When I booked my iron, I went in with a completely closed mind. I am a handicap golfer with medium to high iron speed. I rely on ball flight control, not added height, and I’ve always been able to shape shots without needing additional launch assistance. In my mind, graphite shafts weren’t even part of the conversation.
Steel was for players who wanted precision. The graffiti was for players who needed help getting the ball in the air.
This was the rule I kept for years.
The rule we all grew up with
For decades, the steel vs. graphite decision seemed straightforward. The steel was heavier, lower and ideal for players who wanted to work the ball or control spin and trajectory. Graphite was generally positioned as lighter, taller and more suitable for players who needed help with speed, which reinforced the stereotype.
That mindset and understanding was based on real limitations with early graffiti. Those shafts often had higher torque, thinner walls, limited weight choices, and a softer feel, though some models performed better than others, depending on the manufacturer and build. If you had speed and cared about forming shots, steel was seen as the responsible choice.
And because that message was repeated for so long, many of us (myself included) never revisited it, even as technology surpassed the stereotype.
First big change: Steelfiber rewrites history
Graf’s reputation began to change when Aerotech released Steelfiber. These shafts wrapped thousands of steel strands around a graphite core, creating a profile that felt like steel through the ball, yet offered the smoothness and vibration control of graphite.
SteelFiber wasn’t the first composite iron shaft ever, but it was the first widely adopted by top players because its steel fiber wrap offered the stability that traditional graphite lacked.
For many top players, the Steelfiber was the first time a composite shaft didn’t feel loose or fuzzy. It felt structured and predictable. It proved that the graphite didn’t have to be beaten or built strictly for players struggling with speed.
This opened the door for the next generation of composite designs.
Modern graffiti is not the graffiti you think it is
Graphite iron shafts produced today look nothing like the versions that shaped the old stereotypes. The biggest change is that their performance now reflects, and in some cases exceeds, what top players expect from steel.
For starters, the weight range is no longer limited to ultralight options. Today’s graphite/composite shafts are available in weights ranging from lightweight to steel-like 80- to 110-gram profiles, which were rare or inconsistent in previous generations. Engineers have also gained the ability to adjust the stiffness in very specific sections of the shaft which means that the torque, tip stability and overall cornering profile are not just ‘steel-like’ but are deliberately designed to behave that way.
Perhaps the most obvious difference is durability. Composite stretches allow designers to control wall thickness, add reinforcement, or soften transition zones in ways that steel cannot. The result is often a tighter rotation window and more predictable peak height. This does not mean that every graphite shaft is automatically more durable, but the high quality composite designs allow for precise tuning that steel cannot replicate using traditional manufacturing methods.
And then there is a feeling. Graphite’s vibration control was once seen as a boon for players with joint problems, but the softer impact profile matters to anyone who practices a lot. You get the feel of a clean shot without the hand sting or fatigue that can be created with heavy steel.
Why MMT works: A next-generation compound built for control
If Steelfiber was the first step in bringing the best players to graphite, Mitsubishi’s MMT series is the next evolution. Instead of wrapping steel fibers on the outside, MMT inserts a 304 stainless steel mesh inside the graphite layer, especially at the tip where stability is most important.
The mesh gives the toe a denser, more controlled feel, keeping the face of the foot stable through impact. You get the sharpness and durability you expect from a steel player shaft, but without sacrificing the softer feel that graphite naturally provides.
This is more important in modern iron models. The Titleist T250, with its forged L face, Max Impact technology and high-density tungsten heel/foot is built to be fast and durable. MMT relates to it in a way that feels deliberately designed.
And the feel is balanced in a way that surprised me. Instead of the disjointed and hollow feel I was expecting, the MMT felt solid on impact but still smooth enough to give me feedback without the harshness of some heavier steel profiles.
My Adaptation: This wasn’t a minor change
I went into the assembly assuming the graphite would balloon, lose spin control, or feel too soft at the bottom. Instead the opposite happened.
The launch did not become too high – it became more stable.
The spin didn’t jump around – it tightened.
The face didn’t feel loose – the tip felt more stable and easier to control.
And the biggest test for me, shot shaping, never left. I can hit the same low flights, soft high landings, controlled fades and small pulls with the Titleist T250 without fighting the shaft. If anything, the repeatability made those shots easier to pull off.
Why Top Players Underestimate Graphite
If I’m honest, the only reason I’ve avoided graphite for so long is that I assumed I already knew how it worked. Many players do this. We decided who should play what when graffiti was fundamentally different than it is now.
Meanwhile, technology continued to develop.
- Multi-material axles made more durable.
- Composite profiles began to match steel in weight and feel.
- Distribution models were improved.
- Iron heads became more complex and benefited from compound pairings.
Yes, it costs more
Graphite iron buildings often add a significant amount over steel and this should always be part of the purchase conversation. I don’t believe that one should change just because technology has improved.
If the performance gain is real and makes sense for your game, pay for it.
Graphite is not a guaranteed upgrade. It is a category that deserves to be tested.
Who should test graffiti now?
You don’t need to lose speed or fight joint pain to benefit from modern graffiti. Let’s say you’re a handicap golfer with good speed who wants more consistency without giving up control, especially on a tee with a lot of material or at a player’s distance. In this case, it should be part of your adaptation.
Today’s composite shafts are not designed to replace steel. They are designed to give skilled players another legitimate, high-performance option.
Final thoughts
I went into my gear ready to eliminate an entire category of gear before I ever got it. And in five swings, I realized how outdated that thought was. Modern graphite, especially next-generation models like MMT, doesn’t ask the best players to give up control. This gives you a smoother and more stable way to take it.
If you haven’t hit the graphite irons in years, your thinking is probably based on technology that is long gone. Try new things. Let the data do the talking. You may be as surprised as I am.
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