Martin Hopley
By

Whilst there are three separate models in the Srixon Z 65 range of irons, they all share the same heritage and design principles.

Srixon Z 65 Irons

Like the three previous Z 45 irons the heads are forged from 1020 Carbon Steel to give the softer feel that better players will like.

The faces feature the same double laser milling process with one line parallel to the grooves and another at an angle to get the most spin possible.

Srixon Z 565 Irons

The difference with the Z 65 faces is that the grooves are now 5% larger than before. They are wider because Srixon's machining process has improved to go closer to the legal limits and this will help the grooves dispel grass and moisture more easily and get a little more grip on the ball.

Finally all three models now have a revised version of the Tour V.T. Sole that uses a V shape design to generate the bounce.

Srixon Z 765 Irons

Srixon say that this shape enables the club to move quicker through the turf and therefore not lose as much speed and when reviewing the similar V Sole on the Cleveland RTX-3 wedge it was generating more ball speed than a more traditional design.

It works by increasing the leading edge bounce and reducing the trailing edge bounce to create different sizes of V in the sole. The 'step' in the sole of the Z 45 irons has gone and is replaced with a little more heel and toe relief which not only plays well, but looks better too.

Srixon Z 565 Irons

The size and shape of the V.T. Sole differs from one model to the next so let's focus on the individual Z 65 iron models now.

Srixon Z 965 Irons Review

The Z 965 iron is the blade version of the range aimed at single figure handicappers who want maximum control and feel.

Srixon Z 965 Irons

Compared to the previous 945 the sole is a little narrower and the lines are smoother on the trailing edge of the toe section.

This is a common theme as the muscle on all three Z 65 heads has been moved from the heel side of centre to more towards the toe.

Srixon Z 765 Irons

This not only helps forgiveness in terms of MOI, but also in CG position, which sholuld move more towards the centre of the face.

Srixon Z 965 Irons

On the longer irons from 3 to 6 iron there is a tungsten toe weight to help with this process, which a lot of companies do, but I think I would prefer not to see it and believe that my classic swing or some mysterious force was making the magic happen instead.

Srixon Z 65 Irons

Certainly the 965 did feel marginally better than the 945 through the set but there was not as much of a noticeable difference compared to the other models, so if you already have 945s and are happy with them then you may not need to upgrade.

Srixon Z 765 Irons Review

The Z 765 irons on the other hand are a worthy upgrade as they feel better and will be the ones that I can see most mid to low handicap players gravitating towards.

Srixon Z 765 Irons

They combine forged feel and better player looks with a muscle back design that features enough peripheral weighting to add some forgiveness without sacrificing too much feel.

Srixon Z 765 Irons

The V.T Sole is a little wider as you might expect and the same sole and muscle back changes apply to the middle child in the Z 65 iron family.

Srixon Z 765 Irons

The feel sounded and felt that little more solid than the Z 965 right through the bag due to that semi-cavity back design.

Srixon Z 765 Irons

I probably even preferred the 46° P wedge from this set over the bladed 965 version for this reason, even though there is not much between them for low single figure players.

The 51° A wedge is a blade style, which is a little surprising given the rest of the set design, but the oversize head and chrome finish blend in well with the set and provide an alternative to a standard 50° or 52° Cleveland RTX-3 wedge that also has the same V-Sole design.

Srixon Z 765 Irons

The longer irons are very playable and when you hit it right then the 4-iron felt really good. I would say that if you are just below a 100mph driver swing speed then you may want to look at the higher launching Z 545 4-iron as the 765 version will need a decent amount of speed to get it high enough to land and stop on the green.

Srixon Z 765 Irons

Overall the Z 765 ticks a lot of the right boxes for better players. It has clean looks with a nice sized top line, the right amount of forged feel, a bit of forgiveness, a touch of offset and it all comes together to make you feel like a better player without admitting that you need the help it offers.

It's clean and simple and does the job well with little fuss and other brands could learn from this approach.

Srixon Z 565 Irons Review

Finally, we come to the Z 565 irons, who are the best fed of the family, as they have the largest top line and the deepest backside, or cavity as it is preferred to be known.

Srixon Z 565 Irons

Right down to the short irons the deep undercut cavity draws the CG back to add forgiveness and increase the launch angle.

