Golf club putter handle

Abstract

A handle of a golf club putter is configured so that the player holds the putter by pressing the player's flattened hands against opposite sides of the handle, in a similar orientation as if the player was placing his hands together for prayer. The handle enables the player to hold the putter firmly without grasping the handle like with conventional putter grips. The handle is paddle-shaped, for example with a generally rhombus-shaped perimeter or an elliptical-shaped perimeter, with a major axis that is parallel to the striking face of the putter. A putter described herein may also include a magnetically attached ball marker.

Description

FIELD

[0001] This technical description relates to a golf club putter.BACKGROUND

[0002] A golf club putter is typically held by wrapping the player's fingers / hands at least partially around the putter grip. The most popular putter grip is typically shaped like a D that is placed over the putter shaft with the flat side of the D positioned perpendicular to the striking face of the putter head. For a right handed player, a typical technique for gripping the putter is with the player's left hand wrapped firmly around the grip with the thumb on the flat of the D-shape and likewise the right hand is placed below the left hand and wrapped around the grip.SUMMARY

[0003] A handle of a golf club putter is described herein. The handle is configured so that, in one embodiment, the player holds the putter by pressing the player's flattened hands against opposite sides of the handle, in a similar orientation as if the player was placing his hands together for prayer. The handle described herein enables the player to hold the putter firmly without grasping the handle like with conventional putter grips.

[0004] The handle described herein improves and simplifies the putting technique of the player. In one possible technique for holding the described handle, the player's fingers will not interlock when the player's hands are pressed against opposite sides of the handle, with the player's hands oriented as if the player is praying to the putter head. Preferably, when the handle is properly sized / fit to the player's hands, all of the player's fingers will touch with the exception of those fingers on the surface of the handle. Preferably, there will be no space between any of the player's fingers, with the player's thumbs and the index fingers and / or little fingers pressed against each other in direct engagement with one another.

[0005] The handle described herein can replace a putter grip, or the existing putter grip can be left in place and the handle can be disposed over the existing grip. The handle can be made of any material that is used to form conventional putter grips.

[0006] The handle described herein may be described as being paddle-shaped, and has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the striking face of the putter head. In one embodiment, in an end view of the handle, and in a bottom view of the handle, and in a cross-sectional view of the handle, the paddle-shaped handle has a perimeter outline that has a general rhombus shape but with rounded or radiused vertices, or an elliptical shape. An outer surface of the handle may have a plurality of grooves formed therein, with the grooves extending parallel to the shaft of the putter.

[0007] In an embodiment described herein, a golf club putter described herein has a shaft with a lower end and an upper end. A putter head that has a striking face is fixed to the lower end of the shaft. A paddle-shaped handle is fixed to the upper end of the shaft. In an end view of the paddle-shaped handle, the paddle-shaped handle has a major axis and a minor axis, and the major axis is parallel to the striking face while the minor axis is perpendicular to the striking face. The paddle-shaped handle can have a general rhombus shape or an elliptical shape in the end view.

[0008] A method of holding the golf club putter in the preceding paragraph includes pressing the palm of the right hand against the first side of the paddle-shaped handle and the palm of the left hand against the second side of the paddle-shaped handle without wrapping any fingers around the paddle-shaped handle. In addition, on the first side of the handle at least three fingers of the right hand presses against the first side, and on the second side of the handle at least three fingers of the left hand presses against the second side.

[0009] A golf club putter described herein can also include a magnetic ball marker mounted at an upper end thereof. For example, the putter can include a shaft having a lower end and an upper end; a putter head fixed to the lower end of the shaft, the putter head having a striking face; and a magnet mounted at the upper end of the shaft, and a ball marker magnetically attached to the magnet. The ball marker can be easily detached from the magnet and used to mark the player's ball and then be reattached to the magnet when the ball marker is no longer needed. The ball maker can have a perimeter shape that matches the shape of the handle at the upper end of the shaft, such as rhombus-shaped, elliptical-shaped, circular, D-shaped, and other shapes.DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club putter having the paddle-shaped handle described herein.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the paddle-shaped handle.

