Improvements to golf putters in relation to an interchangeable hosel and variable face striking plate

Abstract

Described herein are improvements to golf putters. More specifically, in relation to an interchangeable hosel and a variable vertical milling pattern for an improved ball striking face configuration for use with putter type golf clubs. This modular system allows for ease of interchangeability of face striking plate / hosel configurations where the putter head remains dexterity neutral. The variable milling pattern compensates for the negative effects of a vertical differing strike.

Description

[0001] IMPROVEMENTS TO GOLF PUTTERS IN RELATION TO AN INTERCHANGEABLE HOSEL AND VARIABLE FACE STRIKING PLATE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Described herein are improvements to golf putters. More specifically, in relation to an interchangeable hosel and a variable vertical milling pattern for an improved ball striking face configuration for use with putter type golf clubs.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] Putting surfaces on typical putting greens are not totally smooth and have a variety of imperfections across the surface. Even on finely manicured, more perfect golf greens, when a ball comes to rest on the putting surface of a green, just the weight of the ball may cause a slight depression in the green's surface directly under the ball as the golfer walks from the place where the shot to the green was hit to the location on the green where the ball is at rest.

[0006] It is common that most conventional golf putters incorporate a smooth, flat ball-striking surface with four to six degrees of loft, where it has been found that this amount of loft is necessary to cleanly launch a golf ball resting on the irregular surface. These putters provide a maximum surface area across the face to contact a golf ball. When a golf ball resting on an irregular surface of a green or in a shallow depression caused by the weight of the golf ball is struck with the smooth face type putter described above, the ball travels forward and slightly upward from the surface, and (unless correctly fitted for loft) often with a neutral or slight backward rotation. As the ball continues on its path to the target it bounces and skids before fully engaging the green's surface. Friction with the putting surface eventually causes the ball to assume a forward roll toward the target in a state of "true roll".

[0007] The undesirable skipping and skidding motion of the ball after the initial strike has led to the development of putters with closely spaced grooves on the ball striking face to create lift with only one to two degrees of loft. The gripping effect of the face grooves combined with low loft enables the golf ball to be lifted off the green's surface causing the golf ball to roll almost immediately, virtually eliminating the skipping and skidding as described above, reaching "true roll" sooner.

[0008] An example of a grooved face putter is described in US 9,943,735 where the putter head comprises a frontal ball striking face plate having landing areas and complementary recesses whereby only the land areas strike against the golf ball during the putting stroke. It is envisaged that the frontal face of the putter is provided with a ball striking, landing configuration that enables a player to provide a consistent roll to a golf ball struck on the club face for a given impact force applied by the golfer, particularly when the ball is struck off of the precise centre of percussion. The size of the land area on the face are progressively larger the further they are away from the midpoint / centre of the face such that the land area is smaller at the centre midpoint of the face and progressively becomes larger outwardly from the centre midpoint toward the heel and toe portions of the face. It is intended that the progressively larger land areas provide a greater impact against the golf ball where typically mis-hits occur, and conversely a lesser dwell time with the golf ball, resulting in a greater rebound effect such that a golf ball will travel further when struck with essentially the same amount of impact force against the golf ball.

[0009] Other attempts at providing a ball striking face configuration for more accurate golf roll is shown in US 10,994,176 where the putter face comprises a plurality of parallel grooves extending between the toe end and the heel end. The ball striking face may be a continuous or integral part of the putter face or formed as an insert that is attached to the putter face. Such an insert may be constructed from the same material or different materials as striking face and then be attached to the putter face. The ball striking face may include one or more grooves and one or more land portions.

[0010] For the above described patents, for any given putt where the heel and toe speed are constant thus the configuration of parallel grooves / landing areas extending between the toe end and heel end would even out the heel and toe speed and would be useful. However, if a player uses the toe to release at all, these configurations have the potential to have greater mis-hits and worse outcomes compared to a putter with an evenly milled pattern or face.

