Srixon is really excited about its new ZX line of clubs (for good reason) and today they introduced the new ZX line of woods to compliment the ZX irons. The ZX irons were recently announced to a lot of attention, buzz, and excitement and the ZX woods are well positioned to continue the enthusiasm and praise from golfers. Of course, if you missed the information on the ZX irons, you should check them out here, but today we have the launch of Srixon ZX Drivers, Fairway Woods, & Hybrids.
Rebound Frame – Srixon’s Latest Innovation Achievement
The big tech story across all of the ZX woods is the all-new Rebound Frame that Srixon is really excited about. The Rebound Frame solves an engineering challenge of providing more ball speed when the club face is already thin, flexible, and fast. The answer is to make the frame flex together with the face for greater output. Rebound Frame technology provides layers of speed through alternating flexible and rigid zones to maximize the energy to the ball at impact. Unlike most drivers on the market that only have a flexible face, all of the ZX woods have been engineered so the face and frame flex selectively inward and outward.
As shown in the image above, albeit in an exaggerated image, Srixon’s Rebound Frame has a thin and flexible face that flexes inward at impact and the frame that deforms outward at impact. The result of this additional flexing frame region is that the amount of energy that can be stored is increased and it is ultimately transferred to the ball when the frame and face snap back to their original shape. This means more efficient transfer of energy into the ball than ever before. Just like compound interest is good for your wallet, compound energy transfer is great for ball speed and the length of your drives.
ZX5 and ZX7 Drivers
The achievement of Rebound Frame is on full display in both new driver models – the ZX5 and ZX7 – as both are designed for maximum energy transfer and ball speed, so if you didn’t already read above, make sure that you do. The ZX5 and ZX7 heads are designed to feature the same core technology but in a package that delivers minor differences in the performance and aesthetic. Consistent with previous releases, the 5-series head is designed to be a confidence inspiring, forgiving driver and the 7-series head features a tour-friendly look and lower launch and spin.
Both the ZX5 and ZX7 heads also feature the same large visible carbon crown that is 15% larger than previous generation drivers. This additional carbon removes more weight from the crown and allowed it to be repositioned to push the center of gravity deep and low and to maximize the MOI of the 460cc heads (more on MOI in a bit). Although both heads have many of the same core technologies and features, there are differences between the heads that can be meaningful in fitting and depending on your skill level.
The ZX5 is the more forgiving, higher MOI head that promotes high, straight drives. It has a confidence inspiring design through its slightly larger footprint and more rounded crown compared to the ZX7. A single 8-gram weight is placed in the rear of the sole for a low and deep weight location to aid a higher launch window. Additional weights can be purchased, available between 4-gram and 12-gram, to alter the swing weight. For the internet golfers among us, the ZX5 has an MOI that is over 5000 g*cm2 (higher is better at resisting twisting) without sacrificing any ball speed that the Rebound Frame delivers.
The ZX7 is with the more tour-inspired look and delivers a more penetrating flight with the ability to add bias for shot shaping that is commonly demanded by the better player. Although it is still a 460cc head, the ZX7 has a more symmetrical design and a flatter crown to give it a smaller appearance at address. The ZX7 has interchangeable heel and toe weights in the sole (a 4 gram and an 8 gram weight) to give fade or draw bias depending on player preference depending on placement. Placing a heavier weight in the heel position will provide draw bias whereas a heavier weight in the toe will promote a fade bias. According to Srixon, the ZX7 is designed to launch around 1 degree lower and spin several hundred rpms less than the ZX5. Of course, the ZX7 is still pretty forgiving with an MOI around 4500 g*cm2.
Building off the success of the Z785 driver, it should come as little surprise that Srixon has already seen early tour adoption of its ZX woods at the highest levels and the Rebound Frame is garnering some real attention. Although I would never be confused for a tour-level player, the early adoption does not surprise me one bit because I have seen ball speeds that rival or exceed many of the top drivers on the market today after only a few weeks with the ZX5. And in my opinion, Srixon got the sound of a carbon head right as the ZX5 has a pleasing sound at impact that doesn’t have the common faults of carbon heads and it sets up square at address without having the design being distracting. Srixon has been making some sneaky good drivers for a few years and the ZX line looks primed to make a statement in the market.
The Details
Price: ZX7 – $529.99, ZX5 – $499.99
Lofts: 9.5° and 10.5° heads (adjustable +/- 1° with the hosel)
Shafts: ZX7- HZRDUS Smoke Black 60, ZX5 – EvenFlow Riptide 50/60 or HZRDUS Smoke Black 60
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
Available: January 15, 2021
ZX Fairway Woods and Hybrids
While the ZX5 and ZX7 drivers are likely to steal the show, you should not sleep on the ZX fairway woods and hybrids because each brings the same Rebound Frame technology, performance, and improved energy transfer into smaller heads.
The ZX fairway woods, available from 3+ (13.5 degree) to a 7 wood (21 degree), compliment ZX drivers by bringing the Rebound Frame and pairing it with technology that Srixon calls its Cannon Sole. The Cannon Sole is a weight pad that floats above the sole and is angled forward (roughly taking the shape of a cannon) that provides a flexible frame for the Rebound Frame while optimizing the center of gravity for a penetrating ball flight. The ZX fairway woods also have the carbon crown that moves discretionary weight low, deep, and around the perimeter for increased forgiveness and MOI. Finally, the fairway woods have a crown step that transitions the face to the carbon crown. Srixon says this stepped design helps to lower the center of gravity for a higher launch and raise the MOI for added forgiveness.
Finally, the ZX hybrids have also taken a step forward in performance thanks to the Rebound Frame and a new compact design. The ZX hybrids have a similar crown step to that of the fairway woods (without the carbon crown) that increases the launch and forgiveness of the club but the real story (to me, at least) is the new player preferred shape. The new ZX hybrid footprint has also been refined into a more tour-friendly look that has a straight face angle and squared-off toe, which results in a compact package with a lot of speed.
You can find out more about the ZX drivers, fairway woods and hybrids by visiting Srixon at www.srixon.com or by joining in the discussion on the forum.
The Details: Srixon ZX Drivers, Fairway Woods and Hybrids
Price: ZX Fairway Woods – $269.99, ZX Hybrids – $229.99
Lofts: ZX Fairway Woods – 3+ (13.5°), 3 (15°), 5 (18°), 7 (21°); ZX Hybrids 2 (16°), 3 (19°), 4 (22°), 5 (25°), 6 (28°)
Shafts: ZX Fairway Woods – EvenFlow Riptide 50/60 or HZRDUS Smoke Black 60, ZX Hybrids – EvenFlow Riptide Hybrid 85 or HZRDUS Smoke Black 80
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
Available: January 15, 2021
