Why are graphite irons no longer popular

[rgk5]

Is there any statistically significant data from Club Champion or any other nationwide fitter or retailer?

 

Personally I'm 100% on board with graphite iron shafts. They can be engineered to almost any bend profile desired whereas extruded steel tubing is limited to step patterns. Until 3D printed steel shafts are commercially viable, engineered graphite provides design advantages.

 

Since I work as a fitter for one of the world's largest golf retailers (Golf Town) I think the data I posted on #28 above woild be close to the N. American average. Not every one is a +2 who needs X100 or PX 6.5 shafts.

[roundersmitty]

Steelfibers were my best change of 2018. Used them the whole season and plan on using them for 2019. Forces me to focus on tempo and transition. Bad tempo and transition I found were punished by more of a pull or hook over heavier steel shafts.

[manima1]

Steelfibers were my best change of 2018. Used them the whole season and plan on using them for 2019. Forces me to focus on tempo and transition. Bad tempo and transition I found were punished by more of a pull or hook over heavier steel shafts.

 

And this is a good thing? I think I play heavier steel shafts for the exact opposite reason you play graphite. If you can handle the extra weight, there is literally no downside to steel. Heavier is almost always better.

[roundersmitty]

Steelfibers were my best change of 2018. Used them the whole season and plan on using them for 2019. Forces me to focus on tempo and transition. Bad tempo and transition I found were punished by more of a pull or hook over heavier steel shafts.

 

And this is a good thing? I think I play heavier steel shafts for the exact opposite reason you play graphite. If you can handle the extra weight, there is literally no downside to steel. Heavier is almost always better.

 

I have had right elbow problem since I was 13...am 43 now. Less vibration and my clubhead speed went up. It did force me to rebuild my swing for the better.

[GSDriver]

Graphite has become more popular IMO. Pros never used, some do now. New technology has made graphite iron shafts much more consistent than those over 10 years old.

 

My Recoils were the best upgrade I've made in recent memory.

[Itsjustagame]

Another recoil fan. There are still a few of us hanging on I guess.

[kcsf]

I went from C-Taper 120's to SF 110cw's last year after elbow pain was reducing my ability to play. 3 rounds after putting the SF into play my pain was gone and hasn't returned. I see no need to ever return to steel.

 

Score 1 for graphite iron shafts.

[sdandrea]

I see more graphite shafted irons than ever before. Not sure what your OP is based on. There are more options now for better players in weight and bend profiles than previous decades as well as seniors and women. I think the age of graphite irons is upon us!

[manima1]

Steelfibers were my best change of 2018. Used them the whole season and plan on using them for 2019. Forces me to focus on tempo and transition. Bad tempo and transition I found were punished by more of a pull or hook over heavier steel shafts.

 

And this is a good thing? I think I play heavier steel shafts for the exact opposite reason you play graphite. If you can handle the extra weight, there is literally no downside to steel. Heavier is almost always better.

 

I have had right elbow problem since I was 13...am 43 now. Less vibration and my clubhead speed went up. It did force me to rebuild my swing for the better.

 

Makes total sense and in your case, heavier is not better.

[RSinSG]

 

"If you can handle the extra weight, there is literally no downside to steel."

 

Going to have to disagree on this. Those with creaky joints, repaired shoulders and elbows, or wrists that ache will explain the downside to steel. Graphite or Steelfiber shafts have improved many players game. Me included.

[manima1]

"If you can handle the extra weight, there is literally no downside to steel."

 

Going to have to disagree on this. Those with creaky joints, repaired shoulders and elbows, or wrists that ache will explain the downside to steel. Graphite or Steelfiber shafts have improved many players game. Me included.

 

Totally agree with you. I think you may have missed the "If you can handle the extra weight" part. It was directed at that segment of golfer, sorry if that was not clear.

 

Generally, for a player that has good joint health and normal strength the heavier weight will promote better swing tendencies vs. lighter weight.

[27x10.5]

Someday it will be strange to see someone with a steel iron shaft, just like when the sneaker brigade is out and you see a steel shaft driver

[Guia]

I don't recall ever having seen a graphite iron head, please name two? As far as graphite iron shafts they are being used more now than ever before. The variety and quality of graphite shafts is ever expanding, and able to fit anyone to the infinite degree.

