US20060276258A1 - Putting training device - Google Patents

Abstract

A putting training device has one or two blade-like alignment guides positioned to extend from the blade of a putter. In one embodiment the alignment guides extend generally parallel to each other to facilitate a generally parallel putting stroke. In an alternative embodiment, each of the alignment guides is generally arcuate in shape and extends from the blade of the putter in a generally concentric manner, to facilitate a generally arcuate putting stroke. The ends of the alignment guides are tapered to prevent the alignment guides from catching on the putting surface. Additionally, at least one of the alignment guides is movable, such that the space between the two alignment guides can be tailored for the experience level of each user.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/144,190 filed on 4 Jun. 2005. For purposes of the United States, this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/144,190 filed on 4 Jun. 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• This invention relates to golf training devices, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to devices that can be removably attached to the blades of putters for training a golfer's putting stroke.
BACKGROUND
• Recreational sports and hobbies are popular all around the world. It is when a person is in the pursuit of some degree of proficiency in these types of activities that a diversion from the routine patterns of life can be experienced. Many times, a person may excel in a particular side interest or pastime to such a degree that they may be competitive with others who have the same interests.
• Golfers are among those who practice a great deal in order to prepare themselves to play with any degree of competence. They must be able to hit the golf ball with any of a number of different clubs properly under a variety of circumstances. Many golfers hire teaching professionals to assist them in developing their golfing skills. Hours of time may be spent in preparation for a single game.
• Putting is a very important component in the game of golf. A golfer should keep his or her head very still, in a fixed position during the putting stoke. It is therefore very difficult for the golfer to determine whether the blade of the putter is being drawn back properly during the backswing and whether the blade of the putter is maintained in the proper orientation during the putt. If the golfer's head moves to watch the putter during the putt stroke, the rest of the putting stroke can be affected. Therefore, it is not only important that a golfer be able to practice a mechanically sound putting stroke, but also to be able to readily determine that the putting stroke is being done properly.
• As can be appreciated, there is a need for golf training devices that can be used while practice putting to not only help develop a good putting stroke, but can also provide feedback to the golfer that the putting stroke is proper.
• Various aids have been developed for the purpose of helping golfers to develop their putting skills. These include the aids described in the following patents and patent applications:
• • U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,376 issued to Greenlee on 21 May 1968;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,569 issued to Swanson on 29 Oct. 1974;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,268 issued to Lorang on 11 Sep. 1979;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,883 issued to Smart et al. on 29 Sep. 1981;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,045 issued to Bilyeu on 3 Mar. 1987;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,158 issued to Chiesa on 6 Dec. 1988;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,867 issued to Rigsby on 4 Sep. 1990;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,229 issued to Archer on 4 Aug. 1992;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,961 issued to Eulau on 4 Oct. 1994;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,058 issued to Honig on 8 Nov. 1994;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,268 issued to Shier on 15 Aug. 1995;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,270 issued to Williams on 15 Aug. 1995;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,695 issued to Wolk on 3 Sep. 1996;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,377 issued to Glockner on 15 Apr. 1997;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,930 issued to Siddall on 1 Aug. 2000;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,999 issued to Yi on 20 Apr. 2004;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,149 issued to Devon on 29 Mar. 2005;
  • US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0157674 (Bower) published on 12 Aug. 2004; and
  • International Application Publication No. WO 2005/079933 (Chang et al.) published on 1 Sep. 2005.
SUMMARY
