Did shortening my putter screw me up?

[ScooterMcTavish]

I hate this %$#*&% game....

So I have a Mizuno Bettinardi A02 that was my magic putter when I bought it two years ago. I went from being a poor putter to Mr. Money in the Bank from 8 feet in.

Anyways, the stick was a bit off and on last year, but I stuck with it. However, I did notice it was a bit long, especially when wearing a windbreaker through the fall. The end of the grip was actually getting caught in my jacket.

So when I went to get it regripped this spring, I had them take 1.5" off it. Now my putting's gone South.

Although I am still pretty consistent from 4' and under, I cannot sink anything longer, even on relatively flat greens. Worst part is that the problem is in the weight. Lines I'm picking are good, but only if I hit the ball 5' less or 5' more.

So, did the 1.5" screw up my putter, or did it screw up my head.

Grumble, grumble.

FYI, bad putting turned a 40 into a 43 on 9 today (bad pitching turned a 37 into a 40). 18 putts on 9 holes.

[PixlPutterman]

If they didnt compensate for the loss in swing weight points, toss a ton of lead tape on the bottom of the putter

[MSaternus]

1.5" is a big change, that's for sure, and it will definitely affect the swing weight and feel of the putter. Thankfully, you can undo that change pretty easily with a shaft extension.

As for whether or not it's the putter or your head, none of us can tell you that. At this point, it seems like the change bothers you so you might as well put the length back on. Worst case scenario, you can take it back off a little at a time and try to find a happy medium.

[phil75070]

I had always used a standard 35" putter. A few years ago I switched to 34". I didn't notice it as the catalyst at the time, but looking back that is when my putting started going South. Since I have gone back to a 35" putter my putting has started to improve, but has not yet reached the level that I once had. Still a work in progress.

[Spoon]

i experienced the same thing went from a 35 to a 33. the 2" was a world of difference and had to add around 18 grams of lead tape to get the same feel as the 35". note that you have to add weight to the head to compensate for a shorter shaft. if you cut without adding the weight your putter will feel like a dead alien:)

luckily adding weight is pretty straightforward.

[leoh923]

1.5 inches off a putter that was "money" is a huge change, especially when the problem was more likely your stroke, not the putter that has worked well previously.