Srixon Z-Star, Z-Star XV, Z-Star Diamond golf balls (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Z-Star Diamond and XV? ›

The softer Z-Star is designed for approach shot and maximum greenside spin, the firmer Z-Star ♦ (Diamond) aims at iron spin control and distance and the Z-Star XV mixes a softer central core with a very firm outer region to maximize ball speed for the most aggressive swing speeds.

The Z-Star Diamond will spin more off the driver and irons, while the standard Z-Star should produce more greenside spin. What is the compression of the Srixon Z-Star? We measured compression at 88. In that respect, it's similar to the Titleist Pro V1 and Bridgestone Tour B XS.

Tl;dr When buying Srixon golf balls, consider your skill level, playing needs, and budget. The Z-STAR series is perfect for advanced players seeking control and distance. The Q-STAR offers balanced performance, while the Soft Feel series caters to beginners seeking a softer feel and higher trajectory.

About the Srixon Z-Star

The Srixon Z-Star is the softest of the company's premium (“tour”) offerings. According to Srixon, the standard Z-Star should be the lowest-flying of its three Z-Star models. Iron spin is listed as high (as it almost always is). Greenside spin is listed as the highest within the Z-Star family.

Srixon Z-Star XV Golf Balls

This ball differs from the non-XV version because it produces lower spin with a slightly high launch. You will find a firm feel off the driver and a little more of a clicking sound on iron and wedge strikes. This is a higher-compression golf ball.

While they both created close to 11,000 rpm of spin, which is similar to other premium balls on the market, the Z-Star XV was more than 300rpm faster than the Z-Star.

This is normally the part where I remind everyone that with low-compression (i.e., soft) golf balls, higher swing speed players risk over-compressing the core and losing distance. Given Supersoft's compression (a preliminary test on our gauge puts it at +/- 40), that risk becomes a near certainty.

The golf ball compression rating describes how hard or soft the ball is. In general, brands rate golf ball compression between 30 and 120. The softest is 30, while 120 is the hardest. To be more understood: the lower the compression, the softer the ball, and the higher the compression rating, the harder the ball.

Recommended Compression: 90-100. Titleist Pro V1.

Similarities. Both the Titleist 2023 Pro V1 Golf Ball and the Srixon Q-Star Tour 4 Golf Balls are designed with performance in mind. They both offer excellent distance, with the Pro V1 providing a mid-to-low launch and the Q-Star Tour 4 delivering impressive distance for a budget-friendly ball.

Are Srixon and Cleveland the same? ›

Srixon focuses on golf, with its balls holding the largest number of patents worldwide, and having previously supplied other leading manufacturers such as Dunlop Slazenger. They also produce a full range of golf clubs and accessories. In October 2007, SRI Sports acquired Cleveland Golf.

Srixon's Z-STAR XV, the high compression, lowest spinning member of the Z-STAR firm, has traditionally been a dual-core, four-layer ball.

Srixon said the standard Z-Star has the softest mid-layer and lowest overall compression, providing the softest feel at impact. In contrast, the Z-Star XV ball has a soft core that is drastically firmer around its outer area for more distance and long-iron spin.

Luckily for golfers, Srixon's Z-Star line has three distinct models — Z-Star, Z-Star XV and Z-Star Diamond — to help golfers find the perfect fit for their games. The Z-Star has the softest feel, the Z-Star XV is the firmest of the three options and the Z-Star Diamond lies somewhere in between.

Key Takeaways. The quality doesn't appear to match the standard of the Z-Star Diamond but the XV tested within the average range for Ball Lab. With an average compression of 94, the XV is the firmest of the Z-Star offerings.

On our gauge, the average compression of the Srixon Q-Star Tour is 72.

High Compression

These are firmer golf balls with harder cores. They compress slower so it takes a harder swing to activate the core. High compression golf balls help maximize distance for high swing speeds. Firmer cores are often found in Tour golf balls like the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x or the TaylorMade TP5.

Any golf ball in the 80-compression range or less can be considered relatively soft. If your swing speed is below 90 mph, you will benefit from the forgiveness and overall feel of a golf ball with a lower compression rating.

The softer, thicker urethane cover also helps to make the AVX feel softer at impact, even though the ball's overall compression (80) has not changed.