Graphite or Steel

[allin]

It is clear that most of the low handicap golfers and even most of the mid handicap golfers still pick steel for their irons would you consider graphite if the cost was the same?

1. Already play graphite irons.
2. Definitely
3. Possibly
4. No way steel is superior

I wonder if the reason TT is the buyer for precision is that it is old technology that every one else sees as a dying niche that will only be for low end clubs in say 20 years.

[Everardo]

Many players on the tours use / have tried graphite irons, for instance Rich Beem uses the Aldila NV irons off and on. Graphite is not just an old man or ladies shaft, the problem for many professionals and top amateurs is that in order to get the weight they desire (120g +) manufacturers' have to build up a graphite shaft with so many layers or material that it can often kill the feel or create too much stiffness.

However for the average player graphite offers great damping properties especially for people suffering from tendonitis and such. A common myth is that feel is deadened, in fact feel is often increased since the graphite dampens bad vibrations. That's the whole theory behind UST's new Frequency Filtered putter shaft . With weights around 85-95 grams it's often a great switch for many for the increased distance, distance control and fatigue factor. A recent study showed that golfers are still playing a shaft too stiff and heavy for them (which could be another topic)

Another great thing about graphite is that the quality has become far superior in recent years and allows the manufactures the ability to manipulate weight, balance points, kick points, tip sections, etc far more than with steel. With steel you can control a lot of that with the steps in the shaft however not as easily as with graphite, creating a truer matched set.

I don't suffer from tendonitis but I've been curious about graphite shafts in irons so I've built several demo clubs to see how graphite shafts compare to my steel shafts and so far I'm impressed with the distance and control. Time will tell if I actually make the switch.

[xd3vilx]

i really think graphite or steel is based on your swing and whether you feel alright we steel since it is heavier and more non-flex...

[TheShanks]

Graphite is good for drivers but with irons i like to use steel shafts. Graphite is to flexable for me.

[Everardo]

  TheShanks said:

Graphite is good for drivers but with irons i like to use steel shafts. Graphite is to flexable for me.

I think ya'll are missing the point. Not all graphite shafts are super flexible or light weight. Almost every shaft manufacturer (UST, Fujikura, Graphite Design, Aldila, etc) all make a very good variety of graphite shafts in different flexes and weights. The problem most people notice with graphite shafts is that OEM will only use a regular or senior flex as their standard option.

I've just recently shafted an extra set of irons with UST Proforce Gold iron shafts which are a stiff flex and weight 115 grams (as a comparison Dynamic Gold S300 weigh 124 grams) These irons plays very similar to the Rifle 6.0's that they replaced except that they are a little lighter, which under my first impression have increased my distance a little, more testing to come though.

[TheShanks]

If you go some places and you get stiff flex shafts they are sometimes more expensive than the steel. If stiff flex are almost as stiff as steel why not just buy steel.

[Thrash13]

I used graphite shafts the first seven or eight years of my golfing life, and I didn't mind them. The distance was better obviously.

However, after getting my Titleist irons with steel shafts, I won't ever go back to graphite shafts. The accuracy was improved ten-fold, and I can spin the ball better (this may just be my improvement).

By the way, was Monty using graphite shafts this past weekend? I could have swore his irons were all graphite shafts.

[TheShanks]

I havent played a full game with graphite ive only tested them at ranges and when I swing the steel I am a little more accurate than with graphite.

[DDBowdoin]

graphite irons.... well for one they are like a baseball bat, they lose juice... so you'll need to reshaft more often... steel lasts forever

plus... graphite is for a pretty weak iron player... an usually older, I would be embarressed to have graphite shafts in my irons

[pgonza2723]

Always have played with steel, love the weight on clubs. I've tried my brother's SuperSteels with graphite and just couldn't get used to them. Maybe if I played with them more, but steel shafts just give me that confidence with the weighting which beats out any performace aspects between the two.

[iacas]

  DDBowdoin said:

graphite irons.... well for one they are like a baseball bat, they lose juice... so you'll need to reshaft more often... steel lasts forever

Neither of the above are true. Graphite doesn't really "wear out" any more than steel, and the reasons for going to graphite are more plentiful than "I am weak and older." Perhaps you have sensitive or sore elbows and other joints?

