Should Mid-Handicap Golfers Use Graphite Shafts? On Course Test
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Should mid handicap golfers use graphite shafts? on course test using the PING i500 irons. mid handicap shaft testing. what shafts should you use? What shafts should I use? What are the best shafts for mid handicappers ? In this video myself and Mark my mid handicap tester put traditional steel shafted irons head to head against the graphite equivalent. What differences will we see? Graphite shaft vs steel shaft for mid handicap. This is a Ping i500 on course test. Should you use graphite shafted irons? In a past video we put them head to head on a launch monitor, that video is linked below:
• Steel Shafts Vs Graphi...
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He seemed predisposed to steel at the onset. It would be an interesting comparison to do the same video with someone that already plays graphite. Love your videos. Keep up the great work!
Spot on.
I play off 12. I started playing with steel blades, never had a problem. Now i I've got graphite cavity heads... Never had a problem.
Personal preference. And if your off 5 or lower it might matter, but mid HCP? Bollox! Its how good you swing it
yeah this is all user error at this point lol
Agreed. You know they were already disliking graphite when he hits a massive hook with the graphite shaft and James goes "that's the one I worry about with graphite". Really? Because he just hit the exact same shot with the steel shaft on the Par 3...
Funny watching Mark talk himself into steel. On the hole where the graphite was closer you walked to the steel shot and talked about how it was only a gapper away. When the steel was close at the end then the graphite shot was made to seem like it was a long ways out. It too was only a gapper away. Boils down to preference. You can talk yourself into anything. That’s how we end up buying a club then playing it later and hating it. I have both steel and graphite. Got talked into steel by a fitter and never warmed up to them. Ended up with a new graphite set the next year. Preference... great video.
I think it comes down to confidence. I was using steel but fitted for graphite. I felt like i could "feel" the head of the club better in the graphite, so now I'm playing graphite. Comes down to each players objectives and preference.
I've given up my graphite shafts and gone to a light weight Nippon pro shaft James,absolutely loving them.
Thanks James,by the way I'm 65years old
I'd like to see Mark play several rounds with the graphite shafts to get a real feel for them and them give his feedback to see if he still thinks he can't feel the club head. It could just be a case of "what you know".
Good all round test. Interesting results. I had you both leaning towards steel shafts from the start, when that happens the other one (graphite) would have to be pretty amazing to sway your decision.
I wish I could test clubs like this - inside launch monitor get fitted then on course to try them out.
Another cracking on course test with Mark and well done again Mark,great honest opinions guys
Thanks !!! :)
Really enjoyed this comparison the only downside was that it wasn't long enough! Too bad the weather came in I would have enjoyed watching Mark play another few holes. Great job guys
The preconceived opinions seemed to influence the results. It's interesting though. I'd like to see more shots and less prediction prior to the shots. Good video though. I'm also interested if a graphite shaft might be good for golfers with injuries.
Love this channel! Doesn’t get any better than waking every morning and seeing a new video!
I’ve played with graphite for over 20yrs and I love it, it is made for 90% of all golfers who don’t have a 90mph swing speed. Steel is too heavy for most amateur players and weekend golfers. Every time I tried steel I always struggled since my swing speed is in the mid 70’s.
I'd suggest giving Mark time to get used to the graphites then retest. I'd bet you wanted see any differences.
I switched to graphite solely for relief from tennis elbow that developed years ago playing golf. It ached so bad in my right forearm I couldn't play sometimes. Graphite lessons it to barely noticeable. I didn't gain any distance although I wasn't fit for them. I think steel is a better feel for me and a bit more accurate. But I get aches if I even hit a small bucket with steel. I'm staying graphite for rest of my years.
Guessing Mark has now ordered steel for his woods and hybrids now ?
I'm a high mid handicapper 16.9 at this time. I recently changed to True Temper x100 shafts. I feel they have help a lot with consistency and hitting the ball straighter.
Got fitted for KBs graphite stiff 85 shafts.
Feel reallly good with cobra tour irons
With emphasis on proper club fitting, this is not a good comparison. There is a big difference in “feel” between heavier steel shaft vs. graphite plus the feel at impact between steel and graphite is also quite different. These days, irons with properly fitted (weight and shot profile) graphite shafts is superior to steel shafts which still limited in weight and bend profile. Graphite shafts also save a lot of wear and tear on your body if you happened to play a good bit of golf, whether you are old or young. Graphite shafts only suited to the old or weak or women is no longer a true statement.
