If you want a consistent stroke on the green, it’s important that you have the right golf putter for your swing. In this guide, I’ll show you how to determine the correct putter length by measuring the right size for your height.
I’ll also go through a bunch of other helpful things, including:
- Why putter length matters so much
- A correct putter length chart to help you determine the right club for your height
- Factors that impact the appropriate club length for you
- Different types of putters and their standard lengths
- Why a custom putter fitting might be right for you
At the end of this post, you’ll have everything you need to buy the right putter for your golf game. If this was helpful, or you have any other questions, comment down below and let us know!
RELATED: Check out the best golf putters available today.
How to Determine the Correct Putter Length
Much like the game of golf itself, determining the correct length of your putter all comes down to feel and what feels best for you.
There are golf club size charts and numbers that can help give an idea to beginners, but it will ultimately come down to personal preference. In this guide we will go over how to determine the correct putter length for you out on the golf course. Amateur golfers will usually be fine picking the standard options in any golf store or online.
Why Does Length Matter?
The length of your putter out on the golf course plays a massive role in your putting stroke. If you have the wrong size length, it can completely throw off your putting line and you will find yourself struggling on the most important part of a golf course.
If your putter length is incorrect, it will throw off your putting arc which will in turn change the trajectory of the golf ball. This means that the ball will not roll on your desired line and won’t have any chance of going into the hole.
Another reason that length is important is your posture. With too short of a shaft, you will find yourself bending more than you normally would and too long of a putter will have you standing upright. This difference will take away your distance control and directional control. Having a smooth stroke is the first step towards taking strokes off your swing.
What happens when your putter is too long?
When your club is too long, you end up with an upright lie angle where the heel of your putter is on the ground but the toe is up in the air. When you hit a golf ball, your shot will naturally target left (or right if you are a lefty golfer) and push the ball off target.
What happens when your putter is too short?
When your putter is too short, the heel is up and the toe is pressed down. In this case, a right-handed golfer will naturally hit the golf ball to the right of the target.
An ideal putter length will allow you to flatten the club head on the ground and hit more consistent shots.
Putter Length Chart by Height
One easy way for you to determine which length is best for you is by taking a look at the putter length chart by height below.
| Your Height | Correct Putter Length |
|---|---|
| 5′ or less | 32 inches or less |
| 5’0″ to 5’2″ | 32.5 inches |
| 5’2″ to 5’4″ | 33 inches |
| 5’4″ to 5’6″ | 33.5 inches |
| 5’6″ to 5’9″ | 34 inches |
| 5’9″ to 6’0″ | 34.5 inches |
| 6’0 to 6’2″ | 35 inches |
| 6’2″ to 6’4″ | 25.5 inches |
| Above 6’4″ | 36 inches |
For rule of thumb, any tall golfers over 6 feet or taller should need at least a 35 inch putter, maybe even 36. If you are 5’9” to 6 feet, an average height golfer, I suggest going with 34 inches. This is also the average putter size most commonly found in golf stores.
If you are 5’2” to 5’6”, I suggest a 33 inch golf club.
Most putters nowadays can also be custom ordered with longer or shorter shafts. If you find yourself needing something other than stock, you don’t have to worry. The best way to determine this is by heading into any major golf retailer and trying out different lengths. We have a guide on how to measure your correct putter length below.
Factors That Impact Putter Length
Setup Posture and Stance
One of the main factors that will impact your putter length is your posture at setup. Some people like to be a little more crouched over when putting to be closer to the golf ball at impact. This in turn would mean they would require a shorter putter.
Other golfers are more upright at impact, which means a longer putter would keep them upright. Setup posture is all personal preference so whatever works and feels best for you may not be the same as someone else.
Also, we wouldn’t recommend trying to emulate how PGA Tour players putt as again, everyone is a little different. Trying to putt like someone else can just hinder your own personal game in the long run. However, understanding your setupposture requirements will allow you to buy the proper putter for you.
If you would like to learn correct putter posture, check out one of my favorite videos below:
Stroke Type
When putting, there are two different putting strokes that golfers use:
- the straight-through stroke
- the arc stroke
Straight-Through Stroke
The straight-through stroke is the traditional swing style for most golfers. The stroke is straight back and straight through the ball on a straight line, hitting the ball at a 90 degree angle. Your eyes are directly over top of the golf ball. Usually players who have a straight-through stroke have a little shorter putter, as it allows you to get over top of the ball more on a straight line towards the hole.
Arc Stroke
The other type of stroke is the arc stroke and it is slightly more difficult. Your eyes are slightly inside the ball and behind it in your setup. Instead of following a straight line, the putter face opens in the back stroke and closes through the stroke, creating a slight arc.
Some argue that this allows for greater control of the ball, but it all comes down to personal preference. Usually golfers with an arc putting stroke need a little longer club as their putter head won’t be directly over top of the ball at setup.
