Putter Length! Preferance or Science.

[West Coast Duffer]

I been playing a 35" putter and play pretty well with it, I was at the shop today playing with some putters and was playing with a 34" and felt ok just had to lean over a little more, the Guy at shop said it was all personal preferance and I know some guys here were saying its something that most people should get fitted for just like other clubs.

[warbirdlover]

I've used 34" and 35" and really can't tell any difference. I hate short putters. Hurts my back...

[SilverUberXeno]

If you're more comfortable putting bent over, you don't want a 35. That's as far as the fitting goes for me I would think. That and lie angle.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Length probably in large part can be determined by taking your normal grip and doing a few measurements to determine the proper length so your not gripping on the metal or that you have one that is long enough. Although like a other club fittings there are other important aspects like lie and loft, where the loft (where there is actually usually 3-4.5* of loft) will be influenced by amount forward press you use and to make sure you get the ball rolling correctly without skidding or hopping to assure good speed control, just enough based on your setup to get the ball just on top of the putting surface. Also lie which will determine how straight the ball will start depending on your set up as well. If you notice the toe or heel sticking up while you put, you will in turn have to adjust you aim to assure you are not missing to the left or right, which can cause issues when you are not aiming at where you see the hole.

[MCDavis]

35" for me. I've tried 33 in stores and it feels wrong, plus my wife says I look funny bent that far over.

[Adam Pettman]

Whatever works

[SCGolfer]

I pretty much grip any putter in the same spot (i.e. I choke way down on a 35" putter). But be careful if you start changing lengths, from my experience it will change the balance and feel of the putter. I putted well with my current putter, went to a scotty that was 35", putted well with it, cut it down to 33" and couldn't make anything, it completely changed the weight and balance of the putter. So I am back to my old 35" and putting great.


Jason

[Jules150]

I say its all preference as well. I'm a taller guy (6') but i have a really short putter, i think its like 32 1/2" but i put pretty good.

[LyleG]

Use whatever length will give you the proper lie angle. This will ensure the face can square at impact. Oh yeah, and backweight the damn thing.

[Bignose]

Here's one of the many science-y putter fitting pages:

The Long and Short of Putter Length and Lie

I think that personal preference is still the overriding factor. Putting is such a personal stroke -- all you have to do is start the ball rolling. Unlike a full swing with a driver or iron, your goal with the putter is NOT to impact maximum energy from your body into the ball. So, it doesn't matter if you don't have perfect fundamentals -- or the perfect length -- all that matters is repeatability. Now, don't get me wrong, I think having good fundamentals allows for greater repeatability, but having good fundamentals isn't the same necessity as it is for full shots.

Repeatability, however you get there, is the only true fundamental to putting. All you have to do is be able to start the ball of on its intended line and speed and know how to do it again and again and again. And unless you are something of a prodigy, that comes from practice, practice, practice. But, just the almost limitless number of methods and types of putters out there shows that there is no really one better way than the others. It comes down to the personal preference, and then your practicing it to completely ingrain it.

[eli_yates]

im 6 feet 1 but i have a 33 inch yes! putter that im having cut down an extra inch. i just like the way it feels for me. and i think i putt better but im not sure.

[ol-crank]

to 32-1/2" about a month ago because I wanted to bend over more. I think it is good for me. (6'-0" tall) I also bought some lead tape to change the weight and after experimenting, I left two pieces (2 swing weights) on and it seems nicely balanced. I also bent the lie angle so when I setup, the toe is about 1/8" off the ground when the heel is on the ground, this is making my putts straighter. Fattened up the grip as well. I believe it is personal, not science unless you're on tour then I think it is different.

[ualtim]

I have played with a putter as short as 31.5 inches long. I found my self gripping down to the steel on a regular 35 inch putter, so I just unscientifically measured where my top hand was and cut the rest off. Since that time, I have learned just a little bit more about clubmaking and weighting and have setteled in on a 33 inch putter length. Head weight has to be at least 350g if not heavier and all my gamers have 100g of backweight in them as well.

I really do not care what I look like when I putt as long as the ball goes in the hole more often than not.

[bames]

Originally Posted by LyleG

Use whatever length will give you the proper lie angle. This will ensure the face can square at impact. Oh yeah, and backweight the damn thing.

Does this just mean throw some lead tape on it LyleG? (Excuse my ignorance).

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by bames

Does this just mean throw some lead tape on it LyleG? (Excuse my ignorance).

I think he means more at the butt end of the shaft, like a counter balance weight. Although you can use lead tape like I did on my old putter, there are easier methods.
Golfsmith.com: Winn Tour Lock Pro Weight 75 Gram - Winn
Someone on here, I believe RickinMA??? mentioned you could use a clevis pin from the hardware store, pretty ingenious if you can find one that fits down the butt of the shaft.