Any steel shafts better than others on the elbows

[tyorke1]

I have graphite but curious if some steel shafts are better than others

[DYOS4]

I found KBS Tour with Prosoft inserts to be decent but still not as forgiving as graphite. 

[chamgel2]

I’ve battled nerve issues in my elbow for the past 5 years, and tried quite a few steel shafts (KBS tour, KBS C-Taper, DG, PX, Nippon) the only steel shaft I was able to play for any length of time without pain was the Nippon Modus 105 with prosoft inserts.  Adding Winn Dri-Tac grips also helped a bit with the vibration.    
 

If I was just playing 18 and not playing back to back days these shafts would have allowed me to play pain free….If I wanted to play 36, or play back to back days graphite was the only thing that would help.  

Unfortunately my elbow popped again in a tourney last April and I’m currently awaiting another follow up with the surgeon to see if a 2nd ulnar nerve surgery in the last 4 years is needed.   I had thought my golf career was finished and it was time to hang it up,  but I’m seriously considering learning how to play left handed to take stress off the left elbow that has been the constant problem.  
 

I’m still debating on set makeup once I’m ready to buy a full bag (just have an 8 iron now) as I’d love to go back to playing steel shafts, but if I do Nippon Modus will be the only shafts I consider.  

[tomg1969]

Does Steel    fiber count? 😂

[jvincent]

19 hours ago, tyorke1 said:

I have graphite but curious if some steel shafts are better than others

 

I have found the Nippon shafts to be very vibration resistant.

[Godfather]

Elevate Tour with VSS is about the best steel for vibration and it isn’t nearly as good as graphite. Just do yourself a favor and test some other graphite options in your desired weight range and roll with one. I tested 5 different graphite shafts in a demo Mizuno 6-iron and I’m never going back to steel. Ever. I also went from playing 120-130g shafts to 110g graphite and now I’m fine with 95g (with some lead tape on the PW and 9i shafts). You are already in graphite so why take a step back to steel?

Edited February 26, 2023 by Godfather

[gioreeko]

why not stick with graphite? I switched to MMT TX and haven't looked back. Super stout yet smooth, and my 6 iron SS is around 99, and it allows me to really attack the ball with no fear of harshness.

[st1800e]

In my experience , with lots of elbow, shoulder and hand issues, nothing added to a steel shaft will match graphite for vibration dampening. I had no choice but to switch to graphite 10 years ago.   I hit one shot with a steel shaft a few years ago , just to see, instant pain.   Regretted that. 
 

There are so many options in graphite now, some play very similar to steel. 
 

Im in the process of reshafting my irons with these, tried one in my hybrid, noticeably more dampening than plain graphite.  It has a viscoelastic material embedded in the graphite. 
 

https://golfworks.ca/ust-mamiya-recoil-es-smacwrap-graphite-iron-shafts/p/us0108/

[Radeon962]

Nippon NS Pro Modus3 are about the easiest on the elbows I played.  ProSoft inserts help but no steel even with inserts will match the dampening of graphite.

[phizzy30]

9 hours ago, Godfather said:

Elevate Tour with VSS is about the best steel for vibration and it isn’t nearly as good as graphite. Just do yourself a favor and test some other graphite options in your desired weight range and roll with one. I tested 5 different graphite shafts in a demo Mizuno 6-iron and I’m never going back to steel. Ever. I also went from playing 120-130g shafts to 110g graphite and now I’m fine with 95g (with some lead tape on the PW and 9i shafts). You are already in graphite so why take a step back to steel?

Agree.  I've tested a lot of steel shafts in my younger years and none of them even come close to graphite/composite in terms of vibration reduction even with the pro-sof inserts.  Modern composite shafts are just as stable as steel IMO so I don't see see the need to ever go back to steel. 

[AzRoger]

Ping developed the cushin insert (see link below) for that very reason and offers it as an upgrade in their steel shafts. I had them in a set (i20's) I ordered from Ping a few years ago and it did seem to reduce vibration. As stated above Golfworks does sell a shaft insert to reduce vibration, different design than the Ping cushin, not sure how they compare.

Blogs - PING

Edited February 27, 2023 by AzRoger

[st1800e]

12 hours ago, AzRoger said:

Ping developed the cushin insert (see link below) for that very reason and offers it as an upgrade in their steel shafts. I had them in a set (i20's) I ordered from Ping a few years ago and it did seem to reduce vibration. As stated above Golfworks does sell a shaft insert to reduce vibration, different design than the Ping cushin, not sure how they compare.

