US20150151169A1 - Lie Adjustable High Moment of Inertia Putter - Google Patents

Abstract

A high moment of inertia is enabled in a novel golf putter head in which also infinite adjustment of the lie angle and adjustment of total weight over a very wide range are enabled. The putter can be configured for either right-handed or left-handed players. The putter head has a cylindrical recess partially open through the top of the head and fully open to the rear of the head allowing the insertion of a cylindrical shaft receiver disc. The shaft can be of any allowed length and the lie angle can be from 26 degrees to 10 degrees from vertical. The mass properties of the putter head may be changed and adjusted by addition or removal of weights at the extreme toe and heel ends of the putter head.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This is a nonprovisional application claiming benefit of the filing of the provisional application filed on May 15, 2013 and having Application No. 61/823,860 and further from international application PCT/US14/37107 filed on May 7, 2014.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to a putter-type golf club head with increased geometric size, increased moment of inertia, increased sole area, lie angle adjustability and decreased loft. Herein use of the word “putter” is intended to refer particularly to head of the putter.
• Generally, increasing geometric size (linear dimensions) increases the moment of inertia for a putter head of a given mass. Herein, references to “moment of inertia” (MOI) relate to mass properties. Increasing moment of inertia increases the stability of the putter at impact and increased stability is desirable in a putter. A force is exerted on both a golf club and a golf ball when the club hits the ball. If the hit is slightly off-center (e.g., the center of mass of the golf club head is not directly behind the point on the golf club face where the club strikes the ball), then the forces will cause the golf club to twist slightly. The twisting of the golf club leads to the ball not traveling in the direction intended by the player or not rolling smoothly. Additionally, less energy is imparted to the golf ball when the putter twists. This commonly causes off-center hits to fall short of their intended target. Increasing the moment of inertia of the putter head decreases the tendency for the putter head to twist when hitting the ball.
• The “loft” of a putter is generally understood to be the deviation of the plane of contact on a putter face from a vertical plane (the putter shaft being in the vertical plane). The standard loft on putters has decreased dramatically over time as golf greens have become better groomed and much faster than in previous times. Putters' lofts in earlier times have been as high as 7 degrees. A loft of about three or four degrees is standard today. Loft on putter faces causes the golf ball to leave the putter face with an upward trajectory and with backspin. This backspin causes the ball to skid and bounce before it later begins to roll smoothly. Reducing loft will reduce backspin, skidding and bouncing.
• The standard lie angle of putters today is about 20 degrees from vertical. The “lie angle” here follows the common understanding of the term: the angle of the shaft from the vertical (in a plane perpendicular to the intended direction of travel of the ball in play) when the putter head is placed in its intended attitude on the ground. The sole (bottom face) of most putters is curved raising both the toe and heal of the putter off of the ground when the putter is soled at its center. Testing has confirmed that most golfers are using a putter with too little lie angle causing the toe of the putter to be further raised when the ball is addressed. Golf professionals seem to prefer slightly more upright putters than the general golfing public and golf club manufacturers have designed their putters with professional golfers. Most golf putter manufacturers have been unwilling to provide custom lie angles for their putter offerings; and pro shops and retailers have been similarly unwilling to stock all of the putters of every single model in multiple lie angles. The result is that most golfers are playing with a putter that is slightly too upright and the consequence of this poorly fitted putter is that the toe is most commonly slightly raised off the ground and the heal of the putter is soled on the ground. Herein the use of the word “sole” as a verb means to place the putter on or adjacent a playing surface in an attitude to strike a ball as intended.
• With the putter toe in the air the loft of most putter faces will cause the ball to start to left of the actual aim line of the putter (for right-handed golfers). Because of this most golfers have subliminally learned to aim slightly to the right of their intended target and then the loft of the toe high putter pulls the putt back onto the intended line. The loft on a toe high putter also induces unwanted spin on the ball. Decreasing the loft of a putter decreases the problems associated with a toe high-lofted putter. Eliminating all loft on the putter eliminates the problem entirely.
