Should I purchase irons with steel or graphite shafts? I'm 27 & hit a (steel) 7iron 150 yds. Benefits of each?

Answer 1

Which Type of Club Shaft Best Suits Your Game?
Should you go with steel shafts or graphite shafts? What are the differences between the two? Is one type of shaft better for you than another?

These are questions that many newcomers to golf - and even many golfers who have played for years - have in mind when they go shopping for a new set of clubs.

In the "old days," the general feeling was that recreational golfers, mid- and high-handicappers, should use graphite, while the better players, low-handicappers, would stick with steel. That's not necessarily true anymore, however. Even PGA Tour golfers can be seen using graphite shafts. In 2004, Tiger Woods switched from a steel shaft to a graphite shaft in his driver (most pros made that switch even earlier).

As with every type of golf equipment, the key is to try out both kinds and determine which type best fits your swing.

But there are differences between steel and graphite that could help you choose one over the other.
Some Keypoints
• Steel shafts are less expensive than graphite, so the same set of clubs will cost less with steel shafts than with graphite shafts.

• Steel shafts were once considered much more durable than graphite. That's not so much the case anymore. Quality graphite shafts will last as long as you do so long as they are not chipped, cracked, or the laminate-seal is not peeling. Steel shafts will last forever so long as they are not bent, rusted or pitted.

• Graphite shafts transmit fewer vibrations up the shaft to the golfer's hands than do steel shafts. This might be good or bad, depending on your skill and your desire. You might want that added feedback that steel shafts offer - or you might be tired of your hands stinging so much on mis-hit shots.

The Most Important Point
The biggest and by far most important difference between steel and graphite shafts is this: graphite shafts are lighter than steel shafts. So clubs that have graphite shafts will be lighter than otherwise identical clubs that have steel shafts.

According to clubmaking and equipment guru Tom Wishon, the difference in weight between graphite shafts and steel shafts will translate, for most golfers, into an additional 2-4 mph of swing speed with graphite. And that could mean an extra 6-12 yards of distance with a graphite shaft, compared to a steel shaft.

That's why, in the everpresent quest for more yards, more and more golfers prefer graphite shafts.

What It All Means
You probably want more yards, too. So it's obvious: You should choose graphite shafts, right? Probably, but not necessarily.

As we said, the majority of golfers these days are going to graphite, at least in their woods, but steel shafts maintain a very strong presence in golf, especially among low-handicappers and scratch players.

In many cases, those are golfers who don't need the extra boost of swing speed that graphite shafts can provide. Players who prefer steel shafts often make that choice because their heavier weight provides the golfer with a feeling of more control over the clubhead during the swing. And these are players who can analyze and benefit from the added feedback (more vibrations traveling up the shaft) that steel provides.

We'll quote Tom Wishon: "If gaining more distance is a primary goal for the golfer, they should definitely be fit with the proper graphite shaft design in their woods and irons to match their swing. On the other hand, if distance is not the main focus for the golfer because they already have a high swing speed, if they like the feel of steel and their swing tempo matches a little better to the higher total weight steel shafts bring to the clubs, then steel is the better option."

And we'll add that anyone who is not physically strong, or has physical problems in their hands, forearms or shoulders that are exacerbated by the bad vibes of a mis-hit shot, should go with graphite.


Q. How Do Steel and Graphite Shafts Compare, and How Do I Choose One or the Other?

A. The number one difference between graphite and steel shafts is their weight. While steel shafts today can be made to weigh as little as 90 grams (3.2 oz.), and some graphite shafts as heavy as 120 grams (4.2 oz.), the big reason graphite shafts became popular is their ability to offer stiffness and durability suited to the most powerful swings while being very light in weight.
Remember, the shaft's weight is the number one factor that controls the total weight of the entire golf club. Lighter total weight equals the potential to increase the golfer's swing speed, which equals the potential to increase the distance of the shot.

The average steel shaft today weighs between 115g to 125g (4.0 to 4.4 oz.). Put that together with a typical 195-gram (6.9-oz.) driver head and a normal 50-gram (1.75-oz.) grip and you have a total weight for the driver of some 365 grams (12.9 oz.).

Most graphite shafts for drivers today are made to a weight of around 65-70 grams. Assemble that with the driver head and the grip and the total weight of a typical graphite shaft driver will be about 11 oz. That 1.9-oz.-lighter total weight (compared to the typical steel-shafted driver) can mean as much as 2-4 mph more swing speed for the golfer, which in turn translates to about 6-12 yards more distance.
Makes it sound like all golfers should be using graphite shafts in all their clubs, right? On the surface that is true. However, some golfers who are very strong physically, and/or who are quick to very quick with their swing tempo, need to have a little heavier total weight to help them gain a little more control over their swing.

In addition, steel and graphite shafts are totally different in the manner in which they transfer the vibrations from impact up to the hands, which in turn affects the feel of the shot. Simply stated, some golfers prefer the more crisp, sharper feel of hitting the ball with steel shafts, while some prefer the softer, more dampened feel of graphite.

If gaining more distance is a primary goal for the golfer, they should definitely be fit with the proper graphite shaft design in their woods and irons to match their swing. On the other hand, if distance is not the main focus for the golfer because they already have a high swing speed, if they like the feel of steel and their swing tempo matches a little better to the higher total weight steel shafts bring to the clubs, then steel is the better option.

Answer 2

Definately steel, graphite will tend to throw the ball higher in the air which makes distance control a little more difficult, especially when playing in the wind. Don't get me wrong, sometimes graphite is better suited for someone but steel will be a little more durable as well as cheaper. However the point is to get you playing better so if you feel more comfortable hit a graphite shafted club then by all means do it. I've been playing golf a long time and have hit both. I've never found a graphite shafted club that felt better than my steel shafted ones. Good luck.

Answer 3

Id suggest going to a local golf shop and requesting a club with both ( must be same club like a 7 iron ) graphite shafts are good for higher handicaps because even with a slower club head speed the club still whips through with steel usually used by lowwer handicaps with a faster club head speed still has a little whip but still has control of the club

Answer 4

it doesn't matter. nowadays you can no longer say graphite is softer/whippier. each shaft manufacture has slightly different specifications with regards to R,S,X flexes. an R flex might be an S in another manufacture. this is true of both steel and graphite. the best way to find out is to get fitted by a golf professional that will match you type of swing, slow/fast, swing speed, and load. the load of your swing is important, but many fitters do not measure it. they usually base all the recommendations on you driver or 5 iron swing speed.

Answer 5

Steel. Unless you get some sort of low torque graphite, the head will twist on the graphite shaft and cuse loss of control. Low torque graphite is VERY expensive. Your better of staying with steel.

Answer 6

Steel

Answer 7

umm i personally like graphite shafts because they are more whippier and they are easier to hit.. try em out n see if you like the graphite shafts better than steel shafts.. it depends on what you like better.

Answer 8

If you store your clubs in the trunk of your car..Buy steel shafts....otherwise buy graphites...they perform better !!
Also consider buying Taylor mades....They are great !!!!

Answer 9

Steel should be better, but hit some of each so you will know for sure.