How to Measure Golf Putter Length

Finding the right putter length can dramatically improve your consistency on the greens, yet most amateur golfers are using a putter that's simply too long for them. An incorrect length forces you to make subtle, often unconscious, adjustments in your setup and stroke, leading to missed putts and frustration. This guide will walk you through exactly how to measure a putter and, more importantly, how to determine the ideal length for your specific body and putting style.

Why Putter Length Is a Game-Changer

Before we grab a tape measure, let’s quickly talk about why this seemingly small detail has such a big impact. Your putter’s length dictates your entire putting posture. It influences how you stand, where your eyes are positioned over the ball, and how your arms hang. The ultimate goal in putting is to create a simple, repeatable, pendulum-like motion, and the correct putter length is the foundation for that motion.

If your putter is too long, it pushes you to stand up taller than you naturally would. Your arms will feel jammed into your body, or you'll have to grip down on the steel shaft, both of which introduce variables that kill consistency. Your eyes will likely end up inside the target line, which encourages a stroke that gets "stuck" and pushes putts to the right (for a right-handed golfer).

If your putter is too short, you’ll be forced to hunch over excessively, putting strain on your lower back. Your eyes will likely be positioned outside the target line, promoting an "over-the-top" stroke that pulls putts to the left. Getting the length right allows your body to settle into an athletic, balanced setup where your arms can hang freely and your eyes can get directly over the ball - the ideal position for seeing the line and making a pure stroke.

How Putter Length is Officially Measured (The USGA Method)

When you see a putter advertised as "34 inches," that measurement is taken in a very specific way, following guidelines set by the USGA. It’s not as simple as standing the putter straight up and measuring from the floor to the top of the grip. It all comes down to the club’s "lie angle."

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Find a Flat Surface: Place the putter head on a hard, flat surface like a garage floor or countertop.
2. Settle the Putter on its "Sole": Allow the putter to rest naturally as it was designed to. You'll want the center of the sole - the bottom of the clubhead - to be flat against the ground. This sets the club at its intended lie angle.
3. Use a Straight Edge: Take a rigid yardstick or a steel tape measure. It's important to use something that won't bend.
4. Measure Along the Shaft: Position the end of your measuring tool on the floor, directly behind the center of the putter face. Run the measuring stick up the shaft, keeping it parallel to the shaft itself. The measurement is taken from the ground to the very top edge of the grip cap.
   • Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart.
   • Bend forward from your hips, keeping your lower back relatively straight until you feel balanced and stable.
   • Let your arms hang completely slack and natural from your shoulders. Do not reach for an imaginary ball. Just let gravity do the work. Your hands should come together naturally somewhere below your chin.
   • Adjust your posture until your eyes are looking straight down toward the ground, at the spot where a golf ball would be. Have your friend check to see if your eyes appear to be directly over an imaginary target line.
   
   
   • Do your hands naturally rest on the grip, or are they several inches down the grip, even touching the steel shaft? If so, your putter is too long.
   • Did you have to stand up straighter or move your arms to accommodate the putter's length? If so, your putter is too long.
   • Does the putter feel too short, forcing your hands apart or causing you to bend over more than felt natural? This is less common, but it's a sign your putter may be too short.
   
   
   • You "choke down" a lot. If your bottom hand is a couple of inches from the end of the grip, that's fine. But if your top hand is halfway down the grip, it’s a big red flag.
   • Your elbows are bent sharply and jammed against your body. The correct length allows your arms to hang in a soft "V" shape rather than being locked up.
   • Your heels lift off the ground. To make T-Rex arms work with a long putter, you may rock back on your heels at impact to create space, a consistency-killer.
   • You have a bald spot on your grip. If your hands are always on the same spot halfway down the grip, the wear pattern will tell the story. Take the hint and get it cut down!
   
   
   • You feel pain or strain in your lower back after practicing putting. This is often caused by excessive hunching.
   • The toe of the putter sits high in the air at address. A well-fitted putter should have the sole sitting relatively flat on the green.
   • You have a lot of tension in your shoulders and neck. Reaching down for a short putter can create unwanted tension that disrupts a smooth stroke.

This method ensures that every putter is measured consistently, accounting for the built-in angle of the shaft. This is how manufacturers label their clubs and how club fitters compare different models.

The Measuring Mistake Most Golfers Make

The most common error is trying to measure a putter by holding it perpendicular to the floor. If you stand the putter up vertically so the shaft is straight up and down, and then measure from the ground to the grip, you will get an inaccurate reading. Because the putter shaft is installed at an angle (the lie angle), measuring it this way will give you a shorter number than its actual playing length. You must account for that angle by measuring along the shaft from the ground, as described above.

How to Find *Your* Perfect Putter Length: The Coach's Approach

Knowing your putter's standard measurement is one thing, knowing the right measurement for you is what truly matters. Mass-produced putters are typically made in 33, 34, and 35-inch lengths, with 34 and 35 inches being the overwhelming majority found in golf shops. But these standard lengths are designed for an "average" golfer who may or may not exist. Let's find your personalized fit.

This is a simple B.Y.O.P. (Build Your Own Putter) fitting you can do at home. For this, it’s helpful to have a friend and a tape measure or yardstick.

Step 1: Get into Your Putting Stance (Without a Putter)

This is the most important step. Without worrying about a club, I want you to get into a posture that feels comfortable and athletic for putting. Here's how:

This posture - the one your body assumes on its own - is your personal, perfect putting setup. All we need to do now is find a putter length that fits into it.

Step 2: Measure to Your Hands

While you hold this perfect posture, have your friend measure the distance from the floor straight up to the top of your topmost hand (your left hand if you putt right-handed). Note this measurement.

For a huge number of golfers, this measurement will come in somewhere between 32 and 33.5 inches. You might be surprised how short this is compared to the 35-inch putter you have in the garage. This measurement is your ideal putter length.

Step 3: Test It with Your Current Putter

Now, grab your current putter and get into that same, comfortable stance. Does it fit?

Tell-Tale Signs Your Putter is the Wrong Length

If you're still not sure, here are some on-course clues that your putter length isn't optimized for you.

Signs Your Putter is Too Long:

Signs Your Putter is Too Short:

If you discover that your 35-inch putter should really be a 33-inch putter, don't panic! Any golf shop can shorten a putter shaft and install a new grip for a small fee. It's one of the easiest and most impactful adjustments you can make to your equipment.

Final Thoughts

Measuring your putter the "official" way is great for knowing the technical specs, but finding the length that fits your natural, athletic posture is what will truly help you sink more putts. By letting your body determine the ideal length, you eliminate the need for compensations and clear the path for a simpler, more consistent stroke.

Getting your equipment dialed in is a huge step in building confidence on the course. If you have more questions about how putter fittings work or how your setup impacts your stroke, that's exactly the kind of personalized advice we built Caddie AI to provide - giving you instant answers from an expert in your pocket, 24/7.