Steel Shaft in a Modern(ish) Driver Clubhead (2024)

[CoachWhitty]

Has anyone gone back to a steel shaft in a modern driver head?  What was your reasoning and what were your results?

 

I struggled for years to find a driver that just felt right to me.  I tried every weight, flex, and modified shaft under the sun, but just kept coming back to the drawing board (all clubs were fitted for those wondering).  Long story short, a few years ago I decided to build my own just for fun. 

 

My blueprint was centered around the magical feeling I had from my first real warclub as a kid (Callaway Big Bertha with steel shaft that snapped on me) and it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't considered going back to a steel shaft.  I excitedly took to the internet to see what was available and finally settled on a TT Stratus shaft.  I then remembered a modern(ish) clubhead I always loved (a 2009 Wilson Staff Smooth in 8°).  After "Frankensteining" them together, I slapped on my favorite grip and headed for the driving range.

 

While this warclub is a hefty boy, I had the time of my life!  As an update years later I still get an exhilaration when I step on the tee box! 

 

 

Edited July 31, 2024 by CoachWhitty

[TigerWills]

Yes I am playing a steel shaft in a driver head - Cobra LTDx 10.5 (set at -1.5 so 9 degrees)

 

My conversion from graphite to steel came this summer and slightly by accident as I purchased TT S300 driver 130gm shaft not to use on the course but as a training aid. My thought was that if I hit a much heavier shaft on the range (where I work part-time so get free balls), it will build up my muscles so I will then be able to swing a lighter shaft much faster on the course and thus increase my distance. At the time I was really frustrated with my driver as I couldn't hit it much over 200 yards (total distance) which was barely further than my 3 wood.

 

I paid around £35 for the S300 steel shaft (Ebay) and prior to my first time using it on the driving range, I attached it to the driver head. However on arrival, I was asked to play 9 holes and it was only on arriving at the 2nd tee did I realise the steel shaft was still attached to my driver head. So I gave it a swing and boy did it make a noise as I connected but the result was very pleasing. It wasn't a great connection but it went straight and over 220 yards. Next hole and I got the driver out again, almost nailed it and got about 240 yards with an ounce of fade so realised I was onto something.

 

I suppose like any other driver in the hands of a high handicapper, it's not fool proof and I can still slice (and very occasionally hook) the ball into a neighboring parish but I am rewarded when making a good connection and on one occasion nailed a drive 280 yards (measured it on Google Maps) straight onto the green of a par 4. 

 

Getting the best out of this steel shaft is still very much a work in progress as I now feel I could still add at least another 30 yards (ie average around 260-270 regularly) if I can get a better ball flight as often it seems to scream off like rocket then plummet almost vertically in similar shape to one of my wedges. Various balls do seem to make a difference, most interesting so far (just this week) was a ProV1 which didn't seem the longest but was definitely the straightest as there was no discernible fade or draw on 4 consecutive tee shots I hit with it. 

 

After the success with the S300 shaft, I did then buy a TT Superlite steel shaft from the same seller wondering if might give me even better results but sadly that was no better than most of the graphite shafts I have tried. I have also just ordered 3 cheap used steel driver shafts from GolfClubs4Cash which I will try with the driver first but also with the intention of switching my fairway wood shafts (G425 SFT 3 wood and G400 stretch 3 wood) to steel.  

Edited November 23, 2024 by TigerWills

[NRJyzr]

1 hour ago, TigerWills said:

Getting the best out of this steel shaft is still very much a work in progress as I now feel I could still add at least another 30 yards (ie average around 260-270 regularly) if I can get a better ball flight as often it seems to scream off like rocket then plummet almost vertically in similar shape to one of my wedges.

 

I've always liked heavier shafts, and have a persimmon habit, decided to give steel a go in several Ti drivers and fairway woods during the first decade of this century.  Found that steel shafts created higher spin for me with all of these clubs.  In one particular instance, a driver went from horribly ballooning on the course with steel to quite usable with the subsequent graphite replacement.

