ZX7 vs Mizuno Pro 223

[agood3putt]

I’ve been testing the ZX7 and ZX5 to get an idea for a combo set. I’m a sweeper and have not had any issues with turf interactions with either club but I’m coming from Apex CF-19, P790 and i210’s

[azninoz]

Seen a few comments here from Aus.

How do you guys get a fitting for Srixon in Melb? I don't really trust getting fitted by retail staff... yet.

 

Currently looking at ZX7 vs 223, but just seen there aren't any Srixon heads around anymore - bummer.

I get steep occasionally on bad days (-6 AoA) - do you guys think I could away with using 223 when playing around the sandbelt?

 

I currently game Apex Pros 21 and they're fine on bad days too.

 

 

 

[CLH1233]

I hit the 223s and ZX7s last night.  The ZX7s felt good just not sure the state of my current game (7 handicap) could benefit from these at this time.  I currently game 19' Apex Pros and found the 223s to more forgiving than my current Apex Pros.  I end up getting fit and ordering the 223s.

 

 

[BallerNate]

29 minutes ago, CLH1233 said:

I hit the 223s and ZX7s last night.  The ZX7s felt good just not sure the state of my current game (7 handicap) could benefit from these at this time.  I currently game 19' Apex Pros and found the 223s to more forgiving than my current Apex Pros.  I end up getting fit and ordering the 223s.

 

 

So you found the 223’s more forgiving than the ZX7’s?

[CLH1233]

4 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

So you found the 223’s more forgiving than the ZX7’s?

Correct, just my opinion.  

[BallerNate]

15 minutes ago, CLH1233 said:

Correct, just my opinion.  

Hmm, very interesting. Good to know. 

[Dhold21]

20 minutes ago, CLH1233 said:

Correct, just my opinion.  

I’ve found the 223 launch higher and the sole is a different design so that could be considered forgiving for some. 

[KingTitus]

I found when I owned the ZX7's that the spin numbers were just way to low for me. Yes, it helped me carry each club a bit longer than my current gamers, but the dispersion was not great. 

 

I have not tested the 223's but had a set of MP20 MMC's prior to the ZX7's and the spin on those was in a much better ball park.

 

Just my $.02

[Dhold21]

I went 223 cause they are very forgiving. Zx7s are as well. Purely on sole design cause I’m a shallow player. I like them equally as good. That was the deciding factor. 

[roxald]

To me the 223s are in the middle of the ZX7 and ZX5s.

Soft feel, not as strong lofted as the ZX5 and feel similar to the ZX7 with more forgiveness. Smaller profile than the ZX5 as well.

 

Darn good tweeter between the Srixon irons but not as good of a sole design IMHO.

 

I could easily play my ZX7 or the 223s.

 

Rox

[Davethegolfer]

Long term Mizuno player here based in WA, AUS so very used to sandy conditions.  I too am steep and having moved from MP18SC to Z Forged I will say the feeling through the turf is night and day. For me the v sole is an absolute winner. If you can I would recommend giving the Z Forged a try. Very forgiving and doesn't look intimidating from address at all

[1puttTUT]

 

Had my fitting today. Hit ZX7, T100/s, MP 223...ended up in 223's 5-GW with Modus 115s.

 

 

I've been playing the 919F for about three years now, and picked up the Cobra King CB's super cheap on ebay last fall so I brought both for baselines. I wasn't fit for either set, so it was nice to get some good data.

 

The 919's were launching and spinning too low according to the fitter. I've never had trouble holding greens, but I'm not surprised, as I have noticed I hit it much lower than my buddies.

 

The Cobra's actually got great numbers, probably due to being 2° weaker. I plan on keeping that set.

 

The ZX7's felt nice and gave me good numbers, but just weren't quite as good as Mizzy in the look/sound/feel department. 

 

I didn't care for the T100 at all. It had a weird convex look to me at address, and they were too high and spinny.

 

I guess I'm just a Mizuno guy!

Edited February 17, 2022 by 1puttTUT
Added content

[JStang]

I received my ZX7's on Monday, reshafted same day and put grips on last night so they are ready! They are in the bag until the 223's arrive and I can put them to the test. 

[RoyalMustang]

On 2/11/2022 at 9:39 AM, GMcKelvie said:

I found when I owned the ZX7's that the spin numbers were just way to low for me. Yes, it helped me carry each club a bit longer than my current gamers, but the dispersion was not great. 

 

I have not tested the 223's but had a set of MP20 MMC's prior to the ZX7's and the spin on those was in a much better ball park.

 

Just my $.02

 

I have the MMC as well-I found them more forgiving than the Z785/585, and now the ZX7.  I just hit the sweet spot more frequently with the mizunos.  I even purchased 2 sets of Srixon's used to compare; they both are getting sold or sent back. 