Golfer Height
As you can see in the chart above, how tall you are is the main factor in the length of your putter. Taller people should look to a longer club.
How to Measure the Correct Putter Length
Here is the correct way to measure the correct putter length for you:
- Get into the correct setup position by having your arms and hands directly under your shoulders and your hips right on top of your heels. You also want to make sure your eyes are over top of the balls inside edge.
- Take a measuring stick and measure from the crease of the wrist to the ground.
- Then, measure from the ground to the balls inside edge. If you were to visually see this it would create a triangle. This measurement is known as the Tri-Fit and is used by most custom fitters when getting fitted for a putter.
- Take your first measurement squared plus your second measurement squared and this will provide you the optimal length of putter based on your setup.
This method, along with your height, should give you a solid idea on the best length and type of putter for out on the greens.
If you need help measuring the correct putter length, here is video guide:
The Best Putting Aids
If you want a good putting aid to help you get better, below are the options I would recommend.
Puttout Pressure Putting Trainer
Different Types of Putters
Standard Putter
The basic standard putter is sold by every golf retailer. Most stock men’s putters come in 34 or 35 inches as that is usually standard across the board. If you are beginner golfer, we would recommend going with this.
Most golfers, like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, use a standard putter.
Belly Putter
The Belly Putter was used by top PGA players such as Adam Scott, Webb Simpson and Bernard Langer. A belly is quite a bit longer than a standard putter because the butt end of the grip anchors to the golfer’s belly.
This provides extra control during your stroke, but anchoring to the belly actually became illegal just a few years ago. Some of these golfers still use a belly putter, but will not actually anchor the grip to themselves.
A Belly putter is usually anywhere from 41 to 44 inches long.
The main reasons for using a Belly putter are to keep a smooth pendulum stroke as well as removing wrist action during your putting stroke.
Armlock Putter
Armlock putters are starting to become more popular for a professional golfer on the PGA Tour because they have not been banned in play like Belly ones have. An armlock putter one that has a longer grip and anchors to your left forearm as a right-handed golfer and your right forearm as a left-handed golfer.
The standard length of an Armlock is 40 inches. These can also help with reducing wrist action during your stroke and providing maximum control.
Bryson DeChambeau is one PGA player who uses an armlock putter.
What is a Custom Putter Fitting?
When you hear of custom fitting for a golfer, you tend to just think of drivers and irons. But, you will be surprised to hear that you can get custom fitted for your putter as well.
Your putter is one of the most important clubs in your bag. On the green is where you will gain or lose most of your strokes during your round, so having a club you are confident with will definitely help.
When getting custom fitted, they take a look at what length is best for you based on a number of factors:
- Your stroke
- Loft angle
- Lie angle
- Grip size
- Toe hang
- Address position
- Eye position
- Stroke path
- Natural putting stance
All of these factors, when completed right, will help you roll the ball straighter more consistently. Once the fitting is done, the professional will offer recommendations based on your results that will work best for you. You can get all of your golfclubs fitted in this way.
You can also buy a custom golf putter with all of these option above picked out custom for you.
Conclusion
There are many different types of putters available today. The best way to find which one works best for you is to first determine the correct putter length and then go and try different ones out. You may even want to go through several different lengths until you find the perfect length for your game.
The correct length is often determined by how many feet tall you are. Taller golfers should look for a longer club that feels more natural, while shorter golfers should go less in length. However, your position at address is also a big factor as well. Most amateur golfers will be fine with a stock option from the store.
If you have the perfect putter, you will notice strong directional control and an accurate putting stroke that goes towards your target every time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the standard putter length?
The standard putter length for a male golfer is 34-35 inches long. For women, it is 33 inches long. If you don’t get a proper custom fitting, most golfers will adjust their stance to fit the stock length.
Is a putter fitting worth it?
Yes, a custom putter fitting is worth it. Once you have a club that is custom made for you, you don’t have to worry about mis-hitting or reading your putt wrong. A good professional club fitter will tell you everything you need to know about getting the perfect sized club for you.
Should you get a 34” or 35” putter?
This comes down to personal preference. Standard putters will usually come in 34 or 35 inches. We would recommend practicing with both to see what works best for you and your putting stroke.
Is a 35 inch putter too long?
No, a 35 inch putter is not too long unless you are shorter than 5’6”. If you are shorter we would recommend getting a shorter putter.
Can you extend a putter length?
You can use custom grips to extend the length of your putter shaft. This is helpful if you need to make the club longer. if you need your current club to be shorter, a golf shop will be able to cut down your length and re-add your grip to the club.
Why does my putter feel like it’s too short?
Your putter could feel too short if you are holding the club incorrectly. Try to stand directly over top of the golf ball in a straight line and see if that improves your feel.
How much does a putter cost?
A good quality putter can range anywhere from $300 to $1,000 depending on the brand and model. A custom putter can be easily over $1,000.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
