Putter Length

[alex_chung]

I have a few putters at varying lenghts, but all of them are below the 'standard' 35"/36" length. I find that I can let my arms hang down easier and I feel more comfortable with a shorter putter (but I have to make sure that the heads are heavy enough to counteract the lack in length)
My current rotation are:

Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Studio Stainless: 33"/350g head
Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Studio Stainless (Black): 32"/350g head
Tom Slighter Tacoma: 33.5"/400g head
Odyssey White Hot #1: 34"

Alex

[dcg1952]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I have been altering my putting stroke to fit the club all these years---which may explain some of my poor putting. I think Yoda hit it on the head with his comment about not being able to fully extend the left arm with the 34-35 inch models. I went to a left hand low push basic stroke after my lesson with him last spring and still struggled at times because I never felt like I was properly extending the left arm---now I know why. Looks like 2006 might be the perfect time to move to move to a shorter putter. And thank you Jim Cook for stimulating a few neurons---I have a Smoooth 7 putter I made last year (34") and has all the weights in it---heavy as a sledge hammer. When I finish typing this I'm gonna' whack 2 inches off the shaft and see what happens--might as well experiment while the snow is flying, and I can always putt indoors! Thanks everybody!
Stay Healthy Dr Dave

[pluthb]

I too use a 31 1/4 inch putter and I'm 5'13. For me it is a product of where my arms hang. If you have a face balanced putter, you are much better off cutting off your putter to the right length and it only will cost you about $10. If you don't grip down or invest in a new putter, not necessarily a face balanced putter.
My clubfitter in MN has tested over 3500 people and has found the average length of a putter should be 32 inches. The only reason they sell 34 and 35 inch putters is because they fit in the bag, they don't fit people!

[vj]

Mass produced, un-fitted putters are too long and too upright for nearly all of us. One of the best things you can do is spend some time getting your putter soling correctly. Bending and shortening are usually needed to complete this process.