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Choosing the Correct Putter Length for Your Stance

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Equipment | Golf Clubs


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Quick answer

  • The right putter length is all about your natural stance, letting your arms hang free and your eyes sit comfortably over the ball.
  • A putter that’s too long or too short throws off your entire stroke, leading to missed putts.
  • A good starting point: measure from your lead wrist to the ground when you’re set up.

A putter that’s too long or too short throws off your entire stroke, leading to missed putts. If you’re in the market for a new one, consider a versatile golf putter that can be adjusted.

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Who this is for

  • Any golfer, from weekend warriors to scratch golfers, who wants to sink more putts.
  • If your current putter feels like a foreign object, or you’re tired of those frustrating thin or fat shots, this guide is your ticket.

What length putter should I have: Key Checks

  • Your Height is a Hint, Not a Rule: Sure, taller folks often need longer sticks, and shorter folks need shorter ones. But don’t just grab a putter based on your height alone. It’s a starting point, nothing more.
  • Your Natural Stance: How do you like to set up to the ball? Are you more upright, or do you get down low like a catcher? Your stance dictates a lot about what length feels right.
  • The Arm Hang: Stand tall, then relax. Let your arms just hang naturally from your shoulders. That relaxed, almost floppy feeling is what you’re aiming for with your putter.
  • Eye Position Over the Ball: When you’re dialed in over the ball, your eyes should ideally be directly above it or slightly inside the target line. A putter that’s too long will push your eyes too far inside.
  • Feel and Comfort: This is huge. If it doesn’t feel right in your hands and through your shoulders, it’s probably not the right length. Trust your gut.

Step-by-step plan for finding your ideal putter length

This step-by-step plan will help you find your ideal length. For a more visual aid, consider using a putter length guide to ensure you’re measuring correctly.

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1. Find Your Stance: Get into your typical putting posture. Don’t force it. Just stand how you normally would over an imaginary ball. Mistake: Trying to contort yourself into some pro golfer’s pose that doesn’t feel natural.

2. Let Your Arms Hang: From your relaxed stance, let your arms drop straight down. Feel that easy, natural hang. This is the sweet spot you’re trying to replicate with the putter. Mistake: Gripping the putter too early and letting it dictate your arm position instead of the other way around.

3. Measure the Baseline: Now, while your arms are hanging, get a tape measure. Measure from the ground straight up to the crease of your lead wrist (the one closest to the hole). This gives you a solid starting measurement. Mistake: Thinking this measurement is the absolute final word. It’s a guide, not gospel.

4. Grab a Putter: Find a putter that’s close to that measured length, or use your current one. Address an imaginary ball again, trying to match that natural arm hang. Mistake: Not having a putter in hand to physically test the feel and setup.

5. Check Your Eyes: Look down. Are your eyes directly over the ball, or just inside the target line? If the putter is too long, you’ll feel like you’re looking down from way outside. If it’s too short, you’ll feel like you’re reaching. Mistake: Focusing on how the club looks instead of where your eyes are relative to the ball.

6. Feel the Stroke: Take a few smooth, easy practice strokes. Does it feel balanced? Can you make a consistent motion without any tension? This is where you really feel if it’s right. Mistake: Rushing the process and not taking enough practice swings to get a true feel.

7. Fine-Tune and Test: If something feels off – too much tension, you’re reaching, or you feel like you’re crowding the ball – try a putter that’s an inch longer or shorter. Repeat steps 4-6 until it feels dialed in. Finding the Right Putter Length for Your Stance takes a little experimentation. Mistake: Settling for “pretty good” when “perfectly comfortable” is within reach.

8. Get Expert Input (Optional but Recommended): If you’re really struggling or want to be absolutely sure, head to a reputable golf shop or club fitter. They have specialized tools and can help you dial in the exact length, lie angle, and loft for your unique setup. They’ll help you nail down Choosing The Right Putter Length For Your Stance. Mistake: Thinking you have to figure it all out on your own without leveraging professional expertise.

