Switch from steel to graphite shafts

[Imurg]

A good, general, rule is to not drop more than 20g in weight from the steel to the graphite.
So if your stiff shafts are, say, KBS Tour at 120g something in the 100-105g region should give a similar weight feel.
Obviously actual feel will depend on the shaft
I went from the KBS to Recoil 95s...a constant weight shaft. Love them to bits and can play either stiff (F4) or Regular (F3)
They do a 110g version which may work out.
Mitsubishi do the MMT..another in the 105g range
Axiom are the new kid in town and they're expensive.
It's not just the lighter weight...graphite absorb the shock of club on ground much better than steel
Your hands, arms and elbows will thank you.

 

[need_my_wedge]

When I got fitted for my irons, I tried a range of shafts including graphite. I have always used medium stainless shafts but I had a fitting at Callaway in St. Andrews and after trying them all, the UST Recoil where head and shoulders above all the other options. Straighter with no loss of distance. I would though definitely recommend a fitting (from a good fitter with lots of options) to make sure you have the right configuration for you.

• How light did you go? - No idea. Whatever the UST Recoil 65 iron shaft is.
• Did you go for a softer/same/stiffer flex? - Same flex.
• Has it helped, physically? - They do feel lighter, but not intrusively so. It certainly feels very stable.

I’ve got the same Recoil shafts, 95 f4 stiff flex in my Mizuno irons. They are fantastic. They do feel a little lighter than my old Apex with steel shafts, but they also just feel way more controlled and balanced when swinging the club.

I recently went for a fitting for MP245’s and the same spec in them still outshines the steel equivalent.

No plans to go back for me, at least not yet.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Good morning.
I'm looking for advice from the middle-aged and older folks or anyone that's made the switch due to injury or health reasons.
I'm in my mid-50s and relatively big, fit and fast but have been struggling over the last year. With early retirement coming in just over a year I'm hoping to be playing more golf in the future, not less.
My problems really start about halfway through a second round in 2 days. I have no specific ache or pain; just a general fatigue in my back and arms. I usually just power through the discomfort, but I have a chronic nerve issue that means I can sometimes cause myself injury that doesn't become apparent until a few days later if I ignore the warning signs (I've spent the last 10 years ignoring the warning signs as they are usually phantom pains and it's difficult to switch off my competitive streak).

I have a couple of sets of steel shafted irons that I blend or rotate - one set is stiff and light, the other regular and medium weight. I don't like shafts where I can feel them flexing during my swing because my tempo can be a little frenetic. Because of this, even though I'm not that fast, I can only get on with stiff shafts in my driver, fairway woods and hybrids.

I know that the sensible advice will be to have a fitting and that is my intention, but I'm not sure that a fitting can replicate the physical stresses of 100 full shots and a 13 mile walk carrying a bag of clubs over 2 days.

Those who have switched:
How light did you go?
Did you go for a softer/same/stiffer flex?
Has it helped, physically?

Thank you.

Technology can be your friend here.

Recent developments in steel shafts have produced quite a crossover in performance. I was fitted for the new KBS Max Lite shafts as when I tried the equivalent graphite the performance was very similar. Why pay the upgrade charge for the same result.

 

[clubchamp98]

I have changed about two months ago.
From elevate 95 stiff steel to Recoil dart graphite 75 g F3 regular PXG gen 7 irons.
I have not noticed any real difference in weight while swinging.

What I have noticed is the pain in my wrists and lower back has improved.
Do you take big divots ( I do) and the graphite definitely dampens the shock.

A good fitting is a must .
But graphite is recommended imo.

 

[VVega]

On another hand, just weighted a few clubs from my “collection”. The graphite 7i was 415g total weight and the steel ones varied from 433 to 451g. Now, is 10-30g of weight difference going to be easier on the body?

To follow up on this, can anyone else measure their graphite irons weight? I’m interested in the total weight, not swing weight.

I noticed that I generate more clubhead speed with what feels like an easier swing with my hybrids. The total weight difference to comparable lengths irons is almost 100g. So I’m thinking of there is a build of graphite shaft irons that can be closer to this?

 

[jim8flog]

To follow up on this, can anyone else measure their graphite irons weight? I’m interested in the total weight, not swing weight.

I noticed that I generate more clubhead speed with what feels like an easier swing with my hybrids. The total weight difference to comparable lengths irons is almost 100g. So I’m thinking of there is a build of graphite shaft irons that can be closer to this?

This a bit of the 'how long is a piece of string' question.

The answer will depend on what graphite shaft and what grip has been fitted. Graphite shaft for irons can vary from around 45 to 100 gms.

For reference though a Taylormade 360 6 iron with a 65 grm shaft and velvet grip is 383 grm.

I also measured 2 6 irons with different steel shafts 410gms TT DG SL R 430gms TT DGR300

 

[VVega]

The answer will depend on what graphite shaft and what grip has been fitted. Graphite shaft for irons can vary from around 45 to 100 gms.

For reference though a Taylormade 360 6 iron with a 65 grm shaft and velvet grip is 383 grm.

Thanks! Very helpful. 55g of “discretionary” weight sounds like a lot but in reality the lighter shafts typically only available in “senior” /regular at best versions (as far as I can see).