Method of putting and a putter

Abstract

A method of putting a golf ball located on a putting green into a hole includes grasping a putter with at least one hand of a golfer and locating the putter at a first position such that the putter head is positioned proximate the golf ball and is at least four feet from the golfer. Furthermore, the method includes translating the putter head away from the golf ball to locate the putter at a second position, and orienting the shoulders of the golfer to be substantially perpendicular to the putter shaft in the second position. Additionally, the method includes translating the putter head towards the golf ball while the shoulders of the golfer face the hole, and instantaneously striking the golf ball with the putter head to cause the golf ball to develop a top spin and translate in a direction along a line of the putt towards the hole.

1 . A putter for striking a golf ball, comprising
 (a) a longitudinal shaft having a first end and a second end; and   (b) a cylindrical head connected with said second end of said shaft, said head containing a radial opening in an outer surface thereof intermediate the ends of said head, said opening receiving said second end of said shaft, said head having a diameter greater than the diameter of the golf ball, whereby when said head intermediate portion strikes the ball, a top spin is imparted on the ball and the ball is propelled toward a target.   
     
     
         2 . A putter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said shaft second end includes a projection having a diameter corresponding with the diameter of said opening in said head. 
     
     
         3 . A putter as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said projection is connected within said opening via a friction fit. 
     
     
         4 . A putter as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said projection is connected within said opening via an adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . A putter as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said projection has an outer threaded surface and said opening has a threaded inner surface, whereby said head is removably connected with said shaft. 
     
     
         6 . A putter as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said shaft comprises a plurality of shaft segments. 
     
     
         7 . A putter as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said segments are removably connected in an end to end configuration, whereby the length of said shaft can be altered by adding and removing segments. 
     
     
         8 . A putter as defined in  claim 7 , wherein each segment includes a first end containing a cavity and a second end including a fastening member, said cavity and said fastening member being arranged along an axis of said segment, said cavity of one of said segments receiving a fastening member of an adjacent segment to connect said adjacent segments. 
     
     
         9 . A putter as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said fastening member and said cavity are connected via a friction fit. 
     
     
         10 . A putter as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said fastening member has a threaded outer surface and said cavity has a threaded inner surface. 
     
     
         11 . A putter as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said cavity includes annular protrusions adjacent to said first end and said fastening member comprises resilient protrusions, whereby when said fastening member protrusions of a first segment are inserted into said cavity of an adjacent segment, said fastening member protrusions are deflected inwardly around said cavity protrusions and then outwardly to engage a side wall of said cavity beyond said annular protrusions to connect said first and adjacent segments. 
     
     
         12 . A putter as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said segments are hollow. 
     
     
         13 . A method for putting a golf ball by a golfer with a putter, comprising the steps of
 (a) grasping one end of a shaft of the putter;   (b) aligning the golfer's body so that the golfer's shoulders face a target with a golf ball between the target and the putter, the shoulders being generally perpendicular to the putter shaft;   (c) positioning a head of the putter adjacent the golf ball;   (d) translating the movement of the putter away from the golf ball along a line extended from a target line between the golf ball and the target; and   (e) translating the movement of the putter toward the golf ball along said extended line and into said target line to strike the golf ball and propel it along the target line.   
     
     
         14 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , where said translating movement of the putter away from the golf ball is determined in accordance with the distance between the golf ball and the target. 
     
     
         15 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said golf ball is struck with an intermediate portion of said head. 
     
     
         16 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said head has a cylindrical configuration and a diameter greater than the diameter of the golf ball, whereby a top spin is imparted on the golf ball when it is struck by the head.