Method and system for improving golf putting accuracy using a birdie-line golf glove and straight-edged putter grip

Abstract

A method and system for improving the accuracy of putting a golf ball that includes a golf glove for use with a putter grip that has a straight edge, with the golf glove having a visual line alignment feature/illustration that allows a golfer to place his or her hand in a repeatable, proper position on the grip of the putter. The golf glove employed is devoid of any putter attachment feature, such as hook-and-loop fastener material on the glove or the golf grip and is further devoid of any indicia affixed to the back-hand portion of a glove that could be viewed as an alignment indicia, as it only complicates and confuses a golfer when putting. Preferred embodiments include a golf glove that includes a marking forming a straight line that diagonally crosses the palm portion of the glove such that, when worn by a wearer, provides the wearer with a visual indication of the proper gripping position of a golf putter, such putter having a grip that has at least one flat surface and an edge extending down the axial length of the grip that can be aligned with the visual indicator markings/line on the golf glove.

Claims

1. A method for achieving a proper golf grip position for a cross-over putting grip using a guide line on a golf glove in combination with a straight edge on a putter grip, comprising the steps of: providing a golf glove having a palm surface, and a base finger portion at a base of an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger, and a guide line indelibly illustrated on the palm surface and that extends diagonally across the palm surface of the glove, the guide line passing across the base finger portion and that slopes at an angle of 20-30 degrees from a phantom straight line drawn horizontally across the palm surface of the golf glove; providing a putter grip that has a lower portion and an upper portion that has a single continuous longitudinal straight edge extending at least down the lower portion, said straight edge being configured so that it can be felt by a golfer wearing a golf glove; gripping the lower portion of the putter grip with the golf glove by superimposing the straight edge of the grip longitudinally over the guide line on the palm surface of the glove so that the guideline is lined up with the continuous longitudinal straight edge, whereby the putter grip co-aligns with the guide line to provide the golfer with a tactile structural feature that is repeatedly achievable to produce a more consistent putter stroke; wherein only the indelibly illustrated guide line glows in the dark; wherein said golf glove is devoid of any hook and loop fasteners to indicate positioning of a golfer's hands on a putter; wherein the continuous straight edge has a single 45 degree corner; and wherein the glove and the putter grip are packaged together as a kit.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the continuous straight edge consists of a 45-degree angle from a flat surface of the putter grip.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the putter grip is devoid of any visual indicator adapted to line up with the guide line on the glove.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the golf grip is devoid of any depression that could assist the golfer with a consistent finger placement when gripping the putter.

5. A method for achieving a proper golf grip position for a cross-over putting grip using a guide line on a golf glove in combination with a straight edge on a putter grip, comprising the steps of: providing a golf glove and a putter grip in a kit, said golf glove having a palm surface, and a base finger portion at a base of an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger, and an indelibly illustrated guide line on the palm surface that extends diagonally across the palm surface of the glove, the guide line passing across the base finger portion and that slopes at an angle of 20-30 degrees from a phantom straight line drawn horizontally across the palm surface of the golf glove, said indelibly illustrated guide line being the only feature on said glove that glows in the dark and said golf glove having a top surface that is devoid of any markings to indicate positioning of a golfer's hands on a putter; wherein the putter grip has a lower portion and an upper portion and that has a single continuous longitudinal straight edge extending down the lower portion, said single continuous longitudinal straight edge having an angle of 45 degrees and configured so that it can be felt by a golfer wearing the golf glove when the golfer aligns said edge with the indelibly illustrated guide line, said golf grip being devoid of any depression that could assist the golfer with a consistent finger placement when gripping the putter; gripping the lower portion of the putter grip with the golf glove by superimposing the single continuous longitudinal straight edge of the grip longitudinally over the guide line on the palm surface of the glove so that the guideline is lined up with the single continuous longitudinal straight edge, whereby the putter grip co-aligns with the guide line to provide the golfer with a tactile structural feature that is repeatedly achievable to produce a more consistent putter stroke; gripping the upper portion of the putter grip with an ungloved hand; and putting a golf ball.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the putter grip is devoid of any visual indicator having a color distinct from the color of the putter grip and that is adapted to line up with the guide line on the glove.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a plan view of the anterior surface of a golf glove showing the guide line and its position according to this invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a 45-degree flat face of a putter grip that is aligned with a visual marking/line that extends across the width of the palm of the glove, accommodating the preferred crossover grip for a putting stroke by a right handed golfer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(3) The physiological and neurological sequencing skills requisite of mastering the putting stroke are particularly significant due to the fact that the putter is the most-often stroked club by the golfer. Consequently, a precisely-practiced putting stroke is essential to the outcome of a golfer's score on each of the 18 holes during the game of golf.