• The curved sole design of most putters makes them very difficult to sole on the ground accurately and consistently. A flat sole of significant area will allow the golfer to more consistently align the putter.
• In light of the above, there is a need for a putter with decreased loft, higher moment of inertia and adjustable lie angle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention provides a golf putter wherein the putter lie angle is infinitely variably adjustable over a range, the putter's area of contact with the ground is maximized, and the moment of inertia is increased from the conventional and adjustable.
• The inventive putter includes a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the handle relative to the putter head in order to allow for variation of the lie angle of the putter in use. At the same time, the mass moment of inertia of the putter head is adjustable by adding or removing discrete weights to the putter head while maintaining inertia balance. Placement of the weights, at the extremes of the toe and heel ends of the putter head, provides a maximum of effect on inertia.
• According to a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a putter head for a golf putter, which includes a head, a shaft receiver, a shaft and removable weights. A shaft receiver disc is positioned within the disc cavity in the putter head. The disc can rotate together with a shaft in place and be fixed at an infinite number of incremental positions by tightening screws attaching the disc compression cover to the back of the putter head. The disc can be further secured by tightening the set screws bearing against the disc in the bottom of the putter head. The range of rotation can be restricted to positions allowed (by regulation or any other criteria) by the insertion of a rotation stop pin inserted in the disc.
• Alternatively, in one configuration of the preferred embodiment, the shaft receiver disc and shaft can be removed from the disc cavity in the putter head and reversed in orientation and reinserted in the disc cavity in the reversed orientation to provide a left-handed putter.
• In the preferred embodiment the putter head is further comprised of weights attached to the toe and heal of the putter head. The weight and moment of inertia of the putter head can be adjusted by adding or removing weights or by changing the size and weight of weight attachments. The additional weight may be attached to the rear of base weights. In the preferred embodiment, putter head has a mass in the range of 300 grams to 650 grams. Preferably, the putter is made of a lightweight metal such as aluminum or similar metal and the weights are made of the same lightweight metal or alternatively from a heavier metal. Alternatively, the putter may be formed of any of a number of plastic materials or composites or other lightweight materials.
• A number of advantages of the inventive lie-adjustable high MOI putter include: affording a higher moment of inertia for its weight and a higher moment of inertia compared to other putters of any weight, providing for low loft angle and a very large flat sole area. The current putter can be adjusted to the lie angle that best fits any individual amateur or professional golfer. The current putter can be changed from right handed to left handed. Other benefits and novel aspects of the inventive design will be clear from the following description of specific embodiments and from the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an assembled putter and putter head according to the invention.
• FIGS. 2 to 9 provide different views of the entire head portion, and detail sections, of the putter illustrated inFIG. 1.
• FIGS. 10 to 13 illustrate components for securing a putter handle to the putter head according to the configuration ofFIG. 1.
• FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate, in side view, alternative angular orientations of the putter handle in the putter head that are enabled by the configuration of the inventive putter ofFIG. 1.
• FIGS. 16 to 22 illustrate various components of the putter head ofFIG. 1.
• FIGS. 23 to 29 depict various weight components and their connecting elements of the putter head ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 30 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the putter head.
• FIG. 31 is an isometric view of a further alternative embodiment of the inventive putter.
• FIG. 32 is an isometric view of the putter head ofFIG. 31 after removable weights have been removed.
• FIGS. 33A to 33D are various views of the putter head ofFIG. 31.
• FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a further alternative configuration of the inventive putter.
• FIGS. 35 to 37 are exploded isometric and side views, respectively, of the configuration ofFIG. 34.
• FIG. 38 is an isometric view of an alternative configuration of the inventive putter with a fixed shaft.
• FIGS. 39A and 39B illustrate an alternative configurations of components of the inventive putter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The following description relates to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 29. The following reference numeral list corresponds to the elements in the below description and the references provided in the accompanying drawing figures.

