*Graphite Design Lovers Anonymous* Tour AD UB vs IZ vs XC and NOW vs TP! ...and HD....and VR

[jeffrey r]

13 minutes ago, third-times-a-charm said:

 

I do still need some height/spin but not necessarily the ease of turning over in the tip section that the CQ has. I have an HD in my 3 wood and its my favorite combo in a long while. 

 

I've had the HD in driver before several times in this thread, so heres to hoping 🤣

 

Yup, you are the OG of this thread, literally and figuratively, lol. No doubt you know the HD. It really is a great shaft, and always up there with the TP for me.

[GMR2iron]

Ok, now that a VF 5x has kicked the HZRDUS Gen4 off of its spot on the driver, it’s time to work on 3 wood- thinking just go VF 6x or should I try an XC 6x? What has been anyone’s experience with these two in a 3 wood?

[mizuno player]

2 hours ago, GMR2iron said:

Ok, now that a VF 5x has kicked the HZRDUS Gen4 off of its spot on the driver, it’s time to work on 3 wood- thinking just go VF 6x or should I try an XC 6x? What has been anyone’s experience with these two in a 3 wood?

I'll be that guy that says. 🙂

In any help with those two shafts in a 3 wood. I currently have the VF5x in driver and UB 7X in 3 wood. 

 

Now that I didn't In didn't help at all I return you back to your regularly scheduled program. 

[Mitchell]

Still have UB6 in driver, got a bit too much launch out of VR8 in 3 wood, so went back to HD8 in same and have been well pleased. May put the VR8 in a higher lofted fairway for another launch option on certain tracks. 

[cocolamb22]

For those playing VF in driver, what’s been working in the 3 & 5 woods?

[phizzy30]

17 hours ago, cocolamb22 said:

For those playing VF in driver, what’s been working in the 3 & 5 woods?

Diamana GT.  It's supposed be the closest shaft EI profile wise to the VF but slightly softer tip.  I love mine as it's super stable and smooth.  My 3 metal has gotten me in trouble in the past with the lefts but the with the GT, the ball doesn't curve nearly as much and I can hit a fade when I need to as well.  

[GMR2iron]

On 4/28/2025 at 4:00 PM, phizzy30 said:

Diamana GT.  It's supposed be the closest shaft EI profile wise to the VF but slightly softer tip.  I love mine as it's super stable and smooth.  My 3 metal has gotten me in trouble in the past with the lefts but the with the GT, the ball doesn't curve nearly as much and I can hit a fade when I need to as well.  

If you are satisfied with the VF in driver, did you try a VF in 3 wood? Also, what are your thoughts on an XC in 3 wood? Have you tried it?

[phizzy30]

19 hours ago, GMR2iron said:

If you are satisfied with the VF in driver, did you try a VF in 3 wood? Also, what are your thoughts on an XC in 3 wood? Have you tried it?

I did test the VF-8X in 3 metal.  I really wish the 8TX was available retail but it's tour only.  I need that extra stability which the GT gives me that the VF couldn't.  VF launched just a hair lower and spin was in the the same ball park.  XC in general has a handle that's too soft for me so I had trouble squaring the face when I tested it for both driver and 3 metal.  Launch/spin are in the same window as GT where it was little higher launch than VF but low spin.  

[Shilgy]

On 4/27/2025 at 7:43 PM, cocolamb22 said:

For those playing VF in driver, what’s been working in the 3 & 5 woods?

 

Depends on what you want the 3 wood to do. Some want it to come down fairly soft for flying onto par 5’s(does anyone on wrx need that much club for shot 2 on par 5’s?)….some, like myself, are more driver challenged and like to just throw the ball on the ground on tee shots and hit low bullets with a strong 3.  For that I use the AD TP. I would honestly be better off hitting 3 wood on all tee shots but stubbornly insist on hitting driver when I am much straighter and probably averaging longer with three wood due to inconsistent driver results.

[GMR2iron]

On 4/30/2025 at 3:06 PM, phizzy30 said:

I did test the VF-8X in 3 metal.  I really wish the 8TX was available retail but it's tour only.  I need that extra stability which the GT gives me that the VF couldn't.  VF launched just a hair lower and spin was in the the same ball park.  XC in general has a handle that's too soft for me so I had trouble squaring the face when I tested it for both driver and 3 metal.  Launch/spin are in the same window as GT where it was little higher launch than VF but low spin.  

I ended up getting a great deal on an HD to try in 3 wood this weekend. Have you any thoughts on the HD?

[Built]

I am new into the Graphite Design world. I just got an HD in my 3 wood and love the feel. Any recommendations for another GD shaft that would kick up the launch and spin a little more for an Apex UW?

