It’s release season in the golf industry, and so far, this month has been super busy for Srixon Golf. We’ve seen the new ZX MK II Drivers, metalwoods, and irons, to go along with the 13th generation of the SOFT FEEL golf ball. Now it’s time to look at what they have in store for the eighth-generation 2023 Srixon Z-STAR Series.
Srixon tends to introduce its latest core technology in the Z-STAR lineup, and this release follows that trend. We’ve seen the FastLayer core going back to the 2019 release, however, instead of trotting it out for a 3rd successive release cycle, Srixon redesigned the core to create the FastLayer DG Core, which offers a more dramatic shift from soft to firm within the center portion and a more gradual transition on the outer core.
Golf ball design is rarely the most exciting thing to discuss, and the above changes lead many to wonder how this affects golf ball performance. With the FastLayer DG Core, the answer comes in two parts. Thanks to that sudden change from soft to firm on the interior part, the Z-STAR lines will produce faster ball speeds. Meanwhile, the outer core is designed to increase spin rates, especially on irons. Each of the three new Z-STAR golf balls has its model-specific core design, which alters the performance when comparing each ball.
Z-STAR balls will also benefit from the new Spin Skin+ coating and a 338 Speed Dimple Pattern. With an improved Spin Skin+ layer, each cover will dig into your wedge or iron grooves more, causing more friction and, thus more spin. Meanwhile, the improvement in aerodynamics help achieves consistent launch and ball flight, regardless of the playing conditions.
Below is a brief synopsis of what to expect from each of the three models with the Z-STAR line.
Z-STAR: Offers a combination of the lowest flight, softest feel, and most greenside spin. It is also the only Z-STAR model with a sub 100 compression rating.
Z-STAR XV: Represents the longest golf ball within the family. It launches higher and offers more speed than is achieved with the Z-STAR. XV also features the thinnest cover in the lineup.
Z-STAR Diamond: A perfect blend of the Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV. Diamond has better greenside spin than the XV, with higher iron spin and ball flight than the Z-STAR.
“Finding the right golf ball for your game is just as important as finding the right irons or driver,” said Brian Schielke, General Manager of Srixon. “It’s the one piece of equipment you use on every single shot, which is why technological advances like the new Spin Skin+ and FastLayer DG Core give players confidence that their ball is going to react how it should and excel in every category that matters – more spin, bite, and speed.”
The 2023 Srixon Z-STAR lineup hits store shelves on February 15, 2023, with a price tag of $47.99. Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV are available in either Pure White or Tour Yellow, while Z-STAR Diamond is only available in Tour White.
There is, of course, one more thing. Z-STAR DIVIDE is back!
DIVIDE presents a unique look where 50% of the golf ball is white, and the other 50% is yellow. It adds a little flair to the golf bag and a different visual presentation on short pitch shots where golfers can easily see how the ball is spinning on the approach.
“The visual feedback on its own is one of the most beneficial features of the DIVIDE ball,” Schielke says. “The ability to track your spin in the air and around the greens will help overall consistency, and with the one-of-a-kind 360° line, you’ll be able to see your line more clearly and perfect your roll on the greens.”
DIVIDE will launch in the Spring and is available in only the Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV models at the same price of $47.99.
Which Z-STAR model will make it into your bag this season?
Pretty excited that these are here in the wild and the new packaging looks great. I really liked the last Z-STAR and want to give this new version a trial run as well.
the Z star XV is a ball that I keep going back to. Seems to be a great fit for added yardage with a good amount of spin into the greens. Diamond seems like a great equalizer and will have to be tried for this iteration.
I really like the QST Divide I played with a lot last year. These also look great. How is the XV has the longest flight and the thinnest cover? Did they do something different on the inside to make it like that? I assume it’s just a bit firmer so the average player can better use the compression for it and if you’re a slower swing speed step back to the Q-star.
I feel like the Diamond may be exactly what I’m looking for. Sometimes X balls can be firmer than my preference.
