Golf putter

Abstract

A putter may have a symmetrical head with respect to a shaft of the putter. The head may have a flat surface and a peripheral surface which extends upward to a top surface of the head. The flat surface may be sufficiently large so that the putter may be positioned in the upright position. The golf putter may be utilized by a left or right handed individual and employed in a straight arrow stance, conventional stance and a side saddle stance.

1 . A golf putter comprising:
 an elongate shaft defining upper and lower distal end portions;   a grip disposed at the upper distal end portion for providing a comfortable and secure surface area to interface with the user's hand;   a head disposed at the lower distal end portion, the head having a face and a sole, the face being symmetrical with respect to the shaft, the sole having a flat surface with the shaft perpendicular to the flat surface of the sole and an outer curved peripheral surface that extends upward from the flat surface, the shaft being located vertically above the flat surface of the sole, the sole adjoining the face to define a lower profile, the lower profile having a flat bottom.   
     
     
         2 . The putter of  claim 1  wherein the shaft, grip and head are balanced over the flat surface of the sole. 
     
     
         3 . The putter of  claim 1  wherein the flat bottom is longer than a height of the head. 
     
     
         4 . The putter of  claim 1  wherein a top surface of the head is flat and parallel to the flat surface of the sole. 
     
     
         5 . The putter of  claim 1  wherein the grip is bifurcated defining an upper portion and a lower portion separated from the upper portion by a gap. 
     
     
         6 . The putter of  claim 1  wherein a center of gravity of the putter is located on a central axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The putter of  claim 1  wherein the flat surface of the sole is about 50% of the sole. 
     
     
         8 . The putter of  claim 1  wherein the curved peripheral surface extends to a top surface of the head. 
     
     
         9 . The putter of  claim 1  wherein a height of the putter from the sole to an upper end of the grip is about 38 inches to about 48 inches. 
     
     
         10 . A method of utilizing a putter to strike a golf ball, the method comprising the steps of:
 grasping an upper portion of a grip of the putter with a first hand at about a height of an elbow of a golfer;   grasping a lower portion of the grip of the putter with a second hand below the height of the elbow of the golfer;   initiating a back swing of the putter with the second hand;   initiating a forward swing to strike the golf ball;   during the initiating back and forward swings, pivoting the putter between a waist and an elbow of the golfer.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the pivoting step comprises the step of pivoting the putter between about 38 inches to about 48 inches above ground. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of:
 prior to grasping the grip, positioning the putter behind the ball in line with a hole in an upright position and inspecting breaks in a green.