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

[JamesG12]

I’ve been following this thread for quite some time and previously posted a few comments on the UB, since that’s what I was fit into by Titleist at the TSR demo day at my club. I swing 102-104 and have a smooth transition. Come over the top a little so prefer to play a slight fade if I can. 
 

Over the last month I’ve acquired a TP, IZ, and XC in addition to the UB. I’ve hit some of the longest drives of my life with the UB but the misses are just all over the place. 
 

IZ - I played this shaft when it first came out so it was nice revisiting it in the TSR3 head. Has amazing carry and I really like the feel. Peak height seemed really high and the ball was spinning a ton. I was the most accurate by far of the 4 with this shaft but think spin and height are too high. 
 

TP - was hoping this would bring down the flight (which it did) and seemed to get really good results on well struck shots, but similar to UB I just seemed to hit it both ways. It looked to carry as far as the IZ with a much lower flight (maybe 15 yards lower in peak height if I’m guessing) and spin less. It was a much different  feeling shaft and again I didn’t have any consistency with it. 
 

XC - had the longest hits in it for sure but my miss with it was a hard pull. Probably a little too much shaft for me even though it feels amazing for a low-mid shaft. Peak height was probably another 5 yards lower than the TP. 
 

I’ll probably give the IZ a handful of rounds to see how it plays on the course, but I think what I’m after is a slightly lower launch/spin while retaining the feel. Thought that might be TP but wasn’t for me. 
 

Going to give DI and HD a shot to see if those might be what I’m looking for. Any other thoughts/advice welcome!

 

 

 

[Cruisin1966]

10 hours ago, third-times-a-charm said:

. . . 

The GP-7 is absolutely staying in the bag with my 3W. As a tee-only 3W it's an absolutely fantastic shaft and what led me to grabbing a 6-weight for driver.

 

I like to play my 3W with a draw, just asking what your preferred flight is for the 3W.  We're similar in speed (102-105) and I'll be looking to try new shafts shortly as I find a new driver and 3W

[Cruisin1966]

2 hours ago, JamesG12 said:

I’ve been following this thread for quite some time and previously posted a few comments on the UB, since that’s what I was fit into by Titleist at the TSR demo day at my club. I swing 102-104 and have a smooth transition. Come over the top a little so prefer to play a slight fade if I can. 
 

Over the last month I’ve acquired a TP, IZ, and XC in addition to the UB. I’ve hit some of the longest drives of my life with the UB but the misses are just all over the place. 
 

IZ - I played this shaft when it first came out so it was nice revisiting it in the TSR3 head. Has amazing carry and I really like the feel. Peak height seemed really high and the ball was spinning a ton. I was the most accurate by far of the 4 with this shaft but think spin and height are too high. 
 

TP - was hoping this would bring down the flight (which it did) and seemed to get really good results on well struck shots, but similar to UB I just seemed to hit it both ways. It looked to carry as far as the IZ with a much lower flight (maybe 15 yards lower in peak height if I’m guessing) and spin less. It was a much different  feeling shaft and again I didn’t have any consistency with it. 
 

XC - had the longest hits in it for sure but my miss with it was a hard pull. Probably a little too much shaft for me even though it feels amazing for a low-mid shaft. Peak height was probably another 5 yards lower than the TP. 
 

I’ll probably give the IZ a handful of rounds to see how it plays on the course, but I think what I’m after is a slightly lower launch/spin while retaining the feel. Thought that might be TP but wasn’t for me. 
 

Going to give DI and HD a shot to see if those might be what I’m looking for. Any other thoughts/advice welcome!

 

 

 

Would tipping the IZ a little help with the spin, or is it just that you reaction to the profile has you hitting it low on the face which induces the increased spin/height?

[third-times-a-charm]

21 minutes ago, Cruisin1966 said:

 

I like to play my 3W with a draw, just asking what your preferred flight is for the 3W.  We're similar in speed (102-105) and I'll be looking to try new shafts shortly as I find a new driver and 3W

I just try to hit it straight tbh but if I would try to name the shape it would be a draw.