[0012] FIG. 3 is an end view of the paddle-shaped handle.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of the paddle-shaped handle.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example of the positions of the player's right and left hands while holding the paddle-shaped handle.

[0015] FIG. 6 is another side view showing the left hand of the player positioned on the paddle-shaped handle.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a view opposite to that of FIG. 5 from the little finger side of the player's right and left hands.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a bottom end view of the player's hands.

[0018] FIGS. 9A and 9B are an end view and a side view, respectively, of another embodiment of a paddle shaped handle that can be used.

[0019] FIG. 10 is an end view of another embodiment of a paddle-shaped handle similar to the handle in FIG. 3.

[0020] FIG. 11A is an end view of another embodiment of a paddle-shaped handle similar to the handle in FIG. 3 with grooves or channels in the outer surface.

[0021] FIG. 11B is close-up view of the circled portion in FIG. 11A.

[0022] FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view of an upper end of a putter with a magnetic ball marker.

[0023] FIG. 13A is a side of another embodiment of a putter with a magnetic ball marker at the upper end thereof.

[0024] FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional side view of the magnet and ball marker in FIG. 13A.

[0025] FIG. 13C is an end view of the magnet used in FIGS. 13A and 13B.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a golf club putter 10 described herein includes a shaft 12, a putter head 14, and a paddle-shaped handle 16. The shaft 12 has a lower end 18 and an upper end 20. The shaft 12 can have any shape (in cross-section) suitable for use on a golf club putter including circular, square, rectangular, and the like. In the case of a circular shaft 12, the shaft 12 can have a constant diameter from the lower end 18 to the upper end 20, or the diameter of the shaft 12 can vary 12 from the lower end 18 to the upper end 20. The shaft 12 can be made of any material or combination of materials used for golf club putter shafts including, but not limited to, steel, fiberglass, aluminum, graphite, wood, and the like.

[0027] The putter head 14 has a striking face 22, a toe 24, a heel 26, and a hose 28 that connects the putter head 14 to the lower end 18 of the shaft 12. The putter head 14 can have any construction suitable for being used for putting a golf ball. The putter head 14 may have a single striking face 22 or two striking faces 22 on opposite sides of the putter head for use by left and right handed players. The putter head 14 may be formed of a single material or a combination of materials, and the striking face 22 may be formed of a material that is different from the main body of the putter head 14. The striking face 22 may be metal faced, insert faced, groove faced, and the like. Examples of materials that can be used to form the putter head 14 include, but are not limited to, steel, fiberglass, aluminum, graphite, and the like. At least the portion of the striking face 22 that is intended to strike the golf ball during a putting stroke is substantially planar.

[0028] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the paddle-shaped handle 16 is fixed to the upper end 20 of the shaft 12. As described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 3, the paddle-shaped handle 16 has a major axis A-A and a minor axis B-B, and the major axis A-A is parallel to the striking face 22 while the minor axis B-B is perpendicular to the striking face 22. The handle 16 can be made of any material that is used to form conventional putter grips including, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, elastomers, thermoplastics, silicone rubber, other polymers, leather, or combinations of these materials. The handle 16 may be formed by extrusion by extruding through a die. The handle 16 can then be cut to the appropriate length.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the handle 16 can replace a putter grip so that the handle 16 directly contacts the shaft 12, or the existing putter grip can be left in place and the handle 16 can be disposed over the existing grip. The handle 16 has a first or upper end 30 and a second or lower end 32. As best seen in FIG. 4, the major axis A-A (or width W) of the handle 16 can have a constant dimension from the first end 30 to the second end 32 whereby the handle 16 is not tapered from the first end 30 the second end 32. In another embodiment, the major axis A-A may have a variable or tapered dimension (not shown) wherein the handle 16 tapers from the first end 30 to the second end 32. The minor axis B-B of the handle 16 can have a constant dimension from the first end 30 to the second end 32, but the dimension of the minor axis B-B could vary from the first end 30 to the second end 32, particularly if the diameter of the shaft 12 along which the handle 16 is secured varies. In one non-limiting example, the maximum width W of the handle 16 can be about 1.75 inch. In one embodiment, the width W can be 1.625 inch.