Srixon Z 65 Irons

The forgiveness is also greater thanks to the thicker perimeter weighting than the 765 around the edge of the head.

Srixon Z 565 Irons

The only difference to the other two models is that the face uses a high-strength SUP10 steel face insert to increase ball speeds.

As you will probably know by now, this means decreasing lofts to keep the peak height the same for each iron, so the 565 irons are 1° stronger than the 765 in the 4 to 8 irons and 2° stronger than the 965 in the 5-iron to PW.

The Z 565 is where you noticed the better feel most over the previous Z 45 irons as it felt a lot softer. The longer irons launch it on a nice high penetrating flight and even with the bigger cavity they still sounded like a solid forged iron.

Srixon Z 565 Irons

The faces on shorter irons might feel a little jumpy to better players than the other models, but most will find them delivering the combination of forgiveness and distance that they are looking for.

The Z 565 are ideal for mid handicapper upwards and the great thing is that they still look similar to the other models so if you want to blend them in with any of the other models then they won't sound, feel or look out of place.

Srixon Z 65 Irons Summary

Whilst each of the three models are perfectly fine sets in their own right, the opportunity to blend them is obvious, provided you watch the distance gaps as the lofts are not the same across the board.

Mid-handicappers could look at the 565 from 4 to 8-iron and then swap in the 9 and PW from the 765, which are the same lofts in both sets.

Srixon Z 65 Irons

Better players in either the 965 or 765 might want to move up a set for the 3 and 4 irons for that extra launch and forgiveness and for most 765 players I would recommend doing that for the 565 4-iron.

The great thing about all three models is they are forged so you get great feel, but they also look good and bring in elements of necessary forgiveness without any fuss. Maybe they are a little understated and therefore could slip under most people's radar, but seek them out as the Z 65 range is one of the best in the market.

Golfalot Rating: 5 stars
More from Srixon
Share:

Videos

Gallery

Srixon Z 65 Irons - Product Details

UK Launch01 September 2016
UK Launch RRP£770
USA Launch01 September 2016
USA Launch RRP$1100
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens
Hand AvailabilityLeft, Right
ManufactureForged
MaterialSteel
FinishChrome
Shaft NameTure Temper Dynamic Gold, Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 120
Shaft TypesSteel, Graphite
Shaft FlexRegular, Stiff, X Stiff
GripGolf Pride Tour Velvet 360 (52g)
DesignBlade, Cavity Back
Set Makeup4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW
Additional Clubs3, GW, SW
Manufacturer's WebsiteSrixon Website

Retail Partners

User Reviews

RussellSheldrakeGolf
August 2018

I have been playing a combo set of Z 565 and Z 765 for the last 6 months and it was the best decision I have ever made. The distance and accuracy from the 765 paired with the forgiveness of the 565 suits my game perfectly. I have recommended countless times.

Simon
October 2017

I've got a 765/565 combo, these are really really great irons. As always, it's critical to get the right shaft but with a fitting these are wonderful. Totally underated.

Ian Mudford
August 2017

I've owned a set of AP2 716 for 2 years and I have to say they are simply the most disappointing iron i have ever owned. Soooo my brother purchased a combo set of these 765 3-6 iron and then 975 down to PW. One afternoon he suggests having a crack with his and a day later the order is placed! All I can say is these things have outstripped anything else I've picked up. Feel, flight, sound, distance, forgiveness they really are the complete package and I recommend them 100% they are brilliant!

January 2017

Am into my 60's now, swing speed tops out at 100 mph with driver, and ball speed at 150 mph, 7 iron goes 155, just can't hit it like I used to so am looking for help anywhere.

Club Champion put me into the Z 545 last year, (4-W), with Aerotech 85 gram shafts, after 3 weeks, I had them bent weaker, (Wedge is now 46 degrees, rest of set follows). Wow, what a difference, longer than old Ping Eye 3's, laser straight, high flight, easy to work left and right, stop very quick even the 4 & 5 irons.

The V sole, for whatever reason, works great for me, my old Cleveland wedges don't have it and they dug occasionally, so I ordered the Z 545 A wedge, (50 degrees). Am president of local club so I recommend them to everyone.

Home run by Srixon

Write a Review

Facebook Comments