• List ofReference Numerals

  10	putter head
  11	shaft
  12	shaft receiver disc
  13	putter head blade
  14	base weight cylinder
  15	additional weight cylinder
  16	disc compression cover
  17	alignment pin
  18	grip
  20	shaft disc assembly
  21	disc cavity
  22	shaft borehole
  23	rotation stop borehole
  24	rotation stop pin
  31	cylinderattachment stud hole
  32	weight reduction hole
  33	rotation stopseat
  34	set screw holes
  35	setscrew
  36	putter face
  41	weight cylinder hole
  42	weightcylinder attachment stud
  51	non-threadedweight cylinder hole
  52	weightcylinder attachment screw
  61	disccompression cover seat
  62	disc compressioncover screw hole
  63	disc compressioncover screw hole
  64	disc compression cover attachment screw
  71	alignment pin stud
  73	alignment pin hole
  74	alignment pin stud
  80	weight support arm
  81	blade toe end
  82	blade heel end
  90	first alignment indicia
  91	second alignment indicia
  112	alternative disc
  114	setscrews
  115	control surface

• The first embodiment of the putter head is illustrated asFIG. 1 having ashaft11, ashaft receiver disc12, aputter head blade13, twobase weight cylinders14, two or moreadditional weight cylinders15, two weight attachment screws52, adisc compression cover16, four disc compression cover attachment screws64, analignment pin17, and a grip18 (FIG. 10) for holding the putter by a user.
• Theshaft11 is comprised of a hollow tube and agrip18. A hollow tube potion ofshaft11 in a preferred embodiment is made of steel tubing, but may be made of graphite or other composite material. Theshaft11 may be of generally conventional design and construction except as detailed here.
• Theshaft receiver disc12,putter head blade13,disc compression cover16,base weight cylinders14, theadditional weight cylinders15 and thealignment pin17 are preferably made of aluminum, but may be made of another metal. Alternatively, these elements may be formed of plastic or composite or other lightweight material having appropriate properties.
• Thegrip18 in a preferred embodiment is a standard golf putter grip, but may have any golf putter grip configuration and construction, particularly those sanctioned by governing bodies such as the USGA (United States Golf Association).
• The putter face36 is preferably planar, but may bulge forward (outward) in a convex curve. The putter face36 forms the operative leading contact face of the putter head, whereby a golf ball is struck when a user performs a putting stroke. The putter face36 is most preferably vertical with no loft, and preferably have a loft in the range of zero to two degrees. However, the other benefits of the inventive putter will be appreciated with greater loft angles.
• Theputter head blade13,disk cavity21 andshaft receiver disc12 should be configured to provide for a lie angle of the putter of any angle in the range of ten degrees to 26 degrees from vertical. These two angle orientations are shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. The angles are not expressly specified in the figures but may be discerned from the angular orientation of theshaft11 relative to thehead blade13.
• Theshaft disc assembly20 in a preferred embodiment is configured to enable it to be removed from thedisc cavity21, reversed in orientation (rotated about the shaft), and reinserted into thedisc cavity21 to change a right-handed putter into a left-handed putter.
• Theputter head blade13 in a preferred embodiment has an overall length dimension from5 inches to7 inches long from thetoe end81 to healend82. Thebase weight cylinders14 in a preferred embodiment are from one inches to two inches in diameter, based on the need to blend with the overall size and shape of theputter head blade13. The overall depth of the putter from theputter face36 to the back of the base weight cylinder or the additional weight cylinder may be in the range of 1.125 inches to 4.00 inches, although this dimension is not limiting on the inventive aspects.
• The assembledputter head10 in a preferred embodiment has a total weight of from300 grams to650 grams depending on the combination of base weight cylinders and additional weight cylinders utilized.
• With particular reference now toFIG. 2, andFIGS. 23 to 29, the threaded weightcylinder attachment stud42 has male threads which are threaded into the female threads in the female thread connectingstud hole31. Thestud42 is tightened into a fixed position in theputter head blade13. Thestud42 may be optionally further secured by means of epoxy or other liquid applied gluing agent.
• A high moment of inertia is obtained in the present inventive device through an extreme configuration of weights added to thehead blade13.Base weight cylinders14 andadditional weight cylinders15 are secured to thehead blade13 at the extreme toe and heel ends81,82 of thehead blade13 to maximize their distance from the blade center and the intended point of contact in use. To maximize mass at these locations, theweight cylinders14,15 extend orthogonally outward from the back of theblade13. This enables a high inertia while maintaining a useful total weight for a putter head.