• The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, and are not intended to be limiting in scope.
• One aspect of the invention provides a golfing aid for use in practicing the game of golf. The golfing aid comprises a guide detachably affixable to the head of a golf club. The guide comprises an elongated forward part having spaced-apart top and bottom edges that are substantially straight when viewed from a direction in which the top and bottom edges are aligned. When the guide is affixed to the head of a golf club, the front part projects forwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the face of the golf club and the top and bottom edges of the forward part are aligned when viewed from directly above. The golfing aid may be used for practicing putting.
• In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are illustrative rather than restrictive.
• FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an alignment guide according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIGS. 2A to2C show alternative mechanisms for attaching an alignment guide to a head of a golf club;
• FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing a pair of alignment guides mounted to the head of a putter;FIG. 3A is an isometric view showing a pair of alignment guides spaced apart by a spacer;
• FIG. 4 is a top view of a putter equipped with a pair of alignment guides addressing a golf ball;FIG. 4A us a top view of a putter equipped with the alignment guides and spacer ofFIG. 3A addressing a golf ball;
• FIG. 5 is a top schematic view showing the use of an alignment guide to check a golfer's head position;
• FIG. 6 is a top view showing an alignment guide mounted in a horizontal position for guiding a putter in a desired arc;
• FIG. 7 is a top view of a golf training device according to another embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 8 is a top view of another golf training device according to the invention;
• FIG. 9 is a side view of an alignment guide in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
• FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an attachment mechanism for alignment guides; and
• FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an attachment mechanism for generally arcuate alignment guides.
• The various elements depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DESCRIPTION
• Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
• FIG. 1 shows a puttingtraining device10 according to one embodiment of the invention.Device10 has a blade-like body11 having aforward portion12 and arearward portion14.Device10 is configured to be attachable to a golf club in the vicinity of the head of the golf club such that member11 can be aligned with the direction in which the golf club should be swung. This generally means that member11 should extend perpendicular to the striking face of the golf club. Member11 serves as a guide that can be observed by a golfer who is practising golfing strokes.
• Device10 includes anattachment mechanism15 for attachingdevice10 to the head of a golf club. In the illustrated embodiment,mechanism15 comprises atab16 which extends substantially perpendicularly to member11.Tab16 includes an attachment means18 for detachably fixingdevice10 to the head of a golf club.
• Device10 has a narrowtop edge20 and abottom edge22. In the illustrated embodiment, edges20 and22 lie on either side of aface24 that may includeindicia26 such as a logo or the like.Top edge20 may be arcuate having a radius of curvature equal to a radius of a path on which it is desirable to swing a golf club. The use of this optional feature is described in more detail below.
• A pair of alignment guides10, which may be mirror images of one another may be supplied and used together by attaching both alignment guides to a golf club simultaneously.
• FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate a number of alternative mechanisms for attaching adevice10 to the head of a golf club. InFIG. 2A a reusable tackyadhesive material32 is provided betweentab16 and thehead40 of a golf club.Material32 holdstab16 againstface41 ofgolf club40. Preferablytab16 is held closely spaced to and parallel to face41 so that member11 projects perpendicular to face41. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a small pad bearing a reusable tacky material is detachably connected totab16 by way of a dovetail, snap, other interlocking arrangement or the like. The pad bearing the reusable tacky material can be removed and replaced with a new pad when the tacky material no longer sticks well enough to the face of a golf club.
• FIG. 2B shows an alternative embodiment in which, instead of areusable adhesive32, amagnet31 is attached totab16. The mechanism ofFIG. 2B is useful whenhead40 includes magnetic material to whichmagnet31 is attracted.Magnet31 may be, for example, a flat rare-earth magnet strong enough to permitdevice10 to be reasonably firmly attached togolf club40.Magnet31 may be embedded withintab16 if desired.
