Golf putter with training device

Abstract

Disclosed is a golf putter incorporating a training device that is configured to provide an intuitive coaching system to aid a golfer in the development of proper visualization of their putt, and that provides a configuration that ensures that the golfer maintain proper form (including through ensuring proper alignment, proper backswing, and proper topspin application) throughout their practice putting strokes. The golf putter includes a motion sensor that determines and preferably displays to the golfer the speed of their putting stroke and the distance of that stroke through both rearward (backstroke) and forward (throughstroke) movements, and provides a light beam projection device configured to project a tracking pathway onto the ground in front of the putter, indicating the ball path that the putter should strive to putt the ball through with their stroke while insuring proper alignment of the putter face with the intended target line. Such configuration is designed to allow the golfer to develop constant distance feel and putter face alignment during practice sessions and on to the golf course.

1 . A golf putting training system comprising:
 a putter head, said putter head further comprising:
 an external face having a top surface and a curved face at a front end of said top surface and extending downward from said top surface; 
 a sensor module removably attached to an interior underside of said external face; 
 a plurality of light projection devices configured to project multiple light beams outward from a front end of said putter head; and 
 a motion sensor configured to measure a speed and distance of at least a portion of a golfer's backstroke when manipulating said putter head through a putting stroke. 
   
     
     
         2 . The golf putting training system of  claim 1 , said curved face of said external face having a first plurality of openings extending therethrough, wherein said light projection devices are positioned to project said light beams through said openings. 
     
     
         3 . The golf putting training system of  claim 2 , wherein said light projection devices are positioned within channels in said sensor module, wherein said channels are aligned with said openings in said curved face. 
     
     
         4 . The golf putting training system of  claim 3 , wherein said light projection devices are positioned apart from one another a distance sufficient to project said light beams in parallel and at a spacing that is greater than a diameter of a standard golf ball. 
     
     
         5 . The golf putting training system of  claim 2 , further comprising a portable target having a vertical face and a connector configured to removably hold said target at a fixed location on the ground. 
     
     
         6 . The golf putting training system of  claim 1 , wherein said curved face has a radius of curvature of greater than 0.84 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The golf putting training system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vertical wall extending downward from said curved face and positioned rearward of a front-most point of said curved face. 
     
     
         8 . The golf putting training system of  claim 1 , said motion sensor further comprising an ultrasonic motion sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The golf putting training system of  claim 8 , wherein said motion sensor is positioned in said sensor module to project an ultrasonic wave rearward from said sensor module. 
     
     
         10 . The golf putting training system of  claim 1 , said motion sensor further comprising a multi-axis motion sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The golf putting training system of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter in data communication with said motion sensor and configured to transmit data representative of at least a speed and stroke distance of a putting stroke of said putter head to an external computing device. 
     
     
         12 . The golf putting training system of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to said top surface of said external face. 
     
     
         13 . The golf putting training system of  claim 12 , said handle further comprising a power device in electrical communication with said light projection devices and said motion sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The golf putting training system of  claim 13 , said handle further comprising a display configured to display data received from said motion sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The golf putting training system of  claim 1 , further comprising an insert matching external dimensions, weight, and balance of said sensor module and excluding said motion sensor and said light projection devices. 
     
     
         16 . The golf putting training system of  claim 15 , wherein said insert is removably attachable to said interior underside of said external face. 
     
     
         17 . A golf putter comprising:
 a putter head, said putter head further comprising:
 an external face having a top surface and a front face extending downward from said top surface; 
 a sensor module removably attached to an interior underside of said external face; and 
 a motion sensor configured to measure a speed and distance of at least a portion of a golfer's backstroke when manipulating said putter head through a putting stroke; and 
   a handle attached to said top surface of said external face.   
     
     
         18 . The golf putter of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one light projection device configured to project a light beam outward from a front end of said putter head. 
     
     
         19 . The golf putter of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of said front face of said external face comprises a curved surface extending downward from said top surface. 
     
     
         20 . The golf putter of  claim 19 , wherein said curved surface is positioned to cause said putter head to strike a golf ball positioned on the ground only at a location above a centerline of said golf ball.