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
I can’t wait to get some course time with this.
It’s been almost two weeks and no word on the ZX Utility. I’m getting antsy!
I’m rebuilding this one, and it’s madness because we just moved and stuff is everywhere. Taking me forever to tear apart and rebuild 3 clubs because I can’t find anything, including my binders of notes.
So anyway, I know Srixon builds their UT fairly long (~1/2" longer than most of my others), so that influences swing weight, but this head seems pretty light to me for a 3. Definitely throwing off the build a bit at a more typical length with a heavier shaft. Like I said I don’t know which box my notes are in, and my others are all built, so is it me, or is that pretty light?
Edit:
View attachment 8991202
And upon further examination it appears there may be yet ANOTHER weight from their OG build still in the head. That’s a light 3U imo. Weight seems less than a 2 would be.
Upgraded. Let the competition resume.
The U line in the prior generations looked great but that shape and contours…. oh my!
The top line is fairly thick, but the offset and backside look really good. They did a great job of hiding the meat and making it look and feel more compact.
The ZX utility is such a better shape than the u85. This has fast ball speeds and still very forgiving compared to most utilities. What I liked most is the ball flight was much more penetrating and lower than the u85 even with the same Recoil shaft….. Gonna take a look at the shaft options today but this will 100% be in the bag!!
From the time I’ve spent with them they don’t work perfectly in iron sets for me either, for the same reason. I like the utility shaft, or them in a utility (I’m not sure how different they are) more. I can lean into them without some of my usual worries, but don’t have to work hard at it. My feels don’t always line up with everyone else’s, but they remind me a little of a Modus 105. I can play the 105X well in long/utility irons, and that 95 F5 feels similar, but at a lighter weight. Might be just me. :confused2:
Need to try this in hand, we should play soon(in months lol)
Any update?
On its way. Should be in hand by the weekend
I’m on my way
And Yes, you need some swings with this #funstick
I tried to tell you all in the review.
They NAILED it with this one.
I definitely told you.
I was seeing tight dispersion with more than 10 yards gained. Hard not to pick it
Like I said, I told you.
I’ve given mine to one of my Freshmen, he’s downright giddy about it.
ZX4 will launch higher.
After hitting the ZX4 7i and watching it carry forever with plenty of spin…. I’d be pretty keen to see what a ZX4 4i could do.
I have found the ZX7 and ZX5’s to really launch with the shaft combo I use. THE ZX4 must hit the stratosphere.
For this test, all shots were hit off the deck. Golf ball is a Srixon Z Star XV, and GC Hawk overhead. Each were the same length, shafts are shown in the first graphic below. All were set to standard hosel settings.
First off, the ZX flat keeps up on ball speed and launch. My fastest with the ZX were equal to fastest from either of the others. My fitter and I were also quite impressed with how well it kept on mishits… it does a great job. I was not finding center that well and still the ZX was barely behind the Apex Pro, if at all. The worst shots I hit of the session were actually with the TSi3, which I was not hitting real well today. I was hitting the Apex Pro and ZX decent, and they were very competitive. I probably had my best swings of the day with Apex Pro, and its ballspeed numbers may benefit slightly from that. I ended up with tighter dispersion on the ZX. Most impressive to me was that overall carry, launch angle, and descent angle were so similar.
Honestly the differences here are so close. How I’m swinging them on a given day could swing the numbers. I was struggling with too much inside-out sweepiness today and it flared up a little more during the time I was swing the ZX. On the average, the Apex Pro is gaining a little on yardage from the slight draw spin, but ZX Utility is peaking higher and coming in steeper with a slight fade spin. For shots of the same shape, they look even closer.
The ZX Utility is very easy to use, and offers a surprising amount of forgiveness for a utility iron, one of the best. It is a ball speed and launch beast. While doing it, it offers some pretty amazing Srixon forged feels, even on mishits. I ‘d go as far to say I think I like the feel over the hybrids. Yep, said it. The feel is sweet. I was hitting mini sets of 2-3 with each club, and swore out loud when I switched to the ZX from Apex, mishit one off the toe, and it still flew 224 and rolled out to 242. In fact, this mini set of 4 shots paints a nice picture of consistency IMO:
-The top is the highest ballspeed shot of the session, maybe a groove or two low.
