tour ad tipping

Choosing the Right Graphite Design Tour AD Shaft

And, Webb Simpson won THE PLAYERS 2018 Championship with the new higher launching Tour IZ 5X!

The Tour AD DI model is the first Graphite Design shaft design that was integrated with Toray Company’s original NANOALLOY material technology in the tip section of the shaft. This material technology has now come to be known as “DI Technology”. This unique material technology promotes additionally shaft stability without the loss of feel and allows the player to create greater club head speed and thus greater ball speed while still providing exceptional feel and control.

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Graphite Design Tour AD UB Shaft Review

50 Words or Less

The Graphite Design Tour AD UB has a powerful kick and a feel similar to the Tour AD DI. Very easy to turn over. Highly consistent feel.

Check out the low launch, low spin Tour AD VF HERE

Introduction

Though it’s one of the oldest shafts in their catalog, the Graphite Design Tour AD DI continues to be a favorite and a winner throughout golf [review HERE ]. In fact, as of this publication, it’s the driver shaft of the reigning Masters champion. With so much success, it makes sense that Graphite Design would try to emulate the AD DI in their newer offerings, which they’ve done with the Tour AD UB.

The Graphite Design Tour AD UB sticks with the tried and true aesthetic of the Tour AD series but with one of the series’s bolder color choices. The upper portion of the shaft is a very attractive blue that I can best describe as a dark turquoise . Just below the branding, that shifts to silver for a less distracting look at address.

Branding on the Tour AD UB is limited to the familiar logos below the grip. Should you install this shaft logo down, the only graphics you’ll see are the black rings near the middle.

Like most golfers, the first thing I do when I get a new shaft in hand is give it the wiggle test. I’ve been testing a lot of low launch, low spin shafts lately, so the big response from the Tour AD UB was a bit of a shock. I felt substantial movement in the lower half of the shaft.

When I started swinging the Tour AD UB, it put a big smile on my face as it brought back memories of the Tour AD DI. This shaft has a pronounced kick starting in the middle of the shaft and working down. Every swing feels effortlessly powerful . The tip section feels fairly stout but not rock hard.

Graphite Design rates all their shafts somewhere between “Very Stiff” and “Soft” in each section. The Tour AD UB is rated Medium+, Medium+, Stiff+ from butt to tip. This is very similar to the Tour AD DI which is Medium, Medium, Stiff.

Performance

The term “one-trick pony” is often used as a pejorative, but it doesn’t have to be if that one trick is really good. For me, the Graphite Design Tour AD UB had one primary function: high, powerful draws . I think most golfers would agree that’s a good trick. With this shaft, I could “turn off” all conscious control of my swing and know the ball wouldn’t go right. I could hit a straight shot with a little effort, but moving it right required a Bubba-like move.

Another thing that I noticed about the Tour AD UB is that it felt and performed very similarly regardless of how hard I swung . For players who are trying not to swing all-out, this is an amazing feature. For me, the amount of kick kept me from going 110% because of a fear of the hook, but that’s a fitting issue/personal hang up.

In testing the Tour AD UB on my Foresight GCQuad , I was very impressed by the launch angle. Looking at the shot shape alone, I was expecting the ball to come out fairly low. However, I was getting high launch that kept my carry distance very near optimal .

Finally, in looking over Graphite Design’s website, I noticed something very interesting. Despite the feel similarities between the AD DI and the AD UB, Graphite Design places the performance of the AD UB nearest the Tour AD HD [review HERE ]. For comparison, the AD HD is rated Firm, Firm, Firm+ which is substantially different than either DI or UB. All of this to say, it’s critical to test things for yourself and get fit. I find Graphite Design’s feel rating to map well against my feel, but you may not.

The Graphite Design Tour AD UB is available in weights ranging from 40 grams to 80 grams . Lite and Regular flexes are offered in the 40 and 50 gram versions. Stiff flex is available in every weight. Stiff-Regular is offered only at 60 grams. X-Stiff is available at 50, 60, 70, and 80 grams with a Tour X-Stiff version at 60 and 70 grams.

Players who want something different than the flood of “low/low” shafts should enjoy the Graphite Design Tour AD UB. This shaft can help take your tee shots “Up and Beyond” with a strong, active feel reminiscent of Graphite Design’s most successful model and very consistent performance.

Visit Graphite Design HERE

13 Comments

Been hoping you’d review the UB! I’m going to spend some time with this shaft this year. Testing so far, I’ve found it launches a little lower for me than the HD, and it feels more like a cousin of the DI. (The DI 7X is in my 3 wood forever. It’s perfect. Too high and spinny for a driver, but absolutely perfect in a fairway wood.)

I’m just curious, generally speaking, where would you say the Diamana TB sits relative to the Graphite Design lineup? It seems to me it has launch and spin characteristics roughly in the same ballpark as the UB and HD, but is more smooth vs. the really strong kick I get out of the HD. But they only had the TB in a TX, not an X, available when I tested it, so it wasn’t really apples to apples and I’m wondering whether it’s worth trying again.

I’ve never run the TB head to head with any Graphite Design where I could make a really sound comparison.

So, I have a friend in Paris and he has or gets everything Graphite Design. I have wanted to try this shaft since I heard of it. So, he comes to visit and voila here we go. I had access to it over the last two days and played 18 holes with it in a 9* M6 – D today. I overswung one time and I hit a ridiculous high draw (I never play a draw) however the rest of the day I hit this lower than low and far especially into the wind.

I trust you Matt and I understand what you have to say about this shaft vs. as I experienced it. My current driver is a 9* TS3 (or a SIM 9* with the same shaft (All three of these shafts 60 gm) the TENSEI Orange Pro K – which happens to really be the shaft for me in my fw woods (70g version) and the white is OK.

Comparing AD DI . AD UB , Orange Pro and White pro the feel of a kick is (greatest to lowest) ADUB, ADDI, Orange then white, correct? Otherwise, these four shafts are pretty much all similar gross descriptions, Y or N?

My desire is low launch, low flight enough spin (1800-2000) to keep the ball in the air and better performance into the wind

I understand the differences in a day vs. a fitting, but just want to know if I understand this group well, all else being equal. If you say I dunno, depends on the combo – that’s Ok.

I guess I need to try the 1K series as well … your 1K White review sounds delish

I would not put the Orange and White in the same category as DI and UB, but, because everything is personal, it’s entirely possible that some people would get similar performance from all four.

I found the differences in characteristics you described vs. the function I experienced with the UB to be jarring.

I’m always a bit dismayed by “fittings” as I see people I play with (Their misfortune to have very deep pockets) frequently playing clubs they have no business playing after a few weeks of actually playing them. I am suspicious of the swing one hits in a bay after 50-100 swings not being the one taken to the course, and as I like to say “If you hit ten drivers in a row, you are lying 19” (Meaning it never happens on the course) and is non-representative.

I have personally found iron shafts far more consistent across brands than woods/hybrids but especially driver shafts. UB is so new as to be nearly impossible to try in a fitting, I’m going to try to get access to a Trackman this week before he goes back, I have never seen able to hit such a consistent, low boring trajectory through the wind. Ever. I play continuously in the wind and need that shot.

Cheers, I do appreciate all your efforts.

Coming off of 2 major surgeries since November, I had not been cleared to swing away until today. I hit several different drivers with different shafts. While my swing speed is down to only 100mph, the callaway Rogue Max D with this shaft was by far the easiest to swing. It was effortless and incredibly accurate, and it launched mid/high as well. I’m quite intrigued with this shaft as I look for a driver to play until my speed comes back.

Great Review. Have you ventured into reviewing these premium shafts in the fairway woods? I’ve read a few of your reviews and I’ve seen comments of people using one flex in the driver and another flex in the woods. I ask because I’ve squared in my driver shaft and swing well with an x and I’m losing balls to the right with the 3 wood.

3 wood is S flex.

No, we do all our shaft testing with drivers.

Thanks Matt

What other shaft will come close to similar feeling. Thanks

As I mentioned in the review, the Tour AD DI is the most similar shaft in my experience.

How would this compare to the Mitsubishi tensei black 1k?

I have a full review of the 1K Black here: https://pluggedingolf.com/mitsubishi-tensei-1k-black-shaft-review/

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WRX Club Techs

Tipping a GD Tour AD DI 6s - Tighten it up?

By OspreyCI September 9, 2012 in WRX Club Techs

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OspreyCI 12 posts

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Anyone on this one?

