Steel in driver and hybrids

[duotone]

Ok, I'm re-shafting my driver - Big Bertha (454), and I'm going to buy a 2 / 4 hybrid. Driver: I'm just not sold on the graphite shaft, and because I'm just getting back into the game, I find it hard to know where the club head is when it's so light, thus I have a problem controlling the ball flight. I hate the feeling of standing over the ball, and just smacking it. I'd much rather know where my club head is, and be able to control my swing and ball flight more. I recon I'll loose about 10 yards, but at this stage in my game, I'd rather have accuracy and CONSISTENCY, than have 10-20 more yards. Hybrids: I just can't hit my 3 and 4 irons anymore, and after using a 4 hybrid this summer, I'll never go back. I am playing an Adams hybrid with a regular graphite shaft. The only way I can hit this club is if I slooooowwww way down. QUESTION(S): I like having a set of clubs which allow me to swing the same, from driver to loft wedge. I'm pretty much decided that the Hybrids will go on my 3/4 iron shafts. The hybrids I'm looking at are iron replacements: http://www.hirekogolf.com/i94025.html This will allow the consistency I'm looking for with my irons and hybrids. For my driver I'm considering a steel shaft: http://www.hirekogolf.com/apmss.html I'm not choosing that shaft because I'm being cheap... It's the only stepless steel wood shaft I could find, and it is a inexpensive experiment. Thoughts and feedback is appreciated. I have thick skin, so speak your mind. Tony

[azgreg]

I play S300 in every club except putter.

[k-troop]

I played a steel shafted driver from 2009-2011.  I had a Titleist 983E with the speeder shaft; head broke off when my clubs were going through luggage at the airport.  I didn't want to spend a ton to replace it (shaft would be almost as much as a new driver), so I just had the guy put in a TTDG S300 at about 42-1/2".  I hit it solid and straight, but it was a heavy mother and I didn't hit it very far.

I used to play only steel in my hybrids as well.

Your issue about "too light" and "not feeling the head" is unfounded, though.  You can get graphite shafts that are just as heavy, boardy, etc. as steel.  It's all about finding the right flex, weight, and bend profile.  There are lots out there--driver shafts in the 100 gram range feel essentially the same as the old heavy steel shafts but perform much, much better.

I will also say that after my "experiment" with my steel shafted driver, I decided to actually try a lot of different drivers and shafts.  I really liked the stock ahina shaft in the Titleist (aka made for version of the whiteboard) and it felt every bit as stable as my old steel shaft even though it was FIFTY GRAMS lighter.  I hit that club quite well and picked up about 30 yards.

Try your experiment--it won't cost you much.  But then as you start to find your swing and game again, shop around with some of the new stuff.  It's really, really worth it.

[duotone]

K-troop. I understand about heavier graphite shafts, but it seems the big brands are pushing for lighter drivers. I get lighter equals faster head speed, but what's the point when you can't control the ball? I agree with you about getting a heavier graphite shaft, and perhaps I will after I throw my shoulders out of socket from my heavier steel shafted driver. :-)

[k-troop]

Ya if you're going to a big box store, you're likely to find a lot of Callys and TMs with 55 gram shafts. But if you can get to a golf store you'll probably be able to hit something in the 90 gram range.