Putter Fitting –

There are 4 areas to consider when being fit for a new putter (or when considering a new putter).

1. Length of the putter.

Your putter needs to be short enough that you can get your eyes over the golf ball at set up (putting line) and long enough that it does not put excess stress on your back.

The average length putter (not counting belly or chest putters) on the PGA tour is 34 inches, where the average height of a PGA tour player is 6 ft. 1 inches.

The average length putter (short putter) sold in golf stores is 35 inches, whereas the average height of recreational golfers is 5 ft. 10 inches.

Looking at these numbers doesn’t make sense. A majority of PGA tour players are able to get their eyes over the ball at set up because of using a putter with proper length for them. Whereas, the average player has a putter that is too long making it very difficult to set up properly.

2. Lie angle of putter.

When setting up over a putt, the leading edge of your putter should be even with the ground. In other words, the toe and heel of the putter should be level with the ground (one should not be higher than the other).

The lie angle of the putter is directly related to the length of the putter. Most often the lie will not have to be adjusted if the length of the putter is correct for the golfer, and the golfer has a good set up. If minor lie adjustments are needed, most often they can be made fairly easy.

If the putter doesn’t sit even with the ground, it can cause the putter to “twist” at impact, thus causing pushed or pulled putts.

3. Grip Size

In the past couple of years, it has become much more popular to have a “larger” grip on the putter.

The larger grips tend to help golfers decrease being “wristy” during their putts (breaking down the wrists during the stroke) and for many, it helps them keep the putter down the line (toward the intended target) longer.

There are many different size putter grips, the Super Stroke 3.0 is recommended for the golfer with average size hands.

4. Putter Type

There are basically two different “types” of putters to choose from. The face balanced putter and the non-face balanced putter. A face balanced putter is one that is evenly balanced between the heel and toe of the putter.

You can check you putter by balancing the shaft of the putter on your finger. When doing this, if the face of the putter is level with the ground, the putter is face balance. If the toe of the putter turns down, the putter is not face balanced.

For most, they are able to create a better stroke (one that stays square to the target longer) with a face balanced putter.

Of course the type of putter one chooses is a personal decision (based on looks and feel), but by dynamics, if you are looking for a putter that will stay square to the target the longest during the putting stroke, a face balanced putter should be considered.

At the Graves Golf Academy, we are more than happy to help you with your putter fitting and suggestions. A properly fit putter will give you your best chance to make the most putts and obviously then score your best.

As putting counts for close to 45% of scoring for the average golfer, it only makes sense the club that accounts for this much of your golf game is fit to you perfect.

Follow this link for your FREE Putter Fitting: FREE Putter Fitting HERE

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