Golf practice putting device and methodology

Abstract

A device for golf putting practice includes a relatively thin elongate member with a longitudinal centerline for alignment with the center of the putter head during a stroke, a head end and a back end; means for positioning a golf ball at the head end so that the center of the golf ball is in alignment with the centerline; a hole adjacent to the back end for receiving a golf tee; and one or more horizontal lines perpendicular to the centerline for squaring the putter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for golf putting practice comprising a member with a longitudinal centerline, a head end and a back end, means for positioning a golf ball at the head end of the member so that the center of the golf ball is in alignment with the centerline.  
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for positioning is configured to allow the golf ball to rest on a putting surface and proceed toward a target without interference from the device.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for positioning is comprised of a cutout at the head end of the device.  
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the cutout is semicircular.  
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , further including a horizontal line, said horizontal line being perpendicular to the centerline.  
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal line is near the head end of the device.  
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , further including a plurality of horizontal lines, each horizontal line being perpendicular to the centerline.  
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of horizontal lines include a horizontal line near the head end of the device.  
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , further including at least one hole.  
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the hole is near the back end of the device and sized to accommodate a tee.  
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , further including legible instructions of use on the device.  
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is a one-piece apparatus.  
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein the device is configured for use on artificial and natural putting surfaces.  
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to not physically control or constrain a putting swing.  
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to not physically control or constrain a putting stance.  
     
     
         16 . A method of putting using a device according to  claim 1  and a putter, said putter having a face and a sweet spot, said method comprising steps of: 
 placing the device on the putting surface;  
 positioning a golf ball adjacent to or abutting the head end of the device and in alignment with the centerline of the device;  
 squaring the putter so that the putter head is generally perpendicular to the centerline, the face of the putter is generally perpendicular to a surface of the device, and the sweet spot of the putter is generally aligned with the centerline;  
 moving the putter head back with the sweet spot aligned with the centerline;  
 and moving the putter head forward in alignment with the centerline, so that the sweet spot of the squared putter face impacts the aligned golf ball.  
 
     
     
         17 . A one-piece device for golf putting practice comprising: 
 a member with a longitudinal centerline,    a head end and a back end,    a cutout at the head end configured to position a golf ball in alignment with the centerline,    a hole for accommodating a tee; and    a horizontal line, said horizontal line being perpendicular to the centerline and adjacent to the head end.    
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein the cutout is semicircular.  
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein the hole is near the back end of the device.  
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 17 , further including legible instructions of use on the device.