[eric61]

3 hours ago, JamesG12 said:

I’ve been following this thread for quite some time and previously posted a few comments on the UB, since that’s what I was fit into by Titleist at the TSR demo day at my club. I swing 102-104 and have a smooth transition. Come over the top a little so prefer to play a slight fade if I can. 
 

Over the last month I’ve acquired a TP, IZ, and XC in addition to the UB. I’ve hit some of the longest drives of my life with the UB but the misses are just all over the place. 
 

IZ - I played this shaft when it first came out so it was nice revisiting it in the TSR3 head. Has amazing carry and I really like the feel. Peak height seemed really high and the ball was spinning a ton. I was the most accurate by far of the 4 with this shaft but think spin and height are too high. 
 

TP - was hoping this would bring down the flight (which it did) and seemed to get really good results on well struck shots, but similar to UB I just seemed to hit it both ways. It looked to carry as far as the IZ with a much lower flight (maybe 15 yards lower in peak height if I’m guessing) and spin less. It was a much different  feeling shaft and again I didn’t have any consistency with it. 
 

XC - had the longest hits in it for sure but my miss with it was a hard pull. Probably a little too much shaft for me even though it feels amazing for a low-mid shaft. Peak height was probably another 5 yards lower than the TP. 
 

I’ll probably give the IZ a handful of rounds to see how it plays on the course, but I think what I’m after is a slightly lower launch/spin while retaining the feel. Thought that might be TP but wasn’t for me. 
 

Going to give DI and HD a shot to see if those might be what I’m looking for. Any other thoughts/advice welcome!

 

 

 

 

Based on what you've described, I would recommend getting your hands on an HD as quickly as possible.

[JamesG12]

1 hour ago, Cruisin1966 said:

Would tipping the IZ a little help with the spin, or is it just that you reaction to the profile has you hitting it low on the face which induces the increased spin/height?

I thought that as well, just don’t know enough about tipping and the effects to properly answer. 
 

i tend to hit slightly down on my driver because of my path (think the average AOA at my last fitting was -0.5) which creates lots of spin issues. 

[OspreyCI]

2 hours ago, eric61 said:

 

Based on what you've described, I would recommend getting your hands on an HD as quickly as possible.

100% agree with this recommendation. 

[JamesG12]

1 hour ago, OspreyCI said:

100% agree with this recommendation. 

Thanks! Going to give it a shot. 

[ob1soccer]

good luck and keep us posted. I will test out the HD this week as well

[JamesG12]

13 hours ago, JamesG12 said:

I’ve been following this thread for quite some time and previously posted a few comments on the UB, since that’s what I was fit into by Titleist at the TSR demo day at my club. I swing 102-104 and have a smooth transition. Come over the top a little so prefer to play a slight fade if I can. 
 

Over the last month I’ve acquired a TP, IZ, and XC in addition to the UB. I’ve hit some of the longest drives of my life with the UB but the misses are just all over the place. 
 

IZ - I played this shaft when it first came out so it was nice revisiting it in the TSR3 head. Has amazing carry and I really like the feel. Peak height seemed really high and the ball was spinning a ton. I was the most accurate by far of the 4 with this shaft but think spin and height are too high. 
 

TP - was hoping this would bring down the flight (which it did) and seemed to get really good results on well struck shots, but similar to UB I just seemed to hit it both ways. It looked to carry as far as the IZ with a much lower flight (maybe 15 yards lower in peak height if I’m guessing) and spin less. It was a much different  feeling shaft and again I didn’t have any consistency with it. 
 

XC - had the longest hits in it for sure but my miss with it was a hard pull. Probably a little too much shaft for me even though it feels amazing for a low-mid shaft. Peak height was probably another 5 yards lower than the TP. 
 

I’ll probably give the IZ a handful of rounds to see how it plays on the course, but I think what I’m after is a slightly lower launch/spin while retaining the feel. Thought that might be TP but wasn’t for me. 
 

Going to give DI and HD a shot to see if those might be what I’m looking for. Any other thoughts/advice welcome!

