In praise of the Gen 4 HZRDUS Black

[bcflyguy1]

So I’m a regional master fitter, which grants me access to test just about everything the company has on offer. It also makes purchasing stuff like upcharge shafts much easier on the wallet. I’ve been playing an OG Ventus Black 6X in my driver for the last couple years, and I’ve not found anything that suits me as well.

 

…which brings me to the thread topic. When I started testing the Paradym drivers back in December, I popped in a HZRDUS 60 6.5 and quickly found it a bit too soft and more so too light for my preferences. However, a couple days ago I got a 70 6.5 and decided to give it a spin since testing stuff helps me as a fitter. Didn’t really have any expectations or hopes for it going in, but have to say this thing is surprisingly good! Yes, it’s a featured shaft for multiple OEMs and not the TX version that’s infused with unicorn farts, but it still does the business exceptionally well. 
 

I love me a Gucci low/low shaft as much as the next ho, and yet I can see where this thing might dethrone my trusty Ventus Black (sacrilege, I know).  All that to say, don’t discount the Gen 4 Black as a viable option if you’re getting fit up; you may be able to save yourself a big upcharge with little to no performance compromise.

[FlaBoy239]

I've had two separate driver fittings and both times my fitter told me keep what you have. Hzrdus Black Smoke RDX 6.5. The ho in me keeps tinkering but I always come back to my Hzrdus.

[BraxtonFullerton]

Longtime Hzrdus Black (Smoke then RDX) user here. I got curious and went and picked up a Ventus Black around Christmas. Ventus feels a little looser on the waggle test, but yet somehow reduces my spin by about 300-400 RPMs. I would like to test the new Gen 4 against it but I'm in the goldilocks zone and I don't wanna ruin a good thing...

[Wayside]

I was originally a long-time Prolite 35 guy, then went away from the game for a good while and tried to find something similar when I came back. That was the PX graphite. Went away again and came back and put RDX 70 black in my driver hoping it’d be in the same vein. It is. Feel is more important to me than LM numbers. 
 

There’s still quite a few RDX guys on tour, even with all the Ventus love. 

[hwturner17]

it's a fantastic shaft

[cubuffs]

My son who will be playing college golf next year did a fitting with the regional Callaway rep and it was the 70 6.5 shaft that was the recommendation.  He didn't get to hit any upcharge shafts in that fitting and subsequently hit the Ventus Black in the 7X and that is what we ordered with a Pardym TD head as he preferred the feel and we had enough trade ins to make it feasible from a $$$ standpoint.  His results 100% echo your findings...  

[Phabs]

I just pulled the one that came out of my Aerojet without swinging it, maybe I should have gave it a chance.  It’s a 6.0 60g and I’d probably of needed a 6.5 

[bekgolf]

I've never hit a Ventus so no comparison there.  I do have a 3 wood with a 70g Black Smoke RDX 6.0 and it's fantastic.  So fantastic that I tried to get one for my driver but ended up with a Gen 4 70g 6.0, it's replacing an OG 60g Hzrdus Black 6.0 in the driver.

 

So far so good, I've only hit it a few times but I can't recall ever having a shaft that felt this tight.  It's the only word in my vocabulary to describe it, tight.

[boyce89976]

I demo'd a TSR3 with the Gen4 Black in it and hit one of the longest drives of my life (73 yards to the pin on a hole I'm normally 130-150 yards in).  Ordered the exact same setup in the driver and 3 wood and have been very happy with it.  

[Mike_C]

Got the new Srixon ZX5 LS several weeks ago, demoed several shafts but got the best numbers with the stock HZRDUS black gen 4 6.0.

 

So far really like it, stable but not boardy feeling at all.

[tomg1969]

Can anyone compare the Gen 4 black to the Tensei AV Raw white?

[altitudegolfer15]

On 4/6/2023 at 4:35 AM, FlaBoy239 said:

I've had two separate driver fittings and both times my fitter told me keep what you have. Hzrdus Black Smoke RDX 6.5. The ho in me keeps tinkering but I always come back to my Hzrdus.

This for sure. Ive literally been tinkering with a a bunch of different shafts (Kaili White TX, Hzrdus Gen4, Ventus Black) and literally every time Ive gone back to my Smoke Black RDX 70 it cant be beat. Im over trying to force myself to "like" whats newer when plain and simple my RDX has been fantastic.

[altitudegolfer15]

On 4/6/2023 at 8:36 AM, BraxtonFullerton said:

Longtime Hzrdus Black (Smoke then RDX) user here. I got curious and went and picked up a Ventus Black around Christmas. Ventus feels a little looser on the waggle test, but yet somehow reduces my spin by about 300-400 RPMs. I would like to test the new Gen 4 against it but I'm in the goldilocks zone and I don't wanna ruin a good thing...