Appreciate the sub-$50 price point too.
[MEDIA=instagram]CnwUu1IBOcY[/MEDIA]
Will be giving the diamonds a try. For sure
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 11250595, member: 1193″]
I feel like the Diamond may be exactly what I’m looking for. Sometimes X balls can be firmer than my preference.
Appreciate the sub-$50 price point too.
[/QUOTE]
I think cheapest of the premiums right? in this case it is definitely not a detriment to be “cheap”
more premiums should be at $45 ish… 50+ is tough pill to swallow… it’s an optics thing for me
[QUOTE=”Gman79, post: 11250662, member: 52297″]
I think cheapest of the premiums right? in this case it is definitely not a detriment to be “cheap”
more premiums should be at $45 ish… 50+ is tough pill to swallow… it’s an optics thing for me
[/QUOTE]
Yep. It still says premium while making me feel just a little better. I think I’ll grab a box of the Diamonds to start and then check out standard Z Star after that. Now to decide if I go Divide or not.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 11250679, member: 1193″]
Yep. It still says premium while making me feel just a little better. I think I’ll grab a box of the Diamonds to start and then check out standard Z Star after that. Now to decide if I go Divide or not.
[/QUOTE]
XV might be in trouble… only limitedly tried the diamond. this might be a fuller test this year. I do enjoy the click off XV though and feels good off putter –
my longest drives are always hit with XV…so tough to beat
Manufacturers are making it hard to dial into just one ball unless one plays a lot of golf….
Im curious to give these a go.
[QUOTE=”Scooby45, post: 11250682, member: 62865″]
Manufacturers are making it hard to dial into just one ball unless one plays a lot of golf….
Im curious to give these a go.
[/QUOTE]
I recommend sim time… I look at options I want to play and grab a sleeve of each… play a similar hole a few times with each ball…
you can use driving range too, but I like to see if I’m in trouble based on my amateur swing (kinda limit my misses). Don’t like to just got out and pound balls. after the hole is played I’ll hit on driving range and compare numbers.
I really wanted to like the diamond last release but I just didn’t. I’m a Z-star guy and from the sounds of it still will be. I’ll try the Diamond again though and definitely curious to see his the new version compares
Nice write up [USER=782]@ddec[/USER]. The Z-Stars are my short list to try out this year as I expand into the not KSig ball world.
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 11250688, member: 5944″]
I really wanted to like the diamond last release but I just didn’t. I’m a Z-star guy and from the sounds of it still will be. I’ll try the Diamond again though and definitely curious to see his the new version compares
[/QUOTE]
I kind of went back and forth on them. I’m usually a z-star guy as my gamer. I did like Diamond better than the XV for me.
Read through this a second time. Reads to me like they are doing similar things as the prov1 release. Adjust the gradient from soft to firm in the core..
[QUOTE=”Gman79, post: 11250687, member: 52297″]
I recommend sim time… I look at options I want to play and grab a sleeve of each… play a similar hole a few times with each ball…
you can use driving range too, but I like to see if I’m in trouble based on my amateur swing (kinda limit my misses). Don’t like to just got out and pound balls. after the hole is played I’ll hit on driving range and compare numbers.
[/QUOTE]
I guess more accurately I’d want to spend time on course with several throughout the year just to have the various experiences with them. I played z-star two years ago and based on this release when the current stash goes the will get a long look from me, especially given the price point.
[QUOTE=”templeton80, post: 11250694, member: 53139″]
Read through this a second time. Reads to me like they are doing similar things as the prov1 release. Adjust the gradient from soft to firm in the core..
[/QUOTE]
I could be wrong on this, but I believe Srixon was the first to do this a number of years ago with the Gradual Gradient Core.