• thebase weight cylinder14 has female threads which are threaded into the male threads of theattachment stud42. Thebase weight cylinder14 is tightened into a fixed position on theattachment stud42 against the back of theputter head blade13. Thebase weight cylinder14 may be optionally further secured by means of epoxy or other liquid applied gluing agent. Theadditional weight cylinders15 are attached to thebase weight cylinder14 by means of the weight cylinder attachment screw52 (FIG. 1). The weightcylinder attachment screw52 has male threads which are threaded into the female threads of thebase weight cylinder14. The weight cylinder attachment screws are tightened into a fixed condition into thebase weight cylinder14. The weight cylinder attachment screws52 may be optionally further secured by means of epoxy or other liquid applied gluing agent.
• Alternative shapes and sizes of theweight cylinders14,15 are contemplated and may be used with similar effect and function. The cylindrical shape is advantageous for multiple reasons including maximizing the mass at the extreme extent of theblade13 while providing a smooth outline. Similarly, the method and mechanism of securing thecylinders14,15 to theblade13 may be altered or replaced by others providing the same function.
• With reference toFIG. 10 theshaft11 is secured in theshaft receiver disc12 by means of epoxy or other permanent fixing means; and the grip is secured to the shaft by means of double-sided tape (thegrip18 is shown separated for clarity of illustration). Therotation stop pin24 is secured in theshaft receiver disc12 by means of epoxy or other permanent fixing means. This combination ofshaft11 andreceiver disc12 may be alternatively provided by an integral construction or other construction combinations resulting in the same end result.
• With particular reference toFIGS. 1,16 and21 thealignment pin17 is attached to thedisc compression cover16. The male threadedalignment pin stud74 is threaded into the female threads in thealignment pin hole73. Thealignment pin17 tightened into a normally not rotating position into thedisc compression cover16. Thealignment pin17 may be secured by means of epoxy or other liquid applied adhesive agent. Other configurations ofalignment pin17 and securing the same to the putter head are contemplated and variations may be used without deviating from the benefits and intentions of the invention.
• With particular reference toFIGS. 1,2,14 and15 theshaft receiver disc12 with the shaft androtation stop pin24 attached is slid into thedisc cavity21 with theshaft11 androtation stop pin24 sliding into the opening between the opposing rotation stop seats33. In this configuration, theshaft receiver disc12 can initially freely rotate in thedisc cavity21 between the limits of the rotation stop seats33. Other constructions providing the same rotational movement between theshaft11 andblade13 and providing the same operational functions may be used with equal effect.
• Theshaft receiver disc12 is retained in thedisc cavity21 by thedisc compression cover16. Thedisc compression cover16 is secured into place in the disccompression cover seat61 by means of four disc compression cover attachment screws64. A function of thecompression cover16 is to provide a device and means of providing adjustable frictional constraint to relative rotation of thedisc12 within thecavity21. This enables user adjustment of the lie angle as described in the following.
• During an adjustment of the lie angle of the putter, the disc compression cover attachment screws64 are partially loosened to allow rotation of theshaft receiver disc12 in theshaft disc cavity21. This allows controlled rotation of thedisc12 while maintaining its location within thecavity21. When the desired lie angle is determined and established, the disc compression cover attachment screws can be tightened which eliminates rotation. Once thedisc compression cover16 is secured, setscrews35 located in the bottom of theputter blade13 can be tightened. With both theset screws35 and disc compression cover attachment screws64 fully tightened the shaft receiver disc can no longer rotate at all and the lie angle is locked.
• Together, thedisc compression cover16 and thescrews35 provide attachment means that provide adjustable and also rigid securing of theshaft11 to theblade13. Other devices and mechanisms that provide the same or equal function and result are contemplated and further devices and mechanism may become obvious to those skilled in the art or be developed in the further.
• Accordingly, the invention includes putter embodiments having:
• • A golf putter head having:
    • a putter blade with a striking face,
    • a cylindrical disc cavity behind the striking face,
