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I've played both extensively. Comes with being a club HO. It all depends on what feels best to you. Graphite shafts today are very good and control with them is excellent. If weight is a determining factor, you can get graphite shafts over 100 grams.
That being said, the last couple of sets I've had with graphite shafts have been purchased with steel. Then I have had quality graphite shafts installed. Most golfers if blindfolded could tell no difference between graphite and steel.
Just a couple of my humble opinions. It should make no difference to the good to average golfer what the pros play. We don't have their swings. They hit very stiff shafts because of their swing speeds. It is difficult to find graphite iron shafts in X and XX stiff.
Hale Irwin hasn't done too bad using graphite shafts!!!!! How many of us are better than him.

I just would like to know ,why get graphite shaftsand pay extra money if they will not help your game.

Graphite shafts are great at reducing vibration, so I can really understand why many seniors, or anyone who might experience some arthritis pain would prefer them. I've spent the money on high-dollar graphite iron shafts, and just happen to prefer steel. When I get a little older, that might change.

I agree "Pitch"

Best advice is to demo set of graphite irons at a range or monitor.

There is no "best shaft" as all golfers are different. One size fits all does not work.

For those posters who feel the need to play the equipment the Pros play keep dreaming and maybe someone will sponsor you too.

Sorry about being harsh but just being honest

BTW the smoothest steel shafts I've hit (just like graphites) are Rifle Project X . Pricey but great shaft.
Again may not match your swing if you need increase in trajectory.

Graphite shafts do not always increase trajectory. Just like iron shafts they have mid, low, or high kick points.

I have 3 sets of irons 2 steel shafted and one graphite shafted. I have carefully chosen shafts to match the club head to create irons with different performance characteristics.

To make a decision you must first choose what qualities are important to you and then choose a head style and shaft.

I didn't mean to "knock" graphite shafts if that's what some of you are getting at.

They're not all aimed at helping the player get the ball airborne, but I was speaking of the STOCK shafts in the iron sets that ilovekad81 listed.

Speaking in general terms, the lower torque and high bend graphite shafts are available on a special order basis from manufacturers.

I have had both types of shafts in irons, and agree that the graphite is a bit softer feeling. But you can get top quality steel shafts for a fraction of what the same quality graphite shafts cost. I just reshafted some Cleveland TA-6s with a lighter flex shaft, but I choseTrue Temper steel over graphite because of the exhorbitant costs of graphite.

Martini,

Point well made. I would feel uncomfortable buying "stock graphite" shafts especially untested.
With True Temper buying out Rifle and other consolidations in the golf industry is the iron shaft industry becoming inbred? The wood and hydrid shaft industry seems to be vibrant but the "iron" selection not as aggressive.

Is this because as some posters reason "steel shafts rule"? Are the consumers more interested in the iron head design that the shaft that fuels the head design.

For steel shafts I commend TT for retaining the Project X line and the Black Gold line. With these successful lines why are there not companies aggressively developing graphite shafts to complete with these expensive ($120 $230) per set iron shafts. Technology or Consumer acceptance?

We have plenty of controversies here and we have not even mentioned spining and floing . Opps

I think if you go to any of the websites selling high quality components you will find almost as many high quality graphite iron shafts listed as graphite driver shafts. Pretty much every company that makes high quality graphite driver shafts also make graphite fairway wood, hybrid and iron shafts too.

I think the reason you don't see them advertised as much to the mass consumers (although I see them advertised all the time in the clubmaker ads I receive) is because most consumers don't care so much about iron shafts once they've bought their irons. From the general discussion on this and a few other golf forums I've seen it appears that re-shafting drivers is a lot more common than re-shafting irons.

The times to consider graphite shafts:
1. over 60 yr old
2. shoulder, wrist or elbow pain
3. starting to lose distance
In spite of huge advances in graphite technology, I feel the dispersion is still greater. PS: i use SK Fiber TT90 graphites in my irons!