Putter Length By Height

Putting is arguably the most critical part of a golfer’s game. It can make the difference between saving par or dropping strokes on the green. One often overlooked factor that can significantly impact putting performance is the length of your putter. Choosing the correct putter length based on your height is essential to maximize accuracy, control, and comfort.  

Are you an intermediate golfer looking to elevate your golf game? Then this guide is for you! Once you’ve reached a certain level as a golfer, even slight changes to your game and equipment can have a significant impact on your game.

Choosing the right putter length based on your height can be a game-changer for many golfers, especially short or tall players.

If after reading this post you've decided you need a new putter, check out Golf Circuit's large selection of golf putters for women and men from all the top brands.

The Importance of Putter Length By Height

There are several factors that help golfers find the right putter length, but height is one of the primary concerns. The standard putter length is 33 to 35 inches.

Beginner or novice players will often not notice any difference in their play, even if they add or reduce a whole inch. However, experienced golfers will want to invest in the perfect golf equipment to help their game. So here are a few putter-length guidelines to get you started.

Keep in mind that you can get your putters custom-fitted when you need to. Of course, this is a complex process that involves several steps. And you will need to consider other factors like the club’s weight while making this decision.

What Is Standard Putter Length?

The standard putter length is around 34 inches. If you bought a regular club set off the rack, chances are they’re 34 inches long. Go ahead and check!

However, what you may not know is that manufacturers have putters ranging from 32 to 36 inches in length. These variations are meant to cater to differences in height, stance, and various other player requirements.

Essentially, standard putter length just means the most commonly stocked putter length. And if you’re a serious player committed to the game, you’ll want to invest in clubs that are tailor-made to your needs.

We’ll start by asking a few major questions:

• what is putter length?
• why does it matter?
• how can you find your ideal putter length?
• what methods can you use to adjust your putter length?

This detailed guide will cover everything you need to know about putter length in golf.

Why Putter Length Matters

The length of your putter influences your setup posture, eye alignment, ball control, and stroke consistency. A putter that is too long or too short can negatively impact each of these factors, leading to missed putts and inconsistency on the green.

Proper Setup and Posture

The correct putter length allows you to set up comfortably over the ball with your eyes directly over or just inside the target line. A well-balanced stance with the proper posture ensures that you can create a consistent pendulum-like motion with your arms, minimizing wrist movement. Incorrect posture due to the wrong putter length can lead to an unstable stroke and errant putts.

Eye Alignment

Proper eye alignment is essential for accurate putting. If your putter is the right length for your height, your eyes should be over the ball, giving you the best chance to judge distance and read the break correctly. If your putter is too long or too short, your eyes will be too far inside or outside the line, making it more difficult to align the ball with your intended target.

Ball Control and Accuracy

The right putter length helps you control the ball better by ensuring the putter head lies flat on the ground, which improves lie angle and leads to a more accurate roll. If the putter is too long, the toe of the club may be raised, and if it's too short, the heel may be elevated. These angles affect the putter’s loft at impact, which can cause the ball to veer off the intended path.

Consistency in Stroke

When you use a putter that fits your height, it becomes easier to develop a consistent stroke. An improper length can force you to compensate in your swing mechanics, leading to inconsistent distance control and direction. A putter of the correct length allows for a more natural and repeatable stroke

 

The correct length putter can transform your golf game. Primarily, it helps with proper alignment and setup posture. It is easier for golfers to correctly position their hands, arms, and body when they’re holding a putter that works well with their height.

Getting your eyes over the ball can improve your strokes since you’re able to see down the line. Plus, golfers with straight-through strokes are able to consistently play winning shots.

Contrarily, playing with a putter that is too long or too short can negatively impact your swing, trajectory, and hit accuracy. When you’re playing golf with a wrongly sized putter, it won’t lie flat on the ground. As a result, the loft will push the ball offline.

If your putter is too long, the upright lie angle of the club will push your ball to the left of the target line. And if your putter is too short, the downward lie angle will push your ball to the right of the target line.

Using a correct putter length will increase both your control and accuracy by ensuring a proper lie angle.

Ways To Alter Your Putter Length

If your putter is too long, there are several ways to fix the issue. One way is to grip your putter lower in order to get your eyes over the ball. This is neither a foolproof method nor entirely convenient since it restricts your shots.

A better method is to consider putter lengths while you are buying your clubs. An understanding of the putter length by height relationship can help you shop for your golfing needs.

Finally, golfers can get a putter extension or custom fitting to alter their current putter. This allows you to get the right putter length without spending the money on a whole new set.

Determining Putter Length

While height is definitely one factor to consider when deciding on putter length, it is not the only factor. Once you have a general idea of where you fall on the scale based on your height, you’ll need to consider details like arm length, posture, and putter style.

