jack1
Assistant Pro
Why do some people choose graphite rather than steel shafted irons. I know a burly low handicapper who uses them at my club so they cant just be for old men!
Would you ever go graphite?
- Thread starter jack1
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HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
It isn't depends on a whole host of factors. Speak to a PGA pro and see what they advise. Definitely not an old mans choice these days.
tsped83
Tour Winner
Does Snedeker play graphite irons? Think they could be some kind of steel/graphite mix?
Ethan
Money List Winner
He uses Aerotech shafts which are essentially graphite inner and a steel outer. Good shafts and some models are pretty stiff. The advantages of graphite are weight and less shock at impact. Pros that use graphite, for example on the Champions Tour, mostly use mid or tour weight graphite and are protecting against recurrent wrist or elbow injuries.
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the_coach
Journeyman Pro
There's a few on USPGA tour now, Kuchar for one. Used to be graphite wasn't really stable enough to deal with the torque in the swing with the heavier iron heads, to be sure to get a similar repeatable strike consistently enough, it was a ways too variable.
Different methods now to make the newer graphite ('iron') shafts, so it can have a similar repeatable tolerance through strike which is why more tour players taking them up. Less effort needed (lighter shaft) so get same distance but now with better dispersion to rival steel. A lot to do with just where in the swing motion the players stresses the shaft & how 'violent' a motion that is as to whether it's the best option. Absorbs the vibrations of impact better so a little ways easier on the hands/wrists & arms (elbows) too.
Different methods now to make the newer graphite ('iron') shafts, so it can have a similar repeatable tolerance through strike which is why more tour players taking them up. Less effort needed (lighter shaft) so get same distance but now with better dispersion to rival steel. A lot to do with just where in the swing motion the players stresses the shaft & how 'violent' a motion that is as to whether it's the best option. Absorbs the vibrations of impact better so a little ways easier on the hands/wrists & arms (elbows) too.
BTatHome
Tour Winner
I tempted by graphite next time just for additional shock protection.
apj0524
Head Pro
Maybe a novice question, but I play graphite R7s irons which I appreciate they are quite old now but I like them I seem to strike the ball quite well with now. The pro how is coaching me says my club head speed is not high, so in hindsight would i have been easier to start playing with steel shafted irons, just curious?
Speak to a PGA pro :blah: :blah:
When did he say he wanted them or should he even
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Most people should just use what gives them the best results and what they feel comfortable using
Just give the shafts a try - ignore numbers and just see how they feel when hitting them
Just give the shafts a try - ignore numbers and just see how they feel when hitting them
Foxholer
Blackballed
Graphite used to be primarily for those who were after more club-head speed - as they were lighter.
They used to have issues with consistency of distance compared to steel. My Pro suggested I go steel shafted and I was convinced on the quick test - 4 balls spread across the fairway but less than a yard separated them for distance, whereas the Bubble 2 shafts I was using could vary by +/- 15 yards! Stiffer Graphite also used to also hurt joints!
These days, things have changed a lot. Steel has got much lighter (no good for me!) and Graphite has got more consistent - and more forgiving, so now the opposite; Graphite puts less pressure on fragile joints! There are also 'composites' like the Aerotech that try to achieve the best of both - but at considerable cost!!
So the answer is.. certainly would consider it, but currently happy with my heavy steel ones which smooth out my flakey swing!
They used to have issues with consistency of distance compared to steel. My Pro suggested I go steel shafted and I was convinced on the quick test - 4 balls spread across the fairway but less than a yard separated them for distance, whereas the Bubble 2 shafts I was using could vary by +/- 15 yards! Stiffer Graphite also used to also hurt joints!
These days, things have changed a lot. Steel has got much lighter (no good for me!) and Graphite has got more consistent - and more forgiving, so now the opposite; Graphite puts less pressure on fragile joints! There are also 'composites' like the Aerotech that try to achieve the best of both - but at considerable cost!!
So the answer is.. certainly would consider it, but currently happy with my heavy steel ones which smooth out my flakey swing!
DaveM
Tour Winner
Without seeing your swing. But if you have a low swing speed, graphite shafts should be spot on. Steel could slow your speed down even more. What is your swing speed?