 

I have been gaming a set of MMCs for a year plus, then got a set recently here newish with Modus 125X shafts (compared to my DG120X).  Just to compare and see if it was the shafts or the heads.  Well, they are still every bit as good as my original set.  Crazy, crazy forgiving for my limited skills.  

[Golfah]

Anyone have any surprises when testing the 223 7i then hitting the PW-8i?
 

I have a set of ZX7s, which are great feeling but to my eye, a bit bulky.  I tried out the 223's (more specifically the 7i demo club) and it was phenomenal feeling for me, and seemingly easier to maintain consistency, so I impulse bought them on the spot.

 

So, the next day I go to the sim with my new set, and to me the PW-8i definitely feel different.  They dont have that same impact feel.  They seem a little "dead" compared to the 7-4.  I dont know if it was placebo effect, just a bad swinging day for me, or if the tech is so different in the pw-8 vs 7-4, it's quite noticeable.   

 

 

[COmedic]

8 minutes ago, Golfah said:

Anyone have any surprises when testing the 223 7i then hitting the PW-8i?
 

I have a set of ZX7s, which are great feeling but to my eye, a bit bulky.  I tried out the 223's (more specifically the 7i demo club) and it was phenomenal feeling for me, and seemingly easier to maintain consistency, so I impulse bought them on the spot.

 

So, the next day I go to the sim with my new set, and to me the PW-8i definitely feel different.  They dont have that same impact feel.  They seem a little "dead" compared to the 7-4.  I dont know if it was placebo effect, just a bad swinging day for me, or if the tech is so different in the pw-8 vs 7-4, it's quite noticeable.   

 

 

They are a different construction so I would say they felt less explosive, but definitely not worse to me. The best I can describe the set is a prebuilt combo set. The long irons are powerful but predictable and the short irons feel more precise.

 

I was a little disappointed with the set gap wedge and ordered a T22 50° to replace it. But otherwise love the set.

Edited February 18, 2022 by COmedic

[1puttTUT]

What did you not like about the gap wedge?

 

I ordered it with my set because I was worried my current 921 GW would look huge next to the 223's.

[dmeeksDC]

To me these two irons play a lot differently due to being at the opposite ends of the bounce spectrum — ZX7 is very high bounce and Mizunos are very low bounce. Sole width can add or subtract from the “effective” bounce but I don’t know if that matters a lot. Some steep players do better with thin soles and some like high bounce so it just depends on the player. Wider soles also can boost launch due to more weight back and low in the head. 
 

I see the 223 as sitting between the ZX7 and ZForged as its overall profile is not as bulky as the ZX7, which in blade length is as long as the ZX5. Probably prefer the 223 for overall profile out of these two, but as for my bag I went with forgiving power bats in a players profile — 225 5-G and a Srixon ZX4 4 iron! (If you don’t like bulky driving irons OR hybrids, take a look at the ZX4. Impressive. Feel off the face is amazing.)

[pukujuhla]

I went 223 with LZ 6.0 - performance was undeniably good.  Dispersion, launch... *ethereal confidence factor*

[COmedic]

7 hours ago, 1puttTUT said:

What did you not like about the gap wedge?

 

I ordered it with my set because I was worried my current 921 GW would look huge next to the 223's.

The distance was about 10 yards short of my normal 50* gap wedge distance. I expected more juice without having to strengthen it. Otherwise the flight and spin were fine. May give it another shot in the future but first impression was a little bland. But like I said, absolutely love the set otherwise.

[1puttTUT]

I forgot to mention I ordered mine bent 1° strong to help blend better with my Vokey 54/58 

[TimBuma]

8 hours ago, dmeeksDC said:

To me these two irons play a lot differently due to being at the opposite ends of the bounce spectrum — ZX7 is very high bounce and Mizunos are very low bounce. Sole width can add or subtract from the “effective” bounce but I don’t know if that matters a lot. Some steep players do better with thin soles and some like high bounce so it just depends on the player. Wider soles also can boost launch due to more weight back and low in the head. 
 

I see the 223 as sitting between the ZX7 and ZForged as its overall profile is not as bulky as the ZX7, which in blade length is as long as the ZX5. Probably prefer the 223 for overall profile out of these two, but as for my bag I went with forgiving power bats in a players profile — 225 5-G and a Srixon ZX4 4 iron! (If you don’t like bulky driving irons OR hybrids, take a look at the ZX4. Impressive. Feel off the face is amazing.)