[Mob]

I have been using the HD in my driver and 3 wood for the past few months and have been very happy with it in both clubs.  We will see how long the honeymoon lasts.

[Mob]

29 minutes ago, Built said:

I am new into the Graphite Design world. I just got an HD in my 3 wood and love the feel. Any recommendations for another GD shaft that would kick up the launch and spin a little more for an Apex UW?

Maybe the IZ

[rsballer10]

Not an expert in Tour AD shafts, but I do like that they publish a list of tip/mid/butt stiffness ratings in simple terms. And the few I've hit were all top notch.

 

Is there any current Tour AD shaft similar to the BB? I had one in a 3 wood and it was fantastic.

Edited May 14 by rsballer10

[phizzy30]

On 5/1/2025 at 1:01 PM, GMR2iron said:

I ended up getting a great deal on an HD to try in 3 wood this weekend. Have you any thoughts on the HD?

It's such a good shaft for fairways.  It's linear in profile however has a subtle kick in the mid.  I found the launch/spin to be spot on as it was very much a a mid/mid shaft for me.  It's also super smooth as well.  

[phizzy30]

1 hour ago, rsballer10 said:

Not an expert in Tour AD shafts, but I do like that they publish a list of tip/mid/butt stiffness ratings in simple terms. And the few I've hit were all top notch.

 

Is there any current Tour AD shaft similar to the BB? I had one in a 3 wood and it was fantastic.

I'd say the closest is VF in terms of feel but a bit smoother.  Has a very subtle kick right below the handle that you may or may not feel.  Launch/spin can vary depending on your delivery, however the VF is very much a mid-low/low shaft for me like the BB was.  

Edited May 14 by phizzy30

[CDM]

1 hour ago, rsballer10 said:

Not an expert in Tour AD shafts, but I do like that they publish a list of tip/mid/butt stiffness ratings in simple terms. And the few I've hit were all top notch.

 

 

Great shafts but I would say always try them first, not off that chart....! 

 

I have two shafts for my 3 wood.  Tour AD DI and Tour AD UB which looking at said"chart" they should be the very close to each other. The UB is a smidge stiffer, same number but just adding the " + " symbol. 

 

For me they do not play the same at all.  Same head and both shafts came directly from Calloway and SW the same for my head. 

 

Oddly nice as when I need distance off the tee the UB by far is longer and but with much lower flight.  The DI for sure higher launch by a decent amount actaully for me but I do loose distance and not talking 5 yards, its more 10 to 15 yards.   

 

Again not complaining as love the shafts.  Honestly its nice to have both as I can flip them around depending on need / course I flip them around. Its just surprising "on course" the differences even though the chart shows them being near the same.   

 

Everyone reacts differently to how a shaft loads so always get fit......GD shafts are awesome ane for sure one will fit great.  

[phizzy30]

14 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

I'd say the closest is VF in terms of feel but a bit smoother.  Has a very subtle kick right below the handle that you may or may not feel.  Launch/spin can vary depending on your delivery, however the VF is very much a mid-low/low shaft for me like the BB was.  

I'd like to add this.  HD/GC are closest to BB in terms of EI profile but have a more pronounced kick in the mid compared to BB.  

[hitnfades]

4 hours ago, Mob said:

Maybe the IZ

I play XC or HD in my driver. IZ is a great shaft for the UW as you described. I own 6 UW’s (4 OG and 2 new models) and pretty much play the IZ 7s in all of them. They are tipped 1.5” and I play them short of the stock playing length. The UB 7x is solid in my 21*.  I had the DI in the 17* UW originally, but prefer the IZ/UB linear feel over the DI. IZ/UB just kicked less for me. The 17* UW has a 8s used primarily from tee or deck. It’s a monster of a fairway finder and able to hold greens with it as well. Also, my Paradym 3HL has a IZ 7s as well.  
 

Good Luck!

[GMR2iron]

5 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

It's such a good shaft for fairways.  It's linear in profile however has a subtle kick in the mid.  I found the launch/spin to be spot on as it was very much a a mid/mid shaft for me.  It's also super smooth as well.  

The HD is working perfectly in my 3 wood!

In the past, I was fond of Matrix Black Tie in both driver and 3 wood- the HD has similar feel to the Black Tie, with slightly higher launch.

[Built]

3 hours ago, hitnfades said:

I play XC or HD in my driver. IZ is a great shaft for the UW as you described. I own 6 UW’s (4 OG and 2 new models) and pretty much play the IZ 7s in all of them. They are tipped 1.5” and I play them short of the stock playing length. The UB 7x is solid in my 21*.  I had the DI in the 17* UW originally, but prefer the IZ/UB linear feel over the DI. IZ/UB just kicked less for me. The 17* UW has a 8s used primarily from tee or deck. It’s a monster of a fairway finder and able to hold greens with it as well. Also, my Paradym 3HL has a IZ 7s as well.  
 