I haven't hit an ADDI but I've tipped driver shafts 1/2" and it does help. But something to consider, if you tip it 1/2" it's going to play shorter and be even stiffer than a new shaft that you tipped 1/2" and cut to your current length. For instance. I have a Fubuki Tour 73X that I tipped 1/2" but I left it 1/2" long in case I wanted to tip it more. So my driver plays 45.5" with it. Well, I picked up a Fubuki Tour 63x pull (thinking that I could gain a little clubhead speed) and tipped that 1/2" thinking it would feel the same. The pull wasn't long enough to leave that extra 1/2" on the butt side so the driver plays 45". Subsequently the 63X plays a bit stiffer. I think partially due to the fact that my swingweight is less with a shorter and lighter shaft; granted I haven't had the chance to add weight to my R11 head to bring it back up to the same swingweight as the 73X so I'm not quite comparing apples to apples. But it does play stiffer being shorter and tipping the same amount. All that said. You might just want to tip it 1/4". Or get another shaft, tip it 1/2" and but cut it to your current length.

I always leave it as is but longer than I would normally play That way if it's soft I can tip trim to spec and still play my ideal length.

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Mine is playing 45.5", so tipping it would be perfect to make it play 45". Just wondering if tipping it will help with dispersion.

When I got my AD DI 6s, I tipped it 1/2" as recommended by Titleist and then butt cut to a final playing length of 45". Like you, I found the shaft to play a little loose (should have gone to the 6x but oh well) so I pulled the adapter and tipped it another 1/2". The shaft now plays awesome, the extra tipping has tightened things up and additionally it lowered the spin a bit. The club plays 44.5" and I gained distance and accuracy is at an all time best. Different for everyone by this worked for me!

Titleist 910 D3 7.5* w/ GD AD DI 6 stiff Titleist 915 FD 15* w/ Fujikura Rombax P95 stiff Titleist 910 F 19* w/ Fujikura Rombax P95 stiff Mizuno MP 15 4-PW w/ Modus 3 Tour 125X ssx1 Titleist Vokey SM5 52* F w/ Modus 3 Tour 125X ssx1 Titleist Vokey TVD 56* w/ Modus 3 Tour 125X ssx1 Titleist Vokey SM6 60* S w/ Modus 3 Tour 125X ssx1 Piretti Matera Rev 2.0

[quote name='OspreyCI' timestamp='1347289699' post='5616557'] Mine is playing 45.5", so tipping it would be perfect to make it play 45". Just wondering if tipping it will help with dispersion. [/quote] And to add to my previous post; tipping the shaft for me tightened up the feel and I think the added accuracy has more to do with the playing length than the actual tipping. My 2 cents!

I have a DI 8X tipped 2" and the dispersion is really good on it.

[quote name='Coheed' timestamp='1347291938' post='5616723'] [quote name='OspreyCI' timestamp='1347289699' post='5616557'] Mine is playing 45.5", so tipping it would be perfect to make it play 45". Just wondering if tipping it will help with dispersion. [/quote] And to add to my previous post; tipping the shaft for me tightened up the feel and I think the added accuracy has more to do with the playing length than the actual tipping. My 2 cents! [/quote] Good stuff. I think she is going to lose 1/2" here real soon. I love this shaft coupled with the RBZ Tour driver head. I would like it to be a hair stiffer, so tipping sounds like it will be a good thing.

Tipping also lowers the shaft's flex point so the launch angle may increase.

Titleist 913 D2 8.5* Rogue 70 S Titleist 915 16.5* Whiteboard 80 X Titleist 915 19* Whiteboard 90 S, 24* Whiteboard 100X AP2 716 KBS Tour S 1x SS SM7 Black 50* KBS SM7 Black 54/14 KBS, SM7 58/12 KBS KP1 Carbon ---Cally Chrome Soft 2018 TM TP5X

But does the overall profile change that much?

Awesome topic. Kinda disappointed in my di6. Not near as consistant as I was expecting. Got to granny swing it to keep it in the short grass. Should have gone 6x but found the deal on the 6s. Now I'm playing a 45", but really wanting to tip it a 1/2". Most of my drivers are 44.5, but was looking for a little more distance with the 45.

Callaway Optiforce 440 Matrix RUL Callaway X Hot Pro 17 Kai'li 70 Ping G25 20* IROD 95 Srixon Z745 Modus 120X Cleveland Precision Forged 50, 54, 60 Odyssey Tour Designs 1W

[quote name='curran22' timestamp='1347327406' post='5620237'] Awesome topic. Kinda disappointed in my di6. Not near as consistant as I was expecting. Got to granny swing it to keep it in the short grass. Should have gone 6x but found the deal on the 6s. Now I'm playing a 45", but really wanting to tip it a 1/2". Most of my drivers are 44.5, but was looking for a little more distance with the 45. [/quote] After a couple rounds now with the 6s, I almost have to second this. I was kind of inconsistent with this shaft. I think I may be a little too aggressive with it. Going to try and tip it and see what happens.

Wardonation

I have had this shaft in 3 drivers for 3 years. I LOVE the feel but it is way to loose. Funny thing is I play 6S in D and 7X DJ in 3wood. I have it tipped an inch currently, Going to make a move to a low torque shaft, but I am going to miss the buttery feel..

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Dang it...had my driver measured today and it came out at 45".... So no tipping for me!!

Play it at 45.5" for the extra control?!

[quote name='horty1388' timestamp='1347430404' post='5627703'] Play it at 45.5" for the extra control?! [/quote]You mean 44.5"?

Tipping will stiffen the feel of the shaft, but primarily thru the shortening of the tip. This will reduce spin, trajectory, and tighten dispersion. Titleist used to recommend tipping there "made for shafts" an inch to get them to play more like the original.

Interesting thread. I have a DI6 SR flex as my ss is not as high as many on here, but I also find it "loose" and difficult to control the intermittent snap hook when I go after it a bit. I currently have this shaft at 45.5 in a G15,,was thinking of putting this in a Razr Fit. To the point of this thread,,if I could bring the spin rate down and get it a little stronger[ currently freqs at 244 cpm] but maintain a high launch I might be pleased. I was also considering a DI6 S flex which from the posts on here freqs between 250-255 which should be ideal for me. But when I look at the Cleveland Golf shaft spec sheets on this shaft , the S flex seems a completely different profile than the SR flex,,BY A LOT.Question is,,should I tip this 1/2 inch which would only bring the freq to about 246 or sell it and try the S flex? SS is 92-94.

I find this shaft pretty weak...yes, smooth, but weak to flex I am thinking. I would sell and get a stiff. I am thinking of going to a 6x.

[quote name='OspreyCI' timestamp='1347454301' post='5628261'] I find this shaft pretty weak...yes, smooth, but weak to flex I am thinking. I would sell and get a stiff. I am thinking of going to a 6x. [/quote] Thanks Osprey. I find it weak also,,but the Fitting guide on the GD website says the SR is right for me,,I don't think so. I can actually waggle the club and see a whippiness like a buggy whip,,and I feel that in my swing also. In a previous thread I started there was a lot of discussion about this problem and almost all the advice was that the DI6 played either to or stronger than stated flex. That is clearly not my experience.It feels great but spins the ball way too much in this combo. What we need here is an expert and experienced opinion.

I feel the same about my DI6S lately. I had high hopes but it's just too whippy for me. And the hunt for a 6x begins.

I mean, I like golf balls but not that much.

[quote name='chiguy' timestamp='1347456027' post='5628361'] I feel the same about my DI6S lately. I had high hopes but it's just too whippy for me. And the hunt for a 6x begins. [/quote] Mine has already begun...

I grabbed an AD-DI6X a couple weeks ago from the Classifieds. Man, I like it in my 910D3 ! I was never fond of the AD-DI6S ( too loose ) nor the AD-DI7S, but to each his/her own.

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[quote name='ARL67' timestamp='1347493116' post='5631381'] I grabbed an AD-DI6X a couple weeks ago from the Classifieds. Man, I like it in my 910D3 ! I was never fond of the AD-DI6S ( too loose ) nor the AD-DI7S, but to each his/her own. [/quote] Couple questions for you. What is your swing speed and type? How different was the 6s versus the 7s? Thanks.

My SS is usually 105 +/- though I really need to get on a monitor and see if I''ve crept up ( I hope so ! ). I think last year, I bought too much into the hype of the AD-DI shafts and had "bigger expectations". I naturally hit a high ball, even with a 910 D3 8.5, so dont need a high launch shaft. The 6 was too flexy for me, and the 7 just didn't "wow me" so I moved them along ( false expectations on my part ). But I am liking that 6X tipped an extra 1/2" , so now playing 44.5" and maybe that's why I like it a lot. I may bump the head weight up by 2 grams via my weight kit - need more range time to evaluate The hyped shaft this season seems to be the Speeder VC Tour Spec series. I just received a VC 7.2 Stiff Tour Spec, and have a VC 6.2 X-Stiff Tour Spec in transit, all via the BST forum here. Shaft horsing around is entertainment for me - there are far worse hobbies than golf when it comes to $$$ - Andy

[quote name='ARL67' timestamp='1347572241' post='5636019'] My SS is usually 105 +/- though I really need to get on a monitor and see if I''ve crept up ( I hope so ! ). I think last year, I bought too much into the hype of the AD-DI shafts and had "bigger expectations". I naturally hit a high ball, even with a 910 D3 8.5, so dont need a high launch shaft. The 6 was too flexy for me, and the 7 just didn't "wow me" so I moved them along ( false expectations on my part ). But I am liking that 6X tipped an extra 1/2" , so now playing 44.5" and maybe that's why I like it a lot. I may bump the head weight up by 2 grams via my weight kit - need more range time to evaluate The hyped shaft this season seems to be the Speeder VC Tour Spec series. I just received a VC 7.2 Stiff Tour Spec, and have a VC 6.2 X-Stiff Tour Spec in transit, all via the BST forum here. Shaft horsing around is entertainment for me - there are far worse hobbies than golf when it comes to $$$ - Andy [/quote] Like to know how your testing comes out with those shafts.

