50 Words or Less
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow shaft brings counterbalancing and a more active feel to the HZRDUS Smoke family. Still extremely stable.
Introduction
The HZRDUS Smoke Yellow is the third member of the second generation HZRDUS Smoke family. Alongside the Smoke Black (review HERE) and Smoke Green AKA The Hulk (review HERE), they form a trio of shafts designed for the aggressive, fast-swinging player. In this review, we explore what makes the Smoke Yellow different and which players will benefit from its unique attributes.
Looks
The “Yellow” in HZRDUS Smoke Yellow adds some visual punch to this shaft. The shaft is matte black, which, as you can see below, provides a distraction-free look at address if you install it logo-down.
With the graphics up, you’ll see the recognizable HZRDUS branding and the new “Smoke” logo in a bold yellow. The hazmat placard is still in place above the branding, indicating all the essential shaft specs. If you’re a big hitter, you’ll also get the iridescent “Small Batch” logo just below the grip.
Feel
Based on my experience with the HZRDUS Smoke Black and Green, I was expecting the HZRDUS Smoke Yellow to be extremely stout. I was surprised to find that, even in the 6.5 TX flex, this shaft has a smooth feel and a noticeable mid-kick. The tip is still very stable and will have no trouble handling aggressive swings.
The other unique aspect of the HZRDUS Smoke Yellow is that it’s counterbalanced. This means that there is more weight in the grip section to reduce the swing weight. With the exact same head and at the exact same length, the Smoke Yellow was about two swing weight points lighter than Smoke Green. Counterbalancing isn’t for everyone, but for some players it can lead to more club head and ball speed.
Performance
Before I plugged the HZRDUS Smoke Yellow into my PING G410 Plus (review HERE), I hit a few drives with the HZRDUS Smoke Green to set a baseline. Just as I saw in my previous testing, the ball was sizzling through the air on a low trajectory with minimal curve.
When I switched from Green to Yellow, I had to adjust where I was looking for the ball. Compared to the Green, the HZRDUS Smoke Yellow was launching moon balls. In reality, it was just my normal mid/high window, but the shots seemed sky high in comparison. Though there’s no way to confirm this, I felt like the higher launch was more due to the counterweighting than the difference in profile.
What impressed me about the HZRDUS Smoke Yellow was that, despite the higher launch, the ball flight was still very strong. This was confirmed when I moved to launch monitor testing. These drives carried a long way with minimal curve and a ton of roll out potential.
I kept hitting drives with the Smoke Yellow long after I’d gathered my data because it’s simply a fun shaft to hit. This is far and away the best HZRDUS Smoke shaft for me. It feels very stable, but I was still able to work the ball both ways when I wanted to. It gives me everything I’ve liked about previous HZRDUS Smoke shafts with a smoother feel and more shot variety.
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow is available in 60 and 70 gram weight classes. In both weights, the 6.0 (Stiff) and 6.5 (X-Stiff) are part of the standard line. The 6.5 TX (Tour X-Stiff) models are part of Project X’s Small Batch program.
Conclusion
If you’re intrigued by the stability of the HZRDUS family, but haven’t found a feel that you’re comfortable with, try the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow. The counterbalancing and more active mid section make it feel much friendlier without depriving it of the low spin and accuracy that these shafts are known for.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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Where would you see the swing speed starting (and I know it’s only ball park) for the stiff version? I’m 95-97mph.
Bill,
As you say, this is a very rough guideline, but I’d want to be north of 90 MPH, probably north of 95 MPH with any kind of “normal” transition.
Best,
Matt
Great thanks Matt. I’ll see if I can get one to fit my TS2 for a trial!
New gamer?
Brandon,
Not for me, I’m sticking with the Ventus Black.
Best,
Matt
Hellо there, I’m thinking аbоut lооsing sоme роunds. I dоn’t knоw whаt рrоgrаm I shоuld get. Whаt dо yоu think аbоut red teа рrоgrаm?
Eddie,
I don’t know anything about Red Tea. I would strongly advise you to learn from Layne Norton. Buy his book. It’s science based and it works.
-Matt
What are the possible negatives of going with the 5.5 Smoke Yellow instead of the 6.0? I have a swing speed in the 93-97 range.
