what is the difference in the type of steel in golf clubs

Steel shafts are now offered in lighter weights than ever before but not as light as graphite

and not as varied in the flex profiles available. Steel tends to have very low torque (rotation during the swing) and also a stiffer tip section, while graphite can offer much higher torque rates and more flex in the tip.

Full Answer

What type of steel is used in golf clubs?

Carbon Steel Used in either irons, wedges and putters, carbon steel has been used in golf clubs for centuries. Most will associate carbon steel irons and wedges to be forged, as this was the primary method of fabricating these clubs. However, certain alloys of carbon steel can be cast as well (8620 carbon steel) to produce a club head.

What is the difference between carbon steel and stainless steel golf clubs?

More skilled golfers tend to gravitate toward models made of carbon steel as some say that can tell a difference in the feel of the material verses the harder stainless steel. More importantly, head made of softer, carbon steel tend to be less of a game improvement design and are tended more for the lower handicapped golfer.

How do steel golf clubs work?

Steel clubs resonate on impact and direct the vibrations through the shaft up to the golfer’s hand giving it a more solid feel. If the player hits the ball off the sweet spot or the center of gravity of the club face, the vibrations produced might be greater. It gives a crisp feeling, or feedback, as professionals like to call it.

Should you choose steel or graphite shafts for your golf clubs?

There used to be a basic rule for iron shafts – if you’re a strong, competitive player you choose steel, and if you’re older, slower, a woman, or generally not athletic, you choose graphite. Steel shafts were always known as exceptionally consistent while graphite was unpredictable and overly light and flexible.

What type of steel is used for golf club shafts?

– Steel shafts They are often made from carbon steel, but stainless steel is sometimes used, and start at 120 grams. Many players will benefit from having steel irons as torque or lateral twisting found in all graphite shafts doesn't occur in steel.

Is graphite or titanium better for golf clubs?

The advantage of graphite shafts (which is really graphite combined with titanium) is that it is much lighter than titanium and therefore easier to swing. The lighter nature of the clubs also enable the manufacturers to move much of the weight in the clubs' head back further, which makes the clubs more forgiving.

Should my irons be steel or graphite?

Historically speaking, steel shafts have been better for more advanced or higher swing speed players. Graphite has been more ideal for people with more moderate swings or players wanting maximum distance.

Are steel golf clubs better?

Typically, steel shafts are much heavier, more durable and are generally less expensive than their graphite counterparts. They are more often than not made from stainless steel and they tend to weigh in between around 90g-120g. Torque or lateral twisting found in all graphite shafts is lower in steel irons.

Do any pros use graphite irons?

In total 100% of the top 100 PGA Tour pros use graphite shafts in their drivers, fairway woods and hybrid clubs. 14 out of the top 100 use graphite shafts in their utility irons while 21 pros use steel.

Does Tiger Woods use steel or graphite shafts?

If you're considering a steel shaft in your driver or fairway woods, please consider a proper club fitting. A steel driver shaft is a thing of the past. Tiger Woods used a steel shaft in his driver, a True Temper X100, but moved away from it 20 years ago. Even competitors in the World Long Drive use graphite shafts.

What pros use graphite shafts?

Graphite iron shafts have been used by PGA TOUR professionals for decades including FedExCup Champion Brandt Snedeker and US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau. There's also a third option in iron shafts which may eventually fall into the “best of both worlds” category.

What flex should my irons be?

In general, golfers with driver swing speeds over 95 mph should play stiff flex shafts, and those under 95 mph should play regular flex. Shafts also come in extra stiff (105+ mph) and senior flex (under 85 mph).

Do you swing slower with graphite shafts?

Graphite Shafts These are much more flexible when compared to the steel shafts. This makes them a perfect choice for those who prefer lighter clubs and have slower swing speed.

Should a high handicapper use steel or graphite shafts?

High-handicapped golfers who need help generating speed should use graphite, this will really help them pick up speed. Steel could help you with stability though. What is this? The most important thing is to be fit for the right shaft flex whether it be in graphite or steel.

How do I know if I need stiff or regular flex irons?

If you have a slower swing speed, you are probably going to want to choose regular shafted clubs because the additional flex will provide a little more power and accuracy. When you swing harder, the stiff flex will be more controlled and give you the punch you need to hit better shots.

Do pro golfers use steel shafts?

