Graphite Design Tour AD XC Shaft
A late fall tradition – Graphite Design has released the Tour AD XC shaft for 2020. Graphite Design has made premium golf shafts that can fit players with a wide range of profiles and abilities for 30+ years. The AD XC is a modern take on the famous Tour AD BB “Blue Bomber” profile that’s jam packed with the latest shaft technology and manufacturing processes. It’s a sharp looking shaft that will appeal to golfers looking for low-to-mid launch and a low spin option.
The Looks
Graphite Design makes some of the most distinctive looking shafts in the game. For instance, the Tour AD DI and its bright orange and white are instantly recognizable from a mile away. You know Rickie’s rocking the black and orange AD IZ, sending bombs down the fairway. The company has kept the same general graphic pattern – a solid, colorful bottom half, their cool “bands” logo, and a contrasting color up top.
The AD XC (nicknamed Extra Carry!) is a bit of a stealthy departure from that. It has a flat matte-ish black paint job that blends into a pewter finish near the club head. The logo and bands have some red accents, creating a totally sharp looking golf shaft. It looks even better in the sun. We also matched it up with the red and black Golf Pride ALIGN grip, because if you don’t match your shaft and grip, you can’t be a true Hero. That’s scientifically proven.
How Does it Feel?
Something I really like about Graphite Design is that they have great descriptions of their profiles. The AD XC is categorized as a SOFT butt section, STIFF mid section, and STIFF tip section. After a few waggles and swings, you can feel their description of the AD XC is spot on. Of the five to six Graphite Design shaft models I’ve spent considerable time with, they’ve been dead accurate on those too. (For instance, the legendary AD DI has a smooth and snappy kick to it, the AD IZ is medium/firm all the way, and the GP might have the most distinct tip-stiff feel in their whole lineup.)
We’ve been lucky enough to try some of the top shafts in golf this year, from the stiffest and most stout, to the smoothest flowing and high whip. I’d describe the Graphite Design Tour AD XC as very mild feeling. For me, there’s no strong “snap,” and zero detection of stout boardiness. I particularly rely on timing, so the ability to smoothly feel the club head in the swing is both welcomed and noticeable here.
Performance Data
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
| 107.5 | 159 | 12.4º | 2470 | 258.1 | 282.4 |
Let’s start off with some good old fashioned modern SCIENCE. I spent an afternoon on a Trackman where I tried out the Graphite Design AD XC in 6S and 7S alongside my gamer shaft(s). Even a small change of 10 grams can result in some noticeable performance variables, and that was my experience here. If you ever see my golf closet, you’ll understand I’ve learned that through experience!
The data above is based off my testing with the AD XC 7S. Its performance slightly edged out the 6S and these numbers came in pretty optimized for me from the very first swing. Like many Graphite Design shafts, they do what they say they’re going to do. I get a pleasing flat launch with the AD XC that doesn’t float. The company has built this shaft with cutting edge TORAYCA M40X in the mid and tip sections, as well as TORAYCA T1100G carbon fiber materials to add stability and consistency to the shaft to promote that flight.
On-Course Performance
Guys like me (and Tiger, naturally) are big proponents of our drives hitting the right “window.” My bad swings are when I drag the club head to the left and leave the face open, resulting in high slices. It can get dicey and makes me look like the weekend chopper I desperately don’t want to be. With the Graphite Design AD XC, drives never apexed too high. With minimized spin, those misses were reduced. I struggle with high spin and often have to make some drastic weighting and club face adjustments to keep things under control. What I like about the AD XC is that it naturally keeps me away from that major swing fault.
I’m not a bomber by any means, but I got some great distance from the Tour AD XC. Even with that, I require a bit of versatility. With this shaft, I’m able to hit my stock mid-height push fade with ease and I can hit the “knockdown” driver that gets me into the fairway. Not every shaft gives me that, and I really like that the AD XC is an all-around performer.
One last thought on performance. Most of this year I’ve played with a mid-launch/low-mid spin shaft, but could still use some help reducing spin just a touch. I’ve clearly seen the data proving that the AD XC is knocking spin off my drives. The difference is obviously visible in the way my flight differs from other shafts. It’s very satisfying to make a change to your setup, and get exactly what you’re looking for.
