Finding Your Perfect Putter Size For Better Putting

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Quick Answer: What Size Putter Do I Need?

• The ideal putter size hinges on your height and how you set up to the ball.
• A properly sized putter lets your arms hang down naturally, creating a balanced stroke.
• Using a putter that’s too long or too short will throw off your rhythm and lead to inconsistent results on the green.

Who Needs to Know What Size Putter I Need?

• Golfers who find themselves struggling with distance control and face manipulation on the greens.
• Beginners who are building their golf equipment arsenal and want to start with the right foundation.
• Players who are serious about improving their score and understand that proper equipment fit is a key piece of the puzzle.

What Putter Size To Check First

• Your Height: This is your primary measurement. Stand tall, feet together, and know your exact height in feet and inches.
• Your Putting Stance: How do you naturally stand over the ball? Are you more upright or do you bend your knees and hinge at the hips? This dictates how the putter should feel.
• Your Current Putter’s Length: If you already own a putter, measure it. This gives you a baseline and helps identify if your current setup is off.
• Grip Style and Thickness: A fatter grip can make a putter feel shorter. Consider this when assessing length.

Step-by-Step Plan: Determining Your Putter Size

1. Measure Your Height Accurately. Stand with your back against a wall, heels touching. Have a friend or use a level to mark the top of your head. Measure from the floor to the mark. Mistake to avoid: Rounding up or down, or not standing perfectly straight. I once thought I was 6’1″ but was actually 6’0.5″ – made a difference!

2. Determine Your Ideal Putting Stance. Find a mirror or a clear window. Get into your typical putting posture. Observe how your arms hang from your shoulders. They should feel relaxed and natural, not stretched or bunched up. Mistake to avoid: Forcing a stance that feels awkward or unnatural. Your body should be comfortable.

3. Measure Your Current Putter (If Applicable). Place your putter flat on the ground. Use a tape measure to find the distance from the absolute end of the grip to the center of the sole where it contacts the turf. Mistake to avoid: Measuring to the ferrule (where the shaft meets the head) or the wrong end of the grip. Precision here is key.

4. Get a Ballpark Putter Length Estimate. A common starting point for putter length is your height in inches minus approximately 30 to 35 inches. For example, a 70-inch tall person might start looking around 35-40 inches. Mistake to avoid: Treating this number as gospel. It’s a rough guideline, not a hard rule.

5. Test Different Lengths. If you can visit a golf shop or have access to a fitting, try putting with putters of varying lengths. Focus on how your arms feel and how naturally your hands hang. Mistake to avoid: Picking a putter based on looks or brand name alone. Comfort and feel are paramount.

6. Check Your Eye-to-Ball Relationship. When you address the ball with a putter that feels right, your eyes should be directly over the ball or slightly inside the target line. This allows for a clear view of the putting line. Mistake to avoid: Having your eyes too far inside or outside the target line. This directly impacts your ability to aim.

7. Assess Your Stroke Mechanics. With the putter in your hands, make a few practice strokes. Does your body feel balanced? Are your shoulders relatively level and quiet? Is your stroke smooth and repeatable? Mistake to avoid: Ignoring how the putter affects your body’s movement. A good putter should complement your natural motion.

Finding Your Putter Length For Optimal Performance

Getting the right putter length isn’t just about comfort; it’s about consistency. When your putter is the correct size, your shoulders stay more stable, your wrists stay quiet, and you can make a smoother, more repeatable stroke. Think of it like a well-balanced tool. If it’s too long, you’ll be making little adjustments with your hands and arms, leading to all sorts of misses. If it’s too short, you’ll be bending over too much, which can lead to neck strain and a jerky motion. It’s worth the effort to get this right.

Understanding Putter Length and Your Game

When you’re on the practice green, you see all sorts of golfers. Some stand bolt upright, others crouch low, and some are somewhere in between. The putter you use needs to accommodate your specific posture. A putter that’s too long forces you to choke down, which can disconnect your hands from your body and lead to a less stable stroke. You might find yourself using your wrists too much, which is a recipe for inconsistency. On the flip side, a putter that’s too short makes you bend over excessively. This can lead to tension in your neck and shoulders, making it hard to make a fluid, pendulum-like stroke. It can also cause you to hit the ball on the toe or heel more often because your body is in an awkward position.

