When did graphite shafts become standard in golf clubs?
Graphite shafts were introduced in 1970 at the PGA Merchandise Show. The debate pitting graphite vs steel shafts has continued ever since. Although slow to be included in golf clubs, it eventually became the standard in the 1990s for drivers and fairway woods. I have always had a strong and fast swing.
What was the first club shaft made out of?
In the 1890's club designers were experimenting with other materials such as steel tubes and solid steel rods. A Scottish blacksmith, Thomas Horsburgh made the first steel shaft in 1893.
When did Taylor made start making graphite shafts?
In 1973 the graphite shaft was introduced which provided more rigidity, lightness and increased strength over the steel shafts. The more modern graphite shafts are manufactured with different materials to improve performance, such as boron to reduce twisting. Taylor-Made was the first company to produce metal club headed woods.
When did the golf shaft come out?
History of the Golf Shaft. However, it did not catch on with the masses. Around the same time as the Shakespeare Company was developing its version of the graphite shaft, James Flood, an aircraft engineer, was developing his version which was introduced in April 1972 from which the Aldila company was born.
When did golfers start using steel shafts?
1925Around 1925 the steel shaft was introduced in the United States, although blacksmiths had experimented with them since the late 1890's. The R&A, named from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, is the governing body of the game of golf.
When did graphite golf shafts come out?
In 1968, Frank Thomas, the Chief Design Engineer for the Shakespeare Sporting Goods Company, invented the first graphite golf shaft. He had been contacted by Union Carbide, who wanted to bring carbon fiber technology to the consumer market. While highly effective, graphite shafts were incredibly cost-prohibitive.
When did graphite shafts in irons?
The graphite shaft was first marketed in 1970 at the PGA Merchandise Show but did not gain widespread use until the mid-1990s and is now used on almost all woods and some iron sets, as the carbon-fiber composite of graphite shafts boasts increased flex for greater clubhead speed at the cost of slightly reduced accuracy ...
When did they stop using wooden shafts for golf clubs?
Hickory became the standard material for golf club shafts until steel shafts were introduced in about 1925 in the US, and became standard everywhere from the mid 1930s. They had the advantage as they did not break like the hickory shafts and could be produced reliably with uniform feel in matched sets.
Do all woods have graphite shafts?
For fairway woods, again nearly all are equipped with graphite shafts as players tend to match the driver with the same type of shaft. Golfers, who tend to hit the ball a long way and/or need more control, may find steel to their liking.
Who invented steel golf shafts?
In the 1890's club designers were experimenting with other materials such as steel tubes and solid steel rods. A Scottish blacksmith, Thomas Horsburgh made the first steel shaft in 1893.
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.
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.
Are steel shafts more accurate than graphite?
Graphite shafts are less rigid than steel shafts and tend to have more whip and flexibility. Though this can be an advantage for a player with a well-grooved swing, it also can exaggerate the problems of a poor swing and may affect accuracy.
Are 30 year old golf clubs still good?
There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.
When did they stop using hickory shafts?
1935With the arrival and eventual legalization (1929) of steel shafts, the demand for hickory's started to diminish, by 1935 the production of hickory clubs had stopped.
How can I tell how old my golf clubs are?
Common golf clubs can be identified by these traits:Aluminum caps on the end of the handles.Nickel, chromed or stainless steel heads.Dots, lines, hyphens or other face scorings.Stamps on the back for yard ranges.Phrases on the back such as accurate, superior, aim-rite, and other common sounding names.
Who invented graphite golf shafts?
Frank ThomasThe graphite shaft was invented by Frank Thomas and introduced to the game of golf in early 1969 while he was working for Shakespeare Sporting Goods Co, as its chief Design Engineer. Graphite (carbon fiber) was developed in the mid-196o's by Union Carbide and used almost exclusively in the space industry.
What are old golf club shafts made of?
Shafts. Historically shafts were made of different types of wood including orangewood, ash and hickory; but, hickory became the wood of choice in the mid-1800s. The 20th century brought innovations in shaft construction including the development by Ping of laminated woods for increased strength.
Are steel shafts better than graphite?
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 graphite shafts have more flex?
Graphite is lighter and generally more flexible than steel. It also is more expensive. Many golfers gravitate toward graphite because its lighter weight can translate to more club head speed and more distance.
Who bought the graphite shafts for the Black Knight golf clubs?
Because of Campbell’s relationship with Shakespeare in 1962 – 1964 with the Gary Player Black Knight golf clubs Campbell purchased the graphite shafts from Shakespeare. Further research is required to determine what company supplied the metal and graphite heads for the driving range clubs.
What wood was used to make golf shafts?
Around 1820 clubmakers introduced hickory for making golf shafts. This wood proved to be more durable than the ash, apple, and beech wood that were being used. The process to make a golf shaft began by fastening a one inch square piece of hickory about four feet long in a lathe.
What year did Shakespeare introduce Wondershafts?
