Project X HZRDUS Black Hand Crafted
Project X has been a large player in the iron shaft game for years, but took the world by storm in recent history with the HZRDUS line. The design idea behind the HZRDUS Black is to create a stiffer shaft throughout the profile, to help keep the shaft stable during the fastest, most aggressive swings. While the four options of the HZRDUS shaft, the Black, Yellow, Red, and T1100 made a huge splash on Tour, are they the right fit for a spot in your bag too?
First Impressions
The HZRDUS Black shaft features a matte black finish with “HZRDUS” across the shaft in a dark grey, and the bio-hazard-esque logo created by Project X for this lineup. The color scheme gives the shaft an almost “stealth” appearance. Though a simple look, the HZRDUS Black is still awesome at the same time. The shaft is noticeably stout at first blush, but we will get into that a bit later.
How Does it Feel?
First and foremost, the Project X HZRDUS Black Hand Crafted shaft is stout to say the least. This is by design given the HZRDUS Black’s purpose is for a more aggressive tempo. The shaft does feel incredibly stable throughout the swing, even when trying to “go after the ball.” With that said, if you’re all about smooth tempo and a slower swing, the HZRDUS Black may not be for you.
Although the HZRDUS Black feels stout, it does offer that little bit of kick so it doesn’t feel like you’re swinging a tree trunk or piece of rebar. It’s not a shaft where you feel like you have to over swing to load it, and will do it’s job with a smooth, albeit fast, tempo. For a shaft as stout as the HZRDUS Black, I was pleasantly surprised with how much response I still got out of it.
Per Project X, one thing to keep in mind when fitting or testing, the HZRDUS Black does play a half-flex stronger than advertised (6.0 stiff will play between a stiff and an x-stiff).
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115.3 | 167.8 | 9.5º | 2339 | 284 | 294 |
The Project X HZRDUS Black Hand Crafted is advertised as a low launch, low spinning shaft, and it delivers in that department. As a typically HIGH ball hitter the HZRDUS Black, combined with the right ball, produced a much more penetrating ball flight than I am used to. While most of my drivers fall out of the sky and don’t produce much roll, I found myself getting a good five to ten yards of roll off my drives.
My spin numbers were lower by about 400 RPMs, on solid shots, but my accuracy and length were the biggest benefits. I found my misses to be much less severe, and my solidly struck shots were about five to ten yards longer than my current gamer. Long story short: the HZRDUS Black was long and accurate. Disclaimer: Not everyone will gain distance with this shaft, and you should consult your local fitter to see if the HZRDUS is right for you. I’ve spoken to a lot of players that have switched to the HZRDUS Black because they were willing to sacrifice a touch of distance for huge gains in accuracy. Accuracy is the hallmark of this shaft.
Final Thoughts
The Project X HZRDUS Black shaft has a solid presence on Tour, but could be the right fit for you too. If you have a fast swing speed, tempo, or transition and are looking for a lower spinning/launching shaft and put a high value on precision accuracy, I’d check out the HZRDUS Black in a heartbeat. As always, make sure to visit a quality fitter to see if the HZRDUS Black shaft might be a fit for you.
Tommy, You have the shaft pictured as 85g, which is their hybrid shaft.
Ah, was wondering why it felt so short and didn’t quite fit in my driver head. Not bad numbers for a 39” driver though 🙂
Hi
What’s the torque spec, and how does it compare to an X100?
Hi Gregory,
Thanks for reading. The torque on the 65 is 3.2 and the 75 is 2.9. The 85g hybrid shaft is 2.5.
As far as the x100 I’m not sure, but you’re comparing apples to oranges, as the Hzrdus Black is a graphite wood shaft, where as the x100s are steel iron shafts.
Thanks!
Tommy
I ‘ve played the Rogue A-MAX 65 stiff and thinking about the PRX Black 65. Would the 6.0 be right or 5.5?
Hi Scott –
Unfortunately I haven’t hit the Rogue M-AX. I know it is a low/mid launch shaft, but can’t speak to the feel on it.
The torque is lower on the HZRDUS black, so the 6.0 (stiff) version will probably feel more stout to you than the M-AX, but again, I haven’t hit it to verify that. The 5.5 vs the 6.0 will also give you different flight characteristics and feel, based on your tempo, transition, etc. All I can say is that the 6.0 in the HZRDUS Black feels more “stiff” than most stiff flex shafts I have hit.
Without seeing your swing, ball flight, and swing speed, along with knowing what your desired result is, I couldn’t give you an accurate recommendation.
That, and of course, that I’m not a certified fitter.
Thanks for stopping by,
Tommy
Hi Tommy,
What shaft weight and flex were you swinging to get those numbers?
Also, how do you compare the the smoke black, to the black, to the green? Are there huge differences between the three?
thanks, Scott
Scott –
75g 6.5 flex. The smoke black has a more smooth feel to it. I haven’t hit the others.
Thanks!
Hi Tommy,
Just reading your review on the Hzrdus shafts as I am looking to change my driver. I currently have a fubuki alpha 60 in there at the moment and with the shaft being 10 years old struggling fo find another with a taylormade adapter. Without having to modify my existing shaft do you know what current shaft comes close to the fubuki?
Hi Matt –
I haven’t hit the Fubuki so can’t give you an honest answer. Your best bet is to visit your local fitter and get fit for the right shaft.
The other option is you can buy one without the Taylormade adapter, and purchase that separately. You can find them online, or your local retailer might even have some. It’s an easy install.
Good luck!
Tommy
Trimming the shaft, tip and butt, How much from each, Im 5’8″ 112 swing speed
That’s nowhere near enough information to work off of. All of that depends on your swing, your launch angle, your flight/shape, your miss, your arm hang (two people at 5’8″ could have different length arms, torsos, legs, etc making shaft length requirements totally different), your specific response to the equipment, etc.
While I know it’s not convenient for everyone to do, but once you start getting into tip trimming, it’s pretty tough to make that decision without the advice of a fitter unless you have a reasonable understanding for self fitting.