[0011] There are a number of adjustable and modular golf putters known in the art. For example, US 8,382,604, US 8,616,991 and US 9,149,694 patents comprising two discrete weights, a body to accessibly and detachably receive them and a modular hosel which are removably attachable, and wherein the weights each change the centre of gravity and alter the balance of the golf club head.

[0012] US 5,533,730 discloses an adjustable putter which has configurable characteristics of striking face-to- shaft lateral alignment, centre of gravity, head-to-shaft angle, total weight, weight distribution, and targeting. The construction is modular, claiming it is economical to produce and convenient to adjust. In broad terms, an adjustable putter head for attachment to a shaft is provided which includes a first elongated hosel member, the first hosel member having a hole formed on a first opposite end thereof for attachment of the shaft to the first hosel member, a spaced series of indentations formed on a second opposite end thereof, and a first aperture formed through the first hosel member intermediate said first and second opposite ends, a second elongated hosel member adjacent the first hosel member, the second hosel member having a spaced series of projections formed on a first opposite end thereof, the projections being complementarily shaped to engage the first hosel member indentations, and a second aperture formed through the second hosel member on a second opposite end thereof, the second aperture aligning with the first aperture when the indentations engage the projections, a fastener extending through the first and second apertures and forming a pivot about which the first and second hosel members rotate with respect to each other, and a face plate attached to the first and second hosel members.

[0013] Another adjustable putter head is also provided for use in a golf game to strike a golf ball, the putter head attaching to a shaft and including an elongated plate having a generally planar striking surface formed thereon for striking the ball, the striking surface having a spatial relationship to the shaft, the plate further having first and second opposite end portions, and a first spaced series of teeth formed on a side surface opposite the striking surface and extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, and a hosel assembly, the hosel assembly having a shaft attachment portion and a plate attachment portion formed thereon, the plate attachment portion having a second spaced series of teeth formed thereon for engagement with the first spaced series of teeth, the hosel assembly attaching the shaft to the plate and being capable of altering the spatial relationship of the striking surface to the shaft.

[0014] US 6,264, 571 describes a dynamically balanced putter with a sliding hosel to ensure that the centre of mass of the putter lies on the axis defined by the putter shaft. The putter head includes a longitudinal slot which mates with an elongated "dovetail" tab on the hosel to slidingly position the axis, hosel, and putter head such that the aforementioned balancing objective is achieved. In addition to the shaft, the putter includes a hosel and a putter head. The hosel includes an insertion cap and a triangular body with a flat lower edge. In a preferred embodiment, the triangular body further includes an aperture passing through to minimize the weight of the hosel, or can be used to adjust the balancing process. The insertion cap receives the end of the shaft therein and is pressfit or adhesively secured therein. It is claimed that an advantage of the modular design is the flexibility of the putter to adjust to different putting preferences. An example of this advantage is in a preferred embodiment of the insertion cap wherein the hole is drilled a degree or so off centre. In doing so, by rotating the insertion cap 180° two different lie angles are achieved 2° apart without adding any new parts. By offering several different hosels each with unique lie angles, it is claimed that the desired lie angle can easily and quickly be achieved. There is also a dovetail slot including a necked portion on the upper surface of the putter head and an I-beam body of the putter. Two cavities, one on either side of the centreplate, are filled with a contact surface cover plates which gives the putter head its desired weight, which can vary according to the needs of the user, and also can be used to adjust the balance of the putter head. On the lower surface of the hosel, a mating tab slides into the slot and fixes the hosel and the putter head together in a sliding relationship. Once the hosel is connected to the putter head, the putter can be rotated to determine if the putter is out of balance. By making minute adjustments to the position of the hosel with respect to the putter head, a more refined balance can be achieved. For example, if different hosels are utilised, each with slightly lie angles, then the user may select from that hosel which provides most comfortable lie angle for his / her particular putting stance. In this manner, the user is not required to adjust to the particular putter, but rather the putter can be adjusted to adapt to the user. Once the particular hosel and lie angle are selected, the slot and tab arrangement allow for dynamic balancing of that particular combination by sliding the hosel incrementally along the longitudinal slot until a dynamic balance is achieved.

