If you're using whatever putter came in your starter set or the "standard" 35-inch model from the golf shop, there's a good chance it doesn't fit you. Most golfers never think about putter length, then wonder why they can't make putts consistently.
Here's how to figure out if your putter is the right size—and what to do if it isn't.
Why Putter Length Actually Matters
Putter length affects everything about your stroke: posture, eye position, arc, and how consistently you strike the ball.
Too long, and you'll stand too upright with your eyes too far inside the line. You'll struggle with alignment and tend to push putts.
Too short, and you'll hunch over with your eyes past the ball. You'll likely pull putts and feel uncomfortable over every putt.
The right length puts your eyes directly over (or just inside) the ball, allows a relaxed posture, and lets your arms hang naturally.
Unlike [choosing the right driver](/tag/drivers/) or [fitting your irons](/tag/irons/), putter fitting gets ignored. But it's just as important—maybe more so, since putting is 40% of your score.
The "Standard Length" Myth
Walk into any golf shop and you'll see putters in 33", 34", and 35" lengths. Most golfers just grab a 35" because it's the most common.
That's like buying size 10 shoes because they're popular, even though you wear size 9.
Reality check:
- The average male golfer needs a 34-34.5" putter
- The average female golfer needs a 32-33" putter
- Taller or shorter players need adjustments from there
If you're 6'2", that standard 35" putter might work. If you're 5'9" with short arms, it's way too long.
Stop defaulting to "standard" and start fitting your actual body.
The Quick Eye-Position Test
Here's the simplest way to check if your putter length is in the ballpark:
How to do it:
1. Set up in your normal putting stance with your putter
2. Hold a ball at the bridge of your nose
3. Drop the ball straight down
What it tells you:
- Ball lands on the ball you're addressing: Perfect—your eyes are over the ball
- Ball lands inside (between you and the ball): Putter might be too long
- Ball lands outside (past the ball): Putter is likely too short
This isn't scientific, but it's a quick check you can do at home or on the practice green.
The Posture Test
Set up in your putting stance and have someone look at you from the side (or record yourself on your phone).
What to look for:
- Arms hanging naturally: Good sign—length is close
- Arms reaching or extended: Putter is too short
- Arms cramped or elbows bent inward: Putter is too long
- Comfortable posture, slight knee flex: Length is working
- Standing too upright or hunched over: Length is off
Your setup should feel natural and balanced, not forced. If you're contorting your body to accommodate the putter, the putter is the problem.
How Height and Arm Length Affect Fit
Putter length isn't just about your height—arm length and posture preference matter too.
General guidelines:
- Under 5'4": 32-33" putter
- 5'4" to 5'7": 33-34" putter
- 5'8" to 6'0": 34-35" putter
- 6'1" to 6'4": 35-36" putter
- Over 6'4": 36"+ putter (or consider a belly/long putter)
Arm length adjustments:
- Long arms relative to height? Go shorter
- Short arms relative to height? Go longer
There's no perfect formula. These are starting points, not rules.
What Happens When Length Is Wrong
Using the wrong putter length doesn't just feel uncomfortable—it actively hurts your putting.
Too long:
- Eyes too far inside the line (affects aim)
- Tendency to push putts right
- Inconsistent strike (toe hits)
- Standing too upright (limits feel)
Too short:
- Eyes past the ball (hurts distance control)
- Tendency to pull putts left
- Hunched posture (causes back strain)
- Inconsistent arc (too handsy)
If you're fighting the same miss pattern (always pushing or pulling), check your putter length before blaming your stroke.
How to Test Different Lengths
You don't need to buy five putters. Here's how to experiment:
Option 1: Choke down
If you think your putter is too long, grip down an inch or two and see how it feels. If your putting immediately improves, you need a shorter putter.
Option 2: Use grip extensions
If you think your putter is too short, add a grip extender or build up the grip with extra tape. Test it before committing to a new putter.
Option 3: Visit a fitting (free at most shops)
Many golf shops offer free putter fittings where they'll test different lengths, lie angles, and head styles. Take advantage of it.
Option 4: Try a friend's putter
Find someone taller or shorter than you and test their putter on the practice green. If a shorter putter suddenly makes everything easier, you have your answer.
If you're building out your [putting practice routine](/tag/putters/), the right length makes every drill more effective and helps you build consistent mechanics.
DIY Length Adjustment (If You're Handy)
If you love your putter but need to adjust the length, you have options:
To shorten:
- Cut from the butt end (top of the grip)
- Remove the grip, cut the shaft, re-grip
- Cost: $10-20 for a new grip + your time
- Note: Shortening changes swing weight (putter will feel heavier)
To lengthen:
- Add a shaft extension (available at golf shops)
- Remove grip, install extension, re-grip
- Cost: $20-30 for extension + grip + labor
- Note: Lengthening reduces swing weight (putter will feel lighter)
If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, any golf shop can handle it for $20-40.
The Lie Angle Connection
Here's something most golfers don't know: putter length and lie angle work together.
If you shorten a putter without adjusting the lie angle, the toe will lift off the ground at address. If you lengthen it, the heel will lift.
What to do:
When you change putter length significantly (more than 1 inch), have the lie angle adjusted to match your setup. This ensures the putter sole sits flat at address.
Most club fitters can bend putter lie angles for $20-40.
When to Ignore Length and Focus Elsewhere
Not every putting problem is a length issue.
If you're constantly missing putts but your setup feels comfortable, your eyes are over the ball, and your posture is good, the problem might be:
- Stroke path (inside-out or outside-in)
- Face angle at impact (open or closed)
- Speed control (hitting too hard or soft)
- Green reading (misreading break)
Don't use putter length as an excuse if the real issue is mechanics or [course management](/tag/course-reviews/).
But if your setup feels awkward, your back hurts after nine holes, or you're fighting consistent push/pull tendencies, check your length first.
The Bottom Line
Most golfers use a putter that's too long because that's what the shop had in stock or what came with their set.
The right putter length puts your eyes over the ball, allows natural arm hang, and creates a comfortable, repeatable posture.
Test your current putter with the eye-drop test and posture check. If it's off, try choking down or extending before buying a new putter.
And if you're in the market for a new putter, get fitted. It's free at most shops, takes 10 minutes, and could be the difference between 36 putts per round and 30.
Your putter is the most-used club in your bag. Make sure it actually fits you.
Now get out there, test your length, and start making more putts.
