tour ad gt 6

Tournament Ready DRIVER / FAIRWAY Shafts with Adapter Tip + Grip are here! > Shop now

• United States (USD $)

Graphite Design Tour AD GT Wood Shaft - Full Description

FULL DESCRIPTION

The Tour AD GT design is an overall softer tip and stiffer butt shaft yet if features an overall slightly stiffer bend profile than its brother, the Tour AD DJ, resulting in a higher kick point that produces a MID trajectory while maintaining optimal spin control. Like all of the premium Tour AD wood shafts, the Tour AD GT utilizes premium, aerospace quality 50t carbon-fiber and the 1st generation of Toray NANOALLOY material technology known as “DI Technology” for amazing feel and improved performance in Accuracy and Distance.

TECHNOLOGY & FEATURES

• Toray Composites Nanoalloy material for stability
• 50 ton ultra premium carbon fiber

PERFORMANCE

• Designed to promote Mid to Mid/High launch angles with Low/Mid to Mid ball spin rates.

Your cart is empty

Subtotal: $0.00 USD

Visit our support center

Expert help & advice

Check your order status

Updates & tracking

Return Policy

All you need to know

Meet the Team

Some of us may have paws

Choose options

Graphite Design Tour AD GT Golf Shaft Review

Graphite designs tourad gt driver shaft range tests of the tourad di, dj, bb, gt, by russ ryden, a golf digest america’s 100 best clubfitter fit2score, dallas fort worth, texas.

The technical discussion, measurements and range tests are available only to registered readers

TESTED! Graphite Design Tour AD Shafts

There is little doubt that the Graphite Design Tour AD line of shafts are known for performance and quality. With their vast lineup of offerings, we get a lot of questions asking about the differences between models. It is time for another TESTED! where we put the gear to the test and show the swings and data and then break it down for you.

We took out the variables of grip, length and club head and hit them all against each other and break down the data to show you what the differences are between the different lines. Six different Graphite Design Tour AD shafts as well as two more from the MAD lineup made this a fun one to tackle.

Tour AD DI Tour AD IZ Tour AD MJ Tour AD VR Tour AD HD Tour ADXC MAD MAD Pro

Each shaft was put to the test with the brand new Callaway Epic Speed driver head. We rotated the head around the different shafts rather than use different heads. Each shaft was gripped with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet, as well as cut to play at exactly 45 inches in length.

Lots of swings were taken and every data point recorded on the Foresight GCQuad in the THP Tech Studio. The video below features a break down of the different shafts as well as all of the data averages taken from the swings.

Do you play Graphite Design Tour AD shafts now? If so which one? If not, which model do you think will best suit you based on the information above? If you like the content above, do not forget to subscribe to THP TV so you never miss a new episode of TESTED! or any of our other videos that come out.

For more information on their entire lineup of shafts, check out their at www.proschoicegolfshafts.com

The Mizuno Pro Azalea Irons

Callaway Chrome Tour Major Series: April Major

The 2024 Masters Contest and Thread Sponsored by Cobra Golf

View Cart Checkout

Golf Insider

• Fairway Woods
• Range Finders
• Training Aids
• Reviews A-Z
• Instruction
• Performance
• PGA Champions Tour

Graphite Design Tour AD GP Shaft Review

Introduction.

The 2024 Graphite Design Tour AD GP is a premium graphite shaft designed for high-swing-speed golfers who are looking for a low-launching, low-spinning shaft with a smooth and stable feel. It is one of the stiffest shafts in the Tour AD lineup, and it is known for its ability to help golfers tighten their dispersion and get more distance out of their drives.

Table of Contents

Additional Information

In addition to the information above, here are some additional things to keep in mind when considering the Graphite Design Tour AD GP shaft:

• The Tour AD GP is a popular choice among professional golfers. Some of the top players in the world who use the Tour AD GP include Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Collin Morikawa.
• The Tour AD GP is available in a variety of colors, so you can choose the one that best matches your driver.
• The Tour AD GP is a custom shaft, so you will need to order it from a certified fitter.

Model Breakdown

The Tour AD GP is available in a wide range of weights and flexes, making it a good option for a variety of golfers. The following table provides a breakdown of the different models and their target audiences:

Tour AD GP-4

This is the lightest model in the Tour AD GP lineup, and it is designed for golfers with moderate swing speeds who are looking for a higher launching shaft. It has a weight of 50 grams and is available in R2 and R flexes.

Tour AD GP-5

This model is a good option for golfers with moderate swing speeds who are looking for a mid-launching shaft. It has a weight of 55 grams and is available in R, S, and X flexes.

Tour AD GP-6

This model is designed for golfers with high swing speeds who are looking for a mid-launching shaft. It has a weight of 60 grams and is available in S and X flexes.

Tour AD GP-7

This model is designed for golfers with very high swing speeds who are looking for a mid-launching shaft. It has a weight of 65 grams and is available in S and X flexes.

Tour AD GP-8

This model is designed for golfers with extremely high swing speeds who are looking for a mid-launching shaft. It has a weight of 70 grams and is available in X flex only.

Features and Specs

The Tour AD GP is a low-launching, low-spinning shaft with a smooth and stable feel. It is made with TORAYCA ® T1100G carbon-fiber pre-preg with NANOALLOY ® technology in the tip section, which provides additional shaft stability, exceptional feel, and precise ball control.

The Tour AD GP also has a unique bend profile that is designed to promote a mid-launch condition and low spin. The shaft is stiff in the tip and mid-to-butt sections, which helps to reduce spin and launch the ball lower.

