TSR driver/Graphite Design shaft

I still have the TS2 driver, and use Graphite Design in my driver, fairway 3 wood, and hybrid. The most consistent and reliable shaft I've ever played. Large selection of options to fit just about every swing out there. A bit pricey, but once you've played them, you never want to go back.

Thanks for your comment Barry. I’m going to try the 3 & 4, but probably end up with the TSr2 driver also. I certainly have read a lot of positive comments like yours concerning these shafts. One of the reasons for my interest in the GD AD’s is because they are one of the few companies with an SR (Stiff/Regular) shaft. My driver swing speed is 92-95 mph so I really fall directly in between the Reg and Stiff shafts. Out of curiosity, which one do you use in your driver?

I play the AD-XC 6 in the SR flex. I'm well into my late 60's and slowing down a bit and the SR flex works good for me. The choice was based on my tendency to get too much backspin off the tee. At my age and swing speed the first thing I always hear is lighter and higher to maximize distance, but the ball would drop and stop. Every good fitter I worked with told me to ignore any reference to just age and swing speed when getting fit. Actually had a TM fitter suggest the 60 gram class and the stiffer tip shaft to get a little more roll-out and better control dispersion. I can get a little more distance in the air with my Ventus 5 but overall I gained about 10 to 20 yards with the AD-XC.
I put the AD-VR in my fairway 3 wood same flex and weight because I like to hit it a bit higher.
They work best for me but I strongly suggest trying a few out to see what fits your swing.

Will definitely get fit, preferably by Titleist. I’ll be 70 soon and I’m looking for both distance and accuracy (aren’t we all), but if I had to choose between one it would be accuracy. Your post has been helpful Barry, thank you for that.

So I too have the TSR2 line in the 9 degree driver, 15 degree 3 wood, and 21 degree 7 wood. All with the Graphite Design Tour AD 6S in driver and 7S in the fairway woods. I will say that I am really happy with the GD Tour AD line up in my woods. I will say that I do bounce in between the GD TOUR AD's and my Fujikura Ventus Shafts. Two different feels. I like the GD for more smooth less torque swings of fall and winter. In the summer I go back to my xstiff fujikura shafts as my body is more loose and I can really torque down on some shots. GD for smoother and Fujikura if you like to crank down on your shots... Best advise go get fit for a premium shaft before dropping the $$$ on something that might not give you the performance you are looking for...

This is a very good question! I would also like to test a Graphite Design shaft in my TSR driver.

I currently have a Tensei blue shaft and would like even less spin and more feel.
Which GD driver shaft with a weight of 50-55 and medium to high trajectory, less spin should I test?

My SS is about 85 to 90.

Not sure if this is still offered, but back in the 917 model series, I ended up with a GD BB-5, which is a slightly higher launch, mid spin shaft with a weight of around 55 gms. Fit me very well, and the combination of the 917 head and this shaft was the first combination I found that was distinctly longer than my prior driver (910 D3). This was only evident because the shadow line at the far end of the range just happened to be where my carry distance was. I carried the 917 into the shadow but not the 910. I tried swapping the shafts into the different head, but that did not give the same results. It was the combination of the 917 D3 and BB-5 shaft.

You still know your stuff Tommy! I had the 910 D-3 with a Project X 7C3 stiff shaft back in the day when I was a starter at ECC. I'm too old to hit that shaft any more; can't generate enough club head speed.

I have it on a high shelf in the closet. I'll pick it up from time to time when I'm feeling a bit of nostalgia.....


Hope you're well.

MM

Had that exact same club shaft setup. That was one of the best shafts ever.

Yes, I have some 'oldies but goodies' as well, Mike. Can't play the Hogan blades any longer (been many years since they were shelved) but found some Titleist irons that work decently after experimenting with lots of different brands/models through the years. I thought I found something once, but it didn't take long for me to realize I didn't get a good feel from them. If the clubs don't communicate with me, I might as well use a shovel!

Hope you are doing well and still playing!

Harry, Since I’m the person who was originally looking for GD AD advice, I’m certainly not an expert, but since no one else has chimed in I’ll throw in my 2 cents. If I were looking for mid/high launch and relatively low spin in the Graphite Design shaft I would start with the DI, UB, TP, IZ, and HD. Also, Titleist offers most of these in regular flex, and based on your swing speed, I assume that would work best for you. Some of the more experienced Titleist posters will tell you to “get fit,” and they’re 100% right, however I think this would be a great place to start. Good luck and…Cheers!

Now I switched to the orange GD Tour AD DI-5 driver shaft and I’m really impressed. I feel the kick and power on every shot. Much longer and less spin.

