Srixon ZX5 Irons Review, Our Thoughts After 30 Days

Among all the other golf equipment manufacturers, Srixon might not come as well known as the others like TaylorMade, Titleist, or Callaway.

Though there’s a good chance you might have heard of it somewhere, seeing it frequently on a golf course might not be so common. With over 80 years of experience, Srixon is a subsidiary of the Japanese company Sumitomo Rubber Industries, known for manufacturing premium golf balls and other golf equipment. The company is committed to creating innovative golf products that cater to players of all skill levels, making them a worthy contender in the golf industry. That’s indeed a shame since they have a strong reputation for making some of the best irons in the sport.

With the Srixon ZX5 Irons, the company seeks to offer a more advanced replacement to the Srixon Z545 Irons, a model that’s essentially a cult favorite among golfers.

Sporting new technology and an updated look, the Srixon ZX5 Irons are looking to supersede their predecessors as the premier game improvement irons of the brand.

Is it successful though? Why Listen to Me?

Well, to answer this we used the Srixon ZX5 Irons (and others) for roughly 30 days in beautiful San Diego, California at The Grand Golf Club, Barona Creek, and the amazing Torrey Pines Golf Course.

I have been playing golf for over 20 something years, and have tested a wide range of golf equipment from various brands. My experience and understanding of the game, combined with my extensive testing, ensures that my evaluation of the Srixon ZX5 Irons is well-informed and authentic.

We listed all the noteworthy features, debated their pros and cons, and crafted this review to let you know whether or not this set is worthy of purchase.

Noteworthy Features:

• New Shape Design. With this new iteration, Srixon improved on earlier designs with the help of computer simulation technology. Hundreds of simulations were run to create the most optimal and aerodynamic shape to compliment the golfer’s swing speed. Minimalist and premium in color and accents, the set will surely serve as a nice, gleaming addition to any golf bag.
• Premium Forged Feel and Cavity Back. Cavity Back designs in clubs are usually a signifier that they’re game improvement clubs. Game improvement clubs are made to be more forgiving since their purpose is to get the user a lower handicap. The forged iron feel also means that the clubs are highly responsive and give good feedback on strong or poor shots.
• Tour V.T. Sole. The clubs should not only be made to accommodate the user but the terrain as well. If you watch professional golfers, you can tell that whenever they strike the ball, a bit of the turf comes flying with the upswing. Luckily, the innovative V-Shaped soles glide smoothly through the turf, even if you strike slightly behind the ball. ZX5 Irons also feature the resurgence of their popular sole notches. 
• Multi-Piece Construction. There’s tungsten in the toe of ZX5 Irons long and mid irons which greatly increases MOI for more stability and forgiveness. A forged SUP10 face gives more ball speed and distance while a forged 1020 Carbon Steel body absorbs vibrations for a much softer feel.
• Progressive Grooves. The groove that runs along the face of the irons is a feature that’s frequently overlooked. With the ZX5 Irons, the grooves are noticeably sharper, narrower, and deeper. This paves the way for more spin and instills an important stopping power on shots that are coming closer into the green. The last thing you want is to hit a ball into the green only to have it roll away upon landing.

What We Experienced Using Them:

When one thinks of classic golf clubs, one tends to think of shiny, solid bars of metal. Well, when we got this set in the mail that’s exactly what we thought we were looking at – classic golf clubs.

Though nowhere as heavy or as primitive as earlier golf clubs, they have a more minimalist, classic feel to them that endeared them to us from the start. 

The classic comparisons stop there because once you pick one of them up and hold them closer, the unique shape and weight distribution of it scream modern ingenuity.

Our initial thoughts

In 50 Words Or Less: The Srixon ZX5 iron provides consistent strength, excellent forgiveness and consistent performance. It offers a fantastic forged feeling and stunning looks.

One of the most original innovations of the ZX5 is its use of sole notches on the heel and toe.

According to them, this feature enhances workability without sacrificing forgiveness. The tungsten goes a long way to providing that ideal weight for more power-driven swings. It also provides more stability which is essential for forgiveness in off-center shots.  

They look like a players iron, and since they are game improvement clubs, there’s a good amount of offset but not too much.

Our On Using Them On A Golf Course

We used this set on the golf course alongside the ZX7 (review coming soon!) for comparison.

With the Srixon ZX5 Irons, the topline and sole width are marginally thicker and the blade length is slightly longer.

On our initial tests, one thing we didn’t like too much was the sound it produced. The clubs made a clicking noise upon impact which was too high-pitched for our own liking. When compared with the ZX7, it has less feedback than what we would have liked.

