BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Golf clubs have been manufactured for hundreds of years on virtually the same principle. The golfer stands substantially upright with two hands on the grip at the top of the shaft and rotates his or her shoulders about the upper body to direct the clubhead into contact with the ball. Generally, close range clubs such as putters, wedges, chippers and the like are 33-35 inches in length to provide the standard posture over the ball.

However, the user cannot achieve a true pendulum stroke using two arms on either side of a rotating torso.

An unconventional putter has recently been introduced which is much longer than a conventional putter, generally being about 48 inches in length. This long putter is designed to be held with the two hands separated, having a top grip at the butt end of the shaft and a second grip in the middle of the shaft. The user holds the top grip against his or her chest for a pivot point and swings the club using the middle grip to propel and guide the swing. Using this club and technique, however, is awkward and requires guiding the club from the middle of the"pendulum".

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved golf club which allows a more precise and consistent pendulum stroke. It is a further object of the invention to provide a club which

forces proper set up over the ball and thereby improves distance and direction control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objectives are achieved by the golf club of the present invention for regulation play by adults comprising a clubhead for striking the ball, a shaft attached to the head and a grip portion on the shaft wherein the length of the shaft from the top of the grip portion to the clubhead is no greater than about 30 inches. Preferably, the club of the present invention is intended for use with clubheads comprising those known for a putter, wedge, chipper or the like.

The grip portion on the shaft can be covered with a suitable grip material, as desired by the user.

Alternatively, the grip portion can have a textured surface, however the invention is contemplated without as well as with such texture or grip material.

Also preferred for the club of the present invention is to include a shaft with a thick diameter at the grip portion, tapering down to a thinner diameter at the head or tip end which is inserted into the hosel of the clubhead, including an aperture directly into the clubhead itself. The shaft and clubhead are selected and the club is manufactured so that the point of balance of the club is at or below that where the shaft is inserted into the hosel of the clubhead.

The club of the present invention allows the user to bend over the ball to more accurately align his or her putt and use a one hand grip on the present club for a truer pendulum stroke pivoting at one shoulder.

The user is closer to the ball allowing far more accurate contact between the clubhead and the ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following drawings, in which like reference characters represent like parts, are included for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner whatsoever.

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the golf club of the present invention in its upright position.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the golf club of the present invention balanced on its center of gravity.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic view of a person using the golf club of the present invention in the preferred method.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of the golf club of the present invention further comprising an extension and means for engaging the user's forearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred golf club 2 of the present invention, shown in FIGURE 1, comprises a shaft 4 with a clubhead 6 at one end and a grip portion 8 on the shaft, the top 9 of the grip portion 8 being at a distance of not more than 30 inches from the clubhead 6.

The overall length S of the shaft 4 to the sole of the clubhead 6 of the golf club 2 of the present invention, from the top 9 of the grip portion to the clubhead, is less than about 30 inches. The length S is preferably less than about 24 to 26 inches and, in its most preferred embodiment, is from about 18 to about 22 inches. An 18 inch length S has been found to be particularly appropriate to achieve the one handed pendulum stroke with the user close enough to the ball for the most accurate contact.

Preferably, the top 9 of the grip portion 8 terminates at or near the butt end 10 of the shaft 4.

In the preferred embodiment, the shaft 4 has a larger diameter at the grip portion 8 and a smaller diameter tip end 12 for insertion into the hosel of the clubhead 6. In its most preferred embodiment the larger diameter D at the grip portion is greater than about 0.75 inches and is preferably about 1.0 inches and the small diameter D'is about 0.50 inches. The grip portion 8 is preferably a thickness of over 0.75 inches to reduce the effect of the wrist in completing a pendulum stroke from the shoulder.

The transition portion 14 of the shaft 4, where the diameter of the shaft changes most substantially, preferably occurs over a span T which is preferably from about 2 to about 6 inches and is most preferably a span T of about 4 inches when the shaft diameter tapers from about 1.00 to about 0.50 inches. The transition portion 14 occurs on the shaft 4 between the grip portion 8 and the hosel of the clubhead 6.

