Graphite or steel?

[Black gold]

Are graphite shafts really worth the extra money

Not sure if to try graphite shafts on my next set of irons.

I've never used a graphite shaft on a iron

What do you guys think?

 

[pbrown7582]

Try some demos club and see what the difference in results are for you personally, I tried graphite shafted irons and didn't like them but doesn't meannthey won't suit you I think there is a shaft out there for everybody these days!

 

[Alex1975]

My understanding is that graphite iron shafts are for older players or people with injuries.

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Me and my mate both bought burner 2.0 irons Me in steel and my mate in graphite all ill say is hes waiting for his 8 iron to come back from Taylormade as the shaft started to crack after 3 months.... Go steel mate ;-)

 

[duncan mackie]

Try some demos club and see what the difference in results are for you personally, I tried graphite shafted irons and didn't like them but doesn't meannthey won't suit you I think there is a shaft out there for everybody these days!

this covers it very well - the argument is not as clear cut as it used to be at all.

I used a set of TM stiff graphite shafts on my irons for the last 4 years and enjoyed them - only a change in heads caused me to change.

 

[CMAC]

Torque (twisting) is greater on graphite shafts than steel, graphite is lighter. so its pro's and con's for each, try one and see.

 

[garyinderry]

graphite shafts on irons is just plain wrong imo !

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I had graphite shafts and to be honest once I went back steel on the TM TP's I was much happier. I wouldn't go back unless a custom fitter recommended it and hopefully I'm a good few years away from that on an age basis. If you want to know for yoursefl take a demo version of say an R11 steel and graphite out (mid range club and easy to hit) and see how the ball flies and they feel to you.

I don't think there is anything wrong per se with graphite except I got a much higher flight and my swing speed was probably too quick to control it properly but like anything in golf unless you try you'll never know

 

[moogie]

graphite shafts on irons is just plain wrong imo !

NO , It Aint.........:angry:
Have u ever tried any....??.....By that I mean a DECENT set......??
I use Graphites in my Irons, but out of Necessity
Suffer 'dodgy' elbows, work related, like tennis / golf elbow
Without the switch to Graphites I made many bout 5-6 years ago, Id not be playing, or practicing, anything like as much as I can Now
Been a Godsend.....:thup:
Modern Graphites are way more advanced and of better quality and performance, than those of years ago, there are Graphites that have same weight, and / or Torque ratings as Steel, so the same performance, with that bit more 'give'


I could still play steel now, But doubt Id get more than 3-4 games per month, without Pain becoming too much, and need a break
I need MORE than that.......

So, for me, Graphites all the way

 

[DaveM]

I have both a set in graphite and a set in steel (ok light weight steel, Dynamic gold XP's). I find very little to choose between them.
I think in the future more irons will be fitted with graphite shafts, as the choice gets better. As it has done with wood's Not really that long ago when all woods were steel as well. Now no one even considers them.

 

[garyinderry]

NO , It Aint.........:angry:
Have u ever tried any....??.....By that I mean a DECENT set......??
I use Graphites in my Irons, but out of Necessity
Suffer 'dodgy' elbows, work related, like tennis / golf elbow
Without the switch to Graphites I made many bout 5-6 years ago, Id not be playing, or practicing, anything like as much as I can Now
Been a Godsend.....:thup:
Modern Graphites are way more advanced and of better quality and performance, than those of years ago, there are Graphites that have same weight, and / or Torque ratings as Steel, so the same performance, with that bit more 'give'


I could still play steel now, But doubt Id get more than 3-4 games per month, without Pain becoming too much, and need a break
I need MORE than that.......

So, for me, Graphites all the way

dont get me wrong. if i had to play graphite shafts for health reasons id be all over them. im just a traditionalist at heart. see my love for the clieveland classic driver in that thread for details. im going on look alone by the way.

 

[SGC001]

Due to the manufacturing processes graphite cannot be made as consistent as steel at this moment in time. Not a problem if you just want some distance off a tee, but when you want distance control (irons) it is maybe a little more important.

from a Wishon fitting book

Woods
Steel If:
Well above average in physical strength and prefer a high total weight to help keep a quick tempo down.
You have already tried graphite with a high swingweight and still found it too light to control the tempo, swing timing and rhythm.
You have tried graphite and prefer impact feel of steel
or graphite

Irons
Graphite if:
Below average in physical strength
loss of strength and or flexibility
lost distance with you irons
Notice the irons feeling heavier and requiring more effort after playing 9 holes / hitting 20/30 balls or so at the range
May benefit from the dampening effect of graphite for repetitive strain injuries
or else steel

 

[garyinderry]

i feel like i would benefit from using a graphite 3 iron. the 3 iron in my set feels like im wielding a sword. im not the strongest chap about. theres a mizuno 3iron with a graphite shaft in my local golf shop. id love a crack with it but dont want to part with 80 notes!

 

[SGC001]

i feel like i would benefit from using a graphite 3 iron. the 3 iron in my set feels like im wielding a sword. im not the strongest chap about. theres a mizuno 3iron with a graphite shaft in my local golf shop. id love a crack with it but dont want to part with 80 notes!

It might be worth considering trying a hybrid or lofted wood as an alternative too. Modern balls don't spin as much, so if you haven't got the clubhead speed with your impact conditions clubs with low cog's can help.

 

[garyinderry]

ive got a 19* hybrid in the bag. i just dont like using anything but an iron at par 3's! hybrids and woods and even drivers have to be used sometimes depending on the wind but id rather the iron for accuracy!

 

[CMAC]

there are Graphites that have same weight, and / or Torque ratings as Steel,
y

afaik Graphite torque ratings are around 3.5-5.5 and steel is around 0.8, this might be for woods and possibly differs for irons, would be useful to know more if you have the info to hand?

 

[munro007]

Graphite in irons is so wrong IMO. Maybe i will get it in 40 years or so, by that time it won't be graphite we'll be using anyway, it will be some super dooper material like Scandium. :clap:

 

[SAPCOR1]

dont get me wrong. if i had to play graphite shafts for health reasons id be all over them. im just a traditionalist at heart. see my love for the clieveland classic driver in that thread for details. im going on look alone by the way.

There is that word "traditional" (=traditionalist) again! Traditional as far back as 1920's

 

[ScienceBoy]

I think Wilson do Half and Half shafts, one half steel one graphite (not sure which end is steel). Quite why anyone would need that I have no idea.

I guess you get a stiff end and a whippy tip or something like that.

 

[Smiffy]

I have played both. I think I prefer graphite. Where it helps me is because the shaft is a little lighter I can feel the weight in the clubhead better. I prefer feeling the weight in the clubhead.