[farmer]

:dntknw: Don’t know, my Recoils are very popular with me....easily he best equipment change of my career.

He’s not talking about shafts he’s referring to actual iron head material.

 

Never seen a graphite iron head.

 

Nor have I.

 

I recall Yamaha making irons with graphite heads and shafts in the 1990's. The soles were steel bonded to a granite head.

I knew a guy

who played these for a while. As I recall, the heads were about the size of a saucer. For Guia, Yonex, Yamaha among others. Short lived experiment.

[Guia]

Thanks. I will have to find something on these. I personally can't see a use for graphite iron heads; apparently no one else did either. I'll look them up.

[dalehead]

Someday it will be strange to see someone with a steel iron shaft, just like when the sneaker brigade is out and you see a steel shaft driver

 

Someday may be a long way off. The demise of the steel shaft has been predicted for 50 years now. As long as most tour pros play steel shafts in their irons the general golfing public will demand them.

[Mikeski]

The heads yes, shafts no. Yonex and Yamaha graphite heads flopped. There are far more graphite shafts on Tours now than ever. Duke, Snedeker, Kucher, Couples and many more on all three Tours.

I remember those Yonnex and Yamaha irons. That's going back to the mid-late 80's when I was a bag rat (cleaned clubs) at a local country club. With graphite shafts those things were incredibly light.

There was always that one member or members who had to have the latest goofy a** irons. Remember the Cleveland VAS or the Tiger Sharks. Browning 440's?

[manima1]

Someday it will be strange to see someone with a steel iron shaft, just like when the sneaker brigade is out and you see a steel shaft driver

 

Show me a 130g graphite iron shaft you can get for anywhere remotely close to $20/ea.

 

Particularly with irons, weight is a much more important factor that shaft profile. It's not about max distance with irons, it's about consistency and more often than not heavier weight will allow for better consistency than lighter.

 

This prediction isn't one that will come true.

[KMeloney]

Someday it will be strange to see someone with a steel iron shaft, just like when the sneaker brigade is out and you see a steel shaft driver

 

Show me a 130g graphite iron shaft you can get for anywhere remotely close to $20/ea.

 

Particularly with irons, weight is a much more important factor that shaft profile. It's not about max distance with irons, it's about consistency and more often than not heavier weight will allow for better consistency than lighter.

 

This prediction isn't one that will come true.

 

Except that it's already come true with drivers, woods, hybrids, and driving irons.

[manima1]

Someday it will be strange to see someone with a steel iron shaft, just like when the sneaker brigade is out and you see a steel shaft driver

 

Show me a 130g graphite iron shaft you can get for anywhere remotely close to $20/ea.

 

Particularly with irons, weight is a much more important factor that shaft profile. It's not about max distance with irons, it's about consistency and more often than not heavier weight will allow for better consistency than lighter.

 

This prediction isn't one that will come true.

 

Except that it's already come true with drivers, woods, hybrids, and driving irons.

 

In all of those cases the goal is increased distance, which lighter graphite shafts can give you. That is not the goal with your irons, consistency is the goal.

 

I'll stand by my original statement.

[Big Ben]

The big miss regarding graphite iron shafts was always the expense. This hindered progress in the market. When steel shafts used to cost $10 or less a piece. Now, steel shafts are extremely expensive. Bridging the pricing gap has allowed shaft manufacturers to focus and invest in products and sell high quality steal replacement shafts for very similar expense. I believe the OEM’s will catch on and offer reasonably priced steel aleratives at a greater rate. I expect this trend continues as well. Just as multi-material clubs have become all the rage you will continue to see the same process in graphite iron shafts. I was a early adopter and watched and analyzed this evolution as it unfolded. The product has exponentially improved with very few technical characteristics that can’t be replicated. BB

[Nessism]

Someday it will be strange to see someone with a steel iron shaft, just like when the sneaker brigade is out and you see a steel shaft driver

 

Show me a 130g graphite iron shaft you can get for anywhere remotely close to $20/ea.

 

Particularly with irons, weight is a much more important factor that shaft profile. It's not about max distance with irons, it's about consistency and more often than not heavier weight will allow for better consistency than lighter.

