Is Your Putter Too Long?
Most manufacturers offer their standard putters with a length of 35 inches and a lie angle of 71 degrees. Often, these putters work best for players who have a height of at least 6 feet. Based on these values, some giveaway signs help you decide if your putter is too long for you.
If the standard 35” putter is too long for you, you’ll notice that your elbows are crooked when you’re in playing stance.
A good indication that you’re using a long putter is that the putter head tends to stand out, away from you, when you’re in position. Another sign that your putter is too long is that your eyes will tend to be inside of the ball towards the heel side.
A putter may be too long if the player is holding it at the very bottom of the grip. You can check this by playing with a shorter putter. Generally, the length of the putter is directly proportional to the golfer’s height.
In other words, shorter players are better off using short putters while tall golfers play better with long putters.
There is some more information on official club standards and how to measure your putter length on the USGA website.
Can Tall Golfer’s use a Short Putter?
Yes some tall golfers can use a short putter even if they’re tall, because they find these putters are easier to putt with. If they have no issues with bending, many have no problems using a short 33” putter.
However, most tall players over 6 feet are usually more comfortable putting with the standard, 35 inches size putter.
Some tall players prefer slightly shorter 33 inch and 34 inch putters because these clubs help them to give their best shots.
I have even seen taller golfers play with a putter as small as 31, 31.25 and 32.5 inches.
There are some golfers who prefer using long putters but choking down a couple of inches on them. Tall golfers who have no problem in bending and playing find it comfortable to use short putters.
Advantages of Using a Long Putter
There are certain advantages of choosing a long putter over its short counterpart.
The Advantages of using Long Putters are:
- A long putter helps in restricting the wrist movement as well as the up and down movement. The club gets anchored against the body and players produce a perfect pendulum stroke due to better control over their hands.
- The putter is ideal for recreational golfers who are not able to render short puts because of their inability to produce smooth putting strokes.
- The putter causes less strain on the players’ back that helps them to practice for a longer period and become more adept at the game. This is especially the case for older players.
- Long putters make golfers retain an upright posture because of their length. This stance allows them to have a better visualization of the line to the hole.
- The putter helps in hitting sidesaddle by putting from one side and facing the hole as well as in draining a few extra putts.
- The long putter offers some players a better grip when compared to what they achieve when they use a regular putter.
- The putter with more length has helped excellent ball strikers and long hitters fare better with their putting stroke than when they use a normal putter.
- Along putter is more beneficial to golfers who are less skilled at putting than those who can do this well.
- A long putter is advantageous for players who tend to putt from a distance less than 10 feet. However, they would find it tougher to putt from a distance more than this.
Is a 33 inch Putter Too Short?
The best way to check if a 33 inch putter is too short for you is to look at your body and eye position in respect to the ball .If you stand too close to the ball and your eyes look away from the target line, this means the putter is too short for you.
A putter of this size may also be too short if you have difficulty controlling your distance on long putts.
A 33 inch putter may not be too short if you’re a male player who is around five feet nine inches tall. If you’re taller than this, a 33” putter is likely to be too short for you. If your arms hang freely by your side, then this putter is the correct size for you.
Unless you plan to take a full swing with your putter, there may not be any need to adjust the swing weight if you’re planning to cut down your putter from the standard 35 inches to 33 inches.
Is a 35 inch Putter Too Short?
A putter that has a size of 35 inches is considered to be a standard size putter. This putter usually has a club head that weighs approximately 0.73 pounds. Your eye position and your proximity to the ball can help you decide if a putter of this size is too short for you.
You may also not be able to render your best performance on long shots if the putter is too short. Besides, if your 35 inch putter is too short, you may notice that most of your misses are to the left.
If you tend to crouch too much when you use your 35 inch putter, you might consider choosing a longer putter as a replacement. This is because the bending can put too much pressure on your back.
If you have an upright posture when you use a 35 inch putter and your swinging is not affected, then you can be assured that your putter is not too short for you. You can continue using it without making any modifications.
Often, golfers who are 6 feet tall and more are more comfortable using 35 inch putters than a shorter one. However, there are a few players who are not as tall but find it easy to use a putter of this size for their putting during a game.
Difference Between 34 inch and 35 inch Putter
The following points highlight some differences between a 34 inch putter and a 35 inch putter based on the experiences of some golfers with their putters.
- Some players do not find it comfortable to grip downwards on a 35 inch putter like they would with a 34 inch one.
- Some golfers experience good control over a 34 inch putter combined with the preferred swing weight and natural arm position than with the 35 inch counterpart.
- There are players who have been able to render consistency as well as achieve their strokes comfortably and easily with a 34 inch putter because of the more comfortable grip.
- Few golfers are able to ensure steady arms and upright postures throughout their putting strokes with a 34 inch putter.
- Some players have found that a 34 inch putter has helped them have better contact quality resulting in hitting the ball farther than they would otherwise do.
- Some golfers who prefer crouching rather than maintaining an upright posture prefer using a 34 inch putter in place of a 35 inch one. However, those who opt for upright postures with less back strain are better off using a 35 inch putter.
- Few players find that their arms do not hang naturally when using a 34 inch putter like when they use a 35 inch putter.
- A 34 inch putter often works well for players between 5 feet 10 inches and 5 feet 11 inches of height while a 35 inch putter is better suited for 6 feet and taller players.
- Golfers have experienced a light swing weight when putting with their 35 inch putter in comparison to a 34 inch putter.
Difference Between 33 inch and 34 inch Putter
Based on their playing experiences, golfers have found the following differences when using a 33 inch putter and a 34 inch putter.
- The swing weight of a 34 inch putter is lighter than that of a 33 inch putter and hence it is easier to swing the former club.
- A 33 inch putter helps in finding the hole better than when using a 34 inch putter. Choking down an inch on a 34 inch putter also yields the same results.
- A 33 inch size putter offers players more control when compared to using a 34 inch putter. They find that holding down on the 34 inch putter by an inch works better at times when compared to holding a 33 inch putter at the end.
- A 33 inch putter is a good option for playing on slow greens while a 34 inch putter is helpful on fast greens.
How Tall Should you be for a 35 inch Putter?
A 35 inch putter is recommended for players who are taller than 6 feet. Tall players should have their eyes positioned exactly over the ball during their putting stance.
Furthermore, you’ll be able to deliver a better stroke with this putter and can set yourself up in such a way that your shoulders bend just a little inward of the elbows.
However, it must be noted that there are players who are 6 feet 4 inches tall who have found that a 35 inch putter is a little short for them.
Similarly, there are 5 feet 10 inches tall players who are able to maintain erect postures when using this putter.