Blogs - PING

Would be interesting to see steel vs steel/cushin vs graphite. 

[jeffrey r]

1 hour ago, st1800e said:

Would be interesting to see steel vs steel/cushin vs graphite. 

 

I think that comparison has been going on for years now.  Cushin has been around awhile.  The general consensus outlined in this thread still generally stands--graphite is easier on the body than steel with dampening inserts.  And steel is just super-harsh in general.  Heck, even waggling some of my steel-shafted iron sets at home starts to give me that pain sensation again, let alone playing the steel shafts. 

 

The original Elevate 95 with VSS is the closest I think I came to graphite with steel.  But still no real comparison.

[mizuno player]

I've tried several steel.ahafys to help with tendonitis. Some shafts seemed to help at first but in the end the pain issues always returned. Graphite is the only way to go. 

[ctonr]

I've played many different steel shafts and for me the worst for vibration was the original ProjectX.  Also found lightweight shafts like C Taper Lite to feel brittle and more vibration than DG or KBS Tours.  The best I've found, IMO, are the Elevates with VSS and Modus 105 or 120.

[avguy]

As a Lefty who golfs right, I've had several bouts of extreme Golfer's elbow in my lead left arm which naturally bother me in the rest of life - It was difficult to brush teeth and shave!

 

After going thru many versions of steel, my sig pair of irons  in Recoils and MR KK TiNi has me pain free now over three years.  But, I had to hold onto my only set of forged 1-pc. mb irons (Honma TW 727 MB) cuz I was addicted to irons like them.  The key was they were never to be used at the range with repeated strikes and have the flex only say R.  Nippon Modus 125 to be exact - fairly soft on me with very occasional usage. 

 

Graphite really is required IMHO to avoid more injury if you play often - and  avoid the dreaded mats!

[sethdavidsdad]

On 2/25/2023 at 3:02 PM, tyorke1 said:

I have graphite but curious if some steel shafts are better than others

Nippon shafts are very easy on the joints. 

[homergolf]

Looking at your signature, this might not be right for you because of high launch, but TT Elevate are very good at keeping vibration to a minimum.  Went to Golf Galaxy and unexpectedly bought a set of Tour Edge Exotics C722 irons on clearance.  Had them adjusted to my specs (1* flat). They have Elevate 95 shafts and these are a great set of irons.  Might displace my AP3s with Steel Fiber i95 shafts.  

[CTG77]

I went from fairly frequent "tennis elbow" pain with my Cobra ForgedTec (2016ish) irons with Project X LZ 6.0 shafts to Mizuno Pro 223s with Nippon 1150gh (Stiff) shafts last year.  I have not had any recurrences since I acclimated to the new clubs / shafts and worked through the remaining soreness from the old clubs / shafts.

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

I'd guess, as I played steel for years, depends on flex point, grip type/construction, but mostly feel related, steel always going to be harsher than graphite...and modern graphite are very playable.

[Pepperturbo]

I played PX 6.0 for fifteen + years till five years back; never had a problem with them, while others thought they were like rebar.  But as age crept up, eventually it became prudent to look at and switch to composite for less wear and tear on the body.  Even at my age, I still play quite a bit; plus it benefits my arthritis. 

 

Before switching, I tried many steel shafts and concluded, steel is steel, heavy or light, steel comes with repercussions that heavy or light composite doesn't have.  I switched because high-end composite shafts are designed to allow the head at impact to talk to my hands, so I know where the ball is going without looking, similar in ways to PX 6.0.

[pmang]

Not to go to far off topic, I’ve been struggling a bit with going to graphite. I have a set of i525’s with SF i95 R flex which seem a bit soft. I also have a set of ZX5’s with Recoil 95 stiff. I really like steel shafts better. DG105 stiff are my favorite. I’ve had elbow tendinitis in both elbows and that’s why I switched. 
 

something I’ve wondered is, what do the pros do with elbow issues? You don’t see many using graphite? Even on the senior tour? Some do but not that many. With all the balls they hit you’d think they’d have more issues? So if elbows flare up, how do they solve the problem?

[TheBear95]

Just now, pmang said:

Not to go to far off topic, I’ve been struggling a bit with going to graphite. I have a set of i525’s with SF i95 R flex which seem a bit soft. I also have a set of ZX5’s with Recoil 95 stiff. I really like steel shafts better. DG105 stiff are my favorite. I’ve had elbow tendinitis in both elbows and that’s why I switched. 
 

something I’ve wondered is, what do the pros do with elbow issues? You don’t see many using graphite? Even on the senior tour? Some do but not that many. With all the balls they hit you’d think they’d have more issues? So if elbows flare up, how do they solve the problem?

