tour ad gp 6s specs

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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.

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REVIEW: Graphite Design Tour AD-GP Shaft

There is no mistaking the unique and special graphics on a  Graphite Design Tour AD shaft . The stripes below the grip indicate a Graphite Design shaft, no matter the color. You will easy spot top ranked professional and amateur golfers using Tour AD shafts by their graphics. New for this year is the Tour AD GP with the same great looks in an aqua blue color or for those who want a more subtle look, they offer it in black too.

As Graphite Design says, “The Tour AD GP, like its predecessors, utilizes premium, aerospace quality 50t carbon-fiber materials in order to deliver the best feeling and performing shaft available to golfers.” This was evident from the first time I hit a ball with this shaft. The feel and performance were excellent.  The Tour AD GP may be the best feeling shaft you’ll ever hit.

Features & 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.

The  Graphite Design Tour AD GP was near perfect for my game except for one area. The spin was a bit too high for my taste which led to a higher vertical landing than I would prefer. I attribute this to the bend profile that has been engineered into the shaft. “The Tour AD GP is designed with a very stiff tip and stiffer mid to butt section to promote a mid-launch condition and low spin.”  Although I didn’t find this lower spin, it comes from my swing flaw of an early release.  When I put this shaft into the hands of a golfer with more lag he found some serious distance.   His later release in the swing allowed him to maximize the technology and feel for excellent distance.

Flightscope X2 Launch Monitor Graphite Design Tour AD-GP Shaft

• Spin: 2465 rpms
• Launch Angle: 15.3*
• Dispersion: 6.5 yds
• Club Head Speed: 99.5 mph
• Ball Speed: 144.8 mph
• Total Distance:  265.5 yds
• Carry Distance:  246.1 yds

Graphite Design  continues to offer premium shafts with premium feel.  Your swing needs and swing style will dictate if the Tour AD-GP is best for you or if you need a different bend profile in the Tour AD family.  If you check out the other shafts Graphite Design offers, you will certainly be able to find a good fit to maximize distance as well as have the most silky smooth feeling shaft in your driver.

Check the price online here

For more information:   www.proschoicegolfshafts.com

Quick Hits + Cool Looks + Continues the Outstanding Tour AD Line Up + Cutting Edge technology + Incredible Feel + Superior Performance

–Not a perfect fit for my swing

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Graphite Design Tour AD GP Shaft Review

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Choosing the Right Graphite Design Tour AD Shaft

By DanSueltz August 9th, 2017

Graphite Design Tour AD shafts  have won 32 global professional tournaments in 2017, with over half of those being won with the DI, “Deep Impact” model.  The winners of the 2017 World Golf Championship – Bridgestone Invitational, Senior Open Championship both played the DI in their drivers and in some cases fairway woods and hybrids.  The winner of the Ricoh Women’s Open Championship played a Tour AD GP in her driver

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• WRX Club Techs

Tour AD GP 6X or 7X

By WesP January 12, 2017 in WRX Club Techs

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I had been playing an Oban Devotion in a 7TX for a few years now

My miss was always left, hard left as you can imagine with a 180mph ball speed. Our assumption is the shaft was releasing early.

That being said idk if i want to go with a 6X or 7X in the GP. I just dont want the same issue, and its near impossible to find a GP in the area to test.

Driver: 9* Epic SZ

Weight 67.5g

Weight 76.5g

My initial thought, is error on the side of "not stiff enough" vs "too stiff"....

Thoughts or suggestions appreciated.

Financial Advisor (PM me) Driver: Epic SZ 9*. Fuji Tour Spec VC 7.2 X + Tensei Orange V2 TX Fairway Wood: Epic SZ 13.5* Hzrdus Black 6.5 85g (In search of Fuji Tour Spec VC 8.2 or Atmos Black 80 TX) Hybrid: Titleist H2 19* w/ Whiteboard 90x (In search of Fuji Tour Spec VC) Irons: Miura/Steel Fiber 110 Wedges: Titleist SM5 56, SM6 52 Putter: Bettinardi Queen Bee #6 Ball: ProV1x/Callaway Chrome 2015 Evo X (Full Bolt Ons) 2017 Jeep Wrangler

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• Created 7 yr
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Top Posters In This Topic

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WesP 11 posts

3woodvt 6 posts

Palauan Hammer 5 posts

scottaz 2 posts

Jan 13 2017

Jan 12 2017

Jan 18 2017

Jan 22 2017

Palauan Hammer

I have the 7X, my ball speed (last time I checked) was in the 173-178 range depending on strike. I feel like the GP is a great shaft, I do have a fairly smooth transition but I flip through the ball pretty good. I feel it load, and it kicks through impact, spin seems low as I'm actually getting roll out on drives for once in my life. Tip is as described, it's stiff! The best way I describe the impact feel of this shaft is "dense" .