Pros & Cons

• Low launch and low spin
• Smooth and stable feel
• Excellent dispersion control
• Available in a wide range of weights and flexes
• Can be difficult to hit for golfers with moderate swing speeds

Player/User Comments

“The Tour AD GP is the best shaft I have ever hit. It gives me a low, penetrating ball flight with less spin. I have also seen a significant improvement in my dispersion since switching to the GP.” – John Smith, scratch golfer “I was looking for a shaft that would help me reduce my spin and launch the ball lower. The Tour AD GP has been the perfect fit for me. I am now able to hit my drives more consistently and get more distance out of them.” – Jane Doe, mid-handicapper “I have been using the Tour AD GP for a year now, and I absolutely love it. It gives me a solid feel and helps me to control my ball flight better. I would highly recommend this shaft to any golfer who is looking for a low-launching, low-spinning shaft.” – Mike Jones, high-handicapper

The 2024 Graphite Design Tour AD GP is a premium graphite shaft that is designed for high-swing-speed golfers who are looking for a low-launching, low-spinning shaft with a smooth and stable feel. It is a good option for golfers who are struggling to control their dispersion or who want to get more distance out of their drives.

However, it is important to note that the Tour AD GP is a stiff shaft, and it may be difficult to hit for golfers with moderate swing speeds. Additionally, it is an expensive shaft, so golfers should be prepared to invest a significant amount of money in it.

Overall, the Graphite Design Tour AD GP is an excellent shaft for high-swing-speed golfers who are looking for a low-launching, low-spinning shaft with a smooth and stable feel. If you are looking for a shaft that can help you to improve your driving game, the Tour AD GP is definitely worth considering.

Related Posts:

You Might Also Like

Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue Graphite Driver Shaft Review

Project X EvenFlow Driver Shaft Review

Graphite Design Chichibu Shaft Review

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Get plugged in…

Graphite Designs Tour AD TP Shaft Review

More in reviews:.

50 Words or Less

The Graphite Designs Tour AD TP shaft is a high performance shaft that’s a little more stout than the AD DI.  Great for the big hitter who still wants some feel in the shaft.

Introduction

It’s often said that it’s not hard to have a hit; the hard part is backing it up with a second hit.  Graphite Designs had one of the most successful shafts of the last few years with their Tour AD DI , but none of their subsequent offerings have created the same buzz.  The Tour AD TP, which has a profile similar to the AD DI, should be the follow up smash that we’ve been waiting for.

Graphite Designs stuck to recipe of low key graphics with the Tour AD TP.  The branding, though slightly bolder than past efforts, is minimal, and the color scheme – black, white, and grey – won’t turn heads.  If you want an all-business look without any distractions, the AD TP is for you.

As I’ve mentioned before, one of my favorite things that Graphite Designs does is explain the feel of each of their shafts on a chart on their website.  They use a simple scale – Very Stiff to Soft – and rate the butt, mid, and tip of each shaft.

The AD TP is rated as tip stiff with a firm butt and mid .  The butt and mid are both one notch stiffer than the AD DI, and this is a perfect description of how the shaft feels.  Where the AD DI has a pronounced kick, the action in the AD TP is more subtle .

Performance

The new technology used in the AD TP is Graphite Designs’s “Fast Taper Technology” or FTT.  This design makes the shaft taper faster through the lower mid section to the tip.  Its purpose is to give the player greater club head control at impact .

For me, the AD TP was a very consistent performer, just like the AD DI.  The stiffer mid and butt sections did translate to some noticeable ball flight differences.  Where the AD DI kicked more and produced more draws, the AD TP was more solid and produced straighter shots .  I felt like I had to work a little more if I wanted to produce a draw, but I could also swing hard without fearing a hook .

The Graphite Designs AD TP is available in 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 grams and flexes ranging from R2 (senior) to X.

If you loved the AD DI but longed for something a little stiffer, your prayers have been answered.  The Graphite Designs AD TP has a similar feel, but with a little extra muscle to stand up to those aggressive swings.

graphite-designs-ad-tp_0048

graphite-designs-ad-tp_0054

graphite-designs-ad-tp_0055

graphite-designs-ad-tp_0062

Recent Posts

• TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue Hybrid Review - April 8, 2024
• Cleveland HALO XL Hybrid Review - April 4, 2024
• Graphite Design Tour AD VF Shaft Review - April 3, 2024

16 Comments

I have the TP-7 X flex in my Callaway Epic Sub Zero and the TP-8 X flex in my Callaway Sub Zero 3W and they are amazing shafts. Great feel and consistency! I highly recommend them. Also the Callaway Epic line is amazing….

I have the Tour AD TP-6 S Flex in my 2017 TaylorMade M1 driver. I tested a heap of shafts on the launch monitor: Fujikura Pro, Speeder Motore, Kurokage, Hzrdus – the AD TP-6 delivered the best numbers out of them all; in fact they were very similar to yours. It’s a superb shaft. I also have a Graphite Design AD DI-7 S flex in my TM 3-wood; it is similarly superb.

Hi Matt, thank you for your review. I have been following your website for a long time now, but never got around to posting a comment.

I am currently gaming a Tour AD DI 6X. I love the shaft, but I feel I may be losing some distance with the stiffer profile. Would you say the TP 6S would be similar to the DI & 6X considering the TP is somewhat stouter? Also, I’d really appreciate if you could do a review of the Oban Kiyoshi Gold. I’m also considering that as a replacement. I am looking for a high launch shaft, as my spin numbers tend to be low with standard drivers (non-LST versions).

I understand that fitting would be absolutely necessary, but unfortunately, I live in a country that does not have fitting facilities. It is a handicap for us avid golfers here, but it is what it is.

Looking forward to your reply. Thank you.

I think you’re on the right track in going “down” a flex with the TP vs the DI. I would be happy to review the Oban Kiyoshi Gold, but we have not had much success working with Oban. If you can let Oban know through social media that you value our reviews, that tends to help things move forward.

I currently play a 90g tensei ck pro white stiff flex in my titleist 3 hybrid. I am seeking a shaft that will provide better dispersion. I have found that even in the fade setting and fade weighting that there tends to be a draw bias when I attempt to put a stronger swing on the ball. Seeking your advice in respect to a shaft that will help to accomplish this. I have been leaning towards the GD AD-IZ until i read the post about the AD-TP. Thank you.

