Golf putter with error variance reducing insert

Abstract

A golf putter includes a putter head having an error variability reducing insert that imparts proportional damping properties such that the distance accuracy problems of conventional golf putters are statistically reduced. Through the use of a proportional damping insert comprising at least one exterior striking layer in combination with at least one interior proportional damping layer, the golf putter increases forward distance control by decreasing the distance error consequences of putting swing force errors. The statistical advantage of an error variability reducing insert having proportional damping properties results in missed putts, on average, ending up closer to the hole as compared to conventional putter designs. The exterior striking layer can have a hardness exceeding the level required by the United States Golf Association.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A golf putter comprising: 
 a shaft including a grip at a first end; and    a putter head attached to a second end of the shaft, the putter head having an error variability reducing insert having an exterior striking surface and at least one interior proportional damping layer.    
     
     
         2 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior striking surface has a hardness of at least 90 durometer on the Shore A scale.  
     
     
         3 . The gulf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the error variability reducing insert is removably mounted to a cavity in the putter head such that the error variability reducing profile can be selectively configured by replacing the error variability reducing insert with a second error variability reducing insert.  
     
     
         4 . The golf putter of  claim 3 , wherein the error variability reducing insert further comprises a backplate wherein the backplate includes means for fastening the error variability reducing insert to the putter head.  
     
     
         5 . The golf putter of  claim 4 , wherein the backplate includes at least one perforation for varying a backplate mass such that the error variability reducing profile is modified.  
     
     
         6 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one proportional damping layer comprises a foam.  
     
     
         7 . The golf putter of  claim 6 , wherein the foam is a vinyl foam or a urethane foam.  
     
     
         8 . The golf putter of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior striking surface comprises an Ultra High Molecular Weight polymer.  
     
     
         9 . An error variability reducing putter insert comprising: 
 a striking surface; and    at least one damping layer in proximity to and behind the striking surface,    wherein the error variability reducing putter insert is adapted to attach to a putter head such that the striking surface can strike a golf ball.    
     
     
         10 . The error variability reducing putter insert of  claim 9  further comprising a backplate such that the error variability reducing putter insert is removably attached to the putter head.  
     
     
         11 . The error variability reducing insert of  claim 10  wherein the backplate includes at least one perforation for varying a backplate mass such that a damping proportion is modified.  
     
     
         12 . The error variability reducing putter insert of  claim 9 , wherein the exterior striking surface comprises an Ultra High Molecular Weight Polymer.  
     
     
         13 . The error variability reducing putter insert of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one damping layer comprises a polymeric foam.  
     
     
         14 . The error variability reducing putter insert of  claim 13 , wherein the polymeric foam comprises a vinyl foam or a urethane foam.  
     
     
         15 . The error variability reducing putter insert of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one damping layer comprises a first damping layer and a second damping layer.  
     
     
         16 . The error variability reducing putter insert of  claim 9 , wherein the striking surface has a minimum hardness of 90 durometer on the Shore A scale.  
     
     
         17 . A method of constructing an error variability reducing putter comprising: 
 attaching a error variability reducing insert to a putter head, the error variability reducing insert comprising a striking surface and at least one damping layer, the error variability reducing insert attaching to the putter head such that the striking surface can contact a golf ball when the putter is swung and the at least one damping layer is behind the striking surface to dampen a compression impact.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising removing and replacing the error variability reducing insert with a second error variance reducing inset to adjust a damping profile of the putter.