MGL
Challenge Tour Pro
Kuchar and Snedeker play Aerotech Steelfiber i95 model in stiff.
They are sold as composite shafts, as already mentioned - graphite core with 59 miles of thin steel fibre wound round the graphite. Feel like graphite, play like steel.
Very stable and very nice to use. I have a set of the Ami99 players spec in a set and love them. Well worth trying if you can find anyone who has them. Not cheap though!!
They are sold as composite shafts, as already mentioned - graphite core with 59 miles of thin steel fibre wound round the graphite. Feel like graphite, play like steel.
Very stable and very nice to use. I have a set of the Ami99 players spec in a set and love them. Well worth trying if you can find anyone who has them. Not cheap though!!
Andy
Tour Winner
I've got the UST Recoil in my Apex Pro's. Love them. As stable as any steel Ive had but far more user friendly and greT from full shots to punch and knock downs.
Expensive but when you get a reps deal what the hell
Expensive but when you get a reps deal what the hell
TheJezster
Tour Rookie
I have graphite shafts. Got them in my Cleveland fitting last year. I have a smooth swing, I don't try to kill the ball so work perfectly for me. I'm all for what works best, couldn't give a crap about anything else. It's too easy to have an ego in this game so you just have to have faith in the person fitting you.
Oxfordcomma
Challenge Tour Pro
When I went for the Benross day a few months ago the difference was a revelation, the ball flight that I got with the same club/same loft but graphite rather than steel shafts sold me on it immediately. Got to say, I don't quite understand why it makes such a difference, and if anyone cares to explain I'd be interested. I'm a high handicapper with a slow-medium swing speed, and I get that the lighter shaft enables me to swing faster. But this is the same flex rating and same head/loft/lie. So how come it goes so much higher with the graphite shaft?
(Not that I'm complaining! Still loving the Benross irons and the high-loft fairway wood is sooo easy to hit.
)
(Not that I'm complaining! Still loving the Benross irons and the high-loft fairway wood is sooo easy to hit.
)
williamalex1
Money List Winner
I've used graphite shafts since 1984 [ i was 37 ] and immediately i gained about 15 yards with every club.No shock waves when you don't hit it sweet , no rust , no sunshine glare [ when playing abroad ]
I still use the same set of irons no change in them, but i'm a bit shorter.
I still use the same set of irons no change in them, but i'm a bit shorter.
apj0524
Head Pro
Last time I used a launch Monitor I swung my 7i about 75 mph
moogie
Tour Winner
Been using graphites for years now
Dodgy elbows made me switch
Never looked back since
Currently play Accra Tour graphites in my irons
A few wedges with UST Recoils
More than happy :thup:
Plenty top quality graphites out there now that play similar to steel but with the "give" necessary for some with wrist/elbow/joint issues
But as stated, Quality has a premium, but worth it
Dodgy elbows made me switch
Never looked back since
Currently play Accra Tour graphites in my irons
A few wedges with UST Recoils
More than happy :thup:
Plenty top quality graphites out there now that play similar to steel but with the "give" necessary for some with wrist/elbow/joint issues
But as stated, Quality has a premium, but worth it
G1BB0
Money List Winner
I am tempted to switch, several surgeries on shoulder and elbow does leave me with twinges here and there. Will wait till I rejoin a club and get my swing back but deffo on the cards. I have set of MD tour steel with ust graphite and took them up the range and hit them sweet also no twinges. Older shafts though so more modern ones I am sure would be much more consistent.
At the end of the day it's what works for you and sod what anyone else says
At the end of the day it's what works for you and sod what anyone else says
DCB
Well-known member
Recently picked up a set of graphite shafted irons in senior flex to help me get swinging the club again once I get the go ahead from the surgeon. Having had a slower, smooth swing prior to my accident I've made the choice to try and help me keep the swing speed up and also to use the slightly better shock absorbing properties of a graphite shaft.
The logic is sound, all I need is the OK from the surgeon, which will hopefully come in a weeks time, and I'll be trying them out to see if they work as expected
The logic is sound, all I need is the OK from the surgeon, which will hopefully come in a weeks time, and I'll be trying them out to see if they work as expected
