Old guys going back to steel shafts?

[caniac6]

I’m 70, and have been playing graphite iron shafts for awhile. I have gained some distance, but lost some workability and control. Has anyone switched back to steel, and what was your experience?

[gdb99]

With so many light-weight steel iron shafts on the market now, if you don’t need graphite for pain management, why not? Light weight, low torque. 

[Socrates]

Played graphite shafts since 1999 (Grafalloy ProLogic) and most recently the Recoil.  I have tried going back to steel a couple of times and it was a 'no go.'  It's just not going to happen and not going to waste my time and effort again.

[azgreg]

61 here and still play steel in everything but putter and driver.

[PJE]

I have been tinkering with this topic for a while and I’m back in steel (Nippon 950 Neo). I played Recoil 95s for a while and I liked them too.  I briefly played or tried a bunch of different graphite shafts in fittings or range sessions. 
I’ve found control suffered when I went too light with shaft weight and too soft a tip. It seems a lot of the lighter graphite shafts also have relatively soft tips.
Everyone is different , but I think there are enough options in both steel and graphite older guys like us could find something which fits.

Graphite was better for elbow and hand pain as in none.  
 

[ScooterMcTavish]

I’m a bit younger (mid 50s) and after trying to go graphite last year and lightweight steel the year before, I’ve now gone back to irons with 118g steel shafts.

 

Simply could not find a graphite shaft that had the same feel and weight as a soft-butted steel shaft.  Although the overall lighter static weight did help me gain some speed, I lost the timing I needed to finish my swing, lost my smooth tempo, and started going OTT as the club was just too light.

 

Made a decision to go back to steel, and am now working on fitness to help protect my left elbow and right shoulder.

 

Life is too short to be constantly frustrated by the gear you play.  If it helps my health, even better.

 

Edit: also bailed on new tech “players distance” irons, and have gone back to a boring forged player’s cb with sensible gapping, sensible lofts, and a lower CoG.

Edited April 13 by ScooterMcTavish

[Nickb333]

I switched to graphite irons last year and the change in pain was literally overnight. I kept a few steel shafted wedges for a while, but quickly noticed the old pains returned after any range sessions. I’ve recently replaced the wedges and can’t imagine ever going back to steel anything. 

Edited April 13 by Nickb333

[jeffrey r]

1 hour ago, Nickb333 said:

I switched to graphite irons last year and the change in pain was literally overnight. I kept a few steel shafted wedges for a while, but quickly noticed the old pains returned after any range sessions. I’ve recently replaced the wedges and can’t imagine ever going back to steel anything. 

 

I literally tried going back to my steel shafted RTX Zipcore wedges a week or so ago, and within one dang round and a few chips, pitches and full shots, my tendonitis flared up immediately. It was really quite uncanny. Pain that had been gone for years with a full complement of graphite shafts came back within one round. Never again—graphite all the way. 

[ScooterMcTavish]

3 hours ago, Nickb333 said:

I switched to graphite irons last year and the change in pain was literally overnight. I kept a few steel shafted wedges for a while, but quickly noticed the old pains returned after any range sessions. I’ve recently replaced the wedges and can’t imagine ever going back to steel anything. 

 

1 hour ago, jeffrey r said:

 

I literally tried going back to my steel shafted RTX Zipcore wedges a week or so ago, and within one dang round and a few chips, pitches and full shots, my tendonitis flared up immediately. It was really quite uncanny. Pain that had been gone for years with a full complement of graphite shafts came back within one round. Never again—graphite all the way. 

 

I wish I had your problem, gentlemen.

 

It was some sim work with the wedges that drove me back to steel.  Started a session a few weeks back with my 58* and my 54* hitting 10 shots with each (both have Ping Z-Z115 shafts).  The shot shape, club path, and dispersion was better than anything I had in the offseason with my graphite-shafted i525, even including the 50* GW.

