Graphite Shafts going bad?

[Rick Leiker]

I play or practice at least 4 times a week. I have been using the same driver and fairway woods for the last 4 years. Lately it seems I have lost distance with all my woods. How long does a graphite shaft last? Do they ever go bad? Get weak? How often should you replace graphite shafts? I don’t think I have ever seen any information on longevity of graphite shafts. 

[hckymeyer]

Graphite shafts last longer than you will ever play them.  As long as they aren't physically broken you will never wear one out.  It's literally the last piece of equipment I would ever look at as a cause of shorter flight.  

Things I would look at...  Age, weather conditions, temperature, wind direction, strike location, any swing changes, damage to the ball, damage to the club head (they actually usually get faster/longer before breaking).