Putter lengths: need a change...

[D-S]

I remember our County squad a few years having a training session in a putting studio, with instruction and fitting and afterwards most of them ended up with shorter length putters.

 

[jim8flog]

RE the OP if you are always gripping down and are going to buy a a new putter then buy the length you want.

As said the biggest criteria IMO is to have the length and lie so the sole is flat and your eyes are over the ball.

I am 5'10" but have a very upright stance when putting (due to a bad back) I use 35" but a centre shaft putter which means the point of contact is slightly closer to the body to help with eyes over the ball.

 

[Crow]

One of the annoying things about playing old school clubs is that pretty much every putter is 35" long, I prefer a bit shorter than that so am always gripping down.
Even then the grip can sometimes catch on loose clothing, but luckily I'm ripped and my flat stomach means it rarely happens in practice.

 

[DanFST]

but luckily I'm ripped and my flat stomach means it rarely happens in practice.

Can the larger forum members get away with an excuse to use a belly anchored putter?

 

[Tashyboy]

Can the larger forum members get away with an excuse to use a belly anchored putter?

Yup there custom fitted that start at 24” ?

 

[Tashyboy]

One of the annoying things about playing old school clubs is that pretty much every putter is 35" long, I prefer a bit shorter than that so am always gripping down.
Even then the grip can sometimes catch on loose clothing, but luckily I'm ripped and my flat stomach means it rarely happens in practice.

Crow.
What’s the original thought process on 35” length, Cut it down if needs be. Style of putting back in the old days ?

 

[clubchamp98]

Interesting - thanks. I'm looking at the 2021 Odyssey 2-ball, which I think pretty close in shape to my old Bionik cheapy. That can be ordered in 33' for delivery in a week or two...

Have a look on eBay at the Ping putters that have a length adjustable grip.
This allows you to custom fit your own length while on the practice green.
It does take the guesswork out of it.
Just depends if you find one you like, but atm there isn’t a rush.

Just seen you bought a two ball so ignore me.
Hope it works .

 

[clubchamp98]

I used to think your eyes had to be over the ball, but apparently it ain’t necessarily so. It’s wherever your eyes make a parallel line through the ball to the target and that may not be directly over it. Probably is for most people but not all.
Check out Video by Mike Massala I think his name is, recommended by someone on here.

Yes this affects your eyeline and makes you aim left in my case.

 

[GG26]

I had some putting lessons with a putting specialist coach and his view was that 90% of players have putters that are too short. The reasoning is that it is more difficult to get a good pendulum movement if you are hunched over the ball.

 

[Slime]

I remember our County squad a few years having a training session in a putting studio, with instruction and fitting and afterwards most of them ended up with shorter length putters.

I had some putting lessons with a putting specialist coach and his view was that 90% of players have putters that are too short. The reasoning is that it is more difficult to get a good pendulum movement if you are hunched over the ball.

Well, that clears that up.

 

[Crow]

Crow.
What’s the original thought process on 35” length, Cut it down if needs be. Style of putting back in the old days ?

I don't honestly know.

I think in general players used a more bent elbow style back then which would make their hands further from the ground and so more suited to a longer putter, but then as now there were many players who got very low over the ball and had short putters to suit. See Bobby Jones and Bobby Locke below for bent elbow style.

Or maybe it was just based on the shortest iron in the bag being 35" (which was often the 9 iron, PW and SW) so they made the putter the same?
A bit daft if that was the reason though as we stand much closer to the ball when putting so the shaft doesn't need to be so long.

 

[Tashyboy]

I don't honestly know.

I think in general players used a more bent elbow style back then which would make their hands further from the ground and so more suited to a longer putter, but then as now there were many players who got very low over the ball and had short putters to suit. See Bobby Jones and Bobby Locke below for bent elbow style.

Or maybe it was just based on the shortest iron in the bag being 35" (which was often the 9 iron, PW and SW) so they made the putter the same?
A bit daft if that was the reason though as we stand much closer to the ball when putting so the shaft doesn't need to be so long.

View attachment 35215View attachment 35216

That first photo, it looks like an old 3 iron ?
Furthermore that photo shows just how much fashion and advancement club technology has changed the game.

 

[Captainron]

Try this method

 

[Crow]

That first photo, it looks like an old 3 iron ?
Furthermore that photo shows just how much fashion and advancement club technology has changed the game.

That putter is Calamity Jane, thousands and thousands of copies were made and sold throughout the world, here's an example below.

And Bobby Locke favoured his old hickory shafted putter throughout his Professional career, including for his 4 Open wins, the last in 1957.
Hickory shafted copies were sold well into the 1960s, my steel shafted example below is stamped Triple Crown so was made after the third of his Open wins in 1952.

 

[clubchamp98]

That first photo, it looks like an old 3 iron ?
Furthermore that photo shows just how much fashion and advancement club technology has changed the game.

That photo is what tena pants look like after 16 holes.
Google Billy Conelly incontinence pants if you don’t belive me.

 

[Tashyboy]

That photo is what tena pants look like after 16 holes.
Google Billy Conelly incontinence pants if you don’t belive me.

? I watched it a couple of weeks ago ??????
where he ties them off on the bottom ?

 

[clubchamp98]

? I watched it a couple of weeks ago ??????
where he ties them off on the bottom ?

That’s why they planted trees on golf courses!

 

[Blue in Munich]

I had some putting lessons with a putting specialist coach and his view was that 90% of players have putters that are too short. The reasoning is that it is more difficult to get a good pendulum movement if you are hunched over the ball.

As does Stan Utley. I’m 6’6” and using a 37” putter (which irritatingly Scotty Cameron refuses to make as they think it is too long, despite having never seen me).