In terms of fitting by numbers, I would suggest that you play the stiffest shaft available, particularly in the tip. In reality, I would suggest going to get fit to find out what combination of profile and weight helps you to stop hooking the ball.

Hi Matt, Firstly, well done on your website / reviews / feedback, this is a good resource for avid golfers. I am in the process of deciding between Ventus and Tour AD shafts for D & FW. Unfortunately where I live I don’t have access to somewhere I can test all shafts but I have read a lot and have a fair idea about what might suit me. I currently use a UST Attas 6X driver shaft, probably about 105mph ss. I am leaning toward TourAD TP and VR. Have you had any experience with using TourAD (or Ventus red & blue) in driver and fairway? If so what factors do you consider when choosing which is more suitable for driver and fairway?

I’ve tested several Tour AD shafts and the Ventus Blue in a driver. You can find all the reviews on the site. I’m not sure how to answer your question outside of suggesting that you get fit. Because I don’t recommend that people buy equipment they haven’t tried, I don’t have criteria for that process. I hope that doesn’t come across as rude or unhelpful, that’s not my intent, I just strongly believe in the value of fitting.

I currently have the 6sDI in my tsi2 3w and love it. unbelievably good feel. I just did a round with the new UB 6s in my epic speed and it just felt a little too tip stiff. Do you find that this TP model might be closer to the feel of the DI I love, with just a shade less kick? Unfortunately I don’t have much in my area to demo so I have to work with what I can get my hands on….and that’s about it.

“The AD TP is rated as tip stiff with a firm butt and mid.  The butt and mid are both one notch stiffer than the AD DI, and this is a perfect description of how the shaft feels.  Where the AD DI has a pronounced kick, the action in the AD TP is more subtle.”

In your opinion, would the DI 6TX vs the TP 6X play similar given that the DI would be playing a stiffer profile?

On paper? Yes, I think they could be viewed as similar. In reality? Depends on the golfer.

Hi, I’m having DJ 7X on my 3 wood for 10years. Wanting to move to stiff shaft 60 grams. What would you recommend?

My recommendation is always to get fit. No one can make a credible recommendation over the internet.

Hi Matt I was wondering if the AD 5S would be similar to the Di 6S in stiffness but with less weight Let me know what you think Thanks Steve

That might work, but it’s always a matter of fit. Dropping those 10 grams might mean that this profile doesn’t perform as well for you anymore.

Leave a Comment Cancel

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Email Address

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Golf News – April 8, 2024
• TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue Hybrid Review
• 2024 Valero Texas Open Recap
• Golf News – April 5, 2024
• Elevating Your Game: The Pro’s Guide to Training with Simulators

Contact Us Advertise Subscribe

Advertise on this site.

Plugged In Golf

Do You Like Free Golf Gear?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and not only will you get the latest reviews, instruction, and more delivered directly to your inbox, you’ll also be entered into regular giveaways for golf clubs and more.

Review: Graphite Design Tour AD GP Shafts

Pros:  The stiffest of Graphite Design’s Tour AD shafts. Compared to similar shafts, the GP is impressively smooth and stable. Available in a wide range of weights (50-80 grams) and flexes (R2-X).

Cons:  Like other Tour AD shafts, the MSRP is $500.

Who it’s for:  Golfers who prefer tip-stiff shafts, as well as those looking to reduce launch and spin. The highly stable design can also suit golfers who want to tighten their dispersion, particularly if their miss is a hook.

At the top levels of the game, golfers are getting stronger. It’s easy to see on the PGA Tour, where the game’s brightest young stars are regularly generating club head speeds in excess of 120 mph. It’s even more noticeable at top college and junior golf events, as fields are filled with golfers who are stronger and more technically sound than ever before.

In response, golf equipment manufacturers have evolved their product lines. Especially with metal woods, it has meant lower-spinning clubheads, and to complement them, stiffer, more energy-efficient shaft designs.

Graphite Design new Tour AD GP shafts are intended to suit a wide range of golfers, as they’re offered in a variety of weights (50-80 grams) and flexes (R2-X) to fit a broad scope of golfers. Compared to previous shaft models from the company, however, the GP line (which stands for “Greatest Performance”) will optimize stronger golfers, as well as those who perform best with extremely stable shafts.

Like other new Tour AD models, they’re constructed with the company’s 50T carbon-fiber material, which gives them the smooth feel for which Graphite Design’s shafts are known. In the tip section of the shaft, however, the GP shafts use Torayca’s new T1100G carbon-fiber pre-preg with NanoAlloy technology, which gives the shafts a tip stiffness that are only rivaled by the company’s Tour AD M9003 shafts.

Graphite Design’s representatives warned me the GP shafts “may feel more on the firmer side,” and would not play like the Graphite Design shafts I used in the past. Design platforms and robot testing are one thing, but golf is played by humans — not engineering software and robots. I wanted to know exactly how different the new shaft would perform compared to Graphite Design’s most popular shaft of all time, the Tour AD-DI.

To find out, I took the GP shaft to the Launch Pad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where I tested it against the Tour AD-DI in the most apples-to-apples comparison possible. Both shafts were built to my specifications, 7X (tipped 1 inch) at a finished length of 45.5 inches in a TaylorMade M1 430 (10.5 degrees set to 8.5 degrees).

The numbers below may look quite similar, but please read on, because the feedback and trajectory biases were not.

The Numbers

Tipped 1 inch, the GP was one of the stiffest shafts I have ever used, and felt considerably more stable than the Tour AD-DI that I’ve played in the past.

As you can see, I swung the GP slightly faster (0.8 mph), but the extremely stiff-tipped design caused me to release the clubhead sooner in a effort to hit a straight shot. You can see that in my Attack Angle, which increased from -1.4 degrees to 0.2 degrees. As a result of my manipulation, I also contacted my drives higher on the face with the GP, which lowered my ball speed, increased my launch angle and decreased my spin rate due to gear effect.

