For many years, golfers would choose between a mallet and a blade putter and pick the brand that they liked the best.
Not much more thought went into the type of putter, the hosel, the weighting, the grip, and more.
Only recently have golf putters and customization become more and more popular.
Today, golfers want to know the exact specifications of their putter so that they can ensure that it is a proper fit for their game.
One of those specifications that players are becoming increasingly interested in is the single bend vs. double bend putter.
If you have heard this terminology but are not exactly sure what the differences are, we have all the information you need.
Let’s take a look at the single bend vs. double bend putters.
Single Bend Vs. Double Bend Putters (What’s The Difference?)
The main difference between the single bend and the double bend putter is how the shaft is bent to allow for hand positioning at setup.
The single bend putter and the double bend putter are going to both be offset putters that place the putter head behind the hands.
With the putter head behind the hands, you will notice that you have an easier time squaring the clubface up at impact.
The single bend and the double bend putters are designed to help golfers who struggle with their ability to get the ball to roll consistently.
Most of the time, these putters are best for a straight back and straight through putting stroke, and you will see them mostly used in a mallet head putter.
When you compare the single bend to the double bend, you will notice that the performance is very similar.
However, with the difference in the look and the feel of these putters, one will probably appeal to you more than the other.
The differences in performance may not be enough to sell you, but there is so much in putting that deals with feel and precision that you must find a putter that suits your needs perfectly.
Let’s take a look at all the different ways that your shaft and hosel can meet in your putter.
Understanding these differences can help you find one that is suited specifically for your game.
Golf Putter Hosel Attachments (Which One Do I Need?)
As great as all of this golf putter customization can be, there are times when things can get a bit confusing as well.
When you see one putter head offered in several different combinations, it is hard for the average player to know exactly what they need.
Essentially, there is a hosel in most putters that will connect the shaft to the clubhead.
This connection is going to vary considerably from one manufacturer to another and from one putter to another.
The number of different hosel designs and shaft and putter head combinations has grown considerably in the last several years.
We have broken down the most common types of putter and shaft connections to help you decide on the one that works best for your game.
1. Center Shaft
The center shaft putters will connect to the putter head directly in the middle.
Most of the time, the putter head and shaft connect at the heel of the putter.
With the center shaft, the connection is directly in the center, and it makes putting quite a bit simpler.
Golfers can keep their putter heads balanced and stable through impact.
In addition, the center shaft putter seems easier to align.
Instead of having to hold the shaft and line up the center of the clubhead, you can line them all up together.
If you are a golfer who likes to think of your putting stroke as more of a pendulum style of motion, this putter would be a perfect option to consider.
As with all putter designs, there are always some negatives as well.
For instance, if you are a golfer ta swings with more of an arc style putting stroke, the center shafted putter doesn’t make much sense.
This putter will be difficult to swing open and shut, and therefore, it makes sense to keep it on the proper line as you swing.
If you are someone who keeps your putting stroke stable and wants stability at impact, the center shaft is the way to go.
This putter shaft combination is not the most popular and suits a very specific player.
Therefore, you will see companies like Cleveland and Odyssey are only going to offer one or two center shafted models.
2. Single Bend
The single bend putter is unique in that the shaft is the part that bends on the club, not the hosel.
The hosel of the club is straight into the clubhead, but the shaft has a single bend in it.
With the shaft bend like this, the putter head ends up behind the hands.
This means that the putter is offset, and it typically allows players to have an easier time squaring up the clubface at impact.
All golfers will struggle from time to time to get the clubface to be square and solid at impact.
With the single bend and its offset, the clean look helps golfers feel as though they have more confidence in their putting stroke.
Most of the time, you will see this putter used by the better players as it has a slightly cleaner and simpler look than the double bend.
The single bend is a great putter choice for the straight back and straight through putter.
However, since the performance differences between the single bend and double bend are not all that significant, it does make sense to try hitting with each of these types before making your final decision.
So much of putting is about preference and feel, and it takes a good bit of trial and error to end up with the perfect putter.
3. Double Bend
The double bend putter is a very traditional shaft setup for mallet putters.
With a double bend putter, it is also the shaft that you will see the bend, and it is not in the hosel attachment itself.
With the double bend, the golfer’s hands are in front of the mallet head, and the club is considerably offset.
The design here allows golfers to feel as though their hands are leading the way, and they can square the clubface up to make better contact.
The single bend and the double bend putters will differ considerably in the way they look, but the overall performance is very similar.
Try hitting with each of these putters to see which one gives you the visual preference you need to be consistent.
