Typically, in modern graphite shafts, the ones you’ll find on the shelf are going to be in the lighter weight range, from 50 to 65g. Graphite shafts, now using different forms of carbon composites, have finally caught up to steel as far as consistency, durability, and distance control, while also preventing unwanted vibrations. They were criticized as less durable, having poor accuracy, and were often plagued with criticisms of the shaft flex and hitting the ball too far, until recently. Graphite shafts, especially graphite iron shafts, got a bad rap when they were first released by club manufacturers. However, players who don't have a fast swing speed would benefit from the forgiveness of higher torque golf club shafts that fit their lower swing tempo and clubhead speed. Typically, faster swing speed or more advanced players, especially the players on the PGA Tour, will want lower torque, because it can handle the faster swing speeds and allows players more control of the trajectory of the shot. The lower the torque, the less twisting the shaft will have, giving the player more control of the face angles at the ball impact point. The other characteristic you need to concern yourself with is shaft torque, or how much the shaft bends and twists. You can have a low kick point, mid, or high kick-point which would launch with a high ball flight, mid ball flight, and a low ball flight respectively. The first of these is the range of flight characteristics from the flex-point, or kick points. There are certain factors that all shafts share for Tour professionals and high-handicap golfers alike. Now, let’s go look and see what types of golf shafts might be right for you. If you're confused about why shaft material and weight even matter for your swing, check out this article on swing weight. However, I have played with both graphite and steel with all of my other clubs during my over fifteen years in the golf industry. I have always played graphite in my driver.

(Fun fact: some graphite shafts use carbon fibers that can be found on the nose cone of the Boeing 787.) Graphite has evolved leaps and bounds, especially over the past 20 years, as graphite shaft manufacturers have begun using different types of graphite and other exotic materials to create extra stiff (XS) club shafts compared to what graphite used to have as a performance maximum. This is not the case anymore for a properly-fitted set of clubs. Historically speaking, steel iron shafts have been better for more advanced or higher swing speed players wanting a low shot trajectory, while graphite golf shafts have been ideal for amateur golfers with more moderate swings or players wanting maximum distance with lighter shafts. One of the most common questions that comes up when purchasing golf clubs nowadays is, “What type of golf shaft should I get? What most benefits my swing and the trajectory of shots I hit out on the course?”

Rocket golf shafts