Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 4
HZRDUS has been Project X’s product line for stable and stout profiles for more aggressive swing types for three generations now. As such, the newest family introduces a fourth generation and is aptly named “Gen 4”. Following its predecessors, the flagship HZRDUS Black Gen 4 is the low launch, low spin option for players with a fast tempo. In short, for the big boys with really aggressive swings. A new process called “Dual Torsional Design” has allowed Project X the ability to optimize the profile of the shaft without sacrificing feel and performance.
The Looks
The Looks are right there in the name! The Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 4 features a glossy black base coat with a bold silver HZRDUS wordmark graphic. While the HZRDUS logo is reminiscent of the traditional logo, it’s slightly updated for a modernized look in this new generation of the product line. Near the tip of the shaft you’ll find a small Dual Torsional Design graphic. And of course, there’s the signature hazardous shield near the handle section featuring the shaft’s specs. When installed with the shaft label down, your view is a clean black golf shaft void of any distractions.
How Does it Feel?
Based on historical experience, I expected the Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 4 to feel pretty stout. While the Smoke and Smoke RDX versions greatly improved on the feel in this profile, they were still pretty hefty, stout, and firm feeling golf shafts. With the new Dual Torsional Design process, Project X is able to achieve their desired torque and stability in a stiff/x-stiff/stiff profile while still providing an overall clean and responsive feel. I could feel the shaft load and release while holding up to a fully-aggressive (possibly early erratic pre-season) swing. Especially in the mid and handle sections. And where this shaft in the HZRDUS lineup may normally lack a little feedback in your hands, I felt like she HZRDUS Black Gen 4 was very precise and consistent.
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115.4 | 173.1 | 12º | 2278 | 285.5 | 312 |
Stable with low launch and low spin should produce piercing flights and good control. That’s what I experienced with the Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 4 in my Tour Edge C722 driver. My tee shots were launching off the face with a dart-like flight that could contend with any wind thrown at it. The stock shot was definitely lower, but I could get the ball up in the air if necessary. Admittedly, I didn’t exactly feel like the always difficult high draw was easily achievable, but if we’re being fair, I always struggle with that shot. High baby fades, however, were a breeze.
Dispersion was nice and tight. My first main testing session was at an indoor facility that’s approximately 100 yards deep. Like many golf domes, they had heavy 3’x3′ (that’s my best size guess, correct me in the comments!) targets draped from the back wall that make a big “thwap” sound when you hit them. I’d be lying to you if I said I was peppering them all day, but I was definitely all over them with a few attention grabbing thwaps of my own. The Black Gen 4’s profile was easy to keep on a target and consistently rely on it to deliver the club head to the ball the same with each swing. Of course, being able to be consistent with your swing will play a large role as well.
Final Thoughts – Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 4 Shaft
One of the main questions I tend to get from these reviews is “is it worth the upgrade?” There are about a million different factors to consider, obviously, and it will depend from person to person. In my opinion, the Black profile specifically has been the most improved from generation to generation in the Project X HZRDUS line. The new Gen 4 version is no exception. In my opinion, the Gen 4 is easily the best feeling and an interesting tale of “where will Project X take this profile next?” The signature HZRDUS stability is there with the most consistent performance and best feel I’ve seen from the HZRDUS Black lineage yet. So is the Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 4 worth the upgrade? Yes, I think it is.
Hi Bill,
Love reading your shaft reviews. Just curious to know when you post your data, what system are you using? Quad, Trackman or something else. Thanks!
Varies based on what we have available to us.
Hi, Bill. Thank you for the review. I have noticed that this shaft is on tour edge’s 723 driver stock shaft list. Have you happened to use their stock shaft or is it an aftermarket one? Please share your opinion about their stock shaft quality compare to aftermarket one. Many thanks.
I would argue there’s no noticeable difference between Project X’s aftermarket vs made for. You’ll be fine.
Thanks for your great review as always. I used a AV Raw White 60 Xstiff in my Cobra LTDX LS driver and really loved it. Moving to the latest Cobra Aerojet LS and wondering if I should go with Hzrdus Black Gen 4 X Stiff (no upcharge) or splurge and explore the Ventus 6 X Black. Is the Ventus that much more stable or better feeling to you? I know I need to get fitted and I will, just wanting to get your feedback on how the Hzrdus Gen4 black compatred to the Ventus Black.
The best I can give you is that they’re similar, but the HZRDUS lines up with the DNA of the HZRDUS family and the Ventus feels more like a Ventus. They both have their own feel profiles and will play different in different hands. On paper, they’re similar in terms of performance. But that’s on paper.
Which did you go with? im getting an ai smoke 4 hybrid and got fitted for a tensei av black 85 but they dont have that with callaway so im deciding on hzrdus gen 4 black 80 (no upcharge) or ventus blue hb 8 ($150 upcharge)
This is not the typical Low/Low/harsh feeling shaft.
The Gen 4 is so smooth and consistent, it is my new gamer.
There is a consistant, subtle kick the previous generations lacked.
I’m a long swinging, hard handed late release delivered of the club and this shaft feels soo much smoother and repeatable than previous generations. Bravo!
This is my gamer.
I have also replaced my Aldila Tour Green 75X with the Gen 4 70X in my Teiple Diamond fairway wood. It’s that good!
Well done True Temper!
Thanks for the review I was looking at adding this to my new driver.