 

 

 

Was able to get out for a few holes today just to give the IZ another chance on the course (as opposed to the range). It performed better for me than I anticipated. The high flight was much more playable than it appeared when I was testing it yesterday. It definitely is spinning too much and getting zero roll out (fairways are also soggy here in California from all the rain), but the carry is super long. I was close to some spots today where my good drives normally finish in normal conditions. So, still hoping that HD will lower that flight and spin a bit to maximize distance but with a similar feel. Good to know that IZ is at least a much more playable option than my UB if HD doesn’t fit the bill. 

[OspreyCI]

13 minutes ago, JamesG12 said:

Was able to get out for a few holes today just to give the IZ another chance on the course (as opposed to the range). It performed better for me than I anticipated. The high flight was much more playable than it appeared when I was testing it yesterday. It definitely is spinning too much and getting zero roll out (fairways are also soggy here in California from all the rain), but the carry is super long. I was close to some spots today where my good drives normally finish in normal conditions. So, still hoping that HD will lower that flight and spin a bit to maximize distance but with a similar feel. Good to know that IZ is at least a much more playable option than my UB if HD doesn’t fit the bill. 

I would put money that the HD does what you want. One of the best setups I ever had was a Sim2 9.0 with the HD 6s. Regret moving away from that rig. IZ was good for me in an M6, but just did not give me the landing angle I needed (too steep) and could go left a bit too much. 

[Hoyoymac]

According to Russ Ryden of Golf Shaft Reviews, Tipping most of the Graphite Design Tour AD shafts is generally not recommended for driver unless you are trying to increase launch and spin.

 

If you look at the EI curves of GD Tour AD shafts they all tend to get stiffer in the tip.  When you remove some of the tip you will be removing that stiffness and moving the “hinge” closer to the tip causing more launch.

 

If you want something a little stiffer, get either the next heavier shaft, ie. 7S vs 6S.  Many, but not all, of the Graphite Design shafts get stiffer as they get heavier.

 

Or go to the next Flex but lighter weight, i.e. 6X vs 7S.

 

 

[JamesG12]

13 hours ago, OspreyCI said:

I would put money that the HD does what you want. One of the best setups I ever had was a Sim2 9.0 with the HD 6s. Regret moving away from that rig. IZ was good for me in an M6, but just did not give me the landing angle I needed (too steep) and could go left a bit too much. 

Putting the cart before the horse, but is anyone playing HD in their fairways? Seems like it might work well. I get along with UB better in my fairways so don’t necessarily need to change, but might try anyway! 

[OspreyCI]

16 minutes ago, JamesG12 said:

Putting the cart before the horse, but is anyone playing HD in their fairways? Seems like it might work well. I get along with UB better in my fairways so don’t necessarily need to change, but might try anyway! 

Never had one in a fairway, but there are some guys on here that have posted about it in the past. They may chime in. 

[larciel]

Anybody use same one for dr/fw/hyb?

[third-times-a-charm]

8 hours ago, JamesG12 said:

Putting the cart before the horse, but is anyone playing HD in their fairways? Seems like it might work well. I get along with UB better in my fairways so don’t necessarily need to change, but might try anyway! 

I had an HD 7 in a 4 wood once. Worked great and had a good flight but I like a different feel in fairways.

 

7 hours ago, larciel said:

Anybody use same one for dr/fw/hyb?

 

Im in a GP for both driver and 3w right now but haven’t found a tour ad I like in hybrid yet. I have an AD HY coming soon to test.

[ob1soccer]

AD DI ,AD IZ, AD UB, AD HD and just added a kaili Blue 60s to the demo list

[minhjn]

HD has been really really good for me in the Driver thanks to this thread

[JamesG12]

Was able to get my hands on an HD pretty quickly and gave it some time on the range today. You all are right - definitely a lower trajectory / lower spin than the IZ. Very boring flight with not a lot of curve. Carry was definitely less than the IZ but I think with the lower spin and land angle it probably is longer for me. I need more time with it on the course to see. Almost every shot was a pull, so just need to see if I can straighten out my start line or change set up slightly. 