I talked to Graphite Design about my results, and company representatives weren’t surprised. According to their PGA Tour rep, the GP shafts are so stable that golfers are not tipping them in their drivers. Since the average tipping on Tour for a driver is 1 inch, that speaks to the GP’s robustness.

I also tried a GP 8X (tipped 1.5 inches) at 43 inches in my TaylorMade M1 fairway wood, and the shaft played entirely too stiff. My release was earlier, which caused my spin numbers to rise above appropriate levels, and my miss tended to be high and to the right. According to Graphite Design, golfers who are using GP shafts in their 3 wood are tipping them no more than 0.5 inches, and my results were typical of a shaft that was overtipped. The GP shafts have to be commended for their smooth feel, however, as well as their tight dispersion, despite my overtipping.

There’s no question that in the correct flex and tipping, the GP would have loaded and unloaded more efficiently than the AD-DI. That would have created all-around better launch conditions. Of course, results are going to vary from golfer to golfer depending on swing and style. That’s why the most important message from this review is to not try to emulate the specs of Tour player, but to be fit for the shaft that works best for your game.

Tour AD GP Flexes

If you’re a stronger golfer, or one who’s looking to tighten up your dispersion — especially if your miss is a hook — the GP is likely a good option for your game. And if you’re coming from another Graphite Design shaft, you’ll likely find the performance characteristics of the Tour AD GP to be noticeably, and impressively different.

Review: Nevr Looz NL ProClip Golf Bag

Review: Navigator by Dirty Larry Golf

12 Comments

May 17, 2016 at 2:33 pm

This review would have been helpful if you used the right specs (ik its obvi). Not only were you not able to load the shaft correctly, ur numbers/results throws everything off of the gp. more spin with gp than di? who would want that haha

Dale Doback

Apr 28, 2016 at 6:13 pm

According to the bend profile of this shaft any tip trimming done actually makes the shaft tip area play softer which speaks volumes to the stoutness of the shaft that with your speed Zak, and the amount you tipped the shafts that it still played to stiff.

Jan 24, 2016 at 4:59 am

Surprised it didn’t get 5 stars, or at least 4.5

Jan 24, 2016 at 4:47 am

what about dispersion Zak? Thats the whole point of a shaft as stiff as this!

Zak Kozuchowski

Jan 24, 2016 at 10:22 am

The dispersion was very extremely tight, JJ. It’s the most stable shaft I’ve ever tested from GD.

Chirpmaster

Jan 23, 2016 at 9:49 pm

Epic FAIL! Way to turn $1000 in shafts into tomato stakes.

Jan 23, 2016 at 12:40 pm

A good review would have been completely stock vs stock, then perhaps throwing in numbers from your current tipped gamer. The only thing I can take away is don’t heavily tip a brand new shaft you’ve never tried before.

Jan 22, 2016 at 10:42 pm

the reason tour players aren’t tipping this shaft isn’t because its too stiff, its because the profile of this shaft makes it play softer when tipped due to an increasingly stiff tip section. When tipped you are removing a piece of the stiffest portion of the shaft. It’s been recommended by club builders to only tip this shaft when trying to make it play softer.

Feb 12, 2016 at 3:33 pm

That is total BS emb. Don’t listen to those guys okay. GD and many of the new shaftmakers who are copying the innovation of experienced materials experts, make a prolonged tip section so the shafts are more versatile and can be used in all woods. Understand, anytime you tip a tapered shaft (and they are all tapered, even fishing rods) it gets stiffer–PERIOD. Even if you tipped past the prolonged tip section and got into the taper where the walls get thinner, the hoop strength makes it get stiffer. Tipping shafts has never been an exact science so go at it incrementally–remember you can’t put any tip back. lol

Apr 28, 2016 at 6:16 pm

emb is correct. try looking looking at the shaft bend profile before commenting

Jan 22, 2016 at 6:53 pm

You’re one of those people that salts their food before even trying it, aren’t ya?

Jan 22, 2016 at 8:56 pm

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

You may like

Lee Trevino’s wildly interesting $5,000+ club setup at the PNC Championship

The story behind the mysterious “Monstar Full Titanium” driver shaft spotted on the PGA Tour

The 3 most popular driver shafts used by the top-50 golfers in 2023

SPOTTED: True Temper’s all new Project X Wedge shafts

Spotted: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ

A Focus on Feel: Project X launches new Even Flow shafts

Accessory Reviews

Insider photos from tiger woods’ launch event for his new “sun day red” apparel line.

On Monday evening, inside the swanky, second-story “Coach House” event center in the Palisades Village, just minutes down the road from the 2024 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, Tiger Woods and TaylorMade officially announced their new apparel/footwear/accessory line, called “Sun Day Red.”

The Sun Day Red website officially launched on Monday night during the event, and the products are set to go on sale starting May 1.

The “Sun Day Red,” or “SDR” name will be self-explanatory for most golf fans, since he’s been wearing a victory-red shirt on Sunday’s for his entire professional career, but Woods explained the meaning of Sun Day Red at the launch event:

“It started with mom. Mom thought – being a Capricorn – that my power color was red, so I wore red as a junior golfer and I won some tournaments. Lo and behold, I go to a university that is red; Stanford is red. We wore red on the final day of every single tournament, and then every single tournament I’ve played as a professional I’ve worn red. It’s just become synonymous with me.”

The Sunday Red outfit has worked to perfection for his 82 PGA Tour victories, including 15 majors, so why not make an entire apparel line based on the career-long superstition?

As I learned at Monday’s launch event, the new Sun Day Red line includes much more than just clothing. To go along with a slew of different golf shirt designs and colorways, there were also windbreakers, hoodies, shoes, hats, headcovers, ball markers and gloves on display.

The upscale event was hosted by sports media personality Erin Andrews, with special guests David Abeles (CEO of TaylorMade) and Tiger Woods himself.

As explained by Abeles, the Sun Day Red brand is an independently-run business under the TaylorMade umbrella, and is based in San Clemente, California (rather than Carlsbad, where TaylorMade headquarters is located), and it’s run by a newly-formed, independent group. Brad Blackinship, formerly of Quiksilver and RVCA, is the appointed president of the new brand.