4. L Neck
The L Neck is a very traditional hosel that we have seen used in many putters over the years.
In fact, if you have been playing the game for quite some time, chances are you have several L Neck putters in your garage right now.
The L Neck is mostly seen in a blade putter, and it is partly what gives the blade that classic look and style.
If you look just above the putter head, you will see a small attachment in the shape of an L.
This is the L Neck, and it is what helps the putter head swing the way it should for an arc stroke.
The arc type putting stroke is a standard option for a blade putter.
If you like to swing the club on more of an arc, chances are you already have a blade style L Neck putter in your bag.
As we mentioned with the center shaft, golf manufacturers can decide with each putter type whether or not they plan to release specific models.
The L Neck model is almost always offered as a choice when buying a modern blade putter.
Manufacturers know that this is a putter choice that will work for the large majority of blade style players.
5. Small Curve
The small curve putter hosel attachment is much less obvious than the L Neck.
Essentially, if you are looking for something that seems to blend in with the putter head quite nicely, the small curve can be a great choice.
With the small curve hosel, golfers are going to get quite a bit of toe hang.
This means the putter will be able to swing freely and open and shut when needed.
Players who like an arc style putting stroke that requires some face manipulation will benefit from the small curve design.
In addition, the small curve putter head is a more traditional look that will appeal to players that have been around the game for a while.
The more time you spend researching equipment and information, the more you will see how certain players are drawn towards modern styling, and others want to stick with the more traditional.
Overall, the small curve putters are a great addition to the game, and they work well for a majority of players who have more of an arc style putting stroke.
6. Small Slant
The small slant is a design that is typically seen in a mallet head putter style.
If you have ever seen any of the TaylorMade Spider putters, chances are you have seen a small slant putter.
The small slant putters typically have a high MOI, and they are being utilized on the PGA Tour quite often.
Essentially, what happens is that the small slant putter allows mallet putters to have a great moment of inertia.
A high MOI in putting may seem like a backward concept.
When you have a high MOI in your driver, it is to help you get more distance.
With putting, it is not the distance that you need, but instead, a purer roll coming from the clubface.
If the ball strikes the center of the clubface and the MOI is higher, the chances of it staying on the proper track throughout the putting stroke are quite good.
The small slant putters have natural toe hang, and they are almost always face-balanced.
You will get plenty of forgiveness from the small slant putter but also the workability that you need.
Which Putter Shaft Hosel Connection Is Best For Me?
Now that you have a better idea as to what the different options on the market are for putter shaft and hosel connection, you are likely wondering which one is best.
It can be hard to pick a putter because of all of these different features, and many times, players get frustrated and overwhelmed.
You can always go for a putter fitting to determine which putter you need, but you can also learn which putter you need through trial and error.
One of the most important things about choosing a shaft hosel connection is the look and the feel.
There are performance attributes to a putter that will help it run down the line or be stable at impact, but the look and the feel of the club are just as important.
Players need to have a putter in their hands that gives them the confidence they need to repeat a golf stroke time and time again.
There is no best putter shaft hosel combination.
However, you can narrow things down quite a bit by looking at either the arc style or the straight back and straight through style putting strokes.
If you have an arc style stroke, you will want something more like the L Neck or the Small Curve.
For the straight back and straight through, the single bend, double bend, and even the center shaft seem to be the best options available.
Overall, you will be able to play with the customization of the putter in addition to the shaft and hosel combination to ensure that the lie and loft of the putter are also a good fit.
Does The Putter Shaft Matter?
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Although golf putter shafts may look like a simple piece of steel stuck into the head of a putter, there have been quite a few advancements in the putter shaft and how it performs.
When Odyssey created the Stroke Lab putters, they decided to put graphite and a steel shaft combination into the putter.
The result was a smoother feel, with an increased MOI.
Players have really enjoyed the addition of the Stroke Lab shafts to the game.
We expect to see more and more putters with these unique shaft concepts developing in the next few years.
When you look at the tweaks that are made to putters with the loft, life, grip, hosel connection, and attachment, it is no wonder that the shaft should be considered as well.
A golf shaft in the drivers and irons is typically one of the most important parts of the golf club set.
With the putter, this is a new concept but one that seems to continue to grow.
Golfers have the upper hand when it comes to putter technology.
With the number of options on the market, you can get something to work specifically for your needs as a player.
Many small putter manufacturers are growing and moving up the ranks giving players even more options in their golf club set.
Don’t settle for just any putter, but find something you really like.
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