Srixon ZX7 Vs. Srixon ZX5 Irons Comparison Overview

With dynamic pros like Bryson DeChambaeu famously taking up Srixon irons, there has been a lot more attention paid to this company that was primarily known for golf balls. The Srizon ZX line has something for everybody but you may be wondering what the specific differences are between the Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 irons.

In order to help you make an informed decision as to your next set of irons, we went out and tested the Srixon ZX5 and Srixon ZX7 irons. Find out what the key differences are between these two sets…

Srixon ZX7 Irons Overview

The Srixon ZX7 irons feature something the company calls a tour cavity.

As far as construction goes, this is one of the main differences between the Srixon ZX5’s and the ZX7’s. The tour cavity is a modified cavity back that repositions weight to the perimeter and behind the sweet spot.

This makes the Srixon ZX7 irons surprisingly forgiving as they are mainly marketed to low handicappers. However, the Srixon ZX7’s have a more compact head profile, thinner top line and narrower sole than the Srixon ZX5’s.

So by merit of construction design alone, the Srixon ZX7’s are more workable than the Srixon ZX5’s. Surprisingly though, the accuracy gap between these two sets wasn’t as wide as we expected.

Srixon ZX5 OverviewIrons

The Srixon ZX5’s have an AI constructed face they call the MainFrame.

The Mainframe is the product of millions of computer simulations that helped them adjust the thickness of the face in different sectors to optimize ball speed and launch. Indeed, the Srixon ZX5 irons play hot off the face and are more forgiving than the Srixon ZX7’s.

However, we noticed in both sets that there was a good amount of protection on the toe side of the heads. This is probably due to the tungsten weighting in the toes of the long irons in both sets. The Srixon ZX5 played exceedingly straight and the bigger head profile was better for our higher handicap testers.

The Srixon ZX5’s were also surprisingly accurate. The moderate offset and good apex height really helps for getting onto and sticking fast greens.

While the Srixon ZX7 irons may be congenial for low handicap players, we liked the fact that the Srixon ZX5’s irons can be ably used by both mid and high handicappers. They suit the needs of a broader scope of players.

Srixon ZX5 Irons – First Impressions

The Srixon ZX5 irons are a major improvement over the Srixon Z585 irons which had a cheaper, more game improvement look about them.

The first thing we noticed about these irons is how nice they look. Srixon got rid of the back insert which made the previous Srixon irons look a bit cheap. The Srixon ZX5’s on the other hand have the look of a premium set of forged irons.

They have a sharp, sleek look even as the cavity back pokes out a little more noticeably in the long irons.

Another reason we think the Srixon ZX5 irons would be good for mid handicappers is the amount of offset you see at point of address. The Srixon ZX5’s have a moderate amount of offset that is enough to inspire confidence but not enough to make these look like a pure set of game improvement irons.

Srixon did a good job of making the Srixon ZX5’s occupy the middle ground between player’s performance and game improvement irons. When compared to the ZX7’s you will notice that the top line is a bit thicker.

The Srixon ZX5’s also have longer blades than the ZX7’s. However, this is to be expected. The ZX7’s are definitely more of a pure set of player’s performance irons and emphasize workability over forgiveness. Still, the Srixon ZX5’s aren’t much bigger than the ZX7’s.

Srixon ZX7 Irons – First Impressions

I think with Srixon changing their lineup so drastically, let’s chat about the technology they have put into the ZX7 irons before we get into our first impressions.

The Srixon ZX7 irons are what they call a Tour Cavity, they have repositioned the weight in the head to maximize the sweet spot, most of the weight has been moved towards the perimeter, this increases forgiveness and makes the sweet spot bigger. It also gives the ZX7 a soft feel at impact with increased workability.

Srixon have changed the groove pattern in the ZX7 irons, the grooves in the 8 irons through to the PW are sharper, narrower, and deeper, this will give you much more spin and stopping power on approach shots into the green, allowing you to attack the flags more than ever.

V-Shaped soles are an absolute game changer in the ZX7 irons, the specifically designed sole helps the club glide smoothly through the turf, even when you strike the ball poorly. This is one of the key technologies making the irons more forgiving.

To make this iron the ultimate player’s iron, Srixon have added a Tungsten in the toe of ZX7 irons in the long and mid irons (3 iron to 7 iron), the Tungsten will increases MOI giving you more stability, while the forged 1020 Carbon Steel body decreases vibrations for an incredibly soft feel.

