Graphite Design Tour AD shafts - where to start?

[anth]

Been looking to replace my Aldila VS Proto. Ideally with something in the 50 - 60 gram weight range.

 

I don’t mind lighter shafts overall and want to see if I can pick up some speed. I swing just over 100 and generally need shafts that help me get the ball up. Always liked the feel and the mid/mid characteristics of the VS Proto, but my transition is fairly aggressive and I wonder if there is some other profile I should consider?

 

The GD shafts seem to have weights and flex across all ranges, so not sure where to even begin

[bvanlieu]

They are variations of a profile really, then you dial in if you like more butt or tip stiffness if you are sensitive to that. If you had to just start with one and go from there, why not start with a DI (DI-5/Di-6). All those people can't be wrong 🙂 

 

With aggressive transition if the DI feels loose then perhaps a stiffer butt/mid  with an IZ.  

 

Their chart helps a bit but these are subtle changes that different people react to in the feels department so take it for what its worth

 

https://proschoicegolfshafts.com/pdf-wood-comparison/

 

 

- b

[anth]

Thanks for that. Someone else also recommended the AD DI 5 Stiff, so I’ll start there

[Mizzoujames]

I started with the di but had a quick transition and the IZ worked wonders for me. 
 

It seems GD has a shaft for everyone. 

[OspreyCI]

17 minutes ago, Mizzoujames said:

I started with the di but had a quick transition and the IZ worked wonders for me. 
 

It seems GD has a shaft for everyone. 

Agree that GD does have a shaft for everyone. I vote IZ for the OP. 

[Cellis]

@anth I’m a huge GD fan. But if you swing just a little over 100, in my opinion the DI plays a little soft to flex, you may want to try a X, not a Stiff. 

[third-times-a-charm]

Try this modified chart:

 

[Puttersaurus Rex]

1 hour ago, third-times-a-charm said:

Try this modified chart:

 

I appreciate the updated chart with the other competitor shafts listed.  The Ventus Red around the area of DI is where I have settled with for my swing/set-up.  Yes, different shafts and profiles, but shafts that have been "working" for me.  (Ventus Red in driver, and GD shafts in 5 and 7 wood.)

[BraxtonFullerton]

Gotta agree with others here. Start with the DI in Stiff. If you're not happy with it, try the equivalent IZ. If that still doesn't feel right, move into the DI-X.

[phizzy30]

My cousin is right around your SS with a negative AoA that needs all the help he can get with launch.  He has the TP in his driver.  Other good options in the GD family that I've tested would be the UB, HD, DI, and IZ that are all mid launch and mid/low spin, IZ and DI launching the highest of the bunch.  They all have subtle differences in feel as well.

[OspreyCI]

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

Try this modified chart:

 

Love that chart. Thanks for sharing. Agree with everything on here too. Played several

of these shafts and 100% agree where the HD and ZF are. Those are my last two shafts and the chart agrees with what I saw. Good stuff. 

[CKaneb]

Here's a similar chart that I believe looks a little better when it comes to how all of the GD Shafts stack up w eachother

 

https://proschoicegolfshafts.com/pdf-1-page-comparison/

[anth]

Great info thanks again

[968cab]

So if I read this chart correctly, the DI is lower kick/feel, slightly less spiny and slightly lower launch than the Ventus Red?

[Stuart_G]

On 2/23/2022 at 3:48 AM, anth said:

Always liked the feel and the mid/mid characteristics of the VS Proto, but my transition is fairly aggressive and I wonder if there is some other profile I should consider?

 

Other than the effect on the wallet, it can't really hurt anything to try other options - but the above tells me that there is probably little to gain by trying other stiffness profiles. 

 

Personally I'm also big fan of the Aldila blue profiles and really like the Aldila Phenom 50.   Not made any more but shouldn't be hard to find one on ebay.  Also been experimenting with the newer NXT Gen NV 55.  it's not as tip stiff as the newer green profiles so not a far from the vs-proto as many think.  That extra bit of stiffness might even help with the aggressive transition.

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by Stuart_G

[heathpitts]

So as one that started with the DI 6 S, I like the shaft and get good results. Some days though I get a 2 way miss going. Thoughts on going to a DI 6X or DI 7S? Maybe even going to an IZ 6 or IZ 7. 

[eric61]

53 minutes ago, heathpitts said:

So as one that started with the DI 6 S, I like the shaft and get good results. Some days though I get a 2 way miss going. Thoughts on going to a DI 6X or DI 7S? Maybe even going to an IZ 6 or IZ 7. 

I’ve found the stiffer handle in the IZ helps me keep it straighter without sacrificing the smoothness and the kick. Launches a little higher for me though. I’d try IZ 6S or 6X maybe?

[heathpitts]

8 minutes ago, eric61 said:

I’ve found the stiffer handle in the IZ helps me keep it straighter without sacrificing the smoothness and the kick. Launches a little higher for me though. I’d try IZ 6S or 6X maybe?

I’m right on the edge of the S and X in these shafts. Generally 104-109 swing speed. Likely higher or lower some days. Does it make more sense to get a stiffer shaft and/or a heavier shaft with the IZ? 

[Seamus_McDuff]

17 minutes ago, heathpitts said:

I’m right on the edge of the S and X in these shafts. Generally 104-109 swing speed. Likely higher or lower some days. Does it make more sense to get a stiffer shaft and/or a heavier shaft with the IZ? 

For whatever it’s worth, I’m slightly slower than you and don’t have a problem swinging an  IZ 6X. 

[t4t3r]

I like different aspects of almost all of the GD offerings but liked the IZ the least. By far.

 

Might suggest demoing it or a couple others before buying.

[eric61]

3 hours ago, heathpitts said:

I’m right on the edge of the S and X in these shafts. Generally 104-109 swing speed. Likely higher or lower some days. Does it make more sense to get a stiffer shaft and/or a heavier shaft with the IZ? 

It's obviously dependent on your swing characteristics, but at that speed I'd probably go X. Really anywhere above 105ish with some consistency and I think that's the point where you generally start to move into X.

[anth]

Anyone playing the 5 series? Seems like everyone is playing 6 or 7, S or X.

 

 

[Puttersaurus Rex]

On 2/23/2022 at 10:51 PM, 968cab said:

So if I read this chart correctly, the DI is lower kick/feel, slightly less spiny and slightly lower launch than the Ventus Red?

The chart may look like that, but it is not.  I see it as, “if you like Ventus Red, then DI is a good place to start for a comparison”.  Or vice versa.  There are too many (swing) variables to make a blanket comparison.

[subcrazy12]

On 2/23/2022 at 9:19 AM, third-times-a-charm said:

Try this modified chart:

 

How should kick/load be interpreted here?

[Stuart_G]

7 hours ago, subcrazy12 said:

How should kick/load be interpreted here?

 

As a very vague and rough guesstimate on how the feel might change between the different shafts.   Nothing more - different people interpret feel from different shaft profiles differently.   What you feel may match or be different from the chart.

 

Then the charted effect on launch and spin can pretty much be ignored - that's even less accurate and reliable than the feel aspect of the chart.