A very much anticipated release is finally here, it’s the 2021 Srixon Z-Star and Z-Star XV time folks, and it definitely looks like what was already an excellent golf ball series just got even better.
Centered around the idea of refusing to compromise, the new Z-Star golf balls are a labor of intense research and development to take things to another level by optimizing each design for optimization of the golfers who put them into play.
The 7th Generation
Crazy to think about, but this does indeed mark the seventh iteration of the Z-Star and the foundation that it laid for what would become a duo of Tour caliber golf balls that have over the years racked up numerous accolades and successes. Seven versions, and not once has Srixon just stuck with the status quo, so though there is the return of some familiar terms, they have definitely evolved.
The main example of that is Spin Skin with Slide-Ring Material, though most of you will remember that last part from its abbreviated name, SeRM. Yes, the name is, interesting, and no doubt some of you will have jokes, but what isn’t a joke is the performance and durability benefits it affords. This material is a urethane compound that coats both golf balls in the line. The secret here is the amount of shear force that it allows the cover to take without having the bonds break, literally like interlocking slide rings. This shear force means the cover can be optimized to dig into the grooves to increase friction while maximizing spin and control. Oh, and it’s worth noting, no other golf ball company utilizes this, which Srixon believes gives them a competitive advantage.
Additionally, this go-round Srixon has evolved the aerodynamics of both the Z-Star and Z-Star XV moving to a 338-dimple design. The depth of the dimples has actually been increased in order to work through the wind more effectively after initial launch than previous versions. Because the new dimples reduce drag, it means that when the wind gets up, the results in direction and distance retention will be better than in the past. When it comes to aerodynamics, it’s the little things that matter.
Finally, both golf balls also utilize the “FastLayer Core” design. Srixon recognizes that historically the trade off in terms of feel and speed have been a tough one to master. A firmer golf ball offers more speed but isn’t as enjoyable in the feel department. Likewise, softer cores offer feel, but can sacrifice speed for stronger players. The FastLayer design remains Srixon’s answer through being soft in the center and increasing in firmness toward the outer edge. This is done through a unique baking process, and the company believes it is what allows both Z-Star golf balls to offer feel with speed.
Now, lets take a closer look at each golf ball.
Srixon Z-Star
The 2021 Z-Star remains a 3-Piece design aimed at golfers who swing 90+ MPH with their drivers. Being a 3-Piece design, the FastLayer Core is the biggest portion of the design and ensures the softer feel players seek while still creating ample speed with its 90-compression rating. The Z-Star remains the ball in the Z-lineup that will offer the most spin around the greens while keeping a mid-overall flight and low spin off the driver as well. The Z-Star of course does utilize the previously discussed SpinSkin with SeRM in a 0.6mm thick Urethane cover which is 0.1mm thicker than last time in order to increase the greenside spin even more, as well as the new 338 dimple design.
Srixon Z-Star XV
Keeping with history, the 2021 Z-Star XV is Srixon’s highest compression ball coming in at a 102 rating and according to Srixon aimed at golfers swinging the driver at 100+ MPH. The XV is a 4-Piece design and the big internal change is in the central core with the new iteration of FastLayer which seeks to make the ball, though higher compression, still maintain feel that golfers seek. Additionally, this is the longest of the two versions as well as the highest trajectory (mid-high) of the two. The Z-Star XV offers greenside spin just below that of the Z-Star but also maintains low spin off the tee. The application of the new dimple design as well as SpinSkin with SeRM is here as well in the 0.5mm thick Urethane cover that is just thinner than its counterpart.
The Details
Both the 2021 Srixon Z-Star and 2021 Z-Star XV will hit shelves on 2/26/21 while carrying a $42.99 price tag which remains among the most attractive points out there for a Tour level golf ball. Additionally, both will be offered in Pure White and Tour Yellow.
We will have much more to come on the Z-Star and Z-Star XV on the THP Community with some already having them in hand to work with. Be sure to jump in there or below and let us know your thoughts on the newest golf ball release from Srixon!
Zv’s are the ones….I’m telling you now. Great ball.
I do like the softer feel off the putter face of the Z as well. I’m just not good enough to control my full/short iron spin coming into the green. They just spin too much for me and my swing.
I find it most interesting when the entire industry (mostly) does the same thing at the same time.
Kind of ironic based on the misnomer filled crusade that some on the internet perpetuated last year. #ClickbaitIsNotFact
I agree, and was thinking the same thing. But they are the only one that has been getting firmer over the past few years as. Everyone seems to be moving to center.
so…many…sleeps…
Being that I turned, virtually, my entire bag over last May, I’m not really in the market for any new clubs this season so the release season isn’t as intriguing to me this year from a clubs standpoint. With that in mind, this is probably the release that I am most excited about this season. I’ve been a Srixon loyalist to some degree (at least in the ball space) ever since I was picked to review the original Q-Star ball here on THP. I’ve tinkered with other balls just out of curiosity but I always seem to end up back at my tried and true (though the black and yellow Truvis CSX always seems to find a way into my bag for a few dozen). I’ve been bouncing back and forth between the Z and the XV and currently have about 3 dozen XV of the last iteration in stock. I’m going to put the battle back in the bag this season with the newest iteration as to which ball is actually best for me. I’ve always veered toward the XV (something in my gut just tells me that I like it better) but further testing is absolutely warranted. Thanks again for a glimpse into the newest version of an old friend.
I almost exclusively used the XV last year for performance but preferred the feel of the Z. It is very exciting to here the feel has improved on the XV and spin on the Z is greater than the XS! That’s crazy!!.
