Weighting system for putter type golf club

Abstract

A weight system for a putter type golf club that creates a balance point close to a golfer's hands when the putter is used in a normal manner for execution of a putting stroke. The putter is formed of a putter head, an elongated, constant ¼ inch diameter solid metal shaft; and a weighted, cylindrical adapter attached to an upper section of the elongated shaft between an overlying golf grip and the shaft.

Claims

1. A weight system for a putter type golf club having a unitary putter head weighing up to and no greater than 310 grams, an elongated, constant diameter, rigid and solid steel shaft integrally connected to the putter head; said shaft weighing approximately 250 grams; and a golf grip, wherein the improvement comprises: a upper weighted adapter attached to an upper section of said elongated shaft; said weighted adapter having an outer circumference and an inner bore along the entire length thereof sized to fit over and connect to said shaft; said weighted adapter having a weight of at least 100 grams; whereby said putter is further defined as having a longitudinal balance point between an upper butt end and a bottom of said club head that is located approximately 60% of the distance therebetween toward said upper butt end.

2. The weight system for a putter type golf club of claim 1 wherein said weighted adapter is cylindrical in shape and has a length defined as at least as long as the length of said golf grip.

3. The weight system for a putter type golf club of claim 2 wherein said elongate shaft has a constant diameter along the length thereof of approximately ¼ inch and said inner bore of said adapter is approximately ¼ inch.

4. The putter type golf club of claim 1 wherein said weighted adapter weighs approximately 40% of the weight of the shaft.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf putter of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the putter of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(3) The drawings show a golf putter 100 of the present invention. The putter has four main parts, a conventional club head 102, with a striking face 104, an elongated shaft 106, an upper weighted, cylindrical adapter 110 and a conventional grip 116. The head 102 and shaft 106 are connected in a conventional way by insertion of the shaft 106 directly into the head 102 or by using a hosel, not shown. Preferably the shaft 106 is generally cylindrical and is made of solid, rigid stainless steel having a ¼ inch diameter extending between the head 102 and an upper end 108 of the putter 100.

(4) The head 102 may be any shape such as a blade, mallet or similar conventional shape as an example. It will be appreciated the putter head may include separate structures, such as weight members or face inserts, while maintaining a conventional structure.

(5) The upper weighted, cylindrical adapter 110 has a length of approximately 10-11 inches that extends slightly beyond the end of the golf grip 116 when assembled. The adapter 110 is attached to an upper section 112 of the shaft 106 between the upper end 108 downwardly toward the head 102. The weighted adapter 110 is formed with an approximate ¼ inch bore 111 that extends the entire length of the adapter 110 with openings at opposite ends thereof. The adapter bore 111 is approximately the same size as the diameter of the shaft 106 in order to fit over the shaft 106 when the components of the putter 100 are assembled. The outer surface of the weighted adapter 110 is also generally cylindrical and is sized to be inserted into an inner shaft opening 118 of a conventional golf grip 116 when the putter 100 is assembled. The adapter 110 includes a flared end 113 forming a smooth transition with the shaft 106 when the putter 100 is assembled. The weighted adapter 110 provides a solid connection under the entire length of the grip 116 between the grip 116 and the shaft 106 that reduces vibration, twisting and torqueing particularly when a golf ball is not struck precisely at the center of percussion of the club head 102. The weight of at least 100 grams of the adapter 110 is approximately 40% of the total weight of the 250 gram shaft. The weight of the weighted cylindrical adapter 110, in combination with the weight of the golf grip 116, locates a longitudinal balance point of the putter 100 on the shaft 106 up to 60% of the distance between the bottom of the putter head 102 and the upper end 108 of the putter 100 close to a normal position of a golfer's hands.

(6) Typically, an adhesive type material or double-sided tape is used to secure the weighted adapter 110 to the shaft 106 and to fit the grip 116 onto the weighted adapter 110.

(7) The putter 100 of this invention uses a putter head 102 that weighs no greater than 310 grams. The shaft 106 attached to the putter head 102 weighs approximately 250 grams whereby the overall weight of the head 102 and shaft 106 is greater than 500 grams. When the weighted adapter 110 of approximately 100 grams and a grip 116, that typically weighs between 75 and 125 grams is attached, the putter 100 of the present invention will have an overall weight greatly exceeding 500 grams as compared to conventional putters that typically weigh less than 500 grams. Even with this weight differential, the location of the balance point of the putter 100 near the golfer's hands provides a generally normal feel to the golfer when executing normal putting strokes.

(8) In addition, the dynamics of the distribution of the weights in the head, shaft and cylindrical adapter allows the golfer to maintain the putter in alignment during a putting stroke by maintaining stability of the putter in both the back stroke and follow through stroke hitting the golf ball.

(9) All of the various weighted parts are combined to operate in unity and to create the dynamics of a balanced putter having the advantages described above. It will be appreciated that the weights may be varied heavier or lighter with the ratios remaining relatively constant in keeping within the spirit, intent and scope of the present invention