Srixon is always a good value. Nice to see Srixon keeping tour (shiny yellow) on most of their line. I’ll be sticking to Srixon Z, QST and Soft Feel.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 11250699, member: 3″]
I could be wrong on this, but I believe Srixon was the first to do this a number of years ago with the Gradual Gradient Core.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah I don’t know. I wouldn’t be surprised. I honestly think you are right. I think the z star originally could have been called a 2 piece ball as you could not tell when the core and mantle transition happened. It looked like one layer.
Great information [USER=782]@ddec[/USER] ! I was lucky enough to win a Srixon giveaway and received the 2023 prototype Z-Star line up. I sent golf balls to [USER=24169]@pumbaa[/USER] , [USER=57217]@Steve2100[/USER] , [USER=51186]@MarMill[/USER] , and [USER=73288]@Kruz88[/USER] . Hopefully they can hop in here and discuss their thoughts. Srixon’s tour ball has the best finish in golf! I absolutely love it! I personally prefer the Z-Star Divide. I hope they bring that finish to the Q-Star Tour Divide.
Chicago weather has only allowed me to be out once. I tried a sleeve of the new Srixons (thanks to [USER=50607]@J.B. Cobb III[/USER] )for nine holes and while not enough for a review I did notice my approach shots with really good stopping power. I can’t wait to try them some more in the spring!
[QUOTE=”J.B. Cobb III, post: 11250726, member: 50607″]
Great information [USER=782]@ddec[/USER] ! I was lucky enough to win a Srixon giveaway and received the 2023 prototype Z-Star line up. I sent golf balls to [USER=24169]@pumbaa[/USER] , [USER=57217]@Steve2100[/USER] , [USER=51186]@MarMill[/USER] , and [USER=73288]@Kruz88[/USER] . Hopefully they can hop in here and discuss their thoughts. Srixon’s tour ball has the best finish in golf! I absolutely love it! I personally prefer the Z-Star Divide. I hope they bring that finish to the Q-Star Tour Divide.
[/QUOTE]
I haven’t got to use them yet but I can’t wait to. Hopefully can get out this weekend and compare to the chromesofts I have and do a head to head.
Played the XV Divide last year and really enjoyed the greenside spin I got from it.
I’ll probably grab a box of when they become available in the Spring.
[QUOTE=”J.B. Cobb III, post: 11250726, member: 50607″]
Great information [USER=782]@ddec[/USER] ! I was lucky enough to win a Srixon giveaway and received the 2023 prototype Z-Star line up. I sent golf balls to [USER=24169]@pumbaa[/USER] , [USER=57217]@Steve2100[/USER] , [USER=51186]@MarMill[/USER] , and [USER=73288]@Kruz88[/USER] . Hopefully they can hop in here and discuss their thoughts. Srixon’s tour ball has the best finish in golf! I absolutely love it! I personally prefer the Z-Star Divide. I hope they bring that finish to the Q-Star Tour Divide.
[/QUOTE]
I did some chipping and putting with them and left a post in the prototype thread. I’m hoping to get a round in on Friday to do a full shot review. From my initial test, I like the Z-Star the best, but we’ll see how I get around the course with them.
I feel like the ZStar line continues to refine and improve with each release. Nothing wrong with that, but I get the sense they build on what is working and change what needs to be changed to make the line better. I have always gravitated towards the ZStar XV, but reading up on the changes, the ZStar has my attention.
Nice! Really enjoyed the diamond version this past year, so hoping that the diamond will eventually get the divide treatment.
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 11250692, member: 782″]
I kind of went back and forth on them. I’m usually a z-star guy as my gamer. I did like Diamond better than the XV for me.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah I don’t get the attraction the XV, thing feels like a rock to me haha
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 11250903, member: 5944″]
Yeah I don’t get the attraction the XV, thing feels like a rock to me haha
[/QUOTE]
yeah just too clicky for me compared to the other two.
The XV has been my go-to for some time, but I have yet to try the Divides. I’m committed to making that happen soon.
[QUOTE=”Hacker Rod, post: 11250960, member: 50157″]
The XV has been my go-to for some time, but I have yet to try the Divides. I’m committed to making that happen soon.
