Jay, 

A lot of this has to do with feel, but always consider what the shaft characteristics will do to the ball flight.  There are a lot more steel shafts that come in heavier weights to help lower ball flight and spin, which work well for players that have faster club head speeds and quicker tempos.  There are some options of graphite shafts that offer lower launch/spin, but aren't that heavy.  Meaning, if you are looking for a shaft that is heavier in weight, consider the steel options.  Just note that they will both provide a different feel, so consider the shaft that offers the best ball flight for you. 

Cameron

1-888-TITLEIST 

thanks for the input. Now my question is I own a set of AP2 710's with the project x 5.5 rifle shafts. My game is inconsistent from 83 to 100+. When I bought my AP2's I did not think of game improvement irons like the AP1. Do you think I should just try to sell or swap my AP2's for AP1's and maybe be more consistent?

Right now when I hit those irons they are staright but the distance is short. like my pitching wedge would only get about 90-100 yards most of the time?

I am a new golfer and my game ranges from 83'2 to 100+'s. I use a AP2 710 forged irons with the project x 5.5 rifle shaft. I seem to not hit the sweet spot with this irons since I only get about 90+ yards on my pitching wedge. Would swapping or selling my AP2's give me better results if I buy the AP1's with a graphite shaft regular flex? my swing speed on my driver is about 80+ mph.

I have a 3 and 5 wood taylormade r9 they are stiff flex and I hit the 3 wood about 200+ yards and the 5 wood about 180. They have the Fujikura shafts although stiff do not feel as stiff. I hope this makes sense.

With your swing speed you should be using a regular shaft (Project X 4.5 or Dynamic Gold R300) unless the purpose of S flex is for lower and straighter ball flight with a little sacrifice in distance.   I get the same distances on the woods and I use A flex on my driver and fairway wood (I have a  Burner HT Draw driver with shaft length shortened to 44.5" and a 910F 19* fairway shortened to 41.5"; this stiffens it slightly), regular flex on the hybrids and irons and S200 on the wedges.  I use a Superfast 2.0 27* hybrid and Louisville HL3 34 hybrid with 160 and 150 yards, respectively.  My irons are AP1 (I have the 6-PW but don't use the 6 and 7 irons since the 34H outperforms both).  I hit my 8 iron 135, 9 iron 120 and PW 105.  I get 90 out of my 50-08.  I also shoot right around 85-90 on a par 72 course and near par on the exec courses.

My AP1s have DG R300 high launch and I get a high ball flight that sticks greens.  If you go to graphite, you would have to lengthen the clubs 1/2" to maintain same swingweight as steel or use a lightweight grip (such as Winn Excel RF). 

jay,

what lou says is on point.  however, the one thing you may have better results with are lighterweight shafts.  the project x and dynamic gold shafts are tour weight (120g +).  you'd be better off using the new project pxi or dynamic gold sl or dynalite series steel shafts.

don't rule out graphite shafts either.  i just got my irons shafted with project x 5.5 graphite shafts and have gained at least 8yds vs the dgr300 shafts (which are abou 30g heavier).  i'm now more confident with my irons than ever before and am hitting more greens. 

as with any clubs, if you can, you'll want to get professionally fitted.  if not, it sounds like you need lighterweight, higher launch shafts for your irons.  good luck!

-fred

Around 2008 I was toying with short irons and had two identical demo 9 irons, one with stiff shaft and one with regular.  The difference in overall distance was 5 yards (more for r flex). 

J -

All good advice given already.  If your driver is 80-82 (80+ could be 88 mph and that is different than 81..), you may not get much more than 100-110 yards from the PW.  If you are new, you may also want to get some film analysis of your swing and the contact you are getting.  The AP1 might help if you are consistently off center (the AP2 forged will show a wear pattern where you are striking).  But if you are casting (releasing your wrists early), no club will do better.

Get steel shafts, theres a reason you always see tour pros  playing steel shafts in their irons.