The utility iron continues to be one of the hottest club categories out there. With advances in materials and design, the playability has come up to where it isn’t just Tour players who can benefit from them. Whether being used as a driving iron or a long iron replacement, their popularity continues to grow.
While Srixon has produced some extremely popular models through the years, there has always been some give and take. This year, they believe they have checked all of the boxes with tech, looks, and performance all rolled into one.
The ZX Utility is coming, and not only do we at THP have all the design info for you, we were also lucky enough to get one in hand for a workout. Let’s take a closer look.
Quick Take
Feel and forgiveness has long been the standout trait of Srixon utility irons, but with the ZX, they have finally added the firepower so many have clamored for as well as a smaller and more well-rounded look. Simply put, this one is a rocket launcher.
Srixon ZX Utility
Srixon has always made one of the most playable and impeccable feeling utility irons on the market, but they have also been just adequate when it comes to ball speed and the slightly oversized look at address was a turn-off for some. This year, they’re addressing all of that. Yes, all of it.
While Srixon is touting the ZX Utility being “more blade like”, it does still have some size to it, it’s just in all of the right places now. First thing, the offset and topline have been tamed, and at setup the look is one that shouldn’t turn off the better players nor scare away those who seek out and rely on forgiveness. In past Srixon utilities, the rear flange of the club was significantly visible at address, that has been toned way down and though some is there, it looks good now. In fact, most will be interested to know that the ZXU has a longer blade length and thicker topline than the ZX5 irons, however, it also has less offset and a thinner sole. That caught your attention, didn’t it?
The ZXU features a multi-material construction with a SUP10 steel face affixed to the 1020 carbon steel frame just like the ZX5 irons. A big difference though is in the three utility options (2U, 3U, 4U) there is an application of high-density tungsten in the middle base of the soles as well. Piece all of this together with the hollow body design and you have a club intent on maximizing playability while maintaining precision. If that were all that Srixon has done, it might have been enough, but there is more.
Say hello to “Mainframe”. Featured also on the ZX5 irons, this is the culmination of Srixon working with artificial intelligence via their designers creating design parameters they wanted to hit and then running thousands of simulations via A.I. to make it a reality. Mainframe is a combination of variable thickness grooves and channels milled into the back of the clubface which Srixon adamantly states is one of a kind. The purpose here is maximizing COR (coefficient of restitution) on all, in other words, Srixon is seeking out speed no matter where you hit it.
As mentioned, I was fortunate enough to get a 3U (20°) in hand to hit on the course as well as the Foresight GC2 launch monitor, and that data will follow this section. The stock offering in the ZX Utility is the UST Mamiya Recoil 95 and frankly is a smart pairing both in feel as well as maximizing energy transfer. Having hit Srixon utilities extensively in the past, they always stood out in my game for accuracy and ease of launch in part due to the profile and its ability to make a fair amount of spin which let them play very iron like. The ZX though, this thing is a beast.
As you will see in the data, still easy to launch, there is a whole lot of speed attached to it now which is clearly showing that Mainframe is the real deal. The fact that I was able to hit the ball speeds I did with a 20° club left me well beyond surprised. Add in the ability to elevate from tee and turf as well as maintaining good forgiveness (remember, a utility is still more demanding than a hybrid or fairway) and most importantly to me, stellar feel. There is feedback here that will please many, you can definitely tell between good and off strikes and when flushed it is a sensation of pure speed. For the golfers who have always wanted more power out of Srixon in the utilities, you are going to be extremely pleased.
Without a doubt, 2021 looks to be another big year for Srixon golf, and if the ZX5, ZX7, and ZX Utility releases weren’t enough on their own, the company is also in full support of combo set ordering. If there is a combo you can think up, it can be done. See, change can be a very good thing.
The Details
Available: January 15, 2021
Price: $219.99
Options: 2U (18°), 3U (20°), 4U (23°)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Recoil 95
eBay time!
Curious, why zx4 over utility?
Because it’s amazing.
@Canadan approved
Haha yup. Tough to find the shaft I want, but the eyes are peeled! Or find one for cheap and reshaft.
