An Expansive Hagbah

Question: I was told that the shulchan aruch states [that only] three columns should be shown [while doing hagbah].

I do not understand how this can be as 1) Torahs are all different sizes and three columns in a teeny one is not significant and 2) I have performed this for two decades in front of at least a dozen rabbis and no one has ever criticized me - nor have I ever dropped the Torah

Personally I thought the whole point was to proudly show the word of Hashem - so why be timid about it!?

Answer: The earliest source of this practice states (Maseches Sofrim 14:14) that the Sefer Torah is rolled until three columns [are visible] and hagbah is then performed. This led R. Avraham Gombiner (Magen Avraham on the Shulchan Aruch 134:3) to suggest that "perhaps the [Maseches Sofrim] mentioned three specifically". 

However, the Mishnah Berurah (on the Shulchan Aruch ibid, 8) quotes the Magen Avraham and says: It appears to me that it all depends on the strength of the one who is lifting it, that he have the ability to lift it when it is opened alot."

There is, in fact, some disagreement as to what the Mishnah Berurah meant, with some holding that he clearly permits opening it to more columns if one has the strength to (Siach Halachah 134:3), while others interpret his words differently (Otzar Mekor Yisrael on the Mishnah Berurah; Rabbi Chaim Kaniyevsky in Maseches Sefer Torah 3:7).

In such a case, each congregation should follow their rabbis understanding of the halachah. Clearly, though, the halachah does not speak in absolute terms in this case.