GD Tour AD DI - I'm sure its a fine shaft

[onafriday]

I'm sure the DI is a fine shaft, but I have to wonder if it'd be nearly as highly regarded if it wasn't in use by a certain former number one Nike staffer?

 

I read so many threads - gotta try it gotta try it - which seems strange to me that it'd truly be the best fit for guys who's swing profiles are different than you know who...

 

It's like guys are willing to fork over a decent amount of cash just to try it out?

 

I'm all for dropping coin on a solid after market shaft, but if i'm going to do so, i'm going to spend the time to get fit and make sure it's the best set up for me.

 

Probably better classified as a rant.

 

What's the deal?

 

For all the guys that play it, is it really because a qualified fitter felt it was the best setup for you? Or, was it at least in part the cache of having Eldrick's shaft?

 

I guess i'm just confused - so many Nike bashers...but so many have to try this shaft....

 

At the end of the day, it's difficult for me to comprehend that Tiger's driver shaft is the best set up for a guy planning a stiff flex 10.5 GI driver.....

[J13]

It's a great shaft if it fits you. Also keep in mind a LOT of players are using GD shafts nowadays whether it be the tour ad di, dj, bb. Not just tiger.

[Puppetmaster]

It isn't all about Tiger. I think there were a good number of people, tour pros and amateurs, playing the DI before he picked one up. I resisted what I thought was hype until I hit the shaft on two separate occasions, on two different LMs, and got some very impressive numbers with it. If it fits you, and does what you want in a shaft, it is an excellent option. You can't say too often that someone "got it right" but in this case, GD did get it right.

To echo the point above, I watched the first round of the US Open at Congressional last year and there were DIs everywhere; drivers, FWs, and hybrids.

[DNice26]

[sub]Not to jack but does anyone know how it compares to the Kai'li? [/sub]

[Puppetmaster]

[quote name='DNice26' timestamp='1339168531' post='5052806']
[sub]Not to jack but does anyone know how it compares to the Kai'li? [/sub]
[/quote]

Tom Wishon posted the profile specs somewhere else and they were very close, IIRC. However, based on my likely flawed and non-representative personal experience, they feel different and play different. I got some of the best numbers with the DI, but can't hit the Kai'li for crap, both in the same Razr Fit head.

[naths]

I tried loads of shafts in my 910 D2, the ad-di 6S was for me the best, med/high launch, low spin (for me) 2550, and was the longest by around 10yds.., wouldn't care who uses it, as long as it works for me....the only shafts that came close were the Oban kiyoshi 6,04 flex, and the UST VTS 6S silver.

[npark]

Well just because you play some form/flex of a Tour AD DI doesn't mean you are playing the same shaft as "you know who". That's like saying just because you are driving an Impala SS you are driving the same car as Dale Jr. Yes I play a Tour AD DI but mine is a 6s, what does Tiger play a 6tx? They way you worded it it sounds like you are purposely trying to incite something...maybe you chose poorly, maybe I'm reading poorly???

To answer the question though I chose mine because I needed a mid/mid-high launching shaft without an excess of spin. I hit it along with a Fubuki and a Kai'li and liked the AD DI the best..it fit me and my swing. Did I try it because "Tiger" hits it, absolutely not. Do some people hit it because of that, prolly...still doubt very few hit the "same shaft" as him though.

BTW it does give me a chuckle to see people selling a 6s, 8x or some other variation of the AD DI on eBay as "the same shaft Tiger plays" when it's not lol

[GooseHook]

It didn't work well for me, but it sure feels good. Weirdly enough, the VTS Silver that does work for me is supposed to be similar to it. Same weight and flex too, although my DI was in a 910 and the VTS is in a G20.

[Puppetmaster]

[quote name='GooseHook' timestamp='1339185983' post='5054240']
It didn't work well for me, but it sure feels good. Weirdly enough, the VTS Silver that does work for me is supposed to be similar to it. Same weight and flex too, although my DI was in a 910 and the VTS is in a G20.
[/quote]

I think that's why the profile specs don't tell all, it still depends on how the player is swinging with the shaft, how the shaft is reacting to the release, and the resulting numbers produced by each shaft. At least, in the most apples-apples comparison possible. I'm no club fitter, but I've spent too much time on a Trackman... and did stay at a Holiday Inn once...

