Is my putter too long?

Question

hi

i am about 5 foot 7 and my putter comes up to my waist.. i did not get them custom fitted..

after watching some golf i notices how all the pros have really short putters does this give any advantage?

I am looking for an excuse to blame for my poor putting ;)

Answer 1

h**l yes it is bud.  I am 6'4" and put witha 34 inch putter, thats one inch shorter than standard.  Look at Vijay, his looks only to be 32 or so.  I found that with it a little shorter I had much more feel and my PPR average dropped to 37 after two months of using the shorter putter.  Prior to that it was 41, thats four strokes a d**n round.  

I started playing with a scratch guy, and joined him to practice (I am about a ten at last calculations)   I learned from him that putting is the key.  This guy played once a week, however went out to the course about 5 times a week.  he invited me with him and I watched him practive.  He hit on the range only once a week (he already has a grooved swing)  this guy stayed on the putting green, everyday he went to the course he spent at least 30 mins there.  the second most time was spent chipping from about 30 yards in.  He spent two to three days a week doing nothing but chipping and putting.  I started this and improved my game, even with my ungrooved swing and flaws of the tee box (Bad hooker).  It really didn't matter that I had those flaws because after some practice with putting and chipping I could get there and finish.  Its a complete mental head job to my regular golfing bud. He can knock it about 3 bills off the tee but puts and chips like c**p.  I hit it about 250 on a good drive, usually 200 with a duck hook, however I am beating the guy by 7-8 strokes everytime we play, and he hates it.

Answer 2

yes!

i am the same height and my putter is only 33 inches tall.  your hands should hang naturally with no tension for the best results putting.  all golf clubs should be custom fitted, it is a major factor in the way you play.

Answer 3

Many different styles and lengths of putters. Some use the chest putter. What ever feels most comfortable.

As for an excuse, you can always blame the greenskeeper.

Answer 4

make it 32. Mickelson's is 33 and he's 6' 3

Answer 5

Putters are getting shorter because when you address the ball it is recommended that you put your nose above the ball, dangle your arm below your shoulders and take your grip on your putter.  Phil's putter is about 33 1/2 inches and he's almost 6 feet.  Mine is 32, but I'm only 5'5". I recently took four inches off of a Scotty Cameron Newport gift I was given.  

     On that note, I bought an EyeLine to help my putting, I have almost every book and read Pelz's book cover to cover and I have a putting set up in my bedroom where I'll his 50 to 100  putts a day.  Last round I played.....no three putts.

Answer 6

Sounds like it is way too long.  It depends on how upright you stand when you putt, but I have never seen anyone with a putter that reaches their waist unless it was a belly putter.

Answer 7

Its totally up to you some of the pros play with putters that hit them in the chest there like 42 inches long.

Answer 8

Of course it is. Cut off 2 inches and you'll be draining Eagle putts all day long.

Answer 9

Look man, putting is all about feel.  If you feel the putter is too long, get it cut, if you feel like you need a new putter, then get one.  The biggest thing is that you have confidence in your putting.  If you are uncomfortable with any part of your putting, you will NOT putt well.  Try to cut it down if you must, but by no means is it necessarily TOO LONG.  It just depends on preference.

Answer 10

DBZ,

There are no excuses for poor putting...lol. Sorry!

But yes, your putter might be a little long for you. The reason you see the pro's playing shorter putters is so they can comfortibly bend over the shot line of the ball, and still be able to move their arms freely. They want to get their heads over the ball and the best way to do that is to bend from the waist.

You can cut down your putter. If you remove the grip, (you will probably have to get another grip because you will most likely have to cut the old one off) and the tape under it. Then hold the putter as if you were going to putt with your hands in the new position on the putter. Making sure that the bottom of the putter head is sitting flat on the floor.

Make sure you are comfortable with this position. This will be just about where you will make your cut. Make a mark on the shaft behind where your top hand (the one closest to you belly) rests.

Before cutting make another mark about 1" above that one (this is your cut line). Using a hacksaw or a cutoff saw cut the shaft at this mark.

Place the new grip beside the shaft right where it will sit after installing it. Mark the shaft at the bottom of the grip. Using 3/4" masking tape, tape the shaft, starting at the marked line and working your way up the shaft towards the end of the shaft. In a continuase spiral apply the tape. Do this at least 2 times.

Now comes the hard part. You have to put the grip on. Get some two sided tape (Golfsmith sells this in a water activated type) put the two sided tape on over the masking tape. Peal off the the top layer protector and pour water on it. Then pinch the grip at the bottom end and force it onto the shaft. Slide the grip into place making sure that the alignment is proper. Slide it all the way down until the top of the grip rests on the top of the shaft. Let it dry for a couple hours and your done.

You can do this yourself or take your putter to a custom clubmaker and have them do it for you. This would be my suggestion. Get it fit properly, and this is best acchomplished by someone that does it all the time.

Hope this helps,

J