Suwedh S you’ve totally missed the point of the video. But that’s for the comment :)
I agree with Mark. Graphite’s feel makes uncomfortable. Steel gives me confidence. Great video.
Shaft Flex makes the difference. Put stiff or extra stiff low torque high quality shaft. Fred Couples Brent Snedker play Aero Tec.
Wah hay mark is back james mark is back
i think age comes into this a lot, i played steel shafts with wilson Di9 irons got into my 70s now play taylormade RBZ graphite love them find steel shafts just a touch heavy. love your stuff
I love these on course tests. Mark is a natural in front of the camera! Can you find a 5/6/7 handicapper to do some testing as well?
Well done James!
I'm a mid-handicapper, and I have the steel shafts in my G700s. They are a lightweight steel shaft, which made me wonder why I would the graphite in the first place, since they felt as smooth as any graphite-shafted set of irons I've ever had. What might be a more interesting test for a mid-handicapper would be graphite versus some of the Dynamic Gold or KBS brand shafts.
I recently changed from steel to Graphite, after 3 rounds I was contemplating selling and going back to steel. But I persevered and now feel I am playing much more consistently. Initially I lost distance but as my confidence with the graphite has improved the distance is back to where my steel shafts were, additionally I went from reg steel to senior flex graphite.
Interesting vid doing a H2H with steel & graphite shafts, but again I am not sure that you have done an Apples with Apples comparison.
Ignoring the fact that Mark is experienced with steel shafts, the difference that he was "feeling" was the difference in weight between the two shafts. If you did a similar test with two steel shafts of different weights, you would have exactly the same comments (that he couldn't "feel" the lighter shaft).
The graphite vs steel H2H would have more validity if you used a heavier graphite shaft that was nearer to the weight of his current steel shaft.
The important message is that whether you are using steel or graphite you need to ensure that you get Fitted into the correct shaft and to ensure that it is the correct Flex, Bend profile, Torque and most important of all the Correct Weight!
This underlined my lack of UTTER reliance on launch monitoring.
A very informative video James, and thanks to Mark for his input
I’ve been going to try something similar to see what works best for me
My current irons are graphite shafts, but they are Gerry Hogan 21AD Power Zone shafts from the 1990’s they are heavy shafts at around 115 up to 132 grams
I’ve got a couple of ex demo Cobra Bio Cell 7 irons off ebay, one with steel and one with a graphite shaft, the steel is about the same weight as my current graphite shafts and the “new” graphite is a fair bit lighter
After seeing how Mark went, I’m very keen to see what happens
Thanks for the video, I enjoy your content a lot
Thanks for the great video and information James. I really enjoy your videos and insight into golf. I tried hitting graphite shafts vs steel shafts in a club just the other day. I felt it was way easier to get good consistent contact with graphite rather than the steel. I did not have the same feeling when hitting the ball but the ball flight seemed to be straighter, longer and more consistent with the graphite. Being fitted correctly by a professional is also very important too. Before making such a big choice I believe that the only way to know is to try a set out on the golf course. Again thanks for the great video.
You should do a steelfiber shaft mid handicap test. They are more in line with steel shaft weights. I believe they have 110-125 weight range.
Yes, definitely a consideration.
great video James and Mark , golf to me is about confidence in the equipment you use if you don't have confidence in what your gaming then you won't play to your best also doing the demo on course compared to indoors on a mat with none of the elements to effect ball flight or impact is a huge difference outdoors you get to see how it performs in the elements .....great swing Mark keep up the good work you and James are doing.....I'd play a round with you guys anytime seem like good mates
At 60 yrs old I just coped out and ordered a set of crutches ,Wilson C300 irons with flex face technology & 78g graphite shaft( mumbo jumbo, blah, blah, blah),looking to trade off some back spin, height and feel for distance, over my beloved 1970s forged muscle-backs, at one club stronger & longer if I don't get nearly twenty yards extra distance from the flex face & lightweight graphite, they're going down the road, I'll find out Friday :)
Thanks James , I will always prefer graphite because of longevity. I live in America in the south,and it gets hot here . The graphite is much easier to play in the heat. The steel is just to heavy if you play a lot of golf!
