Assuming there is no high grass between you and the flagstick.. for the sake of argument lets assume that it's just a mowed false-front fairway that you've come up short in. How comfortable are you using the putter from off the green?
And if you do use the putter - what is your max distance from off the green that the putter is still your #1 option?
I use the putter whenever I can, unless the distance is so far that I would be required to stroke the putt so firmly as I couldn't accurately maintain some means of direction.
But there is no right or wrong answer either way. What do you feel most comfortable with in this situation?