[0030] As best seen in FIG. 3, in an end view the handle 16 can be referred to as being generally rhombus-shaped with a generally rhombus-shaped outer perimeter 34 with rounded or radiused vertices. The generally rhombus-shaped perimeter 34 includes a first side 36 and a second side 38. The first side 36 and second side 38 connect to one another at a leading radiused vertex 40 and a trailing radiused vertex 42, and the major axis A-A extends between the leading radiused vertex 40 and the trailing radiused vertex 42. The first side 36 includes a first surface 44 and a second surface 46 that adjoin one another at a first side radiused vertex 48, the first surface 44 extends from the leading radiused vertex 40 and the second surface 46 extends from the trailing radiused vertex 42, and the first surface 44 has a length L1 that equals a length L2 of the second surface. In addition, the first surface 44 and the second surface 46 are flat from the first end 30 to the lower end 32.

[0031] The second side 38 includes a third surface 50 and a fourth surface 52 that adjoin one another at a second side radiused vertex 54, and the minor axis B-B extends between the first side radiused vertex 48 and the second side radiused vertex 54. The third surface 50 extends from the leading radiused vertex 40 and the fourth surface 52 extends from the trailing radiused vertex 42, and the third surface 50 has a length that equals a length of the fourth surface 52, and equals the length L1 of the first surface 44 and equals the length L2 of the second surface 46. In addition, the third surface 50 and the fourth surface 52 are flat from the first end 30 to the second end 32.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the interior of the handle 16 is partially hollow, and includes a central opening 60 that extends from the first end 30 to the second end 32. The central opening 60 is sized and shaped to closely receive the upper end 20 of the shaft 12 (or sized and shaped to closely receive an existing grip on the shaft). A plurality of additional openings 62 extend through the handle 16 from the first end 30 to the second end 32. In addition, a plurality of integral ribs 64 extend between the first surface 44 and the third surface 50, and between the second surface 46 and the fourth surface 52. In another embodiment, the additional openings 62 need not be present and the handle 16 can be solid except for the central opening 60.

[0033] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate another example of a paddle shaped handle 70 that can be used. In this example, the handle 70 is shaped like an ellipse with a major axis A-A, a minor axis B-B, a leading radiused vertex 72, a trailing radiused vertex 74, a first side 76 with a first side vertex 78, and a second side 80 with a second side vertex 82. Like with the handle 16, the handle 70 is fixed to the upper end of the shaft so that the major axis A-A is parallel to the striking face 22 while the minor axis B-B is perpendicular to the striking face 22. FIG. 9B depicts the lower end of the handle 70 as being tapered. However, the handle 70 can be configured so that the dimension of the major axis A-A is constant from the upper / first end to the lower / second end thereof.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, use of the handle 16 is as follows. The handle 70 can be held in a similar manner. In general, the player holds the putter by pressing the player's flattened hands (right hand RH, and left hand LH) against the first and second sides 36, 38 of the handle 16, in a similar orientation as if the player was placing his hands together for prayer. The handle 16 is held by the player without grasping the handle 16 and without wrapping any fingers around the handle 16 like with conventional putter grips. As seen in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, on the first side 36 of the handle 16, three fingers of the right hand RH press against the first side and three fingers of the left hand LH press against the second side, the pinky fingers and index fingers press fully or partially against each other and a thumb of the right hand presses against a thumb of the left hand.