[TN22]

I think it has a little to do with him. He wasn't the first tour player to use it but I'm sure he's driving up the prices a bit.

You can find WB's on the BST for 100-150 now. I remember a few years ago they were selling at what the AD DI's are at now.

[Ri_Redneck]

OH YEAH!!! At $300+ it GOTTA hit further! Can't just be the specs.....

BT

[fireguyfrank58]

I agree the shaft is the best of the best. Now Tiger switching to it I feel has made a lot of people look into it. Now we get the I gotta get a AD DI just like it used to be all about the Whiteboard. He is a heck of a marketing tool.

[kg92lefty]

the shaft is good but I say <1/2 the people playing it fit it. A LOT of hype over it. Tiger has a lot to do with it.

(edit.) And dont think Im bashing this shaft, I own one, it fits me, it works. But due to the flooded market I would like to find a new shaft.

[Qegurezi]

If it fits i wouldn't worry about the flooded market. Results are nice.

[RJRJRJ]

[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1339201485' post='5055322']
the shaft is good but I say <1/2 the people playing it fit it. A LOT of hype over it. Tiger has a lot to do with it.

(edit.) And dont think Im bashing this shaft, I own one, it fits me, it works. But due to the flooded market I would like to find a new shaft.
[/quote]

Are you saying that you like the shaft and it works for you but because its becoming popular you want to get rid of it?

[kg92lefty]

[quote name='RJRJRJ' timestamp='1339204268' post='5055502']
[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1339201485' post='5055322']
the shaft is good but I say <1/2 the people playing it fit it. A LOT of hype over it. Tiger has a lot to do with it.

(edit.) And dont think Im bashing this shaft, I own one, it fits me, it works. But due to the flooded market I would like to find a new shaft.
[/quote]

Are you saying that you like the shaft and it works for you but because its becoming popular you want to get rid of it?
[/quote]

Sounds stupid but yes. When I got it (well before tiger) nobody knew about it, now everyone gives you that look when you pull out driver. The worst was playing with some guys from school, who all the sudden had the di after tiger did, all four of us had it. Too many hacks using it and buying it because tiger has it. Plus Im not a fan of tiger and he uses it so....

[kg92lefty]

[quote name='npark' timestamp='1339185047' post='5054178']
what does Tiger play a 6tx?
[/quote]

No, he plays a regular X tipped a bunch.

[bvmagic]

Tiger definitely does have something to do with some people playing it, but there were a bunch of pros playing this shaft before Tiger did and people on here started to notice. When I take the tour pics I try to get pics of all the players drivers/shafts they have in play for the week. And last year the AD DI was just everywhere, and people here took notice and it became popular through that.

By the time Tiger put it back in play after experimenting at the Masters in 2010, most people based on their comments of tour pics already took notice to the tour presence. So it was just icing on the cake once he kept it there for good.

[fireguyfrank58]

[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1339204693' post='5055526']
[quote name='RJRJRJ' timestamp='1339204268' post='5055502']
[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1339201485' post='5055322']
the shaft is good but I say <1/2 the people playing it fit it. A LOT of hype over it. Tiger has a lot to do with it.

(edit.) And dont think Im bashing this shaft, I own one, it fits me, it works. But due to the flooded market I would like to find a new shaft.
[/quote]

Are you saying that you like the shaft and it works for you but because its becoming popular you want to get rid of it?
[/quote]

Sounds stupid but yes. When I got it (well before tiger) nobody knew about it, now everyone gives you that look when you pull out driver. The worst was playing with some guys from school, who all the sudden had the di after tiger did, all four of us had it. Too many hacks using it and buying it because tiger has it. Plus Im not a fan of tiger and he uses it so....
[/quote]
Yeah that does sound silly if it fits you, but I will say I do like pulling out my Purple Kioshi and having my playing partner say" What kind of shaft is that?".

[lee36328]

[quote name='DNice26' timestamp='1339168531' post='5052806']
[sub]Not to jack but does anyone know how it compares to the Kai'li? [/sub]
[/quote]

One of those rare occasions where I can speak from experience.