Arm Length

If you have longer arms, you’ll need a shorter putter. So a golfer who is 5’7″ tall may use a 33-inch putter instead of the recommended 34-inch putter. How can you judge whether you fall into this category?

Stand in the proper position to make a putting stroke. Do your hands fall significantly below the waist? If so, you may need a shorter putter than is standard for your height.

When you have longer arms, you need to make sure your putter leaves enough room for you to comfortably make a pendulum stroke. That’s when your upper arm remains completely still while only your lower arm (below the elbow) moves to make the shot.

Posture

Posture also plays a key role when you’re choosing golf clubs. All golfers have their own way of playing the game. However, if your setup posture places you closer to the golf ball, you’ll need to adjust the putter length to increase directional control.

With putter length adjustments, you can don’t have to go through the extra effort of adjusting your natural swing. Instead, the perfect putter will compensate for any specific player’s requirements.

Putter Style

The size and style of the putter head are additional factors to consider. Larger heads may require a longer putter so the golfer can move closer to the ball without changing their setup.

This isn’t a concern with smaller profile blade putters, only mallet-sized putters. Overall, making a half-inch adjustment can compensate for any negative impact the putter style may have had on your game.

How to Measure Your Ideal Putter Length

 

Putter lengths typically range from 32 to 36 inches, with the most common being 34 inches. However, these standard lengths may not suit every player. Here’s how you can determine the correct putter length for your height:

Height-Based Putter Length Guidelines

One way to find the right putter length is by using your height as a reference. Below is a general guide based on height:

 

These recommendations serve as a starting point. However, keep in mind that factors such as arm length, posture, and putting style can further affect which length is ideal for you.

Consider Arm Length and Posture

While height provides a general guideline, arm length is also an important consideration. Golfers with longer arms may need a shorter putter than the standard recommendation for their height, while those with shorter arms may benefit from a slightly longer putter.

Your putting posture also plays a role in determining putter length. Golfers who stand more upright tend to need longer putters, while players who bend more at the waist often require shorter ones. When measuring your putter, assume your normal putting stance and ensure your arms hang naturally with the putter aligning comfortably with the ball.

Measuring Proper Putter Length

Now, you may be wondering how you can measure putter length based on your height and posture. There is an incredibly simple way to do this.

Step 1: Grab A Firm Ruler

You want to start with a firm ruler. This will help you take accurate measurements and is easier to handle than a tape measure. Of course, if you can find someone to help you out, a tape measure will work just as well.

Step 2: Get In Putting Stance

Get in your natural putting stance. This step is incredibly important. Don’t adjust your posture or try to achieve some “ideal” form. Instead, let your arms hang naturally as you normally would. Don’t hold a putter while you do this.

Step 3: Measure Putter Length

Now, use the ruler to measure the distance between your top wrist and the ground. You’ll get a value between 32 to 35 inches. That’s your ideal putting length accounting for height, posture, and playing style.

Step 1: Get In Setup Stance

Once again, you get in proper setup posture without actually holding your putter. Keep it as close to your regular stance as possible. That means hands and arms hanging loose, hips over heels, and eyes above the golf ball.

Step 2: Measure Distances

With this method, you measure two sets of values. The first is the distance between the ground and your top wrist. Let’s call this A. The second is the distance between the ground (from the previously measured point) and the inner side of the ball. Let’s call this B.

Step 3: Calculate Putter Length

To calculate the correct putter length, you can use a simple formula based on the Pythagorean theorem.

The formula is A² + B² = C², where:

• A is the first measurement,
• B is the second measurement, and
• C represents the putter length.

By solving for C, you can determine the exact putter length. For example, if A is 32 and B is 12, the calculation would look like this:

A² + B² = C²
(32)² + (12)² = C²     in other words: 32x32 =A² | 12x12=B²
1024 + 144 = C²    Add together to get C² 
1168 = C²
C = √1168**
C ≈ 34.18

So, the calculated putter length would be about 34.18 inches based on these measurements.

** The expression C = √1168 means that to find the value of C, you need to take the square root of 1168.

In simple terms, the square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. Use a calculator to help you determine an exact putter length.

The Impact of Putter Length on Putting Performance

Improved Accuracy

Choosing the right putter length for your height can improve your accuracy on the green by allowing you to set up with proper alignment and posture. A well-fitted putter helps you square the putter face at impact, reducing the chances of pushing or pulling the ball.

Better Distance Control

Putter length also affects distance control. With a properly fitted putter, you can develop a consistent stroke that allows you to better judge and control the speed of your putts. This can lead to fewer three-putts and lower scores.

Increased Confidence

Using a putter that fits your height and stroke gives you more confidence in your setup and alignment, which can improve your overall performance. Golfers who feel comfortable with their equipment tend to play with more confidence and focus on the course.

Should You Get A 34 or 35-inch Putter?