We Tried It: Srixon Iron Combo Set Builder

There may be lots of cool stuff within the golf tools world that doesn’t all the time match neatly into Most Needed Checks or Purchaser’s Guides. You continue to need to know the way it performs. In our We Tried It sequence, we put it to the take a look at and allow you to know if it really works as marketed.

What We Tried

Srixon’s Iron Combo Set Builder. It’s a brand new on-line device permitting you to totally customise a Srixon ZX Mk II combo iron set.

Who Did the Attempting

John Barba, MyGolfSpy author and senior statesman with wayyyy too many iron units. I’ve tried thinning the herd however I like hitting irons.

Srixon Iron Combo Set Builder

Srixon launched the new ZX Mk II line of forged irons this previous January. On the time, the corporate’s message was clear: We wish you to combo these infants.

One of the best ways to construct a combo set is on the vary with an skilled fitter stocked to the gills with heads and shafts. It’s a rule, nonetheless, that does have a number of corollaries. For instance, in the event you’ve been fitted not too long ago (and efficiently), your specs can translate from one OEM’s providing to a different. Not completely, thoughts you, however you may get fairly doggone shut.

Mass property variations between the heads would possibly have an effect on really feel and a few minor tweaking could also be wanted. However, in any other case, the transition works.

That’s the objective of Srixon’s Iron Combo Set Builder. It’s an internet device that permits you to construct an entire set of Srixon Mk II irons from utility iron to hole wedge whereas sitting in your sofa with a bowl of popcorn.

On one hand, it really is that simple.  

Alternatively, until you might be 100% sure of what you need, paralysis by evaluation, to not point out an costly misstep, is a transparent and current hazard.

How It Works

You’ll find the Iron Combo Set Builder on the Srixon web site underneath the “Golf equipment” tab.

In its easiest kind, the Srixon Iron Combo Set Builder is as intuitive because it comes. You may construct your Srixon set in any configuration you’d like. It’s simple to mix ZX Mk II utility irons with ZX4 game-improvement irons, ZX5 participant’s distance irons, ZX7 participant’s irons and even Z-Cast II blades.

Earlier than choosing irons, it’s greatest to scroll down the primary web page of the web site. Srixon walks you thru the method by first having you discover the fashions. You get some marketing-speak about every choice together with a chart outlining every head choice. And it consists of handicap suggestions and trajectory, distance, forgiveness and workability comparisons.

Step Two presents some combo set suggestions. For instance, the Max Forgiveness choice combines the ZX4 and ZX 5 irons. The Zero Compromise package deal options the Zx5 and Zx7. When you’ve got some critical recreation, you’ll be able to go Tour Most popular (ZX Utilities and ZX7 irons) or Complete Management with ZX7 and Z-Cast II blades. Srixon features a helpful spec chart so you’ll be able to see how your set would possibly stream and whether or not you’ll want any loft changes.  

The ultimate step is to decide on your shaft and grip.

When Srixon designed the brand new ZX Mk II sequence, it had combo units in thoughts. The ZX4, ZX5, ZX7 and ZX utilities all have the identical topline thickness. Blade lengths and hosel offsets are barely completely different however are shut sufficient to maintain the set from trying hinky.

The Ordering Course of

When you’ve selected the membership combine, you can begin customizing by clicking on the appropriately named “Begin Customizing” button.

Step one asks for lie and loft changes. Loft is especially necessary as you transition from one kind of head to the subsequent. For our train, we went with the ZX Mk II utility 3-iron, ZX5 Mk II 5- via 7-irons and the ZX7 Mk II in 8-iron via pitching wedge. The transition from the utility to the ZX5 was easy sufficient however to maintain gapping constant, we had the ZX7’s bent one diploma sturdy.

The subsequent step is shaft choice. The Recoil Dart 90 is inventory for the utility iron however graphite choices embrace the KBS MAX and KBS TGI ($10.75 upcharge), the Aerotech SteelFiber ($35.75) and the Graphite Design Tour AD ($75).

The irons are grouped by kind so make certain to pick the shaft, flex and size accurately. The ZX5 inventory shaft is the KBS Tour Lite whereas the ZX7 options the Nippon NS Professional Modus3 120. Each are good shafts however hardly appropriate inside a single set. 

Once more, Srixon presents a big selection of no-upcharge metal choices from KBS, Nippon and True Mood. Upcharge choices (KBS Tour V, Tour FLT, Nippon Professional Modus3 125 and 130, Dynamic Gold Tour Difficulty) vary from $15 to $25 per membership.

The UST Recoil Dart is the inventory graphite shaft. Upcharge choices embrace the SteelFiber, KBS MAX and TGI and the Mitsubishi MMT with costs starting from $10.75 to $35.75 per stick.

