Are Graphite Shafts Better For Senior Golfers?

The majority of our articles are designed to help the average golfer improve their game.

But we seldom focus on tips related to our senior golfers. This post is for the veterans of our game who are looking for ways to make the game easier and more enjoyable.

In this article, we are asking the question are graphite shafts better for senior golfers? After our review, you will know whether you should switch out the stiffer steel shafts for the more flexible graphite construction.

Golf Shafts And Their History

According to the Professional Golfers Career College steel-shafted clubs were legalized by the R&A in 1929. The stiffer shafted clubs provided the player with better accuracy and more durability than the previous constructions from hickory.

The introduction of steel shafts also prompted the R&A to limit the number of clubs allowed in your bag to fourteen. Steel shafts remained unchallenged until the 1960’s when fiberglass was used. However, this proved unsuccessful.

In 1973, the first graphite shaft was produced, offering golfers a combination of lightweight construction, increased rigidity, and more durability. Fifty years have passed, and steel and graphite shafts are still the industry standard.

What Are The Characteristics Of Graphite Shafts?

According to Golfweek’s J.D. Chi, graphite shafts offer a lightweight and more flexible option to the steel shafts used since the 1920s. The lighter composition of graphite shafts means that they are easier to swing and offer more flex.

Swinging with a lighter shaft helps you to increase your clubhead speed on the downswing. It gives you more chance of maintaining a high COR at impact to generate more ball speed and gain further distance.

While all the features of graphite shafts are appealing, Golf Monthly’s Joel Tadman explains that they are more expensive than steel shafts.

 

Pros And Cons Of Graphite Shafts For Senior Players

Pros

Lightweight

Graphite shafts are lighter than steel shafts. That means that slower swingers are able to increase their clubhead speed with a graphite shaft.

With more clubhead speed, you can transfer that energy to your ball to increase its speed. As a result, you should enjoy a long, high launch.

High Torque

Graphite shafts have a higher level of torque than steel shafts, which means it is more susceptible to twisting. Although it has its downsides, it is also what gives your shaft extra spring to deliver a high launching shot that travels further.

Higher COR

When your clubhead speed is slow, it is difficult to generate sufficient ball speed to launch your shot. However, the reduced weight of a graphite shaft that enables you to swing faster increases your ability to prompt faster ball speed.

Easy To Launch

The lightweight construction of a graphite shaft combined with increased clubhead and ball speed means it is easier to launch them compared to steel shafts.

Feel

In this video, Darren Burgess from Yonex explains that steel-shafted clubs endure more vibration at impact over graphite shafts.

As a result, we can conclude that graphite shafts offer a smoother feel than the steel design.

 

Increased Performance

Having the right weighted club can lead to increased performance by allowing higher launching and further shots.

It can also iron out any problems of having too heavy or too stiff clubs like a slice

Cons

Ballooned Shots

Faster swinging players may find that the lightweight construction of a graphite shaft is too weak for them as it causes them to balloon their shots, and lose distance.

Price

One of the downsides to graphite shafts is that they fetch a far higher price than standard steel shafts.

Sliced Shots

Shaft manufacturers TPT Golf explain that shafts with a higher level of torque open you up to pushing your shots right if you are a right-hander.

Switching to Graphite alone, isnt going to be enough, you still have to ensure the correct weight and shaft flex.

Recommended Irons For Seniors

Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons

Senior golfers should find it easy to navigate any lie and launch the Callaway Apex DCB irons high and long. The club offers the appearance of a traditional players iron. But it is packed with the forgiveness of a cavity back design.

Callaway created the DCB 21 irons with an AI-designed flash cup, which increased your ball speed and spin levels. The setup promotes a high launch, longer carry, and shot-stopping ability.

The long and mid irons in the set contain tungsten weighting, which optimizes the position of the CG for a consistent and powerful launch.

Seniors will enjoy the additional ball speed, ease of launch, and consistent distance provided by the Apex DCB 21 irons.

Pros

  • The most forgiving irons in the Apex range
  • Exceptional turf interaction
  • Prompts accelerated ball speed
  • Reduces unwanted vibrations on mishits
  • Crisp acoustics

Cons

  • The stronger lofts may deliver a lower ball flight than desired.
  • The wider sole may not appeal to traditionalists.

Overall Score: 94/100

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Titleist T400 Irons

Callaway may claim that the DCB 21’s are the most forgiving irons in the Apex range. But, Titleist goes a step further with their T400’s stating that it is the most forgiving iron they have ever created.

The purpose of these irons is to help slower swinging golfers increase their scoring opportunities. That speaks to the senior players who struggle to generate sufficient ball speed to achieve consistent distance.

Finally, these irons feature a super-thin L-face that wraps around the sole of the club to maintain ball speed even on off-center strikes.

Pros

  • Easy iron to launch
  • Provides maximum forgiveness
  • Glides through the turf with ease
  • Promotes longer distance
  • Generates faster ball speed

Cons

  • Super strong lofted iron set, which may not produce the high launch some players desire.
  • The set does not include a 4-iron

Overall Score: 95/100

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Recommended Irons Shafts For Seniors

UST Mamiya Recoil Dart F2 65 Graphite

UST’s Mamiya Recoil Dart shaft features optimal hoop stiffness at various points on the shaft to help slower swingers achieve maximum distance.

The company’s trademark recoil technology produces additional spring in the shaft to help you maintain the COR at impact. The extra spring and velocity transferred from your clubface to the ball aids you in maximizing your distance potential.

UST Mamiya opted for ion plating to coat this shaft, as it provides a classier finish than traditional paint. Finally, the shaft contains maximum torque, which is more susceptible to twisting during your swing.

This level of torque offers more spring and helps you to increase your clubhead speed on the downswing.

Pros

  • Prompts optimal spring
  • It aims to provide consistency in your shot results
  • Quality finish
  • Designed to help you increase your distance
  • Maintains COR at impact

Cons

  • Moderately expensive
  • The high torque can cause you to push or slice your shots.

Overall Score: 93/100

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Mitsubishi Tensei Av Red AM(2) Iron Shafts

The Tensei AV Red AM(2) shafts are designed for moderate to slow swinging players looking for a lightweight option that promotes a high, powerful launch.

Furthermore, the shafts offer optimal stability through the swing, thanks to its Aluminium Vapor fiber coatings.

Mitsubishi designed the longer irons in the set to be light and easy to launch. However, from the 8-iron onwards, each shaft contains two extra grams of weight to help you gain better control of shots with your short irons and wedges.

Pros

  • High launch
  • Moderate spin
  • Promotes increased distance
  • Long irons are lighter to induce optimal clubhead speed
  • Short irons and wedges are heavier for optimal control

Cons

  • Lower torque means it doesn’t provide the level of flex of the UST Mamiya Recoil Dart F2
  • Expensive

Overall Score: 95/100

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Conclusion On Are Graphite Shafts Better For Senior Golfers

After addressing the question, are graphite shafts are better for senior golfers. I think we can agree that they are.

The higher level of torque combined with the lightweight construction of these shafts is perfect for slower swinging players like seniors looking for additional clubhead and ball speed.

If you are currently on the lookout for a set of irons that are easy to launch and provide consistency, take a closer look at the Titleist T400 irons here. However, if you are happy with your current irons but require graphite shafts, consider the UST Mamiya Recoil Dart F2.