Graphite Shafts versus Steel Shafts in Irons
Predominantly better players in golf use steel shafts in their irons. Typically steel shafts would be seen as more accurate than graphite. Graphite shafts have the reputation of being lighter than steel and hence many golfers think they are for the slower speed players to gain more speed and height.
Graphite shafts also absorb the vibrations from hitting the ball and turf better than steel and can give golfers who have hand, arm and shoulders issues less stress in these areas.
What if there was a graphite shaft that was as accurate as steel? All the benefits of less stress on the body with great accuracy.
Fujikura launched the Axiom iron shaft this year, which has the same Velocore technology as their extremely successful Ventus wood shaft.
Recently we tested the Fujikura Axiom 125 X shaft against the very popular and classical True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shaft as well as the DG120 S300 shaft.
The test was done on a nice May day with temperatures around 16 degrees with a slight wind against. The same head was used in all three shafts, a Mizuno MP 18 SC 6 iron. All three shafts were the same playing length of 37.5 inches.
12 shots were hit with each club using Titleist Pro V1 golf balls and the results were recorded with a Trackman IV launch monitor. Each shaft was hit three times and then alternated to the next one.
The main performance numbers that we looked are were club head speed, ball speed, carry, total distance, accuracy, launch angle, peak height and spin rates. Ultimately the main ones to be interested in are ball speed, carry, total distance and accuracy
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The dispersion of the shafts are above.
Results
Shaft
|
Clubhead
Speed(mph)
|
Ball
Speed
|
Launch
Angle
|
Spin
Rate
|
Carry
(yards)
|
Total
Distance
|
Height
(feet)
|
Distance
from target (ft)
|
|
Axiom
|
84.4
|
114
|
16.2
|
6050
|
153.9
|
163.8
|
80
|
11.19
|
|
DG
|
83.4
|
114.6
|
15.8
|
6138
|
153.5 |
162.9
|
80
|
20.27
|
|
DG120
|
83.6
|
113.7
|
17
|
5972
|
153.5
|
162.9
|
82
|
14.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We can see from the results that the shafts give quite similar results, similar club head speeds, ball speeds, launch angles, spin rates, carry, total distance and height. There is a little more difference in the accuracy. The accuracy measurement is how far left or right the ball ended up from the target line. The DG120 shaft was 6 feet more accurate than the DG and the Axiom was 3 feet more accurate than the DG120 and 9 feet more accurate than the DG.
Analysis and Conclusion
For this golfer we can say that the graphite Fujikura Axiom was more accurate than the steel Dynamic Gold and Dynamic Gold 120. The Axiom had a very impressive accuracy measure of an average of 11.19 feet left or right from the target. Fujikura have made a great iron shaft which gives phenomenal accuracy with the feel and shock absorption that graphite grants.
Should you play Axiom? You definitely should test them and see how they compare to your own shafts. They are available in 75 R2, R & S, 105 S & X and 125 X in Long, Mid and Short irons. With such a wide variety there will be one to suit your game.
Any questions and comments are welcome.
