If I had been to ask you to call probably the most predictably dependable OEM in golf (Non-Titleist Division), what number of of you’d say Srixon?
Different OEMs toss phrases like “revolutionary” or “game-changing” round like seashore balls in July. Srixon tosses these phrases round like manhole covers in January (though we are going to take a look at that conclusion subsequent Monday). Nowhere is Srixon extra predictably dependable than with its Z-STAR golf ball lineup.
Srixon is asserting its ninth-generation Z-STAR line at present, excellent timing following Hideki’s win on the Sentry yesterday, and the corporate is sticking to the script. The enhancements are incremental. There aren’t any wholesale formulation adjustments, no radically completely different cowl applied sciences or dimple patterns and no horny customization choices. It’s merely, in Srixon’s phrases, a greater Z-STAR.
Srixon’s Kaizen philosophy of steady enchancment rewards constant, dependable incremental upgrades. That’s to not say there isn’t new stuff to speak about with the 2025 Srixon Z-STAR lineup.
There may be.
These upgrades aren’t life-altering however in case you appreciated the final technology of Srixon Z-STAR golf balls, you’ll most likely like these new ones a bit of higher.
Listed here are 5 issues it’s worthwhile to know in regards to the 2025 Srixon Z-STAR golf ball lineup.
#1: Biomass is a factor
“Tour-level” golf ball spin is a quite simple recipe: a tender, skinny urethane cowl backed up by a agency mantle, struck aggressively. Srixon, for its half, makes a few of the softest and thinnest covers in golf. For 2025, Srixon is introducing a brand new cowl formulation that gained’t be any softer or any extra sturdy than the earlier model nor will it spin extra.
So why is it vital?
Biomass.
Golf ball producers use a variety of petrochemicals. Srixon, as a part of its company-wide sustainability efforts, is including biomass to its urethane cowl formulation. Biomass is a plant-derived materials made out of corn as an alternative of petroleum. It’s a comparatively small proportion of the urethane formulation, however Srixon says biomass will cut back carbon dioxide emissions throughout manufacturing with out impacting the ball’s efficiency.
Srixon says the brand new Z-STAR lineup could have the identical look, really feel and sturdiness as earlier generations.
#2: Extra separation between the three Z-STARS
2025 is the 12 months of efficiency separation for the Z-STAR line. Srixon felt it wanted the three Z-STARs to be a bit of extra completely different so it’s making adjustments to every ball’s FastLayer DG Core which provides us FastLayer DG Core 2.0.
Golf ball cores are sometimes tender within the center and get progressively firmer in direction of the floor. It’s how OEMs stability comparatively low driver spin with ball pace. OEMs can regulate the soft-to-firm gradient by curing cores at completely different temperatures and for various durations.
The usual Z-STAR has all the time been the softest of the household which logically makes it the lowest-spinning off the driving force. Not so logically, it additionally has the very best greenside spin. For 2025, Srixon is making the core a bit of bit softer on the heart which ought to make it spin even much less off the driving force. The web result’s a decrease compression, which Srixon measures at 88. That’s 4 factors softer than the 2023 Z-STAR.
The Z-STAR XV has all the time been Srixon’s firmest ball and the 2025 mannequin stays at a 102 compression. The XV’s new core continues to be tender within the heart however it’s getting firmer towards the outer portion. Srixon says that can end in extra ball pace off the driving force and higher iron spin.
The Z-STAR Diamond is the rising star of the Z-STAR household. It was Srixon’s greatest and most constant performer in MyGolfSpy’s 2023 Ball Check however Srixon felt there wasn’t sufficient efficiency separation between the Diamond and the XV. Srixon is softening up the Diamond ever so barely, dropping compression a few factors to 100. That can give it a barely softer really feel than the XV and in addition cut back driver spin a tad.
#3: A lot of stuff is staying the identical
A small quantity of corn-fed urethane within the cowl and new soft-to-firmness gradients within the cores will be the very definition of Kaizen. Not horny or revolutionary however regular, predictable reliability.
Srixon continues to be utilizing its proprietary Spin Pores and skin+ coating. Spin Pores and skin dates again to 2015. It’s a particular urethane coating on the ball to extend friction. Srixon says the result’s extra approach-shot and greenside spin.
