Project X IO Shaft
“The new Project X IO was born from the concept that not all golfers need the same thing from a shaft.” With so many players in the recent years of golf putting a premium on low launch and low spin shafts for better control under the stress of big hard swings, there are still a lot of players that are looking for more launch and spin to help them hit their clubs farther. Project X’s latest response is their new lighter-weight IO shaft, designed to load easier but with the stability of a Project X shaft. If this sounds familiar, the IO is “evolved” from the DNA of the classic PXi but with specific weights and trajectories based on flex.
The Looks
Normally for steel shafts, we don’t include a Looks section, but Project X made a change with the IO shaft. Historically, Project X utilizes a polished chrome finish but they gave the IO a brushed chrome finish which also reduces glare. The Project X branding is a little different with its grey and white color scheme, and lack of their usual blue.
How Does it Feel?
Feel is somewhat dependent on which flex you go with in the Project X IO shaft. For starters, the shaft weight varies by 5 grams across flexes. Project X’s regular flex (5.5) comes in at 105 grams, stiff (6.0) is 110 grams, and x-stiff (6.5) is 115. So the stiffer the flex, the more weight you’ll have. I tested the IO in 6.5 and the shaft load felt easy with a very smooth, yet energetic, release. In the case of the 6.5 flex, the kick point is in the mid section of the shaft. I imagine the lighter flexes may have that kick point a little higher in the shaft for a slightly higher launch.
Stability is synonymous with the feel of a Project X steel shaft. The IO specifically is designed for a more moderate swing tempo. If you have the correct tempo for this shaft, that stability is definitely noticeable. While the shaft is easy to load and has a nice, smooth release, it still felt nice and tight so I could control the club. Where I started to lose that feel was when I would get too quick (read: jerky) with my tempo, which would mess up my timing, and the release just wouldn’t feel right. But let’s be honest, that’s on me, not the shaft.
On-Course Performance
Project X lists the IO as a mid-low launch and spin shaft in the 6.5 flex. Keep in mind that the overall shaft design is supposed to be helpful in launching the ball a little higher with a little more spin. This is supposed to keep the ball in the air longer resulting in more carry distance. So with all that said, I think an easy mid-launch profile is a very fair classification for the IO. Should you want a little more air under the ball, raising the launch angle is no problem. I would say the shorter irons launched a little higher for me at more of a mid-high range but nothing I couldn’t manage. Flighting the ball low was not impossible but took a little extra work. In my opinion, the mid-launch shot will be a breeze for anyone and there’s plenty of playability.
In regards to spin, the IO was a real nice fit for me. As much as I like the control of a low spin iron, I often can use a little more into greens. I’m certainly not known for my impressive bite on the putting surface. I was able to get good carry with a lot of stopping and holding throughout the entire set. I never felt like there was too much spin to control my shot or cause the ball to balloon. In my opinion, I’d call the the IO’s spin helpful, snappy, and very playable.
Final Thoughts – Project X IO Shaft
Having played the Project X PXi, I could feel that the IO had a lot of the “same bones”. The easier/higher launch and lighter weight was very familiar to me. Where I believe the IO stands out as the better shaft is that there’s more stability and better shaft load. I felt the IO’s extra stability made it easier to control and improved club head awareness. Pair that stability with the easy launch and a little extra spin, you get longer distance and tight dispersion. Mix in a nice and smooth swing, and the Project X IO is definitely a shaft worth looking into.
*I used Sub 70 639 CB/MB combo irons to test these shafts for this review. You can read my review of the 639 CB here and my review of the 639 MB here.
Ive been looking forward to this review! I went from regular Project x 6.5 to now playing PXi 6.5 the last 2 years and absolutely love it. I find it very stable and still gives me a mid – low flight. Im certainly not the smoothest swinger but I haven’t found I can overpower the PXi
if you had to pick between the 2 would you go with PXi or the new IO??
PXi’s are getting hard to find so I think by default id have to go with IO for my next set. If anything id probably hard step them to get a little lower flight
Hmm, hard to say. It’s been awhile since I’ve hit the PXi, but my gut says I’d prefer the IO if I picked between the two. The PXi is a little more “rigid” feeling (don’t think of that in terms of flex), and I feel like the IO has more life to it and more precision in the feel. That said, I also feel like the IO requires a much smoother tempo than the PXi.
I really like the IO a lot. I think the only true answer really is that you have to try it out somewhere and see what it does in your hands.