    • a cylindrical shaft receiving disc which can be inserted into the disc cavity, and capable of rotation in the disc cavity for lie angle adjustment,
    • said shaft receiving disc having a shaft bore hole and a putter shaft installed in the said shaft bore hole,
    • said shaft receiving disc having a rotation stop bore hole and the rotation stop pin installed in the rotation stop bore hole, said rotation stop limiting the rotation of the shaft receiving disc,
    • said disc cavity being open to the top of the putter blade, and said opening in the putter blade formed by opposing rotation stop seats that obstruct the rotation of the shaft on the proximal side of the hole into the disc cavity and obstructs the rotation of the rotation stop pin on the distal side of the hole into the disc cavity,
    • said rotation stop seats together limiting the lie angle to from 10 degrees from vertical to 26 degrees from vertical,
    • said disc cavity also being open to the rear of the putter blade, with the rear opening of the disc cavity covered by a disc compression cover incised into the back of the putter blade,
    • said disc compression cover being attached to the putter head by means of four screws, limiting the rotation of the shaft receiving disc,
    • said disc cavity also having two holes through the bottom of the disc cavity and through the bottom of the putter blade for the insertion of two set screws,
    • said set screws being the primary means for securing the shaft receiving disc in the required rotation for a desired lie angle,
    • said putter blade having a holes bored in the back of the putter blade for the attachment of cylindrical weights onto the proximal (heel) and distal (toe) ends of the putter blade back,
    • said cylindrical weights having a hole bored through the weight center for the insertion of a threaded stud, with the said threaded stud being inserted also into the hole in the back of the putter blade,
    • said cylindrical weight alternatively having a non-threaded through which a screw is inserted into the hole in the back of the putter blade,
    • said putter head being flat on the bottom with all elements on a single plane,
    • putter head has an indicium on top of the putter head 1.68 inches wide.
• FIG. 30 illustrates an alternative configuration of the putter in which base weights are not included but rather theadditional weight cylinders15 are secured directly to theputter head blade13. This configuration is otherwise equal to that described above but may be applied were less added weight is needed, or otherwise a single set of weights is sufficient.
• FIGS. 31 to 33D depict a further alternative configuration of the inventive putter. In this configuration similar weights are provided at the extreme ends81,82 of thehead blade13 to maximize their distance from the blade center and the intended point of contact in use. To maximize mass at these locations,weight cylinders15 extend upward in a vertical stack from aweight support arm80. Thesupport arm80 extends outward horizontally from the back of theblade13 and includes a mechanism to secure theweight cylinders15. In the configuration shown, anattachment screw52 is used to secure thecylinders15 to thesupport arm80, in the same manner as described above. Thesupport arm80 is preferably formed integral with theblade13. It should be understood that the orientation of theweight cylinders15 in the various configurations of the invention is not critical if their relative center of mass location is the same. In this way, the configuration ofFIG. 31 is equivalent to that ofFIG. 1.
• FIGS. 34 to 37 depict a further alternative configuration of the inventive putter andputter head10. This configuration incorporates thesame putter blade13 andbase weight cylinders14 as the configuration depicted inFIGS. 1 to 29. Thebase weight cylinders14 are formed separate but preferably permanently secured to extend backward (in a direction opposite to the outward normal of the putter face36) in the same location as discussed previously. They may be secured via threaded fasteners and permanent bonding adhesive or an equivalent that provides rigid joining. A set ofadditional weight cylinders15 may be removably secured by center threaded fasteners such as theattachment screw52. Other devices and mechanisms to provide an equivalent securing are also contemplated.