 

This prediction isn't one that will come true.

 

Except that it's already come true with drivers, woods, hybrids, and driving irons.

 

In all of those cases the goal is increased distance, which lighter graphite shafts can give you. That is not the goal with your irons, consistency is the goal.

 

I'll stand by my original statement.

 

Heavy weight shafts are a shrinking part of the marketplace. There will always be those that like them and I suspect steel will dominate that segment; a heavy weight graphite shaft sort of defeats the prime advantages of graphite. Regarding consistency, it's the weight that leads to that not the material the shaft is made from.

[manima1]

Someday it will be strange to see someone with a steel iron shaft, just like when the sneaker brigade is out and you see a steel shaft driver

 

Show me a 130g graphite iron shaft you can get for anywhere remotely close to $20/ea.

 

Particularly with irons, weight is a much more important factor that shaft profile. It's not about max distance with irons, it's about consistency and more often than not heavier weight will allow for better consistency than lighter.

 

This prediction isn't one that will come true.

 

Except that it's already come true with drivers, woods, hybrids, and driving irons.

 

In all of those cases the goal is increased distance, which lighter graphite shafts can give you. That is not the goal with your irons, consistency is the goal.

 

I'll stand by my original statement.

 

Heavy weight shafts are a shrinking part of the marketplace. There will always be those that like them and I suspect steel will dominate that segment; a heavy weight graphite shaft sort of defeats the prime advantages of graphite. Regarding consistency, it's the weight that leads to that not the material the shaft is made from.

 

Take a look at all the iron shafts on tour, it's completely dominated by heavy weight steel iron shafts. Those that like them are the very best in the world at what they do.

 

You are solidifying my original point on consistency/weight. Read post #48

 

"Show me a 130g graphite iron shaft you can get for anywhere remotely close to $20/ea.

 

Particularly with irons, weight is a much more important factor that shaft profile. It's not about max distance with irons, it's about consistency and more often than not heavier weight will allow for better consistency than lighter."

[malamig]

Give it 5 years, with the way graphite shafts are getting better each year, and the ability to make them perform even for better players for faster swing speeds, there will be a graphite shaft sighting on tour.

[tbowles411]

Going back to Recoils. Graphite shafts are way more popular now. I put my son in them. You can go as light as 50g or as heavy as 130g in various stiffness. You want a rebar feel, done. You want whippy, you can get that too.

[Galanga]

I just went to lighter graphite shafts in irons due to arthritis, pains, etc. Dropped from 118gm to about 89 gm shafts at similar flex. Surprisingly shoot my cap on first several rounds with them and sooo much easier on the body.

[rgk5]

Someday it will be strange to see someone with a steel iron shaft, just like when the sneaker brigade is out and you see a steel shaft driver

 

Show me a 130g graphite iron shaft you can get for anywhere remotely close to $20/ea.

 

Particularly with irons, weight is a much more important factor that shaft profile. It's not about max distance with irons, it's about consistency and more often than not heavier weight will allow for better consistency than lighter.

 

This prediction isn't one that will come true.

 

As a long time fitter of 16 years my position is your statement is patently false. I fit 60-75 sets of irons every year and the overwhelmimg majority are NOT the 120-130 gram variants. Far more C-Taper Lite 105, X95/100/105, and Modus 105 are sold in custom builds than their heavier cousins. Consistency involves far more than shaft weight. Lie angle, loft gaping, grip type/size, head style, flex, and shaft material are all important.

 

I have seen customers gain 10-12 yds per iron with weaker lofts and lighter shafts without sacrificing one iota of accuracy. Why? They load and unload the shaft better with more speed while still squaring the clubface.

 

Certainly there are those who do need and play better with heavier shafts. They are in the minority of golfers, the strongest and ablest of strikers.

[manima1]

Someday it will be strange to see someone with a steel iron shaft, just like when the sneaker brigade is out and you see a steel shaft driver

 

Show me a 130g graphite iron shaft you can get for anywhere remotely close to $20/ea.

 

Particularly with irons, weight is a much more important factor that shaft profile. It's not about max distance with irons, it's about consistency and more often than not heavier weight will allow for better consistency than lighter.