[0015] However, there are a number of disadvantages with the above modular putter designs as the connection mechanisms are complex and difficult to quickly and easily interchange the hosel components, notwithstanding that the putter heads (with removeable hosels) are not dexterity neutral i.e. an interchangeable hosel / putter head combination that cannot be utilised for both left and right hand players respectively.

[0016] From the above, it can be seen that there is a requirement for an improved striking face plate for a putter to reduce where mis-hits occur, and conversely a lesser dwell time with the golf ball, resulting in a greater rebound effect such that a golf ball will roll further when struck with essentially the same amount of impact force against the golf ball, and / or an interchangeable fitting hosel and / or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

[0017] Further aspects and advantages of the apparatus and manufacture thereof will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

[0018] SUMMARY

[0019] Described herein is an interchangeable hosel and a variable vertical milling pattern for an improved ball striking face configuration for use with putter type golf clubs.

[0020] In a first aspect there is provided a golf putter head comprising: a putter type club face defined by a toe end, a heel end, a topline and a sole; and a plurality of grooves disposed on the putter type club face between the top line and the sole, each of the plurality of grooves extending from a vertical midline and between the heel end and the toe end, and including a top of each of the plurality of grooves, and a bottom of each of the plurality of grooves; wherein, a contact area defined by the plurality of grooves increases the further from the vertical midline or axis, and wherein the grooves are positioned such that the groove width increases and spacing between the grooves decreases the closer to the topline or leading edge that they are positioned relative to the vertical midline.

[0021] In a second aspect there is provided a method of utilising and manufacturing a golf putter head as substantially described above.

[0022] In a third aspect there is provided an interchangeable fitting hosel comprising: at least one male connection member; at least one female connection member; and an interchangeable loft striking plate; wherein, the male connection member comprises a tip with a first receiving element and is configured to be inserted into a complementary end of the female connection member with a second receiving element of the interchangeable loft striking plate, and wherein the receiving elements upon rotation align to locate with respect to each other and are secured upon further rotation.

[0023] In a fourth aspect there is provided a method of assembling an interchangeable fitting hosel to a interchangeable loft striking plate as substantially described above.

[0024] Advantages of the above variable vertical milling pattern is that it compensates for the negative effects of a vertical differing strike. Off centred strikes toward the topline of leading edge result in a drop in impact of rotation (the transfer of energy between the club and the ball). Regardless of a player's rotation tendencies the above configuration offers gains by evaluating the variance achieved on the i- axis. Hence, the contact area is increased where the putter would usually lose ball speed i.e. topline to leading edge , as opposed to the heel and toe where the rate of rotation plays a significant role. With respect to the 'Quick Lock' interchangeable fitting hosel, the mechanism is both cost effective to manufacture and easy to use i.e. allows a manufacturer to quickly and easily interchange the hosel and other associated components of a golf putter for both right and left hand players.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further aspects of the apparatus, methods and uses thereof will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary putter head with variable vertical milling pattern;

[0028] Figure 2 illustrates the same exemplary putter head of Figure 1 with vertical midline and variable groove widths and spacing relative to the midline and topline;

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates a side profile view of an exemplary putter head with angled grooves using a specific material to create flex increasing launch and promoting forward spin;

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the male and female connection members prior to connection;

[0031] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a male connection member as part of the hosel component;

[0032] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a weight system incorporated in an interchangeable loft striking plate;

[0033] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a weight system incorporated into an interchangeable loft striking plate (ball lock) and also showing and alternative interchangeable loft strike plate (male tabs);

[0034] Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the male and female connection members prior to connection showing a neck having an asymmetrical tab with a female groove that when inserted into the face plate is squared off with the face plate; and

[0035] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the male and female connection members prior to connection showing a neck having an asymmetrical tab with a male groove that when inserted into the face plate is squared off with the face plate. A cross section view shows the current profile of the insertion point of the hosel that this may take when assembled.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] As noted above, described herein is an interchangeable hosel and a variable vertical milling pattern for an improved ball striking face configuration for use with putter type golf clubs.

