Srixon ZXi5 irons review

Srixon's second-generation ZXi5 is a compact forged iron with extra speed. Testers praise its feel and turf interaction, but little has changed and spin can run low.

The second-generation Srixon ZXi5 is a forged, compact iron that Srixon calls a "players performance" model: it sits between the blade-like ZXi7 and the hollow, distance-focused ZXi5+. It is aimed at single-figure to mid-teens handicappers who want extra speed and forgiveness without giving up a players-style look and feel. Independent reviewers praise its feel and turf interaction, while noting that very little has changed from the first ZXi5 and that one tester found spin on the low side.

How we put this review together: we haven't hit these irons ourselves. This review brings together the maker's specs, Australian pricing and what independent testers have published, with links so you can check them.

At a glance

  • Australian price: $1,650 for a 5-PW steel set (six clubs), or $275 per single iron, at House of Golf, where it is listed for pre-order from 19 October. Drummond Golf lists custom builds from $275 per club.
  • Lofts: 7-iron 31° and 4-iron 22°, according to Golfalot, which describes them as fairly traditional for this type of iron.
  • Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 100 or Mid 115 steel at House of Golf, with graphite available through custom orders.
  • Construction: forged body and face, made by Endo in Japan, according to Srixon's product copy.
  • Release: September 2026 announcement, with Australian stock due in October 2026.
  • Best for: better and improving players, from single figures to the mid-teens, who want a compact iron with some extra help.

What's new

Not much, on purpose. Golf Monthly's headline is that barely anything has changed, and Golfalot says the new irons look extremely similar to the first ZXi5. The visible changes are a slightly thinner topline, cleaner transitions and a tidier cavity.

Underneath, Srixon has refined its "i-Forged" process, which uses extra forging through the high toe and along the topline for strength, then softens the face to improve feel. The milled network of channels behind the face is now called MainFrame iQ, and Golfalot reports it is about 8% lighter, freeing weight to improve forgiveness. The Tour V.T. Sole, which combines different sole widths, bounce angles and notches, carries over.

What independent testers found

  • Golf Monthly: Golf Monthly's iron tester said more of the same is a good thing here. The review highlighted exceptional turf interaction from the sole, a slimmer topline that better players will like, and an impact feel described as powerful but controlled. The cons were that first-generation owners probably don't need to upgrade, and golfers who want a bigger, more reassuring head may prefer something else.
  • Golfalot: On a GCQuad launch monitor, Golfalot's tester averaged about 163 yards of carry with the 7-iron, with ball speed similar to a Titleist T150 and spin of roughly 4,600 rpm. On course the irons were predictable and forgiving, with consistent turf interaction on firm and soft ground. The main concern was low spin and launch in the longer irons, with the 4-iron carrying about as far as a 5-iron, and the review suggests testing more than just a 7-iron at a fitting. It scored them 4.3 out of 5.
  • Plugged In Golf: Testing them against the ZXi7, Plugged In Golf found the ZXi5 carried about one club further, with noticeably more ball speed and medium to medium-high spin that held greens. Centre strikes felt very soft, with enough feedback to flag a mishit. The trade-off it noted was a little less control, as a closed or delofted strike can run several yards long.

The reviewers agree on feel, looks and turf. They differ on spin: Plugged In Golf had no trouble holding greens, while Golfalot found spin too low, especially in the long irons.

Who it suits

The ZXi5 suits golfers who strike the ball fairly consistently and want a forged, compact iron that still gives some help with distance and mishits. Plugged In Golf also suggests it as a sensible upgrade for golfers moving on from a starter or game-improvement set.

Who should look elsewhere

If you already own the first-generation ZXi5, testers agree there is little reason to upgrade, and the earlier model is still listed at Drummond Golf from $211 per club. Higher handicappers who want more forgiveness should look at a game-improvement iron such as the Callaway Quantum Max. Golfers chasing maximum distance in a compact shape could compare the hollow ZXi5+ or the TaylorMade P790.

Buying it in Australia

House of Golf lists the new ZXi5 in 5-PW steel sets plus a single 4-iron and approach wedge, on pre-order from 19 October. Drummond Golf takes custom orders in steel and graphite. Given the reports of low spin in the long irons, testing several clubs at a fitting before ordering makes sense.

Visitors on a short trip will usually find hiring clubs at the course simpler.

The verdict

Based on the published reviews, the second-generation ZXi5 is a lightly refined version of an iron testers already rated highly: compact, soft feeling, forgiving for its size and excellent through the turf. The main caveats are that it barely differs from its predecessor and that spin may be low for some players. For a capable golfer who wants a forged players iron with a little extra help, the research suggests it deserves a place on the shortlist.

Sources

Photo: DZ6 2531 Concentrated under the palm trees a golfer lines up a tricky short shot on a sunny day by PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), via Wikimedia Commons.