 

Godspeed to all of us who are getting older, and have to work a little more to squeeze as much enjoyment as we can out of this maddening game. 

[jeffrey r]

1 minute ago, ScooterMcTavish said:

 

 

I wish I had your problem, gentlemen.

 

It was some sim work with the wedges that drove me back to steel.  Started a session a few weeks back with my 58* and my 54* hitting 10 shots with each (both have Ping Z-Z115 shafts).  The shot shape, club path, and dispersion was better than anything I had in the offseason with my graphite-shafted i525, even including the 50* GW.

 

Godspeed to all of us who are getting older, and have to work a little more to squeeze as much enjoyment as we can out of this maddening game. 

All good. I was using RTX Zipcores with Steelfiber i110 for several years, and they were wearing down. That was why I grabbed my steel shafted Zipcores in better shape from the garage. When that pain came right back, I reached out to Discount Dan’s right away to get my new RTZ wedges with Steelfibers. Just as good as any steel shafted wedges for me, fortunately. YMMV. 

[NRJyzr]

On 4/12/2025 at 1:19 PM, caniac6 said:

I’m 70, and have been playing graphite iron shafts for awhile. I have gained some distance, but lost some workability and control. Has anyone switched back to steel, and what was your experience?

 

I started playing assorted graphite shafts in my irons around 2017, NV105 was the initial cchoice.  Having previously been a heavier iron shaft player, I sometimes had issues with the weight difference.

 

As my speed slowed in my late 50s (and now 61), I found myself exploring more graphite options.  I've since learned I may still need some of that shaft weight I've preferred over the years.  Contemplating a set of Modus 105 and/or Modus 120 in irons.  I've used 950GH quite a bit I the last couple years, which don't seem to cause me issues.

 

Just need to get off my backside and do the work of pulling old shafts and installing new.

 

[alittleoverpar]

If it weren't for the tendonitis in my right elbow, I'd go back to steel tomorrow.  The Nippon shafts are great IMO.  

[rbpwrx]

60 here, and steel in everything but woods and driving iron. No intention to change any time soon. I don't actually feel a big difference in vibration/ shock, although my graphite is as close to steel as I can find. Still play steel in driver sometimes. Builds strength and character!
 

Edited April 16 by rbpwrx

[Ri_Redneck]

62 and I've been using graphite iron shafts for over 20 yrs. However they MUST be 105g or higher and firm tip/low torque. I wouldn't go back to steel if they paid me. Lot's of great shafts out there to choose from, I just think many fitters just don't get the fitting right though. I've seen lots of posts where golfers are fitted and don't like what they got. Dang shame cause it doesn't have to be that way.

 

BT

[rbpwrx]

Fwiw, I've found the KBS TGi to be an excellent graphite iron shaft. Not a lot of 'personality,' but firm and stable and linear, affordable, with a lot of weight (flex) options. 

[Pepperturbo]

After seven years playing composite, recently, impulsively, I put the 620MB 7i-PW with PX steel back in the bag.  Before, I played PX 6.0 and at the end 5.5 for near seventeen years.

 

No physical issues, just wear and tear and hoping composite would gain back yardage that Father time was taking from me.  What I learned quality heavier weight composite didn't offer added distance, like much lighter 60 gram weight senior composite shafts.  Other than wear and tear, whatever I gained from composite was marginal. 

 

I haven't gained anything with PX except maybe rediscovered targeting.  Last weekend I found myself focusing as if, like shooting, I was aiming at targets.  That's not something I ever did with composite or T100, for that matter.  Last weekend on 18, I had 95yds to a front Red pin, water left, bunker right, false front; Gap would have spun the ball off but using 3/4 PW swing, stuck it pin high 7', and par.

 

The one thing that's always stuck in my craw regarding composite is the higher torque ratings.  Even the stout Pro 95 Tour S has 2.8t & Pro 115 Tour S has 2.5t.   MMT has similar, except Steelfiber i110S has steel tq.  The Pro 115 is the same weight as PX 5.5, similar bend too, only lower 1.6t.  Something tells me higher tq numbers have an effect on ball behavior.

