Cons: Due to the precise design utilizing high quality materials, the shafts come with a hefty price tag of $473, which is more than most drivers and outside of many consumer’s budget.

Bottom Line: Basileus has produced an extremely smooth, exotic-looking shaft that will improve the driving games of golfers who can afford to game them.

Overview

The process of producing a Basileus shaft started out with the vision of creating shafts that the company could proudly deliver to its customers that were customized for each individual. To achieve this, Basileus created a matrix they call an A-B Map that was derived from the analysis of data from thousands of shafts using its proprietary EI Curve distribution method of shaft analysis. Each shaft Basileus makes fits in the matrix, which makes finding a profile easier to find for the player.

Basilius shafts are made from the high modulus carbon materials from Japan, designed in-house in and manufactured in Japan. All visual aesthetics are also decided in Japan and painting is performed in Japan using special technologies and quality controls.

In short, Basileus has seen an increasing trend by shaft manufacturers towards cost cutting and they feel that fewer of its competitors shafts truly meet the objectives, wants and needs of the player. Even the common message communicating the products sales pitch of “Hit the ball farther” without actually providing any real solution to the users needs had to be addressed.

Through design, calculations and countless trial and error, Basileus feels they have perfected its shafts and identified the crucial bits of data that can help users understand the objective characteristics of its shafts and choose the ideal shaft for their style of play.

According to the website, the Fiamma shaft, which is said to have a calculated flex in the tip-end that helps to provide extra distance, also includes “a relatively more pliant tip allows for better ball engagement. A rigid mid-section gives the Fiamma a solid feel. Best suited for quicker swing tempos and compact backswings.”

Here were the club specifications for my review

Basileus Fiamma 60X
Flex/Gram: Extra Stiff /67.5 grams
Torque: 3.5
Length: 45.5 inches
CPM: 265
Swingweight: D3
Installed in a Miura SIT 460 Driver (9 degrees) at Aloha Golf Center, Basileus specialist in the State of Hawaii.

Performance

The Basileus Fiamma, according to its A-B shaft matrix, falls in the “A” quadrant. It has a softer tip and is stiffer towards the middle and butt section. It’s designed for those with a smoother tempo and compact swing. The Fiamma shaft was also designed for a quick launch, a tight dispersion with a slight draw bias.

My initial testing thoughts were that the Fiamma felt so much softer than what I expected from the numerical CPM. Due to the initial feel, at first I thought I’d easily overpower the shaft once I began increase my swing speed. I quickly noticed during the range session that although the shaft felt soft, it kept up with my swing, even when I tried to max out my speed to test its performance.

It wasn’t too soft, but rather extremely smooth. The softer tip section appeared to collect perfectly at impact no matter the strength of swing I put on the ball. The head squared up nicely with limited torque. The shaft had a different, elevated feel compared to other popular shafts that I’ve played in the past.

The trajectory of the Fiamma was a quick launch and penetrating flight. It reminded me much of the Graphite Design DI shaft in trajectory, but had a surprisingly smoother feel. Considering I’ve always appreciated Graphite Design shafts for years, finding something that felt smoother was astounding. Compared to the DI that I had been recently gaming, I saw a 100-to-200 rpm average spin reduction, a 1-to-2 degree higher launch and about 8-to-12 yards of total distance distance after switching shafts.

The Fiamma shaft provided mental confidence as well. My dispersion was extremely tight and accurate and I noticed I gained notable yards off the tee on the course that I play weekly.

I always hesitate to mention anything about yardage gains in shaft reviews because I feel when I personally read those statements that I’m reading a biased commercial rather than an honest review. In this instance, however, the Fiamma has amazed me quite often on the same course I’ve played regularly each Saturday for the past seven years. It’s helped take me to spots down the fairway that I’ve rarely hit from before, due mostly to the consistent performance of the shaft giving me confidence to go after the ball.

The shaft has not failed to keep up with an increased swing speed, with no delay in the transition. It kicks properly where I need it and matches well with my swing characteristics and tempo. Of course, this could be said of any custom fitted shaft, but the feel of this shaft reigns superior to others that I’ve been fitted into.