Fellow american here i use steel and work a very labor intensive job so when playing 18 and even sometimes 9 im so sore by the end. I want to make the switch but dont know how much the learning curve will affect my game. I play a course where houses line the fairways and fairways are relatively narrow so if its going to drastically affect my shot its not something i would be able to do for a couple years till i decide to get a membership somewhere else. Any info on this learning curve?
zach lowman if you go steel fiber about a week , graphite is a tad longer but a day or two. Just get fitted so you can reduce weight that’s what’s making you sore. I have the same problem when I pull my steel shafts out . If can keep a smooth tempo the transition is very quick a day or so.
Brooks Krabousanos awesome thanks for the reply.
thanks james.....great content...great relevance to average /mid handicap golfer....great editing...keep up good work
i went form steel to graphite....back to steel...prefered the feel of steel....club felt more balance....like mark said with graphite...there was that empty feeling between handle and club head...but agree...have to try on course to see and feel results for yourself
Would love to see more videos like this one!
Mid/High handicapper here! Just purchased Cleveland UHX irons with Stiff Miyazaki graphite shafts and I absolutely love them! I don’t think I can go back to steel shafts😜
Great time to upload, gives me something to watch before I go and play a round!
Use what you are comfortable with. Why change if the improvement is minimal.
I think you should do another test with the same weight shafts.
Were the two clubs comparable in terms of swing weight? My guess is probably not if weight/feel was an issue.
25 years ago the accuracy between the two was an issue, with modern graphite shafts there is minimal difference in performance and comes down to preference in feel.
I agree with Mike 100%. I think this would give a better indication for any mid-handicapper considering graphite shafts. I have found them excellent for my swing speed c.75mph and Mark is probably much quicker through the ball.
I believed is the the skill of a golfer to determine the type of shaft. It is how that golfer deliver his swing when unloading the shaft. There are several PGA golfer in US use Graphite shaft. It is a myth when people think slow swing speed should use Graphite shaft or vice versus. Every golfer should get fitted and try both materials shafts with different bend profiles and weight. This is a proper way to determine the right shaft for you.
I’m a +2 handicap and I’m seriously considering graphite in my next set. I have a lot of Carpal tunnel and arthritis problems so I think it would help my enjoyment of the game overall. And from what I’ve been able to demo I don’t see much accuracy difference at all.
Today's graphite is notnthe same as yesteryear's James. In the Australian PGA championship just last week the winner played graphite shafts. I've used them for over 20 years and would not play steel for love or money ... well maybe a lot of money. They seem a lot easier on my body, especially wrists and shoulders, so I can play more often.
Hi my elbows really ache after golf should I go graphite for that reason, your experience would be appreciated
@@Marc-hn7ft hi Marc, I'm not a medical person so can only comment on my position and, really, have had no problem like your's. Last Wednesday I played in our ProAm and our group's pro was very much in favour of graphite for older people like me (68 years old). He was also the one who told me about Cameron Smith using graphite to win the Australian PGA. The pro's advice was that graphite could let me practise more without joint pain. Have you club pro who has a demo set with graphite that you could borrow for a round? Our club pro does this regularly for us .... at no charge! Best of luck with your choice.
@@Marc-hn7ft I have elbow issues and wear braces on both arms. Switched to Aerotech i95's recently and they seem to be much easier on the arms from what I've observed. They're very stable shafts and play extremely well from my point of view. Worth a go. There are plenty of options now for graphite in irons too. Good luck!
Mid handicapers generally need to feel the shaft so no surprise, but nevetheless a great video guys, well done. Looking forward to the next one.
I'm a beginner and all I have used is graphite shafts. Playing with a used set of Callaway Steelheads.
Wow I'm truly surprised. I would have thought graphite. Maybe graphite's need to be stiffer
What did the 2 test clubs swing weight at? Todays graphite iron shaft are far superior to what they were 20 years ago! Its much easier to get a 95 gram recoil or steelfiber to swing weight at D2 without tip weights and lead tape.
True test would be using ie. 7 irons with the same sw.
It's like all shafts, you have to get used to them. As Mark is currently using a steel shaft he knows in inside out, but if he kept using the graphite shaft he would get to know it better. I would never go back to a steel shaft but I am well past retirement age!
I just went to graphite this year. 64 years old. Before playing Stiff shafts and I have gained more distance along with stronger lofted clubs. Love my graphite. Although I was properly fitted for them. JPX 900 Forged with UST 95 F3 graphite shafts.
Jay McGillicuddy I have just switched to the same shaft with 919 HotMetal, this was the only graphite shaft I tested that felt connected to the head. Really pleased with them.
@@adesenior2192 Yeah, the guy that fitted me said they were a lot heavier graphite shafts than I would think and the feel is like butter. No vibrations at all on mishits. Love love these clubs.
