METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PUTTING STROKE IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

A system for putting stroke improvement includes a plurality of arches, a plurality of rods extending through holes of the plurality of arches to provide structural support to the plurality of arches so that the plurality of arches are stood upright, and a guide wire that extends from a first arch of the plurality of arches to a second arch of the plurality of arches. The plurality of rods includes two rods that pass through an upper portion of the plurality of arches and that are positioned on either side of the guide wire when the guide wire is viewed from above the system.

Claims

1. A system for putting stroke improvement comprising: a plurality of arches; a plurality of rods extending through holes of the plurality of arches to provide structural support to the plurality of arches so that the plurality of arches are stood upright; and a guide wire that extends from a first arch of the plurality of arches to a second arch of the plurality of arches, wherein the plurality of rods includes two rods that pass through an upper portion of the plurality of arches and that are positioned on either side of the guide wire when the guide wire is viewed from above the system.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an alignment plate that is slidably mounted to the two rods between two arches of the plurality of arches.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the alignment plate includes an alignment mark that is configured to align with the guide wire.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of stroke length markers slidably mounted to one rod of the two rods, wherein the pair of stroke length markers are positioned on opposite sides of the alignment plate.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each arch of the plurality of arches comprises a different-sized opening through which a golf ball may pass.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each arch of the plurality of arches comprises a same-sized opening through which a golf ball may pass.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide wire is secured to two arches of the plurality of arches by golf tees that are inserted through loops at the ends of the guide wire.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each rod of the plurality of rods is an alignment stick.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a spy glass configured to be placed on top of a pair of rods of the plurality of rods, the spy glass comprising a pair of orthogonally arranged alignment lines that form a crosshair.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein one line of the pair of orthogonally arranged alignment lines is oriented parallel to the plurality of rods.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the spy glass comprises a pair of grooves that are configured to receive a pair of rods of the plurality of rods.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein when the guide wire and one alignment line of the pair of orthogonally arranged alignment lines are vertically aligned, an eye of a user standing above the guide wire and the one alignment line is positioned directly over a ball that is positioned directly below the crosshair.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a spy glass configured to be placed on top of a pair of rods of the plurality of rods, the spy glass comprising a pair of grooves that are configured to receive a pair of rods of the plurality of rods.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the holes of the plurality of arches through which rods pass comprise o-rings to more securely hold the rods.

15. A stimpmeter comprising: a pair of rods; and an arch comprising a plurality of holes, each rod of the pair of rods extending through one hole of the plurality of holes, wherein the rods are arranged to be parallel to form a ramp down which a ball can roll.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] A more complete understanding of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

[0019] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a system for improving a player's putting stroke, according to aspects of the disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a top view of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to aspects of the disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a close-up view of an alignment plate of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to aspects of the disclosure;

[0022] FIGS. 5A and 5B are close-up views of arches of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to aspects of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a close-up view of ends of a guide wire of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to aspects of the disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates arches of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to aspects of the disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates a free-standing arch, according aspects of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stimpmeter configuration, according to aspects of the disclosure;

[0027] FIGS. 10A and 10B are top-down views of a spy glass, according to aspects of the disclosure; and

[0028] FIG. 11 is a close-up view of an arch, according to aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described. Reference will now be made to more specific embodiments of the present disclosure and data that provides support for such embodiments. However, it should be noted that the disclosure below is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any way.

[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a system 100 for improving a player's putting stroke, according to aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 3 is a top view of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2. System 100 includes a plurality of supports or rods 102 that extend between and through a plurality of arches 104(1), 104(2), and 104(3). FIGS. 1-3 illustrate four rods 102, but it will be appreciated that fewer than four rods 102 may be used. For example, system 100 as shown includes two rods 102 that are positioned close to the ground and two rods 102 that are positioned close to the tops of arches 104(1), 104(2), and 104(3). In some aspects, the lower rods 102 close to the ground may be omitted, leaving the two upper rods 102 positioned close to the tops of arches 104(1), 104(2), and 104(3). In some aspects, rods 102 may be alignment sticks that are commonly owned and used by golfers. In other aspects, rods 102 can be any suitable rod member, such as a dowel rod and the like. In a typical aspect, upper rods 102 are spaced to be relatively close together (e.g., such that a width of rods 102 is less than the width of a golf ball so that a putter's shaft is not obstructed by rods 102 while putting).