• FIG. 2C shows an alternative embodiment ofmechanism15 which may be used in cases wheregolf club40 does not include sufficient magnetic material to attachmagnet31 in a desired location onface41. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2C, amagnet31 is attached totab16. A thin sheet ofmagnetic material33 is attached to theface41 ofgolf club40 with the use of asuitable adhesive32.Adhesive32 preferably comprises a reusable adhesive that can be peeled off fromface41 without leaving any significant residue.
• FIG. 3 shows ahead40 of a golf club (which may be a putter) having a pair of alignment guides10 (individually identified as10A and10B) attached so that the alignment guides10 project perpendicularly to aface41 of the golf club withtop edges20 uppermost.Faces24 extend vertically when the golf club is addressing a golf ball to be struck. In the illustrated embodiment, alignment guides10 each include anoptional edge13 that extends perpendicularly to member11.Edge13 is spaced above the center oftab16 and extends rearwardly fromtab16.Edge13 can be placed in contact with the top edge of a putter to cause faces24 to be vertically aligned relative to the putter.Edges13 are strictly optional and can interfere with using alignment guides10 in configurations wherein faces24 are not vertically aligned (which is sometimes desirable).
• Face41 has acentral striking zone42 within which it is desirable to hit the golf ball. Alignment guides10A and10B are located on either side of strikingzone42.
• In the illustrated embodiment, alignment guides10A and10B are mirror images of one another.Tabs15 project inwardly toward strikingzone42 on either side of strikingzone42.Tabs15 are separated sufficiently that the golf club can strike a golf ball without interference from either oftabs16.
• As shown inFIG. 4, alignment guides10A and10B are separated by a distance D. Furthermore, when viewed from directly above, a user can see only top edges20 (and tab16) of alignment guides10A or10B. The user does not see faces24 orindicia26, when looking from above. A user can therefore tell when his or her head is aligned directly above alignment guides10A and10B by observingtop edge20.
• FIG. 5 shows that a user can also tell by observingtop edge20 whether his or her head is aligned so that both eyes are in the plane of a member11 of device10A or10B.
• Adevice10, or a pair of alignment guides10A and10B, can provide a user with readily understandable visual feedback regarding a number of different aspects of the user's putting stroke. A user begins by mounting one or two alignment guides10 to a golf club, such as a putter, as shown in FIGS.3 or4. After the alignment guides have been mounted to the golf club then the user can use the device to check his or her body position, and especially to check that his or her head is directly above the golf ball, and the alignment guides.
• As shown inFIG. 5, a user can also tell whether his or her eyes are both aligned in a plane perpendicular to face41 of the golf club and over adevice10. If not, one or both eyes will be able to see a face of thedevice10.
• The user can then draw the golf club away from the ball. It is desirable to maintain the face of the golf club perpendicular to the intended direction45 (seeFIG. 4) of travel of the ball while this is being done. By observing guides10A and10B during the backswing, the user can have immediate visual feedback which will tell the user whether the club is being twisted in a way that could detract from the putt.
• As the user begins to swing the club forward to hit the ball, the user can observe guides10A and10B to verify that the face of the club is still being held perpendicular to intendeddirection45. By placing guides10A and10B on either side of strikingarea42, the user can also verify that thehead40 is moving on a trajectory which will cause it to contact the golf ball in strikingzone42.
• It can be appreciated that the distance D separating guides10A and10B can be adjusted and, furthermore, this adjustment can be made based upon the skill level of the golfer. An expert golfer may be able to manipulate the golf club so skillfully that he or she can putt consistently with guides10A and10B separated from one another by only slightly more than the diameter of a golf ball. A less experienced golfer may need to space guides10A and10B somewhat farther apart. For example, alignment guides10A and10B may be spaced apart so that when a golf ball is aligned with strikingzone42, there is a clearance of approximately ¼″ between the golf ball and each of alignment guides10A and10B. This distance may be increased for beginning golfers.