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Shaft & Grip Reviews

Review: graphite design tour ad mj shafts.

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.

10 shots hit with each shaft (7X, tipped 0.5 inches). Driver used was Titleist’s 915D3 (9.5 degrees, C1 setting).

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

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13 Comments

Golfprodave

Aug 8, 2015 at 7:43 am

The TOUR AD DI seems a good match. If you wanted to try something different and stay within the GD TOUR AD family I would recommend you try the tour ad dj. It has similar spin with slightly higher launch charactistics than the DI

http://www.golfshaftreviews.info/index.php/graphite-design-tour-ad-dj-golf-shaft-review/

Gary Rosenthal

Jul 2, 2015 at 6:08 pm

After months of demo-ing everything out there, I’ve had the AD MJ (in stiff regular) attached to my Taylormade R15 (10.5*) for a couple of weeks now.

Had the shaft tipped to 44 and 3/4 inches. Wonderfully vibrant feel–noticeably better than the stock Speeder that came with the club–and the stock shaft was by no means bad. And though 3/4 inches shorter than the stock Speeder, distance with the AD MJ is a surprisingly 6 or 7 yards longer than the stock shaft on good hits of both.

But aside from wonderful “feel,” the really great thing about this shaft/clubhead pairing is the accuracy: averaging 80% fairways hit, and even misses haven’t gotten me in trouble. This, plus the slightly shortened shaft, has resulted in a lot more confidence off the tee. So I’m loving the shaft, even though my driver swing speed would have suggested “regular” might have been a better fit.

May 16, 2015 at 11:39 pm

249 carry not right w/ those numbers

May 28, 2015 at 10:52 pm

But with the launch angle it seems about right

May 16, 2015 at 5:53 pm

Reminds me of the Killer Bee driver from back in the day

May 16, 2015 at 2:40 am

Looking at the launch angles I would suggest moving the setting to: C4 or even B4, or else, get a 10.5 degree head and use B1, if you prefer playing with a slightly open club face. My SS is 10 mph less than yours, Smash Factor pretty much the same, AOA: 0 to +5 degrees, launch angle: 10.5 to 15 degrees. Spin: 2250 – 2680 rpm. On Trackman I get the same lenghts as you, or even slightly longer. You would improve on your lenghts of the Tee by increasing your launch angle and focus on getting a positive AOA (Angle of Attac). I would say that you are loosing 20-30 yards, just by reading your data. I use the same head, stamped 10.5 degrees, actual loft in the sweet spot: 10.8, setting A1. 😉 Shaft: Black Tour AD DI 6S….Sweet! You’ve got room for improvement, for sure…..-Good luck!

Zak Kozuchowski

May 16, 2015 at 3:15 pm

Thanks for reading and for the feedback, Mats. Just to clarify, this test was not performed to optimize my launch monitor numbers. It was done to show the differences in launch and spin between the shafts.

May 16, 2015 at 11:30 pm

I was going to comment the same as the other guys. My first thought when I saw the top of the chart was that launch angle must be 5 degrees or something. I launch at 13* with a 107 and 1.48 smash and I can break 300 the odd time (measured on flight scope and gc2 hmt). Good article though. Liked it.

May 16, 2015 at 1:32 am

It’s good to see that they offer an in-between flex, the “stiff regular”. I almost always find the Regular flex to be too whippy, yet the stiff flex is usually a little bit too stiff, depending on brand. And my swing fits right in the middle of that recommended swing speed chart for that flex. Wish more companies had something like this.

May 15, 2015 at 9:56 pm

249 max carry doesn’t seem to add up with 112SS. Anyone else?

May 16, 2015 at 12:06 am

Spin is really low and launch angle is kinda low…..good swing speed but the ball is falling out of the air.

May 15, 2015 at 6:56 pm

What head did you use in the tests?

May 15, 2015 at 9:53 pm

10 shots hit with each shaft (7X, tipped 0.5 inches). Driver used was Titleist’s 915D3 (9.5 degrees, C1 setting).

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Here’s why Jordan Spieth switched into a new Fujikura Ventus TR Blue shaft at Pebble Beach

When Fujikura’s new Ventus TR Blue shaft launched in January 2022, we learned all about the updated construction and potential performance benefits compared to the original Ventus Blue. It was unclear at the time, however, exactly who would make the switch into the new TR design on the PGA Tour.

Well, we’re starting to get some answers.

Jordan Spieth , who’s been relatively slow to change into new products throughout his career, is among a handful of names making the change. Spieth conducted recent testing with a Ventus Blue TR 7 X shaft in his Titleist TS2 15-degree fairway wood, and he put it in play this week at the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Titleist Tour representative J.J. Van Wezenbeeck, who works closely with Spieth on his equipment, said that Spieth came to the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) on Friday before the 2022 Pebble Beach Pro-Am for a check-up on his equipment. Since Spieth was previously playing Ventus Blue shafts in his Titleist metalwoods, he was intrigued by the new TR version.

As it turned out, Spieth found the new shaft to help with his transition and directional control.

“Coming from Ventus Blue, anytime they update a shaft you’re just intrigued on that, and he liked how [the Ventus TR Blue] loaded compared to the original Ventus Blue for him,” Van Wezenbeeck told GolfWRX on Tuesday. “He felt like when he mishit it, there was a little more control. So that was a good option for him…we did a little bit of internal work on the head to make sure there’s enough spin, because want to make sure his 3 wood doesn’t have too low of spin. He liked how the TR reacted on mishits where the spin didn’t drop, and it had more consistent spin from swing to swing.”

Due to a new Spread Tow fabric in the butt-end section, which is essentially a checkerboard pattern of woven material, the torque on the TR version is 10 percent stiffer in the mid-to-grip end of the shaft. As a result, Fujikura says the TR shaft is designed to improve stability and consistency compared to the original Ventus Blue.

Based on Spieth’s results with the TR shaft during testing, it seems Fujikura’s case holds water.

Spieth is using a Ventus Blue TR 7 X version in his fairway wood.

Pat McCoy, Director of Tour Operations at Fujikura, spoke with GolfWRX about the new shaft, and what players are seeing in their testing out on Tour.

“Compared to the original Ventus Blue, the TR has a stiffer mid-section and lower torque,” McCoy said. “Basically what the shaft does is it eliminates some of the dynamic loft. It eliminates some of the rotation. Obviously, the Ventus Blue was a very stable shaft and one of the best launching shafts we’ve ever had. And we just made it better.

“As far as ball speed and launch and spin, I’m not going to say it’s faster, but we have seen players who have achieved faster speeds with it. It provides more consistency and the ability to turn swing speed into ball speed better. And that’s it. It’s a little stiffer than the original Blue, and it’s a little bit weaker than the [Ventus Black]. It’s a ‘tweener. It gives you something in the middle, and depending upon loft and impact location, you get a better fit.”

The fairway wood shaft wasn’t the only potential change that Spieth will make in 2022, though.

In addition to putting the new Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges in the bag, Spieth is also considering adding another option to the top end of his bag.

Typically, Spieth changes between a hybrid and long irons, depending on course conditions. During the recent session at TPI, though, Spieth took a liking to Titleist’s U-505 wide-bodied driving iron. Ahead of the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Spieth took a U-505 2-iron (Graphite Design AD-DI 105X shaft) out onto the course for testing.

“He’s experimenting with a U-505 this week (ahead of the event at Pebble Beach),” Van Wezenbeeck told GolfWRX. “He’s always gone between a hybrid and either a 2 iron, or a hybrid and 3 iron, and we brought out a 505 as kind of a third option on a week where he isn’t sure whether he should play an iron or a hybrid. The 505 being a wide body iron is kind of a blend between the two. And he was really intrigued with how high it launched on a standard shot, and he could flight it more off the tee, where as with a hybrid he can’t do.

“So on weeks he feels like there’s a lot of irons off the tee, he likes to play the iron. On weeks where there are a lot of shots into par 5s, he likes the hybrid. On weeks where there’s a little of both…he felt the 505 might be an option, so he was taking it on the golf course [on Tuesday] to see how it would react.”

While it’s unclear exactly when Spieth will break out the new U-505, it seems like it’ll certainly be in the rotation going forward. The Ventus TR Blue shaft, on the other hand, has already earned a starting spot in the bag this week.

