To hit the most greens in regulation and improve your scoring average, you need the right irons. But not just the clubheads themselves — the shafts, too.

Golf shafts are an often overlooked part of the game but play a huge role in optimizing your performance on every swing. The right graphite shaft can help you hit each shot longer, straighter, and higher. One of my biggest mistakes early on in my playing career was trying to use steel shafts when I didn’t have the swing speed needed.

When I look back on old videos from when I was shooting in the 90s or 100s with a slow swing speed, I laugh at my equipment choices. Not only were the clubheads too advanced (I tried to use too many long irons and blades) but the shafts were as well.

I let my ego get in the way and thought I had to play steel shafts in my irons, as a lot of my high school teammates were. But when I put my ego aside and tried out different irons and different shafts, my game improved almost immediately.

Here I’ll cover more about deciding between graphite and steel shafts and help you find the right ones for your iron set.

Best Graphite Iron Shafts

Before getting into the best graphite iron shafts, it’s important to consider the differences between steel and graphite shafts.

Steel shafts are older than graphite shafts and are a big upgrade from wooden shafts used in the past. They are heavier than graphite shafts and typically range from 65g-130g.

Steel shafts are used in irons and wedges, not woods or hybrids. Tiger Woods was the exception in the late 1990s when he dominated professional golf using a steel shaft in his driver. If you ever watched Tiger (aka the GOAT) in that time frame, chances are you remember him swinging out of his shoes, leaving the golf world in disbelief. Father Time and a lot of technological changes eventually led to Tiger switching and joining the rest of the golfers using graphite shafts.

Steel shafts are better suited for faster-swinging golfers who want to minimize spin and optimize ball flight. They have less torque and provide better shot dispersion, which is ideal for faster swing speeds.

Graphite shafts are ideal for slower-swinging golfers, as they’re lighter and make it easier to swing faster to increase ball speed. These lighter shafts also make it easier to launch the ball higher, which leads to more stopping power on the greens. Each shaft has a different stiffness, flight profile (penetrating versus high launching), weighting, and different shaft flex options.

Here are some of the best picks when it comes to graphite iron shafts. Also, if you have more questions about equipment, don’t forget to contact a Curated Golf Expert today.

1. Fujikura Axiom Graphite Shafts

Fujikura is a juggernaut in the golf shaft world, making tons of options for woods and irons. The Fujikura Axiom is among one of the most popular graphite shaft options thanks to its VeloCore Technology. This is a proprietary multi-material bias core construction that helps promote incredible stability at impact position.

The improved stability means better contact and hopefully more greens in regulation. The VeloCore technology is popular in the Ventus fairway wood shafts that you might use in your fairway woods.

The shafts change based on the type of irons you’re hitting, as each type requires its own design. The long iron shafts are built for maximum carry distances and controlled launch.

The mid-irons are built for versatility and ultimate workability. This makes it easier to shape shots and alter trajectories.

The short irons are built for scoring. They offer impressive accuracy and a tighter shot dispersion (aka better mishits) for more scoring opportunities for short games. Plus, these graphite shafts are available in 75g, 105g, and 125g options to suit different types of golfers.

2. Mitsubishi Tensei AV AM2 Graphite Shafts

Another top pick for pros and amateur golfers is the Mitsubishi Tensei AV series. These golf club shafts are very popular in irons, fairway woods, and driver shafts. They're a common stock shaft in Titleist golf gear, such as the T350 irons.

What's great about these shafts is they have options for different swing speeds. The Tensei AV Red is the best option for slower-swinging golfers, as it has a high-launch profile and lighter weight. These shafts range from 48g-68g, depending on shaft flex. A popular iron set they come with as the stock set includes the TaylorMade Stealth irons.

The Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue is a mid-high launch, available in regular or stiff flex. These are slightly heavier than the AV Red and range from 70g-80g.