This is the fourth shaft that I’ve tried in my Miura SIT 460 head. Since I’ve been using the same driver head in my testing, that has taken out a variable when comparing shafts. Therefore, I know the performance improvements I have noticed are due to the variable change in shaft.

Looks and Feel 

The Basileus shafts are undeniably eye-catching, flashy shafts. Basileus shafts feature tasteful graphics, dynamic colors and authentic silver plating, which most companies fail to use. The use of silver is probably not very cost effective or practical on a golf shaft, but Basileus believes that its shafts will play well and are works of art in themselves.  Basileus spared no expense in developing and manufacturing its shafts.

The Fiamma shaft starts off purple at the butt, fades to pink in the middle and ends at chrome to the tip. Raised silver plating over the Basileus name, which begins after the tribal-like chrome graphics, emanate from the purple area. The whole package is arresting in its gleam. It’s truly an artful looking shaft and at the same time is a bit sinister in looks. With a $473 price tag, you expect to get more than just a solid shaft and the Fiamma doesn’t disappoint.

Its feel is something difficult to describe because, like a putter, shafts are personal. For me, as I wrote earlier, the Fiamma feels much softer than it actually plays. It’s a lively shaft in that there is no board-like feeling, yet it maintains playability and smoothness despite any swing speed increases. The Fiamma is consistent whether I’m attempting a bunt swing down a narrow fairway or when I’m swinging for the fences on a wide open par-5. It has the feel of a regular-flex shaft but plays like an extra-stiff and manages to keep up with swing speed increases despite its soft feel.

The Takeaway

Now available in America, The Fiamma will gain popularity for the Basileus brand due to its excellent design and performance characteristics. Its feel, high-quality materials and manufacturing process equates to one of the finest quality shafts available on the market.

Although the price is steep for an entry into a lesser known shaft company in America, I recommend Basileus as a strong option for a shaft fitting. Out of four popular shafts I’ve used previously, this is the best-performing and best-feeling shaft that I’ve put into my Miura FIT 460 driver.

Pros: Premium shaft with ripples that create more consistency and reduce vibration. They’re also a great value at $125 each.

Cons: The Wave shaft produced a slightly lower launch and higher spin for both testers.

Who’s it for? Anyone looking for a smooth-feeling shaft, more control or both at a price point that won’t break the bank.

Overview

The Hiskei Wave Shaft has the surface of a lake on a windy day, but don’t be fooled by its looks; the shaft can perform with the best.

It’s made from premium 40-ton Amorphous Toray Japan material, and the shaft has five ripples, or “waves” that run up its spine starting from about 10 inches away from the tip.

“When people see it, they laugh,” Muir said. “They think it’s a gimmick.”

The undulations provide multiple different kick points that isolate the tip of the shaft, reducing vibrations and absorb shock, producing a smooth feel throughout the swing.

Hiskei, the components division of GV Golf, is a global brand based in Japan that produces drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons and shafts. “Lightweight” and “premium quality” are its specialties according to John Muir, founder of Clubmaker Online and the North American distributor for Hiskei products. The company originally produced lighter clubs and shafts for senior golfers who needed help creating speed, but new X, XX and XXX-Flex models have broadened its reach.

The 48-inch long drive shaft ($199) is made for long drive competitors and is designed differently than the 46-inch model in order to support the increased load those golfers place on the shaft. While CPM (cycles per minute, a measure of shaft frequency) for the X-flex is 265, CPM for the XX is 283 and the XXX is 290.

The introductory price on the 46-inch Wave shaft is $125 (regular price will be $149.95).

Our Zak Kozuchowski and I took the shaft to Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., for testing at its Launch Pad Fitting Center to see how it compared to one of the most popular aftermarket shafts on the market.

The Review

After warming up, we both hit 10 drives with a Hiskei Wave (X-Flex) and a Matrix White Tie 6X3 in a 9.5 degree TaylorMade SLDR driver head. Both shafts weighed 70 grams and were tipped 1 inch. We chose the five most similar swings, removing outliers so the averages reflect a fair comparison of five solid strikes for each shaft for each tester.

Zak Kozuchowski

• Clubhead speed greater in Wave shaft by 1.2 mph.
• Ball speed higher in Wave shaft by 2.6 mph.
• Launch angle lower by 1.7 degrees with Wave shaft.
• 2.8L side total with Wave shaft, 13.5R side total with White Tie.