[0031] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate three arches 104, but it will be appreciated that less than three or more than three arches 104 may be used as desired. Each arch 104 includes an opening 119 through which a golf ball may pass. Arches 104(1), 104(2), and 104(3) each have different sized openings 119(1), 119(2), 119(3) (best seen in FIG. 7). The different sized openings allow the user to select different arches to change the difficulty or precision that is needed to successfully pass the golf ball through the arch. The order of the arches along a length of system 100 may be chosen as desired. Each arch 104 includes a plurality of holes 105 through which the plurality of rods 102 may pass (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIGS. 1-3, each arch 104 includes four holes 105 for rods 102. Each arch 104 additionally includes a hole 107 through which a guide wire 106 may pass. It will be appreciated that various aspects of system 100 can be changed or modified without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, system 100 can include more or fewer arches 104 (e.g., as few as two and more than three). The arches used can have different sized openings (as shown in the Figures discussed hereinabove), or same sized openings.

[0032] System 100 includes a pair of stroke length markers 108(1) and 108(2). Markers 108(1) and 108(2) are slidably arranged on one rod 102 of the plurality of rods 102 and provide a visual reference points for the end of a back swing (108(1)) and the end of a follow through (108(2)). A user can move markers 108(1) and 108(2) closer together for a softer stroke and farther apart for a more powerful stroke.

[0033] System 100 includes an alignment plate 110 that provides a visual indication to a user that the face of their putter is squarely aligned with the golf ball. Alignment plate 110 includes two holes 111 through which the two rods 102 that are positioned close to the tops of arches 104 pass through. Alignment plate 110 is positioned between markers 108(1) and 108(2) and is configured so that it can slide along rods 102 to be positioned as desired by the user. Alignment plate 110 also includes an alignment mark 113 that is positioned on a top side thereof. Alignment mark 113 may be a notch, a colored mark, or a combination of the two and is positioned at a midpoint of alignment plate 110 so as to be in the middle of the two rods 102 when a user looks down with their eyes positioned directly over the golf ball (see FIG. 3). In use, the user aligns the face of the putter with the face of alignment plate 110 and the middle of the face of the putter with alignment mark 113 and with guide wire 106. The use of both guide wire 106 and alignment plate 110 is particularly beneficial as it eliminates alignment errors due to parallax. Using guide wire 106 in between the two rods 102 is beneficial because it allows the user to see the putter more clearly due to it's relatively thin diameter and as the two rods 102 are not blocking the user's view of the center of the putter.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a close-up view of guide plate of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates that guide wire 106 is spaced above the top of alignment plate 110. This spacing helps improve the alignment of the face of the putter with ball by eliminating errors due to parallax. FIG. 4 illustrates that alignment mark 113 includes both a notch and a dark marking in the notch.

[0035] FIGS. 5A and 5B are close-up views of arches 104(1) and 104(2) of system 100, according to aspects of the disclosure. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate how guide wire 106 is securely affixed to arches 104(1) and 104(3) to maintain a bit of tension in guide wire 106. Each arch 104 includes hole 107. To affix guide wire 106 to an arch 102, the user threads an end of guide wire 106 through hole 107. Guide wire 106 includes a loop 115(1) and a loop 115(2) (see FIG. 6) at its ends that are sized to receive a shaft of a golf tee 117. Once an end of guide wire 106 has been threaded through a hole 107, golf tee 117 is inserted into hole 107. This is repeated for the opposite end of guide wire 106. With golf tees 117 inserted into holes 107, arches 104(1) and 104(3) may be gently slid apart to tension guide wire 106. In other aspects, arches 104(1) and 104(3) may include a feature, such as a hook or tab, to which loops 115(1) and 115(2) may be attached to secure guide wire 106.