(4) The present invention relates to a combination of a golf glove and a particularly shaped putter grip to assist a golfer in attaining the proper grip of a putter. Although golfers typically use both hands when making a putt, the hand that is closest to the end of the putter and closest to the golfer's body, hereinafter referred to as the upper hand, is the one primarily responsible for properly gripping the putter. Therefore, the primary purpose of the present device and method is to properly align a golfer's upper hand to achieve a proper grip of a putter. A proper grip by the upper hand is one that allows for the most efficient radial deviation (abduction) and ulnar deviation (adduction) as well as flexion and extension of the wrist, while also minimizing club head or shaft axis rotation during the putting stroke.

(5) Golf gloves are typically made from materials that reduce slipping of the putter in the hand of the golfer. For example, gloves are made from either leather and/or synthetic material. Leather and/or synthetic material create friction between the glove and the putter during the swing of the golfer. The friction reduces slipping of the putter which in turn provides the golfer with a firmer grip. The golf glove must also fit snugly on the hand of the golfer to ensure a firm grip. A glove that fits loosely on the hand of the golfer allows the glove to move during the swing of the golfer. If the glove moves, the golfer may not maintain a firm grip on the club.

(6) A proper grip can only be achieved by correctly positioning the putter grip in relation to the pisiform and triquetrum carpel bones of the golfer's hand, which can create a grip that is substantially different than that described in the existing prior art. The location of these bones is important, because when they are positioned correctly, the wrist of the upper hand of the golfer is locked in the proper position and cannot rotate about the putter's longitudinal axis. Rotation about the longitudinal axis of the putter can cause the face of the club to contact the golf ball at improper angles, which can change with each putt. When the pisiform and triquetrum carpel bones of the golfer's upper hand are in the correct location on the putter, the face of the putter will contact the ball at a predictable angle with every putt.

(7) Disclosed in this specification is a golfing glove that is configured to facilitate the proper grip of a golf putter and a method of using the same. The palmar surface of the glove comprises a first indicator that extends diagonally along its width. In certain preferred embodiments, the glove has a visual line that is aligned with the edge of a putter having a grip that has at least one straight edge, such as a square or rectangular. Thus, in various embodiments the present invention requires the combination of a particular putter grip used in conjunction with a golf glove as described herein to achieve the objective of proper repeated and consistent alignment of a golfer's gloved hand with a putter grip having a straight edge that aligns with a visual marker on the palm of the glove.

(8) The shape of the putter grip must be in keeping within the rules of golf, as prescribed by the U.S. Golf Association. It is well known to use putter grips with a flat surface perpendicular to the club face for the purpose of providing a reference point to aid a golfer in keeping the ball striking face square to the target at impact with the golf ball. This structure conforms with the rules of golf.

(9) FIG. 1 is a plan view of the anterior surface of a golf glove showing the guide line and its position according to this invention.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a 45-degree flat face of a putter grip that is aligned with a visual marking/line that extends across the width of the palm of the glove, accommodating the preferred crossover grip for a putting stroke by a right handed golfer.

(11) Golf gloves are commonly used to prevent the golf club from slipping in the golfer's hands and are typically made from a material such as leather, which creates friction when placed in contact with the grips typically found on a golf club where the golfer places his or her hands when gripping it. In addition to this anti-slip function, the golf glove of the present invention is configured to provide a consist way for a golfer to putt accurately. In preferred embodiments, no additional illustration, stickers, etc. are employed on the putter grip itself, in contrast to various teachings of the prior art. In other words, the more a golfer shows his golfing companions that he/she is relying upon features to gain an advantage in the sport, the less attractive such aids are in practice. Thus, one aspect of the present invention appreciates that the minimal nature of the present invention, employing pre-existing putter grips in association with the novel gloves of the present invention, in combination provides for a way for a golfer to vastly improve their golf game scores without the attendant embarrassment that sometimes is associated with the use of golfing aids. Thus, the present invention does not contemplate the use of a marking system that can be placed on clubs when they are manufactured or retrofitted onto clubs that did not originally comprise such markings. By providing visual cues on the golf glove for proper alignment with a physical feature of particular putting grips, the golf glove visual alignment illustration across the palm of the glove is alone sufficient to achieve the objectives of consistently better putting strokes. Using the present invention, a golfer can consistently obtain the proper grip on their putter, which can lead to more predictable putts and a consistently better golf score, hence the name of the glove: Birdie-line golf glove.

