Putt Break Visualization Instrument and Method of Use Thereof

Abstract

A putt break visualization instrument useful for improving putting includes an elongated object such as a crossbar that extends from the shaft of a putter and is normal thereto. The golfer begins by addressing the golf ball. The golfer then holds the putter above the green by the handle in the manner of a plumb line so that the shaft of the putter is vertically oriented and the crossbar is horizontally oriented. The golfer then aligns the shaft with the uphill edge of the golf ball, and moves the shaft up or down along the vertical so that the crossbar extends in proximity to the cup. The golfer may use a slider on the crossbar to mark the cup. The golfer may now evaluate how well he or she has addressed the golf ball, and either repeat the process if improvement is needed or make the putt.

1 . An apparatus for use on a putter to improve a golfer's putt, comprising:
 an elongated body having a straight edge;   a fastener for fastening the elongated body to a shaft of a putter with the straight edge normal to the shaft; and   a slider movably disposed on the elongated body in proximity to the straight edge and movable along the elongated body parallel to the straight edge.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the elongated body is a bar having an end disposed at the fastener; and 
 the slider is a body movably mounted to the bar. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 :
 wherein the elongated body comprises a bar having a midpoint disposed at the fastener; and   wherein the slider comprises a body movably mounted to the bar to one side of the midpoint;   further comprising another slider comprising a body movably mounted to the bar to another side of the midpoint.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a joint disposed between the elongated body and the fastener for selectively retaining the elongated body in one of a stowed position parallel to the shaft and a deployed position with the straight edge normal to the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the joint comprises:
 first and second members rotationally disposed relative to one another, wherein the first member is integrated with the fastener and the second member is integrated with the elongated body; or 
 the first and second hinge members, wherein the first hinge member is integrated with the fastener and the second hinge member is integrated with the elongated body. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated body comprises:
 a bar; 
 a rod; 
 a shaft; 
 a fan-shaped member; 
 a triangular member; or 
 a rectangular member. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fastener comprises:
 a collar; 
 a hinge member; 
 a magnet; 
 an adhesive; or 
 a weld. 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the slider comprises:
 a band of resilient slippery material mounted about the elongated body; 
 a block of rigid material mounted about the elongated body; or 
 a button mounted in a channel in the elongated body. 
 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for use on a putter to improve a golfer's putt, comprising:
 an elongated body having a straight edge, wherein the elongated body comprises a bar, a rod, a shaft, a fan-shaped member, a triangular member, a rectangular member, or any combination of the foregoing;   a fastener for fastening the elongated body to a shaft of a putter with the straight edge normal to the shaft, wherein the fastener comprises a collar, a hinge member, a magnet, an adhesive, a weld, or any combination of the foregoing; and   a slider movably disposed on the elongated body in proximity to the straight edge and movable along the elongated body parallel to the straight edge, wherein the slider comprises a band of resilient slippery material mounted about the elongated body, a block of rigid material mounted about the elongated body, a button mounted in a channel in the elongated body, or any combination of the foregoing.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a joint disposed between the elongated body and the fastener for selectively retaining the elongated body in one of a stowed position parallel to the shaft and a deployed position with the straight edge normal to the shaft, wherein the joint comprises:
 first and second members rotationally disposed relative to one another, wherein the first member is integrated with the fastener and the second member is integrated with the elongated body; 
 the first and second hinge members, wherein the first hinge member is integrated with the fastener and the second hinge member is integrated with the elongated body; or 
 any combination of the foregoing. 
 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of improving the putt of a golfer, comprising:
 assuming a putting position behind a golf ball on a green;   holding a putter above the green with a shaft thereof in a vertical orientation;   during the holding step, maintaining an elongated body having a straight edge oriented to the shaft of the putter with the straight edge thereof normal to the shaft;   during the holding and maintaining steps, aligning the shaft of the putter to an uphill edge of the golf ball, and the straight edge of the elongated object proximate a cup on the green;   during the alignment step, visualizing the putt break from the shaft of the putter and the straight edge of the elongated body; and   making a putt when the putt break is proper for the putt.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  comprising repeating the assuming, holding, maintaining, aligning and visualizing steps until the putt brake is proper for the putt. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a slider is movably disposed on the elongated body in proximity to the straight edge and movable along the elongated body parallel to the straight edge, further comprising, during the aligning step, moving the slider to a superimposed position proximate the cup. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  comprising repeating the assuming, holding, maintaining, aligning, moving and visualizing steps until the putt brake is proper for the putt. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the elongated body is fastened to the shaft of the putter through a joint for selectively retaining the elongated body in one of a stowed position parallel to the shaft and a deployed position with the straight edge normal to the shaft, further comprising:
 prior to the holding step, moving the elongated body into the deployed position; and 
 prior to the putt making step, moving the elongated body into the stowed position. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the elongated body is fastened to the shaft of the putter by a clamp, magnet or adhesive, further comprising:
 prior to the holding step, fastening the elongated body to the shaft with the clamp, magnet or adhesive; and 
 prior to the putt making step, removing the elongated body from the shaft.