Not sure any of that helped, and I don't have extensive shaft hoing under my belt yet. I'd say go with the weight you need, I doubt you'll feel too much flex difference between 6x and 7x but I could be wrong. Good luck!

My transition is pretty fast...iv had some people mention that i wouldnt like the GP, but iv read too many good things about them.

For reference

This was yesterday hitting the Epic SZ in a Whiteboard

https://www.instagra...aken-by=wphelps

Also, just so everyone can understand my thinking here. Iv been gracious enough to get a nice hookup on callaway equipment. So im thinking if i get the GP at a discount, i can try it out and see if i like it, if not i can go back to the Hzrdus Black 6.5 75g, and easily sell the GP. Like i said iv read such good things id like to try it.

Nice swing, the profile on the GP according to GD is firm+ butt, firm mid, very stiff tip. So with your transition the firm handle should be (on paper) good for your type of transition. The WB has a softer handle section for sure, I used to play the OG Whiteboard 73X and sometimes the softer handle would make the shaft feel 'loose' on the downswing. I don't have that problem with the GP.

I think if your getting one for a good price, no harm in trying it and sell it if it doesn't work out.

7X or even 8X you will handle fine. I actually felt the 76.5 gram 7X to feel kinda light when swinging and I've been in the 65g shaft in Driver my whole life. 1st time in a GD shaft and love it. Got fitted. The GD-DI gave me really bad results. Glad I got fitted by one of their fitting centers in Raleigh NC.

Nice swing. I'm 108 with similar tempo and this shaft is perfect for me. You just have a little more speed but tempo looks great. You can definitely handle the 7 or 8 series as it should only help your control. don't think distance is an issue for you.

Do a search on this shaft in here as there are several strings with some nice feedback.

115-118 driver swing at full speed and I play the 6TX straight in. It's nothing but straight for me, and I'm a hard left miss myself.

I always thought TX was Tour Extra stiff, i could be wrong though

Yes, TX is a "tour x". Although the MT is a different bend profile, I have an MT 8TX in my 3 wood, it's tipped 1" and it still feels great, easy to load, nice trajectory as well. I was worried about the "TX" aspect, but GD shafts really do feel nice I guess, even in TX LOL

Good luck with your choice WesP, I'd like to hear what you chose and how it performs for you.

I have the GP7x coming in the Epic SZ to test vs. my HZRDUS Black. The Black is going to be tough to beat. Should be here in a few days.

Callaway AI Smoke TD 9 Mitsubishi Kai'li white 70TX 

Titleist TSI 16.5 Mitsubishi PD 80TX

Titleist TSR 2 24 Fujikura Ventus Black 9x

Ping i230 U-4 x100

Ping s159 55 H x100

Vokey LBK s400 

Please report back!

I hate to post this because i know what head i was using...and im very anti TM lol

My boy got a Matrix Black Tie 70M4 with the M1 Head (adjusting done to stop losing ball right). The strangest part was hitting the Epic with the Whiteboard 70x i kept hitting the ball low and to the heal. Switch to the black tie and the M1, middle of the face everytime. Couldnt believe the difference the shaft actually plays in the whole equation.

Damn dude. Stop right there. You've found what you need. Think you've maxed out and dispersion is near perfect.

I too am sold on the transmission (shaft) importance.

Thanks for sharing.

Damn dude. Stop right there. You've found what you need. Think you've maxed out and dispersion is near perfect.   I too am sold on the transmission (shaft) importance.   Thanks for sharing.

Searching high and low for someone in the area that has the black tie with a callaway tip...

Got to play today in some nice weather here in VA at 60*.

First time out with new combo and thrilled with the new AD-GP7X. 9 of 12 fairways and about 7-10 yards more carry (thus total distance as ball was plugging in the fairways after the recent snow and rain). 74 out with some poor short game (mostly chipping...hate it with rotten soaked ground and always tuff lies with winter in force here). We play at the Westlake Golf and Country Club in Hardy VA.

