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

[a_gorilla]

On 1/20/2025 at 9:36 PM, mattman said:

It doesn't sound like anything in their lineup would align with things you've played/enjoyed in the past. Their recent 2 releases, the VF and GC, have firmer mids, but still different design concepts than what you listed... and you already didn't get along with the vf though.

GD doesn't make anything comparable to a tensei orange or black or a hzrdus black. Firm mid and constistent loss of stiffness into the tip just isn't their game

saves me some research. was thinking of tinkering with a GD shaft similar to my tensei black; during my fitting last year, i hit the DI, IZ and CQ (i think? felt like i couldn't properly release the clubhead) and numbers were worse than what the tensei was giving me. was curious about the VF and the TP as alternatives, but sounds like they probably aren't going to be a good fit for my swing

[Arlin964]

On 1/20/2025 at 9:36 PM, mattman said:

It doesn't sound like anything in their lineup would align with things you've played/enjoyed in the past. Their recent 2 releases, the VF and GC, have firmer mids, but still different design concepts than what you listed... and you already didn't get along with the vf though.

GD doesn't make anything comparable to a tensei orange or black or a hzrdus black. Firm mid and constistent loss of stiffness into the tip just isn't their game

Yeah that's what I was afraid of.  I might see if I can test out XC or HD and just see what happens.  Over time I have been getting the impression that I tend to do better with the traditional "whiteboard" profile where the bend is just a little under the hands.

 

 

10 minutes ago, a_gorilla said:

saves me some research. was thinking of tinkering with a GD shaft similar to my tensei black; during my fitting last year, i hit the DI, IZ and CQ (i think? felt like i couldn't properly release the clubhead) and numbers were worse than what the tensei was giving me. was curious about the VF and the TP as alternatives, but sounds like they probably aren't going to be a good fit for my swing

So when I was fit to my Tensei 1K Black 75X in my GT2 driver, the VF 7X performed very similarly and I do remember it feeling just a tad better.  I didn't buy the VF because at the time, Titleist was backordered so I just wanted to get it sooner, so opted for the Tensei.  Because the Tensei and VF were so similar in driver, my fitter configured options for 4w and 7w with both shafts.  I didn't hit those fairways in the VF though.  I ordered both 4w and 7w in Tensei Black since I didn't hit the VF at the fitting.

 

Then later I got a good deal on a VF7X for 3/4W length and put my allfit adaptor on it.  I've tried it with a G430 Max 3w and my SIM Ti 3w.  It hasn't been great in either one, so maybe I just need a little more weight, or a little shorter shaft, or both.

 

Anyway, just wanted to provide a little more context for you to mull over.

[phizzy30]

18 hours ago, a_gorilla said:

saves me some research. was thinking of tinkering with a GD shaft similar to my tensei black; during my fitting last year, i hit the DI, IZ and CQ (i think? felt like i couldn't properly release the clubhead) and numbers were worse than what the tensei was giving me. was curious about the VF and the TP as alternatives, but sounds like they probably aren't going to be a good fit for my swing

VF is going to be the closest in terms of EI profile to 1K black.  However, 1K black flattened out at the apex faster than the VF and spun slightly less.  On the other hand, the VF feels so much better/smoother.

Edited January 23 by phizzy30

[Morry]

Ended up going 6-SR in the 4w tipped an inch to match the untipped 7S in my 7w

frequency wise

 

testing shortly

excited

 

 

[cocolamb22]

I really appreciate this thread and all the insights everyone has shared. Looking for some help or ideas from the group. Currently play a 7x DI tipped 1” in a 9* Ping G430 LST. 

 

my usual ball flight is a high draw around 2300-2500 spin. I prefer to cut it, but the cut can get up to 2900 in spin. (120-123 SS)
 

I bought a VF 6TX to see if I could knock down spin a bit (and maybe a little bit more speed wouldn’t hurt 😁) but finding I lose it out to the right or catch it off the toe and hit the nasty hook. 
 

Im a swinger not a hitter with a smooth transition but have the speed. I don’t have an aggressive swing at all. I’d really like to tighten that cut spin down to around 2500 if I could. I was thinking maybe I can trade the 6TX for a 7X but open to ideas. 
 

Thoughts?

[mizuno player]

1 hour ago, cocolamb22 said:

I really appreciate this thread and all the insights everyone has shared. Looking for some help or ideas from the group. Currently play a 7x DI tipped 1” in a 9* Ping G430 LST. 