(12) Some in golf have opined that the positioning of the hands on the grip is not as important as you might think, and how one puts both hands on the grip and whether fingers are linked or whatever is not the main or even much of a determining factor in good puttinginstead believing and emphasizing a triangular shoulder moving exercise to promote consistent putting.

(13) The present inventor disagrees. The present invention includes a glove with a predetermined visual indicator of where the putter should align with the gloved hand of a golfer, with the putter grip having a straight edge that extends down the grip and that can be felt through the glove by the golfer, with only the glove having a single simple visual indicator of how a putter grip is to be aligned (as opposed to any other grip for other golf clubs). In one embodiment, the glove and the putter grip are packaged together as a kit. In various embodiments, the present invention is devoid of any adhesive indicators or more than one visual marker on a glove, as additional clutter only detracts from the objective of a golfer when putting. The present invention is therefore devoid of many of the features taught in the prior art, such as the use of VELCRO, straps, adhesive elements, etc. To be a great putter, the putter face needs to be square to the intended target line at impact. The present invention, employing the combination of a particularly configured putter grip and a golf glove with a simple illustration across the palm of the glove that aligns with the edge of a putter grip, provides a proven system that promotes consistency and confidence on the green. Wrist breakdown is the bending or twisting of the wrists during the putting stroke. It leads to inaccurate putts. An interesting irony is that early in the history of the game wrist break was an important part of putting. Golfers were encouraged to flick their wrists during the putting stroke. Later on, however, professionals and amateurs alike proved that greater accuracy and consistency could be achieved by keeping the wrists steady for the entire duration of the stroke.

(14) Some others in golf advise players to remove their golf gloves to obtain a better feel of the golf putter so as to presumably make a better putting stroke. The present invention teaches away from such advice and instead, is founded on the belief that the proper orientation of the putter to a player's hand grip and ensuring that each and every time that such grip is performed, that it provides a maximum of consistency, is a key attribute to better and more consistent putting strokes.

(15) Prior art golf gloves have been designed which use padding and other means that force the user to place the club into a specific position in his or her hand. In contrast to such prior art teachings, the present invention does away with such features and focuses on the simple yet effective employment of a visual marking on the palm of a glove, used in combination with a putter grip having a straight edge that can be felt through the glove. The gloves of the present invention are devoid of ridges formed on the finger or palm portion of the golf glove.

(16) For a novice to learn to play golf well they need to concentrate initially not only generally on their posture/stance and putting stroke, but also very importantly on how they grip the putter as an incorrect grip will greatly affect the putting stroke. This fact has not escaped the attentions of the golf equipment industry and a number of proposals have been made for golf grip training aids. The trainee continues to use them until he or she has built up the necessary muscle memory and no longer needs the training aid. Some such aids have specially formed handle grips that are molded to provide contours for the fingers and thumbs to follow to guide them to achieve the correct grip position. These are not normally coordinated with gloves. Indeed, there is a large contingent of golfers who believe that the use of a glove while putting is disadvantageous, as they reduce the feel of the putter and thus, arguably reduce the ability of a golfer to putt well. May golfers state that it is good to be able to feel the putter in their hands. The present invention permits one to complete a putting stroke with the putter face always on-the-line-of-the-putt and square to the target. Those opposed to the use of golf glove when putting argue that a golfer's fingers have some of the densest areas of nerve endings on the body which are the biggest source of tactile feedback and have the greatest positioning capability of any part of the body. They contend that this tactile feedback and positioning capability is something that is extremely useful when trying to putt, and that a glove interferes with such sensitivity. In truth, however, a golfer attempting to constantly trying to feel how their hands are positioned or moving them around on the putter gripis an almost sure-fire way to miss a lot of puttsas the confusion that it creates destroys any confidence and prevents the consistency required to score well at golf.

