2018 Srixon Z Series – no sleeper pick

Yes, more Srixon products – woods and irons adding to the Z Series’s renown, and definitely worth your attention.

By Tony Dear

[easyazon_infoblock align=”right” identifier=”B01MSAVNCM” locale=”US” tag=”coloradoavidg-20″]Don’t worry, the equipment page isn’t now sponsored by Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) and its subsidiary Dunlop Sports. We assure you another company’s products will be featured here soon. It’s just that Srixon and Cleveland, owned by SRI, have been awfully busy of late, introducing a slew of products we definitely think you should know about (and XXIO, Srixon and Cleveland’s stablemate, released its own new models – XXIO X – a few months ago).

First came Srixon’s Soft Feel ball, then last week we bought news of Cleveland’s exciting new RTX 4 wedge. This week’s big equipment story is the announcement of Srixon’s new Z Series clubs – two new drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, and two sets of irons.

Srixon is now established as the SRI stable’s brand for the better player and full lines while Cleveland is predominantly short game with some game improvement irons (XXIO meanwhile is high-end). Its Z Series clubs have attracted plenty of five-star reviews and established themselves on pro tours around the world.

The Z 785 iron (above) replaces the popular Z 765 and is a one-piece iron forged from 1020 carbon steel that Srixon says gives it superior feel. The clubhead’s shape is slightly different to that of its predecessor, and the short irons more compact. “The forged carbon steel Z 785 muscle-backs are the best-feeling irons we’ve ever made,” says Jeff Brunski, Srixon/Cleveland/XXIO’s VP of Research and Development.

The clubhead features what Srixon calls a ‘Tour Cavity’ which “provides additional mass behind the impact location for increased shot-shaping ability and versatility”. If you’re wondering how a cavity can provide additional mass (well, I did), Product Manager Zack Oakley explains. ”Tour Cavity refers to the muscle cavity as a whole,” he says. “The Triangle feature in the cavity is the extra mass. We remove weight from the perimeter and move it to the center so the mass is positioned more directly behind where you strike the ball – the middle. This allows you to work the ball more easily, increasing versatility.”

The Z 785’s VT Sole features a higher bounce angle toward the leading edge than that of the Z 765. The sole tapers to less bounce on the trailing edge. This combination improves turf interaction says Brunski who adds that the deeper, sharper grooves enhance control. The newly-designed VT Sole is shared by the Z 585 which the makers say is geared more toward feel and distance than the feel and control of the Z 785.

Likewise forged from 1020 carbon steel, the Z 585 actually possesses a high-strength SUP 10 steel face that increases ball speed and into which is cut a Speed Groove that Brunski says allows the clubface to deform and flex, increasing the club’s coefficient of restitution (COR) and further increasing the ball’s initial velocity.

Also part of the new iron lineup is the hollow-body Z U85 utility iron (above) which features a wide sole that establishes a low center of gravity (CG) and the same SUP 10 steel face found in the Z 585. The Z U65 was available in 2-4 iron but to increase the number of configuration options a player has the Z U85 will be available in 2-6 iron.

A player might, for example, have a couple of utility irons and fill the set out with Z 785s if he was looking for a combination of forgiveness and workability. If he wanted forgiveness and distance he might mix the Z U85s and Z585s. Or, if he had very specific demands and objectives for each club in the bag, he might include all three models.

Z 785 and Z 585 – $1,000 for seven irons (3-PW), or $1,199 with graphite shafts. The stock steel shaft is the Nippon Modus3 105; stock graphite shaft is the Miyazaki Kuala.
Z U85 – $200 available in 18°, 20°, 23°, 26°, 29°. Z Series irons will be in stores on September 14^th.

The 460cc Z 785 Driver (above, with major champion Graeme McDowell) has a tour look and profile and targets the low-handicapper looking for low-spin and a penetrating flight while the Z585, also 460cc, promotes a higher launch. The carbon crown on each pushes weight to the extremities of each driver, increasing forgiveness, says Brian Schielke, Srixon’s Marketing Director, who claims the new Z Series woods are not only longer than the company’s previous models but longer than the competition.

“Our stronger, faster titanium, combined with the Ti51AF Cup Face construction is totally unique, totally different from everything out there,” he says. “And it really shows up both on a launch monitor and on the course. The cup face is the thinnest, lightest, strongest, and hottest driver face Srixon has ever produced.”

The Quick Tune System allows the golfer to adjust swing weights in both drivers while the Z 785 Driver provides additional options for loft, lie and face angle with the adjustable hosel sleeve. The Z F85 fairway woods and Z H85 hybrids benefit from the same technologies as found in the drivers.

Z 785 driver – $500. Project X HZRDUS Black 65 is the stock shaft. Right and left hand.
Z 585 driver – $400. Project X HZRDUS Red 65. Right only.
Z F85 – $250 – 13.5°, 15°, 18°. Project X HZRDUS Red 65. Right and left.
Z H85 – $230 – 16°, 19°, 22°. Project X HZRDUS Black 65. Right and left.
Z Series woods launch in North America on September 14^th.

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