Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black Shaft
Project X made a massive splash when they introduced the acclaimed HZRDUS Black shaft to the world. Players were praising its deadly accuracy, strong stability, low spin, and laser-like low launch. The one criticism it received from time to time was that it was a bit boardy and lacked some feel. I believe Project X looked to improve the feel of the HZRDUS Black, which already had strong performance. The end result is the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black – the next generation of HZRDUS.
The Looks
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke has a fairly unassuming appearance. A gunmetal/grey base with a black HZRDUS logo, the signature “bio hazard” spec label, and the Smoke label make for a pretty modest, yet slick, look. You won’t even find a Project X logo on this shaft!
How Does it Feel?
I found the feel of the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black to be pretty interesting. If you have any familiarity with the feel of the original HZRDUS Black, you will notice a lot of similarities between the two shafts in terms of feel. The two shafts are definitely closely related. At the same time, the Smoke has a very different flex profile that differentiates itself. That flex profile is extremely smooth. Where I always felt the original HZRDUS Black had minimal flex or kick unless you had a POWERFUL swing, the Smoke has a very noticeable load and release. The kick is smooth and consistent throughout the shaft.
In short, I think the HZRDUS Smoke Black has a more widely appealing feel to it. It’s just more user friendly. That said, if you think the feel of the original HZRDUS Black is perfect, switching to the Smoke may not be the feel you’re looking for.
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 162.3 | 12.6º | 2613 | 279.9 | 303 |
Consistent with the rest of the review so far, the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black shaft has a lot of performance similarities to the HZRDUS Black but is “a bit more user friendly.” Tommy did our review of the original HZRDUS Black, but my numbers were eerily similar in that shaft. (Mine totaled about 3 yards longer, not a big deal.) As you can see above, my numbers weren’t massively higher, but they did go up. That said, I think if I was swinging the club consistently faster (110 is a touch slower average than my usual club speed – just a ton of humble brags in this review), you might see a bigger gap. The most apparent thing to me, however, was finding 3º more in my launch angle. I found the HZRDUS Smoke Black significantly easier to get in the air. Typically that could come with a good amount of extra spin, but I only added about 300 rpms. Looking at the difference between my carry and total, I wasn’t hurting for roll out either.
Much like the original HZRDUS Black, the Smoke is very easy to control. I loved that about the HZRDUS Black, and having a little more launch in the Smoke is much more appealing to me. My guess is that I’m not alone. Players that liked the consistency of the Black, but needed a little more action will love the Smoke. Let’s be clear, you can still hit low-launch missiles and drop that spin under 2k pretty easily. The difference is, it isn’t a struggle to come up from that point.
Final Thoughts
Whether or not Project X improved the feel of the HZRDUS Black in the Smoke is somewhat debatable. The reason being is that feel is highly subjective and some may have loved the original stout feel in the Black. What’s certain is that the HZRDUS Smoke is definitely a little more lively in the hands and more user friendly out on the course. My belief is that the HZRDUS Smoke is perfect for the player that loved the HZRDUS Black but needed a little increase in launch and a bit more action throughout the swing. In short, players that felt the HZRDUS Black was just a little too much shaft for them may love the HZRDUS Smoke. As always, make sure you get professionally fit to get the best shaft for your game.
Nice review! I have a 105 swing speed, like a low-mid flight, and tend to ‘over-draw’ my misses. I have been playing the Aldila Rogue Silver 60 110 MSI in Stiff the past few years and have enjoyed it. Wondering your thoughts on how the Rogue and Smoke might compare feel/performance wise. Thanks!
I haven’t hit that Rogue in so long I couldn’t even begin to compare the two, sorry.
Are you sure your miss is actually “over drawing” and not a semi-snap hook or not getting your hips through? That’s an honest question, not an implication!
Just tested the Titleist TS2 3-wood with the 70g Smoke and boy what a sweet combo! As you state the easier to launch characteristics was perfect in a fairway for me!
