When I was younger and first starting out, I used a variety of rods, but they were mainly 9' or 10' leger or float rods. That has stayed with me through later life, and I find shorter rods much easier to handle than 12 footers.
I personally use 11 footers, and find them absolutely perfect for the fishing I do, mainly smaller, estate type lakes, overhanging trees, tight swims, where accuracy is far more important than distance. Having said that, I've just returned from a French trip with 5 mates and certainly didn't feel disadvantaged against them using their longer rods. I got my bait where I needed to get it to!
They don't save me any room in the car by the way, as I use a 12' rod sleeve for them.... have never been able to find an 11' one!