 

Interesting question. Tour players are not hitting off of mats. That has to help.

[golfinbrad]

1 minute ago, pmang said:

Not to go to far off topic, I’ve been struggling a bit with going to graphite. I have a set of i525’s with SF i95 R flex which seem a bit soft. I also have a set of ZX5’s with Recoil 95 stiff. I really like steel shafts better. DG105 stiff are my favorite. I’ve had elbow tendinitis in both elbows and that’s why I switched. 
 

something I’ve wondered is, what do the pros do with elbow issues? You don’t see many using graphite? Even on the senior tour? Some do but not that many. With all the balls they hit you’d think they’d have more issues? So if elbows flare up, how do they solve the problem?

I think  elbow and other issues become more prominent as you age, which is why you don't see many players on the regular tour dealing with problems.  Kuchar and Snedeker did use Steelfiber i95 stiff for a while.  I had to make the switch because of tendonitis over the past several seasons.  I really don't think it is an equipment change the pro do.  They have access to some of the best trainers and doctors out there.  They do tons of stretching and exercising to help reduce inflammations of all kinds.  The younger guys spend more time in the gym or focusing on their overall health than pounding balls like us old guys used to.  Then an in various injections, laser treatments, etc. at there finger tips.  Heck how many of us stretch before?  Most are straight from the truck to the first tee.  So I don't think it is an equipment changes that helps them as much as the behind the scenes stuff.

[NRJyzr]

1 hour ago, pmang said:

something I’ve wondered is, what do the pros do with elbow issues? You don’t see many using graphite? Even on the senior tour? Some do but not that many. With all the balls they hit you’d think they’d have more issues? So if elbows flare up, how do they solve the problem?

 

20+ years ago, Scott Verplank was playing UST Tour Weight shafts (and Golfsmith irons) because of his elbow issues.  

 

As for general pros, it's the sort of detail that isn't addressed.  We have no idea how many players, if any, have some form of dampening insert in their shafts.  Ping Cushin and Prosoft inserts are two, but there are others out there.

 

[pmang]

It just makes me wonder if there is a solution other than automatically going for graphite. I reckon I’ll do some research. 

[jeffrey r]

16 hours ago, golfinbrad said:

I think  elbow and other issues become more prominent as you age, which is why you don't see many players on the regular tour dealing with problems.  Kuchar and Snedeker did use Steelfiber i95 stiff for a while.  I had to make the switch because of tendonitis over the past several seasons.  I really don't think it is an equipment change the pro do.  They have access to some of the best trainers and doctors out there.  They do tons of stretching and exercising to help reduce inflammations of all kinds.  The younger guys spend more time in the gym or focusing on their overall health than pounding balls like us old guys used to.  Then an in various injections, laser treatments, etc. at there finger tips.  Heck how many of us stretch before?  Most are straight from the truck to the first tee.  So I don't think it is an equipment changes that helps them as much as the behind the scenes stuff.

 

Yeah, I think this is it in a nutshell.  I’ve found it a bit odd how the pros continue to use the heavy steel shafts, play almost every day, and don’t seem to have ill effects.  While many of the rest of us get these terrible repercussions from almost any steel shaft, even lighter.  But the pros train way more than we do, and surely have access to way more medical treatments and such.

 

Anyway, as to the guy who tested i95 R and Recoil 95 S without success, there is way more out there.  Catalyst 100, KBS TGI/PGI 100/110, Steelfiber i110 and fc115, MMT 105/125, etc.  If you need the benefits of graphite, I suggest not giving up and trying out more shafts.  Being on the sideline with terrible tendonitis or rotator cuff injuries is not a good alternative.

[AzRoger]

The pros also flush it a lot more than the rest of us, not so many thin, chunked, and toe shots. You'll notice some older pros wearing a compression strap just below the elbow, Scott McCarron often wears one.

[JPS_17]

Oban CT’s are really nice as well. Similar ultra smooth feel to Modus. 

[ChaosTheory]

This thread has saved me from going through my annual episode of “I really need to get back to steel shafts”, and then ordering some.  I was just about to order from Golfworks.  
 

Then my problem is the expense and low success rate trying to find a heavy graphite for my modest swing.