[0038] For the purposes of this specification, the term 'about' or 'approximately' and grammatical variations thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1% to a reference quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.

[0039] The term 'substantially' or grammatical variations thereof refers to at least about 50%, for example 75%, 85%, 95% or 98%.

[0040] The term 'comprise1and grammatical variations thereof shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements.

[0041] In a first aspect there is provided a golf putter head comprising: a putter type club face defined by a toe end, a heel end, a topline and a sole; and a plurality of grooves disposed on the putter type club face between the top line and the sole, each of the plurality of grooves extending from a vertical midline and between the heel end and the toe end, and including a top of each of the plurality of grooves, and a bottom of each of the plurality of grooves; wherein, a contact area defined by the plurality of grooves increases the further from the vertical midline or axis, and wherein the grooves are positioned such that the groove width increases and spacing between the grooves decreases the closer to the topline or leading edge that they are positioned relative to the vertical midline.

[0042] The inventor has found that due to the variability in players' release patterns, each player has varying speeds across the putter face. For example, a player who releases the toe or has an active rate of rotation would produce a much higher speed on the toe section of the putter compared to the heel. Whereas a passive stroke would see a very even speed between the heel and toe.

[0043] As is known in the art, there are a number of putter configurations that cover the concept of individually milling a pattern that could vary in depths to accommodate a players' rotation of the putter head, such that that a variance of head speed is absorbed by deeper milling. This depth varies across the horizontal axis with the contact area that impacts the ball and negates the difference in speed delivered into the ball by reducing the amount of contact area present in that part of the face. As above, this configuration does not address the issue of a player with a variable vertical strike.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, a contact area defined by the plurality of grooves increases the further from the vertical midline or axis the grooves are positioned such that the groove width increases and spacing between the grooves decreases the closer to the topline or leading edge that they are positioned relative to the vertical midline. In this way, this configuration may compensate for the negative effects where there may be variances in a vertical strike.

[0045] Preferably, the contact area from the top line to the leading edge of the putter may be reduced in a vertical plane.

[0046] It has been found that off centred strikes toward the topline or leading edge of a putter may result in a decrease in impact of rotation ratio i.e. the transfer of energy between club and ball. On further analysis, it has been shown that on any given putt where the heel and toe speed are constant prior at technology that serves to even out heel and toe speeds may be useful. However, if a player uses the toe to release the ball at all, this technology has the potential to be even worse for the player than a player who uses a completely even milled face.

[0047] The inventor has developed a putter head milling configuration that accommodates the above off centred strikes irrespective of that player's rotation tendencies and may offer some gains by analysing the variance achieved on the Z-axis.

[0048] In preferred embodiments, the contact area of the putter face may be increased in areas where the putter would normally lose ball speed. More preferably, topline to leading edge, as opposed to heel to toe where the rate of rotation plays a more significant role.

[0049] As noted above, the prior art configurations focus on a given rotation pattern when addressing the issue of variable milling. Although this may assist a range of players, a custom vertical mill pattern where the contact area increases the further from the vertical midline they are relatively positioned with respect to the vertical midline, may assist a player further.

[0050] In one embodiment, the groove width may increase and spacing between the grooves decreases the closer to the topline or leading edge that they are positioned relative to the vertical midline.

[0051] Preferably, the groove width may be 0.5 mm with a spacing between the grooves of 0.2 mm closer to the topline and bottom edge of the putter face respectively.

[0052] Preferably, the groove width may be 0.1 mm with a spacing between the grooves of 0.5 mm closer to the vertical midline of the putter face respectively.