[0035] FIGS. 5, 6 and 8 depict a portion of the index finger of the right hand RH pressed against the first side and a portion off of the first side, the middle finger on the first side radiused vertex, and the ring finger fully on the first side. FIGS. 6 and 8 depict a portion of the index finger of the left hand LH pressed against the second side and a portion off of the second side, the middle finger on the second side radiused vertex 54, and the ring finger fully on the second side. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 8, the player's thumbs and the portions of the index fingers not on the handle surfaces are pressed flat against one another with no space or gaps between the thumbs or between the other index fingers. The pinky or little fingers are not engaged with the handle surface, and are also pressed flat against one another with no spacing there between, and as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, there are no gaps or spaces between the fingers when holding the handle. Depending on the players hand size fit to the proper handle, there will always be three fingers placed on either side of the handle surfaces whereas the middle finger will always be in full contact, the ring finger will be fully on or partially off, the little finger will either be partially on or fully off and the index finger either partially on or fully off the handle surface. At all times there will be no space or gaps between the fingers and tips as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8.

[0036] With the hands pressed evenly against the handle 16 as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, the player's shoulders are level, the arms hang straight down, and all body parts are evenly distributed and balanced which is desired for putting. The palms and fingers of the player are pressed together with no space or gaps between the outer edge of the palms and the fingers. Keeping the shoulders level and the hands evenly pressed together is a unique advantage as the wrists are not contorted having one higher than the other as is typically done with a conventional putter grip.

[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a paddle-shaped handle 16 similar to the paddle-shaped handle 16 in FIG. 3 and elements in FIG. 10 that are similar to or the same as elements in FIG. 3 are referenced using the same reference numerals. The handle 16 in FIG. 10 is similar in overall shape to the handle in FIG. 3, including being generally rhombus-shaped with a generally rhombus-shaped outer perimeter with rounded or radiused vertices. The handle 16 in FIG. 10 differs from the handle in FIG. 3 primarily in the central opening 60, the additional openings 62, and the integral ribs 64. The central opening 60 in FIG. 10 is larger than the central opening in FIG. 3. In addition, the additional openings 62 and the ribs 64 differ in size from the openings and ribs in FIG. 3. The handle 16 in FIG. 10 is otherwise similar in shape and construction to the handle in FIG. 3.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, another embodiment is illustrated where grooves or channels 90 are formed in the outer surface of the handle 16. For example, FIG. 11A depicts the grooves 90 formed in the first side 36, such as in the first surface 44 and the second surface 46, and in the second side 38, such as in the third surface 50 and in the fourth surface 52. In FIG. 11A, the grooves 90 are not formed in the leading radiused vertex 40, the trailing radiused vertex 42, the side radiused vertex 48 or the side radiused vertex 54. However, in another embodiment, the grooves 90 can be formed in some or all of the radiused vertices 40, 42, 48, 54. As seen in FIG. 11B, the grooves 90 can be U-shaped with radiused bottoms 92. However, the grooves 90 can be V-shaped, rectangular shaped, or have other shapes. The grooves 90 extend longitudinally on the handle 16, generally parallel to the shaft of the putter, and may extend along part of the length the handle 16 or the grooves 90 can extend the entire length of the handle 16.

[0039] FIG. 12A illustrates an example of a golf club putter 100 that includes a magnetically attached ball marker 102. The putter 100 can be similar in construction to the putter 10 of FIG. 1 including a shaft 104 having a lower end (not shown) and an upper end 106, and a putter head (not shown) fixed to the lower end of the shaft, with the putter head having a striking face. A magnet 108 is mounted at the upper end 106 of the shaft 104. For example, in the illustrated example, the magnet 108 is depicted as being mounted in the upper end 106 of the shaft 104, with an upper end of the magnet 108 flush with the end of the shaft 104. The magnet 108 can be secured within the shaft 104 in any suitable manner, for example using an adhesive, via a friction fit, using a set screw, or using any other securing means. A weep hole 110 can be formed in the magnet 108 to allow water to escape from the shaft 104

[0040] The ball marker 102 is magnetically attached to the magnet 108 to allow the ball marker 102 to be removed for use and then reattached. The ball marker 102 can be a generally flat piece of ferromagnetic material, such as a ferromagnetic metal, that is magnetically attracted to the magnet 108. The upper and / or lower surface of the ball marker 102 can be provided with custom printing and / or engraving 112. In this embodiment, the ball marker 102 is devoid of a pin used to secure the ball marker 102 in the ground during use. However, the ball marker 102 can include a pin as described below with respect to FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C.

