Graphite and lighter weight can help with the joint issues, but you do have to figure out what adjustments you’ll need to make to get to a swing weight that provides the feel you want. Generally speaking, going from a 120 shaft to an 80 gram shaft, everything else being equal, will drop the swing weight about 4.5 points. So adding 9 grams back to the head weight might get you close to what you were with the steel. Some will make the graphite slightly longer to help with the swing weight number, but i would only do that if the added length is something you can handle, and still allows you to hit solid shots.
Graphite definitely absorbs more of the low frequency vibrations that occur at impact that cause joint issues. So if you feel it’s time to try, the DRT shafts are good, as are the MMT as mentioned above. SteelFiber is also a great product. All of those are more expensive. I really like our Pro Series+, which we re-designed last year to be more in line with the average flex designations. The previous generation versions were really firm. We also designed the Rapport iron shafts and I like those too. Pro Series+ or Rapport might be worth testing in one club if there is a weight option in your range. Just make sure, whatever one you choose, choose a weight that is going to provide you with the feel you like. That could be 70g, 80g, 90g. You’ll just have to do some experimenting. Only way to know for sure.
As someone that has experienced some of those joint pains, I can absolutely tell you it’s the matts. Never hit off of matts until I came up to Ohio 23 years ago. Not many hit more balls than I do because of the testing I do and the fact that I love to practice. Over the last two years I have limited greatly the amount of practice I do off of matts and I can tell the difference. Pitch shots and wood shots are not a problem, but repeated full iron shots off of matts cause the damage. Take those to the nearest grass range now.
Hope this helps and let us know what you decide.
Britt Lindsey