Bent iron shaft

[sherwoodnatl]

Played today early in the morning. I was in a lie behind a tree. Had a clear opening for a perfect 8 iron shot into the green. I swung and my club clipped the tree and bent the steel shaft of the club. It was bent slightly to the side, so at adress, i had to move the ball about 1/4 inch back to get the club straight.

Through some labor, i managed to push the shaft so i is nearly perfectly straight. If you would look at it now, it looks perfectly normal.

Even though it looks normal ---
1. Will my shots still be affected?
2. Will the shaft break?
3. Will i need a new shaft?

The shaft still seems as strong as any shaft in my bag. You would barely (if at all) even notice the bend in the shaft. Any answers appreciated!

[sean_miller]

The shaft still seems as strong as any shaft in my bag. You would barely (if at all) even notice the bend in the shaft. Any answers appreciated!

Once bent, they're kinda F'd - I could be wrong, but that is my experience. It might not break for a long time, but you might want to get it replaced anway since you'll be compensating on every shot.

[sherwoodnatl]

you might want to get it replaced anway since you'll be compensating on every shot.

How would i be compensating?

[Titleist_ProV1x]

Played today early in the morning. I was in a lie behind a tree. Had a clear opening for a perfect 8 iron shot into the green. I swung and my club clipped the tree and bent the steel shaft of the club. It was bent slightly to the side, so at adress, i had to move the ball about 1/4 inch back to get the club straight.

..................

[sherwoodnatl]

Will my shots still be affected? YES

You say this even though the shaft is perfectly straight now?

[M2R]

I similarly bent the shaft on a MP-14 six iron (DG-S300) on a pine tree many years ago (~6). Probably bent more than you describe, maybe 1" to 1 1/2". I bent it back and never thought about it again until I saw this post. I can't tell any ill effects and when I started looking at the other shafts in the set, a good number were also bent to some degree, more like you describe 1/4" to 3/8". I bent those "straight" as well.

Even though it looks normal --- 1. Will my shots still be affected? YES 2. Will the shaft break? Eventually 3. Will i need a new shaft? YES

However I also agree with what ProV1x posted:

1. YES ... but not enough for me to detect or care about. 2. Eventually ... the shaft will break with normal use regardless. 3. YES ... if it does break or otherwise becomes objectionable to you.

I'm assuming this was a gentle bend over most of the length of the shaft. If the shaft is kinked or deformed in any way from a sharp bend (like hitting a square metal post), it's toast like everyone said and should be replaced straight away.

[zeg]

I'd take it to the range and give it a test. Even if it is straight, it's likely that its cross-section is no longer perfectly circular (well, it's never *perfectly*, but it's probably less circular than before the incident) and that will affect how it flexes. You won't be able to see this, but if it's significant, you will probably notice it after a bit of time on the range. And, after all, if you can't tell that it's different, who cares if it is?

Only other thought is if you find yourself obsessed with it, you might just want to replace it as a precaution. It's not that expensive... but if it were me, I'd test it out and see how it works.

[Titleist_ProV1x]

You say this even though the shaft is perfectly straight now?

Well if the shaft is as straight as you say after you've bent it back, then you wouldn't have made this post, but you did because in the back of your mind you don't feel it's right, and you're correct, It may be straight to the eye, however it is no longer circular and this will have an effect on performance

[sean_miller]

Well if the shaft is as straight as you say after you've bent it back, then you wouldn't have made this post, but you did because in the back of your mind you don't feel it's right, and you're correct, It may be straight to the eye, however it is no longer circular and this will have an effect on performance

I had a Pinseeker PW with a shaft bend (slight curve - a "wow"). I had it straightened and it slowly bent back over time.

[James_Black]

I've hit clubs with severly deformed shafts. (range used clubs bin for beginners)
Worst was a driver with maybe 20-30* turn to the left(steel shaft) it was still possible to hit it straight.

I was going to say you won't notice much of a difference unless your a really accurate player but since your a 1 handicapper I guess you might.

[rebby]

For the low cost of replacing the shaft, why is this even a question? Replace the shaft. It's not that big of a deal.

[jamo]

Because it has been bent once, it will happen again, slowly over time. Thus:

One single steel shaft isn't going to cost you much. I would just replace it. You've got the CB1's, which are new so I'd assume either True Temper, Project X, or KBS shafts, all of which are easily replaceable. TT shafts are about $15, PX are about $33, and KBS are about $25. Plus installation which can't be more than $5.

[M2R]

I had a Pinseeker PW with a shaft bend (slight curve - a "wow"). I had it straightened and it slowly bent back over time.

Yes that agrees with my experience also. Which is why I am guessing that Sherwood's shaft is actually straight now.

Over time I think it is likely his shaft would have returned to it's original condition (straight in his case) had he done nothing but use it. I also doubt that he really "straightened" it, more like assisted it into returning to it's preferred condition.