(17) Unlike prior art devices, systems and methods, the present invention does not require a golfer to visually estimate an angle, e.g. as does the invention as described by Liu., etc. Nor do the gloves of the present invention require or contain any indication, symbol, etc. on the top side of the gloves, thumbs, indicators on top of the knuckles, etc. that purportedly point to regions of the golfer's anatomy or otherwise indicate on the outside of the glove any proper positioning of the glove on the putter. In certain embodiments, the glove selected with a visual indicator extending across the palm of the glove properly aligns the pisiform and triquetrum carpel bones of a golfer in relation to the putter grip, again by the haptic feel of the edge of the putter grip felt by the golfer through the glove, thus permitting proper alignment therewith. The visual markings on the glove of the present invention are devoid of cushioning or any conformance materials other than the simple single layered golf glove material (e.g. leather, etc.) that comprises the glove. The markings are located on the palm of the glove so that contact between the marks on the glove and the edge felt by the golfer when contacting the putter grip can be visually confirmed and precise positioning of the golfer's hand on the putter can thereby be achieved.

(18) In use, a method that employs the use of the golf glove/putter grip combination of the present invention and involves: lining up a putt by sighting down the green terrain to the hole to get the line of the putt; placing the putter in the golfer's palm having a hand gloved with the present glove, which has a diagonally extending line across the palm region; and aligning, using the feel of the edge of the square/rectangular, polygonal putter grip through the glove, so that the visual markings/lone overlaps the edge of the putter grip. The putter head is then drawn straight back on the line of the putt and thenwith the dominant hand (i.e. right for right-handed)move the putter head straight forward and straight through the ball, all on the same line of the putt. The putter head thus remains square to the line-of-the-putt throughout the stroke using the present invention. This happens because the glove position, and thus, the position of the leading hand of the golfer gripping the putter, is in line and consistently permits the golfer to repeat a given stroke without the guesswork that would otherwise be involved if, for example, a round gripped putter was employed, and/or with a glove without a palm visual indicator that aligns with an edge of a putter grip is provided.

(19) To comply with written description and enablement requirements, all references cited herein, including but not limited to published and unpublished applications, patents, and literature references, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and are hereby made a part of this specification. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material. Incorporated herein by this reference are the following US patent publications: U.S. Pat. No. 8,096,893 to Ferris; U.S. Pat. No. 3,459,426 to Sherwood, U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,403 to Farina; U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,327 to Terrell; U.S. Pat. No. 3,109,653 to Biggs, U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,372 to Cook, U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,120 to Mockovak, U.S. Pat. No. D377,070 to Gurrola, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,555 to Bailey, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,054 to Rodarte; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,848,874, 6,272,686, WO2000/0020078 and WO2007/120058; US2004/132538; U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,686 to Liu; U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,874 to Elkins, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,027 to Park; U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,828 to Sinton; U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0243940 to McCree; U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,903 to Swanson; U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,271 to Moroney; U.S. Pat. No. 2,258,999 to Nunn; U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,741 to Bach; U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,292 to Strickler; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,367 to Lappley; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,253,367; 3,848,874 to Elkins; U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,547 to Minnick; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,214 to St. Ville; U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,677,099; 3,219,348 and 3,263,998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,367; US 20040107476 to Goldwitz; U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,686 to Lui; U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,539 to Benecki, et. al, 20090321011 to Ulrich; 20100298063 to Gill; US20100048319 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,794,332 to Johnson; U.S. Pat. No. 8,092,317 to Johnson; US20090253530 to Sugimae; U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,646 to Overby; U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,769 to Pepe; 20090217441 to McCree; U.S. Pat. No. 9,233,284 to Nathan; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,492.

(20) In particular embodiments of the present invention, a magnetic line is provided on the golfer's golf glove that is positioned across the width of the glove palm region so as to indicate the proper alignment of the glove with the putter grip, which has an oppositely polarized magnetic strip extending down the extent of the grip, thus permitting a golfer wearing such glove to more easily align his gloved hand into a proper aligned position with the putter grip when gripping the putter grip. The magnetic attraction of the magnet in the glove and either the opposing magnet of opposite polarity in the putter grip, or alternatively an iron or other magnetically attractive element in the putter grip, provides subtle but effective guidance as to proper and desired positioning of the golfer's gloved hand on the grip of the putter. In preferred embodiments, the grip of the putter has at least one edge that a gloved hand of a golfer can detect through the glove, thus permitting alignment of the region across the width of the glovewhich preferably has both a visual indicator of a proper alignment of the grip of the putter with such line across the fingers/palm of the glove (e.g. as depicted in the figures). As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the glove or the putter grip may contain a magnetic component that attracts either an opposing magnet in the glove/grip, with the other glove/grip component having simply having an iron containing element so as to be attractive magnetically to a magnetic stripe as provided in the opposing articlee.g. glove or grip. In still other embodiments, the glove and the grip are devoid of hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO) that prior art systems have employed, and in still other embodiments, the present invention does not employ magnetic elements to align the glove and the grip.