[0041] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12A depicts a rhombus-shaped handle 114 fixed to the upper end 106 of the shaft 104. The handle 114 can have a shape and construction similar to the rhombus-shaped handles 16 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, 10 and 11A. In this example, the ball marker 102 can have a perimeter shape that generally matches the perimeter shape of the rhombus-shaped handle 114 whereby, when properly mounted, the perimeter edge of the ball marker 102 is substantially flush with the perimeter of the rhombus-shaped handle 114. In other embodiments, the handle can be elliptical like the handle in FIG. 9A in which case the ball marker 102 can have an elliptical shape that matches the elliptical-shaped handle. The ball marker 102 can also be circular for a circular handle, D-shaped for a D-shaped handle, or any other shape that generally matches the shape of the handle.

[0042] FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C illustrate another example of a golf club putter 120 that includes a magnetically attached ball marker 122. The putter 120 can be similar in construction to the putter 10 of FIG. 1 including a shaft 124 having a lower end 126 and an upper end 128, and a putter head 130 fixed to the lower end 126 of the shaft 124, with the putter head having a striking face. A magnet 132 is mounted at the upper end 128 of the shaft 124. For example, in the illustrated example, the magnet 132 is depicted as being mounted at the upper end 128 of the shaft 124 outside and extending from the upper end 128 of the shaft 124. The magnet 108 can be secured at the end 128 in any suitable manner, for example using an adhesive or using any other securing means. A casing 134, such as a rubber sleeve, tape, or other material, can be provided around the magnet 132 and extend down over and covering the joint between the bottom end of the magnet 132 and the end 128 of the shaft 124 to help hide the joint and the securing means. A weep hole 136 can be formed in the magnet 132 to allow water to escape from the shaft 104.

[0043] The ball marker 122 is magnetically attached to the magnet 132 to allow the ball marker 122 to be removed for use and then reattached. In this example, the ball marker 122 includes a generally flat portion and a pin 138 that secures the ball marker 102 to the ground during use. However, the ball marker 102 can be devoid of a pin as described above with respect to FIGS. 12A and 12B. The ball marker 122 is formed of ferromagnetic material, such as a ferromagnetic metal, that is magnetically attracted to the magnet 132. The upper and / or lower surface of the ball marker 122 can be provided with custom printing and / or engraving similar to the printing and / or engraving described above with respect to FIG. 12A.

[0044] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C depict a circular handle 140 fixed to the upper end 106 of the shaft 104. In this example, the ball marker 122 can have a perimeter shape, in this case circular, that generally matches the perimeter shape of the circular handle 140 whereby, when properly mounted, the perimeter edge of the ball marker 122 is substantially flush with the perimeter of the circular handle 140. In other embodiments, the handle can be rhombus-shaped like the handles in FIGS. 1-4, 10, 11A, 12A, and 12B in which case the ball marker 122 can have a rhombus-shape that matches the rhombus-shaped handle, elliptical like the handle in FIG. 9A in which case the ball marker 122 can have an elliptical shape that matches the elliptical-shaped handle. The ball marker 122 can also be D-shaped for a D-shaped handle, or any other shape that generally matches the shape of the handle.

[0045] The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A golf club putter, comprising:a shaft having a lower end and an upper end;a putter head fixed to the lower end of the shaft, the putter head having a striking face;a paddle-shaped handle fixed to the upper end of the shaft, in an end view of the paddle-shaped handle the paddle-shaped handle has a major axis and a minor axis, and the major axis is parallel to the striking face.