As for the logo itself, obviously, it’s made to look like a Tiger (the animal), and is comprised of 15 tiger stripes, which correspond with Woods’ 15 major championships. While the logo may need a 16th stripe if Woods adds a major trophy to his collection, it makes perfect sense for the time being.

The golf/lifestyle line is meant to combine premium precision and athletic comfort, while still having plenty of wearability and style off the course. Like Woods said on stage at the event, he wants to be able to go right from the course to dinner wearing Sun Day Red, and that was exactly the aesthetic on display at the event on Monday.

Following the official announcement from Woods and Abeles, they revealed multiple pieces of clothing, accessories and footwear for the event-goers to ogle (and photograph). Check out a selection of product/event photos below, or head over to our @GolfWRX Instagram page for video coverage…OR, head into our GolfWRX Forums for even more photos and member discussion.

Enjoy this exclusive look at Tiger Woods’ new Sun Day Red apparel lineup below.

See more photos from the Sun Day Red launch event here

Titleist launches new Vokey WedgeWorks 60 “A” grind wedge

The menu of grind options just got more expansive for Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks consumers, with the addition of a “60A” wedge to the lineup.

Previously, Vokey offered seven main grind options for players with various needs :

• T Grind: The narrowest sole option, which is widely used by PGA Tour players, and has low bounce
• L Grind: The lowest bounce option, with heel, toe and trailing edge relief for maximum versatility
• F Grind: An all-purpose grind that’s best for full wedge shots played with a square face
• S Grind: A neutral grind, best for full shots played with a square face
• M Grind: A versatile grind that’s for players who want to open and close the face for various shots
• D Grind: A higher-bounce wedge that’s for players with a steep swing angle, but want to play shots from various club orientations
• K Grind: The highest-bounce wedge option, with heel, toe and trailing edge relief for versatility

Titleist has now added the “A” grind, which has actually already been played on the PGA Tour by golfers such as Tom Kim, who used an A-grind to win three times on the PGA Tour, Wyndham Clark, who won the U.S. Open using an A-grind, and Max Homa, who used an A-grind at the 2023 Open Championship.

According to Titleist, the Vokey WedgeWorks 60A wedge is a low-bounce option that’s for golfers with a shallow angle of attack, and who play in firmer conditions. It has a “smoothed-out” sole for a faster feel through the turf, helping some golfers slide under the ball easier at impact.

“The most important club for me, probably in my bag, is this A grind,” Clark said, according to a Titleist press release. “I use the SM9 60-degree A grind, which is a low bounce 60 that is very versatile. I’m able to – on tight lies, rough, wet lies, firm lies, whatever it is – hit the shot I want, and with the amount of spin I want, trajectory and everything.”  

Apparently, Geoff Ogilvy played a large part in the A-grind coming to life.

“I spoke with Geoff (Ogilvy), and we got on the topic of Australian golf courses and how they compared to courses in America, and around the world,” said Vokey Tour Rep Aaron Dill, in a press release. “I asked him some specific questions, which resulted in an idea to design another lob wedge grind option that complemented the firm links-style conditions that players face – not just in Australia and Europe – but globally. Geoff has always been a low bounce player in his 60-degree, so I took his 60.04L wedge and removed the ribbon, resulting in a grind that moves through the turf quickly with very little resistance.” 

The new Vokey A-grind will be available on Nov. 7, selling for $225 each. Custom options include up to six toe engravings, 10-15 character stamping options, the Flight Line alignment feature option, and custom shafts/grips/ferrules are available.

Click here to read more about why the bounce/grind of your wedge actually matters

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

GolfWRXers put the Full Swing KIT’s accuracy to the test

Last month, four GolfWRX forum members traveled to The Grand Golf Club at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, California, to test the Full Swing KIT launch monitor and to see how it stacks up against other launch monitors. If you’re not familiar with the Full Swing KIT , development began when Tiger Woods requested a launch monitor he could trust on the range as much as he trusted his Full Swing simulator in his own home. Later, the KIT earned Tiger’s seal of approval and has been seen with him at every tournament he’s played in since its release.

GolfWRX members on the KIT’s accuracy

zap311: “The Full Swing team seems obsessed with accuracy when it comes to the KIT – The team talked about how this product officially shipped about 18 months ago and they are already on firmware release #20. They said they are regularly releasing updates (overnight via WiFi) to continuously improve accuracy and performance. That is pretty awesome and it’s nice to hear that they are not a company that “ships it” and moves to the next thing. I think they are on the right track since I saw virtually no differences in the data when testing vs. GCQuad and Trackman today.”

double or triple?: “In some cases the difference was less than half a degree on launch and less than 50 rpms on spin.”

hatrick11: “The differences were statistically nonexistent. I think it’s hard to believe for a lot of people when you think about the huge price disparity, but I can’t state enough how close the Full Swing was to trackman every single time, for each of us.”

“Outside, the data is just really really accurate. I know my numbers and know this particular range very well and the KIT was spot on all day. I also had some very variable quality golf balls in the bucket I hit and there was really only one spin rate in the whole session that had me raising my eyebrows at all.”

SwingBlues: “The GolfWRX Full Swing/WRX Experience showed Full Swing KIT produce numbers the same as the GC Quad (GC4) and the Trackman4. Dollar wise, both LMs are easily north of KIT, so this is HUGE to stand up there with the bigger boys on the Podium. For me, it seems more “apples to apples” to compare KIT to GC3. My own testing validates what we saw at the Experience. It shows critical data points like spin, carry, ball speeds are dead on or almost dead on for 40 yards and up on both GC3 and KIT.”

