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The Project X HZRDUS Red shaft adds a higher launching option to the successful HZRDUS line. More “action” without loss of tip stability.
Introduction
Project X has done a masterful job building the HZRDUS lineup. It started with the HZRDUS Black which was an immediate sensation on the PGA Tour. Then they added the HZRDUS Yellow, a counterweighted version of the Black. Now they’re inviting more players into the HZRDUS tent with the HZRDUS Red – a higher launching option.
Check out the latest HZRDUS Red, the Smoke Red RDX, HERE
Feel
My expectations for the HZRDUS Red were that it would bear little resemblance to the HZRDUS Black in terms of feel. After one swing, those expectations were busted.
The HZRDUS Red does an unbelievable job of maintaining the tip stability of the HZRDUS Black while adding a noticeable amount of kick in the midsection. If you like the consistency of the Black but want more action, the HZRDUS Red is going to be perfect for you.
Looks
You can probably infer what color the HZRDUS Red is. But rather than give us yet another shiny red shaft, Project X added something new by opting for a matte finish. This is the first time I’ve seen matte red on a shaft, and I think the look is killer. It’s bold and unusual.
Like the HZRDUS Black and HZRDUS Yellow, the graphics on the HZRDUS Red are minimal. The HZRDUS name is printed along the middle of the shaft, and the top features the specs on the hazmat placard.
Performance
The performance of the Project X HZRDUS Red shattered my expectations, just like the feel did. I put it head-to-head against the HZRDUS Black, and I was expecting the Red to launch higher, spin more, and struggle handling my big miss, a hook. What I got was an unexpected speed boost – an average of 3 MPH of club head speed! I don’t know that everyone will see this bump, but I think players with borderline swing speed may.
My negative expectations were shattered, too. The spin and launch were slightly higher, but the accuracy was exactly the same as the Black. The tip section held up to my hardest swings, and I saw no out of control hooks. I wasn’t looking for a new gamer shaft, but I may have found it.
Conclusion
There are tons of players who would love to play a shaft with a stable tip who simply don’t have the swing speed for it. HZRDUS Red is the answer to those players’ prayers. This shaft has superb consistency without sacrificing feel, and you may even see a ball speed boost like I did.
Project X HZRDUS Red_0005
Project X HZRDUS Red_0011
Project X HZRDUS Red_0015
Project X HZRDUS Red_0018
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Project X HZRDUS Red_0020
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HZRDUS Red vs Black
HZRDUS Red vs Black
Matt Saternus
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I was surprised to read you’re considering making this shaft your gamer when your numbers look so much better with the Speeder Evolution II 757. What factors make you want to switch?
Max,
I’m not certain that I’ll change, but it’s a possibility.
Numbers from one review should never be compared to numbers from another. There’s a lot of variance from day to day and certainly month to month.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Did you use the shafts in the top picture (ie. 75g 6.0)?
I like my Oban Devotion 65 04 (Stiff, 67g) and can load it when I swing out of my shoes but would be better with something very slightly less stiff in the tip. I tried a Rogue Silver 60 (Stiff, 69g) with reasonable success but think I would be better with just a little more weight.
My ss is 100 to 102 like yours, slowish takeaway, almost a pause at the top and then pull down hard from the top. My average driver total distance is 260 yards.
Unfortunately I can’t get fit for these shafts but would be interested in your thoughts on whether I would be better suited to the HAZRDUS RED 75 in 5.5 or 6.0?
Darren,
Yes, I used the shaft pictured.
I appreciate the difficulty of finding a fitter who has all the shafts you want to try, but we strongly avoid making any specific recommendations because it’s a disservice to our readers.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt, I wasn’t really after a hard and fast recommendation, just more information that would help me decide what to short list to hunt down to try out. But I do appreciate the position you are in.
Can I ask whether you found the Red 75 6.0 to play stiff or soft to flex and whether, if you did consider adopting the Red as your gamer, you would definitely go with the 6.0 or first try the 5.5 or 6.5?
Thanks for all your reviews, I enjoy reading them.
