The present invention relates to a single golf club suitable for the pitching and putting of golf balls.

The conventional method of playing pitch and putt (or approach shots to the green in a conventional game of golf followed by putting on the green) , is to use two clubs, a club such as a pitching wedge or other lofting club to approach the green followed by a putter to putt out the golf ball. This method involves the carrying of two clubs, putting one club down on the ground whilst playing a shot, then picking up said club and carrying the two clubs to the next shot where again one or other club is put on the ground, whilst the other is used to play a shot and so on. Golf etiguette also suggests that no clubs be laid on the putting surface hence the pitching club is often laid at the edge of the green and has to be subsequently return to and picked up prior to playing the next hole.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid or minimise one or more of the above disadvantages.

The present invention seeks to provide a composite golf club comprising an elongate shaft provided with, at respective ends, a putting head suitable for use in the putting of golf balls and a head with a lofted contact face suitable for the pitching of golf balls.

The relative alignment of the heads about the longitudinal axis of the shaft is not critical, but desirably said heads have a similar angular disposition, so that the head at the top of the club extends outwardly when held, to facilitate the use of the club.

Preferably said heads are similarly handed in a given club i.e. both heads are formed and arranged to suit either a right handed golfer or a left handed golfer.

The position of the hand grip for the club may conveniently be along the entire shaft length to enable a variety of users of differing techniques and heights to hold and use the club. In another form of the invention a hand grip is provided at either or at both ends of the shaft, only.

Advantageously the method and materials of manufacture will not be substantially different from those used in conventional golf clubs.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of playing pitch and putt golf using only a single club and at least one golf ball, wherein said club is a composite golf club of the invention.

Further preferred features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of a preferred embodiment illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of the club of the invention in use in pitching; and Fig. II is a perspective view of the club of the invention in use in putting.

As shown in Figures I and II a composite pitching and putting club 1 comprises a shaft 2, at one end of which is rigidly fixed a pitching head 3, and at the other end of said shaft 2 is rigidly fixed a putting head 4. Said heads 3 and 4 are arranged and aligned so that when one of the heads 3 or 4 is in use, the other head 4 or 3

extends outwardly from above the users hands 7. To play a pitching shot (see Fig. I) the club 1 is held by the hand grip 5 at the putting head end 8 of the shaft 2, with the putting head 4 extending outwardly from above the users hands 7, the club 1 is swung in a suitable swinging motion to hit the ball 9 with the contact face 10 of the head 3. To putt the ball 9 close to or into the hole 11 (see Fig. II) the club 1 is held by the hand grip 6 at the pitching head end 12 of the shaft 2, said pitching head 3 extending outwardly from above the user's hands 7 and using a suitable putting stroke the ball 9 is hit with the face 13 of the putting head 4.

The shaft 2 may be made of a suitably strong and rigid material such as hollow steel tube, wood or carbon fibre. The heads 3 and 4 may be of cast or forged steel of the generally known construction and design and hand grips 5 and 6 of synthetic rubber sleeveing or the like or of traditional leather binding.