Choosing the Right Putter Length

← Golf Equipment | Golf Clubs

BLOCKQUOTE_0

Quick Answer

• Your putter length is crucial and should align with your height and natural putting posture, allowing your hands to hang comfortably.
• A good benchmark is when your hands sit roughly one to two inches below your hips when you address the ball.
• Ultimately, the best length is found through experimentation, ensuring comfort and confidence in your stroke.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who feel their putting is inconsistent, struggling with distance control or face-to-face alignment.
• Players who experience physical discomfort, like back, shoulder, or wrist strain, during their putting stroke.
• Anyone looking to optimize their setup for a more repeatable and effective putting motion.

What to Check First: Putter Length Compatibility

• Your Current Putter’s Length: Grab your current putter and find its exact length. This is often stamped on the shaft or grip.
• Manufacturer Specs/Recommendations: Check the manual that came with your putter or visit the manufacturer’s website. They usually have sizing charts based on golfer height.
• Your Natural Address Posture: Stand as if you’re about to putt. Are you bending too much from the waist, or are you standing too upright? Your natural inclination is a key indicator.
• Hand Position at Address: Observe where your hands hang naturally when you’re in your putting stance. Are they relaxed and comfortable, or do they feel strained or cramped?

Finding Your Ideal Putter Length: A Step-by-Step Plan

Alright, let’s get this sorted. Figuring out the right putter length isn’t some dark art; it’s about getting a good feel and a solid setup. This is how you do it.

1. Establish Your Athletic Stance. Start by standing naturally, just like you would for any golf shot. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, and your knees should have a slight, comfortable bend. Think athletic, not stiff.

• What to look for: A balanced, stable base. You should feel grounded and ready to move, not like you’re about to fall over or be blown away by a gust of wind. This is your foundation for a repeatable stroke.
• Mistake to avoid: Slouching too much from your back, creating a rounded spine, or standing rigidly straight like a soldier at attention. Both extremes will force your body into unnatural positions, making a smooth, consistent stroke nearly impossible.

2. Grip Your Putter Naturally. Now, pick up your putter and grip it exactly how you normally would when you’re on the green, ready to roll a putt. Don’t try to mimic someone else or force an awkward grip.

• What to look for: Relaxed hands and wrists. Your grip pressure should be light, almost as if you’re holding a bird – firm enough so it doesn’t fly away, but gentle enough not to harm it. Your wrists should feel free to move.
• Mistake to avoid: Squeezing the life out of the grip with white knuckles, or holding it unnaturally high or low on the grip. This tension will travel right through your arms and into the putter head, killing feel and control.

3. Measure the Ground-to-Hand Distance. This is where the tape measure comes in. You’ll need to measure the distance from the ground straight up to the point where your hands meet the putter grip.

• What to look for: A precise measurement. Keep the tape measure perfectly vertical, running from the ground directly up to the sweet spot of your grip. This number is your baseline.
• Mistake to avoid: Holding the tape measure at an angle, or not ensuring it’s perfectly perpendicular to the ground. This is a common slip-up that leads to inaccurate readings and a poorly fitted putter.

4. Experiment with Different Lengths. Once you have your baseline measurement, it’s time to test. Find a putter that matches this length, and then try a putter that’s about an inch longer and another that’s an inch shorter. Use them on a practice green.

• What to look for: How each length feels. Does one allow your arms to hang more naturally? Does one make it easier to keep your eyes over the ball? Pay attention to your comfort and confidence. A putter that feels “just right” will inspire better strokes.
• Mistake to avoid: Sticking with the first length you try, or only testing putters that are the same style (e.g., all blade putters). You need to feel the difference in how your body aligns and moves with varying lengths, and try different putter head designs too.

5. Assess Your Eye Position Over the Ball. With each putter length you test, pay close attention to where your eyes are relative to the ball.

