Is It Time to Go Long With Your Next Putter?

For golfers searching for more consistency on the greens, a long-length putter can be a powerful and often overlooked solution. Whether you struggle with shaky hands, inconsistent distance control, or discomfort in your setup, testing a long putter can fundamentally change how you roll the ball.

Long putters are not a shortcut or a gimmick. They are a different approach to putting mechanics, designed to simplify the stroke, reduce unnecessary movement, and promote repeatability under pressure.

In this article, we’ll address how they work, why golfers switch, and who benefits most from testing one.

How a Long-Length Putter Works Differently

A long-length putter changes the geometry of your setup and stroke in meaningful ways.

Keith Bennett reviews PXG's Allan ZT Long 

A More Upright Setup: With a long putter, golfers naturally stand taller with the shaft positioned more vertically. This upright posture reduces excessive bending at the waist and creates a more relaxed, athletic stance over the ball.

A Shoulder-Driven Pendulum Stroke: Long putters encourage a pendulum-style stroke powered by the shoulders rather than the hands or wrists. Fewer moving parts means fewer variables, which leads to more consistent face control and strike.

Increased Stability Through Counterbalancing: The longer shaft, paired with a heavier head and counterbalanced grip, increases overall stability. This balance helps smooth out tempo and promotes a repeatable stroke that holds up under pressure.

Why Golfers Choose or Switch to a Long Putter

Golfers do not switch to long putters by accident. Most do it to solve a specific problem in their putting.

Reduced Wrist and Hand Involvement: For golfers who get “wristy” or battle the yips, long putters limit excessive hand action. The design encourages a quieter upper body motion and helps eliminate nervous, twitchy strokes.

Simpler, More Repeatable Motion: Because the stroke relies more on the shoulders and arms, many golfers find it easier to repeat when the pressure is on. This matters most on short, must-make putts.

Improved Comfort and Posture: The upright stance can reduce strain on the lower back and hips. Golfers with flexibility limitations often find long putters more comfortable, especially during longer rounds or practice sessions.

Proven at the Highest Levels: Even after anchoring was banned, professional golfers continue to use long putters with legal grip styles like split-hand or armlock. Their continued success reinforces that long putters are a performance-driven choice, not a workaround.

A True Reset for Struggling Putters: If you have already tried multiple standard-length putters, grips, and stroke tweaks, a long putter offers a completely different physical and mental approach. Sometimes a fresh start is exactly what your putting needs.

Trade-Offs and What to Be Mindful Of

Long putters are not magic. Like any equipment change, they require commitment and proper setup.

Adjustment Period: The stroke feels different. Distance control, especially early on, can take time to dial in. Most golfers need weeks of practice before results fully translate to the course.

Short Putt Feel: Some players initially struggle on very short putts. The heavier head and longer length respond differently than a traditional putter, which can affect delicate touch until feel develops.

Not Ideal for Every Stroke Type: Golfers who naturally rely on an arcing stroke or prefer a high level of hand feel may find long putters less intuitive.

Perception and Confidence: While fully legal, long putters still carry outdated stigma among some traditionalists. Confidence matters, and comfort with your equipment plays a role in performance.

Why Getting Custom Fit is Critical

Shaft stiffness, lie angle, head weight, and length all matter more with long putters. A poorly fit long putter can create inconsistency instead of solving it.

During a professional PXG fitting, golfers can see how the long putter impacts face rotation, stroke path, speed control, and consistency. The difference is measurable and often immediate.

PXG’s approach to long putting focuses on engineering, balance, and fit-first performance, exemplified by the PXG Allan ZT Long, which pairs long-length stability with zero-torque design to keep the face square throughout the stroke.

Final Takeaway

If putting inconsistency is costing you confidence or strokes, testing a long-length putter is worth your time. It is not about following trends. It is about simplifying the stroke, improving comfort, and building a motion you can trust when it matters most.

The best way to know if a long putter works for you is to roll one. Book a PXG Fitting at a location near you or call 844.PLAY.PXG to speak with a qualified fitting expert.