Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 irons Review

Srixon have been making excellent irons without capturing huge amounts of market share for years. Will the Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 be the irons that finally capture golfers’ attention? 

Srixon would likely admit that, as lovely as their forged irons have been over the last two decades, they are probably the most underrated irons in golf. Despite looks, feel and performance to match pretty much any other brand, you just don’t see many Srixon irons in the bags of normal golfers. 

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It must be tough to swallow for Srixon’s designers and engineers, who obsess over every last detail to ensure their Japanese, forged irons are of the absolute finest quality. 

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We’ve rated Srixon irons very highly for many years. They have won numerous awards in our tests, and tend to be held in very high esteem amongst forged iron aficionados.

Whether the Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 helps Srixon make an impression with a greater number of golfers remains to be seen, but those forged iron devotees certainly won’t be disappointed by the newest addition to Srixon’s iron range. 

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Consistency over headlines

Having tested significant numbers of Srixon iron models over the years we reckon the brand produce one of the most consistent irons ever. And by that we mean if you have a set of Z745 irons from 2014 they’re every bit as good and just as relevant now as the Srixon Z785, which launched in 2019.

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And part of that thinking comes down to the brand actively making it their business not to lurch from one piece of headline grabbing new tech to another every single year. Such wisdom means whilst the new Srixon ZX iron models might not look massively different cosmetically to previous Z models, they are in fact packed with refinements and advances in head geometries, materials and components.

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Srixon ZX5 iron – Key Features

A player’s distance iron which offers forgiveness where it counts (in the mid and long irons) and control where you need it (short irons). A razor sharp chassis gives a premium forged feel right along alongside the ball speed enhancing tech that lots of club golfer crave.   

A new MainFrame

Srixon say a new MainFrame design has been created with the help of automated intelligence human, and it’s a one-of-a-kind face design that increases ball speed.

Srixon’s computers ran thousands of simulations, which lead to variable patterns of grooves, channels and cavities CNC Milled into the back of each iron face. Srixon say it maximises face spring (COR) for excellent speed and distance. 

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Progressive Grooves

The key to better iron play is consistency. So as you move through the lofts, hitting long and short shots from various lies, you need spin, distance, and launch windows to get consistent yardage gaps.

Which is why the ZX5 have progressive groove shapes. The 4i – 7i feature wide grooves, ideal for longer shots in all conditions. While the 8i – PW have deeper, closer set grooves, which are perfect for cutting through grass and debris on approach shots.

The idea gives consistency across the set: both long and short irons delivering repeatable, reliable performance, with fewer surprises.

Tour V.T. Sole

Srixon have long been fans of sculpted iron soles, and they’re so confident in their design they reckon the ZX’s Tour V.T. Sole gives a leg up against the competition. The thinking is a smoother turf interaction and improved impact feel, as the V-shaping glides through turf, even if you strike slightly behind the ball.

The ZX5 also feature Srixon’s heel and toe sole notches which are revered by their tour staff for enhancing workability without sacrificing forgiveness.

Multi-material construction

Like a lot of modern player’s distance irons the ZX5 aren’t just made in a single piece. High-density tungsten toe weighting in the mid irons maximizes heel-toe forgiveness (MOI). Srixon say the added stability is invaluable on off-centre shots as it helps keep spin and speed consistent.

A forged SUP10 face is strong and light, increasing face-flex at impact for enhanced speed and distance. And a forged 1020 Carbon Steel body absorbs vibrations for softer feel.

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Verdict: Srixon ZX5 iron

We’ve known for years that Srixon make really good forged irons. This year – thanks to such a strong performance in our Iron Test and because Brooks Koepka has a set of ZX7s in play, unpaid – more golfers than ever should sit up and take notice of them. The ZX5s are absolute beauties. We’re massive fans of the straight line look of the top and leading edges; both combine to give a really simple, clean, unfussy and powerful appearance.

The springy, forged SUP10 face and 1° less loft than the ZX7 gave our test pro 4mph more ball speed and 10 yards extra 7-iron carry distance, which showcases brilliantly how much fast-faced players irons bring to the party.

We love the idea that it’s now possible to buy Srixon’s ZX7, ZX5 and ZX4 as individual clubs, too, so if you want a little more control in the short irons and more pop in the long sticks, it’s now entirely possible to get it.