Good Luck!

Thanks for the detailed response. Looking forward to testing some shafts in the UW. Such a fantastic club.

[phizzy30]

3 hours ago, GMR2iron said:

The HD is working perfectly in my 3 wood!

In the past, I was fond of Matrix Black Tie in both driver and 3 wood- the HD has similar feel to the Black Tie, with slightly higher launch.

Loved the black tie back in the day.  I think the HD has just a touch more kick than the black tie, and yes, it does launch slightly higher which is really nice in the lower loft fairways.  

Edited May 15 by phizzy30

[Taylor24]

The HD is the perfect shaft for my 3 wood. I will play the Sim with the HD in it as long as I can. 

[Judge Smails]

Updating my journey!

 

As I mentioned before, a horrible knee injury has taken me two years to recover from and changed my game forever.  No longer an X guy.  At that time I either played and X flex 1kW or an HD.

 

Now, my journey has taken my all the way around and back to an HD Stiff, for today at least!

 

My stable including a lot of GD shafts. My observations are as follows:

 

HD - Really straight, allows me to go after it, and does everything well in the Driver.  I still do not care for it in fairways.  Currently getting top billing in the driver.

 

IZ - solid driver performance and currently my second favorite.  Still trying to figure out if I like it in fairways...

 

VR - I have always love this shaft in fairways and it work really well in my Mini.  But it is hard for me to time in the driver.  Never gets the top spot but I can't give it up...

 

TP - I LOVE the feel of this shaft.  But I think I have to accept that it just doesn't work for me in the driver.  Maybe when my swings speed gets back to some semblance of what it once was... I will always love this shaft. Currently have it in my 7 wood when not using the VR.

 

DI - Sold and I don't ever regret it....

 

If I like the HD this tells me that 1k White is going to come calling!

 

 

Edited May 24 by Judge Smails

[Morry]

On 5/14/2025 at 11:51 AM, CDM said:

 

Great shafts but I would say always try them first, not off that chart....! 

 

I have two shafts for my 3 wood.  Tour AD DI and Tour AD UB which looking at said"chart" they should be the very close to each other. The UB is a smidge stiffer, same number but just adding the " + " symbol. 

 

For me they do not play the same at all.  Same head and both shafts came directly from Calloway and SW the same for my head. 

 

Oddly nice as when I need distance off the tee the UB by far is longer and but with much lower flight.  The DI for sure higher launch by a decent amount actaully for me but I do loose distance and not talking 5 yards, its more 10 to 15 yards.   

 

Again not complaining as love the shafts.  Honestly its nice to have both as I can flip them around depending on need / course I flip them around. Its just surprising "on course" the differences even though the chart shows them being near the same.   

 

Everyone reacts differently to how a shaft loads so always get fit......GD shafts are awesome ane for sure one will fit great.  

This is really interesting commentary and experience 

valuable 

appreciated

 

[gbang15]

Tried the diamana WB, all ventus shafts, the VF, UB, and TP. 

 

Found the DI gave me the best numbers with these low spin heads. tipped it a bit but it really is a high launch low spin shaft. Can't believe the DI made its way into the bag and beat out all Ventus shafts. 

[philt90]

Hello 

 

I’m gaming a UB 6X but have seen a cheap Tour AD VF 5X on the bay. From a stability and spin perspective even at a lighter weight would the VF feel and perform tighter than the UB ? 

[mizuno player]

1 hour ago, philt90 said:

Hello 

 

I’m gaming a UB 6X but have seen a cheap Tour AD VF 5X on the bay. From a stability and spin perspective even at a lighter weight would the VF feel and perform tighter than the UB ? 

I had/ have this exact set up. 

 

Went from the UB to 5x VF. 

 

I like the VF in all terms. It's very stable. For me it's slightly lower in both spin and launch. I love the feel.of the VF. I also have the UB in my 3 wood. I'm thinking of putting VF in the 3 wood. 

[philt90]

25 minutes ago, mizuno player said:

I had/ have this exact set up. 

 

Went from the UB to 5x VF. 

 

I like the VF in all terms. It's very stable. For me it's slightly lower in both spin and launch. I love the feel.of the VF. I also have the UB in my 3 wood. I'm thinking of putting VF in the 3 wood. 

 

did you go 6X to 5X and what are you type of speeds and ball speeds ? 

[mizuno player]

21 minutes ago, philt90 said:

 

did you go 6X to 5X and what are you type of speeds and ball speeds ? 

Exact the same.  6/5x

 

I can get to 113 SS on a nice hot day!! 

160/165BS

23/2500 spin.