Graphite vs Steel

[HomerJSimpson]

Went to a demo day at the local AG in Maidenhead attended by Callaway, Taylormade, Ping and Wilson. Wasn't in the best frame of mind having had a crappy day at work and then hitting a load of crap on the practice ground at my club when I stopped in on the way home via the demo

I tried the TM Burner driver but really struggled to hit it which was more to do with my swing than the club and as that was the only club I wanted to try prepared to go home. I had to pass Callaway and out of interest decided to hit an X20 with a regular graphite shaft. Having previously owned a set of X20 with steel shafts I thought I knew how they would react.

I hit the ball really well with a higher flight than my current R7's and with a lot less effort than I'm putting in with my steel shafts. I'm seriously considering looking into graphites.

Can anyone tell me the benefits or cons of using graphites over steel. My swing speed is about average (around 78-82) and I have tried the Callaway stiff graphite which went pretty well but with a lower ball flight but the impact marks on the face of regular were more concentrated on the sweetspot. Is there any difference in length between graphite and steel (I assume graphite will fly higher)

 

[chipsandegg]

Hi Homer J,
when i first got my G5'S i had only been playing for about 6 months and i had every intention of getting fitted with graphite shafts (god knows why, i think i just thought the fact they were Graphite made them better) but when i got there, the pro that was fitting me out told me that you havent got the same distance control with graphites as you have with steel and you would only really want graphite if you were an older player.. im not sure whether this will help you atall.
Andy

 

[USER1999]

I had a set of big bertha golds, with regular graphite shafts a while ago. These were nice clubs to hit, and the 8 iron went about 150 yards (against my current steel shafted 7 iron). However, every now and then, I timed my swing right, and the shaft just came alive, and the ball went 160 to 170. This made them useless as all you want from an iron is consistency.
Maybe a stiffer shaft would have fixed this, but it has put me off graphite shafted irons.

 

[birdieman]

I would concur that the graphites I've had (Ping I3'S and Taylor Made 360i's) both felt superb but as Murph says sometimes the ball would just take off an extra 15 yards.
I think graphite feels comfier in the strike than steel because they're lighter and softer you don't have to work as hard with them, the ball does go a bit further but it's a high soft flight which you don't nescessarily want with irons. I want my irons flying the same distance every time so I'm sticking with steel for now. DG S300's are a top shaft for irons IMO.

 

[viscount17]

Graphites are generally about an inch longer club for club and supposedly you could expect to be hitting longer (or is it higher?) - extra assistance from the flex possibly. Clubs are also lighter - whether this encourages higher swing speeds or not?

I started with a cheap set of steels, snapped the head off one club; changed to a better quality set of graphites - gained 15 - 20 yards a club; current set are steels, better again - haven't lost any distance, gained if anything.

and as a senior I'm 'supposed' to use graphites apparently

 

[HTL]

Last time I went to American golf the "pro" told me that all amateurs should use graphite and its just ego that makes us go for steel shafts.

I always thought it was down to swing speed?

Anyone else notice the bright blue shafts all the players are using on tour? What are they? I want to hit the all as far as them and straight.

 

[Sam]

Graphites are generally about an inch longer club for club

Interesting! All Mizuno iron models are the same length - steel or graphite. Happen to know cos looking at graphites due to hand injury (less vibration through shaft). True Fit Golf reckon graphite has come on leeps and bounds over the last few years.

 

[EchtLoon]

Last time I went to American golf the "pro" told me that all amateurs should use graphite and its just ego that makes us go for steel shafts.

ego? That's a bizarre comment. Sounds to me like he's just looking for higher sales from the more expensive graphite clubs.

 

[forefortheday]

Isn't it swing speed and flexibility that determine whether you use graphite or steel?

I swing about 80mph which is quite slow apparentley which is suited to graphite esp in woods. Compared a Burner with graphite shaft to my V Steel 3 wood the other day on a launch monitor and there was a big difference between the two in terms of flight and distance.