• What to look for: Your eyes should ideally be directly over or slightly inside the ball line. This allows you to see the entire line to the hole clearly.
• Mistake to avoid: Having your eyes too far inside the ball line (which can lead to an open clubface at impact) or too far outside the ball line (which can lead to a closed clubface). A putter that’s the wrong length often forces your eyes into one of these suboptimal positions.

6. Evaluate Your Stroke Mechanics. As you putt with different lengths, focus on the fluidity of your stroke.

• What to look for: A smooth, pendulum-like motion where your shoulders drive the stroke, and your wrists and hands remain relatively quiet and connected. The putter should feel like an extension of your arms.
• Mistake to avoid: Creating a “handsy” stroke, where you’re flicking your wrists, or a jerky motion where your arms are disconnected from your body. A putter that’s too long or too short often encourages these poor habits because your body is fighting to make a decent stroke.

7. Consider Your Flexibility and Stance Preference. Everyone is built differently, and your flexibility plays a big role. Some golfers are naturally more flexible and can comfortably adopt a lower posture, while others are stiffer and need to stand more upright.

• What to look for: A stance that feels natural and sustainable for 18 holes. If you have back issues or are less flexible, you’ll likely need a longer putter. If you’re very flexible and like to get down low, a shorter one might work.
• Mistake to avoid: Forcing yourself into a posture that feels uncomfortable or strains your body, just because you think it’s “the right way” to putt. Your body’s natural tendencies should dictate the putter length, not some arbitrary rule.

How Putter Length Impacts Your Game: The Real Deal

Getting your putter length dialed in isn’t just about comfort; it’s about unlocking better performance on the greens. Think about it: a putter that’s too long forces you to bend excessively at the waist. This hunchback posture can lead to tension in your shoulders and back, making it tough to get a consistent pendulum stroke going. Your hands will feel too low, and you might find yourself “scooping” at the ball rather than striking it cleanly.

On the flip side, a putter that’s too short makes you stand up too straight. This can open up the clubface at impact, leading to pushes or slices off the intended line. You might feel like you’re reaching for the ball, which is never a good feeling when you’re trying to make delicate putts. This awkward setup also messes with your tempo, making distance control a real headache.

A correctly fitted putter allows your arms to hang naturally from your shoulders, creating a balanced setup. This promotes a free-flowing stroke driven by your shoulders, leading to more consistent contact and better distance control. It also helps you align your body and the putter face more effectively, giving you the confidence to roll the ball where you intend. For any golfer looking to lower their scores, getting the putter length right is a foundational step, right up there with choosing the right blade putter or mallet putter for your stroke style.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Putter Length

• Mistake: Using a putter that’s significantly too long for your stature and stance.
• Why it matters: This forces you to bend excessively from the waist, leading to a hunched posture. This tension can restrict your shoulder turn, making a smooth pendulum stroke difficult, and can cause your hands to be too low, impacting the clubface at impact. It can also make it harder to keep your eyes directly over the ball for optimal alignment.
• Fix: Get the putter professionally shortened. Most putters can be adjusted by a club fitter or a reputable golf shop. If the cost of altering it is high, consider it a lesson learned and look for a new, correctly sized putter.

• Mistake: Opting for a putter that’s too short for your height and preferred address position.
• Why it matters: This forces you to stand too upright, often resulting in you feeling like you’re reaching for the ball. This can lead to an open clubface at impact, causing you to push putts. It also disrupts your natural tempo, making consistent distance control a significant challenge.
• Fix: Have the putter extended. This is usually a straightforward process for a club fitter. Alternatively, seek out a longer putter model that suits your setup better.

• Mistake: Measuring your ideal putter length while standing completely straight or in an exaggerated, unnatural posture.
• Why it matters: Your putting stance is unique. It’s not just about your height; it’s about your flexibility, how you naturally bend your knees, and how you prefer to set up over the ball. Measuring in an unnatural pose will yield an incorrect length.
• Fix: Always measure and test putters in your actual putting posture. Mimic your pre-shot routine, get into your address position, and then measure or assess how the putter feels.

