What would you suggest for a 30s female beginner: steel or graphite?

chocolate_rehab · February 14, 2016

I'm a 34-year-old female beginner. I've been playing about 6 months, I'm taking lessons, and slowly improving. I have the choice of Ping G30s in steel or graphite shafts. I haven't done a ton of sim/trackman-ing, but I am fairly strong and decently athletic. I'm not interested in a fitting at this time - I'm not quite good enough and right now my money is best spent on lessons.

That said: what would you suggest? I've read graphite shafts are easier on the joints, which is good. I have no major aches and pains, but I am a CrossFitter and sometimes am sore from various things. Are graphite shafts now good enough to the point where there's no difference from steel apart from being gentler on the body? Are there any key differences I should be aware of? I know this is debated often, but I trust this forum is full of people who are up on things and know what they're talking about.

I don't have a handicap yet, but I really love golf, play quite a bit, and have plans to establish a hdcp this year (and get started on lowering it). I can provide distances if necessary.

Thanks for any thoughts/advice!

drscho · February 14, 2016

Today's premium graphite shafts are almost as accurate as steel. They are available in lighter weights, typically launch higher and are definitely gentler on the body. Many shops will let you hit the G30 head with different shafts at no charge. I would caution you against purchasing a set of irons without testing them first.

chocolate_rehab · February 14, 2016

Today's premium graphite shafts are almost as accurate as steel. They are available in lighter weights, typically launch higher and are definitely gentler on the body. Many shops will let you hit the G30 head with different shafts at no charge. I would caution you against purchasing a set of irons without testing them first.

I took my first lessons with borrowed G25s and I've tried G30s and like them. Just unsure whether to get them with graphite or steel. If graphite is less accurate or has some other drawbacks, I'd go steel. Just trying to get some opinions. Thanks for the response.

Stuart_G · February 15, 2016

That can be a tough call without knowing the specifics of the particular steel and graphite choice and a bit more info about the swing. I will say that it's been a long time since we've been able to lump all graphite and steel shafts into just the two categories. So you can't make any generalizations about the shaft just because it happens to be steel or graphite. Both steel and graphite can come in a wide variety of weights and bend profiles (how the stiffness varies across the shaft). Graphite is not inherently any more or less accurate than steel and how well the shaft performs is really just a function of how well the weight and feel of the flex match your particular swing and preferences. Yes, graphite may help with 'wear and tear' on the body but that is generally the case for folks with some medical conditions - tendinitis, arthritis or other joint issues. I don't know but wouldn't think it would be much help in terms of general muscle soreness. It's also not really known how much graphite might help in terms of the prevention of those types of conditions.

I will say that shaft weight tends to be the more important fitting factor when picking a shaft. Going either too light or too heavy can have a negative impact on the swing, you want to find the weight that best fits your particular sense of rhythm and tempo, gives you a good feel of where the club is in the back swing and doesn't require 'too much effort' to transition and swing.The only way you will find what that best weight is is to spend some time hitting them side by side (preferably with launch monitor data to help you evaluate the results).

Now it sounds like you've been given the choice between the stock steel and stock graphite option for a particular club. When looking at stock steel vs stock graphite, the graphite will tend to be lighter than the steel and probably have a slightly softer bend profile as well to help increase launch a little bit. However, the stock steel option for Ping tends to be a mid weight shaft and may not be too heavy - 95-110 gm depending on flex. Stock graphites from Ping tend to be in the 75-85 gm range (again depending on flex). But again, without knowing the specifics or what weight is a good fit for you, no way to make any useful recommendations.

chocolate_rehab · February 15, 2016

Okay, thanks for the insight. I think I will see if it's possible to borrow a couple of G30s in both shafts (stock CFS steel and stock TFC 419 graphite) and try them out. I'm not entirely sure I'm consistent enough to decide, but hopefully I'll be able to tell right away which I prefer.

