Iron Shaft

[superduper]

I'm building an iron set for older golfer.  Age above 50 years old.  Swing speed is rather slow around 70 Mph for 5 iron.  Is it better to build the iron using a light weight graphite shaft (75g) or a light weight steel shaft (74g weight also)?

 

Also this is for a forged iron if that matters. 

[Blade]

Depends on what works better for him. No real way to know without him trying both. Graphite might be easier on his hands though, especially if he has any arthritis issues.

[BK in TEXAS]

50 is not that old. 

[hckymeyer]

Depends what your number 1 priority is for this golfer.  If it's performance then he needs to get on a monitor or at the least a mizzy shaft optimizer and find out what works best for him.

 

If it's trying to get the least amount of wear and tear on the body then graphite is most likely going to be easier on the body.  Bottom line is the player needs to be fit for the shaft though to get the best performance.

[Kenny B]

I went to graphite at age 55 and I am glad I did.  Easier on the hands and elbows, plus the ball generally launches higher for slower swing speeds.  Today's graphite shafts are very good compared to those 20 years ago.  The shaft weight and bend profile is still a matter of what works best for his swing.  If you can, see a fitter and try different shaft to get a feel.  Get a good quality shaft though.

[RookieBlue7]

There's ways to make steel less harsh on the body. Vibration dampening, done through any number of methods will do it.

[fozcycle]

I went to graphite after 4 surgeries to put my left wrist back together after it was shattered at age 48.  Last year I tried the Dynalite 85 gram lightweight stiff iron shaft and found that i could swing it as fast as the graphites.  So go for the lightweight steel and your client will probably be more accurate.

[superduper]

So I got the impression from golfers that steel shaft is still preferred for irons.  They say it's more accurate and less dispersion.  But is modern iron graphite shaft that bad?  You'll hit it all over the place if you use graphite shaft?

 

FYI, personally I use steel shaft myself.  and the reason I use them so I would know if I don't hit them clean, they will feel harsh.   More about feedback for me..... Graphite shaft feel dead. 

[markb]

At 56 I play the equivalent of Fozcycle's Dynalite 85's and I like them alot.  They are high launchers, which I need.  

 

You can always split the difference... Aerotech's Steelfibers.   Graphite that plays like steel.   Mucho dinero, however.

[superduper]

Someone said to me steelfiber shafts feel weird.....