This SHOCKED me...Graphite v Steel Shaft Test
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- čas přidán 3. 03. 2022
- Is there a DIFFERENCE? Graphite v Steel shaft test
In this golf lesson Matt Fryer Golf, takes on a blind test to see if there is a difference between graphite and steel shfts in your irons.
Matt Fryer Golf heads to the Mizuno fitting centre, where the team have prepared 5 golf shafts to try and see if he can spot the differences.
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Hi I’m Matt Fryer, welcome to my channel MattFryerGolf. This CZcams channel is to help you play better golf and love the game even more!
I specialise in golf lessons, golf club news and other entertaining golf content.
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Enjoy your golf!! - Sport
i worked with a specialist graphite shaft company for a couple of years - Swix shafts from norway - they make high performance ski poles. They main difference in quality of graphite shafts is the build method. If you wind the shaft using a carbon fibre thread then cure it, you will have millions of air pockets in the shaft that react differently every swing - how a fishing rod is made. If you laminate sheets of high grade carbon fibre to whatever spec you choose then compress the shaft - you virtually eliminate all the air pockets creating a very rigid consistently reacting shaft, what a golfer - and skier wants. BUT....very expensive production process.
I appreciate the time it took you to write this that’s actually really fascinating
@@user-iy3zn1rt6g I appreciate you appreciating his post
If you're looking for the best made graphite shafts, using the methods you posted, how would one ask or research those who make shafts the correct way?
This is probably one of the most insightful videos I’ve seen. Great job on this one.
The issue I have with simply going into a fitting and trying graphite vs. steel is they take a bit of time to work out the timing due to the feel difference. I went from the heaviest steel shafts down to 90g graphite stiff shafts. I just committed to it and after a few days I really started to settle in. I wanted lighter, softer feeling clubs. I think the difference in performance (anecdotal) was negligible, but I'm happy with graphite and glad I changed.
Great video Matt. Very interesting. I started with graphite shafts but have moved to steel. Still play poorly ha but I prefer the steel.
Great video Matt, I’ve recently got graphite after a fitting and can concur with your comments about length dispersion, taking a bit of time to get “average distance dialled in.
very helpful test. If you'd gone back and changed your first 2 guesses after the 3rd one you probably would have got 5/5. I'm looking for new irons this year (after 15+ years playing the same irons) and was considering graphite (getting older, slow swing) but this test helps me think about it differently 🙏
I was fitted into the Mitsubishi MMT 80 stiff for my irons and absolutely love them. Good information in this video. Thanks Matt.
I got fitted into aerotech shafts. i95 in long and mids, and 110 in 8 and 9. Love the feel; my trajectory and dispersion is the best I've had.
I changed to graphite 20 years ago. Reason was 20 years ago I went from playing golf once every couple of weeks to playing 2 to 3 times a week and I started having problems with my left shoulder and neck always aching with pain. I switched to graphite and after about 6 weeks the pain was gone and has never returned. I would assume the graphite absorbed more of the vibrations. I never saw any difference in distance or accuracy.
I have the same issue, alot of Pain just under my left scapula.. i Will try some graphites
Me too.
Yep. I switched after a back injury has slowed my swing way down. It’s helped get a little speed back without hurting myself again
Does graphite last as long as steel?
@@ghstrdio if you don't abuse them they'll last longer than you.
I went with graphite long ago. Steel gave me golf elbow from impact. Never went back to steel. Love the feel of graphite! Just got some Mizuno MP-54 heads off ebay like new. Put UST Mamiya recoils in them and wow, after 30 years with my old clubs these are in the keeper bag!
I have graphite, as I was recommended them for the shock absorbtion. I'd previously found the original Big Bertha irons to throw in an occasional very hot one, and hated them. My last Mizuno fitting was Project X 5.5 Evenflow - as recommended by DNA. but with Steel Weight heads; needed that to get the feel of a shaft putting in some release. My fitted Callaway rogue woods have the same shaft too.