[0053] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above dimensional spacings are nominal and other dimensional values could be conceivably be used with this invention. It also should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the milling recesses / grooves may also be filled and / or injected with polymer, elastomer, epoxy or other material to influence the flex or energy transfer of the groove. In this way, at the contact areas, softer compounds may slow down the ball in hot spots or harder compounds may be utilised to speed it up and the opposite if it is relating to stabilising flex of the groove.

[0054] In preferred embodiments, the levels and areas between the grooves may be controlled with partitions between areas to specifically target an area for an individual player.

[0055] The above mill pattern is based around the concept of normalisation of transfer of energy of club speed to ball speed regardless of vertical strike. As has been shown during analysis, this is one effect of the poor strike on a standard putter design where high or low strikes produce different ball speeds than the midline or sweet spot. In addition to this, a low strike will deflect the shaft taking approximately 0.5 degrees of loft off the putter and conversely the same effect happens in the other direction with a high strike, but to a lesser extent.

[0056] It is envisaged that the milling pattern as described may increase the launch and increase top spin down the bottom of the putter and normalise these parameters in the middle and topline sections of the putter.

[0057] The angle grooves may use a specific material to create flex thereby increasing launch and promoting forward spin.

[0058] The angle of the grooves may reduce closer to the topline to normalise launch and spin while at the same time, the spacing of the groove may normalise speed on mis-hits.

[0059] The ball striking face may be a continuous or integral part of the putter face or formed as an insert that is attached to the putter face. Such an insert may be constructed from the same material or different materials as the putter face and then be attached to the putter face.

[0060] As above, the ball striking face may include one or more grooves, generally shown as grooves, and one or more landing portions.

[0061] In a second aspect there is provided a method of utilising and manufacturing a golf putter head as described above.

[0062] In a third aspect there is provided an interchangeable fitting hosel comprising: at least one male connection member; at least one female connection member; and an interchangeable loft striking plate; wherein, the male connection member comprises a tip with a first receiving element and is configured to be inserted into a complementary end of the female connection member with a second receiving element of the interchangeable loft striking plate, and wherein the receiving elements upon rotation align to locate with respect to each other and are secured upon further rotation.

[0063] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the quick lock interchangeable fitting hosel (or shaft) may conceivably be used with other golf clubs other than golf putters.

[0064] In one embodiment, the male connection may be a hosel. In another embodiment, the female connection member may be formed within the face and / or loft striking plate. In this way, the shaft / hosel and the interchangeable loft striking plate may comprise the assembled connection embodiments.

[0065] The male connection member may be dimensioned with a tip or equivalent end piece that may be machined in such a way that it may be inserted into the complementary receiving end of the female connection member.

[0066] In preferred embodiments, the tip or end piece of the male connection member (hosel) may be dimensioned with a planar square face, wherein a portion of the hosel sits proud of the face allowing the hosel to clamp when fastened to the face and / or loft striking plate.

[0067] Preferably, the loft / face striking plate and its hosel may be the dexterity determining components and the back of the putter may be unbiased or biased towards a left handed or right handed player.

[0068] Preferably, the tip may comprise a female groove and the loft striking plate may comprise a complementary male groove or ball bearing element. In this way, the male adapter on the tip of the hosel may be inserted into the complementary end of the female connection member such that when the hosel is rotated or turned 90 degrees in one direction, the female groove aligns with the male groove or ball bearing element to clear the ball bearing element and locate with respect to each other.

[0069] In preferred embodiments, once further rotation or turning of the hosel occurs 90 degrees back in the opposite direction i.e. back to square, the two parts (male and female connection members) are secured and locked to prevent them from being pulled apart from the z-axis.

[0070] In yet further preferred embodiments, once the two parts may be secured and locked into position, various separate embodiment putter head components may be attached for assembly of a complete modular putter. In this way, the three components comprising hosel, face / loft striking plate and putter head may all clamp together such that neither of the components may separate or move unless desired to be separated for further fine-tuning.