 

my usual ball flight is a high draw around 2300-2500 spin. I prefer to cut it, but the cut can get up to 2900 in spin. (120-123 SS)
 

I bought a VF 6TX to see if I could knock down spin a bit (and maybe a little bit more speed wouldn’t hurt 😁) but finding I lose it out to the right or catch it off the toe and hit the nasty hook. 
 

Im a swinger not a hitter with a smooth transition but have the speed. I don’t have an aggressive swing at all. I’d really like to tighten that cut spin down to around 2500 if I could. I was thinking maybe I can trade the 6TX for a 7X but open to ideas. 
 

Thoughts?

I think the IZ is similar to the Di with less spin. Also, look at the UB.  Lower spin and flight than the Di. 

[phizzy30]

7 hours ago, cocolamb22 said:

I really appreciate this thread and all the insights everyone has shared. Looking for some help or ideas from the group. Currently play a 7x DI tipped 1” in a 9* Ping G430 LST. 

 

my usual ball flight is a high draw around 2300-2500 spin. I prefer to cut it, but the cut can get up to 2900 in spin. (120-123 SS)
 

I bought a VF 6TX to see if I could knock down spin a bit (and maybe a little bit more speed wouldn’t hurt 😁) but finding I lose it out to the right or catch it off the toe and hit the nasty hook. 
 

Im a swinger not a hitter with a smooth transition but have the speed. I don’t have an aggressive swing at all. I’d really like to tighten that cut spin down to around 2500 if I could. I was thinking maybe I can trade the 6TX for a 7X but open to ideas. 
 

Thoughts?

I had the UB and currently in the VF.  UB will launch lower and spin less than DI and EI profile wise, they are similar, however feel different.  UB is more like the VF in feel in that it feels one piece/barely any kick.  I also found it harder to turnover than the DI, much like the VF.  HD is another option which gave me similar numbers to the UB but it was easier to turnover and has a stiffer mid section.    

Edited February 9 by phizzy30

[Mitchell]

After breakage issue with a fairway wood shaft from another company, went back to HD in driver and UB in 3 wood, should have never switched. Now the search begins for an option in hybrid to fill gap between 3 wood and 4 iron 🤔

[phizzy30]

6 hours ago, Mitchell said:

After breakage issue with a fairway wood shaft from another company, went back to HD in driver and UB in 3 wood, should have never switched. Now the search begins for an option in hybrid to fill gap between 3 wood and 4 iron 🤔

VF HY or IZ HY are my recommendations if you wanna stay GD.  Both will feel linear like the HD and UB but will still have feel.  VF for lower launch/spin.  I haven't tested the new Ventus hybrid shafts yet, but those may be something to look into as well.

Edited February 9 by phizzy30

[cocolamb22]

15 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

I had the UB and currently in the VF.  UB will launch lower and spin less than DI and EI profile wise, they are similar, however feel different.  UB is more like the VF in feel in that it feels one piece/barely any kick.  I also found it harder to turnover than the DI, much like the VF.  HD is another option which gave me similar numbers to the UB but it was easier to turnover and has a stiffer mid section.    

would going back to a 7 weight be the play instead of the 6? Again, coming from a 7X DI

[OspreyCI]

After weeks of testing UB 5s and a HZRDUS Gen4 6.0 in a TSR2 driver, the winner is the UB. Just high flat bombs. I load it pretty well and the HZRDUS does have great dispersion, but the feel of the UB is just so good.

 

I did try a UB 7s in a TSR2 3 wood and it was a bit too stiff for me. Going to start the hunt for some TP 7’s to put in 3 and 5 wood heads. Been fit into the TP on three different occasions. I know they should work good as fairways shafts. 

[phizzy30]

15 hours ago, cocolamb22 said:

would going back to a 7 weight be the play instead of the 6? Again, coming from a 7X DI

I had the DI-7X back in the day and went UB-7TX last year.  Weight is very important so I would recommend 7TX since you have plenty of ss and that's the weight you're used to.    

[Mob]

I have spent the last 3 months comparing the: VF, HD, UB, TP, GC and XC.  I have done a bunch of different comparison rounds on the simulator over this time and have slowly narrowed down the list.  Performance was very similar amongst many of them, but the 2 factors that these different bend profiles have put a spotlight on for my swing, has been a difference in consistent center contact and dispersion. Here is what I have found with my swing and these shafts:

 

1.) VF- Great shaft but too stiff for my swing.  I had trouble loading it, which caused me to swing harder, which never works.  The great shots were great, but the bad shots were low duck hooks that were too costly. I gave it to my son. 

