80 replies to this topic

[NWS Alpine]

Gmac isn't playing the XV yet.  He is still gaming the Z-Star diamond.  He has been promoting the XV as he should now that they are paying him big $

[drck1000]

Purchased 2 dz of the Z-Star X today for $60.  The shop also had the XV and two other of the new Srixon balls.  I don't recall which ones, but one of them was yellow.  They were selling for around $45.  I was tempted to try it after reading this thread, but figured I'd give the older X a fair shake first.  I've been playing V1x, so sounds like the Z-Star X will be a good fit for me at a much lower price.  

[Johnsti2k6]

Anyone know where I can grab a box of these XV. I want to try them out!

[ktbfsu]

i live in orlando - and the week after the pga show i found a new z star xv.....stuck it in my bag and forgot about it until this thread.  

i've been playing z star x for about a year......love them.....so today, with this thread on my mind, i break out the z star xv......i had high hopes, but i was little underwhelmed.   i guess i've grown so accustomed to the firmness of the z star x and that the xv felt too soft.  

i do have a question about the regular z star vs the z star x.......less spinny?  i never new that. relatively speaking, i absolutely bomb the z star x.......high, no spin bombs.   would i get even more out of the regular z star if its ostensibly lower spinning?  had no idea that was the case.

[ironmikes]

Johnsti2k6, on 12 February 2011 - 11:37 AM, said:

Anyone know where I can grab a box of these XV. I want to try them out!

I have a sleeve available , if somebody wants to try them.

[trackcoach13]

ironmikes, on 13 February 2011 - 02:04 PM, said:

Johnsti2k6, on 12 February 2011 - 11:37 AM, said:

Anyone know where I can grab a box of these XV. I want to try them out!

I have a sleeve available , if somebody wants to try them.

I'd gladly take them off your hands, but how would I pay you and I guess you would have to mail them to me?

Bob

[tampay]

ktbfsu, on 12 February 2011 - 10:20 PM, said:

i live in orlando - and the week after the pga show i found a new z star xv.....stuck it in my bag and forgot about it until this thread.  

i've been playing z star x for about a year......love them.....so today, with this thread on my mind, i break out the z star xv......i had high hopes, but i was little underwhelmed.   i guess i've grown so accustomed to the firmness of the z star x and that the xv felt too soft.  

i do have a question about the regular z star vs the z star x.......less spinny?  i never new that. relatively speaking, i absolutely bomb the z star x.......high, no spin bombs.   would i get even more out of the regular z star if its ostensibly lower spinning?  had no idea that was the case.

It depends on your SS.

If your SS is high like 110-125MPH you should get similar spin rates off the driver with both because you are really compressing the X with more ball speed due to its harder compression. So the X will go farther. like you say.

If however your SS is between the two balls like 90-105 or even less, the Z star will spin less. With slightly less ball speed if your swing is 100-110ish generally speaking.

[putt4_66]

tampay, on 13 February 2011 - 06:34 PM, said:

ktbfsu, on 12 February 2011 - 10:20 PM, said:

i live in orlando - and the week after the pga show i found a new z star xv.....stuck it in my bag and forgot about it until this thread.  

i've been playing z star x for about a year......love them.....so today, with this thread on my mind, i break out the z star xv......i had high hopes, but i was little underwhelmed.   i guess i've grown so accustomed to the firmness of the z star x and that the xv felt too soft.  

i do have a question about the regular z star vs the z star x.......less spinny?  i never new that. relatively speaking, i absolutely bomb the z star x.......high, no spin bombs.   would i get even more out of the regular z star if its ostensibly lower spinning?  had no idea that was the case.

It depends on your SS.

If your SS is high like 110-125MPH you should get similar spin rates off the driver with both because you are really compressing the X with more ball speed due to its harder compression. So the X will go farther. like you say.

If however your SS is between the two balls like 90-105 or even less, the Z star will spin less. With slightly less ball speed if your swing is 100-110ish generally speaking.

