Do You Know that Srixon Makes Irons?

Written By: Tony Covey

Do you know that Srixon makes irons?

I’m hoping most of you are staring at the page right now wondering if the guy who wrote this is an idiot, because frankly, I feel stupid for asking. Of course you know Srixon makes irons…right?

Right?

Not Just Irons…Really Good Irons

I’m continuously baffled by the number of golfers I encounter who have absolutely no idea that Srixon’s product offerings extend beyond the golf ball. So do you know that Srixon makes irons is, sadly, a fair question.

But since you already know that Srixon makes irons, let me re-ask with greater relevancy to a well-informed golfer such as yourself; did you know Srixon makes really good irons?

You’re probably familiar with the Z 545 from our recent Most Wanted Game-Improvement iron test. And despite the fact that the Z 545 is a bit of a better-player-centric stretch for that particularly category (the Z 355 wasn’t available at the time of testing), certainly nobody at Srixon can be too upset about how the irons fared.

Step up to the Z 745 and you find a beautifully-crafted iron which, although Srixon bills as being for Tour Players, is playable-enough for most single digit golfers, and even some low-single digit guys who are above average ballstrikers.

The Z 945…modern blade perfection. I’d love a set. They’d look great on my wall, or in a case someplace where they couldn’t do any real damage.

My point in all of this is that Srixon, somewhat quietly, has amassed an iron lineup that covers nearly every golfer, while maintaining a semi-traditional aesthetic that should appeal to just about everyone.

Let me spell it out for you; I’m really impressed by the Srixon Z-series iron lineup; in many cases moreso than competitive offerings.

Where Does the Z 355 Fit?

The most recent addition to the Z-series is the Z 355. If we’re being honest, it’s a much better fit into the true game-improvement category than the 545. It fits solidly in the 15-20 handicap space, but its refined enough that it’s appeal could sneak into the single digits; particularly for those better golfers looking for more forgiveness.

The Z 355 is a bit more compact than many in its space. It offers enough offset for those who need it without being in your face, totally ugly, or otherwise unappealing. The departure from standard game-improvement practice is most noticeable in the thinner-than-expected topline. As a guy who continues to rail against unnecessarily thick, and poorly shaped toplines, it’s the design feature I most appreciate. Certainly we’re just shy of 600 increments away away from butter knife territory (the 945 is modern butter knife), and I suppose it’s not a huge leap away from an AP1, although I personally find the Z 355 more appealing visually.

Ultimately, the Z 355 is a game-improvement iron that could – and probably should – appeal to guys who generally don’t like game-improvement irons.

Srixon Z 355 Technology

From a technology perspective, Srixon has done a few different things.

Most notably is the inclusion of what Srixon calls Action Mass. It’s the signature technology of Srixon’s 355-series products. In practice Action Mass means heavier heads coupled with high-balance point shafts. The end result of Action Mass is that golfers can put more weight through the ball without increasing swing weights to uncomfortable levels. Even with heavier than average heads, the Z 355’s swing weight comes in at an easily manageable D2.

So what the’s actual benefit of Action Mass?

My guess is Srixon’s thinking is rooted in physics, and more specifically Newton’s second law:

Force = Mass x Acceleration

With Z 355 you’re going to put more mass into the ball, and assuming you don’t have to compromise swing speed (acceleration) to get it, you’re going to hit the ball farther than you would with a lighter head. Toss in the MOI benefits of those heavier heads, and, well, you can start to see how this Action Mass thing is supposed to work.

Apart from typical OEM talking points (maraging steel, 17-4, etc., and of course larger sweet spots), the Z 355 also features Srixon Tour V.T. Sole. Your actual mileage may vary, but the design, which pairs increased leading edge bounce with decreased training edge bounce, is designed to move effortlessly through turf and tighten shot dispersion.

Z 355 Specifications

As you can see from the chart, the Z 355 is perhaps slightly agressive in its spec-ology. The pitching wedge is strong at 44°, and the 38″ 5-iron might be a bit longer than some are accustomed to, but nothing is outside the reasonable range for the category, especially among offerings that offer lighter-weight shafts as the primary stock option.

Z 355 Performance

We’re going to be taking a closer look at the performance of the Srixon Z 355 in the very near future. Check back soon for the results.

That stock steel shaft is Nippon’s N.S. Pro 950GH DST. For those who prefer graphite, Miyazaki’s Jinsoku is also an option. Retail price is $799-steel and $899-graphite for an 8-club set.

Have You Tried Srixon Irons?

Have you tried the Srixon Z-series irons? What do you think of the company’s first full scale push into the US Market?

For more information, visit the Srixon Golf Website.