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
I plugged an even flow blue into the ZX5 two weeks ago too. The feel was fantastic and I wish the numbers were optimized because it’s a fun combo
I only hit two, but one of them was a piped low power fade that rolled out as long as any other today.
That’s awesome to hear. If I could hit a low launch with it, the numbers would work out great but I tend to launch the ball high so the spin can be killer. I still love that shaft but others have better numbers. It’s a love hate relationship
Srixon has no presence at all where i live. A few years back they had a set of z745’s on the rack and I was surprised.When talking to them it was a custom order that came wrong so the guy who ordered them just got his money back. They said at that time they had no plans on carrying Srixon clubs which is too bad. I love love to try them out
I had no idea that it was that tough to get your hands on the stuff. I keep hearing the same story.
This makes me sad. Very, very sad. No fitting days anywhere?!
over 2 hours away at best. I am just under 3 hours out of Columbus and McGolf is just about 45 minutes short of there. I can get my hands on Mizuno now (very recent development) Callaway, Ping, Taylormade, and Titleist… I have to search hard for Cobra. Some say Wilson Staff exist…. …. …..
#goldenticket
oh the wheels are spinning so hard I’m almost confused. The Morgan Cup sounds to good to pass up though. When the details come out I’ll make a decision. I won, just didn’t win any extra info
I’m not sure Wilson still exists. I’ve heard rumors but I haven’t seen evidence of life. Now Srixon – I’ve seen some things.
This is one I truly want some time on. So much of a different take on things by Srixon, and
I fear they just won’t get the attention for innovation they deserve.
I bet it makes your bag with the right shaft. God knows you have a lot of perfect ones of those. Srixon has got something pretty good here.
I mean….I have a shaft literally designed for my swing?
And a few other great ones to boot.
I think it comes down to tour marketing. I was on their site the other day. Seems like they don’t have a whole lot folks playing them.
I need to hit this. HARD.
I would think that the late in the season release cycle every two years has something to do with it because at that time at least where I live golf clubs have been put away and stores have no new stock and typically they are in no rush to bring in much over the winter.
Golf club sales in my area over the winter is dismal/minimal. It would be a great time to go in and test the different OEM’s back to back but what I find in my area at least is that the fitting carts are incomplete so it’s a real disappointment in terms of trying different shafts. I remember when I bought the Z785 driver. I purchased it in November on eBay and they didn’t even have it in closest Golftown where I live lived until the following May, over six months since it was launched. Plus is was located in a second tier location in the store (marketing budget prevails
Heck, it usually is May before the new releases even have their non-charge shaft options stocked in the fitting carts.
Secondly, once spring arrives, 6 months have passed since the initial launch/hype and the bigger names/marketing budgets i.e. Callaway, Taylormade have hit and the stores are pushing them hard.
I think as well Srixon really need more mass Nort American exposure i.e. great performances on the PGA tour. I can only comment about the area where I live and play but Srixon does have a very small following in irons but from a woods perspective it has been non-existent.
Doesn’t every company release in the winter?
Srixon drivers go for sale each release in January the same as Callaway, Taylormade, Cobra and Ping generally speaking.
It is just in my part of the country the golf club market just opens up in April/May timeframe and any buzz created by the original Srixon launch has been overtaken by the bigger OEM marketing budgets. You walk into a Golftown in Canada (#1Golf retailer by far) and you are bombarded by the big 4 (Callaway, Taylormade, Titleist & Ping). Cobra follows next then if your lucky maybe some Srixon, Wilson & Tour Edge.
I understand my local area is not even close to being a barometer on the retail sales market but locally there is so little, if any Srixon product. The irons and the Cleveland wedges are available but the woods are just very rare.
For the past 2 years, my local Golftown didn’t even carry Srixon drivers or fairways! I had to drive almost 2 hours to see the last release and it wasn’t even in the store until I recall mid to late March of the following year. I bought the Z785 driver on EBay without even hitting or seeing in person in late fall and didn’t see my next one for 4-5 months. I have owned multiple sets of Srixon irons which is why I purchased last time unseen both the 785 driver and the 3 wood. In both case they performed great, I just had the wrong shaft combo.
