Equipment
Srixon launches new Z-Star, Z-Star XV and Q-Star Tour golf balls
In the last year, Srixon has become one of the winningest golf balls globally with its Z-Star and Z-Star XV golf balls. It doesn’t hurt that Hideki Matsuyama had the Srixon Z-Star XV in the bag for his five worldwide wins in 2016; but staffers Graeme McDowell (Z-Star XV) and Russell Knox (Z-Star) also recorded wins with Srixon golf balls in 2016.
Despite their success, and even reluctance from Tour players to change, Srixon has made tweaks to both the core and the cover of the Z-Star and Z-Star XV golf balls for 2017. Srixon expects that the majority of Tour players will make the switch due to the improvements.
The company has updated the core of the Z-Star to make it a bit softer to improve feel, launch conditions and distance. The Z-Star XV golf balls also have a redesigned dual core for better launch conditions and more distance.
“I’m a guy who really can’t give up any yardage off the driver, so I feel like with the Z-Star XV I can keep the ball speed up, but still have the touch and feel around the green,” says Srixon staffer Graeme McDowell.
Both golf balls use a redesigned 338 “Speed Dimple Pattern,” which uses five different-sized dimples as opposed to the seven of its predecessors. It’s said to be more aerodynamic, leaving the player with more control and distance on full shots — especially in windy conditions. Due to the dimple layout, the balls are said to maintain flight better and fly farther by reducing drag and increasing lift.
Also, a third-generation “Spin Skin Coating” was made softer and with more elasticity for a softer feel at impact, while generating more greenside spin and more predictable spin on approach shots — especially out of the rough. The urethane coating works by helping the cover stretch more at impact, increasing the amount of impact points between the face and ball, thus causing more friction.
Srixon’s Z-Star and Z-Star XV — each available in White and Yellow — will sell for $39.99 per dozen starting on February 17.
For golfers who have “moderate speed” with their drivers, Srixon is also bringing much of the same Tour technology into a lower-compression golf ball called the Q-Star Tour. Lower-speed players will likely find a higher launch and lower spin with this golf ball for more distance, but won’t lose much by way of feel due to the three-piece construction with a urethane cover. The Q-Star Tour, which is only available in White, will sell for $29.99 per dozen starting on April 14.
Learn more about the three new golf balls below.
Z-Star
“I attribute much of my recent success to the trust I have in my Z-Star golf ball,” says PGA Tour pro Russell Knox. “I love how this ball feels. It gives me complete confidence in my ability to control the spin on greenside pitches and chips.”
Compression was reduced in this three-piece golf ball, giving it a slightly softer feel that also encourages a higher launch and lower driver spin from the tee. Its Energetic Gradient Growth (E.G.G.) core is designed to be the softest in the middle, and gets progressively firmer toward the outer edge of the golf ball. This design is said to maximize energy transfer at impact and optimize launch conditions for the player.
Compared to the Z-Star XV, golfers can expect the Z-Star to launch higher and spin more overall — about 200 rpm at 36 mph of club head speed, and 500 rpm at 112 mph — and have a slightly softer feel. Srixon suggests this golf ball for golfers who swing more than 90 mph with their driver.
Z-Star XV
“I trust the total performance of the Z-Star XV,” says Hideki Matsuyama. “I have excellent distance and spin control on my iron and wedge shot, but what I like most about this new Z-Star XV is its pleasant sound and feel on all shots — especially the superb feedback on putts and chips.”
The redesigned dual E.G.G. core, which now has a softer inner core and firmer outer core, helps to decrease driver spin but also increase ball speed on this four-piece construction. Golfers can also expect their launch angle to be higher than with the Z-Star XV predecessor due to the changes.
Compared to the Z-Star, the Z-Star XV will spin less, provide a lower launch for most golfers and have a slightly firmer feel. Srixon suggests this golf ball to golfers who swing more than 100 mph with their driver.
Q-Star Tour
This three-piece golf ball has a urethane cover and was made with a softer feel and lower compression to optimize distance and greenside feel for golfers with lower swing speeds. Like the Z-Star and Z-Star XV tour balls the Q-Star is also built with a E.G.G. core, but will be easier to compress than the Z-Star or Z-Star XV. Also, the Q-Star has a 324 dimpled cover, rather than 338 in the Z-Star and Z-Star XV, making the golf ball spin more and stay in the air longer for golfers who need the extra boost.
Srixon calls the golf ball the “most spin for your money,” as it sells for $10 less than its Z-Star family members, but has many of the same technologies.
Related: Our review of the Z-Star and Z-Star XV 2015 golf balls
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition. $325 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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Bob Bissonette
Jan 30, 2017 at 7:59 am
This new Q-Star is the European AD333 Tour of yesteryear?
Kim
Jan 24, 2017 at 6:02 pm
It seems a lot of us understand why the golf balls cost so much (R&D, cost of patents, and important getting balls in play on tour). Really less then 10% of us need a tour ball, but thank goodness the fun of golf leads to the fun of getting balls and equipment we just got to have. I say the Q-Star in Yellow has my vote.
Furious Styles
Jan 23, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Calm down, sparky.
Mikec
Jan 24, 2017 at 11:01 am
Why? OEM’s follow these boards, as a customer trying to get their attention.
As noted, TM responded and released a yellow Project (a). As noted I only meant to post once.
trebird
Jan 23, 2017 at 6:23 pm
Been gaming the XV ball on and off for a couple of years. I thought the 2015 version was better than the 2016. Looking forward to trying these and the TP5’s.
Golfandpuff
Jan 23, 2017 at 5:25 pm
drop prices on current “old” ball any time now please!
Mikec
Jan 23, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Apols for the multiple posts.