Darren,
If I was going to game the Red, I would play the 6.0
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
I was hoping you could tell me what the difference is (if any) between the shaft pictured and the hzrdus red shaft in a black finish with red writing?
I’ve been glancing at these on ebay and notice the hzrdus red comes in 2 different colours but can’t find a reason why.
Thanks.
James,
Unfortunately I’m not certain if the graphics have a deeper meaning or not.
Best,
Matt
Surprised you play stiff with such a slow club head speed. Your spin under 2000 is where you want to be, but I’m guessing that’s b/c your swing and ball speed are lower than most players of stiff shafts
Hi Matt, I am considering getting the hzrdus red 75g (not the handcrafted version) for a fairway wood. Would you say the hzrdus red is best suited to a fairway wood? Would be interested to hear what shafts you have hit recently that you thought would be great in a fairway wood. Have always played low launch shaft such as diamana d+ in my 3 wood but as I am not getting any younger a sligthly higher launching shaft would help.
Many Thanks
Kind Regards
Jon
Jon,
The HZRDUS Red is the highest launching in that family, which will help some people in fairway woods.
There’s no way to say any given shaft will be good for everyone in a FW because fit is everything. Even though I would benefit from launching a FW higher, if I put a tip soft shaft in a FW, it would be a disaster.
Best,
Matt
Hi my driver ss is 90 which Hzrdus red shaft do I go for on my srixons driver?
Peter,
With the caveat that you can only know for sure with a fitting, I would guess that stiff would be fine.
Best,
Matt
matt what is the difference between handcrafted red hazdus vs red hazdus as downunder in australia the handcrafted shaft is 350 dollar upcharge cheers love reading your insights
John,
The Handcrafted version is the “real deal” version, the aftermarket one. It’s likely a bit stiffer and, more importantly, the quality control tolerances are tighter. The other version is made to be a stock option. It can still be a fine shaft for the right player, but it’s not the same as the aftermarket version reviewed here.
Best,
Matt
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Hi Matt,
I am looking for a new driver shaft and after reading your review think that the Project X Hzrdus Red may just be perfect for me, I have a driver swing speed of 107-108 mph (although I did manage a couple of swings of 110 mph when I tested the Callaway Epic Flash a few weeks ago).
I am not a high ball hitter but playing mostly on links courses thats maybe not a bad thing, I have been told that a shaft with mid launch and low-mid spin suits my game the best so in your opinion does the Hzrdus Red meet those specs, also would you recommend the 60 or 70 gram version and in terms of stiffness would you suggest that I look at the 6.0 or 6.5 flex.
Thanks
John
John,
I would strongly recommend that you get a fitting to find the right shaft. I understand the appeal of not spending the money for the fitting, but the cost of buying/trying/reselling ends up being much higher in the end.
Best,
Matt
I am looking for a recommendation for a high launching graphite shaft for my Callaway Apex driver. My swing speed is in the high 80 range and my normal result is a straight ball flight. My normal drive carries about 225 and sometimes the total length is about 240 so a bit more distance would be nice. I am using a 10.5 degree lofted driver.
Les,
I cannot make a credible recommendation over the internet (no one can). I can only advise that if you’re serious about seeing improvement in your driving, you need to work with a high quality fitter.
Best,
Matt
Hi there , a playing partner of mine is playing with a haz red project x at the moment in his driver and wants to know is this shaft stiffer than a normal standard stiff .
Ged,
There are no industry standards for what a stiff is. That said, I find that the HZRDUS shafts feel stiff to flex.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
I know this article is a bit old……But since I really can’t find a whole lot of information on this question I’ll just put it out here for someone to see someday.
Is there very much difference between the PX HZRDUS T800 and the PX HZRDUS RED? They both claim to have “mid kick” with a stiff butt and a softer tip. So what’s the difference?
Unfortunately I’m not familiar with the T800, so I can’t offer a comparison.
-Matt
I currently play titliest 910D driver. 12 degree Bassara 50H regular flex. Thinking about buying new tsr2 driver. What shaft is similar? Swing speed 85mph
Tim,
The closest stock offering to your Bassara is the HZRDUS CB Red, but my advice is always to get a fitting to make sure this combination works for you.
-Matt