 

This prediction isn't one that will come true.

 

As a long time fitter of 16 years my position is your statement is patently false. I fit 60-75 sets of irons every year and the overwhelmimg majority are NOT the 120-130 gram variants. Far more C-Taper Lite 105, X95/100/105, and Modus 105 are sold in custom builds than their heavier cousins. Consistency involves far more than shaft weight. Lie angle, loft gaping, grip type/size, head style, flex, and shaft material are all important.

 

I have seen customers gain 10-12 yds per iron with weaker lofts and lighter shafts without sacrificing one iota of accuracy. Why? They load and unload the shaft better with more speed while still squaring the clubface.

 

Certainly there are those who do need and play better with heavier shafts. They are in the minority of golfers, the strongest and ablest of strikers.

 

Where did you read 120-130g variants in any of my posts? That is at the absolute heaviest end of the spectrum, by no means am I saying most will fit into that category. Your assumption there is what appears to be "patently false".

 

We are talking steel vs. graphite, last I checked "C-Taper Lite 105, X95/100/105, and Modus 105" all check in as "steel" and are heavier than the typical graphite iron shaft build. Aren't you backing up my argument here that if you fit more of into these than their lighter graphite counterparts?

 

What is "patently false" about that?

[rgk5]

Someday it will be strange to see someone with a steel iron shaft, just like when the sneaker brigade is out and you see a steel shaft driver

 

Show me a 130g graphite iron shaft you can get for anywhere remotely close to $20/ea.

 

Particularly with irons, weight is a much more important factor that shaft profile. It's not about max distance with irons, it's about consistency and more often than not heavier weight will allow for better consistency than lighter.

 

This prediction isn't one that will come true.

 

As a long time fitter of 16 years my position is your statement is patently false. I fit 60-75 sets of irons every year and the overwhelmimg majority are NOT the 120-130 gram variants. Far more C-Taper Lite 105, X95/100/105, and Modus 105 are sold in custom builds than their heavier cousins. Consistency involves far more than shaft weight. Lie angle, loft gaping, grip type/size, head style, flex, and shaft material are all important.

 

I have seen customers gain 10-12 yds per iron with weaker lofts and lighter shafts without sacrificing one iota of accuracy. Why? They load and unload the shaft better with more speed while still squaring the clubface.

 

Certainly there are those who do need and play better with heavier shafts. They are in the minority of golfers, the strongest and ablest of strikers.

 

Where did you read 120-130g variants in any of my posts? That is at the absolute heaviest end of the spectrum, by no means am I saying most will fit into that category. Your assumption there is what appears to be "patently false".

 

We are talking steel vs. graphite, last I checked "C-Taper Lite 105, X95/100/105, and Modus 105" all check in as "steel" and are heavier than the typical graphite iron shaft build. Aren't you backing up my argument here that if you fit more of into these than their lighter graphite counterparts?

 

What is "patently false" about that?

 

No, I am talking about weight as your thesis was that heavier shafts performed better. You did not qualify the type of player nor did you specify graphite or steel. I listed all the shafts mentioned as examples of how the market has changed in the last five years. I could have included Recoils, Matrix or other graphite shafts in heavier or similar lighter weights but chose not too. It does not change the industry trend to lighter shafts. The OEMS and shaft manufacturers are not stupid and know what 90% of players should use. Their product offerings reflect that tend.

[farmer]

The heads yes, shafts no. Yonex and Yamaha graphite heads flopped. There are far more graphite shafts on Tours now than ever. Duke, Snedeker, Kucher, Couples and many more on all three Tours.

I remember those Yonnex and Yamaha irons. That's going back to the mid-late 80's when I was a bag rat (cleaned clubs) at a local country club. With graphite shafts those things were incredibly light.

There was always that one member or members who had to have the latest goofy a** irons. Remember the Cleveland VAS or the Tiger Sharks. Browning 440's?

Yep, the guy I knew who owned the Yonex clubs also had a set of MacGregor Featherweights or whatever Mac called those super light clubs. I think Calvin Peete and Tom Kite played the super lights with some success on tour, but they bear little resemblance to a club player.