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

[OspreyCI]

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

I grabbed it because the feel of the IZ is so nice. When testing it prior its the main thing I remember about the IZ. So easy to load and launch.

 

I was using 10.5* heads at the time and I just moved down to a 9* head in my current setup. With the AD HD I have now, the +1 loft setting seems too high and spinny and 9* is a touch too low flight but spin is perfect. If I can raise the flight up a smidge with the IZ and match my romanticized memories of how it feels vs the AD HD (which is more linear) I'll be in love.

 

But I generally set myself up for a big letdown when I make things out to be better than they are so we'll see 😂

I believe you will achieve what you are looking for in the IZ. I had the HD for awhile in Sim2 9* head and it was touch low, but good spin just like you describe. I bet the IZ will work perfect. 
 

I am in the same boat with my new Stealth+ head at 9* with a low-low shaft and looking for more feel and touch more launch. 
 

If you need to divorce the IZ, shoot me a PM. 

[SwingBlues]

1 hour ago, OspreyCI said:

I believe you will achieve what you are looking for in the IZ. I had the HD for awhile in Sim2 9* head and it was touch low, but good spin just like you describe. I bet the IZ will work perfect. 
 

I am in the same boat with my new Stealth+ head at 9* with a low-low shaft and looking for more feel and touch more launch. 
 

If you need to divorce the IZ, shoot me a PM. 

 

 

😂

[OspreyCI]

13 minutes ago, SwingBlues said:

 

 

😂

😂The one GD shaft I have not tried. Wonder if does have a little more feel and more launch than this Kai’li White? Lol.

“Talk to be Goose”

[third-times-a-charm]

29 minutes ago, OspreyCI said:

😂The one GD shaft I have not tried. Wonder if does have a little more feel and more launch than this Kai’li White? Lol.

“Talk to be Goose”

Well why yes it does! 🤔

[OspreyCI]

14 minutes ago, third-times-a-charm said:

Well why yes it does! 🤔

Thanks. To sound a little ADD, but would look good paired up in my Stealth. Been reading some reviews and this thing sounds very promising. The Kai’li is so stable, but takes some work for me to get the most out of it. Time to get back to the family. 

[hagimihale]

2 hours ago, OspreyCI said:

😂The one GD shaft I have not tried. Wonder if does have a little more feel and more launch than this Kai’li White?

 

Yes.  I always did better with whiteboard profiles. XC was a game-changer for me.  Low/low (maybe mid-to-low launch for most people, but I could flight it down), but with feel.  And pretty anti-left, barring massive user error.

 

Current sig shows a VA Drago in my gamer b/c I got a deal I couldnt refuse on the upgrade, but I may still go back to the XC...

Edited November 29, 2022 by hagimihale

[OspreyCI]

On 6/30/2022 at 1:44 PM, third-times-a-charm said:

So I happen to have all 3 of these right now. Why you ask? No idea, but it's fun. I've been using the XC for the last few months and it's been a fantastic shaft. I guess if I had to nitpick I would like a little more launch and a little more face closure.

 

I'm probably going to give all three of these another range session but heres my initial feels about them after the first time on the range. I hit about 10-15 balls with each shaft alternating. I also need to take these out on the course and play 9 holes each sometime soon.

 

So, range sesh 1:

 

AD XC - Like I said, currently in the bag. Extremely smooth and a nice one-piece feel with only a small loading feel in the handle without much kick - but still very 'smooth'. The handle IS NOT soft like a whiteboard profile, its more like just a soft-er blue profile handle. Very anti-left and lots of roll with a lower launch but still gives a mid flight profile. 

 

AD UB - Really really wanted to get out there and love this shaft as its 'one level above' the XC on the GD chart. Still not sure about this shaft after this session. The handle is noticeably more stout than any of these shafts for some reason. Worst dispersion out of all 3 for me but has a nick kick feel to it. I did notice that stiff handle a few times in my hands and didnt love it. Launch looked about the same as the XC, maybe a touch higher, but was for sure higher spin as I did not get the roll out of the XC.