 

The point being I find steel wood shafts to produce more spin.

 

Now at 61 with less speed, I am thinking of trying them again in driver and fairway, albeit in softer flex than 15-20 years ago.  Probably will be doing this with older driver and 3w (Mizuno TZoid Forged), but I won't rule out a modern stick experiment...

 

[azgreg]

There used to be a huge thread about steel shafts in drivers. I think it was started by someone named robo something. Then one day it was just gone.

[LoonyTunes]

On 7/31/2024 at 10:06 AM, CoachWhitty said:

I struggled for years to find a driver that just felt right to me.  I tried every weight, flex, and modified shaft under the sun, but just kept coming back to the drawing board (all clubs were fitted for those wondering)

 

I have a hard time reading the above and concluding you were fit properly. 

[NHenson815]

On 7/31/2024 at 10:06 AM, CoachWhitty said:

Has anyone gone back to a steel shaft in a modern driver head?  What was your reasoning and what were your results?

 

I struggled for years to find a driver that just felt right to me.  I tried every weight, flex, and modified shaft under the sun, but just kept coming back to the drawing board (all clubs were fitted for those wondering).  Long story short, a few years ago I decided to build my own just for fun. 

 

My blueprint was centered around the magical feeling I had from my first real warclub as a kid (Callaway Big Bertha with steel shaft that snapped on me) and it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't considered going back to a steel shaft.  I excitedly took to the internet to see what was available and finally settled on a TT Stratus shaft.  I then remembered a modern(ish) clubhead I always loved (a 2009 Wilson Staff Smooth in 8°).  After "Frankensteining" them together, I slapped on my favorite grip and headed for the driving range.

 

While this warclub is a hefty boy, I had the time of my life!  As an update years later I still get an exhilaration when I step on the tee box! 

 

 

Modern steel shafts in modern woods are amazing.   About a year ago, I figured out that the prior version of the Callaway hybrid adapter will screw into any of the recent Callaway drivers. The current version of the hybrid adapter will screw into the current fairway woods.   This effectively eliminates the .335 tip size restriction allowing for some very unconventional setups.  I haven’t found similar “hacks” for other OEMs yet, but I prefer Callaway woods anyway.

[RolandofGilead]

On 11/23/2024 at 10:28 AM, NRJyzr said:

 

I've always liked heavier shafts, and have a persimmon habit, decided to give steel a go in several Ti drivers and fairway woods during the first decade of this century.  Found that steel shafts created higher spin for me with all of these clubs.  In one particular instance, a driver went from horribly ballooning on the course with steel to quite usable with the subsequent graphite replacement.

 

The point being I find steel wood shafts to produce more spin.

 

Now at 61 with less speed, I am thinking of trying them again in driver and fairway, albeit in softer flex than 15-20 years ago.  Probably will be doing this with older driver and 3w (Mizuno TZoid Forged), but I won't rule out a modern stick experiment...

 

For what it’s worth, here are my Trackman numbers for graphite and steel in similar heads.

 

975D: stock DG S300 shaft (130 gram steel)

975J: stock EI-70 stiff shaft (~80 gram graphite)

 

I’ve stuck with the 975D and give steel my full endorsement!

[NRJyzr]

11 minutes ago, RolandofGilead said:

For what it’s worth, here are my Trackman numbers for graphite and steel in similar heads.

 

975D: stock DG S300 shaft (130 gram steel)

975J: stock EI-70 stiff shaft (~80 gram graphite)

 

I’ve stuck with the 975D and give steel my full endorsement!

 

Is it safe to assume the swingspeed difference between the two is club length related?

 

[RolandofGilead]

4 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

Is it safe to assume the swingspeed difference between the two is club length related?

 

Some combination of length and weight. The J was 1/2” longer and 35 grams lighter total.

