Srixon Z-Star XV review from a former Pro V1X player

I have always thought Srixon was a cool company, and have owned a few sets of their irons over the past half-decade or so. However, I was a loyal Pro V1 player and I never gave the ball much of a chance until recently. I'll be the first to admit, I will play just about anything if I am out knocking the ball around sneaking in some twilight golf. This is my typical MO when it comes to a round of golf. However, when it matters my ball has been the Pro V1x for the past several years.

While playing 18 down in Florida last year I found an old Z Star and decided to game it on the back 9. It was a fairly windy day and I had been struggling off the tee a bit. I was amazed at how much straighter and more consistently I was striking it once I put the Z Star in play. It was kind of uncanny and I assumed it was a fluke. I ended up playing this random Srixon ball for the next 36 holes, over a few days, and was in love. (That should tell you something about the durability).

Now, on to the meat of the review

Me: High single digit 'capper, not 100% certain of my swing speed, but I play X in my woods and S+ C Tapers or s400s in my irons. The long ball is the strength of my game. My iron play wouldn't necessarily reflect it because of too little time to play, but I am definitely a feel player and am a bit finicky, like most around here, about my equipment.

I am now on my second dozen of the Z Star XV and I went with the tour yellow this time. They certainly don't have the traditional looks of a Pro V1, in fact they look like a cheesy distance ball, but I got over that very quickly. I am young with better than 20-20 vision and have no excuse for my inability to locate my golf ball. But the tour yellow certainly helps, a lot!!

Beyond looks, the straighter ball flight and reduced side spin off the driver is what I notice most about the Srixon. The performance in the iron game is nothing notable. I don't mean this in a bad way, I simply mean the ball performs as expected and commensurate with the Pro V1. The same commentary applies to chips and pitches. What really surpises me is the feel off the putter. I love it. I can't quantify it because it is a feel thing, but for me it exceeds the performance of the Pro V1.

Finally, as I alluded to earlier, the durability of this golf ball is miles ahead of the Pro V1. I cranked my first drive of the day with a brand new ball right down the cart path. Sure it had a scuff, but nothing serious, and I gamed it the rest of the round without a problem. I also notice that the ball really doesn't get shreaded or cut in anyway from short irons or wedges. I felt like I was doing this all the time with the Pro V.

So, with the honeymoon period over and my second dozen in play, I am still very much a fan of the Z Star!

Good review, and I totally agree it is a more durable ball. Only concern i have is the sound of impact. The Srixon balls have a more muted sound off clubs that I don't like over the ProV1x.

Nice write up, I've played the V1x for years and recently changed to the Bridgestone B330 about two weeks ago, I'm wondering if the Z star would play very similar to the B330 off the driver with the reduced spin but perhaps have more spin around the greens?

I found an XV last month, played it on a par 5, and made my first eagle. Coincidence - maybe, but I still loved the dead straight ballflight. It has a wonderful wind-boring trajectory, but is definitely firmer than the ProV1X. I really wanted to get a sleeve the last time I went to Golfsmith, but they only sold dozens and I'm a little scared to play that one ball I have since it has some sentimental value to me. I'm going to compare them side-by-side when I play next.

Good review and I'll add my $.02. I played the XV (back 9) today against the Nike 20XI-S (front 9). The XV is not as loud as the Nike off the tee but is just as long and I seem to hit it little higher. Both balls feel great when hit flush. Pitching and chipping with the XV is great as there is predictable spin. You can hit flops that bite real hard or a little skipper that hops a couple times bites real good and releases a couple feet. I don't get the rip back on the wedges that I do out of the 20XI-S or the Z-Star but the spin is great. Most pitch marks were within 3 feet of the ball. I might want more spin in the summer when the greens firm up but this ball was great today in the wind and with receptive greens.

How does the driver spin of the XV compare to a more mid-range ball like a Diablo Tour? Driver side spin is the primary reason I avoid super premium balls.

^^^ I don't play cheaper distance balls too often. But, I think it is fair to say that if you avoid premium balls because of driver side spin you will have greater success with the Z-star XV than you would other premium balls.

As some of the other posters said, it does have a firm feel in some respects. But when it matters around the green it really doesn't. I don't know if that even makes sense, but that has been the case from my experience.

At the end of the day, the stronger, straighter and more boring flight (particularly in the wind) and the increase durability have me sold on this ball - for now : )

I've been an xv user since they came out ( prior to that the old z star and prior to that prov1x) . Loved the z star but didn't need that much spin. The old z star x was too clicky. The xv is a perfect blend of spin distance and durability . Best wind ball I have ever played too . Keeps its line in crosswinds and doesn't balloon into tailwinds . I'm sure since a new z star will be out next year that the xv will go on sale soon just like the original z stars did .

XVs are currently buy 2 get 1 free at most major stores, something new in the pipeline?