These changes may seem minor to some, but it shows Spieth’s willingness to find small equipment tweaks to improve his game. For amateur golfers, use this as a lesson when gearing up for the new season. Go through your bag, test some of the new shaft and head options, and see where you can make improvements. Now is the perfect time to take inventory and get prepared.

MRC Shaft Shootout: Tensei CK Pro White, Kuro Kage XT and Diamana BF-Series

The Tensei CK Pro White is the latest release from Mitsubishi Rayon Composites (MRC), a low-launch, low-spin shaft with a multi-material design that the company says improves the performance and feel of the shaft. Whereas most golf shafts use between 3-6 different materials in their construction, the Tensei CK Pro White is made from 11 different materials, giving MRC engineers greater precision in the shaft’s design.

Like MRC’s Tensei CK Pro Blue shafts, which produce a slightly higher-launching, higher-spinning ball flight, the CK Pro White uses MRC’s Carbon Fiber DuPont Kevlar Weave in the handle section of the shaft. The company says it increases the strength and stability of that part of the shaft, leading to better feedback.

On the other end of the shaft, the tip section, MRC uses a boron-reinforced fiber. All low-launch, low-spin shafts have stiff-tip designs, but the addition of boron puts the Tensei CK Pro White in a class of its own when it comes to lowering launch angle and spin rate. The boron fiber also reduces torque, which can offer better energy transfer, more accuracy and better feedback — especially for skilled, high-swing-speed golfers.

Connecting and reinforcing those areas of the shafts is MRC’s low-resin content (LRC) prepreg. Prepreg is carbon fiber that’s been reinforced or “pre-impregnated” with resin, a glue that holds the material together when it’s formed into sheets and rolled into the form of a shaft. MRC says that its LRC has 15 percent more carbon fiber and 13 percent less resin than traditional prepregs, which allows MRC to make the Tensei CK Pro White stronger without adding extra weight to the shaft. MRC also uses high-modulus, 40-ton prepreg in the Tensei CK Pro White’s design, which like LRC is thinner, stronger and lighter than traditional prepregs.

The addition of boron helps MRC make the tip of Tensei CK Pro White shaft stiffer and lower in torque.

In the EI chart below, you can see how the Tensei CK Pro White’s bend profile compares to the CK Pro Blue. The main differences are its slightly stiffer tip and mid sections, as well as its slightly softer butt section. That gives the CK Pro White a higher “kick point” than the CK Pro Blue. Generally, the higher the kick point of a shaft, the lower its launch conditions. That’s why the Tensei CK Pro White is a lower-launching, lower-spinning shaft than the Tensei CK Pro Blue.

The Shootout

Just how much lower launching and lower spinning is the Tensei CK Pro White than MRC’s latest premium driver shafts? I put it to the test against the company’s Kuro Kage XT and Diamana BF-Series, which like the CK Pro White are PGA Tour-quality shafts that sell for about $400 each. All three shafts tested were built to my spec: 70TX, tipped 1 inch at a finished length of 45.5 inches.

I tested the three shafts on Trackman 4 at the Launch Pad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. After warming up, I hit 10 drives with each shaft, and whittled my shots down to the most similar five to help illustrate the differences. Premium balls were used for the test, and results were normalized.

MRC’s Kuro Kage XT uses a stouter iteration of the company’s famed “Blue Board” bend profile, and in that regard it’s quite similar to the Diamana BF-Series. That’s what makes the shafts a little higher launching and higher spinning than the Tensei CK Pro White. The Kuro Kage XT has a much different feel than both, however, due to its use of an elastic wire made of Titanium and Nickel that MRC calls “TiNi” wire.

Related: Learn more about the Kuro Kage XT

In the Kuro Kage XT, the TiNi wire is added to the bottom 13 inches of the shaft, where it adds stability, but it also serves another purpose. Its elasticity allows the bottom end of the shaft to better load and unload during the downswing to help improve energy transfer. That’s what gives the Kuro Kage XT its more active feel, at least compared to the boron-infused tip section of the Tensei CK Pro White, which by design offer no elasticity.

The Diamana BF-Series also uses boron in its tip section, and its combined with a new, aerospace-grade fiber called MR-70 to create what MRC says is a first-of-its-kind hybrid prepreg. MR-70, which is manufactured by parent company Mitsubishi Chemical, is 20 percent stronger and has 10 percent more modulus than similar fibers, MRC says . The handle section of the BF-Series is reinforced with MRC’s Pitch Fiber, which functions to boost energy transfer like the CK Pro White’s Carbon Fiber DuPont Kevlar Weave.

Related: Learn more about the Diamana BF-Series shafts

In terms of launch conditions, the best fit for me was the Diamana BF-Series. It launched the ball a little higher than the Tensei CK Pro White, and added a little spin to help keep my drives in the air. It was also easier to swing than the Tensei CK Pro White, helping me more easily hit a draw while offering an even smoother feel due to its less rigid tip and mid sections.

To recap, if you need to lower your launch conditions, the Tensei CK Pro White is one of the most intriguing new MRC options to help you do so. Need a higher ball flight? Try the Diamana BF-Series. And if you want a radically different feel, give the Kuro Kage XT a try.

Have a question? Let me know in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to answer as many as I can.

Weights and Flexes

Tensei CK Pro White: 60 (R, S, TX), 70 (S, TX), 80 (TX)
Kuro Kage XT: 50 (R, S, X, TX), 60 (R, S, X, TX), 70 (S, X, TX), 80 (S, X, TX)
Diamana BF-Series: 50 (R, S, X), 60 (R, S, X, TX), 70 (S, X, TX), 80 (S, X, TX)

Related: GolfWRX Members review the Tensei CK Pro White

Review: KBS Tour FLT Shafts

Pros: FLT shafts use a flighted design, which helps golfers launch their long irons higher and with more spin. The FLT short-iron shafts provide a more penetrating trajectory for more control.

Cons: FLT shaft flexes correspond with weight, so golfers may not be able to match their desired shaft weight with their desired flex.

Who They’re For: Golfers who need more spin or more launch from their long irons to optimize their trajectory. Everyone from beginners to PGA Tour players can use the shafts effectively, but they’ll be most popular with golfers with moderate-to-slow swing speeds, or any golfer who generates low-spin launch conditions.

Selecting the proper iron shafts is one of the most important equipment decisions golfers make. It’s an issue of quantity. Most golfers carry about 7-8 irons in their bag, so if they choose the wrong iron shaft, they’ve made the game harder than it needs to be with half or more of their clubs.

The good news is that there’s a wider selection of quality iron shafts than there has ever been, with recent growth in models that are designed to help golfers hit their iron shots higher and farther, while still maintaining PGA Tour-quality consistency and feel.

KBS is one of the leading steel shaft manufacturers, and already offered a wide variety of models prior to its newest shaft launch. Company representatives felt KBS was lacking a product for a particular segment of golfers, however, so it developed its new FLT shafts.

FLT shafts ($31.95 each) have a flighted design, which helps certain golfers optimize the performance of each iron their bag. The long irons shafts have progressively softer tip sections, which helps golfers increase their launch angle and spin rates with those clubs. For the right golfer, the design will help them hit their iron shots farther, and stop shots on the green more quickly. In the short irons, where height and spin are easier for golfers to generate, the FLT shafts are stiffer, which creates the flatter trajectory most golfers prefer with their scoring clubs. The crossover point between the higher-launching long irons and lower-launching short irons is the 7 iron.

Like all KBS shafts, FLT models have a constant weight, which means that long iron shafts and short iron shafts will be roughly the same weight through the set. Shaft weight is dependent on flex, however, as softer-flex models are lighter than stiffer-flex models. So if you’re looking for a really heavy, regular-flex shaft or a really light, extra-stiff-flex shaft, these aren’t for you.

Keep in mind that KBS shafts do not have reinforced tip sections like many other iron shafts, which gives them a slightly higher balance point and can decrease swing weight by 1-2 points. I personally like the feel of KBS shafts and their slightly higher balance point, but some golfers won’t.

For this review, I tested the new FLT shafts head to head against KBS Tour shafts of the same flex and weight (130X) in 4 irons, 6 irons and pitching wedges. Each of the shafts were installed in Callaway’s Apex Pro ’16 irons , and were built to my specifications (standard grips, standard length, 1-degree strong lofts, 1-degree flat lie angles).

I performed my testing at the Launch Pad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where I hit the 4 irons, 6 irons and pitching wedges on Trackman IV with premium golf balls. I hit 3-6 solid shots with each iron, and then removed the outliers from the final data in an attempt to compare only the most similar strikes. Results were normalized.

As you can see from the data, there was a significant difference in the flight of the 4 irons with the two different shafts, but less of a difference with the 6 irons and pitching wedges.