[iACE13]

Coming from the DI, I absolutely LOVE the HD 6X 

[Smokey227]

Anybody have an idea if there is a Tour AD version similar to the motore speeder 6.3?

[third-times-a-charm]

Finally gave an AD HY a try in this hybrids experiment and it's MUCH MORE like a traditional Tour AD shaft than the DI and IZ hybrid models. Definitely recommend giving it a try. The feel is great in comparison.

 

I kinda passed over it because it seemed like one of the ugly duck models and didnt have the flash of the DI and IZ name behind it but that was a big mistake. I would call this a nice mid/low hybrid shaft. Mine is currently tipped an extra .25" over the .5" recommended and I'm getting a nice flat hybrid flight with it for sure. Doesnt want to go left, either, for me.

[minhjn]

Anyone ever use the AD MJ in a fairway wood? I’m eyeing one for either a 5 wood or my existing Callaway UW

Edited January 29, 2023 by minhjn

[JamesG12]

This is only tangentially related to this thread, but any idea what the new shaft is that Nelly Korda is playing in her new TM driver? I say tangentially because she used IZ forever, then had UB in some LPGA videos, and now looks to be using an all black shaft that I can’t discern what it is from the pics 

[mizuno player]

1 hour ago, JamesG12 said:

This is only tangentially related to this thread, but any idea what the new shaft is that Nelly Korda is playing in her new TM driver? I say tangentially because she used IZ forever, then had UB in some LPGA videos, and now looks to be using an all black shaft that I can’t discern what it is from the pics 

I think.... The new light weight shaft from Mitsubishi.. thought I need that. 

[third-times-a-charm]

2 hours ago, JamesG12 said:

This is only tangentially related to this thread, but any idea what the new shaft is that Nelly Korda is playing in her new TM driver? I say tangentially because she used IZ forever, then had UB in some LPGA videos, and now looks to be using an all black shaft that I can’t discern what it is from the pics 

Mitsu Vanquish

[third-times-a-charm]

Have a couple on-course swings with the Tour AD HY shaft and its performing really well. Definitely glad I took the plunge. Very forgiving on various swings and plenty of spin even in a hybrid but with still a nice flat flight.

[eric61]

Anybody hit the CQ yet? I noticed Ian Fraser has it in two fairway woods right now. Would love some thoughts and comparisons from Graphite Design aficionados here.

[cw1209]

On 1/17/2023 at 7:31 AM, Hoyoymac said:

According to Russ Ryden of Golf Shaft Reviews, Tipping most of the Graphite Design Tour AD shafts is generally not recommended for driver unless you are trying to increase launch and spin.

 

If you look at the EI curves of GD Tour AD shafts they all tend to get stiffer in the tip.  When you remove some of the tip you will be removing that stiffness and moving the “hinge” closer to the tip causing more launch.

 

If you want something a little stiffer, get either the next heavier shaft, ie. 7S vs 6S.  Many, but not all, of the Graphite Design shafts get stiffer as they get heavier.

 

Or go to the next Flex but lighter weight, i.e. 6X vs 7S.

 

 

 

I love Golf Shaft Reviews. I think Russ does a great service for the amateur golf world with his shaft analysis. I have also see this quote on his website and it just isn't true. Tipping does not make a shaft play softer. Doesn't matter what profile you are looking at. Shaft stiffness is primarily related to diameter. The butt is always the stiffest point and the tip is always the weakest point. Tour AD shafts are no different. Someone will be tempted to post one of his "enhanced profile" graphics and point to how the tip turns up at the end with a Tour AD shaft. The enhanced EI profiles are just that, an exaggeration of a bend profile to illustrate differences between different bend profiles. 

Edited January 30, 2023 by cw1209

[larciel]

2 hours ago, eric61 said:

Anybody hit the CQ yet? I noticed Ian Fraser has it in two fairway woods right now. Would love some thoughts and comparisons from Graphite Design aficionados here.

I had it. It was a high launch that was perfect for slasher like me.