This may be a unique order, but Mizuno did it!
Perfect timing, I was going to get fitted soon and it’s exactly what I wanted to know
Hope it helped
Very informative Matt....well done!
Been playing graphite for years. Makes my joints Very Happy! Best move I could've made!
Would love to see a retest with the X100 vs Aerotech 125 X flex or MMT 125 TX. Great vid!
I see a lot more people choosing graphite in the fittings I do. I think the manufacturing process of graphite has improved dramatically over the years to make them perform more consistant throughout the set. Great video, and really interesting viewing.
Glad you thought so and good to get your feedback Darren
I started using graphite when I started getting golfer's elbow really bad. It's made a huge difference and there wasn't a drop off in my game, which is nothing to brag about, but so happy to play them.
I like this video, thank you
I played steel shafts my entire life and at 50 I got a set a graphite Taylor Made irons. My experience is that my 6 - 4 irons go much further on solid shots, almost too good, but I don't like the shorter clubs nearly as much . I hit the shorter irons a little shorter and I wish I still had my Mizuno irons for the shorter clubs. I'm going to customize my next set with a little different shafts and heads on P-7 for my next set.
I believe Steelfiber has flight control tech in their shafts just for folks like you. Check them out.
Bearwood lakes, I used to work opposite but never got to play there as I retired before it was completed - Pictures always look great!
Super cool video! Love to see it
Awesome I'm debating on getting a full graphite set next......this helps.
Glad it has helped
PXG 0211 DC with stiff graphite Mitsubishi MMT’s . Incredible !!! Best clubs I’ve hit so far .
I got fitted on the new stealth irons with Ventus graphites after playing years with steel...last steel was Projectx 105 Z now Ventus graphite stiff....awsome swap and for my elbows too
Cool too see and educational. I game graphite stiff and love the feel of them. But I don't know if they would be the best for me. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
Fascinating, another brilliant video, well done.
Thank you Lee
Tested 8 different shafts last time I went for a fitting and ended up with a stiff steel when the fitter pegged me as regular to begin with. Felt more control and got better dispersion with the stiff. Project x lz 6.0
I have developed really bad elbow pain, and just started researching if graphite could help- this is a very timely video- thanks a lot!!
I went to graphite 2 years ago because of getting a bad case of golfer's elbow and it's been a Godsend. Once I got used to used to hitting a higher flighted ball and more spin, I feel like it's only improved my game.
@@DetVen Thx Geo Boss- sounds v positive
Never had interest in graphite until I was on vacation and rented clubs. TaylorMade M2s in graphite R. My driver speed is around 95. Right off the bat I noticed my 7-8-9-W had a much higher ball flight than my normal ball flight without a loss of distance. Also felt much softer at impact. Looking to get fitted soon for new irons and will look hard at graphite irons for sure.
Super interesting stuff Matt! I just switched from steel stiff to graphite stiff, and let’s just say I’m not that old😅
Interesting blind test. I am considering trying graphite when I get fit next (maybe this year). I am now in my 40s and have old sports injuries and may not change sets for many years again so I'm just getting older....
They may help… worth a try
Switched to graphite recently, golf game improved dramatically.
Switched to graphite (regular) M1's 7 years back, way easier on the body for sure. Just got fitted for P790's and went with a stiff graphite shaft, slightly heavier than the regular M1 graphite shafts, but a little better distance and better dispersion as well!
Just went with graphite in my new SM9 54 & 58 and so far like them a lot.
Now play Aerotec i95 steelfibre stiff shafts in my irons ,lightness of graphite, stiffness of steel, perfect combination after playing S300 Dynamic gold for years. Really recommend for the older golfer.
Well done matt a very interesting subject it just goes to show how fitting is important 😀 👍
Thanks Roy glad you enjoyed it
Great video, I think we need to bring the "yeah" counter in 😆. 12:35
That’s a great video. I thought it just came down to weight of shaft. Didn’t realize that many variables came into play
Yep, a lot think like this!
