If you aren’t evolving, you are falling behind. Srixon Golf has always seemed to take this to heart, especially when it comes to their flagship irons the 5-Series and 7-Series. Well, after much anticipation, they are ready to formally introduce the next generation and here is our Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 irons review.
Not only does THP have a rundown of the design features of each in this article, but we were also able to spend time with the 7i and PW from each set as well.
Are you ready?
Quick Take
Put any worries to rest when it comes to Srixon altering the formula of their Z-Series irons. There may be some impressive technology changes on board as well as a naming change, but the looks, feel, and flat out filthy performance still stands tall in both the ZX5 and ZX7 irons.
Change is Good
Srixon has hit homerun after homerun with their Z-Series irons the past three releases, the 45, 65, and 85 models have been nothing short of stellar and cemented them as an iron company. This year, the name is changing by shortening the naming mechanism to simply ZX5 and ZX7, but the amount of design that has gone into these is greater than any iron Srixon has ever produced.
The basis around the ZX5 and ZX7 this year is best explained by the tag line that Srixon has used in their release, “Created with human intelligence but perfected by the artificial kind.” Now, yes, “Artificial Intelligence” is without any doubt a “hot” discussion point across the industry, but while others are making it all about the computer, Srixon is making sure to let it be known that the craftsmanship is where it all starts with the new ZX irons, and it’s the A.I. that is working with it to take both series of irons to a whole new level.
While each of the iron series have always been differentiated by most based on size and profile, this year they are also each touting some design traits that are unique to each set. As I was fortunate enough to get the 7i and PW in hand for the ZX5 and ZX7 irons and work with them, it makes sense to dive into each individually.
Srixon ZX5
Getting it out of the way, yes, the ZX5 remains the “bigger” of the two iron sets just as has been the case in previous iterations, it’s a club that walks a blended line between a players design and a more game improvement setup.
The ZX5 is still a forged iron and offers a sound/feel that is soft yet quick, at impact it is a crisp feedback that isn’t quite as plush as a pure one-piece cavity back, but it is closer than ever. The look at address is so surprising as both the offset and topline are very tame and it keeps that same heel to toe length that even some of the pickiest out there will get along with.
The sole does have much more width to it than the ZX7, but the previously mentioned heel to toe length of the blade makes it less of a concern. Not to mention, the ZX5 does feature Srixon’s Tour V.T. Sole that I continue to believe is the greatest iron sole grind of all time. In my workout of the 7i and PW on the course that opinion was nothing but solidified as it just responds so well from any lie I could throw at it, and honestly, it makes the wider sole insanely effective. But, this year something special is happening when it comes to the V.T. Sole and it is the return of the sole notches last seen on the 545/745 irons and arguably a big reason that so many of those sets remain in bags, the notches offer relief and thus more versatility which is never a bad thing.
The ZX5 also feature progressive grooves through the set which applies to a SUP10 face that is joined to the 1020 carbon steel frame along with tungsten in the toe of the longer irons. All of these things seek to improve flight, forgiveness, and consistency, but the real story is something called “Mainframe”. This name represents Srixon designers setting the parameters to create their fastest irons on every shot and ran thousands upon thousands of simulations to come up with the pattern that is milled onto the back of each ZX5 face. The variable thickness pattern also features grooves and shapes to make what Srixon believes is an iron that is faster on every single strike, misses included.
Is it though? Without a doubt.
I worked out the 7i and PW of the ZX5 head to head with their sibling the ZX7 and the data recorded on the Foresight GC2 following this section tells the story, these are fast. For me, they were noticeably faster than the ZX7 and misses were at times laughable with how they kept speed comparably.
While you will see in the numbers the spin is also a bit on the low side, this is in part to having to record my data indoors as well as the fact that it has always been the case for me with the 5-Series of irons from Srixon. What stood out in the data and on the course though was the height and descent angle I was able to hit these, both more significant for me than with the 585’s, making my personal spin numbers a non-issue.
Bottom line, there is some serious firepower here. Paired with the Nippon MODUS3 Tour105 shafts is a setup that is smooth and forgiving while also being shockingly long.
