That goes to show how close the shafts are. Also, during consumer testing, we felt that progressive torques played better with different flexes so we developed the shafts with that in mind. In terms of performance, here is our post on Ben Crane's win last year while gaming a stock Titleist Bassara W-50...
http://www.titleist.com/teamtitleist/team-titleist/f/302/t/16822
The shaft is roughly .5 inch/12 millimeters in diameter near the grip and between 35-48 inches/89–115 cm in length. Shafts weigh between 45 and 150 grams depending on the material and length. Graphite shafts are woven from carbon fiber and are generally lighter in weight than steel shafts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaft_(golf)
Graphite shafts began to emerge in the late twentieth century. The graphite shaft was invented by Frank Thomas in 1969 while working as Chief Design Engineer for Shakespeare Sporting Goods, in collaboration with Union Carbide.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaft_(golf)
(January 2011) The shaft of a golf club is the long, tapered tube which connects the golfer’s hands to the club head. While hundreds of different designs exist, the primary purpose of the golf shaft remains the same - to provide the player with a way to generate centrifugal force in order to effectively strike the ball.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaft_(golf)
Thanks for your response Mitch. The Bassara W 50 is exactly the shaft that intrigues me right now, having recovered from a disc injury almost two years ago. I live in Penticton BC and would love to get fit by Titleist as I need new irons and a driver. I play the ZB's right now with 5.5 PX flighted shafts.
http://www.titleist.com/teamtitleist/team-titleist/f/302/t/16822
All the way back in 2004, Tiger Woods switched from a steel shaft to a graphite shaft in his driver (most pros made that switch even earlier). As with every type of golf equipment, the key is to try out both kinds and determine which type best fits your swing.
https://www.thoughtco.com/steel-vs-graphite-golf-shafts-1560535
Of course, today they have perfected the graphite shaft, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anybody (besides Gramps) that doesn’t have a graphite shaft in their driver. Flex. Here’s a quick education on flex to get you up to speed (literally). Both graphite and steel shafts come in a variety of flexes. Flex is the amount of bend in a shaft when you swing it. The general categories are as follows: L (ladies), A (senior), R (regular), S (stiff), and X (extra stiff), least to most flexible, respectively.
http://www.zipgolfer.com/graphite-vs-steel-shafts-choosing-the-best-golf-shaft/
Even the True Temper Sensicore shafts aren’t nearly as soft and easy on the wrists and elbows as graphite. True Temper Dynamic Gold ($14) (120 grams) (Low Flight) is the most common shaft used on the PGA Tour (and everywhere else). Most pros choose either the X100 or S400.
http://www.zipgolfer.com/graphite-vs-steel-shafts-choosing-the-best-golf-shaft/
Steel Shafts Cost Less Than Graphite. Generally speaking, steel shafts are less expensive than graphite shafts, so the same set of clubs will cost less with steel shafts than with graphite shafts. In a set of irons, that price difference is often around $100. Of course, that has to do with your bank account, not with what's best for your golf game.
https://www.thoughtco.com/steel-vs-graphite-golf-shafts-1560535
Driver: Cobra King LTD with Aldila Rogue Black or Paderson Kinetix Regular shaft set at 11.5* Alternate Driver: Powerbilt AFO DFX set at 10.5* w/Aldila RIP Beta regaular shaft.
https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/12798-just-arrived-paderson-premium-graphite-shafts/page-2
when did graphite shafts arrive
Graphite Shafts was arrived in 1969. Graphite shafts arrived in 1969.