I believe each of the last few Srixon releases including this one they hit stores in January. TaylorMade and Callaway, Ping and Cobra did as well. Titleist always goes a bit earlier, by a month or so.
I totally understand the geography aspect. If we use PGA Show as a barometer of product at retail, it is middle of January each year.
This specific line got some early buzz because it hit the USGA and Japan earlier than normal, since it was in some tour players bags, but similar retail date in the midst of winter.
I have to wonder if they are still considered a ball and iron company to general public and how to overcome that.
Have them hire whoever does Taylormade advertising and marketing.
Yikes, not sure id consider them as having all their things together, by a LONG shot.
I thought the TP5 ball commercials were genius – tour pros in a threesome inviting regular Joes to play golf with them and the horde follows – sort of like real life in terms of how marketing is supposed to work.
Or the pros hitting balls together and talking about their clubs – Tiger, Rory, et al
Or the Titleist commercials where various pros are hitting shots and touting the ball
Srixon needs a few well known pros – it’s all about marketing at this point.
Or you can just have some fun with it – longer, straighter and face flexing genius… on YouTube, instagram – I think TM has upped their game on YouTube.
Srixon needs an overwhelming social presence
We differ there, I think the TM marketing department is weak if not a total cluster. What’s saved their ass so far is Trottie.
The point is Srixon needs to be out there with presence – stores and social media. Actually, I don’t know anyone doing it well these days but I appreciate TM’s YouTube vids with Jason, Rory, Tiger, et al. Guys playing short game and the TM rep throws them a new club and says "What do you think?"
I don’t buy their clubs based on those but they are out there – Peeps here are the somewhat knowledgeable golf buyers – most peeps are not like us.
You find different strategies to appeal to a larger piece of the pie.
But I think sometimes we forget that Srixon isn’t going to be TM or Callaway, would they want that piece of the pie? Of course, but that’s not where they are or where they can just jump to with a change here or there and a tour player. Contrary to what some say, there are TWO tour players that truly move gear, two, maybe 2.5 if you include Phil.
Those videos you speak of are Trottie being Trottie, and not anything pre ordained by TM marketing, they’re just recording a rep who’s always had a big personality.
I did not recognize the Trottie reference. He does a good job.
I don’t know how Srixon gets recognition unless they rebrand as Cleveland Golf.
I think you’re underestimating their global recognition.
No doubt – but the US is a nice market. I’m brainstorming for solutions … solutions to their US dilemma
I’m not sure that can happen with ownership, but to be fair they have steadily grown since entering the space. Including XXIO which did very well last year
Yes, they must be going for slow growth, which is a good plan if you have money, and they apparently do.
My older son has played their fairways for years – probably has the same woods from 8 yrs ago … lol. He’d like to play their irons – but Utah and military means he plays about 4 months a year. I send him wedges and putters.
I think TaylorMade is just riding its name right now – Srixon marketing is pretty darn good
Guess I’m missing something then. Haven’t seen it that often and I do watch TGC. But guys have posted that Srixon clubs are not that readily available. I guess when Covid is vaccinated out of us in the next 7 months and Demo Days are one again more of an event, they will get their product out there. Good luck to them.
I do like the Srixon Z Star.
I’m a bit cynical here but I think the US market is stubborn for several cycles. Make something good long enough and it takes notice.
I guess I’m also lumping Cleveland in with it too to be fair.
ZX Hybrid 3 (19*) and 4 Hybrid (22*):
I went in to the shop specifically to look at the 5-wood/3-hybrid/3-iron spot in the bag (can never decide what to hit here) as I’m not very happy with my Sim Max hybrid right now. I tested out a few different hybrids including G410 and Callaway Apex. The ZX looks great at address, and I much prefer the sound/feel at impact over my Sim Max. Performance-wise, I was carrying the 3-hybrid into 3-wood territory with solid descent angles. 4-Hybrid was about 15-20 yds shorter, which is about perfect distance-wise for the spot I’m looking for. Unfortunately forgot to take a pick of the launch monitor #s.
