Years ago, Payne Stewart's instructor Chuck Cook suggested we take the putter back one inch for every foot of the putt's length. For example, you swing the putter back 15 inches for a 15-foot putt. This was (and is) great advice as many golfers incorrectly take the putter back the same distance for all putts. They then vary the force on the forward swing, but that is a poor distance controller as the stroke becomes uneven and asymmetrical.

We should strive for an even-paced stroke which goes back and forth the same amount, with neither acceleration or deceleration. For more distance, simply lengthen the backswing and let the putter "swing itself" forward.

By the way, the 1 inch = 1 foot rule of thumb has changed somewhat as the greens become faster and faster.