As expected, the FLT shafts caused 4 iron shots to launch higher (0.8 degrees) and with more spin (729 rpm) than the KBS Tour shafts. I’m not a low-spin player, which is one of the target audiences for this shaft, so the added launch and spin of the FLT shafts caused my 4 iron shots to fly shorter. Golfers who launch their irons too low or with too little spin, however, will likely see a distance increase when using the FLT shafts.

As I moved closer to the short end of the set, the two shafts started to perform more similarly. Theoretically, the 6 iron shots with the FLT shafts should have launched slightly higher and spun more than 6 iron shots with the KBS Tour shafts, but I actually saw a slightly lower launch angle (0.5 degrees) with the FLT. The spin was higher, though, by 211 rpm. With the pitching wedges, the results were again quite similar. The FLT launched 0.9 degrees higher, but actually spun 271 rpm less than the KBS Tour shafts.

Stepping back from the numbers, I was impressed with how similar the feel was between the KBS Tour and FLT shafts. Yes, I could feel that the FLT shafts were more active in the tip with the 4 irons, but they felt nearly the same in the 6 irons. By the time I got to the pitching wedges, the two shafts were indistinguishable. The KBS Tour is considered one of the better-feeling iron shafts currently available, so KBS’ ability to replicate that feel in the FLT will be a plus for the majority of interested golfers.

Looking more broadly, trends in shaft design tends to go hand-in-hand with trends in club head design, and the FLT shafts are no exception. Equipment manufacturers continue to strengthen the lofts of their distance irons; they have to in order balance the launch equation, as their faster ball speeds create a higher launch angle and more spin.

While the improvements to iron design have allowed golfers to hit their mid and short irons farther, many golfers continue to struggle to hit their long irons high enough or consistently enough for them to be effective. And based on my testing results, it’s clear that the FLT shafts can make long irons more playable for certain golfers, and maybe even keep long irons in a golfer’s bag that might otherwise be kicked out for higher-flying hybrids or fairway woods.

As always, I recommend that golfers get properly fit for iron shafts, which means visiting a reputable club fitter in your area. So if you’re in the market for new irons or iron shafts, you can get started by going through KBS’ Online Fit System , which upon completion lists KBS-certified dealers in your area.

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Tipping is 'not an entitlement': Should travelers stop tipping for everything?

Tipping is dead.

At least tipping, as you and I understand it. A mandatory 20% gratuity on every restaurant meal? Obligatory tips for housekeepers, concierges and tour guides? Kiss them goodbye.

And if you want to know why, just ask Gerri Hether.

Like many Americans, she's tired of the attitude that all service workers are entitled to a tip. She became exasperated with the point-of-sale terminals that solicited a gratuity before even serving her food. But then the final straw was when restaurants started to add automatic gratuities to their bills for her "convenience."

"I don't tip anymore," said Hether, a retired nurse from Mesa, Arizona.

Check out Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

Americans are known for generosity and willingness to tip for good service. But a recent poll by USA TODAY's Blueprint found 63% of respondents say too many businesses are asking for tips, and 48% are tired of being asked for a gratuity.

Almost the same number of Americans (62%) in another survey said they wouldn't give service workers year-end tips, according to the digital personal finance company Achieve. The reason? Tip fatigue.

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Why Americans have had enough of tipping

An increasing number of Americans believe that tipping expectations are unfair, said Carla Bevins, an expert on business management communication at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. And that has led to a shift in public attitudes toward gratuities.

"The momentum behind the no-tipping movement stems from growing scrutiny over the fairness and necessity of traditional tipping practices," she explained.

To hear people like Ian Duncan talk about it, it's a reaction to the widespread attitude of entitlement in the hospitality industry. It's tip jars at coffee shops, laundromats and grocery stores. It's having to pay a gratuity before you even receive a meal or service.

Duncan, a small business owner from Toronto, recently booked a cruise. However, when he received his invoice several weeks before his departure, the cruise line had added more than $200 in automatic gratuities to his bill .

"That did it for me," he said. "I canceled the trip and asked for my deposit back."

Duncan said he wants to decide who and when to tip – or whether he should tip at all – and resents it when a company assumes it is entitled to a gratuity. He also doubts that the staff will receive any automatic gratuity added to his bill, which is a valid concern.

Even etiquette experts say the time has come to talk about tipping.

"Tipping evolves over time, and we are long overdue to revisit the legal and social norms for how employees are paid," said Jodi RR Smith, an etiquette expert with Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting . "Expecting individual consumers to tip generously at every turn is not a long-term plan for economic success."

Even service workers agree that it's gone too far

Even people who depend on tips understand that things have gone too far. Mike Aguirre, a blues guitarist who performs in the Caribbean, blames the new terminals that try to extract a tip from patrons before they receive their meal.

"Leaving a tip before you receive your order seems premature − no service has been rendered yet, but there is a palpable element of guilt involved," he said.

It gets worse, actually. In some places abroad, restaurant servers come to your table with a portable payment system and ask you to enter a gratuity while they watch . Talk about pressure!

But people like Aguirre are likely to suffer because of the understandable tipping backlash. Many service workers have come to depend on gratuities to earn a living. Squeezing a tip out of a customer before the meal is served or under the watchful eye of your server is hardly the fault of the employee. However, the employees are likely to pay for these misguided policies.

Even etiquette experts have limited their tipping. Etiquette consultant Rachel Wagner said she no longer tips at hotel self-serve snack bars (even when there's a tip jar), at restaurants where you order at the counter, and at airport food kiosks.

"When the terminal shows me the tipping options, I choose 'no tip,'" she said.

She calls these kinds of tips "entitlements" and isn't worried about a service worker's reaction.

"All this person has done for me is take my money and place my items in a bag," she said. "There is no need to tip!"

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How to avoid tipping

Fact is, most service workers continue to rely on tips, and many believe you should always leave a gratuity. But there are ways to sidestep this unspoken obligation.

Go to a no-tipping business. Some hotels and restaurants advertise themselves as "no tipping." The easiest way to avoid a gratuity – and to encourage other companies to adopt sensible policies on tipping – is to give these companies your business. Have dinner at Thattu in Chicago, an Indian restaurant that pays its servers a competitive wage and doesn't solicit tips. Or Casa Bonita the Mexican Restaurant in Lakewood, Colorado, that doesn't accept gratuities.
Get takeout. No reasonable person expects you to tip your restaurant worker when you get takeout. So, one way to avoid leaving a gratuity is to get your next restaurant meal to go.
Refuse to tip. You can also send a message to a business about tipping by putting a zero in the tip line. Hether, the retired nurse who has stopped tipping, said the reaction from service workers has been one of resignation. It seems they know the system is broken, but they don't know how to fix it.

The future: Gratuities based on good service

When it comes to tipping, the future may look a lot like the past. Travelers say they don't think it's fair that they should subsidize a service worker's salary with a mandatory gratuity. But they like the traditional idea of offering a service worker a little extra for exceptional service.

Hether said she's still open to rewarding good customer service with a gratuity. But she'll never again fork over 20% of her bill out of a sense of obligation.

"Tipping should be based on exceptional service," she said. "It's not an entitlement."

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected] .

Money blog: The 24-minute rule - What time you should actually arrive at cinema to avoid adverts

We've gathered information from the UK's major cinema chains and spoken to experts about how long you can expect adverts and trailers to run until the main event actually begins. Read this and the rest of our Weekend Money content below and we'll be back on Monday with live updates.

Saturday 8 June 2024 08:06, UK

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By Narbeh Minassian , news reporter

The time on your ticket is 7pm, but you already know it's not going to start then.

So, what time do you get to the cinema?

If you're arriving at 7.10pm, you're almost certainly safe, but any later and you may cut it fine.

Here, we've gathered information from the UK's major cinema chains and spoken to experts about how long you can expect adverts and trailers to run until the main event actually begins.

According to the Cineworld website, ads and trailers "normally last between 30-45 minutes before the actual film begins".

The cinema also asks customers to collect tickets at least 20 minutes before the listed time "to make the most of their visit".

There appears to be a shorter wait at Odeon, which claims advert and trailer length is "typically 15-25 minutes" - but this varies with each performance and can be "considerably less".

"We always recommend to avoid disappointment you arrive with enough time to enter the screen at the scheduled performance start time," the website says.

There's a wider range at Everyman, which says it plays 25 minutes' worth of adverts and trailers.

But beware - "the length of ads and trailers varies for special events and it can be between 15 and 40 minutes, subject to type of event".

There isn't any specific information on the website and we got no response when we reached out to them, but Showcase did respond to a customer on social media on this very question.

In a May 2022 tweet, the cinema said: "The advertised time is when the adverts/ trailers start and are approximately 20-25 minutes long before each show."

Vue offers a more precise window: "Please be aware that most films have around 20 to 25 minutes of ads and trailers before the feature starts."

Its only recommendation is to be in your seat at the time stated so you "don't take any chances in missing the start of your film".

