Golf Putter Center of Gravity Forward Shift for Square Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf putters are not ergonomic, making it challenging for golf players to deliver a square or perfectly perpendicular strike to the golf ball, as they require manual control to align and move the putter correctly.
Innovation Solution
A golf putter design featuring a center-shafted, forward-press configuration with a heavily front-weighted putter head, where the center of gravity is positioned between the putter face and the contact point of the shaft, allowing for a more natural stroke and improved alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional putter designs are used with weight behind the shaft, then the putter structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the player cannot deliver a square strike to the golf ball
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of weight distribution by moving the center of gravity from behind the shaft to in front of the shaft. This parameter change transforms the putter from a conventional design to a forward-press design, enabling the putter to deliver square strikes automatically through its inherent balance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional weight placement strategy. Instead of placing weight behind the shaft to stabilize the putter, it places weight in front of the shaft, creating a forward-press configuration. This inversion of the traditional approach creates a self-correcting mechanism that naturally delivers square strikes to the ball.
2Ease of operation
If the putter requires manual control for alignment, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the player faces challenges in controlling hand movement
Solution Approach 1:
The putter performs self-alignment through its forward-press configuration and center of gravity positioning. The design inherently guides the putter head to point at the target during the stroke, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment mechanisms or player intervention. The putter self-corrects its orientation throughout the stroke.
Solution Approach 2:
The putter is pre-configured with the center of gravity positioned in front of the shaft, which preliminarily establishes the correct alignment and stroke path before the player even begins swinging. This pre-positioning of the center of gravity creates a natural arc and trajectory that automatically results in square impact with the ball.
3Manufacturing precision
If the putter is face balanced or toe hang, then the putter design is conventional and widely accepted, but the mass is concentrated behind the shaft reducing stroke accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the mass distribution parameter by repositioning the center of gravity from the conventional behind-shaft location to a forward-press position in front of the shaft. This parameter change creates a new balance characteristic that enables precise stroke delivery while maintaining a compact, manufacturable design.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf putter includes a putter head and a shaft. The putter head includes a toe end and a heel end, a putter face, a first part, a pair of connecting pins, and a second part. The second part is coupled to the first part via the pair of connecting pins such that the putter head defines a center of gravity of the putter head in a plane that is parallel to a vertical plane containing the putter face and that passes through the pair of connecting pins. Further, a bottom end of the shaft is coupled to the second part of the putter head at a contact point that lies between the toe end and the heel end of the putter head and that lies behind the center of gravity with reference to the putter face, and a top end of the shaft is inclined towards the vertical plane.