Throughout history, golf clubs were first made of wood and later stainless steel and recently, golf club technology has expanded to the use of graphite and titanium. Clubs may be made from graphite or titanium individually or from a combination of the two. Both graphite and titanium offer certain advantages and disadvantages to golfers of all skill levels.
History
Graphite, a lightweight synthetic material, was introduced for use in golf clubs in the 1970s as a lighter alternative to clubs made of stainless steel. Titanium, a natural metal element, is a heavier material whose use in golf clubs became popular in the 1990s. Today, many clubs are made from a composite of both graphite and titanium materials.
Graphite Benefits
The primary advantage of clubs made from graphite is that they are much more lightweight than titanium clubs and the club head tends to be more heavily back-weighted. Graphite clubs also tend to offer increased flexibility and are more suited to players with a slower swing speed who need help maximizing the distance, accuracy and trajectory of their shots. Clubs made of graphite can also significantly dampen the amount of vibration you may feel in your arms and hands as the club face makes contact with the ball.
Graphite Considerations
The primary disadvantage of clubs constructed from graphite is that they offer less durability and will typically need to be replaced more often than clubs made from more durable materials. While graphite shafts can provide increased distance, they may also reduce the amount of control you have over your shot if you have a choppy or inconsistent swing. In addition to dampening vibrations, clubs made of graphite also dampen the sound effect of the club face striking the ball, which may be a consideration for some players.
Titanium Benefits
Golf clubs made of titanium tend to be heavier and offer a stiffer feel than graphite clubs and they may be more suited to players who are able to drive with a greater amount of power. Titanium clubs will provide players with a faster swing speed both distance and accuracy and they tend to be much more durable than graphite clubs. Titanium clubs will also allow for a dampening of the vibration you may feel as you strike the ball.
Titanium Considerations
While a titanium club can help stronger players to maximize distance, their stiffness can also make it difficult to gauge how hard to hit the ball. If the ball is hit with too much force, your shot will lose some of its accuracy. Titanium clubs also tend to be more expensive than clubs made of graphite and the noise they generate when the ball is struck can be extremely loud and potentially damaging to your hearing.
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