The golf shaft connects the club head to the grip and is responsible for transferring the power of your swing from your hands to the ball. Golf shafts are one of the most important components of a golf club in terms of their ability to impact the quality of your shot. When choosing a golf shaft, you will typically have to choose between graphite and steel, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.
Construction
According to "Golf Today," steel shafts typically are composed of carbon steel with a chrome plate finish, although they sometimes contain stainless steel. A strip of steel is rolled into a tube and drawn through a machine until the diameter and thickness is correct. The step pattern is formed and the shaft is molded to add the flex and kick point. With graphite shafts, graphite tape featuring an epoxy binder is wrapped around a steel mandrel. The shaft is heated and the mandrel is removed. Once it cools, the shaft is sanded, cut, painted and sealed with a hard laminate material.
Steel Shaft Advantages
Shafts made of steel are generally heavier than those made of graphite, typically weighing between 90 g and 120 g, according to PurelyGolf.com. Their heavier weight tends to make them more beneficial to players with a faster swing and a mid- to low handicap. For players who can effectively drive the ball longer distances, the heavier weight of a steel shaft can offer increased club head control and reduced torque, or lateral twisting. Steel shafts also are typically less expensive and more durable than graphite, depending on how you care for them.
Steel Shaft Disadvantages
According to Golf.com, the primary disadvantage of steel shafts is their inability to absorb vibrations from a bad shot. While stronger players might appreciate this feedback, inexperienced players who haven't yet perfected their swing can find the unfiltered vibrations uncomfortable. In addition, cold weather generally intensifies the shock to your hands and arms.
Graphite Shaft Advantages
Graphite shafts typically weigh between 50 g and 90 g, according to PurelyGolf.com. This lighter weight makes graphite shafts ideal for players with a slower swing speed who need more help driving the ball over long distances. According to GolfALot.com, graphite shafts dampen vibrations significantly more than steel shafts, which also can be a plus for newer players or players recovering from a hand or wrist injury.
Graphite Shaft Disadvantages
GolfClubClone.com cites several disadvantages of graphite shafts. Graphite shafts are designed primarily for distance and might not offer the same amount of accuracy as a steel shaft. Their construction means they require more care to ensure that they retain their durability. Graphite shafts also tend to be more expensive than their steel counterparts. There also is less consistency in terms of stiffness across a set of graphite shafts than with steel.
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