[0071] Furthermore, the above described configuration advantageously allows for a putter head arrangement that remains dexterity neutral i.e. no further face plate and / or hosel is required to be machined or cast for a left hand player as the hosel and face connection members provide a golf putter for both right and left hand players.

[0072] In alternative embodiments, a neck may have an asymmetrical tab with a female groove that when inserted into the face plate may be squared off with the face plate. In this way, when the back may be attached the male groove on the head may clamp into the neck locking it on the Z axis. In yet further alternative embodiments, reverse tabs may be utilised where a male groove that when inserted into the face plate may be squared off with the face plate. In this way, when the back is attached, the female tab on the head clamps into the neck locking it on the Z axis.

[0073] The embodiments with a neck with asymmetrical tabs do not need to twist and lock like the ball lock type mechanism, as the flat sided profiles of the hosel may be utilised to stop it twisting and the tab that locates on the head may stop it being pulled on the vertical axis. It should be appreciated that the head attachment may or may not have a recess to accommodate extra hosel thickness for strength.

[0074] In one embodiment, weight ports either side of the faceplate may be incorporated to allow for adjustability of overall head weight of the putter. The weights may be manufactured of a material selected from tungsten, stainless steel, aluminium or the like to achieve a desired weight.

[0075] The weights may be manufactured with a tight tolerance both in width and depth to form an interference fit to completely fill the port when inserted. In this way, fasteners are not required.

[0076] Preferably, the weights are coated in a flexible silicone rubber sleeve with a slight lip on either side so when inserted, any space required from being slightly under tolerance is filled when the silicone is compressed between the faceplate, the body of the head of the putter and the port walls.

[0077] In the above described embodiments, the putter face design may be symmetrical to allow for the interchangeability of face striking plate / hosel configurations. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this modular system may also be applied to a specific non-symmetrical design.

[0078] In a fourth aspect there is provided a method of assembling an interchangeable fitting hosel to a interchangeable loft striking plate as substantially described above.

[0079] The embodiments described above may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features.

[0080] Further, where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the embodiments relate, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0081] WORKING EXAMPLES

[0082] The above described apparatus, methods and are now described by reference to specific examples.

[0083] EXAM PLE 1

[0084] With reference to Figure 1, an exemplary putter head with variable vertical milling pattern is shown comprising a toe end, a heel end, a topline and a sole. The grooves are formed by a milling machine used in known fashion and need not be described in detail.

[0085] As best seen in Figure 2, a plurality of grooves is disposed on the putter face between the top line and the sole. Each of grooves extend from a vertical midline and within a region between the heel end and the toe end. The grooves include a top and a bottom portion that define the space of each of the grooves. As is shown, the groove width is 0.5 mm with a spacing between the grooves of 0.2 mm closer to the topline and bottom edge of the putter face respectively. Additionally, the groove width is 0.1 mm with a spacing between the grooves of 0.5 mm closer to the vertical midline of the putter face respectively.

[0086] The grooves especially define a contact or landing area that increases the further from the vertical midline or axis the grooves are positioned such that the groove width increases and spacing between the grooves decreases the closer to the topline or leading edge that they are positioned relative to the vertical midline.

[0087] Figure 3 shows a side profile view of the putter head with angled grooves that utilises a specific material to create flex, thus increasing launch and promoting forward spin. In particular, increasing the launch and increasing top spin down the bottom of the putter and normalising these parameters in the middle and topline sections of the putter.

[0088] EXAM PLE 2

[0089] With reference to Figure 4, an exemplary view of the male and female connection members are shown prior to connection. The male connection member is in the form of a hosel (hosel component best seen in Figure 5) and a female connection member integrated into an interchangeable loft striking plate.

