As a shorter golfer, I’m pretty accustomed to having to order golf clubs that are the proper length for my height. However, many amateur players have no idea they are playing with a putter that is not the correct length.

When you use a putter that is not the proper length, you can have issues with alignment, consistency, and overall effectiveness of your putting stroke.

We are going to take a more in-depth look into how to choose the right putter length based on your height.

Why Putter Length Matters

Two main reasons putter length matters are alignment and setup. With the proper putter length, you can get your body into the right position. Once your eyes are over the golf ball, you can get your hands and arms into the proper position.

Having the hands and arms in place will then help golfers who are struggling with alignment. With your eyes over the ball, you can now see down the line and make your golf ball travel towards the target.

For golfers with a straight back and straight-through putting stroke, getting the eyes over the ball can help keep the stroke more consistent.

Breakdown of Correct Putter Length by Height

The easiest way for golfers to determine if they are playing with the right putter length is to consider their height. We will tell you that this is not the only way to decide on the length of a putter. Considerations like arm length and even your putting stance will also come into play.

When purchased off the shelf, putters will come in 33, 34, or 35 inch lengths. You will notice on our chart of the putter lengths by height that the lengths are a bit more broken down, with half inch sizes included.

This is because putters can also be custom fitted to meet the needs of any player. When custom fitting a putter, you must be sure that you are also taking into consideration the weighting of the club and how this change in length will impact the putter length.

Many golfers also ask about holding the putter further down on the grip and whether or not this will work for keeping their putter length a bit shorter. It can work to get your eyes over the ball, but it is not always as convenient and can make the stroke more restricted.

Take a look at this general guide that gives you the correct putter length in inches by the player height.

Other Factors That Might Affect The Putter Length You Choose

As we mentioned, finding the correct putter length is not just about your height; other factors come into play during a putter fitting. In addition, golfers need to consider that outside of technology and technological factors, they must also find a putter they like and play well with.

A few of the things that impact putter length are your arm length, posture, and your putter style.

Arm Length

Golfers with longer arms may need a shorter putter. If your hands fall too far below your waist while you are bent over to make a putt, you may need a club that is a little shorter. A 34 inch putter is the average putter length, but golfers with longer arms may want to consider going to something that is 33 inches.

With a long arm’s length, you will want to ensure that you have the room to make a pendulum-style stroke, and a shorter putter will likely help that happen. Golfers with longer arms need to be careful about a belly putter and ensure their grip is also the proper length to accommodate their arms.

Posture

The posture from one golfer to another changes considerably. One of the great things about putting is choosing a posture and a style that works for you. As long as you are consistent in your game, then there is no need to follow a textbook putting posture.

However, if you have a posture that keeps you a bit further or closer to the ball, your putter length needs to be adjusted. When a putter has a more upright design and the toe is raised, you may miss some putts to the left.

For golfers that feel too close to the ball because of their setup, it becomes hard to make a follow through, and directional control is an issue. These golfers often see putts that end up too far to the right.

The good news is that you can adjust your putter length so you don’t have to adjust your swing. This is the case with all golf equipment. These small tweaks make it much easier to keep your natural ability and then change the gear.

Putter Style

The putter style that you use could impact the length that you need. Some of these larger mallet-size putter heads are a bit larger, and a tall golfer or short golfer may feel as though they need to change their setup a bit to get close enough to the ball without the putter getting in the way.

Smaller profile blade putters don’t present as much of an issue, but this is undoubtedly a factor when you go for a putter fitting. Some of these height adjustments to accommodate the style of the putter will only be a quarter or half an inch, but they are still essential to consider.

Don’t choose a putter style based on your height. Instead, have the putter fitted to work for your game.

Putter Length FAQs

Without going for a putter fitting with a professional, finding the right putter length may take a bit more time and attention to detail. You will likely want to have a tape measure and your current putter.

Always compare what you are currently playing with to the putter you intend to use so that you can see what changes are essential.

