Equipment
Spotted: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ
We spotted Graphite Design’s new Tour AD IZ shaft being tested on the range at the Dell Technologies Championship. Graphite Design has shared the following information about the shaft, which will be available October 2.
Like Graphite Design’s legendary Tour AD DI shaft, the Tour AD IZ is designed to promote a higher launch angle and lower spin rate. IZ stands for “Into the Zone,” and the new shaft will be available in five weights (40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 grams) and five flexes (R1, R2, R, SR, and X).
Construction-wise, the Tour AD IZ is made from 50-ton, aerospace-quality graphite. It also uses Torayca T1100 G pre-preg with “Nanoalloy,” which is incorporated into the tip-section of the shaft to promote increased stability. The stronger, lighter-weight material eliminates the need to use additional graphite material to stiffen the tip section, which promotes a better feel. The shaft will carry an MSRP of $500.
Profile and Specs
- IZ-4: Soft Tip Section, Medium Mid-Section, Medium Butt Section
- IZ-5, IZ-6, IZ-7, IZ-8: Firm + Tip Section, Medium Tip Section, Firm Butt Section
Comparison Chart
Graphics provided by Pro’s Choice. You can learn more about the Tour AD IZ from Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts.
Equipment
Neal Shipley, AKA, the “Big Fridge’s,” custom stamping
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.

“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: L.A.B. Purple DF3 with Masters cover
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.

From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Whats in the Bag
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet




Golfandpuff
Aug 30, 2017 at 10:43 am
I just wish it did not retail for $500!
Zak Kozuchowski
Aug 30, 2017 at 11:39 am
MAP should be $379 at most fitters.
Joe Golfer
Aug 29, 2017 at 4:22 pm
I like the comparison chart at the bottom of the article.
I just wish that there was something that tells you which profile would be most suitable for various types of swing styles/tempos….
Tcann32
Aug 30, 2017 at 12:17 pm
It’s hard to recommend a shaft without seeing someones swing, and the way their swing affects a shaft, and the way the shaft affects the swing.
Everyone is so different that it’s hard to recommend “blindly”, but in everything I’ve tested and researched I’ve found that for myself and my swing profile (Medium-quick tempo, fast transition, mid-late release) that the first part of a shaft I look for is the butt stiffness. If the butt is too soft, then I lose track of the club in my swing, and it affects my release of the club. Tip stiffness is what I look at for launch and spin rates, and mid-shaft profile can make up for one of the other two, depending on the other portions profiles. That obviously wasn’t a scientific explanation, but if you look at your swing, and the way you load the club, and what you’re looking for in terms of launch and spin profile, you can make a closer guess on what might fit you best.
As far as this shaft goes, it’s reminiscent of the AD-MJ, which is a great shaft.