Our Srixon Z785 driver review took place at the brand’s launch event at Fairmont St Andrews followed by some testing at Rudding Park.
Srixon Z785 driver review: First impressions
Srixon have been making fantastic irons over the past few years.
They have been making some very tidy drivers too. The look, sound and feel in particular have all been very impressive.
But the ball speeds perhaps just fell a little bit behind the Callaway, TaylorMade and Ping drivers we have tested.
Now it seems the brand have pulled out all the stops in a bit to build a driver that is fast and forgiving.
There’s a much different look to the Z785 driver compared to what we saw with the Z765 driver which had a black and silver design.
We’ve not got a stylish red and black look which has plenty of retro style.
It seems to be pulling on the brand’s Japanese heritage and looks like it would go very nicely with one of Hideki Matsuyama’s outfits.
I jest, but what has been interesting to note with the Z785 driver is that it has gone down very well with tour players.
We’ve already seen Graeme McDowell put the driver into play. Srixon staffers like McDowell, Matsuyama, Russell Knox and Hideki Matsuyama use Srixon irons, ball and Cleveland wedges but more often than not don’t use a Srixon driver.
With the Z785 it seems Srixon have a driver that tour players feel is competing with the Callaway, TaylorMade and Ping products out there.
Srixon Z785 driver review: The technology
So how have Srixon made the Z785 faster, longer and generally more appealing?
We’ve got a carbon crown which the brand say has resulted in significant weight savings allowing more mass to be added to the perimeter for forgiveness.
And there’s a new titanium face which they say is stronger, lighter and faster.
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Adjustability comes in the form of a new ‘quick tune’ system where weights on the sole can be changed along with an adjustable loft sleeve.
Srixon say the Z785 driver will promote a low-spinning penetrating ball flight.
The same technologies flow into the Z85 fairway woods and hybrids.
“The new Z Series woods are pretty easy to explain: they’re long,” said marketing director, Brian Schielke.
[skylab_video id=”150243″]Z785 driver YouTube[/skylab_video]
“Longer than our past woods, and longer than the competition.
“Our stronger, faster titanium, combined with cup face construction is totally unique, totally different from everything out there and it really shows up, both on a launch monitor and on the course.”
That’s the lowdown on the new Srixon Z785 driver. So how did it perform? Find out on the next page…
Srixon Z785 driver review: The results
When I set this club down behind the ball it had a very classic shape with minimal styling and a subtle alignment aid.
After hitting it for the first time it had a ‘wow factor’ which I hadn’t previously experienced from a Srixon driver.
It has a really fast sound – if that makes sense – and will certainly grab the attention of your playing partners.
It sounds like it has been absolutely smashed.
The ball flight was strong and was giving me some decent numbers.
I think the Z785 driver is going to be right up there with ‘bigger’ driver names when it comes to distance and ball speed.
Srixon Z785 driver review: NCG verdict
This driver is being packaged as a ‘better player’ product but I’m not really sure why.
It’s not intimidating in the address position and it seems pretty forgiving across the face.
If I can use it and have success with it than anyone can.
It’s easily Srixon’s best driver to date and I think could get club golfers into their woods for the first time.
The price point isn’t unreasonable at all. And when consumers see that this driver is a good £50-£60 cheaper than some of the other brand’s flagship models, they’ll be liking it even more.
Srixon Z785 driver details
SRP: £349
Lofts: 9.5˚, 10.5˚
Stock shaft: Project X Hzrdus Red
More information can be found on the Srixon website.
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