PUTTER FITTING

DETERMINE LENGTH

A belly putter of the correct length will allow the sole of the putter to rest flat on the ground, and will position your eyes directly over the ball.

Step 1:

Position the butt-end of the grip 3-4 inches above your belt buckle in the center of your belly.

Another technique is moving the butt-end 2-3 inches left of center if you're a right-handed putter, or 2-3 inches right of center if you're a left-handed putter, to find which position feels best.

Step 2:

Hold the putter just firmly enough against your belly to keep the butt-end anchored.

Step 3:

Check to see if putter head is flat on the ground, and your eyes are positioned just inside the ball.

Step 4:

Check posture - you'll want to assume comfortable position that allows your arms to hang freely and your shoulders and body to rotate to make a pendulum-like swing.

Too Long

You'll know the putter is too long for you if:
  • The toe of the putter head is raised in the air.
  • Your arms and hand are extended and not hanging freely.
  • Your stroke starts sharply inside and finishes sharply inside.

Too Short

You'll know the putter is too short for you if:
  • Feel hunched over in an uncomfortable position.
  • Your weight is constantly falling towards your toes.
  • Your stroke starts outside and swings inside.
Putter Technique

STROKE

With the butt-end of the grip anchored against your belly, your stroke should be free-flowing. The arc of the putter head should start back and arch slightly inside your target line and finish slight inside your target line. The stroke with a belly putter should take on a pendulum-like motion.

POSTURE

As with any club, you want to assume a comfortable position that allows your arms to hang freely. Your shoulders and body should be able to rotate freely and produce a pendulum-like motion.

TOO UPRIGHT

Check posture – you'll want to assume comfortable position that allows your arms to hang freely and your shoulders and body to rotate to make a pendulum-like swing.

TOO HUNCHED

If you're hunched over you'll likely swing the putterhead outside on the backswing and outside-in on the through stroke, pulling the putt offline.

GRIPS

As with putters of traditional length, there are many ways to grip the belly putter, including cross handed, split hand and the classic overlap. Experiment and go with whatever feels and works best.