Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow Shaft Review – Specs, Flex, Weight
If you’re a powerful swinger, you have probably heard of the Project X HZRDUS Smoke series of shafts.
All three shafts in the series have been made for strong swingers with aggressive transitions.
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow shaft in particular is an interesting entry.
According to True Temper, the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow has a more active feel than the HZRDUS green and black shafts.
They also say that the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow still provides enough stability for heavy hitters.
In the following review, we will be telling you whether or not the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow lives up to these promises and who it would be best for.
Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow Shaft Overview
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow is a counterbalanced shaft.
What that means is that more mass has been added to the butt area in order to make it more stable. The tip also has a stiff profile.
It’s the midsection that differs. The midsection has an active feel to it. It’s not loose or noodl-y by any means, but you can feel some activity especially on powerful loads.
We’re not normally fans of yellow color schemes on golf shafts. However, it really works with the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow because they keep the coloration to a minimum.
Most of the shaft is matte black which makes the yellow lettering pop. It’s a great-looking shaft overall.
Ideally, the counterbalancing should allow you to increase club head speed without adding to overall swing weight.
This is the effect the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow shaft had on most of our testers. However, it should be noted that not all players will actually benefit from counterbalancing.
There is a distinct feel to counterbalanced shafts that simply rubs some players the wrong way.
For us though, the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow felt smooth upon release.
The counterbalanced design helped to increase club head speed as well. Our testers were getting club head speeds in the 99 – 105 MPH range.
Why is the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow So Popular?
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow is a popular shaft because it provides a nice contrast to the stouter HZRDUS Smoke Green and Black shaft.
Transition is surprisingly smooth for a shaft in this weight class which makes the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow sort of unique.
How Does the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow Perform?
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow is advertised to spin and launch low.
And while spin rates were phenomenally low, we were taken off guard by the fact that this shaft tends to produce a mid/high launch.
It’s very possible that the high launch was the result of how we were swinging. Still, almost all of our testers experienced the same thing.
The flight was by no means out of control and our better testers were actually able to work the ball a bit lower.
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow has an active feel in the midsection which transfers energy to the club head very efficiently. Carry distance wasn’t astounding but the rollout was ridiculous.
Our testers were seeing rollout distances of up to 40 yards.
This is a powerful shaft that pairs very well with a powerful swinger. Our spin rates stayed in the 1500 RPM range.
If you are familiar with the feel of Project X HZRDUS Smoke shafts then you will feel very at home with the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow.
You get all the stability that you get from the Green and Black versions; but with a more active feel that will suit moderate to fast swingers very well.
Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow Shaft Specs
Specs | Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow |
Available flexes | Stiff, extra stiff |
Weight | 64g |
Butt | .600” |
Tip | .335” |
Length | 46” |
What Flexes Are Available? What Swing Speeds Do They Suit?
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow shaft is available in stiff and extra stiff flex.
The stiff flex would be good for players swinging their drivers in the 90 – 95 MPH range. Extra stiff would fit 95+ MPH swingers.
What Weights Are Available? What Swing Speeds Do They Suit?
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow is available as a 64 gram counterbalanced shaft.
We would recommend it to any player swinging their driver between 85 and 105 MPH.
Why is it So Good?
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow is a great shaft because it has an active feel but manages to stay stable. Even when you really load up on it, you can count on almost zero divergence and great club head control.