So, Why The Stigma Behind Graphite Shafts In Irons?

[ChetlovesMer 486]

15 hours ago, Adam C said:

Just FYI. This isn't true. I used to hear this 15 years ago about old Callaway Big Bertha drivers but never actually measured one so I can't say for sure.

However, I have measured enough modern driver heads to say that they are usually within .5 degrees up or down of what they print on the hosel.

Thank you for this information Adam. I've heard this said often. I've never really had any way to confirm or deny it. I'm sure I heard it recently on a MyGolfSpy podcast. 

[Adam C 203]

1 hour ago, ChetlovesMer said:

Thank you for this information Adam. I've heard this said often. I've never really had any way to confirm or deny it. I'm sure I heard it recently on a MyGolfSpy podcast. 

It may be true with some off-brand infomercial type clubs as I have never checked any of them but with all the technology out there measuring ball data and with adjustable drivers it would be hard to sneak past the consumer and what would be the point.

[BeCu 7]

On 7/6/2020 at 3:56 PM, ChetlovesMer said:

One of my golf buddies just got fitted for an entire bag of clubs, everything except the putter. He (like me) is about 50 years old. His new irons have graphite shafts. 

The funny thing is he told me he actually paid a little extra for a certain set of graphite shafts which "look like" steel shafts. He said he didn't want anyone to know he was playing graphite shafts in his irons. (Odd, that he told me, but what ever.) 

Anyway, it made me think. Why is there a stigma behind playing graphite shafts in your irons? Nobody even thinks twice about a graphite shaft in a hybrid, why such a fuss over irons?

Regarding stigma, I think those days are passing. Years ago when graphite iron shafts were beginning to surface you have to remember the technologies for producing graphite were not as roust as today. So you had numerous graphite shafts that had tip breakage, out of round (created a whole "spine your shaft business model" and inconsistent weighting from shaft to shaft. So none of the top players would commit to something so hit or miss. Plus the "feel" was nowhere near what generations of golfers were use to with steel shafts. In more recent times the graphite/carbon fiber technologies have exceeded steel capabilities in most areas. I volunteer for a senior Champions Tour event, I see as many irons with steelfibers as TT or KBS. So I think graphite is on par with steel irons shafts. I mean think about it, graphite took away steel shafts in woods, its only a matter of time regarding irons/wedges. I like having a choice with both as I am all about feel. But I think those in the know understand that graphite has its advantages when fit properly. 

[The Flush 45]

I have never noticed what shafts other people are using.

[BeCu 7]

On 7/8/2020 at 6:51 AM, ChetlovesMer said:

Thank you for this information Adam. I've heard this said often. I've never really had any way to confirm or deny it. I'm sure I heard it recently on a MyGolfSpy podcast. 

Sorry I don't mean to hi-jack topic of this thread. I agree with response from Adam. And I did hear the podcast. Made think, "where is the loft measured on the club head?" This link shows how loft can be different on the same club head depending where the measurement is taken. 

Graduated Roll Technology ------In Your Driver

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Graduated roll technology is an innovative new design in golf driver face design. What is it?

 

[WildTurkey 7]

This stems from a number of things many of which are hold overs from the early days of graphite shafts.  1. The early shafts were known to be whippy.  2. There were durability questions with early graphite.  There was some thought that were the shafts rub against your bag would wear down the finish and weaken.  They were known to break at or near this point.  Coincidentally this is also were there is a lot of load on the club which is most likely why the broke there.  The rub point from the bag was most likely simply cosmetic but be that as it may they were known for this.  Therefore, you had to "baby" them.  In both of these cases these issues have been remedied with advancements in technology and materials and no longer hold true.  3.  Ego & stubbornness.  The whippy part was seen to give Seniors and Ladies a little extra pop and therefore those groups gravitated towards these first.  Typical male bravado does not want to acknowledge the affects of aging and we naturally resist change.  4. The feel was different than what people were used to.  5.Cost.  So early on you had all of the above "negatives" and then you got to pay more for it. 

Flash forward to today and most of these concerns are relics from the past, but in golf they die slowly.  Graphite is now more durable,stronger, and made with better materials and designs.  However, they usually do cost more. And some golf companies market these to seniors and ladies in stock options and you need to go custom if you want them in a regular or stiff flex. 

 

[MiuraMan 25]

Nick "Old School" Faldo commented during the Rocket Mortgage Classic  that Bryson DeChambeau was getting inconsistent wedge yardages due to using graphite shafts. So TXG Tour Experience Golf set out to test that hypothesis. 

The bottom line: no difference performance wise between a graphite shafted and a steel shafted iron. See the video

 

 

Edited July 10 by MiuraMan
correct grammar