Srixon ZX5 irons question

[kiwihacker]

I'm seriously interested in buying the new Srixon ZX5 irons. My only problem is the strong lofts. The 5 iron to 9 iron are identical lofts to my current set 4 iron to 8 iron i.e. 24° - 39°. Then the loft jumps 5° to a 44° pitching wedge 1° weaker than my current 9 iron which is 43°. My current set has a 47° pitching wedge. 

 

Now I know most of the modern sets are now one club stronger and that doesn't bother me but a 44° pitching wedge does seem too strong to fill that spot in the bag and I'm concerned that it will leave too big a gap to a 50° wedge. I note that the ZX7 irons are 1° weaker in the long to mid irons and 2° weaker in the short irons finishing up with a 46° pitching wedge which is much closer to my old setup. So I'm wondering about getting the ZX5 bent 1° weak in the 5-8 irons and 2° weak in the 9 iron and pitching wedge. This would make the loft progressions identical to the ZX7.

 

Just wondering with the different iron designs would the ZX5 balloon or spin too much with the weaker lofts I am suggesting?

 

LOFTS:

ZX5 5 - PW 24, 27, 31, 35, 39, 44

ZX7 5 - PW 25, 28, 32, 36, 41, 46

 

What I like about the ZX 7 lofts is that it would allow me to carry three wedges 50, 54, 58. If I just buy the ZX 5 with the stock lofts I guess the other option is to add a 48° wedge like the Cleveland  CBX and stick with a 48/52/58 a setup similar to my current 47/52/58.

 

A mixed bag would also work by transitioning to the ZX7 at say the 8 iron but I'm thinking I'd prefer to play the more forgiving ZX5 model right through to the pitching wedge. 

 

Interested in the thoughts of other WRXers? 

 

[pjm]

Hi Kiwi,

 

I am in a similar situation.  I am looking to upgrade my Titleist 990s and will be ordering the ZX5s or 921 Forged (demo day next Monday).  I hit the ZX5s and really liked them, but the lofts pose a number of questions. 

 

LOFTS:

ZX5 5 - PW 24, 27, 31, 35, 39, 44

ZX7 5 - PW 25, 28, 32, 36, 41, 46

990s 4-PW 25, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44.5, 49

 

Relative to my 990s, the ZX5s effectively just change the number on the sole (and hopefully add some much needed forgiveness). I presently use a 52/56/60 wedge set up, but will probably drop one.  The A wedge for the ZX5s is 50 degrees, so I am thinking 4-AW and then 56/60 (possible bending the 56 to 55 and/ or the AW to 49, depending on real world yardages) or 54/58. 

 

I am hoping to take the ZX5 for a final test, once the fitting cart arrives.

 

Cheers

 

 

[kiwihacker]

15 hours ago, pjm said:

Hi Kiwi,

 

I am in a similar situation.  I am looking to upgrade my Titleist 990s and will be ordering the ZX5s or 921 Forged (demo day next Monday).  I hit the ZX5s and really liked them, but the lofts pose a number of questions. 

 

LOFTS:

ZX5 5 - PW 24, 27, 31, 35, 39, 44

ZX7 5 - PW 25, 28, 32, 36, 41, 46

990s 4-PW 25, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44.5, 49

 

Relative to my 990s, the ZX5s effectively just change the number on the sole (and hopefully add some much needed forgiveness). I presently use a 52/56/60 wedge set up, but will probably drop one.  The A wedge for the ZX5s is 50 degrees, so I am thinking 4-AW and then 56/60 (possible bending the 56 to 55 and/ or the AW to 49, depending on real world yardages) or 54/58. 

 

I am hoping to take the ZX5 for a final test, once the fitting cart arrives.

 

Cheers

 

 

Look forward to hearing your comparison with the JPX 921. A buddy of mine has the 919 Forged and they are lovely clubs. It seems even Mizuno are not immune to this loft creep and even the 921s are stronger than the 919 series. The Hot Metal or Hot Metal Pro is another iron I WAS interested in but they've gone nuts with the strong lofts too. A 22° five iron and 29° 7 iron. Come on! 

[Rapidcat]

From my sig you will see I play the 565's, same lofts as the ZX5's + a CBX 50 deg GW so 6 deg between the 44 deg PW and the GW. For your reference, I have a 15 yard distance gap between these two clubs which I find easily manageable. Also note that the ZX5 AW/GW is 50 deg so that indicates that the 44 to 50 deg set-up should work.

