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what is the pupose of graphite shafts in golf clubs

by Tyrique Lueilwitz Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Graphite shafts are lighter than steel shafts, resulting in an increase in swing speed and distance. This is particularly beneficial to players with slow swing tempos. Most golfers can realize an increase of at least 5 yards for each club.

What is better graphite or steel golf clubs?

The main differences of graphite vs steel shafts.

  • Steel Shafts Weigh More
  • Faster Club Head Speed with Graphite Shafts
  • Better Feel with Graphite Shafts
  • Steel Shafts are Cheaper
  • Steel Shafts Have More Longevity

Are graphite shafts better for senior golfers?

The graphite material helps golfers get higher swing speeds and higher launch. Seniors have the choice between senior shafted irons or regular flex. If your swing speed is lacking and you feel your distances have started to fall off, the senior shaft is the better choice. Iron shafts for seniors typically tend to be in that 60-70gram range.

What is the best shaft for senior golfers?

  • Best Iron Shafts For Seniors 2022. A golf shaft for a senior is lightweight, high launching, and offers a tremendous feel at impact. ...
  • Key Components Of Irons Shafts To Consider. ...
  • The Low Down. ...
  • Key Features. ...
  • Performance & Accuracy
  • Who Is It For. ...
  • Key Features. ...
  • Performance & Accuracy
  • Who Is It For. ...
  • Performance & Accuracy

More items...

Should I use graphite shafts?

The graphite shafts are more forgiving and do not sting when you mishit, and beginner golfers should take advantage of that. Also, the lighter graphite shafts make the irons go farther when hit well, so it is a win-win for golfers in the game improvement section.

What are the advantages of graphite shafts for golf clubs?

Graphite shafts offer a wider variety of choices of weight, kick-point and torque. The greater selection allows golfers to be more accurately fit for custom clubs. If the shaft is not suited for your swing, it doesn't matter if you have the best club on the market, you will not play your best.

Who should use graphite shafts in golf clubs?

Iron Shafts 101: How to choose between steel, composite, and carbon fiber. 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.

Should I use graphite shafts in my irons?

Graphite is an excellent option for golfers that need an additional help creating club head speed due to its lightness and can be helpful to golfers with injuries that are looking to cut down on the additional vibration that may be caused by steel.

Do any pros use graphite shafts?

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.

Do I want steel or graphite shafts?

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.

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.

Does Tiger Woods use graphite shafts?

Woods' Masters career has also seen players go from drivers in the 260 cubic-centimeter range to 460 ccs, and in Woods' case, the move from steel to graphite shafts in metalwoods.

When should I switch to graphite shafts?

The usual reasons to switch from steel to graphite are to play a lighter shaft to increase swing speed, or to reduce the amount of vibration from a steel shaft.

Are graphite shafts easier to hit?

First, graphite shafts are lighter, so they are easier to swing. Most golfers agree that contributes to an increase in swing speed and ball carry. Second, if golfers mishit shots, graphite shafts create less sensation in the hands than steel.

Are graphite shafts better for older golfers?

Are graphite shafts better for seniors in golf? Yes, graphite shafts are the best choice for most seniors. As I mentioned, the shaft plays a major role in ball striking, consistency, and distance. The overwhelming majority of senior players would benefit from using a graphite shaft.

Are graphite shafts more forgiving?

The graphite shafts are more forgiving and do not sting when you mishit, and beginner golfers should take advantage of that. Also, the lighter graphite shafts make the irons go farther when hit well, so it is a win-win for golfers in the game improvement section.

Are graphite shafts good for high handicappers?

The choice of Steel or Graphite shafts irons will mainly come down to swing speed. Graphite suits slower swings and steel suits faster swings. Besides that Steel provides more stability and with steel shafts, getting lighter, they are becoming a more attractive offers for many high handicappers.

What is the shaft of a golf club?

Picking the proper shaft is the most critical step in deciding which clubs to buy. The shaft is the "engine" of the golf club. It transfers the energy from your hands into the club head.

Why is it important to have a greater selection of golf clubs?

The greater selection allows golfers to be more accurately fit for custom clubs. If the shaft is not suited for your swing, it doesn't matter if you have the best club on the market, you will not play your best. Deciding on whether to play steel or graphite needs more consideration than price (graphite is more expensive).

What type of driver do golfers use?

Most professionals use graphite-shafted drivers. Steel or graphite? This question makes many golfers scratch their heads as to which is best for them. Picking the proper shaft is the most critical step in deciding which clubs to buy. The shaft is the "engine" of the golf club.

