Shafts, Graphite and Steel FAQ?

[MilenkoD]

Is there a good primer or FAQ on shafts? I'm looking to build a set online (money issue) and am confused by all the different shafts types and mfg out there. Harrisson, Gaphalloy, TrueTemper, UST, Mitsubishi, Aldila..ect....what's junk, what's not.

As I understand it for high handicappers, shaft selection has more benefit that head choice. So I'd like to spend the extra money for a shaft that will benefit my goal to improve.

For reference, I'd like:
Iron = steel shafts
Hybrid = graphite or steel (leaning towords graphite)
Driver/Woods = Graphite

[muskegman]

Its great that you're thinking about shaft choice. The most important decision you'll make is flex which is related to swing speed. Make sure and find out what your swing speed is and choose shafts appropriate to you swing speed. Behind that will come individual shaft characteristics.

All the shaft companies you mentioned make perfectly good shafts. It will all depend upon your swing type. Early release, late release, high ball or low ball hitter, are questions you need to answer.

Tell us a little about your swing. Do you hit the ball high? What is your swing speed? Do you have left or right tendencies?

[MilenkoD]

Its great that you're thinking about shaft choice. The most important decision you'll make is flex which is related to swing speed. Make sure and find out what your swing speed is and choose shafts appropriate to you swing speed. Behind that will come individual shaft characteristics.

I had my speed measured , but it wasn't one of those fancy swing monitors like you see at Golfsmith. It was more like a rectangular box that sat behind me and piomted at the ball/club impact area. I swung a 3-wood and tried to mimic it as a driver. I was read at 88 - 93 mph head speed.

With my starter-set clubs (Armour RAM G-Force) I can muster about 210 - 220 yards with the 420cc 10.5 deg driver that came with it....but inconsistently. The only semi-consistant traight is ball flight that curves right. Sometimes I pull it to the left when I turn my upper body too soon, but with a bit of focus, I can straighten it out. Ball flight is real high primarily because I set-up with the ball even with my front foot. Ball placemet on my heel or further tends to make me hit the ground before I strike the ball, or hit both at the same time. However, I understand that flex and material quality of my starter set is far below that of name-brand equipment. I can hit my friends name-brand driver (T/M R580) 220 with better consistencey and less effort. So my starter set (shaft) is a bit suspicious.

[MilenkoD]

....Ball flight is real high

Let me clarify. My friend who is a a ridiculously low handicapper can drive the ball 290+ yards. My ball flies about the same height (maybe a bit higher) but with far less distance than his. My 3-wood flies about the same height and about 20 yards less, 5-wood the same and about 170 - 180yds....3-hybrid 21 deg flies 1/2 the driver height and anout 180yds (3-hyb is steel shafted)