Good review btw. The XV is a great ball. I found one on the course, liked it, bought some used, and just got 3 dozen new for 99 bucks. To me it plays like a Tour iZ/iS, but softer off the putter. Not quite ProV1 or TP Red soft, but good enough for me. The Hex Black feels very similar to the XV, but I've yet to take a Hex Black on the course, hit a bunch during a fitting session and they are nice too.

Have had similarly great experiences with this ball, and have four dozen sitting in the garage in addition to the ones in my bag.

Only thing that I find different than the OP's review is that around the green I find the XV tends to roll out a bit more on chips than a ProV1 will. I love being able to throw a ProV1 at the pin on a chip of any substantial distance where I can't hit a low running chip, knowing that it will check up quickly and seldom roll past. The XV takes a little more getting used to.

But as others have said, it's a great wind ball, is great off the driver, spins nicely off the irons, and is all kinds of durable. It's the best ball I've found for my game so far.

Mirage - With regard to spin around the greens, I suppose it is worth pointing out that my experience to date with the ball hasn't been on rock hard summertime greens or, to quote Gary McCord, "bikini waxed" greens. It was an extraordinarily dry winter/spring in New England so the courses have been firmer than usual for this time of year, but still, I haven't given the Z Star a run on any tracks with super fast greens.

With that said, after playing a quick nine yesterday I continue to be more and more impressed with this ball. The wind performance and straight flight off the driver is just staggering to me. My game is aided by anything that provides accuracy and consistency and the Z Star does both. Again, I haven't played the fastest hardest greens, but I have had no problems thus far with the ball when it comes to holding a green. And, the putter performance has been unreal to me. I absolutely love the way the ball feels off the putter.

[quote name='Judge Smails' timestamp='1337006817' post='4911108']

...With that said, after playing a quick nine yesterday I continue to be more and more impressed with this ball. The wind performance and straight flight off the driver is just staggering to me. My game is aided by anything that provides accuracy and consistency and the Z Star does both. Again, I haven't played the fastest hardest greens, but I have had no problems thus far with the ball when it comes to holding a green. And, the putter performance has been unreal to me. I absolutely love the way the ball feels off the putter.
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We find ourselves in violent agreement on that score, Judge. :-) Played in northern VA yesterday in pleasant but quite windy conditions with firm and fast greens, continue to like the ball's behavior in the wind. In a dead on headwind, if I get too cute with trying to work an iron in, I can wind up with more cut or draw than I like but that's true with any ball. With my 9064LS, even into a headwind, it just goes and goes and goes. But around the green, it's still deft. I shortsided myself on a long par four and had to hit a 60 degree wedge up over about five feet of bank and stop it. Just enough swing to pinch the ball and get it up on the green, and it settled pin high, 12" away (poor aim). For wedges in, it was stop and check or stop and spin back slightly, depending on the plane of the green. Love this ball.

At least until my existing stock runs out, I don't want to even try anything else.

I'm a Srixon convert, gaming Z-Stars in Tour Yellow. The best ball on the market in the wind, and probably the most durable ball I've played. Everything up through a 6-iron is pretty much divot, ball within 2-3' on the green. Can't beat that.

I just got a sleeve of these and so far am loving them. I am a Callaway ball guy over the V1X. It is very windy here today and am planning on trying it to compare to the Callaway, which is the best wind ball I have found next to the TP Red. If all goes well today, there may be some balls for sale on the BST!

Great review!! This helps me in my decision to make a switch!

I really like the XV. I did not like the original zstar x at all because of the harsh feel off irons and firm, clicky feel on chips and pitches. It was definitely long for me, though. The XV appears to be the best of both worlds so far in 2 9 hole rounds.

I agree with most of you here on the XV. I found it long and straight and for me excellent around the greens. When hit in the center of the face it felt great to me not hard at all.

What I would like to hear is some swing speeds of those that are lovin this ball. I max out at 90 mph with the driver and Srixon recommends 95+ for the XV. Any mere mortal swing speeds like mine liking this ball too?

The Z-Star XV has been my ball since it came out, and was playing the Bridgestone B330s before that. I had tried the older Z-Star X, and it was just too firm all around for me taste. But recently, I've been playing with the new Calaway Hex Black for the past month. Still not sure of making a permanent switch. The Hex black is just a touch shorter off the tee for me, similar with the irons, but just a touch better (more spin) around the greens. Similar feel to me off the putter. It's a trade off, the Hex black is sort of in between a spinnier ball (like the B330s)and a firmer ball like the XV. For a high spin player like me, the XV was an eye-opener, as people said above, a great wind ball, long and straight off the tee, and decent feel....

I'm a recent convert from the ProV1x.............the XV has way less spin off the driver = more distance.....and comparable control with irons and in and around the green.

