Ask the Top 100: How long should my putter be?
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Dear Top 100 Teacher,
I am a 5'11" male and I have always used a
35-inch putter shaft. Is this appropriate for me or should I be
looking for a putter 34-inch or 33-inch putter? Your help would be
appreciated.
Rod M., Davenport, Fla.
Dear Rod,
At my school we have done more than 1,000 putter fittings over the past four years. Our research has found that players at 5'11 would fit somewhere between 33 1/2 to 34." The variable would be arm length. If you arms are a little long, lean toward the 33 1/2.
The correct length putter allows for a player to tilt properly forward at the hips, allowing your eyes to come to rest over the inside edge of the ball, with his weight over balls of your feet and -- this is important -- your elbows rotated slightly inward and connected to the front of your ribcage.
Don't forget that the length of your putter affects the swing weight of the putter, that is, the feel of the weight as the putter head swings back and forth. The swing weight of the putter has a great influence on a player's feel, tempo and distance control. My recommendation for the gram weight of a putter that is between 33.5 and 34 inches would be 350 grams.
If you would like more information on fitting putters, check out my web site www.coutourgolf.com
Good luck,
Todd
Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher Todd Sones is director of instruction at the Whitedeer Run Golf Club in Vernon Hills, IL. You can read more about Todd Sones at www.toddsones.com
Posted by: Vance McCollough | May 28, 2009 1:03:24 PM
I was not clear from your web site how to measure the "knuckle to ground" distance. What length putter does your research show would be appropriate for someone 6' 1 1/2" tall with a wrist crease to floor measurement of 36.5" ?
Thanks!
Posted by: Harvey Schierman | May 29, 2009 4:25:02 PM
"with his weight over balls of your feet" I'd find it pretty difficult to putt in that position!
Posted by: Matt | Jun 1, 2009 9:18:59 AM
Don't worry about it, get a putter you can feel comfortable with and make putts...
I still use my old Ping Karsten B60 putter. I go check out new putters every once in a while and they still don't feel right..
Posted by: herrsonic | Jun 1, 2009 1:01:43 PM
If that's the case, then why use a belly or long putter at all? I guess you could recommend the same grip to everyone including those on the tour. C'mon guys, use your common good sense. But I do understand that there are new beginners to the game, and I would say that Rod is a very new beginner or very unknowledgeable about the game.
Posted by: Ernie | Jun 5, 2009 10:32:20 AM
Rod if you are 5'11" tall I'm going to give you a good tip. First take you putter and bend slightly at the wasit while holding you current putter there is nothing written in golf that you have to have your head over the ball. If you putter does not touch the ground then my suggestion would be that you would have to a longer putter maybe one that is 36" or 37" long you will have to have the putter bent for your either upright or flat consider where you arm are hanging play the ball two inches inside you left foot or you will have to adjust the ball position to find out which is comfortable for you to make good solid putts. I'm sure this tip will help you.