I went from being in that goldilocks zone with my RDX and wasted time and money on the others. Ventus Black, Kaili White, and have a Gen 4. I really wanted to like the Gen4 but not doing it. I might give myself one last go on a Gen4 in a 70 instead of a 60 since the 60 is simply too light. Funny how noticeable 10 grams are in a shaft.

[cw1209]

Totally agree with this. Hzrdus Black Gen 4 is very smooth and has great feel. Didn't care for Smoke Black and RDX Black was pretty good. Gen 4 takes it up a notch and feels premium. Definitely worth testing if you are looking at Ventus Black or Kaili White. Each year Hzrdus brings the best value in graphite by a significant margin. 

[mlf]

I have been playing the Project X Gen 4 black now for 2 weeks and wondering if I am the only one who I doesn’t like it as much as the last generation Smoke black RDX. In my stealth 2 Plus fairway and Callaway UW I have a 6.5 flex and love the feel and flight of those. In my TSR 2 driver, I have the new gen 4 in 6.0 flex and to me it feels more boardy and I am losing the ball right which is really weird for me as I am turning in over the hybrid and fairway in a stiffer flex. Anyone else have the same experience?  Is the tip stiffer in the new Gen 4 or does Titleist tip them or something?

[bcflyguy1]

Have your tried the Gen 4 in your driver in the 6.5 flex? If you haven't, then the 6.0 being too soft could well be the culprit. I know that probably sounds absurd, but...

44 minutes ago, mlf said:

I have been playing the Project X Gen 4 black now for 2 weeks and wondering if I am the only one who I doesn’t like it as much as the last generation Smoke black RDX. In my stealth 2 Plus fairway and Callaway UW I have a 6.5 flex and love the feel and flight of those. In my TSR 2 driver, I have the new gen 4 in 6.0 flex and to me it feels more boardy and I am losing the ball right which is really weird for me as I am turning in over the hybrid and fairway in a stiffer flex. Anyone else have the same experience?  Is the tip stiffer in the new Gen 4 or does Titleist tip them or something?

 

[mlf]

I will give that a try. I always thought softer flex feels better but I guess if it is causing me to miss the center it could be the issue. 

[PNW]

I wanted to echo this, I really like the Gen4 Black and a lot more than previous versions. Using a 70g 6.5 in my BRNR mini and its the most point and shoot I've played off the tee in a few years. Great wallet friendly alternative to OG Ventus Black 6X (similar weight). 

[jeffrey r]

23 hours ago, mlf said:

I have been playing the Project X Gen 4 black now for 2 weeks and wondering if I am the only one who I doesn’t like it as much as the last generation Smoke black RDX. In my stealth 2 Plus fairway and Callaway UW I have a 6.5 flex and love the feel and flight of those. In my TSR 2 driver, I have the new gen 4 in 6.0 flex and to me it feels more boardy and I am losing the ball right which is really weird for me as I am turning in over the hybrid and fairway in a stiffer flex. Anyone else have the same experience?  Is the tip stiffer in the new Gen 4 or does Titleist tip them or something?

 

I had been playing the older Smoke Black hybrid shafts for awhile in some Callaway hybrids. I then picked up some new Paradym X hybrids with the Gen4 HZRDUS Black. Both 80g 6.0.

 

All I can say is that when I played the Gen4, I was not as consistent as I had been with the Smoke Black. So with the ease of the adjustable shafts, I swapped in my Smoke Black shafts and haven't looked back. Once the season moves along, I'll give the Gen4 another go. Could have just been a bad round or two, who knows.

[ck800]

enjoyed this in t200 utility build, felt fairly similar to ventus black hb 9tx just not quite as stout but close

[kthomas]

The RDX is a huge upgrade to the HZRDUS line. The hextow really livens up the shaft from previous generations.

 

Really enjoying the RDX smoke black that I have in my G30 driver.

[phizzy30]

On 4/5/2023 at 8:39 PM, bcflyguy1 said:

So I’m a regional master fitter, which grants me access to test just about everything the company has on offer. It also makes purchasing stuff like upcharge shafts much easier on the wallet. I’ve been playing an OG Ventus Black 6X in my driver for the last couple years, and I’ve not found anything that suits me as well.

 

…which brings me to the thread topic. When I started testing the Paradym drivers back in December, I popped in a HZRDUS 60 6.5 and quickly found it a bit too soft and more so too light for my preferences. However, a couple days ago I got a 70 6.5 and decided to give it a spin since testing stuff helps me as a fitter. Didn’t really have any expectations or hopes for it going in, but have to say this thing is surprisingly good! Yes, it’s a featured shaft for multiple OEMs and not the TX version that’s infused with unicorn farts, but it still does the business exceptionally well. 
 

I love me a Gucci low/low shaft as much as the next ho, and yet I can see where this thing might dethrone my trusty Ventus Black (sacrilege, I know).  All that to say, don’t discount the Gen 4 Black as a viable option if you’re getting fit up; you may be able to save yourself a big upcharge with little to no performance compromise.

