Martin Hopley
By

Despite the fact that 2-irons are a dying breed, there is still a place for them in better players' bags.

Whether it is for laying up off the tee on a tight par-4 or keeping it straight and low on a windy, firm and fast course, nothing beats nailing a 2-iron in my book.

Not many club makers manage to combine the properties of the very long irons with forgiveness, but the Srixon Z U45 utiltiy iron is one of them.

Srixon Z U45 Utilty Iron

For me it has all the classic hybrid iron properties from a long generous forged head, a slightly ticker top line and a hollow head construction that moves the CG back a little to make it easier to get up in the air.

Srixon Z U45 Utilty Iron

The back of the head has a larger sole area that is shaped in a muscle back style which looks great, but then they have put shiny chrome on it which to me was a little distracting at address.

Srixon Z U45 Utilty Iron

The face is a good size and Srixon claim the two different laser milling patterns between the grooves will stablise the spin performance and reduce the distances gaps between wet and dry conditions. This is difficult to notice in reality, but the trajectory was medium height and the forgiveness was very good for this type of club.

Srixon Z U45 Utilty Iron

The hollow head is made of steel and a high strength SUP10 steel face insert is welded onto it and the feel from this was very good. The sound is quite hollow compared to a blade iron, but that should not be a surprise and I thought it was pleasing enough.

Srixon Z U45 Utilty Iron

The sole may look quite wide, but with 0° bounce it just gives you more forgiveness and even from the tightest of lies, the Z U45 utility swept the ball away with ease.

It comes in 3 lofts of 18°, 20° and 23° and I would be tempted to get the 23° to replace the 4-iron and then at least one of the other two before going to 5-iron as they will keep that iron feel and offer the extra forgiveness too.

Srixon Z U45 Utilty Iron

The Z U45 iron comes with a slight offset of 0.167° in the hosel where the stock Nippon NS Pro 980GH DST joins. This half stepped shaft suits the head very well, but other options will be available through Srixon custom fitting, which is where you will probably have to go to get this club.

Better take a shock proof wallet with you because the eye-watering RRP of £165 is a lot for an iron and well beyond what similar products from competitors charge.

However if money is no object then the Z U45 is one of the best hybrid irons I have come across so if you want to experience the nirvana of pulling that 2-iron out of the bag and nailing it to a foot, then this is one of the clubs to go for.

Golfalot Rating: 5 stars
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Srixon Z U45 Utility Hybrid - Product Details

UK LaunchOctober 2014
UK Launch RRP£165
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens
Hand AvailabilityRight
Right Handed Lofts18°, 20°, 23°
ManufactureForged
MaterialSteel
FinishChrome
Lie60°
Club Length39.25 inches
Swing WeightD1
Shaft NameNippon NS Pro 980GH DST
Shaft TypesGraphite
Shaft FlexRegular, Stiff
Shaft Weight98g, 102g
GripLamkin UTx Full Cord Red
Manufacturer's WebsiteSrixon Website

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