Love the video Matt. I'm looking to order a set of clubs online since my local stores do not have the clubs I want available for a fitting. Was wondering whether R-Steel are comparable to S-Graphite in terms of recommended swing speed, etc. if I'm buying off the shelf? I do like the idea of less vibration off the turf especially while practicing at the range, but not at the cost of high dispersion and reduced accuracy.
My fastest clocked swing speed with driver is 134, I hit my wife's ladies flex graphite just fine graphite is superior these days! I use stiff steelfiber i95 with Srixon 745.
Great vid, but would've loved to have an X flex graphite in the mix - not surprised you didn't get along with the R flexes. I have a set of 125 F5 protos that I'd be interested in your feel response to.
Got fitted for a set of irons last year with graphite shafts. Absolutely love them
Class, it’s what works for you
Just got a set of jpx-921 with recoil graphite shafts. They are unbelievably good
Would the tape affect the performance of the club? Great video Matt, very helpful.
If you prefer the feel of one vs. the other that's pretty much end-of-discussion, select from within the type you prefer. Otherwise, get professionally fit & the launch monitor will tell you which to get based on metrics such as dispersion, ball flight, and distance.
In the 80’s I started playing golf with an excellent scratch golfer. He was 6’2” used Muzino blades with TT steel shafts; X-stiff 9-wedges; stiff 6-8 ; regular 3-5. Over the years he only updated his driver and 4 wood to latest technology. Never changed his irons and is now in his 70’s.
Would be interesting to take weight differences out of the mix and focus purely on the feel and dispersion then. The light weight may have been more of a factor than the graphite construction in feeling where the clubhead was. If you had shafts all between 110-120 g then the weight differences aren’t playing as big of a role.
Just switched to graphite shafts. They are apparently for seniors (Callaway's 460 | F2 shafts) but I just swing a bit slower, which I should be doing anyway for my swing and it works out.
Good one Matt.
If you want a low launch and spin graphite try Fujikura pro tour spec, think you can get an x flex too
Great video Matt!i game those recoils in an f4 on my hm pro 921's and i do it because they feel better for me...exactly what they are suppose to!and performance is better than my older modus 105's...
just put the rocoil f4s in my 919s to replace the modus 105s as well. I wanted to see if it would help with golfers elbow. So far it feels like butter going through the ball. so nice.
I had some issues with my elbow so went to Aerotech 115 gram graphites in my irons a few years back. Elbow got better, tried to go back to PXLZ, couldnt do it. Like my graphites so much I put them in my wedges. And I'm not an old guy with no speed, generally hit my 7i 165-170 carry.
This good to know, three years ago I developed tendonitis in my lead elbow from working out it's hard to keep my arm straight when golfing from the pain. Looking at a new set now, likely will go graphite.
I used to have steel shaft PING irons and just received my new PING G425's with graphite shafts in early February and the difference is amazing. The feel and forgiveness is so different and it instils such confidence and according to my Arccos Golf Caddie my overall game has improved 6.2 strokes over my last 10 rounds and that's playing on soggy fairways, wet greens and winter greens. I don't use 'irons' anymore but graphies are wonderful. BTW Arccos Caddie combined with new clubs really dials in my distances.
What brand and model are the graphite shafts on your G425's?
@@Frankiep72 My G425 Max Driver is Mitsubishi Tensei AV series 55-Flex R, 3 425 Hybrid - ALTACO 70/SR, G30 3 & 4 FAIRWAY WOOD - TFC 419 R, G410 5 HYBRID - ALTACO 70-R, 425 IRONS ALTACO AWT /R. I'm thinking of replacing G30 3 & 4 for 425 Hybrids in near future and may look at PING wedges @50dg, & 60dg.