What is The Standard Putter Length?

The standard putter length is 34 inches. However, most golf manufacturers offer a 34 and 35 inch models of the putters that they have in their lineup. The 33 inch can be a bit more difficult to find, but they do exist. Changing the length of the putter after you purchase it is possible, but it could need the help of a professional.

Are There Putters with Adjustable Lengths?

Ping made a series of putters that had adjustable lengths. Although this was a nice feature, once you know the length of the putter you need, you don’t need to adjust it all that often. Having an adjustable driver so that you can change the loft on your club is one thing, but putter length adjustability is not always necessary.

Can I Adjust My Own Putter Length?

Many golfers adjust their own golf clubs by cutting them down and regripping them. There are also extensions you can add to the end of a putter to make it a bit longer. These inserts are not hard to install and can be an excellent solution for a tall golfer.

Are Putter Fittings Worth It?

Putter fittings are becoming increasingly popular. These fittings help golfers to understand more about their putting stroke and why it’s vital to get the correct putter length. Putter fittings will show you how often you hit the center of the putter head and what needs to be done to have it happen more often.

Does Putter Length Impact Weight?

The length of the putter can impact the weight of the putter, and it’s one of the most important considerations that golfers must make when they decide to change their putter length. You should always have a lie loft machine and a scale anytime you are changing your golf clubs. Check the putter weight to ensure you don’t struggle with distance control.

Is a Custom Putter Necessary?

For golfers that are taller or shorter than average, a custom putter length may be necessary. Custom putters will ensure that there are no issues with the putter face being square at impact. In addition, a custom putter will also give you the best chance on those short putts that can so quickly change your score in a round of golf.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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A home golf simulator setup is becoming more common among the average player. Affordable packages from companies such as OptiShot, reduced the cost of these systems, making them accessible to more golfers. In this post I will explain the minimum ceiling height you need for a golf simulator.

I will explain what to watch out for and other measurements to factor in when setting up. In addition, I have offered tips on which are the best places in your house to turn into a golf simulator room.

Those on a budget should read our post on the top 10 golf simulators under $1000.

How High Should The Ceiling Be for an Indoor Golf Simulator?

Trackman recommends operating with a minimum ceiling height of 9’10 ft, or 3-meters for folks on the imperial system. Therefore, 10 ft offers enough clearance, even with your longest club. If your ceiling is lower than this, it restricts your ability to produce a full golf swing.

Ceiling height is necessary for two purposes. The first, is the height of the screen, and the second is to do with malicious damage to your property. Low hanging ceilings may cause your club head to crash into it at the top of your swing.

Foresight Sports provides a simulator configurator that highlights the factors to consider when designing your simulation layout. This makes you think about the room layout and where you should position the golf mat, net, and launch monitor.

Other Room Dimensions to Measure

Room Width

After measuring your ceiling height, the next step is to determine your room’s width. Like ceiling measurement, this is necessary for 2 reasons. The aim is to prevent you from slamming your golf club into the wall on your backswing. Plus, it ensures ample space for the width of your impact screen.

A narrow room restricts a full swing. That impacts your overall experience with golf simulator systems. The makers of the GC Quad, Foresight Sports, recommend an absolute minimum width of 13-feet for a comfortable swing diameter.

Room Depth

Once you have determined whether you have sufficient width to install a simulator system, you need to measure its depth. This is to ensure enough distance between the mat and impact screen. Plus, if your launch monitor uses dual radar technology, you will need additional space behind the hitting mat.

For example, the Trackman 4 uses dual radar technology, which requires the device to sit behind your golf ball. Therefore, you need a longer room. Different to the requirements of a photometric device that uses high-speed cameras. Photometric launch monitors sit parallel to the impact zone, reducing depth requirements.

Examples of photometric products include Skytrak and the GCQuad. In addition, products such as the OptiShot 2 use sensor-based technology to gather data on your shots. They are a space-efficient purchase.