Wondershafts. In the1962 Shakespeare Golf Company introduced their version of the fibreglass shafts. One problem soon arose with the cream coloured fibreglass “Wonder shafts”. The hosel connecting the wooden head to the shaft cracked. The irons with wonder shafts also cracked exposing the interior steel shaft.
What is the second generation of Wonder shafts?
The second generation of black wonder shafts for irons and woods called the Black Knight” model after the famous PGA star Gary Player appeared to have no manufacturing problems.
What was the name of the golf club that replaced hickory?
In the late 1920’s Spalding introduced the Alan Lard version of a steel shaft to replace the hickory. Known also as “The Whistler”, the Lard golf club hardly resembled any comparison to the standard wooden round golf shaft. Also in the mid twenties Cuthbert Butchart developed a bamboo shaft for golf clubs. He fastened six pieces of bamboo and ...
When did golf balls change from hickory to steel?
One would expect the manufacturers in the 1930’s would have focused on the golf shaft when the transition from hickory to steel occurred in the early 1930’s. Instead, the manufacturers focused their attention on creating a golf ball that would travel further. The golf ball patterns changed from bramble to meshed to dimples.
When did LeFell introduce the True Temper shaft?
To make the golf shaft lighter two manufacturers (True Temper and LeFell Sport Product) introduced the aluminium golf shaft in 1965. The True Temper and the LeFiell shafts differed in the fact the True tempered had steps and the competitor did not.
When did golf clubs start using steel shafts?
The History of Steel Shaft Golf Clubs. Golfers and club designers experimented with steel shafts as early as the 1890s, but didn't fully embrace the new technology until the mid-1920s.
What were the effects of the steel shaft on golf swings?
The typical golf swing was altered by the advent of the steel shaft. Hickory shafts required golfers to swing more with the hands, while the steel shaft allowed for a swing that used the entire body and maximized club-head speed.
What type of shafts do golfers use?
Prior to the introduction of steel shafts, golfers used hickory shafts, which necessitated a slow, smooth swing that relied on timing for a well-executed shot. As the sport grew in popularity, the golf world became concerned about the availability of hickory for use in golf shafts.
Why are steel shafted clubs better than hickory shafted clubs?
Benefits. Steel shafted-clubs made for a more durable golf club than hickory-shafted clubs, which were prone to breaking. Steel shafts also allowed golfers to hit the ball greater distances by increasing club-head speed.
Who is David Green?
A former sports and lifestyle reporter at the "Daily Nebraskan," David Green is a writer who has covered a variety of topics for daily newspapers. He was selected by the "Los Angeles Times" to participate in the Jim Murray Sports Writing Workshop.
Graphite vs Steel Shafts
The ongoing debate is steel or graphite better for irons continues with graphite seeming to continuously increase its market share.
Key Differences Of Graphite and Steel Shafts
Manufacturers provide an option of using either steel or graphite shafts in new clubs. You may also replace the original shaft with either a steel or graphite shaft.
Steel Shafts
Steel shafts are generally made from stainless steel and tend to weigh between 90 grams and 120 grams.
Graphite Shafts
In contrast to stainless steel, graphite shafts are much lighter weighing between 50 grams and 85 grams. This will aid you in swinging the club faster for more distance. Graphite is more expensive than stainless steel and requires a more intricate production process adding to the cost of graphite shafts.
Is It Better To Have Steel Or Graphite Shafts As A Beginner Golfer Or A High Handicapper?
Beginner and high handicap golfers are generally still forming their swing and thus have lower swing speeds.
Is Steel Or Graphite Shafts More Forgiving?
Graphite shafts offer more forgiveness than steel shafts and reduce the vibration taking the sting out of those all-so-common mishits.
Who Should Use Graphite Irons?
The general conception is that golfers with slower swing speeds will do better with graphite shafts to gain distance and forgiveness.
When was graphite shaft introduced?
In 1973 the graphite shaft was introduced which provided more rigidity, lightness and increased strength over the steel shafts. The more modern graphite shafts are manufactured with different materials to improve performance, such as boron to reduce twisting.
When were feathered golf clubs invented?
With the introduction of the “featherie” golf ball in 1618 golf clubs continued to be made with wooden heads, although forging iron into the head was possible, because of the delicacy of the featheries. The wooden clubs were expensive due to the time and effort that went into making them and they were prone to break.
What wood is used for golf clubs?
Hickory quickly became the standard wood of choice for club-makers due to its availability and better durability. In 1848 the “guttie” ball was introduced by Rev. Adam Paterson, which quickly made the “longnoses” or drivers obsolete. Bulgers emerged to replace the longnoses which had a bulbous head, resembling modern woods.
What were the clubs made of in the 1500s?
In the 1500s a set of clubs consisted of: a set of play clubs, “longnoses”, for driving; fairway clubs or “grassed drivers”, for medium range; “spoons” for short shots; “niblicks” similar to wedges; and a putting “cleek”. These golf clubs were made up of wood with the shafts being made from ash or hazel and the club heads being made ...
What is the evolution of golf?