Andrew Tursky

• Spin axis lower by 1.9 in Wave shaft.
• Side total 17.2R with White Tie shaft, 5.2R with Wave shaft.
• Smash factor 1.45 with White Tie shaft, 1.47 with Wave shaft.

Zak saw an increase in clubhead and ball speed, and would have found the fairway more often (lower spin axis, less side total). I saw a decrease in speed and distance, but reduced my side total and spin axis as well, meaning I too found the fairway more often with the Hiskei Wave shaft.

The Takeaway

If you’re a golfer who doesn’t need help raising launch or lowering spin, the Hiskei Wave could be the ticket to longer and straight drives. And even if your launch conditions aren’t optimal, the tight dispersion we saw from the Wave could pay huge dividends if you’re a golfer who struggles to find the fairway.

Pros: A high-launching shaft that feels very smooth. Available for woods (50, 60 and 70-gram models) and hybrids (70 and 80-gram models).

Cons: They’re cheaper than Graphite Design’s Tour-AD shafts, but they’re still pricy. Wood shafts have an MSRP of $269. Hybrid shafts have an MSRP of $129.

Who’s it for? These shafts could fit a wide range of golfers, but they’ll be preferred by those who enjoy the feeling of the shaft loading and unloading during the swing.

The Review

Looking into a new shaft for your driver, fairway wood or hybrid? You’re in luck, or maybe not, because the amount of shaft options available in today’s market can be head spinning, even for educated golfers.

The good news? If you’re looking for the most premium and consistent shafts on the market — which means you’re willing to pay for the best — you’ve narrowed your list to a handful of companies, and one of those companies is Graphite Design.

Graphite Design, based in Japan, has a reputation for creating shafts that perform well and have an even better feel. The company’s shafts have been No. 1 on the Japan Golf Tour for more than 10 years and are also well represented on the PGA Tour — Jordan Spieth, Martin Kaymer, Lydia Ko and Ryo Ishikawa all have at least one Graphite Design shaft in their bag.

The YS NanoReloaded shafts are the latest version of Graphite Design’s YS shaft series, which has been popular with golfers since its release in 1999 — so popular, in fact, that the company re-released the series with updated graphics under the name YS+ in 2005.

The newest models have new graphics, too, but what’s more important is their new materials. Graphite Design added the same nano-alloy material to the YS NanoReloaded shafts that it uses in its pricier Tour-AD shafts. Graphite Design calls it “DI Technology,” and it allowed the YS NanoReloaded shafts to be made more stable than their predecessors in the tip and butt sections, yet maintain the smooth feel for which the YS shafts are known.

For Gear Heads: The biggest difference between the YS NanoReloaded and Tour AD shafts? The YS NanoReloaded shafts use a 46T carbon fiber material. The Tour-AD shafts use a 50T carbon fiber material that produce slightly less torque. The 50T material is more expensive, but remember that expensive shafts do not necessarily perform better than less expensive shafts. 

So how did they test? I tried the YS NanoReloaded shafts at the Launch Pad at Carl’s GolfLand in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., in the following clubs:

• Callaway Big Bertha Alpha (10 degrees) — YS NanoReloaded Six X (45.5 inches, tipped 1 inch)
• Callaway X2 Hot Pro (15 degrees) — YS NanoReloaded Seven X (43 inches, tipped 1.5 inches)
• Callaway X2 Hot Pro (18 degrees) — YS NanoReloaded 85X (40.5 inches, no tipping)

I generally play a 70X shaft in my driver, an 80X shaft in my three wood and a 90X shaft in my hybrid with the same lengths and tipping, but an 80X wood shaft and 90X hybrid shaft is not available in the YS NanoReloaded line. For that reason, I chose shaft models that were 10 grams lighter in each club.

All things being equal, lighter shafts generally create a little more spin than heavier shafts, which was a concern of mine. As a high-speed, high-spin player, I’ve relied on heavier shafts to reduce my spin rate and give me a feeling of more control over the club. To me, extra weight gives shafts more of the smooth feel that I prefer.

