The straightest driver I’ve ever hit: Srixon ZXi Driver Review

With the Srixon ZXi Driver now released to the market, will this new 2025 model be Srixon’s best chance of competing with the Big Names in the Woods category?

It’s rare that a new driver launch isn’t the biggest part of a brand’s new equipment release, but it’s something Srixon hasn’t always been known for, with the public’s focus often on their latest irons over woods. That doesn’t mean these clubs are bad, with Srixon certainly being able to compete with the best drivers in the game, but the Srixon ZXi Driver feels like it’s the start of a new era for the company, at least in my opinion.

There have been individual models that I enjoyed, like the ZX MKii fairway woods from the previous generation, but this might be the first complete lineup from Srixon that works across the board. Leading this family tree is the Srixon ZXi Driver, a model that offers traditional feel and sound, along with the latest technologies, to give golfers an option that appeals to those who’re looking for high levels of forgiveness and distance performance as well as those that want an enjoyable product.

As we start to wind down for new releases, Srixon drivers stand in a position to leave a lasting impression that won’t be lost among the noise from earlier in the month. It’s a great opportunity for the company, but can it be capitalized on by the ZXi Driver?

Looks/Feel – 5/5

Over the last few years, I’ve found myself yearning more and more for traditional styles in golf equipment. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and a bit more nostalgic about it, but there’s something about simple and clean designs that are so timelessly good-looking.

The Srixon ZXi Driver is absolutely within this category. While it does carry a more modern matte finish to the crown, as soon as you set the club down you can see how this helps the minimalist approach. There’s nothing to distract you and you can settle over the ball with exceptional ease.

I particularly love the contrast between the crown and the gloss finish sole. The matte wraps around beyond what you see on top, to either side of a gloss strip in the center. At the rear of the sole, either side of the gloss strip, sit two swappable weights that are highlighted in a splash of red.

I’m reminded of my Titleist GT3 driver, which I adore, in the muted looks on offer here. The Srixon ZXi Driver is distinctly it’s own product, but, as we started talking about, if you like that classic look, you should adore the ZXi.

From a feedback perspective, it’s equally as much of a throwback. Srixon have continued to utilize an all-titanium construction in design of the club (which we’ll get into) and that means that the sound at impact has a distinct noise to it.

In a world of carbon fiber, the material that the majority of drivers now contain in some area or other, the Srixon ZXi stands out. The complaint leveled at those drivers is that the sound is often dull to a point of nearly dead when it comes off the face. It’s not a ringing bell by any stretch (or an old Cobra S9.1 – a driver you felt vibrate through your whole body, even when it was being hit by someone else on the other side of the driving range) but ZXi’s titanium body produces a stronger sound than anything else on the market. It holds onto its note just a fraction longer than other models, but its more that it sings the ball down the fairway rather than an unwanted announcement of what’s in your hand.

Technology – 4/5

The titanium construction is a good way for us to move into talking about the technology on offer here.

Srixon are deliberate with their implementation of new designs. You could describe this as ‘slow’ depending on how emotive you’re feeling, but that would be oversimplifying things. The company employs a philosophy of steady but consistent improvement across every product they make, so while you might not ever feel like Srixon are screaming about the next revolutionary piece of engineering, rest assured, what they are producing is about as refined as anything on the market.

The titanium head is a great example of that. Srixon’s argument is that, when you use carbon fiber, you lose out in two ways.

The first in weight balance. When you attach CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) to a metal body, it needs epoxy to keep the two pieces connected. While the carbon fiber is lighter, the epoxy you’re adding to the club isn’t so you may not actually benefit from the lightweight crown anyway.

The second issue is that the connection between the carbon fiber and the rest of the head becomes a weak point and the stress after impact concentrates in that area. The all titanium model has not bonding points so you get a smoother, better rebounding across the body and face.

