Golf Equipment -
Steel vs. Graphite
Should you go with
steel shafts or graphite shafts? What are the differences between the
two? Is one type of shaft better for you than another?
These are questions that many newcomers to golf - and even many golfers
who have played for years - have in mind when they go shopping for a new
set of clubs.
As with every type of golf equipment, the key is to try out both kinds
and determine which type best fits your swing.
But there are differences between steel and graphite that could make one
better for you than the other.
Steel Pros
• More durable and reliable material. Well-manufactured steel shafts
will show very little difference in quality and performance from shaft
to shaft.
• Less expensive than graphite.
• Provides excellent feedback (the feel a golfer gets from certain
shots; i.e., a ball hit on the toe will "feel" a certain way as a result
of the vibrations created) on all shots.
Graphite Pros
• Lighter than steel, which can help create a faster swing.
• Dampens the vibrations caused by mishits, which is an excellent
feature for seniors or those with ailments related to the hands, arms or
shoulders.
Steel Cons
• Heavier than graphite.
• Vibrations from mishits (and good hits alike) are more easily
transferred up the shaft and into your hands and arms.
This is a consideration for many seniors or any other golfers who suffer
from arthritis, tennis elbow or other hand-, elbow- or shoulder-related
ailments.
Graphite Cons
• More expensive than steel.
• The material is not as consistent as steel from shaft-to-shaft.
Graphite is not as easy to shape into golf shafts, and the
more-complicated manufacturing process sometimes leads to differences in
quality within the same set of clubs.
What It All Means
If you were playing close attention, you might have noticed that the
pros of steel tend to be things that better players will benefit from,
while the pros of graphite to be things that less-accomplished players
or players with less physical strength will benefit from.
And that leads to a general recommendation that most golf pros would
agree with: Steel is the shaft of choice for better golfers, while
graphite is preferred by most seniors, women and beginners.
From:
http://golf.about.com/cs/componentscustom/a/steelvsgraphite.htm
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