So, a while back I saw a preview photo of the coming soon to the market Graphite Design AD HD shaft. As soon as I saw it in the white with Carolina Blue-like graphics, I figured I needed to give it a try just because of the way it looks. So, of course I reached out to @dphatt first to see if he had heard anything on it. Sure enough, within a short period of time he had a group order setup for T&C, which was awesome. I finally got mine into play this weekend and figured I would start a mini review thread for others in the group buy to chime in on.
First off, I have been playing Graphite Design in my driver for the past decade. My go to shaft for the longest time was the AD DI and then a couple years ago when it was released, I moved to the AD IZ. Then, I believe last year I took a chance on the newest release, the AD XC. I fell in love with the XC. I felt like it was more stout than the IZ, my ball flight was higher for some reason, and I gained probably 10 yards on my driver. Also, I loved the way I felt like I could really swing harder on it and not worry as much with my dreaded hook off the tee box. However, as mentioned above, I wanted to try the AD HD even if the XC was working for me, so...here we are.
So, I got in my AD HD last weekend, but too late in the day to get it out for a round. Unfortunately, our course was being overseeded/punched this week, so I didn't get a mid-week round in either or any type of range time. So, the first time I had a chance to put it into play was yesterday during a money game out at a friend's club that I have played once or twice before. Going to the course, I figured I was crazy to put the shaft in without trying it, but I knew if I didn't do it, I wouldn't ever have a "good time" to get it into play and keep it in play even if it was acting up after a hole or two (I would just take it out of the club). So, what better way to test it other than pressure under fire. I put the shaft in the driver and left my old shaft at home and drove 30 minutes away to play a course I've been on twice before...playing for money with three other groupings. Brilliant move obviously.
I usually do not hit the range much before a round. I figured I probably should with the new shaft, so I went down for a quick warm up. Immediately, I fell in love with the shaft. Of course, I'm on the range so I cracked a joke that it obviously wouldn't translate to the course. The smoothness of the shaft, ball flight, and general distance I was seeing just felt so great, but again, this was at the range.
The course I was playing was just re-opened after over-seeding themselves. The rough is NO JOKE out there (as in, you hit a 6 iron about 130 out of it if you're lucky). The fairways are fairly narrow, and you MUST hit your lines because of the trees, water hazards, and the absurd rough all over the place. I believe the course was playing 76/142 from the blacks that day, so no walk in the park.
Of course, first tee box I pull the ball left off the tee. However, it was not my typical duck hook and the damn thing felt SO smooth when I hit it. Additionally, the thing just seemed to float and carry through the air for days. When we went to look for my ball in the rough, after about 3-5 minutes we end up finding it a solid 15-20 yards further up than where we thought it would be. Okay, not too bad.
That missed fairway was the last one I missed for the rest of the day other than on hole 17 (where I pushed it a bit and ended up in the first cut of rough). The shaft felt amazing and all of my playing partners kept commenting on how great I was hitting it. Compared to the XC, it feels a bit "whippier". It feels way more in line with my IZ in terms of kick point, flex, etc. However, it allowed me to go back to a more controlled tempo swing. On ALL of my drives, the feedback from the shaft just felt more smooth overall. It's tough to describe, but this may be the "smoothest" shaft I've ever hit. Additionally, while I loved the ball flight with the XC, sometimes I would get it a bit too high. The HD brought the ball flight down just a touch but carried just as far. I think apples to apples, if I hit both on the screws there is a chance my XC is a couple yards longer, but on average, the HD is definitely longer (for me). In addition to this, I was NEVER off line with my shot. I hit several fades when I needed them, but was able to really play a draw when I wanted to get a little more roll out of the fairway. I felt like I could feel the head a bit more in my back swing than I can with the XC, which may have helped me in getting the club face back to square at impact.
Overall, I totally get it is the honeymoon phase and I won't get rid of my XC just yet. However, if it keeps this up, the AD HD will be in my bag permanently. I'm going to get it out on my home course this weekend so I can get a real feel for my distance and if I'm getting as much out of it as I think I am.
Finally, just from a cosmetic standpoint, I always loved the black/silver look of my XC. It's a bad a** looking shaft. It also matches up with any driver. However, as a Carolina fan, the HD is the best thing since sliced bread. Also, I gripped it with a MCC "team" midsize grip in Carolina blue and white. Damn thing looks SAF! Just wish my Maverick wasn't that ugly a** orange.
Can't wait to hear others thoughts on this shaft. I'm guessing more aggressive swingers may not care for this one as much. If someone out there is like that, I would definitely recommend giving the XC a chance.
