There are so many factors that go into choosing the putter you take to the greens with you. Decisions like choosing between a blade and a mallet, what kind of alignment aids you prefer, how much toe hang you need, and milled faces versus inserts are all important to consider. But nothing sets you up for success like having the right length of putter.
Choosing the right putter length is essential because it puts you in the proper position at address, allowing you to line up your putts more accurately which makes you a better putter overall. The proper address position is with your eyes directly over the ball, hands under your shoulders, and elbows on your ribs. If the putter you use is too long, then you will stand too far away from the ball with your eyes inside the golf ball, causing you to miss putts to the left of the hole. If the putter you use is too short, then you will stand too close to the ball with your eyes outside the golf ball, causing you to miss putts to the right of the hole.
For this guide, we are talking about standard length putters, generally 32” to 36”. Longer counterbalanced putters or those meant to be used with the arm-lock putting method will be different.
Measure At Home
The first way to ensure you are getting the correct putter length is to measure yourself. This is easy to do in three simple steps but you will want a partner to help record the measurement. Here is how you do it:
- Get into a proper putting stance
- Let your arms hang down naturally under your shoulders
- Measure from the ground to the wrist just above the top of your hands
The measurement you get in step 3 is how long your putter should be.
Grab A Putter
While not as exact, it is easy to tell if a putter is too short or too long for you by holding it in the proper playing position. If you need to hold the putter below the grip to get into a proper playing position, then it is too long and you need a shorter putter. If your hands are past the end of the putter in the proper playing position, then it is too short and you need a longer golf club. This can be an important way to get a feel for your putter since feel and touch are so important on the golf course to maintain accurate speed and distance.
Go By Your Height
While there are no set height-to-putter-length rules, there are some general guidelines that can assist golfers when picking out a putter. Because golfers use different putting stances and wrist-to-floor measurements will vary, it is important to measure but these measurements offer a good place to start for all golfers.
- 6’ and up – 35” putter
- 5’9” to 5’11” – 34” putter
- 5’3” to 5’9” – 33” putter
- 5’ to 5’2” – 32” putter
Studies show that the average spine tilt in the proper putting position described above is 40 degrees. These measurements are based on that average. Golfers who prefer to tilt more may want a shorter putter while golfers who prefer to tilt less or experience back pain may want a longer putter.
Now you know the three ways to get the right length of putter for you. You can accurately and easily measure yourself at home, you can tell by feel whether your putter is too short or too long, and you by knowing your height you can pick a putter length that is comfortable to you. Length is just one important part of picking the right putter. To learn even more, see TGW’s Golf Putter Buying Guide.
TGW has putters available in various lengths with a vast selection from the top brands like Odyssey, Titleist/Scotty Cameron, PING, TaylorMade, and many more. Head over to the site today to pick out your next putter in the right length and you will be sinking more putts in no time.