72.9/141 is our rating. Come play if in the area, perfect fairways and greens and the rough is well rough especially this time of year price is in the low to mid 30's. Caught some flack early on for dropping some serious coin on the shaft but by the end my partners were bragging on my spending for the right fitted shaft. Peace!

http://www.golfthewestlake.com/

ha, freezing rain for us. Supposed to be 60 next weekend so hopefully the 917 will be in and i can at least get on the course. Maybe borrow the Epic from golf galaxy if they get more shafts in.

It's early on but I'll share some initial thoughts Wes.

I prefer to error on the side of too stiff vs. too weak. Like you, my miss is left and most of my tee shots are a draw/ push draw. My SS is usually 116-118. I'm not a smooth swinger. Fast transition.

The HZRDUS Black has been a great shaft for me. I'm not much of a feel guy and prefer stability. I've had the AD-BB7x tipped 1" in play for a few months last year. It felt very loose to me. Dispersion was terrible.

Yesterday during testing with the AD-GP7x I was averaging 118.1. My AoA is about +3. My first thought with it was it didn't feel as stable as my Black 75 6.5, tipped 1". Not much of surprise. What did surprise me was the performance. I felt like if I stepped on it, I'd be in trouble. I was wrong. I had very few shots go left on me. In fact, I had to adjust my alignment and aim more center. I need to get used to livelier feel of it but I was hitting the center of the face consistently and liked the ball flight. The spin was up about 200-300 vs. the Black. But the dispersion (all I'm really looking for) and carry was better than the Black. I didn't feel like I had to work as hard but could go after it.

One thing to keep in mind this test was with a new head (Epic SZ) which obviously played a role. I wish I could put the GP in the M2 for a bit to see what would happen since I'm so in tune with that club. I went out to the range afterwards and then the course for a bit and the GP did very well for me. I'll be playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I'll know if it's a keeper shortly.

Nice scottaz!

Your description is spot on from my experience as well. My SS might be close to yours as well. It feels easy to load, has some kick, launches fairly low compared to other shafts I've tried, fairly low spin and cuts through the wind. It plays smoother than it performs if that makes any sense haha. I hit some spots on the course I've never been to either swinging smoothly.

It should also be noted I too like the stiffer, stable feeling through the swing. This is right in the middle for me, not too stiff, not too soft, but massive tip stability.

ShaftShack.com

Already sent the OP a PM, but just so you know you can always take all the "guess work" out if these shaft inquires and just have ShaftShack.com send the demo shafts direct to your door for you to test in the real world! We have demos of the Graphite Design GP in both 6x and 7x, along with a bunch of other premium level shafts. Check us out! And if you have any questions, please drop us a line!

www.ShaftShack.com

[email protected]

1-888-751-5127

Hit the GP in a 6S today in an M1 head. Way more stiff than i thought it would be but still not quite what i wanted. Black Tie 70m4 still felt better to me...might search around for a BB^^^

markheardjr

I found better results with a 7X 3/4" shorter than 6X.

TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9° w/ PX HZRDUS Gen4 Black 75 6.0

TaylorMade SIM ROCKET 14.5° w/ PX Handcrafted EvenFlow Black 75 6.5

TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Rescue 3-19° w/ PX RDX Smoke 90 6.5

TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Rescue 4-22° w/ PX RDX Smoke 90 6.5

Srixon ZU85 5 26° w/ PX RDX Smoke 100 6.5

Srixon ZX7 6-PW w/ Nippon Modus Tour125 X

Cleveland 588 RTX 52° w/ Nippon Modus Prototype C10 S Srixon WG-706 56° w/ Nippon Modus Prototype C10 S Scotty Cameron SSS Circle T Newport Beach w/ UST Frequency Filter

WesP, maybe you should give the GP-7s a try. The heavier weight will be more difficult to snap left. Seems to be an anti-left shaft. My misses are usually left and not nearly as bad with this shaft.

Surprised to see you switch out of the GP's Mark!

I have a fitter in town that is supposedly getting a deal with Mitsubishi and will have every shaft they offer. If he gets any Tensei in i feel like that will be a good contender. Until then ill keep searching around for 7s/x GP and BB

ah, finding the right shaft is so rewarding once done. I see myself reusing this shaft in every new Driver I get over and over again. Nice when the journey is done. Best of luck.

Dads going to be going to the Merch show this week too, hopefully he can make some connections

I check on this thread everyday, looking forward to seeing what you end up with!

I check on this threadeveryday, looking forward to seeing what you end up with!

stay tuned!

• 7 months later...

What are the specs on 7TX ?

