Have you ever wondered if you’re using the correct putter length for your golf game? In this guide we are going to cover the correct method for selecting a putter that fits you best. Putter length is super important but also we want to touch on putter loft which can be argued as the more important club fitting factor to consider.
Why Is Choosing the Correct Putter Length Important?
Choosing the correct putter length is important to helping you set up over the golf ball and getting your eyes above the ball to see the putt properly.
It also impacts the tension in your arms and the putting stroke.
When the putter is too short, it creates tension in the arms as your arms have to reach down towards the ground and hang down lower to successfully grip the putter.
When the putter shaft length is too long, the hands get too close to the body which impacts the ability to make a smooth putting stroke without feeling jammed up.
In this guide we will explore the common putter lengths you’ll find at golf equipment stores. We will also talk about golf club fittings and if it is worth getting fitted for a putter.
Lastly, we will share a height chart vs putter length so you can see the breakdown of different putter lengths based on different heights for male and females.
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How Tall vs Correct Putter Length
The length of putter you need depends on your height. Taller golfers need taller putters and shorter players need shorter putters. The length of your arms also impacts putter length selection.
You want to choose a putter where you feel comfortable when making putting strokes. Not having to bend over too far or standing up too straight where things feel uncomfortable.
If you want the quick scoop on height vs putter length, here’s the summary:
- Golfers above 6 feet tall should have a putter length of 35 inches or longer
- Golfers between 5’9 and 6’0 in height should have a putter length of 34 inches to 35 inches
- Golfers 5’6 to 5’9 in height should look for a putter with 33 inches of length
- Golfers shorter than 5’6 and taller than 6’3 will need custom putter lengths
As the golfer gets taller than 6’3 it’s best to seek out a custom built putter. Taller golfers will have to bend over farther to use short/standard putter lengths and this can negatively impact their putting stroke if they bend over too much.
Have good posture and getting your eyes over the golf ball correctly during setup is super important to making good putts.
The length of your putter affects your posture so it’s best to dial in correct putter length first and then work on other setup improvement hacks after.
What Are the Common Putter Lengths Sold at Golf Stores?
If you go into the average golf shop, you’ll find putter lengths from 33 inches to 34 inches to 35 inches. These are the 3 standard putter heights.
Sometimes you may find a 32 inch putter or a putter taller than 35 inches if the golf store is keeping a few in supply for taller and shorter players.
It’s more common to find shorter putters since junior golfers tend to shop for putters as well.
If you can’t find a putter length that fits your needs, you can check with a custom club fitter and have them measure the correct putter length based on your height and your setup.
Check this out: Breaking 90, 80, 70 Practice Plans + Golf Video Lessons
Getting Fitted for a Putter
Most golfers won’t need a club fitting. You can go into most golf equipment shops and find a practice putting green next to a rack of putters. This allows you to self test different putters to see how they feel when you make your natural putting stroke. You can continue self-testing different putters until you find the one that feels comfortable and hits nice looking putts with consistency.
But if you’re newer to golf or want to get your putter dialed in to reach that next skill level in your golf handicap, then it may be worth paying for a club fitting by a professional.
The Club Fitter is going to start off having you make some putts to learn about your natural putting motion. They will look at your putting stroke to see how straight it is versus how much arc you use in your stroke.
This will impact the decision to choose a putter with toe weight vs face balanced weight.
They Club Fitter will also analyze your setup and your posture, seeing how much you bend your body, where your arms hang, and where your eye line is in relation to the golf ball. Is your eye line directly over the golf ball or is it inside the golf ball line or outside the line.
Then they’ll have you try out different lengths of putters to see which length feels best and also which looks best for your posture and setup. The club fitter will make sure your eye line is staying over the ball correctly so you can see the line of your putt correctly.
Overall, if you have to bend too much at the knees and feel too hunched over at the waist, you probably have too short of a putter. Try a putter length that is a half inch or an inch taller than current, and see how that change feels to your putting posture.
You want to feel like your arms are weightless, with no tension and can swing freely during the putting stroke. In addition to making sure your eye line is seeing the putts down the line correct. Utilize a golf putting mirror to learn more about your eye line over the ball.
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