 

[Tommo21]

Got to say I’m tempted with graphite shafts as my left hand gets sore after a long practice session and I’m not getting any younger. Talking to my pro as he used them for a while when he had tennis elbow and said he genuinely got on fine with them. I think it’s this senior label they have that tends to put people off, and the price, which I cant understand as most woods these days have graphite’s.

Monty plays them…………..Oh dear.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I don't think that there would be much of an improvement in your game if I'm honest. It is not so much to do with the shaft material more the flex etc, and therefore I doubt you will instantly start hitting the ball better with graphite shafts. Are you physically quite strong? If so the lighter weight graphite shafts will quite possibly make you start over swinging or casting the club at the top due to the feel being completely different to when you swing your steel irons. This is what I found anyway when I demoed some graphites having used steel shafts for 12 months before. You could however get used to this so it wouldn't be a problem as such and like you said eventually it will stop you having to put so much effort into a shot but your shot dispersion will most probably deteriorate. It may be worth going on a launch monitor with one set of clubs in both steel and graphite shaft versions and see what the cold hard facts reveal. From what I have been told I would stick to steel for as long as you can 'cope' with them and still swing them well. When you do slow up/ start struggling to swing freely with steel shafts then look for graphite.

 

[RGuk]

I don't think that there would be much of an improvement in your game if I'm honest. When you do slow up/ start struggling to swing freely with steel shafts then look for graphite.

Sorry mate.....can't agree.

I determinedly kept with steel for many many years and would never have gone with graphite....over my dead body....

I tried some stiff flex graphite irons a few months back and bought them immediately. Best decision I ever made. I've always hit a few more greens than my h'cap standard and this has improved if anything. My distance is up (but that's a loft thing as well) and the clubs are MUCH more comfortable to play with being considerably longer and being 6 ft. They are light and a peach to swing......I can't find a single downside.....flight/dispersion etc. are all myths i.m.o. they are great!!!

However, as Homer already has a set of one of the best irons on the market.....I'd say you'd have to find something quite remarkable to swap.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Been back out looking at various clubs in graphites. Have to say the biggest disappointment was the Burner irons in both reg and stiff flex. Being the replacement for the R7 which are coming to the end of their 2 year product cycle (according to TM rep) I just couldn't hit them.

Hit the G10 in graphite bery well but the heavier head of a Ping was an issue and took some conscious swing thoughts to keep the swing and tempo together.

However as per the demo day on Monday the stars of the show were the X20's. I hit both regular and stiff flexed 6 irons and was averaging 165 on regular and 161 on stiff. The ball flight was lower on the stiff as expected but the dispertion was pretty similar and if I'm honest probably better than I'm getting at the moment.

Of the others, for anyone looking to invest in new irons with graphites, the Yonex were very good, if you can find some R7 draws they are very very cheap if you need the draw element in your game. Surprisingly good as well were the Cleveland CG golds (yellow insert) which were averaging about 168 on distance but I was pushing and hooking a few with reg shafts (no stiffs available)

Played yesterday and still not much better despite the pro kindly spending 10 minutes with me just going over the points of my last lesson. I just feel that as I'm not as strong (no beer gut to help propulsion) and I tend to get a little more fatigued (due to my diabetes) that graphites are the way to go.

 

[HTL]

So whats the next step Homer? Are you defo going to get some new irons?

My Di7 are staying with me for at least this summer, just treating myself to some red Golf Pride grips.

 

[surefire]

There's all sorts of theories people have about graphite.
Modern graphite shafts are a lot better than old ones and so most of the stories about them that actually were true are not anymore.

As to the lengths of graphite, I thought it was usually 1/2" longer rather than 1". The reason for this is that graphite shafts are lighter than steel, so the shaft needs to be longer to keep the swingweight the same.

As for what is best, surely the answer is whatever you hit best.

 

[RGuk]

Modern graphite shafts are a lot better than old ones and so most of the stories about them that actually were true are not anymore.

I agree!!

As for what is best, surely the answer is whatever you hit best.

Yes, also.....I agree.

PS...mine are an inch longer than my old steel set. I'm not reading anything into it.