What’s nice about the NanoReloaded shafts is that I was able to get the smooth feel I like from a shaft that was 10 grams lighter and I didn’t lose anything in the way of performance. Both my launch angle and spin rate stayed in my desired range. You can see one of my best hits on the screenshot below.

Ideally, a properly fit shaft should create either:

• A jump in club head speed.
• An improvement in control.

When golfers see both, they know that the properties of a shaft are working with their swings instead of against it.

One of the perks of being the Managing Editor of GolfWRX is that I’ve been fit for many clubs, many times by many different fitters. It’s fair to say that my current shafts are about as dialed in as they can get. That’s why the YS NanoReloaded impressed me — I was able to maintain the club head speed that I create with my current shafts, and enjoyed the fact that they were a little easier to swing because of their lighter weight.

Would I make the change? In the driver and three wood, definitely. The smoothness of the shaft gave me confidence to lighten my grip pressure and swing a little easier than I otherwise would, and I saw no performance drop in the numbers.

The hybrid — not so much. It has a similar feel to the wood shafts, but I found that it was noticeably higher spinning. Golfers who like their hybrid shafts to feel and perform like heavier, more traditional steel shafts probably won’t like it, but the YS NanoReloaded Hybrid shafts could be a good fit for golfers who are looking for a higher flight.

The Bottom Line

My testing showed that even high-speed, high-spin players can get great performance from the YS NanoReloaded, which means they’ll fit a wide variety of players. The smooth feel and added stability to the shafts make them an attractive alternative to Graphite Design’s higher-priced Tour AD models, which have an MSRP of about $500, as well as other premium, high-launching shafts on the market.

If shaft feel is important to you, you’ll want to find a way to test these.

Pros: The Hi-Rev 2 adds approximately 250 rpm more spin than the original. The 610 is impressively stable and low-launching for high-spinning wedge shaft.

Cons: They’re $43.95 each. Shaft weight is based on flex.

Who’s it for: The 610 is for high-spin players who prefer a penetrating trajectory. The Hi-Rev 2.0 targets players looking for increased launch and spin from their wedges.

The Review

To understand the purpose of KBS’ new 610 and Hi-Rev 2.0 wedge shafts, it’s helpful to consider the unique role wedges play. Often referred to as “scoring clubs,” serious golfers know how important it is to be able to hit a variety of shots on multiple trajectories from 125 yards and in. To this end, KBS Shaft Designer Kim Braly developed two wedge-specific shafts, each of which offer particular launch and spin characteristics.

The 610 is a butt-stiff shaft that is engineered to produce a lower flight with slightly less spin (200 rpm more than KBS’ stock wedge shaft). It is available in three flexes/weights:

• 110 grams (Regular Flex)
• 120 grams (Stiff Flex)
• 125 grams (Stiff + Flex)

The Hi-Rev 2.0 is the second take on the popular Hi-Rev shaft. The original Hi-Rev produced a launch similar to the KBS’ Tour wedge shaft, but had a more active tip section for increased spin. In comparison, the Hi-Rev 2.0 is higher launching and higher spinning than the Hi-Rev. In testing, the Hi-Rev 2.0 exhibited approximately 700 more rpm of spin than the standard KBS Tour wedge shaft and 250 more rpm of spin than the Hi-Rev.

It is also available in three weights/flexes:

• 115 grams (Regular)
• 125 grams (Stiff)
• 135 grams (X-Stiff)

In both on-course and range testing, the Hi-Rev 2.0 and 610 held true to their stated performance characteristics.

On full shots with my 56-degree Callaway Mack Daddy 2 and 52-degree TaylorMade Tour Preferred wedges, the 610 felt suspiciously like the KBS Tour-V iron shaft. This isn’t surprising given the similarity in bend profile, step pattern and weight between the Tour-V and 610. The flight was a touch lower than my current wedges, but still plenty high enough to hold firm greens.

Where the 610 really earned its stripes was on partial and three-quarter shots. It was like tossing bean bags filled with lead. Shots from 40-to-60 yards often took a single hop and then stopped within 3-to-4 feet of the pitch mark. Several shots simply stuck like Nastia Liukin in the 2008 Olympics.

If you find yourself ripping wedge shots off greens or struggling to hit your wedges low enough, the 610 might be the cure to your ills.