The Evolution of the Golf Club. Since the inception of the game of golf, players have continually tried to improve upon their equipment. The earliest golf clubs were initially carved by the golfer themselves and typically out of wood. Golfers soon turned to skilled craftsmen to produce higher quality equipment.
What is the R&A golf club?
The R&A, named from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, is the governing body of the game of golf. The R&A finally legalized the use of steel shafted clubs after the Prince of Wales used them on the Old Course at St Andrews in 1929. The steel shaft provided for greater accuracy and durability.
What were the names of the golf clubs after World War II?
The traditional names of the clubs, like “niblicks” and “spoons”, were replaced by the standard numbering system used to this day. There was little development and advancement for the next few decades. After World War II development of golf clubs were influenced by research into synthetic and composite materials.
When was graphite shaft invented?
Graphite shafts began to emerge in the late twentieth century. The graphite shaft was invented by Frank Thomas in 1969 while working as Chief Design Engineer for Shakespeare Sporting Goods, in collaboration with Union Carbide.
What is the purpose of a golf shaft?
While hundreds of different designs exist, the primary purpose of the golf shaft remains the same: to provide the player with a way to generate centrifugal force in order to effectively strike the ball. When properly gripped the player can hit the ...
What is stiff tip shaft?
These shafts offer the same flex throughout most of the shaft, in order to attain the "whip" required to propel the ball properly, but also include a stiffer tip, which cuts back drastically on the lateral torque acting on the head.
How much does a spherical shaft weigh?
Shafts weigh between 45 and 150 grams depending on the material and length.
What are golf clubs made of?
Early golf clubs had wooden shafts, most commonly made of hickory. These shafts were resilient and withstood the forces created by the golf swing, but unlike modern, more stiff shafts, their high flexibility required a skilled swing to produce consistent results.
Can shaft lengths be altered?
Shaft lengths can be altered to suit golfers of different heights. Golf shafts are manufactured in various weights to suit players of any skill or strength level. New drivers come out all the time with new concepts of how its design is supposed to make you hit the ball further, however that is not the case.
Who invented graphite shafts?
And the name I associate with the first graphite shaft is its inventor, Frank Thomas.". Jerry Tarde, Editor-in-Chief, Golf Digest.
When was graphite invented?
The graphite shaft was invented by Frank Thomas and introduced to the game of golf in early 1969 while he was working for Shakespeare Sporting Goods Co, as its chief Design Engineer. Graphite (carbon fiber) was developed in the mid-196o’s by Union Carbide and used almost exclusively in the space industry.
When did Frank join the USGA?
In 1974 Frank was asked to join the USGA as its Technical Director where he continued to innovate. He directed the development of almost all the performance standards for golf equipment, now used to help maintain the integrity of the game of golf enjoyed by so many people around the world.
How long is a golf club?
The USGA specifies that the overall length of a club must be between 18 inches and 48 inches, with the exception of putters, which can be longer. The shaft must be permanently affixed to the clubhead, meaning it cannot be adjusted during play.
What is flex in golf?
Flex is a measure of how much the shaft bends. That bend is based on how fast the club is swung and how long the swing takes from takeaway until the ball is struck.
What is torque in golf?
Another property of a golf shaft is torque, the property of resistance to turning or twisting. The shaft twists when the clubhead hits the ball. How much it twists determines whether the ball flies straight, to the left, or right. Where the clubface hits the ball also impacts the torque of the shaft.
Can the same shaft feel different?
The same shaft can have a different feel when paired with different clubheads. The shape, weight of the clubhead and length of the hosel all can affect the shaft's flex.
Difference Between Graphite and Steel Shafts
The major difference between graphite and steel shafts is their composition. Graphite golf shafts are made with composite shafts built to be lighter and offer different performance levels than other materials. Sheel shafts are stable, sturdy, and workable and can make the game easier for certain players.
Should I Play Graphite or Stiff Shafts?
Now that you understand the differences between the graphite and steel golf shafts let’s look at which one will be the best for your game. Certain golfers are going to fit into the graphite and steel category very clearly.
Should Beginner or High Handicapper Use Graphite or Steel Shafts?
There is a misconception in the world of golf that all beginners and high handicappers need to use graphite golf shafts. This is not true.
Which Golf Clubs Need Graphite Shafts
Throughout this guide, I have been talking about graphite shafts and steel shafts across an entire set of clubs. However, most golfers have a mix of both graphite and steel in their golf club sets. Let’s take a look at which clubs make sense to have in graphite and which should be steel shafted.
Do Pro Golfers Use Graphite Shafts?
Pro golfers use graphite shafts in the drivers, wood, hybrids, and sometimes even their long irons. Most of the players on the PGA Tour have so much swing speed and require feedback from their iron shafts that only steel is going to benefit these players.
Conclusion: What Is Better Graphite or Steel?
In the end, I can’t say that graphite or steel shafts are better. I think having a combination of options in your bag that works specifically for your swing speed and ball flight preferences is essential. There is no right or wrong golf shaft in the game.