I did have some durability issues last year but at the BOGO deal I loaded up and really didn’t mind. I stopped by Edwin Watts today and these were out on the floor. The improved feel is really the most exciting part for me because performance has always been there! could be my go-to ball this year as well.
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OF COURSE they would have them out already. Lmao
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I’m XV, except in cool fall/spring weather
since I need a spinnier ball to help with launch (low spin mid to low launch), that would mean I should be testing/playing with the zstar correct?
What are your thoughts on the XV? Been playing the TP5 for awhile but may try the XV in yellow.
I believe you were an XV user in the past? What makes you decide which one?
I like them both pretty well, and in some ways play them almost interchangeably. What makes me lean toward the XV, is that I like the firmer feel both on full shots and around the green, and I like the idea that perhaps a little less spin is helping me control overall curvature. Also that the XV might project through the wind a touch better . I play in a fairly windy mountain area and as a medium to high ball hitter sometimes need help keeping it down (flatter flight) , as opposed to more spin that’s prone to stalling.
EDIT – the new aero package on this ball is something I’m excited about. Srixon was already a good ball in the wind, and if they are talking about improvements, they have my attention.
That’s my go to ball. I absolutely love the XV. Lower spinning and distance off the tee, plus enough spin (but too much) on and around the green. I spin it back on full wedge shots, but the regular Z star spins too much for me on full wedge shots. I played the previous version of the XV in the Morgan Cup.
May have to grab a sleeve of both and see what happens.
I seriously don’t think you’ll be disappointed at all. If you like soft feel off the putter face, do the Z star. But if you like distance off the tee and a little harder feel, not much, but harder, the XV is for you.
Man, I like the sound of that. Have fun. I picked up a dozen of each over the weekend – looking forward to trying them.
I do think I could play either ball but I prefer the feel the Z-Star gives me. Durability was great on both as well as spin around the greens
I think you hit it on the head. I was wondering about the new ones and if there were differences in the models that were different that previous releases. But…. It sounds like the same differences from previous models. I personally like the firmer feel, the control in the wind, the higher ball flight, and the longer distance the XV provides me. I do love the feel on the putter face from the Z star though. Too bad I can’t have everything
I don’t know how anyone likes that firm feel haha, though in warmer weather it may not be as bad. The ball flight was noticeable as was the ability to cut through the wind which was pretty shocking to me actually.
If temps are under 55 or so I actually do use the Z star not the XV…..
after one round I’m not a huge fan. It was soft. I typically don’t mind a little soft but this felt weird. I also saw A lot of ballooning with my longershots (driver,fw, hybrid and 5 irons). Almost went back to the pro shop to see if I could switch the remaining 3 sleeves for the xv but realized it could have just my swing yesterday. It wasn’t awful but I was coming in a tad steeper than normal.
Im going to give the rest of the dozen a go to see if it was just me or if what I saw was the the ball. I do know that my bstone xs did what I liked comparing.
Everyone go buy lots of Q-Star Tour Divides and tell Srixon we need Z-Star Divide in the US. Thanks!
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Wonder if we will even see a Father’s Day Promo?
I played the XV for the first time today. One round sample, but it was mostly good. Tracked down the thread to see how others are feeling about them, but there really isn’t much of anything. Which seems.. odd. Lol
Didn’t feel overly firm to me. I play firmer balls, and like them, but seeing the compression now, I didn’t have guessed it was quite that high. Felt nice, and definitely weren’t as loud as some others. Absolutely nothing unpleasant about it to me.
Superficially, I never love the logo. And I don’t know if it’s from association with their budget balls, but they always look cheaper to me than they are.
Performance wise, they were pretty good out there. I was bombing them off the tee early on. It was unexpected and noticeable. I’d be curious to get numbers on them with that driver setup to see how much my swing today influenced what I saw. Hit a couple real good high carries into the wind and had a couple that rolled out as hoped. Just, pretty good.
I was kind of guessing on iron flights and distances bringing my ZX7 out for the first time in a while with a new to me ball, and I mostly guessed right. Seemed in line with similar balls, and I hit expected distances consistently. Couple shots stood out. 7i into the breeze that I mishit, and it carried 191. I was talking about the strike as soon as it left my club, and at the end of my mini rant as it landed said ‘and I bombed it too’, because it came down well further than I expected. It was a spinny overdraw that I thought would stand up in the wind some, but didn’t. Other one was a 58* wedge that was well struck, and just didn’t bite. Was odd. Might have landed on a bit of downslope. Tough to tell. Had some later in the round that looked to have plenty, and a pitch from 54 on 17 that responded well.
Had my Spider FCG today, and that was a unlively combo. I don’t know what it was about the cover and that insert or whatever, but there was no feel to it. Duller than usual. Made it feel more like my O’Works insert. Want to get my M Craft IV on it and see what that’s like.
The one in the picture is one I played for about 10 or 11 holes. Different one I started with skipped off some crap next the the 3rd green and I’m not blaming that scuff on any ball. Then played this one until around 14 I think, when it was looking pretty rough on most sides. Seemed somewhat typical for here. I’m hard on golf balls and so are the courses, so the chewing on the upper left is pretty standard. That line stood out though. Can’t quite figure out how it would scratch like that, especially from any of the shots played. It’s uniquely long.
Anyway, rates well for me in a first outing. I’m trying to keep everthing separate in my head for right now with my gamer setup, so I’ll mostly continue to play them when I have the ZX7 with me., but I’m excited to get some more time in with them.
My guess would be the seam is coming apart which is a known issue in past balls. Not sure which gen you have but that is my guess.
Is that still a thing? I assumed they would have fixed that.
That scratch is not across a seam it is through the dimples. My guess in random interaction with a piece of sand or something upon landing.
Dang, I’d buy those.