Product: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ shafts

Pitch: From Graphite Design: “The Tour AD IZ, 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. The Tour AD IZ shaft has a firm stiffness starting at the handle, and medium center section and a firm+ tip profile to promote a high launch angle and low ball spin rates. The Tour AD IZ 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.”

Our take on Graphite Design Tour AD IZ shafts

Director of Original Content Johnny Wunder on the Tour AD IZ shafts: Shaft tested GD Tour AD IZ 7TX in Cobra F9 Speedback 8 degrees at 45 inches. 

The IZ shaft is one that actually snuck up on me a bit. In my experience with Graphite Design shafts, I have always had trouble finding one that was stable enough to satisfy the days my swing wasn’t on point. What I mean by that is that these shafts have always been low-spin heaters for me. Solid ball speeds, good carry, low spin, good flight windows, etc. What I found, though, was when they got off track for me, they really got off track.

The IZ for me changed that for me on two levels.

1. My dispersion was REALLY tight, while my spin went up and ball speed went up.
2. Carry distance was down by about five yards, which is no big deal, but overall it was a total flip from prior experiences. Mishits seem to hold their line as well while not losing too much yardage which is a combo of shaft and head.

From a feel perspective, the IZ has a smooth non-boardy profile, and I didn’t feel like I was having to work that hard to find the middle of the face, which for “sweet spotting” is a BIG factor in landing on shafts for me. If I was to game one, I’d probably mess with the tipping a bit, and perhaps go to a 60 TX. but overall it’s definitely in consideration for the summertime gamer.

Graphite Design has always made quality components, and with this offering, I think they have a shaft that could be a good way in for people who stayed away from these shafts for whatever reason. If I was going to give comps from what I feel, I’d say Tensei CK Pro Blue, Accra TZ5, and Fujikura Ventus..so basically the cream of the crop, in my opinion.