Fad, Hype, or the Real Deal?
The Breakthrough Golf Technology RedZNE wedge shaft has become a sensation among the golf equipment obsessed. I saw great results in my testing [full review HERE], and I know several prominent fitters who swear by it.
But as someone who always wants to see the data, I thought we should test the RedZNE more rigorously. BGT’s strong claims of “10% tighter dispersion,” “92% better distance control,” and “lower launch” are like a ready made Golf Myths Unplugged, so we took the RedZNE into the lab.
The Myths
Myth #1 – BGT’s RedZNE improves distance control for most golfers
Myth #2 – BGT’s RedZNE improves dispersion for most golfers
Myth #3 – BGT’s RedZNE lowers launch for most golfers
Myth #4 – BGT’s RedZNE increases spin for most golfers
How We Tested
For this Golf Myths Unplugged, we built three wedges. Each one used an identical Edison 2.0 head at 55 degrees [full Edison 2.0 review HERE]. One was shafted with the BGT RedZNE shaft at 115 grams; the other two with leading steel wedge shafts, also 115 grams. Each wedge used the same grip and was built to the same length and swing weight.
Our test panel consisted of five players, all with handicaps below ten. Each player made five full swings with each of the three wedges. They repeated that process with a partial swing. Each player tested the wedges in a different order. All shots were captured by Trackman.
All testing was done at and with the help of Club Champion.
The Results
Before getting into this, it’s important to acknowledge that the way the myths are worded always has an impact on their final grade – confirmed, busted, etc. It’s our hope that golfers will read our full findings rather than just looking at the graphic, because 99% of the time, there’s nuance that can’t be captured in a simple graphic.
Get ready for something you’re going to read a lot: the results here were a mixed bag.
Looking at full swings, the RedZNE was the clear winner. Three of five testers posted their best distance control numbers with it, and it had the lowest total distance dispersion when we averaged the whole group.
However, when we moved to partial shots, the picture got murky. RedZNE was best – by a wide margin – for one tester. It performed well with the other four, but was not the best for them. Looking at the group average, it was tied for first.
Overall, the BGT RedZNE did show strong overall distance control, but we did not see anything to support their claim of “92% better distance control.”
Dispersion is the area where the RedZNE lived up to BGT’s claims and most plausibly fulfilled the myth.
On full swings, the RedZNE had the tightest left-right dispersion for four of our five testers. The one shaft that bested the RedZNE only did so by two yards – the RedZNE won some of its tests by as much as seven. RedZNE was also the winner for the group average.
RedZNE claimed the crown for best dispersion on partial swings, too. Three of our five testers produced their best dispersion with the RedZNE, and it claimed the best group average again. In the most extreme example, the RedZNE’s dispersion was over 50% tighter than one of the competitor’s. This far exceeds BGT’s claim of “10% tighter dispersion.”
While this myth scored a “Busted,” it should be noted that we saw very minor differences in launch angle among these three shafts. On partial swings, the gap from highest to lowest launching was less than a degree for each tester. On full swings it was as much as 1.7 degrees but averaged less than a degree.
On full and partial swings, the RedZNE was the lowest launching shaft for just one player. Interestingly, it was not the same player.
Similar to the dispersion and distance control myths, the results on spin were mixed but generally positive for the BGT RedZNE. Also, as we saw with launch angle, the differences in spin from shaft to shaft were small for the most part.
On full swings, the BGT RedZNE produced the most spin for three of our five testers. For partial swings, RedZNE won for two of those three players. The RedZNE was never the lowest spinning shaft, and it was close to winning for every player – it lost two trials by just 100 RPM. On the other hand, the RedZNE’s wins weren’t huge either, averaging around 200 RPM.
Tester Feedback & Opportunities for Further Testing
Our testers universally loved the BGT RedZNE shaft. “This thing throws darts” and “It looks so cool” were among the comments I recorded. While not every player was looking to make the switch immediately, all of them liked the feel of the RedZNE, noting the combination of consistency and action or kick.
As for our testing, it’s always worth noting that larger sample sizes would yield more robust conclusions. It might also be interesting to see how the RedZNE interacts with other wedges. It’s possible that the unique properties of the Edison 2.0 enhanced or diminished the benefits of the RedZNE. We would also like to test the other weights of the RedZNE against each other and other wedge shafts.
The Takeaway
Will the Breakthrough Golf Technology RedZNE wedge shaft turn your wedges into laser-guided missile launchers? Not necessarily. They’re very impressive, particularly with regard to left-right dispersion, but, like any piece of golf equipment, they need to be properly fit. Whether it’s with the RedZNE or another shaft, working with a fitter like Club Champion is the best way to put more consistency into your short game.
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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9 Comments
Matt,
Love the testing on the RedZNE I have been very intrigued by this shaft. This was increased by your previous review. I’ve ya wanna send some my way I’ll be one of your guineapigs for further testing lol. kidding aside keep up the great work with PiG
You’re testing a shaft so why would you not test by simply using the same club heads the tester normally uses but on this shaft?
So your suggestion is:
1) Take apart the tester’s gamer.
2) Build the gamer head with the RedZNE.
3) Hit shots.
4) Take it apart again.
5) Build the gamer head with the second shaft.
6) Hit shots.
7) Take it apart again.
8) Build the gamer head with the third shaft.
9) Hit shots.
10) Take it apart again.
11) Rebuild the tester’s gamer.
Repeat for each tester.
Is this actually what you’re suggesting?
-Matt
I’m clearly no club tester so take this for what it’s worth but if Club Champion was assisting the testing, couldn’t they have created 3 wedges with your testers’ gamers as 1, and using the gamer heads for 2&3? I know I’d really value a true like for like comparison with a known quantity.
In this scenario, you’re talking about building 3 different wedges for each tester. Where do all these heads and shafts come from?
-Matt
Club Champion? I think you mentioned they helped with the testing? I know in Atlanta the CC stores have a ton of gear.
Club Champion has been a great partner for over a decade, but asking them to donate over a dozen wedge heads and shafts for a test like this is not reasonable.
While I’m not going to say that all wedges are the same, I don’t think that’s a particular weakness of this test.
-Matt
Hi Matt,
I know you’re an Edison fan, just curious if the
RedZNE intrigued you enough to put it in your gamers?
Kevin,
I’m definitely intrigued by it, but I don’t think I’ll change out my Modus 115s in the near future.
Best,
Matt