@@hardwork371 thanks!
this is so true... i was fitted into steel S shafts based on my swing speed alone. I chose to buy x stiff 130g because a well timed swing felt so repeatable in comparison... i have actually gained distance in the end as the feel i get with the broom sticks gives me more confidence to fully commit to the swing. There is no perfect formula, its down to the individual
It sure is
If you tried the MMT’s or steelfibers I think you would have a different opinion of graphite. The MMT’s like Fowler is playing is available all the way up to 125TX and plays true to flex. Many of the graphite shafts are actually tip stiffer than the steel counterparts. The recoil 95’s that you tested are good shafts but have a very smooth profile and obviously are very light. I would think the Recoil 110’s would have been a better test, as the weights would feel more familiar with. Of course Mizuno offers the recoil 95’s stock so I suppose that is why they chose them. The MMT’s and Steelfibers are available in weights that better players are more familiar with which can make the transition super easy.
I reshafted my ZX5s with i80 F2s and they feel awesome. The irons came with i95 F3s and they played too stiff. The F2s feel more like Rs with great feel.
I have just changed to graphite at the age of 63 , and it has been a transformation in my game , I’m striking the ball so much better. But the best is I feel more confidence.with them.
No coverage of Mizuno's 3D shaft fitting device?
I have graphite shafts in all of my clubs except for the putter and I love them. They’re easier on my hands when I make a bad shot.
Okay, i'm curious, how did all your distances run pretty close. With all shafts the same length.
Usually, graphite irons are 2 full swingweights less than irons. Even with the shafts being longer
I've recently changed to graphite G425s. The ball goes higher, straighter, longer and stops more quickly.
Excellent vlog Matt with the Mizuno guys - so interesting to try them blind and the one you said felt the best.
I personally think all fittings should be similar to this - feel and most consistent shots / results - and go to a fitter that does not "sell one brand of shaft only" 🤔🤔🤔👎👎👎
Yep it would lead to the best club instead of ego getting in the way
@@Mattfryergolf u said it and more people enjoying/ staying/playing golf!
Rabbit hole of distance distance distance should be dispersion 💪💪💪👍👍👍
As a visually impaired golfer, I do not hit the ball perfectly every time. Often just a Little behind, or high on the ball. Through several sets of irons Both steel and graphite, I Found that a slight miss hit with steel although it might sting a little the shot was much better. As a result, I use regular lightweight steel shafts ins tead of the recommended senior graphite. Slight mishits although a little more painful, are much more accurate. However as the last time I used graphite irons was in '16, I will give graphite a serious look when I upgrade.
How about shaping? Is one better generally than the other?
I'm 72 and I just bought a set of Mizuno 921 JPX . The feel is terrific for me. More physically forgiving when I hit fat shots, which I do alot!
Glad they are working
Would’ve liked to have seen the dispersion chart and averages with fluctuations, cool video though 💪🏻..
I went from steel to graphite last year and noticed right away the graphite is less jarring!
It would have been nice to see distance dispersion numbers for each shaft, especially short to long .
I just got fitted last fall and went with steel. My next set will be graphite.
I swing 6/iron 80mps, and was losing distance. Bought KBS TGI 80gms (expensive); to replace my AMT Black; def felt better than the AMTs, however they did not increase ball speed and the soft tip had a tendency of creating a bigger divot. Switched to the heavier NSPro 105 and my dispersion has narrowed and speed also increased. Got me a bit confused. Possibly coz I do have a fast tempo.
Forgot to mention just switched to a combo of HM Pro & HBM225 - waiting for the rains to stop in Sydney (:
Will be 65 next Month and Just switched to Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal with 95 Gram recoil , Great Irons but think I needed Heavy , More weighted Irons , Old Ball Player with still Good Speed and Power
I have a bad left elbow- tendonitis. Will this help dampen the vibration?
Great video. I wish I would have seen it last year. I went into my local golf shop a year ago. I wanted to get ping g710 irons. The guy at the shop suggested stock graphite regular over stock steel regular because of my RA health issue. I asked him if the dispersion on the monitor was drastic vs the steel regular. He said no. I have had the irons 6-s with graphite regular for a year now. Feel at impact is nice but my dispersion is such a mess. I get away with it somewhat on the utility wedge (gap wedge) and the sand wedge. Six iron thru Pitching wedge is a frustrating disaster. I am going to have to go get fitted somewhere more proper.
how about stiff graphite?