'In general, it's 24 minutes'

Karen Stacey, the chief executive of Digital Cinema Media, which supplies advertisement for the likes of Odeon, Vue and Cineworld, told Sky News the wait is typically 24 minutes - 12 minutes for ads, and 12 for trailers.

This remains true whatever the film and whatever the time of day, with about 95% of DCM's schedules "exactly the same".

"It's very formulaic, that's what consumers are used to," she said. "By making it consistent in length, people are always happy to come and join in."

She said 24 minutes gives schedulers enough time to prepare the film and allow a more staggered entry for the audience - while also bringing in revenue.

Any longer than half an hour, though, is "rare".

"Cinemas want to have as many films in as possible and they want to be mindful they don't finish too late in the evening," Ms Stacey said.

"My experience working with them is they are quite strict."

Are there rules over the length?

As the above suggests, there aren't any set rules or procedures governing cinema advertising length.

Kathryn Jacob, chief executive of cinema advertising company Pearl & Dean, said the length was determined by the cinema.

"Some cinemas take only one ad, like the BFI IMAX, and the maximum length is determined by the cinemas themselves," she told Sky News.

"Factors determining the length depend on demand from advertisers and the films that a cinema might want to showcase to the audience that's at the screening via trailers."

Cinema policy is the key decider and she said research has shown audiences find advertising in cinema "part of the entertainment".

Do viewers like the adverts and trailers?

Ms Jacob may have a point.

According to research published by DCM , advertising in cinemas is more effective than in any other media.

For a 60-second advert in the cinema, viewers will watch 48 seconds, which is a far higher proportion than TV or social media.

It is also highly trusted, with DCM citing a survey by IPA Touchpoints claiming nearly 100% of respondents say they trust what they see in the cinema - for comparison, 75% trust TV adverts.

Avid cinema-goer Bill Boswell, who pays £18 a month for an unlimited pass at Cineworld on the Isle of Wight, said he was happy to wait.

"I know that these adverts help pay for the cinema to run," he told Sky News. "The cinema is my place to escape, so it's good for my mental health and I would not want to lose it.

"If I watch at home, I can sometimes reach for my mobile phone, but a film on the big screen would get my 100% attention, so I just accept the pre-show adverts."

But what are the drawbacks?

The main thing Mr Boswell considers is his car, as his nearest Cineworld offers three hours of free parking.

"I would sometimes plan on 30 minutes of trailers and work back so I can fit the free parking in, as the cinema costs enough already," he said.

"If the film is more than two and a half hours, I park outside town and walk to the cinema."

Consumer expert Martin Lewis raised parking tickets as one of the issues in a 2019 tweet, in which he said he waited 33 minutes for a film to start.

Responding to one user, he said greater clarity would help customers to save on parking tickets and babysitting, while giving "legitimate expectation".

"And there's no rigorous research that prices [cinema tickets] would go up - they're often set by market demand," he added.

Are there alternatives?

If you want to avoid the pre-show altogether, your best bet might be independent or community cinemas.

Draycott Community Cinema, for example, is the only cinema in the Somerset village and is run by volunteers.

Committee member Chloe Haywood told Sky News they are always debating how long to make their pre-show.

They try to keep it to two short trailers, often without any adverts - though they are planning to find a sponsor later this year.

"We do find that it sets the audience up for the screening," she said, referring to their brief pre-show.

"We don't have trailers for long. They're to advertise the next two films, any local news that might be of interest, and then standard 'switch off your phones' type info."

We had a lot of feedback after our in-depth look at why concert ticket prices are so high these days...

Here's some of what you said...

Why do arenas and sports events have to charge so much for food and drinks? Over £8 a pint is absolutely scandalous and opportunistic greed. Britain is an absolute rip off. Lee J

In the same way that football has been gentrified, music is being steered towards the rich and middle class - real fans like me are no longer wanted by agents like Ticketmaster. Frontman

The ones responsible are the ones paying the prices like with coffee shops and other consumer products. Stop paying stupid prices, they won't charge them! Toby

Why are resale tickets allowed to be tripled or quadrupled? Recently offered a David Gilmour ticket for £600??? Springbok

1970... $7.50 to see Elvis at his prime in Vegas. The greatest entertainer ever. 2020... £300 to see Taylor Swift. The most overrated singer around today. I know who got the best deal there! Steve Elliott

A quick calculation shows $7.50 in 1970 is the equivalent of $60.61 today.

Next, a brief mention of Subway's decision to change its ordering process in all stores to electronic kiosks by the end of the year...

Some readers complained in our comments box but when we asked our followers on LinkedIn whether they liked or loathed self-service via a screen, this was the result...

Another post that got you exercised contained quotes from the boss of Emirates comparing Heathrow to a Second World War airport ...

There wasn't much love for the UK's biggest airport from readers - or for any other airport across the country...

There need to be a lot of change at Heathrow! Specially with immigration checks. The long queues are killing me, someone can't wait 2hrs in a queue to get a clearance, it's absurd! Cheka

Heathrow is not the only one. Coming back to UK through Gatwick yesterday was a sobering experience. Tatty floor covering, scuffed and drab paint everywhere. Wall graphics lacking any imagination or vibrancy. Narrow walkways and corridors. Doesn't show the UK in a good light all. Frequent traveller

Heathrow a Second World War airport? Try coming off a plane with 300 others at Leeds Bradford and queueing outside in the cold and pouring rain trying to shuffle in through a small door that looks like it used to be an emergency exit. How difficult can it be to erect something? Paula Blue

I totally disagree Heathrow is as bad as the president says. Has he ever visited Manchester Airport? AJ

A major HMRC glitch on Monday meant 500,000 families did not get their child benefit on time. Multiple readers wrote in with their views...

So they will be paying compensation then? As they would fine us for late payments... Cybertuck

HMRC? Apologise? Due to an error by working tax credits, I've only just been paid six years' worth. And as to child maintenance payments… I can't even begin to discuss that without crying. LWE

Is there any government IT system in this country that works as it should? Tudor1

I don't have children, very sadly, but if I were told that HMRC were "sorry" for this glitch I would probably feel very violent. We get a lot of apologies these days which mean absolutely nothing (regrettably). Gillydhill

Confirming the problem had been fixed late on Monday afternoon, HMRC said: "We are very sorry some customers didn't receive their scheduled child benefit payments as expected and we understand the concern and difficulty this may have caused.

"We've fixed the problem and affected customers will now receive their payments on Wednesday morning."

The news agenda this week has been dominated by election campaigning - with the first leaders' debate taking place on Tuesday night.

It saw Rishi Sunak cheer his supporters with the repeated claim that Labour would put up taxes by £2,000.

Sir Keir Starmer was, most observers thought, far too slow to respond - but the claim began to unravel the next day.

Data and economics editor Ed Conway's analysis of the Tory calculations suggested the £2,000 rise was actually spread out over four years - so £500 a year may have been a more suitable number for the PM to throw at his opponent.

Concluding his piece, Conway said you "probably shouldn't" believe the figures - but if you used the same methodology as the Tories, it would show they had put up taxes by £3,000 a year over the course of this parliament. Or £13,000, if you wanted to present the numbers in the same way as Mr Sunak did during the debate.

Read Conway's full analysis here ...

Some distance from Westminster, the 20 countries that use the euro saw an interest rate cut this week - the European Central Bank moving before the US Fed and Bank of England.

A cut in the UK is currently priced in by markets for September - in the meantime, British holidaymakers could benefit from a weaker euro against the pound.

Business presenter Ian King says a potential weakening of the euro could have wider implications.

He explained: "It comes with risks, not least in terms of pushing up the cost of imports - particularly energy, which is priced in dollars, which could in turn push up inflation."

The price of exports into the US could go down - potentially undercutting American firms.

King went on: "A weaker euro would also carry risks in a US election year in which both Joe Biden and Donald Trump, his challenger, will be seeking to out-bid each other with protectionist policies."

Read his full analysis here ...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

The BBC's content arm is among the suitors vying to buy the television production company which owns the rights to The Gruffalo.

Sky News has learnt that BBC Studios is participating in a sale process for Magic Light Pictures, which has won three BAFTAs and secured a quartet of Oscar nominations.

The auction is being run by Gotham Street, a specialist media deals boutique.

A number of other bidders are also said to be involved in the process given the quality of Magic Light's content library, which includes a number of works by The Gruffalo's creators, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The Gruffalo has become one of Britain's best-known children's characters, telling the story of an adventurous mouse that fends off a series of would-be predators by telling them about a supposedly imaginary creature called a gruffalo.

In the 2011 sequel, The Gruffalo's Child, the mouse then scares off a young gruffalo by using shadows to project a giant version of itself.

The two films have been distributed internationally by Magic Light, and along with the original Gruffalo books have sparked substantial merchandising revenues as well as a theme park attraction at Chessington World of Adventures.

The woman alleged to be the inspiration for the stalker in hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer is suing the streaming platform for $170m (£133m).