Common mistakes

  • Using a Putter That’s Too Long — This forces you to stand up too straight, which often leads to an unnatural “chicken wing” motion with your lead arm to reach the ball. It totally ruins your stroke consistency and control. You might even start scooping the ball. — Fix: Get the putter professionally shortened, or make a significant adjustment to your stance to compensate.
  • Using a Putter That’s Too Short — This makes you bend over way too much at the waist. It creates tension in your back and shoulders, and it can really mess up your putting arc, leading to those dreaded thin or fat shots. You’re essentially forcing your body into an awkward position. — Fix: Get a longer putter or consciously stand up a bit straighter, letting your arms hang more freely.
  • Ignoring Your Natural Stance — Trying to force yourself into a specific stance just because you think it’s “correct” for a certain putter length is a bad idea. Your body knows what feels stable and comfortable. Trying to fight it will only lead to inconsistency. — Fix: Embrace your natural posture and find a putter length that complements it, not fights it.
  • Focusing Only on Static Measurements — While measurements are a starting point, they don’t tell the whole story. A putter might measure “correctly” but feel awkward during your stroke. The feel of your swing is paramount. — Fix: Prioritize a smooth, repeatable stroke and a comfortable feel over rigid numbers. Always test with actual swings.
  • Not Considering Ball Position — Your putter length also influences where you’ll naturally want to play the ball in your stance. If the putter is too long, you might creep the ball back. Too short, and you might creep it forward. This affects the strike. — Fix: Ensure your ball position remains consistent and comfortable with the putter length you choose.
  • Assuming All Putters Are Created Equal — Different putter head styles (mallets, blades) and toe hangs can subtly influence how a putter feels at a specific length. What works for one might not work for another. — Fix: When testing, be aware of the putter head’s design and how it influences its balance and hang.
  • Not Trusting Your Gut Feeling — Sometimes, the numbers and guidelines point one way, but your body screams another. If a putter just doesn’t feel right, even after adjustments, it’s probably not the one. — Fix: Listen to your body. If it feels off, keep searching for one that feels natural and confident.

FAQ

  • How does putter length affect my putting stroke?

Putter length is foundational to your putting posture and how your arms hang. The correct length allows your arms to hang naturally from your shoulders, creating a consistent pendulum motion for your stroke. This leads to better tempo, face control, and distance management. If the putter is too long, you’ll likely stand too upright and may need to manipulate your arms to reach the ball, leading to inconsistency. If it’s too short, you’ll bend too much, creating tension and potentially altering your swing arc, resulting in mishandled distance and direction.

  • What is the typical putter length for an average-height golfer?

For golfers around 5’10” to 6’0″, a standard 34-inch putter is often a good starting point. However, this is a very general guideline. Factors like your specific leg length, torso length, and preferred putting stance (upright vs. bent over) play a much bigger role than just overall height. Some golfers in this height range might be perfectly suited with a 33-inch or even a 35-inch putter.

  • Can I adjust the length of my current putter?

Yes, absolutely. Most steel-shafted putters can be adjusted in length by a qualified club fitter or repair shop. They can either add a tip extension to make it longer or cut it down to make it shorter. This is a relatively inexpensive way to dial in the perfect length for your game. Some putters have adjustable weights that can help compensate for the change in length, but extending or shortening the shaft is the primary method.

  • Should I be able to see the toe of the putter at address?

Generally, no. With a properly fitted putter length, the toe of the putter should be slightly off the ground, or the sole should sit relatively flat on the turf. If you see a significant gap under the toe, with the heel firmly on the ground, your putter is likely too long. Conversely, if the toe is dragging on the ground, it might be too short. The goal is a balanced setup where the club sits naturally.

  • What if I have a very wide stance?

A wider stance typically means you’ll be more stable and might stand a bit more upright to maintain balance. This often translates to needing a slightly longer putter than someone who uses a narrow, more bent-over stance. The key is that your arms should still be able to hang naturally. Experiment with different lengths while maintaining your wide, stable base to see what feels most comfortable and allows for a free-flowing stroke.

  • How do I know if my putter is too long or too short during a round?

During a round, pay attention to how you feel. If your putter is too long, you might feel like you’re standing too upright, your arms feel a bit disconnected, or you’re having to “reach” for the ball, leading to a scooping motion. If it’s too short, you’ll likely feel hunched over, with tension in your shoulders and back, and you might feel like you’re “chopping” down at the ball. You might also notice a tendency to hit shots too hard or too soft because your stroke arc is compromised.

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