Srixon turned to a legendary partner for new ZXi irons

When it comes to forged irons, the name Endo Manufacturing can stop gears in their tracks.

Srixon is counting on this with its second generation ZXi irons.

In releasing the updated line, which also includes the ZXi7, ZXi5 and ZXiU irons, along with the new ZXi5+ distance players iron, Srixon announces that all four irons are forged by the legendary Japanese forge house.

“We’ve been working with Endo for a long time,” Srixon Senior Product Manager Casey Schultz told GOLF. “We’ve had a relationship with them in the past, but this is the first time we’ve been able to really announce the fact that every piece of iron is made here.”

The new iron models launched on the PGA Tour at the Rocket Classic in late July, but the utility irons have been floating around since the Travelers Championship. A ZXi5+ utility iron he did it in Ryan Fox’s purse the week before he won his first major at the Open Championship.

Continue reading below for more on the second generation Srixon ZXi irons, including my take on the release.

What’s really new with the second generation ZXi irons – and why you should care

Completely forged by Endo

Endo is one of Japan’s most legendary ironsmiths. While the company has produced irons under the Epon brand since the late 70s, they are best known for forging irons for other golf companies such as Bridgestone and Nike. In particular, Endo Manufacturing made the Titleist 681T irons that Tiger Woods played with during the ‘Tiger Slam’ in 2000-01.

Srixon has used Endo to make some of its irons before, but the new ZXi line is the first line the company is producing entirely in partnership with Endo.

“I think actually having the whole launch use it as a manufacturer has been huge,” Schultz said. “Their expertise in the quality that they are able to produce on the forging side is next to none in the industry.”

Working with Endo, Srixon made changes to the patented i-FORGED process to strengthen the material around the grooves of the iron, enhancing durability while maintaining feel.

Adding the Plus

When Srixon introduced the ZXiR and ZXiR HL last yeargave the brand its first true game-enhancing irons since 2015. That allowed them to rethink the ZXi4 platform, which served both the game-enhancing and distance categories of players until then.

The result is the new ZXi5+a real sounding hollow-bodied iron distance, while it ZXi5 it continues to be more of a “player performance” offering.

“Think of the Plus as more distance and more forgiveness on the 5 Series,” Schultz said. “If you’re looking for a little more workability and a little more spin, that’s what the 5 series really fits. But the Plus is definitely for a player who’s looking for a little more help and a little more distance than what’s provided in the 5.”

Schultz said players haven’t created many combo sets with the ZXi4, but expect a lot more with the ZXi5+. That’s what we saw Fox do to help win at Royal Birkdale. While there isn’t a utility build of the ZXi5+, like Fox, available for sale yet, Schultz said it’s definitely a possibility down the road given the Tour success.

Keep the “Kaizen”

The fact that the new ZXi7, ZXi5 and ZXiU looks a lot similar to the previous generation it was all by design. Srixon didn’t want to fix something that wasn’t broken when it came to the second generation ZXi.

Schultz said the design team used the Japanese word “Kaizen” for this.

“It’s a Japanese term that means sort of incremental generational improvement,” he said. “That’s kind of a philosophy that I think is really evoked in the irons where, as you said, like the 5 series and the 7 series, as they are solid, excellent, market leading performers, that we take the basis of everything that is great in those irons, and we’re not just looking to reinvent everything that is.

To make these incremental changes, Srixon introduces a new MainFrame iQ system in the ZXi5, 5+ and Utility that uses an AI-assisted design to reallocate mass from behind the low face in the head and increase MOI. For the ZXi7, PureFrame iQ uses AI to enhance the impact zone, reduce unwanted face deformation and increase stability.

Another change, with extensive feedback from Srixon’s Tour team, was thinner lines across the line, as well as cleaner visual transitions.

As in previous iterations, all four models feature Srixon’s Tour VT sole to optimize turf interaction.

The Srixon ZXi line

U ZXi5 and ZXi7 back to the lineup, while a more distance-optimized ZXi5+ replaces the ZXi4. Game improvement players are now headed towards the ZXiR.

