Methods and apparatus for a putter club head

Abstract

A putter club head generally includes a club head body having a leg portion extending from the club head body, wherein the leg portion includes an integral boss configured to accept a shaft along a shaft axis. The leg portion has a predetermined forward slant angle (for example, between about 1.0-6.0 degrees) with respect to a body axis, and is suitably configured to deform plastically to allow adjustment of the lie angle such that the leg portion is substantially concealed (e.g., by the boss) as the club head body is viewed from above during address. The leg portion remains substantially concealed witting a range of adjustment angles typically used during club fitting, thereby maintaining the club head's desirable visual cues during address.

1 . A putter club head comprising: 
 a club head body having a body axis;    a hosel including a leg portion extending from said club head body and a boss connected to said leg portion, said boss being configured to accept a shaft along a shaft axis, said shaft axis defining a lie angle with respect to said body axis; and    said leg portion configured to deform plastically to allow adjustment of said lie angle, and having a predetermined forward slant angle with respect to said body axis such that said leg portion remains concealed, when viewed from directly above said club head body, within a range of adjustment of said lie angle.    
   
   
       2 . The putter club head of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined forward slant angle is between approximately 1.0 degrees and 6.0 degrees.  
   
   
       3 . The putter club head of  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined forward slant angle is between approximately 1.5 degrees and 2.5 degrees.  
   
   
       4 . The putter club head of  claim 3 , wherein said predetermined forward slant angle is approximately 2.0 degrees.  
   
   
       5 . The putter club head of  claim 1 , wherein said leg portion is an elongated rectangular prism.  
   
   
       6 . The putter club head of claim I, wherein said leg portion further includes a horizontal section extending from said boss.  
   
   
       7 . The putter club head of  claim 1 , wherein said range of adjustment of said lie angle is +/−2.0 degrees.  
   
   
       8 . A method of customizing a golf putter comprising the steps of: 
 providing a golf club head including a club head body having a body axis, a hosel including a leg portion extending from said club head body and a boss connected to said leg portion, said boss being configured to accept a shaft along a shaft axis, wherein said shaft axis defines a lie angle with respect to said body axis, and wherein said leg portion has a predetermined forward slant angle with respect to said body axis;    determining a target lie angle; and    adjusting said lie angle to said target lie angle by plastically deforming said leg portion such that said leg portion remains concealed, when viewed from directly above said club head body, within a range of adjustment of said lie angle.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said providing step includes providing a leg portion having a predetermined forward slant angle between approximately 1.0 degrees and 6.0 degrees.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said providing step includes providing a leg portion having a predetermined forward slant angle between approximately 1.5 degrees and 2.5 degrees.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing step including providing a leg portion having a predetermined forward slant angle equal to approximately 2.0 degrees.