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