Thanks!
Scot,
It all depends on fit. There’s no way to know for certain.
-Matt
I’m currently gaming this shaft. I hit these penetrating moon shots that just keep flying!! This will be a tough shaft to get me out of!
Matt,
I’m a big shaft science guy, but I can’t seem to find any comparisons between all the low spin/low launch shafts i.e. hzrdus smoke/speeder evolution II, and graphite design tour m9003, etc…..what, in your opinion , is the lowest spin/launch shaft out there?
Thanks,
Martin
Martin,
I haven’t hit the M9003, but for me, the HZRDUS Smoke Green was the lowest launching/spinning shaft.
Best,
Matt
I’m buying a new driver, still playing an old x2hot pro with a GD tour addi 6 X shaft, unfortunately that shaft is gone and not many places to try it’s replacement. This smoke yellow shaft is a stock option, do you know how it would compare? Also the Tensei CK Blue or Orange Pro are available at a reasonable up charge, or stock the evenflow riptide cb or Fujikura pro 2.0, Aldila NV orange. What would you recommend that similar to the old addi 6?
Thanks Peter
Peter,
If you’re going to spend the money on a new driver, I would recommend being fit.
The Graphite Design Tour AD DI is still widely available, but if you want to change, my opinion is that the Tensei shafts would be closest from a feel perspective.
-Matt
Thanks Matt, PXG is currently running a really good promo $295 for their $600 driver and I kind of want to try it. Unfortunately they don’t offer graphite design shafts right now. Do you think the Tensei blue or orange is closer to the tour addi? I have a 110 swing speed with a fairly mid to high spin rate but a boring trajectory on my drives. So I tend to like mid trajectory with low spin rates. My driving average is similar to yours(260 carry, 270-280 total) and my swing is not super smooth but more moderate in transition. Any recommendation would be great?
Thanks again Peter
Peter,
PXG offers free fittings, so I would suggest you take advantage of that. Any recommendation I make is a glorified guess, and I don’t want other golfers spending $300 (or any amount) based on that alone.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
I’m currently playing a made-for HZRDUS Yellow 6.5 in my epic flash. Have you tried the original yellow & do you know how the smoke yellow would compare? I’m also curious if the 6.5TX is stouter then the made-for 6.5 shaft?
Appreciate any response.
Thanks,
Tyler
Tyler,
The 6.5TX should be stiffer than the 6.5.
I have hit the original HZRDUS Yellow. I have a full review here: https://pluggedingolf.com/project-x-hzrdus-yellow-shaft-review/
Best,
Matt
Okay that’s what I figured. Thanks for the quick reply Matt!
Hi Matt,
Can you pls advise on the difference between TS and TX in a 6.0 70g shaft. My swing speed is 110mph.
Thanks
Adam,
I’m not seeing any TS on the Project X website, so I’m not sure.
Best,
Matt
Im playing a hzrdus yellow 85g x flex in my woods that I love. I cant find the heavier shafts for under $300 but i did find a yellow smoke 70g 6.5. How much of a difference do you think it would be?
Jonathan,
15 grams worth of difference?
I don’t know how sensitive you are to your gear. Some people will feel that weight change in a big way, others won’t. Some people will tell you that the original HZRDUS Yellow and the Smoke Yellow are worlds apart, others can’t tell the difference.
I would hazard a guess that 15 grams is going to be noticeable to most players, but whether that’s better or worse for you, there’s no way for me to know.
Best,
Matt
I have the smoke yellow Stiff flex (not small batch) in my current Titleist driver. My swing speed is nearly identical to yours. How would you compare the smoke yellow to the Ventus blue?
Matthew,
Given that you’ve read both reviews, I don’t think there’s much for me to add.
-Matt
Hi Matt, got a Evenflow Green 5.0 reg in my Epic Flash. My pro thinks its got too much flex and recommends a hzrdus 6.0 stiff shaft. Swing is about 92-97mph. Any suggestions?
Mark,
I would suggest getting a fitting on a launch monitor so you can get the data about what the shaft is actually doing and which one can improve your performance.