Zx4 was impressive when I tested it. Also like that it looks like a traditional club mostly.
The 1 from Amazon?
No, found it on Golf Town. They’re having a "brand days" sale, and Srixon has both RH and LH ZX Utilities in 23º included.
Would love a Link please, thinking about adding the 3 ZX
I looked at this exact club this weekend at a store and loved the look of it! I want to get some swings with it.
No, just the 4 – which is funny because that’s the exact one that I wanted.
Shipping notification received! They’re even sending it FedEx! Should have this club in-hand by Monday/Tuesday next week! Hopefully Monday so I can put it right in to league play.
You’re gonna love it.
Hopefully the weather holds up and I can get to the course tonight!
Any experiences with shafts for a slower swing speed and for a higher ball flight someone can toss out – I may give it a try.
Let me just say again – this golf club is gorgeous! Curvy in all the right places, and shiny enough to keep my inner Raven satisfied.
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My 4i (23°) is paired up with a UST Mamiya Recoil 95 in F4 – conveniently the same shaft as I’ve got in the rest of my irons, which I love. So testing is going to be a real apples to apples affair.
First hole at my home course is a 250 yard par 4, from the blue tees. Of course I had to swing my new toy on the opening hole, and I crushed it. Like butter. Wow. 210 yards, right around the distance I was hoping to see with this club.
Next up is a 425 yard par 5. Great! 4i off the tee lands beautifully leaving me 210 to middle of the green. Another 4i it is! Whack! Nice penetrating shot, landing front green.
At this point I’m beginning to think that this bag battle is going to be pretty short lived!
Same results on hole 8 and hole 9; 210 yard shots off the tee. This club is just stupid easy to swing!
I took a couple comparison photos of the ZX Utility and my Cobra Forged Tec X 6i. The top lines look incredibly similar, however the ZX does have a little more beef down at the sole, and the blade looks to be a little longer to my eye. That said, they both look very, very similar at address.
ZX on the left, FTx on the right:
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FTx on the left, ZX on the right:
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The other biggest difference that I noticed was the sole. The ZX seems to have a much more square sole compared to the FTx. I didn’t notice a feel or playability difference, just a visual note.
Looking forward to getting out again once this rain quits.
Again my results with the ZX were amazing – easy swinging distance off the tee. And I really started to notice how good it was feeling, not only on well-struck hits, but also when I missed a little on the toe side. I am impressed. I saw similar distances last night to the evening previous, and found that I was consistently 7-10 yards further than the hybrid. In addition, ball flight was much straighter and I wasn’t fighting the huge pull-hook/draw that I was experiencing with the hybrid.
This is just a fun, confidence inspiring club!
I also previously mentioned the sole shape. I still see the ZX sole being much straighter across from heel to toe than the Forged Tec X, though I didn’t feel any major differences in turf interaction the few times I hit it from the fairway.
ZX on top, FTX on bottom:
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Once in a while off Tee if I have room I will Tee up pretty high and let it rip with a Draw. These Utes will go.
I haven’t tried experimenting with different shots just yet, but I definitely agree with you that this utility iron feels HOT! I’m amazed at the performance I’m seeing so far.
And they feel so soft.
Yes!
Just for fun, I tested out a few different balls to see how they felt with the ZX Utility – Srixon Z-Star, Callaway Chrome Soft, Titleist Pro V1, and a couple from a different bracket – Titleist TruFeel, and Callaway Warbird. I was very happy with the premium balls, but surprised by the others! I didn’t experience much of a performance drop off, and feel/sound was still pretty decent.
I’m starting to feel like my bag battle is coming to a close. I left the hybrid at home for my last round since I feel so much more confident with this utility iron. My shots are much more consistent, and I’m not fighting the pull/draw hook that I was seeing from the hybrid. I’m still seeing around the same yardages as previously posted, and that’s a good thing for me – means it will slot right in to my bag between the 6i and 7w.
I’ll have my new Shot Scope soon and will get some actual numbers.
That’s exactly what I have on my Clubs. Just hit the U85 3 Iron today and it didn’t feel right. Realized it has stock Standard grip. Right after ran over to Dicks to pick up Grip and they were out. ?
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