Graphite Design Shafts: 8 Vital Facts Before You Buy

When it comes to choosing the right shafts for your golf clubs, there are so many high-profile brands to choose from. One of them is Graphite Design, a brand that is trusted by some of the best players in the world.

But what exactly are Graphite Design shafts, and how can they help your game?

In this article, we provide you with all of the information that you need about Graphite Design shafts and help you decide if this leading Japanese manufacturer is worth thinking about this season.

What are Graphite Design Shafts?

Graphite Design shafts are manufactured in Japan and distributed by Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts in the United States and Canada. The brand has a great reputation in the golf industry, with popular models including the Tour AD UB (new for 2022) and the Graphite Design MAD shafts.

The company has been making shafts for more than three decades and marked 2021 with 46 global tournament victories.* This highlights the fact that Graphite Design is trusted by amateur and professional golfers alike.

You can buy Graphite Design shafts for your irons, woods, and hybrids, meaning you can essentially kit out your entire golf bag with these impressive Japanese shafts.

So, read on to find out everything you need to know about the ever-popular Graphite Design shafts from Pro’s Choice, to help you decide if they’re the right shafts to add to your golf clubs this season.

Are Graphite Design Shafts Good?

Yes, one of the most impressive aspects of Graphite Design shafts is that they’re comprised of the latest in graphite technology, offering significant improvements when compared to other graphite-branded shafts on the market.

Central to Graphite Design’s offer is TORAYCA M40X, which is the latest carbon-fiber material from Toray Industries, which makes Graphite Design shafts so strong and durable, which are important characteristics of any golf shaft.**

Carbon fiber facilitates outstanding energy transfer, meaning that you can hit the ball longer and truer when using Graphite Design shafts. This is another thing that helps the brand stand out when compared to some of its competitors.

Ultimately, Graphite Design manufactures outstanding, Tour quality golf shafts, which are a great option for your golf clubs this season.

How Much are Graphite Design Shafts?

The cost of Graphite Design shafts depends on the model that you wish to buy. For instance, the popular MAD series wood shafts currently retail at $129.99, while the G-Tech iron shafts go for $21.99 per shaft.

In contrast, the 2022 release of the Tour AD UB wood shafts currently retails at $379.00, which is the most expensive option within the Graphite Design range. So, it’s accurate to say that the cost of Graphite Design shafts is anywhere between $21.99 and $379.00, depending on the model and series you go for.***

Of course, when you buy new shafts, you also have to factor in the other costs associated with fixing them, including epoxy and shaft adapters, for instance.

Also, if you’re not confident when it comes to fixing them yourself, you will have to hire a club fitter to attach the shafts on your behalf, and the cost of labor will depend on where you are in the country.

Where are Graphite Design Shafts Made?

Graphite Design shafts are made in Japan and are distributed worldwide. The company is based in the city of Chichibu and has been manufacturing golf shafts and other products for more than three decades.

Their business model means that they partner with distributors in different parts of the world, which is why US customers can buy Graphite Design shafts directly from Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts.

You can also buy the shafts from Golf Works and a select number of other golf retailers, but it’s best to buy from a trusted supplier, as counterfeit shafts do exist on some online marketplaces.

So, these shafts are made to exceptionally high standards in Japan before being distributed to suppliers in different parts of the world, which is why they’re becoming more and more popular in North America.

How Do I Choose a Graphite Design Shaft?

If you’re a recreational golfer looking for high-quality, slightly forgiving shafts for your irons, then the G-Tech iron shafts are perfect for you.

They are reasonably weighted, feature a torque of 3.5, and offer mid-high trajectory, making them suitable for most recreational players. But in terms of wood shafts, it really depends on what you’re looking for, as Graphite Design has so many options.

Many elite golfers turn to the Tour AD series from Graphite Design, and they’re popular on Tour thanks to their decent weight and varying degrees of flex.

To help you decide on the best Graphite Design shafts for your clubs, we introduce some of the most popular options in the range and inform you of their weight, torque, and trajectory to help you come to a decision.

Graphite Design Shaft Chart

Each of the shafts within the Graphite Design range features different properties that golfers are looking for. As such, the following chart will help you as you settle on the ideal shaft for your golf clubs this season:

As you can see from the table, the flex of the shaft influences the weight, torque, and even trajectory of the shafts, so it’s important to consider what you’re looking for in a shaft before ordering from Graphite Design.

After all, the shaft that you select can make a big difference to your game, so it’s important not to purchase something that you struggle with.

Does Graphite Design Make Iron Shafts?

Although Graphite Design predominantly features shafts for woods, utilities, and hybrids, there is an option for irons. The Graphite Design G-Tech shafts are ideal for your irons.

The fact that you don’t have a great deal of choice when it comes to Graphite Design irons means that you needn’t worry about choosing from a broad selection of iron shafts, and you can make your decision pretty easily!  

But given that Graphite Design has developed a reputation for producing high-quality shafts for woods and hybrids, you have a much broader choice when it comes to configuring your long clubs.

Again, you can use the above table as a guide when choosing the best Graphite Design shafts for your clubs, or you can contact Pro’s Choice Shafts directly if you have any further questions about the best shafts for your golf clubs.

Do any Tour Players Use Graphite Design Shafts?

Several of the best golfers in the world use Graphite Design shafts, highlighting the significant quality of the brand. For instance, Jordan Speith uses Tour AD DI 95 X hybrid shafts, while the likes of Kevin Na, Kyoung-Hoon Lee, and Martin Kaymer also play Graphite Design.

In fact, according to PGA Club Tracker, more than twenty golfers currently use Graphite Design shafts, which have contributed to the significant number of wins the brand has racked up on Tour in recent years.

So, if you’re looking for the best shafts for your golf clubs this season, it’s hard to look past Graphite Design, as they offer a broad range of options that are suitable for professional and amateur golfers alike.

Conclusion

When it comes to technologically advanced, high-performance golf shafts, it’s difficult to look past Graphite Design. The Japanese brand has an outstanding reputation in the golf industry, helping them rack up an impressive number of wins on Tour.

And while most players turn to Graphite Design for wood, hybrid, and utility shafts, the G-Tech iron shafts are a great option for recreational golfers and will help you as you look to improve your control and accuracy on the golf course this season.

Sources:

1. https://proschoicegolfshafts.com *
2. https://proschoicegolfshafts.com/technology/ **
3. https://www.golfworks.com/graphite-design/c/64/ ***