Two of the most popular steel iron shaft models in the golf world – for both professionals and amateurs alike – are True Temper’s Dynamic Gold shafts, and True Temper’s Project X shafts.

When comparing the two different constructions, True Temper says the Dynamic Gold is designed to have progressive stiffness, meaning the butt section is relatively soft and gets stiffer towards the tip section near the club head. The Project X, on the other hand, is stiff throughout the shaft from top to bottom.

As such, the Dynamic Gold shafts are targeted for players who prefer a bit more feel as the shaft loads and unloads, whereas the Project X has a more stout/stiff feel, which benefits golfers with a more harsh or aggressive transition.

The Dynamic Gold shaft profiles are listed as:

The Project X shaft profiles are listed as:

While there are certainly exceptions, and varying opinions on the matter, many golfers use a slightly softer-flex and slightly heavier-weighted shaft in their wedges than they use in their irons. This makes sense, because the iron swing is more of a full speed swing aimed at creating height and distance. With wedges, on the other hand, golfers aren’t swinging at full power, so a softer flex shaft can be used, and the heavier shaft can help add feel and produce a lower flighted trajectory.

So, for example, a Dynamic Gold shaft user may decide to play the extra stiff X100 shafts in their irons, but then use the slightly more flexible and heavier S400 shaft version in their wedges. This is how Tiger Woods does it.

When it comes to the Project X shaft models, however, there wasn’t an equivalent option.

If a golfer plays an extra stiff Project X 6.5 shaft, for example, they wouldn’t be able to configure a Project X shaft makeup in their wedges that would be the equivalent of an S400 shaft.

The reason for the dilemma with Project X shafts, according to True Temper’s Manager of Product Marketing Keenan Phillips, comes down to the relationship of weight and stiffness.

“So, as you go from standard Dynamic Gold’s X100 to S400, obviously it’s two grams heavier, but the main thing is it’s about the same weight,” Phillips told GolfWRX.com. “It’s not lighter, you don’t want to go lighter. It allows you to go softer. But with Project X, that’s never really been the case. So if you go 6.5 in your irons, drop it down to either 6.5 in your wedges which is a little stiff for your wedge, or if you want to go a little softer and maintain Project X feel you go to 6.0, but then you’re losing some weight, which isn’t ideal. That’s what people do to try to get that weight and maintain that with some softness.”

To solve the issue, and create more wedge shaft options for Project X iron shaft users, True Temper developed an all-new line of Project X Wedge shafts, which are slightly softer than the equivalent iron shaft, but they still provide the necessary weight.

“Now, with Project X Wedge, you can still play 6.5, it’s going to be about 10 cycles softer than Project X, but it’s going to maintain that weight at 125 grams for you,” Phillips said. “So you’re not losing the weight, but you’re getting that softness that you’re looking for in a wedge shaft, but still with Project X attributes.”

True Temper launched the Project X Wedge shafts for PGA Tour players to start testing at the 2022 Shriners Children’s Open. For now, at least, they’re a tour-only prototype.

According to Phillips, the Project X wedge shafts are only made in wedge lengths, which is 36.5 inches uncut. In comparison, iron shafts typically measure 41-42 inches uncut. The Project X Wedge shafts are currently available to tour players in 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0 flexes.

See what GolfWRX members are saying about the Project X Wedge shafts here