If you’re considering getting a new shaft, this Project X LZ review will help you make an informed decision. True Temper is one of the leading manufacturers of golf shafts and is used by professional golfers on all major tours. Project X shafts are one range of shafts within their stable. So, is the Project X LZ shaft worth a shot?
The Project X LZ is a great iron shaft that delivers a smooth and stable feel on your swings and shots. It’s ideal for golfers looking to improve their performance with a smooth feel to their shaft.
The Project X standard shaft is one of the most popular shafts on Tour and in high-swing speed players’ bags. With the introduction of the Loading Zone technology, Project X offers the precision and advantages of Project X standard shaft to a larger player base. These shafts are available in chrome and blackout finish.
You’ll explore my Project X LZ iron shaft review in this article, so keep reading!
Project X LZ Review: Overview
Pros
- Reinforced tip and butt sections offer ultimate stability.
- The thinner midsection promotes mid-launch trajectory and gives a signature smooth feel.
- A less demanding profile makes it more player-friendly.
- Loading Zone technology provides a 7% increase in energy transfer for longer shots.
- The thinner midsection allows LZ shafts to feel smooth without a decrease in performance.
Cons
- Not ideal for high swing speed players as it may launch the golf ball too high.
- No ultra-light shaft option available in the range.
- One of the most expensive iron and wedge shafts available.
True Temper completely handcrafted the Project X LZ shafts and put in detailed effort for these shafts. Here are some of the various shaft flexes you can choose from:
Further in this article, I’ll review these shafts on various factors such as their design and technology, performance, and overall.
Verdict
Factor | Rating (out of 100) |
Build Quality | 90 |
Control | 95 |
Performance | 95 |
Design | 90 |
Price | 80 |
Total | 90 |
The Project X LZ shaft felt really smooth compared to most golf shafts. I could feel the constant stiffness of the shaft as soon as I tried it out.
I’ve got an average swing speed, and I realized how steady the shaft was throughout my swings. True Temper put effort into their new Leading Zone technology, and I could feel the difference in the energy transfer they advertise.
Who They’re Best For?
If you’re a beginner-intermediate golfer and want to try new shafts that’ll give you a smooth feel and improve your swing, I’d recommend giving the Project X LZ shaft a shot.
This shaft is surprisingly great for golfers with slow to medium swing speeds because of the increased energy transfer.
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How We Reviewed These Products
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As a full-time golfer and a part-time content writer, I thoroughly researched and evaluated the Project X LZ shaft. Then an editor reviewed and fact-checked the list.
The information you get in this article is up-to-date because we conduct regular content audits to update and revise our reviews to ensure you receive the latest information.
To review these irons, I considered these criteria:
- Cost: The Project X LZ shaft is a popular product designed by True Temper. Considering the prices of its competitors, I believe the price of Project X LZ shaft is completely justified. These high-quality shafts aren’t overpriced nor made cheap.
- Feel: After playing with a couple of other shafts and comparing them with the Project X LZ shaft, I’ve concluded that these deliver a stable and consistent feel throughout your swing.
- Specs: Every minor detail in golf can make a difference. And that’s why I considered the unique specifications of the Project X LZ shaft t while conducting my review.
Project X LZ Review: Features & Benefits
Design and Technology
The iron shaft adds innovative technology to True Temper’s much-admired stable of steel iron shafts. If you’re unfamiliar with what shaft material you need, you can learn more about steel shafts and graphite shafts here.
The Project X LZ combines the benefits of premium materials into an innovative design to couple responsiveness and feels into a stable iron shaft. Learn more about what driver shafts are and how they differ from iron shafts.
Project X LZ (Loading Zone) features True Temper’s proprietary technology, specifically positioned to maximize shaft load for greater energy transfer and increased ball speed.
True Temper claims a 7% increase in energy transfer. This is achieved by thinning out the mid-section walls for increased flexibility to produce maximum shaft load during the downswing for greater energy transfer.
By keeping the butt and tip sections reinforced, it assists in increased stability and control. The variable wall thickness creates a unique design, profile, and feel visible in the immediate tapered steps from the grip through the midsection of the shaft.
A reduction in the stiffness of the mid-section, Project X LZ iron shafts are designed to boost speed and spin properties accordingly through each flex in the range.
Innovative design principles offer Project X LZ shafts all the playing benefits of the Project X standard shaft with the enhanced launch and feel, especially at slower swing speeds.
Specifications
Four models in the Project X LZ shafts are based on their unique weight and flex profile. A number is used to delineate the increase in stiffness.
All shafts in the range measure between 36.5 and 40 inches, with a tip diameter of 0.355 inches and a butt diameter of 0.600 inches, and produce a mid-flight launch trajectory.
I’ll first start with a concise Project X LZ 5.0 review. The 5.0 Project X LZ Steel shafts are available in regular flex, weighing 110g.
Next up, we have the Project X LZ 5.5 review. For a stiffer and heavier option, the 5.5 Project X LZ Steel shafts are available in regular plus flex, weighing in at 115g. The Project X LZ 5.5 specs suit golfers who aren’t exactly beginners but are not skilled.
For the brief Project X LZ 6.0 review, you have a shaft in stiff flex weighing 120g. Project X LZ 6.0 swing speed can be slightly higher than the Project X LZ 5.5 swing speed because of the added weight and stiff flex, which activates different muscle groups.
