Though it seems like we have limitless options in 2023, it’s easy to forget there was a glaring hole in the golf ball market back when Srixon first introduced the Q Star (and eventually, Q Star Tour). With some exceptions, it seemed like most major brands offered a low-end ball and a high-end line, but there wasn’t much available in the middle. The Q Star was designed to offer a slightly more premium experience for customers not possessing the skill or swing speed to best utilize a Tour-level golf ball. Since that time, the line has evolved, most notably into the Q Star Tour, which offers many of the same features as the venerated Z Star with a softer feel and lower price point. 2024’s version of the Q Star Tour, the line’s fifth generation, continues this well-received tradition and builds on it with some design changes.
Reformulated FastLayer Core
The 2024 Srixon Q Star Tour 5’s most noticeable and exciting change is a newly formulated FastLayer Core. While the ball remains geared towards sub-Tour swing speeds due to its lower compression, this new core was designed to be slightly firmer and faster to improve ball speeds on full swings. Still, the new core should help reduce side spin with woods and full iron swings.
FastLayer continues to utilize Srixon’s technology of varying layers of firmness throughout the core. The company says it best when they note that after starting at the center of the core they add, “thousands of layers, resulting in a gradual transition from firm to soft. This transition allows for a core firm enough at the center to generate powerful ball speeds and distance, soft at the edge for unparalleled feel in a tour-performance package.”
Urethane Cover with Spin Skin
The Q Star Tour’s ultra-thin urethane cover is intended to provide Tour-level spin, and Srixon notes that this year’s version is even softer. We’ll discuss how the cover performs both on the course and on the launch monitor later in the article, but it is always worth celebrating lower-cost options in the urethane ball space.
Spin Skin, a proprietary coating that Srixon claims enhances spin at the “microscopic” level is again present with the 2024 Q Star Tour. The company notes that this coating enhances the elasticity of the urethane cover, increasing the ball’s ability to grab onto the club face. This evenly distributes load across the ball and maximizes spin and control. In hand, it’s easy to feel the softness of the urethane cover and Spin Skin. It feels supple in-hand and gives confidence that the ball will produce ample spin.
338 Speed Dimple Pattern
338 has been a magic number for Srixon for a long time, and 2024 is no different. This aerodynamic design has been tweaked to provide the most possible distance by limiting drag early in the ball’s flight and increasing lift at its terminus. In addition to distance benefits, Speed Dimples are intended to promote straighter flight, even in the wind.
Divide Technology
Srixon’s approach to visual technology has always been unique and forward-thinking. It doesn’t seem like any other company has come close to matching their legendary Tour Yellow color. In recent years, they’ve latched onto the Divide concept, where one half of the ball is one color and the other half another. With the Q Star Tour, Divide is executed in three different BRITE color combinations: Yellow/Orange, Yellow/Red, and Yellow/Blue.
Divide provides a convenient way to line up putts that Srixon calls 360 Alignment. A nice byproduct is also Divide’s ability to instantly provide roll feedback. In other words, if you are a wobbly putter, the Divide will let you know. Though it’s not necessarily a game-improving feature, there is something hypnotizing about watching Divide spin through the air. It’s especially noticeable with the Q Star Tour’s color combinations. As far as visibility goes, Yellow/Orange and Yellow/Red are by far the superior options, with Yellow/Blue proving a bit more difficult to see on the ground.
Q Star Tour Divide balls also have a new, soft urethane cover but appear to come without the Spin Skin coating. With a matte finish, the balls feel much different than the line’s Pure White or Tour Yellow options in the hand, but the fingernail test does illustrate the cover’s softness.
We still have our hopes up that Srixon will offer the Q Star Tour in the Tour Yellow/Pure White Divide combination. It’s currently only available with the Z Star line and is a personal favorite of ours.
2024 Srixon Q Star Tour Performance
In early November at the 2023 Srixon Experience in Briggs Ranch, TX, a group of THP forum members, including yours truly, were among the first in North America to sample the new Q Star Tour line over 54 holes of golf. This opportunity was even more unique in that none of the technical details covered above were known to us at the time. We were left to evaluate the ball on its own merits, without marketing information to guide our thoughts. Briggs Ranch, with its newly rebuilt, firm greens proved to be a stern test of the Q Star Tour’s performance.
The most common, and eventually self-validating, feedback was centered around how much better the 2024 version felt on full and partial swings. Previous generation Q Star Tours were soft; almost too soft. With the word “Tour” comes a set of expectations, and while soft feel is desirable, there is a point at which players begin to perceive it at a detraction. The 2024 version was noticeably firmer while still managing to remain on the softer side of the spectrum, striking a much better balance that appealed to a wider section of player types. Of course, in retrospect, these observations matched perfectly with Srixon’s description of their new FastLayer Core. I do confess to some self-indulgent back patting.
