Practice attachment for golf putter

Abstract

A practice attachment device for removable attachment to the head of a putter. The device is designed to aid a golfer improve a putting stroke when using a blade or heel-toe putter. The device includes a frame, an aligning rod, and a clamp to attach the combination of the frame and the rod to the putter head. The rod is cylindrical in shape and positioned in front of the putter head face such that it strikes the ball. If the putter head, and thus the rod, is not properly aligned with the ball, the ball will travel off target when struck. The golfer must change the stroke until the rod is properly aligned with the ball on contact. The frame includes a sight port to allow the golfer to align the frame on the putter at the center of the putter head.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a Continuation-In-Part of, and claims priority benefit to, pending U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 261,743, filed Jun. 20, 2006, entitled “PRACTICE ATTACHMENT FOR A GOLF PUTTER” filed by the same inventor of the present application. The entire content of that pending application is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to devices for improving golf swings. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for improving golf putting. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a device removably attachable to a putter and arranged to aid a golfer improve a putting stroke.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]Many golfers take great interest in improving their skills in order to reduce the number of strokes required to play each hole of golf that they play. While golfers must hit a golf ball hun...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]It is an object of the present invention to provide a putting stroke aid that is relatively inexpensive and that may be removably attached to a conventional putter without permanent modification of the putter. It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a putting stroke aid that will remain in the desired position during the club swinging process. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide such an aid that is specifically directed to assisting in the improvement of the putting stroke.

[0012]These and other objects are provided by the present invention, which is a practice attachment for a golf putter. The practice attachment includes a frame and a clamping device. The frame has a convex curved edge aligned approximately perpendicular to the ground when the practice attachment is clamped to a putter. The frame further includes a sight hole. The frame may be formed of an angle and a cylindrical rod, with a thumb screw for easy adjustment of the positioning of the frame on the putter head and application and release of pressure on the putter head to keep the frame firmly in place or to remove it, as desired. The frame may be fabricated in a unitary fabrication but is not limited thereto.

[0013]The practice attachment of the present invention provides an inexpensive, simple, and durable device that can improve a golfer's putting stroke, and therefore putting accuracy, by producing a putting system where small deviations in putting swing result in large deviations from the intended direction of golf ball travel. An aspect of the invention is that it adds a convex striking surface to the golfer's preferred putter, but limited to either a blade-type putter or a heel-toe type putter. The practice attachment includes a facility to align the temporary, convex striking surface with the marked “sweet spot” that appears on the putter.

[0015]The practice attachment also helps golfers develop a smooth putting stroke. If the putting stroke is not smooth and careful, the golfer will have difficulty in repeating sending the ball in the intended direction of travel. The practice attachment is arranged to fit most blade-type and heel-toe putters. The practice attachment may be fabricated of one or more materials of interest, such as metallic and / or non-metallic materials or combinations thereof. The material or materials selected for the fabrication of each component of the practice attachment are preferably chosen to avoid marking, marring, scarring or otherwise damaging the golfer's putter in any manner. The components of the practice attachment may be fabricated of one or more pieces as desired for ease of use, shipment, and / or manufacture,

Problems solved by technology

As a result, many golfers spend a substantial amount of time attempting to improve that part of their game.

In spite of that effort, putting has remained a fickle aspect of the sport.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many golfers to translate that mental understanding of the important technical details of the putting stroke into reality.

Some of these aids are much more costly than others and therefore may be out of reach of the recreational and / or well-funded golfer.

Further, the flat surface of the flat-headed cylinder fails to address putting problems by giving the putter a forgiving surface—the flat surface to perpetuate an improper putting stroke.

This device not only adds to the golfer's expenses, but fails to allow the golfer to correct his / her stroke with the putter of choice.

The attachment tool includes a convex ball striking surface, but the described mechanism for attaching the tool to the club is completely unsuitable in a practical sense.

Any ordinary physical exertion on the club, such as in the course of a swing, would dislodge the straps and cause the undesired movement of the attachment tool.

Therefore, the Hawkins device is unsuitable for actual swing training.

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