 

Be careful with any loft bending because the V sole is a big feature of these Srixon irons and you don't want to stuff up playability.

 

The ZX5's look terrific, of course I am biased as a very happy Srixon (and Cleveland) iron gamer.

[kiwihacker]

3 minutes ago, Rapidcat said:

From my sig you will see I play the 565's, same lofts as the ZX5's + a CBX 50 deg GW so 6 deg between the 44 deg PW and the GW. For your reference, I have a 15 yard distance gap between these two clubs which I find easily manageable. Also note that the ZX5 AW/GW is 50 deg so that indicates that the 44 to 50 deg set-up should work.

 

Be careful with any loft bending because the V sole is a big feature of these Srixon irons and you don't want to stuff up playability.

 

The ZX5's look terrific, of course I am biased as a very happy Srixon (and Cleveland) iron gamer.

Thanks. I was all set to buy the Z585s but my local shop told me to wait for the new ZX series. I have a 50° RTX 2 wedge but I only hit that about 90-95m whereas I hit my current 43° 9 iron about 120-125 so about a 30m gap which would be too much especially in such a vital scoring range. I guess until I have the ZX5s in the bag I won't really know how far I hit the 44° pitching wedge. Maybe I'm best off doing as you suggest just play them at standard lofts and figure out the gaps from there. The set gap wedge is probably the best option. The sole grind appeals as I am a digger who takes large divots and the v sole seems to get rave reviews. 

[Rapidcat]

9 minutes ago, kiwihacker said:

Thanks. I was all set to buy the Z585s but my local shop told me to wait for the new ZX series. I have a 50° RTX 2 wedge but I only hit that about 90-95m whereas I hit my current 43° 9 iron about 120-125 so about a 30m gap which would be too much especially in such a vital scoring range. I guess until I have the ZX5s in the bag I won't really know how far I hit the 44° pitching wedge. Maybe I'm best off doing as you suggest just play them at standard lofts and figure out the gaps from there. The set gap wedge is probably the best option. The sole grind appeals as I am a digger who takes large divots and the v sole seems to get rave reviews. 

No worries kiwi. Thought I would offer one further opinion re a combo set based on your comment:

 

A mixed bag would also work by transitioning to the ZX7 at say the 8 iron but I'm thinking I'd prefer to play the more forgiving ZX5 model right through to the pitching wedge. 

 

I returned to regular golf last year after raising kids and am a single figure cap of a few decades and decent iron player. I was playing irons from year 2000 so old. I am super happy with my 565's (bought them new at a discount after they were superseded by the 585's) but occasionally I feel they can be a touch hot with the short irons due to the hot face insert and cavity back creating a trampoline type effect. Knowing that, I would consider a combo set as you have stated with the ZX7 from 8I up and I would play them with their standard lofts, at least initially, there is only 1 deg difference between the 2 models at the 8I.

 

I don't want to put doubt in your head though and really I am being super picky about my short irons and there really is no issue and certainly not enough for me to dwell on it or consider a change. I have hit 765 short irons and they have a slightly softer feel as no face insert and fully forged head (but my 565's still have a lovely forged feel). With this and the weaker lofts you will give up a couple of yards distance vs the 5's but that isn't important with the short irons IMO.

 

Based on your comments about your game I don't think you can miss with either a complete 5 model or 5/7 model combo set. They are both lovely to hit and they blend well as a design together in a bag. If you can, hit them both at your shop, the 7 series short irons might blow you away in feel and then you might go combo.

 

But you can't make anything but a good decision either way - good luck.

 

 

 

[monkeyboy]

I am an average player and really enjoy the split set

5x in 5-6 irons 

7x in 7-P

50-54-58 wedge setup

no issues in gapping.  No issues with forgiveness in either line, I think the split at 6-7 was a good decision.

Great irons

 

 

[kiwihacker]

2 hours ago, Rapidcat said:

No worries kiwi. Thought I would offer one further opinion re a combo set based on your comment:

 

A mixed bag would also work by transitioning to the ZX7 at say the 8 iron but I'm thinking I'd prefer to play the more forgiving ZX5 model right through to the pitching wedge. 