From previous years we were a bit skeptical about testing these irons, as soon as we opened the box that all changed. The ZX7 irons look freshed, the sharp lines and small head shape looked incredible.

Srixon have done an unbelievable job here. The irons were incredibly soft off the face, and the ball flight was amazing, almost looking like they penetrated through the air.

Forgiveness wise, we were very surprised. Miss struck shots still flew well, and the clubs slid through the turf with ease.

We were most impressed with the workability and consistency of these irons, exactly what a low handicap player would be looking for. Rarely did we get a ‘flyer’ and the way we were able to hit shot shapes with ease was phenomenal.

All in all we will give Srixon an A+ with regards to the ZX7 irons.

Srixon ZX5 Irons Selling Points

Multi-material construction
Tungsten toe weights in the long irons
“V” shaped sole
Narrower, deeper face grooves in the scoring irons
Milled back side

Srixon ZX7 Irons Selling Points

Multi forged construction, increasing workability and forgiveness
V-Shaped sole helps with turf interaction
It has a blade look, with cavity back performance
Sharper, narrower, and deeper grooves in the 8 iron to PW
3 iron to 7 iron has Tungsten in the toe to help increase MOI

Who Are the Srixon ZX5 Irons for?

Srixon isn’t wrong when they say that the Srixon ZX5’s will have something to offer players of all skill levels. But after testing these irons, it’s clear that the players that stand to gain the most from these irons are mid handicappers.

They offer a moderate degree of workability which will suit the needs of players who are just starting to learn how to work the ball to their advantage on the fairway. Both the long and short irons have enough stopping power for the mid handicapper as well.

While the longer irons sacrifice a bit of spin control in favor of forgiveness and distance, we think most mid handicappers will be able to overlook this minor flaw. And since most mid handicappers will still want a moderate degree of forgiveness, the longer blades and thicker soles of the Srixon ZX5’s will suit them better than the ZX7 irons.

The Srixon ZX Family of Irons

The Srixon like of ZX irons also includes the popular Srixon ZX7 irons. The ZX7 irons have less offset, thinner top lines and thinner soles across the board so at point of address, they may scare some mid and high handicappers away.

However, you do get acute spin control from the scoring irons and excellent workability. Like the Srixon ZX5 irons, the ZX7’s are also fully forged. They also feature tungsten weights in the toes of the longer irons to help keep the blade from turning over.

As you might expect from a set of player’s performance irons, the ZX7’s also have stronger loft characteristics than the ZX5’s. Everything is the same up until the five iron: the Srixon ZX5 5-iron is 24 degrees while the 5-iron of the ZX7 set is 25 degrees.

So you do get slightly higher launch and sharper descent angles from the Srixon ZX7 irons starting with the 5-iron. Again though, this is pretty much to be expected from a set that is geared towards lower handicap players.

Distance: 94/100

Accuracy: 93/100

Forgiveness: 93/100

Feel & Control: 95/100

Overall Score: 93/100

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Who Are the Srixon ZX7 Irons For?

The Srixon ZX7 irons are aimed at your low handicap golfers. These irons have incredible control and workability, however with that you lose some forgiveness, meaning mid to high handicap players should stay away from these irons.

A low handicap player looking for a clean simple look, with a small head shape and narrow top line, should consider giving the ZX7 a try.

Like we mentioned before, with Brooks Koepka joining their ranks, it means they mean business, and these irons sure do live up to the hype.

The Srixon ZX Family of Irons

The Srixon ZX range has an additional 3 models to their range, this gives the range massive scope to cater for all handicap levels, as well as the ability to build combo sets. We were really impressed by the wide range of the ZX family, not many manufacturers out there have such a versatile iron option that caters for all handicap levels, and look so good. Generally the game improvement models look thick and chunky, but the ZX range is far from that.

The ZX5 iron features the same DNA as the ZX7 irons however there are a few differences that give them a bit more forgiveness and distance. The ZX5 irons have a slightly longer blade, wider sole, and more offset, this will give the iron a bigger profile, which will appeal to the mid handicap player. Additionally low handicap players could use the 6 to 4 iron in their longer irons to help with forgiveness.

The ZX4 still offers a clean look at address, but is more of a game improvement iron, they are aimed at your high handicap player, the ZX4 iron has the the widest sole, longest blade, and most offset in ZX family, giving to the most forgiveness, perfect for the high handicap player or beginner.

ZX Utility isn’t really an iron set, but more of a driving iron. It is thinner and smaller than the previous generations. It falls perfectly into the ZX7 and ZX5 range for a replacement in the longer irons.