SAN DIEGO, California – Dec. 24, 2004 – Graphite Design International ("GDI") has announced its popular, high-performance YS series of shafts for drivers and fairway woods will feature a new, deep-blue color - dubbed YS Plus ("YS +") -- to be unveiled at the 2005 PGA Merchandise Show, held Jan. 27 - 30 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
Already considered the premium shaft brand on the PGA and Japan PGA Tours, GDI's YS+ shafts will have an even classier, more recognizable appearance that radiates superior status and projects a premium brand profile.
The YS+ shafts will utilize a deep blue, augmented with multi-color graphics, including a revamped, more prominent GDI logo. Additionally, a new, wrap-around band will reinforce the YS brand and GDI's position as the industry's leading manufacturer of shafts for fairway wood and drivers.
The deep blue hue and new graphics proved to be soothing and non-distracting when evaluated by consumer focus groups and PGA Tour players. The color melds well with all clubheads produced by major Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs"), making re-shafting a seamless, visually appealing process.
"Now, Graphite Design die-hards will be able to consistently identify the YS shafts via an even sleeker appeal," says Akio Karashima, President of GDI. "It is a great new look with the same superior product performance."
That superior performance is evident on the PGA Tour, where the YS-6 has been the most widely played graphite driver shaft for two straight years and the YS-7 consistently wins or places among the top of the model count according to the Darrel Survey.
GDI shafts, commonly referred to as "The Ultimate Performance; Proven on Tour" are coming off a solid year on the PGA Tour, in which an industry-leading 20 players used its shafts en route to their tournament wins in 2004. Now GDI would like you to "Tune up your gear with Tour AD."
All told, PGA Tour players amassed over $60 million in earnings using GDI shafts in their fairway woods and drivers this season, including the winners of the 2004 Masters and PGA Championship.
Other highlights from the 2004 regular season include GDI shafts being played by:
- The No. 1 player in the World Golf Rankings
- Two of the top three money leaders on the PGA Tour
- Two of the three winningest, active players on the PGA Tour
- The leader in Driving Accuracy Percentage
The success of the YS series extends to GDI's other high-performance shaft models and professional tours. GDI has dominated the manufacturer and brand counts for fairway woods and drivers on the Japan PGA Tour in 2004, where it has been the most-played shaft spanning a staggering three-year period and 79-straight tournaments.
On the Champions Tour, GDI was instrumental in leading a paradigm shift of players using graphite composite shafts in irons - as opposed to traditional steel shafts. Two of the top four money winners on the Champions Tour used GDI's GAT shafts in their irons, including the Charles Schwab Cup winner.
GDI's supremacy validates that Tour players - with their careers and livelihoods on the lines - prefer GDI shafts because their technologically advanced design and construction help them realize greater distance and accuracy from their golf shots.
About Graphite Design International
GDI, established in Japan in 1989 and in the U.S. in 1997, is one of the world's three largest golf-club shaft manufacturers. GDI made its mark manufacturing high-performance shafts for most of golf's major OEMs worldwide, including the top four companies by sales volume.
GDI's trademarks are revolutionary technology, design and sourcing the most advanced materials so GDI shafts are of highest quality and performance. GDI shafts specifically promote "Accuracy and Distance" among players of all levels.
The core components of the company's "AD" logo, these-key competitive advantages help professionals and amateurs optimize their game after switching to GDI shafts. The company's popular YS series, new PM (Prototype Model) shafts, and the soon-to-be-launched Tour AD shafts are taking this message to the next level. GDI - Better Shafts. Better Scores.
For more information about GDI: 888.707.6132, info@gdintl.com, www.gdintl.com.