[/QUOTE]
They are quite different, but honestly a lot of fun and look great on the course.
The new generation sounds awesome and definitely appreciate the price point staying under $50. Have never tried the Diamond ball so will have to give that a go with this release. When I have played Srixon balls in the past, have stuck with the standard Z Star as the XV always felt too firm for my liking.
I might honest to goodness make the Z divide my gamer this year. I freaking love the look so much.
Great write up! Srixon offers an amazing ball, particularly for the price. I would love to compare the old XV with the new one, to see if the new offers jus a tad more spin around the greens.
Might need to pick up a few boxes of the Q Star tour
Am I correct that the Diamond is the closest one to ProV1X? I need the highest spin with the highest flight.
[QUOTE=”Tenputt, post: 11251086, member: 42964″]
Great write up! Srixon offers an amazing ball, particularly for the price. I would love to compare the old XV with the new one, to see if the new offers jus a tad more spin around the greens.
[/QUOTE]
Didn’t figure you for a XV guy, what do you like about it?
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 11251146, member: 5944″]
Didn’t figure you for a XV guy, what do you like about it?
[/QUOTE]
That is interesting. I actually have played the XV off and on through the years. I like it because for me, it is the longest ball with driver of any tour level ball that I have played. It can be incredibly long for me. If I am playing well and hitting a lot of greens, it can be a great ball. If I need to get up and down a lot, I miss the spin. Always trade offs with this game, LOL.
Always been a Z Star fan. Doesn’t seem like it will change with these new ones! Diamonds for me, but love the XV too
[QUOTE=”Mike685, post: 11251113, member: 71485″]
Am I correct that the Diamond is the closest one to ProV1X? I need the highest spin with the highest flight.
[/QUOTE]
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TH][/TH]
[TH][IMG alt=”Z-STAR”]https://us.dunlopsports.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_DunlopSports/default/dwa1647308/images/z-star/series-8/logos/zstar_logo.svg[/IMG][/TH]
[TH][IMG alt=”Z-STAR XV”]https://us.dunlopsports.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_DunlopSports/default/dw8bd44695/images/z-star/series-8/logos/zstar_xv_logo.svg[/IMG][/TH]
[TH][IMG alt=”Z-STAR ?”]https://us.dunlopsports.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_DunlopSports/default/dwa9072436/images/z-star/series-8/logos/zstar_diamond_xv.svg[/IMG][/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Feel[/TH]
[TD]Softer[/TD]
[TD]Soft[/TD]
[TD]Soft[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Distance[/TH]
[TD]Long[/TD]
[TD]Longer[/TD]
[TD]Long[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Flight[/TH]
[TD]Mid[/TD]
[TD]Mid-High[/TD]
[TD]Mid-High[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Construction[/TH]
[TD]3PC Urethane[/TD]
[TD]3PC Urethane[/TD]
[TD]3PC Urethane[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Greenside Spin[/TH]
[TD]Highest[/TD]
[TD]High[/TD]
[TD]Higher[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Mid Iron Spin[/TH]
[TD]High[/TD]
[TD]High[/TD]
[TD]Highest[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Driver Spin[/TH]
[TD]Low[/TD]
[TD]Low[/TD]
[TD]Mid[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Sorry the headings didn’t copy right. The first column is Z Star, then XV, then Diamond
I really enjoyed the Z Star Diamond last year after [USER=51186]@MarMill[/USER] introduced me to the ball. I will most likely continue to play the Diamond this year. The description of the ball told me not to even hit it but for some reason it just fits my game…currently 🙂
Looking forward to trying these out. I switched exclusively to the Z-star mid way through the year last year. This ball really worked for me.
