Shafts: Steel or Graphite? Golf (Video) - by Pete Styles
Shafts: Steel or Graphite? Golf (Video) - by Pete Styles

The classic thing that we often hear when we talk about steel shafts or graphite shafts is that it should be ladies, seniors, and juniors that are going to use graphite shafts because it's lighter and therefore you can swing quicker with it, and therefore everybody else are strong guys, they should all be using steel shafts. The argument is a little bit more sort of blurring cloudier than that because this graphite shaft technology has improved, more people are starting to play with graphite shafts in other clubs. We're now seeing a few players on the PGA Tour, they're actually using graphite shaft right away through their set, not many but it's starting to create a little bit. The benefits of a graphite shaft are improving; the club head is now getting a little bit more controlled even with a graphite shaft.

And we all genuinely use graphite shafts in our woods because we want extra club head speed. So it's a nice little lightweight material particularly when you're making a 40, 43, 44, 45 inch shaft there, it's a lightweight material can swing very quickly, whereas the steel shaft in a long club will get quite heavy. Having a heavy club and a shorter iron is often a benefit, so most players would still have steel shafts in their short irons and their wedges because actually the heavier club just slows you down and give you a bit more rhythm. So the basic argument is if you need extra distance, you should be looking at graphite shaft in your longer clubs. And if extra accuracy, and control the rhythm is more what you're looking for, then go for a steel shaft.

If you're struggling with arthritis, and you're not very strong, and you have quite a short swing, maybe graphite would be better for you. I mentioned arthritis in there because actually the dampening effect of a graphite shaft being that the vibrations that shoots through your hands and your arms on an off center shot are going to be reduced with a graphite shaft. So if you're struggling to get around the whole golf course and you're getting pain, in your wrist, in your arms, in your elbows go for graphite shaft. If you need more distance graphite shafts again, if you're a strong player and accuracy in control is the priority have a look at steel shafts, but don't be afraid to experiment and try them out and see what works best for you.

2012-06-11

The classic thing that we often hear when we talk about steel shafts or graphite shafts is that it should be ladies, seniors, and juniors that are going to use graphite shafts because it's lighter and therefore you can swing quicker with it, and therefore everybody else are strong guys, they should all be using steel shafts. The argument is a little bit more sort of blurring cloudier than that because this graphite shaft technology has improved, more people are starting to play with graphite shafts in other clubs. We're now seeing a few players on the PGA Tour, they're actually using graphite shaft right away through their set, not many but it's starting to create a little bit. The benefits of a graphite shaft are improving; the club head is now getting a little bit more controlled even with a graphite shaft.

And we all genuinely use graphite shafts in our woods because we want extra club head speed. So it's a nice little lightweight material particularly when you're making a 40, 43, 44, 45 inch shaft there, it's a lightweight material can swing very quickly, whereas the steel shaft in a long club will get quite heavy. Having a heavy club and a shorter iron is often a benefit, so most players would still have steel shafts in their short irons and their wedges because actually the heavier club just slows you down and give you a bit more rhythm. So the basic argument is if you need extra distance, you should be looking at graphite shaft in your longer clubs. And if extra accuracy, and control the rhythm is more what you're looking for, then go for a steel shaft.

If you're struggling with arthritis, and you're not very strong, and you have quite a short swing, maybe graphite would be better for you. I mentioned arthritis in there because actually the dampening effect of a graphite shaft being that the vibrations that shoots through your hands and your arms on an off center shot are going to be reduced with a graphite shaft. So if you're struggling to get around the whole golf course and you're getting pain, in your wrist, in your arms, in your elbows go for graphite shaft. If you need more distance graphite shafts again, if you're a strong player and accuracy in control is the priority have a look at steel shafts, but don't be afraid to experiment and try them out and see what works best for you.