• Preferably, as noted above,tabs16 project inwardly toward strikingzone42. When this is the case, if the golfer does not aim the swing of the golf club correctly then the golf ball will hit one or the other oftabs16. This will cause the direction of the golf ball to be dramatically altered. By observing the direction in which the golf ball moves, it will be obvious to the golfer that the golf club has been swung in such a manner that the ball has been struck either too far in or too far out onface41. By observing the direction in which the ball moves the golfer can tell which direction he or she should adjust his or her swing to hit the ball consistently in strikingzone42 offace41. The ends oftabs16 closes tosweet spot42 may be thickened or have protrusions to enhance this effect. The thickening or protrusions are small enough that they do not contact a golf ball when the golf ball is hit withsweet spot42.
• Beginning golfers may attach alignment guides10A and10B to a golf club withtabs16 facing outwardly so thattabs16 do not interfere with striking the ball in a way that could be distracting or even discouraging to a beginning golfer. As the golfer's skills improve, the golfer can switch the sides on which alignment guides10A and10B are attached to the golf club so thattabs16 project inwardly toward the sweet spot of the club.
• Another problem that plagues some golfers, especially on the putting stroke, is in moving the putter in too much of an arc, instead of parallel to, or nearly parallel to intendeddirection45. While there is some debate as to whether it is best to move the putter in a straight line exactly parallel to intendeddirection45 or whether it is better to deliberately cause the putter to move in a very gentle arc, it is clearly the case that too much of an arc can interfere with the ability to consistently sink putts.Forward portions12 of guides10A and10B preferably have a length such that, if the golf club is moved in a trajectory which has a significant arc, then the golf ball will tend to hit one of alignment guides10A or10B before leaving the space between alignment guides10A and10B. By observing the path that the golf ball takes relative to alignment guides10A or10B, a user can learn whether his or her putting stroke follows closely enough to the line of intendeddirection45.
• As noted above, there is one school of thought that says that it is desirable to deliberately move a putter through an arc when making putts. The arc begins and ends inside the line along which it is desired to propel a golf ball. The golf ball is hit at an apex of the arc when the golf club head is moving in the intended direction of the putt. Where adevice10 has atop edge20 which is formed with an arc having a suitable radius thendevice10 may be used as a training aid to show a golfer the correct trajectory for swinging a putter to make a putt using such an arcuate stroke.
• As shown inFIG. 6, this can be accomplished by flippingdevice10 so that the plane of member11 is substantially parallel to the ground. Aguide44 having aconvex edge45 which has a radius of curvature matching that ofdevice10 may be placed on the ground and may be held in place, for example, with spikes or pins46. By sliding thetop edge20 ofdevice10 alongconvex edge45, the golfer can learn how it feels to move thehead40 of a putter in an arc which has the desired radius.
• Lower edges22 ofdevice10 are preferably convex in curvature so that the tendency ofdevice10 to dig into the ground if it is accidentally brought into contact with the ground is reduced and so that the likelihood thatdevice10 will be brought into contact with the ground is also reduced.
• Faces24 may be coloured or textured in a way that contrasts significantly withtop edge22. In this way, a person can tell most easily whether they are looking down on adevice10 directly edge-on.Edges20 preferably also have a colour that contrasts with the appearance of a natural or artificial grass putting green.
• In a prototype embodiment, adevice10 has aforward portion12 that projects approximately 10 centimetres (about 4 inches) fromfront face41 of a golf club.Forward projection12 is typically longer than about 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) and less than about 15 centimeters (about 6 inches). Arear section14 preferably projects approximately the same distance rearwardly from the front face of the golf club asforward portion12 projects forwardly.
• The thickness of member11 is not critical. For example, member11 may have a thickness of approximately 3 mm. Member11 is preferably blade-like, having a thickness that is significantly less than the vertical distance betweentop edge20 andbottom edge22 over the majority of the length ofdevice10. This causes member11 to have an appearance when viewed edge-on from directly above that is distinctively different from the appearance of member11 when viewed from a position that is not directly above member11.Top edge20 may be marked with a color that contrasts withfaces24 and with grass to further emphasize this distinctive difference in appearance.
• Front portion12 andrear portion14 are preferably approximately equivalent in length so that their presence attached to a golf club does not significantly affect the balance of the golf club.
