In its third iteration of the ZX family, Srixon is bringing the all-new ZXi irons with the groundbreaking i-FORGED technology.
Srixon describes the irons as a new achievement in club design and that they feel how forged should feel. It starts with the i-FORGED technology that is developed to create superior all-around performance for the irons.
The technique involves strengthening specially chosen sections of each iron to increase their performance. The added support allowed Srixon’s engineers to use softer materials without compromising durability and maintaining a pure feel.
“The i-Forging process gave us the unique ability to select which steels would be best suited for each ZXi iron, promoting a better hitting feel and overall performance, Srixon Director of Engineering, Dustin Brekke, said. “Each new upgrade serves a specific purpose to balance and strengthen each iron and give players immediate feedback at contact.”
The ZXi irons come in three models starting with the ZXi7, which is a players’ iron with tour preferred looks, a compact shape and a single piece forging to give that player a look they desire.
The iFORGED process involves proprietary condensed forging inserts in the hosel area, which allowed Srixon to us a new, softer steel in the ZXi7 to help with feel and control. Srixon’s testing showed that the ZXi7 single-piece body material is seven percent softer than the previous generation of ZX Mk II irons. It also showed these irons to have a 9.3 percent reduction in vibration displacement compared to the ZX7 Mk II irons, which will help with feel at impact.
There is also an expanded PureFrame behind the sweet spot that will also help with feel, stability and control.
The ZXi7 will also have the Tour V.T. Sole, which is a combination of sole widths, bounce angles and notches that help with turf interaction, as well as progressive grooves throughout the set. The eight-iron to AW will have deeper, closer-set grooves to help with consistent spin across the set.
The ZXi5 is a player’s distance iron in what Srixon calls its most potent blend of power, playability and ultra-sharp looks.
The player’s distance iron is constructed with the new i-FORGED process, as well, however the ZXi5 forged faces are softened to further improve the feel. Testing showed that the face material in ZXi5 is 14 percent softer than the prior generation of ZX MkII irons.
There are also a network of milled channels on the back of the iron face, called Mainframe, that saves weight and adds more MOI.
Mainframe helps amplify ball speeds and adds some forgiveness at impact for the golfer using these irons, who is likely looking for some distance and maybe a touch of help in control.
Srixon constructed these irons with a slightly wider sole with moderate blade length and offset and gave it an incredible look at address.
The ZXi4 is the most forgiving iron in the family, but also brings a compact shape that you will want to play. Utilizing the i-FORGED process allowed Srixon to adjust loft and lie in the ZXi4 to help perfect the fit. The unique hollow design features moderate sole widths, Srixon’s longest blade length and the company’s highest offset for maximum forgiveness.
MainFrame in both the ZXi4 and the ZXi5, now in its third generation, features a wider to-side channel, which allowed engineers to reposition up to two grams of mass for a lower center of gravity and more MOI, which promotes better ball speeds, consistency and forgiveness throughout the lines.
This model will offer higher launch and some draw bias to help the golfer that needs this type of club.
Srixon is also offering the ZXiU utility irons within the family, which are described as potent long iron replacements. For the first time ever, Srixon has included its Tour V.T. Sole on the utility irons along with a leading-edge side chamfer to help with turf interaction and limit speed loss through the turf.
There are options for every golfer within this family, however, because there are so many similarities between the family of irons, Srixon has found that players are using combination sets to help fit their overall game and needs.
“We typically have three specific duos that are most popular among players – the ZXiU and ZXi7 is the most used among our Tour staff, pairing forgiving long irons with highly workable short irons,” Brekke said. “The ZXi5 and ZXi7 are for people wanting powerful distance and workability. And we have the ZXi4 and ZXi5 combination that pairs cavity back short irons with hollow long irons for maximum forgiveness.”
