In this video I give you 3 ways to decide between graphite and steel shafts in your irons.
Interested in a fitting, custom build, or repair. Contact me
adam@elitefitgolf.com
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In this video I give you 3 ways to decide between graphite and steel shafts in your irons.
Interested in a fitting, custom build, or repair. Contact me
adam@elitefitgolf.com
37 Comments
Driver, fairway wood and hybrid all graphite. Why not play it in your irons? I'm ready to make the switch. Now it's all on me to choose the right shaft.
Went from KBS tour 120 to aldila NV 95s…just incredible feel
You don't talk about stability. From the reviews and testing I see, the Axioms 105S are more stable than the DG 105S. Steel is soft, heavy, and it bends. Graphite/composite shafts allows to get weight down and maintain/increase stiffness, making a more stable shaft.
Hand, arm, wrist, shoulder elbow issues. Graphic or stop playing.
Good video. I have played since age 6 but could not get to the Golf Course (Columbus CC) myself until turning 16 (1966) and I became a monster in 1976 (Lynx USA w/True Temper Dynamic Stiff, 130 gram shafts). That all said, Here are my thoughts.
1. When playing well, I could feel the steel shafts snap through the ball at the bottom of the swing. I played these irons for over 30 years including one US Open Qualifying. I absolutely knew when I crushed the ball.
2. I have surely hit over 1,000,000 range balls for sure. Currently, I will turn 74 on August 15. Since the LYNX, I played Wilson Midsize irons with Regular Steel 120 gram shafts. (Loved them.)
3. Nothing hits like a Mizuno. For sure. I had to have a set. Mizuno 850's with KBS Regular 90 gram shafts. I won so much money I HAD TO buy another set of Mizuno's.
4. Now playing Mizuno JPS 921 Hot Metals with 60 gram Senior Flex Project X Loading Zone GRAPHITE SHAFTS. I still fitted at Regular Flex but I wanted some shafts I could grow into. It worked.
5 My grip size is 1/16" undersize. I now use Winn Dri-Tac Wrap MIDSIZE to also help absorb the shock. I live in Houston. These grips along with the graphite shafts have really taken out the shock to my old body. ALL grips have to be replaced every Year in Houston.
6. Last comment. I have soft stepped my wedges for 25 years. It is a big deal…Lefthand Bob in Houston
I recently fit into MMT 85 with Mizuno, really happy with it. Shaft feels tight and powerful. I randomly have lower back issues so wanted something lighter for those days. Also not practicing as much after having kids. More amateur golfers should be in graphite. There’s an adjustment to the lighter weight but it’s so much easier on the body
The LA Golf shaft helped me get rid of the tendonitis in my elbow. I love them but damn, they are expensive! What do you think about shaft inserts like Sensicore, Shaftease, or Prosoft? Thanks!
Once you go graphite, you never go back
At the local used golf store there are 3 dozen sets of forged blades with S300 Tru Temper. Why? Impossible to hit.
I play Apollo stepless, but Kuro Kage are good for the money.
Great video! May I also add a caution not to choose based on "standard" thinking about age and swingspeed. I'm 66 and have always played 1" over STEEL (heavy) shafts. When I retired I thought I needed lighter, flexible shafts. I have found that (even though I've lost speed and distance) I still need STIFF HEAVY shafts for swing control. I tried irons with 65 gram graphite and had to ditch them. Currently gaming TaylorMade Irons with (Pured) i110 Steelfibre shafts and LOVE them!
would love to see steel shafts are on modern driver data results
This is unrelated, but I'm asking on your latest video to up the odds of getting an answer. I'm thinking of ordering wedges from an interesting wedge company, but unfortunately, they do zero customization. I'll have to bend, extend, and regrip. I want to keep their grip they send, but I'll need to build a standard grip to at a minimum, midsized. Is that too much of an ask of a little ol' standard grip?
Go graphite if you:
1. Need low weight shafts.
2. Need vibration dampening due to pain.
3. Hate having money.
Otherwise, steel's the deal.
Good stuff, would you consider making a video where you test each weight class at all swing speeds?
