Graphite iron reviews

[Owengeorge13]

I’m hoping to get a thread going about graphite iron shafts.  Right now I have kbs tgi in my irons.  I got fit into them about 4 years ago.  I may get fit into new irons in the next couple years.  I’d like to hear from others that use graphite shafts in irons.  

[Shapotomous]

This is an interesting thread for me to keep up with.  My winter project will be to hit 2nd swing multiple times to try out different graphite shafts for my irons.  And when I eventually decide there will probably be new or used iron heads attached to them...because well you know the economics usually works out in the favor of a complete club rather than just buying shafts and installing them!!  

[Owengeorge13]

I really like my KBS TGI shafts.  But I wouldn’t mind trying new shafts out.  I got fit at true spec golf.  Two years after getting my irons fit, I went for a wedge fitting.  After trying multiple combinations my wedge shafts ended up being KBS TGI as well…

I have worked on my swing and swing speed.  When I eventually get fit again it will be interesting to see if the shaft will change.  One thing is for certain I will be getting graphite irons shafts again.

[Shrek74]

Up till now, I've only played steel shafts in my irons and wedges. But that'll change next Spring. Due to elbow issues and the inevitable fact that other parts of my hands/arms will start to be less happy with steel, I'll be switching over to graphite. Luckily there are a lot more options these days, both from make/models and from weight that will help me find the right option for my swing. So this topic is near and dear to me at the moment. I'll be curious to hear about other people's experiences with various graphite shafts.

[Owengeorge13]

When I got fit for my irons I remember trying a steel fiber shaft I really liked and an Accra shaft I thought was awesome.  I’m interested in trying a Va composites iron shaft (a friend of mine loves his) and the axiom shaft.  I have no idea if they would fit me.  This whole thread is just about experiences.  The fact of the matter is everyone should get fit at a reputable place. But I like hearing about options out in the wild…

[Owengeorge13]

Does MGS get contacted to give graphite/steel shaft reviews?  
 

I’ve searched for some graphite iron reviews.  I can’t seem to find any.  I’m probably looking in the wrong place.

Edited November 17 by Owengeorge13

[cnosil]

15 minutes ago, Owengeorge13 said:

Does MGS get contacted to give graphite/steel shaft reviews?  
 

I’ve searched for some graphite iron reviews.  I can’t seem to find any.  I’m probably looking in the wrong place.

Occasionally, but they typically focus more on clubs themselves.   Some of the irons during most wanted testing will be provided with stock graphite offerings.   Just like with steel it is about finding the right profile for your swing.   

[GolfSpy_APH]

If you're looking for reviews don't focus on clubs but search shafts. Tons of comparisons out there whether it be video or article. 

Most cases it's a feel thing versus a performance thing. 

[Owengeorge13]

Anyone have any experience with the new axiom shafts?  

[Peter Andrin]

I have been a decades long Rifle and Project X iron shaft golfer. Until a year ago, I found nothing better for accuracy and low dispersion than my 6.0 Project X iron shafts. I did try several other highly rated iron graphite shafts along the way.

I experienced some downsides to these Project X shafts. I experienced tendinitis in my left elbow on occasion. I also experienced hand pain on occasion. These pains would occur after hitting 50 to 100 balls on the range while practising.

I switched to the Accra graphite TZi iron shafts this year. They are wonderful shafts. They feel stable and offer much greater vibration dampening than my old steel shafts, without sacrificing accuracy and dispersion. My hand pain and elbow pain disappeared.

[Owengeorge13]

16 minutes ago, Peter Andrin said:

I have been a decades long Rifle and Project X iron shaft golfer. Until a year ago, I found nothing better for accuracy and low dispersion than my 6.0 Project X iron shafts. I did try several other highly rated iron graphite shafts along the way.

I experienced some downsides to these Project X shafts. I experienced tendinitis in my left elbow on occasion. I also experienced hand pain on occasion. These pains would occur after hitting 50 to 100 balls on the range while practising.

I switched to the Accra graphite TZi iron shafts this year. They are wonderful shafts. They feel stable and offer much greater vibration dampening than my old steel shafts, without sacrificing accuracy and dispersion. My hand pain and elbow pain disappeared.

I believe those are another graphite iron shaft i had tried.  I really liked those.  Great add on the thread!  Did you try anything else for iron graphite shafts before you chose the Accra?

 

I just looked up Accra iron shafts, you can now design your own color ways on them.  I like that.

Edited November 18 by Owengeorge13

[Peter Andrin]

I assembled some clubs and hit 100’s of shots with KBS TGI, Paderson, and Aerotech iron shafts before deciding  on the Accra TZi shafts.