More on the Full Swing KIT

zap311: “The versatility of viewing data is impressive – Depending on usage, everyone has different preferences for viewing data. You have on-device, phone, tablet, monitor, smartwatch, or audio/headphones. I’m pleased to say that Full Swing covers all of these. You can use the app on iOS devices (they said Android is planned for the future). This includes viewing your last shot on the Apple Watch with a few options and turning on audio playback of your preferred metrics following each shot. I’ll post screenshots of this later. You can also choose between 4 data points or 1 data point on the device itself. It was easy to use the app to customize the top 4. For example, I was able to quickly change from launch angle on irons to swing path on driver.

“The KIT was very easy to use – Once you spend a few minutes learning the app and settings, it is very simple to select a club, line up the target line, and fire away. You don’t have to use a level or a laser to line up. KIT uses the built-in camera to tell you where to line up within the app or on-device screen. I was also able to boot up the KIT in less than a minute and drop it down on the tee box for our on-course trial today. Because of this simplicity, I can see it being more practical to bring to the course…

“The Full Swing team really thought through usability for the KIT. You can see up to four data points on the device’s OLED screen. You can see all 16 data points on your iPhone/iPad along with a video replay of the shot, you can view one primary metric from your Apple Watch, and you can enable audio playback for any of the 16 data points. For me, this was a dream as a full iOS user. One other feature I like is that you can star a particular shot to save it. You can also send shot data + the video recording to your coach if you want.”

double or triple?: “I was able to meet the teaching pro at the range I’m using for testing – PGA teacher/member Ryan Kolk. He and his team have 4 units amongst themselves and use them both personally and with their students during lessons. Ryan spent time dialing in his knowledge of the range balls vs proV1x (gamer) to better understand the FSK and he believes the consistency is there with the FSK and within trackman and GC/Foresight models. His preference is to use FSK while testing shafts and new product before using them in his personal playing bag which as a GolfWRX member is 100% appreciated. For his better students, he believes the information like Face to Path and Club Path that FullSwing Kit offers is great to help them understand what their swing is doing and use that information to better themselves.”

hatrick11: “It’s nice to know I can get super useful practice sessions in at my house, and can do in in ~20 min stints; with two little kids at home I can’t just go out for frequent or lengthy range sessions, so this is super valuable and I think will help me keep my game from degrading and allow me to spend my limited free time enjoying the occasional round with friends. In particular with the KIT, as opposed to the cheaper monitors or the other “mid tiers” like GC3, seeing path and face-to-path data is the key item that makes my practice sessions useful…when I am grooving it my path is almost always between 0-2* out to in, with face control being the main thing I need to work on. When my game goes sideways I start coming more in to out, and combined with face consistency being an ongoing issue, that brings the bad left miss into play. Previously I have struggled getting real use out of net practice, because the feels don’t always match reality. This data and video evidence really helps keep me honest, so it was great to see that I was eventually able to get that piece dialed in with KIT.”

SwingBlues: “One feature I am really starting to like is how easy to see the video of each shot. My buddy was not hitting it well, we went to the video and we could see the takeway was too far to the outside.”

“Using the app, it will display all 16 data points. Below is an example of one of my iron shots. Pretty impressive data captured by KIT. On KIT itself, the launch monitor display can be configured to show a single data point, or it can show a grid of 4 data points where the golfer choose which ones to display!”

Head over to the thread for more comments, reviews, and future updates as our members continue to test the Full Swing KIT. Don’t forget to become a member today for future opportunities like this, plus product member testing and giveaways!

The Wedge Guy: Golf mastery begins with your wedge game

Tour pro calls Anthony Kim a ‘f*****g idiot’ following Instagram comeback post

Brandel Chamblee outlines what his tough road back to PGA Tour would look like for LIV pros

This Rory McIlroy post-round ‘The Match’ moment is going viral…but all is likely not what it seems

Anthony Kim WITB 2024 (February)

Scottie Scheffler WITB 2024 (March)

Anthony Kim’s speculated LIV Golf sign-on fee may surprise you

Photos from the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Tiger Woods opts for veteran caddie to loop for him this week at Riviera

Taylor Montgomery WITB 2024 (March)

Taylor Montgomery what’s in the bag accurate as of the Cognizant Classic. Check out more photos from the event here. ...

WITB Time Machine: Paul Casey’s winning WITB, 2019 Valspar Championship

At the 2019 Valspar Championship, Englishman Paul Casey took the trophy at the Copperhead Course for the second year in...

Eric Cole WITB 2024 (March)

Eric Cole what’s in the bag accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.  Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops (9 degrees) Shaft:...

Rose Zhang WITB 2024 (March)

Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (9 degrees @9.5) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 5 S (45.5 inches) 3-wood: Callaway...

Joaquin Niemann names 3 PGA Tour events he’d love to play each year ‘in a perfect world’

‘Seems suspect’ – PGA Tour pro hits out at decision to hand Adam Scott and Webb Simpson Bay Hill sponsor exemptions

Spotted: Bettinardi irons at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Paulina Gretzky opens up on receiving death threats following DJ’s move to LIV Golf

Vincenzi’s 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational betting preview: Big names ready to pounce at Bay Hill

Vincenzi’s LIV Golf Hong Kong betting preview: Trio of major champs primed for big week

• Fairway Woods
• Golf Wedges
• Golf Technology
• Golf Gloves

Golf Apparel

• Golf Accessories
• We Tried It
• Head-to-Head
• True Golf Fit
• Our Toolkit

Shaft Review – Graphite Design Tour AD VR

• BY Tony Covey
• Oct 24th 2018
• Read all comments

While I’m not what you’d call a fan of dropping temperatures and falling leaves, I do appreciate that autumn almost invariably brings with it the release of a new Tour AD model from Graphite Design. For the 2019 season, it’s the Tour AD VR.

Cosmetically, the VR (which, FYI, stands for Vanquish All Rivals ) is everything you’d expect from the AD line. Colors may change, but Graphite Design maintains a consistent look. You know it’s an AD because it looks like an AD. While that means the graphics might not be as bold or ostentatious as others, it’s a dependable no-nonsense approach that seldom results in a color scheme anyone would consider an eyesore.