 

AD IZ - Wow. This thing is smooth. Crazy smooth. This is probably the nicest feeling shaft I've swung in a while along with the AD TP. Almost too much of a smooth kick/load as every time I swing it I'm like "wow that's going left" but it doesnt! As I got used to it after a few swings it performed great and had the highest flight out of all three shafts. Not going to lie I really wanted the UB to wow me but the IZ did moreso with the feel and the punch it gives the clubhead when you swing. I can also swing the IZ with a half swing or a 3/4 swing and it STILL gives a nice load feel.

 

I'll update this thread again after more range time and some on-course hits.

 

 

Hey man. Maybe I missed it. What is your SS? You swinger or a hitter? Thanks. 

[third-times-a-charm]

35 minutes ago, OspreyCI said:

Hey man. Maybe I missed it. What is your SS? You swinger or a hitter? Thanks. 

100-105. If hitter means short and aggressive backswing then yes that one.

[OspreyCI]

19 minutes ago, third-times-a-charm said:

100-105. If hitter means short and aggressive backswing then yes that one.

We are the same type player and same SS. Thanks man. Enjoy the journey and fun following your posts. 

[Ger21]

On 11/28/2022 at 10:40 AM, SollyinGA said:

Are you guys tipping your shafts for drivers?

I bought my IZ on Ebay, specified as not tipped, and found out it was tipped 1" (Damn you Taylormade). It's not the high launching shaft everyone says it is when it's tipped. Still my favorite shaft ever.

[keith723]

Tour AD HD and Tour AD UB have been very good for me in low-spin model fairway woods.  The HD in 7x and 8x spins just a touch too low for me to play in a low-spin fairway wood head, but was better off the tee, with a fairway wood, and definitely felt more stable.  For fairway woods, UB has been solid with the right amount of tipping.  Tipped the 8x 1", wish I would have gone 1.5", but it's still playing very good as long as I don't swing out of my shoes and you can still hit a fade with it.  UB is more responsive than the HD, but again, if you're playing a low-spin head, the UB I think is superior for tee and turf usage combined.

 

Normal fairway wood heads I can get away with playing a mid launch, low spin head or even a low/low shaft, but some of these newer low-spin fairway woods are no joke low-spin and I've found the UB to be very good for these models where you still get good launch and more ideal spin to keep the ball in the air and have a chance of stopping it - but still gets some good rollout on tee shots for me.

 

For the driver though, tried HD, DI, IZ, XC and all of those were spinning too much with a driver off the tee, even tipped 1" for Taylormade, which is pretty standard with their adapter.  Sticking with a true low/low for the driver but glad I got up to speed on the Tour AD's for the low-spin fairway woods.  They've been very good there for me.

 

Also check out the UST LIN-Q Purple for fairways (or Driver if you need more spin there - can also look at the LIN-Q Gun Metal for slightly lower launch and lower spin).  Purple feels very linear and this one you can step on a bit more or ease up and get very good results.  It's a mid/mid shaft - super stable, and pairs really well with my Stealth+ 15*.  Looks pretty cool too and less than half the price of the Tour AD models.

Edited November 30, 2022 by keith723

[SteveLV]

OK, so I am over a decade late for this party, but at my Titleist driver fitting a couple weeks ago I hit the DI.  I had never hit a GD shaft before, and I tried the entire lineup.

 

This shaft fit me to a T.  I picked up about 2 mph clubhead speed over any of the other options.  Great feel, and the best "kick" of any shaft I have tried (and I have tried many, too many.)  Had TSR2 built, took on course today and set personal record of 13/14 fairways hit, with the lone miss a straight bullet that ended up 5 yards off in the first cut.  Beautiful combination of solidity and stored energy.

 

Moral of the story would be to get fit, and please try out everything.  This DI was the last shaft I tried, and after back and forth for another 30 drives was the clear fit for my own mediocre swing.

 

Thanks GD for a wonderful product, along with Titleist.