• Mistake: Relying solely on generic height charts or what your playing partners use.
• Why it matters: While height charts are a decent starting point, they don’t account for individual biomechanics, flexibility, or personal preference. What works perfectly for a six-foot golfer might be too long or too short for another golfer of the same height who has a different stance or flexibility.
• Fix: Use charts and your friends’ putters as reference points, but trust your own feel and comfort. The ultimate test is how the putter allows you to set up and swing.

• Mistake: Not considering how the putter length affects your eye line and ball position relative to your eyes.
• Why it matters: Proper alignment is critical for putting. If your putter is too long, you’ll likely be too far from the ball, causing your eyes to be too far inside the target line. Too short, and you might be too close, leading to your eyes being too far outside the line. Both scenarios make it harder to see the putt clearly and make solid contact.
• Fix: During your fitting or testing, ensure your eyes are positioned directly over or slightly inside the ball. A correctly sized putter will naturally facilitate this ideal eye position.

• Mistake: Ignoring the impact of grip style and size on putter length.
• Why it matters: A thicker grip can effectively shorten the perceived length of the putter, as your hands will sit higher on the grip. Conversely, a very thin grip can make the putter feel longer. If you’ve recently changed your grip style or size, it might necessitate a re-evaluation of your putter length.
• Fix: If you’ve changed your grip, re-test your putter length. If you’re considering a new grip, discuss its potential impact on length with a club fitter.

FAQ

• What is the average putter length for a male golfer?

Generally, male golfers tend to use putters ranging from 33 to 35 inches. However, this is highly dependent on individual height, posture, and flexibility. Taller golfers might need longer putters, while shorter golfers or those with a more compact stance might opt for shorter ones.

• What is the average putter length for a female golfer?

For female golfers, the typical range often falls between 31 to 33 inches. Similar to men, this is a guideline, and individual factors like height, stance, and personal preference play a significant role in determining the optimal length.

• How does putter length affect distance control?

Putter length directly influences your setup and stroke mechanics, which are the primary drivers of distance control. A putter that’s too long or too short forces compensatory movements, disrupting your natural tempo and stroke path. This inconsistency in your stroke leads to variations in the force applied to the ball, making it harder to judge distance accurately. A properly fitted putter allows for a more repeatable, balanced stroke, enhancing your ability to control speed and distance.

• Can I adjust the length of my current putter?

Yes, in most cases, the length of a putter can be adjusted. Professional club fitters or experienced club repair technicians can shorten or extend putters by adding or removing sections from the shaft. This is a common and effective way to fine-tune your putter’s length without needing to buy a brand new one.

• Does putter length affect alignment?

Absolutely. Putter length is intimately tied to your alignment. When a putter is too long, you might hunch over, making it difficult to get your eyes directly over the ball, which is crucial for seeing the intended line. Conversely, a putter that’s too short can force you to stand too upright, potentially leading to an open clubface at impact and alignment issues. A correctly sized putter helps you achieve a comfortable, balanced setup that naturally promotes better alignment.

• How do I know if my putter is the wrong length?

Several signs indicate your putter might be the wrong length. If you find yourself constantly adjusting your posture – hunching over too much or standing too upright – it’s a red flag. Pain or discomfort in your back, shoulders, or wrists during your stroke is another strong indicator. You might also notice a lack of confidence in your alignment or struggle with consistent distance control. If your hands feel too high or too low on the grip when you’re naturally addressing the ball, that’s also a clue.

• Should I get a custom putter fitting?

If you’re serious about improving your putting, a custom putter fitting is highly recommended. A professional fitter will assess your height, posture, flexibility, and stroke mechanics to recommend the ideal putter length, lie angle, grip size, and even head style for your game. It’s an investment that can pay dividends in terms of consistency and lower scores.

Sources:

• Choosing the Right Putter Length for Your Game