I would prefer graphite after trying my brothers set , but cost does hamper me for the future.
I'm waiting on the delivery of my new 225's with graphite shafts. I have never played graphite irons before but the feel was great and the distance better. Allied to my back which can give me grief, I am hoping the lighter weight and the better feel will have me hitting it well this summer.
How’s it going so far?
@@TheVsa17 It's going very well thanks. I can't really tell any difference in feel to my old JPX900 forged, except maybe in the 7 iron which feels/sounds slightly harder on off centre hits. I reckon I have gained between 5 and 10 yds a club on average but some of that is probably down to me having more movement and less back stiffness than in the past. I can't say the improvement in my back is down to the lighter shafts but it might just be helping me. I am hitting my 5 and 6 irons better than I used to hit the old ones, by a considerable margin and I am more like 15/20 yds longer on those.
Overall I am very happy with the clubs and the shafts and I seldom give any thought to the fact that the shafts are graphite. I haven't seen any of the suggested lack of accuracy nor have I seen any of the fliers: I am just enjoying the game.
@@johnwallace520 I’m in the process of exploring the world of graphite shafts in irons, just seems more beneficial overall in various aspects. How do you like the 225s? I have a set of 921 HMP’s already that I love but have been eyeing the 223s due to favoring a more compact shape
@@TheVsa17 I have always played with forged irons because of the massive satisfaction I get from middling a shot which just feels like a hot knife through butter. The 225's feel slightly harder than my old forged JPX900 on off centre hits but feel just as sweet as ever on centre strikes.
I tried the 223's at my fitting together with a few others and they just weren't forgiving enough for me. When I hit them well they felt great but off centre I got a poor trajectory and feel. Off centre the 225's were a good bit longer. When hit properly the 225's were also a bit longer than the 223's for me and I found in the longer irons that I couldn't get much more distance out of the 223 5 iron than I could a well struck 7 iron. In the 225 I was able to keep a bigger differential between the clubs. My iron club speed is a good bit slower than I used to be and I now only get low to mid 80mph on a decent strike with a 7 iron - good enough for about 155 carry and 165 total but I also find it quite easy to deloft these irons and go for a low runner if the conditions suit. I can get the 5 iron out to about 200yds if I go for the low trajectory shot.
My very traditional playing partner has just ordered a set of 225's having had a few hits of mine and he has also gone with the graphite shaft. He was the last person on earth I thought would go graphite!
I tried stiff graphite recoils and I was spraying it everywhere when I was swinging hard. Stiff or X steel for me but I’ll be graphite in a decade or two when I can’t throw my arms through the ball full bloodied. Swing easy and they’re pretty tidy
If you wanted to graphite a go try the MMT’s in a 125TX. Guys as fast as Ricky Fowler are gaming them and they are every bit as stable as the heavier steel options.
One million percent agree with trying the MMTs 😍 I have the 125TX MMTs and they are phenomenal
Your dead on. You’ve got to know/be able to feel where the head is at the apex of your swing. I loved the feel of graphite shafts and did use them for a few years but ultimately went back to a steel shaft for more consistency and fewer missed hits.
Interesting watching Matt talk about the second one, knowing it is the graphite stiff. He had all the clues, but got it wrong. "lighter, but firm". "a lot higher" "spinny". Except that one, he was essentially right on the rest, only mistaking the steel s for the steel x before he had hit the steel x.
LA Golf has a 125 Gram X-Stiff Graphite iron shaft
always had graphite throughout the bag
I have Calloway clubs, one set is graphite, the other is steel. Its not a big difference, but I prefer the graphite.
Hi, what about Rifle shafts.thank you
Extremely interesting. Three out of five is mighty good, I'd say.
