Srixon ZXi Drivers

You didn’t really think there would be a driver-laden release cycle and Srixon was just going to stand around and watch, did you? Well, rest easy because they are indeed joining the party. This year not only is the brand continuing innovate in ways unique to them, but they are also listening to the people and clarifying the lineup. 

Srixon ZXi Driver

We have been fortunate enough to have the Srixon ZXi drivers in-hand for a while now, so not only is THP your place for all of the tech talk for the new ZXi drivers but also a performance breakdown as well. 

What Makes the Srixon ZXi Driver Different?

Despite not getting the discussion which some of the other driver releases do, Srixon has consistently produced metalwoods which perform and test extremely well. Part of that is centered around their commitment to finding their own way to generate performance as opposed to simply copying the trends as we see so many others do. 

The Rebound Frame has been a core part of that innovation not only in the previous Srixon releases, but for Cleveland Golf as well. It might be the most under-celebrated innovation in metalwoods as the dual flex zone is not only unique, it is extremely effective at increasing the energy transfer at impact. Adding to that is the return of the internal lattice structure from the Star Frame Crown as well. 

With ZXi, Srixon is adding iFLEX to their face structures. You see, more flex means more ball speed, and that equates to more distance potential. In drivers, it is a constant arms race and everything you can gain makes a difference, but Srixon again wanted to achieve things in a unique manner. The iFLEX face has a very thin center with thickened areas in the heel/toe which tested to be more efficient where most golfers miss. To do this though, they needed to implement a new material, Ti72S titanium which is stronger, lighter, and more durable. 

The face of the Srixon ZXi Driver

Such a material change in the face allowed Srixon to develop outside the box things they had never considered before as there was now more mass to move, shift, and shape with. Srixon has actually been working on this for years, after many iterations generated through simulations and robot as well as player testing, they created iFLEX. 

Srixon has also implemented a new laser face milling pattern which serves to stabilize spin and add playability in wet conditions similar to what we see on the Cleveland wedges. Along with that, there remains adjustability via the same triangular weights we saw in the previous drivers, though in more optimized locations on each head. They have also updated their loft sleeve taking it from +/-  1-degree of adjustability to +/- 1.5-degrees. While it may not seem like much, fitters will rejoice, so too should consumers as not only are they easier to read but they also work in previous Srixon/Cleveland drivers.

This year, Srixon is again releasing three models, however, with ZXi there is now much more clarity about the target audience for each. THP received the ZXi LS and ZXi Max drivers in hand ahead of this release to provide performance feedback. Those curious of the ZXi however should fret not, though we have not yet spent time with it in hand yet, we still have a full design rundown for you. 

2025 Srixon ZXi Driver

Within the new driver offerings from Srixon, the ZXi now serves as the “core” option of the three heads. This falls much more in line with what we see from a lot of manufacturers, but more importantly it lets everyone know that this is the all-arounder of ZXi. 

The moveable weights of the Srixon ZXi Driver

The ZXi has been designed as a neutral bias driver that the company is classifying as mid-low spin and mid-high launch, which should hit the biggest window of needs for most golfers. Additionally, there is a dual precision weighting system installed using 10g and 4g sole weights. These are located with heel-toe orientation. However, the weights are more towards the rear of the clubhead than one might expect and according to Srixon offer up to 15 yards of horizontal tuning. 

All these traits make the ZXi a solid blend of ball speed and MOI that keeps spin relatively low to help maximize distance potential. The standard shaft pairing with the ZXi is the Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 (non-VeloCore) and it will be offered in 9.0 as well as 10.5 degrees. 

2025 Srixon ZXi LS Driver

Just as the ZXi sits in a more simplified and easy to understand place, so too does the LS. This is the low-spin and mid-launch beast mode option of the trio. This driver is absolutely built for stronger swingers who want to maximize ball speed and distance. Srixon actually refers to it as an “advanced low spin profile”, but I do think low spin monster might be more apropos. 

Srixon ZXi LS Driver head

In terms of design, it has all the previously discussed technology packed into it, and visually it aligns extremely well with its siblings. Though it is the low-spin head of the family, it is still 460cc for those who are curious, and in-hand does an excellent job of hiding it. The thing about Srixon drivers compared to their Cleveland cousins, is that here the shapes are often very traditional and appealing, the ZXi LS continues that. The dual weight system on the LS is oriented to the extreme front (10g) and rear (4g) of the club giving some fine tuning capability. 

We got the 8.0 ZXi LS head paired with the Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 5 in hand prior to release and had time to get it on the monitor as well as the course. Initially, seeing 8.0 I was a little concerned, but as a high ball hitter, got more excited as I prepared to put it into play. Visually, it’s a big step forward in that the sole looks modern, but thankfully the gaudy graphics of the previous line are now gone and replaced with a much more subdued black patterned effect. Honestly, everything about the head screams premium this time, and should appeal more to the stateside golfers. 

