Club Shafts

Question
Hello,, I am currently swinging a set of taylor made OS-2 irons with a R steel step shaft.I am looking to purchase a new set of Taylor mades, The R7 CGB Max ,Theyre a titanium club and are the most forgiving club that taylor made has out. I would guess that I would be rated about an 6-8 handicap and I am wondering if I should still be looking at steel shafts or if I could make the transition to grafite. My driver swing speed is about 112, and on a normal day I will play an 8-iron from 150. Can you help me ith any advice?

Answer
Bryan

I've never been much of a graphite fan when it comes to shafts in my irons, and most of the people I know that are scratch golfers don't use them either.  My woods all have them, but not the irons.  Steel shafts tend to match each other better with regards to flex and vibration, while graphite does not.  Steel also translates some of the feel from contact up through the shaft into your hands, so you can better feel your shots/ miss hits.  I've just never thought that the graphite gave you really any advantage to justify the extra cost.  The only exception would be if you had some kind of arthritis, or tendonitis in your hands,elbows, or shoulders.  The graphite will dampen the vibration at impact and lessen the blow on your joints a little.

I did notice that you mentioned your currently swinging a set of R flex irons.  You might think about possibly switching to an S flex based on those club head speeds. In most cases you'd be better off with a shaft that is slightly too stiff as opposed to too limber.  You might lose a couple of yards here or there, but you'd probably hit them straighter.  

Also...look at what the guys on tour are using for shafts.  These guys have access to the best equipment on the planet - all completely customized, and almost none of them use graphite in their irons.

Good luck and have fun.

John