Also interesting were the lack of comments about distance loss among the faster-swinging players. This was a common criticism heard about earlier versions of the Q Star Tour, and it seems that the reformulated core may have remedied that to an extent. Obviously, fitting will always come into play here, and we aren’t suggesting the new Q Star Tour will be a universal fit for everybody, but the improvement seemed to be tangible.
The Q Star Tour sits in an interesting part of the golf ball market, especially when you consider how it should perform in comparison to the more-expensive Z-Star series. The $39.99 price tag is closing in on a 20% discount over Srixon’s premium lines but is priced well above what we’d consider a “discount” ball. With a heavy emphasis from the company on its urethane cover and Spin Skin coating, Srixon has a fine line to walk between making the ball provide enough spin without diminishing the value of the Z Star.
Regarding outdoor testing, it’s important to again note that our first look at the Q Star Tour’s spin performance took place on brand new, TifEagle Bermuda greens. These firm and fast greens didn’t make it easy to stick wedge shots with any ball, but a comparative look made it seem like the Q Star Tour held its own. Low spinning shots did produce visible check with solid contact, though maybe not to the level we’d see with the industry’s spinniest balls.
Later testing with a SkyTrak+ illustrated this as well. The Z Star, long considered a top choice for short game spin, did beat out the Q Star Tour, but the results were closer than you might expect. With a 54 degree wedge and using a partial swing, we took a number of (ideally) 75-80 yard wedge shots to produce the averages below. Keep in mind that robot testing, or testing conducted by a different player, may not match what we show here. This is an “average” player’s swing, with all its faults and inconsistencies, but it’s what I was blessed with.
Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry | Total | Peak Height | |
Q Star Tour | 69 mph | 31 deg | 7566 rpm | 78 yards | 79 yards | 17 yards |
Z Star | 69 mph | 29 deg | 7979 rpm | 79 yards | 79 yards | 16 yards |
At just over 400 rpm more spin, the Z Star did outperform the Q Star Tour, but again, the two are quite close, especially when you consider the nature of an amateur swing. Is that extra 5% of spin worth the additional cost the Z Star commands? That’s a decision only you can make, but personally, with the improved feel and performance on full swings, the Q Star Tour is making a very strong case for being my 2024 ball of choice.
2024 Srixon Q Star Tour Details
- Available January 11, 2024
- $39.99
- Pure White and Tour Yellow
- Divide available in BRITE Yellow/Red, Yellow/Orange, and Yellow/Blue
- More information available at us.dunlopsports.com/srixon
[QUOTE=”Keith Prater, post: 12067696, member: 63820″]
How does it feel off wedges compared to the old version?
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[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12067701, member: 1193″]
It’s very nice. It’s still a softer golf ball. I think you’re going to really like it.
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[QUOTE=”baylrballa, post: 12067727, member: 52381″]
Pretty similar imo.
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Agree w/ both. It does what I want it to do.
[USER=8458]@Jank[/USER] in case you were wondering, I was using the new QST when we played Gus a few weeks ago. You can attest to their green side spin
Never played the Q Star but have tried both the Z Star and XV and they performed decently
If there is one thing I do like about the Srixon balls, it is the Tour yellow colour – it seems much more vibrant than any other yellow ball I have played
[QUOTE=”Slowmo, post: 12067750, member: 67660″]
[USER=8458]@Jank[/USER] in case you were wondering, I was using the new QST when we played Gus a few weeks ago. You can attest to their green side spin
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Dang! It was insane how much bite you were getting on the little pitches around the green. I’m going to have to give these a run for sure.
Q-Star Tour has always been a ball I was willing to play, so this is one I will try again.
[QUOTE=”Jank, post: 12067924, member: 8458″]
Dang! It was insane how much bite you were getting on the little pitches around the green. I’m going to have to give these a run for sure.
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Almost a bit too much bite even as I was expecting a few feet of run out.
Like my friend [USER=72219]@Inioch[/USER], I tested the QST last season when looking for a gamer. I appreciated the lower price tag, but the ball was too soft for my liking. I will definitely be testing the new iteration this year and hope to be pleasantly surprised by the update.
[HEADING=3][/HEADING]
I’m a huge QST fan. I have 8 dozen in the closet…right before the new hotness comes out!