• While the above Figures show adevice10 which includes a body11 which has a substantiallycontinuous face24, face24 may be apertured in order to makedevice10 lighter in weight and/or for ornamentation, and/or to provide a trademark or other indicia by means of the apertures.
• Members11 could optionally be made to be folding or telescoping so that the distance that they extend in front offace41 of the golf club may be adjusted.
• Optionally, two alignment guides10A and10B may be connected together. For example, an arm may be provided to connectrear portions14 of two alignment guides10A and10B. The arm may be adjustable in length, a variety of different arms may be provided to allow selection of a desired distance D between alignment guides10A and10B or the arm may be permanently affixed between alignment guides10A and10B. Providing such an arm can help to ensure that thefaces24 of two alignment guides10A and10B remain parallel to one another, enhance the rigidity of alignment guides10A and10B, and make it possible to repeatedly achieve a desired spacing between two alignment guides10A and10B. The arm may be attached to alignment guides10A and10B in any suitable manner.
• FIG. 3A shows a pair of alignment guides10A and10B connected by abridge50.Bridge50 has at least onevertical slot52 at each of its ends.Slots52 are capable of receiving therear portions14 of alignment guides10A and10B.Slots52 are parallel to one another so that members11 remain parallel with one another.Several slots52 may be provided at each end ofbridge50 to allow the spacing between members11 to be adjusted to suit the skill level of a golfer. In the illustrated embodiment, each end ofbridge50 has threeparallel slots52. Sincebridge50 holds alignment guides10A and10B parallel to one another it is not particularly advantageous to provideedges13 on alignment guides that are intended to be used with abridge50.
• Bridge50 hasindicia56 that indicate its center. As shown inFIG. 4A, indicia56 may be aligned with the point at which one wants the golf club to hit a golf ball. By observingindicia56, which may be an observable mark, projection, indentation or the like, the golfer can observe whether he or she is hitting golf balls with the correct part of the club face.
• Alignment guides10A and10B are versatile devices that may also be used in other ways. For example, alignment guides10A and10B may be mounted on a golf club so thattabs16 project outwardly and the top edges of alignment guides10A and10B are inclined outwardly (i.e. so that members11 form an angle with one another when viewed from the front or are even horizontal or nearly horizontal). To facilitate this, the alignment guides preferably do not have projectingedges13. In some golf clubs, the hosel or shaft attaches to the head of the golf club at a location that could interfere with placing one of the alignment guides in this configuration.Notches17 are provided to allow an angled alignment guide to be placed close to the hosel or shaft.
• When alignment guides10A and10B are in this outwardly-angled configuration and are equally spaced on either side of the sweet spot of a golf club, then curvedsections19 of alignment guides10A and10B frame the golf ball as the golf club approaches the golf ball. This provides a golfer with an immediate visual indication that the ball is, or is not, being hit by the sweet spot of the golf club. Each ofcurved sections19 may have a radius of curvature roughly equal to, and preferably slightly greater than the radius of a golf ball.
• An alignment guide10A or10B can also be used in conjunction with an external track or straight edge to observe “gating” during a golf swing. The golfer can arrange to swing in a direction parallel to the external track or edge. If the club face becomes non perpendicular to the direction of swing then member11 of the alignment guide will cease to be parallel to the nearby track or edge. Since the human eye can readily ascertain relatively small deviations from parallelism, any gating can be identified.
• FIGS. 7-11 illustrate alternative embodiments of the invention.FIG. 7 shows a puttingtraining device100. Puttingtraining device100 includes aputter head110 connected to aputter shaft120. Two alignment guides,130 and140 are connected toputter head110. Alignment guides130 and140 are generally parallel to each other, and generally perpendicular to the face112 ofputter head110. In some embodiments,alignment guide140 is attached in a fixed position onputter head110, whilealignment guide130 is movable with respect toalignment guide140 such that the space between alignment guides130 and140 can be adjusted. Dashedlines150,152,160 and162 represent a desired proper parallel putting stroke, with dashedlines150 and152 illustrating the desired proper backswing of puttingtraining device100, and dashedlines160 and162 illustrating the desired proper follow through.