Edited April 16 by Pepperturbo

[ScooterMcTavish]

3 hours ago, rbpwrx said:

60 here, and steel in everything but woods and driving iron. No intention to change any time soon. I don't actually feel a big difference in vibration/ shock, although my graphite is as close to steel as I can find. Still play steel in driver sometimes. Builds strength and character!
 

 

There may be some merit to this though.

 

With my Recoil ES SW 780, I found mishits to be very harsh.  I believe part of it was the clubhead design, part of it was the difficulty in finding the center of the face, and part is that as a firmer butted shaft, it transferred vibration surprisingly effectively for composite.

 

I honestly thought my first time whacking the JPX (on my still-closed course) felt less "impacty" than the i525 did.

 

May be a placebo effect, but I wonder how the vibration transfer compares between a sweet spot iron-shafted shot, and a way-off-centre shot with composite?  Wonder if anyone has studied this? 

[rbpwrx]

6 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

The one thing that's always stuck in my craw regarding composite is the higher torque ratings.  Even the stout Pro 95 Tour S has 2.8t & Pro 115 Tour S has 2.5t.   MMT has similar, except Steelfiber i110S has steel tq.  The Pro 115 is the same weight as PX 5.5, similar bend too, only lower 1.6t.  Something tells me higher tq numbers have an effect on ball behavior.

Completely agree. Although, as you say, there are low-tq composite shafts to be found. Loomis was mentioned in another thread, Aldila made the RIP SLTs back in the day (excellent shafts), KBS TGi is down there, and there are others. Worth seeking out, IMO!

Also, even between steel shafts, lower torque = more directional stability, IME. I know that's not the conventional wisdom around here, but it is very much my anecdotal experience. X7s are lower tq than my CT130s, and the dispersion is significantly tighter.
 

Edited April 17 by rbpwrx

[ScooterMcTavish]

Well, a small update.

 

Home course is still not open, but was able to get out and play a “normal” round, even though the putting is not great.

 

To my comment above, I somehow feel the feedback is less harsh with the steel-shafted Mizuno.  Although my right shoulder and back are slightly sore from the stretching under load, zero irritation in my left elbow.  I even had one hit well out on the toe (still working on alignment) and it was not overly punishing.

 

To the comment made by @Pepperturbo above, I actually deliberately concentrated on tempo, swung easy, and clubbed up.  Worked pretty good. 

[Ri_Redneck]

18 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

After seven years playing composite, recently, impulsively, I put the 620MB 7i-PW with PX steel back in the bag.  Before, I played PX 6.0 and at the end 5.5 for near seventeen years.

 

No physical issues, just wear and tear and hoping composite would gain back yardage that Father time was taking from me.  What I learned quality heavier weight composite didn't offer added distance, like much lighter 60 gram weight senior composite shafts.  Other than wear and tear, whatever I gained from composite was marginal. 

 

I haven't gained anything with PX except maybe rediscovered targeting.  Last weekend I found myself focusing as if, like shooting, I was aiming at targets.  That's not something I ever did with composite or T100, for that matter.  Last weekend on 18, I had 95yds to a front Red pin, water left, bunker right, false front; Gap would have spun the ball off but using 3/4 PW swing, stuck it pin high 7', and par.

 

The one thing that's always stuck in my craw regarding composite is the higher torque ratings.  Even the stout Pro 95 Tour S has 2.8t & Pro 115 Tour S has 2.5t.   MMT has similar, except Steelfiber i110S has steel tq.  The Pro 115 is the same weight as PX 5.5, similar bend too, only lower 1.6t.  Something tells me higher tq numbers have an effect on ball behavior.

