|
The purpose of this project was to design and construct a putter that would make more putts.
A surgeon and researcher by profession, Dr. Johnson applied the same methodology to the search for a better putter design. Therefore, the literature was searched by Internet web sites and existing patents. There are so many references for putters that although the search was comprehensive it was not exhaustive. We have listed some of the interesting web sites that emphasize new designs and others that propose and illustrate various testing methods. (www.lindsayputters.com)
It was noted that "skulled" iron shots go low and straight and rarely deviate to a slice or hook. The reason is that they are "bladed" with the lower part of the iron which is rounded and not hit flat on the face. It was also known that putts may be hit with the rounded lead edge of a sand iron or "bladed" and the ball tracks straight.
There have been putters with rounded faces, but none have gained wide acceptance. Our testing has confirmed the deficiencies of previous rolled face models. (see Testing) Still there was some intrigue with the rolled face geometry and perhaps there was some factor overlooked in past models.
 |
FIRST PROTOTYPE PUTTER, CODE NAME "SCALPEL®" |
A prototype putter was designed to "blade" the putt. This prototype was made from metal with horizontal blade, a welded in shaft and a rolled face at Eclectic Motor Works in Holland, MI. A bumper on the bottom acted as a spacer positioning the face at the center of the ball at address.
Various testing showed this crude putter to work very well. The face of the putter prototype was made with various radii, all less than that of the golf ball which now is one of our patent pending features.
Further testing with chalk spray showed the impact geometry of the rolled face of limited radii differs from a flat face putter. The prototype face showed that the impact geometry with the face of the putter radius less than a golf ball made a horizontal line as opposed to a circular mark with a larger radius or a flat face putter.
| |
 |
HORIZONTAL IMPACT GEOMETRY ON ROLLED FACE PUTTER, PHYSICAL THERAPY® |
|
|
 |
CIRCULAR IMPACT GEOMETRY ON FLAT FACE SOFT INSERT PUTTER |
|
|
 |
PROTOTYPE WITH LEAD WEIGHTING |
 |
PROTOTYPE WITH LEAD WEIGHTING |
We then tested various weighting places on the prototype putter with various size lead fishing weights.
We placed weights in every conceivable combination; anterior, middle, posterior, heel/toe, central, peripheral, superior and inferior on the prototype. These various weighted prototypes were tested at Swing Dynamics in Carlsbad, CA. We learned that posterior inferior peripheral weighting produced the most consistent ball roll. That is medical speak for back, underside, heel/toe positions. This is also one of our patent pending claims.
It seemed that the overlooked design features of the existing rolled face putters was the restriction of the radius to less than that of the golf ball, the placement of weighting and the all over geometry of the club.
 We were referred to Clay Long, a golf club designer in Carlsbad, CA. He was commissioned to take this prototype and design a putter with the features outlined into one that was cosmetically pleasing and more conventional for the golfer. The result is illustrated in the Pro Forma-R™ putter.
Other modifications and models were made by The Design Team at Cornerstone CNC Mfg. in San Marcos, CA. Cornerstone also did the machining. Finishing and shafting was completed by GSI of San Marcos, CA.
Not knowing this industry, it was Providential that we were directed to the independent testing facility, one of the most reputable designers in the industry, the premier independent machining company and the best club finishers at GSI.
 |
CAREFUL POSITIONING AND LEVELING FOR ROBOT TESTING |
We then returned with the finished models for retesting. The finished models tested comparable to the crude prototypes. See charts of the testing results. The prototypes and finished product tested better than what is known about other putters in the market. See testing results under each of our putter designs.
We believe we have the premier putters in the industry. Our claim is based upon independent testing. The proof will be in the market acceptance.
The word putter is ambiguous.
It can mean the club or the golfer.
We think it is more accurately defined as the combination of both.
For emphasis, we like to say, "golf clubs do not play golf."
As good as our putters are designed, their performance is golfer dependent.
Therefore, we suggest you download a copy of Alternative Medicine for Putting: Personal Tutorial
or attend our There is More to Putting than Meets the Eye® workshop.
|