I like the Divide in the Z-Star color – but have struggled to find the blue/green one when I tried a dozen.
Another eye opener [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER]. I played the Q-Star Tour almost exclusively last year. I decided at the end of the year that I would be going back to the Z-Star XV because the Q-star was just a little too soft. I have no statistical data to back it up (and it could be related to other factors completely) but I also felt that I was giving up just a tad on the distance side. With those factors in mind, I stocked up on 6 doz. Z-Star XVs for the upcoming season.
It appears that I may have to give the new Q-Star Tour another look……….
[QUOTE=”Bjornjorg, post: 12066887, member: 9006″]
Do you all think that the reason they don’t do a Yellow/White Q Star is because that’s the only bi-color in the Z star balls, and they don’t want that confusion with consumers?
[/QUOTE]
I think it’s the same reason that Callaway doesn’t do Truvis on any other line, also. I could be wrong. Just speculation…..
great write-up! QST always intrigues me. Been too long since I’ve tried them but that may need to change
The price point is such a good deal for the QST. Even with the small increase, you’re getting them for less than $30 a dozen during the B2G1 sale.
Another plus of that price point is I won’t mind picking up 3 dozen even though I’ve got a year’s supply of the old model. It totally snuck up on me. I bought 3 dozen last June. Then another dozen right before it ended. Then the year end sale hit and I really didn’t need another more….but bought 3 dozen. The clerk at the PGA Tour SS let me get 2 white and1 yellow. I really liked how the yellow stood out in dormant Bermuda that first round. So I went back and bought 3 more dozens of yellow the next week.
[QUOTE=”mantan, post: 12068999, member: 51648″]
The price point is such a good deal for the QST. Even with the small increase, you’re getting them for less than $30 a dozen during the B2G1 sale.
Another plus of that price point is I won’t mind picking up 3 dozen even though I’ve got a year’s supply of the old model. It totally snuck up on me. I bought 3 dozen last June. Then another dozen right before it ended. Then the year end sale hit and I really didn’t need another more….but bought 3 dozen. The clerk at the PGA Tour SS let me get 2 white and1 yellow. I really liked how the yellow stood out in dormant Bermuda that first round. So I went back and bought 3 more dozens of yellow the next week.
[/QUOTE]
For me at least, the spin off the driver was really solid at Briggs ranch. I got some amazing roll there on some of the holes.
The 24 Q Star Tour has an awesome yellow color, less sparkle and more like the Soft Feel yellow.
What’s the compression these? Found it, 74 compression.
Great write up! I’m almost out of last year’s stock. Looking forward to trying these.
Just here waiting for that sweet 2:1 sale
[QUOTE=”Parrot, post: 12066170, member: 48815″]
Great write up! Any early indications on durability? When I’ve played the QST, I’ve noticed that good wedge strikes take off paint and cover material.
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I played this ball almost exclusively in 2023 and noticed the same. Since I get them at cost, it doesn’t bother me, but can understand why it would be frustrating.
[QUOTE=”JDax, post: 12066198, member: 22002″]
The QST is the most underrated ball on the market, if you are a player of any of the DTC balls, you need to give the QST a look.
[/QUOTE]
Agreed.
[QUOTE=”JDax, post: 12066250, member: 22002″]
Based on the pictures, the Srixon Yellow is still the best Yellow color in all of golf.
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For sure.
[MEDIA=instagram]C2o8_4luEiI[/MEDIA]
Most underrated ball on the market. Great contest.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 12105425, member: 3″]
[MEDIA=instagram]C2o8_4luEiI[/MEDIA]
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Great prize. I can’t wait for some more people to get these in hand.
I grabbed a dozen of the new QST and managed to get out for 9 holes on Saturday to try it out a little. I know it’s supposed to be a little firmer, but it still feels really soft, which I like. Distance was good on irons and wedges. I didn’t have the best driver swing Saturday, but seemed to be getting good distance there too. Hopefully next time I’ll do a little better off the tee and get a better idea of how it performs there. Short game shots really impressed me. I hit a couple of low pitch shots that I expected to release a bit, but the ball just put on the brakes. I’ve been playing the Chrome Soft this past year and while I still feel like I’m getting a bit more spin out of it around the green, this new QST seems to have made another step closer in performance. Still a small sample size for me, of course, but I like what I saw.
Tried to grab a box but was then brutally roasted for the 5 “old” boxes I have at home ?
