What's the difference between steel shaft and graphite shaft? Is one of the easier to hit?

Question

What's the difference between steel shaft and graphite shaft? Is one of the easier to hit?

Answer 1

there is a difference in the weight of the shafts , a little more torque on the graphite and a bit more accuracy in the steel for the young and the strong. At 23, I was using super stiff for the woods and an almost super for the irons. At 43, I went to the regular flex shafts on both woods and irons. At 83. went to all graphite after switching to graphite shafts for the woods at 80.  Swing speed has decreased considerably . so with the help of graphite and one more club we still manage to hit a few greens in regulation.

Answer 2

Steel shaft

Weight around 120 g (Dynamic Gold).  But newest steel shaft can weight as low as 80g.  Has a low torque (resistance to twisting) thus some people say that steel shaft is more consistent than  graphite shaft.  However, they feel heavy and vibrate more when you mishit a shot.

Graphite

Weight around 60-80 g.  Has a mid torque (around 3.0-4.0).  Because of the torque, people often say graphite is not as accurate as steel shaft.   But it's true if you can swing your irons above 100 MPH (normal people swing around 75 MPH).  Otherwise, for average golfers, it does not twist as much as they think.  And they vibrate less on mishits.     So graphite shaft is recommended for everyone (except Pros).

Answer 3

Steel is the standard shaft, they started making graphite for the older guys because it was easier to hit the same distances as steel and it wasn't as hard on the joints at impact. But now everyone is using them, they can now make them to fit anyones swing speed but I think you lose the accuracy. They are always improving on them so they may have worked out the kinks, but I didn't like them in the irons.

Answer 4

to add to the above answers:

some people prefer the graphite because it absorbs the shock on mishits better.  i've seen guys my age (29- early 30's) use graphite irons and are really successful with them.  

test them both at a range.  use whatever lets you hit the ball farther with better accuracy.  don't get steel just cause other people are using it.  if your game is better with graphite shafts, go for it!

Answer 5

Basically it's the weight of the shaft.  I can't tell you weights for all manufacturers' shafts but I use TaylorMade Rac II irons, the shafts weigh about 65 grams (excluding the club head/grip).  Steel shafts weight about 90 grams.  I went to the graphite because I thought that the lighter club would improve my game but to my dismay all it did was cause me to lose distance.  After 5 years with these clubs and no success in increasing my club head speed I've ordered a new set of TM Burner Irons with steel shafts.  I tried a demo set and found that I was hitting my irons an average of 20 yards further with the steel shafts.

The graphite are fine for seniors and lady golfers but I think for men younger than 60, go with the steel.