Single Bend vs. Double Bend Putter Shafts

What is the purpose of a single bend putter shaft vs. a double bend putter shaft?

Are putter heads designed for a specific type of shaft bend?

Can I reshaft a double bend shaft with a single bend, if so, should I expect an impact to the clubs performance?

You can not reshaft a head that was designed for a double bend shaft with a single bend. On a double bend head the shaft enters the head at a 90* angle to the ground. On a head designed for a single bend shaft the shaft attaches to the head at a angle. So “second bend” on a single bend putter is on the head not the shaft.

You can not reshaft a head that was designed for a double bend shaft with a single bend. On a double bend head the shaft enters the head at a 90* angle to the ground. On a head designed for a single bend shaft the shaft attaches to the head at a angle. So "second bend" on a single bend putter is on the head not the shaft.

To answer the OP's question, we really would need to know/see the putter he's talking about re-shafting, and what their desired outcome is. A single bend shaft only requires a bore hole or stub on an angle if the putter is going to have some off-set, otherwise it would just be inline with the topline of the putter.

What is the purpose of a single bend putter shaft vs. a double bend putter shaft?

 

Are putter heads designed for a specific type of shaft bend?

 

Can I reshaft a double bend shaft with a single bend, if so, should I expect an impact to the clubs performance?

The double bend shaft allows for a 90º insertion into the head (as owen said). The double bend is usually made so that the bends point the long axis of the shaft at the center of the face allowing it to be face balanced. There are varying amounts of offset available in double bend shafts as well. You cannot put a double bend shaft into a head designed for a single bend without significant bending of the shaft.

If you put a single bend shaft into a head designed for a DB, you will get an extremely upright lie angle and the putter will no longer be face balanced. You will need to bend the shaft by at least 18º flatter to accommodate the difference between the hosel angles.

Single bend shafts are used (not very common anymore) when you want the shaft parallel to the face and usually with a heel mounted hosel. You cannot typically achieve a face balanced putter with this shaft.

I’m a little confused by the controversy on this subject. I have two putters in my possession designed for a double bend shaft, and the peg on both comes out of the putter head at an angle. I was reading another thread on the subject last night and was equally confused. From a visual perspective, if someone prefers the look of a double bend versus single, I think it’s very doable. It’s certainly possible that the toe hang and offset maybe altered slightly depending on the putter (maybe/maybe not) but it’s not like the putter is going to be ruined. You could literally install a straight shaft onto a peg if you wanted to. 
 

People, tour players included, are putting with all kinds of whacky putters these days with unusual tech. If it gets the ball in the hole and the player is comfortable with it, what’s the problem?

On 11/28/2018 at 3:47 AM, Socrates said:

The double bend shaft allows for a 90º insertion into the head (as owen said). The double bend is usually made so that the bends point the long axis of the shaft at the center of the face allowing it to be face balanced. There are varying amounts of offset available in double bend shafts as well. You cannot put a double bend shaft into a head designed for a single bend without significant bending of the shaft.

 

If you put a single bend shaft into a head designed for a DB, you will get an extremely upright lie angle and the putter will no longer be face balanced. You will need to bend the shaft by at least 18º flatter to accommodate the difference between the hosel angles.

 

Single bend shafts are used (not very common anymore) when you want the shaft parallel to the face and usually with a heel mounted hosel. You cannot typically achieve a face balanced putter with this shaft.

The first and last sentence in the last paragraph here are totally untrue too. Single bends shafts are still extremely common. Single bend shafts, generally speaking, are used specifically to achieve less toe hang if not a fully face balanced putter. 

2 hours ago, Need4spd said:

The first and last sentence in the last paragraph here are totally untrue too. Single bends shafts are still extremely common. Single bend shafts, generally speaking, are used specifically to achieve less toe hang if not a fully face balanced putter. 

You have to remember this was written 4 years ago.  There has been some resurgence of single bend putter shafts in the last couple of years.

58 minutes ago, Socrates said:

You have to remember this was written 4 years ago.  There has been some resurgence of single bend putter shafts in the last couple of years.

Fair enough, but I’ve been a total putter hoe for years and I remember plenty of single bends back then too, mainly because I could never putt worth a damn with any of them.  I tend to dig up old thread when I Google a certain subject.