Consider the physics of it. The putter is an extension of your arms. If that extension is the wrong length, your body has to compensate. This compensation is where inconsistency creeps in. A properly fitted putter allows your arms to hang naturally, your shoulders to remain relatively still, and your stroke to be driven by a smooth rotation of your upper body. This creates a much more repeatable and reliable putting motion, which is exactly what you need to lower your scores. Don’t underestimate the impact of this one simple measurement.

Common Mistakes in Putter Sizing

• Mistake: Using a putter that’s significantly too long.
• Why it matters: This forces you to choke down on the grip, which can lead to a loss of feel and control over the putter face. Your arms might feel disconnected from your body, resulting in a less stable stroke and increased hand action.
• Fix: Have the putter professionally cut down to the correct length, or consider trading it in for a shorter model.
• Mistake: Using a putter that’s noticeably too short.
• Why it matters: This requires you to bend excessively at the waist, putting strain on your back and neck. It can also lead to inconsistent contact with the ball, often resulting in hitting shots on the toe or heel of the putter face.
• Fix: You can often add a shaft extension to a putter to increase its length. Alternatively, look for a new putter that’s the right length from the start.
• Mistake: Not accounting for grip thickness.
• Why it matters: A thicker grip effectively shortens the club because you’re holding it higher up. If you switch from a standard grip to a jumbo grip without adjusting putter length, it might feel like your putter is suddenly too long.
• Fix: When measuring or assessing fit, consider the impact of your grip. If you use a significantly thicker grip, you might need a slightly longer putter to compensate.
• Mistake: Relying solely on a “standard” putter length.
• Why it matters: While 34 inches is a common standard length, golfers come in all shapes and sizes. A standard length putter simply won’t fit everyone optimally. It’s a generic measurement that ignores individual needs.
• Fix: Get yourself measured or fitted. Don’t assume that what works for the average golfer will work for you.
• Mistake: Prioritizing aesthetics over fit.
• Why it matters: That flashy, oversized putter might look cool, but if it’s not the right length for your stance, it will hinder your putting performance. Functionality must come first.
• Fix: Focus on how the putter feels and how it allows you to set up. A well-fitted putter, even if it’s not the most stylish, will help you make more putts.
• Mistake: Not considering your typical playing conditions.
• Why it matters: While less common for length, some golfers might adopt slightly different stances on severely sloped greens. However, for standard length, sticking to your most common stance is best.
• Fix: Base your putter length on your everyday putting setup, not extreme or infrequent situations.

FAQ: What Size Putter Do I Need?

• How do I measure my height for putter fitting?

Stand against a wall with your golf shoes on. Have someone mark the top of your head or use a level. Measure from the floor to that mark. This gives you your accurate height in feet and inches.

• What is the standard putter length?

The most common “standard” length for a conventional putter is 34 inches. However, putters range from around 30 inches (for very short players or those who putt with a very upright stance) to 36 inches. Longer putters like belly putters (around 40-44 inches) and broomstick putters (around 46-52 inches) are also available for specific putting styles.

• Can I adjust the length of my current putter?

Yes, absolutely. A golf club repair shop or a PGA professional can add a shaft extension to make your putter longer. They can also cut it down if it’s too long. This is a common and cost-effective way to get a better fit.

• What if I have a unique putting stance?

If you have a very unusual stance, like a cross-handed grip or a highly unconventional posture, a professional club fitter is your best bet. They can analyze your setup and recommend or build a putter that perfectly matches your needs.

• Does putter length affect my aim?

Yes, it has a significant impact. The correct putter length positions your eyes properly over the ball, which is fundamental for accurate alignment. If your putter is too long or too short, your eye position will likely be off, making it much harder to aim correctly.

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

If your putter is too long, you’ll likely find yourself choking down on the grip significantly, and your arms might feel a bit disconnected or too extended. If it’s too short, you’ll probably be bending over a lot, feeling like your head is too close to the ball, and your arms might feel bunched up.

• Should I get fitted by a professional?

For the best results, yes. A professional club fitter has the tools and expertise to measure your height, analyze your stance, and test various putter lengths and lie angles to find the perfect combination for your game. It’s an investment that pays off in better putting.