2.) TP- Inconsistent face contact and had a 2 way miss.  Great feeling shaft, just wasn't consistent enough for me.

3.) XC- Dispersion wasn't consistent, but hit some great drives with it.

4.) UB- Pretty good overall but the HD was better.

5.) HD- Really good overall and maybe the best match for my swing.  I could feel it load nicely in the downswing. Only real negative was that my draw can turn into a hook, if I am not careful with it.

6.) GC- Probably the best overall.  I go back and forth between this and the HD.  Incredibly smooth feeling shaft.  I do have to be careful about turning it over, just like the HD.

 

I recently bought a Ventus Blue Velacore + and it is performing extremely well.  Better consistent center contact than the others, and better dispersion, but slower ball speeds than the HD and GC.  I can swing more aggressively with this shaft, without seeing a hook, which is really nice.  I will continue testing it against the HD and GC over the next few months.  Ideally, I would like to get down to 2 shafts before the start of the season.

[jeffrey r]

3 hours ago, Mob said:

I have spent the last 3 months comparing the: VF, HD, UB, TP, GC and XC.  I have done a bunch of different comparison rounds on the simulator over this time and have slowly narrowed down the list.  Performance was very similar amongst many of them, but the 2 factors that these different bend profiles have put a spotlight on for my swing, has been a difference in consistent center contact and dispersion. Here is what I have found with my swing and these shafts:

 

1.) VF- Great shaft but too stiff for my swing.  I had trouble loading it, which caused me to swing harder, which never works.  The great shots were great, but the bad shots were low duck hooks that were too costly. I gave it to my son. 

2.) TP- Inconsistent face contact and had a 2 way miss.  Great feeling shaft, just wasn't consistent enough for me.

3.) XC- Dispersion wasn't consistent, but hit some great drives with it.

4.) UB- Pretty good overall but the HD was better.

5.) HD- Really good overall and maybe the best match for my swing.  I could feel it load nicely in the downswing. Only real negative was that my draw can turn into a hook, if I am not careful with it.

6.) GC- Probably the best overall.  I go back and forth between this and the HD.  Incredibly smooth feeling shaft.  I do have to be careful about turning it over, just like the HD.

 

I recently bought a Ventus Blue Velacore + and it is performing extremely well.  Better consistent center contact than the others, and better dispersion, but slower ball speeds than the HD and GC.  I can swing more aggressively with this shaft, without seeing a hook, which is really nice.  I will continue testing it against the HD and GC over the next few months.  Ideally, I would like to get down to 2 shafts before the start of the season.

 

Thanks for the write-up. I have had a better experience with the TP than you, but the HD is great for me as well. That is always in the conversation for me as the shaft to into my Ping driver. Didn't love the UB. Haven't hit the VF, XC or GC, but sounds like the GC would be worth a try.

[Mob]

25 minutes ago, jeffrey r said:

 

Thanks for the write-up. I have had a better experience with the TP than you, but the HD is great for me as well. That is always in the conversation for me as the shaft to into my Ping driver. Didn't love the UB. Haven't hit the VF, XC or GC, but sounds like the GC would be worth a try.

Obviously every swing is different, so what works for me may not be the answer for you, but I have been impressed with the GC so far. I am hitting 50-67% of fairways when playing a round on the simulator, which matches my on course results. I will keep putting the HD, GC, and Ventus Blue 2024 up against each other for the next few months and see if we come out with a clear winner.

[OspreyCI]

1 hour ago, Mob said:

Obviously every swing is different, so what works for me may not be the answer for you, but I have been impressed with the GC so far. I am hitting 50-67% of fairways when playing a round on the simulator, which matches my on course results. I will keep putting the HD, GC, and Ventus Blue 2024 up against each other for the next few months and see if we come out with a clear winner.

The HD does not get too spinny? That was my experience when I had it in a Sim head. 
 

GD is so good how they make shafts for everyone by making small tweaks to the shaft. I love the UB and TP. Hated the XC and VR/HD were just ok. 
 

Look forward to more of your observations. 

[Mob]

1 hour ago, OspreyCI said:

The HD does not get too spinny? That was my experience when I had it in a Sim head. 
 