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates arches 104(1), 104(2), and 104(3) of system 100, according to aspects of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, each arch 104(1), 104(2), 104(3) has a different-sized opening 119(1), 119(2), 119(3), respectively. The different-sized openings allow the user to place arches 104(1), 104(2), and 104(3) as desired to putt through an easier (larger) opening (119(3)) or a more difficult (smaller) opening (119(1)).

[0037] A method of using system 100 will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-7. To practice their putting stroke, the user places a golf ball between two arches 104 and directly beneath guide wire 106 as shown in FIG. 3. Alignment plate 110 is then positioned to be aligned with a backside edge of the golf ball (i.e., the portion of the golf ball that the face of the putter will contact). Stroke length markers 108(1) and 108(2) are then positioned as desired on either side of alignment plate 110 for the stroke length that the user is practicing. For example, for a shorter putt, a shorter stroke length is appropriate and markers 108(1) and 108(2) are placed relatively closer together than for a longer stroke length.

[0038] To begin the putt, the user places the putter behind the golf ball and aligns the face of the putter to be coplanar with the face of alignment plate 110, while at the same time making sure that the center of the putter face is in-line with guide wire 106 and alignment mark 113 of alignment plate 110. Aligning the face of the putter with the face of alignment plate 110 squares the putter face so that the golf ball is not pushed or pulled relative to the intended trajectory of the golf ball. The use of these two different vertically aligned reference points eliminates errors caused by parallax and reinforces to the user that the putter face is properly aligned for the putt so that the golf ball will be struck squarely. After the user has properly aligned the putter, the user draws the putter back to the marker 108(1) and then follows through the golf ball to marker 108(2). During the backstroke and follow through, the user's goal is to watch the center of the putter face relative to guide wire 106 and to attempt to keep the two aligned throughout the entire stroke. If alignment is maintained for the entire stroke, the user is assured that the golf ball will be struck squarely. In some aspects, it is helpful for the putter to include an alignment line so that the user can visibly see and track the alignment of the putter relative to guide wire 106 (i.e., the alignment line on the putter remains parallel with guide wire 106 throughout the stroke).

[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates a free-standing arch 112, according aspects of the disclosure. Free-standing arch 112 includes one arch 104 of the arches 104(1)-104(3) and a pair of feet 114. Each foot 114 includes a slot 116 that is configured to receive a base of free-standing arch 112. Each foot 114 also includes one or more holes 118 that are sized to receive a golf tee so that foot 114 may be staked to the ground to secure free-standing arch 112 to the ground. Free-standing arch 112 may be used for putting practice as a sort of make-shift hole or target. Free-standing arch 112 may be constructed using any one of arches 104(1)-104(3) discussed above, giving the user the ability to choose which size opening 119 to use for practice.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stimpmeter configuration 150, according to aspects of the disclosure. Stimpmeter configuration 150 includes two rods 102 and one arch 104 of the arches 104(1)-104(3). The two rods 102 are inserted through the two upper holes 105 as shown in FIG. 9. Stimpmeter configuration 150 can be used with a golf ball to get the read of a putting surface (e.g., a green). The user places the golf ball on the ramp formed by the two rods 102 and allows it to roll down the ramp and onto the putting surface. The user then watches the path of the golf ball to understand how the ball will roll across the putting surface in response to undulations, imperfections, etc. of the putting surface. Stimpmeter configuration 150 is a useful tool because it provides a true trajectory of the golf ball that is not influenced or compromised by an inaccurate striking of the golf ball by the putter face. This allows the user to get a more accurate view of how the golf ball will travel across the putting surface if the user strikes the golf ball with the putter using the proper alignment.

