- Updated: June 8, 2022
Graphite Design Tour AD UB Shaft Review
Will this upgrade go Up and Beyond your current gamer?
Tyler Fitzel
Professional club fitter and author at Independent Golf Reviews
I used the Graphite Design Tour AD UB Shaft for 8 rounds of golf in AZ this winter. I’ve also been able to hit it indoors on the work simulators.
This is the definitive Graphite Design Tour AD UB Shaft Review for 2022.
New in 22’ Graphite Design is ready to take your golf game Up and Beyond with the latest addition to the Tour AD line-up, the UB. Well known for high performance and premium golf shafts, the engineers at Graphite Design are continuously seeking to produce the optimal shaft for your game. With 5 weight options and 6 flex designations, the Tour AD UB will have a shaft to go Up and Beyond your current gamer.
Looks- Designed and manufactured at the Graphite Design Japan factory headquarters, the new Tour AD UB has a very eye appealing color pop. The distinctive bands of a Graphite Design Tour AD shaft are black and silver set in a metallic blue which fades to all silver near the tip of the shaft. The silver color on the bottom of the shaft makes any driver head color blend nicely with the numerous color schemes we see in the game.
Feel- The new Tour AD UB has the feel you have come to love from a Tour AD shaft. Feel is always subject to the person making the comments, but this shaft is yet again an instant winner for the response it has when loading and unloading during the swing. The profile is described as Medium+ Butt Section – Medium+ Mid Section and Stiff+ Tip Section. I like how all the shafts for Graphite Design can be compared by Stiffness using the 3 zones of the shaft. Before you even try the shaft you can identify the key elements you need for the best fit. The Tour AD UB has a slightly more stable feel at impact for me than the Tour AD HD did. It was like I could feel more of the contact when the club face met the ball.
Performance- I was able to compare the last three Tour AD shaft models side by side and it helps to understand the performance differences I’ve been seeing over a three year period of time. The new Tour AD UB has been the best fit for my game for several reasons. First, I feel a more solid contact in the clubface with the ball. The added ball speed helps to create more distance without having to swing off-balanced. Second, my optimal launch and spin numbers for an attack angle up 4* is 15.0-16.0 degrees and 2300 rpm. Generally speaking of course, these averages should yield a 250-275 yard drive. Third, I have found more fairways at a greater distance. It goes without saying Accuracy and Distance is the ultimate combination. Tracking my stats over the past 3 years, my average number of fairways hit has increased from 44% to 55%.
Taylormade Sim 9* | Ball Speed mph | Launch Angle degrees | Spin (rpm) | Carry (yds) | Total (yds) |
Tour AD XC 6S | 138.8 | 11.3 | 1844 | 231 | 258 |
Tour AD HD 6S | 142.1 | 13.7 | 2144 | 239 | 264 |
Tour AD UB 6S | 144.7 | 15.4 | 2388 | 242 | 270 |
Technology- The new Graphite Design Tour AD UB utilizes the same TORAYCA ® T1100G carbon-fiber pre-preg with NANOALLOY ® technology as the past few Tour AD shafts. This provides the tip section of the shaft with additional shaft stability, exceptional feel and precise ball control.
The Tour AD UB also utilizes TORAYCA ® M40X carbon-fiber pre-preg in the Mid to Tip section of the shaft as did the HD and XC models before it. This strength in transition from Mid to Tip helps create a Mid Launch and Low/Mid Spin characteristics, as well as give the shaft rotational stability for added consistency in shot dispersion.
Along with TORAYCA ® and NANOALLOY ® is Graphite Design’s proprietary Material Stiffness Integration (MSI) design philosophy and technology. The way each layer of material is used helps create the unmistakable feel and performance in all Graphite Design shafts. This attention to detail in production is what makes Graphite Design one of the industry leaders.
Summary
For decades Graphite Design has released an award worthy shaft and 2022 is no exception. The 2022 Tour AD UB shaft is a Mid Launch with Low/Mid Spin and is a great fit for someone needing a penetrating ball flight with a slightly higher spin rate. Many factors go into finding the optimal shaft for your swing, find an Authorized Dealer to help you get the right Tour AD shaft in your club.
With 33 years of Tour proven Accuracy & Distance… Maybe it’s time for you to experience the difference a premium, Graphite Design shaft can make!
For more information: http://proschoicegolfshafts.com
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