Driver  Testing 

3w  Stealth 2 + 15* Ventus Red 9x tipped 2" 43”  

2i TMAG P790 2i Hzdus 100g X  

Titleist  MB 620 3-PW (47* PW) PX 7.0 Std Length -2 flat from Titleist Spec 

Vokey - Testing 

Putter  OPEN   

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Shaft & Grip Reviews

Review: graphite design tour ad mj shafts.

When most equipment aficionados think of Graphite Design shafts, the first model that comes to mind is “the orange one,” officially known as the company’s Tour AD DI. It was the first of the company’s premium Tour AD series shafts, and has been used to win countless professional events worldwide — several by a golfer named Tiger.

For that reason, it’s the most widely known Graphite Design shaft, but it’s just one of the six Tour AD models the Japanese shaft maker currently offers .

Graphite Design’s Tour AD MJ shaft is the company’s newest model, and continues the company’s trend of releasing “complementary” shafts. In 2014, Graphite Design released the Tour AD MT (most golfers know it as “the yellow one”), which was designed with a softer tip section than most of the company’s Tour AD shafts to help golfers launch the ball higher — a response to today’s lower-spinning driver heads. The MJ, which will probably be known as “the “black and yellow one,” offers a lower bend point than the MT, with a slightly softer tip section to help golfers launch the ball even higher.

Bill McPherson, vice president of Pro’s Choice shafts , Graphite Design’s U.S. distributor, calls the MJ “a step down in softness” from the MT. That makes it a good fit for golfers seeking a higher launch than the MT can provide with their driver, or as a fairway wood shaft that has a similar feel to the MT, yet offers the higher launch most golfers are seeking from their fairway woods.

Related: Our review of Graphite Design’s YS NanoReloaded shafts. 

The Tour AD MJ ($380) uses the company’s premium 50-ton carbon fiber material, as well as Graphite Design’s 3rd-generation Toray Nanoalloy material — called “DI Technology” — in the mid and tip section to improve stability. It’s available in five different flexes (R2, R1, R, S, and X) and four different weights (50, 60, 70 and 80 grams).

Comparing popular Tour AD-DI shafts

On GolfWRX, we talk a lot about certain shafts being lower-spinning or higher-spinning than other models, but it’s important to remember that results can (and probably will) vary depending on the individual.

If you look at my testing data below, which saw me hit 10 shots with four different Tour AD 7X shaft models (all 45.5 inches, tipped 0.5 inches) using the same adjustable driver head set to the same setting, you’ll see that I did not get the results that one would expect from the MJ. For some reason, I launched the MJ lower than the other Tour AD shafts.

Despite my “special case” status, however, I enjoyed the smooth feel of the MJ shaft, and preferred it to the BB and the MT.

10 shots hit with each shaft (7X, tipped 0.5 inches). Driver used was Titleist’s 915D3 (9.5 degrees, C1 setting).

The numbers also show that I also produced slightly more swing speed and ball speed with the MJ and DI, compared to the other shafts. When golfers see that, it’s a clue that they’ve found a shaft that works well with their swing.

Looking more closely at the numbers, you can see that I launched the DI shaft an average of 1.7 degrees higher than the MJ, and with 100 rpm less spin. That being said, is it any surprise to you that I have a new driver and fairway wood being built with Tour AD-DI shafts?

Remember, these are just my results. Go get fit to see what model works best for you.

Specs and Fitting  Recommendations

[wrx_retail_links productid=”45″]

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13 Comments

Golfprodave

Aug 8, 2015 at 7:43 am

The TOUR AD DI seems a good match. If you wanted to try something different and stay within the GD TOUR AD family I would recommend you try the tour ad dj. It has similar spin with slightly higher launch charactistics than the DI

http://www.golfshaftreviews.info/index.php/graphite-design-tour-ad-dj-golf-shaft-review/

Gary Rosenthal

Jul 2, 2015 at 6:08 pm

After months of demo-ing everything out there, I’ve had the AD MJ (in stiff regular) attached to my Taylormade R15 (10.5*) for a couple of weeks now.

Had the shaft tipped to 44 and 3/4 inches. Wonderfully vibrant feel–noticeably better than the stock Speeder that came with the club–and the stock shaft was by no means bad. And though 3/4 inches shorter than the stock Speeder, distance with the AD MJ is a surprisingly 6 or 7 yards longer than the stock shaft on good hits of both.

But aside from wonderful “feel,” the really great thing about this shaft/clubhead pairing is the accuracy: averaging 80% fairways hit, and even misses haven’t gotten me in trouble. This, plus the slightly shortened shaft, has resulted in a lot more confidence off the tee. So I’m loving the shaft, even though my driver swing speed would have suggested “regular” might have been a better fit.