Hi James I was recently at a Srixion fitting event & I have played steel all the time I have been playing golf I tried both of the irons . The 585 came out as a better fit with graphite came out on top with better dispersion & a stiff flex maybe you should get an older mid handicap player to come & test out the differences & see what they think. I am available.
Only change I've noticed switching from graphite to steel was the weight, but my G Loomis shafts were from 94, and were a little heavy, especially compared to the feather-lite steel shafts they're using today. If he'd used graphite for a while, I'm sure he'd adapt. JM2C
I used graphite shafts for a time when I had a nagging shoulder and elbow injury that just wouldn’t heal.
I went right back to steel as soon as I got better, though. There’s no substitute for steel shafted irons if your strong and fast enough to swing them.
Nice Vid .One of my fav courses is in Hudderfield .Bradley Park .Only just started playing again .Gonna have to have a trip up again
Great video BUT it’s not as simple as that....
All down to the fitting to “your” style of swing....Unfortunately most the major brands only offer an average (for the market) shaft with (average for the market) Stiff, Regular or Senior flex. Recently fitted into PXG & the difference in shaft offerings was ginormous.....I was fit into a more “players” Iron (rather than game improvers, which was a shock)with a stiff tipped & balanced graphite shaft
Instant huge improvement....
I like trying graphite shafted iron when the opportunity comes along and I hit them well, but I have this thing in my head that I think they will break at the hosel if I hit a fat shot or if I’m at the range hitting off a mat.. I can’t seem to clear it, so it’s either therapy or stick to steel!
This is for mid handicap BUT what is the best for a Senior ( 75 yrs) 17hcp -18 hcp or worse? No more than 20 hcp. Graphite or Steel or even recovery wood set?
I have played graphite shafts for years but recently tested the Mizuno 919 Forged in 90g steel shafts (compared to my usual 65g graphite). I didn't really notice any difference in distance but the extra shaft weight was really noticeable and off putting. The other difference was that the ball flight was very straight - actually too straight, I really struggled to (deliberately!) put any shape on the ball flight. That could be the head or the shaft or a combination of both - but in my mind that is a negative
If you're going to test steel vs graphite you need to get shafts that have identical stiffness, swing weight, kick point, everything needs to be the same not just a random graphite and a random steel
If your going to comment on a UA-cam video you need to know all the facts before you comment... why test two shafts which would be identical even with different material? We tested Pings very own AWT shafts. Advanced weight technology...
@@JamesRobinsonGolf you can always get a custom shaft from a fitting and I've seen videos where people have used basically identical shafts with one being steel and one being graphite, they're data was much different than what you guys got. Still love the content though
I game the project x lz graphite in my irons and wedges. The weight of them feel great on the 18th hole and I’m a little fatigued.
That is one heck of a nice swing Mark has. I'm guessing those lessons are paying off. great video. Do you ever get any nice winter days over there? it seems like the last few outdoor videos the weather has been dreadful. I personally have had graphites in my last 2 sets of clubs. I like the feel of the club head moving through impact. IMHO.
Hence why were inside so often Tye! 😂
@@JamesRobinsonGolfI can't see that I blame you. You 2 are brave men to challenge the elements for the good of golf videos. This is the reason why I live in South Texas. I develop hypothermia below 75 degrees....lol.
I had a similar experience... Thought my swanky Tour spec fujikura Mizuno Orochi shafts would revolutionize my game... 5-7 went more or less the same distance as 6 and 5 just climbed high...
Good video guys.
Nice cap Mark. Like that alot
Agree with Mark have Ping Crossover with graphite stiff shaft complete lack of feel. Has Mark been accompanying you for lessons with Chris Ryan
"Should" is pretty subjective. I went to graphite about 14 years ago because of injury (elbow tendinitis). I'm playing graphite now because of age (65). Plus, in this case, Mark was not fitted for either shaft. Different graphite profiles could lead to more consistent results. I'm using a different graphite shaft now from the ones I was originally fitted for.
Great test lads, really inventive.
Great video James, never tried graphite so I think I'll keep it that way 😉👍
Another great video James, although I'd love to see that test but different brands? Personally I'm not a fan of ping at all
I’m getting back into golf after 10 years, I’m alittle higher then a mid handicapper and I will never use graphite again lol, very inconsistent for me over steel, just like the gentleman in the vid said, I felt like I could strike them well, but had no control over like I can with steel. Plus graphite looks ugly as hell to me and couldn’t game them if I tried because of that lol
What about for a Driver...... I want to put a Dynamic Gold on my G400max because the Alta CB is lite as heck..... My question is with the CB shaft would changing the shat mess with the weight of the club head meaning make it lighter?
