Single Bend vs Double Bend Putter Shafts: Which is Better?

At some point, every golfer has decided to choose between a single-bend and a double-bend putter shaft.

Both options have their pros and cons, and it can be challenging to determine which one is better suited for your putting stroke.

In this article, we will explore the differences between single-bend and double-bend putter shafts, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and which type of golfer may benefit the most from each option.

What is a Single Bend Putter Shaft?

A single-bend putter shaft is a golf club shaft that bends once, typically at the hosel or just above it, creating a straight section of the shaft that leads to the clubhead.

This design is sometimes called a “center shafted” putter since the shaft’s centerline aligns with the putter’s head.

Advantages of a Single Bend Putter Shaft

One of the most significant advantages of a single-bend putter shaft is that it can help golfers with an arc putting stroke.

Since the shaft is bent, it can more easily accommodate the natural arc of the putting stroke, allowing the putter face to remain square to the target longer. As a result, this design promotes a more consistent putting stroke and better distance control.

Another advantage of a single-bend putter shaft is that it can help golfers who tend to miss putts to the right (for right-handed golfers) by reducing the putter’s face rotation during the stroke.

This feature can help golfers maintain a more consistent swing path and improve their ball striking.

Disadvantages of a Single Bend Putter Shaft

One of the main disadvantages of a single-bend putter shaft is that it may not be suitable for golfers with a straight-back-and-through putting stroke.

Since the shaft is bent, golfers who prefer a straighter putting stroke can feel awkward and uncomfortable.

Another disadvantage of a single-bend putter shaft is that it can limit the putter’s head shape and offset design.

Since the shaft bends just once, the putter head must be designed to accommodate this shape, which can limit the clubhead’s design options.

What is a Double Bend Putter Shaft?

As the name suggests, a double-bend putter shaft has two bends in the shaft. The first bend is at the hosel, and the second bend is near the center of the shaft, creating an “S” shape. This design leads to a straight section of the shaft that connects to the putter head.

Advantages of a Double Bend Putter Shaft

One of the most significant advantages of a double-bend putter shaft is that it can help golfers with straight-back-and-through putting strokes.

The double bend design allows the putter to sit at a more neutral position, which can help golfers keep the putter face square to the target longer and improve their ball striking.

Another advantage of a double-bend putter shaft is that it can help golfers who prefer a more face-balanced putter. The shaft’s ” S ” shape allows more weight to be distributed towards the back of the putter head, creating a more face-balanced design.

Disadvantages of a Double Bend Putter Shaft

One of the main disadvantages of a double-bend putter center shaft is that it may not be suitable for golfers with an arc putting stroke.

The double bend design can make it more challenging to maintain a consistent swing path and keep the putter’s face square to the target for golfers who naturally have an arc stroke.

Another disadvantage of a double-bend putter shaft is that it may provide a different level of feel and feedback than a single-bend putter shaft.

Since the double-bend design creates more bends in the shaft, it can produce a stiffer feel and less feedback than a single-bend putter shaft.

This can make it more challenging for golfers to gauge the distance and speed of their putts accurately.

Differences Between a Single Bend and Double Bend Putter Shaft

When choosing a putter shaft, the decision between a single bend and a double bend putter shaft can be confusing.

Both options have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand their differences to make an informed decision.

Here are some key differences between single-bend and double-bend putter shafts:

1) Bend Design:

The bend design is the primary difference between single and double bend shafts.

A single-bend putter shaft bends once, typically at the hosel or above it, creating a straight shaft section leading to the club head.

Wheres, a double-bend putter shaft has two bends in the shaft.

The first bend is at the hosel, and the second bend is near the center of the shaft, creating an “S” shape.

2) Putting stroke:

Another significant difference between the two is their suitability for different putting strokes.

Single-bend blade putter shafts are ideal for golfers with an arc putting stroke.

The shaft’s bend can accommodate the natural arc of the putting stroke, allowing the putter face to remain square to the target longer.