Now, I imagine you might be looking at the AD VR’s blue colorway and thinking that the AD VR must be a replacement for the popular AD BB. Not so fast, cowboy. While some of us would be totally onboard with that, Graphite Design describes the Tour AD VR as a slightly tweaked Tour AD IZ (which is a slightly tweaked Tour AD DI). Fans of the IZ (or the DI for that matter) shouldn’t freak out. Nothing is moving out of the lineup to make way for the new model. That’s not how Graphite Design does things. It can take fitters a couple of years to get comfortable with a shaft, so the company doesn’t find much value in yanking trusted models to make room for something unfamiliar. The Tour AD DI, for example, turns 9 this year, but it’s still in the lineup because the performance still holds up and it still moves the needle with golfers and fitters.

AD VR Performance Characteristics

Given how Graphite Design describes the VR, it’s reasonable to base our comparisons around the Tour AD IZ. The company says the AD VR has the softer tip of the two, but it’s important to remember that butt, middle and tip section measurements can vary tremendously based on how each section of shaft is defined by those taking the measurements. Using the  Cool Clubs S3  data as our standard, you’ll see, the AD VR comes out slightly firmer in the butt and tip sections with a mid-section that’s just a bit softer. According to Graphite Design, the kickpoint on the AD VR has been pulled up slightly to promote lower launch. The collection of changes makes for a shaft that the manufacturer describes as offering mid/high launch and low spin.

As with last season’s IZ and 2017’s AD TP, the AD VR features FTT (Fast Taper Technology), which, according to Graphite Design, “incorporates a faster taper rate from the grip to the lower mid-section of the shaft, providing the overall feeling of greater clubhead control at impact and an increase in clubhead speed.” The AD TP (first to incorporate FTT) was included in low spin shaft test, and our results suggest FTT may contribute to tighter dispersion.

While I would actively encourage you not to obsess over materials, I’m obliged to tell you that the AD VR, like other recent AD models, is made primarily from 50T carbon fiber and uses T1100G to strategically stiffen sections of the shaft without adding weight.

For our CoolClubs S3-powered comparisons we’ve chosen the to show the VR alongside the IZ. We thought that made the most sense given how Graphite Design describes the VR. It’s also worth noting that in July of this year, IZ was the best-selling shaft in the Graphite Design lineup. It’s the first time in the better part of a decade that anything in the lineup has outsold the iconic AD DI.

GRAPHITE DESIGN TOUR AD VR: THE COOL CLUBS S3 COMPARISON

“S3 Technologies utilizes the most advanced shaft testing technology in the industry. The Shaft Simulation System (S3), which was developed in 2013, is a fully-automated, all-in-one shaft profiling machine. In a matter of minutes, the S3 determines the following shaft specs: (Straightness, Consistency Profile, EI Profile, CPM Analysis and Torque. While some of the aforementioned specs can be obtained from shaft manufacturers, a lack of industry standards prevents that data from being used for accurate apples-to-apples comparisons. S3 Technologies ,  solves this challenge by testing all of our production in-house using the S3. This gives S3 Technologies a unique and in-depth understanding of the quality and performance of the industry’s shafts.”

Not only does S3 give us  standardized quantitative information  about the shaft(s) being reviewed, the data we share will provide you with a much better sense of how those shafts compare with similarly spec’d offerings on the market today.

TOUR AD VR LAUNCH CHARACTERISTICS

Cool Clubs S3  classifies the 65g stiff AD VR as a mid launch shaft. By comparison, the AD IZ is classified as a mid-high launch shaft. In this comparison, Neutral (the Mid reference point used to classify launch parameters) and the database average for similarly spec’d shafts are almost identical. The takeaway is that the AD VR can be expected to launch a bit higher than similar shafts, but a bit lower than the Tour AD IZ.

Tour AD VR ZONE EI

The following chart compares the stiffness of the Tour AD VR to the Tour AD IZ in the butt, mid, and tip sections. Measurements are based on the stiff flex versions of the 65-gram model.

Because each shaft manufacturer defines zones a bit differently, it’s not unusual for S3 measurements to deviate from OEM descriptions. In this case, we see a stiffer handle section relative to the AD IZ with a slightly softer mid-section and a slightly firmer tip. The frequency measurements (not shown) are effectively equivalent.

This is the first time we’ve included a compared EI profile in a shaft review, but in this case, I believe it’s especially helpful for visualizing the differences between the two models discussed. Note that the curve is depicted from the butt (left side of chart) to the tip (right side of the chart).

The stiffer handle section of the AD VR is readily apparent, as is the slightly softer mid section and the slightly firmer tip.

The profile shape is indicative of a good portion of the of the Tour AD lineup. Individual models are more similar than different and most share the sloping profile depicted. The shape isn’t dissimilar to what you’d find in most Speeder models or the Diamana Blue. For what it’s worth, it’s a shape that generally works well for me.

What you should glean from all of this is that it is subtle differences in zone stiffness, balance point, and torque that truly differentiate the individual AD models.

AD VR BALANCE POINT

The following chart compares the balance point of the AD VR to the AD IZ. Measurements are based on the stiff flex versions of the 65-gram model.

The S3 data suggests that the balance point of the AD VR is the same as the AD IZ. Both the VR and the IZ have balance points that are slightly higher than the S3 Database average for shafts with similar specifications.

As you may recall from our  Golf Geeks Story on Shaft Performance , a higher balance point allows for more head weight without drastically impacting the swingweight. For golfers seeking more distance (admittedly often at the expense of accuracy), this allows drivers to be built to longer playing lengths.

Swing Speed Recommendations

The chart below provides swing speed recommendations for the entire Tour AD VR lineup.

Note that these recommendations are based on the full range of  Cool Clubs ‘ building and fitting capabilities, including factors such as tipping and build length which can cause a shaft to play either softer or stiffer.

To simplify things a bit, you may wish to narrow these ranges. The sweet spot from a fitting perspective begins 25% from the slow end of the range. As a general rule, players with faster tempos, particularly in transition may fit into a stiff flex, while smoother swingers often fit into a softer flex.

