How to Size a Putter for Golf

A putter that’s the wrong size can sabotage your stroke before you even take it back, forcing your body into an unnatural position that breeds inconsistency. Getting the right length for your putter is arguably one of the most important equipment specs you can get right, yet most golfers are playing with one that’s too long for them. This guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to find the perfect putter size for your body and your stroke, so you can build a more consistent and reliable motion on the greens.

Why Putter Length is So Important

More than any other club in the bag, the putter relies on creating a simple, repeatable motion. When a putter doesn't fit your body, you have to make subconscious compensations just to make it work. These little adjustments are enemies of consistency.

If your putter is too long:

• You’ll likely stand up straighter and farther from the ball than you should.
• This raises your eye line, making it much harder to see your line correctly. You might perceive the hole to be to the right of where it actually is (for right-handed players).
• Your arms will be cramped and "tucked in," restricting them from a free, natural pendulum swing. It often forces a lot of wrist and body action into the stroke.
• The toe of the putter will likely be sitting up in the air at address, which can cause you to pull putts left as the face closes through impact.

If your putter is too short:

• You’ll have to bend over excessively, which can cause strain on your lower back.
• Being too bent over can also lead to a stroke that is too "handsy," relying on small muscles instead of the big-muscle pendulum motion of the shoulders.
• Your eyes might end up outside the target line, which can cause you to push putts right.
• The heel of the putter will be up in the air, promoting an open clubface at impact and missed putts to the right.

A properly sized putter doesn't fix your putting, but it removes the hidden roadblocks. It allows your body to get into a sound, athletic posture, lets your arms hang and swing freely, and puts your eyes directly over the ball or slightly inside the line - the ideal position for seeing the line accurately. It gives you a fighting chance to make a good stroke.

How to Find Your Ideal Putter Length: A Step-by-Step Guide

You don't need a high-tech fitting studio to get a very accurate idea of your ideal putter length. You can find your starting number right at home with a friend and a tape measure. The entire process is based on one simple idea: we want to measure the club to fit your natural putting posture, not force your posture to fit a standard club.

Step 1: Get Into Your Athletic Putting Stance

This is the foundation. Forget about the putter for a moment and focus on finding a comfortable, athletic setup. A good putting stance should feel balanced and tension-free.

1. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, with your weight balanced evenly between them.
2. Flex your knees slightly, just enough to feel stable and athletic, like you're about to field a ground ball in baseball.
3. Now, the most important part: bend forward from your hips, not your waist. Keep your back relatively straight and let your bottom go back a bit. This is the move that allows your arms to have space.
4. Let your arms hang completely loose, straight down from your shoulders. Don't reach for the ball. Just let gravity take them. Your hands should be directly below your shoulders or very close to it. Shake them out to make sure they're relaxed.

This position is your personal putting a blueprint. This is the posture your body wants to be in to make a simple, pendulum-style stroke. Now, we just need to measure for a putter that fits into it.

Step 2: Take the Measurement

Once you are holding this posture, you can take the measurement. It’s best to have someone else help you with this to ensure accuracy.

• Hold your putting posture, letting your arms hang naturally as described above. Lightly clasp your hands together as if you were holding a putter grip. You want a soft, "prayer-style" grip.
• Have your helper measure the distance on a straight vertical line from the floor up to the very top of your clasped hands (at your top thumb).
• That’s it. That number you just measured is your ideal putter length.

Don't be surprised if this number is 32.5", 33", or 34". The standard off-the-rack putter length is 35 inches because brands cater to the tallest end of the spectrum, but studies have consistently shown that the vast majority of Ttour pros use putters between 32 and 34 inches. For the average male golfer (around 5'9" to 5'11"), the ideal length is often in the 33.5" to 34.5" range.

What To Do With Your Measurement

This home measurement gives you a powerful starting point. Head to a golf shop and find the putting green. Grab a few putters around your measured length - one that’s the exact size, one a half-inch shorter, and one a half-inch longer.

As you try them, pay attention to a few things:

• Your Posture: Does the putter allow you to get into that same comfortable, athletic stance without having to adjust? You should be able to set up with your eyes over or just inside the ball without feeling cramped or stretched.
• The Stroke: Does the putter feel like it can swing freely, like a pendulum from your shoulders? Or does it feel like you have to steer it with your hands? The correct length should promote a smoother, more passive stroke.
• The Lie Angle: Look at how the sole of the putter sits on the ground at address. The bottom of the putter should be perfectly flat against the ground. If the toe is up, the putter may still be too long. If the heel is up, it might be too short.

Going Deeper: It’s Not Just About Length

While length is the primary component of putter fitting, two other elements play a significant role: lie angle and grip size. Understanding them will complete your knowledge.

Putter Lie Angle

Lie angle is the angle between the center of the shaft and the sole of the putter. As we mentioned, you want the sole to rest flat on the ground when you’re in your natural setup.

• If the toe is up, the lie angle is too upright for you. This will make your misses tend to go left of the target, as the face aims left at impact.
• If the heel is up, the lie angle is too flat for you. This will make your misses tend to go right of the target, as the face aims right.

You can test this easily. Place a piece of masking tape on the sole of your putter. Find a putting mat or a hard surface and make a few strokes. The mark left on the tape will show you where the putter is making contact with the ground. If the mark is perfectly in the center, your lie angle is great. If it’s toward the toe or heel, you could benefit from having it adjusted, which is a simple and inexpensive fix at any golf shop.

Putter Grip Size

The grip might seem like a small detail, but it's your only connection to the club. The thickness of your putter grip can have an influence on how much your hands and wrists are involved in the stroke.

• Standard or Smaller Grips: These tend to promote more "feel" and can allow your hands to release the putter head more freely. Golfers who like to feel the weight of the putter head swinging often prefer them. However, for some, it can lead to too much wrist break.
• Oversized or "Jumbo" Grips: These grips are designed to quiet the hands. By filling up your palms more, they make it harder for your wrists to break down, engaging the larger muscles of your shoulders and back to control the stroke. They are fantastic for players who struggle with "yippy" or jerky strokes.

The choice here is purely personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer. Test a few different grip sizes and see which one feels the most stable and allows you to repeat your stroke with confidence.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right putter size boils down to a simple, fundamental goal: letting the club fit your natural stance, not forcing your stance to fit the club. By following these steps to measure your length and check your lie angle, you remove the hidden obstacles that can hold your putting back and give yourself a solid foundation built around comfort, balance, and repeatability.

As you refine your equipment and technique, questions will always pop up. We created Caddie AI to be your personal golf expert, ready to provide that quick, reliable answer whether you're on the course or practicing at home. If you're wondering how lie angle affects ball roll or want a drill to smooth out your tempo, just ask. Our goal is to give you instant access to trustworthy information so you can stop guessing and start playing with more understanding and confidence.