In almost all cases, your driver and fairway woods will have graphite shafts. The real question comes down to the irons. The status quo has always been that professionals and low-handicap golfers use steel shafts, while amateurs and beginners benefit more from graphite shafts.

Why use titanium in golf clubs?

Second, the reason for titanium is for the strength and lightweight nature.

Which is more expensive, maraging steel or aluminum?

Maraging steels are more expensive to produce, therefore would be more in the premium price range, which is the trade-off for the higher performance. Aluminum. Aluminum is a much lighter material than stainless steel. Early metal woods made from aluminum back in 1970’s and 80’s were not very strong or durable.

What material is used to make wood?

Therefore the ball speed coming off the face would be less than a comparable titanium driver. Carbon Graphite. Carbon graphite is an extremely lightweight material and can be used to create a wood (usually with some sort of metallic soleplate for durability and additional weight).

What is a maraging golf club head?

Another more recent addition to the number of materials used in golf club head manufacturing is maraging steel, which is an alloy or family of steel with unique properties. Typically maraging steels are harder than non-maraging steels like 431 or 17-4 and used primarily for face inserts rather than the whole head.

What is the most common titanium alloy?

With driver heads reaching the maximum volume of 460 cubic centimeters, the most common alloy is 6/4 Titanium, by which 90% of the material is titanium, 6% is aluminum and 4% is vanadium.

What is 17-4 stainless steel?

One is 17-4 stainless steel (comprising of no more than 0.07% carbon, between 15 an 17% chromium, 4% nickel, 2.75% copper, and 75% iron and trace elements). 17-4 used primarily for metal woods, hybrids and some irons.

What is the maximum size of a golf driver?

Drivers can also be made of 17-4, but due to the high density of the material, the limit on size is approximately 250cc without the risk of cracking during normal play. Because golfers prefer larger, easier-to-hit drivers, virtually no drivers today are even manufactured from stainless steel.

What shafts are used in PGA Tour driving irons?

In fact, a number of PGA Tour professionals are now using composite shafts in their driving irons, and some, like Brandt Snedeker, Matt Kuchar, and Fred Couples, are playing composite shafts in their standard irons. With all the different options, choosing the right iron shafts can be difficult. So how do you know if you should choose steel ...

Why do you use graphite shafts?

Graphite shafts will eliminate many of the detrimental vibrations but also transmit a much more muted feel to the hands, posing a challenge for some players when first making the switch. According to Briand, the most common problem for players making the transition from steel to graphite is getting the feel for the clubhead during the swing. But he also finds that most get used to the new sensation very quickly and almost none go back to steel once they’ve become accustomed to graphite.

Is graphite better for your body?

You have an injury or other physical issues: Anyone with injuries to the upper body (wrists, hands, elbows, shoulders, etc.) is a good candidat e for a graphite shaft. Steel transmits potentially damaging vibrations much more readily than graphite and also tends to be heavier, which places more strain on the body. If you’ve had neck or back problems lighter weight graphite can be a big help for you, too.

Is steel shaft lighter than graphite?

Steel shafts are now offered in lighter weights than ever before but not as light as graphite and not as varied in the flex profiles available. Steel tends to have very low torque (rotation during the swing) and also a stiffer tip section, while graphite can offer much higher torque rates and more flex in the tip.

Can you go back to steel after switching to graphite?

But he also finds that most get used to the new sensation very quickly and almost none go back to steel once they’ve become accustomed to graphite.

Is graphite or steel more consistent?

Steel shafts were always known as exceptionally consistent while graphite was unpredictable and overly light and flexible. In truth, many of these generalizations were actually somewhat accurate, as graphite shafts were a work in progress for quite awhile.

What is the best thing about golf?

The great thing about golf in today’s era is that golfers have access to some wonderful technology that can allow them to experiment and figure out what is best for their game.

What shafts do most drivers come with?

Most drivers, fairway woods and hybrids now come in graphite shafts. The extra distance and the quality of the graphite shafts help make this a solid option for just about all golfers.

Why is graphite important in golf?

The additional flex in the graphite shafts provides additional power in the golf swing. This is really important to the golfer that struggles with swing speed. This extra kick can be helpful for golf with a slower swing speed.

Why are graphite shafts so good?

The graphite shafts can feel more comfortable and easier to hit. The lightweight nature of the graphite shaft provides additional swing speed and the golfer is able to hit the ball further. With the additional torque the golfer can feel a bit of a trampoline like affect with a solid struck ball. The smoothness of the graphite shafts feel great ...

