Unfortunately, a lot of beginner players use a putter that is not the correct length. This is because when purchasing a putter from the store, the most common sizes are 34 and 35 inches. They work for a lot of people, but they’re not the right fit for everyone. Playing with the proper putter is essential to get as low of a score as possible.
Measuring the putter length involves a lot more than just taking out a tape measure and measuring from the grip to the bottom of the putter head. With putting a skill of centimeters and golf a game of inches, your shots must be as precise as possible. Knowing how to measure putter length properly and picking the correct length for you are two significant pieces that contribute to shaving strokes off your score.
Let’s look at how you can accurately measure the putter length and ensure you’re using the right length for your height.
What Putter Length Do I Need?
You may be wondering, “what putter length do I need?” That’s a great question! The putter length you need is going to depend on your height. The length of the club matters because it affects your setup. The three qualities of a perfect swing setup are angle, balance, and center.
To achieve a centered setup, you want your weight to be balanced and distributed between your feet. Your shoulders should be squared and the same distance on either side of the golf ball. You also want your body to be positioned right over it. Lastly, you want to ensure that nothing is facing in the opposite direction. This last part is so your angle is perfect.
If you have a putter that is too short or too long, your angle, balance, and center will be off. This will guarantee that your puts will be off every single time. If your puts are off, your score will rise.
Putter Length By Height
The best putter length is going to depend on the player. However, you’re probably wondering, “what length putter do I need?”. You can use the information in the table below to check if your putter length is in your range.
| Height | Putter Length |
| 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 5’8” | 34 inches |
| 5’8” to 6’0” | 34.5 inches |
| 6’0” to 6’2” | 35 inches |
| 6’2” and above | 36 inches |
How to Measure Putter Length?
You may be thinking, “If I know how to measure a club, I can measure a putter!” Unfortunately, this is not the case. Putters have different sizes and neck shapes; measuring a putter is more complicated than just measuring another club from grip to heel.
For the most part, putters are between 33 inches and 36 inches. To measure a putter, you’ll need either a yardstick or a tape measure. If you have a long putter or an arm lock putter, you’ll be okay with either one of the measuring tools listed previously. However, a tape measure is the only option you can use for the longer ones.
Step-by-Step
- Place your putter on a flat surface, and ensure the head is flush against whatever surface it’s on.
- Place one side of your preferred measuring tool at the top of the putter’s grip.
- Measure down to the middle of the putter head.
- Your putter length is going to be the top of your grip to the center of your putter head.
Benefits of a Proper Length Putter
There are several benefits to having the proper putter length. It’s essential to have the right putter length because it can severely affect your game if you don’t use the right length. Since people come in all different heights, this is a common problem because putters don’t have a wide height range.
When choosing a putter, you’ll have to do some experimenting. There is no perfect way to select a putter, but the good news is there is the option to cut your club.
If you need to do this, it will need to be done by a professional. There are less expensive putters and more expensive putters. You don’t want to compromise any part of the club for the cheaper putters and will most likely need a pro to do a grip replacement. Expensive putters often have interchangeable weights, so while a professional is cutting the club, they could also change the weights if it needs to be done.
How to Know if your Putter is the Proper Length for You
Now that you know how to properly measure your putter, you can now figure out how you want to move forward. Are you looking to buy a brand-new putter? Putter length will ultimately affect distance control and consistency in speed. Here is what you need to remember when determining if a putter length is the right option for you.
Stance
There is a little trick you can do to ensure you’re standing over the ball. When standing over the golf ball with your arms hanging naturally, you should be able to drop another golf ball from your eye level down to the ball on the ground. If you’re standing in the right position, the two balls should collide. If you’re extremely bent over when getting into your putting stance, your putter is too short. On the other hand, if you’re trying to get into position and find your hands leave the grip and are on the golf clubs shaft, your putter is too long.
Stroke
Before purchasing a putter that is custom fit to your height or you decide to cut your putter, it’s important to know that your putting stroke type will affect your stance. You should practice putting with your swing because the best way to become a great putter is to have confidence. The best way to build your confidence is to practice. If you’re not confident when putting your score will be negatively impacted.
Player Height
Player height is another good indication of proper putter length. It’s important to use if you’re comfortable and in the traditional stance as an indicator, but player height also is a good starting point. Most players are currently using a putter that is too long for them, so it’s safe to assume you are as well.
Conclusion
The good news is that measuring your putter is not tricky. The more complicated part is finding the correct length and the perfect putter for your stroke.
Let’s quickly go over everything stated in this article. Get the proper measuring tool for you and work on a flat surface. Keep the center of the putter flat on whatever surface you’re working on, and have your measuring device lined up with the shaft the entire length of the putter.
Your concluding measurement should be within the range of 32 inches to 55 inches unless you’re using a putter that was already custom fit. Any expert club fitter is going to tell you that the most critical part of finding the perfect putter for you is the length.