Would like to try the same shaft in my TSR 4 wood. Should I go with the DI-6 shaft or also with the 55 g shaft because I like the lighter shaft.

Thanks for the info Barry. One of the reasons I’m interested in graphite Design is because they offer a “tweener” shaft (reg/stiff). With a driver speed at 93mph I’m constantly between the regular and stiff shafts. My irons have Dynamic Gold 105 soft stepped once and fit me perfectly. Out of curiosity, which Graphite Design shaft are you playing?

I have been playing with a TSi3 driver (9 degree) for over two years that I ordered with the GD AD-XC-6 shaft in S/R flex. My swing speed with a driver is 95mph and besides the research I did on the GD shafts for performance and quality, the S/R option was also appealing. I do not miss many fairways and can move the ball both ways off the tee when needed and with good distance (last 3 driver setups are 1 inch less than standard including this one). I liked the shaft/head combo in driver so much I soon afterward ordered a TSi3 fairway metal in 15 degrees with the same shaft. Personally, it was worth the upgrade charge in both cases and I would not hesitate to pay it again.

Craig, Thanks for the info. I’ve been using the Tensei AV w/xLink Blue (stiff), in my fairway and hybrids…so far, so good. However, because I have a ton of spin with my driver, as well as trouble flighting my driver down, I’ve been particularly interested in the XC also. Currently using a 12 year old png driver and carry is around 220 with little to no roll out. I’ve actually been hitting my new TSr2 15* fairway that same distance, so thinking that I might get 20-30 more yards out of the TSr2 or 3 driver. Also thinking that the lower launch/spin of the XC shaft might help me get a little more roll out.

The last 3 drivers that I have had (910D3, 915D3, and 917D3) before I changed to the Tsi3 had the Mitsubishi Diamana or Diamana+ White board shafts in stiff which are low spin, low launch. I do not see any higher flight or spin in the XC-6 comparatively. Distance compared to the 917D3 for me is marginally longer but feel and consistency better in my current setup. Average drive for me is 245 with roll out, and that is completely fine for me at my age.

245 average at our age is very respectable…especially if the end up in the short grass!

I had that old V-steel at one time also. I’ve seen on another post how similar the TSr1 hybrid looks in size and shape. All in all, I’m thoroughly impressed with the entire TSr line! Thanks for your input.

Glad your're back in the game D. Thunem after your cancer battle. Nice to hear positive posts at this time of year. I love Graphite Design shafts. Although I don't have one in my TSI 9.5 (HZRDUS RDX) driver,I do have a Graphite Design Tour Ad MT5 in my 3 wood, and love it.

Of note I have an "ancient" TM V-steel 16.5 4 wood with a Graphite Design YS-7 shaft in it, that has been in my bag for quite some time.Still holding up.

I have a GD Tour AD DI 5S in a TSR2 10.0 degree head set to D4. Long hitting and consistent. Been playing it in for over a year. No other driver combo can knock it out of the bag.

Just out of curiosity Neil, what’s your average swing speed? I’m considering trying a 5S also, if a 6 SR isn’t available. My SS is around 93-95. Thanks

Welcome back. At 77 love the Fujikura shafts. They have a good selection and my fitter does a great job of putting together a great lineup of metals/woods for me. I play the older TSID3 (10.75*)and TSIF2 (14.25*) but am on board with the new TSR1F(set at 17*) TSR1H (20*) (23*). No longer carry a five iron in my new set of T350 irons, my fitter recommendation. Love the TSR1s because they are really easy to hit, of course with the right shaft, stay on target plus the ball goes nice and high.

Thanks for the info Chuck. I’ve read a few of your posts and you seem to get fit, and make changes whenever it will help your game. I’m willing to spend time and money on clubs now that I’m healthy again. This is my first time getting fit for Titleist and I couldn’t be more pleased. I did a couple tours in the military in the early 70’s and see that you served also. Thank you for the service brother!

You are right. No need to make a change, unless it is needed. As waste of money. My fitter has been able to keep me in this crazy game and am still enjoying it. This year was a big year for us. T350 (6-48W), TSR1F 18*, TSR1H 20*, TSR1H 23*, and considering a new SC putter after Christmas. Due to back issues my distances have dropped off over the past year and a half. Can do maybe 230 on a good day now where in the past could actually reach around 250+. Still hitting stiff shafts with the metals and regular with my irons. Doesn't make sense to me but it works. Between my back doctors and my golf doctors I am hanging in there. So now I just move up to the shorter tees and have fun and hope to live to be 96 so I can someday shoot my age. Thank you for your service also. Me, USAF 1965-1971.

