Putting aid

Abstract

A putting aid for use in training the putting technique of a golfer includes a base with a notch for locating a ball. Alignment markers include a longitudinal alignment marker for aiming the ball at a target, e.g. a hole, and a squareness marker perpendicular to the longitudinal marker for indicating the angle of the putter face as the putter strikes the ball. A sight bar located above the base aligns with the longitudinal marker and is used for trainer the golfer to maintain their head directly above the ball. The base may include multiple notches for locating multiple balls to facilitate a training drill using multiple balls simultaneously.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A putting aid comprising:
 (A) a base defining a ball location area for locating at least one golf ball;   (B) at least one alignment marking on the base extending in a longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction being substantially in a direction from the ball location area to an intended target;   (C) a sight bar moveable to a position above the at least one alignment marking and extending in the longitudinal direction; and   (D) at least one adjustment mechanism for selectively moving the position of the sight bar, wherein adjustment of the at least one adjustment mechanism adjusts a vertical alignment between the sight bar and the at least one alignment marking.   
     
     
         2 . The putting aid of  claim 1  wherein the at least adjustment mechanism comprises at least one mounting block rotatably mounted on the base and rotatable, in use, about a vertical axis, wherein the sight bar is connected to the at least one mounting block and wherein when the at least one mounting block is rotated, a lateral position of the sight bar is adjusted to affect the vertical alignment between the sight bar and the at least one alignment marking. 
     
     
         3 . The putting aid of  claim 1  wherein the at least one adjustment mechanism comprises a hinge connected to the base, wherein the sight bar is connected to the hinge, and wherein an angle of the hinge can be adjusted to affect the vertical alignment between the sight bar and the at least one alignment marking. 
     
     
         4 . The putting aid of  claim 3  wherein the angle of the hinge is adjustable by an adjustment screw. 
     
     
         5 . The putting aid of  claim 1  wherein the at least one adjustment mechanism comprises at least one dial that is rotatable relative to the base, wherein rotation of the dial affects the vertical alignment between the sight bar and the at least one alignment marking. 
     
     
         6 . The putting aid of  claim 5  wherein the dial comprises a circumferential ramp such that the height of the dial varies around a circumference of the dial. 
     
     
         7 . The putting aid of  claim 6  wherein the sight bar is connected to the dial via at least one mounting arm comprising at least one free end and wherein the at least one free end rests on the circumferential ramp such that rotation of the ramp raises the height of the at least one free end. 
     
     
         8 . The putting aid of  claim 1  comprising at least one squareness marking on the base perpendicular to at least one alignment marking wherein the at least one squareness marking is for indicating an angle of a club face. 
     
     
         9 . The putting aid of  claim 1  wherein the ball location area comprises at least one notch in the base for positioning at least one ball. 
     
     
         10 . The putting aid of  claim 9  wherein the ball location area comprises a plurality of notches in the base for positioning a plurality of balls adjacent each other. 
     
     
         11 . A putting aid comprising:
 (A) base means for locating the putting aid on a surface;   (B) means for positioning at least one golf ball on the base means;   (C) alignment marking means on the base means for aligning a longitudinal direction of the base means with an intended target;   (D) means for providing head alignment; and   (E) adjustment means for selectively moving the means for providing head alignment.   
     
     
         12 . The putting aid of  claim 11  wherein adjustment of the adjustment means adjusts a vertical alignment between the means for providing head alignment and the alignment marking means. 
     
     
         13 . The putting aid of  claim 11  wherein the adjustment means comprises mounting block means. 
     
     
         14 . The putting aid of  claim 11  wherein the adjustment means comprises hinge means. 
     
     
         15 . The putting aid of  claim 11  wherein the adjustment means comprises dial means. 
     
     
         16 . The putting aid of  claim 15  wherein the dial means comprises a circumferential ramp that engages the means for providing head alignment. 
     
     
         17 . The putting aid of  claim 11  wherein the means of positioning the at least one golf ball comprises notch means. 
     
     
         18 . The putting aid of  claim 17  wherein the notch means comprises a plurality of notches for locating a plurality of golf balls adjacent each other.