I have never played a Graphite Design shaft, but I'm a big fan of the Ventus Blue Velocore. I always liked Fujikura shafts and have the 5R on my TS2 driver. I use the old shaft for an alignment rod.
Cool idea!!! Offer alignment rods that match your favorite shaft!!! As much as some of the shafts cost, they should throw one in for free.

Now that's an idea ... definitely wouldn't cost the companies that much to provide alignment sticks matching the shaft graphics! And you are definitely correct that they should be free!!!

Titleist is not offering the Ventus Blue or Black 5, only the 6 & 7 versions. Not sure about other brands since I don't visit their sites.

I would imagine that the Ventus Blue or Black 5 would be available via a special order.

I have all 3 shafts for my TSI3 driver, the XC6-S, the IZ6-S, Ventus black 6-S, plus I have the tensei white 7-S. They are all great shafts, but for me the best performance is the Ventus Black. It’s just a few yards longer, but the dispersion is so tight. I could easily game any of the 3, but the Ventus was just a tad bit better.

I’m pretty sure Ventus is a stiffer tip section than GD. Both have a “softer” mid section for those that like to feel the shaft load on the downswing.

Are the GD shafts the "real" deal or are they "made for" shafts? If the Ventus shaft does not have the word "Velacore" in small print near the bottom of the shaft then it is a "made for" shaft as well.

I am all but certain they are the "real deal" Graphite Design shafts, hence the $200 upcharge which is actually a good deal because on the aftermarket they retail for $380. Titleist, from what I can tell, no longer does the "made for" shafts. I had a "made for" Aldila Voodoo in my 909D2. I think other OEM have used the non-Velocore shafts in the recent year and you are correct in that you want to see "Velocore" labeled near the tip of the shaft to know you actually are receiving the benefits of the Ventus engineering. TXG did a comparison of the two shaft types and there is a difference.

The GD XC-7 is a very smooth driver shaft. Soft butt section and yet stiff in the tip. Biggest difference I’ve seen with this shaft is the tighter shot dispersion. I was fitted into this shaft by a titleist fitter.

The soft butt section seems to add to a very smooth feel.

I had the AD DI 6x put in my TSi3, 9*, C4. 111mph avg swing speed on Trackman. I tried the Ventus Blue 6x and AD XC 6x at my fitting and I carried the ball 11 yards further with AD DI (277 yards carry vs 266). Ball speed was 2mph faster with DI. I have above average swing speed but I guess I produce it smoothly. I still might get a Ventus Blue 6x since I have been over speed training since and club head speed is up to 116mph as of this morning. I have historically played Aldila shafts and this was my first experience with GD and Fujikura. Really enjoy the feel of my AD DI, and I had my TSi2 three wood fitted with AD DI 7x, carrying that 250 on average.

I had the AD DI 6x put in my TSi3, 9*, C4. 111mph avg swing speed on Trackman. I tried the Ventus Blue 6x and AD XC 6x at my fitting and I carried the ball 11 yards further with AD DI (277 yards carry vs 266). Ball speed was 2mph faster with DI. I have above average swing speed but I guess I produce it smoothly. I still might get a Ventus Blue 6x since I have been over speed training since and club head speed is up to 116mph as of this morning. I have historically played Aldila shafts and this was my first experience with GD and Fujikura. Really enjoy the feel of my AD DI, and I had my TSi2 three wood fitted with AD DI 7x, carrying that 250 on average.

I have the Ventus Blue velocore 6s and Graphite design both are great shafts. The GD shafts tend to launch a little higher than the Fujikura. I always felt the GD plays simular to the Speeder series. Currently I have the GD VR 6 shaft that I'm testing in the driver and noticed it is giving me a flatter flight than the other GD shafts, as well as the Ventus Blue. All of them feel great and perform well

I've never played a Venus Shaft so I really can't give an opinion on Venus. However, I have a Graphite Design YS-7 x on my 16.5 fairway, and I love it.

It's been my go to club for years.