Golf putter with removeable inserts for altering the center of gravity of the putter

Abstract

A golf putter including a plurality of physical and visual aids for assisting the golfer to more consistently assume a good head and body position and to better putt a golf ball toward a remote hole. The putter head is engaged with one of a plurality of detachable flanges. The flanges all have different lengths, weights and shapes and are selectively engaged with the putter head to change its center of gravity and thereby change the characteristics of the putter. The golfer selectively engages the appropriate one of the plurality of flanges to give the putter head the type of characteristics that best suit his personal putting abilities and deficiencies and is thereby aided in correctly and accurately striking the golf ball. Each of the detachable flanges is provided with a first reflective surface and a second non-reflective surface. The reflective surfaces are all provided with a second linear marking thereon. The second linear marker is alignable with a first linear marking on the putter head and with the remote hole toward which the ball is to be putted. The reflective surface is used during practice sessions to aid the golfer in correctly positioning his head and body. The selected flange is removed and rotated during USGA sanctioned golf games to present the non-reflective surface on the upper side of the club. The different flanges are quickly and easily engaged with the putter head, so the golfer may change the nature of the putter for each hole they encounter on the golf course.

1 . A golf putter for use by a golfer to putt golf balls, said golf putter comprising: 
 a shaft;    a handle disposed at a first end of the shaft;    a putter head disposed at a second end of the shaft, and wherein said putter head includes: 
 a front wall having a front face adapted to strike the golf ball; a rear face; an upper surface and a lower surface;  
 a mounting area; and  
 a first and a second flange being alternatively mountable to the mounting area, the first flange being mounted thereto to cause the center of gravity of the putter head to be positioned in a first position; and the second flange being mounted thereto to cause the center of gravity of the putter head to be positioned in a second and different position.  
   
   
   
       2 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the putter head includes a pair of spaced apart legs extending rearwardly away from the rear face of the front wall; said legs defining a gap therebetween.  
   
   
       3 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the first and second flanges are sized to be selectively received within the gap between the legs.  
   
   
       4 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second flanges is selectively removably mounted to at least one of the front wall and legs of the putter head.  
   
   
       5 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first flange is of a first length and the second flange is of a second and different length.  
   
   
       6 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second flanges has a terminal rearward end; and the terminal rearward end of the first flange is positioned inwardly of a rearmost edge of the mounting area when the first flange is engaged therein; 
 and the terminal rearward end of the second flange is positioned outwardly beyond the rearmost edge of the mounting area when the second flange is engaged therein.    
   
   
       7 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first flange is of a first weight and the second flange is of a second and different weight.  
   
   
       8 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first flange is of a first shape and the second flange is of a second and different shape.  
   
   
       9 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 8 , wherein a terminal rearward end of each of the first and second flanges is shaped in one of a V-shape, an inverted V-shape and a substantially circular shape.  
   
   
       10 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second flanges includes a first reflective surface and a second non-reflective surface; and wherein each of said first and second flanges are selectively reversible so as to cause one of said respective first and second surfaces to face upwardly toward the golfer when said putter is positioned on the ground for striking the golf ball.  
   
   
       11 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 10 , wherein each of said first and second flanges has an upper surface defining a recess therein; and wherein the first reflective surface comprises a mirrored insert disposed within said recess.  
   
   
       12 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the upper surface of the front wall includes a first linear marking that is disposed substantially at right angles to the upper surface; and said first linear marking is adapted to be lined up with a remote hole into which the golf ball is to be putted.  
   
   
       13 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising a second linear marking formed on the first reflective surface of each of the first and second flanges, said second linear marking being alignable with the first linear marking when the respective one of the first and second flanges is mounted in the mounting area.  
   
   
       14 . The golf putter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the legs includes a bore therein and said putter further comprises a plurality of weighted members selectively receivable within one or both of the bores of the legs.  
   
   
       15 . A method of putting a golf ball into a remote hole, comprising: 
 selecting one of a first and second flange for engaging into a mounting area in a putter head of a golf putter; said first flange being at least one of a different length, weight and shape relative to the second flange;    engaging the selected one of the first and second flanges into the mounting area of the golf putter head;    positioning a front face of the putter head adjacent a golf ball;    aligning first linear marking on the putter head with the golf ball and a remote hole into which the golf ball is to be putted;    checking the relative position of a second linear marking on the selected one of the first and second flanges with the first linear marking;    aligning the first and second linear markings with each other;    striking the golf ball with a front face of the putter head.    
   
   
       16 . The method of putting a golf ball as defined in  claim 15;  wherein the step of engaging the selected one of the first and second flanges further includes the step of: 
 detaching the selected one of the first and second flanges from the putter head;    engaging the other of the first and second flanges with the putter head to alter the center of gravity of the putter head for a subsequent putting stroke.    
   
   
       17 . The method of putting a golf ball as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the step of aligning the first and second linear markings includes one of the steps of: 
 moving the handle of the golf club slightly away from the body of the golfer if the first linear marking is disposed closer to the golfer's body than is the second linear marking; and    moving the handle of the golf club slightly toward the golfer's body if the first linear marking is disposed further from the golfer's body than is the second linear marking.    
   
   
       18 . The method of putting a golf as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: 
 positioning the golfer's head over a reflective surface of the selected one of the first and second flanges; where said reflective surface has the second linear marking disposed thereon;    aligning at least one of the golfer's eyes with the second linear marking prior to striking the ball.    
   
   
       19 . The method of putting a golf ball as defined in  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a further plurality of flanges for selective engagement with the putter head; wherein each of the additional plurality of flanges has one of a different length, weight and shape to all of the other plurality of flanges and to both of the first and second flanges;    selecting one of the plurality of flanges and engaging the same with the putter head to alter the position of the center of gravity of the putter head;    playing a stroke;    detaching the one of the plurality of flanges; and    selecting another of the plurality of flanges and replacing the previously selected one of the plurality of flanges therewith.