I'm an VX convert, loved the b330 previously but it had too much spin. I have played the new penta a fair amount as well, but the XV is still the champ from a durability standpoint. My only complaint would be if it had just a touch more short iron spin it would be perfect.
Flash

[quote name='Mike_C' timestamp='1337366071' post='4938670']
The Z-Star XV has been my ball since it came out, and was playing the Bridgestone B330s before that. I had tried the older Z-Star X, and it was just too firm all around for me taste. But recently, I've been playing with the new Calaway Hex Black for the past month. Still not sure of making a permanent switch. The Hex black is just a touch shorter off the tee for me, similar with the irons, but just a touch better (more spin) around the greens. Similar feel to me off the putter. It's a trade off, the Hex black is sort of in between a spinnier ball (like the B330s)and a firmer ball like the XV. For a high spin player like me, the XV was an eye-opener, as people said above, a great wind ball, long and straight off the tee, and decent feel....
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Bingo, my sentiments exactly and I too adopted the XV on it's debut. To me, its the real alternate low spin ball for those who came from the TM Red LDP madness.

Played the Z-Star Diamond (a.k.a. prototype XV) yesterday. It was a fantastic ball. It took a few solid wedge shots (with my Vokeys) before there was noticeable shearing on the golf ball (as opposed to once or twice on the Pro V1/x's). I was able to make it through the round with four balls (replacing due to scuffing; I lost one into the woods).

I may go back to the PGATSS to see if they still have any left for $20/doz.

does anyone have any info on srixon's new lineup? the z star line is 3doz for the price of 2 right now....

I've been thinking about making the change from the 20XI-X to the ProV1X, but after reading this thread I'm giving some serious thought to going with the Z Star XV instead!

Nice write up, but I have to disagree on this one. I've gamed the XV for the past 6 months as I ordered three dozen back in October.
I will say that from the start I never got along with it like I did with my ProV1x. The Titleist to me has a much softer feel off every club and there's a huge difference in terms of short game spin. I can't get this ball to spon no matter what.
Like many have said the balk is very durable, performs quite well in windy conditons and is a bomb off the driver. The thing is, my bad shots curve just as much as they did before, my drives are just as long, but the strongest part of my game, scrambling, has gotten considerably worse and I'm struggling with the XV.

I have to agree with andef on this- I cannot get the XV to check on chips worth a darn (I have tested this quite a bit to confirm). I love every other aspect to this ball though but I'm not sure I can see another chip run 10' past unlike the iZ I used to play. It's great on fuller shots past about 50 yards but around the green it seems to lose it's bite for me.

I tried the Hex Black but it flies higher, spins more off driver and is much less durable. I may try the B330s.

I tried a few balls today while I was playing 18 on a fairly windy day. Balls in rotation were Srixon XV, Pro V1x, B330.

Best wind ball:
1. XV - hands down the best wind ball I have ever played.
2. B330
3. V1x

Best Driver distance / spin (low) / launch (low):
1. XV / XV / B330 (this one launched really low)
2. V1x / B330 / V1x
3. B330 / V1x / XV

Best wedge spin / launch (low):
1. V1x / V1x (balls ended up a few inches from its pitch mark)
2. B330 / B330 (balls hopped and stopped)
3. XV / XV (some shots ended up several feet past it's pitch mark)

Putter feel (soft) / overall
1. V1x / V1x
2. XV / XV
3. B300 / B300

Because there is a fair amount of wind where I play; the XV was the big winner for me. I just have to adjust my green side shots.
I probably won't play the B330; overall this ball just didn't do it for me.
I still have a soft spot for the V1x but its not great in the wind. I do realize this is due to its spin characteristics but I may still play this ball on calmer days.
My 2 Canadian cent!

Played with the XV side by side with a TP Red yesterday and they are neck in neck for me, except off the partial wedges, where the Red has tons more spin (and tons less cover durability). Seems just fine around the greens thus far. I still really like this ball, especially off the putter, where it feels firm, but not clicky, if that even makes sense. It's perfect for me. The only potential downside here is if I have to switch to non-conforming grooves, the XVs might not spin enough off the wedges, especially out of the rough. I've been playing with old grooves thus far, and even though I do own a few CC grooved wedges I haven't really put those in play yet.

I played the XV for several rounds and didn't care for it at all as much as I tried. For me, the B330S was much better for me in all aspects, especially off the putter. I couldn't control the speed well with the XV and off the driver it was shorter and unpredictable.

I was surprised to read how it didn't check well for so many of you. Outside of distance and wind performance I couldn't believe how well it checked on short chips and pitches. (for my game). But then again I've never spun a prov1 as much as everyone else so I must be doing something wrong. Can back up an E6 and Velocity and XV but not a v1. Lol

[quote name='morebeerbettergolf' timestamp='1343248345' post='5352792']
I was surprised to read how it didn't check well for so many of you. Outside of distance and wind performance I couldn't believe how well it checked on short chips and pitches. (for my game). But then again I've never spun a prov1 as much as everyone else so I must be doing something wrong. Can back up an E6 and Velocity and XV but not a v1. Lol
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Had to look and make sure that this was not my post. I too can not spin a Pro V1 and other times I rip them right off the green. What I love most of the Srixon line is the predictable spin I get. I can do just about anything I want with this ball. If I'm looking for the max spin I will play the Z-Star but the XV is a great ball.