Srixon ZX Mk II Irons Review

Can the Srixon ZX Mk II irons improve on the excellent performance and feel of the previous ZX4, ZX5 and ZX7 models?

Srixon irons don’t grab the headlines (or sales) in the same way new releases from the likes of TaylorMade and Callaway do, but those in the know regard Srixon irons extremely highly – and with good reason, as the build quality, performance and feel on offer is comparable to anything in our pick of the best golf irons.

And Srixon irons have found a place in the bags of tour pros and major winners like Hideki Matsuyama, Shane Lowry, Brooks Koepka and Ryan Fox, among others.

Replacing the ZX range, the new generation of Srixon ZX Mk II irons had big shoes to fill.

“The technologies driving the exceptional performance of the ZX Mk II Irons are really exciting to launch and get into golfer’s hands,” says Brian Schielke, General Manager of Srixon. “Longer distances, improved feel, more control, and greater consistency are seen throughout each new iron set, and they provide a seamless transition for building a combo set.”

Designed for the best ball-strikers in the world, ZX7 Mk II Irons are a true players iron with incredible feel. An all-new design characteristic exclusive to ZX7 Mk II Irons, PureFrame enhances feel by reducing unwanted vibrations. PureFrame is forged into the body of the iron – just behind the sweet spot – as an 80% thicker portion of 1020 carbon steel. The result is a remarkably soft yet solid feeling at impact that the best players demand.

Meanwhile, the rest of the ZX Mk II Iron line features the second generation of Srixon’s MainFrame technology. MainFrame is a variable thickness pattern of grooves, channels, and cavities carefully milled into the backside of ZX4, ZX5, and ZX Mk II Utility Iron faces that maximize flex at impact. It not only boosts ball speed, but also repositions mass away from the face and into the toe for better forgiveness and consistency on every shot.

A mainstay of Srixon Iron design, ZX Mk II Irons are designed with the brand’s Tour V.T. Sole and sole notches. The V-Shaped design of the Tour V.T. Sole maintains clubhead speed through impact for a clean, precise strike. Revered by the Srixon tour staff, the sole notches lessen drag by reducing the amount of surface area that contacts the ground to improve shot versatility without sacrificing forgiveness.

“While we’ve improved these irons in so many ways over the first generation of ZX Irons, we’ve also kept the sleek looks, pure feel, and core DNA of Srixon Irons that golfers have come to expect,” says Schielke.

To round out the new iron lineup, Srixon introduces the Z-FORGED II, a muscle back blade iron with player-preferred shaping that offers exceptional feel and ultra-precise control. Designed in close collaboration with Srixon’s professional tour staff, Z-FORGED II features a razor-sharp address profile, forged construction, and a highly workable sole design for skilled players who want the most from forged feel and stunning looks.

Srixon ZX Mk II irons: Key Technologies

PureFrame: Forged into ZX7 Mk II as an 80% thicker portion of 1020 carbon steel, PureFrame is strategically placed right where you strike the ball, delivering an enhanced impact feel for pro-level performance.

MainFrame: MainFrame is a variable thickness pattern of grooves, channels, and cavities carefully milled into the backside of the iron face that maximizes flex at impact. MainFrame is on ZX4 Mk II, ZX5 Mk II, and ZX Mk II Utility Irons.

Tour V.T. Sole: Tour V.T. Sole takes turf interaction to a whole new level of detail with a proprietary combination of sole widths, bounce angles, and notches that encourages a smooth glide through fairway, rough and sand to strike the ball solidly without losing speed.

Progressive Grooves: The 3i-7i feature wide grooves, ideal for longer shots in all conditions. The 8i-AW have deeper, closer set grooves that cut through grass and debris to enhance spin on approach shots. Laser milling between each groove, on every loft, enhances friction in all conditions.

Forged Multi-Piece Construction: ZX Mk II Utility’s forged SUP10 faces are strong yet light – increasing face-flex at impact for enhanced speed and distance – while a forged 1020 carbon steel body absorbs vibrations for a softer feel.

Srixon ZX7 Mk II Irons

RRP: £999 (s) £1099 (g) | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER
Stock shaft: Nippon NS Pro Modus3 Tour | 7-iron loft: 32° | Forgiveness rating: 2

A players’ Iron with tour-preferred looks and the soft feel of a premium blade.

The Srixon ZX7 is aimed at elite ball-strikers and offers excellent levels of control for those who can strike it consistently.

There’s a thin topline, narrow sole, short blade length and minimal offset – all things top players tend to like to see, but don’t expect a huge amount of forgiveness here.

The Srixon ZX7 secured a spot among our pick of the best players’ irons in our huge irons test.

Verdict: Srixon ZX7 MK II irons

Srixon have been making seriously good irons for years, but it’s only in recent times they’ve started to really get the recognition they deserve. The ZX7 was among my favorite players’ irons last year, and even though it’s heading into its second year on the shelf, a time when lots of products drop from our radar, this particular model is still well worth a place among our top performing players’ irons of 2024.      