GD is so good how they make shafts for everyone by making small tweaks to the shaft. I love the UB and TP. Hated the XC and VR/HD were just ok. 
 

Look forward to more of your observations. 

I am not a high spin player with the driver in general. The only time the HD spin jumped up was when I had a low heel shot, which jumps up with most of the shafts. The spin was definitely a little lower with the GC.

[Mob]

Just now, Mob said:

I am not a high spin player with the driver in general. The only time the HD spin jumped up was when I had a low heel shot, which jumps up with most of the shafts. The spin was definitely a little lower with the GC.

My spin average over 60 shots on multiple different days with the HD was 2250 rpms 

[OspreyCI]

14 minutes ago, Mob said:

I am not a high spin player with the driver in general. The only time the HD spin jumped up was when I had a low heel shot, which jumps up with most of the shafts. The spin was definitely a little lower with the GC.

Thanks. I have been, but working on it,  to not be a high spin guy. AOA is becoming more positive which is helping a bunch. Back in the day, I bet I was pretty negative when I had the HD. My buddy loves it in his TSR2. He bombs it. 

[Mob]

I am 2-4 degrees positive AOA, which pairs well with the HD, at least in my experience.

[Morry]

Tried a DI-6sr tipped 1" in 3 wood.....doesn't Kick like my 7-s untapped in my 7w?....

 

cpm is close, but Just not the same...

any thoughts?

 

 

appreciated

 

[Shilgy]

On 11/15/2024 at 6:06 AM, phizzy30 said:

HD is the closest EI profile wise and is pretty close feel wise, IMO from the testing I've done.  TP has a little more kick though and feels more lively in the mid, IMO.  HD is more linear which you may or may not like.  Found both easy to turnover but TP could get snappy left if I made a sloppy swing more often than HD.  

Still liking the TP but could use a bit lower launch and spin 

 

 

Suggestions?

[phizzy30]

4 hours ago, Shilgy said:

Still liking the TP but could use a bit lower launch and spin 

 

 

Suggestions?

XC or HD could potentially do that.  HD is linear like the TP, EI profile wise while the XC starts out stiff then gets really soft in the handle.  I felt as though the TP had slightly more kick than either so keep that in mind.  

[Morry]

All about kick
 

how would u rank them?

highest 1st

[Garney17]

Currently using a DI-6S in my driver. Ping G430 LST head and was having some trouble with left and right misses. The length was outstanding but just couldn't really control which way it would end up going. Wondering if TP-6S might be a bit better option for dispersion? 

[OspreyCI]

12 hours ago, Garney17 said:

Currently using a DI-6S in my driver. Ping G430 LST head and was having some trouble with left and right misses. The length was outstanding but just couldn't really control which way it would end up going. Wondering if TP-6S might be a bit better option for dispersion? 

In my option, yes, would be tighter but still retain some kick and great spin qualities. 

[Garney17]

6 hours ago, OspreyCI said:

In my option, yes, would be tighter but still retain some kick and great spin qualities. 

Appreciate it! Cheers

[Reg_Golf]

19 hours ago, Garney17 said:

Currently using a DI-6S in my driver. Ping G430 LST head and was having some trouble with left and right misses. The length was outstanding but just couldn't really control which way it would end up going. Wondering if TP-6S might be a bit better option for dispersion? 

Every time I’ve hit a DI-6S it felt very loose. I was fit into a TP-6S at one point and it was much better. 
 

If I ever stumble upon a DI 6X or 7S it would be interesting to try out. 

Edited February 20 by Reg_Golf

[Garney17]

13 minutes ago, Reg_Golf said:

Every time I’ve hit a DI-6S it felt very loose. I was fit into a TP-6S at one point and it was much better. 
 

If I ever stumble upon a DI 6X or 7S it would be interesting to try out. 

I think loose is a good way to describe it. No doubt my swing is part of the issue, but I felt like I could put similar swings on two shots, and one would go left while the other went right. I found a good deal on a TP-6S online so I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for your input! 

[dwboston]

11 minutes ago, Garney17 said:

I think loose is a good way to describe it. No doubt my swing is part of the issue, but I felt like I could put similar swings on two shots, and one would go left while the other went right. I found a good deal on a TP-6S online so I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for your input! 

 

Consensus has been that tipping the DI 6S a little extra helps with the "loose" complaints.