[QUOTE=”will, post: 12108627, member: 7159″]
I grabbed a dozen of the new QST and managed to get out for 9 holes on Saturday to try it out a little. I know it’s supposed to be a little firmer, but it still feels really soft, which I like. Distance was good on irons and wedges. I didn’t have the best driver swing Saturday, but seemed to be getting good distance there too. Hopefully next time I’ll do a little better off the tee and get a better idea of how it performs there. Short game shots really impressed me. I hit a couple of low pitch shots that I expected to release a bit, but the ball just put on the brakes. I’ve been playing the Chrome Soft this past year and while I still feel like I’m getting a bit more spin out of it around the green, this new QST seems to have made another step closer in performance. Still a small sample size for me, of course, but I like what I saw.
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Appreciate the feedback [USER=7159]@will[/USER] . Keep it coming!
Saw the Divides at DSG this evening. I got excited because the sticker said $34.99. ? They rang up at $39.99 though. ?
Ha, at Academy and Walmart, the balls never line up to the sticker price. Curious how the new QST plays compared to the prior gen.
I need to pick up a few boxes but the local TGW only has last years version atm.
Put this QStar Divide back in to play today, and I just love that ball. Blue/Yellow just works for me, and it’s everything I like in a ball.
Being able to watch the spin, mid air, visually just is a ton of fun, even though the putts are nauseating.
The visualy feedback I get from this design far surpasses the feel feedback I get when I hit it.
Played the new QST at Pinehurst #3 and Southern Pines this past weekend and just like its predecessor, I believe it’s still the best bang for your buck of any ball on the market. The greens at #3 were brutal and Southern Pines was only a little better. I don’t think I get quite as much spin around the greens as the Chrome Soft that I played last year, but it’s still really good. I don’t know that there’s a ball out there that would’ve helped me hold the greens at #3 and it was really more of my short game weaknesses that was the problem. The spin was there and was noticeable at Southern Pines where I started to hit my wedges better.
It performed well off of irons both days, but driver is where I felt like there was the most improvement. I played the old QST a few times at the end of last year and noticed I was getting a little too much spin with driver. That doesn’t seem to be happening with the new QST, which resulted in better distances over the weekend. There were a few tee shots that really surprised me. Durability seems to be as good as its predecessor to me. I played the same ball for the entire weekend, so 36 holes and will put it in play again my next time out. It’s got some scuffs, but it’s still playable. I’ve got some other balls that I want to try this year, but the QST could easily by my gamer for the year.
[QUOTE=”will, post: 12140586, member: 7159″]
Played the new QST at Pinehurst #3 and Southern Pines this past weekend and just like its predecessor, I believe it’s still the best bang for your buck of any ball on the market. The greens at #3 were brutal and Southern Pines was only a little better. I don’t think I get quite as much spin around the greens as the Chrome Soft that I played last year, but it’s still really good. I don’t know that there’s a ball out there that would’ve helped me hold the greens at #3 and it was really more of my short game weaknesses that was the problem. The spin was there and was noticeable at Southern Pines where I started to hit my wedges better.
It performed well off of irons both days, but driver is where I felt like there was the most improvement. I played the old QST a few times at the end of last year and noticed I was getting a little too much spin with driver. That doesn’t seem to be happening with the new QST, which resulted in better distances over the weekend. There were a few tee shots that really surprised me. Durability seems to be as good as its predecessor to me. I played the same ball for the entire weekend, so 36 holes and will put it in play again my next time out. It’s got some scuffs, but it’s still playable. I’ve got some other balls that I want to try this year, but the QST could easily by my gamer for the year.
[/QUOTE]
Great feedback. Appreciate it. Not surprised you saw a little more spin out of the CS, but I bet it wasn’t far off.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12141686, member: 1193″]
Great feedback. Appreciate it. Not surprised you saw a little more spin out of the CS, but I bet it wasn’t far off.
[/QUOTE]
I think it’s probably closer than we would expect. The CS wouldn’t have saved me on the greens at Pinehurst. lol
I’d like to get on a launch monitor and compare, but not sure I’ll get the opportunity. I’ll be able to compare it a little better playing my home course. But, based on what I’ve seen so far, I may be switching back to the trusty QST.
[QUOTE=”War Eagle, post: 12137672, member: 6727″]
Being able to watch the spin, mid air, visually just is a ton of fun, even though the putts are nauseating.
[/QUOTE]
I can always tell a bad strike by the colors tumbling. I love the divide for putting as you can easily see a nice roll. It’s probably just me, but it seems to putt slower then a Titleist ball.
[QUOTE=”ULEWZ, post: 12142171, member: 52804″]
I can always tell a bad strike by the colors tumbling. I love the divide for putting as you can easily see a nice roll. It’s probably just me, but it seems to putt slower then a Titleist ball.
