Short Answer: Steel irons are best suited for the result you want from your irons or wedges.
More reliable accuracy results in more greens in regulation.
However, golfers with injuries and slower swing speeds can greatly benefit from graphite shafts.
This is why it’s important you skim through the post below and make up your own mind before spending a ton of money re-shafting your irons. Both have pros and cons depending on what you want from your clubs.
After all, Tiger Woods was swapped to a steel shaft driver while everyone else used graphite because he prioritized accuracy and control over maximum distance.
Below, you will find out what’s good and bad about each shaft type and which type of clubs perform best for each shaft.
Quick Menu
Steel Or Graphite Shafts Compatibility Table
| Steel Shafts | Graphite Shafts |
| You Swing Fast | You Swing Slower |
| Want To Save Some Money | Looking For More Distance |
| Looking For Better Accuracy | Have Hand & Arm Injuries |
| Want Feedback On Mishits | Wants More Customization |
Steel Shafts For Irons (The Good)
Improved Accuracy & Consistency
Steel shafts are typically stiffer than graphite shafts, this increased stiffness helps golfers (especially with fast swing speeds) to control the clubhead more reliably swing after swing.
Stiffer shafts reduce the variation in the club head’s movement throughout the swing.
When swinging a looser flex at high speeds, the shaft will bend and snap back into place at different rates, affecting both your accuracy/consistency.
Think about it: what can you rely on the most if you were tasked with hitting an egg on a stand?
A stiff broomstick or some rubber pipe?
The broomstick is stiffer, so you will know exactly where the end is at all times when you swing, but the rubber pipe will be less predictable.
Cheaper
When buying a set of irons, you will find that steel shaft sets are always cheaper. Usually, stock graphite shafts will work out at least $100 more, and that’s on the low end.
For example, a singular high-end graphite shaft could cost as much as an entire set of good steel shafts.
But why?
Essentially, it’s because of how they’re produced. It doesn’t take as much skill/technology to make steel shafts. This means it costs less labor, and the savings are passed onto the consumer.
It’s similar to how muscle back/forged irons cost more than cast irons.
Durable
This isn’t exactly groundbreaking stuff, but shafts made out of steel are going to be more durable than graphite shafts.
Steel is about as hard as it gets, so unless you’re actually trying to snap your irons in half they will last a lifetime.
Graphite shafts need to be looked after and stored correctly to get the most out of them.
Finishing your round and throwing them into the trunk of your car with little to no thought could result in a couple of snapped shafts.
Better Feel
The overall feel you get from steel shafts cannot be beat by graphite. Because of the rigidness of the shaft, all the vibrations at impact are sent up the shaft into the hands of the golfer.
This makes it easier to figure out where you connected with the ball on the clubface, which helps when you’re trying to work on things.
New golfers may not like this when they catch the ball thin on a cold morning, as your fingers will feel numb after. Well, I say new golfers, but nobody likes that feeling.
But experienced golfers would prefer to feel this so they can make adjustments before their next shot.
Steel Shafts For Irons (The Bad)
Harsher On Joints
For the same reason, steel shafts have a better feel, they are much harder on your joints in general.
Golfers with hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder joint issues will find steel shafts can agitate and make their injuries worse.
This is because the vibrations caused by impact travel up the steel shaft and straight into the hands or arms of the golfer.
So, steel shafts may not be ideal if you have these injuries or are a senior golfer.
Not As Easy To Swing
These shafts are steel and weigh more than graphite shafts on average. The additional weight can make it harder for some golfers to generate swing speed.
This is partly true, but in today’s age of technology, you can get some lighter steel shafts, which can help with gaining speed.
Or you could start pounding the protein shakes and become a meat head, start trying out for some long drive contests… but getting a lighter golf shaft is probably easier.
Graphite Shafts For Irons (The Good)
Helps With Swing Speed And Distance
Graphite shafts can be 30 – 70 grams lighter than their steel counterparts.
That may not seem like a lot, but in golf, it makes a huge difference for golfers with slower-than-average swing speeds.
The reduced weight allows you to swing the club faster, producing more distance. This can make hitting clubs like long irons easier to hit.
Simply, the more force you can hit the ball with, the further it will go.
Easier On Your Joints
For golfers who struggle with hand or arm injuries, graphite shafts will be the easiest on those joints.
Because of the materials used, these shafts can better absorb the vibrations caused at impact.
This means you won’t get the same intense shock on mishit shots up through your hands and arms as you would with steel shafts.
So, if you suffer from arthritis or something similar, I’d recommend staying away from steel shafts and going for graphite instead.
Allows For More Fine Tuning
Although there are plenty of options for both shafts when it comes to fine-tuning your irons, graphite offers you more.
Steel shafts are solid, and there isn’t much you can do with them, maybe just adjust the weight or stiffness of the shafts.
But with graphite, you can do this and also customize your torque rating, kick point, and even colors.
You may not understand what these are, but when getting fit for irons properly, they can maximize your potential.
Graphite Shafts For Irons (The Bad)
Expensive
Graphite shafts tend to be more expensive than steel shafts.
There are a couple of reasons, one of which may surprise you.
Firstly, they take more time to make than steel shafts. The additional cost of paying workers and powering the machines contributes to the higher price tags.
But something a lot of people don’t know is there is a shortage of graphite in the world.
So because graphite is more scarce than steel, it will cost more.
Supply and demand baby!
Not As Accurate
Graphite shafts have been seen for a long time as less accurate than steel shafts. However, this depends on a few factors.
You can of course, use graphite shafts and maintain accuracy, but it requires a different swing, speed, and tempo.
Golfers with fast swing speeds will struggle with graphite shafts since they will bend and whip more than steel due to the speed.
This will lead to inconsistent results.
But if you’re a golfer with a slow swing speed and a smooth tempo, you can find a lot of success with graphite iron shafts while maintaining accuracy.
What Shafts Suit Each Club Type The Best Overall
Irons, Wedges & Putters
All of these clubs have one thing in common: distance isn’t the most important outcome you want from these.
Accuracy and consistency is.
Don’t get me wrong, I know hitting your irons longer would be nice but realistically, these are your finishing clubs. Their job is to get the ball onto the green or in the hole.
Making steel shafts the ideal choice overall. The improved accuracy and feel will produce the most consistent results with these clubs over time.
Hybrids, Woods & Drivers
Graphite golf shafts are the go-to choice for hybrids, woods, drivers and even driving irons throughout the world of golf, no matter what swing speed you have.
These shafts are lighter, increasing swing speed so that golfers can get the maximum distance off the tee or in the fairway.
While having a steel shaft may increase accuracy, the drop-off in distance and ball flight isn’t worth it.
Graphite not only helps with distance but also with increasing the launch angle of these clubs.
The modern game is all about getting as far down the fairway as possible from the tee which eliminates a bunch of obstacles and leaves you with a short iron or wedge into the green.
This is far much easier than having to hit a hybrid from just after the lady’s tee box… I should try that instead sometime!