Putting training device

Abstract

A putting training device has one or two blade-like alignment guides positioned to extend from the blade of a putter. In one embodiment the alignment guides extend generally parallel to each other to facilitate a generally parallel putting stroke. In an alternative embodiment, each of the alignment guides is generally arcuate in shape and extends from the blade of the putter in a generally concentric manner, to facilitate a generally arcuate putting stroke. The ends of the alignment guides are tapered to prevent the alignment guides from catching on the putting surface. Additionally, at least one of the alignment guides is movable, such that the space between the two alignment guides can be tailored for the experience level of each user.

1 . A golfing aid for use in practicing the game of golf, the golfing aid comprising: 
 a guide detachably affixable to the head of a golf club, the guide comprising an elongated forward part having spaced-apart top and bottom edges that are substantially straight when viewed from a direction in which the top and bottom edges are aligned;    wherein, when the guide is affixed to the head of a golf club, the front part projects forwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the face of the golf club and the top and bottom edges of the forward part are aligned when viewed from directly above.    
   
   
       2 . A golfing aid according to  claim 1  wherein the guide comprises a rearward part aligned with the forward part, wherein, when the guide is affixed to the head of a golf club, the rearward part projects rearwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the face of the golf club.  
   
   
       3 . A golfing aid according to  claim 2  wherein the rearward part projects at least two inches rearwardly from the face of the golf club when the guide is affixed to the head of the golf club.  
   
   
       4 . A golfing aid according to  claim 1  wherein the forward part comprises a blade having a thickness, a width and a length wherein the thickness is less than the width and the width is less than the length.  
   
   
       5 . A golfing aid according to  claim 4  wherein the top and bottom edges are constituted by top and bottom edges of the blade.  
   
   
       6 . A golfing aid according to  claim 5  wherein the blade has a face extending between the top and bottom edges and the face has a color that contrasts visually with the top edge.  
   
   
       7 . A golfing aid according to  claim 1  comprising a tab projecting at right angles to the forward part and an affixing means for detachably affixing the tab to a face of the head of a golf club.  
   
   
       8 . A golfing aid according to  claim 7  wherein the affixing means comprises a removable adhesive on the tab.  
   
   
       9 . A golfing aid according to  claim 7  wherein the affixing means comprises a magnet on the tab.  
   
   
       10 . A golfing aid according to  claim 8  comprising a pad of a magnetic material, the pad of magnetic material detachably affixable to the face of the head of a golf club.  
   
   
       11 . A golfing aid according to  claim 10  comprising a reusable adhesive on the pad wherein the pad can be adhered to the face of a head of a golf club by way of the reusable adhesive and the magnet can detachably affix the tab to the pad.  
   
   
       12 . A golfing aid according to  claim 1  wherein the top edge is concave arcuate.  
   
   
       13 . A golfing aid according to  claim 1  wherein the guide is attachable to the head of a golf club in a position such that the top edge lies in a plane substantially parallel to the ground when the golf club is addressing a golf ball.  
   
   
       14 . A golfing aid according to  claim 1  wherein the guide comprises a first guide and the golfing aid comprises a second guide, the second guide detachably affixable to the head of a golf club and comprising an elongated forward part; 
 wherein, when the first and second guides are affixed to the head of a golf club with the second guide at a position spaced apart from the first guide, the front part of the second guide projects forwardly from the head of the golf club substantially parallel to the first guide.    
   
   
       15 . A golfing aid according to  claim 14  wherein the first and second guides are attachable to a golf club on either side of a striking area on a face of the head of the golf club while leaving the striking area free to strike a golf ball.  
   
   
       16 . A golfing aid according to  claim 14  wherein the second guide comprises a rearward part aligned with the forward part of the second guide, wherein, when the second guide is affixed to the head of a golf club, the rearward part projects rearwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the face of the golf club.  
   
   
       17 . A golfing aid according to  claim 16  wherein the rear parts of the first and second guides are connected by a bridging member.  
   
   
       18 . A golfing aid according to  claim 14  wherein the first and second guides are substantially mirror images of one another.  
   
   
       19 . A golfing aid according to  claim 1  wherein the front portion of the guide projects a distance of at least 5 cm forward from the face of a golf club head.  
   
   
       20 . A golfing aid according to  claim 1  wherein the bottom edge of the guide has a convex curvature.  
   
   
       21 . A golfing aid according to  claim 7  wherein the guide comprises a sheet of a plastic material and the tab is formed integrally with the sheet.  
   
   
       22 . A golfing aid according to  claim 14 , wherein said first guide is movably attached to the head of the golf club, such that a selected distance between the first guide and the second guide can be varied.  
   
   
       23 . A golfing aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the front part of the guide is tapered such that the top edge becomes closer to the bottom edge in its portion toward a front end of the guide.