Srixon ZX7
The 7-Series has constantly been one of the most gorgeous players cavity designs on the market with each release, and though the new ZX7 is a bit more modern looking with the angles and cavity, it holds true to its lineage and makes for a jaw dropping look in hand and in bag. A thin topline, minimal offset, and a sole that even the most demanding ball striker would be impressed with, the ZX7 is a stunner.
Fully forged out of 1020 Carbon Steel, these are true players irons. Though some might initially think that the cavity is a bit too busy, there is a rhyme and a reason for the added angles and mass placement this time around. The goal with an iron like this is always to add playability while maintaining the look/profile that so many demand, the different angles on the back of the club allowed Srixon to not only move some mass to the perimeter, but also place some directly behind the sweet spot in order to increase MOI while creating more feel.
Through impact, these offered me the feedback in sound/feel that I expected having spent time with every single 7-Series iron from Srixon. The sensation through contact on decent to well struck shots is one that walks the line between sharp and dull, it’s a blend that will be nearly impossible for golfers to find a detraction about. The overall playability for those who enjoy players irons is what stood out most in my time with the ZX7. With the progressive grooves and Tour V.T. Sole with the return of the sole notches, the golfer who demands versatility and precision in anylie will have all they can handle with these. There was no shot that I threw at them on the course that they couldn’t handle, it’s all about if it is a profile you are comfortable and confident in.
Like the ZX5, I also put the two clubs to work on the Foresight GC2 launch monitor and that data is shown. As you will see, the launch, peak, and speed were particularly good for me in both. While the spin dipped a bit recording data indoors, the Nippon MODUS3 Tour120 made for a pairing that just added to the feel and consistency of the heads.
Where the ZX5 offers firepower, the ZX7 rests on precision, but that doesn’t mean they each don’t also have some that the other does. In fact, they blend so well that Srixon is all in on the combo set trend offering any combination you could possibly want, including adding in the new ZX Utility to the mix.
Worth the Wait
Much anticipation has surrounded the release of the Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 irons review, and Srixon is not letting anyone down with what they have created. It’s easy to sit here and write that they impressed me, but they went well beyond that at times with how well they each hit their specific segment while also complimenting one another. This is without a doubt going to be yet another big release for Srixon.
The Details
Available: January 15, 2021
ZX5: 8-Piece $1299.99 Steel/$1399.99 Graphite (Nippon MODUS3 Tour105, UST Mamiya Recoil 95)
ZX7: 8-Piece $1299.99 Steel (Nippon MODUS3 Tour120)
How long did your order take from shipping to delivery?
Well it’s definitely soft. Mine has chatter after one round. Lol. Did feel good though. Good match for the set and into my specialties. I like it.
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After reading all the earlier posts, I may be ordering the A wedge too.
Ordered on the 6th and got it on the 18th.
Ooh. Congrats. 1 strong D4 sounds thumpy!
My strokes per round have improved by 4.4 vs the prior 15 rounds.
Handicap is lowest ever. 2 A grade wins at my home club. Shot my lowest score ever at my home club.
Going to have my first ever putting lesson next week. Absolutely killing my scoring.
That is awesome. Quoting @OldandStiff cause he called it:
That is awesome to hear!!!!
I mean, I sound like an idiot, but that doesn’t make me wrong.
Congrats @bombs on the rounds so far, that’s awesome!
If not, I am playing on Sunday…so they will get out this weekend one way or another.
When did you order them? Ordered mine a little over a week ago but no notification yet.
I ordered them on 1/21….
Got a shipping notification yesterday…
Seems odd these two clubs would be on backorder. Wonder if this had anything to do with the last ship that lost a few containers on its way to LA port.
I was thinking the exact thing. Also I have heard from Cobra and Srixons that graphite design shafts have been hard to come by, so I am wondering if they were impacted. All it takes is one container from one of those companies to go missing and that could be ten thousand heads or shafts
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Also got to hit my ZX UT 3 Iron with Ventus Blue 9X
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So happy with these clubs. I’ll need to weaken the irons a little, but very impressed so far.
