Are shorter putters better?

[q7w]

Yea, sounds like an odd question.

But I never really tried a short putter until today. I've always used standard length ones.

Sure, I had to bend over more, but something about it felt better when I was making putts, I dunno.

Maybe it's my putting style. Does anyone else use short putters? Good/Bad experiences?

Or is it all in my head? lol

[CrazyXGolfer]

How short are you talking? My putter is 34* 1* under std. I love it!
It's what ever suits very, putters are very personal!

[mlf16507]

I used a short putter(24") for a season, made a lot of putts Mon-Sat, but not on Sunday morning (Bending over with a hangover is not a good thing!)

[Danattherock]

Well, an interesting side note, Robert Garrigus won the Children's Miracle golf tournament last week in Florida with a 28.5" putter. I won't be using a putter that short, but I did have a recent experience that is making me lean toward a shorter putter for the first time in 20 years.

I received a Yamada Musashi (85029) two days ago. However, it was 33" long and had a lie angle of 71 deg. My normal specs are 36.25" and 74 deg. I took this short putter out yesterday and putted better than ever to my surprise. I just wanted to get an idea of what the new putter felt like. I work on Nantucket and there is no golf shop here so I will have to fly off island to get a new shaft and get the tiny grip switched out with a larger grip.

However, after what I saw yesterday, I am considering a 34.25" shaft instead of the 36.25" I had planned on using. While 33" was a bit too short for me (I am 6'6"), I found my arms hanging more naturally and I think this is largely responsible for why this putter worked so well.

Granted, the Yamada is bad azz and the burning copper on the carbon had incredible feel. But I think it was the shorter length that provided much of the instantaneous improvement in my putting stroke. From 15-20' all misses were 1' from the hole, over and over. I had an uncanny sense of touch today that far surpasses my norm. This finding fits into the suggestion from putting guru Geoff Mangum. I read the below article on his website last week and he pretty much said that most folks would benefit from a shorter putter. He also suggested most folks would benefit from a more upright lie angle. Perhaps the below article would be of interest to you. If you have not seen his site, be sure to click on "Tips" as there is tons of info there. You could literally read all day about how to improve your putting.

http://puttingzone.com/MyTips/lengthlie.html

http://www.puttingzone.com/ziptips.html


-Dan

[etlreams]

There's no real answer to this. Putters are very personal. I prefer to bend over a bit with my putter stance. My putter is cut down to 32.5. It's whatever feels best to you.

[TheGeekGolfer]

I switched to a 33" putter last year and putt way better with it than with the 35" I was using.

[Magdalena]

I have been playing with the short putter and it feels that I have more control for some reason. It is hard on your back though!

[Jell0b0y]

I switched to a 33" putter last year and putt way better with it than with the 35" I was using.

Same here. I went from a 35" to a 33" and putt much, much better now

[q7w]

Thks for the replys.

Sounds like I'm on to something here, personally that is.

I think my next putter will be a little shorter. hopefully it can bring me some results on the green.

[enis750]

i think its all relative
if you like it shorter and it instills confidence in your stroke...then get at er!

i just cut my new Scotty down from 35" to 34" and it feels much more natural
yeah you could just choke down, but it doesnt feel the same IMO

[max power]

Thks for the replys.

Have you tried choking down on your putter? That's the first step I'd make, and if you really like it just get your putter cut down. Fwiw, I like the feel of a 35" putter, and the ability to choke down/adjust depending on the shot.

[Genericity]

Have you tried choking down on your putter? That's the first step I'd make, and if you really like it just get your putter cut down. Fwiw, I like the feel of a 35" putter, and the ability to choke down/adjust depending on the shot.

I don't know how to explain it but choking down on a putter isn't the same as having a shorter putter (at least for me). I know it sounds crazy, but to me a 35" putter that I choke down on and a 34" putter isn't the same.

I have 2 identical putters; one has been cut to 34" and the other one is my backup and it is still at 35". I would have to cut down by backup before I use it... Plus if a putter is too long the butt end sometimes catches on my shirt/jacket and it screws up my stroke.

[glock35ipsc]

This is something I have been reading up on lately, and it was interesting to note that while the average length putter sold for men is 35", the average length used on tour is 33 " to 33.5".

I have a 35" and felt it was too long, so I used some duct tape below the grip to build it up until it was almost the same thickness as the grip, then finished it off with grip tape (hockey sticks, bats, etc). It only took a short time to tell me this was the ticket, so I cut it down to 33" and installed a new grip. Perfect!

[mdl]

I have a standard length putter, but if I could afford a new putter, I'd definitely get a shorter one. Right now I grip mine with a standard reverse overlap grip, and my right pointer finger is off the grip. Personally I like to be hunched over so that it feels like the upper part of my spine is perpendicular to the putter shaft. Personally I get a more consistent pendulum feeling not having to worry as much about two planes.

[relentlesswhitey]

i think its all relative

I would agree 100%. I had a scotty cut down to 32.5 inches, because I feel when my hands fall down to a comfortable position, thats where I want the end of my putter to be. A shorter putter will cut weight, so I reccommend lead tape if you find it too light, but I think shorter putter makes medium to short length putts much easier and long length lags more accurate. If all else fails and I can't sink any, I go to a 31 inch Odyssey that always works.

Best of luck.

[Arsenal8807]

It is all preference like anything else in golf that you use. I went and hit the Odyssey #9 putter again today after work just now in 33,34, and 35in. lengths and I found that the 35in. worked best for me by far. Of course its just how it feels to you because if your sinking putt after putt, you might as well buy that putter at that length.

A buddy of mine uses a 33 in. Anser and loves it.. I can't hit it

[sean_miller]

This is something I have been reading up on lately, and it was interesting to note that while the average length putter sold for men is 35", the average length used on tour is 33 " to 33.5".

Where did you read this? I see a lot of 33, 34, and 35" putters for sale. Mostly 34s and never 36 or higher (unless you count belly putters). How could 35 be the average?!?

[jamo]

Mine is 33 inches. I would be willing to bet that most people are using putters that are too long for them, but it's probably partially an ego thing.