How many yards of distance can you get with a graphite shaft?

Depending on what club you are hitting, due to the additional swing speed with the graphite shaft, you can expect 5-12 yards of additional distance with each club.

How fast can a senior golfer swing?

If as a senior golfer, your driver swing speed is still over 95 miles per hour, you can still get away with playing steel shafts in your irons, but it is something to keep an eye on as your swing speed slows down as your age.

Can I play steel irons?

I personally have played both steel and graphite irons. I used graphite as a young junior golfer and then shifted to steel shafts in my irons as I gained additional swing speed and got bigger and stronger.

Which shaft is better for a golfer?

However, if you are a player who struggles with clubhead speed and distance, then the graphite shafts will be better for you since they are lighter so you will swing faster and in turn, the ball will go further.

What is the difference between graphite and steel shafts?

On the other hand, graphite shafts are lighter, less durable, but hit the ball further due to extra swing speed. I standby the recommendation of steel shafts for everything but fairway woods and drivers.

Why are graphite shafts so easy to break?

Since the graphite shafts are lighter, this is why they are much easier to break. In addition to their lighter weight, they are also easier to break due to their increased flex, since steel does not flex very much if at all during a normal golf swing. This brings us nicely onto ….

How much does a graphite shaft weigh?

The difference can be up to twice the weight in fact, with graphite shafts tending to be in the weight range of sixty to seventy grams, while steel shafts weigh between one hundred and one hundred twenty grams. Now, this makes a difference because the weight has a direct effect on clubhead speed, making your speed faster with decreased weight.

Why is graphite more flexible than steel?

One simply because of the material that each shaft is made out of, only in superhero movies do you see steel bend as if it is a normal occurrence. However, graphite is generally much more flexible as a material which makes it more flexible in a golf shaft. It is also due to the decrease in weight that makes the shaft more flexible ...

What type of shaft do pro golfers use?

Similar to the answer from the previous question, you will often see that a pro golfer uses steel shafts for his irons, wedges, and putter but when it comes to his longer clubs they often opt for graphite shafts.

Which shaft is better for high handicap?

Based on the decreased accuracy with the flex of graphite shafts, steel shafts are better for high handicappers. In addition to this added forgiveness, the clubs are more responsive overall which allows you to gain a better feel for your strikes and swings.

What is the most common type of steel used in golf clubs?

Chrome-plated steel is another very commonly used steel in the golf club industry. It is a complex type of steel similar to the qualities of titanium, used to make both shafts and club heads. It is a prevalent material for making up irons and wedges with proven compression and distance characteristics.

What is the softest steel for golf?

Carbon Steel is another type of soft steel, along with 304 steel, one of the softest known steels. Consequently, it provides perhaps the best feel possible for woods and irons. However, the restricted capability to compress the ball and lower distance makes Carbon Steel unpopular among professional golfers.

What is the best metal for golf clubs?

Tungsten is another preferred metal alloy for making up golf clubs due to its strength, density, and high resistance to wear. The alloy is mainly used for making club heads. Club heads made by Tungsten provide the necessary strength and durability without adding extra weight, which makes them quite comfortable.

What is a Ti alloy?

Ti – Alloy is an aluminum product with microelements of titanium. It is an inexpensive alternative to the more valuable alloys used in the golf club industry. Just like Zink and Aluminum, they also find use by beginners and junior golfers.

What is the hardest metal to play golf?

Maraging Metal is considered the hardest metal in golf. It is a type of Stainless Steel, got through a unique process of hardening. It is not among the most popular materials in the golf industry but finds preference for making up high-performing woods and utility irons.

What is 304 stainless steel?

304 Stainless Steel is not among the often used materials for making up golf clubs. It is mild steel and offers an excellent feel for clubs. However, it does not provide enough compression and distance, so desired by many golfers.

What was the first material to be used in golf clubs?

Iron was the first material that altered the so popular persimmon, by which golf clubs, especially golf shafts, were made up to the 19th century. Today is scarce to find a golf club made of pure iron. Developed alloys dominate in the production of the club heads and shafts.

What is the difference between graphite and steel?

The most important difference between graphite and steel shafts is their relative weight. The typical graphite shaft is significantly lighter than its steel counterpart, which should translate into faster swing speeds. According to Tom Wishon, technical adviser to Golf Digest and PGA.com, a typical steel driver shaft weighs between 115 ...

