Cut 1" off putter shaft?

[JimSomebody]

I love my Ping Redwood Anser putter, but I've decided it's a little too long for me (35"). I naturally grip toward the butt end, but that sets me up too far away from the ball (I like my eyes over the ball). So, rather than always remembering to grip down on the club, I thought I'd get an inch or so lopped off the butt end. Will this mess up the playability of the club?

[atm_73]

Originally Posted by JimSomebody

I love my Ping Redwood Anser putter, but I've decided it's a little too long for me (35"). I naturally grip toward the butt end, but that sets me up too far away from the ball (I like my eyes over the ball). So, rather than always remembering to grip down on the club, I thought I'd get an inch or so lopped off the butt end. Will this mess up the playability of the club?

Jim, I cut about 1&1/4" off of a putter that I had a couple of years back, and the only "playability issue" that I had with it was the fact that it felt much better. I used the compressor to remove the grip, then cut the shaft, replaced said grip, and was ready to go in a few minutes. I have heard some talk about weighting/balance issues, and I could notice some of that with mine - but it was minimal. I'm sure our clubmakers here can give you more info on weight/balance, but in my experience, it was no problem.

[bonknhead]

I cut 1" off my old Carbite Polar-balanced putter a few years ago, going from 34" to 33", and honestly, I couldn't tell any difference in the new swingweight. I know the SW had to drop a couple of points, but I guess I'm not sensitive enough to notice the difference.

[mr3856a]

I went the other way and had an inch added (35" to 36"), and I haven't noticed a blessed thing in terms of feel or playability.

[petermo]

I lopped 1/2" off my Scotty and it's really helped - I'm 5'7" and the putter sets up nice and flat and the 6 footers are pretty easy now.

[OnePutt]

There was a test awhile back using putters from 35" down to 32". In the end, it turned out that the shorter the putter, the more putts they made. I now play a 33" putter, and couldn't be happier. Cut your's down and have fun again on the greens.

[mr3856a]

Originally Posted by OnePutt

There was a test awhile back using putters from 35" down to 32". In the end, it turned out that the shorter the putter, the more putts they made. I now play a 33" putter, and couldn't be happier. Cut your's down and have fun again on the greens.

I know there was an article of some sort about a guy who figured out that with a 16" putter it's just about impossible to miss from 3 feet and in, but when you're 6'3"...

I actually thought about gripping down to the metal on short putts the other day, in fact, I think I'll experiment with that today and report back to the group.

[JustPlainWill]

Originally Posted by JimSomebody

I love my Ping Redwood Anser putter, but I've decided it's a little too long for me (35"). I naturally grip toward the butt end, but that sets me up too far away from the ball (I like my eyes over the ball). So, rather than always remembering to grip down on the club, I thought I'd get an inch or so lopped off the butt end. Will this mess up the playability of the club?

I cut 1'' off of my Yes! Callie putter about a year ago. I KNOW that I am making more putts with the shorter putter. I am convinced that 35" is too long a putter for many of us---especially those of us who are less than 6' tall. I think that I have better control of the shorter puuer. I am currently looking for a 33" putter, perhaps a Scotty of some kind. I think that shortening the club from 35' to 34 was definitely the thing to do to help improve my putting. That, and more practice on the putting green.

---Will

[Sinsation]

i also had my 35" putter cut down 1.5". i like to get close when i putt (kinda like jack nicklaus) and with a 35" putter i kept hitting my fat belly. anyhow, it did change the feel a bit, but like atm, for me it was better. the putter felt lighter, so i really started concentrating on making a good stroke. and with my butt end out of the way of my belly i've been putting a lot better.

[Bulls9999]

Just saw this video clip of Pelz where he's gripping down real low and reminded me of this thread (have to wait for the commercial to go by first):

Video Screening Room - Choose Your Connection Speed - Golf Channel

[straightshooter]

My putter is a 33", probably cut off 2", though not by me, so I can't give a before / after comparison.

I grip down on it quite often with the lower hand touching steel, noticing it, but without worrying or thinking about it. I do the same for chips and short pitches. I have no idea why I do it, but I seem to naturally want to hit short shots that way, and I let myself.

[JimSomebody]

Great feedback; thanks!
I'm surprised that so many people here have done that, and that the results were so positive. I'm not a club tinkerer myself (saving that for retirement), so I had no idea what kind or feedback to expect. Will probably take it to a golf shop after I get back from an upcoming trip out of town.

[Bigvivec]

I've cut a handful of putters down and plaster them with lead tape afterwards until it feels right again...there are some who advocate tungsten powder, but I have tried that as well and didn't like the feel...was told that powder down the shaft affects the center of gravity...dunno, just know that it didn't feel right...lead tape preserved the same feels...cut freely Jim...I'm 6'1" and like a 34" putter, but have cut as short as 32" before...just not easy to maintain that much of a bend at address, but there is definetly merit in finding your "happy" shaft lenght...

[Bigvivec]

On a side note, Pelz sells extra long grips that facilitate gripping down on the club...I know he has long wedge and iron grips, pretty sure the line extends to putters as well...

[JimSomebody]

Originally Posted by Bigvivec

cut freely Jim...I'm 6'1" and like a 34" putter, but have cut as short as 32" before

I'm 5'9"; maybe I will have >1" lopped off (the club, not my height; gravity's got that covered).

I get the feeling that a lot of people have a putter that may be too long for them. Depends on how upright one likes to stand, maybe.

[mr3856a]

Originally Posted by JustPlainWill

I cut 1'' off of my Yes! Callie putter about a year ago. I KNOW that I am making more putts with the shorter putter. I am convinced that 35" is too long a putter for many of us---especially those of us who are less than 6' tall.

I'm 6'3, and even with the 35" putter my back would ache when practicing putting. With the 36" I can stand taller.

As for the Yes!, I'd cut the shaft about halfway down, drop it in the trash, and get a Scotty Cameron Newport 2!