Golf putting training system

Abstract

A golf putting training system for a golfer is disclosed generally comprising a linear measurement device that is placed on the ground such that a golf ball is placed at one end and a stopper for engaging a putting head is positioned along the measurement device at a desired distance from the ball. A golfer putts the golf ball, taking a backswing that moves the putter head to the surface of the stopper prior to accelerating towards the ball. The golfer then compares the distance between the end of the measurement device and the stopper to the distance between the end of the measurement device and the final destination of the golf ball. In this way, the golfer can calculate a backswing-to-putt ratio to quickly determine the required backswing distance for any desired putt distance for a given stroke acceleration rate.

1 . A golf putting training system for a golfer, comprising the steps of:
 placing a linear measurement device on the ground;   placing a golf ball at an end of the measurement device;   positioning on said measurement device a stopper having a stopping surface for engaging a putter head of a putter;   examining the measurement device to determine the distance between the end of the device and the stopping surface of the stopper;   putting the golf ball to a destination with the putter head using a backswing that moves the putter head to the stopping surface of the stopper;   determining the distance from the end of the measurement device to the destination of the golf ball; and   determining a backswing-to-putt ratio by comparing the determined distance between the end of the device and the stopping surface of the stopper and the determined distance from the end of the measurement device to the destination of the golf ball.   
   
   
       2 . The training system of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of positioning a guide member adjacent to the linear measurement device such that the guide member extends substantially parallel to the measurement device to guide the motion of the putter head along the measurement device during the putting step. 
   
   
       3 . The training system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 repeating the steps of placing a golf ball at one end of the measurement device, putting the golf ball, and determining the distance from the end of the measurement device to the ball destination a plurality of times;   wherein the step of determining the backswing-to-putt ratio comprises determining the average distance from the end of the measurement device to the ball destination, and comparing the distance between the end of the device and the stopping surface of the stopper to the average distance from the end of the measurement device to the ball destination.   
   
   
       4 . The training system of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 placing the measurement device on the ground of a golf course;   repeating the steps of placing a golf ball at one end of the measurement device, positioning the stopper on the measurement device, putting the golf ball, and determining the distance from the end of the measurement device to the ball destination on the golf course;   determining a second ratio by comparing the determined distance between the end of the device and the stopping surface of the stopper on the golf course and the determined distance from the end of the measurement device to the destination of the golf ball on the golf course; and   comparing the backswing-to-putt ratio with the second ratio to determine a factor by which to adjust the backswing-to-putt ratio to account for golf course conditions.   
   
   
       5 . The training system of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of using a ball liner to mark an alignment line on the golf ball. 
   
   
       6 . The training system of  claim 5 , wherein the step of putting includes striking the golf ball with a face of the putter head, wherein the putter head has an alignment line transverse to the face of the putter head. 
   
   
       7 . The training system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the measurement device has an alignment line thereon;   the step of placing a golf ball at an end of the measurement device includes aligning the alignment line on the golf ball with the alignment line on the measurement device; and   the step of putting includes keeping the alignment line on the putter head aligned with the alignment line on the measurement device.   
   
   
       8 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein the step of putting includes wearing a wrist retention device to prevent flicking of the wrist. 
   
   
       9 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein the step of putting includes using an arm separation device to prevent changes in arm position. 
   
   
       10 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the linear measurement device comprises a metallic ruler; and   the stopper includes at least one magnet for detachably affixing the stopper to the ruler.   
   
   
       11 . A golf putting training system for a golfer, comprising:
 a measuring strip for measuring distance from a golf ball;   a stopper having a stopping surface for obstructing longitudinal motion of a putter head along said strip, said stopper having a connector for detachably affixing said stopper to said strip at a desired distance from the golf ball;   a guide member having a guiding surface that extends substantially parallel to said measuring strip when positioned adjacent said strip for guiding longitudinal motion of the putter head along said strip.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said strip comprises a metallic ruler; and   said connector comprises at least one magnet.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said strip has a golf ball end having a width, further comprising a visual reference connected to the golf ball end of said strip to help a golfer square the putting head, said visual reference having a width larger than the width of said strip. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said guide member has a bottom surface, said bottom surface having a recess for receiving part of the visual reference. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a putter. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said putter includes a putter head having a face for striking the golf ball and an alignment line that extends transverse to the face of said putter head. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a golf ball liner for marking at least one alignment line on the golf ball. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said measuring strip includes an alignment line extending along the length of said strip for visually connecting the alignment line on said putter head with an alignment line on the golf ball. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a training accessory comprising at least one of a golf ball liner, a wrist retention device, an arm separation device, a balance board, a putting rope, and a practice hole disc. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a putter.