(21) Moreover, embodiments of the present invention are devoid of any channel on a golf grip for a putter. Unlike certain prior art devices employed in golf, where alignment channels are employed to serve a reminder function, a cavity in the golf grip of the present invention is not used. Instead, the edge contour referred to herein is the opposite of a channel (e.g. depression) and can be felt as a feature of the golf grip that can readily be used as an alignment feature such that a golfer wearing the glove as described herein, can be properly aligned with the grip of the putter. In such a manner, the golfer is able to feel the edge and to align with the glove line across the width of the glove palm.

(22) The combination of the glove markings being aligned with the putter grip in the various ways as described herein permits a golfer to know whether they are grasping the golf grip with a proper hand and finger placement such that the golf club face is properly aligned. The combination of knowing that the golf grip is precisely aligned with the glove line on the palm of the glove provides the golfer to perceive by feel that the golf grip has been grasped correctly, thus creating a higher level of confidence in the golfer, which results in a better golf stroke.

(23) In a particular embodiment, a magnetic attraction is provided between a stripe or line of a golf glove and a vertically extending line in a putter grip (that can be positioned on existing as well as new putters-thus providing for retrofitting existing putters to employ the present invention. In one particular embodiment, the width of the glove palm line as well as the width of the corresponding grip line is 1.5 millimeters, with elevation of a feature on the golf grip being no more than 0.5 millimeters, with such illustration marker on the glove and the edge features of the grip, alone or in conjunction with a reminder rib on the rectangular golf grip, allows the golfer to determine by tactile perception the orientation of the golf grip with respect to the golf club face.

(24) In certain embodiments, the visual and tactile confirmation made possible via the interface between the described golf glove and golf grip of a putter, includes the use of the edge of a golf grip having at least one flat surface such that the glove line can be aligned with the grip to confirm with more precision that the golf grip is in a desired orientation relative to the golf club face. Preferably, the edge of the grip on the putter that is aligned with the line on the glove of the present invention is in the rear portion of the grip (in relation to the putter club face). By using the present invention in one of its embodiments, a golfer's ability to determine by tactile perception the orientation of the golf gripprovided they employ the lined golf glove of the present invention, with respect to the golf club face, is maximized. Reliance on motor memory will therefore be replaced with the far more consistent application of a golf glove and putter grip, thus providing the golfer more confidence that they are aligning the golf club face correctly.

(25) In certain embodiments, the invention comprises a kit having both a glove and a grip for a putter with the glove having an indicator that aligns with a structural ribbed feature of the golf grip so that the golfer can repeatedly and confidently place their gloved hand on the putter, with the ability to align the visual indicator on the glove with the tactile feeling of the golf grip rib. Thus, the present invention resolves an issue the golf industry has largely ignored and provides an easy and repeatable way for a golfer to putt in a fashion such that when putting, he/she solves the problem of the long felt but unsolved issues relating to a golfer's inability to consistently putt a golf ball in a repeatable hand/grip coordinated manner. The problem of incorrect positioning of the golfer's hands on the putter grip remains prevalent, leading to inaccurate and inconsistent putting by the golfer. Thus, various embodiments are directed to a combination of a golf glove and corresponding putter grip to facilitate the proper grip of a putter. In various embodiments, there is an absence of any butt-end alignment, further distinguishing the present invention, in its various embodiments, from the prior art. In other embodiments, only a single reminder is placed on the on the grip for which a golfer lines up using tactile feel of the underlying grip feature (e.g., edge) with a visual indicator (e.g. line) on the golfer's glove.

(26) In contrast to prior art teachings, the present invention does not employ a method or system that depends upon the provision on a golf glove of a marking for the position of a thumb a to assist a golfer to correctly position their hands on a golf club grip. The sole indicator or marking on the glove of the present invention is provided to reveal the line with which the golfer is to align with the putter grip via the feel, through the glove, with a predetermined edge of the putter.