The shaft 4 can be made of any suitable material as is known in the art. The shaft 4 is preferably made of graphite or a graphite composite, aluminum, a metal alloy, titanium, plastic, thermoplastic, fiberglass or steel. Most preferred is a high strength carbon fiber graphite composite, manufactured by a flat pattern lay-up wrap onto a steel mandrel and overwrapped with polypropylene for curing, having a wall thickness of from about 0.020 to about 0.050 inches. The preferred shaft 4 has a wall thickness of from about 0.025 to about 0.045 inches at the butt end 10 and from about 0.030 to about 0.050 inches at the tip end 12. The wall thickness of the preferred graphite composite shaft 4 can vary, of course, depending on strength and weight requirements. The high strength carbon fiber can be of 33,40 or 50 million modulus, etc.

By changing the mandrel diameter, wall thickness, modulus

of material, etc. the shaft 4 can be formed to the desired stiffness and weight.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 4, the club 2 has an extension 16 from the butt end of the shaft 4 with an end piece 18 which contacts the user's forearm for stability of the user's wrist during use. The extension 16 can be unitary with the shaft 4 or can be removable, being held on with a clamp or other known mechanical or magnetic means. Preferably, the end piece 18 is 6 to 8 inches from the top 9 of the grip portion 8 to properly contact a user's forearm.

Additionally, the grip portion 8 on the shaft 4 may or may not be covered with a grip material 8'. Any such grip material which is or may become known in the art is contemplated for use herewith. Suitable grip materials include rubber, leather, synthetic leather, plastic or composites and like materials that enhance a sure and secure hold on the grip portion 8 of the club 2.

If a grip material 8'is provided to cover the grip portion 8 of the shaft 4, the grip material would preferably extend a length G, being from about 5 inches to about 8 inches down the shaft 4 from the top 9 of the grip portion 8 and, most preferably, from the butt end 10 of the shaft 4. Alternatively, the grip portion 8 can have a smooth or a textured surface etched into the shaft material, such as a diamond pattern or sanded surface, over the same portion of the shaft 4.

In its preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 2, the club 2 has a center of gravity or balance point B at or below the point where the tip end 12 of the shaft 4 is inserted into the hosel of the clubhead 6. This weight distribution provides maximum pendulum effect thereby achieving the consistent pendulum stroke from the club 2 of the present invention when used in accordance herewith.

The clubhead 6 can have any suitable configuration, and may be manufactured of any suitable material, including those generally known in the art.

However, selection of the clubhead 6 configuration and material should be made keeping in mind that the balance point B of the club 2 is most preferably at or below the point of insertion of the tip end 12 of the shaft 4 into the hosel of the clubhead 6. The most preferred clubhead 6 is manufactured to preferably have a mass of from about 290 to about 350 grams and most preferably about 335 grams.

The stroke of the club 2 of the present invention contemplates a stance where the user is bent over with his or her eyes directly over the ball. As such, the angle A of the clubhead 6 to the shaft 4 is preferably in the range of from about 70 to about 80°.

Most preferred is an angle A of about 74°.

Use of the club 2 of the present invention is most preferably as shown in FIGURE 3. The user 20 is bent over, knees flexed, with his or her head 22 directly over the ball. The user's non-putting hand 24 is placed on his or her corresponding knee on the non-putting side of his or her body for stability and back support. The user's putting arm 26 hangs from the shoulder and the putting hand grasps the grip portion 8 of the shaft 4 of the present club 2. The user 20 can now make a true pendulum stroke back and forth, through the ball, using his or her shoulder as a single pendulum point for a more consistent stroke. This type of true pendulum stroke from a single shoulder pivot point requires no unnecessary body movement, and is easily replicable.

Although the present invention has been described in the embodiment of a putter, it is understood that the club 2 of the present invention can be fitted with a clubhead 6 designed for a wedge, chipper, pitching or chipping iron or similar club, as well as a putter

clubhead 6, for use in generally close range situations without deviating from the invention.

Obvious variations may be made to the general teaching of the present invention which are intended to fall within the scope of the invention, limited solely by the appended claims.