May 16, 2015 at 11:39 pm

249 carry not right w/ those numbers

May 28, 2015 at 10:52 pm

But with the launch angle it seems about right

May 16, 2015 at 5:53 pm

Reminds me of the Killer Bee driver from back in the day

May 16, 2015 at 2:40 am

Looking at the launch angles I would suggest moving the setting to: C4 or even B4, or else, get a 10.5 degree head and use B1, if you prefer playing with a slightly open club face. My SS is 10 mph less than yours, Smash Factor pretty much the same, AOA: 0 to +5 degrees, launch angle: 10.5 to 15 degrees. Spin: 2250 – 2680 rpm. On Trackman I get the same lenghts as you, or even slightly longer. You would improve on your lenghts of the Tee by increasing your launch angle and focus on getting a positive AOA (Angle of Attac). I would say that you are loosing 20-30 yards, just by reading your data. I use the same head, stamped 10.5 degrees, actual loft in the sweet spot: 10.8, setting A1. 😉 Shaft: Black Tour AD DI 6S….Sweet! You’ve got room for improvement, for sure…..-Good luck!

Zak Kozuchowski

May 16, 2015 at 3:15 pm

Thanks for reading and for the feedback, Mats. Just to clarify, this test was not performed to optimize my launch monitor numbers. It was done to show the differences in launch and spin between the shafts.

May 16, 2015 at 11:30 pm

I was going to comment the same as the other guys. My first thought when I saw the top of the chart was that launch angle must be 5 degrees or something. I launch at 13* with a 107 and 1.48 smash and I can break 300 the odd time (measured on flight scope and gc2 hmt). Good article though. Liked it.

May 16, 2015 at 1:32 am

It’s good to see that they offer an in-between flex, the “stiff regular”. I almost always find the Regular flex to be too whippy, yet the stiff flex is usually a little bit too stiff, depending on brand. And my swing fits right in the middle of that recommended swing speed chart for that flex. Wish more companies had something like this.

May 15, 2015 at 9:56 pm

249 max carry doesn’t seem to add up with 112SS. Anyone else?

May 16, 2015 at 12:06 am

Spin is really low and launch angle is kinda low…..good swing speed but the ball is falling out of the air.

May 15, 2015 at 6:56 pm

What head did you use in the tests?

May 15, 2015 at 9:53 pm

10 shots hit with each shaft (7X, tipped 0.5 inches). Driver used was Titleist’s 915D3 (9.5 degrees, C1 setting).

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Here’s why Jordan Spieth switched into a new Fujikura Ventus TR Blue shaft at Pebble Beach

When Fujikura’s new Ventus TR Blue shaft launched in January 2022, we learned all about the updated construction and potential performance benefits compared to the original Ventus Blue. It was unclear at the time, however, exactly who would make the switch into the new TR design on the PGA Tour.

Well, we’re starting to get some answers.

Jordan Spieth , who’s been relatively slow to change into new products throughout his career, is among a handful of names making the change. Spieth conducted recent testing with a Ventus Blue TR 7 X shaft in his Titleist TS2 15-degree fairway wood, and he put it in play this week at the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Titleist Tour representative J.J. Van Wezenbeeck, who works closely with Spieth on his equipment, said that Spieth came to the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) on Friday before the 2022 Pebble Beach Pro-Am for a check-up on his equipment. Since Spieth was previously playing Ventus Blue shafts in his Titleist metalwoods, he was intrigued by the new TR version.

As it turned out, Spieth found the new shaft to help with his transition and directional control.

“Coming from Ventus Blue, anytime they update a shaft you’re just intrigued on that, and he liked how [the Ventus TR Blue] loaded compared to the original Ventus Blue for him,” Van Wezenbeeck told GolfWRX on Tuesday. “He felt like when he mishit it, there was a little more control. So that was a good option for him…we did a little bit of internal work on the head to make sure there’s enough spin, because want to make sure his 3 wood doesn’t have too low of spin. He liked how the TR reacted on mishits where the spin didn’t drop, and it had more consistent spin from swing to swing.”

Due to a new Spread Tow fabric in the butt-end section, which is essentially a checkerboard pattern of woven material, the torque on the TR version is 10 percent stiffer in the mid-to-grip end of the shaft. As a result, Fujikura says the TR shaft is designed to improve stability and consistency compared to the original Ventus Blue.

Based on Spieth’s results with the TR shaft during testing, it seems Fujikura’s case holds water.