Our thoughts on using them for 30 days

From a user perspective, the Srixon ZX5 Irons were comfortable to hold and easy to swing, providing consistent results throughout our 30-day testing period. The clubs felt well-balanced, and their modern design complemented our game style, making it easier for us to focus on improving our skills.

The result after almost a month of use is largely favorable to the Srixon ZX5 Irons. For a moderately-sized cavity back set, they managed to achieve a maximum distance of 200 yards. Though forgiving enough, this is not the highlight of the set for us.

In our opinion, the biggest asset of the ZX5 is the V.T. Sole which went a long way to ensuring the balls landed on the exact spots we wanted them to.

I also found it relatively easy to alter my ball flight lower and higher despite the fact that this is an iron typically aimed at somebody looking for easy launch, ball speed and distance.

In terms of quantitative measurements, the Srixon ZX5 Irons provided a consistent launch angle of around 14-16 degrees and a ball speed of approximately 128-132 mph, which contributed to an average carry distance of 190-200 yards. These measurements, combined with the club's forgiveness and accuracy, make it an excellent choice for golfers looking to improve their game.

How do they feel?

Srixon Irons always felt very good, and the Srixon zx5 irons are no exception.

There is nothing hollow or dead felt as common in the club industry but rather a soft, but solid forged feeling upon impact.

While the Srixon ZX5 Irons are relatively gentle on misses, you will have some pain on your fingers. Thin shots hurt my hands as the hot sun blew through Indian Wells Golf Resort in Palm Springs on my weekend golf trip there.

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Very straight hitting, long irons with a soft feel.
• Accurate. The ability to get the ball where you want it to is probably one of the most important abilities that an iron set can have. The Srixon ZX5 has this done nicely and it’s our favorite aspect of it.
• Affordably Priced. Though a game improvement iron is generally not too expensive anyway, the premium design and professional-level features of the ZX5 make it a great investment for its price, in our opinion.
• Perfect for High Handicappers. Overall, I found the forgiveness levels to be good. This set scored high in workability and high enough for forgiveness. This makes them just the perfect set to get for beginners or high handicappers looking to improve their game.

Cons:

• Less than ideal sound and feel. The worst part of this set is the sound it produces and the feedback which is not as good as the ZX7.

Srixon zx5 Irons Review (4.7/5)

If you've read this far, thanks for sticking with me! At last, the reason you're here - my Srixon zx5 irons review.

I'll be honest, I like them and they did not disappoint! 

The Srixon ZX5 Irons are another strong offering by a brand that deserves more recognition. Srixon has been making quality golf equipment for years, and the ZX5 irons are no exception.

These irons feature a forged carbon steel construction that gives them great feel and workability. The irons also have a nice, traditional look at address that will appeal to many golfers.

The biggest selling point of the Srixon ZX5 irons is their incredible forgiveness. These irons are designed for maximum forgiveness, and they deliver.

Tips and Best Practices:

1. For optimal results with the Srixon ZX5 Irons, ensure proper fitting and customization by a professional club fitter. This can greatly enhance the overall feel and performance of the clubs, compensating for the less-than-ideal sound and feel.

2. Practice your swing technique to make the most of the ZX5 Irons' forgiveness and workability features. While the irons are designed to assist with improving your game, mastering the proper swing mechanics will further enhance your accuracy and distance on the course.

3. Clean and maintain your clubs regularly to prolong their lifespan and maintain performance levels. Dirt and debris caught in the grooves can affect ball spin and trajectory.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions:

1. Some golfers may assume that game improvement irons, like the Srixon ZX5 Irons, are only for beginners or high handicappers. However, these irons are suitable for players of all skill levels, offering benefits such as increased accuracy, distance, and forgiveness.

2. It's a misconception that forged irons are exclusively for advanced players. The Srixon ZX5 Irons demonstrate that a forged feel can be combined with game improvement features to create clubs that cater to a wide range of golfers.

Product Comparison and Decision-making Factors: 

Compared to competitor irons like the Callaway Apex 21 and the TaylorMade SIM2 Max, the Srixon ZX5 Irons stand out due to their exceptional forgiveness, forged feel, and unique V.T. Sole technology.

While the other irons offer similar performance in terms of distance and launch angle, the ZX5's focus on accuracy and stopping power on the green sets it apart, making it a great choice for golfers looking to enhance their game.

If you're looking for a forgiving iron that will help you hit it straighter and longer, the ZX5 is a great option.

Bottom line: The Srixon ZX5 is a great choice for golfers of all skill levels who are looking for maximum forgiveness and straightness.

Though the sound and feel are less than stellar, this can be improved by having the clubs custom-fitted. Setting that aside though, the set is a great investment that can put you on par with the more experienced players.

We would definitely recommend the Srixon ZX5 Irons for your golf bag!