Graphite Vs. Titanium Golf Clubs

The material from which golf clubs are contructed is an important consideration when making a purchase.

Choosing the proper golf clubs can be a mind-boggling experience. Manufactures advertise a barrage of club styles made from high-tech materials all claiming to make your ball go straighter and travel farther. Since golf clubs can be a significant investment, learning more about the various types that are available will help you choose clubs that meet your specific needs. Graphite and titanium are two of the many types of materials used in the construction of golf clubs; each has its own benefits for players.

Golf Club Anatomy

A golf club consists of three parts: the grip, the head and the shaft. The grip is at one end of the club and is the part held by the golfer. The opposite and wider end of the club, the head, is used to strike the ball. A narrow, rigid, cylindrical structure, the shaft, connects the grip to the head. Graphite and titanium are two of the many materials from which golf club heads and shafts are made.

Heads and Shafts

A golf club’s function determines the shape of the club and the length of the shaft. Woods are clubs with bulbous heads used to drive balls long distances. Irons have wedge-shaped heads and are used to cover distances shorter than those requiring the use of a wood. Putter heads come in a variety of shapes and are used to make the ball roll along the ground and into the hole. The distance a ball will travel is determined by the shaft length. The longer the club shaft, the farther the ball travels.

Graphite Heads

Carbon graphite is an extremely lightweight material that can be used to make the heads of woods. Although woods made exclusively of graphite are rare, a number of woods incorporate graphite into their design. These clubs contain graphite on the top of the club head. The use of lightweight graphite in the crown allows for the shift of additional weight to the bottom of the club head. Doing so lowers its center of gravity, resulting in greater swing speed and less twisting of the club head when it strikes the ball. Heads containing graphite command a higher price tag than those that do not.

Titanium Heads

Titanium makes an ideal material for the construction of drivers (woods used to hit a golf ball off a tee) because it is lightweight and extremely strong. Its weight relative to other materials allows for the construction of a club head that is larger than those made of heavier materials. The larger head results in a club with a larger sweet spot (the ideal area of the club face with which to strike the ball) that is more forgiving (you don't have to hit the ball perfectly to achieve the desired distance and direction). However, titanium is expensive is and not commonly used for fairway woods and irons.

Shaft Comparison

Graphite and steel are the two most common materials used for constructing golf club shafts for woods and irons. The light weight of graphite contributes to increased swing speed, resulting in greater distance. Graphite provides greater shock absorption than steel, making graphite shafts and excellent choice for women, senior citizens and golfers who have joint problems. Shafts marketed as being made of titanium consist of graphite with titanium filaments integrated into the design. According to Harrison Sports, Inc., a manufacturer of club shafts, the design reduces hooks and slices (where the ball curves to the left or right, respectively), and increases distance.

References

• Hireko Golf: Clubheads: Material Diffferences
• Golfalot: Types of Golf Shaft
• Harrison Sports: Titanium Series

Resources

• Golf Club Revue: Golf Club Design