[/QUOTE]
Favorite part is hitting an iron or wedge in to the green, and watching it completely change direction when it lands and spins.
Im such a huge fan of Divides.
I jumped on the buy 2 get one deal. But haven’t been out yet. Ankle is about ready. So hopefully soon.
[QUOTE=”GolfTravelDude, post: 12144568, member: 53356″]
I jumped on the buy 2 get one deal. But haven’t been out yet. Ankle is about ready. So hopefully soon.
[/QUOTE]
I loaded up when Amazon had them BOGO. I have plenty. Love these balls.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 12144562, member: 3″]
Im such a huge fan of Divides.
[/QUOTE]
I love the Divides too, and I enjoyed the Q Star Red/Yellow but I just couldn’t get used to the “mushy” feel and it was shorter for me than the Z-Star XV. I’ve got a bit of a supply of the XV Divides now but I might have to give the Q Star Tour another try to see if the marshmallow feel has been resolved.
[QUOTE=”JoeHatesSnow, post: 12144664, member: 49482″]
I love the Divides too, and I enjoyed the Q Star Red/Yellow but I just couldn’t get used to the “mushy” feel and it was shorter for me than the Z-Star XV. I’ve got a bit of a supply of the XV Divides now but I might have to give the Q Star Tour another try to see if the marshmallow feel has been resolved.
[/QUOTE]
Definitely give them a try. [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] talked quite a bit about the changes in the article above
Are the glossy divides better than the matte ones?
[QUOTE=”Carolina Golfer, post: 12144956, member: 44136″]
Are the glossy divides better than the matte ones?
[/QUOTE]
I don’t know if better is the right word, but there a slight difference in the cover. The matte finished Divides are urethane covered, but don’t have the Spin Skin coating, so they’ll feel a little different in hand and you may see a minor difference in wedge spin.
[QUOTE=”Carolina Golfer, post: 12144956, member: 44136″]
Are the glossy divides better than the matte ones?
[/QUOTE]
I’ve grown to like the matte finish. I wasnt a fan at first, but now dont even notice it.
[QUOTE=”TWright971, post: 12066069, member: 11048″]
I love the divide concept, it’s interesting that Srixon isn’t using the “spin skin” on these and instead going a matte finish I wonder what the difference in spin between the divides and regular q-star tours is.
[/QUOTE]
Now I am confused :[ATTACH type=”full”]9242996[/ATTACH]
[QUOTE=”ULEWZ, post: 12146501, member: 52804″]
Now I am confused :[ATTACH type=”full” alt=”1708111548310.png”]9242996[/ATTACH]
[/QUOTE]
What about? I can clarify.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12146536, member: 1193″]
What about? I can clarify.
[/QUOTE]
The posts say Srixon isn’t using the spin skin technology on the Divides, but their website says they are: see what I attached.
[QUOTE=”ULEWZ, post: 12146565, member: 52804″]
The posts say Srixon isn’t using the spin skin technology on the Divides, but their website says they are: see what I attached.
[/QUOTE]
Well dang, that’s interesting Maybe the specs have been updated. They didn’t include that verbiage in what I had.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12146582, member: 1193″]
Well dang, that’s interesting Maybe the specs have been updated. They didn’t include that verbiage in what I had.
[/QUOTE]
I think they added Spinskin to the 2024 models.
Such a good wind ball too.
When does the next “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” sale start? From my experience they have sales twice a year: The first around Father’s Day in June and the second around Black Friday in November.
Got another round in with the new Q Star Tour. Srixon really did a good job with this ball. The slightly firmer feel is just about perfect to me, especially off driver and irons. With the old model, I was starting to see some high spinny shots with driver and that doesn’t seem to be happening with the new model. Spin on approaches has been really good. Short irons and wedges were all one hop and stop. Did have one full swing wedge that spun back about 10 feet. Really hard to beat the performance at this price point.
I like the looks of the Q-Star divides, especially the orange/yellow ones. Do these ever go on special like the buy 3 get 1 free?
Is there anywhere to buy Srixon balls by the sleeve so I can try different models before I buy?
Thanks for any help.
[QUOTE=”rachunter, post: 12208970, member: 12486″]
I like the looks of the Q-Star divides, especially the orange/yellow ones. Do these ever go on special like the buy 3 get 1 free?
Is there anywhere to buy Srixon balls by the sleeve so I can try different models before I buy?
Thanks for any help.
[/QUOTE]
They do. They may even go to buy 2 get on free around June for fathers day is the usual time for Srixon specials.