This was the only thing I have issues with in composites also. I know it has been proven over and over that torque does not DIRECTLY affect accuracy/dispersion, but the feel of a nice tight shaft keeps me swinging confidently where that "loose" feel gets in my head every time. That's why I bought all of the Aldila RIP Tour SLT 115 shafts I could find back when they were available. Really low torque and the feel is rock solid. Sadly, they are no longer around except for a few on ebay. I find the OG Recoil Proto is be almost as tight and play a set of those now. Steelfiber i series is also quite tight. I haven't tried the KBS TGI yet, but have heard they have similar feel. I never cared about gaining any distance with graphite irons, it was all about pain management. I still hurt due to chronic arthritis, but no tendonitis to deal with any more. Hitting 500 - 1000 balls a week at my age means I need all the help I can get.

 

BT

Edited April 17 by Ri_Redneck

[jeffrey r]

20 minutes ago, Ri_Redneck said:

I never cared about gaining any distance with graphite irons, it was all about pain management. I still hurt due to chronic arthritis, but no tendonitis to deal with any more. Hitting 500 - 1000 balls a week at my age means I need all the help I can get.

 

At the end of the day, this is what drives many of us graphite users. If I was 5% more accurate with steel shafts back in the day, but I was in massive pain and very close to surgery (narrator: he was), then I'll take that small hit on accuracy and enjoy my [mostly] pain-free golf. 

 

The irony is, I was in massive pain in my 30s and 40s from steel shafts, and now over 50, play happy, enjoyable golf with no major tendonitis issues anymore--it was both my rotator cuff as well as golfer's elbow and tennis elbow (that is, each of my elbows hurt in different spots). As you allude to, I do still have pain issues, but that is stuff like back pain or just normal pain that comes with getting older, not attributable to golf or shafts specifically. 

 

And the truth is, I really give up nothing with my Steelfibers and MMT shafts that I generally play. YMMV.

Edited April 17 by jeffrey r

[glm]

70 and I still prefer steel

[Doublebuck]

On 4/13/2025 at 2:58 PM, ScooterMcTavish said:

 

 

I wish I had your problem, gentlemen.

 

It was some sim work with the wedges that drove me back to steel.  Started a session a few weeks back with my 58* and my 54* hitting 10 shots with each (both have Ping Z-Z115 shafts).  The shot shape, club path, and dispersion was better than anything I had in the offseason with my graphite-shafted i525, even including the 50* GW.

 

Godspeed to all of us who are getting older, and have to work a little more to squeeze as much enjoyment as we can out of this maddening game. 

Agree on the Ping Z-Z115 shafts in the wedges. If you like them and play Ping you will love the AWT's in your irons (most likely). 

[CTG77]

On 4/13/2025 at 2:36 PM, jeffrey r said:

 

I literally tried going back to my steel shafted RTX Zipcore wedges a week or so ago, and within one dang round and a few chips, pitches and full shots, my tendonitis flared up immediately. It was really quite uncanny. Pain that had been gone for years with a full complement of graphite shafts came back within one round. Never again—graphite all the way. 

I'm down to JUST my 50, 54, and 58 being steel shafts, and since I rarely full swing either of the 2 at the bottom, I can live with that.  I probably hit 100 wedges yesterday, and no pain today with over 250 total balls hit (getting used to new irons!).  Never going all the way back to steel at this point.

Edited April 17 by CTG77

[ScooterMcTavish]

7 hours ago, Doublebuck said:

Agree on the Ping Z-Z115 shafts in the wedges. If you like them and play Ping you will love the AWT's in your irons (most likely). 

I’ve got the “lightweight” DG120S in my irons (118g) which are a nice alternative from DGS300 (130g).

If you’re on mobile and don’t see my sig, I’ve recently acquired a beautifully discounted set of Mizuno JPX 923 Tour.  Love Ping’s engineering, but simply wanted a good old fashioned, solid forged players’ cavity back iron.  No hot face, no hollow head, no insert, no goo. 