-Matt
Hi, what length do these come in? Is it possible to have this shaft is 70g 6.0 option at 44.5”? Would that impact swing weight significantly and hinder performance?
Many thanks
Steve,
I believe the raw length is 48″, but you can trim it to whatever shorter length you want. Less length will create a lower swing weight.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
I had been playing the Callaway XR with a Project X LZ 56g 6.0 shaft until it recently breaking. (Your review here https://pluggedingolf.com/callaway-xr-driver-review/ ) I went for a fitting and didn’t have any luck finding a shaft. I’m definitely going to play a shorter length driver with my new purchase as the 46 inch stock shaft wasn’t right for me. Would you say that that the Hzrdus shafts are similar to the LZ or can you maybe recommend a shaft brand I should check out? Obviously, I’ll have to do a lot of testing, but I appreciate any insight you might have.
Matt,
The LZ was a pretty active profile, the HZRDUS is very stout. If you want to try something closer to the LZ, look into the Project X EvenFlow shafts.
Best,
Matt
I’ll definitely check those out. Thank you.
Hi Matt,
Was wondering, did you know the shaft you were testing has been tipped or it was install straight into the adapter without any tipping?
Cheers.
Afiq,
We do not ever tip shafts prior to testing for review.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Can I check the main difference between Hzrdus smoke yellow and Tensei blue pls? Both stiff. Unsure which one to get for my driver. My ball flight is mid now and swing speed is 90-95mph
Thanks
Carl,
The two shafts you mention are substantially different. I would strongly recommend getting a fitting before you spend the money on a new shaft or new driver.
-Matt
Matt, how would the smoke yellow compare to my gamer the Riptide CB?
Robert,
It’s going to feel stiffer.
-Matt
I have recently moved from the previous generation of the yellow. (Which is stamped 63 grams) I have found the shaft to be much more playable, I don’t need to work near as hard to turn it over. Curious if you think that this is due to the removal of 3 grams of weight. I also find it slightly softer in the 6.0 version as compared to the previous generation. Really good shaft, and at a no charge upgrade to PXG Gen 4, who could pass that up for $400. I really enjoy your reviews.
Daniel,
Thank you!
I doubt that 3 grams alone would have a huge influence, but that paired with a shift in materials or profile certainly could.
Best,
Matt
Do you have a review on the Hzrdus Red and Blue as well?
Daniel,
Yes.
https://pluggedingolf.com/project-x-hzrdus-smoke-black-rdx-blue-rdx-shaft-review/
https://pluggedingolf.com/project-x-hzrdus-red-shaft-review/
-Matt
Whats the biggest difference between this shaft and a tensei blue?
Dany,
I have a full review of the TENSEI Blue here: https://pluggedingolf.com/mitsubishi-tensei-av-raw-blue-shaft-review/
-Matt
Matt you are the GOAT!!!
Thank you!
Everything I’ve read about the Yellow is that it’s a low launch shaft, so I’m curious as to why you were hitting moon balls with it. Is the green advertised a lower launch shaft?
Chip,
The HZRDUS Green is the lowest launching, on paper.
-Matt
Hey Matt,
I got fitted into the Ping 425 with the Alta Slate 55 Stiff shaft. The feel was absolutely perfect and was striping it down the middle with about 270-280 carry & 300-310 total yards.
Was looking at potentially swapping to a similar shaft in the HZRDUS family as I love project X and have the IO’s on my irons. Didn’t like the HZRDUS smoke black on the Srixon I tried.
Anything comparable? Everything leads me to the HZRDUS yellow, red if I want a higher launch.
Thoughts?
Bobby,
My thought – and I’m being absolutely genuine, not remotely sarcastic or sh***y – is that if you’re hitting it 270-280 down the middle, why are you trying to mess with it?
Best,
Matt
I guess you make a great point 😂
Wasn’t sure if the “stock shaft” if you will would be long term suitable option.
But appreciate the honest follow up
Bobby,
I appreciate you taking my response in the way it was intended.
I definitely understand the impulse to always search for better or the desire to chase new gear just for the sake of fun. However, what I’ve learned over 10+ years of hitting everything under the sun is that when you find a great combination, you should ride it for as long as it will run.
Best,
Matt
Always Matt, appreciate you!