Moderator Review: Graphite Design Tour AD BB 6S -- the Blue Bullet

[Deerslayer]

I think the reduction in side and back spin is a result of both the shaft & head. The Anser head he tested with a variety of shafts and overall, the head is VERY straight compared to the i20. The BB shaft really gave him some super low spin rates, both side and back spin. Overall, it was the consistency of distance and spin when hitting a fade and draw that made this shaft his overall choice. It tends to be very windy here in TX and he can set this shaft up to be a beast into the wind. This was a big weak spot with his i20 / Oban setup. He was really long with the wind, but into the wind the ball ballooned and would stick in the fairway with little to no roll.

[JR Van]

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[quote name='Deerslayer' timestamp='1348248639' post='5674311']
I think the reduction in side and back spin is a result of both the shaft & head. The Anser head he tested with a variety of shafts and overall, the head is VERY straight compared to the i20. The BB shaft really gave him some super low spin rates, both side and back spin. Overall, it was the consistency of distance and spin when hitting a fade and draw that made this shaft his overall choice. It tends to be very windy here in TX and he can set this shaft up to be a beast into the wind. This was a big weak spot with his i20 / Oban setup. He was really long with the wind, but into the wind the ball ballooned and would stick in the fairway with little to no roll.
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what are these side and back spins you speak of....you mean just spin?

[Richie18]

So would you say the AD BB is lower launch/spin compared to an Oban Devotion?

[Deerslayer]

[quote][color=#282828]So would you say the AD BB is lower launch/spin compared to an Oban Devotion? [/color][/quote]
NO DOUBT, lower and waaay less spin.

[Qegurezi]

I'm not sure there's a shaft made that's "way" less spin than the Devotion.

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='Qegurezi' timestamp='1348406439' post='5680857']
I'm not sure there's a shaft made that's "way" less spin than the Devotion.
[/quote]

There are many.

[Qegurezi]

I've got a Devotion 7, a TS 7.2 and a BB7 and at a pinch i'd rate the TS a little bit lower spin and the BB debatable if at all lower. The Ahina 70 could sit with them as well. That's just how they hit for me personally. The Devotion is a very good low spin profile.

Love your wedges! I've been thinking for a while of getting an Odyssey Tour Black Wide too.

[Richie18]

I'm currently playing with a G15 9*, Oban Devotion 7 tipped 1". I was wanting to try out the Anser with the BB7. Thoughts, comments, suggestions? Tipping recommendations?

[steedboy]

I have now since tipped the BB5 S 1/2" and still feels a little whippy so might go anothe 1/2" and then if that doesnt work will put it in my 3 wood and purchase the BB6. All i can say is make sure you get the right number of BB although when you cannot try them before hand a little hit and miss.........

[Chico]

Have seriously been thinking about putting one of these in my R11! Would love that low ball flight for the Hawaii winds!

[Black Label Johnny]

I've been playing the DI 6X but went with the BB 6S... Hope it wasn't a dumb move. I'm gluing it together now so I'll see tomorrow.

[Asleep]

I, too, put the Anser (9.5* for me) driver with the Graphite Design Tour AD BB in 6S (stiff) in the bag.

 

Now I'm totally revamping my swing & coach doesn't want me playing at all -- just drills until I can see him in March, buuuttt

 

I cheated and played on Friday and this head/shaft combo is siiiick!

 

I'm not supposed to be this far past my buddy Tom -- see original post -- this often! Sorry, Tom.(not really) :superman2:

 

Stratton switched from his i20 w/ Oban PRP shaft setup to the Tour AD BB-6 shaft in a PING Anser 8.5 head. ... He gets a great launch angle with his spin numbers just a shade over 2000rpm.

 

On windy days, he can adjust the head to neutral 8.5 degrees and his launch is low with a TON of roll. ...the biggest difference is the difference or reduction of side spin.

 

This setup is much more controllable and is very easy for him to work the ball both ways off the tee. In particular, he can now hit a fade that doesn't lose a ton of distance. With his i20 Oban, he could play a fade, but the back spin was MUCH greater causing a significant distance loss when playing a fade. Fades with this shaft / head are rolling out instead of sticking in the fairway. Stratton customized his head and grip to match the BB shaft.

[dmael]

[quote name='johnye' timestamp='1346455057' post='5568187']
BB-6 SR just arrived yesterday. Debating whether I should locate a R11s 10*ish or drop it into a Superquad 10* tour head sitting around. Leaning towards the R11s for shaft mobility and loft adjustment. Too bad the 913D2 isn't available till November.
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For my "old guy, but still powerful" swing, the Tour AD BB-6S/R is the perfect shaft within the Graphite Design lineup! It reduces spin enough for me to all but eliminate the "way lefts" that plague my game when I am a bit off, or go after it too hard. With the BB, I can get away with those types of misses and over-swings better than I do with almost all other shafts. The other shafts that I like, and which are in the same league for me to the Tour AD BB, are the ACCRA Tour-Z ST (and Tour-Z+ model) and the Fujikura FUEL Tour Spec shaft in a 60R (tipped) or 60S (untipped, but too much shaft for me when I am not swinging my best). One other shaft that comes close for me is the USTM TourSPX VTS Black 5S or 6S (untipped S-flexes in these shafts work great for my 96-100 MPH driver swing).

Doug

[Exist]

I'm playing a DI7s with 0.5" tipping at the moment and feel this is almost perfect. I've just acquired a BB7s that hasn't been tipped, do I install as is or tip 0.5" like the DI? Will it play stiffer than the DI when tipped?

[Qegurezi]

The BB is a hair stiffer in the mid and tip section. You should be able to work out personal tipping via this info.

[Exist]

[quote name='Qegurezi' timestamp='1399725174' post='9268079']
The BB is a hair stiffer in the mid and tip section. You should be able to work out personal tipping via this info.
[/quote]

Thanks

[Qegurezi]

Anytime. Pound for pound with the same tipping or lack of the BB will spin and launch a tad lower as well as play a little stiffer/stouter. Great shafts, the key is getting them tuned in to your swing, especially the 6 which many find soift. Like yourself i liked the 7's with a little tipping. Sensational shafts once fitted in to your needs.

[Tzoid]

I'm gaming a G25 in a 9.5 head at the moment with the stock Ping TFC-189 Stiff shaft. My swing speed is between 93-100 MPH and I tend to launch the ball fairly high so I jumped at the chance to get a BB-6S for under 200 bucks. I think this shaft will be a good fit.

[sgreer11]

I've always thought the BB is a really sweet looking shaft. Good to know it performs as well as it looks!! One of these days I will get off my Oban "kick" and try out some of these Tour AD shafts!!