Graphite Golf Club Shafts
Stainless Steel Vs. Graphite Golf Shafts
While it may seem that the head of a club is the key to an effective shot because of its direct impact with the ball, it's the shaft connected to the head that's considered "the most important component," according to PGA pro Mike Fischer. Graphite shafts are mostly used for drivers, but some golfers also use them for irons.
How to Choose the Right Graphite Golf Shaft
Choosing the right graphite golf shaft might be among the most complicated tasks you will undertake. The reason is simple -- there are more variables and options to choose from than you can shake a shaft at. Although it's possible to do it yourself, it could take you months if not years to find the best shaft. Yet, it's a crucial decision if you want to play your best. As "Golf Magazine" notes, "Choosing the right shaft is crucial to lowering your scores as well as giving you the feel and control you desire." The articles goes on to state, "You can make the process easier by working with a qualified club fitter or professional." "Golf Tips Magazine" is even more blunt -- "leave the details to someone knowledgeable and simply get fitted by a professional club fitter."
Differences Between Graphite Shafts
All graphite shafts are made from layers of carbon fiber. That's where the similarity ends: Graphite shafts differ in weight, length, flexibility, and other factors such as torque. Although graphite is generally softer than steel, technological advances have allowed golf designers to make graphite shafts in every flex, including extra-stiff. The differences in graphite shafts should enable you to find one that fits you to a tee. The large number of choices, however, makes it hard to sort through the different possibilities. A good club fitter can help you find the best graphite shaft for you.
Graphite Vs. Titanium Golf Clubs
Graphite and titanium both are used in golf shafts and club heads. Graphite is a very popular material used in shafts. Titanium is a very popular material used in club heads. Developed in the 1970s, graphite quickly challenged steel as the premier shaft material. As of publication date in 2012, they remain the top shaft choices for the vast majority of golfers. Titanium and steel remain the top choices for club head material.
More Graphite Golf Club Shafts Picks
Information on Ping Graphite Shafts
When PING founder Karsten Solheim began building putters in his garage in the late 1950s, most golf shafts were made of steel, according to Golf.com. Shafts made from graphite – a composite substance in which carbon fibers are the reinforcing material – were developed in the late '60s by Shakespeare Sporting Goods Company and introduced into the market in the early '70s. By that time, PING had expanded from making putters by hand to manufacturing full sets of clubs, many of which began incorporating graphite shafts. By 2006, 84 percent of drivers in use had a graphite shaft, according to Golf.com, along with 28 percent of irons.
Graphite Iron Shaft Trimming Instructions
Do-it-yourself golfers who enjoy assembling their own irons out of individual parts -- rather than purchasing them off the shelf or from a club fitter -- will likely need to trim their graphite shafts before adding the grips, ferrules and club heads. Individual shafts are typically sold in a standard length, then shortened to fit the type of club and to suit the user’s needs.
How to Install Graphite Shaft Extensions
Maybe you’ve found a great set of graphite clubs at a garage sale or a used golf club retail store. Or perhaps you bought your teen some clubs that he’s outgrown. By lengthening the graphite shafts with an extender, you may be able to use that second-hand set of clubs or keep your son’s clubs for a few more years and save on the expense of buying a brand new set. Be aware, though, that extending the clubs makes the shafts more flexible and changes the lie angle.
Differences in Golf Shafts
Golf shafts come in such a wide variety that it can be bewildering. Shafts are made from different materials, with different amounts of flexibility and torque, and in different lengths and weights. Compounding the problem, there is no uniform industry standard for shafts, so a stiff shaft from one manufacturer might feel completely different than a stiff shaft from another manufacturer. As Golf.com states, "you need to experiment with different combinations of shafts and clubheads to come up with your ultimate prize."
The Difference Between Graphite & Steel Shafts
Steel golf shafts have been common since around the 1930s, while graphite shafts – made from carbon fiber – entered the scene in the 1970s. A wide range of clubs is available within each category. Golfers should check out both steel and graphite shafts to determine which material works best for their games.
How to Choose a Shaft Flex for Graphite Irons
The shafts of your irons and other clubs are the straw that stirs the drink in terms of finding the best equipment for your game. Using the right shaft allows you to play to your optimal potential. Using the wrong shaft will significantly compromise your game, regardless of how much money you spend for top-flight irons. You may choose between graphite and steel shafts for your clubs. Top manufacturers offer both in at least a handful of flexes. Graphite is lighter and more flexible than steel. It's more expensive, too. Graphite usually is the choice for more distance, especially if your swing speed is slower. Although graphite and steel shafts are different, the process for determining the best shafts for your irons is the same.
Can Golf Iron Shafts Be Too Flexible?
The shafts of your irons definitely can be too flexible. So can the shafts of hybrids, fairway metals and drivers. Yet the very shafts that are too flexible for you might be too stiff for another player. The flexibility of the shafts you should be playing is linked to your swing speed. If your swing speed is fast -- pros blast the club through the hitting area at more than 100 mph -- a normal shaft will be too whippy for you. Moreover, your control will be erratic and you will be prone to nasty duck hooks.