On the contrary, double-bend putter shafts are more suited for golfers with a straight-back-and-through putting stroke.

The double bend design allows the putter to sit at a more neutral position, helps golfers keep the putter face square to the target longer, and improves their ball striking.

3) Club Head Design:

Single-bend putter shafts can limit the putter head shape and offset design since the shaft bends just once, and the putter head must be designed to accommodate this shape.

In contrast, double-bend putter shafts allow for more flexibility in the putter head design, as the two bends create an “S” shape that can accommodate a wide variety of club head shapes.

4) Face Balancing:

A double-bend putter shaft is more suited for a face-balanced putter since the “S” shape of the shaft allows more weight to be distributed towards the back of the putter head, creating a more face-balanced design.

In contrast, a single bend putter shaft promotes more of a toe hang, which is better suited for blade putters.

5) Lie Angle:

Single-bend putter shafts tend to have a more upright lie angle, ideal for golfers with an arc putting stroke.

On the other hand, double-bend putter shafts have a flatter lie angle, which is more suited for golfers with a straight-back-and-through putting stroke.

6) Shaft Length and Weight

Shaft length and weight are also important considerations when choosing a putter.

A putter’s length can affect the golfer’s posture, stance, and stroke.

A heavier putter can provide more stability and control, while a lighter putter can be more comfortable to swing and may be better suited for golfers with a faster-putting straight stroke.

8) Forgiveness

Forgiveness is another factor that differentiates single-bend and double-bend putter shafts.

Single-bend putters typically have a higher level of forgiveness compared to double-bend putters.

This is because the bend in the shaft can help distribute the putter’s weight more evenly, resulting in a more stable clubhead.

The center-shafted design of single-bend putters also helps improve stability and balance, leading to more consistent ball striking.

On the other hand, double-bend putters may have a lower level of forgiveness because of their design.

The “S” shape of the shaft can create an uneven weight distribution, making it more challenging to maintain accuracy on off-center hits.

However, this can vary depending on the specific model and design of the putter.

It’s worth noting that forgiveness is not solely determined by the putter shaft design.

The putter head’s size, shape, and weight distribution also play a significant role.

Mallet putters, for example, are known for their high level of forgiveness due to their large clubhead design, regardless of whether they have a single or double-bend shaft.

9) Feedback and Feel:

Single-bend putter shafts provide more feel and feedback than double-bend putter shafts.

The single-bend design connects the golfer’s hands more directly with the putter head.

Which Type of Golfer Benefits from Single Bend or Double Bend Putter Shafts?

Golfers with an arc putting stroke who tend to miss putts to the right may benefit more from a single-bend putter shaft.

The bend in the shaft can help them maintain a more consistent swing path and keep the putter face square to the target longer.

Golfers who prefer a more compact and minimalist clubhead design may also prefer a single-bend putter shaft since it offers more design options.

On the other hand, golfers who have a straight-back-and-through putting stroke and prefer a more face-balanced putter may benefit more from a double-bend putter shaft.

The double bend design can help them keep the putter face square to the target longer, leading to better ball striking.

Golfers who prefer a putter head with more weight towards the back may also choose a double-bend putter shaft. Also, some Pro golfers on the PGA tour do use the center shafted putters.

Conclusion

Choosing the right putter shaft is crucial to improve your putting performance.

While both single-bend and double-bend putter shafts have advantages, it ultimately depends on your putting stroke and personal preference.

Double-bend putter shafts are great for golfers with an arc stroke, while single-bend putter shafts are better suited for straight back and straight-through strokes.

When selecting a putter, consider the putter head, lie angle, and shaft bend to ensure that it suits your putting stroke.

It’s also essential to focus on distance control, ball striking, and face angle to improve your overall putting performance.

Remember, the right putter can make a significant difference in your game, so take the time to find the one that suits you best.

We hope this article has provided valuable insights into the single-bend vs. double-bend putter shafts debate.

Whether you choose a single-bend or double-bend golf putter shaft, the most important thing is finding the one that works best for you and your game. Happy putting!