GOLF CLUBS. steel/graphite shafts?

GOLF CLUBS. steel/graphite shafts?

Author
Discussion

gallardoguy

Original Poster:

8,160 posts

226 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2007
quotequote all
i took up the game last summer & am going to go at it properly this year so i'm investing in a proper set of clubs.

can anyone tell me the advantages of graphite over steel shafts?
do only very good players benefit from graphite shafts?
are 20+ handicappers better off with steel?
does it just come down to personal preference?
what do pro's use?

its a minefield so any help would be good.

the jiffle king

7,060 posts

265 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Not an expert golfer, but it's worth asking in a pro-shop what they think you should do. I use steel shafts as I don't need the "whippiness" of graphite, but it's a personal perference. Graphite shafts are typically used by the young and old, and those with slower swings, but a Pro shop will give you reasonable advice

T-J-K

craggers

2,496 posts

291 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
As a golfer for many years (nearly 20 years and I'm only 27) - Found that steel shaft give more accurate shot than graphite' for beginner. More experienced golfer who can master the shot perfectly everytime should be able to use graphite shaft to control it.

My club is Callaway S2H2 Steel shaft (full set) and King Cobra SZ400 Graphite shaft (Adilla' Stiff with mid kick).


Edited by craggers on Thursday 4th January 09:00

gallardoguy

Original Poster:

8,160 posts

226 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
thanks for the advice.

my swing feels more assured with the extra weight of steel shafts to be honest. graphites are so light they seem to magnify any imperfection. but i guess its snobbery that was leading me to want graphite.

we always want the best & latest toys dont we!

ballon

1,173 posts

226 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Have been golfing for 3.5 decades now and have changed my clubs 3 times, latest being last year.

I have always been advised by by the pro to use steel shafts as I generate enough clubhead speed being 6'2" and don't need the assistance you get from graphite.

I would get advice from a GC

percy flage

1,770 posts

229 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
If you're a member of a club, speak to your Club pro. Have a couple of lessons, he'll be able to give you proper advice based on what he sees and how you swing.

If you're not a club member, go to a club near you, and guess what..... speak to the pro, have a couple of lessons, take some advice.

He's trained to do this, believe it or not.

percy flage

1,770 posts

229 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Oh, and he may give you a surprisingly good deal on clubs, too.

gallardoguy

Original Poster:

8,160 posts

226 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
whats the deal with having your clubs fitted for you?

can you buy a standard set of clubs & have them fitted or does it have to be a custom job from the beginning?

percy flage

1,770 posts

229 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
gallardoguy said:
whats the deal with having your clubs fitted for you?

can you buy a standard set of clubs & have them fitted or does it have to be a custom job from the beginning?


Yes and no.

Can you buy an off the peg suit that fits you perfectly? Some people can, some can't. The same goes for clubs.

Clubs are mass produced, but all the tour pros will have their clubs made for them, fitted for them so they swing nice.

A bit like a suit, really.

robw20vt

27 posts

225 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
The advantage of graphite shafts over steel are that they are lighter which means you can swing the club faster and get more distance, the downside is that some people will find them too light and will lose control of the club resulting in less accuracy and more miss hit shots. Graphite also has better dampening properties which makes it better for people who have injuries or arthritis. Although some graphite shafts are quite whippy they can be made to be as stiff as steel, which is why nearly all the worlds top golfers use graphite in their drivers for maximum distance and steel in their irons for maximum control.

craggers

2,496 posts

291 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
robw20vt said:
The advantage of graphite shafts over steel are that they are lighter which means you can swing the club faster and get more distance, the downside is that some people will find them too light and will lose control of the club resulting in less accuracy and more miss hit shots. Graphite also has better dampening properties which makes it better for people who have injuries or arthritis. Although some graphite shafts are quite whippy they can be made to be as stiff as steel, which is why nearly all the worlds top golfers use graphite in their drivers for maximum distance and steel in their irons for maximum control.


Perfect answer ! yes

rlk500

917 posts

259 months

Friday 5th January 2007
quotequote all
Not sure that I agree that Graphite are more difficult to control. I have a mixed set of clubs, with both steel and graphite shafts. The graphite clubs are a lot more forgiving than the steel shafted clubs, they fly straighter and the feel from the club is better. Look at most rescue/hybrid clubs, they are almost all graphite because they forgive the little errors in swing that we all have. You should get a few clubs together from the pro. (steel and graphite) and try them on the range (preferably from grass), buy the ones that work best for you, confidence is everything at this game.

ysnnim

235 posts

238 months

Friday 5th January 2007
quotequote all
Was talking to a colleague recently - a good golfer - who got his last set made for him. The outfit he used spent a heap of time measuring, analysing swing, testing, and the set that he ended up with are 'the best he's ever used' at a pretty reasonable price...

Well worth considering I guess..