The final option is the Project X LZ 6.5 shaft which is available in extra-stiff flex weighing in at 125g. This is the heaviest option with the most stiffness you can find. The 6.5 shaft would suit more skilled golfers as this is less forgiving than other options. Get more information on What Shaft Flex 6.5 Means.
Check out the Project X LZ shaft fitting guide to get the shafts for your game. You’ll be asked a couple of questions about your game, and your answers will help determine the optimal shaft for you.
Feel
The standard Project X shaft has a uniform stiffness profile throughout the entire shaft that creates a sturdy and consistent feel.
Loading Zone technology redeploys the weight and stiffness of the shaft to the butt and tip for enhanced stability and a signature smooth feel.
A firmer butt and tip section retain some of the stiffness of the Project X standard, but the LZ provides an overall crisp and active.
The backswing retains the stable and firm feel of the standard version.
It is in the downswing where you will feel the biggest difference. You can feel a precise kick and snap with the LZ compared to other PX shafts.
You can feel much more of a kick with the LZ than if you are looking for the performance advantages of Project X with a smooth feel, the LZ is the shaft for you.
The softer feel of the Project X LZ will improve your wedge play if you want a softer feel than the Project X Standard offers.
Performance
Designed to be a mid-launch iron shaft, it performs well against the design platform.
Besides, the smooth feel created by the LZ technology translates into enhanced performance and playability. It will empower you to better shape your shots with more control, thus broadening the selection you can call upon under various circumstances.
The additional kick you get on the downswing through impact will keep the ball trajectory low without loss in the distance.
Alternatives
Here are a few of the best golf iron shafts to choose from, which are as good as the Project X LZ or launched as their competitors.
1. Project X Standard Shaft
Project X is the original shaft and a trusted brand name to the top professional golfers requiring a low penetrating ball flight ideal for high swing speed.
It produces a rifle shaft that the steel is smooth from top to bottom and has no steps providing you with precision, accuracy, and distance control.
2. KBS Tour Shaft
The KBS Tour is the signature shaft from the KBS brand and is available in various weight options.
This shaft is aimed at golfers that require shot versatility and a high launch trajectory. The trajectory is much higher than that of Project X LZ.
Shafts are available in a variety of weights and flex
- Tour (110g for regular, 115g for R+, 120g for stiff, 125g for S+, and 130g for X-stiff)
- Tour V (100g for regular, 110g for stiff, and 120g for X-stiff)
- Tour 80 (100g for regular and stiff flex),
- Tour 90 (95g for regular flex and 102g for stiff flex)
- Tour 105 (105g for regular, 110g for stiff, and 115g for X-stiff)
Tip diameter options are either 0.355 or 0.370. The .370 Parallel Shaft is a single-length shaft that will be tip and butt trimmed to your required length, although this can change how the shaft will play.
KBS Tour is made to be one of the smoothest shafts for irons and wedges to deliver a signature soft feel and increased responsiveness.
3. N.S. Modus 3 Shaft
The Modus 3 is Nippon’s most complete golf shaft line-up using weight and bend profiles to deliver three ranges of golf shafts for each golf swing style and provides enhanced control over trajectory, distance, and direction.
The three key areas that Nippon aimed at excelling in are:
- Desired trajectory.
- Accurate distance.
- Tight dispersion.
This was achieved through a high tip rigidity design that steadies the tip through impact, reducing unwanted spin, low mid-section rigidity to control shaft flex for control at any swing speed, and low butt rigidity to improve tempo for a comfortable and smoother feeling on impact.
Shafts are available in a variety of weights (105g, 120g, 125g, and 130g) and flex options (R, S, X, TX)
All shafts in the range measure between 37 and 41 inches in length, with a tip diameter of 0.355 inches and a butt diameter of 0.600 inches.
FAQs
Is Project X LZ Stiffer Than Project X?
The Project X LZ shaft is stiffer than the Project X shaft. You can find various options in the X LZ category ranging from 5.0 (regular flex) to 6.5 (extra-stiff flex). A stiffer shaft is best suited for low-handicappers as they deliver more swing speeds and are generally less forgiving.
Are Project X LZ Shafts Good for Wedges?
Project X LZ shafts aren’t the best options for wedges. The LZ are iron shafts that are ideal for PW to 4-Iron. Check out the Project X Wedge shafts specifically designed for Wedges.
Which Project X Shaft Is Best?
The Project X New LZ steel iron shaft is one of True Temper’s best Project X shafts. However, the ideal shaft can differ for every golfer depending on their handicap, experience, and swing speed. Choosing the right shaft for yourself is essential to reap the maximum benefits.
Final Thoughts
Project X shafts are well-known across the globe and used on all professional tours.
Introducing the Project X LZ technology made the shaft more accessible to a wider range of golfers that do not have a fast wing speed like professional golfers.
Variable wall thickness creates an extra kick at compact for a mid-launch trajectory without sacrificing stability.
Although this is the closest you will come to a universal shaft, it is highly recommended that you conduct proper testing to ensure that the shaft is suited to your swing. I hope this Project X LZ shaft review has helped you understand the shaft better so you can make an informed decision.
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- Golf Shafts: The Ultimate Guide
- Graphite vs Steel Shafts: Which Is Better & Why?
- Stiff vs Regular Flex: Which Golf Shaft Should You Choose?
Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.