[keith723]

3 hours ago, keith723 said:

Tour AD HD and Tour AD UB have been very good for me in low-spin model fairway woods.  The HD in 7x and 8x spins just a touch too low for me to play in a low-spin fairway wood head, but was better off the tee, with a fairway wood, and definitely felt more stable.  For fairway woods, UB has been solid with the right amount of tipping.  Tipped the 8x 1", wish I would have gone 1.5", but it's still playing very good as long as I don't swing out of my shoes and you can still hit a fade with it.  UB is more responsive than the HD, but again, if you're playing a low-spin head, the UB I think is superior for tee and turf usage combined.

 

Normal fairway wood heads I can get away with playing a mid launch, low spin head or even a low/low shaft, but some of these newer low-spin fairway woods are no joke low-spin and I've found the UB to be very good for these models where you still get good launch and more ideal spin to keep the ball in the air and have a chance of stopping it - but still gets some good rollout on tee shots for me.

 

For the driver though, tried HD, DI, IZ, XC and all of those were spinning too much with a driver off the tee, even tipped 1" for Taylormade, which is pretty standard with their adapter.  Sticking with a true low/low for the driver but glad I got up to speed on the Tour AD's for the low-spin fairway woods.  They've been very good there for me.

 

Also check out the UST LIN-Q Purple for fairways (or Driver if you need more spin there - can also look at the LIN-Q Gun Metal for slightly lower launch and lower spin).  Purple feels very linear and this one you can step on a bit more or ease up and get very good results.  It's a mid/mid shaft - super stable, and pairs really well with my Stealth+ 15*.  Looks pretty cool too and less than half the price of the Tour AD models.

 

[Hoyoymac]

For the last couple months I’ve been going down the Graphite Design rabbit hole, posting about my finding and the last shaft I tried the Tour AD MT 6S turned out to be pretty darn good with the Cobra LTDx LS 9.0 set at +1.0.  Definitely more left biased than the Tour AD DI 6S that I’ve had good success with.

 

Then a funny thing happened.

 

For years I’ve had a slightly negative attack angle with driver and have been told many times by my coach, “if you could ever learn to hit up on the ball with driver you’d gain 20 yards.”   Well, I decided to try and hit up on the ball with driver.  Changed my set-up, ball position, added shoulder tilt and all of a sudden my ball flight and trajectory has changed so much that I had to revisit all of these shafts again.

 

My previous low to mid penetrating ball flight with lots of run out has changed to high towering shots with loads of carry.  The Tour AD DI and AD MT shafts that I was favoring now just go straight to the moon.  So I lofted the driver down from 10.0 to 7.5 degrees and still too high.  

 

Decided to give the IZ and the VR another go.  The IZ was a little better but still too high.  The VR though is like a completely different thing.  Just the ball flight I’m looking for now.  

 

Still getting comfortable with the new swing.  A bit awkward right now. Trying to dial in ball position, tee height and alignment to really get some consistency.  My confidence is growing though and I’m seeing more carry distance and greater total distance on the course with what seems like less effort.  As my confidence grows I think my swing speed will climb a bit.  

 

Played 27 holes yesterday and had 8 birdies.  Being able to hit less club on approach shots helped a bunch.  My playing partners have been chiding me over the last few weeks about making this swing change and asking me why I’m messing with my game.  Yesterday I got to tell them, “This is why!”

 

The last few months have really opened my eyes to how different launch conditions can completely change how a shaft performs.  I had written off the Tour AD VR as being a bad fit for me.  But after changing how I deliver the club to the ball it is now the best fit.  

 

But, the Tour AD DI 7S paired with the Cobra LTDx 3 wood has turned that club into the best 3 wood I’ve ever had.  Different angle of attack yielding different results and requiring different shaft profiles.

 

Will pop in and update everyone on my progress.  

 

Thanks to everyone for posting their thoughts and results.  It has helped me more than you know.

 

[minhjn]

So glad this thread has popped up. DI 7X has been my fairway wood shaft of choice for the last decade. We’ve tried others but I keep coming back to it.

 

In the driver however, DI is just a little too loose. I can’t keep the left right dispersion under control. What other GD models should I try?