• The operation of puttingtraining device100 will now be described. A user or golfer adjusts the position ofalignment guide130 such that the desired space between alignment guides130 and140 for the golfer is achieved. Alignment guides130 and140 are spaced apart from each other by a distance slightly greater than a diameter of a golf ball. For example, the alignment guides130 and140 would be set farther apart for beginners and set increasingly closer as the golfer's putting strokes become more precise. Alignment guides130 and140 are then aligned or pointed at the hole or target. A golf ball is placed between alignment guides130 and140. As the golfer starts the backswing of puttingtraining device100, there is instant visual and mechanical feedback on whether the putter face112 is staying square to the hole or is rotating. If putter face112 is rotating, alignment guides130 and140 will provide visual feedback to the golfer by rotating and emphasizing that they are no longer pointing to the target. Additionally, if the putter face112 rotates sufficiently such that the golf ball comes into contact with one of alignment guides130 and140, a vibration will be felt by the golfer. If putter face112 is maintained in a substantially square alignment during the backswing, alignment guides130 and140 will provide visual feedback to the golfer, as alignment guides130 and140 will continue to substantially point to the target. Additionally, no contact will be made between the golf ball and the alignment guides130 and140 and no vibration will be felt by the golfer.
• Similarly, as the golfer makes a forward swing with puttingtraining device100, if the proper alignment of putter face112 is not maintained, alignment guides130 and140 will provide visual feedback to the golfer by rotating and emphasizing that they are no longer pointing to the target. Additionally if the rotation of the putter face112 is great enough, the golf ball will come into contact with one of the alignment guides130 and140 and a vibration will be felt by the golfer. If the proper alignment of putter face112 is maintained, alignment guides130 and140 will provide visual feedback to the golfer, as alignment guides130 and140 will continue to substantially point to the target. Additionally, no contact will be made between the golf ball and alignment guides130 and140, and no vibration will be felt by the golfer. As can be appreciated, the closer alignment guides130 and140 are placed together, the amount of deviation of the alignment of putter face112 that is needed to have the alignment guides130 and140 come into contact with the golf ball is decreased.
• FIG. 8 shows a puttingtraining device200. Puttingtraining device200 includes aputter head210 connected to aputter shaft220. Two, generally arcuate alignment guides230 and240 are connected toputter head220. In some embodiments,alignment guide240 is attached in a fixed position onputter head210, whilealignment guide230 is movable with respect toalignment guide240 such that the space between alignment guides230 and240 can be adjusted. Additionally, such embodiments,alignment guide230 may be shorter thanalignment guide240 to allow the proper arcuate stroke of puttingtraining device200. Dashed lines250,253,260 and263 represent a desired proper arc shaped putting stroke, with dashed lines250 and252 illustrating the desired proper backswing of puttingtraining device200, and dashed lines260 and262 illustrating the desire proper follow through.
• The operation of putting training device200 (seeFIG. 8) will now be described. A user or golfer adjusts the position ofalignment guide230 such that the desired space between alignment guides230 and240 for the golfer is achieved. For example, the alignment guides230 and240 can be set far apart for beginners and set increasingly closer as a golfer's putting skills become more precise. Theputter face212 is aligned or pointed at the hole or target. A golf ball is placed between alignment guides230 and240. As the golfer starts the backswing of puttingtraining device200, there is instant visual and mechanical feedback on whether theputter face212 is staying properly aligned. If putter face212 is rotating, alignment guides230 and240 will provide visual feedback to the golfer by rotating with theputter face212 and emphasize that theputter face212 is no longer aligned to the target. Additionally, if theputter face212 rotates sufficiently such that the golf ball comes into contact with one of alignment guides230 and240 a vibration will be felt by the golfer. If putter face212 is maintained in proper alignment during the arcuate backswing, alignment guides230 and240 will provide visual feedback to the golfer. Additionally, if putter face212 is maintained in proper alignment, no contact will be made between the golf ball and the alignment guides230 and240, and no vibrations will be felt by the golfer.
• Similarly, as the golfer makes a forward swing with puttingtraining device200, if the proper alignment ofputter face212 is not maintained, alignment guides230 and240 will provide visual feedback to the golfer by being rotated, thus emphasizing that theputter face212 is no longer properly aligned. Additionally, if the rotation of theputter face212 is great enough, the golf ball will come into contact with one of the alignment guides230 and240 such that vibrations will be felt by the golfer.