I have 9015D 10.5 in a Kaili 60-S tipped. And a 9015D in a GD AD DI 6X tipped.

I'm sure the different flex played a part, but here's what I found.

While the Kaili is obviously softer due to its lower flex, the GD AD DI is smoother yet more stable.

I also played an Ahina shaft before that. And various other shafts. Simply no comparison.

I cover (rave about) it in detail here.

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/512407-open-letter-to-the-ceo-of-graphite-design/"]http://www.golfwrx.c...raphite-design/[/url]

[kg92lefty]

[quote name='fireguyfrank58' timestamp='1339207112' post='5055738']
Yeah that does sound silly if it fits you, but I will say I do like pulling out my Purple Kioshi and having my playing partner say" What kind of shaft is that?".
[/quote]

it wasnt a formal fitting but I like my numbers with it. Still deciding on what to do.

[FAIRWAYFOUND!]

I hit it all over the face of my SF long hosel. Felt almost mushy to me. Liked the more stable feel of the PX 6A4 much better and playing a VC 7.2x now that I like even more. I was actually surprised when Tiger chose it over his WB especially in such a light weight.

[npark]

I played a round the other day where 3 of the 5 of us had the AD DI, 1 6x and 2 6s'es...was rather comical to see but it fit all of our ball flights. The other 2 that didnt have a DI wouldn't have benefitted from it, they hit the ball too high with too much spin. BTW the guy with the 6x must have been half man half gorilla and half monster...yes for 1.5, cause he hit it a ton

[glfpunk]

People have short memories. That shaft was all over this site long before Tiger put it into play. Now that he's playing it, the people who didn't know about it before are attributing it's popularity to that even though they were just never paying attention beforehand.

There have also been opportunities to purchase it on the cheap. Once at globalgolf they had a ton of used Nike drivers with this shaft in it for $120 and just yesterday it was posted on here where rockbottomgolf had used Callaway FTIZ drivers for $99 and lots with this shaft among others like Fubuki, Rombax, Speeder Motore, etc.

It's not a shaft for everyone though.

[TN22]

The pulls on the BST barely last an hour. I remember seeing them on sale here before Tiger put it into play and there was barely any interest.

Now if only an AD DJ popped up on the BST.

[mosesgolf]

This shaft was big before Tiger and got HUGE after Tiger started playing it. I currently have the Tour AD DI 7x in my R11s. This is one killer combo. I've tried so many shafts over the years such as the F7M2, F6M2, TP7HD, Whiteboards, Blueboards, Ahina, Kai Li, Kiyoshi, Oban Devotion and on and on. The Tour AD DI is best of the bunch along w/ the Ozik Black Tie 6M3. No it's not 20 yards longer etc. But in terms of longest and most accurate, these are the best two I've ever tried.

[greens hit]

I'd like to think that GolfWRX influenced Tiger.

[tod071]

I believe i was playing my Tour AD before Tiger started gaming his as well. I was properly fitted with a DJ-6S and had seen a dramatic improvement in my drives. I now have a GD shaft in every wood and hybrid in my bag.

Adams Launch Lab with DJ-6s
Adams Speedline LP with DJ-7s
Adams XTD 19* with UT-85s
Adams A12 3 hybrid with UT-85s

I also have a Cobra ZL Encore with G-series and EV-6s that I alternate depending on wind.

[bob86gn]

[quote name='fireguyfrank58' timestamp='1339207112' post='5055738']
Yeah that does sound silly if it fits you, but I will say I do like pulling out my Purple Kioshi and having my playing partner say" What kind of shaft is that?".
[/quote]
I do too! Guys I play with call it PurpleHaze

[blade_man]

I played it long before it started showing up on tour, was I just really smart or really lucky? Sort of both, had a Cobra ZL with the Voodoo shaft that broke while playing the 5th hole with it and it stabbed me in the back (really!), sent it back to Titleist and they said they had never seen anything like it and said "no law suit and you can have any shaft you want" kind of deal. Thus the AD DI and it is now in my R11s and still loving it.