How does graphite shaft affect distance?

All else being equal, the increased club head speed generated by a lighter graphite shaft will translate into greater distance on your shots. If you switch from a driver with a steel shaft to one with a graphite shaft, you may increase the distance of your drives by dozen yards. A Golf Digest experiment using a robot that hit two 5-irons differing only in shaft material demonstrated that the iron with the graphite shaft averaged 4 to 5 extra yards of distance. However, the steel-shafted club’s performance was more consistent, meaning there was less variation in distance when hitting multiple shots with the steel-shafted club.

Do PGA Tour pros use graphite shafts?

Players with high swing speeds, who already generate sufficient distance, may prefer the consistency of steel. Nevertheless, plenty of powerful PGA Tour pros use graphite shafts, particularly for their drivers. Average players on a budget may need to purchase steel clubs, but weekend golfers looking for extra distance are often better served by graphite shafts, particularly in their woods.

Is graphite shaft better than steel shaft?

Feel. Graphite shafts absorb vibrations better than steel shafts. If you’re golfing on a cold day, or you have sensitive hands, that’s a definite plus. However, some golfers prefer the feedback they receive from a steel-shafted club, particularly pros or low-handicap golfers who can tell the difference between the feel of a ball ...

Which golf clubs have graphite shafts?

Another category of golf clubs that almost always have graphite shafts is game improvement irons for all types of players. The graphite shafts are more forgiving and do not sting when you mishit, and beginner golfers should take advantage of that.

Why is it important to choose the correct golf club shaft?

Golf club shafts are very useful if you have relevant knowledge because they can have an effect on your ball flight and accuracy of your shots. Most golfers focus on basically everything but choosing the correct shaft and shaft type based on their swing speed.

Who Should Use Graphite Shafts?

No matter what the skill level is, a graphite shaft is most likely going to be used with a driver .

Who Should Use Steel Shafts?

Steel shafts are geared much more towards scratch golfers and better players in general. Once players improve and move on from game improvement irons, then they will most likely turn to steel shafts in their irons for several reasons.

Why use graphite shafts in golf clubs?

Graphite shafts are also found in almost every set of women’s and senior golf clubs because it helps equal out the lack of swing speed that they have. Steel shafts are practically nonexistent with senior and women golf club shafts.

What shaft type is best for a driver?

Best Shaft Type for Your Driver. Graphite shafts are going to be your best bet when it comes to your driver. The swing speed and forgiveness that a graphite shaft offer will make your performance the best.

Why does my golf ball go right?

The ball goes right due to too stiff of a shaft (for right-handed golfers). Not able to work the ball as well with graphite shafts in irons. Low trajectory if the shaft is too stiff. Too high of a trajectory if the shaft is too flexible. Less accuracy if the shaft is too flexible and “whippy”.

How to choose a golf club?

But as a general rule, the best way to choose a club is to know your hitting range first. So, if you know your shortest and longest range, from there, you can build up your golf club collection. A number factor comes into play choosing a golf club like distance, placement, and conditions of play.

What is a golf club?

So we recommend have a peep and continue further. The Golf club is a club in golf which is used to hit the ball. There are 6 types of golf clubs.

What is the largest clubhead size?

It has the largest clubhead and hitting area among all other golf clubs. The largest and the most popular driver clubhead has a size of 460cc.

What is a fairway wood club?

These are familiar names in golf. Fairway wood club essentially means 3, 5 and 7 wood club and also has other loft ranges in its category.

Why are hybrid golf clubs used?

Hybrid golf clubs are most commonly known as the club for recreational golfers. It’s because of the ease at which you can make strokes. But, professionals have slowly started to use them due to their added advantages. With a hybrid club, you get a clubhead of a larger surface area.

Why do iron clubs spin?

In irons, there are deeper grooves in its club heads which runs from toe to the heel. You may have heard or seen that iron clubs generate extra spin on the ball, this is mainly because of these grooves. So, when you can make a spin on the ball, controlling the shot becomes easy.

How many golf clubs can you carry in your bag?

According to the rules of golf, you are allowed to carry at most 14 golf clubs in your bag. The restrictions are only on the number of clubs you can carry. But there is no restriction on the type of clubs. From driver to putter, you can have whatever you like.