Golf putter and method for putting

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to a novel golf putter that is uniquely designed to be operated using a shuffleboard-like stroke, as opposed to the pendulum-like stroke traditionally used when operating putters. In one embodiment, the golf putter comprises a head having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, wherein the striking surface is substantially vertically disposed when the putter is held in a position to contact the golf ball. The golf putter also comprises a shaft connected to the head and extending at an oblique angle upwardly from the head and rearwardly away from the striking surface, when the putter is in the putting position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf putter comprising: 
 a head having a substantially planar striking surface for contacting a golf ball, the striking surface being substantially vertically disposed when the putter is held in a position to contact the golf ball;    a shaft connected to the head and extending at an oblique angle β (FIG. 2A) upwardly from the head and rearwardly away from the striking surface, when the putter is in the putting position.    
     
     
         2 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the upward disposition of the shaft forms an angle of approximately 35 degrees from horizontal, when the putter is in the position to contact the golf ball.  
     
     
         3 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the putter has a mallet-type putter head.  
     
     
         4 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , further including an adjustable joint, the joint being configured to allow an adjustment of the putter head with respect to the shaft, so as to change the degree of the oblique angle that is formed between putter head and the shaft.  
     
     
         5 . The golf putter of  claim 4 , wherein the joint is located on the shaft of the golf putter.  
     
     
         6 . The golf putter of  claim 4 , wherein the joint is located at the head of the golf putter.  
     
     
         7 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes an offset, comprising two angles of substantially 90 degrees each, such that a lateral offset is provided between a gripping portion of the shaft and an end of the shaft that attaches to the putter head.  
     
     
         8 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is shaped to project substantially directly upwardly from the putter head a short distance, then rearwardly at the oblique angle.  
     
     
         9 . The golf putter of  claim 8 , wherein the shaft is shaped as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.  
     
     
         10 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is shaped to project substantially directly outwardly from the putter head a short distance, then rearwardly at the oblique angle.  
     
     
         11 . The golf putter of  claim 10 , wherein the shaft is shaped as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.  
     
     
         12 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is a single, unitary component.  
     
     
         13 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is comprised of at least two portions that are configured for telescopic movement along a common axis so as to move between a compact travel configuration, and an extended operational configuration.  
     
     
         14 . The golf putter of  claim 13 , wherein the shaft is comprised of three portions.  
     
     
         15 . A method of putting a golf ball comprising the steps of: 
 holding a shaft that extends upwardly and rearwardly from a putter head;    pushing the shaft away from a user in a fashion that skids a bottom surface of the putter head across the ground in a form similar to a shuffleboard stroke.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further including the step of preparing to put the golf ball by setting up in a stance wherein the user is facing in a direction of the intended trajectory of the golf ball.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further including the step of preparing to put the golf ball by setting up in a stance wherein the user is facing in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of the intended trajectory of the golf ball.  
     
     
         18 . A golf putter comprising: 
 a head having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, the striking surface being substantially vertically disposed at a point of contact, when the putter is held in a putting position;    a shaft projecting from the head at an angle α (FIG. 2B) that is substantially perpendicular to the striking surface.    
     
     
         19 . The golf putter of  claim 18 , wherein the striking surface has slight curvature.  
     
     
         20 . The golf putter of  claim 19 , wherein the striking surface as a concave curvature as shown in FIG. 8.