Putter Length Question

[williaza]

I am a short guy (5’7) and average short arms.

 

have always used 33-33.5 inch putters. My putting goes from decent to terrible.

 

Long story short..there was some miscommunication with my shop and instead of cutting a new putter down and regripping they just regripped it and it’s playing 35” possibly a hair more.

 

I didn’t want to say anything and have hit some putts with it..it feels awkward but I putted very well with it in practice. 
 

my question: is this like a real thing? Could longer be better? And why..or is this the standard honeymoon period and I’m screwed lol. 
 

thank you for the wisdom! 

[Murphy76]

 

I think we all have experienced the benefits of changing things up.  

 

Sometimes doing something new and awkward can lead to positive results.  Personally, if my putter goes cold, sometimes changing sticks for a few rounds can 'reset' me.  

 

Could be a good thing!

 

[ShortGolfer]

Golf is as much a mental sport as physical.  I am lucky to be able to practice in my back yard and sort things out at my pace.

 

I don't see much difference between 29.5, 31, and 32 inch putters, but it is good to know that I've tried all three lengths. 

The 29.5 is light, the 31 is heavy, and the 32 in between the two.

Edited August 28, 2021 by ShortGolfer

[MattM97]

The more upright position could get you over the ball better and lead to a better stroke.

 

Jason Kokrak who isn't small by any means went to a 36 or 37" putter and has been top 10 putting ever since and helped him to 2 wins as well. 

[Fairway14]

4 hours ago, williaza said:

I am a short guy (5’7) and average short arms.

 

have always used 33-33.5 inch putters. My putting goes from decent to terrible.

 

Long story short..there was some miscommunication with my shop and instead of cutting a new putter down and regripping they just regripped it and it’s playing 35” possibly a hair more.

 

I didn’t want to say anything and have hit some putts with it..it feels awkward but I putted very well with it in practice. 
 

my question: is this like a real thing? Could longer be better? And why..or is this the standard honeymoon period and I’m screwed lol. 
 

thank you for the wisdom! 

 

What matters is the roll put on the ball and whether putts are made. Try different different putter head weights, shapes, shaft orientations, shaft lengths, grip shapes, grip weights etc... until you find a combination that rolls the ball well and makes putts. 

Play some rounds with your new putter and if results are good it is the one for you.

[A.Princey]

A longer putter puts more of the feel and “stroke” in your hands and forearm muscles, vs all-shoulders/body. It’s definitely a more dynamic position than with a really short putter, wherein your arms literally hang from your shoulders, and rocking the putter is about all the freedom of movement you have. It’s possible you’ve regained some feel and touch in the longer setup. Good luck!

[dmeeksDC]

I think it is all about where you like to feel the weight. Don’t discount that you’re liking the different weight balance. The longer putter may be moving some weight above your hands depending on where you are gripping it. Based on your height and arm length I would imagine you are gripping down on it at least a little to get your eyes in the best spot and it may be working for you. 
 

Length does make a difference but you never know what will feel right. I am 5-11 but have long arms for my height and in a Seemore fitting it recommended a 32.5 inch putter for me. But there are no real rules. I have a Ping adjustable putter and I tried it at 32 and 32.5 and I felt too on top of the ball. So now I play it at 33.5 inches and grip down a hair and it just works. Those adjustable length Pings are great for experimenting and I found changing the length makes a big difference in accuracy. I am left eye dominant and play the ball off my front foot and at that length I get a consistent setup and my arms feel comfortable. 

[gioreeko]

7 hours ago, williaza said:

I am a short guy (5’7) and average short arms.

 

have always used 33-33.5 inch putters. My putting goes from decent to terrible.

 

Long story short..there was some miscommunication with my shop and instead of cutting a new putter down and regripping they just regripped it and it’s playing 35” possibly a hair more.

 

I didn’t want to say anything and have hit some putts with it..it feels awkward but I putted very well with it in practice. 
 

my question: is this like a real thing? Could longer be better? And why..or is this the standard honeymoon period and I’m screwed lol. 
 

thank you for the wisdom! 

If you have short arms, believe it or not, your hands might be the same distance from the ground as mine (6'6" with long arms) Wrist to floor measurement is sometimes very close between people that you would never guess they would be

[Neo1]

the older you get the better the longer putter starts to feel especially for your back. 

[luke1333]

47 minutes ago, gioreeko said:

If you have short arms, believe it or not, your hands might be the same distance from the ground as mine (6'6" with long arms) Wrist to floor measurement is sometimes very close between people that you would never guess they would be

very true. I am 6'4" and play a 36" or just over putter and anything less feels so short its painful!! 

[jomatty]

1 hour ago, 1putt2win2 said:

the older you get the better the longer putter starts to feel especially for your back. 

Yup.  If I go shorter than 34 I can’t really practice without my back hurting

[Gohigh]

Longer putter will get your hands closer to your body to compensate for the added length, which might help your arms to stay connected to your torso during stroke.

 

Im exactly 5' 7", and I found a good compromise going with 34".

 

Whats funny is in my 20s I used 32" putters (Ernie Els influence) where my arms pretty much hung straight down, to 33" with slightly bent elbows during my 30s, and now in my 40s, I use 34". Maybe when I turn 50, I will be using 35"???

 

 

[Anser3]

I'm 6'2"  (6'3" in shoes for fitting) with a long torso, more so than long legs. I use a 33.5" putter 2 degrees flat.  Putters are all about preference (feel, length, lie angle, etc).

Edited September 13, 2021 by Anser3

[TCGolfer35]

Likely changed your posture/form and made it a better roll? Only way to know is on the course!

[PixlPutterman]

I'd want to know a few things about your putting...

 

When it sucks, why? Speed? Line? Can't putt a good roll on it? Ect....

 

Going from 32 to 35 also makes to head feel a lot heavier, so it may not purely be the length that's contributing to your improved putting.

 

 

[sharkiesj]

JMHO, the longer putter is heavier.  It smooths out your stroke and gives you better tempo and feel.  Sometimes with a short putter the stroke can get a bit stabby and quick, esp on short putts.  I’d give it some time before you make a final decision but it’s good to have different setups and options when 1 particular putter ain’t working out.  

[Yhtomit433]

On 9/13/2021 at 10:17 AM, Anser3 said:

I'm 6'2"  (6'3" in shoes for fitting) with a long torso, more so than long legs. I use a 33.5" putter 2 degrees flat.  Putters are all about preference (feel, length, lie angle, etc).

Same situation for me. I’m 5’ 10” and want to have my putter cut down to 32”. I’ve noticed when I grip a 34-35” putter, I’m holding the grip as close to the bottom as I can. Sometimes even holding directly on the shaft which is awkward because the putter has a SS 2.0 grip on it.