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From
Ron
Taylor,
golfer: |
|
My questions is why I see a lot of pros use steel shafts on their irons and
graphite on the woods......I ask this question because, I currently have a 9
degree
Steel
Head Plus driver with a steel shaft. I hit it about 240 yards+.
I am considering trading it in for the new Steelhead III that comes out in
Jan. 2002. Should I purchase a stiff graphite shaft to increase my distance
or a steel shaft? |
|
PGA/LPGA
TEACHING
PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSES: |
Minnesota
"Graphite or steel? Do not trade your present driver in; keep it as a backup. Do not buy another driver until you have demoed several."
-
Jim
Manthis,
Teaching
Professional |
Missouri
"Many pros do use a graphite in their driver, I also have just a graphite
shaft in just my driver. However, I don't use the stock shaft. Many people
buy clubs with the thought of the manufacturer and/or
club
head and forget
about the shaft. In my mind, this is the most important part of the club.
If you go to graphite, hit
a
lot of various types of graphite shafts, not
just the Callaway's. If you like the head, you can change the shaft that
fits your swing the best."
-
David
Mulso,
Teaching
Professional |
Nevada
"The professionals generally prefer the consistency of steel shafts in their 'Irons' even if some of the composite shafts can provide equal quality control. (me included with about eight out of my ten last sets) I think the pros use graphite in their drivers because they can produce greater 'Distance' with this one stick which is what it is for, not excluding the accurate 'Direction'. They can tolerate 'Distance Inconsistency' as long as it is on the long side. But with a 'Set Of Irons' consistency throughout the entire set is mandatory. They will not compromise when shots are plus or minus a foot or two! Good luck with your new graphite shafted Steelhead III when you get it!
"
-
Karl
Fischer,
Teaching
Professional |
New
Hampshire
"Rob, that is a question that is difficult for anyone but you to answer. As
a club pro, once I had found a head that I liked (Titleist 975D), tried more
than 20 different shaft/loft combinations before I found the best one for
me. An optimal driver should consistently produce:
1. Accuracy
2. Distance
3. Shot shape
What I would recommend is that you sit down with your local PGA or LPGA
Professional, and try different combinations until you find the right one
for you!
Good Luck!!"
-
Mike
Aldrich,
Teaching
Professional |
New
Mexico
"Graphite has improved dramatically year after year and performs almost as
well as steel in many cases and at a lighter weight which means "a little"
more distance, but the greatest new advantage to graphite and the reason so
many good players are using it in their woods is that graphite allows the
manufacturer to better control the flex points of shafts and therefore the
launch angle of the golf ball. The proper (read higher than most people
think) launch angle can lead to "quite a bit" more distance. You're going
to see more and more good players using more flexible shafts and higher
lofted drivers which produce a higher launch angle and noticeably greater
distance. I would suggest graphite (try a regular out for fun, you might
like the launch angle) and 10 to 11 degrees of loft. The optimum launch
angle you're looking for will look more like what most people have always
expected of their three woods. Some manufacturers that cater to the playing
public (like Callaway) may soften up their stiff shafts because they know
that most of the playing public will always select a Stiff shaft. In fact,
Callaway has been doing that with their steel shafts for years. They've
always done a fantastic job of giving the average golfer what he needs, not
necessarily what he thinks he needs. Good Luck."
-
Warren
Lehr,
Teaching
Professional |
|
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