The show is said to be based on the real-life experiences of writer Richard Gadd, who plays himself as he copes with stalker Martha Scott.

Fiona Harvey, 58, claims she is the inspiration for Martha, who begins stalking Gadd after he serves her a free cup of tea in the pub where he works.

In the lawsuit, Ms Harvey has accused Netflix of spreading "brutal lies", including that she is a "twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison".

"Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money," it states.

"As a result of defendants' lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey's life had been ruined."

Sky News's US partner network NBC News reports the lawsuit described the show's claim "this is a true story" as "the biggest lie in television history".

"Netflix destroyed a woman, claiming, among many allegations, that she was a convicted woman," Richard Roth, a lawyer for Ms Harvey, wrote in an email.

"It never contacted her. It never checked the facts. It never made any effort to understand the truth of its 'true story!'"

The lawsuit seeks actual damages and compensatory damages at $50m (£39m) each, punitive damages at $20m (£16m); as well as "all profits" from Baby Reindeer at $50m (£39m).

A Netflix spokesperson told Sky News: "We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd's right to tell his story."

Administrators to The Body Shop are aiming to clinch a sale of the stricken cosmetics retailer by the end of the month, even as its former owner veers away from making an offer for it.

Sky News' city editor Mark Kleinman has learnt that FRP Advisory, which was appointed to handle the chain's insolvency in January, has asked for indicative bids by next Tuesday.

British entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been cleared of all charges by a US jury in the high-profile fraud case related to the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.

Dr Lynch, who was extradited to the US to face trial just over a year ago, was acquitted alongside a former finance executive Stephen Chamberlain who had faced the same charges.

They were accused of conspiracy and attempted fraud over the £8.3bn sale to HP - a deal that has been the subject of costly legal action since.

Labour is promising to get more young people on the housing ladder as it announces its "freedom to buy" scheme on Friday.

The party is pledging to make the existing mortgage guarantee scheme - which sees the government act as a guarantor for people unable to save big deposits - into a permanent fixture if it wins the election on 4 July.

Meanwhile, the Tories are promising a tax cut for parents by raising the threshold for when families have to pay a levy on their child benefit.

The current system means if either parents or a parent's partner earns more than £60,000, they begin paying the high income child benefit tax charge, and lose the benefit altogether when a salary hits £80,000.

But if the Tories win the election on 4 July, they have promised to increase the threshold to £120,000 before any tax is paid, and to £160,000 before the benefit is withdrawn, as well as base it on a household income, rather than an individual.

Ever wanted to own your own Victorian island fort?

Well now you can - with two being listed with a guide price of £1m.

Spitbank Fort in Hampshire and No Man's Land Fort off the Isle of Wight have been listed for auction and can be bought separately - or as a pair if you can't pick between the two.

During the Second World War, the forts were used to defend the Portsmouth dockyards.

No Man's Fort is substantially bigger and probably presents itself more as a business opportunity, but Spitbank offers nine large bedroom suites across three floors and could potentially work as a private home to the right buyer.

No Man's Fort has its own traditional English pub, a nightclub, and a helipad, while Spitbank Fort naturally boasts a wine cave plus a swimming pool and spa complex.

"Throughout my career as an auctioneer I've seen several sea forts hit the market that have achieved impressive prices as buyers have sought to pursue these trophy assets," said Robin Howeson, head of Savills Auctions.

"Having been carefully restored by the current owners, No Man's and Spitbank Fort represent exceptional market value, each guided at £1m.

"Both offer an opportunity like no other; a waterfront location, up to 99,000sq ft of space and a chance to champion the heritage and legacy of these iconic maritime structures."

The auction takes place on 18 June.

If you missed out on the general sales but want to bag yourself a last-minute ticket to Taylor Swift's show in Edinburgh tonight , it could set you back a whopping £4,000.

Not to fear, however, as it is currently possible to land yourself a ticket for as little as £271 - if you settle for a somewhat restricted view.

We've checked resale giant Viagogo for the latest prices, accurate as of 10.30am.

As is often the case with popular tours listed on resale sites, many of the tickets are sold individually - so if you're happy to go alone tonight, you're more likely to get a ticket.

For context, a ticket at general sale cost somewhere between £80-£160 depending on where you sit/stand.

As it stands, the cheapest seat with an unrestricted view of the stage is currently up for sale at £323.

Just one ticket is up for £271, but has a "restricted view".

Bringing a crowd

If you're looking to take someone with you, the cheapest pair of tickets without any restricted view will cost you a combined £1,706.

However, if you're happy with a restricted or limited view, you can pay the cheaper price of £538 for the pair (£269 each).

You can buy up to four tickets in the same area for £303 each (£1,212 together) for a restricted view, or £555 each (£2,220 together) for an unobstructed view of the stage.

Getting closer to the action

Standing tickets are much sought after given their proximity to the stage.

As alluded to at the top of this post, one frankly optimistic reseller has listed four general admission tickets for a staggering £4,256 each (in the "floor" section shown in the map below).

However, you can get even closer - with one ticket remaining in the separate section to the left of the stage at £651 and another to the right at £559.

A word of caution

Ticket resale sites, including Viagogo, have previously been accused of "ripping off" consumers amid concerns customers could be turned away at venues because of restrictions on some resold tickets.

The company was told in 2019 that it was required to make a number of changes to the way it collects and presents information about tickets on its site.

It has since pledged to be compliant with UK watchdogs and now offers a "100% order guarantee [which] covers both buyers and sellers".

If you're happy paying over the odds for last-minute tickets, make sure you're buying through a site with such a guarantee and always beware of scams!

House prices in the UK dropped by 0.1% between April and May, data from mortgage lender Halifax shows.

Analysts had expected a drop of around 0.2%, while last week, rival lender Nationwide said its measure of house prices rose in May after falling in the previous two months.

In the 12 months to May, prices rose by 1.5%, Halifax said - faster than the median forecast in a Reuters news agency poll for an annual increase of 1.2%.

"Market activity remained resilient throughout the spring months, supported by strong nominal wage growth and some evidence of an improvement in confidence about the economic outlook," Halifax's head of mortgages, Amanda Bryden, said.

The stable picture for property prices over the last three months was likely to give more confidence to buyers and sellers, she added.

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Tour AD HD Shafts

Designed and manufactured at the Graphite Design Japan factory headquarters, the Tour AD HD wood shafts are white with light blue accents and finished with a matte clear coat.

The Tour AD HD , like the other high performance Tour AD wood shafts, utilizes premium, aerospace quality carbon-fiber materials and are available in 40g R2, R1 and S flex, 50g R2, R1, S and X flex, 60g SR, S, X and TX flex, 70g S, X and TX flex and 80g S and X flex.

The Tour AD HD shaft profile is firm in the butt section, firm in the center section and has a firm+ tip to promote a mid-launch angle and low to low/mid ball spin rates. The Tour AD HD shafts utilizes the exclusive Graphite Design FTT – F ast T aper T echnology, as well as the modern TORAYCA® M40X carbon-fiber material in the mid to tip section of the shaft and the ultra-high modulus TORAYCA® T1100G carbon-fiber material in the tip section of the shaft for unrivaled shaft stability and precise ball control without the loss of the exceptional feel that Graphite Design shafts are so well known for.

Maybe it is time for a change to your golf game and a jump into H yper D rive that Graphite Design Tour AD HD shafts with the TORAYCA® M40X and T1100G material technologies has to offer. Revolutionary technology, design and the most advanced materials are trademarks in all Graphite Design shafts, resulting in the highest quality premium golf shafts on the market today. Validating the company’s “Tour AD” logo, all of Graphite Design’s Tour proven shafts are specifically designed to promote a gain in A ccuracy and D istance.

Features & Technology:

TORAYCA ® MX40 carbon-fiber pre-preg
TORAYCA ® T1100G carbon-fiber pre-preg with NANOALLOY ® technology for increased stability in the mid to tip region and unsurpassed feel.
FTT – F ast T aper T echnology
50 ton ultra-premium, high modulus, aerospace quality carbon fiber materials.
Graphite Design proprietary M aterial S tiffness I ntegration ( MSI ) design philosophy and technology.

Bend Profile:

Performance:

HD-4 is designed to promote Mid Launch angles with Low/Mid ball spin rates.
HD-5, -6, -7 & -8 are designed to promote Mid Launch angles with Low to Low/Mid ball spin rates.

Tip Trimming for Std Bore:

Pro’s Choice encourages consulting a PGA Professional or qualified club builder to help you determine the correct shaft and length for your swing profile and to meet your goals.
Always leave a minimum of 0.5″ of the parallel tip section of the shaft above the hosel. For example with a hosel depth of 1.5″ and a parallel tip length of 4.0″, the tip trim length should not exceed 2.0″.
Improper installation may affect the intended performance of the shaft. Warranty is for material and workmanship of our products. Improper installation voids warranty of product.

