Probe golf training putter

Abstract

A putting training system is described which includes a modified putter head and may include a modified golf ball. The putter head includes sensor prongs which project from the putter head face.

1 . A golf training putter head, comprising
 a body comprising a planar ball contact face; and   two spaced apart prongs projecting from said face.   
   
   
       2 . The putter head of  claim 1 , wherein said prongs are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a standard golf ball. 
   
   
       3 . The putter head of  claim 1 , wherein said prongs are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the diameter of a standard golf ball. 
   
   
       4 . The putter head of  claim 1 , wherein said prongs are substantially perpendicular to said face. 
   
   
       5 . The putter head of  claim 1 , wherein said prongs diverge. 
   
   
       6 . The putter head of  claim 1 , further comprising a contact sensor in said face between said prongs. 
   
   
       7 . The putter head of  claim 6 , wherein centered contact of a golf ball with said sensor produces a visible display. 
   
   
       8 . The putter head of  claim 7 , wherein said display comprises an LED which illuminates upon said centered contact. 
   
   
       9 . The putter head of  claim 1 , wherein said prongs are mounted on at least one spring pivot. 
   
   
       10 . The putter head of  claim 9 , wherein said prongs are mounted in a first insert which is replaceably mounted in said body behind said face. 
   
   
       11 . The putter head of  claim 10 , wherein said first insert is replaceable with a putting insert. 
   
   
       12 . The putter head of  claim 9 , wherein lateral deflection of a prong upon ball contact is indicative of an off-center contact. 
   
   
       13 . A golf putting training ball comprising
 a spherical ball having two, substantially parallel, spaced apart circumferential grooves, wherein said ball has the diameter substantially that of a standard golf ball.   
   
   
       14 . The ball of  claim 13 , wherein said ball is the weight of a standard golf ball. 
   
   
       15 . The ball of  claim 13 , wherein said ball comprises a circumferential metal band. 
   
   
       16 . The ball of  claim 13 , wherein the width of said grooves are approximately 3 mm. 
   
   
       17 . The ball of  claim 13 , wherein interior of said grooves are central cylinder sections with diameters of approximately 12 mm. 
   
   
       18 . A golf putting training system, comprising
 a golf training ball having two parallel, spaced apart circumferential grooves; and   a golf training putter comprising a putter head body having a planar ball contact face, and two spaced apart prongs protruding through said face,   wherein said ball and said putter are configured such that said prongs can fit within said grooves without contacting said ball.   
   
   
       19 . A golf putting training method comprising
 striking a golf training ball with a golf training putter causing said ball to roll; and   observing whether the behavior of said ball or an indicator on said putter or both are indicative of a desired putting action,   wherein said putter comprises a putter head body having a ball contact face with two spaced apart prongs protruding from said face.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said ball comprises a spherical ball having two circumferential parallel grooves wherein the spacing of said grooves matches the spacing of said prongs. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said observing includes observing whether said ball wobbles as it rolls following said striking. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said observing comprises observing whether a ball strike indicator light on said putter changes in a manner indicative of either correct or incorrect ball strike. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said prongs are parallel. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said prongs diverge. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising repeating said striking and observing a plurality of times. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein when said putter strikes said ball with a correct strike, said prongs insert into and exit from said grooves without contacting said ball.