Srixon Z-Star XV 2021 golf ball Review
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The 2021 Srixon Z-Star XV golf ball has had every feature pushed to the limit with a new core, cover and dimple pattern.
Now in its seventh generation, the four-piece premium ball has been redesigned from the ground up to create, alongside the three-piece Z-Star, what Srixon say is their best-ever Z-Star series.
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A reformulated and more more resilient inner core is surrounded by the new ‘FastLayer Core’, which starts soft in the centre and gradually becomes firm around its edge. It is designed to give high-speed players exceptional feel and enhanced ball speed for maximum distance.
The golf ball uses fourth-generation ‘Spin Skin technology with Slide-Ring Material (SeRM)’, a urethane compound that coats every cover.
The Z-Star balls are the first in the world to use SeRM, with the coating designed to take unprecedented levels of shearing force without breaking its molecular bonds. Srixon say this allows the balls to dig deep into your wedge and iron grooves for dramatically increased friction and maximised spin, giving more control and stopping power on every shot.
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And there’s a new ‘338 Speed Dimple Pattern’, designed to create less drag and more lift to boost overall distance and maintain a straight flight even in the toughest winds.
The four-piece Z-Star XV, played on tour by the likes of Open champion Shane Lowry, US Open winner Graeme McDowell and PGA Tour star Hideki Matsuyama, is designed to provide maximum ball speed for unmatched driver and iron distance.
Key technology in the Srixon Z-Star XV golf ball
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. A newly formulated inner core adds resiliency for even more ball speed.
New Spin Skin with SeRM
The soft, thermoplastic urethane cover features Spin Skin with SeRM, a durable coating with flexible molecular bonds. It digs deep into wedge and iron grooves, maximising spin for more control and more stopping power.
New 338 Speed Dimple Pattern
Less drag and more lift boosts overall distance and flies straight, even in the toughest wind conditions.
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Should I play the Srixon Z-Star XV or Srixon Z-Star golf ball?
Both of the premium golf balls are aimed at better players seeking maximum distance (Z-Star XV) or maximum spin (Z-Star).
The four-layer dual-core Z-Star XV feels firmer than the three-layer Z-Star and is designed mid-high ball flight compared to the Z-Star’s for a mid-height flight.
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The Z-Star XV produces low driver spin and high greenside spin, but the Z-Star provides even more greenside control thanks to its thicker urethane cover, which has been by 0.1mm to 0.6mm from previous generations.
The XV is designed to be the longer ball and is the most powerful in Srixon’s golf ball line-up with its newly-formulated inner core adding resiliency to help create even more ball speed.
How the Srixon Z-Star XV fits into their balls line-up
Srixon Z-Star (£39.99)
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 (£39.99)
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 (£39.99)
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 (£34.99)
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 (£17.99)
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 a 324 dimple pattern to maximise distance and help your ball fly through wind.
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What Srixon say about the seventh-generation Z-Star series
“Engineered for more spin and control, the Z-STAR Series features a Spin Skin coating enhanced with SeRM, an extremely flexible material,” said Joe Miller, Srixon’s European Product Manager.
“Never before has Srixon combined so many technologies in one golf ball, to produce more friction for more spin around the green.”
“The new Z-Star and Z-Star XV golf balls are specifically designed for better players and they feature advanced technology to add performance from tee to green.
“The XV is played by some of the longest hitters on professional Tours around the world, and this new generation features a reformulated inner core to add even more distance.
“The new Z-Star produces the highest green-side spin of any ball in our line-up, thanks to its super soft urethane cover and Spin Skin coating.
“If you demand the absolute best performance, the new Z-Star and Z-Star XV are made for you.”
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