Srixon’s all-new ZXi irons use “impact-forged” technology to produce models with improved feel, distance, forgiveness and control.
“The i-Forging process gave us the unique ability to select which steels would be best suited for each ZXi iron, promoting a better hitting feel and overall performance,” said Dustin Brekke, director of engineering at Srixon. “Each new material upgrade serves a specific purpose to balance and strengthen each iron and give players immediate feedback at contact.”
Srixon’s proprietary forging technique used in creating ZXi7, ZXi5, ZXi4 and ZXiU irons helps strengthen specially chosen sections of each iron to increase their performance. That added support allowed engineers to utilize softer, better feeling material in the construction, thereby maintaining a pure feel without compromising durability. Testing results showed ZXi7 single-piece body material is 7 percent softer, while ZXiU and ZXi5 face material is 14 percent softer than the prior generation of ZX Mk II Irons.
“On the ZXi7 players iron, we used a softer steel [called] S15C. It’s the softest steel we’ve ever had in a forged Srixon iron,” said Brekke.
The ZXi7 ($186 per club) are irons for ball strikers who seek tour-preferred looks, pro-level feel and workability. To help deliver a more stable strike, an expanded PureFrame is forged into the body and placed directly behind the sweet spot to reduce undesired vibrations by 9.3 percent compared to ZX7 Mk II.
The ZXi5, ZXi4 ($186 per club) and ZXiU ($240) irons incorporate third-generation MainFrame technology with a variable thickness network of grooves, channels and notches milled onto the backside of the faces to help maximize flex at impact for more efficient energy transfer into the ball. The upgraded design features a wider toe-side channel, allowing engineers to reposition up to 2 grams of mass for a lower center of gravity and more MOI to promote better ball speed, consistency and forgiveness.
Additional tech in the ZXi irons include a Tour V.T. sole, to encourage cleaner strikes and optimal workability, and progressive grooves, with wider grooves in 3-7 irons and deeper, closer-set grooves in 8-iron on up.
PHOTO COURTESY srixon