Graphite Design Tour AD 85 iron shafts

[onwrd2vctry]

I have been playing Nippon 1150 stiff shafts in some scratch SB-1 heads and really enjoyed them. I decided for this season to go with graphite in the irons so I put Tour AD 85 stiff shafts in RAC LT II tour issue heads and they are really fun.

Easy to load and excellent ball speed even with smooth swings. I live in Oklahoma so I play in REALLY hard winds most of the time and I can control the trajectory with ease. No ballooning and I can hit low stingers just like steel. Not a lot of info out there about graphite iron shafts and these are the only ones I have extensive experience with so I thought I would add to the information base.

The days of playing heavy steel shafts ended when I went with the Nippons and this move to Graphite Design appears to be another big step in the right direction for me.

I noticed that Graphite Design recently took them off of the US website so it looks like not too many americans gave them a chance. I read several posts from Big Ben about finish quality so I was a bit concerned but so far they look great.

[K2_2]

I'm glad to hear that the AD-85's worked out well for you. The AD iron series are fantastic shafts, no doubt.

I remember Big Ben having some issues, and was sorry to hear about that as I was one of the people here who have always enjoyed the AD series, especially the AD Pro.

Welcome to the wonderful world of graphite shafted irons!

[golfrules]

I have been playing Nippon 1150 stiff shafts in some scratch SB-1 heads and really enjoyed them. I decided for this season to go with graphite in the irons so I put Tour AD 85 stiff shafts in RAC LT II tour issue heads and they are really fun.

Easy to load and excellent ball speed even with smooth swings. I live in Oklahoma so I play in REALLY hard winds most of the time and I can control the trajectory with ease. No ballooning and I can hit low stingers just like steel. Not a lot of info out there about graphite iron shafts and these are the only ones I have extensive experience with so I thought I would add to the information base.

The days of playing heavy steel shafts ended when I went with the Nippons and this move to Graphite Design appears to be another big step in the right direction for me.

I noticed that Graphite Design recently took them off of the US website so it looks like not too many americans gave them a chance. I read several posts from Big Ben about finish quality so I was a bit concerned but so far they look great.

Thanks for sharing! I'm considering a set of Tour AD 75 for an iron set and this certainly helps. Did you consider any other iron graphite shafts before deciding on the Tour AD?

[onwrd2vctry]

Thanks for sharing! I'm considering a set of Tour AD 75 for an iron set and this certainly helps. Did you consider any other iron graphite shafts before deciding on the Tour AD?

Yes, I looked at all of them and spent a TON of time researching graphite iron shafts. Two things became clear:

1. It is very difficult to find info on graphite iron shafts.

2. If you are looking for high end performance and a .355 tip the only shafts that remain are Graphite Design and Aldila.

I much prefer Graphite Design shafts in general to Aldila. I say in general because I think Aldila makes great shafts. I have a 105mph club head speed and a smooth transition and I find Aldila shafts difficult to load.

I will never go back to steel and wish I had gone in this direction 10 years ago. My distance and dispersion have improved. Good luck with the Tour AD 75s.

[jamnguy1]

That's a big difference in shaft weight going from ns pro 1150 to tour ad 85. I've tried the steelfibre but was not impressed. The benefit of graphite has always been weight reduction. Nowadays, you can get steel shafts as low as 75g. Other than dampening quality, I'm not sure graphite shafts are worth the additional $$$. At the cost of dampening vibration, graphite shafts usually give up some feel as opposed to steel. Of course, everyone's definition or sensation of "feel" can be a little different. That said, graphite shafts have come a long way. I'm not knocking graphite shafts because I think that it looks pretty cool on irons, but I wish there were more of them around to try.

