Graphite Design Tour AD shafts question?

chachi · March 12, 2019

Are the Graphite Design Tour AD shafts "REALLY" high launch / low spin? (ex. IZ, DI)

Most other shaft manufactures are one or the other.

The low spin stuff is also low launching.

The higher spin stuff is higher launching

Why is Graphite Design the only manufacture to claim High Launch but Low Spin?

kylelutes · March 12, 2019

They do their best to achieve a high launch, low spinning shaft but the shaft itself can only do so much.

tdk8180 · March 12, 2019

They are one of the best, if not the best feeling shafts you will try.

Given that, they are built to perform.

You can achieve a desired result much easier with their shafts in my opinion.

They are as advertised and worth every penny you can afford to pay for them.

Watch for fakes, lots out there.

GMR2iron · March 12, 2019

Are the Graphite Design Tour AD shafts "REALLY" high launch / low spin? (ex. IZ, DI)

Most other shaft manufactures are one or the other.
The low spin stuff is also low launching.
The higher spin stuff is higher launching

Why is Graphite Design the only manufacture to claim High Launch but Low Spin?

OP, this has been answered many times on this forum: Regardless what GD, or any other shaft manufacturer says, there is no such beast as a high launch-low spin shaft! Launch and spin go hand in hand, as one increases, so does the other. As one decreases, so does the other. It is simple physics, and cannot be changed. Shafts are either low/low, mid/mid, or high/high.

I have hit some of the GD shafts, of those I have hit, I would say the IZ and DI are somewhere between high/high and Mid/mid. The DJ is definitely high/high. The TP, BB, and GP are between low/low and mid/mid. Hope this helps!

chachi · March 12, 2019

Are the Graphite Design Tour AD shafts "REALLY" high launch / low spin? (ex. IZ, DI)

Most other shaft manufactures are one or the other.
The low spin stuff is also low launching.
The higher spin stuff is higher launching

Why is Graphite Design the only manufacture to claim High Launch but Low Spin?
OP, this has been answered many times on this forum: Regardless what GD, or any other shaft manufacturer says, there is no such beast as a high launch-low spin shaft! Launch and spin go hand in hand, as one increases, so does the other. As one decreases, so does the other. It is simple physics, and cannot be changed. Shafts are either low/low, mid/mid, or high/high.
I have hit some of the GD shafts, of those I have hit, I would say the IZ and DI are somewhere between high/high and Mid/mid. The DJ is definitely high/high. The TP, BB, and GP are between low/low and mid/mid. Hope this helps!

That is exactly my line of thinking.

However, I have also never hit or swung a GD shaft, other than the Pershing, over a decade ago, so I was just asking.

Their claims seem to defy the laws of golf shafts, so I was just wondering if they were true or not.

I want to try one....just because. But I'm scared to death of dropping tons of money on one, and hitting spinny moon balls with it.

bjmdo · March 12, 2019

You have to pair it to your swing. Many other manufacturers claim the same. I saw today that VA Composites has the Raijin listed as high launch and low spin as well. Anyways, my swing generates mid launch and low spin. I got along very well with the DI. I recently moved over to the TP to lower the flight a bit, and it is a beast. It has really helped take the left side out of play for me as well. You can certainly find used ones for a more reasonable price.

KevCannon · March 12, 2019

As many others have stated- high launch/low spin is a launch characteristic and no shaft can guarantee that for anyone. The shaft is the “engine” of the club and depending on the profile of the shaft, can change how you deliver the club head to the ball. If a certain shaft profile syncs up with your swing (and you manage to strike the ball a bit above the sweet spot) that can give you the high launch angle and lower spin rates due to the bulge/roll build into the club face. The loft on the club face really plays the biggest factor.

For myself, the AD DI was a high launch/mid spin shaft. The AD TP gave me mid-high,fairly low spin launch paired with a 9 degree low spin driver head.

I hope that helps you out someway.

mesomike · March 13, 2019

I’ve had around 10 tour ad tp shafts of various flex and weight in both drivers and fairways. Amazing shaft. Ball does fly highish compared to something like a po or df, but not overly spinny at all. Not sure how it all works out but it does. Highly recommend the tp to anyone that likes shafts with good feel and lower spin.

produff26 · March 13, 2019

The AD DI was a game changer for me.