At impact, it sounds like a Srixon driver. What I mean by that is as a Titanium driven design absent of carbon fiber, it is an old school style metallic sound at impact. If you seek out more muted clubs, this isn’t that, but it is a powerful sound that avoids being hollow. The crisp but notable acoustic accompanies a very strong trajectory, but even with the 8.0 head it still worked to a good apex for me and in fact it was higher launching than anticipated. 

The head does definitely play as a neutral-to-fade biased setup in standard settings, which you would expect out of the combo of low spin and low loft, but it is also impressively fast. The data you see is from two 12 shot sets, one heavy forward and the other back, and the two worst shots for each were tossed. The ZXi LS definitely impressed as far as overall speed and spin goes, making for some very good carry distances considering a winter swing from this reviewer. 

The Data – ZXi LS

Our data testing the ZXI LS driver head

What stood out is that there is definitely a playability bump for misses when it comes to putting the heavy weight in the rear, it’s a stabilizing factor, especially on the toe side misses. In all though, this isn’t the head you are going to select if you are looking for forgiveness, this is about speed, maximizing distance, and workability, which it checks the boxes for. 

Overall, the ZXi LS is an impressive head, and I have to tip the cap to Srixon for finally putting an aesthetic look together across the lineup that won’t give people much to nitpick over. The standard shaft pairing for the LS is the Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 5 (70/60 – 5.5, 6.0, 6.5) and it will be offered in 8.0, 9,0, as well as 10.5 degree lofts. 

ZXi Max Driver

Yes, this is “the forgiving head” of the new ZXi lineup, but it really is much more than that. Srixon is classifying it as their highest MOI driver ever, but they also aren’t touting the numbers which will be interesting to see how consumers react to. On paper the ZXi Max is listed as mid-spin, high-launch, and neutral to draw biased internally. The head has all the same technologies packed into it as the other two drivers, except the use of the new Titanium as it didn’t need it. There is also a single precision weight which is not on the sole, but the skirt on the true rear of the clubhead to maximize its impact. 

As far as the Max goes, THP got the 9.0 head in hand paired with the Denali Red driver shaft, though for data collection with this one, I did plug the HZRDUS Black Gen 5 from the ZXi LS in as it fit me better and gave the head the fairest opportunity to show what it could do in one amateur’s swing. What did it do? Well, as you can see in the launch monitor data set (average of 12 shots with two worst thrown out) this driver head might just be a bit of an enigma. 

The Data – ZXi MAX

While the discussion is on the head being neutral-to-draw biased, it played only slightly left biased to me, so don’t just assume that because it is a “Max” head it is destined to hook on you. Here the neutrality of the flight combined with the impressively easy launch and what I would call spin on the lower end of mid actually made for some very good distance. Not only that, but because of the lateral and vertical stability on the course, it was a fun driver to put into play, especially with a winter swing. The ZXi Max is one that you really believe you can go after and get away with more than you should. 

Final Thoughts

On impact, to this reviewer’s ear, the Max actually sounds better than the LS, or at least it’s feedback is less sharp and more full. Additionally, this driver really reminds me of the XL2 from Cleveland last year, which was honestly a fantastic performing head which went entirely under the radar and was skipped over by many. The testing data and on course performance here were almost identical to that driver. Now, I have absolutely zero proof of this, nor am I saying it would be a bad thing, the ZXi Max just draws some parallels to an excellent product but in a much more refined aesthetic. 

Obviously, it is one reviewers feedback not intended to take away from the other two heads and their performance, but if you had to try one Srixon driver this year, I think you would be doing a disservice to yourself to not make it the ZXi Max. The Max is being offered in 9.0, 10.5, as well as 12.0 and is paired standard with the Project X Denali Red (50 – 5.5, 6.0, 6.5). Also, this year there will be a women’s version of the Max released as well in 12.0 and matched with the Aldila Ascent (PL 40 – L). 

The Details – Srixon ZXi Driver

As you can see, just because they weren’t first this year in the timing of their releases, doesn’t mean that Srixon hasn’t cooked up something fun when it comes to the new ZXi lineup. The ZXi, ZXi LS, and ZXi Max drivers will all officially be available at retail on 1/24/25 with a price point of $549.99.

For more information, see the company’s website, us.dunlopsports.com/srixon.

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James is a staff writer for The Hackers Paradise along with being a professional educator. With his background in education James seeks to broaden his own knowledge while also sharing it with all those who share his passion for the game.