• If the proper alignment ofputter face212 is maintained, alignment guides230 and240 will provide visual feedback to the golfer, as theputter face212 will continue to substantially point to the target. Additionally, no contact will be made between the golf ball and alignment guides230 and240, and no vibration will be felt by the golfer. As can be appreciated, the closer alignment guides230 and240 are placed together, the amount of deviation of the alignment ofputter face212 that is needed to have the alignment guides230 and240 come into contact with the golf ball is decreased.
• Referring now toFIG. 9, there is illustrated a side view of analignment guide300, such as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8.Alignment guide300 has anotch310 which is cut to correspond or mate with the shape the putter head or mounting mechanism on which it is to be used.Edge320 is tapered from the front oftop edge330 towardsnotch310, to facilitate the smooth movement ofalignment guide300 during a putting swing by at least preventingedge320 from catching on the putting surface. It is contemplated thatalignment guide300 be attached to a putter head using suitable mechanical or chemical attachment methods. Good results have been achieved by manufacturingalignment guide300 from metals, such as various types of sheet metal, or from various types of plastics. It is desirable that the chosen material foralignment guide300 be non-corrosive, durable, light in weight and strong. It is further desired that the material having a high impact strength and be able to accept and retain coloring materials for an extended length of time.
• It is contemplated thatalignment guide300 could be bendable such that, for example, if a golfer utilized an arcuate putting stroke,alignment guide300 could be readily bent to a particular arc shape to coincide with the golfer's putting stroke.
• FIG. 9 shows another puttingtraining device400. Puttingtraining device400 includes generally parallel alignment guides430 and440 and a mountingbracket435. Alignment guides430 and440 are similar in shape to alignment guides130 and140 ofFIG. 7.Alignment guide440 is fixed to mountingbracket435 whilealignment guide430 is removably secured to mountingbracket435 with a screw, such as athumb screw432.Thumb screw432 can be loosened to allow the adjustment of the position ofalignment guide430, such that the space between alignment guides430 and400 can be changed. Mountingbracket435 is placed on the top ofputter blade410 and secured to theputter shaft420 with ascrew434.
• FIG. 10 shows another puttingtraining device500. Puttingtraining device500 includes generally arcuate alignment guides530 and540 and a mountingbracket535. Alignment guides530 and540 are similar in shape to alignment guides230 and240 ofFIG. 8.Alignment guide540 is fixed to mountingbracket535 whilealignment guide530 is removably secured to mountingbracket535 with a screw, such as athumb screw532.Thumb screw532 can be loosened to allow the adjustment of the position ofalignment guide530, such that the space between alignment guides530 and500 can be changed. Mountingbracket535 is placed on the top ofputter blade510 and secured to theputter shaft520 with ascrew534.
• As there are at least two schools of thought on putting strokes, a parallel or straight back stroke, and an arcuate stroke, it is anticipated that puttingtraining device100 be utilized by a golfer practicing the parallel putting stroke and that puttingtraining device200 be utilized by a golfer practicing an arcuate stroke.
• Although alignment guides140 and240 are described as fixed and alignment guides130 and230 are described as being movable, it is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention that either or both of the alignment guides of each puttingtraining device100 and200 may be adjustable with respect to the other alignment guide, or that neither alignment guide be adjustable, i.e. each is attached at a preset fixed position.
• As can be appreciated, puttingtraining devices100 and200 will help a golfer to develop a steady, smooth, swing while minimizing the margin of error. This is accomplished by training the golfer to have the face of the putter strike the ball squarely and to make a complete follow through.
• It is further contemplated that the alignment guides of puttingtraining devices100 and200 may be connected together such that they could be attachable to the shaft of the putter where the shaft joins the club head (e.g. at the hosel of the club seeFIGS. 10 and 11), such that the putting training devices could be utilized with putters of virtually any shape.
• In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
• While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Claims (23)