2. You get the best of both worlds

Andrew Tursky, Senior Equipment Editor: As J.Wall mentioned, it’s absolutely time to get over any stigma around using graphite iron shafts. I’ll go as far as saying that more than 50 percent of golfers would find better performance and a more pleasurable experience by switching to graphite.

3. You can swing faster

Luke Kerr-Dineen, Director of Game Improvement Content: I went to our sister company True Spec for an iron fitting a couple of years ago, with one simple goal: I wanted to hit the ball further. I was sick of steel, so in came the graphite, and I was immediately vindicated.

Characteristics of Graphite

Clubs with graphite shafts are lighter and stronger than traditional steel-shafted clubs. As a result, the golfer presumably will get better distance and more accuracy with his shot if he swings the club properly.

Swinging the Club

Golfers will find that swinging a club with a graphite shaft is somewhat tricky. If you try to overpower the ball while swinging a graphite shaft, the result is almost inevitably poor. The shaft of the club gets through the hitting zone before the club head, which sends the ball out to the right.

Benefits of Graphite

Graphite is lighter and stronger than steel, and a golfer who uses it competently can hit the ball 20 to 30 yards longer than he can with a steel shaft. He can also hit this shot without losing accuracy. The key to accomplishing a long and accurate hit with a graphite shaft is a deliberate and orderly swing in addition to a comfortable grip.

About the Author

Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times.

Why are graphite shafts used in golf?

Graphite shafts are found in virtually every driver on the market because they are lighter and promote clubhead speed for golfers to really bomb it down the fairway. No matter what the skill level is, a graphite shaft is most likely going to be used with a driver. Graphite shafts are also found in almost every set of women’s ...

Why do graphite shafts work better?

The biggest reasons are because of the feel, control, and ability to work the ball. Graphite shafts do not have the same ability to work the ball to the extent of steel shafts, and that usually leads better players to upgrade to the steel shafts.

Why are putters made of steel?

Putter shafts are going to be steel because the flex of your putter does not matter. Some golfers do experiment with different types of steel shafts in their putters because the feel can be different depending on the shaft.

Why do golfers use steel shafts?

The first reason is that better golfers tend to have more swing speed than beginners, so they do not need the extra help that graphite shafts possess.

Why do women's golf clubs have graphite shafts?

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. Another category of golf clubs that almost always have graphite shafts is game improvement irons for all types ...

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 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.

Are Graphite Shafts Better?

It depends! For a driver, yes 100% of the time. When you get to the irons, our recommendation is if you swing your driver less than 90 miles per hour, then graphite shafts will be better for numerous reasons.

Who Should Use Graphite Shafts?

Junior, Senior and most Women golfers should use graphite shafts in their irons and hybrids. The majority of golfers in these categories swing their driver less than 90 miles per hour. Of course there are always exceptions to the rules and golfers should measure their swing speed for the final determination.

Advantages of the Graphite Shafts

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.

Next Steps: Test Your Options Out

Our number one recommendation before making any purchase is to test out your options. Whether you go for a complete fitting with a professional or visit your local golf store, make sure you are testing out and measuring total distance, feel and overall performance with the variety of options that are out there.

Final Steps: Create A Distance Chart

Once you have determined and selected your golf clubs, make sure you create a distance chart like the one below. Golfers need to know how far they hit each club in their bag and there are now simple ways to measure. You no longer have to stand at the range and measure with poor quality golf balls or inaccurate readings to specific targets.

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:

What is the shaft of a golf club?

Many consider the golf shaft the "engine of the club". Golf shafts are either made from graphite or steel. Both types have its benefits and disadvantages. Either way, the golf shaft is where power is stored and released at impact. Sitting in between the golf grip and club head, a solid connection is what allows the golf shaft to do its job.

What is shaft flex?

Shaft flex is a description of how much a shaft will bend under the force of a golf swing with a head attached at the tip end. The speed and frequency of your swing will determine what flex you need. There are generally 5 different flex notations (from most bendable to least bendable): A-flex (Senior), L-flex (Ladies), R-flex (Regular), ...

How long is a 0.370" iron shaft?

decreasing in length from #3-PW). 0.370" parallel iron shafts arrive in uncut lengths, usually 41" or 42" for irons or 46" or more for woods.

What happens if you swing too heavy?

If the overall club is too heavy, you can lose swing speed which can result in a loss of yardage. Too light of a club will be hard to guide and control which can lead to mishits. Players with faster swing speeds or more accelerated tempos can benefit from heavier shafts.

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