Adjustable Weight Putter

Abstract

An adjustable weighting system for a golf club head is provided. The weighting system allows for a user to control weight and weight balance on a golf club head such as a putter. The weights are removable via a tool to allow for convenient club customization. In addition to the customization, the weighting system includes features that may allow it to be used at a professional level.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf club comprising:
 a golf club head, the golf club head defining an opening on a sole of the golf club;   a weight secured to the golf club head and positioned in the opening;   wherein the weight is removable from the golf club head by inserting a tool into a tool opening in a cover of the weight and pushing against a spring-loaded surface.   
     
     
         2 . The golf club of  claim 1  wherein the golf club head is a putter head. 
     
     
         3 . The golf club of  claim 1  wherein the spring-loaded surface is a plunger, and wherein the tool can depress a plunger to release a locking ball to allow removal of the weight. 
     
     
         4 . The golf club of  claim 1  wherein the weight further comprises a sidewall, and comprising an O-ring in a seat defined by the sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The golf club of  claim 1  wherein the golf club head defines a plurality of openings on the sole of the golf club, and having a plurality of weights, one weight in each of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         6 . The golf club of  claim 1  wherein the opening further comprises a post within the opening extending into the opening at a center of the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The golf club of  claim 6  wherein the weight is secured to the post within the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The golf club of  claim 1  wherein the weight comprises a ball bearing, the spring-loaded surface being a plunger having a finger to urge the ball bearing into a locking position against a portion of the golf club head in a locked position, and when the plunger is moved by the tool, the ball bearing moves into a recess space, unlocking it from the portion of the golf club head and allowing removal of the weight from the golf club head. 
     
     
         9 . The golf club of  claim 8  wherein the opening of the golf club head further comprises a post within the opening extending into the opening at a center of the opening; and
 wherein the weight defines a central space into which the post can fit, the ball bearing engageable with the post via a seat in a ball housing of the weight. 
 
     
     
         10 . The golf club of  claim 9  wherein the post has a flanged distal end. 
     
     
         11 . The golf club of  claim 1  wherein the golf club head is a putter head, and wherein the putter head defines two openings, one at a heel of the putter head and one at a toe of the putter head, and comprising the weight attached in one of the two openings, and a second weight in the other of the two openings, the two weights controlling a moment of inertia of the putter head. 
     
     
         12 . The golf club of  claim 11  wherein the weight is the same as the second weight. 
     
     
         13 . The golf club of  claim 1  wherein the tool opening is C-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . A golf club weight system comprising:
 a golf club head, the golf club head defining an opening on a sole of the golf club;   a weight securable to the golf club head and positioned in the opening;   wherein the weight is removable from the golf club head by inserting a tool into a tool opening in a cover of the weight and pushing against a spring-loaded surface; and   the tool comprising a handle, a tool head, and a notched protrusion on the tool head, the notched protrusion sized to fit into the tool opening and configured to engage with a bottom surface of a cover of the weight.   
     
     
         15 . The golf club weight system of  claim 14  wherein the tool comprises a plurality of notched protrusions on the tool head. 
     
     
         16 . The golf club weight system of  claim 14  wherein the tool slides within the tool opening to engage with the bottom surface of the cover of the weight. 
     
     
         17 . The golf club weight system of  claim 14  wherein the tool twists within the tool opening to engage with the bottom surface of the cover of the weight. 
     
     
         18 . The golf club of  claim 14  wherein the golf club head is a putter head. 
     
     
         19 . The golf club of  claim 14  wherein the weight comprises a ball bearing, the spring-loaded surface being a plunger having a finger to urge the ball bearing into a locking position against a portion of the golf club head in a locked position, and when the plunger is moved by the tool, the ball bearing moves into a recess space, unlocking it from the portion of the golf club head and allowing removal of the weight from the golf club head;
 wherein the opening of the golf club head further comprises a post having a flared distal end within the opening extending into the opening at a center of the opening; and 
 wherein the weight defines a central space into which the post can fit, the ball bearing engageable with the post via a seat in a ball housing of the weight. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method of removing the weight from the golf club head of  claim 1  comprising the steps of:
 pushing a tool head of the tool into the tool opening of the weight; 
 twisting or sliding the tool head to engage a notched protrusion with an underside of the cover of the weight; and 
 removing the weight from the golf club head by pulling a handle of the tool and in turn pulling the weight away from the golf club head.