[Owengeorge13]

18 minutes ago, Peter Andrin said:

I assembled some clubs and hit 100’s of shots with KBS TGI, Paderson, and Aerotech iron shafts before deciding  on the Accra TZi shafts.

Awesome!

[Golfspy_CG2]

I’ve had or tried just about every shaft mentioned in this thread except the Axiom.  
 

Currently I have Steelfiber in my T350 and Recoil Dart in my Wilson Staff CB.   My previous 2 sets have been Steelfiber.  But I’m really loving the Recoil Dart. 
 

Enough so, that I’m seriously considering sending my T350 in to have the Darts put in them.   
 

But as you said. It’s best to go to a fitter like True Spec—-love them—and get fit by a pro. 

[Owengeorge13]

I’d love to try a Edel sms/sms pro combo with some nice graphite shafts. I believe I would have to go to club champion.  True spec doesn’t carry edel.  

[BNewton51]

On 11/17/2023 at 8:22 AM, Owengeorge13 said:

I’m hoping to get a thread going about graphite iron shafts.  Right now I have kbs tgi in my irons.  I got fit into them about 4 years ago.  I may get fit into new irons in the next couple years.  I’d like to hear from others that use graphite shafts in irons.  

I would definitely try the Steel Fiber.  I've had the 110 CW shafts in mine and couldn't speak more highly of them!

[chisag]

... All golf equipment is subjective based on individuals traits including feel. But there is little doubt todays graphite iron shafts are superior to steel in performance while the dampening properties are easier on joints, muscles and tendons. I have played many over the years and settled on Steelfiber for the best combination of feel and performance. It wasn't easy as Stiff flex should have fit me perfectly but felt too stout. After talking with the Head of Engineering for Steelfiber I tried a Regular flex and magic happened. I like Recoil shafts but for me they are a little too dampened (Prototypes are better feeling imo) while the KBS TGi's were too stout/brittle feeling. The Steelfibers are just right. I am very tempted top try the new Recoil Dart V but thankfully they are expensive and difficult to find, other than through a TSPX Dealer. 

... These are a few of the graphite iron shafts I own and have played:

[funkyjudge]

17 hours ago, BNewton51 said:

I would definitely try the Steel Fiber.  I've had the 110 CW shafts in mine and couldn't speak more highly of them!

I have been a fan of the SteelFiber shafts, and I even did some seminars for Aerotech at the PGA Shows in the earlier 2000s to 2010s.  I’m still very sad about the untimely death of Chris Hilleary, founder of Aerotech, and CEO / Chief Designer of the SteelFiber shafts and the sale of his company to True Temper a couple of years ago (he was a great friend of mine).

I see that you are in Middletown, PA — is that the Dauphin County or the Bucks County, PA Middletown?  I actually live in Middletown, Bucks County, but my wife is from the Harrisburg area and was in Central PA’s Middletown on Saturday.  We’ll be back out there for Thanksgiving.

Edited November 20 by funkyjudge

[funkyjudge]

40 minutes ago, chisag said:

... All golf equipment is subjective based on individuals traits including feel. But there is little doubt todays graphite iron shafts are superior to steel in performance while the dampening properties are easier on joints, muscles and tendons. I have played many over the years and settled on Steelfiber for the best combination of feel and performance. It wasn't easy as Stiff flex should have fit me perfectly but felt too stout. After talking with the Head of Engineering for Steelfiber I tried a Regular flex and magic happened. I like Recoil shafts but for me they are a little too dampened (Prototypes are better feeling imo) while the KBS TGi's were too stout/brittle feeling. The Steelfibers are just right. I am very tempted top try the new Recoil Dart V but thankfully they are expensive and difficult to find, other than through a TSPX Dealer. 

... These are a few of the graphite iron shafts I own and have played:

I have played each of those shafts (in each of those weights, plus several other weights), with the exception of the Aldila VS Proto shaft models.  For me, the KBS TGI shafts feel and perform the best, especially in the 80 to 110 gram weights, followed closely by the SteelFiber 95s (Regular flex for me in these shafts, or a slightly tipped or hard-stepped R-flex at the stiffest, with heavier SteelFibers in my wedges, just like the heavier KBS TGI shafts that I use in wedges).

I’ve never been a fan of standard Recoil shafts, or the Recoil Darts, although I always liked the stiffer and lower-torque Recoil Prototypes.

[chisag]

35 minutes ago, funkyjudge said:

 For me, the KBS TGI shafts feel and perform the best, especially in the 80 to 110 gram weights, followed closely by the SteelFiber 95s

 

... Nice, exactly why I said it is so personal. I have seen several sets of the TGi's on the LPGA Tour as well, just many more Steelfibers. I did think performance of the TGi 85 was very similar to my Steelfiber i80's, just a different feel.