[0090] The male connection member (hosel) comprises a tip with a first receiving element in the form of a female groove. The female groove is configured to be inserted into a complementary end of the female connection member (elongate hole) with a second receiving element (ball bearing or male groove) of the interchangeable loft striking plate.

[0091] The receiving elements upon rotation align to locate with respect to each other and are secured upon further rotation - described further below.

[0092] The shaft / hosel and the interchangeable loft striking plate comprise the assembled connection embodiments. As above, male connection member (hosel) is dimensioned with a tip or equivalent end piece that has been machined to allow insertion into the complementary receiving end of the female connection member. As is shown in Figure 4, the male connection member (hosel) is dimensioned with a planar square face. A portion of the hosel sits proud of the face allowing the hosel to clamp when fastened to the face and / or loft striking plate.

[0093] The tip of the hosel incorporates a female groove and the loft striking plate has either a complementary male groove or ball bearing element.

[0094] During assembly, the male adapter on the tip of the hosel is inserted into the complementary end of the female connection member such that when the hosel is rotated or turned 90 degrees in one direction, the female grove aligns with the male groove or ball bearing element to clear the ball bearing element and locate with respect to each other.

[0095] Once further rotation or turning of the hosel occurs 90 degrees back in the opposite direction i.e. back to square, the two parts (male and female connection members) are secured and locked to prevent them from being pulled apart from the z-axis.

[0096] Once the two parts are secured and locked into position, various separate embodiment putter head components such as ball striking face (not shown) are attached for assembly of a complete modular putter. Once assembled, the three components comprising hosel, face / loft striking plate and putter head are all clamp together such that neither of the components may separate or move unless desired to be separated for further fine-tuning.

[0097] An alternate embodiment to the ball lock mechanism as described above is shown in Figure 8 which shows a neck having an asymmetrical tab with a female groove that when inserted into the face plate is squared off with the face plate. In this way, when the back is attached, the male tab on the head clamps into the neck locking it on the Z axis. Conversely, Figure 9 shows a similar embodiment but with the reverse tabs i.e. a male groove that when inserted into the face plate is squared off with the face plate.

[0098] In this way, when the back is attached, the female tab on the head clamps into the neck locking it on the Z axis.

[0099] Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A golf putter head comprising: a putter type club face defined by a toe end, a heel end, a topline and a sole; and a plurality of grooves disposed on the putter type club face between the top line and the sole, each of the plurality of grooves extending from a vertical midline and between the heel end and the toe end, and including a top of each of the plurality of grooves, and a bottom of each of the plurality of grooves; wherein a contact area defined by the plurality of grooves increases the further from the vertical midline or axis, and wherein the grooves are positioned such that the groove width increases and spacing between the grooves decreases the closer to the topline or leading edge that they are positioned relative to the vertical midline.

2. The golf putter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact area defined by the plurality of grooves increases the further from the vertical midline or axis the grooves are positioned such that the groove width increases and spacing between the grooves decreases the closer to the topline or leading edge that they are positioned relative to the vertical midline such that this configuration compensate for the negative effects where there are variances in a vertical strike.

3. The golf putter as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the contact area from the top line to the leading edge of the putter is reduced in a vertical plane.

4. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the putter head milling configuration accommodates off centred strikes irrespective of a player's rotation tendencies and offers gains by analysing the variance achieved on an Z-axis.

5. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact area of the putter face is increased in areas where the putter would normally lose ball speed, such that the topline to leading edge is increased, as opposed to heel to toe where the rate of rotation plays a more significant role.

6. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a custom vertical mill pattern where the contact area increases the further from the vertical midline they are relatively positioned with respect to the vertical midline, assists a player further during ball striking.

7. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the groove widthincreases and spacing between the grooves decreases the closer to the topline or leading edge that they are positioned relative to the vertical midline.

8. The golf putter as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the groove width is approximately 0.5 mm with a spacing between the grooves of approximately 0.2 mm closer to the topline and bottom edge of the putter face respectively.