[Everardo]

  DDBowdoin said:

plus... graphite is for a pretty weak iron player... an usually older, I would be embarressed to have graphite shafts in my irons

I'm neither old nor weak and am not embarrassed to have them in a set of mine.

I also don't have any joint or bone issues but graphite allows the manufactures the ability to manipulate weight, balance points, kick points, tip sections, etc far more than with steel. So I'm more interested in the technological capabilities. Just watch, when Scotty releases his next putter with a graphite shaft people will start jumping on the bandwagon then.

[DDBowdoin]

is the post questioning the differences between steel and graphite for irons or clubs in general?

I stand by opinion for graphite shafted irons... sensitive elbows? lol I know golf isn't much of a physical sport but comon... maybe it's because I am a young guy (21) I wouldn't be caught with graphite shafts in my irons

and with the putter... I've used a graphite shafted putter before (Yonex Forged ADX) and can't tell the diff... the new UST graph putter shaft is a different story... I'd love to throw that in my putter

[allin]

DDBowdin's response is clearly not based on fact, yet I suspect it is the prevailing opinion of the male golfing public. The attributes he sites had validity 10 years ago but as development goes on Everados point of view is clearly more accurate. I believe is that over the next 20 years graphite or even possibly some other composite will gradually dominate the iron shaft market. DD you better quit flying since composites are being more widely used on airplanes all the time and you probably wouldn't want to trust your life to such an inferior material.

[DDBowdoin]

well considering most talented golfers are physically talented (whether strength, flexibility or what not) it is the prevailing sentiments among male golfers. The only way I could play a graphite shaft is if they made it appear to be steel, I couldn't see myself looking down at a club with a green/blue/or orange shaft running down my sight

[DDBowdoin]

also... the weight of steel is unbeatable, control and feel is key... not getting 5 extra yards on an iron shot

[shortgame85]

When I started playing golf 4 years ago, I was fitted by a pro for the Callaway Hawkeye VFT irons with graphite shafts. My handicap has gone from a 36 to a 17. I hope by the end of the summer to shave another point off my handicap. This April, I was fitted for a set of Titleist 775CB irons by the same pro who fitted me for the Callaways. I was prepared for him to recommend graphite shafts and surprised when he suggested steel shafts. Both sets were ordered with regular flex shafts. I don't notice any loss of distance with the steel shafts, but I do notice more consistent directional control with the steel. I am not the gifted athalete some people claim themselves to be and, being a lot older than twenty-one, I checked my ego at the door the day I started playing golf. I could care less whether anyone is impressed with my clubs or even with the state of my game. I play for pleasure but I also play with the desire to improve. That being said, if a club ( such as a hybrid ) can help improve my game and my enjoyment of the game, then I will welcome the opportunity to try that technology. It just so happens that, regarding iron shafts, at this stage of my golfing career, steel seems for me the most satisfactory.

[gas_can]

  DDBowdoin said:

well considering most talented golfers are physically talented (whether strength, flexibility or what not) it is the prevailing sentiments among male golfers. The only way I could play a graphite shaft is if they made it appear to be steel, I couldn't see myself looking down at a club with a green/blue/or orange shaft running down my sight

DDBowdoin,

You've given some really bad advice, I don't know where this misinformation originated, but whoever told it to you did you a great misservice and should be slapped six ways from Sunday. Myths that you've presented: 1. Graphite does not "weaken," in fact, since it's resistant to corrosion, graphite will last longer than steel in certain environments. 2. Players who play graphite in their irons include John Daly, Colin Montgomerie, and KJ Choi. Vijay Singh has also experimented with graphite in his irons. I wouldn't call any of those players "weak" in any sense of the word. 3. Shafts like Alidla's NV Tour 130 irons are every bit as heavy as steel shaft, have a lower ball flight, are just accurate as steel, and have as good if not better "feel". The truth: Graphite isn't commonly used because expense is an issue with graphite shafts. Graphite costs more to make than tubular steel, and some people can't justify the $500 prices to reshaft their irons. As prices come down in the future expect more players to start switching to graphite. DDBowdin, why do you play graphite in your woods if it's such an inferior product??? I think you should remember this quote from Abraham Lincoln for future posts: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."