I'm definitely on the graphite side, play it in all my irons
After 10 years of Graphite I've gone back to a R400 129g Steel Shaft as it clearly helps me to remain in sequence during Transition/Downswing resulting a better contact/faster Ball speed (Distance) and tighter Dispersion.
Due to today's technology there is almost no difference between steel and graphite iron shafts UST Recoil and Steelfiber offerings are great. I haven't tested the KBS proto graphite shafts yet but I expect they are also excellent. I've found that "senior" golfers have better results as they have slower swing speeds but get really good results.
This is very interesting.
Thanks Tony
MMT 125TX irons shafts for me...joint pain gone and better dispersion than my old DG X7
The 125TX is a wonderful shaft. My shaft of choice as well.
@@TLRChad great minds think alike!
You failed to mention the most important thing- Deceleration at Impact ( AKA- Newton’s Third Law) , which is particularly dependent on the flexibility of the tip of the shaft which drastically affects ball flight and dispersion. The Nunchuk XI iron shaft was designed to decrease Deceleration at IMPACT . That is why it is the best of the best.
I play aerotech x stiff 115gm , less stress on my joints like by kbs 130x...
We all (99%) play graphite in our woods no? Worth a shot getting fitted for irons..
Yep you are right Keith
The boys will tear me a new one if I use graphite shafts. Therefore, I shall use steel
As a high index ole guy I'm using stiff steel shafts. Lost distance but am very accurate
very interesting
I’m a good player but I always preferred graphite because it helps me really feel the weight of the club head. That’s always been my main focus when swinging. But they are more expensive to replace.
I've got the same reasoning. Know where the clubhead is helps me a lot in golf journey. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
Graphite has absolutely nothing to do with feeling the weight. The balance point of that shaft does
I find the prejudice against graphite shafts for Irons amusing, (they are only for seniors & ladies). Clearly, nobody told that to Bryson LOL
Now that manufacturers have managed to separate shaft weight from its Flex you can have lightweight steel shafts and heavy graphite shafts in various Flexes. There should be an optimised shaft for everyone..
I would have loved this to have been a "double-blind" test with neither of the Matt's knowing what the shafts were.
It would have made Player Matt's description of the "feel" of each shaft and Fitter Matt's analysis of numbers produced by each shaft very interesting indeed.
I’m using graphite for the last 16 years I’m old but find them good
Tony
If they work for you Tony that’s the main thing
I know this is an old video. But can I ask, is there anyone out there that uses graphite for P and A and steel for other irons?
I play a 110g x flex kbs graphite in 6-4 iron 🚀
Like it
Was hoping it would be driver shafts, but the same theme still applies.
Find what feels the most comfortable!
Don’t know anyone using a steel driver shaft now! Graphite only for Drivers unless for extreme cases
@@Mattfryergolf I just meant when I saw it was going to be a shaft video! I've been picking up some 2nd hand drivers trying to find something that works.
Still super interesting for irons as well!
I can't get on with graphite shafts. The heads feel heavy and floppy. I just changed my Ping G410's graphite for G425 steel. The steel feel so much more balanced.
Would have been helpful to see the data vs just feel.
Graphite all day for me. I really struggle with steels on distance and height!
The first thing the guy said about graphite feeling softer, I owned 2 sets of irons with graphite shafts, and both times I returned to steel because I like a soft feel and steel has felt softer to me. I know everyone is different, but for me, steel has a softer feel.
I think the problem with this test is that not all graphite shafts are the same, same for steel, so to make an assumption on graphite shafts in general, like stating graphite is less consistent or softer, based upon these 2 graphite shafts, is not a good assumption. Graphite shafts have come a long way, and there are many different types now, so dont think one can make such a generalization based upon hitting 2.
Steel alloys with molybdenum or other metals allow for flex and feel! It’s not helpful that manufacturers have dumbed down steel shafts to R, S etc.
I love ricky but when he changed his iron shaft to mmt graphite shafts i never see him in leaderboards