How much can a club be bent?

[Arathel-bwcc]

Is there a limit the amount a club can be bent. I'm thinking about bending a 56 to a 58.

[hawkeye]

not sure how far you can bend one but i wouldnt go more than 2 degrees with a wedge - it'll throw off the design - all the angles will be diff - bouce, lie etc.

56 to 58 sounds ok - i had a 56/60 combination till early last year, considered bending each by 2 degrees but the new-club-bug got me, so i splashed out on the 54/58 combo.

[Big_M]

yeah, I wouldn't bend a wedge too much... it'll changes performance, unless you want to grind the sole as well. But, by then you've spent enough for a new club. It also depends on material. A forged club is easier to bend, some clubs cannot be bent. In this case I'm guessing your talking about bending that CG14... seems like it shouldn't be a problem.

[gas_can]

Is there a limit the amount a club can be bent. I'm thinking about bending a 56 to a 58.

Arathel,

It depends on the club, direction of bending, the machinery used, and of course the monkey doing the wrenching. Bending a 56 to 58 shouldn't be a problem for any club as long as the club builder knows what he's doing. Remember, that by doing so you will be adding roughly two degrees of bounce to the club, so take that into consideration before bending. You will also be reducing the offset of the club slightly. Possible hazards if your club builder doesn't know what he's doing are snapping the hosel or if the club is chrome, spidering the chrome finish. Typically forged clubs carbon steel clubs bend far easier than stainless cast clubs. Just out of curiosity, what club are you trying to bend? The only club I would be very careful with are any of Cleveland's CMM products. Although soft, the metal is extremely brittle and can crack if bent too quickly or with too much pressure.

[Arathel-bwcc]

Im thinking of bending a 56* vokey

[gas_can]

Im thinking of bending a 56* vokey

Arathel,

Bend away, it should be no problem at all.

[Arathel-bwcc]

Thanks for your help. You are a book full of knowledge.

[Matt P]

Gas Can:

If bending a 56-58 adds 2* of Bounce would bending a 60 to a 58 take away two degrees of bounce? I was considenring having a 60.04 Vokey bent to 58. but it it takes it to a 58.02 I would probably abandon the idea.

[gas_can]

Gas Can:

Matt P,

You've got it exactly. I would agree that it would probably play with too little bounce. This could be somewhat alleviated by grinding the leading edge slightly blunt, but this needs to fit your swing. Better to trade in the 58 and pick up a 60 with the correct bounce configuration.

[iacas]

Im thinking of bending a 56* vokey

Gas can chime in here, but I don't think it's recommended that you bend cast clubs more than about 3 degrees. Two shouldn't be a problem, but at some point the odds of trouble increase dramatically. IIRC that's around 3+ or 4+ degrees - which you shouldn't need to do, since you can just buy a wedge 4 degrees stronger or weaker, usually. :)

[gas_can]

Gas can chime in here, but I don't think it's recommended that you bend cast clubs more than about 3 degrees. Two shouldn't be a problem, but at some point the odds of trouble increase dramatically. IIRC that's around 3+ or 4+ degrees - which you shouldn't need to do, since you can just buy a wedge 4 degrees stronger or weaker, usually. :)

Erik,

There aren't any hard and fast rules about bending. There are lots of variables that all play a role in how far a club can be bent. A good club maker and feel when a club is at its breaking point. The equipment being used to bend is a big part of it. A high quality Mitchell steel club bolted to the floor along with a good bending bar that has a large surface area to grab the hosel will diffuse the pressure and greatly reduce the chances of cracking. With Vokeys, although they're cast, the soft 8620 carbon steel they're made from means it's not really an issue. I've bent some old ones six degrees without issue while practicing. However, as you said at that point you might as well buy a new wedge because the offset and bounce will be so far gone the club is essentially worthless. Ping is another cast club that bends wonderfully. With a Cleveland CG-10 I would never dare attempting more than 2 degrees, the metal is simply too brittle. As a general rule, 1-2 degrees is no problem, three or more and you should consider buying a new wedge.