-The second is mishit a good bit off the toe and a touch fat, down 8 mph, still flies 224 yds
-3rd shot is a relatively pure draw
-4th shot is a relatively pure fade.
View attachment 8998793
Here are the visuals – best dispersion on the ZX! Need to work on that push fade tho…
View attachment 8998789
And the full data:
View attachment 8998787
EDIT: To further illustrate how competitive this was, here are the Top 5 with each. Max Carry potential in RED ? ?
View attachment 8998806
4 months later…. this has aged well.
This really is me doing some pondering. As it is now, I bet I don’t pull a fairway wood out the bag more then once every 15-20 rounds. I just don’t need them when I make good contact with the driver to reach the greens on my second shots. Even par 5s I find myself either being in range with an iron or feeling like the better option is to lay up because a less then perfect fairway is going to be big trouble. I never hit them off the tee either. If I am using less then driver off the tee it is typically going to be 2u or 4u depending on how I want to play the hole.
I am seriously considering leaving the fairways at home and adding a ZX 3U. I would then be going driver, 2u-5u, z585 6i, and z785 7-PW. Am I crazy? I mean I am honestly not hesitant to hit a 3 or even my current 2 off the fairway at any time.
Looking forward to getting into the swing of things where my accuracy improves a little bit.
View attachment 9002498
For as much as they refined the look and added mainframe and whatnot, I don’t think it suits me. I love the clean backside, but it still has a little wider sole than I prefer, and the boxed off top line looks thick at address. It may not be any thicker than some peers, but man, the whole line could have used a bevel imo. I checked some old notes and it seems pretty good out of the bottom for me, which is nice. I can get skinny at times. And that might have played a role in my biggest compliment to it. – I think it’s the most distance consistent UT I’ve ever hit. I mean, just spooky at hitting the same yardage again and again on slightly different strikes and flights.
I have my 20* at 21 to compare to others, and it doesn’t really get over on any of them in any facet except that. I don’t seem to be able to shape it quite as well, it falls just a tiny bit short on distance, and it’s not my favorite feel. Most of that can come down to preference and what fits me best, which sadly, it doesn’t. Just not going to win out over others I like better over the ball, in my hands, and through the turf. So, good club, but not for me. Gonna move it.
I’ve tried a few different ones, but I don’t know how much help my experience would be. Currently have a recoil proto f5 in it, and don’t love it. Better than the stock recoil, but I honestly played it best with a Modus 105. The recoil profile just doesn’t work for me at all and the whole setup felt light. It’s been a challenging fit, with a lot of lead tape and shaft swapping, but plays well when it’s right. Have you tried that KBS in anything before? I played it in a hybrid and my thought would be that it felt like more of an even bend for my swing as opposed to recoil’s soft dip.
Just curious, what is your favorite go-to UT, especially for through the turf?
The mystery shaft in it is pretty effin awesome too! ?
Tempted to go hit the 2 and see how I get on, it’s super windy here and would love to have something that I could play below the wind.
If you are not playing this then what have you moved on to?
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I still play with this from time to time… though its been a couple months at this point since winter set in. This is still one of the easiest to hit utilities out there. Feels great and is pretty consistent for a utility. The only reason I don’t play this full time is that I hit my 3 hybrid too well to ignore that its easier to use than a utility. Especially from 230 out on a Par 5, I don’t have the strength/skill to make an 18* work of the deck consistently.
I bring mine out every now and then. It’s a good club. Outside of it being insanely consistent and pretty easy there’s just nothing about it that I love enough for it to end up in my bag often. It’s a little wide for my tastes and flies a tad higher than my XFUT. Just individual preference. The ZX U is pretty automatic though.
I specifically bought the HMP as a driving iron but now I’m wondering if I can get a lower flight from something else. I’ve been here before though and I know it’s a dangerous game haha
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I still had a 5 and 3 hybrid in the bag from the old days and played them well, but I noticed playing them now I was hooking them too much (bad swings). Love the U85s in deep rough and can work them easily. Once I get my swing back I will be using the Hybrids and U85s depending on the type of course I play.
You cant go wrong with the ZXs, but it will also depend on your swing.
Then my other question is, so I put the same shaft as my irons in (Modus3 130) or go a little lighter, but that’s a question for another thread ?
Neither. Get a ZX4 4i.
I will have to ask my fitter about what he’d recommend shaft wise, and hopefully he can still order them, because they say "not available" on the Srixon site