How to Measure Putter Length
Table of Contents
Introduction
Determine Proper Stance
Account for Floor to Hand
Distance
Consider Grip Style
Use Wrist-to-Floor Method
Try the Sternum Method
Look at Belly Putters
Choose an Adjustable Length
Get Custom Fit for Length
Conclusion
FAQs
Introduction
Finding the optimal putter length
is one of the most important factors in developing a consistent, effective
putting stroke. With the correct putter length that suits your physical build,
stance, and stroke mechanics, you can achieve proper alignment, posture, and
motion to hole more putts. That's why taking the time to learn how to
accurately measure and fit yourself for the ideal putter length is a worthwhile
endeavor for any golfer looking to sharpen their short game.
In this comprehensive guide, we
will explore the key considerations and best practices for determining your
personal putter length specifications based on measurements and testing. First,
we will look at how to set up a proper putting stance and neutral grip - the
foundation for making effective length judgements. Next, we will go through
various methods for using simple at-home measurements to calculate a starter
putter length, including wrist-to-floor, sternum height, and belly putter
positioning. We'll also discuss choosing adjustable putters to test different
lengths, and highlight the value of professional custom fitting for dialing in
precise putter length within 1/4 inch.
Identifying your optimum putter
length can immediately improve your address position, posture, alignment,
stroke path and tempo. This guide will provide all the information you need to
determine the right putter length to boost your consistency on the greens. So
read on to start measuring for better putting.
Determine Proper Stance
When beginning the putter length
measurement process, the first priority is setting up a neutral, balanced
putting stance as the baseline. Your putting posture directly affects how
different putter lengths will fit your stroke and mechanics. Start by standing
with feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly flexed, spine straight. Bend at
the hips to tilt forward until eyes are situated just over the ball, arms
hanging down relaxed in front of body. This puts the eyes, hips and forearms
along the intended target line.
Grip the putter with a light but
stable hold using your lead hand down the shaft, trail hand in supportive
position on top. A reverse overlap grip prioritizes the trail hand below. Set
hands in front of body with lead forearm vertical, trail hand and arm on same
plane. This puts the grip end against your midsection, lead forearm aligned
with target line. The grip should rest comfortably in the fingers - avoid
tension and forcing the club.
Keeping spine, hips and eyes
level, rock slightly onto lead leg, letting arms hang for stability. Weight
should favor the lead side, trail foot toeing out for balance. Knees, hips and
elbows should have a slight flex for an athletic posture. This neutral address
position allows free arm hang for proper measurement. Dial this stance in before
evaluating putter length fit.
Account for Floor to Hand Distance
When you assume your optimal
putting posture, take note of the distance from the floor to the end of your
leading hand's fingers. This vertical floor-to-hand measurement, along with your
overall height, arm length, and hand size will factor into some common methods
for determining proper putter length.
For example, someone 5'10"
with a 28 inch floor-to-hand distance in their stance will require a different
putter length than someone 5'5" with a 25 inch measurement. Record your
exact floor-to-hand number while in your neutral stance to use as a reference
while testing different length calculation methods. This number itself can also
simply be a starting point for putter length.
Consider Grip Style
The way you grip the putter
handle has an influence on what length will allow you to assume an ideal
posture and stroke. Determining your preferred grip is helpful before measuring
for a putter. The standard grip has the dominant low hand down the shaft, lead
arm straight with grip end pressed into midsection, trail hand in support on
top.
A "reverse overlap"
style instead positions the dominant hand on top, often interlocking the pinky
over lead index finger. The low lead hand shifts slightly across body, changing
arm angles. A split grip has hands spaced evenly apart. Thinking through your
grip tendencies helps inform proper length.
Use Wrist-to-Floor Method
One of the most common ways to
determine a starting point for proper putter length is using a wrist-to-floor
measurement. With a putter in hand, assume your neutral putting stance, knees
and elbows flexed, spine aligned, eyes over ball. Let your arms hang freely so
the putter shaft points vertically.