I believe what you're saying here, but I still believe in picking a ball from green performance backwards. I am not saying you don't believe that as well. You were just answering another person's question. I'll add to what you said by saying that I can't play the Z-Star because it spins too much on the green on approach shots. My driver SS is only about 104 mph. However, I put A LOT of spin on the ball off irons. I can already spin the Z-Star X 15 to 50 feet backward. The Z-Star will hardly stay on a green at all. So I'm not sure which of the two will give me the greatest driver distance, but I'm sure they're within a few yards of each other. So for those comparing Z-Star with Z-Star X, or the Z-Star XV, look at around the green performance if you put spin on the ball.

I am curious to try the XV. Approach shots, as you might guess, is what I'll evaluate first. Driver distance will be second. Now, before I hear it from others, I can hit approach shots with less spin, but sometimes that's not a shot I can go to depending on conditions or other variables.

[tampay]

putt4_66, on 14 February 2011 - 01:11 PM, said:

tampay, on 13 February 2011 - 06:34 PM, said:

ktbfsu, on 12 February 2011 - 10:20 PM, said:

i live in orlando - and the week after the pga show i found a new z star xv.....stuck it in my bag and forgot about it until this thread.  

i've been playing z star x for about a year......love them.....so today, with this thread on my mind, i break out the z star xv......i had high hopes, but i was little underwhelmed.   i guess i've grown so accustomed to the firmness of the z star x and that the xv felt too soft.  

i do have a question about the regular z star vs the z star x.......less spinny?  i never new that. relatively speaking, i absolutely bomb the z star x.......high, no spin bombs.   would i get even more out of the regular z star if its ostensibly lower spinning?  had no idea that was the case.

It depends on your SS.

If your SS is high like 110-125MPH you should get similar spin rates off the driver with both because you are really compressing the X with more ball speed due to its harder compression. So the X will go farther. like you say.

If however your SS is between the two balls like 90-105 or even less, the Z star will spin less. With slightly less ball speed if your swing is 100-110ish generally speaking.

I believe what you're saying here, but I still believe in picking a ball from green performance backwards. I am not saying you don't believe that as well. You were just answering another person's question. I'll add to what you said by saying that I can't play the Z-Star because it spins too much on the green on approach shots. My driver SS is only about 104 mph. However, I put A LOT of spin on the ball off irons. I can already spin the Z-Star X 15 to 50 feet backward. The Z-Star will hardly stay on a green at all. So I'm not sure which of the two will give me the greatest driver distance, but I'm sure they're within a few yards of each other. So for those comparing Z-Star with Z-Star X, or the Z-Star XV, look at around the green performance if you put spin on the ball.

I am curious to try the XV. Approach shots, as you might guess, is what I'll evaluate first. Driver distance will be second. Now, before I hear it from others, I can hit approach shots with less spin, but sometimes that's not a shot I can go to depending on conditions or other variables.

I feel the same way. kt was just saying he hits low spin bombs so I was just addressing the tee shot.

I steep the ball a little and can stop a Topflite XL with a 6 iron in a few feet, as I'm a very high spin player, so I can relate to that painful 40 feet of backspin with a full swing into a headwind, with the pin on a upslope. "It's going right at the pin !, Hop and ZIP! off the front of the green =(.

I spin Z-Star too much with short irons on full shots but love the feel. I have played Z-Star X in regular conditions and can still rip her back. If I'm playing one of the top courses in my area and the greens are like hardwood(doesn't happen that often) I would pull out a Z-Star..

I'm looking forward to the XV because of its lower spin of the tee yes(I posted earlier in the thread about its dual core compared to the X)... But most importantly to me, the XV should feel a little softer then the X, and spin very similar off the irons to the X.

[Juan Fabuloso]

BTW, Dick's in South Florida has Z-Star's priced at 2DZ for $49.99. Sign says Z-Star, manager said I could have my choice of Z's or Z-X for the same price. They did not have XV's in stock. But, $25 a dozen for the '09s, I can wait!

