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Today, I’ll be taking a look at the Srixon ZX5 Mk II driver.
The goal of the ZX5 Mk II is not markedly different than its predecessor, the ZX5. It’s designed to produce the very best in game-improvement forgiveness along with speed and a high launch in a confidence-inspiring profile, but with some new technologies that take the performance to the next level.
The ZX5 Mk II is more forgiving and higher-spinning than its sister driver, the ZX7 Mk II, but its flatter head shape gives it a Tour-like appearance.
Many people are familiar with Srixon as one of the top manufacturers of golf balls. But does their ZX5 Mk II driver pass muster? How does it compare to the ZX5? Is it worth putting in the bag?
Read on to find out what you need to know to make an informed purchase.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, stock shafts and stock grips are used when evaluating this club. In most cases, the golf clubs reviewed on Golfstead are acquired temporarily for testing purposes and are not purchased. The review that follows is based on the personal experience and research of the author. Because everyone’s swing and body are different, results with a particular club may differ from person to person.
What are the reviews like?
As a gold medal winner on the Golf Digest 2023 Hot List, the ZX5 Mk II driver has received very high marks from consumers and professional critics. It enjoys a 4.7/5 average rating at PGA TOUR Superstore.
What People Like
- puts out plenty of distance
- exceptionally forgiving
- good ball flight penetration
- simple looks
- hot, responsive feel
What People Don’t Like
- some people would have liked a sliding weight track
The Features
The key technologies of the ZX5 Mk II driver are:
- Rebound Frame: adds a second layer of flexibility, consisting of a thin ring of titanium, for even more recoil at impact. The “spring within a spring” dual-flex design delivers unprecedented ball speeds, particularly in the middle of the face.
- Variable Thickness Face: behind the Ti51AF titanium alloy face is a complex thickness pattern that is designed to expand regions of high COR across the face. The end result is improved ball speeds on off-center strikes.
- Star Frame Crown: an internal structure of latticework and ridges allows for an extremely thin titanium crown. This frees up discretionary weight which is redistributed for higher launch and optimal spin.
- Sole Weight: a port on the rear of the sole contains an 8g weight that shifts the CG low and deep for enhanced stability and launch. This port can be swapped in with different weights depending on individual preferences.
- Adjustable Hosel: offers 12 combinations of loft, lie and face angle.
The driver disrupts the carbon construction trend that was reflected in the original ZX5 and that has developed over the past couple of years, moving back towards titanium.
Stock Info
The ZX5 Mk II driver is available in 9.5° and 10.5° standard lofts at 460CC.
The stock shaft is the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 60/50 in graphite, and the stock grip is the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360. Custom options are available.
Also available is the ZX5 LS Mk II driver which has the sole weight forward near the face instead of at the back. This is designed to reduce spin for players with high swing speeds.
The purchase of the ZX5 Mk II driver also makes you eligible to receive free Arccos Smart Sensors and a one-year free trial to the Arccos Caddie app.
Below are the specs of the ZX5 Mk II driver:
The Performance
Distance
I did find during my session with the ZX5 Mk II that the spin seemed to be slightly lower (a couple hundred RPMs at the most) and the launch slightly higher than the original ZX5. This led to a little boost in carry distance and good rollout.
The distance potential of the ZX5 Mk II can certainly compete with many of the most popular game-improvement drivers from well-known brands.
Spin was a little higher than I would have liked with the ZX5. With the ZX5 Mk II, I think it’s right where it should be in order to produce that optimal balance of distance and forgiveness.
Forgiveness
Despite the ZX5 Mk II driver producing lower spin, it doesn’t seem to sacrifice any forgiveness to achieve this. In fact, I would say the forgiveness is above average for a game-improvement driver.
Hitting this driver straight is super easy. Stability in the heel and toe regions is at least as good as the ZX5, and if you’re faced with a generous fairway, you can feel pretty confident that you’re going to stay in the short grass off the tee.
Playability/Trajectory
The ZX5 Mk II driver tends to produce a high trajectory with a slight draw bias.
As I alluded to above, the launch is slightly higher than the ZX5 (this is expected given the addition of the Star Frame Crown), but the marginally lower spin rates help maintain decent penetration in the wind.
You can replace the stock 8g sole weight to alter the swingweight. Srixon sells a driver weight kit separately with 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14g weights, so you can experiment and find something you’re most comfortable with.
Just as the original ZX5 had relatively poor workability, so does the ZX5 Mk II. This is not a shot-shaper’s driver, but you can put some curve on your shots if you really want to. The ZX7 Mk II is definitely the better option in this regard, though.
The Look
The ZX5 Mk II driver has a decent amount of elongation from front to back. This creates ideal conditions for the CG to be shifted back for more forgiveness and launch.
This driver gives off “stealthy” vibes. In contrast to the glossy black crown of the original ZX5, it has a sleek matte black crown with subtle accents.
The face is rather shallow like the original ZX5, which will appeal to better players.
One of the biggest differences compared to the ZX5 is that the ZX5 Mk II largely does away with the red accents on the sole with the exception of the “Rebound Frame” lettering. You’re left with different shades of white and black, and in my view, this makes for quite a bland aesthetic that lacks pop.
All in all, though, it’s a solid look that shouldn’t turn most golfers away, but it’s not my personal favourite.
The Sound & Feel
Even though the ZX5 Mk II driver has much more titanium in its construction, the feel is very similar to the ZX5: it’s very responsive at impact, but also soft to an extent. There’s a touch of hollowness to the feel but it’s not something I find unpleasant.
When it comes to sound, if anything, I think the ZX5 Mk II is little more muted and sophisticated. When I reviewed the original ZX5, I remarked that it sounded a little cheap, but I don’t get this feeling with the new model which is great.
Similar to the ZX5, mis-hit feedback is fair. You might not be able to pinpoint the exact location of the strike, but it’s pretty easy to discern the general area of impact, whether it’s towards the heel or toe. There shouldn’t be any surprises in this regard.
Where To Buy This Driver Online
For new and used ZX5 Mk II drivers, you should check out Global Golf, PGA TOUR Superstore, or eBay.
In addition to being able to input custom specs, PGA TOUR Superstore offers financing, a performance guarantee, and a club trade-in program to help you minimize the financial hit.
Global Golf offers various deals, a points rewards program, and a club trade-in program called UTry. eBay is a fantastic source for golf equipment, both new and used.
Conclusion
In many respects, the Srixon ZX5 Mk II driver gives you the best of both worlds.
It delivers the speed and forgiveness across the face that you would expect from a game-improvement driver, but at the same time, it’s not overly “spinny” and has a shallow face profile that will appeal to better players.
This is why I think that both low and high handicappers can have great success with the ZX5 Mk II. Indeed, even some of the best players in the world like Brooks Koepka and Hideki Matsuyama have carried it in their bags.
I do wish it would have done a little more to differentiate itself from the original ZX5, but it is a worthy successor nonetheless.
Interested in the ZX5 Mk II driver? Have you played it? What’s your experience? Let us know in the comments below.