I think our own Tommy is going to toss one in his fairway wood for that exact reason!
I got fit for the same smoke 6.5 in a TS 8.5* head. Went for the tensei blue in TS2 13.5* head :). 2 bombers
Man, a Smoke in an 8.5º head? I bet you put a beating on the ball, eh?
It’s a good one. Glad it worked out for you.
Bill
I have a 105-112 swing speed. Should use a 6.0 or 6.5
Honestly, I couldn’t tell you on swing speed alone. There are plenty of players with 115-120 speeds that swing a lighter flex shaft for various reasons. Or slower swings like 100-105 that swing x-flex for their own reasons. The best advice I can give you is to properly and thoroughly test and/or get fit to make that determination.
Also, 105-112 is a fairly large gap to put your driver speed in. I would try to narrow that down to a consistent speed or a smaller window to have a better grasp on your game.
Good luck in the hunt. The Smoke Black is a nice little shaft.
Debating keeping my Diamana Blue S+ Plus 62 Wood stiff shaft on my new F9 over the 60g Smoke. Swing speed is around 105 and normal ball flight is a slight fade. Any thoughts?
Unfortunately not much I can contribute. I have limited experience with any Diamana and the data provided isn’t near enough to go off of. Everyone’s swing is unique and will respond to equipment differently. You’d really have to hit both shafts head to head to have an accurate idea.
I have the PX Hzrdus Smoke 5.5 60g shaft in my new Titelist TS2 driver. I’m thinking about getting at least one TS2 fairway wood, probably 15* or 16.5*, and would like the same PX Hzrdus Smoke fairway shaft. Is it available in 5.5 and 70g? I’m assuming that they use a different shaft for fairway woods that is a bit heavier to compensate for the shorter length?
A quick trip to the Project X website (linked in the review) tells me that no, they do not offer the 70 gram version in 5.5.
They don’t have a different “version” for fairway woods. It ultimately comes down to what fits you best. For instance, I use 60 gram shafts in both my driver and 3 wood, but then a 70 gram shaft in my fairway wood. You also might not necessarily be better having the same exact shaft in both your driver and 3 wood. As always, my best advice is to go get fit and see what really works best for you.
I am age 64 with a swing speed of about 90, a 10 to 12 handicapper. I am going with a project x hzrdous black. What do you suggest? Maybe a 5.5 with light as possible shaft. I need length and I am not as flexable as once was.
David,
I couldn’t in good faith make a good suggestion on that information alone. The only way you’ll truly know is by hitting and testing for yourself.
Best of luck,
Bill
I just got fit for the Cobra F9 driver and 3 wood. Went with Hzrdus smoke 6.5 60 gram driver and 70 gram 3 wood. If on course results are half as good as Trackman I’ll be taking everyone’s money at my course.
Great review.
I just tried the Hzrdus Smoke 6gr 70gram together with both Titlesit ts3 Driver and spoon on a Titeliest event
Right up my ally, yet thinking if there are similiar shafts to this.
I only swing aprox 93-100, but love the pure control of the shaft.
I hade Diamana whiteboard 70gram on my 917 Titleist driver now, and its a world of difference.
Any ideas and thoughts?
Swing speed can’t be your only indicator for what shaft to get. There are always comparable shafts on paper, but you’d have to hit them to see how they really stack up for you.
I also don’t really see what the issue is if you’re ripping the TS3 with the Smoke Black? Sounds like you’re good to go!
Best of luck,
Bill
I was just fitted for a driver and the combo wound up being TS3 with an exotic ($400) shaft. LA Golf Ozik black tie 60 gram X shaft. Unfortunately I’m not in the market for a $1000 driver/shaft combo. The guy doing the fitting never once let me hit what I would consider a factory shaft that you can actually go to a store and purchase. I just finished reading your review of the Smoke and the Evenflow white and am wondering if either of those shafts would be of any comparison to the Ozik? Thanks for any feedback you might have.