I was a Navigator on an LST (400 Marines and 2-3 UDT SEAL Teams) ‘71-‘75.

I have had Graphite design in each version of the last 3 drivers. I have enjoyed the setup with GD!

I have a Tour AD IZ 6X and a Ventus Black 6X
The Ventus has won out, due to more penetrating ball flight, less spin, better dispersion. When I block it right the miss with the Ventus doesn't fade as much as the Tour AD. When I get lazy with my hands and slice it, the miss is also far less with the Ventus.

The Ventus feel is very smooth, but doesn't seem as whippy as the Tour AD, which I believe has a softer butt section. I feel like I can tell where the club head is in space more easily with the Ventus, which seems to correlate to more consistent ball striking with the Ventus.

HZRDUS I could never get a feel for and I can never get consistent ball striking with.
HZRDUS Black, Tensei White, and Kal'i White I consistently struck high toe even when teeing the ball lower, I attribute that to the shaft deflection in the downswing due to them not being as stable as the IZ and Ventus which have lower torque due to the materials used.

I have a Ventus Black in Driver and 3W, Ventus Blue in 5W, LA GOLF 3i, and Tour AD IZ 85X Driving Iron, Tour AD DI 95X 2 Hybrid, out of all the shafts, I prefer the Ventus line.

Whether or not Ventus is worth the cost, it's performance proves Fujikura can justify it's asking price.

Welcome back!! I have a TSR2 11 degree (B2). I play a Tour AD CQ in 5S. Swing speed is 94-96. I am a low spin player, so have always needed more spin. Came from the AD DJ - had that for years in my 915. The CQ in 5 S has been great for me. I also tried it in the 6 SR, but I seem to be more consistent with shafts in the 50 gram weight class.

TSR-2 with AD-IZ 6S its a solid setup for me. I struggled with a push slice for a long time then overcorrected and would over draw the ball. This shaft helps mitigate the over draw it either gives me a small cut or a baby push draw depending on set up and delivery. I tried a AD-UB in SR 5 and it was way too much action I could pulverize a well hit drive but consistency was awful. In the same head I also got along very well with the tensei blue line as well. I would recommend fitting if you want a GD shaft the profiles are so unique feeling and I have found the weight and flex can make a bigger difference in feel than the difference in a stock shaft. Like J22ABE IZ can be pretty whippy in the middle but very stable in the tip I have tried the Ventus blue TR and considering ordering one for the extra stability in the handle and mid.

I got fitted into a GD AD-UB 5 Regular in a TSR2 11 degree. My driver swing speed is 90-95 but I have a slow tempo so a light regular shaft works well for me. I also hit 5-6 degrees up so need some loft to keep spin at a reasonable level (around 2,400). My handicap is 8 and average drive carry is 220-230 and total 245. I am also getting quite elderly (late 50s) and have had a couple of cortisone injections in my shoulder.
At the fitting I hit the GD very similar to the stock Project X HZRDUS Red CB 50 5.5. However, the GD just felt smoother and it was one of the "premium" offered shafts so was cheaper (+GBP 170) than a full "custom" shaft (typically + GBP 300 in the UK). I have not regretted the decision - it is a great shaft and a great club and is straighter and longer (by 5-10 yards) than my old Sim 2 Max.
A shaft can also outlast several heads so I think Graphite Design is a great investment.....and has the advantage of looking cool!

Had that exact same club shaft setup. That was one of the best shafts ever.

I have Graphite Design ad di in my Tsr driver, fairway woods and hybrid.
These shafts seem to be a very good match for my swing.
I am less afraid to finish on the left side with them.
They have a soft feel in butt which I like and a stiff tip to keep a very good control.
Previously, I was playing project x hrzdus and fujikura evolution speeder which I also like.

But GD ad di are my first choice. I have a less tendency to want to try new shafts since I have them.

I originally ordered a TSR with the IZ 6X. It has since stayed in my garage as the dispersion of the Ventus line is unmatched. I have a Ventus Black 6X is in my Driver. My backup/more forgiving driver has a Atmos Tour Spec Black 6X, the shaft before the Ventus line.

Up until the new black and red VR shaft, Tour AD shafts have all been mid to high launch. Not great for me, but good if that's your swing.

The kick point on the IZ is relatively low, and I've found that the higher kick point and extra stiff tip sections best suit my swing.

I had a Titleist fitting this week. I got fitted for TSR woods with the GD Tour AD DI-7X shaft in all of them. I have never gamed the GD shaft before. Only heard people say it's a great shaft with awesome feel. And I can only agree with that after the fitting.

TSr4 9*, TSr3 13.5*, TSr2 21*.