ZXi7

What is it: Srixon Tour’s flagship iron gets the updated PureFrame iQ to use mass more efficiently. Weight distribution has been tuned across the board to give the long irons more perimeter weighting to prioritize forgiveness, while the short irons see more mass concentrated at the sweet spot for accuracy.

Who is it for: High-level ball strikers who want precision and workability in a mid-sized and stronger Tour iron.

ZXi5

What is it: The ZXi5 returns as a player performance option with new MainFrame iQ technology to increase launch, speed and forgiveness.

Who is it for: Players who want a mix of forgiveness and work, or a long iron alternative.

ZXi5+

What is it: U ZXi5+ it takes the place of the previous ZXi4 and offers more of a player-preferred profile than its predecessor. Compared to ZXi5, it has a longer blade length, stronger loft and wider sole, and can offer more speed and forgiveness due to its hollow body construction.

Who is it for: Players who want speed and forgiveness out of the shape of a player.

wxya

What is it: A long iron replacement designed for penetrating flight and versatility. The back of the utility iron has a distinct mirror, which helps to disguise the wide sole at address.

Lofts available: 2nd (18˚), 3rd (20˚), 4th (23˚)

Who is it for: Players who want a long game option to lower the club height, or a high launching 4 iron alternative.

My take: Srixon somehow made ZXi better

There is no doubt that Srixon revealing an entire line forged by Endo Manufacturing (and announcing it publicly) is a great addition to the market.

The ZXi line, backed by great Tour success over the past two seasons, was already one of the best iron platforms. This next generation is better in every way.

For me, it starts with much cleaner and more refined cosmetics. So, as you hit the irons, you can really decide how much speed you want in them. Do you need all the speed that the ZXi5+ can give you? Or do you value the compact look and precision of the ZXi7?

One thing for me that felt much improved from the previous generation was that these irons spun a lot more, even despite the strong loft package in the ZXi7.

To me, as someone who values ​​height and stopping power, being able to get enough spin out of my irons can make all the difference.

I might be a ZXi7 player, but I was personally blown away by how well I could hit the ZXi5. Despite having a 31-degree lofted 7-iron, the ball was rocketing through the air with tons of speed and decent spin.

A lot of players are also really going to love the ZXi5 +, which will quickly complete with the big boys of the category such as T250, P790, M-13 and more.

The first generation ZXi was loved, but Srixon just knocked the sequel out of the park.

Price, Specifications and Availability

Custom Srixon ZXi7 irons

A players’ iron with refined tour-favorite looks, pro-level feel, and unmatched control, with newly refined tip lines, narrow soles, shorter blade lengths and minimal offset designed for precision workability.

View Product

Srixon ZXi5 irons

A players performance iron that perfectly combines distance and forgiveness, with a wider sole than ZXi7, with a moderate blade length and offset.

View Product

Srixon ZXi5+ Custom wheels

Introducing the ZXi5+ Irons distance players, a completely new model that combines feel with a compact and forgiving shape. ZXi5+ features a confident player’s top line with longer blade lengths, wider soles, and stronger lofts than ZXi5 for more distance and forgiveness in a players chassis.

View Product

Srixon ZXiU Custom Utility Iron

The ZXiU Utility Irons are powerful long iron replacements, even among tour pros, featuring Srixon feel, higher launch and excellent forgiveness in a blade-like design with moderate offset.

View Product

Srixon’s new ZXi7, ZXi5, ZXi5+ and ZXiU irons are available for pre-order starting. September 8 and will arrive at the retail locations October 16.

Every iron is $215 a leader, while the utility iron ZXiU is $259.99.

The stock lofts are as follows, but can be adjusted through customization:

ZXi7: (3i) 20, 22, 25, 28, (7i) 32, 36, 41, (PW) 46, (AW) 51
ZXi5: (3i) 20, 22, 24, 27, (7i) 31, 35, 39, (PW) 44, (AW) 50
ZXi5+: (3i) 19, 21, 23, 26, (7i) 29.5, 33.5, 38, (PW) 43, (AW) 49, (SW) 56
ZXiU: (2nd) 18, (3rd) 20th, (4th) 23rd

Want to find the best irons for your game in 2026? Find a suitable club location near you at True Spec Golf.

“>