Putter extensions

[tony@CIC]

 

My short game practice is pitching and chipping onto a green - on average about 50 balls then I putt those. After my putting practice my back really hurts. I was reading an article the other day about Rors adding an inch to his putter to eliminate back problems. I was debating adding 1-2 inches to see if that helps.

 

Has anyone tried lengthening their putter for back issues and has it helped? If you have how much did you add?

 

 

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[GolfSpy BOS]

 
My short game practice is pitching and chipping onto a green - on average about 50 balls then I putt those. After my putting practice my back really hurts. I was reading an article the other day about Rors adding an inch to his putter to eliminate back problems. I was debating adding 1-2 inches to see if that helps.
 
Has anyone tried lengthening their putter for back issues and has it helped? If you have how much did you add?
 
 
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I hadn’t heard of this before. I guess you’d have to add enough so you can be in a more
Comfortable posture.

I’d imagine this could throw off your aim since your eyes will be in a different spot.

Do you normally get back pain while putting during rounds? Or only during these extended practice sessions? I ask because if you are putting well it may be worth it to break your session up into two sets of 25 so you’re not putting as long.


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[tony@CIC]

1 minute ago, B.Boston said:

 

I hadn’t heard of this before. I guess you’d have to add enough so you can be in a more
Comfortable posture.

I’d imagine this could throw off your aim since your eyes will be in a different spot.

Do you normally get back pain while putting during rounds? Or only during these extended practice sessions? I ask because if you are putting well it may be worth it to break your session up into two sets of 25 so you’re not putting as long.


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Good question - no it doesn't hurt in normal play just practice. 

[GolfSpy BOS]

Good question - no it doesn't hurt in normal play just practice. 

Prob something you could ask your fitter about. When I did my putter fitting I went from 33 to 32.5 and it made a pretty significant impact on my path. Adding an inch or so may not seem like a lot, but depending On the player could be better or worse.

Sounds like it might be worth looking into, have you been fit before?


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[tony@CIC]

1 minute ago, B.Boston said:

 

Prob something you could ask your fitter about. When I did my putter fitting I went from 33 to 32.5 and it made a pretty significant impact on my path. Adding an inch or so may not seem like a lot, but depending On the player could be better or worse.

Sounds like it might be worth looking into, have you been fit before?


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That's interesting. Will look into it more. Thx. 

[Kenny B]

14 hours ago, tony@CIC said:

 

My short game practice is pitching and chipping onto a green - on average about 50 balls then I putt those. After my putting practice my back really hurts. I was reading an article the other day about Rors adding an inch to his putter to eliminate back problems. I was debating adding 1-2 inches to see if that helps.

 

Has anyone tried lengthening their putter for back issues and has it helped? If you have how much did you add?

 

I heard that Rors went back to his shorter putter this week.

I agree with @B.Boston.  Use the putter length you were fitted for or produces the best results.  I don't spend much time constantly practicing putting; my back hurts too.  I try to break up the time into segments, and I also don't practice with a lot of balls, usually 3 maybe 2.  That way I keep moving.  

[chisag]

3 hours ago, tony@CIC said:

That's interesting. Will look into it more. Thx. 

 

... I have back problems from playing football with surgery in '95 and after that my back is always a problem. A manageable problem but a problem none the less. I tried going to a longer length than my 33" which allows my arms to just hang loose and natural. But I was disappointed to find not only did my putting get worse, it really wasn't much better on my back. We are all different of course, but I think the longer you have putted one way exclusively the more difficult it is to try a different putter length. That said, I do think most people are using a putter that is too long to begin with as most off the shelf putters are 35". 

... As an experiment I would advise you to practice putting with a hybrid and you can vary the length at which you hold the putter. Of course it forces you to concentrate and make better contact but more importantly you will find out if it is easier on your back. 

[tony@CIC]

 
... I have back problems from playing football with surgery in '95 and after that my back is always a problem. A manageable problem but a problem none the less. I tried going to a longer length than my 33" which allows my arms to just hang loose and natural. But I was disappointed to find not only did my putting get worse, it really wasn't much better on my back. We are all different of course, but I think the longer you have putted one way exclusively the more difficult it is to try a different putter length. That said, I do think most people are using a putter that is too long to begin with as most off the shelf putters are 35". 

... As an experiment I would advise you to practice putting with a hybrid and you can vary the length at which you hold the putter. Of course it forces you to concentrate and make better contact but more importantly you will find out if it is easier on your back. 

That's an interesting approach I'll try that as well


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[awcarlisle01]

On 2/22/2020 at 7:57 PM, tony@CIC said:

 

My short game practice is pitching and chipping onto a green - on average about 50 balls then I putt those. After my putting practice my back really hurts. I was reading an article the other day about Rors adding an inch to his putter to eliminate back problems. I was debating adding 1-2 inches to see if that helps.

 

Has anyone tried lengthening their putter for back issues and has it helped? If you have how much did you add?

 

 

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Yes and I made several armlock putters. Then went to my local golf shop to have them adjust the lofts for the forward press. Sadly my putting did not improve like it did with belly putters back in the day. The nice thing is I am a lefty and due to their rarity I made a little coin off them on eBay. 

[edteergolf]

On 2/23/2020 at 8:37 AM, tony@CIC said:

Good question - no it doesn't hurt in normal play just practice. 

Change how you practice so that you aren't just stuck putting.  Hit a drive, an approach, around the green shot, hit a putt, and then do it again.  Block practice type stuff can be done at home or no more the ten minutes at a practice green.  After that, simulation is a better way to practice.  

[ChitownM2]

Breaking up your putting session into shorter intervals is probably a good idea as others suggested, but you could also go see your doctor and see if they can refer you to a physical therapist. Depending on why it is hurting, there could be exercises you could be doing to strengthen this area that might alleviate your pain. It might also stave off any future problems as just because it doesn't hurt during a normal round now, doesn't mean that in 5 years it won't. 

[THEZIPR23]

I can hit balls for 2+ hours and be fine with my back. 10-15 minutes of putting is about all it can take though. It’s a lil strange but something I have dealt with. I just break it up and will go back to putting green multiple times. 

As far as adding length it will change path, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing just have to be cognizant of it. And then it may not even help...