[putt4_66]

tampay, on 14 February 2011 - 08:54 PM, said:

putt4_66, on 14 February 2011 - 01:11 PM, said:

tampay, on 13 February 2011 - 06:34 PM, said:

ktbfsu, on 12 February 2011 - 10:20 PM, said:

i live in orlando - and the week after the pga show i found a new z star xv.....stuck it in my bag and forgot about it until this thread.  

i've been playing z star x for about a year......love them.....so today, with this thread on my mind, i break out the z star xv......i had high hopes, but i was little underwhelmed.   i guess i've grown so accustomed to the firmness of the z star x and that the xv felt too soft.  

i do have a question about the regular z star vs the z star x.......less spinny?  i never new that. relatively speaking, i absolutely bomb the z star x.......high, no spin bombs.   would i get even more out of the regular z star if its ostensibly lower spinning?  had no idea that was the case.

It depends on your SS.

If your SS is high like 110-125MPH you should get similar spin rates off the driver with both because you are really compressing the X with more ball speed due to its harder compression. So the X will go farther. like you say.

If however your SS is between the two balls like 90-105 or even less, the Z star will spin less. With slightly less ball speed if your swing is 100-110ish generally speaking.

I believe what you're saying here, but I still believe in picking a ball from green performance backwards. I am not saying you don't believe that as well. You were just answering another person's question. I'll add to what you said by saying that I can't play the Z-Star because it spins too much on the green on approach shots. My driver SS is only about 104 mph. However, I put A LOT of spin on the ball off irons. I can already spin the Z-Star X 15 to 50 feet backward. The Z-Star will hardly stay on a green at all. So I'm not sure which of the two will give me the greatest driver distance, but I'm sure they're within a few yards of each other. So for those comparing Z-Star with Z-Star X, or the Z-Star XV, look at around the green performance if you put spin on the ball.

I am curious to try the XV. Approach shots, as you might guess, is what I'll evaluate first. Driver distance will be second. Now, before I hear it from others, I can hit approach shots with less spin, but sometimes that's not a shot I can go to depending on conditions or other variables.

I feel the same way. kt was just saying he hits low spin bombs so I was just addressing the tee shot.

I steep the ball a little and can stop a Topflite XL with a 6 iron in a few feet, as I'm a very high spin player, so I can relate to that painful 40 feet of backspin with a full swing into a headwind, with the pin on a upslope. "It's going right at the pin !, Hop and ZIP! off the front of the green =(.

I spin Z-Star too much with short irons on full shots but love the feel. I have played Z-Star X in regular conditions and can still rip her back. If I'm playing one of the top courses in my area and the greens are like hardwood(doesn't happen that often) I would pull out a Z-Star..

I'm looking forward to the XV because of its lower spin of the tee yes(I posted earlier in the thread about its dual core compared to the X)... But most importantly to me, the XV should feel a little softer then the X, and spin very similar off the irons to the X.

If they can pull that off, that'd be great. I'll try one as soon as I can find them.

[golfzlife]

thanks for the review - helps alot.

[msd3075]

Other than the "late February" mentioned somewhere, does anyone know when these will officially hit the shelves?

[wokel1]

Johnsti2k6, on 12 February 2011 - 11:37 AM, said:

Anyone know where I can grab a box of these XV. I want to try them out!

Not sure where you are located, but I was just at a golf retail store in the Boston area and they are fully stocked on the new z-star, z-star xv, both models in pure white and tour yellow.

[tampay]

The XV should be in stores everywhere by March 1st.

[ZBigStick]

tampay, on 11 February 2011 - 02:26 AM, said:

Thanks for more info on the XV.

I can see a bunch of 95MPH+ swing speed ZStar and ZStar X players switching to the XV. (due to its performance, not Gmac & Boo recently switching to it)

IF, you ignore the feel, the 09 ZStar, ZStar X played similar. Actually the X spun MORE then the ZStar, just launched a hair lower.

@Johnsti2k6
The XV will be a mix of the two 09 ZStars to the extent that, it will have a softer cover than the X (closer to the ZStar), a low compression middle core so it will get lower spin rates off the driver like the ZStar.

Too clarify the above, the X actually spun more then the ZStar off the driver, (especially for a lower ss player who couldn't compress it) there was a thread a while back about it and dansrixon had some good information.

The X was just one big high compression core(high ball speed, high spin) & the XV has a dual core which is high compression on the outside(high ball speed like the X) and low compression on the inside (low spin like the ZStar) off the driver to get the best of both worlds.

