Why Putter Length Matters

Is Your Putter Too Long? (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

This week’s question came from Natalie in Harrogate — a beautiful part of the UK.

She asked:

“I’ve been told my putter is too long for me, but I’ve used it for years. What actually changes when a putter is the wrong length?”

It’s a brilliant question. And an important one—because this is where so many golfers are unknowingly making the game harder than it needs to be.

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The Real Problem With a Putter That’s Too Long

Let’s assume your putter is too long (which, for many women, it often is).

When that happens, your body has to adapt.

Instead of your arms hanging naturally, they bend to “fit” the putter. And once that happens, everything else starts to shift:

• Your hands and wrists become more active
• Your shoulders become less involved
• Your stroke becomes less stable and less repeatable

You might not notice it straight away—especially if you’ve used the putter for years. But over time, it quietly affects consistency, distance control, and confidence.

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What Should It Feel Like Instead?

When your putter is the right length, something quite simple—but powerful—happens:

• Your arms hang naturally
• Your shoulders take control of the stroke
• You can pivot from your spine
• The putter moves in a consistent plane

And here’s the key point:

Everything connects without you having to think about it.

That’s when putting starts to feel easier. Not because you’ve changed your technique—but because your equipment is finally supporting you.

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Why So Many Golfers Get This Wrong

Most putters are designed for a player around 5’10” or taller.

So if you’re shorter than that—and many women are—you’re likely using a putter that’s simply too long.

It’s not a skill issue.
It’s a fit issue.

And for years, golfers have been blaming themselves for putts that never really had a chance.

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A Simple Way to Tell

If your setup feels like you’re “holding” the putter rather than letting it hang…

If your wrists feel busy…

If your stroke changes under pressure…

There’s a good chance the length is part of the problem.

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What I Recommend

Try a correctly sized putter.

You don’t need to overhaul your stroke. You don’t need more technical thoughts.

Just give your body the chance to move the way it naturally wants to.

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Need a Second Opinion?

If you’re unsure what length is right for you, I’m always happy to help.

👉 Book a quick chat
👉 Ask a question 📩 Hopline@franklygolf.com
👉 Or explore a custom-fit putter

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Final Thought

Your putting stroke is already in there.

Sometimes it just needs the right conditions to show up.