[onwrd2vctry]

That's a big difference in shaft weight going from ns pro 1150 to tour ad 85. I've tried the steelfibre but was not impressed. The benefit of graphite has always been weight reduction. Nowadays, you can get steel shafts as low as 75g. Other than dampening quality, I'm not sure graphite shafts are worth the additional $$$. At the cost of dampening vibration, graphite shafts usually give up some feel as opposed to steel. Of course, everyone's definition or sensation of "feel" can be a little different. That said, graphite shafts have come a long way. I'm not knocking graphite shafts because I think that it looks pretty cool on irons, but I wish there were more of them around to try.

I tested as many lightweight shafts as possible before going to the Tour ADs (including the aerotechs) and found the Nippon shafts under 100 grams didn't fit my swing as well as graphite. I really liked the Fujikura 115 gram shaft and think it is a great option if going too light is a concern. It is parallel tip but felt great imo. A little easier to load than the Nippon 1150s at the same weight.

[jamnguy1]

I tested as many lightweight shafts as possible before going to the Tour ADs (including the aerotechs) and found the Nippon shafts under 100 grams didn't fit my swing as well as graphite. I really liked the Fujikura 115 gram shaft and think it is a great option if going too light is a concern. It is parallel tip but felt great imo. A little easier to load than the Nippon 1150s at the same weight.

That's definitely good information. The other issue with graphite shafts in irons is that they should be parallel according to many clubmakers. That will require some additional work. I don't know if the GD is parallel, but tapered graphite iron shafts are quite inconsistent. Maybe technology has changed. Maybe I'll look at the Fujikura.

[golfrules]

I am actually using aerotech i80 on my mizunos now, and had nspro 950 before that. The aerotechs ok but don't provide much of a kick. I do agree with you that there isn't too much available information about graphite iron shafts, which is a shame. Did you also consider Axiv iron shafts?

I wonder if there might be a new revision of Tour AD iron shafts if GD recently took them off the US website...

[onwrd2vctry]

I am actually using aerotech i80 on my mizunos now, and had nspro 950 before that. The aerotechs ok but don't provide much of a kick. I do agree with you that there isn't too much available information about graphite iron shafts, which is a shame. Did you also consider Axiv iron shafts?

I wonder if there might be a new revision of Tour AD iron shafts if GD recently took them off the US website...

The Avix is one I have not hit. I really believe that when comparing these exotic shafts they are all excellent, it just comes down to the launch moniter numbers, feel and preference. My buddy just decided to get Accra i80s in his new mizuno irons and he is pretty stoked.

I think being able to load the shaft properly with a smooth swing is one of the most important things in playing good golf. I just wish I would have figured this out a long time ago!

[gocchin]

I have used Tour AD 65 75 85 as well as Axiv 758M and 558ML and NGS Mach Line, Bassara Iron shafts and a multitude of stock graphite. Previous to that tried 950GH, 850GH, 750GH, Shimada K's 7001, AC-10 etc. Graphite is great, as you guys have said, it allows players with slower swing speeds or lack of speeds to be able to put a smooth swing and still load the shaft. It creates a more forgiving iron because it is easier to swing and unload. This however does not mean it is less stable because graphite shafts have come a long way and with their carbon weave and multi axis design, I find them to be just as stable as any steel shaft.

Of course this all depends on the player, graphite is not for everyone but can be played by all different types of players. GD shafts are very consistent and are constant weight shafts. The Axiv is very very smooth and ascending weight shafts meaning the weight gets heavier as the irons shorter for more of an emphasis on control. Recently the Bassara has become very popular. A quick look at the JLPGA is always a good indicator of what shafts can match mere mortals like us and Bassara usage has grown. All these shafts are excellent indeed and many times it will come down to player choice.

[golfrules]

I have used Tour AD 65 75 85 as well as Axiv 758M and 558ML and NGS Mach Line, Bassara Iron shafts and a multitude of stock graphite. Previous to that tried 950GH, 850GH, 750GH, Shimada K's 7001, AC-10 etc. Graphite is great, as you guys have said, it allows players with slower swing speeds or lack of speeds to be able to put a smooth swing and still load the shaft. It creates a more forgiving iron because it is easier to swing and unload. This however does not mean it is less stable because graphite shafts have come a long way and with their carbon weave and multi axis design, I find them to be just as stable as any steel shaft.