IMO the XV is going to be what the X should have been - a LOWER spin off the long clubs, higher compression ball of the ZStar

This is exactly what I found.  My SS is in that range of 100-105mph.  The X was shorter off of the tee for me, spun too much around the green and felt slightly clicky.  The Z-Star was fantastic in comparison.  It felt like a Pro V1 around the green, I could control the spin, and the yellow cover is very durable.  It holds it's line well in the wind, perhaps only outdone in this category by the B330-S and Tour ix.

I liked the Tour ix, and Pro V1x, so hopefully the new XV will be the bees knees!  

[LeftRev]

IMO the XV is going to be what the X should have been - a LOWER spin off the long clubs, higher compression ball of the ZStar
[/quote]

This is exactly what I found.  My SS is in that range of 100-105mph.  The X was shorter off of the tee for me, spun too much around the green and felt slightly clicky.  The Z-Star was fantastic in comparison.  It felt like a Pro V1 around the green, I could control the spin, and the yellow cover is very durable.  It holds it's line well in the wind, perhaps only outdone in this category by the B330-S and Tour ix.

I liked the Tour ix, and Pro V1x, so hopefully the new XV will be the bees knees!  
[/quote]

ZBigStick expressed my exact findings of the deficiences of the Z-StarX for people in our SS range and the advantages of my ball of choice, the Z-Star.  He also likes the other two balls that I would choose just behind the Z-Star...ProV1X and Callaway ix.

With that said, I tested the Z-Star XV yellow on Friday against the current Z-Star [75 degrees].  I found the new XV to perform almost exactly like the Z-Star.  I hit multiple shots around the course...both off the tee and into greens.  The XV might be 3-5 yards longer off the tee and the ZStar was a few yards longer off the irons.  Spin and trajectory seemed very similar off the driver and irons.  Both stopped similarly on approach shots.  The Z-Star is still softer.  

My impression is that Srixon has made the XV much more like the current Z-Star.  I'm worried now that the soon to be released Z-Star will also be different and I won't like the new version.  I think I will stock up on the current Z-Star balls at much reduced prices.  I will say that I could play the new XV without noticing much change in performance compared to the current Z-Star except the softness.

Rev.

[Johnsti2k6]

I played a round with the xv.

Its awesome. It really is almost exactly like the zstar but like many have said maybe 3-5 yards longer for most... More like 10 for me. I think you will make the most out of this ball if you have a higher swing speed. I swing my driver 114mph so having the characteristics of the  Z Star with the length of the x makes this my number one choice. Such a solid ball, Wish the numbers on it was black thou. Still I think it out performs the regular one by just a hair. But I can stop it on a dime its awesome !

[Mustng5]

The new star and xv were already at my local Edwin Watts, I picked up a dozen but didnt have a chance to play with them yet...

[tampay]

Did some more pitch/chipping/putting today with the XV, It feels softer then the Star X with about the same bite, also softer then the One Tour D, Love the feel of the XV !

Anyone else gaming it already ?

[Hounddoggolf]

I have played a 6 of each z star and the xv. The XV is going to be the best ball in golf since the tp red. I laughed when I was given these balls thinking I would never play Srixon and they proved me wrong. If they had the advertising budget of some of the other manufactures Titleist would not be the "1 ball in golf." I just hope I can get my hands on 5 dozen next week before my Scotland trip.

[Oxxxs]

Played 3 holes yesterday with the XV. I've never used Srixon before and was more than surprised. Great feel, good distance and an amazing robustness. After three solid wedge shots that would rip the cover on other balls I could not find a single blemish. I was using the yellow ball and it just seems to be a really new material for the cover. These for sure will be this years ball for me.

[ayrzee]

I got an amazing deal at Golftown when I bought the new Srixon Z Star XV's for half price ( buy one, get one free ). I finally got to use these 2 days ago and I must apologize to Golftown for stealing these balls. Needless to say, I was very impressed. I am not a person to change what I like and if it works for me, I stick with it. I have always been a "Titleist guy" but read about the new Srixon ball and did research it quite a bit before my purchase. Not disappointed at all !
What Srixon says these balls do and how they perform is dead on. They feel is amazing off of any club, cuts through the wind better than ANY Titleist I have used, and the XV performed great on all short iron shots as well as the driver.
I have now swithched permantly to these balls. The XV is in my bag until I can't buy them anymore and Srixon has made me a believer in what they are doing. Also, for 5 plus dollars less a dozen and , to myself, better performance than my usual ball, I am very excited to write my first review and let fellow golfers know about my findings.
GREAT JOB ON THE Z STAR XV SRIXON !!!!!