9. The golf putter as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the groove width is approximately 0.1 mm with a spacing between the grooves of approximately 0.5 mm closer to the vertical midline of the putter face respectively.

10. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein milling recesses and / or grooves are filled and / or injected with polymer, elastomer, epoxy or the like to influence the flex or energy transfer of the recesses / groove.

11. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein levels and areas between the grooves are controlled with partitions between the areas to specifically target an area for an individual player.

12. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a milling pattern increases the launch and increases top spin down the bottom of the putter, such that there is a normalisation of parameters in the middle and topline sections of the putter.

13. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein angle grooves utilise a specific material to create flex thereby increasing launch and promoting forward spin.

14. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle of the grooves reduces closer to the topline to normalise launch and spin while at the same time the spacing of the groove normalises speed on mis-hits.

15. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a ball striking face is a continuous or integral part of the putter face or is formed as an insert that is attached to the putter face.

16. The golf putter as claimed in claim 15, wherein the insert is constructed from the same material or different materials as the putter face and is attached to the putter face.

17. The golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ball striking faceincludes one or more grooves and one or more landing portions.

18. An interchangeable fitting hosel for use with the golf putter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising: at least one male connection member; at least one female connection member; and an interchangeable loft striking plate; wherein, the male connection member comprises a tip with a first receiving element and is configured to be inserted into a complementary end of the female connection member with a second receiving element of the interchangeable loft striking plate, and wherein the receiving elements upon rotation align to locate with respect to each other and are secured upon further rotation.

19. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in claim 18, wherein the male connection is a hosel and in another embodiment, the female connection member is formed within the face and / or loft striking plate such that the shaft / hosel and an interchangeable loft striking plate comprises assembled connection embodiments.

20. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the male connection member is dimensioned with a tip or equivalent end piece that is machined in such a way that it is inserted into a complementary receiving end of the female connection member.

21. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the tip or end piece of the male connection member (hosel) is dimensioned with a planar square face, wherein a portion of the hosel sits proud of the face allowing the hosel to clamp when fastened to the face and / or loft striking plate.

22. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the loft / face striking plate and its hosel are dexterity determining components and a back of the putter is unbiased or biased towards a left handed or right handed player.

23. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in claim 20, wherein the tip comprises a female groove and a loft striking plate comprises a complementary male groove or ball bearing element, wherein a male adapter on the tip of the hosel is inserted into the complementary end of the female connection member such that when the hosel is rotated or turned 90 degrees in one direction, the female groove aligns with the male groove or ball bearing element to clear theball bearing element and locate with respect to each other.

24. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in claim 23, wherein upon further rotation or turning of the hosel 90 degrees back in the opposite direction, the two parts (male and female connection members) are secured and locked to prevent them from being pulled apart from the z-axis.

25. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in claim 18, wherein a neck comprises an asymmetrical tab with a female groove that when inserted into a face plate is squared off with the face plate such that, when a back member is attached, a male groove on the head clamps into the neck locking it on a Z axis.

26. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in claim 18, wherein reverse tabs are utilised where a male groove that when inserted into a face plate is squared off with the face plate such that, when a back member is attached, a female tab on the head clamps into the neck locking it on a Z axis.

27. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in claim 18, wherein the interchangeable loft striking plate comprises weight ports either side of the plate to allow for adjustability of overall head weight of the putter.

28. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in claim 27, wherein the weights are manufactured of a material selected from any one of tungsten, stainless steel, or aluminium.

29. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the weights are manufactured with a tight tolerance both in width and depth to form an interference fit to completely fill the port when inserted.

30. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the weights are coated in a flexible silicone rubber sleeve with a slight lip on either side so when inserted, any space required from being slightly under tolerance is filled when the silicone is compressed between faceplate, body of the head of the putter and port walls.

31. The interchangeable hosel as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 30, wherein a putter face design is symmetrical to allow for interchangeability of the face striking plate / hosel configurations.

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