1. A golfing aid for use in practicing the game of golf, the golfing aid comprising:

a guide detachably affixable to the head of a golf club, the guide comprising an elongated forward part having spaced-apart top and bottom edges that are substantially straight when viewed from a direction in which the top and bottom edges are aligned;

wherein, when the guide is affixed to the head of a golf club, the front part projects forwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the face of the golf club and the top and bottom edges of the forward part are aligned when viewed from directly above.

2. A golfing aid according toclaim 1 wherein the guide comprises a rearward part aligned with the forward part, wherein, when the guide is affixed to the head of a golf club, the rearward part projects rearwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the face of the golf club.

3. A golfing aid according toclaim 2 wherein the rearward part projects at least two inches rearwardly from the face of the golf club when the guide is affixed to the head of the golf club.

4. A golfing aid according toclaim 1 wherein the forward part comprises a blade having a thickness, a width and a length wherein the thickness is less than the width and the width is less than the length.

5. A golfing aid according toclaim 4 wherein the top and bottom edges are constituted by top and bottom edges of the blade.

6. A golfing aid according toclaim 5 wherein the blade has a face extending between the top and bottom edges and the face has a color that contrasts visually with the top edge.

7. A golfing aid according toclaim 1 comprising a tab projecting at right angles to the forward part and an affixing means for detachably affixing the tab to a face of the head of a golf club.

8. A golfing aid according toclaim 7 wherein the affixing means comprises a removable adhesive on the tab.

9. A golfing aid according toclaim 7 wherein the affixing means comprises a magnet on the tab.

10. A golfing aid according toclaim 8 comprising a pad of a magnetic material, the pad of magnetic material detachably affixable to the face of the head of a golf club.

11. A golfing aid according toclaim 10 comprising a reusable adhesive on the pad wherein the pad can be adhered to the face of a head of a golf club by way of the reusable adhesive and the magnet can detachably affix the tab to the pad.

12. A golfing aid according toclaim 1 wherein the top edge is concave arcuate.

13. A golfing aid according toclaim 1 wherein the guide is attachable to the head of a golf club in a position such that the top edge lies in a plane substantially parallel to the ground when the golf club is addressing a golf ball.

14. A golfing aid according toclaim 1 wherein the guide comprises a first guide and the golfing aid comprises a second guide, the second guide detachably affixable to the head of a golf club and comprising an elongated forward part;

wherein, when the first and second guides are affixed to the head of a golf club with the second guide at a position spaced apart from the first guide, the front part of the second guide projects forwardly from the head of the golf club substantially parallel to the first guide.

15. A golfing aid according toclaim 14 wherein the first and second guides are attachable to a golf club on either side of a striking area on a face of the head of the golf club while leaving the striking area free to strike a golf ball.

16. A golfing aid according toclaim 14 wherein the second guide comprises a rearward part aligned with the forward part of the second guide, wherein, when the second guide is affixed to the head of a golf club, the rearward part projects rearwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the face of the golf club.

17. A golfing aid according toclaim 16 wherein the rear parts of the first and second guides are connected by a bridging member.

18. A golfing aid according toclaim 14 wherein the first and second guides are substantially mirror images of one another.

19. A golfing aid according toclaim 1 wherein the front portion of the guide projects a distance of at least 5 cm forward from the face of a golf club head.

20. A golfing aid according toclaim 1 wherein the bottom edge of the guide has a convex curvature.

21. A golfing aid according toclaim 7 wherein the guide comprises a sheet of a plastic material and the tab is formed integrally with the sheet.

22. A golfing aid according toclaim 14, wherein said first guide is movably attached to the head of the golf club, such that a selected distance between the first guide and the second guide can be varied.

23. A golfing aid according toclaim 1, wherein the front part of the guide is tapered such that the top edge becomes closer to the bottom edge in its portion toward a front end of the guide.

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