I also tested a 56-degree Callaway Mack Daddy 2 wedge with the Hi-Rev 2.0 in stiff (125 grams). On full shots, it created a bit too much spin for my game, but shots from the rough and varied lies did have a bit more grip on them than I’m used to. On less-than-full shots inside 100 yards, the Hi-Rev was lively, and for a shaft with a more flexible tip section, it never felt loose or out of control. In fact, the increased launch and spin could become quite useful in firm courses and touch shots around the green.

As such, Braly expects nearly 20 percent of KBS tour players to fit into the Hi-Rev 2.0, with the other 80 percent or so opting for the 610.

The possibility of seeing both the 610 and Hi-Rev 2.0 as inline options from OEMs moving forward is certainly there, however, for the time being, they be available through certified KBS retailers and carry an MSRP of $43.95.

If there’s a subtext to this conversation it’s that wedges — because of the loft and USGA groove regulations — can only be tweaked so much by modifications to the head itself. By opening the conversation to include wedge specific shaft designs, Braly is trying to shift a paradigm and get players to place the same intensity on wedge fitting many do their longer clubs.

Takeaway

If you find yourself wishing you could stop wedge shots closer to the hole, wedge-specific shafts are a great place to start. Both the 610 and Hi-Rev 2.0 should be on your list of shafts to test.

When most equipment aficionados think of Graphite Design shafts, the first model that comes to mind is “the orange one,” officially known as the company’s Tour AD DI. It was the first of the company’s premium Tour AD series shafts, and has been used to win countless professional events worldwide — several by a golfer named Tiger.

For that reason, it’s the most widely known Graphite Design shaft, but it’s just one of the six Tour AD models the Japanese shaft maker currently offers.

Graphite Design’s Tour AD MJ shaft is the company’s newest model, and continues the company’s trend of releasing “complementary” shafts. In 2014, Graphite Design released the Tour AD MT (most golfers know it as “the yellow one”), which was designed with a softer tip section than most of the company’s Tour AD shafts to help golfers launch the ball higher — a response to today’s lower-spinning driver heads. The MJ, which will probably be known as “the “black and yellow one,” offers a lower bend point than the MT, with a slightly softer tip section to help golfers launch the ball even higher.

Bill McPherson, vice president of Pro’s Choice shafts, Graphite Design’s U.S. distributor, calls the MJ “a step down in softness” from the MT. That makes it a good fit for golfers seeking a higher launch than the MT can provide with their driver, or as a fairway wood shaft that has a similar feel to the MT, yet offers the higher launch most golfers are seeking from their fairway woods.

Related: Our review of Graphite Design’s YS NanoReloaded shafts. 

The Tour AD MJ ($380) uses the company’s premium 50-ton carbon fiber material, as well as Graphite Design’s 3rd-generation Toray Nanoalloy material — called “DI Technology” — in the mid and tip section to improve stability. It’s available in five different flexes (R2, R1, R, S, and X) and four different weights (50, 60, 70 and 80 grams).

Comparing popular Tour AD-DI shafts

On GolfWRX, we talk a lot about certain shafts being lower-spinning or higher-spinning than other models, but it’s important to remember that results can (and probably will) vary depending on the individual.

If you look at my testing data below, which saw me hit 10 shots with four different Tour AD 7X shaft models (all 45.5 inches, tipped 0.5 inches) using the same adjustable driver head set to the same setting, you’ll see that I did not get the results that one would expect from the MJ. For some reason, I launched the MJ lower than the other Tour AD shafts.

Despite my “special case” status, however, I enjoyed the smooth feel of the MJ shaft, and preferred it to the BB and the MT.

The numbers also show that I also produced slightly more swing speed and ball speed with the MJ and DI, compared to the other shafts. When golfers see that, it’s a clue that they’ve found a shaft that works well with their swing.

Looking more closely at the numbers, you can see that I launched the DI shaft an average of 1.7 degrees higher than the MJ, and with 100 rpm less spin. That being said, is it any surprise to you that I have a new driver and fairway wood being built with Tour AD-DI shafts?

Remember, these are just my results. Go get fit to see what model works best for you.

