Srixon ZXi5 Irons Review: Higher Launch and Distance

A players’ distance iron, Srixon’s equivalent of TaylorMade’s P790 set. They blend power, playability and sharp looks for added speed and power. A bigger head makes these more playable than other Srixon ZXi models, but have they kept that same soft feel as those other set? We headed to the La Cala Golf Resort in Spain to find out….

• RELATED: Srixon ZXi Irons: Everything You Need To Know!
• RELATED: Srixon ZXi7 Irons Review

NCG SUMMARY

These are irons that I think can benefit a lot of club golfers. The enhanced sole allows for more forgiveness than a set of players’ irons but they visual don’t look overly bulky or even bigger at all.

Hugely impressive high launch in the longer irons that helps to put up the distance. Still posses that incredible Srixon feel of other models of irons.

PROS

• Great distance
• Look sharp and compact
• Feel incredible

CONS

• Not enough spin on shorter irons

First Impressions

Being a distance motivated iron, the head of the clubs look bigger than that of a players’ iron. Although, they do have the resemblance of a player’s iron too.

They have a similar sized top line to that of the ZXi7, Srixon’s players’ iron, and the heel to toe length of both sets are also virtually the same.

Where you see the main difference is the sole and back of the club. These irons use mainframe technology which differs from the Zxi7s pureframe technology. Practically, this means that for the ZXi5 irons Srixon have saved weight by milling out some channels which they can add that weight to the back of the club to increase MOI and the forgiveness of the clubs.

Visually, these irons do sit really nicely behind the ball, they blend well and don’t look clunky. I think this is what most people want from a players’ distance club. In the past, the general rule was that lower handicap golfers would be the only ones to use irons with smaller club heads but I actually think this more compact profile club could be used by most golfers.

NCG Verdict

The heads of the Srixon ZXi 5 irons consist of Srixon’s I-Forged technology which promotes condensed stretching from the high-toe area and along the topline of the blade to improve the strength, durability and feel of the irons. They also use really soft face inserts with a firm hosel to enhance the soft feel upon impact.

Historically, players’ distance irons could feel particularly firm as they are designed to come of the face of the club hotter than other models, but the inclusion of the super soft face helps to blend the set in easier. They don’t feel as harsh as I thought they might.

Other technologies include the Tour V.T sole, evident in the previous ZX models, and is used to ensure great turf interaction that won’t loose the golfer any speed. Srixon have also included their progress grooves throughout the ZXi line-up which will go a long way in helping golfers unlock consistency in the iron game. It’s always great to see the same technology used through the different models.

They produce a high ball flight, long carry distance and quick ball speed. The weight in the head being moved away from the face has allowed for a significantly high ball flight that was seriously impressive. Even though these irons have a degree less of loft than Srixon’s players’ irons they still launched higher and further.

The high flighted launch really suited my eye and simply looks good. I feel like this will help me to be able to stop the ball a lot quicker on the greens, as well as the good levels of spin I had on each shot. With the club head size in mind I was expecting the levels of spin to be much lower so I was happily surprised to see they had remained constant.

Having the looks of a players’ iron with the launch and distance of a distance club is, in my opinion, the perfect recipe for a club golfer. These have all the performance benefits an average amateur golfer would require forms their set of irons. I would recommend the Srixon ZXi5 irons to most club golfers, certainly in the longer irons where golfers tend to struggle to get a high launch.

The performance on off centre hits was also impressive. Peak height of the strikes was good, solid ball speed and overall they were extremely playable shots.

For the better players, the scoring irons may seem a bit too meaty. They are not massive by any means, but there is probably too much club on the sole. Approach shots with the shorter irons are all about control and for me personally having an iron with a bigger head can feel too hot off the face.

For golfers looking for a bit more distance with their irons then these are ideal. The launch is fairly similar to that of the longer irons which enhances the distance as well as the drop in spin and jump in ball speed.

Srixon ZXi5 Irons Review: The Details

Available: Pre-sale from the 1st of February

RRP: from £999 (6 piece steel set) / $185-1399

Spec: 3 Iron – Sand Wedge

Steel Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 115/100

Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360

More information: Srixon website

La Cala Resort

We were fortunate enough to head out to the La Cala Resort in Spain to conduct some of our equipment reviews. A picturesque resort that is located in the Sierra de Mijas, just 30 minutes from Málaga Airport and 20 minutes from Marbella.

The place offers outstanding views of the Andalusian countryside and the Mediterranean Sea as well as three magnificent golf courses. All three were designed by Cabell B. Robinson and it’s a popular choice for players seeking variety, challenge, and stunning scenery. For more information head to La Cala Resort’s website here.

• RELATED: Srixon ZXi Irons: Everything You Need To Know!
• RELATED: Srixon ZXi7 Irons Review