Can you change steel shafts to graphite?

Answer 1

Answer

Yes, unless you're a pro. A hobbyist does not have the swing control necessary to adjust to the difference required for each shaft. The extra flex in a graphite shaft will require a different swing. Playing Golf well requires good repetition of proper swings.

You want graphite in your woods and perhaps in your Hybrids. Graphite in irons can be spooky as in sometimes the ball will go long and sometimes short. It is more difficult to control the distance with graphite iron shafts. Steel is more predictable.

Answer 2

I'm not 100% sure, mind you. I think they use graphite shafts on their woods (Driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, etc.) and steel shafts on their irons. The reason for this, I believe, is the feel they get from the steel shafts, which are more responsive and carry vibrations through impact to the player's hands. This "feel" is paramount in letting the professional or skilled amateur consistently shape their shots (drawing a 5-iron around a dog leg left, etc.).

Answer 3

Yes.

But you need to know your tip size and type.

There are two tip types: taper and parallel. Parallel tip irons are typically .370, but you will need to Google you iron type to verify what it is. Taper tips are typically .355 but most of Mizuno's are .335.

Make sure you buy graphite shafts that are the correct tip size.

Graphite you typically make .5 to 1 inches longer. This is to keep the same swing weight. If you care about that.

If your irons have parallel tips you are fine to go with graphite.

If your irons have tapered tips then you might have some issues. Tapered tips are a constant weight. Meaning a 3 iron and 9 iron shaft are the same weight. Which means the heads are weighted expecting the shafts to be a consistent weight. What will happen when replacing taper tips is that your swing weights will be off slightly and you will have to add butt or tip weight to compensate. The reality is that if you are changing shafts then you are changing swing weight anyways and need to adjust if you care about this.

It's good practice to at least have a consistent swing weight. So if you go with standard length gaps you will have to adjust with butt or tip weight for taper tip irons. For parallel tip standard length gaps in a graphite shaft should produce consistent swing weights.

What is amazing is how many armatures play steel shafts, because the pros do. Even a lot of low handicappers should be playing graphite. Their swing speed is not high enough with the latest shafts to cause any significant twisting of the head. And really that is the only reason to play steel. Graphite shafts actually have a more solid feel and the extra speed you generate with graphite helps not only with distance but more importantly spin and getting the ball in the air. Wouldn't you rather hit an 8 iron 150 with more spin than a 7 iron 150 with less spin?