Edited November 26, 2024 by RolandofGilead

[NRJyzr]

While True Temper has discontinued their steel wood shafts, Apollo still have one or two steel wood shafts.  I picked up a couple from Value Golf to try in the TZoid Forged I have, both driver and 3w.  Both heads are rather light, I prefer shorter club lengths, seems like a good fit together.  

 

Might have to scrounge up a couple ferrules, though.  It's funny how I haven't picked up any wood ferrules recently...

 

[TigerWills]

Just a little update...

 

After my post above I decided to buy some other steel driver/fairway shafts and compare them against my S300. However the most immediate difference between these recently purchased steel shafts and my original S300 is the length !! Turns out the S300 shaft is much shorter than the other shafts at just 42.5" from tip to butt which may account why I have been getting more control since switching to it. Never occurred to me to measure it against my graphite shafts, it just worked straight away and stayed in the bag.

 

Anyhow I have now tested the 3 new steel driver shafts (TT TX-90, TT Crossfire, Brunswick Precision) with slightly underwhelming results. I will add I didn't do any trimming on the shafts and simply "epoxyed" an adaptor, added a grip then hit the driving range.  The Brunswick Precision was just hopeless (at least in my hands) but the 2 new True Temper shafts may have some potential if trimmed correctly. The TX-90 is still original factory length at 46" so obviously a bit unwieldy whilst I feel the Crossfire would be far more suited if trimmed down to fairway wood length. 

 

However what I now truly seek is an uncut or at worse a 44.5" S300 shaft.  

 

  

[azgreg]

I've purchased some from here before:

 

https://www.proseriesgolf.com/shafts/detailshafts.php?Prodnum=1994

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

Honestly, I'll never go back to steel in the woods/hybrid/driver. I grew up with it, gamed steel for the longest time in the driver. It was fine, but now it would be too much of an adaptation. Plus I can adjust the weight of the driver as needed.

I tried it in a Wood and a Hybrid. I just didn't care for the feel, and I didn't like the way it forced me to change my process in ways I did not want to change. Instead of going heavier in the shaft, I added counter-weight to bring the modern graphite up to weight that I like without negatively effecting my ability to generate speed.

It's a lot easier to manipulate a weight in your hand than in the shaft. Yet, it still has that heavier feel.

Just a thought.

Edited December 5, 2024 by Mikey_HACKilroy

[TigerWills]

3 hours ago, azgreg said:

I've purchased some from here before:

 

https://www.proseriesgolf.com/shafts/detailshafts.php?Prodnum=1994

 

Thanks very much for the link but they just replied to my email and have sadly sold out. 

Edited December 5, 2024 by TigerWills
Sold out

[CoachWhitty]

Thanks for all the replies and I apologize for my absence.  Life's been pretty crazy!  

 

Glad to hear both point of views!

 

 

Edited December 22, 2024 by CoachWhitty

[NRJyzr]

Resurrecting this thread as I've just assembled an R7 TP driver with an Apollo stepless steel driver shaft.  My plan is to take it to the course tomorrow in full test mode.  Have an event Saturday, but will bring it along for more testing on course and/or range.

 

Recent experiment with a stock DG Sensicore shaft in an old Mizuno Forged TZoid 3 wood got me thinking it was time to try it again.  The 3w has been considerably easier to hit than my graphite 3 woods.  I'd also taken Ping Zing Blondes to the course for a few rounds, with similar good results.

 

I guess we'll see what we'll see...

 

[CoachWhitty]

7 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

Resurrecting this thread as I've just assembled an R7 TP driver with an Apollo stepless steel driver shaft.  My plan is to take it to the course tomorrow in full test mode.  Have an event Saturday, but will bring it along for more testing on course and/or range.

 

Recent experiment with a stock DG Sensicore shaft in an old Mizuno Forged TZoid 3 wood got me thinking it was time to try it again.  The 3w has been considerably easier to hit than my graphite 3 woods.  I'd also taken Ping Zing Blondes to the course for a few rounds, with similar good results.

 

I guess we'll see what we'll see...

 

Thank you so much for posting!!!!

