Golf putting training apparatus

Abstract

Golf putting training apparatus ( 1 ), for use with a putter ( 22 ), comprises a base ( 10 ) having a support ( 11 ) upstanding therefrom, and a guide ( 12 ) carried by said support ( 11 ). The guide ( 12 ) has an elongate guide surface ( 18 ) for the shaft ( 21 ) of the putter ( 22 ) to be slid along during putting. An indicator ( 17 ) extends laterally from the base ( 10 ), below the guide surface ( 18 ), to provide a golfer ( 19 ) with a visual indication of the alignment of the face of the putter head ( 23 ) with respect to a golf ball ( 24 ) positioned adjacent the indicator ( 17 ). In use, the golfer ( 19 ) practises a putting stroke by swinging the putter ( 22 ) so that the shaft ( 21 ) slides along the guide surface ( 18 ), whilst using the indicator ( 17 ) to align the face of the putter head ( 23 ) at an appropriate angle for striking the golf ball ( 24 ).

1 . Golf putting training apparatus for use with a putter comprising:
 a base having a support upstanding therefrom;   a guide carried by said support and having an elongate guide surface for contact with a putter shaft; and   an indicator extending laterally from the base, below the guide surface, to provide a golfer with a visual indication of alignment of the face of the putter head with respect to a golf ball;   whereby in use a golfer may practise a putting stroke by swinging the putter so that the shaft runs along the guide surface, whilst using the indicator to align the face of the putter head at an appropriate angle for striking a golf ball.   
     
     
         2 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a lower section upstanding from the base and an upper section extending at substantially 90 degrees relative to the lower section. 
     
     
         3 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the guide extends transversely from the upper section of the support, with the guide surface in a substantially vertical plane. 
     
     
         4 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the indicator extends from the base in the same direction as the upper section of the support, and is in substantial vertical alignment therewith. 
     
     
         5 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the base comprises a generally planar base plate. 
     
     
         6 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said base plate has two opposed long edges and two opposed short edges. 
     
     
         7 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the lower section of the support extends upwardly from a point on one of said opposed long edges of said base plate, located substantially midway between said opposed short edges. 
     
     
         8 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the elongate guide surface extends substantially parallel relative to said opposed long edges of said base plate. 
     
     
         9 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the indicator projects substantially horizontally from a point substantially mid-way along one of said opposed long edges of said base plate. 
     
     
         10 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide has an arcuate profile in a vertical plane, approximating a locus of a point on said putter shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate guide surface has a linear profile in a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         12 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate guide surface has an arcuate profile in a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         13 . The golf putting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate guide surface is adjustable between a linear profile and an arcuate profile, in a horizontal plane.