Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX Driver Shaft Review
Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX driver shaft.
When it comes to choosing the right driver shaft, most players will think of flex, weight, and kick-point as the biggest qualities to consider. The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX driver shaft offers so much more to players who fit its profile, and I got a close look during a recent driver review.
Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX Tech and Specifications
My experience with the HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX shaft came with my initial review of the Tour Edge Exotics C721 driver, as it is a stock option for that club.
To construct this shaft, Project X teamed up with Hexcel®, a global leader in composites technology for aerospace and military operations, to utilize their HexTow® carbon fibers. Knowing that going in to my experience with the Smoke Blue RDX, I admittedly had high expectations — or at least a curious eye as to how “different” it would feel from other driver shafts.
The shaft’s counterbalance design imparts a unique flex profile that, as Project X describes it, “strategically changes per flex for player optimization.” In essence, this means the kick-point and flex positions of the shaft move up and down its design depending on shaft flex choice for your game. Pretty interesting concept.
Smoke Blue RDX is a counterbalanced design that features a soft midsection to maximize shaft load and feel while maintaining a stout butt and tip section to keep up with all swing speeds and provide a stable feel through impact. Players with a moderate swing tempo and who are looking for a lower trajectory with low spin will benefit most from this shaft.
You can learn more about how a loft adjustment coupled with a driver shaft’s flex profile can impact ball flight in my post on effective loft here.
Feel and Performance
To be fair, I am a player who probably falls outside the projected player profile for this shaft. I usually need more lift and height from my drives, although my swing tempo (90-100 mph) is probably right in the wheelhouse for the Smoke Blue RDX. Regardless, I went into the review with an open mind.
Drives with the shaft definitely felt solid throughout the swing, and not too whippy or stout. I hate a driver shaft that feels like a 2x4, and the Smoke Blue RDX is anything but. It offers a very stable feel while providing adequate clubhead “awareness” throughout the swing, helping you with timing and overall feel.
Spin numbers were definitely lower than I would normally produce with a driver, averaging as much as 700 rpm lower. Obviously spin can also be affected by tech in the actual clubhead, once again emphasizing the importance of finding the right combination for your game (cough GET FIT cough).
Trajectory, including peak height, was lower than my gamer, but not considerably. I could definitely put the Smoke Blue RDX in my bag, along with the proper driver loft setting, and experience the full benefit from its design without any problem.
Overall Impression
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX driver shaft is a fantastic option for players with moderate swing speeds who want to keep the ball a touch lower in terms of spin and trajectory. I’d say this is a shaft best for mid-to-low handicappers, especially since most golfers could use more height in their shots. However, with a proper fitting and driver calibration, this shaft could be incredibly powerful.
For more information, visit the True Temper Project X website here.