Spieth is using a Ventus Blue TR 7 X version in his fairway wood.

Pat McCoy, Director of Tour Operations at Fujikura, spoke with GolfWRX about the new shaft, and what players are seeing in their testing out on Tour.

“Compared to the original Ventus Blue, the TR has a stiffer mid-section and lower torque,” McCoy said. “Basically what the shaft does is it eliminates some of the dynamic loft. It eliminates some of the rotation. Obviously, the Ventus Blue was a very stable shaft and one of the best launching shafts we’ve ever had. And we just made it better.

“As far as ball speed and launch and spin, I’m not going to say it’s faster, but we have seen players who have achieved faster speeds with it. It provides more consistency and the ability to turn swing speed into ball speed better. And that’s it. It’s a little stiffer than the original Blue, and it’s a little bit weaker than the [Ventus Black]. It’s a ‘tweener. It gives you something in the middle, and depending upon loft and impact location, you get a better fit.”

The fairway wood shaft wasn’t the only potential change that Spieth will make in 2022, though.

In addition to putting the new Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges in the bag, Spieth is also considering adding another option to the top end of his bag.

Typically, Spieth changes between a hybrid and long irons, depending on course conditions. During the recent session at TPI, though, Spieth took a liking to Titleist’s U-505 wide-bodied driving iron. Ahead of the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Spieth took a U-505 2-iron (Graphite Design AD-DI 105X shaft) out onto the course for testing.

“He’s experimenting with a U-505 this week (ahead of the event at Pebble Beach),” Van Wezenbeeck told GolfWRX. “He’s always gone between a hybrid and either a 2 iron, or a hybrid and 3 iron, and we brought out a 505 as kind of a third option on a week where he isn’t sure whether he should play an iron or a hybrid. The 505 being a wide body iron is kind of a blend between the two. And he was really intrigued with how high it launched on a standard shot, and he could flight it more off the tee, where as with a hybrid he can’t do.

“So on weeks he feels like there’s a lot of irons off the tee, he likes to play the iron. On weeks where there are a lot of shots into par 5s, he likes the hybrid. On weeks where there’s a little of both…he felt the 505 might be an option, so he was taking it on the golf course [on Tuesday] to see how it would react.”

While it’s unclear exactly when Spieth will break out the new U-505, it seems like it’ll certainly be in the rotation going forward. The Ventus TR Blue shaft, on the other hand, has already earned a starting spot in the bag this week.

These changes may seem minor to some, but it shows Spieth’s willingness to find small equipment tweaks to improve his game. For amateur golfers, use this as a lesson when gearing up for the new season. Go through your bag, test some of the new shaft and head options, and see where you can make improvements. Now is the perfect time to take inventory and get prepared.

MRC Shaft Shootout: Tensei CK Pro White, Kuro Kage XT and Diamana BF-Series

The Tensei CK Pro White is the latest release from Mitsubishi Rayon Composites (MRC), a low-launch, low-spin shaft with a multi-material design that the company says improves the performance and feel of the shaft. Whereas most golf shafts use between 3-6 different materials in their construction, the Tensei CK Pro White is made from 11 different materials, giving MRC engineers greater precision in the shaft’s design.

Like MRC’s Tensei CK Pro Blue shafts, which produce a slightly higher-launching, higher-spinning ball flight, the CK Pro White uses MRC’s Carbon Fiber DuPont Kevlar Weave in the handle section of the shaft. The company says it increases the strength and stability of that part of the shaft, leading to better feedback.

On the other end of the shaft, the tip section, MRC uses a boron-reinforced fiber. All low-launch, low-spin shafts have stiff-tip designs, but the addition of boron puts the Tensei CK Pro White in a class of its own when it comes to lowering launch angle and spin rate. The boron fiber also reduces torque, which can offer better energy transfer, more accuracy and better feedback — especially for skilled, high-swing-speed golfers.

Connecting and reinforcing those areas of the shafts is MRC’s low-resin content (LRC) prepreg. Prepreg is carbon fiber that’s been reinforced or “pre-impregnated” with resin, a glue that holds the material together when it’s formed into sheets and rolled into the form of a shaft. MRC says that its LRC has 15 percent more carbon fiber and 13 percent less resin than traditional prepregs, which allows MRC to make the Tensei CK Pro White stronger without adding extra weight to the shaft. MRC also uses high-modulus, 40-ton prepreg in the Tensei CK Pro White’s design, which like LRC is thinner, stronger and lighter than traditional prepregs.