I believe its more about feeling very comfortable with the club in my hand than anything else. I felt the same about the Diamana shafts from 5-7 years ago.

If you have the money, go for it!

kiwii · March 13, 2019

The HL/LS claim is just how they designed the shaft. Doesn't make any promises as to how it will react with the player. For me the DI shaft was a mid launch/low(er) spinning shaft than other mid launch shafts I tried.

jokerusn · March 13, 2019

Another example of DI launching too high with too much spin. TP is perfect for me - mid/mid-low launch and mid-low spin without being loose or boardy.

adam2883 · March 13, 2019

Another fan of the Tour AD TP here. I have tried the DI, and until recently have been using it in my UDI 3 iron, to me the DI has a more noticeable kick at the bottom and it resulted in higher spinning shots, also more tendency to hit it left. Had been using the TP 7X for a little over an year in my M1 and really liked how that shaft played, I would say its a good mid launch shaft with lower spin, and I hit up on the ball pretty well so on occasion I could really get some high/lower spinning drives. Recently moved to the new PXG driver and have been toying around with some shafts trying to find the comfortable set up, was about to go in on the Diamana DF until I saw this thread and made me realize why not just go back to a TP but in the 6X version.

I think the TP is a very underrated shaft, that seemed to never really pick up a lot of buzz for some reason.

Valtiel · March 13, 2019

As was said, you can not decouple launch and spin with regards to what a shaft can physically do, which is add or subtract dynamic loft via forward/lead deflection when approaching the ball. The main variable becomes how the weight/length/bend profile of the shaft changes your swing and strike location. Shafts that deflect more can lower strike for some people, and vice versa for shafts that deflect less. As strike goes, so does spin and launch. If you raised your launch but lowered your spin then your strike changed (higher on the face) since a shaft can not achieve this alone. Finding out which shaft achieves what for your own swing can only be learned through trial and error as a manufacturer's designation of launch and spin characteristics can only be expressed through potential either in the objective sense e.g. stiffer tipped shafts launch lower or the subjective sense e.g. this bend profile should raise your strike location.

KevCannon · March 13, 2019

Another fan of the Tour AD TP here. I have tried the DI, and until recently have been using it in my UDI 3 iron, to me the DI has a more noticeable kick at the bottom and it resulted in higher spinning shots, also more tendency to hit it left. Had been using the TP 7X for a little over an year in my M1 and really liked how that shaft played, I would say its a good mid launch shaft with lower spin, and I hit up on the ball pretty well so on occasion I could really get some high/lower spinning drives. Recently moved to the new PXG driver and have been toying around with some shafts trying to find the comfortable set up, was about to go in on the Diamana DF until I saw this thread and made me realize why not just go back to a TP but in the 6X version.

I think the TP is a very underrated shaft, that seemed to never really pick up a lot of buzz for some reason.

I completely agree with you on the TP being massively under the radar. I still have it in driver (7x) and 3 wood (8x). For anybody that liked the AD DI but thought it was just too loose feeling, the AD TP is exactly that. Tighter, crisper, more controlled loading and unloading of the shaft, bit lower launch, and lower spinning. The AD GP has a slightly stiffer handle section and stiffer tip, and seems to be a better driver shaft for some, I definitely want to try it. I actually just picked up a Diamana DF paired with an M3, and the DF feels great fantastic. I tipped it 1/2 inch and still launches in the mid window depending on loft. I don’t have launch monitor data to confirm spin numbers, but distance and launch were great.

ian-500 · March 15, 2019

If memory serves me well, I've NEVER tried a Tour AD shaft. Tested loads of others just always thought that Graphite Design was too USDM for me......since 2012 I've been JDM through and through....until now. I've had a AD DI 105 in a fourteen hybrid for a few months now and I love it. So much so I've researched other Tour AD shafts and now have 4 in my bag. The IZ shafts in my fairways are rocket launchers, and the UT95/DI105 in my hybrids are slightly higher launching to land and stop on the green. I may need to search for a VR or TP for the driver. Highly recommended. Now on to my irons/wedges.......