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Srixon has a reputation for making some of the best feeling irons in golf. But, have they translated that same feeling to their new game-improvement irons? Jack Backhouse took them out to find out.
Srixon are without doubt one of the most respected and sought after golf club manufacturers on the market. They are loved within the golf community for their amazing feel and traditional shaping.
Now, they are expanding their irons range into the game-improvement section of golf irons with the ZXiRs. These irons are suited to a wide range of golfing abilities, offering the classic Srixon feel in a more forgiving club head. Here’s how their on-course performance stacks up with our Srixon ZXiR irons review….
NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
They bring all of Srixon’s established strengths to golfers who need more forgiveness and launch. The ZXiR offers a superb balance of speed, height, and control for mid-to-high handicappers.
Srixon have created irons that are not only powerful and forgiving but also genuinely enjoyable to hit. This is something that cannot be said for all game-improvement irons out there.
PROS
Exceptionally soft feel for a game-improvement iron
Confidence-inspiring look
Great ball speed and distance on mishits
CONS
Slightly larger look at address – might not appeal to all
Game-improvement irons have historically struggled to deliver a satisfying feel, largely due to golf club manufacturers prioritising distance through firmer and more explosive face materials. Srixon have taken a different approach with the i-Alloy construction.
Srixon say this material is 10% softer than the steel used in the previous ZX models. I could definitely feel this difference. They felt significantly softer than most irons I have tested in the game-improvement category and provided feedback I would expect from player’s irons.
At address, the ZXiR has a thicker topline and slightly longer blade length. Thankfully it avoids the bulky or intrusive shaping that I find often puts golfers off from game-improvement clubs. Importantly, the back of the clubhead remains hidden at address, which helps preserve the clean, confident Srixon look.
NCG Verdict
Right, as far as performance goes it became obvious quickly what these irons strongest traits were. I tested them out using the nine iron originally and the consistency of performance was quite incredibly, as was the feel.
My 9-iron repeatedly carried 147–150 yards, produced 7,500–8,500 rpm of spin, and peaked around 90–95 feet. These numbers outline something which is quite rare in game-improvement irons and that is plenty of ball speed without sacrificing spin control.
Despite appearing slightly larger at address, the seven iron delivered excellent ball speed, routinely reaching 126–128 mph and carrying 180–188 yards. Peak heights exceeded 100 feet, and even mishits maintained playable ball flights. One shot struck noticeably heavy still carried close to 188 yards. It shows just how forgiving these clubs are, especially from mishits.
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For those of you interested, here’s a bit of a tech lowdown. Srixon has included MainFrame Face Technology in the construction of the irons. This helps retain ball speed across the whole of the iron face.
Additionally, the familiar VT Sole is another standout feature. It is designed to turf interaction and helps the club glide through the ground even when contact is slightly heavy. I saw first hand what this sole can do, as a few of my chunky strikes still performed reasonably well.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think Srixon has created an excellent addition to its line-up. The ZXiR offers a unique blend of softness off the face, as well plenty of speed, and forgiveness in its performance. One thing that stood out to me is how much of a cleaner look they have compared to other game-improvement irons.
The feel of these irons can’t be underestimated. It is something I would only typically expect from player’s irons, so Srixon has really raised the bar when it comes what more forgiving irons can be.
