Is there a 'correct length' formula for putters?

[CMAC]

You here so much about getting the right length and lie for your putter, but what are the factors in determining the correct length for you?

It can't be 'what's comfortable' as most of us would feel more comfortable letting out backs bend over putting less strain on putting practice, but the hands would be so low and we'd all be playing a 30 incher:mmm:

So is there a formula we can all use to identify whats right for us as 'standard' seems to be 34".

 

[Rooter]

David howell says I should be using a 33". That is all.

 

[ScienceBoy]

31.142 inches...

Round hole right?

 

[granters]

I've tried everything from 30 to 36. Currently on 34, it's working for now. Firm believer in changing putters and length every now and then as it helps to refocus. Can't remember the pro who suggested making a change once in a while but it works for me. It helps to keep the bad habits at bay. Putting's the only consistent part of my game

 

[tsped83]

I don't think there is a formula. I used to be convinced that a 33" putter was my ideal length, until I started using 34", now it feels comfortable as does my posture. I don't believe there is 'only one way' to putt, so I don't subscribe to a formula or other logic for putter length.

All of the above should be prefaced with the fact I am a terrible putter.

 

[NWJocko]

When I was at the Ping putter fitting the length and lie were all about getting your eyes directly above the ball.....

So take you're normal, comfortable stance and then the putter should be fitted around that.

 

[Region3]

I mentioned on another thread that I've pretty much started again when it comes to putting. I didn't have much confidence although I wasn't putting terribly, so looked at what the majority of the the good putters on TV did and built my stance around that.

Ive gone for...

Elbows close in to my side
Forearms and putter in a straight line
Bend until eyes are over the ball.

My putter is 34" and using the above to get myself into position, I'm gripping down about an inch, so I reckon 33" for me, although I quite like the little bit of weight above my hands.

30 putts both of the last 2 rounds so its getting there.

 

[garyinderry]

I was in true fit golf in warrington recently. they had a tool from Wilson that you could adjust the length and lie angle to see what suited.

the only time I have ever been able to get my arms tucked in was when it was set to 36inches and 2 degees upright.

to answer the OP, I don't think there is a formula. the pros chop and change putters quite often. length, grips, lie angle, the lot.

there is always a few so called fundamentals. no one has ever truly found "the secret". putting is a bit of an art, due to the fact that you can use a mixture of line and pace to hole putts.

 

[JustOne]

putting is a bit of an art, due to the fact that you can use a mixture of line and pace to hole putts.

I agree, getting the pace of a green is far more important than your stroke. We probably all have great strokes and our putters are perfect..... we just DON'T PRACTICE!!!!!!! (and are therefore crap at reading the line of a putt or getting the pace right!)

 

[garyinderry]

I agree, getting the pace of a green is far more important than your stroke. We probably all have great strokes and our putters are perfect..... we just DON'T PRACTICE!!!!!!! (and are therefore crap at reading the line of a putt or getting the pace right!)

very rarely will you three putt, if you get the right pace.

 

[garyinderry]

the holy trinity of putting!


line, pace and confidence !

 

[Foxholer]

So is there a formula we can all use to identify whats right for us as 'standard' seems to be 34".

No formula. I've played 33" for 8 or 9 years and felt this was too long last week - must have been more hunched than usual.

I heard the story/urban myth that when putters were simply 'displayed' in huge bags with other clubs - rather than the separate displays as now - they had to be 35" to actually be seen, so that became the standard.

Used to be rare to see anyone at less than 34, but now quite common.

Pelz states that getting pace right is 4 times as important as getting the line right - but that's something of a manufactured stat. What is interesting to not though is the quality of strike the guns have - through loads of practice and work! On those that use a line, you can see it roll end over end. Try that yourself and it will rapidly turn into wobbly and chaotic!

 

[Robobum]

The Swash putting method advocates getting the top of the spine, neck etc flat, so you can balance a tray there. This normally entails a putter that is shorter the standard.

Howeller certainly was a Swash disciple if he isn't now.

Mine is about 31" now and feels right for me. I may get an old putter for winter and put a thick superstroke grip on it as I'm intrigued by how good they are - definitely very popular on the tours now.

 

[One Planer]

When I was fitted for my Scotty Cameron, the fitter used a putter (....Ping I think) with and adjustable shaft (length) and hosel (lie).

We moved down from 35" in 1/2" incriments until I was in good posture with my arms relaxed and my eyes over the ball. Every time the putter was adjusted down (From memory) and inch, the lie was also adjusted.

Worked for me.

 

[harpo_72]

My putter is what ever length gets it into the position I putt in. At the moment it's 34". I spend a lot of time just rolling putts into a putting cup or at 5p pieces. I have decided I will stick with one putter and keep working on it. I have had some good rounds but this weekend I had a mare... But I will just go back and work on my stroke as that was the issue, not the putter.
The putter is the most important club in the bag, so constant change and not practicing with it will not aid any handicap reductions.

 

[JustOne]

So is there a formula we can all use to identify whats right for us

Yes,..... a putter fitting where they use lasers/radar/video to analyse your stroke. THAT'S the formula.

 

[CMAC]

Did you have to think about that post.....:smirk:

 

[Liqdaddymac]

I switched to Swash putting style at the end of last season - changed my game.
Always assumed I needed a longer putter due to height etc but turns out 32.5" makes me hole a lot more putts (also more upright putter with less loft).

 

[JustOne]

Did you have to think about that post.....:smirk:

LOL..... I was so thrown by Robobum knowing about Swash, superstroke grips and how long his shaft is that I had to go have a little lie down

I thought I'd better put 'putter fitting' out there as an option, I'm sure your wrist/ground measurement, your eye position, your stroke etc etc, all play SOME part in finding the right putter for you.... for all else just grip down the one you have if you're not comfy

 

[woody69]

I read an article by a custom club builder recently that talked about putter length. They said:

Putter length is the specification that sets everything else up and equally important for direction and distance control. Fitting for correct putter length allows for the correct posture with the player’s eyes directly over the ball, arms hanging comfortably so that the putting stroke is controlled by the big muscles around the shoulders (not the small ones around the wrists and hands).
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Many manufacturers’ standard lengths are 35” for men and 34” for women. Yet fitting putter length properly results in shorter lengths for most golfers. Phil Mickelson’s putter is 311/2” long. Many tour players use 33” putters.

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