Specs and Fitting Recommendations

Pros: A simple, powerful family of premium shafts. Each of the three Speed Rulz models (Type A, Type B and Type C) uses a distinct profile to help golfers maximize ball speed for more distance. All models available in both red and black cosmetics.

Cons: Since Speed Rulz shafts focus on ball speed, they’ll do little for golfers looking to significantly raise or lower their ball flight.

Who they’re for: Type A is designed for golfers with smooth tempos. Type B is a back weighted shaft that’s suited to golfers who play longer-length shafts or are looking to reduce swing weight. Type C will work best for golfers with fast club head speeds.

The Review

In the premium shaft space, high-quality materials and performance is a given. What’s not always offered, however, is a compelling narrative that’s not only clear from an engineering standpoint, but from a fitting standpoint as well. Matrix’s new Speed Rulz family of shafts aim to provide golfers with both.

Speed Rulz shafts use the high-quality materials that golfers want from a shaft in the $300+ price range. The most visible technology is Matrix’s proprietary “Mangsa” material, which is highlighted in a textured section below the grip. The aerospace-grade material is cross-sectionally laid in different areas of the shaft to improve hoop strength, which helped Matrix accentuate the three specific E.I. profiles offered in the line.

All of the shafts are also constructed with high-modulus, low-resin carbon fiber, which improves feel and creates the consistency golfers will expect from a $325 shaft. Specifically in the tip section, Matrix used a double-bias wrap design, which stiffens that portion of the shaft and reduces torque.

What’s most intriguing about the Speed Rulz shafts, however, is their simple and powerful fitting story. All three shafts share a mid-launching, mid-spinning trajectory, which allows golfers to test them with a singular focus — discovering what shaft feels best to them. As our testing showed, it’s likely that the best-feeling shaft will also be the one that creates the most ball speed, the most distance and the tightest dispersion.

The Three Speed Rulz Models

Type A: A balanced EI profile (similar to Matrix’s RUL shafts) that’s slightly firmer in the mid section. It’s great for golfers with smooth tempos, as well as golfers with slower swing speeds. It’s slightly higher launching than Type B and Type C. Available in 50-, 60- and 70-gram models.

Type B: A counter-balanced, or back-weighted shaft. Smooth EI profile is slightly stiffer in the mid and butt sections. Great for longer builds or golfers who play drivers with heavier head weights. Available in 60-, 70- and 80-gram models.

Type C: The shaft has a softer handle section, and more stout tip and mid sections for golfers with faster swing speeds. Slightly lower-launching and more fade-biased than Type A and Type B. Available in 60-, 70- and 80-gram models. Used by Rickie Fowler in his driver (70X).

The Specs

The Results

To test the Speed Rulz shafts, we took them the LaunchPad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Three of its Trackman Master Fitters evaluated the three different shafts on Trackman using real, premium golf balls and TaylorMade’s M1 460 driver at 9.5 degrees. Each of the shafts were tipped 1 inch and trimmed to 45.5 inches. See the results from each tester in the charts below, along with a insight from each tester.

Tester 1

Best Feeling Shaft: Type B

Feedback: Tester 1 was the longest of the three testers, and created the most ball speed, carry distance and total distance with Type B.

Tester 2

Best Feeling Shaft: Type B

Feedback: Tester 2 generated the most club head speed of the three testers. With Type B, he created the most club head speed, ball speed, carry distance and total distance.

Tester 3

Best Feeling Shaft: Type A

Feedback: Player 3 generated the most club head speed, ball speed and total distance with Type A. The slowest swing-speed player, he felt Type A had the “liveliest tip section.”

The Takeaway

Shaft fitting can be a complicated, confusing process, and Matrix has done an admirable job of simplifying it with its Speed Rulz line.

If you’re in the market for a premium shaft for your driver or fairway wood, it’s likely that there is a Speed Rulz shaft that can not only suit your needs, but will give you confidence through the process of elimination that you are making the right decision.

Matrix SpeedRulz shafts are currently available at select Matrix retailers. They will be officially released in late January 2016. For more information, visit the Matrix’s website. 

Pros: The stiffest of Graphite Design’s Tour AD shafts. Compared to similar shafts, the GP is impressively smooth and stable. Available in a wide range of weights (50-80 grams) and flexes (R2-X).