(27) Thus, steps of the present method include wearing by a golfer of a glove having a sole marking across the width of the palm of the glove, as depicted in FIG. 1. Then a golf putter is selected that has an edge extending vertically down the extent of the putter grip. The golfer aligns his/her gloved hand with the edge of the putter via feel of the edge through the glove, thus aligning the indicator line of the glove with the edge of the putter. By doing this each time the putter is use, the golfer attains superior consistency of putting. Thus, in various embodiments, the only reference indicia on the glove is the reference line extending across the base of the fingers on the palm side of the glove

(28) Certain aspects of the present invention focus on the popular grip whereby a right handed golfer has his/her gloved left hand lowermost on the golf putter grip with the back portion of the gloved hand pointing substantially toward the hole, with the opposing right hand then being positioned on the upper end of the putter grip. This is distinct from a more conventional grip employed by a right-handed golfer using a conventional gripping style, whereby an upper portion of the grip is where a majority of the golfer's left hand would grasp the golf grip and the lower portion is where a majority of the golfer's right hand would grasp the golf grip. Thus, certain aspects of the present invention are directed, for the first time, to a golf glove that is specifically designed so that it has a visual indicator that conforms to the cross-over grip described herein and that permits the tactile registration of the glove with the grip to achieve the long desired consistency of a putting stroke. The glove indicator coincides with the preferred hand and finger placement on the putter grip, as determined by the golfer being able to tactilely perceive the visual alignment of the glove markings and the underlying putter grip structural features, e.g. an edge with which to align with the visual glove indicator, thus providing the golfer with a higher level of psychomotor confidence, which results in a better golf stroke. While one will appreciate how this very subtle and precise psychomotor alignment is, they will also appreciate that it is through this visual/tactile alignment, repeatedly achievable via the present invention, that ultimately leads to better putter strokes, vastly improving the opportunities for birdies.

(29) As one will appreciate given the guidance provided herein, various grip designs can be employed to match up with desired putting strokes of individual players. The principal point is that the ability to consistently grip the putter (e.g. by relying on the visual alignment feature on the golf glove and the tactile feel of a structural feature on the putter grip that co-aligns with the visual feature) renders it possible for a golfer to cut strokes off their typical game, all while employing a simple, rule-abiding combination of a particular glove and putter grip. The angles of the visual indicators on gloves can vary, e.g. a 45-degree line, 60-degree line, etc. as long as the lines correspond to and align with tactile structural features of the golf grip.

(30) In various embodiments, the present invention is not directed to providing a golfer with any guidance as to how they should grip a non-putter club, but rather, the glove of the present invention, when used in combination with the grips for a putter, is the sole objective and focus of the present invention. Importantly, other prior art gloves taught by others often are directed to gloves which provide a visual indication, through the use of markers and other visual indicia, to present a golfer with a strong and/or weak grips, etc. That is not the focus of the present invention, which is solely directed to a glove for use in putting and that permits the golfer to prepare to putt consistently without any outward indication to other players (e.g. due to the palm facing line on the birdie-line glove) and its alignment with the golf grip on the putter that has an edge such that consistent and proper alignment can be achieved in a repeated fashion.

(31) The provision of a glove and a putter grip combination, preferably offered to the golfer as a kit, such that they can replace their existing putter grip with the new putter grip (having the edge for alignment with the birdie-line glove) permits a golfer to employ their own putter to achieve improved putting performance.

(32) The provision of a particular grip having either a flat faceand thus an edge that can be felt through the glove, and/or a slightly raised rib that can also be felt through the glovetogether with a glove as described herein (e.g. one that has a visual line that provides direction to a golfer as to how they should properly align their gloved hand with the putter grip) forms a commercially valuable business opportunity. Golfers who desire to improve their golf game but who have made an investment (either emotionally or monetarily) in their golf putter(s) can now, using the present invention, replace existing putter grips with the putter grips as described herein, and with the golf glove as described, align their hands with their re-gripped putter to attain the objective of getting more pars and birdies during their golf outings. Thus, instead of the common but expensive practice of repeatedly purchasing putters in a vain attempt to improve their golf score, golfers can now select their favorite putter(s) and modify the same by replacing the putter grips with those as described herein, and then using such putter grips with their favorite putters, together with the described gloves having the predetermined birdie-line(s) that permit the golfer to properly align their hands with the putter grip to achieve the previously elusive consistency of a confident and repeatable putting stroke. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a kit is provided that has both a putter grip and a birdie-line glove as described herein, generating an entire industry based on retrofitting existing putters in a manner that conserves the golfer's money and cherished putters, while improving the golfer's success and scoring on the golf course using such putters. While the birdie-line gloves may be employed with existing putters have an existing grip that has an edge or a slightly raised rib as permitted by the rules of golf, it is most preferred to use the birdie-line gloves with a specially manufactured putter grip, so as to ensure that the geometries of the line on the glove properly align with the grip(s) on the putter as described herein.

(33) While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in this specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.