Stuart_G · February 15, 2016

If not borrow, you should be able to at least demo the two different options at almost any retail store that carries Ping's.

chocolate_rehab · February 21, 2016

Update: I hit them both at the range and decided to go with the steel. I hit the PW/9/ about the same distance in both, but the longer irons (5/6) I did not hit as well with the graphite. It was hard to feel the weight of the club in the backswing and it caused me to miss a bunch. They felt a little too light.

I'm glad I was able to try both, though. It's also good to know graphite irons have improved so much that when/if I need to use them they're a viable option.

Thanks to everyone who gave their advice!

Stuart_G · February 22, 2016

Thanks for the update. Sounds like you made the right choice and for the right reasons. Good luck with the new clubs.

gvogel · March 4, 2016

Update: I hit them both at the range and decided to go with the steel. I hit the PW/9/ about the same distance in both, but the longer irons (5/6) I did not hit as well with the graphite. It was hard to feel the weight of the club in the backswing and it caused me to miss a bunch. They felt a little too light.

I'm glad I was able to try both, though. It's also good to know graphite irons have improved so much that when/if I need to use them they're a viable option.

Thanks to everyone who gave their advice!

As a rule, heavier goes straighter, and lighter goes farther. But, it is up to each of us to determine which gives us the most consistent contact and results. I have tried graphite from time to time, but I keep coming back to steel because I get more consistent results.

I did play graphite one year after getting a terrible case of tendinitis in the elbows from some stiff and light steel shafts in a set of Pings.

Lately I have been playing the Nippon 105T shaft in Titleist AP1's -which are softer in the tip - and easy on my joints. The heavier weight (108 grams?) works better with my transition.

Long story short, there are trade offs that have to be made.

Stuart_G · March 5, 2016

The heavier weight (108 grams?) works better with my transition.

Long story short, there are trade offs that have to be made.

Not as much as you might think. Just find graphite shaft with the same heavier weight. Several to choose from.

98rzvr6 · March 22, 2016

Just go hit both and then you'll know for sure. I loved Graphites when i had them. Feel really nice

gvogel · March 24, 2016

The heavier weight (108 grams?) works better with my transition.

Long story short, there are trade offs that have to be made.

Not as much as you might think. Just find graphite shaft with the same heavier weight. Several to choose from.

The problem with heavier graphite shafts is that they are firm in the tip, and generally lower launching. I am thinking of both Steelfibers and Recoils. I prefer a heavier shaft with a lively tip - which I have found in the Titleist/Nippon 105T. If I could find a heavier graphite shaft with a flexible tip, I would be very interested.

Stuart_G · March 24, 2016

The heavier weight (108 grams?) works better with my transition.

Long story short, there are trade offs that have to be made.

Not as much as you might think. Just find graphite shaft with the same heavier weight. Several to choose from.

The problem with heavier graphite shafts is that they are firm in the tip, and generally lower launching. I am thinking of both Steelfibers and Recoils. I prefer a heavier shaft with a lively tip - which I have found in the Titleist/Nippon 105T. If I could find a heavier graphite shaft with a flexible tip, I would be very interested.

Steelfibers are certainly firmer tipped as are the recoil prototypes. Recoils are not as stiff but still in the middle between low-mid.

However, depends how 'active' a tip you want. I don't know anything about those made-for Nippons. Yes, you'll have a hard time finding really soft high launching shaft in the heavier weight range (it's not a very common need) but plenty of medium tip stiff, mid launch shafts exist. Haven't personally tried any of these so it just based on reputation: Matrix Programs have softer tips (mid launch) but is more limited in weight choices e.g stiff's go from 97 gm to 117 gm . I believe the GD AD iron shaft line is also in the same mid-launch category and available in more weight options. Fujikura MCI iron shafts are another one in the mid launch category and have a 104 gm stiff version. Of course most of those might be considered fairly pricey - even for graphite iron shafts. AXE Tour X irons shafts are supposedly have medium tip stiffness.

You can also get a more lively tip by just going down a flex. That's, in effect, what most are doing when they go to Nippons.