 

Interesting note, first 4i I hit with the JPX had a beautiful sound, and that “sizzle” noise a well-struck ball has.  Never had that feel or that noise from any shot I ever had with the composite.

[ScooterMcTavish]

Just some further follow-up to this.

 

Been concentrating on swinging with tempo, not trying to crush the ball.

 

Been lifting 10-20lb kettleballs 5 days per week for the third consecutive week to build up my arm and shoulder muscles.

 

Played my 3rd 9-hole "round" (course still not open) yesterday with the Mizunos.  Approach shot success with the irons was 5/6, with the ball either on the green or fringe.  

 

And again, no sore shoulder or elbow.  First 18-hole round will be the real test, but I am feeling pretty positive about the switch back.

[Ger21]

On 4/16/2025 at 8:30 AM, NRJyzr said:

I've since learned I may still need some of that shaft weight I've preferred over the years. 

Also 61, and prefer (need?) heavier shafts. I have a set of Dart V 120's on order right now. Have a TS4 7 iron on order to test with them.

[caniac6]

I just picked up a couple old sets of irons. MacGregor Murifield with a stiff shaft, and Titleist 990s with s300 shafts. Hit the 7 irons at the range today, and they flew straight, and felt good. So far, no adverse effects from hitting the steel shafts. The MacGregors felt particularly good. I really didn’t think I was good enough to hit that little blade with the skinny sole, but I surprised myself.

[SwooshLT]

Nearing 60 and I've dabbled with graphite over the past 2yrs.....Project X Catalyst 80 5.5 cw and Accra tzi shafts. Both with nice success but something was always missing....

Yes my speed was down, but I enjoyed the weight of 100+g steel for my tempo.

 

Nippon modus 120 stiff is raw 114g and cut it's 106g .....I soft stepped them once and have them half inch over. 

They're on a set of Mizuno JPX921 SEL (special edition lefty) combining the Tour and long irons of the forged series.  

My distance is consistent and I've moved up a set of tees for my enjoyment pleasure.  

 

These 120 stiffs play SOFTER than modus 105 REGULAR for context!!

 

Edited April 26 by SwooshLT

[ScooterMcTavish]

On 4/22/2025 at 9:12 AM, ScooterMcTavish said:

Just some further follow-up to this.

 

Been concentrating on swinging with tempo, not trying to crush the ball.

 

Been lifting 10-20lb kettleballs 5 days per week for the third consecutive week to build up my arm and shoulder muscles.

 

Played my 3rd 9-hole "round" (course still not open) yesterday with the Mizunos.  Approach shot success with the irons was 5/6, with the ball either on the green or fringe.  

 

And again, no sore shoulder or elbow.  First 18-hole round will be the real test, but I am feeling pretty positive about the switch back.

 

I see an extra month has passed, so wanted to provide an update.

Forearms are a little sore as I've been bumping my reps this week.  Elbow gets more irritated from lifting than golfing.

 

Love how I'm now back to bringing the steel-shafted club inside, and I'm now swinging controlled with a smooth tempo.  So much different than my angry hack and smash I was doing with the graphite, and my consistent baby draw is back.  Only issue is I sometimes regress in my setup and get a toe miss (I may be peeking).  I've also had to rewire my brain to go up a club with my irons, as my smoother tempo and weaker lofts require me to do it.

 

Also bought an electric walking trolley, and now realize that a lot of my shoulder fatigue was caused by dragging my old bloody trolley around.  Well that and my general flabbiness.  Strength training has been a godsend.

 

And in the world of unintended consequences, my new stronger forearms and shoulders seem to give me the confidence to take a stronger weight shift with my driver.  This has resulted in my drives consistently being (no exaggeration) 15-20 yards longer than I was hitting last year, though part of this should be credited to an equipment change as well.

 

Glad I'm an old guy who switched back to steel as the exercise I've now added to my routine has improved my overall golf game.