[0041] FIGS. 10A and 10B are top-down views of spy glasses for use with, for example, system 100, according to aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 10A illustrates a spy glass 160 that is shown resting on top of the upper rods 102. In a typical aspect, spy glass 160 is made from a transparent material so that the user can see a ball positioned under spy glass 160 when the user's eyes are positioned directly above the ball. Spy glass 160 includes a pair of grooves 162 that are formed into a bottom face of spy glass 160. The pair of grooves 162 are configured to complement the shape of rods 102 so that spy glass 160 aligns or indexes with the pair of rods 102 (e.g., the width or radius of a groove 162 complements the width or radius of a rod 102, and the distance between the pair of grooves 162 matches the distance between the rods 102 so that spy glass 162 positively sits in place upon the rods 102).

[0042] Spy glass 160 further includes an alignment line 164 and an alignment line 166. Alignment line 164 is arranged parallel to grooves 162 and rods 102, and is positioned to be equidistant from grooves 162. Alignment line 166 is arranged perpendicular to alignment line 164 to form a crosshair therewith. The crosshair is used in conjunction with guide wire 106 to provide a visual indication to a user that the user's eyes are directly over a golf ball positioned thereunder. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, guide wire 106 is arranged parallel to rods 102 and slightly above rods 102 (e.g., 0.5 inches to 2 inches above, though the vertical distance may differ if desired). Spy glass 160 rests on top of rods 102, and beneath guide wire 106. The vertical spacing between spy glass 160 and guide wire 106 allows a user to visually see when the user's eyes are directly over a ball positioned beneath the crosshair by aligning guide wire 106 with alignment line 164 (as shown in FIG. 10A). Without the vertical alignment aspect of guide wire 106 relative to spy glass 160, it is more difficult for the user to be certain that the user's eyes are positioned directly over the ball.

[0043] In addition to forming the crosshair, alignment line 166 provides the user with a reference for the face of the putter as the putter strikes the ball (e.g., the user attempts to align the face of the putter with alignment line 166 as the putter strikes the ball so that the putter face is square to the ball as contact is made with the ball).

[0044] Spy glass 160 is also configured with edges 167 to be relatively close to rods 102. The configuration of edges 167 in this manner allows maximum clearance for a shaft of the putter relative to rods 102. This can be particularly important for certain putter designs in which the putter shaft mates to the head of the putter in the middle of the head. FIG. 10B illustrates an alternate configuration of a spy glass 161 in which spy glass 161 has a rounded shape without edges 167. Apart from the lack of edges 167, spy glass 161 is otherwise similar to spy glass 160 and the discussion of spy glass 160 similarly applies to spy glass 161. It will be appreciated that spy glasses 160, 161 could be configured to have other shapes. For example, spy glass 161 is shown in FIG. 10B as being generally circular. In other aspects, spy glass 161 could comprise other shapes, including and not limited to, square, rectangle, oval, geometric, and the like. The shape of the spy glass may be configured as desired so long as grooves 162 and alignment lines 164, 166 are incorporated as discussed above.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a close-up view of arch 104 in an alternate configuration, according to aspects of the disclosure. Arch 104 of FIG. 11 has been configured to include grommets or o-rings 168 in holes 107(2) and 107(3). O-rings 168 more securely receive rods 102, improving the stability of system 100 (e.g., arches 104 are less prone to sliding relative to rods 104). In some aspects, o-rings 168 may be sized to have an internal diameter that is less than an external diameter of rods 102 to form a force fit therebetween. In other aspects, the internal diameter of o-rings 168 may be sized to be equal to or greater than the external diameter of rods 102. In the aspect of FIG. 11, hole 107(1) has also been reduced in diameter to more closely complement the diameter of guide wire 106.

[0046] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the disclosure as set forth herein.

[0047] The term substantially is defined as largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified, as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In any disclosed embodiment, the terms substantially, approximately, generally, and about may be substituted with within [a percentage] of what is specified, where the percentage includes 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 percent.

[0048] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should be determined only by the language of the claims that follow. The term comprising within the claims is intended to mean including at least such that the recited listing of elements in a claim are an open group. The terms a, an, and other singular terms are intended to include the plural forms thereof unless specifically excluded.

[0049] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, can, might, may, e.g., and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0050] While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As will be recognized, the processes described herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others. The scope of protection is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

[0051] Although various embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth herein.