2. The golf club putter of claim 1, wherein the paddle-shaped handle includes a first side and a second side, the first side and second side connect to one another at a leading radiused vertex and a trailing radiused vertex, and the major axis extends between the leading radiused vertex and the trailing radiused vertex;the first side includes a first side radiused vertex and the second side includes a second side radiused vertex, and the minor axis extends between the first side radiused vertex and the second side radiused vertex.

3. The golf club putter of claim 1, wherein the paddle-shaped handle has a first end and a second end, the paddle-shaped handle has a central opening that extends from the first end to the second end with the shaft disposed in the central opening.

4. The golf club putter of claim 1, wherein the paddle-shaped handle has a first end and a second end, and the major axis has a constant length from the first end to the second end.

5. The golf club putter of claim 1, wherein the paddle-shaped handle has a general rhombus shape in the end view.

6. The golf club putter of claim 1, wherein the paddle-shaped handle has an elliptical shape in the end view.

7. The golf club putter of claim 1, wherein the paddle-shaped handle is installed over the shaft or installed over a handle fixed to the shaft.

8. The golf club putter of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of grooves formed in a first side and a second side of the paddle-shaped handle.

9. The golf club putter of claim 1, further comprising a magnet mounted at the upper end of the shaft, and a ball marker magnetically attached to the magnet.

10. A handle for a golf club putter having a shaft and a putter head having a striking face, comprising:a paddle-shaped member that in an end view includes a major axis and a minor axis, the paddle-shaped member includes a first side and a second side, the first side and second side connect to one another at a leading radiused vertex and a trailing radiused vertex, and the major axis extends between the leading radiused vertex and the trailing radiused vertex;the first side includes a first side radiused vertex and the second side includes a second side radiused vertex, and the minor axis extends between the first side radiused vertex and the second side radiused vertex;wherein in use the handle is mounted on the shaft with the major axis parallel to the striking face.

11. The handle for a golf club putter of claim 10, wherein the handle has a first end and a second end, the handle has a central opening that extends from the first end to the second end.

12. The handle for a golf club putter of claim 10, wherein the handle has a first end and a second end, and the major axis has a constant length from the first end to the second end.

13. The handle for a golf club putter of claim 10, wherein the paddle-shaped member has a general rhombus shape in the end view or an elliptical shape in the end view.

14. The handle for a golf club putter of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of grooves formed in the first side and the second side.

15. A method of holding the golf club putter of claim 2, comprising:pressing the palm of the right hand against the first side and the palm of the left hand against the second side without wrapping any fingers around the paddle-shaped handle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein three fingers of the right hand press against the first side, and three fingers of the left hand press against the second side, and a thumb of the right hand presses against a thumb of the left hand with the option of having all finger digits in contact with no space between the digits.

17. A method of forming a paddle-shaped handle of a golf club putter, comprising:extruding a material through a die to form a paddle-shape member;cutting the paddle-shaped member to length to form the paddle-shaped handle.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising forming a plurality of grooves in an outer surface of the paddle-shaped member while extruding through the die.

19. A golf club putter, comprising:a shaft having a lower end and an upper end;a putter head fixed to the lower end of the shaft, the putter head having a striking face;a magnet mounted at the upper end of the shaft, and a ball marker magnetically attached to the magnet.

20. The golf club putter of claim 19, wherein the magnet is mounted within the shaft at the upper end thereof.

21. The golf club putter of claim 19, wherein the magnet is disposed outside the shaft at the upper end thereof.

22. The golf club putter of claim 19, wherein the ball marker is made of ferromagnetic material.

23. The golf club putter of claim 19, wherein the ball marker includes a pin or is devoid of a pin 24. The golf club putter of claim 19, wherein in a top view the ball marker is circular, D-shaped, rhombus-shaped, or elliptical-shaped.

Images