Graphite Design Tour AD FI
I’m sure you’ve heard it all before, but September has become the month for Graphite Design’s new shaft release. For 2025, we get the Tour AD FI – “Flight Intelligence”! Here, they blend in some new materials and technology to offer a shaft with mid flight, mid/low spin and a profile that gets firmer as you get toward the tip. And of course, one of the industry’s most distinct looks!
The Looks
Compared to last year’s bright and sparkly Tour AD GC, the Graphite Design Tour AD FI goes with a more deciduous green color scheme. You’ll get a deep foresty green near the club head that blends into a minty midsection, before ending with a graphite weave pattern near the grip. They’ve freshened up some of the fonts, too. Little by little, they’re making updates, and we’re left with a sharp, stealthy looking shaft that goes awesome with darker club heads.
How Does it Feel?
For me, the Graphite Design Tour AD FI feels like a softer AD VF. It’s always fun within Graphite Design as they’ve created a matrix of shafts that can kind of take you on a fitting and feel journey. Most shafts in their lineup are made with much of the same premium material like TORAYCA M40X and T1100G carbon fiber, but in distinctly different profiles. So with the AD VF’s very specific feel moving from firm to very stiff, the AD FI comes in just a touch softer (max stiffness is only “stiff” in the tip).
With good swings, you certainly feel the usual smoothness of a Graphite Design shaft, but what I like is that you didn’t really have to work hard to make this one go. I’d call it very pleasant and multi-player friendly, but that’s one Range Hero’s take!
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107 | 156 | 12.4° | 2590 | 259 | 267 |
My swing has been a bit pully lately, so I’ve gravitated toward shafts that have a bit stiffer tip sections, even though my mid-level swing speed typically should fit into a softer tip. I’ve found the Graphite Design Tour AD FI has helped correct that a bit as I’ve tested it. I’m finding it responds well to a nice smooth rhythm, and you’ll get the mid flight as advertised. It’s likely the new Tornado Tip tech keeps the torque down while keeping the feel up.
When I’m off a bit, I have lost a few left and right. I’ve experienced a few spinny slices and hooks, which is a bit different than the AD GC (that I’ve been playing all year) will offer up – it absolutely destroys the bad-swing spin I get. My ugliest with that shaft are pulls and pushes that are very manageable.
As with most Graphite Design shafts I’ve tried, it’s going to get you the distance numbers you would like. It’s meant to be an all around performer, not just a bomber.
Final Thoughts – Graphite Design Tour AD FI Shaft
Where does the Tour AD FI land for me? Well, after spending some solid range and course time with it, I’d say it’s a really nice addition to the Graphite Design lineup that sits perfectly between the more aggressive profiles we’ve seen. The new materials deliver on the “Flight Intelligence” promise. It’s smart enough to reward good tempo while still getting you the distance numbers you’re after. With numerous fitting options, there’s likely an AD FI that’ll fit most swing profiles.
It doesn’t have quite the forgiveness of the AD GC when I’m a bit off, but that softer AD VF feel with the stiff tip profile has been working well for my current swing tendencies. The deep forest green fade looks fantastic, and at this point in the season, I’m excited to see what it’ll look like in my Chicago snowed-out rounds!
