50 Words or Less
The Project X LZ Tour graphite iron shaft has a lot of its steel counterpart’s performance characteristics but with the smoothness and weight of a graphite iron shaft.
Introduction
I thought highly of the steel Project X LZ iron shaft I reviewed last year. While the 120g steel LZ was good for a broad range of players, others might want a lighter shaft with similar performance. To meet this demand, Project X released the LZ Tour graphite iron shaft. The LZ Tour graphite iron shafts utilize a reduced stiffness in the midsection for maximum shaft load and weigh in at 90 grams.
Looks
For a graphite iron shaft, the Project X LZ Tour graphite shafts look so sweet. The butt and tip sections are plain black, but the midsection has a weave pattern to it. I can’t speak to whether or not the weave has any practical impact, but it showcases the “Loading Zone” concept and looks cool. Project X uses their familiar silver and blue graphics which really pop on the black graphite.
Feel
This review was the first time I had ever hit a Project X graphite iron shaft of any type. Given Project X’s excellent reputation I wasn’t too concerned about how they would perform, but I was curious how they would feel. Comparing to the steel LZ iron shaft, I think the graphite shaft’s kick is a little smoother. The steel LZ has a notable pop whereas the graphite LZ has a smoother release. I tested the graphite LZ in a Callaway Apex MB, and the graphite absorbed a lot of shock on mishits.  Despite being graphite, the LZ Tour is still very responsive.
Performance
True to Project X‘s advertisement, the LZ Tour graphite iron shaft has a mid-launch with low spin.  The LZ Tour isn’t the lowest spinning shaft I’ve hit, but I wasn’t seeing many balls zip back on the greens. The trajectory was right in the middle which made the LZ extremely controllable. If you’re starting from the middle, it’s much less work to flight the ball up or down as needed. Naturally, this made managing the wind much easier.
Finally, I want to talk punch shots. I’m not ashamed to admit that when I played a full round with the LZ Tour shafts, I had to work from under trees a few times. The LZ Tour graphite shafts may be the best punch shot shaft I’ve ever hit. Something about them made it feel effortless. The analogy may be tough to relate to, but it felt like throwing a saucer pass in hockey. All it took was pulling the club back and flicking it forward to punch the ball right on target.  This made a very lasting impression on me and is a testament to the LZ Tour’s playability.
Conclusion
The lighter graphite Project X LZ Tour aren’t exactly apples-to-apples with their steel counterparts, but they’re a great shaft.  Their performance is similar, but the lighter weight and smoother feel sets the graphite LZ Tour apart. If feeling that kick is less important to you and you’re looking for something a bit easier to play with great feel, consider the Project X LZ Tour graphite iron shafts.
Bill Bush
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What is the difference between the 5.0 and 6.0 shafts? Flex?
James,
Yes, Project X denotes flex with numbers: 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, etc.
Best,
Matt
How does the LZ Graphite 6.0 compare to Recoil F4 95?
I’ve never hit the Recoil so I couldn’t even come close to speaking to that comparison.
I built up a Hot Metal Pro 7i in each of those (and also hit the LZ 5.0). The LZ 6.0 is a bit more lively than the Recoil. The 5.0 is much more lively, but with my swing I felt a little too much movement at the top of the swing. Both the LZ and Recoil and great shafts, I went LZ in the rest of the irons as I like that little bit of extra feel. I also think the matte black looks way better than the “iron-like” finish on the Recoils.
I currently have 825 pros I’m looking for new iron and a lighter shaft I demoed some ap3 I hit the 7 iron with a ball flight of 110 ft then hit my 7 with ball flight of 106 my current shaft is 120 gram I know a lighter shaft promotes higher ball flight will the project x lz tour graphite keep ball fight the same or lower it any?
I genuinely can’t answer that question for you. You would have to see how you hit it on the monitor and what impact it would have on your specific swing. If I were to advise either direction, it would be irresponsible. My suggestion is to be properly fit for the shaft, especially if you’re looking to make a significant change.
I just want to give you guys props for nice reviews. I have been trying to find reviews on different graphite shafts and time after time yours come up. When I look for something on the other popular sites all I get is forum threads with very little real info just a bunch of comments on looks or whatever.
This review lead me to getting these shafts and putting them in a set of Srixon Z565s should be a good combo.
Tom,
Thanks! That means a great deal to us.
Best,
Matt
I thought I would do a follow up on these shafts after hitting them on the range for the first time. I wanted to go to graphite for my sore elbows but I didn’t want to go super light so these were a good step from 105 weight irons.
Very smooth feel and great ball flight with my long and mid irons. I was hitting my 7 iron arrow straight time after time.
This was the first time I could hit a full set of them and I was surprised at how high I was hitting my PW. I think the next step is to take them in for gap testing. I was wondering if you noticed any issues like this when you fit someone into these? At first I thought I might put these in my wedges to be consistent through the set but now I’m puzzled by that ball flight. With their mid kick point they seem like they might be a good wedge shaft. Perhaps they are such a different beast from steel I will need to learn a different way to play my wedges.
Is the project XL Z graphite shaft for irons a high launch shaft . Thanks
I am look to get my daughter some new shafts that are senior flex. Are Project X Iron 4.5 flex a senior flex or a ladies flex?
Gene,
The conventional wisdom puts a 6.0 as a stiff, 5.5 as a regular, 5.0 as a senior flex, and 4.5 as ladies.
Best,
Matt
I have the PX LZ tour 5.0s in a set of Mizuno MP-54s. I personally love the ball flight. I was usually a mid ball flight guy with my KBS tour 90s, but with the LZs the flight is mid/high. And i have gained 8 yards carry. I went from 158y, to 166 yards carry. And the feel is awesome. I just bought a second set of the LZs before they become scarce.
I’m playing the 6.0 in a split set of 919s…and I can definitely agree with the comments on punch shots….I used to play a lot of links, so naturally have a low punch as a go to….in fact the punch shots with these shafts is so good, I find myself going with it pretty often from the middle of the fairway and despite no wind
I am a golfer that usually is in the reg flex steel shaft domain with now a slower swing speed in low nineties.. Is this a ‘traditional’ graphite shaft for slow swing speeds, older golfers… or? What is the target market for this graphite shaft? (90gm, mid section with less stiffness) Bottom line, I was considering purchasing these irons and leaving this shaft in the 4,5, and 6.. (and changing the 7, 8, with a reg flex steel shaft and perhaps a stiff PW. ‘Experienced’ not ‘Speculative’ thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Greg,
This is somewhere in between a “conventional” graphite iron shaft and a “Tour” graphite iron shaft. The best advice is to get fit before buying new irons so you know what actually works for your swing.
-Matt
hello, I’m between buying the project x lz and the catalyst 60 Which is the better shaft? Thanks.
Steve,
Neither is objectively better, you need to get fit to find out which one is better for you.
Best,
Matt
I was just wondering about swing weight differences with these shafts as replacements for my current steel 6.0 LZ’s? I like my currents but the body is getting older. I still have club head speed, just looking for something easier on the body. Would I need to be adding weight to the heads with these? D1or 2 now. I may be mixing up my adding or subtracting weight according to the shaft weight. I’d have to look at my notes since I haven’t tinkered in awhile. Thank you for any suggestions and your expertice. Clay
Clay,
I’m not certain about how the weight is distributed in these. Generally, moving to lighter shafts requires adding weight to the club head to maintain swing weight.
Best,
Matt