Golf putting training template

Abstract

A golf putting template for training golfers to more accurately putt a golf ball towards the cup along the preferred line of travel has a base member with an open area at its forward end that extends rearwardly to define a ball placement area and a center position for placement of the golf ball. An aim line extends rearwardly from the center position for aligning the template with a target line marked on the ground. An arc line extends rearwardly from the center position in a substantially elliptical direction to define the travel of the putter head during the back and forward strokes, which is achieved through rotation of the golfer's shoulders. Tracking lines perpendicularly intersect the arc line to guide the putter head face during the putting stroke. A plurality of follow-through lines guide the follow-through swing. Alignment indicia align the golfer's feet and stance relative to the template.

1 . A golf putting training template for use by a golfer to putt a golf ball along a preferred line with a putter head having a sweet spot on a face thereof, said training template comprising; 
 a base member having a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side;    an open area beginning at said first end of said base member and extending rearward therefrom, said open area defining a ball placement area for receiving said golf ball, said base member having a center position at said ball placement area for alignment of said golf ball;    an aim line on said base member, said aim line extending rearward from said center position of said ball placement area; and    an arc line on said base member, said arc line extending rearward in a substantially elliptical direction from said center position of said ball placement area towards said first side of said base member.    
   
   
       2 . The training template according to  claim 1  further comprising a stance line on said base member, said stance line passing through said center position and defining the approximate middle of the stance of said golfer and a ball contact point.  
   
   
       3 . The training template according to  claim 2  further comprising a ball contact point on said stance line in alignment with said aim line, said ball contact point defining the position of contact between said golf ball and said sweet spot on said face of said putter head.  
   
   
       4 . The training template according to  claim 1  further comprising one or more tracking lines on said base member, each of said one or more tracking lines perpendicularly intersecting said arc line, said one or more tracking lines defining the desired travel of said putter head prior to hitting said golf ball.  
   
   
       5 . The training template according to  claim 1  further comprising one or more follow-through lines on said base member, each of said follow-through lines intersecting said open area and defining the desired travel of said putter head after hitting said golf ball.  
   
   
       6 . The training template according to  claim 5  further comprising one or more tracking lines on said base member, each of said one or more tracking lines perpendicularly intersecting said arc line.  
   
   
       7 . The training template according to  claim 6  further comprising a stance line on said base member, said stance line passing through said center position and defining the approximate middle of the stance of said golfer and a ball contact point.  
   
   
       8 . The training template according to  claim 1  further comprising a left foot alignment mark at said first end of said base member, said left foot alignment mark configured to generally align the left foot of said golfer.  
   
   
       9 . The training template according to  claim 8  further comprising a right foot alignment mark at said first side of said base member, said right foot alignment mark configured to generally align the right foot of said golfer.  
   
   
       10 . The training template according to  claim 1  further comprising a visual head guide on said base member at said center position, said visual head guide configured to align the head of said golfer.  
   
   
       11 . The training template according to  claim 1 , wherein said base member further comprises one or more positioning apertures.  
   
   
       12 . The training template according to  claim 1 , wherein said base member comprises a forward base member defining a forward section and a rear base member defining a rear section, said open area and said center position on said forward base member, said forward base member and said rear base member configured for placement in abutting relation to join said aim line and said arc line extending rearward from said center position onto said rear base member.  
   
   
       13 . A golf putting training template for use by a golfer to putt a golf ball along a preferred line with a putter head having a sweet spot on a putter face thereof, said training template comprising; 
 a forward base member having a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side, said forward base member defining a forward section;    a rear base member having a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side, said rear base member defining a rear section, said first end of said rear base member configured to be placed in abutting relationship with said second end of said forward base member;    an open area on said forward section, said open area beginning at said first end of said forward base member and extending rearward therefrom, said open area defining a ball placement area for receiving said golf ball, said forward base member having a center position at said ball placement area for alignment of said golf ball;    an aim line on said forward base member and said rear base member, said aim line extending rearward from said center position of said ball placement area;    an arc line on said forward base member and said rear base member, said arc line extending rearward in a substantially elliptical direction from said center position of said ball placement area towards said first side of said rear base member;    one or more tracking lines on said rear base member, each of said one or more tracking lines perpendicularly intersecting said arc line, said one or more tracking lines defining the desired travel of said putter face prior to hitting said golf ball; and    one or more follow-through lines on said forward base member, each of said follow-through lines intersecting said open area and defining the desired travel of said putter head after hitting said golf ball.    
   
   
       14 . The training template according to  claim 13  further comprising a stance line on said forward base member, said stance line passing through said center position and defining the center of the stance of said golfer.  
   
   
       15 . The training template according to  claim 14  further comprising a ball contact point on said stance line in alignment with said aim line, said ball contact point defining the position of contact between said golf ball and said sweet spot on said face of said putter head.  
   
   
       16 . The training template according to  claim 13  further comprising a left foot alignment mark at said first end of said forward base member and a right foot alignment mark at said first end of said rear base member, said left foot alignment mark aligning the left foot of said golfer and said right foot alignment mark aligning the right foot of said golfer so as to place the middle of the stance of said golfer in substantial alignment with said center position.  
   
   
       17 . The training template according to  claim 16  further comprising a visual head guide on said forward base member at said center position, said visual head guide configured to align the head of said golfer.  
   
   
       18 . The training template according to  claim 13 , wherein each of said forward base member and said rear base member further comprises one or more positioning apertures.  
   
   
       19 . A method of utilizing a golf putting training template to practice putting a golf ball on a surface along a preferred line towards a cup with a putter head having a sweet spot on a face thereof, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) Marking a target line along at least a portion of said preferred line;    b) Placing a first end of a base member towards said cup;    c) Aligning an aim line on said base member with said target line, said aim line extending rearward from a center position at a ball placement area defined in an open area at said first end of said base member, said open area beginning at said first end of said base member and extending rearward therefrom;    d) Securing said base member to said surface with said aim line linearly disposed relative to said target line;    e) Placing said golf ball at said ball placement area;    f) Standing adjacent to said base member such that the middle of the stance of said golfer is substantially aligned with a stance line on said base member at said center position;    g) Placing said sweet spot of said putter head adjacent said golf ball at said center position;    h) Rotating the shoulders of said golfer so as to swing said putter head along an arc line on said base member with said face of said putter head substantially parallel to one or more tracking lines on said base member, said arc line extending rearward in a substantially elliptical direction from said center position of said ball placement area, each of said one or more tracking lines perpendicularly intersecting said arc line; and    i) Contacting said golf ball with said sweet spot of said putter head so as to direct said golf ball towards said cup while continuing to rotate the shoulders of said golfer, said face of said putter head substantially aligned with one or more follow-through lines on said base member, each of said one or more follow-through lines intersecting said open area.    
   
   
       20 . The training method according to  claim 19  further comprising the step of aligning the left foot of said golfer with a left foot alignment mark at said first end of said base member and aligning the right foot of said golfer with a right foot alignment mark at said first side of said base member before said standing step, said left foot alignment mark and said right foot alignment mark configured to substantially align the middle of the stance of said golfer with said center position.