For any number of reasons, some legitimate and others not, the fairway/hybrid part of any product release is almost always a trickle-down extension of the driver story. It’s the same three or four technology bullet points as the driver launch but without the sexiness and headline-making clickbait of the family’s big dog.
This year’s TaylorMade Qi35 and Callaway Elyte stories test that conclusion to a degree.
The new Srixon ZXi fairways and hybrids do not.
That doesn’t mean these new Srixons aren’t worth your time. On looks alone, they’re a big improvement over the previous (and disappointing) ZX Mk II models. However, if you want a deep dive into the technology, sashay over to the driver article to refresh your memory and then come on back.
I’ll wait. (Insert theme from Jeopardy.)
Srixon ZXi fairways and hybrids: A badly needed fix
Welcome back. I trust you’ve caught up on the benefits of the new AI-designed i-Flex variable-thickness face and the trampoline effect of Rebound Frame.
Let’s get back to work.
The only way to determine whether a new Srixon ZXi fairway or hybrid is right for you is to try one and compare it with other contenders. It may work for you; it may not. We can, however, tell you this year’s models feature some badly needed repairs.
The 2023 Srixon ZX Mk II fairways and hybrids were, to be kind, mediocre. They were, in fact, the epitome of mediocrity and a major step backward from the 2021 model, which copped top honors in MyGolfSpy testing that year. Last year, the ZX Mk II finished 16th out of 29 clubs tested. It was neither long nor accurate and was first wife-level unforgiving.
The good news for the hybrid was that it ranked 14th in our testing.
The bad news? That was out of 23 models tested.
“Our hybrids and fairways aren’t extensively used on (the PGA) Tour,” Srixon Engineering Director Dustin Brekke tells MyGolfSpy, “but we continue to work with our Tour staff to get feedback.”
Most of that Tour feedback centered on shaping. It’s easy to think of shaping as simple aesthetics but it impacts everything from dynamic lofting to turf interaction.
“Sole width, sole curvature and top-down shape all play a big role,” says Brekke.
That’s why the ZXi line is getting a major form overhaul. They simply look better, by a lot, than their predecessors.
But will function follow form?
That, of course, is the $64,000 question.
“It’s hard to identify one specific feature leading to one specific outcome,” Brekke explains. “So we keep refining the shape and other parts that are important.”
Refining the shape allows for refining those other important parts. Shift some weight and adjust the CG and you can improve MOI. Upgrade the face technology with i-Flex and you can improve ball speed.
Perhaps the biggest upgrade, however, is Srixon fairways and hybrids will be hosel-adjustable.
Holy torque wrench!
“That’s going to be huge for us,” admits Brekke. “We can fit players faster and provide options.”
Srixon is doing one of two things here. You could say they’re finally catching up but adjustability isn’t that big of a technological leap. More likely Srixon is conceding that while being non-adjustable might have given it a weight and/or price advantage, the type of player they’re after values adjustability. A potential Srixon player not only wants adjustability but they’ll likely use it and benefit from it.
“There are more options than 99 percent of the people can use,” says Brekke. “The industry has been there for years. The key is to provide those options and the information to figure out how to use that adjustability.”
Adjustability simplified, sort of
As with any adjustable hosel, the new Srixon version lets you adjust loft, lie and face angle with 12 different settings. Loft can be adjusted 1.5 degrees up or down in half-degree increments. As you loft up, the face angle closes. As you loft down, the face angle opens.
Lie adjusts at the same time but only down or flat. For example, if you loft a ZXi fairway or hybrid up 1.5 degrees, the face will close three degrees and the lie will flatten by 1.5 degrees. If you loft down by 1.5 degrees, the face will open three degrees while the lie flattens 1.5 degrees.
If that’s not flat enough for you, Srixon adds FL settings to the mix. Set the hosel to STD FL and the loft and face angle are standard but the lie will be three degrees flat.
If you tend to hook hybrids off the planet, flat with an open club face might be just the ticket. On the other hand, if your off-the-deck fairway wood shots tend to go right, a closed face might mitigate the heebie-jeebies just a little.
Additionally, sole bounce adjusts with loft. You don’t think much about turf interaction with a fairway or a hybrid but it does matter. The ZXi line has updated soles that, when combined with adjustability, give golfers more options to find the right combination.
Again, Srixon isn’t necessarily plowing new ground here but it’s not lagging behind anymore, either.
Some on-course observations
Fairway woods and I have an understanding. I don’t expect much from them and they’re fine with it. My relationship with hybrids, however, is toxic. Every dalliance has ended badly.
Since it’s the offseason, I decided to give a ZXi 5-wood and 4-hybrid a try. I took the 3-wood out of the bag (frankly, it was relieved) and cranked the 5-wood down to 16.5 degrees, making it more of a 4-wood. That loft setting dropped the lie 1.5 degrees flat to 57 and opened the face by the full three degrees.
I also cranked the 22-degree 4-hybrid down to 20.5 degrees and replaced my PING i530 5-iron. The lie dropped to 58 degrees and the face opened three degrees.
Like most “regular” golfers, hitting a 5-iron or a 3-wood is a Dirty Harry moment for me. Do I feel lucky?
Well, do ya, punk?
Maybe it was nothing more than the joy of getting out of the New Hampshire cold for a few days but I hit more good shots with the Srixon ZXi 5-wood and 4-hybrid that one weekend than I had over the last half-season with my Callaway 3-wood and PING 5-iron. Of course, the bar was pretty low … but still.
The obvious, and likely correct, conclusion is I’d get similar results with any 5-wood and 4-hybrid. Once the results are in, then and only then should things like looks, feel and confidence matter. Srixon has done a fine job of improving looks and feel compared to the ZX Mk II line. While turf interaction and ball speed are hard to quantify on the course, each good result led to more confidence.
That, of course, led to more good results.
Funny how that works.
Srixon ZXi fairways and hybrids: Specs, price and availability
The new Srixon ZXi fairway woods come in four adjustable lofts ranging from a strong 3-wood at 13.5 degrees to a 21-degree 7-wood. The strong 3 and standard 3 feature a carbon-fiber crown while the 5- and 7-woods are all high-strength maraging steel. Only the standard 3- and 5-wood will be available for lefties.
The Ventus TR Blue is the stock shaft while the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 is the stock grip. The women’s model features the lightweight Aldila Ascent PL 40 shaft and the Lamkin ST Soft grip. It will be available in the 5- and 7-wood with left-handed models available via custom order only.
The Srixon ZXi hybrids come in five adjustable lofts ranging from a 17-degree 2-hybrid to a 28-degree 6-hybrid. Only the 3- and 4- hybrids will be available for lefties. The Ventus TR Blue HB shaft and Tour Velvet 360 grip are stock.
The women’s version again features the Aldila Ascent PL 40 shaft and Lamkin ST Soft grip as stock. They’ll be available in the 4-, 5- and 6-hybrid models for righties. The 4-hybrid will be available for lefties via custom order.
Retail pricing is $329.99 for the fairways and $279.99 for the hybrids. They hit the stores on Jan. 24.
For more information, hit up the Srixon Golf website.
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