Have a partner mark and measure
the length in inches from the floor to the bony prominence on the outside of
your leading wrist. Add 2 to 4 inches to this length to accommodate your ideal
hand placement on the grip. This wrist-to-floor distance plus grip allowance
provides an initial guideline putter length to test based on your arm length.
For example, a golfer with a 28-inch
wrist-to-floor measurement would add 3 inches to equal about 31-32 inches as a
suitable standard putter length to try. Fine tune from there using feedback on
posture, alignment, comfort and stroke. The wrist-to-floor method is easy to
perform and applies directly to your neutral stance.
Try the Sternum Method
A similar at-home measurement
option is the sternum method. Assume your optimal address position, knees
flexed, eyes over ball, arms hanging loose. Have a partner use a marker to
indicate the middle of your sternum bone. Measure the length in inches from
this sternum mark down to the ground while staying in your stance.
As with the wrist method, tack on
2-4 inches to provide for proper hand grip placement. Use this sternum-to-floor
number as a baseline putter length to initially test before dialing in
precision fit. For some, this sternum measurement may prove more accurate than
wrist-to-floor based on arm length, posture and flexibility. Test both for
comparison.
Look at Belly Putters
Belly putters are longer shafts
designed to anchor against the midsection. This requires a different fitting
approach to determine appropriate belly putter length. Assume your normal
stance and neutral grip. Let your arms hang relaxed in front of body. Measure
from the floor up to where the grip end would naturally come to rest against
your belly.
Add 1-3 inches for comfort. This
belly button-to-floor measurement gives you a starting point for belly putter
length. Try belly lengths in this range to find optimum anchoring while
retaining free arm movement through the stroke. Belly putters typically measure
38-48 inches depending on body type and grip.
Choose an Adjustable Length
If still unsure of your exact
ideal putter length, selecting an adjustable length model can streamline the
dialing in process. Many major putter companies now offer hosel adjustments
that allow changing face angle as well as length.
These adjustable hosel putters
enable incrementally testing different lengths without needing to cut down
shafts. Start by setting an adjustable putter to a standard 34–35-inch length
aligned for proper lie angle. Make practice strokes and refine length up or
down in 1/4- or 1/2-inch increments until settling on the fit that optimizes
your setup, posture and stroke.
Get Custom Fit for Length
For the most accurate, precision
fitting of putter length, schedule a dedicated putter custom fitting session
with a PGA professional. A quality custom fitting uses measurements of your
body type along with analysis of your optimal stance, grip, and stroke
mechanics.
The fitter can then recommend an
exact putter length tailored to your game within a quarter inch. Starting from
your proper neutral address, detailed custom fitting analyzes factors like eye
alignment, hip and spine angles, lie angle and stroke path to fit ideal length.
Custom fitting also allows you to
test and compare models to find the right putter head shape, alignment style,
grip type, shaft weight and flex. Combined with dialed in length, fully
personalized putter fitting helps any golfer hole more putts by enhancing setup
consistency and stroke technique.
Conclusion
Determining the proper putter
length that fits your body type and stroke signature is one of the most
beneficial equipment adjustments you can make to immediately improve your
putting. With an optimized length, your alignment, posture, swing path, contact
and distance control will improve. By learning proper stance, hand placement
and proportions for length sizing, you can discover your ideal putter fit.
Use the measurement techniques
detailed here to determine an initial length guideline, then refine by testing
incremental adjustments until discovering your length sweet spot. Taking time
to measure and identify optimum putter length will pay dividends in dialing in
your address consistency and stroke mechanics for more putts holed and lower
scores.
FAQs
What is standard putter length?
