How To Use Long Putters

A common putting flaw I see in my golf lessons isshaft between the curled index finger and middle
excessive wrist action. Increased wrists leads to a lossfingers of the right hand. Either way works as long as
of control of the putterhead before impact and anthe top of the shaft ends at about the height of the
abundance of missed putts. With greens in betterlogo on your shirt when you're in a slightly upright
condition these days, the need for precision in puttingputting stance and the putter's sole is resting on the
has grown. In other words, you must overcome thisground.
putting flaw to achieve a lower golf handicap. Enter theYou have two ways to applying force with a long
long putters.putter--bending and straightening of the right arm or
Long putters curb wrist action by anchoring the putterrocking motion your shoulders. Some players prefer to
to a fixed point--your stomach or your sternum. While Ibend and straighten their right arms (for right-handers).
prefer a regular putter to a long one. I encourageOthers prefer to rock their shoulders back and forth.
players who take my golf lessons to use whicheverWhichever method you choose, it's essential keep the
putter works for them. I also encourage them to learnupper body still so it can act as the fulcrum around
the proper technique using a long putter, which Iwhich the pendulum- like swing moves.
described in my golf tips.Mid-Length Putter
Three broad categories of putters exist: regular, long,Mid-length putters are 10 to 12 inches longer than a
and extra long. Regular (or the standard length) puttersregular putter and have either an extended grip or a
measure 33 to 36 inches long. Long putters (orsplit one. With this type of putter having the right length
mid-length) putters measure 38 to 45 inches. Andclub is critical. The putter should extend to about three
extra-long putters measure from 46 to 52 inches orinches beyond your belly button when you're standing
so. Most long putters have split grips. Try severalin the upright position. Your height and body shape will
types before choosing one.determine the exact length for you.
Once you've selected a putter, you need to learn howUsing a mid-length putter is a lot like using a regular
to hit it. Below are some golf tips on hitting long andputter except, of course, for anchoring the putter to
extra-long putters.your mid-section--which provides the foundation for
Extra Long Putteryour swing. The anchored shaft stabilizes the club
The extra long putter takes wrist action almostaround the hinge point, taking the wrist out of play.
completely out of play, replacing it with a fixed centerYou're options for putting the ball are the same as with
(sternum) around which your putterhead moves. Withthe long putter. User either your right arm to pull and
the extra long putter you need to think pendulum. Thepush the club or your shoulders to provide a smooth,
sweeping pendulum-like stroke needed with an extrarhythmic swing.
long putter is more consistent than the stroke requiredBoth the long putter and the extra-long putter are
for a regular length putter. Plus, the club is easier on theviable alternatives to a regular length putter. Both
back than a regular length putter. However, the extraminimize wrist action when hit properly and both need
long putter does have a weakness--lack of distancea stable anchor point to be effective. Both they also
control.require you to learn a new a putting technique to hit
To use the long putter, place your top hand at the topthem properly. But learning a new putting technique is
of the putter's grip and place the grip against youronly the first step in using these putters. You still need
sternum. You can grip the club with the other hand asto practice with them every chance you get, if you
you normally would. Or, you can try another grip. Somewant to lower your golf handicap.
players hold the shaft like a pencil. Others hold the