Specifications:

Where to buy (click here or on map to view store locations).

Click on the map to find a location near you

COMMENTS

PDF Tour Ad Wood Shaft Fitting Guide and Shaft Comparison Chart
shaft model butt section mid section tip section tour ad iz 65/75 medium firm firm tour ad iz 85/95 firm firm stiff tour ad di soft medium+ stiff tour ad hy medium medium medium legend describing the shaft stiffness from stiffest to softest: very stiff → stiff → firm → medium → soft.
PDF SHAFT INSTALLATION AND TRIMMING GUIDE
HYBRIDS TOUR AD HY 65,75,85 & 95 (.370" tip) 0.0" 0.5" 1.0" 1.0" Tip trim then butt trim to final desired club length. CLUB PRODUCT TYPE NOTES IRONS Tour AD 50 Iron (.370" Tip OD with 1 3/8" parallel tip section) No Tipping. Insert straight in and butt trim to desired final club length.
AD DI 7S tipping- HELP PLEASE!
The measurement for the other Tour AD Wood models of DJ, BB, GT, MT, MJ, M9003 and GP are also 24 5/8" from the tip to the first ring in the graphics closest to the tip on a brand new shaft. For the Tour DI Hybrids, it is 21 5/16", for the Tour HY hybrids it is 20 7/8".
PDF Thegolf Works Trimming
noted, all directions are for TIP trimming. After tip trimming, trim to playing length from the butt. These trimming instructions arerecommended by the manufacturer. Any ... Tour DI Hybrid (GD0046), Tour AD IZ Hybrid (GD0058): Tip trim: 15°-18°-0", 19°-22°-½", 23°-26°-1", 27°-1".
Graphite Design Tour AD BB 6X Tipping advice
Posted October 24, 2013. I play the AD BB 6x untipped. Very low and boring flight...Carry on level is 260 yds. I would recommend that you do NOT tip it, but go straight in initially. If you need to tip it that can be done later. You can have a butt extension added to make up for any loss of length.
Choosing the Right Graphite Design Tour AD Shaft
The Tour AD DI model is the first Graphite Design shaft design that was integrated with Toray Company's original NANOALLOY material technology in the tip section of the shaft. This material technology has now come to be known as "DI Technology". This unique material technology promotes additionally shaft stability without the loss of feel ...
Graphite Designs Tour AD TP Shaft Review
The new technology used in the AD TP is Graphite Designs's "Fast Taper Technology" or FTT. This design makes the shaft taper faster through the lower mid section to the tip. Its purpose is to give the player greater club head control at impact. For me, the AD TP was a very consistent performer, just like the AD DI.
PDF Tour Ad Wood Shaft Fitting Guide and Shaft Comparison Chart
tour ad iz-6 tour ad iz-4 tour ad iz-5 tour ad ub-4 chichibu r & sr tour ad vr-4 tour ad f-55 fwy chichibu s & s+ tour ad sl ii-4 tour ad di-6 tour ad vr-6 ... shaft model butt section mid section tip section tour ad iz 65/75 hybrid medium firm firm tour ad iz 85/95 hybrid firm firm stiff
Review: Graphite Design Tour AD GP Shafts
Pros: The stiffest of Graphite Design's Tour AD shafts. Compared to similar shafts, the GP is impressively smooth and stable. Available in a wide range of weights (50-80 grams) and flexes (R2-X). Cons: Like other Tour AD shafts, the MSRP is $500. Who it's for: Golfers who prefer tip-stiff shafts, as well as those looking to reduce launch and spin. The highly […]
Graphite Design Tour AD VR Shaft Review
Graphically, the AD VR is the same as most of the other Tour AD shafts from Graphite Design. It's white in the butt section, striped under the branding, and a solid blue from the mid to tip. What makes the AD VR stand out is the shade of blue. It doesn't translate perfectly in pictures, but it's a beautiful matte blue with a hint of purple.
Graphite Design Tour AD UB Shaft Review
The tip section feels fairly stout but not rock hard. Graphite Design rates all their shafts somewhere between "Very Stiff" and "Soft" in each section. The Tour AD UB is rated Medium+, Medium+, Stiff+ from butt to tip. This is very similar to the Tour AD DI which is Medium, Medium, Stiff. Performance. The term "one-trick pony" is ...
PDF Shaft Installation and Trimming Guide Domestic / Us Wood Shafts
Irons Tour AD 50 (.370" Tip OD with 1 3/8" parallel tip section) No Tipping. Insert straight in and butt trim to desired final club length. Irons Tour AD 65, 75 85, 95 (.355" Taper Tip) No Tipping. Insert straight in and butt trim to desired final club length.
Graphite Design Tour AD HD Shaft Review
With launch characteristics that place it nearly on the neutral line, within the S3 database, the Tour AD HD is classified as a MID launch shaft. Zone EI. The following chart compares the stiffness of the Graphite Design Tour AD HD in the butt, mid and tip sections to the S3 database average of stiff flex shafts in the 60- to 70-gram range.
Tipping a GD Tour AD DI 6s
Posted September 10, 2012. When I got my AD DI 6s, I tipped it 1/2" as recommended by Titleist and then butt cut to a final playing length of 45". Like you, I found the shaft to play a little loose (should have gone to the 6x but oh well) so I pulled the adapter and tipped it another 1/2". The shaft now plays awesome, the extra tipping has ...
PDF
2024 Catalog of Graphite Design Shafts. Counterfeit Shaft Warning. Counterfeit Shaft Warning. Sign up for E-Mail Updates. Menu. 2024 Trimming Guide. Find us on Facebook. Contact us at [email protected] us at Pro's ChoiceContact Us. Join us on Instagram.
Shaft Test: Graphite Design's new Tour AD-TP versus the ...
The Numbers. I tested my Tour AD-DI gamer shaft (45.5 inches, tipped 1 inch) against a Tour AD-TP shaft (45.5 inches, untipped) and a Tour AD-TP shaft (45.5 inches, tipped 1 inch) in a TaylorMade M1 460 head (10.5 degrees) set to neutral. Yes, I have a bit more swing speed in the tank than displayed below, but it's also late October and I don't want to have a blown out back all winter.
Shaft Review
The Tour AD IZ wood shaft will help produce higher launch angles than normal and lower spin (for 4 of the 5 weight classes: IZ-5, -6, -7, and -8). With the shaft having a firmer grip section, a slightly softer mid section, and back to a moderate tip section, this helps load the shaft for efficient energy transfer and higher shots, all while ...
Review: Graphite Design Tour AD MJ 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 ...
Tour AD DI-6x
April 09, 2013 at 11:26 AM. In general, 1" of tipping will change it by 1/2 flex, but it can vary from shaft to shaft depending on the differences in shaft bend profiles. When you talk about tip frequency, you are only stressing one part of the shaft and when you swing, you are bending the entire shaft. Please sign in to comment.
First Look: Graphite Design Tour AD TP Shaft
Basically the new design tapers more aggressively. Effectively, the mid to tip section thins less gradually, with a noticeable reduction in diameter occurring farther from the tip. Comparing the AD TP to other shafts, the taper differences are readily apparent. According to Graphite Design, FTT offers better control and greater head speed.
Tour AD TP Shafts
The Tour AD TP shaft has a medium stiffness starting at the handle thru the mid-section of the shaft and a stiff tip profile to promote a mid/high launch condition and low spin. The new Tour AD TP also utilizes TORAYCA ® T1100G carbon-fiber pre-preg with NANOALLOY ® technology in the tip section of the shaft for additional shaft stability ...
How much should I tip while traveling?
It's having to pay a gratuity before you even receive a meal or service. Duncan, a small business owner from Toronto, recently booked a cruise. However, when he received his invoice several weeks ...
Tour AD DI Wood Shafts
The Tour AD DI 5-X, 6-TX, 7-TX, 8-TX and 9-X flex shafts are available only in the orange color scheme. The Tour AD DI is our first shaft design that was integrated with Toray Company's original NANOALLOY material technology in the tip section of the shaft. This material technology has now come to be known as " DI Technology ".
Money blog: Apple overtaken as world's second most valuable company
The AI microchip maker's share price has risen to be worth more than $3trn (£2.34trn) for the first time. Only Microsoft is a more valuable company listed on a stock exchange, while Apple has ...
Tour AD HD Shafts
The Tour AD HD shaft profile is firm in the butt section, firm in the center section and has a firm+ tip to promote a mid-launch angle and low to low/mid ball spin rates. The Tour AD HD shafts utilizes the exclusive Graphite Design FTT - F ast T aper T echnology, as well as the modern TORAYCA® M40X carbon-fiber material in the mid to tip ...

Choosing the Right Graphite Design Tour AD Shaft

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Graphite Design Tour AD UB Shaft Review

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Tour AD HD Shafts

Features & Technology:

Bend Profile:

Performance:

Tip Trimming for Std Bore:

Specifications:

COMMENTS