Graphite Design Tour AD FI Shafts Review
A Shaft With Many New Design Features Yet The Same Outstanding Performance We Expect From Graphite Design
There some things that we expect every fall: Pumpkin spice, colors changing, cooler temps and a new Graphite Design Shaft.
2025 is no different as we get our first look at their 2026 flagship model: the Graphite Design Tour AD FI Shafts.
This shaft is built with numerous new features in order to target a specific launch zone that can be paired with modern driver head.
T_Fity a master fitter at 2ndSwing Golf walks us through the new details, the new changes and the expected great performance.
He tested it both on-course over multiple rounds and extensively in the hitting bays on launch monitors in-store.
Read all of his thoughts below….
This is my definitive Graphite Design Tour AD FI Shafts Review.
Flight Intelligence
The philosophy behind the Graphite Design Tour AD FI Shafts, embodied by its “Flight Intelligence” name, represents a calculated evolution in golf shaft design.
The shaft is not merely a component for energy transfer but is a responsive instrument that “adapts to your swing”.
This is a brand commitment to providing a shaft that delivers “unparalleled stability and responsiveness” to enable consistent shot-making.
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New Logo, New Mandrel Shape, New Tip…
The Graphite Design Tour AD FI Shafts are engineered to be a “new standard” that works in synergy with the new low-spin, low-CG club heads.
The AD Shield and Tornado Tip Tech are not just marketing terms; they are targeted solutions to the dynamic challenges of modern clubhead performance, ensuring that the shaft complements the head’s capabilities and allows the player to maximize both power and precision.
AD Shield consists of a 90* degree hoop ply plus M40X (which is a High Performance Carbon Fiber) and a New mandrel shape offers the shaft more stability without the loss of feel.
The mid-section to the tip has a New Shape, with M40X-T1100G High Performance Carbon Fiber materials and Tornado Tip Technology.
This helps create a smooth shaft profile that promotes optimal ball flight.
The New Tornado Tip Technology uses Bias Ply’s in the tip section rather than Uni Ply’s which aids in reducing the Tip Torque to help maintain tighter dispersion rates.
While it has a new modern logo on the green and white shaft, it still has the iconic color bands which allow these driver shafts to be identified even from a distance.
Ready For Takeoff
The Graphite Design Tour AD FI Shafts have been fantastic on the course.
Compared to my old Tour AD GC, the new shaft delivers more forgiving performance on mishits, with off-center shots flying straighter and maintaining better distance.
The feel at impact is incredibly solid yet smooth.
The ball flight is a consistent mid-launch, and I’ve observed a significant reduction in spin.
This has led to a more penetrating flight, with less ballooning and more roll out after landing.
I did find that I needed to slightly increase the loft on my driver head to optimize the launch and spin combination.
Summary
Positioned as a flagship, premium offering, the Graphite Design Tour AD FI Shafts have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $500.
It is designated as a “2026 model” with a public release date of September 5, 2025, through Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts and its authorized dealer network.
You can get yours by booking at fitting at 2ndSwing. Make sure to ask for Tyler Fitzel at the Minnetonka, MN store.
More information here: Graphite Design Golf Website
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