When you buy a new driver, fairway wood, or hybrid, you can almost always count on having a graphite shaft. You might have to ponder long and hard about the last time you saw a brand-name manufacturer offer a steel shaft in a driver or fairway wood. You won't even find it as a custom option, let alone a stock choice. Looking throughout America's golf bags, you'll discover that few iron sets are furnished the same way, except for sets specialized to ladies or older male golfers. This raises the question, "Why?"

Basic Economics

There are various reasons why so few graphite shafts appear in today's golfer's irons, as we will explain. Still, the most apparent explanation is simple economics. A driver is a single club, the big Kahuna, in terms of size and cost. So, rather than pinching pennies, you'd assume a golfer would invest in a product that will give them the highest chance of success. Fairway woods are often an afterthought and an extension of a driver for many golfers. The average golfer will carry two clubs, so costs aren't an issue. The same might be said about hybrids, as most golfers (even the most proficient) will have one or two in their bag.

The economics come into play in the irons, where most golfers will carry at least six (5 through 9 and a matching pitching wedge). You're probably familiar with what is sold if you're reading this. You can see that there's a pricing difference between steel and graphite shafts. For example, a medium-priced steel shaft costs about $10, whereas moderately priced graphite shafts cost four times that amount. This is why most graphite-shafted iron sets retail for $400 more than the comparable steel-shafted set for a full complement of 8 clubs.

For a golfer on a tight budget, an extra $400 can mean the difference between purchasing and not purchasing a specific set. On the other end of the spectrum, devoted golfers would probably not notice the change if it brought a benefit to their game. There are probably more reasons why graphite-shafted irons are less popular.

Pyramid of Influence

You've probably heard the expression "win on Sunday, sell on Monday." This is why the finest players in the world are handed sponsorship deals. If you watch golf on TV, you'll notice that many PGA Tour professionals use graphite in their irons. If you respond 0, you are incorrect. A few PGA Tour players use graphite shafts in their irons to combat fatigue and shock from repetitive practice and usage. The figure will eventually rise.

Most golfers connect graphite with less weight, which leads to faster swing speeds and, eventually, more distance. The PGA Tour golfer, on the other hand, isn't really worried about greater distance because they already hit the ball a long distance. No, they are focused on distance control.

But one should base their purchasing decision on what is optimal for their game rather than what the pro carries. Your requirements are likely to be very different.

Distance Control vs. Distance

Lighter graphite iron shafts provide much-needed assistance in attaining greater distance for the distance challenged, such as high-handicappers, women, and many senior-aged male golfers. The good news is that these shafts can be more flexible and torque resistant, making the shaft less expensive and less of an economical choice for producers and customers.

A sufficient amount of shaft weight is one motivating aspect in distance control for more robust and powerful players or those with a more compact swing and/or a quick tempo. Players who switch to graphite shafts and experience distance control issues are most certainly not professionally fit for the shaft. That is unfortunate in this area since Augusta Custom Clubs allows potential customers to try more than 150 shafts before blindly purchasing an entire set. Because only some graphite shafts are lightweight, there are plenty of heavier graphite shafts to pick from as well. However, it is common to see a professional or even an amateur carrying a Project X or KBS C-Taper, which costs around $50 each.

However, there are lightweight steel shafts...

While lightweight steel iron shafts in the 70 and 80-gram weight range (similar to the weight of many graphite iron shafts) are available, steel manufacturers have constraints. For one thing, the thinner the walls are, the lighter the steel shaft. As a result, lighter steel shafts are less likely to be as stiff as thicker-walled steel shafts. Second, ball flight is often higher due to thinner walls (in some cases substantially).

Graphite iron shafts in the same weight range do not have this issue. Graphite shaft designers have nearly limitless alternatives with all the materials at their disposal. In other words, they can make the shaft as stiff or flexible as they like. Limitless flex profiles mean the designer can stiffen the tip, mid-section, or even butt. Since the designer can independently change shaft stiffness distribution and torque, a graphite designer might create a shaft that can virtually accommodate every golfer or swing style.

Quality Distinctions

You may think that even a low-cost steel shaft is relatively constant in weight and flex. This is correct since steel shafts are made from a single piece of material. Graphite shafts are made up of numerous layers of components that are often hand-rolled onto a forming mandrel. However, you frequently pay more for consistency when purchasing a mid-range or higher-priced graphite shaft. That uniformity is now comparable to steel. The traditional saying "you get what you pay for" is mostly true, but only when comparing shafts of equivalent specs. Furthermore, Dan will measure the flex profile of every shaft in put your clubs.

Consider the contrasts.

Please do not discount the plethora of graphite iron shafts on the market only because you don't see many touring professionals using them. Your swing will likely differ significantly from theirs. You will want precise shaft specifications based on your strength, swing speed, tempo, and release point.

There are numerous advantages to using graphite shafts in irons, just as in drivers, fairways, and hybrids. Those who must be price conscious may look at models that have recently been discontinued by the manufacturer and subsequently discounted or on our numerous low-cost models.

One of the primary benefits of buying with Augusta Custom Clubs is the ability to purchase a single club or even a single shaft to retrofit into one of your existing irons. You can buy only part of the set and test the results. Furthermore, we have a broader selection of products than our local competitors.

If you're an avid golfer but haven't had a custom club fitting, there's no better time to consider being fit than now! Custom club fitting through Augusta Custom Clubs is the fastest and most effective way to help you find the equipment needed to elevate your golf game from tee to green. Even better, stop off and get one of our poker chips and drop the word that you really want a fitting for Christmas or your birthday.