Jekyll
Medal Winner
This was briefly touched on in another thread, but can anyone explain to me why I hit my steel shaft 3 wood and driver much better than my graphite shaft woods? Probably a daft question, but at times it does my head in! 
Steel V Graphite
- Thread starter Jekyll
- Start date
Not sure of the technical bit but I was amazed when I went to a demo day with Callaway and had been happily hitting steel shafted clubs (My TMr7's at the time were steel) and the guy came over and said for my swing I needed graphite. Being only about 40 at the time I viewed graphite as old mens shafts but once I had hit a few the difference was amazing.
I hit the ball on average 4 yards per club longer and my dispersion (where they all landed) was much more tightly packed. I was still using an old Callaway steelhead+ 3 and 5 wood in steel shafts (lovely clubs - nice compact head) but even when I switched to graphite woods I was getting better results.
I think from a personal perspective I have a very (too) quick swing and with steel being heavier I didn't always manage to get the timing right. With the graphite being marginally lighter my swing and my body are able to get the club back through the ball easier. As I say not good on science but all I know is I'm glad I made the switch
I hit the ball on average 4 yards per club longer and my dispersion (where they all landed) was much more tightly packed. I was still using an old Callaway steelhead+ 3 and 5 wood in steel shafts (lovely clubs - nice compact head) but even when I switched to graphite woods I was getting better results.
I think from a personal perspective I have a very (too) quick swing and with steel being heavier I didn't always manage to get the timing right. With the graphite being marginally lighter my swing and my body are able to get the club back through the ball easier. As I say not good on science but all I know is I'm glad I made the switch
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
It might be the weight, as I just can't hit lightweight shafts. I end up swishing it at a million miles an hour.
So, question:
Were they c/f'ed. At Titleist, once they had found the shaft that was best, I tried 3 different weight shafts in the same spec to see which I was happiest with.
2nd question:
Is the shaft stiffness right for you?
So, question:
Were they c/f'ed. At Titleist, once they had found the shaft that was best, I tried 3 different weight shafts in the same spec to see which I was happiest with.
2nd question:
Is the shaft stiffness right for you?
Jekyll
Medal Winner
They weren't custom fitted, at the moment I'm using An MD Golf Blackhawk 3 wood and driver, steel shafts, which I really like and work well. My latest graphite driver and 3 wood are Wilson Deep Reds, latest in a long line! I do tend to have a good "swish" at them when using graphite.
I was wondering about using stiff shafts.
I was wondering about using stiff shafts.
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
If you like the steel shaft in your driver, then I would think stiff, and also heavy.
Do you lose it right or left (assuming your are right handed, and not in league with the devil).
Do you lose it right or left (assuming your are right handed, and not in league with the devil).
Jekyll
Medal Winner
I'm right handed and tend to lose it right (though, sod's law, last time out was hitting them left). Not badly though. The problem with the graphites is actually getting it away cleanly from the tee. When I do catch them cleanly with the graphite it's more than pleasing, last time out I hit the driver clear over a fairway bunker which always seems to gobble up your drive, but once or twice a round isn't good enough.
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
If you lose it right, then stiff will make it worse.
My advice? Get c/f for a new driver. Don't just buy one off the shelf and hope.
My advice? Get c/f for a new driver. Don't just buy one off the shelf and hope.
Macster
Journeyman Pro
You are not alone, believe me.
I had a G5 Driver, which I could be very erratic with, and then this year got a Custom Fitted 909 D2 from Titleist, which proved even more erratic, and every Driver I have tried this year, I have been able to splay all over the place.
However, my trusty old Calaway WarBird 5 Wood, with Steel Shaft, is uber reliable, and since also trying my sons Taylor Made R7 3 Wood, also Steel shafted, it has proved very consistent too, and strangely, with very very good distance. (240yds.)
I'm even thinking of looking out for a Steel shafted Driver, perhaps 11*.
I also played a Club Match last week with a chap who found exactly the same, Steel all the way.
I had a G5 Driver, which I could be very erratic with, and then this year got a Custom Fitted 909 D2 from Titleist, which proved even more erratic, and every Driver I have tried this year, I have been able to splay all over the place.
However, my trusty old Calaway WarBird 5 Wood, with Steel Shaft, is uber reliable, and since also trying my sons Taylor Made R7 3 Wood, also Steel shafted, it has proved very consistent too, and strangely, with very very good distance. (240yds.)
I'm even thinking of looking out for a Steel shafted Driver, perhaps 11*.
I also played a Club Match last week with a chap who found exactly the same, Steel all the way.
RGDave
Money List Winner
i.m.h.o.
there are simply no hard and fast rules re; steel vs. graphite.
I find my graphites as reliable as my steels were and and I was using steel throughout until a year ago (discounting driver).
So hard to say which is better, but if you find steel more reliable, play with steel.
there are simply no hard and fast rules re; steel vs. graphite.
I find my graphites as reliable as my steels were and and I was using steel throughout until a year ago (discounting driver).
So hard to say which is better, but if you find steel more reliable, play with steel.
I have to be honest and say I think unless you got a steel shaft fitted via C/F you will struggle to find many makes and models that actually come in steel now.
RGDave
Money List Winner
Too true......
If I came to the decision that steel was better for me, I'd simply go back to my old fairway woods.
Macster
Journeyman Pro
Interestingly, I was just browsing Ebay for Steel shafted Drivers, and just missed out on a Titleist 905T with Steel shaft, thought it was worth a punt at £65, ....but I was outbid 
Jekyll
Medal Winner
Must admit I'm happy with the MD woods, although as I said I keep trying graphites. Think I'll look for a custom fitting service up here though and see what they come up with. Can't see me dropping the MD woods though.......probably a bit of a security blanket!
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
Even Tiger has swapped from steel to graphite. Mind you, he can't drive either.
Jekyll
Medal Winner
True! Don't feel so bad now.Similar threads
