Srixon ZXiR and ZXiR HL: Expanding Performance to Every Golfer
Those look great. Don't hate looking down at it either.
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hello there.
Damn...i didn't even consider this. I'd want to go the other way though. Weaken the regulars to keep the little tighter blade length, get rid of the extra offset and add the bounce as I'm softer more often than firmer I'd say. Or at least I think i want more bounce with softer conditions...I've been thinking to myself today, "what if I went 1 strong, or even 2 strong, on the HL?" Add a little distance, still have some extra launch. I don't hate a little lower bounce since I play on firm conditions most of the year.
I'm over here building bags like...
II think this middle column is money...
-If I bend the regular weaker I get my height and descent angle, but keep a little bit of that distance especially in the mid irons.
-I reduce the offset which should help the left miss that I actually had the TGI 80 setup which also gave me the best dispersion
-More bounce is the only wildcard. I'm a sweeper, but ultimately I definitely play softer conditions, so this is always a tough one for me to decide one. Do you play the conditions or do you play your swing?
-If I bend the regular weaker I get my height and descent angle, but keep a little bit of that distance especially in the mid irons.
-I reduce the offset which should help the left miss that I actually had the TGI 80 setup which also gave me the best dispersion
-More bounce is the only wildcard. I'm a sweeper, but ultimately I definitely play softer conditions, so this is always a tough one for me to decide one. Do you play the conditions or do you play your swing?
Thoughts after a quick session off grass after work between the MKii ZX5s and the ZXIR....
The difference in sound/feel was more apparent outside. The ZXIRs have a more prominent 'clack' at impact. It's not bad...just more noticable outside. The difference in feel between the two was more apparent.
The short irons of the ZXIR were a joy to hit. The 7-iron, even 1* weak had some low missles. I need more time with them but I just don't have the confidence that I have with the MKii ZX5s.
If you're on the fence, seriously consider the HL model....
The difference in sound/feel was more apparent outside. The ZXIRs have a more prominent 'clack' at impact. It's not bad...just more noticable outside. The difference in feel between the two was more apparent.
The short irons of the ZXIR were a joy to hit. The 7-iron, even 1* weak had some low missles. I need more time with them but I just don't have the confidence that I have with the MKii ZX5s.
If you're on the fence, seriously consider the HL model....
I took the ZXiR HL 6i, PW and AW to the range today (still waiting for the other 3 to arrive - I ordered them separately).
Started off in our short game practice area - it's a series of flagsticks stuck in big plastic buckets buried in the ground, with closely mown areas resembling fairways and short to medium rough. You can hit anything from short chips to about 80 yard partial shots, from just about any lie angle you can imagine:
After playing around there for a bit, I headed to the driving range for full swings. Our range is usually mats, but fortunately today was a grass day so I was able to hit them off actual grass.
Turf interaction with the V.T. soles is really nice. I've always wondered if these soles worked as good as they looked, and they didn't disappoint. Even on slightly fat shots they still cut through and glide out smoothly.
The I-Alloy heads feel good. You can feel the difference when you don't hit the sweet spot, but it's not unpleasant or jarring - you just know you missed.
These irons fly high, and the descent angle is awesome. If you're already a high ball hitter with your irons, these might be too much for you. I'm not a high ball hitter, I can use the help getting the ball in the air, and the HLs definitely do that. Try before you buy if hitting your irons too high could be a worry for you.
This is the 6i at address behind a ball:
The PW at address:
And the AW at address:
Started off in our short game practice area - it's a series of flagsticks stuck in big plastic buckets buried in the ground, with closely mown areas resembling fairways and short to medium rough. You can hit anything from short chips to about 80 yard partial shots, from just about any lie angle you can imagine:
After playing around there for a bit, I headed to the driving range for full swings. Our range is usually mats, but fortunately today was a grass day so I was able to hit them off actual grass.
Turf interaction with the V.T. soles is really nice. I've always wondered if these soles worked as good as they looked, and they didn't disappoint. Even on slightly fat shots they still cut through and glide out smoothly.
The I-Alloy heads feel good. You can feel the difference when you don't hit the sweet spot, but it's not unpleasant or jarring - you just know you missed.
These irons fly high, and the descent angle is awesome. If you're already a high ball hitter with your irons, these might be too much for you. I'm not a high ball hitter, I can use the help getting the ball in the air, and the HLs definitely do that. Try before you buy if hitting your irons too high could be a worry for you.
