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why do iron golf shafts come in lengths and graphite do not

by Jude Ondricka Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

One of the downsides to having the graphite-shafted club longer than the steel is when golfers are sensitive to additional length that makes it harder for him or her to hit the ball solidly.

Steel shafts do not experience the torque or lateral twisting found in all graphite shafts and therefore most players would benefit by having steel shafts in their irons. They offer more control on shots and have a greater emphasis on accuracy than distance than graphite shafts.

Full Answer

What are the benefits of graphite shafts in irons?

The benefits of graphite shafts in irons vary depending on the weight category they fall into. The weight categories also generally coincide with player swing profiles, which give golfers and fitters the best chance to see a performance gain.

What is the difference between steel and graphite shafted golf clubs?

Often graphite-shafted irons may be ¼” – ½” longer than steel, while woods may be ½” – 1” longer in length than steel (if it is even an option available). One of the downsides to having the graphite-shafted club longer than the steel is when golfers are sensitive to additional length that makes it harder for him or her to hit the ball solidly.

Is it time to get over the stigma of graphite iron shafts?

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.

Are graphite iron shafts good for slower Swingers?

The LBS MAX graphite iron shafts are a good choice for slower swingers. Each month, we tap experts from the equipment industry to answer your most commonly asked questions. In this installment, Kim Braly, Chief Designer at KBS Shafts, explains whether graphite iron shafts will help you gain distance.

Should graphite iron shafts be longer than steel?

Graphite iron shafts tend to be about a 1/4 inch to a 1/2 inch longer than a steel shaft. For most players, this is not going to be a problem. However, if you choose steel or graphite shafts, you should make sure that they are custom fit to your exact height specifications.

Why are steel shafts shorter than graphite?

With the graphite being lighter than the steel, the shaft has to be a little bit longer to get the swing weights to match. When the shaft is extended, it gets slightly heavier and can match the swing weight of the steel.

Is it bad to get graphite shafts on 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.

Why are golf iron shafts different lengths?

As a club is longer (as well as lighter), then it can be swung faster up to a limit. The increased length provides greater leverage and speed to hit the ball further if solid contact is to be made. Shorter clubs are designed not for length, but rather precision.

Do pro golfers use graphite shafts on 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.

Do most pros use steel or graphite shafts?

As discussed previously, most professional players use steel shafts in their irons because of their consistency. Accuracy with irons is key for pro players. When it comes to driver shaft and fairway wood selection, graphite is often the shaft of choice, even for pros.

Which PGA TOUR players use graphite iron 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.

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.

Do any pro golfers use single length irons?

DeChambeau is currently the only Tour player who uses single-length irons, but Norman said he thinks that could change in the future.

Does iron shaft length affect distance?

Our testing has shown conclusively that there is absolutely no measurable difference in distance due to the standard 1/2″ incremental shaft length increases between clubs. The only affect of the standard length increases between clubs is to make each successively longer club harder to hit.

Do pro golfers use longer shafts?

Pagel explained that the model local rule, MLR G-10, not only wouldn't affect recreational golfers, as it applies to only the game's highest levels, but it would have minimal impact on the pros; Pagel cited data that determined that just 3% of professional golfers use or have used driver shafts longer than 46 inches ( ...

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.

Why do golfers use graphite shafts?

One of the biggest reasons for a golfer to transition into graphite from steel in this weight range would be for vibration reduction, or in some cases to get extra stability unavailable in lighter weight steel compared to the graphite equivalent . Depending on the shaft, 90-gram graphite shafts are just as, if not more stable than, steel.

Who was the first golfer to use graphite?

When speaking of stability, it was just over a year ago that PGA Tour player Bryson DeChambeau went from steel in his irons to graphite and became the first golfer on the PGA Tour to use 14 clubs with graphite shafts. The designer of those shafts had this to say about working with graphite,

Do graphite shafts work on irons?

The benefits of graphite shafts in irons vary depending on the weight category they fall into. The weight categories also generally coincide with player swing profiles, which give golfers and fitters the best chance to see a performance gain.

The future of iron shafts is graphite

For me, the process to accept the superiority of graphite has not been easy. Like many GolfWRX readers, I grew up with a clear goal—become an elite player. A rite of passage on this journey, was when you finally had enough speed to get True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 shafts in your blade irons.

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The main reason some companies lengthen the graphite shafts is to get the swing weight up especially in heads that don't have much weight adjustability.

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I was under the impression that it was an industry standard designed to maintain shaft flex between iron and graphite shafted clubs and that graphite required the extra 1/2" to perform similarly.

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Why Do Pros Use Steel Shafts?

Steel shafts were introduced many years ago and have undergone continuous improvement to deliver the qualities and specifications suited to modern player swing speeds. Steel shafts used to have steps in the length, and now seamless steel shafts are in everyday use. Steel shafts offer stability and less torque and flex through impact.

What are Steel Shafts Made Of?

Steel shafts are made from special steel and lately, ultra-lightweight steel is used to enhance clubhead speed through the ball. Steel is more durable, stable, stronger, and less costly than graphite. Carbon steel is another very lightweight shaft.

What are Composite Shafts?

A composite shaft is manufactured from a mixture of carbon fiber and steel and is lighter than standard steel shafts. These shafts are manufactured for specific performance characteristics demanded by the top players. They can be made for a specific golfer in terms of weight, flex, and length.

Do Pros Use Graphite Shafts in the Driver?

The driver shafts today are predominantly graphite, but specifications vary from one manufacturer to another. The shafts can be as light as 40grams, which equates to a faster clubhead speed through impact. The flex will be X-stiff or XX-stiff for the strong pros who hit the ball a mile.

Who Should Use Graphite Shafts In Irons?

Senior pros and the top players on the LPGA use graphite shafts through the bag. They are lighter than steel and allow them to generate increased swing speed to increase or maintain the distance required to overcome some of the courses they play on the Tour.

Which Pros Use Graphite Shaft Irons?

Every pro golfer wants the very best performance from the shaft they fit to their clubs. It would be reasonable to believe that most of the top players have experimented with graphite shafts in some form or another, just to ensure they are not missing out on some technology that would give them an edge over their fellow competitors.

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