Tour New Graphite Design VF shafts - 2023 3M Open

[noodle3872]

I think it’s a testament to GD to have created a shaft that is spoken about in the same context as Ventus Black/TR Black but has retained their signature feel. Their use of super high modulus materials clearly was done right. 

[Franger]

1 hour ago, noodle3872 said:

I think it’s a testament to GD to have created a shaft that is spoken about in the same context as Ventus Black/TR Black but has retained their signature feel. Their use of super high modulus materials clearly was done right. 

This is an interesting observation. I’ve read it 100 times, TR Blue is between OG Blue and Black. Being honest, at 115, I felt like I was overpowering TR Blue in 6x. Clearly I’m not, but the *feel* was less control. Never felt that way with Tour AD XC in 6x. We all load differently. My hunch is Tiger is loading the club far differently with his rebuilt lower body and he needs the familiarity and predictability of a whiteboard feel that VF may provide him. 
 

I need to see if I can direct compare VF and XC. I’m over the extreme handle stiff profiles being a marker of control. 

[Avidswampthing66]

8 hours ago, Franger said:

Tiger is loading the club far differently with his rebuilt lower body and he needs the familiarity and predictability of a whiteboard feel

1000% 

 

 

[phizzy30]

9 hours ago, noodle3872 said:

I think it’s a testament to GD to have created a shaft that is spoken about in the same context as Ventus Black/TR Black but has retained their signature feel. Their use of super high modulus materials clearly was done right. 

Here's the thing.  GD has always put out quality shafts where the main emphasize has always been feel along with performance.  I think that when Fuji was developing the Ventus line, their main focus was performance, mainly dispersion, and wasn't quite focusing as much on feel, IMO.  They succeeded in the performance department.  However, none of the Ventus shafts are what I would call ultra smooth. 

[Bskib]

9 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

Here's the thing.  GD has always put out quality shafts where the main emphasize has always been feel along with performance.  I think that when Fuji was developing the Ventus line, their main focus was performance, mainly dispersion, and wasn't quite focusing as much on feel, IMO.  They succeeded in the performance department.  However, none of the Ventus shafts are what I would call ultra smooth. 

I am hoping to test this shaft out with my G430 max head. I currently game the TR Blue, and while it is great performing when I am swinging my best, it feels laborious and a hit harsh when I am fighting it a bit. I tried the XC in my 3 wood and the handle felt just a touch too loose but overall ultra smooth and almost effortless. Hoping this is a Goldilocks situation obtaining performance of the Ventus and feel of the GD. 

[dallasgolfing]

They look great but they would have to be amazing to get me out of Ventus.

[DrDaveYT]

20 hours ago, 70sinsight said:

Might be what folks are after: https://www.ebay.com/str/exclusiveshoppingjapan?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=iuksuhboqtq&sssrc=3418065&ssuid=ngtria6utga&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

This is where I got mine https://www.ebay.com/itm/225804646936?var=524906480055

[Avidswampthing66]

10 hours ago, Bskib said:

I am hoping to test this shaft out with my G430 max head. I currently game the TR Blue, and while it is great performing when I am swinging my best, it feels laborious and a hit harsh when I am fighting it a bit. I tried the XC in my 3 wood and the handle felt just a touch too loose but overall ultra smooth and almost effortless. Hoping this is a Goldilocks situation obtaining performance of the Ventus and feel of the GD. 

That's pretty much the deal.  Feels light years better than TR Blue or Red while still retaining the performance of a low spin shaft.  Sort of reminds me of a Tensei 1K white, but tighter across the board. 

[mlwenzlick]

Shaft is $$. Nuff said.

[SaVo_]

seems tom kim has also put this shaft in play

 

noticed the shaft graphics on his tee shot on 18 at sentry

[PickItUpGolf]

Ordered one, waiting for it to ship like something that doesn't like waiting for something to ship...

 

Yes I'm bad at analogies.

[phizzy30]

40 minutes ago, SaVo_ said:

seems tom kim has also put this shaft in play

 

noticed the shaft graphics on his tee shot on 18 at sentry

Interesting.  I know he likes low/low shafts but the Atmos black and Ventus black he had previously have stiff handles.  The VF has firm handle which is essentially a med stiff handle which is softer than either the Atmos/Ventus black.  I've either had or tested each shaft and they all feel very different IMO.  We'll see how things play out but as far as I could see, his ball speed has remained the same as before(high 160 to low 170's)and he's always been pretty accurate with driver. 

Edited January 5 by phizzy30

[SaVo_]

2 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

Interesting.  I know he likes low/low shafts but the Atmos black and Ventus black he had previously have stiff handles.  The VF has firm handle which is essentially a med stiff handle which is softer than either the Atmos/Ventus black.  I've either had or tested each shaft and they all feel very different IMO.  We'll see how things play out but as far as I could see, his ball speed has remained the same as before(high 160 to low 170's)and he's always been pretty accurate with driver. 

how does it compare to the Ventus for you? curious to hear as I loved a Ventus black when I tested it out, wondering how the VF has been for you. my apologies if it's been answered already. Tried a 6-X in the black and I liked it. May try a 5-X in the VF 

[ayc25]

Confirmation of Tom Kim with the VF

 

 

[Avidswampthing66]

Just now, ayc25 said:

Confirmation of Tom Kim with the VF

 

 

Love Tom Kim's move on the ball.  Small sample size but, driver stats are very solid so far with the new VF in the bag.