 

Based on this thread and looking at the GD shaft chart, I need to try maybe HD and IZ. Any others? I generally don’t like a soft handle as I have a fast transition and fast tempo

[third-times-a-charm]

2 hours ago, minhjn said:

So glad this thread has popped up. DI 7X has been my fairway wood shaft of choice for the last decade. We’ve tried others but I keep coming back to it.

 

In the driver however, DI is just a little too loose. I can’t keep the left right dispersion under control. What other GD models should I try?

 

Based on this thread and looking at the GD shaft chart, I need to try maybe HD and IZ. Any others? I generally don’t like a soft handle as I have a fast transition and fast tempo

I would try the UB, TP, and HD. UB will have the stiffest handle, HD will be the least loading like the DI, and the TP will be the closest “upgrade”.

 

The IZ is a polarizing one as some claim it to be stiff and some claim it to be soft. I’m in the soft side and to me the DI is stiffer and lower spin than the IZ in the tip.

[minhjn]

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

I would try the UB, TP, and HD. UB will have the stiffest handle, HD will be the least loading like the DI, and the TP will be the closest “upgrade”.

 

The IZ is a polarizing one as some claim it to be stiff and some claim it to be soft. I’m in the soft side and to me the DI is stiffer and lower spin than the IZ in the tip.

what are you currently using in the driver? I’ve read some of your other posts describing your game and i keep nodding my head in agreement with what i do

[third-times-a-charm]

8 hours ago, minhjn said:

what are you currently using in the driver? I’ve read some of your other posts describing your game and i keep nodding my head in agreement with what i do

I've been using the HD for the last month or so but I am re-testing the IZ in a +.5" configuration here soon.

[third-times-a-charm]

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

I've been using the HD for the last month or so but I am re-testing the IZ in a +.5" configuration here soon.

My meetings ran late so only had 30 minutes at the range this morning - but I remembered exactly why I loved the IZ. So smooth and just punches the ball out there. All of my comments on it from the beginning of the thread stand.

 

Playing all my woods at -5" short which is +.5" from what I was doing previously (1" short) and seeing good numbers and consistency still.

 

So right now I'm going IZ > GP > VR in the bag

[wolverine_man]

21 minutes ago, third-times-a-charm said:

My meetings ran late so only had 30 minutes at the range this morning - but I remembered exactly why I loved the IZ. So smooth and just punches the ball out there. All of my comments on it from the beginning of the thread stand.

 

Playing all my woods at -5" short which is +.5" from what I was doing previously (1" short) and seeing good numbers and consistency still.

 

So right now I'm going IZ > GP > VR in the bag

 

So, what playing length are you in the ST Max Driver?  I have an untipped Opti-Fit IZ-6 SR and sometimes I love it and other times I don't in my Max ST.  I am working on my swing, though.  I am @ a 95-96 mph, club speed.  I absolutely love my Ventus Red 6R in my 4 wood, which has me thinking about a Ventus Red in my driver (or Atmos TS Blue).  Problem is that I hit my 4 wood too close to my driver length.  I have a +3 to 4 Positive AOA with Driver. 

Edited December 7, 2022 by wolverine_man

[third-times-a-charm]

11 minutes ago, wolverine_man said:

 

So, what playing length are you in the ST Max Driver?  I have an untipped Opti-Fit IZ-6 SR and sometimes I love it and other times I don't in my Max ST.  I am working on my swing, though.  I am @ a 95-96 mph, club speed.  I absolutely love my Ventus Red 6R in my 4 wood, which has me thinking about a Ventus Red in my driver (or Atmos TS Blue).  Problem is that I hit my 4 wood too close to my driver length.  I have a +3 to 4 Positive AOA with Driver. 

I was at -1” from stock so about 44.75” depending on the grips butt cap size. I’m trying out 45.25” right now and after the one session it’s okay. I still think stock lengths of 45.75” are too long and feel weird.

[wolverine_man]

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

I was at -1” from stock so about 44.75” depending on the grips butt cap size. I’m trying out 45.25” right now and after the one session it’s okay. I still think stock lengths of 45.75” are too long and feel weird.