That’s because my first 2 times did not post, now they “all” seem to have posted.
Not intentional.
I like Srixon balls and have loyally played them over the years (Z Star, ZS XV, and Q-Star, all in yellow). Last year I moved to the B330RX, as my SS is now just around 100, and I found that I got better feel over the ZS XV with the RX. However, the Q-Star Tour really has my attention, and I would be trying it, if it were in yellow. Not sure I agree with all the marketing research and think some of this is purely arbitrary in some respect. Take Titleist, NXT Tour S in both colors, but Tour, only white. B330RX in both colors, but B330RXS, only in white. To me, Srixon was the first company stateside to offer premium urethane balls in yellow (ZStar and XV, Volvik was just entering the US market), so to “not” offer it in one of their lines is a departure of their philosophy IMO. Also, it seems that most of the balls offered in “yellow”, cater to the mid to high cappers and/or value shoppers and those not needing “as much” spin, with the exception of Srixon and Volvik. So personally was a bit surprised and disappointed. No big deal though, will wait and see. TM in example eventually released the Project (a) in yellow. Basically that and the B330RX yellow are my current gamers.
Uhit
Jan 23, 2017 at 1:21 pm
I read Srixons press release:
http://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-star-malaysia/20170122/282355449451754
as if Matsuyama and others already played the 2017 version in the 2016 season…
…and that they already had a total of 18 wins (with the new balls) as of the middle of November 2016.
You write, as if they would have played the former version of the ball:
“Despite their success, and even reluctance from Tour players to change, Srixon has made tweaks to both the core and the cover of the Z-Star and Z-Star XV golf balls for 2017. Srixon expects that the majority of Tour players will make the switch due to the improvements.”
…which seems to be wrong, according the press release.
blakes
Jan 23, 2017 at 1:21 pm
been gaming the xv for 2 years now and absolutely love the performance. can’t imagine how they could have improved the current version but will certainly give the ’17 model a whirl. Love the $39.99 price point too! If you haven’t tested Srixon Balls I highly recommend testing them against your current gamers.
eric
Jan 23, 2017 at 2:32 pm
have you played the chrome soft? curious to how the two may compare.
blakes
Jan 24, 2017 at 12:20 pm
I have not but would def give the chromesoft a whirl. I tested the XV against my old gamer: Prov1. XV spun less off driver, more distance with driver, and spun more around greens. Only spot the V1 outperformed the XV was on midirons. V1 got a bit higher launch, more spin, and slighter steeper landing angle.
Kim
Jan 23, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Can charge less then PROV1 as they only need to supply 5% of tour players balls for playing and practice, PROV1 must provide balls for up to 90% of touring pros can you imagine how much it cost them to supply thousands of balls for driving range and tournament play each week? You can bet that $9.00 difference in price all goes to supply Tour Players….
blakes
Jan 24, 2017 at 12:22 pm
whatever the reason, i will take it.
Uhit
Jan 23, 2017 at 1:15 pm
I read Srixons press release:
http://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-star-malaysia/20170122/282355449451754
as if Matsuyama and others already played the 2017 version in the 2016 season…
…and that they already had a total of 18 wins (with the new balls) as of the middle of November 2016.
You write, as if the played the former Version of the ball:
“Despite their success, and even reluctance from Tour players to change, Srixon has made tweaks to both the core and the cover of the Z-Star and Z-Star XV golf balls for 2017. Srixon expects that the majority of Tour players will make the switch due to the improvements.”
…which seems to be wrong, according the press release.
S Hitter
Jan 23, 2017 at 11:52 am
This new Q Star Tour is the shiznit. Why would anybody ever pay almost double for the Pro-V1? And both balls are 3-piece. Don’t believe the hype on the Pro-V, y’all. That’s just advertising. There have always been balls that are better than the Titleist ones. And this new Q Star Tour should take a nice bite out of Titleist
Robert
Jan 23, 2017 at 11:50 am
So is it correct to say that the new XV is going to feel softer than the prior gen XV?
bonifacj
Jan 23, 2017 at 11:31 am
These guys just make such fantastic stuff, all around.
Mikec
Jan 23, 2017 at 10:29 am
No yellow Q-Star Tour??
Big miss IMO, as your target user is mid-low cap seniors like myself who like yellow for vision.
Listen to your customers Srixon!!
I will not be trying this ball, as I do not play white.
I will be playing TM Project (a) Yellow this year, thanks for listening TM.
Feel the Bern
Jan 23, 2017 at 11:37 am
You’ve said so three times now.
Double Mocha Man
Jan 23, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Mike… they look at overall sales and, apparently, you are not their customer… at least not one they can make revenue from. Stock up on last year’s model on ebay. They are not going to make a golf ball essentially just for you. That is free enterprise/marketing life. Notice, no CAPS were used in the making of this post.
Mikec
Jan 23, 2017 at 10:26 am
C’mon SRIXON, listen to your customer!!
Yellow is a popular color w seniors like myself for vision, as will be the Q-Star Tour.
HOW COULD YOU NOT RELEASE THIS IN YELLOW????
BIG BIG MISS IMO!!
Will be playing 2016 Project (a) Yellow.
Good job TM, YOU LISTENED!!
Dat
Jan 23, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Great, buy the TM ball.
Mikec
Jan 23, 2017 at 9:36 am
No Q-Star Tour in yellow? BIG MISS SRIXON, BIG MISS!!
Yellow is very popular w senior golfers (vision) like myself as will this ball.
WHO MAKES THESE DECISIONS?
OBVIOUSLY NOT LISTENING TO YOUR CUSTOMERS.
Furious Styles
Jan 23, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Calm down.