• Twoalignment indicia90,91 are used to provide visual alignment cues to a user. Each is secured to the top of one of thebase weight cylinders14 in a common manner and particular location relative to thehead face36. The twoalignment indicia90,91 are configured, located and secured such that during appropriate placement of the putter in use, thealignment indicia90,91 have a common vertical visual projection. This visual projection should be visually contrasting with respect to all other elements of theputter head10. This may be accomplished by using contrasting colors, preferably with thealignment indicia90,91 having either a white or light metallic color and the other elements having darker surface color. The alignment indicia90,91 should be located a common distance rearward from the plane of thehead face36 and symmetrically distanced on the two sides (toe-ward and heel-ward) of the intended strike point on thehead face36. The vertical projection of thealignment indicia90,91 is preferably circular and approximately with a diameter equal that of a regulation golf ball—typically about 1.7 inches, although somewhat smaller and larger diameters will function similarly. The vertical projection may be formed of a circular horizontal planar surface of the alignment indicia as shown in the figures, or other surface shapes appearing circular in vertical projection.
• Using thealignment indicia90,91 as described, a user looking downward onto theinventive putter head10, that is aligned with a golf ball in preparation of striking it, is induced to see and coordinate in their mind the location of the90,91 with the golf ball. Due to the symmetric location of thealignment indicia90,91 and their clearly discerned location, the user will naturally align theputter head10 in the desired orientation: with theputter face36 perpendicular to the desired golf ball travel path.
• Eachalignment indicia90,91 preferably has a concave cylindrical backside face to mate with the curved perimeter sides of the base weight cylinders as shown. Preferably, the each alignment indicia90,91 would be weightless to eliminate influence on the mass properties of thehead10. Toward this goal, thealignment indicia90,91 should be formed of very light weight material that is also resistant to weathering. Low density metals such as aluminum or plastics may be used. Each balancing saddle weight is preferably secured permanently to a respectivebase weight cylinder14 using permanent adhesive or equivalent material, device or mechanism.
• FIG. 38 illustrates an alternative configuration of a putter according to the invention. The putter head includes ahead blade13 that is rigidly secured to or integral with theshaft11. The previously described structures and elements providing for relative angular adjustment of theshaft11, such as the shaft receiving disk and compression cover (12,16FIGS. 1,31) are not included. The weight balancing elements and operations described respecting the prior configurations are functional and beneficial in a putter not having shaft adjustment. In this exemplary configuration, the sameweight support arm80 andcylinders15 are included and function in the manner described above.
• FIGS. 39A and 39B illustrate an alternative configuration of theshaft receiver disc12 discussed above. The two figures illustrate two exemplary alternative angular orientations of analternative disc112 within aputter head10. The figures provide a detailed partial section view of theputter head10. The essential form and function of thisalternate disc112 is the same, but it includes distinct features for controlling the relative angular orientation of thealternative disc112 together with the attachedshaft11. First, thealternate disc112 includes acontrol surface115 as a flat surface formed through a chord line across the circular cross-section of the disc body. The plane of thecontrol surface115 is preferably about 70 degrees from the centerline of the shaft11 (and from the shaft-receiving hole in the disc). This angle establishes the relative angle of theshaft11 to thehead10 when fully assembled as intended. Thealternative disc112 is received in thedisc cavity21 in the same manner as described above. Thecavity21 includes a flat bottom portion that, in cooperation with thecontrol surface115, defines limits to the range of rotation of thealternative disc112. This angular control is fixed by the geometry of the respective elements.
• A second feature for controlling the angular orientation of thedisc112 are two rigid stops in the form ofset screws114 that each extend from the body of thehead10 and into thedisc cavity21 towards thecontrol surface115. The function of theset screws114 is to provide a positive interference with thecontrol surface115 to prevent rotation of thealternative disc112 when in an adjusted fixed condition. The particulars of the position and length of theset screw114 may vary and depend on the specific geometry of thecontrol surface115. In use, thealternative disc112 is located in the desired rotational position, aided by the cooperatingcontrol surface115 and setscrews114, and then secured for use in the same manner as detailed previously. Because eachset screw114 is adjustable, the angular orientation of thealternative disc112 may be set or limited at a variety of different positions.
• Other configurations and devices for accomplishing the same or equivalent inventive functions and results as described in the above examples are contemplated and will be discernable from the above discussion and the teachings herein.

