Side Saddle Putter Length [Research For Intermediate to Advanced Golfers]
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Patrick Corley
- 06/15/2023
Side saddle putting is a unique style of golfing that Sam Snead popularized in the 1960s. It’s basically a stance that requires you to set up your putter toward the target and take your position beside the ball.
With your back moderately hunched and feet close together, hold the putter like you would a broom to establish leverage and a floating anchor point for your stroke. The Side Saddle Putter Length should also be about 45 to 55 inches in length to encourage a continuous, pendulum-like stroke.
In this article, our expert team of golfers from TellMeMoreGolf will discuss everything there is to know about side saddle putters and offer useful tips on choosing the right side saddle putter length.
Table of Contents
How Long Should a Side-Saddle Putter Be?
The length of the putter is very important. The longer the putter, the more energy can be transferred from your right hand/left hand to the ball when striking it at impact.
However, if you have a short putter and try to hit with too much power, this can cause an over-swing, resulting in an inaccurate shot.
The length of the putter is a personal preference, and you should use what feels comfortable to you. However, if you’re new to the side saddle putter, start with a standard length putter.
This will allow you to get used to the new putting style without worrying about adjusting your swing too much.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Length of Your Side-Saddle Putter
There are a few different factors that you need to consider when choosing the length of your side saddle putter.
The most important thing is to ensure that the putter is the ideal length for you. You should be able to comfortably stand over the golf ball with a slight bend in your knees and still have approximately two inches of the putter head behind your heels.
Having sufficient stroke space ensures that when you’re putting the club, it won’t be too long or short for your body, and therefore, it won’t interfere with any part of your stroke.
Next, consider what kind of player you are. Are there certain shots that you prefer making over others? If so, tailor your putter’s length to fit these shots. For example, if you’re a player that likes to use a lot of power, you might want to use a longer putter to generate more speed through the ball.
Alternatively, if you often make delicate touch shots, you might want to use a shorter putter so that you can control the ball more easily.
And finally, always bear in mind the course conditions when choosing a putter length. If you’re playing on a course with fast greens, you might want to use a longer putter so you can get the ball rolling faster.
Conversely, if you’re playing on a course with slow greens, you might want to use a shorter putter to have more control over the ball.
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Are Side-Saddle Putters Legal?
Governing bodies have ruled that using side saddle putters is not illegal as long as your hands are still free to move. There was so much scandal about this putting style because most people thought that using your chest as an anchor point would give you an unfair advantage.
Side saddle putters may be legal to use, but they’re also extremely rare.
Like gap wedges and other varieties of clubs, long putters have long been a critical part of the game of golf. However, long putters can give players an unfair advantage over others who don’t use them. The United States Golf Association (USGA) has banned long clubs from its tournaments since 1968.
Most professional players agree that it’s time for change! Contemporary golfers reason that long putters are just another way for professionals to get better at what they do best: playing golf.
On a side note, the debate rages on about whether long hybrids and irons should be allowed in competition. One thing we know for sure is that there are pros who use these varieties of clubs every day while playing competitively – even though they may be at a disadvantage.
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How Long Should My Putter Be for My Height?
There’s no definitive answer to this question as everyone’s stroke is different.
When deciding on the right long putter length, consider the time you need to make an accurate shot from other parts of the green or fairway. This can vary depending on where and when golfers are playing their rounds, so there isn’t really any “right” length for everyone.
A player who plays every day may not need as much distance as someone else might require – especially if they’re playing long distances regularly. With that said, we recommend using the following guidelines when deciding the right length for your putter.
- If you’re under five foot six inches, use a 28 to 30-inch long putter.
- If you’re between five foot six and five foot ten inches, use a 31 to 33-inch long putter.
- If you’re over five foot ten inches, use a 34 to 36-inch long putter.
Why We Recommend the STX Side Saddle Putter
The main advantage of using the STX Side Saddle Putter is that it gives you more stability during your stroke which can be helpful if you’re struggling with keeping your head still while putting. This feature is somewhat similar to what different gap wedges have to offer.
The other great thing about this model is that it comes in different lengths so that you can find the perfect fit for your height and arm length. Furthermore, it’s relatively easier to swing the STX Side Saddle Putter straight through and straight back when it’s positioned on your shoulder muscle over the target line.
This putter’s upright lie angle has been designed specifically to help improve alignment at address, ultimately leading to better distance control when putting from longer distances out on green (or fairway). This could be an excellent club choice if you’re having issues hitting long-range shots.
Longer clubs tend to have higher lofts than shorter ones. As a result, they often give more lift off the ground and travel farther through air before landing. This results in less roll once they reach the target area.
The STX Side Saddle Putter is an excellent option if you’re looking for something that will help improve your game without costing too much money or taking up too much space in the bag!
It’s also worth mentioning that this putter is legal for use on the PGA tour, which is a great endorsement if you’re looking to purchase one.
Other Brands We Recommend:
There are plenty of other top brands that manufacture side saddle putters. They include: Face-on GP putter, Odyssey Tank Cruiser S #11 Long Blade Putter, Nike Method 00 Red Long Blade Putter, and the Ping Zing Long Blade Putter.
Each of these models is an excellent alternative if you’re not sure about which putter to settle for. However, we would recommend going with either the Odyssey or Nike as they’re made by some of the biggest names in golf equipment manufacturing.
Some long putters that don’t use a side saddle style but still use an anchored putting stroke include:
- Odyssey Works Long Blade Putter
- Nike Method 00 Long Blade Putter
- Ping Zing Long Blade Putter
All these models are very similar in terms of design and performance, so it really comes down to which brand you prefer over all others.
If you’re going to pick one out for yourself, then we highly recommend the Nike Method 00 Long Blade Putter, as they’ve proven themselves time and time again when it comes to producing quality golf equipment.
Which is the Best Putting Method?
There’s not a single “best” putting method – it all comes down to what works best for you. Some people prefer using a long putter, while others find that a short putter gives them more control over the ball.
Try conforming to popular methods such as side-saddle putting, face-on putting, or the Sam Snead putting until you find one that feels comfortable and allows you to make smooth swings without any jerking motions.
When making long putts, keep in mind that your stance will be slightly different than if you were using a short model.
You’ll want to stand closer to the ball, and your grip (or split grip) should be adjusted so that the club rests against your side instead of in front of you. This will help keep the golf club in line with your target and increase your chances of making a smooth swing.
Conclusion: Research by Tellmemoregolf.com
Long putters have been around for a while, and many different types are available on the market. It’s therefore important to do your research first before purchasing one.
You should keep in mind that long putters require more swing speed than shorter models. Therefore, if you’re not used to using them, you might find yourself struggling with getting the ball to the hole.
We recommend practicing with a long putter before taking it out onto the course – this will help eliminate some of the frustration that can come along with using one for the first time.
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