Golf Putting Training Tool

Abstract

A golf putting training tool includes a body that extends circumferentially around a central axis. The body has a width as measured along the central axis and an outer diameter as measured radially about the central axis, and the width is at least twice the outer diameter. An alignment indicator extends circumferentially around the central axis and is generally centered along the width of the body. The body includes a central portion that is generally spheroid in shape and two opposed end portions coupled to the central portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf putting training tool comprising:
 a body extending circumferentially around a central axis, the body having a width as measured along the central axis and an outer diameter as measured radially about the central axis, the width being at least twice the outer diameter; and   an alignment indicator extending circumferentially around the central axis, the alignment indicator being generally centered along the width of the body,   wherein the body includes a central portion that is generally spheroid in shape and two opposed end portions coupled to the central portion.   
     
     
         2 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion includes a plurality of dimples disposed along an outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 2 , wherein the end portions are devoid of dimples. 
     
     
         4 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the body is about 42.6 mm and the width is about 156.6 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment indicator is a recessed groove in the body. 
     
     
         6 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment indicator is a surface indicia applied to the body. 
     
     
         7 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a non-uniform thickness. 
     
     
         8 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the two opposed end portions are generally frustoconical in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a core extending circumferentially around the central axis and positioned within the body; and 
 a shell disposed about the core and comprising a material having a first Shore D hardness, 
 wherein the body is disposed about the shell and has a second Shore D hardness less than the first Shore D hardness. 
 
     
     
         10 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 9 , wherein the core is comprised of an expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam, the shell is comprised of a rubber material and the body is comprised of a urethane material. 
     
     
         11 . A golf putting training tool comprising:
 a body extending circumferentially around a central axis, the body having a width as measured along the central axis of about 156.6 mm and an outer diameter as measured radially about the central axis of about 42.6 mm; and   an alignment indicator extending circumferentially around the central axis, the alignment indicator being generally centered along the width of the body,   wherein the body includes:
 a central portion that is generally spheroid in shape and includes a plurality of dimples disposed along an outer surface thereof, and 
 two opposed end portions coupled to the central portion each of which are generally frustoconical in shape and are devoid of dimples. 
   
     
     
         12 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 11 , wherein the alignment indicator is a recessed groove in the body. 
     
     
         13 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 11 , wherein the alignment indicator is a surface indicia applied to the cover. 
     
     
         14 . The golf putting training tool of  claim 11 , wherein the body has a non-uniform thickness. 
     
     
         15 . A method of using a golf putting training tool, the method comprising:
 placing the golf putting training tool on a ground surface, the golf putting training tool comprising:
 a core extending circumferentially around a core axis; 
 a shell disposed about the core; 
 a cover disposed about the shell, the cover having a width as measured along the core axis and an outer diameter as measured radially about the core axis, the width being at least twice the outer diameter; and 
 an alignment indicator extending circumferentially around the core axis, the alignment indicator being generally centered along the width of the core; 
   aligning an alignment aid of a putter with the alignment indicator of the golf putting training tool; and   striking the golf putting training tool with a face of the putter.