I am using a 34" putter that I grip down the shaft about 1.5". Would I be better off cutting the shaft by 1.5", or continuing to grip down since my results are pretty good right now? I welcome all thoughts.

Jeff

Dear Jeff,

The critical consideration is whether there is some of the handle extending above the butt of your hands, at the wrists. You probably want at least one to two inches here, so your hands are down on the grip material a bit, although not all the way to the metal below the grip material. If you extend your index fingers down the shaft, the length of most hands from heel of hand to tip of index finger is around 7 inches. I believe grips come in a set length of about 10 inches. This leaves one inch from fingertip to metal and two inches from heel butt to top of handle. So usually, you want your hands down below the top of the handle a little -- there's room built in for this.

Another consideration is having some of the handle extend above your hands so you can watch this part of the putter. If your stroke motion is too abrupt or quick, the top of the handle will waggle, indicating that the PIVOT of the putting system is not in your neck, but inside your grip! And that ain't good. So there needs to be a bit of the grip above your hands to help monitor your stroke's pace and fluidity.

Another consideration is the irreversible nature of cutting the putter. It's better to err on the side of too long, since you can always grip down. But if you err by cutting the putter too short, you're forced to use a setup posture and stroke movement that you really didn't want. Figuring this out takes some time for adjustment and experimentation, so I advise not cutting a putter all that short until you live with something that looks 2-4 inches too long for a little while. If the putter is working okay, don't cut it any further. Only cut it further if the excess length is definitely too much and somehow bothering you and you're sure you have no use for it. And remember, sometimes you want to putt while standing a little straighter, just for variety or to experiment or to give your back a little rest.

On balance, keeping the short putter a little long is a good way to strike this balance. And it's also a good idea to start with a cheap second-hand putter to cut down, so if you make a goof it's no big loss.

Cheers!

Geoff Mangum
The PuttingZone
http://hometown.aol.com/puttmagic
The Future of Putting Now - elite instruction, comprehensive resources

Geoff,

I spent a fair amount of time today putting with two different models. My White Lightning which is 34'', and I grip down about 1.5" or more, and a John Byron Centerblade, at 33" which was a little more upright and I didn't have to grip down at all. Although, I wasn't looking at the putter handle, in my peripheral vision I could see it, and when I made an absolutely terrible putt, I saw the grip move. The rest of the time, I liked having the extra length running up my wrist since it helped me reinforce the pendulum stroke I seek.

Thanks for the feedback.

Jeff

Jeff

I would suggest that you experiment with your idea. You're already putting with your 34" putter by gripping down the shaft by 1.5." So now, have your putter shaft shortened by the 1.5" plus a new grip. Try putting a couple of rounds with the shorter putter length so that you can compare the two lengths. After a couple of rounds, you should know which putter length you are most successful with and if you decide that you liked the longer putter better, then just have it extended back to 34" with a shaft extension and regrip, right? This may mean buying two new grips, but if the experiment improves your putting, I say go for it. Improved putting would sure be worth the cost of an extension and new grips; however, if you like your putter at the shorter length, then you're only out the cost of one new grip! Also, some club repair guys are pretty good with removing grips and you may be able to reuse your existing grip, if it's in good shape, and you won't have to purchase any new grips.

Regards,
Larry Stanley

The Putting Edge
Elk Grove, CA USA
OnePuttLarry@aol.com
http://www.ThePuttingEdge.com

Larry,

I have been on a roll lately with my putting and am currently content to stick with the current length. Once I feel it is a little off, I will definitely shorten the length by an 1" or so.

Thank you for the feedback!

Jeff

Larry,

I have been on a roll lately with my putting and am currently content to stick with the current length. Once I feel it is a little off, I will definitely shorten the length by an 1" or so.

Thank you for the feedback!

Jeff