Claims (18)

1. A golf putter comprising:

an elongated shaft;

a putter head having a first and second end;

the shaft secured to the putter head between the first and second ends;

a shaft angle adjustment means for, alternatively, allowing the shaft to rotate in the putter head in a vertical plane and rigidly securing the shaft to the putter head;

multiple balance weights, each removably secured at a either the first or second end.

2. A golf putter, according toclaim 1, and wherein:

the head includes a first and second weight support, the first weight support extending rearward from the first end of the head and the second weight support extending rearward from the second end of the head; wherein:

each weight support is configured to receive and removably retain at least one balance weight.

3. A golf putter, according toclaim 2, and wherein:

each weight support comprises a respective threaded fastener.

4. A golf putter, according to claim,3, and wherein:

each weight support further comprises a support arm integral with, and extending rearward from, either the first end or second end, each threaded fastener extending upward from an respective support arm.

5. A golf putter, according toclaim 1, and further comprising:

two alignment indicia, each having a circular vertical projection, each alignment indicia secured to a respective balance weight.

6. A golf putter, according toclaim 1 and wherein:

the putter head has a contact face with a loft angle in the range of zero to two degrees between the plane of the contact face and the vertical plane of rotation of the shaft.

7. A golf putter comprising:

a head;

an elongated shaft, the shaft rotatably secured to the head while in an adjustment condition and rigidly secured to the head in a fixed condition;

the head having:

at least one set of balance weights, each set comprising at least two balance weights; and wherein,

the head is configured to receive and removably retain each set of balance weights to maintain a location of the head center of mass.

8. A golf putter, according toclaim 7, and wherein:

the head has a cavity and a disk disposed in the cavity and configured to rotate within the cavity in the adjustment condition, the shaft secured to the disk;

and further comprising a plate secured to the head and rigidly retaining the disk to the head in the fixed condition.

9. A golf putter, according toclaim 8, and wherein:

the head has a toe end and a heel end, and includes a first and second weight support, the first weight support extending rearward from the toe end of the head and the second weight support extending rearward from the heel end of the head; wherein:

each weight support is configured to receive and removably retain at least one balance weight.

10. A golf putter, according toclaim 9, and wherein:

each weight support comprises a respective threaded fastener.

11. A golf putter, according to claim,10, and wherein:

each weight support further comprises a support arm integral with, and extending rearward from, either the toe end or heel end, each threaded fastener extending upward from an respective support arm.

12. A golf putter, according toclaim 7, and further comprising:

two alignment indicia, each having a circular vertical projection, each alignment indicia secured to a respective balance weight.

13. A golf putter, according toclaim 8 and wherein

the disk includes a flat control surface;

and further comprising:

a set screw extending from the head and into the cavity and contacting the control surface in the fixed condition to resist rotation of the disk.

14. A golf putter comprising:

a head having a first and opposing second end;

an elongated shaft;

the head having:

a shaft securing means for securing the shaft to the head while allowing adjustment of the angle of the shaft in one fixed geometric plane relative to the head;

a first and second weight attachment, the attachments each located at a respective end of the head;

at least one set of balance weights, each set comprising at least two balance weights, each having a common mass; and wherein;

each attachment configured to accept and retain at least one balance weight.

15. A golf putter comprising, according toclaim 14 and wherein:

the shaft securing means comprises:

a cavity in the head;

a disk secured to or integral with the shaft, the disk configured to rotate in a single plane within the cavity in an adjustment condition; and

a plate secured to the head and contacting and biased against the disk in a fixed condition to secure the shaft.

16. A golf putter comprising, according toclaim 14, and wherein:

the attachment extends horizontally rearward from the head.

17. A golf putter comprising, according toclaim 14, and wherein:

the attachment extends vertically upward from the head.

18. A golf putter comprising:

a putter head having a first and second end;

the head includes a first and second weight support, the first weight support extending rearward from the first end of the head and the second weight support extending rearward from the second end of the head;

multiple balance weights, each removably secured at a either the first or second end, and wherein:

each weight support is configured to receive and removably retain at least one balance weight; and

a handle shaft secured to the putter.

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