Also, a quick comment on the stock shaft – I really enjoyed the Evenflow Riptide shafts in both fairway/hybrid. First time hitting them and didn’t seem to have any release-timing issues that I had with Evenflow Blue in the past.
ZX Fairway 3-Wood 15*:
3-wood also felt/looked great to me. I didn’t find it sitting closed like the TXG guys mentioned in their review (I’m picky about this too), but may have been just the demo I was swinging. Performance-wise, also really good. Ball-speed and distances were about the furthest I’ve even seen out of a 3-wood off the deck, which was the main reason I went with the Sim Max. Attached photo is of the first 4 swings. Great contact on all 4 shots despite the accuracy issues Hit about a dozen total shots and loved what I saw/felt. Also hit the G410 LST fairway (which was 2nd place to my Sim Max when I purchased last year) but it was a step below the ZX in performance and looks/sound for me.
ZX Utility:
Huge numbers with the 2-iron, going about as far on the fly as the 3-hybrid but with a lot more rollout. 3-iron was also getting some great numbers, but unfortunately couldn’t get the descent angles I was hoping for. I don’t think I’d have too many issues holding greens in SoCal, but still feel like it wouldn’t be as versatile as a hybrid in the same spot. I will say it would be fun to have one of these utilities in the bag as a tee club on narrow courses and/or on windy days.
Sound/Feel-wise I feel like this is a huge step up from the previous Srixon utility, which I only happened to hit last year as a rep mentioned it’s the utility-of-choice for most collegiate golfers they get in the shop. I didn’t like the "clickiness" of it though (same goes for the Cobra Utility), so thankfully Srixon have improved in that area. Looks great behind the ball too. Can’t see too much of the back of the club, which is my preference. Stock recoil shaft in the utilities also seemed to perform well.
Overall:
I’m going back later this week with my Sim Max fairway/hybrid to go head-to-head with the Srixon woods. I want to make sure I’m comparing them back-to-back before jumping to any conclusions. So far though, I’m extremely impressed with the entire ZX lineup (haven’t tried the drivers though). And I probably would never have tried these if it wasn’t for the ZX irons performing so well for me on a separate trip to the shop. I may end up looking like a Srixon fanboy by the end of January
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You were absolutely mashing the ball with those numbers. The driver and hybrids are about as good as I’ve seen and I COMPLETELY agree that the Riptide shaft pairing with the hybrid is outstanding.
Moment of truth- are they going to replace the TaylorMade?
Thanks! I’ve only ever seen numbers like that when I was testing Sim Max and Sim Ti woods last year. Unfortunately did not have my TM gamers with me to hit against, so will be going back this week to hit them back-to back. I’ll provide another update once I’m able to compare them.
If the Srixon numbers hold up on round 2 of testing then I’d have no problem replacing the TMs ?
Good luck and please keep us posted as I’m in the same boat. Stay safe
Takeaway for me was that I think the Srixon eeks out a win in looks/feel (IMO) and hopefully with the right shaft to bring spin down to the ~3k region, would be able to keep up with SIM/TSI on performance. If so, the Srixon would be a no-brainer for the feel aspect and the value will be hard to beat. Only "downside" I can see with the Srixon is the lack of adjustable hosel if that’s something you value, although there are benefits to going with a bonded hosel as well.
I’ll be headed to the PGA Superstore on Friday to see if they have some other shafts available to try on the ZX, and also have a fitting scheduled for next Saturday with the local Srixon rep to hit off grass. I’ll continue providing feedback as I get some more time with the clubs.
Happy to answer any questions in the meantime, or if there are specific clubs you’d like me to compare against tomorrow at the PGA Superstore ?
I’m biding my time until the showcase, hoping I get to hit the 7!
I’ve convinced a friend to buy one based on one round with mine. The convincing was easy – i didn’t have to say much.