Lower handicappers with faster swing speeds will benefit most from the Mitsubishi Tensei AV White. This shaft is only available in stiff or extra-stiff flex and weighs a lot more, between 88g-110g. It also has a much lower launch. I used this shaft in my old hybrid and loved its lower trajectory.

3. AeroTech Steel Fiber Graphite Shafts

AeroTech shafts are part of True Temper, which is one of the top brands in the golf shaft industry. These shafts are perfect for a moderate-tempo swing, as they have medium trajectory and medium spin.

These shafts have been used at the highest levels of golf and are trusted by some of the world’s best players. I’m a faster swinging golfer so I play a heavy, extra-stiff steel shaft, but I was impressed with the stability in these graphite shafts.

These are the only graphite iron shafts to have their unique Steel Fiber technology. This combines the power of graphite and steel in a hybrid type of shaft, making them both lightweight and stable. These shafts are available in multiple weight options ranging from 60g-125g, from senior flex all the way to extra stiff.

4. UST Mamiya Recoil Graphite Shafts

The UST Mamiya Recoil graphite shafts are another top pick thanks to their incredible consistency. The genius behind these shafts is DART: Dual Action Recoil Technology.

These were designed after years of research to optimize different parts of the shafts' stiffness for optimal performance and energy transfer. These shafts have a stable tip section for maximum consistency and excellent ball flight.

The UST Mamiya Recoil shafts are available in seven different options to fit all types of golfers.

The Recoil Dart 65/75 is ideal for most golfers with average swing speeds, as it has plenty of feel and higher launch, while the Recoil 95 is a heavier shaft for slightly faster-swinging golfers who still want a mid-high ball flight.

If you like these shafts in your irons, they also make them for hybrids. The Recoil ES hybrid helps to improve distance and produce a higher initial trajectory on longer shots.

5. Mitsubishi MMT Graphite Shafts

The Mitsubishi MMT (Metal Mesh Technology) is also a popular graphite shaft. These shafts were discovered because of a unique innovation by their archery division.

The tip of these shafts has the Metal Mesh strands of 304 stainless steel, which improves the stability of the shaft. But it’s still a graphite shaft that provides consistent spin and launch.

These shafts are not just for slower-swinging golfers, either. They have different weight options to suit all types of players who prefer graphite to steel shafts.

The MMT Parallel Iron shafts have a thinner composite wall, which helps provide consistent launch and spin. These are available in 40 grams (ladies flex) up to 90 grams in stiff flex with a matte finish. They also make shafts for utility irons, wedges, and even putters.

6. Mitsubishi MMT Taper Graphite Shafts

Another choice from Mitsubishi is the Taper graphite shafts. They have a different look than the Parallel Iron shafts, as they’re a gloss cosmetic finish versus a matte finish. Mitsubishi recommends these for players looking for a straighter flight and more consistent strike patterns.

They use the same materials and construction but have a stiffer tip for more stability. The stiffer tip explains why these are used by some of the best golfers in the world to win on the biggest stages of pro golf. Faster-swinging golfers find them extremely stable, even at high speeds.

They’re available in heavier options, ranging from 55 grams (senior flex) all the way to 125 grams (in tour extra stiff). I wouldn’t recommend the TX for many amateurs, as I’ve tested the extra-stiff myself and found it to be quite stiff but stable as well.

Find the Right Graphite Iron Shafts for You

Choosing the right shafts is key to playing your best golf. If you have iron shafts that are too heavy, not the right flex, or not the right launch, it can negatively impact your game.

The right shafts will lead to more consistency and confidence on every approach shot, which should lead to more birdie putts and, hopefully, lower scores.

If you have a fast swing speed, you might need steel shafts that are stiff or extra stiff, while slower swing speeds will need a more lightweight shaft, usually graphite in senior or regular flex. A club fitting (check out my list of the best club fitters) can also help understand the right shaft for your game.

If you’re a little overwhelmed with the endless equipment choices, reach out to a Curated Golf Expert today. We’ll help you find the right equipment for your swing to help you play your best golf ever.