Final Thoughts – Graphite Design Tour AD XC
What Graphite Design does wonderfully is build shafts that get great results, but also fit a wide variety of swings. They can fit people into the light flex 40 gram range all the way to 80 gram Tour X-flex. I’m a believer that there’s no “best” shaft in the Graphite Design lineup, but there’s certainly a “best fit.” All of us Driving Range Heroes (and the Pro’s Choice/Graphite Design team) keep encouraging our readers to go get fit. That’s where the biggest benefit comes from, so do it!
In the end, the Tour AD XC is a good looking and consistent performing shaft. It’ll give you exactly the low/mid launch you’re craving, knock off some spin, and feels as responsive as any shaft I’ve hit all year. It’s a modern take on a unique profile and uses the best materials and manufacturing techniques available. There’s a reason guys like me and tons of Tour pros continue to trust the brand year after year!
Great review, Jon. Would love to hear your thoughts as compared to the AD BB; namely, is it a similar launch/flight and do you notice the upgraded materials in the XC? Also, what head are you currently pairing with this shaft (model and loft)? Thanks and have a great day.
Thanks Sean! It’s been a while since I’ve hit the AD BB, but we’re going to do a one-on-one comparison in spring, so check back in.
I’m playing everything in a 9° Epic Flash with all settings cranked to “draw”. My most current shaft has been the stock HZRDUS Smoke Black in 6.0/70g. Cally nailed it with stock offerings. Both the Smoke and the AD XC are excellent, and I’ve got a variety of flights I can hit with one that I’m not as confident with the other. Kind of depends on where my swing is and what I’ll need to do that day!
It would be nice if you had a chart to show our left to right shot pattern with this shaft, and compare it to your current shaft. That to ME is what really matters with a driver shaft, hitting the fairway with a TIGHT shot pattern. I looked at the torque numbers for this shaft, which is 5.72, ant that is VERY HIGH for a stiff flex shaft. I refuse to use any shaft in my driver or woods with a torque over 3.5 and I prefer one that is under 2.5 if I can. My favorite shaft in my current driver has a torque rating of 1.8 degrees and it give me very tight shot pattern for more fairways and easier second shots on the course.
Hey Don, thanks for the reply. I did get the Trackman chart, and among the three shafts tried that day, the AD XC 7s was the tightest pattern, slightly better than 6s. Not by much though. I’m always going back and forth on 60g vs 70g, and the heavier versions seem to match me better these days.
What’s your gamer shaft?
Torque on the AD XC 6s is 3.2 and the 7s is 3.0 btw. The higher torque you’re seeing are features of their 40g range.
Hi Jon,
Great review. What were the main differences you were seeing between the 6s and 7s? Better dispersion with the 7s? Any change in launch/spin between the two? I’m looking to pick up the XC and I usually lean towards 70ish gram shafts and these are sitting right in the middle at 65 and 75 grams (X flex). Thanks!!
Thanks Daniel! Super hard to say. Dispersion was slightly better with the heavier 7s, but not by much. It’s totally “feel” and personal preference. If you’ve had success and feel comfortable in the 70g range, it’s probably likely to be the case here. Are you able to hit them side by side?
Hi Jon,
Thanks for the review. Very helpful. Have you hit the Ventus blue and how would you compare to this shaft? I’ve always loved GD shafts in my hybrids but haven’t found a driver shaft I loved. The IZ was too dull to me. The Ventus is great but it spins and launches a little higher than I would like. I’ve considered going down in loft to reduce launch but very curious to see if you’ve hit both these shafts. Thanks!
Hey John!
I just snagged a Ventus Blue (and have hit the Ventus Black a couple times) so I’m not 100% on-course familiar with all of them yet. You might want to try the Black as a comparison, and based off my limited time hitting bombs with it, that would seem to be the cure for your spin and launch issues with the Blue. Comparing them with the AD XC is a bit tougher, as I’ve really had some promising results with all of them. The Ventii feel a bit more stable than the Graphite Design IMO… the XC is just a touch livelier. (In my review, I think I called it a “mild” feeling shaft… and I think that’s a good word for it) I do agree the AD IZ had a dull-ish feel to it. Good performer, but not my favorite feel. Hope that helps a bit. These are all crazy good shafts though.
Jon,
How would you describe the differences between the Diamana BF and the GD XC ?
Thanks,
Joe
Haven’t hit the BF, so can’t really compare. Sorry!
Hey Jon I’m thinking about getting the AD GP 7x, any thoughts on that shaft?
Tested this shaft at Club Champion and it clearly came out on top with both Driver and FW 15* wood. Excited to play these in the clubs in the Spring.