Very interesting test, really useful for a duffer like me to see how an expert like you reacted to these clubs. I have played for 59 years, will be 80 in June. I can still drive the ball decently, 220-235, am playing a Callaway EPIC Sub Zero 10.5 loft set neutral with a Graphite Design Tour AD IZ-5 R1 54 gram shaft. When it gets hot in summer and depending on how I feel, I alternate the shaft with a Graphite Design Tour AD IZ-6 stiff 63 gram shaft. I got a super deal on the shafts, only $100 each new, when I bought the driver that had been a demo but was basically unhit after my driving range pro shop got the new Epic Flash drivers. As for irons, I have played forged blades for years, Mizuno MP-33s with Dynamic Gold S300 shafts and then MP-67s with Aldila NV MLTi Pro stiff graphite shafts. Two years ago I bought a set of forged blades with heads that had once been custom designed for the driving range I use. They are (and don't laugh) called Chicago Classics. The wedge heads say Evans Design Precision Milled. I was told that the designer who made them used to work for some of the major club manufacturers. They very closely resemble Mizuno MP33s. The pro and club builder at the range put them together, I was told, more or less just as an exercise, using the existing stock of heads they have had for years. The entire set of new, unhit heads with new Rifle Lite Precision stiff shafts, 3 iron through sand wedge, was sold to me for $100. So no way I could resist. I like them, they have that great forged feel. And they do make you focus on making solid contact. I use talcum powder at the range to see where my strike is, which is very useful feedback. Anyway, as I am sure you have concluded, at my age why am I playing forged blades with weak lofts and stiff shafts? The loft on my 7 iron is 35.5 degrees, and the lofts on my Mizuno 7 irons were 36 degrees. 10-15 years ago I counted on my 7 iron as my 150 yard club, though I had not measured the distance as precisely as I do now at the range and with a rangefinder. However, now I have to face the fact that I carry my 7 iron 130-135 yards on average, with the occasional perfect hit carrying 140. So I am studying possible new irons that would enable me to use a 7 iron for that 150 yard approach, combined of course with working hard to improve my swing mechanics. But the kind of irons in the Game Improvement category just turn me off visually and in terms of sound and feel. I have considered some of the forged irons offered by Mizuno, Callaway, Titlest, Hogan and Haywood that have stronger 7 iron lofts ranging from 31 to 34, thinking they might add 5 yards or a bit more. But my budget is also very limited. Which brings me to your test results. The shop at my range has a set of Srixon Z4 irons with the Nippon NS Pro 950 Neo shafts in Regular flex on sale. I might be able to swing that. So far, I have not tested those irons at the range, but will see if they have the Z4 heads in the studio. I have been wondering about the very strong lofts on these irons and others like them, such as the Callaway Mavrik. After all, 28.5 degrees is basically the same as my Mizuno MP33 5-iron, which is 28 degrees. Meanwhile, your evaluation of these clubs gives me real confidence that they might be exactly what I need, while still giving some of that forged blade feel. It answers some questions about lofts. So, with apologies for the length of this, thank you.
Just bought a set of Srixon ZX-4 heads (5-PW) and am in the process of building them out now with +1/2" stiff UST Miyama Recoil 780 ES Smacwrap shafts and Golf pride MCC Plus4 Align grips. Can't wait to finish the build and get them out on the course!
I did like these irons, but I went with Cobras Speedzones which felt a bit softer with the same performance and i spent $300 less. Both are excellent G.I. irons
Thanks for the vid Mike, it looks like Srixon have launched another good looking set of Irons! For the senior golfer who is losing height & distance on his Irons, these would be a great/good looking option👍
I’ve got the ZX in a 2i utility iron with an MMT 125TX shaft. Love it. Bombs and low stingers that run for days. When it’s dry or when it’s windy I use that instead of my hybrid (it replaced my 5 wood) and thinking of trying that in a 1i if possible.
The ZX4 irons are beautiful to look at, but tested them against the Cleveland UHX which are weaker lofts (1.5 degrees for the 7 iron) and I was about half a club longer with the Clevelands, and they felt just as good. List price on the Srixons is 50% higher. Bought the Clevelands and love playing with them. Have started using the hollow body 4 iron off the tee on shorter par fours.
I think if you were going to blend these you would have to ignore the numbers on the bottom and just go by yardages, for me that would probably mean carrying two 7'irons a ZX4 4-7 (in reality 3-6) then ZX7 7-pw
I can get used to the looks, feel and sound of any club if it performs well, but these lofts would just confuse the heck out of me after a lifetime of playing “standard” lofts. I can see myself standing in a fairway always having to think, “I usually hit 7 iron from this distance, but with these irons I only need an 8 iron”. I’m sure I could get used to it, but sure wish the manufacturers would stop the loft jacking.
Hey Michael I've watched you since you started and you are my favorite. Could you please review the Maltby forged irons any ones you like. Maybe the ts3, 4 or 1. Thanks so much they are made by Golfsmith in Ralph Maltby here in the United States
I have the z585s Mike and am rocking them but would love a fitting on the z5 or these. As I'm ageing I'm looking for more distance and forgivness so would you say these could be the route to go down
I'm in the market for a set of new irons...these ZX4s are at the top of my list. Would like to see a head to head from Michael with say...a P770/P790 or MP20 or Apex 21 Pro. Cheers!
No AW is the problem with these lofts.....What the number says on the bottom of a club is irrelevant to me, it's all about gapping correctly, so a 43* PW is gonna put a massive gap between that and my 52* Gap Wedge, so with no AW for this set, it's an issue.
