Steel shafts vs Graphite for fwy woods

[jfrain2004]

I had a morbid fear of fairway woods up to last week when I figured I had gone as far as I could without the use of the distance these clubs offered. I always figured better to be short and accurate with an iron than be long and in the trees or worse with a 5 or 3 wood. Previous experience with woods off the ground was fraught with fear of thining the ball, slicing or mising it completely. These clubs all had graphite shafts. A playing buddy insisted I try his new mizuno 5 wood ( with a steel shaft ) and I was hitting crisp shots one after the other. Before I go out and see what steel shafts are available for my previously retired 3 & 5 woods I want to make sure it's not a placebo effect I witnessed. I read that steel shafts on woods are better for players who can generate plenty of head speed and hence distance and also give more control over the ball. My driver speed is 108mph so I figure this would class me as a faster than average swinger.
What is the science behind this and should I go for steel shafts and give these fwy woods another go?

[enis750]

really, no one replied?
someone must be able to help

i am actually thinkning of putting a PROJ X steel shaft in my ol 975F 4 wood
i used to have an old TM "Railer" 4 wood that i could absolutely rip..i couldnt miss w this thing......where is that damn club..

anyways, can someonw chime in here for us?

[Etzwane]

Well I have steel shaft in my fwy woods and could not play any of the graphite shaft fwy wood I tried, but I wonder if it is really a matter of material or just a matter of the shaft weight, I just can't feel where the club is in the backswing with the graphite shaft fwy woods I tried. Possibly a heavier graphite shaft would suit you ?

[iWALK18]

I have the same fears when i think of using fairway woods. I have never hit them well for some reason, I was always an iron player. I actually have a 904f 4 wood with a stiff steel shaft. it did not help me. Same or worse results.

but this is just my experience...

[imtomtomim]

Well, the benefit of a graphite shaft is that you can swing it faster. You should play with heavier weighing graphite shafts. I doubt you really need that feel in a fairway wood as the clubhead won't resonate it the way irons will. I play with a graphite shaft in my 4 wood that weights 87 grams cut. My driver shaft is 67 grams. I do like the extra weight as it does translate to a bit more control for me. However, I do think a steel shaft is outdated in your fairways. That being said, a steel shaft is around $10-15 so if you really want, go for it. I think it will weigh anywhere between 110-140 grams at FW length. I know there are also hybrid material shafts (both graphite and steel fibers) which bring the weight somewhere between 90 and 115 grams, but those are most likely expensive.

The benefit of having a lighter shaft is definitely there, especially in what I'd consider a distance club. Tiger did get famously jeered at by Mickelson when he stuck with steel in his driver and fairways longer than he should have. Graphite shafts these days aren't the same whips they used to be and shouldn't hurt you at all. See if your local fitter can work with different weights with you and you might find something suitable for what you think you need.