The short game is arguably the most difficult aspect of golf, with players statistically spending more time on the green than any other part of the course.
That’s why it’s essential to have the right golf putter at your disposal. But given the intricacies of putting, sometimes it’s not enough to simply pick one off the shelf that looks appealing.
It needs to be a carefully curated decision, with all elements of the putter taken into account - one of which is the correct putter length. But what is the best putter length for your game?
At Clarkes Golf, we’re home to a huge range of putters from the sport’s biggest brands, making us your ideal choice if you’re on the hunt for a new companion on the green.
Keep reading to learn more.
What Are the Standard Putter Lengths?
There's no such thing as a ‘proper putter length’. Generally, putters come in three distinct lengths to meet the needs of golfers, depending on their preferences:
33-Inch
These putters are ideal if you’re shorter than average in stature, or if you prefer a more upright stance. Placing you almost straight over the golf ball, they allow your arms and shoulders to drop further to reach the putter grip.
34-Inch
The most common putter length, 34-inch putters are well-suited to golfers of average height (up to 5’10”). Players of this height should find these putters favourable for their stance, offering a comfortable and well-fitting option.
35-Inch
If you’re on the taller side, a 35-inch putter will likely suit you best. These size putters will let you grasp the club with ease, without having to overarch and potentially ruin your technique.
Factors Influencing Putter Length
Wrist to Floor Measurement
This is the oldest trick in the book when trying to figure out your ideal putter length.
Simply stand up straight and let your arms hang naturally down by your side. Then, instead of measuring your arm length (a common mistake), have someone measure the distance between the crease of your wrist and the floor.
The shorter the length, the shorter the putter you’ll be suited to.
Posture and Stance
The way you prefer to stand at address also affects which putter suits you best.
If you adopt a more upright stance, you’ll benefit from a shorter putter, as your arms will hang more freely and you will be able to reach better.
Having said that, those of you who prefer a bent posture may actually prefer a 34 or 35-inch putter and to step further away from the ball, rather than standing directly above it.
If you’re just getting started, you should spend as much time as you can on the practice putting green to get a feel for the stance that feels best to you. This is also essential for the next point…
Putting Style - Straight vs Arced
If you prefer a straight putting stroke (one in which the clubface remains relatively in line with the target at all times), you’ll probably see better results from a shorter putter.
This is because putting with a more upright posture, as we mentioned above, encourages a more square putting stroke, requiring a shorter putter.
Players who putt with an arced putting stroke, which features greater rotation of the putter head than a straight one, should focus on using standard-to-long length putters, as these encourage greater control throughout their swing as they bring the clubhead back in line with the ball.
Find the Perfect Putter Length for You at Clarkes Golf
Looking for the right putter length to take your golf game to the next level? You won’t be short on choice when shopping for a new putter at Clarkes Golf.
With a plethora of putters to choose from across all leading brands in the sport today, you’ll easily find the putter to change your fortunes on the green, whatever size suits you - from Scotty Cameron to Ping putters and beyond.
We also have various putter head designs to choose from, including traditional blade putters, mallet putters, spider putters and more.
Take a look at our selection of golf putters at the links above. Or if you want some hands-on advice, why not stop by the Clarkes Golf shop in Rainford, where we offer custom putter fitting services and all the golf equipment you could ever need?
You can find us at:
Mill Lane, Rainford
St Helens, WA11 8LN