This is the 6i at address behind a ball:
The PW at address:
And the AW at address:
Got to test these tonight with a preferred shaft. The rep was having a little trouble with the trackman so hard to draw any firm performance data. That said, in terms of feel and presentation I could absolutely play these irons. They felt great for their class and were not overly large down by the ball in my opinion.
Found some ZXiRs
Seems like they launch well.
Yeah you did. That’s a great shot
Fairly big but Srixon does a great job making all their irons look the same.
Vs zx7 and zx4
Vs zx7 and zx4
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This is smoked.
Ordered my HL's last Monday from DD's and FedEx says delivery tomorrow. Srixon website says graphite swing weight is C8 and I was told they do not take swing weight requests. I ordered them 1/4 long with the grips loose in the box. I prefer a D2 weight so I will play with the original dri Tac grips and the 2.0 grips to see what the weight is. I hit them at GG and they seemed to fit my lower swing speed well.
May have a set for you, my friend....
Excited how quick I seemed to take to theZXiRs this weekend. Hopeful translates across all the lofts
The shots you posted for the 7i were pretty much optimal numbers. The height and descent were especially good. Smash factor over 1.4 with a mid iron is HOT. Makes me excited to hit the long irons.
Yeah, not much to complain about with those. I Was fighting a bit of a draw. Not sure if shaft or offset contributing but able to work into it.
Feel was about what I expected. Not bad but a little clicky, likely more noticeable inside. Also No clue where I was on the face (probably break out the impact tape again at some point) but didn't impact the numbers much.
Question for the masses. These have received great reviews and seem to check a lot of boxes.
I have heard people say that the HL would be better for lower swing speed players. I am really interested in the HLs but currently swing my 7 iron an average of 86. What is the draw back on the HLs for a higher swing speed?
I currently game the P790s from 2023. I have never been overly happy with my launch or stopping power. I feel like the HLs might offer me similar distance with way more stopping power and launch from what I have seen in reviews.
I have heard people say that the HL would be better for lower swing speed players. I am really interested in the HLs but currently swing my 7 iron an average of 86. What is the draw back on the HLs for a higher swing speed?
I currently game the P790s from 2023. I have never been overly happy with my launch or stopping power. I feel like the HLs might offer me similar distance with way more stopping power and launch from what I have seen in reviews.
I think Srixon's intention for the club was for slower swing speed players, but that doesn't mean they won't fit other people. They'd be good for people that de-loft, regardless of speed. They should have more spin than typical lower-lofted GI irons and that may benefit certain players. I haven't hit them yet, but by design I think they could be a good fit for any player that needs more forgiveness, launch, and/or spin, not just slower swingers.
I have the standard model and if I had to do all over again, would probably get the HL 1° weak.
I had the 6 and 7 iron that 1° weak when I ordered them on the standard model. My swing speed is in the low 80s, and I consider myself a high ball hitter with my current set ZX5s, but find myself concerned with descent angle with the mid irons.
If I got an HL set 1° weak, it would pretty much match my current set. We have more forgiveness which I would value over the distance.
The potential drawback is that a golfer with a higher swing speed may hit them too high. "May", because it depends on how you deliver the club to the ball. A player who already deals with hitting their irons too high would probably have issues with it - a player who doesn't launch as high (regardless of swing speed) may benefit from it.
The loft number on the club isn't the only one that matters - it's dynamic loft (how you deliver the clubface to the ball) that actually matters. Two different players who both swing their 7 iron 86 mph could have very different results from any given club.
erock9174
Well-known member
Not sure if you saw my post from a few pages back. But I pasted it below:
Anyone could benefit:
Sweepers who don't take a divot
Those who don't generate enough height
Those who don't generate enough spin
Those with a ton a forward shaft lean and deloft at impact.
Slower speed players
Those who hit a draw (produces less spin and height vs a fade)
I'm all the above lol. So HL based irons are in my wheelhouse.
Appreciate it. I do remember reading this while consuming as much data on these as I could find ha.
I check many of those boxes in your breakdown. You did a nice job breaking down who they potentially help. I was also just curious on what the preceived draw back was or why its mentioned that this might not be the play for a higher SS. Which another reply did above.
I am going to hit them and see what they do. From what I read and have seen the data and reviews just appear "too good to be true". I am wondering why more people wouldn't game these despite maybe ego. Right now on average I am launching my 7 iron 15.4 , if I can keep similarish carry, dispersion and get anywhere close to the launch I am seeing from others testing. This would be a no-brainer.