Golf putter head

Abstract

A golf putter head that generally includes a striking surface and a reflective surface extending above the striking surface for reflecting an image of a golf ball, or at least a portion thereof, to a user when the striking surface is positioned adjacent the golf ball. The golf putter head further includes an alignment surface positioned behind the striking surface. The alignment surface includes at least one indicator for aligning the striking surface with the golf ball.

1 . A golf putter head comprising a striking surface, a reflective surface extending above the striking surface for reflecting an image of at least a portion of a golf ball to a user when the striking surface is positioned adjacent the golf ball, and an alignment surface positioned behind the striking surface, the alignment surface including at least one indicator for aligning the striking surface with the golf ball.  
   
   
       2 . The golf putter head of  claim 1  wherein the indicator is circular.  
   
   
       3 . The golf putter head of  claim 2  wherein the indicator has a diameter about equal to a diameter of the golf ball.  
   
   
       4 . The golf putter head of  claim 2  wherein the indicator has a diameter larger than a diameter of the golf ball.  
   
   
       5 . The golf putter head of  claim 2  wherein the indicator has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the golf ball.  
   
   
       6 . The golf putter head of  claim 1  wherein the alignment surface includes only one circular indicator.  
   
   
       7 . The golf putter head of  claim 1  wherein the indicator defines a guide line aligned with a center of and generally perpendicular to the striking surface.  
   
   
       8 . The golf putter head of  claim 7  wherein the reflective surface defines at least one guide line aligned with the indicator's guide line.  
   
   
       9 . The golf putter head of  claim 1  wherein the golf putter head has a monolithic construction.  
   
   
       10 . The golf putter head of  claim 9  wherein the golf putter head includes monolithic reflective and alignment surfaces.  
   
   
       11 . The golf putter head of  claim 1  wherein the golf putter head includes a higher center of gravity than the golf ball.  
   
   
       12 . The golf putter head of  claim 11  wherein the golf putter head includes a heel portion, a toe portion, and weighted perimeter portions adjacent the heel and toe portions.  
   
   
       13 . The golf putter head of  claim 11  wherein the golf putter head includes a weighted perimeter portion extending at least partially above the striking surface.  
   
   
       14 . The golf putter head of  claim 11  wherein the golf putter head includes a heel portion, a toe portion, and removable weights adjacent the heel and toe portions.  
   
   
       15 . A golf putter head comprising a striking surface, a surface extending above the striking surface, an alignment surface positioned behind the striking surface, and a center of gravity higher than a center of gravity of a golf ball, the center of gravity of the golf putter head being located a distance equal to or greater than one inch behind the striking surface.  
   
   
       16 . The golf putter head of  claim 15  wherein the alignment surface defines an indicator for aligning the striking surface with the golf ball.  
   
   
       17 . The golf putter head of  claim 15  wherein at least a portion of the surface extending above the striking surface is reflective for reflecting an image of at least a portion of the golf ball to a user.  
   
   
       18 . The golf putter head of  claim 15  wherein the center of gravity of the golf putter head is located a distance equal to or greater than one inch above a generally horizontal surface when the golf putter head is resting on the generally horizontal surface.  
   
   
       19 . The golf putter head of  claim 15  wherein the center of gravity of the golf putter head is located a distance equal to or greater than one inch above a bottom surface of the golf putter head.  
   
   
       20 . A putter head comprising a striking surface and a center of gravity located a distance equal to or greater than one inch behind the striking surface and a distance equal to or greater than one inch above a generally horizontal surface when the golf putter head is resting on the generally horizontal surface.  
   
   
       21 . A putter head comprising a first striking surface, a second surface extending above the first striking surface, and a third surface extending rearwardly behind the striking surface, the second and third surfaces having aligned indicators.  
   
   
       22 . A method of aligning a golf putter head with a golf ball, the golf putter head having a striking surface, a reflective surface extending above the striking surface, and an alignment surface positioned behind the striking surface, the method comprising positioning the striking surface relative to the golf ball such that the golf ball is aligned with an axis passing through a center of a reflected image of at least a portion of the golf ball on the reflective surface and with an indicator defined by the alignment surface.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising keeping the reflected image centered on the reflective surface during a putting stroke.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the positioning comprises positioning the golf putter head such that a guide line defined by the indicator is aligned with the golf ball's diameter perpendicular to the striking surface.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the positioning comprises positioning the golf putter head such that a guide line defined by the reflective surface is aligned with a guide line defined by the indicator.