The single-piece titanium construction allows Srixon to offer three designs to help improve ball speed: Rebound Frame, which amplifies the effect above that we’ve just talked about, for better energy transfer; Star Frame Crown, which is a structural lattice under the crown to allow for the an even thinner titanium than before; and i-Flex Face, which is the new element for 2025.

i-Flex, and the ZXi Driver, allows the golfer to improve on his center-face power without a cost to off-center retention. Srixon claims that will see you gain just over four yards more distance compared to the ZX MKii driver, while also offering an 11% larger COR area vs the same model.

More distance, plus more forgiveness is always a positive in anyone’s golf game.

Performance – 4.5/5

If you’ve seen the title of this review then I think the cat may be out of the bag already, but let me reiterate it for you: this is the straightest driver I have EVER hit. That is not hyperbole.

From a setup perspective, I have the Srixon ZXi at -1.5º of loft, because I like to see an open face, and the heavier weight in the toe of the club, to help stabilize my toe strikes. I could’ve used the heavier weight in the heel instead because from a flight perspective where it hasn’t made much difference, but I can feel the difference in toe strikes when the weights aren’t correct and I don’t like the impression of ‘twisting’ in the head that I got.

While that may have been the feeling in my hands, it absolutely has not been the case when looking up into the sky where I could virtually guarantee that the ball would be drawing a frozen rope down the centerline of the fairway.

It’s remarkable how consistent the driver is, even when I haven’t found the middle of the face. If I’m not in the fairway, the ball flight still has minimal movement to it, with the occasional block dotted in amongst my shots that have landed inside the first cuts.

The only difference I’ve seen between my own driver and the Srixon ZXi is a touch of distance difference. It’s nothing to really worry about, only about 5-8 yards, but in a game where we’re trying to squeeze every little bit out of our equipment, I did take notice.

If I want the extra distance though, the sister model in Srixon’s ZXi LS Driver is waiting in the wings. For most, the repeatedly straight ball flight will far outweigh the need for an extra five yards on any course and the minimal drop-off in distance on poor strikes would likely see my averages level out anyway.

Overall – 4.5/5

I think this is an outstanding product from Srixon. They were moving in the right direction with their woods before, but the ZXi Driver has securely fixed their Standard to the ground in the incredibly competitive driver market.

ZXi performs solidly under any metric, and it’s got that timeless look that will keep this club looking great in your golf bag for as long as you want it to be there. I haven’t been able to believe how quickly I’ve been able to trust the Driver while using it and if I’m ever at a golf course that demands perfection from my driving, I will absolutely make sure ZXi is hiding somewhere in the trunk of my car, just in case!

Bottom line: if you’ve liked what you’ve read so far, you need to get the Srixon ZXi driver in your hands as soon as possible to see for yourself. I guarantee it won’t be time wasted.

• Srixon ZXi Irons – Everything you need to know

About the author

Lewis Daff

Lewis joined the Today’s Golfer digital team in 2024, having spent more than a decade in both big-box golf retail and independent stores working as a club fitter and builder.

Experienced with every level of golfer, from beginner to professional, he has achieved Master Fitter and Builder status with most major manufacturers, including Mizuno, Taylormade, and Callaway, helping him to cement both a wide and deep knowledge base, ideal for helping guide golfers towards the correct equipment for them. Lewis specializes in Clubs, Shafts, Training Aids, Launch Monitors and Grips.

In Lewis’ bag is Titleist GT3 Driver (9º) with Fujikura Ventus Black, TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway Woods (15º and 18º), Wilson Staff D9 Forged 3-iron, Srixon ZX7 MKii Irons (4-PW), Titleist SM9 Wedges (52º, 60º), Toulon San Diego Putter, and the Titleist ProV1X Left Dash.

Talk to Lewis about why steel shafts are now dead and graphite is the only way forward, or any other equipment you’d like to debate, via his email, Instagram, or Bluesky.

RRP: £549.00 / $549.00

Lofts: 9º (RH), 10.5° (RH/LH)

Head Size: 460cc

Standard Shaft Length: 45.75”

Stock Shaft Options: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 60g

Stock Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360