Graphite or Steel

[SubPar]

  rembrandt said:

...why in the land of Mergatroid is the price of graphite shafted irons a $100.00 to $150.00 more than steel shafts. Just doesn't make sense to me!

More complex and expensive to manufacture?

[Everardo]

  Slash said:

Best reason to use graphite shafts is if you either have elbow problems, or are over 60 years old...

Not everyone who uses them is over 60 or has problems with joints

[ragontona]

It's weird, the prejudice among the general golfing public against graphite-shafted irons. (I'll admit, I've got steel in mine, but that's more of a cost and comfort thing than anything else.) But I don't begrudge anyone who does rock the graphite shafts, and I don't assume that they're slow-swinging old guys with arthritis either.

[Rafcin]

I had set of TopFlight irons with graphite (back in the time where T/F wasn't associated with cheap crap ONLY). Once my swing got more consistant I realized, that variation of the distance was way too big with it. With faster swing (not on purpose might I add ) I found myself adding 10 - 20 yds to a shot. Of course that was unacceptable. Steel gives it a much smaller range of added distance if you happen to "step on it" a bit...

[gas_can]

  Rafcin said:

I had set of TopFlight irons with graphite (back in the time where T/F wasn't associated with cheap crap ONLY). Once my swing got more consistant I realized, that variation of the distance was way too big with it. With faster swing (not on purpose might I add

Rafcin,

Graphite shafts have come quite a long ways in the last five years. The days of torque being an issue with dispersion and inconsistent distances are long gone. Aldila also has a 130g graphite iron shaft which is heavier and stiffer than any steel shaft on the market today.

[ragontona]

  gas_can said:

Rafcin,

gas_can,

How much do the Aldila NV Tour 130 shafts run? I can't find 'em on the golfsmith website. Just curious.

[gas_can]

  ragontona said:

gas_can,

ragontona,

I charge $50 a club installed, spine aligned, FLO'd the whole nine yards. You're looking at about $400 for 3-PW. EDIT: I should say that the 130 is an extremely stiff shaft, and is a good fit for only the strongest and most advanced of players with the highest swing speeds and ball flights. Even the S flex frequencies off the charts, and plays that way. I'd be very careful with choosing them, especially when the 105's are such a great iron shaft and are far less demanding.

[Everardo]

I wouldn't recommend the 130's for many due to the stiffness of them. Aldila had to add so much material to get them to 130 grams that there you'd almost think the shaft was solid by looking at it.

[ragontona]

Oh, no, I'm fine with my DG S300's. I just wanted to get a feel for how much it'd cost if I ever decided to make the jump.

[Rafcin]

  gas_can said:

Rafcin,

I always thought reason to use graphite was that ligher shaft allows for a faster swingspeed. If they're heavier than steel - what's the advantage of switching? just curious...

[Everardo]

  Rafcin said:

I always thought reason to use graphite was that ligher shaft allows for a faster swingspeed. If they're heavier than steel - what's the advantage of switching? just curious...

1. For dampening or different feel/feedback

2. A greater ability to adjust or manipulate the kickpoint, balance point, etc

[gas_can]

  Rafcin said:

I always thought reason to use graphite was that ligher shaft allows for a faster swingspeed. If they're heavier than steel - what's the advantage of switching? just curious...

Rafcin,

With graphite you can blend materials and composites to achieve bend profiles steel simply can not achieve. The Aldila 130's are a perfect example since they are stiffer and have a lower ball flight than even Dynamic Gold Tour. Have you heard of a company called Matrix Composite Corporation? They are posed to make a revolutionary change in shaft technology if the market will bear their pricing. They are currently testing Ozik iron shafts which will work to reduce side spin thus improving accuracy an incredible amount. They are still prototypes, yet if they are anything like the Ozik TP-7 driver shafts, they will completely rewrite how people percieve golf shafts.

[iacas]

BTW, I merged two threads just now to get this single thread.

[Everardo]

Matrix has their Studio series of iron shafts which offer pretty good performance for the price. The Studios are available in weights up 95 grams (which is still pretty light compared to DGS300 or Rifles)

UST has their Proforce 115's that I've been using in a set and so far I'm pretty impressed.

Along with Aldila, Matrix and UST, Graphite Design and Fujikura also offer high quality graphite irons shafts in a variety of wieghts and designs.

[mgui]

There is also a lot of light steel shaft in the market ... has anyone tried the NS-Pro 750Gh ?

[Xt1ncT]

I had graphite shafts in a set of clubs I had about 6 years ago - they were great, overall came down from 24 handicap to 13 - including shooting 11 over when off 24..!!!!

Fun times....

  gas_can said:

Do you know what the most played brand of graphite is on Tour? The answer might surprise you.

gas_can

Any chance of an answer - I was going to say UST or Aldila but don't really know......

[Rafcin]

  gas_can said:

Rafcin,

wow... being a techno-golf Ho - I have to admit - I got all excited reading these posts... I might have to look into it more seriously - definitely makes sense to me. Thanks guys, learned something new (again)

[Rafcin]

  mgui said:

There is also a lot of light steel shaft in the market ... has anyone tried the NS-Pro 750Gh ?

I only know they're HUGE in asia, pretty much dominating the market. Not too popular in US, never seen one...