Srixon Q-Star (US) & AD333 (UK) Golf Balls Review

Tenth generation of this popular-two piece Srixon golf ball flies longer and straighter than ever thanks to a new core also found in premium Z-Star range.

The Srixon Q-Star (US) and AD333 (UK) is one of the best golf balls and one of the most popular with amateur golfers. It has dominated the two-piece market since it first hit the market in 2006.

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Now in its tenth generation, Srixon’s latest version uses a lot of the tech you’ll find in the Z-Star series, the premium balls used by the likes of Major champions Shane Lowry, Brooks Koepka, and Hideki Matsuyama.

Packaged into a two-piece ionomer construction, this ball is designed to provide value and performance to a wide range of golfers. Srixon say the next generation will bring golfers more distance and forgiveness than previous versions thanks to a slight reduction in compression and reformulated FastLayer Core.

The sixth generation FastLayer Core has dropped compression from 77 to 72, which promotes deformation at impact, providing a longer and straighter flight for golfers with moderate swing speeds.

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Also found in the Z-Star family, the core is soft in the centre and firmer round its outer edge, working in tandem with Srixon’s unique 338 Speed Dimple Pattern to reduce drag and promote a more penetrating flight.

But it isn’t just about distance. Srixon’s Spin Skin with SeRM, a unique flexible molecular bond coating on each ball, digs deep into wedge and iron grooves to maximise spin for more control and more stopping power.

A new and improved alignment line should also make it easier for users to pick their lines off the tee and on the greens.

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Srixon Q-Star (US) & AD333 (UK) review: Key tech

FastLayer Core: FastLayer delivers exceptional feel and ball speed. With the new sixth generation, a lower compression delivers superior flight, especially on low-lofted clubs.

Spin Skin with SeRM: A coating with flexible molecular bonds digs deep into wedge and iron grooves, maximising spin for more control and more stopping power.

Enhanced Alignment: Line up with confidence thanks to the new and improved alignment line.

338 Speed Dimple Pattern: The unique 338 Speed Dimple Pattern boosts overall distance and accuracy due to less drag and a more penetrating ball flight.

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Srixon Q-Star (US) & AD333 (UK): What Srixon say

“This latest generation of AD333 (Q-Star US) golf balls offers great all-around performance,” said Joe Miller, Srixon Sports Europe’s Product Expert. “With a lower overall compression compared to previous generations, the new AD333 (Q-Star US) delivers better distance off the tee and enhanced feel when approaching the green.”

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How the Srixon Q-Star (US) & AD333 (UK) fits into their balls line-up

Srixon Z-Star (£47.99)

Srixon’s original premium ball, the Z-Star was updated in 2021 and is ideal if finesse around the greens and pinpoint approach shots are your keys to your scores. A three-piece 0.6mm-urethane-covered ball, Z-Star offers 90 compression, long distance through low driver spin, a mid flight and the highest greenside spin.

The FastLayer Core starts soft in the centre and gradually becomes firm around its edge, giving high-speed players exceptional feel and plenty of ball speed for maximum distance. The thicker thermoplastic urethane cover features Spin Skin with SeRM, for maximum iron and wedge spin. 338 dimple reduces drag and improves flight for more distance.

Srixon Z-Star XV (£47.99) 

Srixon’s only four-piece ball, the XV was updated in 2021 with everything from its molecules to its dimples pushed to the limit. Used by Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry, it’s longer than Z-Star thanks to a reformulated inner core boosts overall resiliency for a faster snap off the clubface for more ball speed and distance.

Expect a mid-high flight and soft feel (102 compression) and plenty of greenside spin thanks to its 0.5mm urethane cover which uses Spin Skin with SeRM. The 338 dimple pattern reduces drag and improves flight.

Srixon Z-Star Diamond (£47.99)

The newest ball in Srixon’s Z-Star series, the three-piece Diamond is played by Brooks Koepka, and combines the best of Z-Star and XV. The new FastLayer Core starts soft in the centre and gradually becomes firm around its edge, giving high-speed players exceptional feel and plenty of ball speed for maximum distance. The thicker thermoplastic urethane cover features , for maximum iron and wedge spin. 338 dimple reduces drag and improves flight for more distance.

Srixon Q-Star Tour (£36.99)

Three-piece urethane-covered ball that provides premium tech in a model that’s suitable for moderate swing speeds. Uses Tour technologies found in the Z-Star series like FastLayer, Spin Skin with SeRM, and Speed Dimples but with a softer compression (72). 338 dimple reduces drag and improves flight for more distance.

Srixon AD333 (£26.99)

Into its 10th generation, the two-piece AD333 is one of the most popular balls with club golfers. The new FastLayer core lowers compression (72) for better flight with lower-lofted clubs, while the Spin Skin with SeRM found in the brand’s premium models improves spin and stopping power. The 338 ‘speed dimple’ pattern helps reduce drag and boost lift and the 1.45mm ionomer cover is very durable.

Srixon Soft Feel (£24.99)

The Soft Feel lives up to its name with 60 compression and a thin ionomer cover for better spin and feel around the greens, while the FastLayer Core combines softness with distance. The 338 dimple pattern helps reduce drag and improve flight through the wind for more distance.

Srixon Ultisoft (£24.99)

The lowest compression ball in Srixon’s line-up (42), the two-piece has a soft ionemer cover for better feel and more greenside spin. The 338 dimple pattern helps reduce drag and improve flight through the wind for more distance.

Srixon Distance (£19.99)

The lowest priced ball in Srixon’s range, the two-piece distance does exactly what it says on the box – gives you more yards. It has a FastLayer Core, durable ionomer cover and and a 324 dimple pattern to maximise distance and help your ball fly through wind.

Srixon AD333 2021 review: What we say

Rob Jerram, Today’s Golfer Digital Editor

It’s easy to see why this Srixon golf ball has been such a hugely popular golf ball for so long, leading the way for two-piece models in the UK.

It’s a great all-round offering at a very competitive price point, and the performance is good enough that many beginner golfers continue to use it even as their game improves.

As a 12-handicapper I play a more premium ball in competitive rounds, but I’ll still often play social and practice rounds with this ball because it’s such a solid performer, impressively durable and one of the best value balls around.

It may not be quite as long off the tee as some balls in the same category, but we’re only talking a difference of a few yards at most; for beginners and high handicappers, consistency of strike will be a far greater factor in distance than the golf ball itself. For a two-piece ball, it’s actually impressively soft and responsive around greens.

Ultimately, if you’re a mid to high handicapper and don’t want to jump up to the next price point for your golf balls then this is a fantastic option.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rob Jerram is the Digital Editor of todaysgolfer.co.uk
He has been a journalist for more than 20 years, starting his career with Johnston Press where he covered local and regional news and sport in a variety of roles across ten years.
Rob joined Bauer Media in 2010 and worked as the Senior Production Editor of Today’s Golfer and Golf World magazines for ten years before moving into the Digital Editor’s role in July 2020.
He is 39 years old and has been playing golf for almost three decades. He has been a member at Greetham Valley Golf Club in Rutland for eight years, playing off a handicap of 12.

Srixon AD333 (2021) Golf Ball

RRP: £28 per dozen | VIEW UK OFFER / $28 per dozen | VIEW US OFFER