Golf putter and method of putting

Abstract

A golf putter which is effective to improve a golfer's alignment of putts on a golf green, and a method of using such a putter, are disclosed. The head of the putter is characterized by a relatively large bottom surface area and a relatively large mass. The combined center of gravity of the head, shaft and grip falls within the area of the bottom surface of the putter head, whereby the putter stands upright by itself. There are also wide bright highly visible horizontal lines on top of the putter head at right angles to the putter head face which are adapted to be aligned with the intended direction of roll of the ball. A method of using such a putter is disclosed, namely, placing the stand alone putter on a golf green behind the ball without support, backing away from the putter standing at rest adjacent the ball, and observing a desired direction of roll to the cup in the green. The face of the putter is aimed in the desired direction of roll by observing the wide bright stripes on the top surface of the putter. Thereafter, with the putter head face thus aimed, the putting stroke is completed by striking the ball along the selected direction of roll.

I claim:  
     
         1 . In a golf putter having a head, shaft and grip, a statically balanced combination in which: 
 said head has a significantly large bottom area adapted to contact a putting surface when said shaft is in an upright position, and    the combined center of gravity of said head, shaft and grip falls within the bottom area of said head,    whereby said putter can stand upright by itself.    
     
     
         2 . The golf putter of  claim 1  in which said head is generally rectangular in shape and defines a platform for supporting the putter in an upright position.  
     
     
         3 . The golf putter of  claim 2  in which said head is formed with a ball contacting face and with parallel longitudinal flanges or wings at right angles to said face.  
     
     
         4 . The golf putter of  claim 3  in which said longitudinal flanges carry wide bright stripes perpendicularly directed toward said face.  
     
     
         5 . An improved method of putting comprising 
 providing a statically balanced putter having a head with lines or indicia adapted to be aligned with a desired direction of roll of a golf ball and capable of standing erect on a putting surface,    placing said putter on said putting surface in a position next to the ball and opposite from the cup with said lines generally aligned with the desired direction of roll    backing away a significant distance from the ball so as to view the orientation of said lines with the desired direction, and    reorienting the position of said head to complete the putting stroke.