When it comes to innovation in metalwoods, the conversation often centers around the usual suspects who are absolutely driven by substance, but also plenty of hype. Every company out there is seeking more efficient speed and power, but they all go about it in wildly different manners.
For Srixon, innovation comes more from the heart than many realize, and there is no better example of it than Rebound Frame in their metalwoods. Over multiple generations since its introduction over a decade ago with the initial run of Z-Series metals, it has been the constant in every cycle. Yes, the pieces and parts surrounding it continuously evolve, but the powerhouse behind them remains Rebound Frame.
After all that time, few have truly paused to appreciate everything that such an innovation has brought to the table for Srixon. So, today we are here to address that by diving into what Rebound Frame is, and why you should care.
Modern Engineering Addresses Classic Inefficiencies
If you talk to average golfers, it is likely that when questioned about Srixon Golf and their innovations, there might be a pause in the conversation followed by some comment about having smaller reach. The thing is, this could not be further from the truth as Srixon maintains a powerful culture of continued product innovation backed by one of the most influential brands in the world, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, often referred to as SRI.
Being part of that business umbrella clearly has its advantages on the golf ball side for Srixon, but that extends into the entire brand via their demand for a culture of innovation and pushing limits. Frankly, one of the best examples of that is Rebound Frame. Developed in order to push the energy transfer efficiency beyond traditional COR limits, Rebound Frame has been game changing for the brand.
Now, we know that some of you are about to shake your fists at the sky and say that “limits are limits” when it comes to the barriers set by golf’s governing bodies as it pertains to equipment. Sure, that is true on paper, but there is a never-ending arms race by every brand out there to push face efficiencies across the entire surface to levels we have never seen before, which is exactly what Srixon did with Rebound Frame.
In their research, Srixon realized that the traditional nature of driver design created a “bottleneck” for rebound, even in the most ultra-thin faces. This means that typical focus on face thickness to maximize trampoline like performance was backed by structure so rigid, that it actually stopped the flex from reaching its full potential.
Turns out, Rebound Frame was the answer.
A Trampoline Within a Trampoline
Sure, that sounds like we are talking about a double rainbow or something with such a cliché title, but it is the perfect description of what Rebound Frame brings to the table in addressing the aforementioned “bottleneck” issue.
When discussing how the usual design thoughts were creating limits, it might help to think of that singular stiff structure behind the face as a governor on your vehicle. Rebound Frame was the solution to that problem, removing the limiter on energy flow.
The goal was to find a way to allow the face and the body to flex together, working in tandem rather than one hampering the other. What Rebound Frame does is to introduce multiple flexible and stiff zones. This releases the trapped energy in the first structurally stiff portion of the clubhead and lets the flow further into the design before rebounding back into the ball without the traditional energy drop.
Essentially, Srixon created a multi-zone structure with Rebound Frame. First, the flexible face of which we have seen them continue to evolve with each generation in terms of material and design. That is then backed by a stiff titanium frame directly behind, which then moves into a secondary flex zone further back on the body of the clubhead. All of this works together within an overall rigid chassis.
This creates a layered rebound effect so that when the face flexes in, the frame flexes out to help increase the energy return into the golf ball, removing that previously discussed governor. In fact, in its initial versions Srixon saw increases in speed as much as 10-15% compared to pre Rebound Frame models.
Simply put, double the trampoline springs means amplified bounce.
Rebound Frame – Multi-Generational Performance
Internally, Srixon has documented gains of 1-3 MPH over non-Rebound Frame designs. The bigger results though have always centered around how the COR zone has been stretched both vertically and horizontally thanks to the design, which means preserving more speed in all direction away from the center.
“Rebound Frame represents the best energy transfer system we’ve ever designed into a driver. From the center of the face to the very rear of the club, we’ve tuned the clubhead stiffness to put more energy into the ball than ever before.”
Jeff Brunski – VP of Product Innovation at Srixon/Cleveland/XXIO Golf
Over the years, THP has tested each and every clubhead which has had Rebound Frame implemented into it, from Srixon to Cleveland, and even XXIO. In testing, one of the most consistent takeaways has been carry consistency, particularly on off-center strikes. In particular, the technology has always led to extremely strong performance vertically on the face.
Yes, the Srixon woods do have very unique acoustic feedback at impact, and part of that comes from the implementation of the stiff sections of the titanium driven driver heads. The thing is, the sound of them absolutely fits a company with such deep JDM roots, it situates on the more metallic side with a defined crispness, and that fits their hearth market region.
Standing Apart in a Crowd of Claims
By now, some of you reading along might be prepared to bellow from way down deep that every company innovates for speed and efficiency, and honestly, you would be mostly correct. Across the industry there are pockets, stiffeners, faces that wrap around edges, bridges, shells, and the list goes on with each and every one is seeking better face efficiency.
However, no other company has anything quite like Srixon and its alternating stiffness zones through the Rebound Frame design. This has become a foundational driver technology for them which has allowed them to further push boundaries in material implementation and applications. Things like iFLEX Face and Star Frame Crown are able to take things to new levels because of what Rebound Frame has established.
Is it the best? That isn’t what we are here to tell you, that is for you to go out and give it a try for yourself. What we can say though, it is one of the most underrated design features of any metalwood lineup out there, and it deserves its flowers.
To find out more about Srixon’s metalwoods or other technologies visit their website.