Why do we like it so much? Well, it’s got natural elegance, with a super straight topline, compact shape, and a lack of offset, all features that many decent players adore. Importantly it also has a timeless classic design which isn’t going to feel old hat next year either.

Throw into the mix a third-best ball speed performance in the players’ iron category in 2024. A fourth-best carry distance, plus a 23.2% smaller carry distance drop-off and 67.1% smaller shot area than our test averages and you can see in the right hands the ZX7 is an absolute beast of a tour-level forged iron. 

On top of everything else, our test pro thought the feel and feedback from the ZX7 was out of this world good, and right up there alongside the Mizuno’s of this world. If you find yourself dithering on the line between this model and its more speed and distance-focused sibling the ZX5 our data shows you’ll give up three yards or so distance-wise but gain 500 RPM of backspin to play the ZX7. For proper players’ you’ll probably want the additional control brought by that extra spin.

Data comparison: How does the Srixon ZX7 MK II compare to leading competitor Players’ Irons in 2024?

Iron	7-Iron Loft	Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Backspin	Height	Descent Angle	Carry Distance	Carry Distance Drop Off	Shot Area
PXG 0317 T	32°	125 MPH (1)	15.6°	5343 RPM	32 YDS	45.1°	182 YDS (1)	6 YDS	118.2 SQ YDS
PXG 0317 CB	33°	122.8 MPH	16.6°	5568 RPM	32 YDS	45.7°	179 YDS (T2)	7 YDS	142.1 SQ YDS
Vega VDC	31°	124.4 MPH (2)	14.8°	5703 RPM	30 YDS	44.4°	179 YDS (T2)	8 YDS	236.8 SQ YDS
Srixon ZX7 MK II	32°	122.9 MPH (3)	16.7°	5757 RPM	32 YDS	46.1°	178 YDS	7 YDS	57.4 SQ YDS
Sub 70 659 CB	32°	122.8 MPH	15.3°	5683 RPM	30 YDS	44.2°	178 YDS	8 YDS	70.4 SQ YDS
More MOD 1	32°	121.5 MPH	15.9°	5370 RPM	30 YDS	44.1°	178 YDS	2 YDS (1)	48.4 SQ YDS (2)
Ping Blueprint S	33°	121.3 MPH	16.7°	5498 RPM	31 YDS	45.1°	177 YDS	9 YDS	188.1 SQ YDS
Titleist T150	32°	122.6 MPH	17.5°	5686 RPM	34 YDS	46.8°	177 YDS	4 YDS (2)	53.6 SQ YDS (3)
Takomo 201	32°	122.6 MPH	15.7°	6070 RPM	31 YDS	45°	176 YDS	9 YDS	119.7 SQ YDS
Cobra King Tour	32°	120.9 MPH	15.4°	5534 RPM	29 YDS	43.1°	176 YDS	9 YDS	253.8 SQ YDS
TaylorMade P770	33°	122.3 MPH	17.8°	6143 RPM	34 YDS	47.5°	175 YDS	9 YDS	200.7 SQ YDS
Mizuno JPX923 Tour	34°	121 MPH	16.2°	5704 RPM	30 YDS	44.6°	175 YDS	9 YDS	171 SQ YDS
Vega VSC	31°	121.7 MPH	15.2°	5943 RPM	29 YDS	43.8°	175 YDS	14 YDS	387.8 SQ YDS
Callaway Apex 24 Pro	33°	122.4 MPH	16.2°	6026 RPM	27 YDS	43.3°	174 YDS	7 YDS	128.1 SQ YDS
Callaway Apex TCB	34°	121.9 MPH	16.6°	5189 RPM	32 YDS	46.1°	174 YDS	5 YDS (3)	46 SQ YDS (1)
Mizuno Pro 243	32°	122.2 MPH	16.6°	6035 RPM	32 YDS	46.3°	174 YDS	18 YDS	387 SQ YDS
Ping i230	33°	121.3 MPH	16.4°	5821 RPM	31 YDS	45.7°	173 YDS	19 YDS	248.9 SQ YDS
Sub 70 639 CB	32°	122.3 MPH	15.4°	6584 RPM	30 YDS	45.4°	173 YDS	13 YDS	266.5 SQ YDS
Callaway Apex 24 CB	34°	120.6 MPH	16.7°	6235 RPM	31 YDS	46.2°	170 YDS	9 YDS	151.2 SQ YDS
Takomo 301 CB	34°	120 MPH	17.3°	6410 RPM	32 YDS	46.4°	170 YDS	7 YDS	152.6 SQ YDS
TaylorMade P7MC	34°	119.5 MPH	18°	6226 RPM	33 YDS	47.2°	169 YDS	11 YDS	135.3 SQ YDS
Wilson Staff Model CB	34°	118.6 MPH	16.3°	6221 RPM	29 YDS	44.8°	169 YDS	6 YDS	76.8 SQ YDS
Titleist T100	34°	118.1 MPH	17.3°	5677 RPM	31 YDS	45.4°	169 YDS	8 YDS	107.2 SQ YDS
Ben Hogan PTX Tour	33.5°	117.9 MPH	16°	5767 RPM	28 YDS	43.5°	169 YDS	11 YDS	335.5 SQ YDS
Titleist 620 CB	34°	117.9 MPH	17.9°	6127 RPM	32 YDS	46.5°	167 YDS	13 YDS	274.3 SQ YDS
Average		121.4 MPH	16.4°	5853 RPM	30.9 YDS	45.3°	174.2 YDS	9.1 YDS	174.3 SQ YDS

Watch: How does the Srixon ZX7 MK II compare to other Players’ irons?