I'm 68 with a lot of arthritis in my hands but I play Project X 5.0 or KBS Tour 90 R flex shafts because I much prefer the feel of steel over graphite. I would like to try Areotech. Steelfiber shafts in a 95 gram weight but not sure what flex would be comparable to either shaft I use. Which Steelfiber shaft would be the best fit ?
I bought a set of irons 20+ years ago with graphite shafts, never looked back to steel. Over the years graphite iron shafts have come a long ways.
AJ, I think you missed the biggest determiner between graphite and steel. $$$.
I tried graphite shafts for a while, but always hit steel better. The only graphite set I hit good was an older set of Taylormade ladies clubs.
Fast forward 3 years to now, I have gone all the way to an older set of Adams, the V3 in a senior flex graphite. I still hit a Callaway uniflex steel good, but feel more consistent with the Adams V3.
For now it’s graphite for me. Most likely a senior flex.
Thanks for the video.
Man you have an effortlessly swing! I am pretty envious not gunna lie. 😂
Question…
Once you find a shaft fitted for you, is it a good starting point to try different iron heads?
Great video. I grew up playing steel in the 90s. As I got older, I developed some bad carpal tunnel syndrome in both of my wrists where my fingers would go completely numb. I ended up quitting golf altogether for a time because of it. Graphite iron shafts are the only thing that allowed me to get back to playing. I think the vibration/pain reduction is a very real factor when choosing between steel and graphite. It's great to see that there really isn't any difference in performance between the 2 options.
Added bonus of L series LAGP graphite is they are counterbalanced so if you play +1” like me you can have a 120g flex without having to use lighter heads to get d5 swingweight
I literally just tested my 7 iron with a modus 120 stiff against a MMT 125 stiff all with the same lie and length today to see if I should switch. The graphite shaft had the same distance with a lower flight compared to the steel. Why ill be switching is because it's way more consistent and dispersion was a lot tighter for me. I found the steel shaft had more of a balloon flight. It also felt easier to hit the same distance with less effort I.e. it was easier to let the weight of the club swing through the ball and do the work.
I choose graphite as my home is up against the seafront and rust attacks everything. It sneaks in into the inside of the shafts and does its nasty business. Graphite is not effected. As a senior golfer my arms are not strong anymore and a regular TM 65g ReAx shaft suits me well (swing speed below 75 mph)
I started playing golf again after 12yrs off. I used to play with steel shafts & graphite for woods. Now I use all graphite, I like it so much better. Feel, control, vibration. Another YouTube golf fitter says he recommends graphite whenever he can due to them being more forgiving & less harsh vibration. I agree 👍🏻
Hey Adam! Do you edit videos by yourself, or have you hired someone? Let me know if you’re interested, I offer high-quality edits.
still playing my Maltby TS1.1M with Axion shafts you built, love them.
I switched to graphite on T100s irons due to pain. Frankly, it hasn’t been much different. Our course is so hard, that I believe the only way to go is shallow my attack angle and I’m really not that steep. Anyone else have this issue?
I still playing with my steel fiber shaft.. which is ok
Graphite on all my clubs.
Great video. I got my 62 year old dad some new ping g430 irons but with KBs tour 120 S shafts. Looking back on it I’m a little worried they’ll be too heavy for him. He hasn’t had any complaints but is there anything I should be on the lookout for to see if he needs lighter or softer shafts?
You'll better illustrate the difference between steel and graphite shaft if you compare between a club with a 120gm steel stiff shaft and 90gm graphite stiff shaft with the same swing speed. Side by side comparison on same weight, swing speed and stiffness will just produce similar results
Hi, generic but relevant question – I changed ferrules in my new Mizuno 245 iron set but don't love them. Can I change them again, or is there a limit that hurts the integrity of the iron head? Thanks in advance.
Great video! I was fitted for the MMT 80g Stiff flex shaft during a PXG fitting but looking into Takomo 201 irons… torn on the KBS Tour lite regular or the Obsidian 95S 😩
I love a light shaft so i can feel the head alot easier. I tend to put lead tape on the heads
Would you suggest matching shafts between irons and wedges? I have a matching set 5-lob. I am looking at new irons and wedges. I don’t mind different brand heads but should I mix shafts? Hard to find premium wedges with graphite shafts without a custom order.