Got lucky and stumbled on the IO 6.5 yesterday at PGA Store. Hit it in the x forged CB
Not a fan of it at all. Very hard for me to describe what I felt. Reminded me of C-taper with a small, subtle kick. I got decent numbers with the IO and I was very accurate with it. A very neutral/straight flight. They happened to have a PXi shaft there also so I was able to hit side by side. First swing with the PXi I got 4mph more ball speed. Next 2 swings gave me 6mph extra, lowered launch a degree, and raised spin by 250 rpms.
Stopped swinging at that point knowing PXi is the shaft for me. I’ll have to look for another shaft when it comes time for new irons I guess
The PXi is a little more stout. Sounds like your tempo was likely a little too quick for the IO.
Hello Bill,
This sounds close to the C-Taper light? (Thinking of my C-Taper light “I love that shaft”) Are there any comparisons?
I would say it reminds nothing of the C-Taper, and the C-Taper Lite reminds me of a lighter version of the regular model. The Project X LS (have a search on our site) is closest to the regular C-Taper. The IO is definitely not a “LS Lite”, so to speak.
How would you describe the EI profile of this shaft? Was wondering if it like it has a firm handle but softer tip etc
It sort of shifts throughout the set which is by design. Nothing feels significantly stiff in the profile, but the mid section is softer and will shift accordingly as you progress through the flexes. Unfortunately it’s been awhile since they were installed in my test irons so I can’t speak a ton to where it is per iron. I can really only speak to it generally.
Ok I was curious because I like the c taper lite with the firm handle feeling to me but lighter and less boardy than the heavier c taper. Was looking at this shaft and the LZ but LZ seemed to kick too much in the handle for me I couldn’t get used to the feel kept overdrawing my irons with it and that never happens.
If I swing the project x io 6.0 110 what is a good wedge shaft to recommend
Not a great answer for you, but I really couldn’t say. It really depends on your wedge game, the shots you’re looking to hit, what feels good in your hands, etc. Like maybe you like a softer iron profile, but something stout and firm in a wedge shaft. Pretty common combination, but then someone else might want something super whippy and soft in the wedge for how they play the ball.
hey man great review , compared to the LZ , which one do u prefer ? I’m using the project x LZ 6.0 at the moment, if I’m gonna switch to IO should I go for 6.0 or 6.5 ?
I wouldn’t be able to really accurately speak to flex recommendation. That will be very specific to your own hands and swing. As far as LZ and IO, I wouldn’t really say these two are apples to apples. From my personal experience, I felt like IO was the softer and higher launching option, the LS is the low launch and spin option for the aggressive swinger, and LZ falls somewhere right in between. It has been awhile since I’ve hit the LZ, but I feel pretty confident in that general assessment.
What your thoughts about putting this shaft in a 4 iron (or longest iron in your set) if you play standard PX in the rest your the irons? Love project x steel, but I could potentially use something a little lighter in a long iron. Seems like this profile could add a little launch and spin compared to standard PX.
No reason you couldn’t do that, but I don’t think you’ll find it to be a seamless transition from 4 to 5 iron if that’s what you’re looking for.
New to the “technology” side of the game. Enjoyed your review, but doesnt a high kick point generate lower ball flight?
….. I imagine the lighter flexes may have that kick point a little higher in the shaft for a slightly higher launch
Nope, even in stiffer flexes and weights, a higher kick point (high meaning toward the handle) should result in higher launch angle.
I’ve compared it to PXi and C Taper lite and C Taper Lite is def the firmest with the least load and kick sensation. The IO feels very similar to PXi to me, smooth and easier to load than PX. On the launch monitor it launches slightly higher with slightly more spin than PXi, about 300-500rpm more in the 6 iron with testing.
Good information I’ll be switching from Dynamic Gold 105 stiff to Project X IO 6.0 this week. I’ve been researching like crazy and have hit several shafts setups on the Mizuno JPX 923 Forged. It’s boiled down to these shafts seem to be what I’m looking for. Thanks for all the information.
How do these compare to the Oban CT-115 you reviewed and enjoyed? I play the CT-100 now and am looking for some additional weight. Thinking these might be good to test against the 115’s. Thoughts?
Different guys reviewed those two shafts. I can’t speak too much for the Obans since Tommy did that one, but knowing his swing, I’d be shocked if they’re in the same category as the IOs. I found it pretty necessary to have a smoother/lighter tempo with the IO, that’s about the best feedback I can give. Good luck.