Graphite or steel?

[fsmullet]

I'm starting to buy a new set of irons(yeh, I'm a ho too). My question is whether I should go steel or graphite.

I'm 45 and a terribly weak iron player. My average PW is 95, my average 6i is 140. I'm left handed and tore my left achilles 10 or so years ago. I don't get much transfer needless to say.

My handicap is 15. When I have a good round, I chipped well, and one putted a lot. I don't hit many greens in regulation.

What are the disadvantages to both?

FYI, I pulled out an old R-5 10.5 degree driver i used to play years back. It has a regular flex TM shaft, I hit it at least as far, and MUCH straighter than than my 454 callaway 9 degree stiff shaft. I think the reg shaft suits my swing/speed much better.

Thanks.

[ks8829]

My friend is a 3 handicap golfer and he plays Callaway iron with graphite shaft and he is consistently hitting his irons close to the pin.

I believe the graphite shafts are about 65 grams vs steel Dynamic Gold regular are about 127 grams so almost half the weight which equates to easier to swing and possibly higher swing speeds and note lighter to carry in your overall weight in your golf bag.

I am considering buying clubs for my 14 year old and haven't decided on graphite or light weight steels yet. Nippon golf has shafts that are around 100 grams and lighter and True Temper has shafts that are about 108 grams in the Dynalite SL line.

I would recommend trying to hit both at your local golf store and see what works best for your swing and future game.

[fsmullet]

  ks8829 said:

I would recommend trying to hit both at your local golf store and see what works best for your swing and future game.

Spoken like a true "right hander". Around here, us lefties don't have the luxury of trying before we buy. I can't swing my buddies. Heck i even went to a Callaway demo day and there were 2 left handed clubs....sad to say but we usually have to buy, then try.

[PiKapp23]

Being left handed definitely affects your ability to try several different clubs and shaft combinations to see what you like best.

I have played both graphite and steel in irons over the last 7 years or so. I had graphite several years ago and really liked the lightweight feel. I really felt like I could hit the ball a lot further (but not sure just how true that really was). Graphite is a lot lighter and typically is about 1/2 to 1 inch longer in most irons (to try to keep swing weight same as steel). It also feels 'softer' to most people and is recommended for people that suffer tendenitis or arthritis for this reason. Due to weight and length they due tend to be a little longer for most people.

Steel is heavier and typically has more 'feel' in it. Most people think that steel tends to be more consistent, which is probably somewhat true, especially for those with a faster swing speed. Almost all steel shafts will weight over 100 grams (I think Nippon has one that is right around 100). If you're a TaylorMade guy, they have a new shaft called Black Steel, which is under 100 grams I think (and the lightest steel shaft on market at the moment).

When it comes right down to it you just need to figure out which you prefer. Even once you decide the question of graphite vs. steel, it doesn't get much easier because of the number of options for each. Unfortunately, it's really a personal choice and you need to test them (which I know is going to be a challenge to find demo clubs for a lefty). I don't know where you are in Georgia, but I do know that in Atlanta there is a PGA Superstore that is supposed to be one of the biggest retail golf stores in the country. They might be worth at least a call to find out what they might have that you'd be able to test. Maybe you should learn to play right handed just to make this easier.

[fsmullet]

  PiKapp23 said:

Maybe you should learn to play right handed just to make this easier.

The way I play from time to time I have considered it...