Steel or graphite ?

[golfshooter]

What are the pros and cons of each? What would be the deal clincher when deciding? I have written a post where I removed a steel shaft from an old 3 wood Retco titanium head and replaced it with an equally old powerbilt UST graphite shaft from a small headed driver and effectively super charged it to the point where it held it's own against a current cleveland 3 wood launcher,same length shaft. I know it was probably more good luck than good management but it did have me pondering.
Are there tour players using graphite shafted irons, if not why not ?
Regards, golfshooter.

[LowPost42]

Re: Steel or graphite ?

Generally speaking:

Graphite absorbs more vibration than steel. This means it doesn't feel as bad on mishits and if you've got aches they're not exacerbated nearly as badly as with steel.

Graphite is lighter. Now, there has been some tremendous advances in lightweight steel, but the lightest shafts are still graphite. However, there's now a tremendous "middle ground" - generally between 90 and 115g - where you can have your pick of graphite or steel.

Steel is generally lower in torque. This translates into a feeling of being "tight" or "boardy" compared to a shaft with a higher torque value.

As for what fits best? I myself never hit a 3 wood well until I reshafted with lightweight steel. Now I pound a Nike Dymo and my 3 wood mishits are gone.

The defacto standard is to play steel until you want more swing speed and less pain on mishits.

[golfshooter]

Re: Steel or graphite ?

I find it amazing how different combinations there can be with all number of them affecting the players desires and styles, which I suppose is why if you are serious about your game, having a club fitted to you is essential. The powerbilt UST TPS shaft at 92g may have been a little ahead of it's time and may still be quite useful.
golfshooter.