[phizzy30]

10 hours ago, SaVo_ said:

how does it compare to the Ventus for you? curious to hear as I loved a Ventus black when I tested it out, wondering how the VF has been for you. my apologies if it's been answered already. Tried a 6-X in the black and I liked it. May try a 5-X in the VF 

VF is pretty much a whiteboard where you can feel a slight bend right under the handle.  Launches a hair higher than the Ventus black while maintaining low spin.  Not quite as stable but easier to load.  Ball speeds were slightly higher as well with the VF.  The biggest difference is feel where the VF is miles smoother than the Ventus black. 

[mliedtke02]

I've played the Ventus Black in both Driver/3-Wood and now have the VF in both Driver/3-wood.  The way i would put it is the Ventus Black was more stout throughout and the VF has slightly more feel, but still extremely stable with that feel.  The feel definitely is what i enjoy having now with the stability.  My driver SS is 115-120.  Similar to Phizzy i need a shaft it seems with a strong butt section so i've played Ventus black, Diamana GT and This primarily.

[NNJ]

On 1/5/2024 at 11:09 AM, mliedtke02 said:

I've played the Ventus Black in both Driver/3-Wood and now have the VF in both Driver/3-wood.  The way i would put it is the Ventus Black was more stout throughout and the VF has slightly more feel, but still extremely stable with that feel.  The feel definitely is what i enjoy having now with the stability.  My driver SS is 115-120.  Similar to Phizzy i need a shaft it seems with a strong butt section so i've played Ventus black, Diamana GT and This primarily.

What weight and flex did you try the VF in?

[mliedtke02]

2 hours ago, NNJ said:

What weight and flex did you try the VF in?

6X tipped 1/2 inch in driver and 7x tipped 1 inch in 3 wood.

[NNJ]

1 hour ago, mliedtke02 said:

6X tipped 1/2 inch in driver and 7x tipped 1 inch in 3 wood.

Thanks. We’re close in swing speed, although I’m on the lower end of your range so I was just curious what I should be talking to my fitter about 

[QuigleyDU]

Got to try this yesterday. It was just a stiff flex and my swing is not the best at the moment as I have been in the gym a lot. But it was interesting.

 

 

[phizzy30]

Just now, QuigleyDU said:

Got to try this yesterday. It was just a stiff flex and my swing is not the best at the moment as I have been in the gym a lot. But it was interesting.

 

 

How was it interesting?  You should be in a TX at your ss, Steve. 

[QuigleyDU]

25 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

How was it interesting?  You should be in a TX at your ss, Steve. 

It still produces pretty low spin. I was hitting it in a 10.5 head. You are correct over all graphite design shafts have always played slightly soft to flex and this is really no exception. I need a stiffer flex.

[Radeon962]

I sold my VF-5s as I just did not get along with it.  
 

The VF felt more Graphite Design than Whiteboard to me.  Stiff tip, stiff butt and soft mid.  Something about it did not work for me.  Glad others are enjoying it.  

 

I went back to my Project X EvenFlow T1100 White in my G430 LST.  Seems to be a great match for my swing. 

[EDWARDSR]

Its been another month, so I'm gonna ask again if anyone since has tried this out in their fairway's ? If so, what are your thoughts? 

[shankz]

On 1/4/2024 at 9:09 PM, ayc25 said:

Confirmation of Tom Kim with the VF

 

 

Tom’s a fan of Tiger and JT, maybe trying it because they are. I also want to try it just because Tiger and JT but I never had success with a GD. 

[PickItUpGolf]

Still waiting for mine to ship 🙄

[mliedtke02]

2 hours ago, EDWARDSR said:

Its been another month, so I'm gonna ask again if anyone since has tried this out in their fairway's ? If so, what are your thoughts? 

 

If you've been reading the past 48 hours or a few scrolls up i posted i use it in my three wood.  I have a Mini Driver 13.5 and a Ping LST 3 wood that i have in both and love it in both 7x tipped 1 inch.

[Pnwpingi210]

On 1/5/2024 at 6:55 AM, phizzy30 said:

VF is pretty much a whiteboard where you can feel a slight bend right under the handle.  Launches a hair higher than the Ventus black while maintaining low spin.  Not quite as stable but easier to load.  Ball speeds were slightly higher as well with the VF.  The biggest difference is feel where the VF is miles smoother than the Ventus black. 

I eagerly await your comparison on……

 

vf tx

ventus tr black x

2024 whiteboard 

diaman pd tx

 

Through in a Accra rpg golf m5 as a wildcard and I will be in heaven

 

[mliedtke02]

25 minutes ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

I eagerly await your comparison on……

 

vf tx

ventus tr black x

2024 whiteboard 

diaman pd tx

 

Through in a Accra rpg golf m5 as a wildcard and I will be in heaven

 

 

This year.  In TSR 3 .....

 

I've hit VF 6X, Ventus Black 6X, and DIamana PD 6x.

 

Ventus Black was the most stout/stable throughout (still has feel as phizzy has stated)

VF - Still very stable, but for me gave me more feel throughout than ventus black and it was still stable enough throughout the shaft

PD - The handle was the least stout of the 3, and i have a harder time with shafts with less stiff handle sections to square up the club consistently

 

I had the most luck this year with DIamana GT with it tipped in TX (Stiff handle) and VF.