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Srixon ZX5 iron – Specifications

Srixon ZX7 iron – Key Features

Tour Cavity

Skilled players want power, forgiveness, and total control, but they’re often not willing to give up anything in terms of looks to get them.

To deliver, Srixon say the ZX7’s new Tour Cavity subtly shifts mass to the perimeter of the head whilst also concentrating mass behind the sweet spot.

The idea gives slight assistance on off-centre strikes, a soft feel, and the sort of workability that’s demanded by the world’s best players.

Progressive Grooves

The key to better iron play is consistency. So as you move through the lofts, hitting long and short shots from various lies, you need spin, distance, and launch windows to get consistent yardage gaps.

Which is why the ZX7, like the ZX5 irons have progressive groove shapes. The 4i – 7i feature wide grooves, ideal for longer shots in all conditions. While the 8i – PW have deeper, closer set grooves, which are perfect for cutting through grass and debris on approach shots.

The idea gives consistency across the set: both long and short irons delivering repeatable, reliable performance, with fewer surprises.

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WATCH: Best 2022 Players’ Iron video

Tour V.T. Sole

Srixon have long been fans of sculpted iron soles, and they’re so confident in their design they reckon the ZX’s Tour V.T. Sole gives a leg up against the competition. The thinking is a smoother turf interaction and improved impact feel, as the V-shaping glides through turf, even if you strike slightly behind the ball.

Like the ZX5 the ZX7’s also feature Srixon’s heel and toe sole notches which are revered by their tour staff for enhancing workability without sacrificing forgiveness.

Multi-piece construction

No full-on player iron should ever feature fast face technology (it’s where proper players feel inconsistencies come from) but it hasn’t stopped Srixon packing in some high-density tungsten toe weights in the ZX7’s long and mid irons.

The idea maximizes heel-toe forgiveness (MOI), adding invaluable stability to off-centre shots which helps keep spin and speed consistent. A forged 1020 Carbon Steel body also absorbs vibrations at impact, improving feel.

Verdict: Srixon ZX7 iron

Over the years Srixon have got nowhere near the credit they deserve when it comes to forged irons. We think that’s starting to change, particularly since the brand doubled down and repositioned themselves as a ‘players’ equipment brand.

The ZX7, with its very Japanese high-toe shape, is a simple but very classy beauty – and that’s usually what ‘players’ ask for. There’s nothing to not like about this sleek but powerful model.

Our pro was really impressed by the feel and feedback from the ZX7, and the data it produced against its peers (see our 2021 Players’ Iron Test here)is undeniably impressive. A 7-iron carry of 168 yards was our third longest in testing, but more impressive than that was how the ZX7 combined that power with only dropping seven yards (4.2%) between on- and off-centre strikes (third best), which really helps consistency and scoring on the course.

Remember, this year you can buy the ZX7 individually and mix and match them with Srixon’s more forgiving and more powerful ZX5 mid- and long irons if you need to.

Srixon ZX7 Iron – Specifications

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How do the Srixon ZX7 and ZX5 irons compare in specs?

What Srixon say about the ZX7 and ZX5 irons

“While the new ZX Irons are gorgeous to look down at, it’s the technology inside that’s even more exciting,” says Jeff Brunski, Vice President of Research and Development.

“Hotter faces designed using AI optimization delivers more speed. Meanwhile, varying grooves throughout the iron set give golfers consistent distance control, and a forged construction helps them feel incredible at impact.”

How do the Srixon ZX7 and ZX5 irons compare in looks?

Review written by: Simon Daddow   

Job title: Today’s Golfer – Equipment Editor

Srixon ZX7 Irons

RRP: 5-PW £899 (s) £999 (g) or from £149.50 per club

Availability: 4 - PW

Stock shaft: Nippon NS Pro Modus3 Tour 120

Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360

7-iron loft: 32°

Forgiveness rating: 2 (see other forgiveness category two irons here)

Srixon ZX5 Irons

RRP: 5 – PW £899 (s) £999 (g)  or from £149.50 per club

Availability: 4 – PW

Stock shafts: Nippon NS Pro Modus3 Tour 105 (s) Diamana ZX (g)

Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360

7-iron loft: 31°

Forgiveness rating: 2.5 (see other forgiveness category three irons here)