Patent applications directed to unique methods of putting always grab my attention. Perhaps it is because no matter how bad I am putting I would never think that I should just try unconventional methods of holding and swinging the putter until my putting improves (probably a result of close my minded engineering education rather than a creative artistic education). Luckily, creative people do exist, but I don’t think we will see this stroke on Tour anytime soon.

The most recent patent pending putting stroke is disclosed in a patent application that published as US Pub. No. 20080248892 titled “Putting Method and Apparatus.” The application discloses the invention as:

An improved putting method and apparatus include an improved putter and a swinging stance of specific features. The improved putter includes a putter head, a shaft and a handle. The putter head is attached to one end of the shaft and the handle is formed on the other end of the shaft. The handle includes a gripping portion, which is terminated with a substantially spherical ball. The elements of the swinging method include resting a back of one hand against a leg thigh; placing the substantially spherical ball into the palm of the one hand; grasping the spherical ball with the fingers and thumb of the one hand; grasping the gripping portion with the other hand; and retracing an arcuate path to strike the golf ball. Preferably, the one hand is closest to the target. The putter head is preferably swung parallel to the ground.

Would you ever think of resting one of your hands on your thigh? Check out these drawings:

Interesting stuff!

Dave Dawsey  - The Putter Invention Attorney

PS – check out additional putter patents HERE