Sorry, I haven’t hit anything Ozik related since well before the LA Shafts acquisition.
bill need your advice ! my swing is of 110. and i just bought a hzrdus smoke 6.0 70g havent try it yet. seems a little heavy i was looking for 67 g but i dont know if the gapp between 67 and 70 is a lot.
Where are you saying there’s only a 3 gram difference between the 60 and 70 weights?
I used to play M3 10.5 with Fujikura Speeder 661 eve ts. flex stif
Changed to M6 Fujikura oranje 5.5 (light) due to sickness and now lower swing about 100km/h
Is Project X HZRDUS Smoke flex M good alternatif
Hmm, tough call. I think the flex profiles are a good bit different. Really wouldn’t be able to tell you much more without test data and you actually swinging them both.
Hi
Im 61 swing moderate i just got 19 degree hybrid in black smoke 6.0 shaft i already hit the ball low will i be able to hit this shaft or will ball come out too low
Thx
Wish I could be of more help, but there’s really no way of saying without seeing you actually hit it in your hybrid. Way too many variables will determine that. Angle of attack, flex, club head, your natural physical response to the build, etc.
If you already bought it, just take it for a whirl and see.
What should your swing speed be to use a Smoke55
It’s not so much a swing speed thing. I’ve used everything from 45-90 gram shafts in a driver and success has varied due to a variety of reasons. Really, it’s more how much your body and specific swing reacts to the equipment. So if you have 130 mph swing speed, but your tempo and timing match up well with the 55 gram shaft, and you find the center of the face consistently with a good trajectory, you’re good to go.
Does that make sense?
Nice review. I can absolutely confirm what you wrote, had the original HZDUS Black in 6.5 /75 g in my Cobra F8+ and replaced it with the Smoke in 6.0/60g. Exactly as you said, the same performance, just a bit more forgiving and easier to hit, especially when you get a bit tired at the end of the round.
Saved me from spemding a fortune for a new driver.
Can you compare the Smoke Black with the EvenFlow Black? Is there a similar feel, or is the Smoke Black much more stout? I tried the EvenFlow White, and it felt like swinging a board.
It doesn’t feel like any of the EvenFlows to me. I also thought EvenFlow white felt much smoother and more gradual than EF Black, but it’s been a long time since I’ve hit either of them.
I’m playing a TM M4 draw and was fitted with a Tensei CK 60 stiff. My normal shot is a slight fade and an occasional draw if I play often…but I can’t draw at all with this setup and have more fade thank I like. I like the launch angle but I’m thinking the Smoke black in 5.5 might work for me. Any thoughts?
Tough to say, but it’s possible you aren’t getting the shaft to release enough, and Smoke Black is one of the more solid/robust shafts on the market. If you’re having trouble getting the Tensei (not sure what color you’re using) to turn over, a good chance the Smoke Black will be more difficult.
Is it worth the money to change to the RDX shaft in the exact same specs as my 2019 Smoke Black? Thanks
There’s no real way to answer that question without you A/B testing the two shafts. You’re going to have a very personal subjective response to both shafts both in your feel and how your swing responds to them. Unfortunately it’s not as easy as just saying “yep, the technology upgrade alone is worth it.” This is a major reason a lot of great players are still playing a lot of older shafts in their clubs. Specifically in drivers and fairway woods.
Hi Bill,
Currently using a stiff shaft in my driver but considering going to x stiff. I Went for a fitting recently and was told that I was on the borderline for using stiff or x-stiff based on my numbers.
In broad terms, would it be fair to say that this is an ideal shaft for someone in this category? i.e – it is an x-stiff but is on the more manageable side of x-stiff?
I would say other way around. 6.5/X flex in this one will play “more stout” than a lot of other x-flex shafts. For me personally, I’d take the flyer on the stiff playing a bit firmer than you’d typically expect so might be a good fit for a borderline player.