Srixon additionally says the brand new Z-STARS are getting a stronger and extra sturdy paint job that ought to be extra dirt- and grime-resistant.
Moreover, Srixon has all the time been happy with how the Z-STAR performs within the wind. Then, once more, we’ve by no means heard an OEM inform us their ball actually struggles within the wind, both. Anecdotally, Srixon has advised us its Tour professionals do appear to carry out nicely relative to the sector in windy circumstances.
For that motive, Srixon is leaving the Z-STAR’s dimple patterns alone for one more technology. Every ball has a 338-dimple association with deep dimples for extra carry, low drag and a penetrating launch.
#4: The Z-STAR DIVIDE rides once more
You could or might not care however I’ve determined to recover from my very own rattling self and totally embrace this entire DIVIDE factor. I can’t struggle it anymore – simply give me a ball that’s half yellow and half white and let me placed on a stripe present for you the following time we play.
Srixon launched the ultra-colorful Q-STAR DIVIDE in 2021 and added the extra restricted yellow-white Z-STAR DIVIDE a 12 months later. You could love ‘em, hate ‘em or be completely indifferent to ‘em but, what the hell, what PING started in the ‘80s is back and isn’t going anyplace.
As soon as once more, Srixon is providing the Z-STAR and the Z-STAR XV within the DIVIDE sub-family. The balls are precisely the identical because the undivided fashions; they simply look a bit of like fishing bobbers.
It’s necessary to notice that the coloring isn’t only a painted-on coating. The precise urethane cowl is dyed all over so you may’t scuff the yellow facet and switch it white.
What’s the advantage of DIVIDE, apart from enjoyable? Nicely, whenever you’re 64 and didn’t take heed to your mom as a child, you simply don’t see in addition to you used to. The strobe impact when the DIVIDE is in flight makes it simpler to trace and also you additionally get a great have a look at greenside spin. Lining up a putt is a breeze, too – method simpler than drawing an enormous outdated line on the ball.
(Sitting too near the TV. That’s what I used to be speaking about.)
#5 Srixon’s been making golf balls for a way lengthy?
Do you know Srixon’s golf ball roots return almost 100 years? I didn’t know that, both.
In 1909, Srixon’s mum or dad firm, Japan’s Sumitomo Rubber Industries (the SRI in Srixon), partnered with Britain’s Dunlop Rubber Firm. By the early Nineteen Twenties, Dunlop launched the unique Maxfli golf ball which Sumitomo would ultimately manufacture in Japan.
In 1985, Sumitomo acquired Dunlop’s tire enterprise all over the place however the U.S. and Australia. Ultimately, Sumitomo acquired a lot of the Dunlop sports activities manufacturers worldwide. Its golf and tennis operation within the U.S. is operated underneath the title Dunlop Sports activities, Americas.
I’m unsure however that may simply make Srixon the longest-ongoing producer of golf balls in historical past.
2025 Srixon Z-STAR golf balls: Closing ideas, pricing, availability
As we mentioned on the prime, Srixon is probably the most predictably dependable OEM in golf (Non-Titleist Division, in fact). Whereas you will notice some fireworks from Srixon subsequent week (and Cleveland later this week), the corporate is as invested within the Z-STAR line as Titleist is within the Professional V1 line.
How that dedication interprets to the market, nevertheless, is an open query. The Z-STARS, notably the Diamond, are wonderful golf balls and a compelling case could be made that they’re on par with, or possibly even a skosh higher than, the TP5 and Chrome Tour.
The issue is that “fine” and “predictably consistent” don’t take bites out of TaylorMade’s or Callaway’s market share, not to mention Titleist’s. Srixon continues to battle Bridgestone for fourth place in a five-horse race for retail gross sales. A race, by the best way, that’s about to get one other contestant as Vice is making a concerted effort to affix the retail ranks.
It’s going to be attention-grabbing to observe.
The 2025 Srixon Z-STAR, Z-STAR XV and Z-STAR Diamond can be accessible in each Pure White and Tour Yellow. This would be the first time the Z-STAR Diamond will get the yellow therapy.
All 5 members of the Srixon Z-STAR household will retail at $49.99 per dozen. They hit the shops and on-line on Jan. 24.
For extra data, go to the Srixon web site.
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