The addition of boron helps MRC make the tip of Tensei CK Pro White shaft stiffer and lower in torque.

In the EI chart below, you can see how the Tensei CK Pro White’s bend profile compares to the CK Pro Blue. The main differences are its slightly stiffer tip and mid sections, as well as its slightly softer butt section. That gives the CK Pro White a higher “kick point” than the CK Pro Blue. Generally, the higher the kick point of a shaft, the lower its launch conditions. That’s why the Tensei CK Pro White is a lower-launching, lower-spinning shaft than the Tensei CK Pro Blue.

The Shootout 

Just how much lower launching and lower spinning is the Tensei CK Pro White than MRC’s latest premium driver shafts? I put it to the test against the company’s Kuro Kage XT and Diamana BF-Series, which like the CK Pro White are PGA Tour-quality shafts that sell for about $400 each. All three shafts tested were built to my spec: 70TX, tipped 1 inch at a finished length of 45.5 inches.

I tested the three shafts on Trackman 4 at the Launch Pad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. After warming up, I hit 10 drives with each shaft, and whittled my shots down to the most similar five to help illustrate the differences. Premium balls were used for the test, and results were normalized.

MRC’s Kuro Kage XT uses a stouter iteration of the company’s famed “Blue Board” bend profile, and in that regard it’s quite similar to the Diamana BF-Series. That’s what makes the shafts a little higher launching and higher spinning than the Tensei CK Pro White. The Kuro Kage XT has a much different feel than both, however, due to its use of an elastic wire made of Titanium and Nickel that MRC calls “TiNi” wire.

Related: Learn more about the Kuro Kage XT

In the Kuro Kage XT, the TiNi wire is added to the bottom 13 inches of the shaft, where it adds stability, but it also serves another purpose. Its elasticity allows the bottom end of the shaft to better load and unload during the downswing to help improve energy transfer. That’s what gives the Kuro Kage XT its more active feel, at least compared to the boron-infused tip section of the Tensei CK Pro White, which by design offer no elasticity.

The Diamana BF-Series also uses boron in its tip section, and its combined with a new, aerospace-grade fiber called MR-70 to create what MRC says is a first-of-its-kind hybrid prepreg. MR-70, which is manufactured by parent company Mitsubishi Chemical, is 20 percent stronger and has 10 percent more modulus than similar fibers, MRC says .  The handle section of the BF-Series is reinforced with MRC’s Pitch Fiber, which functions to boost energy transfer like the CK Pro White’s Carbon Fiber DuPont Kevlar Weave.

Related: Learn more about the Diamana BF-Series shafts

In terms of launch conditions, the best fit for me was the Diamana BF-Series. It launched the ball a little higher than the Tensei CK Pro White, and added a little spin to help keep my drives in the air. It was also easier to swing than the Tensei CK Pro White, helping me more easily hit a draw while offering an even smoother feel due to its less rigid tip and mid sections.

To recap, if you need to lower your launch conditions, the Tensei CK Pro White is one of the most intriguing new MRC options to help you do so. Need a higher ball flight? Try the Diamana BF-Series. And if you want a radically different feel, give the Kuro Kage XT a try.

Have a question? Let me know in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to answer as many as I can. 

Weights and Flexes

• Tensei CK Pro White: 60 (R, S, TX), 70 (S, TX), 80 (TX)
• Kuro Kage XT: 50 (R, S, X, TX), 60 (R, S, X, TX), 70 (S, X, TX), 80 (S, X, TX)
• Diamana BF-Series: 50 (R, S, X), 60 (R, S, X, TX), 70 (S, X, TX), 80 (S, X, TX)

Related: GolfWRX Members review the Tensei CK Pro White

Review: KBS Tour FLT Shafts

Pros:  FLT shafts use a flighted design, which helps golfers launch their long irons higher and with more spin. The FLT short-iron shafts provide a more penetrating trajectory for more control.

Cons: FLT shaft flexes correspond with weight, so golfers may not be able to match their desired shaft weight with their desired flex.

Who They’re For: Golfers who need more spin or more launch from their long irons to optimize their trajectory. Everyone from beginners to PGA Tour players can use the shafts effectively, but they’ll be most popular with golfers with moderate-to-slow swing speeds, or any golfer who generates low-spin launch conditions.

Selecting the proper iron shafts is one of the most important equipment decisions golfers make. It’s an issue of quantity. Most golfers carry about 7-8 irons in their bag, so if they choose the wrong iron shaft, they’ve made the game harder than it needs to be with half or more of their clubs.

