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My putter is a Golden Bear center-shafted. It is about 36 inches long and this is too long for me. I'm 5'11 and the putter is just too long. It doesnt allow me to just let my arms hang and swing freely. I have to crowd my elbows up into my chest a bit. I think a 34 inch putter would be perfect for me. I love everything about the putter besides the length of the shaft. Is it practical to cut 2 inches off the shaft, or would this stiffen the shaft too much and alter the results? And if it is practical, how do I go about cutting the shaft down? Thanks.

i'm not really sure what would happen, but shortening you're putter is practical. have you seen phil mickelson's putter? it's really, really short. it would just take time to get used to the new feel, distance control, etc.

if you tried cutting it yourself you would basically be free to try whatever you want because if it was up to me i would just get it re-shafted

This is simple. Just remove the grip, and cut the shaft down to size. You can use a tubing cutter on the steel shaft. Then install the grip again, if you removed it without cutting it off. Or get a new grip you like. Couldn't be much easier. If the putters feels too light this way, you can add some weight down the shaft to make it heavier.

just cutting it down will not alter the stiffness or anything...you dont swing a putter so that doesn't really matter...when you cut it down you will notice that you have to swing at it a little harder to get the same distance, it was quite a change when i cut down my 36 in. to 30 in. also remember that when you regrip you'll probably have to put a little more tape on the shaft to make up for the taper.

Thanks for the input I appreciate. Now I'm convinced that I'll go ahead and take 2 inches off the shaft. How would you recommend taking off the grip? Is there any way to take it off without cutting and destroying it?

You can possibly blow it off with an air compressor. Generally this works OK with newer grips.

For older grips or grips that are really stuck to the tape, I've had good luck saving grips with one of these tools and a liberal application of grip solvent:

Grip Removal Tool

Sometimes a grip is just really stubborn or hard and can't be saved. That's usually a good time to re-grip while you're at it...