GB2199754A

GB2199754A - Putting practice aid

Info

Publication number: GB2199754A
Application number: GB08629356A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael James Sangster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-12-09
Filing date: 1986-12-09
Publication date: 1988-07-20
Also published as: GB8629356D0

Abstract

An aid for use in golf putting practice comprises guide means in the form of laterally spaced rails (5, 6) for controlling the path of motion of a putter head away from and towards a golf ball. The guide means are mounted on a base (9, 10) and preferably include a straight section and a following arcuate section. The rails (5, 6) are preferably relatively laterally movable to cater for different putter blade lengths. <IMAGE>

Description

"Pu~tinq Practice Aid" Descrietion The present invention relates to an aid for use in golf putting practice.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a practice putting aid which will encourage the golfer to acquire a correct putter take-away and return action during the putting stroke.

According to the present invention there is provided an aid for use in golf putting practice comprising guide means for controlling the path of motion of a putter head away from and towards a golf ball.

Preferably the guide means comprising laterally spaced rails.

The guide means is preferably carried by a base structure.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a putting practice aid in accordance with the present invent ion; Fig. 2 shows an end view of the aid; and Fig. 3 shows a side view of the putter guide part of the aid.

Referring to the drawings, an aid 1 for use in golf putting practice comprises a base 2 having a hole 3 towards one end and a putter head guide means 4 towards the other end. The hole 3 has a diameter of 11.43 cm (4.5 ins.) ie. per golf regulation size. The guide means 4 comprises laterally-spaced guide rails 5, 6 which are relatively movable apart by appropriate means eg. by the guide tongues 7 sliding in slots 8 in the base 2. The base 2 can have any suitable length L and preferably comprises a plurality of separate sections 2A, 2B etc. facilitating storage and also enabling the length L to be varied as desired.

The base 2 (or sections thereof) is of lightweight composite construction having a lower layer 9 (see Fig. 2) and an upper layer 10 of different materials. In particular, the lower layer 9 is preferably of a cork like synthetic material while the upper layer 10 provides an outer surface with suitable frictional retarding properties and, for example, can be of tufted construction, or of baize or synthetic grass materials.

A marker M is provided on the base between the rails 5, 6 for correct initial positioning of the ball 13. The rails 5, 6 have a straight portion A-B with a medial line a-b aligned with the target direction (arrow T), and a following slightly curved portion B-C.

Where the practicer 14 has an upright stance ie. close to the ball the rearward motion of the putter head 15 should generally be aligned with the target line ie.

head 15 square to the ball and the guide portion A-B will assist achievement of this requirement. However where the stance is less upright (ie. further away from the ball) a somewhat curved path inside of the target direction T at least for a latter part of the swing may be more appropriate and consequently the rail portion B-C is of appropriate slightly curved form to cater for this requirement. Also, an additional ball marker M' can be provided for this latter aspect, the practicer 14 repositioning appropriately. In front of the marker M the rails 5, 6 can be straight.

Further, ball return means are provided in the form of sloping channels 11, 12 whereby a golf ball 12 can be returned from the hole end of the base 2 to the practicer 14 at the other end of the base 2.

Alternatively, some form of mechanical propelling device could be used to return the balls 13 to the practicer 14. To use the aid 1, the rails 5, 6 are firstly set apart at a distance slightly greater than the length P of the putter head 15, and in the practice of the putting stroke the putter head 15 is drawn back from the ball 13 between the rails 5, 6 but without touching the rails. The guide means 4 ensure that the head 15 is square to the ball 13 over the initial portion A-B (for the ball initially at position M) and consequently the back of the left hand (for right handed players) is square to the ball over this portion which is well recognised as a h-ighly desirable feature for a good putting stroke. The putting head 15 is similarly guided in the return motion so that the head 15 is square to the ball when the ball is struck whereby the ball will be projected in the correc-t path ie. straight towards the hole in this case. The sole of the putter head 15 may rise on the backswing as shown in Fig. 3 but the rails 5, 6 will have sufficient height H (say greater than 1.52 cm/0.6 ins.) so that the head 15 is always located between the rails 5, 6.

It is submitted that use of the aid 1, will encourage the golfer to acquire a good putting action.

Modifications are of course possible. Thus the aid could take a much simplified form, for example, essentially comprising simply the rails 5, 6 with basic support means for these items. The rails 5, 6 could be flexible so as to be bendable to a desired radius.

Claims

1. An aid for use in golf putting practice comprising guide means for controlling the path of motion of a putter head away from and towards a gclf ball.

2. An aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide means comprises laterally spaced rails.

3. An aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein adjusting means are provided whereby the lateral spacing of the rails can be altered.

4. An aid as maimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the rails have a height of at least 1.52 cm (0.6 ins.).

5. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide means are carried by a base structure.

6. An aid as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base structure includes a hole to receive a golf ball passing from said guide means.

7. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including ball return means for returning balls towards said guide means.

8. An aid as claimed in claim 7, wherein said ball return means comprises channel means.

9. An aid as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base structure comprises separate side-by-side base sections.

10. An aid as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base structure comprises a bottom layer part and a top layer part, the layer parts being of different material.

11. An aid as claimed in claim 10, wherein the top layer part is made of a tufted material baize, or synthetic grass.

12. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least a portion of the guide means serve to guide the putter head rearwardly square to the ball.

13. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the guide means serve to guide the putter head rearwardly in a curved arc inside of a target direction.

14. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a marker is provided for the initial ball position.

15. An aid for use in golf putting practice substatialIy as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.