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I've heard mixed feelings about getting irons in steel or graphite.

Does it really make a difference or does it all depend on the golfer himself?

I'm lookin at new irons, and while I want 775CB's, I'm looking around and it looks like a lot of irons are coming in graphite shafts.

Anyone got any personal insight they'd like to share?

I dont know much but i was told graphite shafts are for seniors,people with slow swing speed,or even people with joint pain,you probably get a few more yards but sacrifice accuracy on shots,my first clubs were graphite lynx,they were decent clubs ,but im not a pro to tell you I could tell the difference.

get steel, definitely

There are excellent graphite shafts for irons now. I have one of my Hogan(Apex plus) iron sets shafted with graphite Aldila Gold shafts and my Hogan CFT irons shafted with Steel Project X shafts.

Both set are very accurate and a pleasure to swing. KJ Choi uses graphite shafts on irons and have recently won a tour event.

Try the club before buying as putting graphites onto iron heads without matching head weights and lengths can lead to undesirable swing weights. Properly done can lead to great clubs.

Don't always believe what you are told.

There are many modern graphite iron shafts that are very high quality and rival steel in accuracy and playability. They are generally lighter than steel so are usually a bit longer to compensate for the lower swingweight which results when using a lighter shaft. The combination of lighter shaft, lighter club weight and increased length can result in increased distance due to a higher clubhead speed.

I built my graphite shafted iron set because I was having elbow problems. They helped a lot as graphite shafts damp high frequency vibrations created at impact better than steel. The shafts feel a bit "softer" to me at impact, but my clubs are stiff flex and don't feel "whippy" or soft in flex.

Oh, and I hit them very straight too. I'm not old and feeble yet but I'm not a young whippersnapper either.

Because?

I built two sets of clubs this year -- one is a "player improvement" set with graphite shafts (Golfsmith D2's) and the other is a "players club" set with steel shafts (see my signature). They are both excellents sets and both play well, but differently.

In general, graphite shafts will feel softer at impact. Despite what a lot of people say, good graphite shafts will be just as accurate as steel shafts. Graphite shafted clubs will typically be about 1/2" longer than steel shafted clubs so the swingweight is the same as a steel shafted club with the same head. This, along with a lighter overall club weight will likely get you a bit of extra clubhead speed and (on good contact) extra distance.

The downside of graphite shafts is cost. An equivalent performance graphite shaft will generally be more expensive than a quality steel shaft. Once you start getting into the premium steel shafts (Rifle Project X's, etc.) then the price difference is not so great.

Don't be put off by people that tell you graphite shafted irons are somehow inferior -- they are not. My best advice would be to go to some golf shops or manufacturer fitting days and hit clubs with both kinds of shafts. You might also want to find a reputable clubmaker or fitter in your area and ask his advice. Judge for yourself. In the end that's what really counts -- what you hit well and what feels best to you.

There are some very high quality graphite shafts out there, but as someone said they are more expensive. If you have any kind of wrist, arm, or elbow problems I would definitely go graphite.

There are plenty of good graphite shafts available for irons.

PRO's of Steel -

#1 -- There are many super light weight steel shafts on the market today that compare in weight to graphite. 10 years ago, graphite was a great way to gain distance because steel shafts were almost all in the 120 to 130 gram weight (uncut shaft) versus the 85 to 100 gram weight of graphite. Today, many sets are available with steel shafts weighing around 100 grams so you don't have to get graphite shafts to gain distance.

#2 -- Steel shafts are pretty indestructable. They withstand a beating even if you play alot of cart golf. Graphite shafted irons arent protected by long-neck headcovers like your woods. The graphite shafts get the paint scraped off pretty quickly.

#3 -- Expense. A good steel shaft with a torque rating of 1.5 to 1.8 is relatively inexpensive in comparason to graphite. A set of irons with quality graphite shafts would cost $150 or $200 more than steel.

PRO's of Graphite -

#1 -- If you're set on getting the lightes possible shafts in your irons, grpahite is the only way to go. Lighter steel shafts have become available over the years, but if you want anything less than 95 grams or so, graphite is the only option.

#2 -- Vibration absorbtion is better than steel. I''ve heard that the True Temper shafts with Sensicore help make steel feel like graphite, but that's a whole 'nother topic in itself.

Thanks guys!

And as far as graphite being more expensive...wherever I look where I can choose between the 2, graphite has always been cheaper than steel.

Really? Most places I see have graphite for more than steel.

Here are the ones I pulled up just in a quick search on TGW.com - The Golf Warehouse - The Premier Online Golf Superstore

TM OS2
Steel - $399.99
Graphite - $599.99

Wilson Staff
Steel-$229.88
Graphite-$299.88

Adams GT500
Steel-$199.95
Graphite-$249.95

Cleveland CG2
Steel-$649.88
Graphite-$699.88

Cleveland Launcher
Steel-$419.88
Graphite-$499.88

TM RAC HT
Steel-$349.88
Graphite-$449.88

Steel is the only way to go for Irons. I reckon Colin Montgomery should go back to steel. I don't see many other Pro's playing graphite these days.

Dude, if you have any kind of golf game get steel. Why? Because Tiger uses steel. Jack and Arnie used steel. I would venture to say 99% of PGA and Nationwide tour players use steel...What more reason do you need? If graphite was so-o fantabulous wouldn't more of the best players in the world be using them?

KJ Choi has graphite shafts in his irons? Big *******' poo! One guy?

Montie plays graphite???? That's reason enough not to right there!!!

ilovekad81,

From the sets you listed, I assume you're going to buy a set with the stock shaft.

Let me warn you that the stock graphite shafts in some of those clubs may be very junky. I'd do the research for you but you listed a lot of sets and some won't be listed because they're older.

Generally speaking, the stock graphite shafts in irons are made for helping people get the ball in the air. I know this pretty well because I work at a pro shop and have spoken to reps from most of the companies.

If you don't have trouble getting the ball airborne on a good trajectory, I'd shy away from stock graphite shafts.

The TM Rac OS2 has a nice light weight steel shaft in it. $400 would be a great deal for that set. The Launcher irons are nice and have a big cavity for forgiveness, but I'd stay away from the CG2's. They're pretty hard to hit. The Rac HT's are much older than the OS2's and they're really made for hitting it high. I don't have any personal experience with the Adams or Wilson clubs. Wilson is what Padraig Harrington plays. He plays the Pi5 irons and they're only $269.99 from TGW.com - The Golf Warehouse - The Premier Online Golf Superstore

I highly highly highly doubt I'll ever get irons with graphite shafts, I just wanted to know what the difference is.