Sacrilege indeed, my friend.  I was never a fan of the previous gens but the gen 4 is ok when I tested it.  It feels much smoother than previous offerings but was on the softer side feel wise.  Dispersion wasn't good either, but I'm glad to see it's working for you.  Like you I had the OG black since it's inception but traded it in for something else after playing it for just over a year.  Dumb move on my part because I wasn't able to find a suitable replacement that would give me really good numbers while being super stable.  Switched over to the TR Black a few months back and it's been a blessing.  All the goodness of the OG Black with less kick but also really smooth as well. 

[bcflyguy1]

1 hour ago, phizzy30 said:

Sacrilege indeed, my friend.  I was never a fan of the previous gens but the gen 4 is ok when I tested it.  It feels much smoother than previous offerings but was on the softer side feel wise.  Dispersion wasn't good either, but I'm glad to see it's working for you.  Like you I had the OG black since it's inception but traded it in for something else after playing it for just over a year.  Dumb move on my part because I wasn't able to find a suitable replacement that would give me really good numbers while being super stable.  Switched over to the TR Black a few months back and it's been a blessing.  All the goodness of the OG Black with less kick but also really smooth as well. 

OG Ventus Black is still in there, but Gen 4 Black gave it a serious run.

[cw1209]

For those that have tried it, how is the Hzrdus Black Gen 4 hybrid shaft? 

[azgreg]

On 4/5/2023 at 8:39 PM, bcflyguy1 said:

So I’m a regional master fitter, which grants me access to test just about everything the company has on offer. It also makes purchasing stuff like upcharge shafts much easier on the wallet. I’ve been playing an OG Ventus Black 6X in my driver for the last couple years, and I’ve not found anything that suits me as well.

 

…which brings me to the thread topic. When I started testing the Paradym drivers back in December, I popped in a HZRDUS 60 6.5 and quickly found it a bit too soft and more so too light for my preferences. However, a couple days ago I got a 70 6.5 and decided to give it a spin since testing stuff helps me as a fitter. Didn’t really have any expectations or hopes for it going in, but have to say this thing is surprisingly good! Yes, it’s a featured shaft for multiple OEMs and not the TX version that’s infused with unicorn farts, but it still does the business exceptionally well. 
 

I love me a Gucci low/low shaft as much as the next ho, and yet I can see where this thing might dethrone my trusty Ventus Black (sacrilege, I know).  All that to say, don’t discount the Gen 4 Black as a viable option if you’re getting fit up; you may be able to save yourself a big upcharge with little to no performance compromise.

Is this the shaft you're talking about?

https://www.golfworks.com/project-x-hzrdus-smoke-black-graphite-wood-shafts/p/tt0138/

I recently put a 68g 6.0 in my Adams 9088UL head and really like it. Might give the 6.5 a try though.

 

Edited August 23, 2023 by azgreg

[Thoreaubred]

The black and green hzrdus feel the best to me.

[bcflyguy1]

On 8/15/2023 at 6:28 PM, azgreg said:

Is this the shaft you're talking about?

https://debatepolitics.com/attachments/this-jpg.67462781/

I recently put a 68g 6.0 in my Adams 9088UL head and really like it. Might give the 6.5 a try though.

 

https://www.truetempersports.com/en-us/golf/hzrdus-black-gen-4-graphite-wood-shaft.html

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

I tried the Gen 4 last weekend and it wasn't really a good fit for me. No knock on the quality of the piece, though. 

I'm not as aggressive of a swinger, I have a moderate to moderately fast tempo as a means of generating speed and power. The G4 Black didn't like my transition. 😄

[azgreg]

10 hours ago, bcflyguy1 said:

https://www.truetempersports.com/en-us/golf/hzrdus-black-gen-4-graphite-wood-shaft.html

Thanks. I don't know what I was posting. This is the link I was trying.

https://www.golfworks.com/project-x-hzrdus-smoke-black-graphite-wood-shafts/p/tt0138/

Not the same shaft though.

 

[AudiHeel]

Picked up a Hzrdus Black Gen 4 60 TX and took it to the range yesterday. Certainly not as stiff as the Ventus black TR 60x I've been playing, but it seemed solid with good control and a nice feel to it without being too lively. For me the Ventus TR is a bit too stout, and is kind of a chore to pound balls with, but I had no issues pounding 50+ balls with the 60 TX.

 

I did notice the 60 TX was a bit heavier than the 65 grams as advertised:  ~13 grams heavier than my Titleist Hzrdus black 6.5 60, and a few grams heavier than my Hzrdus black 6.5 70. The TT website says it's only 5 grams heavier than the 60, and 5 less than the 70. It's also 2 grams heavier than my Ventus TR Black 6x.

 

Looking forward to playing a few rounds with it soon.