Golf club question... graphite or steel shafts for irons?

[BigSmooth]

I'm a casual golfer but I've already been out a few times this year and I've realized how much I enjoy the game and want to play more this summer. I definitely need some new equipment as I am using my dad's old Dunlop clubs that are probably 25 years old along with a 10+ year old Mizuno driver and some other random clubs.

I started looking at some new woods but I've realized that I should get some new irons as well. I have been looking at both graphite and steel shafted irons. I've hit both in stores but it's really hard to tell what it will be like when you are actually out on the course.
The price difference is negligible, so I am wondering what the ATOT golfers think about this. Do graphite-shafted irons offer enough "feel"? Is it harder/more important to find shafts that fit your game/swing speed if you go with graphite? Anything else I should take into consideration?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[GasX]

Easy version:

Graphite is easier to hit straight.

Steel goes further.

 

[Izzo]

I think a general rule of thumb is that if you have a fast swing then you should go with steel shafts. If you have a slower speed and need the whip that a graphite shaft gives, then you should go with graphite. I go with the stiff steel shaft (get your mind out of the gutter) because the face always opens up on graphite clubs for me. It's all personal preference though.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Easy version:

Graphite is easier to hit straight.

Steel goes further.

It's the opposite.

 

[Izzo]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Easy version:

Graphite is easier to hit straight.

Steel goes further.

Would you care to elaborate on that? I've never heard it that way. Don't most graphite clubs go further because of the whip generated from the shaft? Isn't that why most drivers are made from graphite/composite shafts now?

edit: okay, I see doggiedogg agrees. n/m now.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Easy version:

Graphite is easier to hit straight.

Steel goes further.

WRONG!!

you have to get fitted for the right flex. It doesnt matter which shaft u use, if u use the right one u will hit it FURTHER AND straighter

graphite shafts are more expensive.

To be safe (that is if u dont want to get fitted), just get a steel flex and use the REGULAR shaft. This would be the safe way.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Izzo

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Easy version:

Graphite is easier to hit straight.

Steel goes further.

Would you care to elaborate on that? I've never heard it that way. Don't most graphite clubs go further because of the whip generated from the shaft? Isn't that why most drivers are made from graphite/composite shafts now?

edit: okay, I see doggiedogg agrees. n/m now.

I think the main reason why drivers are made of graphite because graphite is lighter, and also Flexes more. However a club that flexes too much for your swing speed can be hazardous also, since you will not be able to control it

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Izzo

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Easy version:

Graphite is easier to hit straight.

Steel goes further.

Would you care to elaborate on that? I've never heard it that way. Don't most graphite clubs go further because of the whip generated from the shaft? Isn't that why most drivers are made from graphite/composite shafts now?

edit: okay, I see doggiedogg agrees. n/m now.

oops - brain fart...

😱

 

[rgwalt]

How big are you? Here is something to consider... You can get a good set of relatively cheap clubs with steel shafts on them that will perform great. Say a $200 set of irons w/ steel shafts. You might be able to get the same set of clubs for $250 or $300 with graphite shafts. The problem is that as you get into lower price clubs, the graphite shafts aren't of the same quality as the high priced clubs. Making good graphite shafts with all the desired physical properties is expensive.

Cheaper graphite shafts tend to be too flexible and more "whippy". As a result, if you are an average sized (or big) person, or have a lot of muscle, you will tend to generate too much speed and cheap graphite shafts will start causing you problems with your game. If you are a smaller (thinner, lighter, shorter) person, you might want to consider graphite shafts as the whippy nature will allow you generate a lot of distance, and you shouldn't have as many problems as stronger person might have.

That being said, since you don't play much, you might initially benefit from graphite shafts, but as your strength increases, you'll probably end up needing steel shafts. Also, since the cost difference between graphite and steel shafts can be $50 to $100, save the extra money and buy yourself a nice new driver, a couple of woods, a new putter, a new bag, etc. Or roll the extra money into a nicer set of clubs.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

Ryan

 

[BigSmooth]

I'm a relatively big guy, 6' and 210 lbs. I swing hard... probably too hard. 😛 I do plan on getting my swing speed measured and getting fitted for club length/flex at some point before I buy.
I was just curious what the overall impression was between the two materials. The graphite-shafted irons I tried out in the store seemed a lot less "whippy" than ones I've tried in the past.

 

[Izzo]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: Izzo

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Easy version:

Graphite is easier to hit straight.

Steel goes further.

Would you care to elaborate on that? I've never heard it that way. Don't most graphite clubs go further because of the whip generated from the shaft? Isn't that why most drivers are made from graphite/composite shafts now?

edit: okay, I see doggiedogg agrees. n/m now.

I think the main reason why drivers are made of graphite because graphite is lighter, and also Flexes more. However a club that flexes too much for your swing speed can be hazardous also, since you will not be able to control it

Yeah, that's kinda what I was getting at. You can swing faster with a lighter club, but there is a limit on how fast you can swing it (i.e. there's a point where a lighter club will not make you swing faster). That's where the flex comes into play. On your downswing, the shaft flexes it because it's not strong enough to accelerate the club head as fast as the handle of the club. (Insert some mumbojumbo physics crap about angular acceleration and the force required to accelerate two particles at different radii). At the bottom of your swing, the shaft starts to "whip" back into its original form generating more clubhead speed and, thus, hitting the ball farther. However, if you have a flex that is less than sufficient for your swing speed, the shaft will not be able to return to it's proper shape, forcing the club face to remain open and causing your shots to be rather erratic. IMO of course.

 

[Izzo]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
I'm a relatively big guy, 6' and 210 lbs. I swing hard... probably too hard. 😛 I do plan on getting my swing speed measured and getting fitted for club length/flex at some point before I buy.
I was just curious what the overall impression was between the two materials. The graphite-shafted irons I tried out in the store seemed a lot less "whippy" than ones I've tried in the past.

Most golf clubs (especially woods) have blue or red stickers on the shaft with letters like "F" or "S-90" indicating how stiff the shaft is. That could have some bearing on clubs feeling more or less whippy than ones you've used in the past.

 

[Curly01]

Let's not forget about the flex point of a shaft. 🙂 Flex points have a lot to do with the trajectory of the ball.

 

[sohcrates]

You should go to a decent golf shop and have them measure your swing speed. That's what i did, and based on that and my size they decided i should use steel shafts in my irons. They also recommended a shaft flex for my driver.

NOTE: you don't have to buy the clubs from them...just get some ideas of flex and make etc...then you can go online and if you feel comfortable buy a set cheaper off ebay or something.

I got a decent deal and liked buying from my shop so i got the set in the store, but my friend got the same set as i did online for about $100 cheaper.