The Srixon ZX5 LS Mk II driver offers high-value, low-spin performance. Those who are looking to max out their distance with a forgiving head should try out this Srixon driver. Good feel but an awful sound.
I also found the club to be very fade-biased. Compared to other new drivers this year, I found the Srixon ZX5 LS Mk II driver to be a bit harder to close the face through impact. For me, that resulted in more shots pushed to the right, even if solidly struck. With that being said, it was a consistent shot I could rely on, even if slightly right of where I was aligned.
The ZX7 Mk II is the more compact-looking of the new driver models (there is a standard ZX5 Mk II, as well as a low spin version of the new ZX5). Aimed at those in search of better ball flight control, this head is designed to be more adjustable but less forgiving. In the video below, we look at the ZX7 Mk II driver up against two other driver models on the market this year.
While the sole views have the same smart, understated look, you will immediately spot the difference between the new models as you set them down behind the ball. The ZX5 has a more stretched-back look and the face appears a little longer from heel-to-toe. Those in search of one of the most forgiving drivers with a more confidence-inspiring look at address will likely veer towards the ZX5 Mk II.
We wanted to see how the ZX7 Mk II stood up in terms of performance so I tested it using a Trackman launch monitor and Titleist Pro V1x golf balls. To compare, I also hit the previous generation Srixon ZX7 driver and the new ZX5 Mk II. All the drivers were set to 9.5 and had the same Hzrdus Smoke 6.0 shaft. The graphic below shows my average data with each driver.
Compared to the original ZX7, the new version launched higher but spun less. This helped me find a significant 8-yards of extra total distance. However, to my mind at least some of this performance gain came from the added consistency I had with the newer model. Right from the first hit, I felt more in control of the ZX7 MKII. It was the straightest of the three drivers I tested and as my confidence grew so, apparently, did my swing speed.
So the question is, did this translate into better on course performance? I used the ZX7 Mk II during a December round (with wet underfoot conditions) to find out. It was here where the workability of the new driver came into its own. On a demanding course off the tee, I kept the ball in play throughout the round. There was one drive that I was particularly pleased with. On a sharp dog-leg left-to-right (with danger on both sides of the fairway), I was able to find exactly the right, fading ball flight to set up a straight-forward approach and an easy par. The Arccos graphic below shows the shot.
Overall, in the ZX7 Mk II Srixon has brought another excellent driver to market. Destined to be used on Tour, this is also worth considering for any golfer in search of a traditional-looking head and a more controlled ball flight and features in our Editor's Choice awards 2023.
Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points.
To support the flexible rebound frame, the titanium crown utilizes a Star Frame construction that uses a series of ridges to support and strengthen it without adding extra weight. The saved discretionary mass is then used around the various driver models to produce ideal launch and spin characteristics.
The ZX5 offers the largest footprint with a lower profile and a flattened shape for boosted MOI. It comes with a single adjustable weight (8g stock) in the rear to help increase launch and stability and offer the most consistent distance around the face. The ZX5 MKII driver comes in lofts of 9.5 and 10.5
As the name suggests, the ZX5 LS is a lower spinning version of the ZX5 and also offers the lowest spinning profile of the three drivers in the lineup. This was achieved by using the same lower profile platform of the ZX5 but with an adjustable weight (8g stock) placed closer to the face. The ZX5 LS MKII Driver comes in lofts of 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5
All three ZX MKII drivers performed exceptionally on high toe misses during testing. Compared to center strike carry distance, impacting the high toe saw distance drop by only 7 yards. The high toe carry distance delta was near the top for all drivers tested and should be a welcome sight for golfers who routinely miss in this common location on the face.
The ZX lineup has a driver for every player type. For golfers who want to launch it low, the ZX5 LS MKII provides a strong combination of low launch and spin characteristics. On the flip side, the ZX7 MKII is the higher launch option. In fact, the ZX7 launched an extra degree higher than the ZX5 LS during testing.
The new driver lineup features two familiar faces and a party-crasher. The ZX5 and ZX7 follow the long-standing script: the 5 is the higher-launching, more forgiving model while the 7 is the lower-launching, better-player model. The intriguing newcomer is the ZX5 LS low-spin model.
The last two generations of Srixon drivers have featured carbon fiber crowns. In the most recent MyGolfSpy Most Wanted testing, Srixon drivers have been solid to above-average performers but testers were put off by sound and feel. This new generation is noticeably more muted.
The Srixon ZX5 LS driver is the same exact head as the standard ZX5 except for the weight placement. Where the standard Srixon ZX5 driver features a rear weight port, the LS version features a weight port and an eight-gram weight right behind the face, along with a heavier stock shaft.
When it comes to the driver market, there are only so many seats at the head table. And TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist, PING and, to a lesser extent, COBRA occupy most of them. That leaves precious little room for everyone else.
The Srixon ZX7 driver will be available in 9.5- and 10.5-degree adjustable heads with the Project X HZRDUS Black shaft and the Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip stock. The ZX5 will be available in the same lofts with the lighter HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX shaft stock.
The Srixon ZX5 driver is a more forgiving driver with a higher MOI. It launches higher and with more spin than the ZX7, which features more compact shaping and is intended for golfers who value workability.
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With mac OS 10.13, we have seen symptoms such as a warning message displayed or driver doesn't function properly . In order to avoid this problem, please follow the warning message displayed and allow the driver or TOOLS.
Compared to the original Carbonwood, Stealth 2 features nearly twice the amount of carbon. It is constructed using a new Carbon Reinforced Composite Ring and collectively utilizes more of the lightweight material than any driver in TaylorMade history. Our advanced application of carbon allows for the redistribution of mass for more forgiveness and stability.
The Skinny: Srixon ZX5 Mk II, ZX5 LS Mk II and ZX7 Mk II drivers each have a uniquely designed chassis that allows a more significant portion of the hitting area to flex at impact for increased ball speed and distance. The ZX5 Mk II has extra stability, the ZX5 LS Mk II is a low-spin option and the ZX7 Mk II has greater shot-shaping potential.
For several years, Srixon has delivered the maximum trampoline-like effect allowable by USGA and R&A rules. And thanks to uniquely designed clubheads, the new ZX5 Mk II, ZX5 LS Mk II and ZX7 Mk II drivers can now do a better job of providing ball speed on off-center hits, too.
The key is a design feature called Rebound Frame. Like other drivers, the seam and area surrounding the face is rigid, but behind that is a ring of more-flexible titanium. Srixon said when a shot is hit, the face flexes as it would for other drivers, plus the Rebound Frame chassis creates a second flexible zone that allows the whole hitting area to shift back and snap forward. The result is increased ball speed over a more significant portion of the face. Golfers not only achieve solid results on center-struck shots, their mis-hit shots will not lose as much ball speed.
While the ZX5 Mk II, ZX5 LS Mk II and ZX7 Mk II drivers are all 460 cubic centimeters in volume and share those already-mentioned technologies, they were designed for very different players with adjustable sole weights located in various areas on the bottom of the club to produce different ball flights.
What you need to know: Srixon is improving upon its 2021 ZX5 and ZX7 drivers with the new 2023 Srixon ZX Mk II drivers. The ZX5 Mk II is a more forgiving, mid-spin, mid-launch driver. ZX7 Mk II is a less forgiving, low-spin, mid-launch, slightly fade-biased driver that is more workable than the ZX5 Mk II. For 2023, Srixon is adding a ZX5 Mk II LS driver to the lineup, which is lower launching and spinning than the ZX5 Mk II; also more workable.
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