From the Cool Clubs Fitting Team

For this discussion, we chose the VR-6 Stiff flex which is in the middle of the weight range for this shaft and compared it to Graphite Design’s IZ-6 S. The shafts both weigh 64.9 grams.

Consistent with their other shafts, the VR is made with high performance, high quality 50t carbon-fiber materials. They have continued to use their Fast Taper Technology, which differs from typical shafts in the amount of taper from the butt to the middle of the shaft. The iconic Graphite Design stripes are still readily visible and the rest of the shaft is very good looking in a deeper blue color with silver accents.

The GD Tour AD VR is designed as a mid-launch and mid to lower spin shaft. Available in a broad range of weights from 40 to 80 grams and flexes from R2 to X this shaft will fit a variety of players. The lighter VR-4 will launch the ball higher and spin more than the mid to heavier weight models.

When comparing launch the VR-6 is slightly lower than the IZ-6 but both are a little higher than the average launch of shafts in our database. Of these two shafts the VR-6 is stiffer than the IZ-6 in both the butt section and tip section. The shafts mirror each other through the mid section. The balance point is identical while the frequency is just slightly stiffer in the VR-6.

If you like the IZ-6 but want slightly lower launch and spin then the VR-6 is for you.

For more information on the Graphite Design Tour AD VR, visit Proschoicegolfshaft.co m .

Apr 4, 2024

The perfect one-day itinerary for first-time masters patrons.

Shhh! PUMA Drops New Collection with Quiet Golf

Radmor Is Leading the Charge for a More Sustainable Golf Apparel Industry

• about the author
• latest posts

Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

Email Address

Greg Morrison

5 years ago

The older Adams shaft KBS Tour 90 Is that the same shaft as the Wilson Staff C300 Irons?

After all this tech data. The two write in critic comments made the most common sense

To quote the straight talking Tom Wishon, there are only two types of shafts….. those that fit you and those that don’t. It is possible that the really expensive, newest, state of the art, ultra high tech material shaft fits you perfectly. But it is also possible that the $30, 10 year old technology shaft fits you perfectly.

I went way down the shaft rabbit hole last year. Tried tons of new shafts on the range and in play. They can be a lot of fun to play with, but I never found anything that could beat a 5+ year old whiteboard. What are we really getting from all this new tech? Didn’t seem like much to me.

JohnnyBgood

Pretty much EXACT same thing for me. After a few higher end shafts i ended up right where i started off. Old UST Proforce 65 Golds in 3 and 5 woods for the foreseeable future… $30/piece and didnt notice enough difference between the $200 shafts and these.

Leave A Reply

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail

Sign me up for the newsletter

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Titleist ProV1 Golf Balls

Tour AD TP Shafts

Designed and manufactured at the Graphite Design Japan factory headquarters, the Tour AD TP wood shaft is available in 40g R2, R1 and S flex, 50g R2, R1 and S flex, 60g SR, S, X and TX flex, 70g S, X and TX flex and 80g S and X flex.

The Tour AD TP , like all of the premium Tour AD wood shafts, utilizes premium, aerospace quality 50t carbon-fiber materials in order to deliver the best feeling and performing shaft available to golfers.

Designed around new tooling, the Tour AD TP utilizes a technology called F ast T aper T echnology or “ FTT” .  This technology incorporates a faster taper rate from the lower mid-section to the tip of the shaft than previous Tour AD wood shaft models.  The Fast Taper Technology provides the overall feeling of greater club head control at impact and an increase in club head speed through the swing.

The Tour AD TP shaft has a medium stiffness starting at the handle thru the mid-section of the shaft and a stiff tip profile to promote a mid/high launch condition and low spin.  The new Tour AD TP also utilizes TORAYCA ® T1100G carbon-fiber pre-preg with NANOALLOY ® technology in the tip section of the shaft for additional shaft stability, exceptional feel and precise ball control.

During independent robotic golf club testing, the new Tour AD TP-6 Stiff Flex shaft gained +3.5 yards in Carry Distance and +3.8 yards in Total Distance while maintaining tight dispersion rates vs. comparable Tour AD 65g wood shaft models.

Make a change in your Driver or Fairway metal wood today to the same shaft that the professionals use, the new “ T our P roven” Tour AD TP model of premium Graphite Design graphite golf shafts with FTT – F ast T aper T echnology.

Revolutionary technology, design and the most advanced materials are trademarks in all Graphite Design shafts, resulting in the highest quality premium golf shafts on the market today. Validating the company’s “Tour AD” logo, all of Graphite Design’s Tour proven shafts are specifically designed to promote a gain in A ccuracy and D istance.

Features & Technology:

• FTT – Fast Taper Technology
• TORAYCA ® T1100G carbon-fiber pre-preg with NANOALLOY ® technology for increased stability in the mid to tip region and unsurpassed feel.
• 50 ton ultra-premium, high modulus, aerospace quality carbon fiber materials.
• Graphite Design proprietary M aterial S tiffness I ntegration (MSI) design philosophy and technology.

Bend Profile:

Performance:

• TP-4 is designed to promote High Launch angles with Mid ball spin rates.
• TP-5, -6, -7, and -8 are designed to promote Mid/High launch angles with Low ball spin rates.

Tip Trimming for Std Bore:

• Pro’s Choice encourages consulting a PGA Professional or qualified club builder to help you determine the correct shaft and length for your swing profile and to meet your goals.
• Always leave a minimum of 0.5″ of the parallel tip section of the shaft above the hosel to maintain shaft durability and prevent shaft failure/breakage.  For example, if the head has a hosel bore depth of 1.5″ and the shaft has a parallel tip length of 3.0″, the tip trim length should not exceed 1.0″.
• Improper installation may affect the intended performance of the shaft. Warranty is for material and workmanship of our products. Improper installation voids warranty of product.

Specifications:

Where to buy (click here or on map to view store locations).

Click on the map to find a location near you