 

I returned to regular golf last year after raising kids and am a single figure cap of a few decades and decent iron player. I was playing irons from year 2000 so old. I am super happy with my 565's (bought them new at a discount after they were superseded by the 585's) but occasionally I feel they can be a touch hot with the short irons due to the hot face insert and cavity back creating a trampoline type effect. Knowing that, I would consider a combo set as you have stated with the ZX7 from 8I up and I would play them with their standard lofts, at least initially, there is only 1 deg difference between the 2 models at the 8I.

 

I don't want to put doubt in your head though and really I am being super picky about my short irons and there really is no issue and certainly not enough for me to dwell on it or consider a change. I have hit 765 short irons and they have a slightly softer feel as no face insert and fully forged head (but my 565's still have a lovely forged feel). With this and the weaker lofts you will give up a couple of yards distance vs the 5's but that isn't important with the short irons IMO.

 

Based on your comments about your game I don't think you can miss with either a complete 5 model or 5/7 model combo set. They are both lovely to hit and they blend well as a design together in a bag. If you can, hit them both at your shop, the 7 series short irons might blow you away in feel and then you might go combo.

 

But you can't make anything but a good decision either way - good luck.

 

 

 

Thanks Rapidcat, great info.

 

Cheers 

Kiwi

[scooterhd2]

Combo at the 7 or 8 iron with the ZX7 and problem is solved. The 785 is super forgiving in the short irons. Much more than you would imagine. And the feel is fantastic. Very addicting iron to hit and gives a ton of confidence. I imagine the magic of the 745/65/85 has been replicated with the ZX7. The 46* degree PW is one of the best clubs in the bag, and leads right away into a 50* GW of your choosing. 

[Caesar's shank]

I've ordered split set 5-7 ZX5 and 8-PW ZX7. Got the 7 weakened by one degree. I'm very much the same as above in that I don't want short irons to feel hot off the face. 

Hoping they arrive in the next week or two and can compare gapping to current set (J15DF, PW @46) 

[mantan]

Following this one with interest.  I currently play the 565s and am thinking of getting the zx5s in the spring.

 

If I was to pick nits about the 565s, the one thing I wish is that had traditional 4* gaps at the top end of the bag.  There is about a 15 yard gap between my PW and gap.  And about the same from my gap to 9-iron.  As an average golfer, I'm aiming at pins inside of 140 and the center of the green/safe approach 150+ out.  Yet the lofting on the 565 give you 10 yard gaps in the midrons and longer gaps in the scoring zone.

 

 

 

 

[bombs]

5 - GW is the new 4 - PW especially with strong lofted sets.

 

I would always go for the set gap wedge given it will be used mostly for full shots.

 

There are some ugly set gap wedges though so make sure you see it before you buy. 

Edited October 21, 2020 by bombs

[kiwihacker]

On 10/21/2020 at 3:40 PM, bombs said:

5 - GW is the new 4 - PW especially with strong lofted sets.

 

I would always go for the set gap wedge given it will be used mostly for full shots.

 

There are some ugly set gap wedges though so make sure you see it before you buy. 

In some cases I'd say 5-GW is the new 3-9 iron. 

[anth]

You are right to be worried about the distance gap at that end of the bag.  When I had my 545’s there was a 20 - 25 yard gap between the AW and my 54 degree SW.  When I was looking for a new set closing this gap was important. Inevitably I ended up with 765’s and a 50, 54, 58 wedge set. Was much more consistent.  I did lose one club of distance throughout the set but consistent yardages are important

[JeffDCI962]

How are any orders being taken for these and from where? There website doesn't even have them posted yet? Looking for info Please?

 

THX

[dhen9]

15 minutes ago, JeffDCI962 said:

How are any orders being taken for these and from where? There website doesn't even have them posted yet? Looking for info Please?

 

THX

#fakenews. Only Z Forged available at current regarding irons. 

[Puttersaurus Rex]

7 minutes ago, dhen9 said:

#fakenews. Only Z Forged available at current regarding irons. 

Not fake news.  You can order from UK or other international sites.  US release will likely be January/February.

[dhen9]

Just now, Puttersaurus Rex said:

Not fake news.  You can order from UK or other international sites.  US release will likely be January/February.

Ok. Well, silly American myopia here. Not available via US vendors.