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Though it’s one of the oldest shafts in their catalog, the Graphite Design Tour AD DI continues to be a favorite and a winner throughout golf [review HERE]. In fact, as of this publication, it’s the driver shaft of the reigning Masters champion. With so much success, it makes sense that Graphite Design would try to emulate the AD DI in their newer offerings, which they’ve done with the Tour AD UB. While I would not typically suggest that recreational players emulate Tiger Woods’s equipment decisions, the Graphite Design Tour AD VF shaft is one that you might consider.
Graphite Design Tour AD UB Shaft Review
In the chart below, the VF is the lowest spinning and lowest launch angle shaft in the Graphite Design line. Visit proschoicegolfshafts.com for more detailed specifications. Players who want something different than the flood of “low/low” shafts should enjoy the Graphite Design Tour AD UB.
Masters - Discussion and Links to Photos
So, these shafts are made to exceptionally high standards in Japan before being distributed to suppliers in different parts of the world, which is why they’re becoming more and more popular in North America. Carbon fiber facilitates outstanding energy transfer, meaning that you can hit the ball longer and truer when using Graphite Design shafts. This is another thing that helps the brand stand out when compared to some of its competitors. The Graphite Design Tour AD UB is available in weights ranging from 40 grams to 80 grams.
Plugged In Golf
Graphite Design rates all their shafts somewhere between “Very Stiff” and “Soft” in each section. The Tour AD UB is rated Medium+, Medium+, Stiff+ from butt to tip. This is very similar to the Tour AD DI which is Medium, Medium, Stiff.
Another thing that I noticed about the Tour AD UB is that it felt and performed very similarly regardless of how hard I swung. For players who are trying not to swing all-out, this is an amazing feature. For me, the amount of kick kept me from going 110% because of a fear of the hook, but that’s a fitting issue/personal hang up.
Moving up to 50 grams retains those three options and adds the X flex. In the past, I’ve described some super stiff shafts as laughing at your strongest swings. When I bumped up to the TX, I did feel laughed at – I don’t have the speed to make that work. When it comes to technologically advanced, high-performance golf shafts, it’s difficult to look past Graphite Design.
They are reasonably weighted, feature a torque of 3.5, and offer mid-high trajectory, making them suitable for most recreational players. But in terms of wood shafts, it really depends on what you’re looking for, as Graphite Design has so many options. Ultimately, Graphite Design manufactures outstanding, Tour quality golf shafts, which are a great option for your golf clubs this season.
Both shafts are rated low spin by Graphite Design, but the AD DI feels completely different with a smooth, pronounced kick. This is a great illustration of the fact that not all low spin shafts need to feel the same. Giving the Tour AD VF a wiggle, I felt just a hint of flex in the mid section. This is a shaft for the player that wants a “one-piece” feel without the shaft bending or kicking noticeably. It’s not harsh feeling, but it does demand a strong effort from you. Although Graphite Design predominantly features shafts for woods, utilities, and hybrids, there is an option for irons.
Tour
As a result, they are extremely efficient, responsive and greatly improved accuracy and distance for players of all skill levels. The whole process creates greater strength, improved consistency, faster swing speeds. Therefore, they are more accurate and produce further distance. Brand new for 2024, the Graphite Design Tour AD VF Shafts add to the popular lines of Tour AD premium golf shafts. The Graphite Design Tour AD VF (Victory Force) wood shafts are jet black with red accents and finished with a gloss clear coat.
I’ve been testing a lot of low launch, low spin shafts lately, so the big response from the Tour AD UB was a bit of a shock. The calling card of the Graphite Design Tour AD VF is low launch, low spin. Those were the first two things that I noticed when I started my testing. Virtually every drive came out on a piercing trajectory and hit the ground running.
The 3 most popular driver shafts used by the top-50 golfers in 2023 - GolfWRX
The 3 most popular driver shafts used by the top-50 golfers in 2023.
Posted: Tue, 06 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The Tour AD VF shaft profile is Firm in the butt section, Stiff+ in the center section and has a Very Stiff tip to promote Low/Mid launch angles and Low ball spin rates. The Tour AD DI model is the first Graphite Design shaft design that was integrated with Toray Company’s original NANOALLOY material technology in the tip section of the shaft. This material technology has now come to be known as “DI Technology”.
The shaft nearest in tip stiffness is the Tour AD UB [review HERE] which rates a Stiff+. Finally, in looking over Graphite Design’s website, I noticed something very interesting. Despite the feel similarities between the AD DI and the AD UB, Graphite Design places the performance of the AD UB nearest the Tour AD HD [review HERE]. For comparison, the AD HD is rated Firm, Firm, Firm+ which is substantially different than either DI or UB.
The Graphite Design Tour AD UB has a powerful kick and a feel similar to the Tour AD DI. After all, the shaft that you select can make a big difference to your game, so it’s important not to purchase something that you struggle with.
First, I could dial my swing down to sub-100% effort, which was refreshing after numerous all-out swings. I don’t think the AD DI is particularly draw-biased, but compared to the AD VF, it felt that way to me. Their business model means that they partner with distributors in different parts of the world, which is why US customers can buy Graphite Design shafts directly from Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts. It is funny though how these are supposed to be updates, but at least to me each shaft still feels very different from their “update”. If this fits my profile, I would love to replace this in my 5 wood.
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