You may as well order the shafts hard- or soft-stepped if wanted.

Grip choices run the gamut from the whole Golf Delight, Lamkin and Winn traces to a few JumboMax choices for the large-mitted.

Srixon Iron Combo Set Builder: Personalization

We’ve stated it for years however the Srixon-Cleveland personalization choice may be the most effective deal in golf. For those who like a touch of colour, Srixon will allow you to add colour to a few completely different paint fill areas: the membership quantity, the emblem and the mannequin. They’ve 20 completely different colours to select from.

At $15 per membership, you’ll wind up paying an additional $105 for a seven-piece set so it does add up. But it surely’s a pleasant means so as to add a bit of spice to your recreation.

We went with the inventory shaft within the ZX utility and with no-upcharge Nippon Professional Modus3 105 shafts (R-flex) and no-upcharge Golf Delight MCC customary grips. With paint fill, the full got here to $1,373.51 which, minus the paint fill, is similar as you’d pay at retail.

Srixon says roughly 75 % of its irons enterprise is custom-ordered which is smart. Whereas all OEMs characteristic {custom} departments, huge canines TaylorMade and Callaway dominate conventional golf retail and promote a ton of off-the-rack units. Srixon’s {custom} division occupies a big part of the corporate’s facility in Huntington Seaside, Calif., and, as with most OEMs, {custom} units are constructed one after the other. After hitting “Purchase Now” on the Srixon Iron Combo Set Builder website, it took roughly 10 enterprise days for that lengthy brown field to hit my doorstep.

Head-To-Head Efficiency

As talked about, there’s no substitute for a stay out of doors becoming. However, in the end, becoming specs are becoming specs. They can translate from one OEM to a different so long as each iron units are in the identical class.

Membership specs, nonetheless, are by no means absolute. “Normal” varies from one OEM to the subsequent. And what’s delivered doesn’t all the time line up with what’s on the spec sheet. That’s simply actuality. With that in thoughts, let’s evaluate the Srixon ZX5/ZX7 irons to the set upon which the order was primarily based, a COBRA KING Tour/KING CB combo set.

The COBRA set was {custom} fitted in particular person outdoor by COBRA grasp fitter Brandon Dickinson. It options the KING TOUR 5- via 7-irons and the TOUR CB 8-iron via pitching wedge. Each units characteristic the identical Nippon Professional Modus3 105 in R-flex

A spec examine by Steve Thomson at Golftec in Danvers, Mass., exhibits the 2 units are shut however not precisely the identical. The Srixon ZX5 7-iron measures 37.25 inches with 61 levels of lie and 31.5 levels of loft (the spec says 32). Swingweight is D4 with a frequency of 293 CPM. The COBRA, in the meantime, is 37 inches (27.25 is spec) with a 61-degree lie and 32-degree loft. The swingweight is D3 and CPM is 298.

Shut. Not actual however shut.

Efficiency-wise, they had been remarkably shut.

The Srixon ZX5 Mk II is a participant’s distance iron whereas the COBRA KING Tour is a crossover between a participant’s iron and a participant’s distance. Surprisingly, the distinction in ball pace didn’t translate right into a distinction in distance, probably because of the decrease spin with the COBRA. The 2-degree distinction in descent angle would additionally point out a bit extra stopping energy for the Srixon.

And because the 7-irons are from completely different classes, we determined to check the ZX7 Mk II and COBRA KING CB 8-irons. Each are participant’s irons.

The variations throughout the board are nearly actually loft-based. The Srixon ZX7 was bent one diploma sturdy to 35 levels whereas the COBRA, additionally bent one diploma sturdy from customary, was 37 levels.

The 1,000 RPM delta between the Srixon 7-iron and 8-iron is a little bit of a head-scratcher, indicating these explicit strikes may need been a bit skinny.

Srixon Iron Combo Set Builder: Ultimate Ideas

This one’s simple.

If you understand your specs, your tools and your golf recreation, the Srixon Iron Combo Set Builder is a no brainer. We’re speaking Srixon so you understand the irons will likely be distinctive performers. And since Srixon is obtainable at retail, you’ll be able to actually give them a whack or two if it’s good to.

The Srixon Iron Combo Set Builder is straightforward to make use of and also you’ll get just about precisely what you need.

If you understand what you’re after.

For those who don’t know what you’re after, dropping in extra of $1,300 on a set of irons would possibly simply be a wee bit reckless. However don’t suppose for a second that Srixon considers this new device the one and solely answer to switch all others. It’s an choice. If you wish to hit before you purchase, there’s retail. If you would like a full-on {custom} becoming, you will have choices for that.

And when you’ve got specs in hand, know what you’re after and are comfy shopping for on-line, it doesn’t get a lot easier to order up a {custom} set.