Project X EvenFlow Riptide Shaft
Project X won over quite a few fans with their original generation of EvenFlow shafts. In fact, various EvenFlow shafts were regularly found in play amongst the Driving Range Heroes team, ranging from hybrids to drivers. The next-generation Project X EvenFlow Riptide shaft aims to deliver the same “even bend” profile but with improved stability that doesn’t sacrifice EvenFlow’s signature smooth feel. This shaft is designed for a moderate swing tempo and a medium launch with medium spin.
The Looks
I’ve always appreciated the subtle flair of the Project X EvenFlow shaft graphics. The branding is reminiscent of ’70s era West Coast surf vibes and the graphics of water, waves, and the ocean. (Especially with the blue used in the EvenFlow Blue.) The EvenFlow Riptide falls right in line with this theme. The black/grey base layer sort of reminds you of open water at night under a bright moon, while the copper-outlined Riptide logo is filled with bubbles of sea foam.
At this point, I will allow you to join me in pausing this review, and enjoying “Surfwax America” by Weezer here.
How Does it Feel?
Man, I love that song. I want to surf to work every day too. Ok, back to the review…
One of Project X’s goals was to take a shaft series that felt nice and smooth and make it feel more stable. That’s a really tough task to not ruin a smooth, gradual-flex shaft profile with that approach. Well, somehow folks, Project X did it. They used what they call “Torsional Stability Optimization” which keeps the walls of the shaft from “deforming” while under stress during the swing. Think of it this way, as you swing, you put a certain amount of torque on the shaft. This causes the graphite to warp, twist, and flex. By adding the Torsional Stability Optimization to the Riptide, it retains the same signature even bend profile while reducing the warping and twisting, therefore transferring more energy into the ball at impact.
In terms of the basics like kick/energy transfer and feedback, the EvenFlow Riptide performs well. Though the bend profile is gradual and doesn’t have a super distinct kick point, you can still feel the shaft load up and unload at impact. Feedback from the ball as well as club awareness throughout the swing is nice and precise.
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115.2 | 172.8 | 11.2º | 2481 | 288.4 | 313.2 |
Project X designed the EvenFlow Riptide to be a smooth shaft with medium launch and medium spin characteristics. In addition to that, the shaft is also built, ideally, for a moderate swing tempo. Rather than get into the usual “technical description” of my performance experience, I’ll share it as more of an anecdote.
Coming into this review, I have been experiencing some significant driver woes. (You can have a read here if you want to hear about THAT fun.) So one day, I headed to the driving range with my drivers, a few extra shafts, and then a few more shafts I had to review. Eventually I came to the Riptide. Like all new shafts that get reviewed, there was an adjustment period to get a feel for it. Well, once I got used to it, I started noticing a consistent improvement in performance. After reviewing the numbers, I did in fact have a medium launch and medium spin, but I also noticed I didn’t seem to really be losing speed.
Here’s what I think happened. To gain control of the shot, I believe I naturally eased up on my tempo and transition in the swing. In doing so, I managed to make better, more controlled swings with sound mechanics. All of the sudden, I developed a level of comfort with a swing that led to tight dispersion and was able to add some speed to it once I was dialed in. The point is, by swinging with an easier tempo and transition than my normally quick and aggressive swing, I was much more in control of my driver. Without intending to, the Riptide gave me a nice eye-opening lesson that day.
Final Thoughts – Project X EvenFlow Riptide
The Project X EvenFlow Riptide shaft is a solid shaft that I believe delivers on its design. My key to success with this shaft was taking smooth swings which resulted in tight dispersion, a stock medium flight, and enough spin to hold the ball in the air, but not too much so I didn’t get any rollout. True to the EvenFlow name, the Riptide’s “even bend” profile is very smooth and the Torsion Stability Optimization only enhances the performance. If you’re already an EvenFlow player, check out the Riptide. Trust me.
I used, with success, the Evenflow Green shaft in my Epic Flash driver and fairways. Liked the feel as it seems to fit my “smooth” tempo. The one thing I have experienced, I believe, is maybe just a loss of some distance on really well hit shots, and the fairways don’t seem to have the height I used to have. Would the Evenflow Riptide possibly add just a bit of speed or trajectory to help in those areas? I am 73 and in very good condition for my age, no abrupt transition and very good dispersion usually.
I’ve never hit an EF Green so couldn’t compare that. As far as adding speed and trajectory, I honestly couldn’t say without any testing and data. All I can say that I think would be remotely helpful is that the flex profile is more “gradual” if that would be helpful to you, but I wouldn’t classify it as a high launch or spin shaft which might be worth looking into if you’re looking for trajectory and holding it in the air.
Thanks for your response.
About to order Sub70 939x 4H and trying to decide between stock Project X Hybrid 6.0 Graphite Stiff Shaft vs. Project X Evenflow Riptide Hybrid 85 6.0 Graphite Stiff Shaft. I know both give a mid launch trajectory and the Riptide weights a little bit more, I just wanted to see if you had any feedback between the two? Any thoughts that you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
I don’t know anything your swing or feel, but if I was picking it for myself, I’d pick Riptide.
Project X EvenFlow Riptide (S) – Mavrik Std and now Project X HZRDUS Smoke IM10 60 in the new EPIC. Thoughts/differences on a quick tempo 103-105mph swing?
We have the review for the iM10 coming next week. But we don’t get into comparing those two shafts, they’re apples to oranges and hard to really discern how different they’ll feel and play for each player in my opinion. The tempo part, the closest I can get you is that Riptide is probably a little friendlier, but that’s based on how I swing the club.
I just swapped the evenflow T1100 White for the Riptide on my Titleist TS2. I like the softer tip as I got my draw spin back. I swing around 105 with the driver and I could not get the performance. Switched to the Riptide in Feb and now I’m getting the performance I was looking for.
Which former evenflow shaft is replaced by the riptide? Or comes close to? I Play both, the evenflow white in the woods and the Blue in the Hybrid.
Now I will add another hybrid and Not sure about the shaft. I like the smoother feeling of the Blue But Can put more power in the white. I have a smooth/moderate tempo.
Wouldn’t say replaced but more of a “updated variation”. That said, the colors are pretty one for one, and I don’t believe there is a Riptide that evolved from the EF White.
I just replaced the smoke shaft with an evenflo riptide 5.0 shaft in an Callaway Epic flash 3+ wood. Noticeable improvement. Strongly suggest you try this shaft, Immediately hit it off the deck longer and straighter. Thinking about swapping out my driver shaft for an evenflo riptide shaft in the near future
All I can say is WOW!
I used a Sim 2 driver with a Graphite design 50 S DI shaft
My driver speed is 85-90MPH And when hitting it well 200 meters with roll out was not an issue
I have just been fitted to to TM stealth 9 deg with the Even Flow RIPTIDE CB 5.5-R 50G shaft
As I said WOW!!!!!!
Not only is 220 Mtrs not an issue but doing it with ease and greater feel
Disbursion is solid too
trying to decide for a cobra radspeed 5 wood, regular shaft: –
– the project x evenflow riptide 50, or
– fujikura motore x f3
Swapped out a Tensei Blue 55 regular gram shaft for an EvenFlow Riptide 50 regular in Callaway Maverick driver. SO impressed with this smooth swinging shaft. This shaft doesn’t bend in any particular area of the shaft. More a full length loading shaft that releases like a whip with a ton of stability in the tip. Very impressed with the extra distance and lower spin I’m getting with this shaft.