Super light steel shafts, falling out of favor?

DonM

I read something in the past few days by a clubfitter, but can't quite find the article or blog post right now.

Anyway it was the guy's opinion that steel shafts less than 100 grams are falling out of favor with OEMs and fitters because they are just too weak or otherwise don't play as expected. I know in my case I have had HORRIBLE luck with these weights, at least in R flex which is my "normal" fit.

Comments?

pellmell

DonM Have you tried Nippon? They're are the prevailing light weight shafts on the LPGA.

JeffTilley

Makes sense to me. I went back to heavier iron shafts after years of experimenting with lightweight steel and graphite shafts, all in search of lost yardage. Once I changed to KBS Tour shafts, my dispersion and my distance improved. I’d still like to try a heavier graphite shaft for better feel, though these KBS shafts aren’t too bad.

Par4QC

The OEMs must not have talked to that fitter because almost all of them use 85-105 gr. steel shafts. Anything heavier is an 'upgrade', and a custom build, and costs are outrageous for those shafts. He must be stuck with a lot of DG shafts he's trying to push on customers.

Spuzz

I went back to heavier, but softer flex, steel (Accra built to 4.5 flex) and they feel much better, and more on plane.
I also reshafted a set using FST 90 R but added head weight for feel but haven't used them yet.
Will be using them this weekend in the cold so we shall see.

KCee

I think some of the lighter steel shafts have been more prone to fail. I have a few friends that recently were fitted for lightweight TT shafts (AMT Red?) and they've all had at least one break. None of these guys are big hitters, but one guy has broken 3 shafts now. If I was fitter I'd probably shy away from that.

DC300

I believe the issue you are seeing here is for the average hacker, they are more likely to notice a shaft bending vs a shaft performing. The super light shafts come at the expense of wall thickness. Less wall thickness means more prone to bending/cracking. I have noticed the average weight of the shafts has been creeping back up to that low 100s level, which IMO indicates a couple things,

1) the light shafts in steel were stupid in the first place, if you need light, go graphite. They won’t break as easily, it’s a perceived upgrade, charge more, same cost. The users who need light are also going to be ones who appreciate vibration dampening.

2) Golfers are recognizing, I liked steel because it gave me accurate shots. Lighter screws with that in the first place. Distance is NOT king in irons. You already hit a 7 iron as far as the old 5 irons, we don’t need 2 yards more for far less accuracy.

3) Now I can charge more for the Heavier steel as an “upgrade”. That’s what I see on tour, give me KBS / Project X, so I can be like Tiger McChambeau.

The next real revolution in golf will come in premium, heavy weight, graphite shafts. The claim will be simple, more control, great distance, custom launch angles and soft feel. Once you see more on tour, it will be on the racks. The first domino to fall will have to be a young gun using it on tour and a deal for the manufacturers to be able to put the shafts in as a stock offering at a reasonable price. You will get watered down profiles, but for average Joe, that’s going to be fine as long as it looks like the tour stuff. You will get the “pro” “tour” etc versions and the “distance” versions with lighter weight and softer tips. Manufacturers are already on board, they need a visible pro to use graphite and the world will change.

hobbit

I recently sought out a lightweight steel shaft that still performed like heavier ones. This was for the express purpose of lightening my carry weight, as I still walk most of my rounds. My bag always seems heavier than others and the only difference I noticed was I was using more steel shafts than they were.

I found a lot of options, so I didn't feel that they are out of favor.
The lightest I was able to go was 107g - Dynamic Gold 105 in S flex. Slightly higher ball flight than ProjectX, but they do not balloon on me so I'm happy with them. For me its all about balancing ball flight with my desire to go lighter. When I hit graphite shafts I tend to balloon the ball so I have always preferred steel.

When I tire of this set I may try steelfiber next. But that could be several years. I'm weird that way and play a set for 5 years or so before changing. 😅

ode

The trend has been lighter and longer...but sub 100g steel🤔, certainly more and more are going to it on the non players versions and quite a few are going to a just over 100g on the players cavity. Nippon Modus 105, KBS tour 105.....but that's not sub 100. IMO still too light for most.

Typhoon

pellmell

Yeah, most people on this forum should look more at Women’s weight equipment and swing speed charts. Steve hits his wife’s Ping Rhapsody Driver the best..that should be a hint. And not just a light shaft, you have to look at the head as well for it to work.