You should put a steel shaft in a driver James and do the numbers and hit the course
It will depend how you are fitted, if graphite works best in the studio and on the course, then why not fit them??? Is there a graphite shaft that is not 'stock' that would be better????
4 to 5 shots are not nearly enough to get used to the graphite shaft. It could take weeks or months of playing with them. Also you need to consider the shaft flex and weight options. Going with a stiffer and heavier graphite shaft should help with feel. Even many tour pros are going with graphite shafts in the longer irons.
Good video, Mark and James! Will 2019 be the year Mark will play a single handicap? Could very well be...
What are all the little holes on the green for. Love the video ⛳️
It’s called hollow tinning they use it to pull out the stronger strain of grass it’s also used to give the greens some air and also to feed the greens at the same time using different fertilisers.
You need an average weekend golfer that shoots 90-95 to do some of these tests as well. They would not be so predisposed and open to trying new things. We need and are looking for help with our game.
i just got graphite shafts as a 28 handicapper helped out so much shooting more like 10 better then i was
I play golf roughly two times a week for my golfing season where i live which is roughly 8 months. Ive only used steel and ive often thought id prefer graphite because i work a very labor intensive job and sometimes when just playing 9 my arms and shoulders are so sore from swinging heavy clubs. But im afraid the switch will screw up my shot. I shoot usually 4-7 over thru 9 so 8-14 which is usually actually 8-12 over thru 18 so id hate to ruin that with the switch. If anybody has any info on the learning curve with the switch itd be much appreciated.
What club was mark hitting a 160 yards?? Good video 🏌🏼👍😃
Those are nice looking irons! 👍
Good video. Just wondering, if I'm a high handicapper and I come for a fitting. Do you try to fix someone's rotton swing or do you try to fit the clubs to the rotten swing?
Mid Hcp? Our club champion uses 780s in his irons. Off plus hcp in his fifties.
Have you ever thought about doing high handicapper reviews james?
Loved the review looked like you gents had fun. Love steel and I agree they are great but after an injury I moved to steel fibers and tried recoil smack wrap F4 which both shafts feel better than regular graphite shafts in the ping. Also thanks for showing a real mid handicapper that struggles to hit a GIR because of swing flaws not the clubs
Based on the course test we all need to get stell shafts for our drivers don't we ?
Mid handicapper? Should wear a sombrero like the other bandits 😜
Good vlog lads 👍🏻
any videos like this with numbers? steel v graphite (light) same head?
I think you should get the mid handicapper "fitted" for graphite shaft at a shaft company.
Love the test
Mark seemed biased against the graphite from the beginning and he admitted it affected his swing. This sort of renders the testing useless, IMHO.
Human testing is always gonna inclue some amount of prejudice
TBH, 3 of Mark's shots in the sim were shorter than the steel shafts. Had it not been for the two big fliers he had his avg would have been shorter with graphite.
James: you HAVE to tell us where the weakness in Mark’s game is. You just implied he’s a great chipper; he has a great swing and seems to strike the ball beautifully; but he’s a mid-handicapper. The Dick on Liam’s channel has a handicap of 12 and looks like an octopus roughly embracing a jelly fish. I don’t get it ...
😂😂😂
This could also be down to confidence as he plays with steel shafts but great test
Aerotech i80’s best shafts out there,
I can back wedges up using graphite. That mid handicapper doesn't naturally hit a high ball or generate a lot of spin.
Can you do a video on senior flex vs regular....thanks
The problem with that is.......there isn't an industry standard for shaft flexes, so one regular flex could be stiffer or weaker than another, same for any flex. The only way you can tell for sure is test them yourself.
Some are high flighted, some are mid and some are low, in senior regular or stiff, whether graphite or steel. (Although most senior shafts tend to be mid to high flight)
I think if you were not to bounce back between graphite and steel, he would develope better feel for the graphite much faster
Great comparison, but why won't you let Mark wear his red trousers on camera?!
Take note James, flamboyant out fits for 2019?
P.S. so glad I live in a climate where I can play all year off grass - no snow, now winter grass, no mats [insert sticking out tongue emoticon here]. :)
What happened to the ultralight clubs of the 80s?