The good news is that there’s a wider selection of quality iron shafts than there has ever been, with recent growth in models that are designed to help golfers hit their iron shots higher and farther, while still maintaining PGA Tour-quality consistency and feel.

KBS is one of the leading steel shaft manufacturers, and already offered a wide variety of models prior to its newest shaft launch. Company representatives felt KBS was lacking a product for a particular segment of golfers, however, so it developed its new FLT shafts.

FLT shafts ($31.95 each) have a flighted design, which helps certain golfers optimize the performance of each iron their bag. The long irons shafts have progressively softer tip sections, which helps golfers increase their launch angle and spin rates with those clubs. For the right golfer, the design will help them hit their iron shots farther, and stop shots on the green more quickly. In the short irons, where height and spin are easier for golfers to generate, the FLT shafts are stiffer, which creates the flatter trajectory most golfers prefer with their scoring clubs. The crossover point between the higher-launching long irons and lower-launching short irons is the 7 iron.

Like all KBS shafts, FLT models have a constant weight, which means that long iron shafts and short iron shafts will be roughly the same weight through the set. Shaft weight is dependent on flex, however, as softer-flex models are lighter than stiffer-flex models. So if you’re looking for a really heavy, regular-flex shaft or a really light, extra-stiff-flex shaft, these aren’t for you.

Keep in mind that KBS shafts do not have reinforced tip sections like many other iron shafts, which gives them a slightly higher balance point and can decrease swing weight by 1-2 points. I personally like the feel of KBS shafts and their slightly higher balance point, but some golfers won’t.

For this review, I tested the new FLT shafts head to head against KBS Tour shafts of the same flex and weight (130X) in 4 irons, 6 irons and pitching wedges. Each of the shafts were installed in Callaway’s Apex Pro ’16 irons , and were built to my specifications (standard grips, standard length, 1-degree strong lofts, 1-degree flat lie angles).

I performed my testing at the Launch Pad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where I hit the 4 irons, 6 irons and pitching wedges on Trackman IV with premium golf balls. I hit 3-6 solid shots with each iron, and then removed the outliers from the final data in an attempt to compare only the most similar strikes. Results were normalized.

As you can see from the data, there was a significant difference in the flight of the 4 irons with the two different shafts, but less of a difference with the 6 irons and pitching wedges.

As expected, the FLT shafts caused 4 iron shots to launch higher (0.8 degrees) and with more spin (729 rpm) than the KBS Tour shafts. I’m not a low-spin player, which is one of the target audiences for this shaft, so the added launch and spin of the FLT shafts caused my 4 iron shots to fly shorter. Golfers who launch their irons too low or with too little spin, however, will likely see a distance increase when using the FLT shafts.

As I moved closer to the short end of the set, the two shafts started to perform more similarly. Theoretically, the 6 iron shots with the FLT shafts should have launched slightly higher and spun more than 6 iron shots with the KBS Tour shafts, but I actually saw a slightly lower launch angle (0.5 degrees) with the FLT. The spin was higher, though, by 211 rpm. With the pitching wedges, the results were again quite similar. The FLT launched 0.9 degrees higher, but actually spun 271 rpm less than the KBS Tour shafts.

Stepping back from the numbers, I was impressed with how similar the feel was between the KBS Tour and FLT shafts. Yes, I could feel that the FLT shafts were more active in the tip with the 4 irons, but they felt nearly the same in the 6 irons. By the time I got to the pitching wedges, the two shafts were indistinguishable. The KBS Tour is considered one of the better-feeling iron shafts currently available, so KBS’ ability to replicate that feel in the FLT will be a plus for the majority of interested golfers.

Looking more broadly, trends in shaft design tends to go hand-in-hand with trends in club head design, and the FLT shafts are no exception. Equipment manufacturers continue to strengthen the lofts of their distance irons; they have to in order balance the launch equation, as their faster ball speeds create a higher launch angle and more spin.

While the improvements to iron design have allowed golfers to hit their mid and short irons farther, many golfers continue to struggle to hit their long irons high enough or consistently enough for them to be effective. And based on my testing results, it’s clear that the FLT shafts can make long irons more playable for certain golfers, and maybe even keep long irons in a golfer’s bag that might otherwise be kicked out for higher-flying hybrids or fairway woods.

As always, I recommend that golfers get properly fit for iron shafts, which means visiting a reputable club fitter in your area. So if you’re in the market for new irons or iron shafts, you can get started by going through KBS’ Online Fit System , which upon completion lists KBS-certified dealers in your area.

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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