Putting training device and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a device and method for putting practice. The putting training device of the present invention positions a plurality of objects and a practice ball on a practice surface in a pattern and, in the preferred embodiment, comprises an arm arrangement of two connected rods having telescoping ball receptacles at each end. The rods are pivotally connected at the approximate midpoint of each rod at a pivot point such that the rods may move in a scissor-like fashion. Each receptacle contains a cavity that allows a standard golf ball to nest within it. A fifth receptacle is located directly below the pivot point of the two rods and also contains a cavity in which a golf ball may nest. The four golf balls contained within the perimeter receptacles are the guiding balls. The golf ball positioned within the fifth receptacle is the practice ball to be putted once the putting training device is removed from the five positioned golf balls. The method comprises: providing an alignment device comprising; two ball sockets that define a take-away gap; two ball sockets that define a follow-through gap; the take-away gap and follow-through gap further defining a putting arc distance gap; placing a plurality of objects on a putting surface; overlaying the alignment device on the objects so that the sockets contain an object; and removing the device, thereby leaving the objects on the putting surface.

1 . A method to improve putting, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an alignment device comprising: two object sockets that define a take-away gap; two object sockets that define a follow-through gap; the take-away gap and follow-through gap being separated by a putting arc distance gap;   b) placing a plurality of objects on a putting surface;   c) placing a target ball on the putting surface;   d) overlaying the alignment device on the objects so that the respective sockets each contain one of the objects and positioning the target ball within the objects;   e) removing the device, thereby leaving the objects and the target ball on the putting surface.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of overlaying the alignment device on the objects and positioning the target ball further comprises the step of using the alignment device to position the target ball. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of adjusting the take-away gap and the follow-through gap. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of adjusting the putting arc distance. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) swinging a putter head through the take-away gap and the follow-through gap;   b) adjusting the putting arc distance.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of adjusting the take-away gap and the follow-through gap. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of placing a plurality of objects on a putting surface further comprises the step of placing balls on the putting surface. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of adjusting the take-away gap and the follow-through gap. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of adjusting the putting arc distance. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) adjusting the take-away gap and the follow-through gap;   b) adjusting the putting arc distance;   c) the step of placing a plurality of objects on a putting surface further comprises the step of placing balls on the putting surface;   d) swinging a putter head through the take-away gap and the follow-through gap.