 
I gotcha. Thanks. Yeah I got my shaft from CGPO, 45.75” which is pretty ridiculous. I’m a hair under 45” right now. I was thinking about 45.25” but would need a plug installed. One of the things I noticed quickly is that the high balance point on this shaft means it swing weights quite low. Whereas my Tensei Blue ‘22 65-R shaft weighs at a D 5.7 with a 5 gram tungsten cartridge weight, the IZ  6 SR was around D 1 or so. I may experiment with adding more lead tape to the head with the IZ. 

[ob1soccer]

I love reading this thread and seeing other shaft ho's struggle with the same problems as I have.

My problem is that the feel that u guys describe in a shaft, I cannot feel it, they all feel the same to me, i cant tell the difference in any of them. Anyone else this out of their also?

 

Either way im testing AD DI in the Tsr2 8 degree, as the Tensei 1k Black is way too low launch and low spin for my 101 MPH driver swing. Nice to se that Titleist has 3 Graphite Design shafts in their fitting cart and even though they are a $200 upgrade at least u can demo them. Most of the other higher end shafts cannot be found to try out and that problem turns us into shaft ho's

[iACE13]

Ive been gaming the AD DI 6S in my G400 and my miss is scary left, I usually like to play a nice mid flighted controlled fade. Its so bad left its about to go up forsale....

 

I'm about to try a HD 6X I currently game a tipped Fuji Speeder that feels like a S+/ X 

 

Anyone feel like the HD has a left miss??

[third-times-a-charm]

On 12/8/2022 at 10:53 AM, iACE13 said:

Ive been gaming the AD DI 6S in my G400 and my miss is scary left, I usually like to play a nice mid flighted controlled fade. Its so bad left its about to go up forsale....

 

I'm about to try a HD 6X I currently game a tipped Fuji Speeder that feels like a S+/ X 

 

Anyone feel like the HD has a left miss??

Not for me. The HD brings the right side into play more than some of the other offerings due to the linear feel.

[third-times-a-charm]

Well my IZ experiment put it back in the bag over the HD. Just so easy to turn over, really gives a nice punching feeling when struck, and overall what a great feeling shaft. I did however cut it back down to 44.75". 45.25" was just way too inconsistent. It's crazy how that .5" makes a difference but it does for me - and the extra .5" did nothing in terms of distance.

 

So now I'm officially IZ > GP > VR

[HackZogan]

Just now, third-times-a-charm said:

Well my IZ experiment put it back in the bag over the HD. Just so easy to turn over, really gives a nice punching feeling when struck, and overall what a great feeling shaft. I did however cut it back down to 44.75". 45.25" was just way too inconsistent. It's crazy how that .5" makes a difference but it does for me - and the extra .5" did nothing in terms of distance.

 

So now I'm officially IZ > GP > VR

This is interesting because the IZ brought right into play for me. Mine is direct from TM so it's tipped 1" and playing at like 45.5". I might have to start chopping on it until I get it to a length that works for me. 

[third-times-a-charm]

1 minute ago, HackZogan said:

This is interesting because the IZ brought right into play for me. Mine is direct from TM so it's tipped 1" and playing at like 45.5". I might have to start chopping on it until I get it to a length that works for me. 

The 1" tip isnt helping if you want to turn it over more, either. A shorter OAL may help like it does for me.

[ob1soccer]

31 minutes ago, third-times-a-charm said:

The 1" tip isnt helping if you want to turn it over more, either. A shorter OAL may help like it does for me.

I got to demo the AD DI in the TSr2 today and it feels awesome, definitely need more time to get on the course.

What can I expect from the Ad IZ compared to DI? thx

[ob1soccer]

Just now, ob1soccer said:

I got to demo the AD DI in the TSr2 today and it feels awesome, definitely need more time to get on the course.

What can I expect from the Ad IZ compared to DI? thx

Swinging at 101 MPH smooth transition and AoA of 2.5 up, hate the push miss, would rather over hook it.