Let us assume that you have a doppler radar launch monitor for this exercise. That means that your rooms require the maximum depth. Therefore, your minimum space requirement is 15-ft. You can even increase that to 16.

Distance From Hitting Mat To Impact Screen

Now that you have measured your room’s width, height, and depth, you need to prepare the positioning of your net, impact screen, and hitting mat. Do not place your mat too close to the screen. When there is insufficient distance for the launch monitor to accurately detect data related to your launch and ball flight.

Simulator manufacturers recommend leaving at least 12 ft between your golf ball and the screen.

Distance From Launch Monitor To Hitting Mat

Photo launch monitors require minimal space in this department, making them more efficient. These devices only need to sit 22-inches from the golf ball. However, you need to set up radar models 7 ft behind the impact zone.

Ideas of Places to Put Your Golf Simulator in Your House

Garage

If your garage is going to waste, it is time to change that. Clean out the dusty interior and plan out your home golf simulator setup. Garages often offer a wider, longer, and higher structure than the rooms in your house.

Many garages also feature fewer windows than the rooms inside, leaving less property for you to damage.

Basement

Your basement is another room that is great for a home golf simulator. Based on its location in the house, you are out of the way and can be left alone to play virtual golf courses and practice your game in peace.

The challenge with basements is that the ceiling may hang below your minimum height requirements. It is difficult to fix this challenge as it could impede any rooms directly above.

Spare Room

A spare room is just asking a golf simulator to be installed inside its walls. However, golfers who live in an apartment may lack the space required to make it work.

Living Room

Your living room can work for a golf simulator, so long as you do not intend on whacking any golf balls. Dirt cheap simulators such as the Phigolf Home System allows you to play inside your living room.

The package includes a swing stick that detects your angle of attack and impact to detect the outcome of your shot. The result is displayed on the screen in the form of the World Golf Tour (WGT) game.

I do not suggest setting up a complete simulator in your living room unless you are a golf-mad bachelor. It is inconvenient for you and others to set up and break down equipment. I take it your family won’t approve of a permanent simulator in their living quarters.

Bar

This is a dream come true for most golfers. You cannot beat a golf simulator set up in your bar. I don’t mean the local pub. I am instead referring to your man cave. If space permits, this is an ideal way to entertain your buddies and family at any time of the day.

It also gives you a private space to escape to after work to practice your game, without the noise and interference from your family.

FAQs

How Much Room Do You Need For An Indoor Golf Simulator?

You need a minimum space requirement of 13 x 10 x 19. That refers to 13 ft wide, 10 ft high, and 19 ft deep.

These measurements reflect the requirements for a doppler radar launch monitor simulator. Photometric models require less depth as they sit inches across from the golf ball.

What Size Room Do I Need For A SkyTrak?

SkyTrak is built for rooms that are 10 x 10 x 10. However, I recommend that the room is at least 13-ft wide for a comfortable swing diameter. In addition, I suggest that your space is at least 12 ft long. Because the SkyTrak is a photometric device, it does not take up copious amounts of depth, like radar models.

Is A Golf Simulator Worth It?

Yes, a golf simulator is well worth the purchase. It serves 2 purposes. The first is that it allows you to practice without going to the driving range. The second is that it provides endless entertainment for you and your family.

Having the platform at your disposal to work on your game anytime is a handy tool to help you improve your performance. Plus, it doesn’t harm that you can take on your friends in virtual rounds of golf and challengers to compete for superiority.

Do Pro Golfers Use Simulators?

Yes, professional golfers do use simulators. It gives them a tool to dial their game without heading to the practice range. Tiger Woods even credits his Full Swing Pro Simulator as aiding in his return to golf in 2018.

Eldrick is not alone in his use of technology. It turns out that Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Padraig Harrington, and Jim Furyk have home golf simulator setups. They all stick to the quality Full Swing Pro Simulator.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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