Iron shafts - Steel or Graphite?

[GG26]

This may well have been discussed before, but has anyone got opinions based on practical experience?

My thoughts are the lighter graphite shafts may provide more swing speed, but at the loss of control during the swing. With my ball striking too inconsistent at the moment, I feel that the control is more important.

 

[shewy]

graphite has come on heaps since it first came on the scene, no reason to think that they won't control the ball as well as steel.
Personally I had graphite and it gave me a few more yards but I just prefer steel, gives me a lower flight, but again there are graphite shafts which will do that also.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It's very individualistic. The only way to find what suits is to try a club you like in both options. A monitor would give you all the data you'd need but I think you'd tell on a range or practice ground as well simply by hitting balls which were longer and which was tighter in terms of dispersion.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Modern graphites have very little with those early ones.

In many ways its close to personal preference. I think it wont be long until graphite takes over from steel in all but the scoring irons and wedges.

 

[Ethan]

The Aerotech Steelfiber (sic) are a well liked hybrid shaft, with graphite over steel. They are used by a few PGA Tour pros and are said to play pretty solid, but still give some of the advantages of graphite.

http://aerotechgolfshafts.com

 

[spongebob59]

Picked up a hybrid at the weekend, fitted with the UST recoil shaft.
Stunning looking shaft, looks just like a steel one.

Its one of the first graphites that I've swung where you can really feel it load up on the way back down.

Thats why I wanted to try and find a Benross stockist as they have an option for these in the irons.
Would love to give them a swing :fore:

 

[One Planer]

The Aerotech Steelfiber (sic) are a well liked hybrid shaft, with graphite over steel. They are used by a few PGA Tour pros and are said to play pretty solid, but still give some of the advantages of graphite.

http://aerotechgolfshafts.com

Bloody expensive through.

A pal of mine had them in a set of irons with them as a shaft upgrade. When I asked how much, his reply was "Don't ask!"

 

[Essex_Stu]

I've been back to precision golf today as my project x 6.5 are causing me bad elbow pain(I'm only 30). Was unsure about using graphite shafts but got fitted to Accra 110i tour x stiffs. 6 iron swing speed only went up 1mph or so(89-91) but ballspeed jumped hugely. The best thing was though was feeling no pain in my elbow and a lovely smooth feeling through the whole swing. Mi***** didn't make me feel like I'd been on a jackhammer all day!

Would definitely recommend trying modern graphite shafts if you get the chance, you may be shocked.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Not sure if things have changed

But I always prefer the feel of graphite shafts, as on the steel/graphite sets I have tried, graphite tends to give the feeling of the weight of the club is in the head. I have the feeling of knowing where the clubhead is with graphite, so prefer the feel of them as a setup for a club.

 

[Smiffy]

I always prefer the feel of graphite shafts, as on the steel/graphite sets I have tried, graphite tends to give the feeling of the weight of the club is in the head. I have the feeling of knowing where the clubhead is with graphite

This for me too.
I have RS1's with graphite shafts, and love them.
The lofts are jacked a bit compared to my old steel shafted clubs, but I still get a really good high flight with them which helps hold greens.
My last set of steel shafted clubs felt dead in my hands.

 

[hines57]

I play graphite since that was what I was fitted into at the time. I've since had a couple of other fittings (I didn't change though) and both put me into steel. One was Callaway (the make I currently play) and the other Titleist.

I'd go with what the fitter recommends based on the data and feel.