 

That's awesome!  I love my DG Sensicore steel shafted Wilson Smooth in 8°.  It is heavier than sin, but since I'm an old pull hitting duffer from the Sam Snead school of thought, it suits me better than lighter graphite.

 

Please share your results and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

[NRJyzr]

On 6/26/2025 at 3:12 PM, CoachWhitty said:

Thank you so much for posting!!!!

 

That's awesome!  I love my DG Sensicore steel shafted Wilson Smooth in 8°.  It is heavier than sin, but since I'm an old pull hitting duffer from the Sam Snead school of thought, it suits me better than lighter graphite.

 

Please share your results and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

 

Early returns are promising.  After a spotty start where I was hooking everything off the tee, i settled in to hitting the ball pretty straight.  Distance was reasonable, slightly short due to my apparently playing too low a loft; my driver trajectory was noticeably lower than I'd been hitting with a 10.5° DarkSpeed lately.  The R7 I'm using is 9.5°.

 

The initial adjustment may have had something to do with the shaft.  It feels like a stiffer butt section / softer tip section profile.  I've largely played stiffer tip shafts in driver.

 

I've got some extra adapters, I'm tempted to glue one up to plug in the DarkSpeed.

 

More to come, I'll be playing this today in my Men's Club event, weather permitting...

 

[CoachWhitty]

1 minute ago, NRJyzr said:

 

Early returns are promising.  After a spotty start where I was hooking everything off the tee, i settled in to hitting the ball pretty straight.  Distance was reasonable, slightly short due to my apparently playing too low a loft; my driver trajectory was noticeably lower than I'd been hitting with a 10.5° DarkSpeed lately.  The R7 I'm using is 9.5°.

 

The initial adjustment may have had something to do with the shaft.  It feels like a stiffer butt section / softer tip section profile.  I've largely played stiffer tip shafts in driver.

 

I've got some extra adapters, I'm tempted to glue one up to plug in the DarkSpeed.

 

More to come, I'll be playing this today in my Men's Club event, weather permitting...

 

That is so exciting!

 

I found similar results.  The Wilson Smooth head I use has no adjustable features.  I had to get out the old lead tape and trial and error it until I could really go for it without snap hooking.

 

Good luck and remember to be patient with yourself and your equipment during this adjustment phase!  It takes time, but once you're dialed in...!!!

[CoachWhitty]

9 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

 

Early returns are promising.  After a spotty start where I was hooking everything off the tee, i settled in to hitting the ball pretty straight.  Distance was reasonable, slightly short due to my apparently playing too low a loft; my driver trajectory was noticeably lower than I'd been hitting with a 10.5° DarkSpeed lately.  The R7 I'm using is 9.5°.

 

The initial adjustment may have had something to do with the shaft.  It feels like a stiffer butt section / softer tip section profile.  I've largely played stiffer tip shafts in driver.

 

I've got some extra adapters, I'm tempted to glue one up to plug in the DarkSpeed.

 

More to come, I'll be playing this today in my Men's Club event, weather permitting...

 

How did it go today?

[NRJyzr]

49 minutes ago, CoachWhitty said:

How did it go today?

 

A bit less good overall, largely because I was fighting my swing all day.  Hit a couple of hooks that led to nothing good.

 

It still has some merit.  I may try it in another clubhead, maybe an adjustable clubhead...

 

[CoachWhitty]

That's alright!  It's a work in progress! 

 

Several Questions:

1.  Is this a course you play often?

2.  If yes, how did the driver compare to your other choices?

[NRJyzr]

16 minutes ago, CoachWhitty said:

That's alright!  It's a work in progress! 

 

Several Questions:

1.  Is this a course you play often?

2.  If yes, how did the driver compare to your other choices?

 

#1 - yes, play nearly all of my golf at this course.

#2 - its hard to make a good comparison, largely because we've had about six inches of rain in the last four days.  😑

 

[CoachWhitty]

That would definitely have an effect on the results!  Keep us posted.