I played Mizunos for a number of years and I loved them. These are better IMO. Cant go wrong with either.
I watch your YouTube videos and wonder why you would think of hitting anything but these. Hope that helps ?
NO, that does not help!!
You have weather to play in, its pouring here and I wanna play. SOOOOO, get it done and play.
I was playing 565s with the GH980 shaft. They were some of the best irons I ever owned. They were forgiving and felt great. The only minor issue with them is they launched very high. Playing in Texas, there are a lot of windy days in the spring where a high ball flight can be an issue. The plus side is they came in at a great trajectory. Even mid-irons stuck pretty close to the pitch mark on the green.
It wasn’t ideal testing conditions as yesterday was cooler than forecast with winds gusting 25-30. Today was warmer but even windier. A storm blew through this morning, so the range was soaked. The winds were blowing around 30mph straight downwind.
So far though, they are a keeper. They are just as forgiving as the 565s. The feel at impact is ‘solid’, but I can get where people feel it is ‘clickier’ than the 565. The ball speed feels faster off the face, but I’m not sure if that’s more the sound.
The V-sole is still fantastic. The range grass isn’t the thickest and the storm that blew through this morning dropped a ton of rain. The V-sole does a fantastic job of digging through the turf and still getting good distance.
The soles are noticeably wider on the short irons. It wasn’t a big deal for me as I came from G25s. But I could see where people would opt for a combo set.
It’s really hard to tell too much about the distance when it was SO windy both days. I pretty much played the distances I would with my old clubs and it seemed to work OK. But with the wind, there were not as many ‘stock’ iron shots as you’d normally hit. Downwind holes were often driver/wedge. Holes into the wind were often driver/hybrid.
Pouring here too, buddy. Believe me, I would gladly take a mental health break from the wife and new house right now to go play the ZX7. Gladly.
So instead I’m thinking about putting the limited edition black Modus 115X in them and making them my tournament set.
I was really hoping you’d get to go play yours today. ? Weather is kind of tough for a lot of people right now.
Pouring here but it’s melting all the snow, which is nice.
Thinking I’m going to have to take Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon off, looks to be the only two playable days for the next 10 days to 2 weeks. Cold spell coming in.
I’m looking at Wednesday. Looks rough after that.
Take your gorgeous weather and green grass and non ZX clubs and go…
make some birdies and take some pictures for the rest of us.
somehow I gotta find a way to get these in the bag. I just had my Z-Forged irons refinished but that looks like a mistake now after hitting these
I am seriously excited for you to put these in play. Can’t wait to hear all about it!
I really just need the 5-GW and through my club the 7 iron set would only be about $900 plus tax, a small price for such pretty clubs.
Going on 5 years is plenty long enough to feel responsible about it. And they are shiny. SOFT though. In your bag they won’t stay pristine for long if I’m remembering it right. Seriously good out in the turf though. I had no thoughts of playing mine today, until I saw the thread bumped. Now I’m a little twitchy about it. Lol
I won’t baby them or do anything crazy like put iron covers on them, that’s for sure.
A very small part of me wondered about a combo set. I didn’t’ get a chance to hit the ZX7s at a grass range, so it may be better that I just don’t know.
These are replacing my 565s. I’d bought them at the end the cycle in January 2019, so I really didn’t need new irons. I tend to keep irons for 4 years. But I made an exception because these looked so damn good.
Nice medium high shots that would stay on line. I did have one that I pulled today but that was more of an alignment issue.
One thing that stood out today was being able to flight a ball down a bit when needed. I had 2 times that I needed to do this to execute a shot. Not something I do regularly but nice knowing I can do it with these irons.
Feel is amazing with these irons. Playing a chrome soft ball there where times I barely felt the ball leave the face. I did play a new ProV1X today and it felt good also, but had a touch of click to it.
Seeing plenty of spin and holding greens well. 160 down wind today with a 6 iron, ball landed on the flat and was only 4 feet from the ball mark. That is more than acceptable to me.
Nice round. Sounds like the ZX7’s are a great fit for you. I talked to the fitter today and mentioned my interest. He sounded excited. I can’t wait to hit these tomorrow.