Agreed, I’m on the steeper side and have always hit thinner soles better. I’ve always wanted Srixon irons to work because everyone says if you’re steep they should be the first iron you look at. I just struggle with them and don’t hit them high enough even with adjusting the lofts. The search for my 2022 irons continues! 

[dmeeksDC]

1 hour ago, littletimbo182 said:

Agreed, I’m on the steeper side and have always hit thinner soles better. I’ve always wanted Srixon irons to work because everyone says if you’re steep they should be the first iron you look at. I just struggle with them and don’t hit them high enough even with adjusting the lofts. The search for my 2022 irons continues! 

If you want the thinner sole, lower bounce, softened leading edge version of the ZX7, look at the New Level 902-PD, a new release this year. Very close in size. The 902 has a slightly thinner top line and its toe is not quite as high. Feel is similar, as in spectacular. 

[TimBuma]

2 minutes ago, dmeeksDC said:

If you want the thinner sole, lower bounce, softened leading edge version of the ZX7, look at the New Level 902-PD, a new release this year. Very close in size. The 902 has a slightly thinner top line and its toe is not quite as high. Feel is similar, as in spectacular. 

Appreciate that, haven’t considered New Level before but I’ll look into them!

[rmauritz]

On 1/30/2022 at 10:17 AM, Nixhex524 said:

 

Interesting.  Thanks!  I know there has been talk of the forgings being different from the 785 to the ZX7, whereas the ZX7 is Endo and the 785 is not.  But I do agree, a flushed 785 felt incredible.  So does a 745 though, but they sit in the backup bag at the moment and I can't help but wonder if the ZX7 might just be enough of an upgrade over the older model.  

 

I sit here and ponder this as I have a set of 0311T with ONE round on them in the bag right now.  Never stop the ho'ing!!!  LOL   They seem to be good but I really like the sole design of the Srixon, it has always seemed to suit me.

Could you compare the 0311 t sole to the zx7’s?

[Nixhex524]

20 hours ago, rmauritz said:

Could you compare the 0311 t sole to the zx7’s?

I think the 0311T sole is slightly more narrow, and does not have any leading edge relief.  As a result I did not hit them consistently solid and I moved on... but I have been on quite a tear lately experimenting with different irons.  I prefer an iron that has at least a little leading edge relief.  The iBlades I have in the bag now have a similar sole to the 0311 but a slightly rounded leading edge making them much easier through the ground for me.  Amazing what a little bevel can do.

 

FWIW, I thought the 0311T felt incredibly good though, and were pretty consistent on distances.  Beautiful looking as well.

Edited February 20, 2022 by Nixhex524

[rmauritz]

21 hours ago, Nixhex524 said:

I think the 0311T sole is slightly more narrow, and does not have any leading edge relief.  As a result I did not hit them consistently solid and I moved on... but I have been on quite a tear lately experimenting with different irons.  I prefer an iron that has at least a little leading edge relief.  The iBlades I have in the bag now have a similar sole to the 0311 but a slightly rounded leading edge making them much easier through the ground for me.  Amazing what a little bevel can do.

 

FWIW, I thought the 0311T felt incredibly good though, and were pretty consistent on distances.  Beautiful looking as well.

Thanks for the insight!!

[JoeFrigo]

I only have one session in with the ZX7’s and Mizuno Pro 223’s just arrived yesterday. I’ll get some head to head testing this weekend but to my eye right now I’d go with the Mizuno’s. Thinner at address and smaller overall head shape. Not by much but definitely smaller

 

Pro 223 on left/forward, ZX7 on right/behind 

 

 

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, JoeFrigo said:

I only have one session in with the ZX7’s and Mizuno Pro 223’s just arrived yesterday. I’ll get some head to head testing this weekend but to my eye right now I’d go with the Mizuno’s. Thinner at address and smaller overall head shape. Not by much but definitely smaller

 

Pro 223 on left/forward, ZX7 on right/behind 

 

 

Thanks for the pics.

 

Definitely shorter blade length and shorter toe height in the Pro 223.

 

Interesting that from that camera angle it looks like slightly more offset and the top line actually looks thicker to me in the Pro 223.

 

I personally prefer the look of the ZX7, but obviously performance is the biggest factor at the end of the day.

[JStang]

2 hours ago, JoeFrigo said:

I only have one session in with the ZX7’s and Mizuno Pro 223’s just arrived yesterday. I’ll get some head to head testing this weekend but to my eye right now I’d go with the Mizuno’s. Thinner at address and smaller overall head shape. Not by much but definitely smaller

 

Pro 223 on left/forward, ZX7 on right/behind 

 

 

 

I haven't been able to get out lately but have hit the range a few times with my ZX7's. The top line is definitely thicker than I like to see. Can't wait for the 223's to get here.