Srixon ZX5 Mk II Irons

RRP: £999 (s) £1099 (g) | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER
Stock shaft: KBS Tour Lite (s) UST Recoil Dart (g) | 7-iron loft: 31° | Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5

Described as “fast, soft and powerful”, the Srixon ZX5 Mk II promises the perfect union of looks, power and playability. You get the looks and feel of a true players’ iron, but with some more ball speed, distance and forgiveness as part of the package. We rate the ZX5 among the best players’ distance irons.

The ZX5 Mk II has a slightly wider sole and longer blade length than the ZX7.

Verdict: Srixon ZX5 MK II irons

Cast your eye over the winners in each of our best iron categories and you’ll quickly spot how we rate Srixon’s three new ZX MK II irons very highly. Like it’s siblings the ZX5 is an absolute beauty, oozing classic subdued and understated Japanese gorgeousness. Nothing about this model is in your face bling or trumped-up, which is just what proper players are after.

On paper as solid as the model was, there’s no hiding it produced a fraction less spin, shot height, descent angle and carry distance than our test average. So, it’s important to point out our test sample came with a Nippon Modus3 Tour 105, ordinarily the stock shaft for the slightly more lofted ZX7. Consequently, our numbers are a little skewed, but at average club golfer speeds they’d typically be corrected by the stock lighter, higher launching and higher spinning KBS Tour Lite.

We love the ZX’s combination of a beautiful forged head with a thin, fast and springy face for excellent speed and distance, it’s a great marriage for what is a pretty weak loft in the players’ iron category. The ability to buy individual irons and combo any of Srixon’s three ZX MK II models together make them a brilliant buy in 2023.

Watch: How does the Srixon ZX5 MK II compare to other Players’ Distance irons?

Srixon ZX4 Mk II Irons

RRP: £999 (s) £1,099 (g) | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER
Stock shafts: KBS Tour Lite (s), Diamana ZX (g) | 7-iron loft: 28.5° | Forgiveness rating: 3 – 3.5/5

The hollow-bodied Srixon ZX4 Mk II is the most forgiving model in the ZX Iron series. It has the longest blade length and the highest offset, while still offering a very appealing look at address. We rate it among the best golf irons for mid-handicaps.

Verdict: Srixon ZX4 MK II Irons

Srixon have made great irons for some time, but 2023 is the year, when everything has come together as a convincing and cohesive story. The company see themselves as a ‘players’ brand, so the previous ZX4, although good, didn’t quite have the sleek, slimmed down profile to fulfil the companies brief, where the ZX4 MK II absolutely does.

We love the heads elegant straight lines, while the heads are a little longer and bigger you still get a super attractive look at address, thanks to not being overly offset. Srixon say the topline thickness across the family are closely linked, which actively encourages golfers to create their own personal combo set of two or more models.

Throw in all the good cosmetic stuff, alongside the ZX4 being our joint longest Mid-Handicap iron of the year (197 yards – tied with the Wilson Dynapower), whilst producing the fastest ball speed, plus a top three performance for protecting both ball speed and carry distance and you have an iron well worthy of a TG Best of 2023 award.

Watch: How does the Srixon ZX4 MK II compare to other Mid-Handicap irons?

Srixon ZX Mk II: Perfect for combo sets

Srixon recognize that combo sets are more popular than ever and have made the ZX Mk II irons perfectly suited for a mix-and-match. Every ZX Mk II iron model features the same topline thickness, so you get the same look at address on every shot.

Srixon ZX Mk II irons – Price and Release Date

The Srixon ZX Mk II ZX7, ZX4 and ZX5 irons launch March 2023. The Srixon Z-Forged II comes later, on 19 April 2023.

Iron sets are $1,199.99 / £1,099.

The Srixon ZX Mk II Utility Iron is $239.99 / £229

READ NEXT
– Best Srixon Irons
– Srixon ZX Mk II Drivers Revealed
– WITB: Shane Lowry

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Srixon ZX7 Mk II Irons

RRP: £999 (s) £1099 (g) | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER
Stock shaft: Nippon NS Pro Modus3 Tour | 7-iron loft: 32° | Forgiveness rating: 2

Srixon ZX5 Mk II Irons

RRP: £999 (s) £1099 (g) | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER
Stock shaft: KBS Tour Lite (s) UST Recoil Dart (g) | 7-iron loft: 31° | Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5

Srixon ZX4 Mk II Irons

RRP: £999 (s) £1,099 (g) | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER
Stock shafts: KBS Tour Lite (s), Diamana ZX (g) | 7-iron loft: 28.5° | Forgiveness rating: 3 – 3.5/5