[QUOTE=”J.B. Cobb III, post: 11250726, member: 50607″]
Great information [USER=782]@ddec[/USER] ! I was lucky enough to win a Srixon giveaway and received the 2023 prototype Z-Star line up. I sent golf balls to [USER=24169]@pumbaa[/USER] , [USER=57217]@Steve2100[/USER] , [USER=51186]@MarMill[/USER] , and [USER=73288]@Kruz88[/USER] . Hopefully they can hop in here and discuss their thoughts. Srixon’s tour ball has the best finish in golf! I absolutely love it! I personally prefer the Z-Star Divide. I hope they bring that finish to the Q-Star Tour Divide.
[/QUOTE]
Ill try and get some thoughts up when I can get them out in play. As expected from just putting and chipping into a net, the Z is softer than the diamond than the XV. I have played Diamond all last year and expect to again.
I won one of the White box giveaways too, so have had the opportunity to play a few rounds with all three of the new Z-Star variants. For me, the XV just doesn’t work, and it’s all feel, to clicky off the putter and greenside chipping, and too firm off the other clubs. The Z-Star works really well with my slower swing speed, and the feel is just where I like it. Surprisingly though, the Diamond works really well for me too, with a little better distance than the Z-Star, a very similar feel as the Z-Star on full swings, and putting and chipping it feels as soft as the Z-Star but with a slightly heavier feel that I have gotten used to (and is only really noticeable when practicing with them side-by-side).
I still have plenty of them left, although I gave a half dozen of the XVs to a friend, but I’ll be playing with the Z-Stars and Diamonds for a while yet. I am leaning towards the Diamond for when I use a Tour ball this year though (my normal ball is the Q-Star Tour, and I’m well stocked on those).
[QUOTE=”OldeDude, post: 11251439, member: 49557″]
I won one of the White box giveaways too, so have had the opportunity to play a few rounds with all three of the new Z-Star variants. For me, the XV just doesn’t work, and it’s all feel, to clicky off the putter and greenside chipping, and too firm off the other clubs. The Z-Star works really well with my slower swing speed, and the feel is just where I like it. Surprisingly though, the Diamond works really well for me too, with a little better distance than the Z-Star, a very similar feel as the Z-Star on full swings, and putting and chipping it feels as soft as the Z-Star but with a slightly heavier feel that I have gotten used to (and is only really noticeable when practicing with them side-by-side).
I still have plenty of them left, although I gave a half dozen of the XVs to a friend, but I’ll be playing with the Z-Stars and Diamonds for a while yet. I am leaning towards the Diamond for when I use a Tour ball this year though (my normal ball is the Q-Star Tour, and I’m well stocked on those).
[/QUOTE]
You aren’t alone… my experience with the Z-Star and Diamond are almost identical. The Z-star kind of got the nod due to the divide being available. The XV just feels a bit too firm.
I’ve become very comfortable with Srixon balls this past year, up and down the lineup. Soft Feels are great for cold or wet conditions, Q Star Tour seems to be the best overall value ball I can find.
My Secret Santa gifted me some Diamonds so really looking forward to trying those out when it gets nicer, [I]seems[/I] like they will be the best fit for my game. I also picked up some Z-Stars, so depending on the performance I see I may graduate to a tour ball at some point when the occasion calls for it.
Will definitely be giving these a try, love the Z star and the divides are fun, played those a few time last season. It is great putting with the divides as well.
A well written article by [USER=782]@ddec[/USER], the smartest man on the forum.
Always happy when my golf ball gets an update. The still managed to keep the prices down. Yes they went up but it’s $7 cheaper than the ProV
[QUOTE=”hedley_lamarr08, post: 11251795, member: 37622″]
A well written article by [USER=782]@ddec[/USER], the smartest man on the forum.
Always happy when my golf ball gets an update. The still managed to keep the prices down. Yes they went up but it’s $7 cheaper than the ProV
[/QUOTE]
smartest, no. Best looking. Perhaps.
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 11251887, member: 782″]
smartest, no. Best looking. Perhaps.
[/QUOTE]
[media=giphy]K1NeMA7Zbzpk79wioJ[/media]