On tour, with fitters, and with shaft fanatics, Graphite Design’s Tour AD shaft lineup remains immensely popular. That’s, in-part, due to the company’s propensity for expanding the lineup each and every year as new materials and new technologies become available. A reputation for performance doesn’t hurt either.
Case in point, the newly announced Tour AD TP.
For those of you familiar with the graphite design lineup (and EI profiles), the AD TP has a bend profile that slots between the AD GP and AD DI.
What that means is that it has a stiff tip section, firm mid section, and a firm butt section.
If all of that is Greek to you, understand that all of that translates to mid-high launch with low spin. Keep in mind we’re talking in relative terms to other shafts in Graphite Design lineup.
For those who have played the AD DI (and we know that’s a number of you), the description likely sounds familiar. It’s certainly fair to characterize the AD TP as a modernized version of the AD DI. Like the AD DI, the TP leverages 50 ton graphite material. The ripple here is the addition of TORAYCA 1100T Carbon fiber to reinforce the tip without adding additional weight.
Perhaps the bigger tech story is what Graphite Design calls FTT. That stands for Fast Taper Technology. Basically the new design tapers more aggressively. Effectively, the mid to tip section thins less gradually, with a noticeable reduction in diameter occurring farther from the tip.
Comparing the AD TP to other shafts, the taper differences are readily apparent.
According to Graphite Design, FTT offers better control and greater head speed. In independent testing conducted at Golf Laboratories, the Tour AD TP produced 3.5 yards more carry and 3.8 yards more total distance compared with similar AD models.
Specs, Pricing, and Availability
The Graphite Design TOUR AD TP is available through custom fitters and Graphite Design’s Dealer Network, beginning 10/19. MSRP is $500.
For more information visit proschoicegolfshafts.com
More to Come
We’ve got a little something in the works right now, and while I’m not ready to spill the beans just yet, I can tell you we’ll be taking a closer look at the Tour AD TP very soon.
Flogger
7 years ago
you can easily find these for half that MSRP amount, try eBay direct from Japan for $250 or a pinch more. There likely are many shafts on the market which will fit people just fine, but for those who want to tweak the most these are likely worth it. Graphite Design stopped manufacturing in the US a couple of years ago, likely makes them a little more expensive. I too am thrilled with the SR flex as that’s what fits me and otherwise one has to take an R and tip it some, not a big deal but nice courtesy to not have to that and one would expect it for the cost here. I often wonder why lighter weighted shafts in the 40 and 50 gram realm don’t offer lower torque ratings. Maybe it’s physics but I have found the higher torque rating rarely work for me yet I would hope to swing something in the 40/50g faster than a 60 or 70. Tony if you can shed some light on that I would appreciate it.