[GaHack1]

+1 to that ... have been searching for a TP Red replacement and now have found it.. I didn't really like last years Z Star but the XV is super nice. Long off the tee with a nice medium high ball flight and nice around the greens. Definitely one of the longer balls I've ever played (SS 90 to 95).

[Tomed]

I'm a 2.3 hndcp now, have been as low as +3.2. Played a nice little munie today where the greens are bent and running around a 9.5 or maybe 10. They were fantastic for a munie. Anywho, last time out I found a Srixon Z Star X V and threw it in my "trash" ball pocket. You know that pocket where you keep top rocks, maxflis, etc? This being a munie I didn't want to "waste" my ProVs (if you play these, you know the mindset). So today, on Hole #1 I reached in my "trash" pocket and this is the ball that found its way into my grasp. I figured "what the heck." I have always been a Titleist ProV1 guy, buying 50 to 100 at a time. Honestly I had zero knowledge of this ball. Thought it was akin to a Noodle or a Mojo. I mean "Srixon"? Yeah, right...

In summary, I just got home, got online and bought six (6) dozen Srixon Z Star X Vs. I was so thoroughly happy with this ball! I was hitting ridiculously good shots off of my irons and was getting mind blowing stopping power/backspin. I normally will get good zip spin with ProVs, but these Srixon's were dancing. I'll spare all the details, but did I mention I bought six dozen? I don't think I'll be going back to ProVs.

I'm thrilled to have found this ball and excited to see where my game goes.

[phase3golf]

Already switched to these and was an avid pro v1x user before these!

Unreal golf ball and the durability is what made me switch as I tear up the provx's and I am lucky to get 9 holes out of one before it looks like a range ball.

Will not be going back!

[bigbutch]

doubleeagle, on 28 January 2011 - 05:33 PM, said:

Well I was lucky enough to get a sleeve of the new Srixon Z-Star XV golf balls at the first of the year but today was the first time I had a chance to actually play them.  I have been playing the Z-Star X for a year so I was excited about seeing how these stack up to it.

After playing a few holes with the old Z-Star X I switched to the new Z-Start XV to see if I could actually tell any difference.  I noticed right off that the driver with the Z-Star XV feels softer on contact but goes just as far as the old ball.  The same can be said about the irons, nice smooth feeling at contact.  The old ball would hop, release and stop quick but the new Z-Star XV would hop and stop.  The wind actually picked up throughout the day so it was a good chance to see the differences there.  The new ball seems to hold its line well and cut right through the wind.  The biggest thing I noticed between the two was around the green.  Playing the old Z-Star X I would allow for some release on chip shots where as the new Z-Star XV seems to bite and stop quicker.  I found myself being able to carry it farther and get it to check.  It really surprised me how quick it stopped coming out of some tuff lies in the rough.  I played for some roll and the thing just stopped.

I have loved playing the Z-Star X but I really like what they have done with the new Z-Star XV.  I hope that this helps anyone who is interested in what Srixon is doing.  I like their product and will continue to use it.

I tried the XV and the Z star SL. Not a lot of difference in performance, but the SL is designed for slower swingers. Both balls were the yellow version and they both feel good and are very durable. I got some good spin with both and they go pretty good also.

[morebeerbettergolf]

The XV is the longest tour ball I have ever used.

[hardboiled]

Great ball. The Yellow XV's last fooorrrreeeever

[Bladeist]

I found an XV on the course a few weeks ago, played it for the rest of the round and loved it.  Then as they were on sale ($29 per dozen) I bought 2 doz of the XV and 1 doz of the Z-Star.  They both performed similar for me, with the XV a tad firmer.  I prefer them both to the Prov1 and x.  Similar spin and feel, longer, much more durable and the wind performance is far better too.