The standard putter length found
in most off-the-rack putter models measures between 32 and 35 inches. 34 to 35
inches is common for standard length putters. Players over 6’2” may benefit
from longer standard lengths up to 36 inches. Belly putters have much longer
standard lengths, usually between 38 and 48 inches to allow anchoring against
the midsection. Through custom fitting and measurement, you can determine your
ideal length within the standard range based on your exact specs and stroke.
Does putter length affect swing speed and tempo?
Yes, the length of the putter
shaft can have an impact on swing speed, tempo and rhythm in the putting
stroke. In general, a longer putter length will increase swing speed, while a
shorter length enhances control and smooth tempo. Excessively long putters can
hurry the stroke and cause mechanical issues, while too short disrupts an even
tempo. When fit for the proper length for your body type and mechanics, you
achieve ideal tempo, smooth acceleration and optimized swing speed through
impact.
How much does putter length affect distance control?
Putter length has a significant
influence on distance control and consistency in reaching the intended putt
distance. Using an improperly fit putter that is too long or short for your
stroke will diminish your accuracy in hitting putts the precise distance needed
to hole them. When dialed in to your ideal putter length through proper
measurement and testing, your posture, mechanics and tempo will optimize your
distance control and precision on the greens.
Can you adjust putter length on most models?
Many putter models now offer
adjustable hosels at the bottom of the grip that enable changing putter length.
By loosening the adjustable hosel mechanism, length can be increased or
decreased in quarter-inch or half-inch increments to customize fit. This allows
conveniently testing different lengths before settling on your optimum fit.
Putters can also be shortened by regripping and adjusting the shaft, but that
process is permanent.
Is there an ideal ratio for putter length vs. height?
General putter fitting guidelines
suggest starting length measurements at about 18% of your total height as a
baseline. For example, for someone who is 5'10", that equates to a
starting point around 25 inches. But since factors like arm length, posture,
grip and stroke mechanics also impact ideal length, it’s better to use your
specific wrist-to-floor or sternum-to-floor measurements along with custom
fitting to dial in proportions.
What are the benefits of custom fitting for putter length?
Dedicated putter custom fitting
analyzes your measurements, stroke mechanics and overall putting technique to
determine an ideal putter length within 1/4 inch. Precisely fitted length
enhances your address position, posture, alignment, swing path and contact.
Custom fitting also allows you to test and compare different putter
constructions to find the optimum model and shaft for your stroke. Fitting
putter length while testing clubs creates maximum personalization and
consistency.
Should I use the same length in practice putters?
It is wise to utilize the same
precisely fit length in your practice putters as your actual gamer model.
Ingraining your ideal setup positions, grip, stroke path, tempo and mechanics
with a practice putter in your fitted length ensures things will translate
smoothly to the greens. Any substantial difference in practice versus real
putter length can disrupt your motions and feel. Keeping practice and gamer
putters in the same length promotes seamless transition.
How often should you re-evaluate putter length fitting?
You should recheck your optimal
putter length any time your putting setup, posture, mechanics or stroke feel
off. Dramatic changes in flexibility, athleticism or stance over time could
alter what length provides proper fit. It’s wise to re-measure your putter at
least annually using your current specs and stroke. As you age, a slightly
shorter length often benefits control and smooth tempo.
Can arm/hand injuries or changes impact ideal putter length?
Yes, any physical conditions
affecting your arms, wrists, hands or shoulders can change what putter length
allows you to assume a comfortable, effective stance and grip. Pain,
discomfort, weakness or changes in mobility should prompt a reevaluation of
ideal putter length through updated measurement and testing. Consulting a
physical therapist or medical professional along with your club fitter can help
identify length adjustments.
Is ideal putter length the same for left vs. right-handed players?
Proper fitted putter length can
differ based on left or right-handedness. Factors like wrist-to-floor and
sternum-to-floor measurements are specific to your dominant hand and side.
Elements like address posture, grip tendencies and stroke mechanics may also
vary by dominant hand. Ensure you are properly measured and fit according to
your specific lefty or righty specs for accurate length.