A putting guide for providing both physical and acoustical feedback of the proper putting stroke, the putting guide comprising:

a metallic guide rail defined at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the plane of the base such that the guide rail is substantially vertical;

a base;

securing receptacles extending through the base for receipt of a securing device; and,

elastomeric end caps covering each end of the said metallic guide rail.

2] The putting guide of claim1 wherein the guide rail further comprises an upper surface having calibration markings to provide visual feedback of the proper putting stroke.

3] A method of providing physical and acoustical feedback during practice of the proper putting stroke with a putter, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting metal bar stock with sufficient acoustical properties that an audible signal will be created through sliding contact with a putter; and

shaping the bar stock such that a guide rail is provided for contacting the putter throughout the putting stroke to physically guide the putter into the proper putting stroke.

4] The method of claim3 wherein the bar stock is shaped such that the guide rail is substantially vertical.

5] The method of claim3 further comprising the step of providing calibration markings on the secured guide rail to provide visual feedback on the backswing of the putting stroke.

6] A method of practicing a proper putting stroke using the putting guide of claim1, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the putting guide on a putting surface; aligning the putting guide with a target;

securing the putting guide to the putting surface by inserting the securing device through the securing receptacles; and

performing the putting stroke while maintaining the putter against the guide rail of the putting guide such that both physical and acoustical feedback is received.

7] A method of practicing a proper putting stroke using the putting guide of claim1, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the putting guide on a smooth indoor surface;

aligning the putting guide with a target; and

performing the putting stroke while maintaining the putter against the guide rail of the putting guide such that both physical and acoustical feedback is received.

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