Of course this all depends on the player, graphite is not for everyone but can be played by all different types of players. GD shafts are very consistent and are constant weight shafts. The Axiv is very very smooth and ascending weight shafts meaning the weight gets heavier as the irons shorter for more of an emphasis on control. Recently the Bassara has become very popular. A quick look at the JLPGA is always a good indicator of what shafts can match mere mortals like us and Bassara usage has grown. All these shafts are excellent indeed and many times it will come down to player choice.

Thanks for your insights, as always. As you alluded to, it's difficult to find a good set of suitable iron graphite shaft. Between the Tour AD and the Axiv, which one provides more kick with less unwanted side spin (if there's such a thing)?

Also, the Tour AD appears to have been in the market for quite a while. Do you know if there'll be an update anytime soon?

Thanks :)

[gocchin]

When it comes to iron shafts unfortunately one thing that is often overlooked is spin. With irons it is a matter of getting the right amount of spin, not low spin or too much spin unlike drivers where everyone seems to want low spin. The Axiv has a rather stiff profile which may lead to less spin, and this can also be the case if you go up in weight with graphite, but there are many factors that will affect the way an iron shaft will perform.

As far as I know, there are no plans to replace the Tour AD iron line yet as it still sells very well in Japan and is probably the most common found in irons as uprgades. One I have not played yet but have heard very good things about is Roddio. Honma ARMRQ is also very good (but expensive!).

[onwrd2vctry]

Thanks for your insights, as always. As you alluded to, it's difficult to find a good set of suitable iron graphite shaft. Between the Tour AD and the Axiv, which one provides more kick with less unwanted side spin (if there's such a thing)?

Also, the Tour AD appears to have been in the market for quite a while. Do you know if there'll be an update anytime soon?

Thanks :)

Just speculating, but I wonder if there is a YSQ iron shaft coming. After pulling the Tour AD iron shafts from the US website there are no high performance iron shafts on the US site. Combine that with the addition of the YSQ hybrid and fairway shafts to the line last year, I wonder if the irons are next for the US.

[Duffer19]

T, I am surprised that you did not mention the Tour AD 105 and 115 regardless whether they are on the US site or not. They should be mentioned as this is basically a JDM forum and these two models represent the top of the line for Graphite Design iron shafts.

[gocchin]

T, I am surprised that you did not mention the Tour AD 105 and 115 regardless whether they are on the US site or not. They should be mentioned as this is basically a JDM forum and these two models represent the top of the line for Graphite Design iron shafts.

Sorry I didn't mention them because I haven't played them. Just the lower weights. I would love to push those shafts because they are indeed the top of the line, but have you seen the price? Each iron shaft is pretty much the cost of a high end driver shaft! (which is why I have not played them).

You have two sets now one with AD-65 and another with AD-75, how are they for you?

[Duffer19]

The 65 and 75 are both good but it is difficult to tell them apart since they are on different heads. I kind of prefer the slightly heavier 75 over the 65 especially on the shorter irons. Now I am thinking about reshafting my Miura cb201 with graphite from nspro850. Machline or Bassara would be my pick since I already have a set of AXIV.

[K2_2]

T, I am surprised that you did not mention the Tour AD 105 and 115 regardless whether they are on the US site or not. They should be mentioned as this is basically a JDM forum and these two models represent the top of the line for Graphite Design iron shafts.

I would love to try the AD 105 and 115 as well, but as T mentioned above, the price of admission is steep! While I have no plans to switch from the Roddio I-10, the heavier AD series shafts are tempting.

An AD-105, Roddio I-10, Diamana Thump, and Fuji (9E05 or their USDM 115 g shaft) shootout would be very interesting.

[ihatebogies]

Thanks all for the insight into graphite iron shafts. As has been said before, a search about them doesn't offer much info. I'm looking for graphite iron shafts myself and this thread is greatly appreciated, please keep it going.