Cons: Like other Tour AD shafts, the MSRP is $500.

Who it’s for: Golfers who prefer tip-stiff shafts, as well as those looking to reduce launch and spin. The highly stable design can also suit golfers who want to tighten their dispersion, particularly if their miss is a hook.

The Review

At the top levels of the game, golfers are getting stronger. It’s easy to see on the PGA Tour, where the game’s brightest young stars are regularly generating club head speeds in excess of 120 mph. It’s even more noticeable at top college and junior golf events, as fields are filled with golfers who are stronger and more technically sound than ever before.

In response, golf equipment manufacturers have evolved their product lines. Especially with metal woods, it has meant lower-spinning clubheads, and to complement them, stiffer, more energy-efficient shaft designs.

Graphite Design new Tour AD GP shafts are intended to suit a wide range of golfers, as they’re offered in a variety of weights (50-80 grams) and flexes (R2-X) to fit a broad scope of golfers. Compared to previous shaft models from the company, however, the GP line (which stands for “Greatest Performance”) will optimize stronger golfers, as well as those who perform best with extremely stable shafts.

Like other new Tour AD models, they’re constructed with the company’s 50T carbon-fiber material, which gives them the smooth feel for which Graphite Design’s shafts are known. In the tip section of the shaft, however, the GP shafts use Torayca’s new T1100G carbon-fiber pre-preg with NanoAlloy technology, which gives the shafts a tip stiffness that are only rivaled by the company’s Tour AD M9003 shafts.

Graphite Design’s representatives warned me the GP shafts “may feel more on the firmer side,” and would not play like the Graphite Design shafts I used in the past. Design platforms and robot testing are one thing, but golf is played by humans — not engineering software and robots. I wanted to know exactly how different the new shaft would perform compared to Graphite Design’s most popular shaft of all time, the Tour AD-DI.

To find out, I took the GP shaft to the Launch Pad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where I tested it against the Tour AD-DI in the most apples-to-apples comparison possible. Both shafts were built to my specifications, 7X (tipped 1 inch) at a finished length of 45.5 inches in a TaylorMade M1 430 (10.5 degrees set to 8.5 degrees).

The numbers below may look quite similar, but please read on, because the feedback and trajectory biases were not.

The Numbers

Tipped 1 inch, the GP was one of the stiffest shafts I have ever used, and felt considerably more stable than the Tour AD-DI that I’ve played in the past.

As you can see, I swung the GP slightly faster (0.8 mph), but the extremely stiff-tipped design caused me to release the clubhead sooner in a effort to hit a straight shot. You can see that in my Attack Angle, which increased from -1.4 degrees to 0.2 degrees. As a result of my manipulation, I also contacted my drives higher on the face with the GP, which lowered my ball speed, increased my launch angle and decreased my spin rate due to gear effect.

I talked to Graphite Design about my results, and company representatives weren’t surprised. According to their PGA Tour rep, the GP shafts are so stable that golfers are not tipping them in their drivers. Since the average tipping on Tour for a driver is 1 inch, that speaks to the GP’s robustness.

I also tried a GP 8X (tipped 1.5 inches) at 43 inches in my TaylorMade M1 fairway wood, and the shaft played entirely too stiff. My release was earlier, which caused my spin numbers to rise above appropriate levels, and my miss tended to be high and to the right. According to Graphite Design, golfers who are using GP shafts in their 3 wood are tipping them no more than 0.5 inches, and my results were typical of a shaft that was overtipped. The GP shafts have to be commended for their smooth feel, however, as well as their tight dispersion, despite my overtipping.

There’s no question that in the correct flex and tipping, the GP would have loaded and unloaded more efficiently than the AD-DI. That would have created all-around better launch conditions. Of course, results are going to vary from golfer to golfer depending on swing and style. That’s why the most important message from this review is to not try to emulate the specs of Tour player, but to be fit for the shaft that works best for your game.

Tour AD GP Flexes

If you’re a stronger golfer, or one who’s looking to tighten up your dispersion — especially if your miss is a hook — the GP is likely a good option for your game. And if you’re coming from another Graphite Design shaft, you’ll likely find the performance characteristics of the Tour AD GP to be noticeably, and impressively different.