Shaft Selection

[greengolfer]

Hi,
First post on here so please be gentle,just getting back to the game after 8 year absence, my old clubs have regular graphite shafts, tried some stiff steel shafts at the range and hit them really well.
Now I am told I should use regular graphite shafts not stiff steel, can someone explain to me the diffrences before I make an expensive mistake.
All input welcome.
Thanks

 

[mikest]

Hi GG, Im new to these parts also. Whats your info like age, handicapp etc?? the biggest difference is weight as the graphite shaft is much lighter.

 

[TonyN]

would like to say welocome, but sorry cant help with the question as i dont know, sorry

 

[mikest]

As the graphite shafts are lighter they will probably enable you to swing faster through the ball (i dont know if this is much of a problem) which would enable you to gain extra distance, i prefer steel shafts as for me tempo is everything and i like to feel that i've got something in my hands that i can control but do know a lot of guys (and girls) who have switched to graphite, mainly the older lads who I play with. as for stiff or regular, well without looking at your swing i couldnt advise really, a general rule i was told was that if you lose a lot of shots to the left (ie hooks) you should consider a stiffer shaft. it all depends on feel i suppose, when you say you hit them well what do you mean? what was the ball flight like, was it similar to your old clubs or lower? if you start hitting a lot of slices and your balls go lower stick with the regular shafts.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would suggest speaking to your club pro before you make any purchase. He should be able to analyse your swing speed. Basically (I may be wrong but hey) I understand that the more clubhead speed you generate the more you will benefit from stiffer shafts.

As these tour boys hit the ball in excess of 100mph they need the extra stiffness to be able to control the shots. COnversely if your swing is very slow or you don't get much turn, graphite being lighter, will give you increased speed and more distance.

I would say if you an average golfer and wanted to switch to steel shaft then regular flex will probably suffice but as I said at the beginning speak to a pro for accurate independent advice

 

[Doh]

welcome greengolfer

If you have been out of the game for eight years although not a very long time in the scheme of things but there has been significant advancement in shaft technology plus there are so many, and not all stiff or regular shafts are standard.So some are stiffer than others and so on. You need to look around and try as many as possible and then have them fitted to suit you.Just be aware that if you can get them fitted by a pro not someone who just wants to sell you a set of clubs.

 

[MVP]

homers about right on this one,
Have you tried your graphite clubs? If yes how did you get on. the good thing about golf theres no need to rush into buying equipment if your not sure.

 

[greengolfer]

Thanks
I usually hit the ball with a slight fade or slice if it all goes wrong, I was hitting Mizuno MP57`s with a stiff steel shaft, with a slight draw to straight hit.
I am 47 so not a youthfull player but have played on and off since I was 19,lowest handicap 17 but just been allocated 24 after my 3 cards at my new club.
I did purchase Ping G10`s with regular graphite shafts as fitted by my local range but I just can`t get on with them so i reverted to my old Wilson System 45`s at the weekend and gained 2 club lengths and much more accurate.
So I am thinking about changing to the Mizuno`s.

 

[viscount17]

Just to prove how difficult a question you have posed.
I have graphite shafts in my current irons; I don't have a particularly fast swing (I think it's around the low/mid-seventies for a 7-i).
I recently tried a steel-shafted G5 6-i. I found I was hitting this 15 - 20 yds further than my current 6 (and straighter!).
Whether this was due to the shaft, loft, lie or quality of club I have no idea.
I think it boils down to; listen to your pro but hit lots of clubs, as often as you can get away with until you find what's right for you.

 

[frasting]

shaft flex has to do with swing speed and strength of the player.
If your swing speed is 95mph or higher you might want to think about stiff shafts, and generally steel is the choice for adult males. Graphite is usually for ladies and seniors.

I'd recommend Steel for your irons, and go get your swing speed measured.