New Srixon ZXi5+ vs ZXi5 vs ZXi7: Which Iron Is Best?
Srixon have refreshed an already seriously strong iron family for 2026, with the ZXi7 and ZXi5 returning as refined second-generation models and the new ZXi5+Â arriving as the big talking point.
The ZXi7 remains the controlled, compact-looking option. The ZXi5 adds a little more size, forgiveness and distance. Then there is the ZXi5+, a much more powerful players-distance iron designed to take on clubs such as the TaylorMade P790 and Titleist T250.
Having tested all three 7-irons side by side, the pattern is pretty clear: Srixon have not tried to reinvent two very good irons, but they have created a genuinely different option at the faster end of the range.
Key Takeaways
- The ZXi7 delivers compact looks, traditional lofts and controlled forged performance.
- The ZXi5 adds forgiveness and distance while retaining a premium forged feel.
- The ZXi5+ produced the longest carry at 194 yards in the 7-iron test.
- Expected pricing could place the ZXi range £20 to £30 below comparable competitors.
The 2026 Srixon ZXi iron range
Srixon operate on a two-year product cycle, so these irons are expected to arrive around October or November 2026 and remain in the line-up for the following 24 months. That timing actually works well if you are planning a new set for the next golf season.
The previous Srixon range already had high-launch alternatives aimed at golfers who need help getting the ball airborne while retaining that forged-style feel. The core of the range, though, has always been the ZXi5 and ZXi7 type of proposition: clean looks, excellent feel and very dependable performance without the huge marketing spend of some bigger brands.
That is why Srixon have become one of the most underrated iron brands in the market. They simply tend to perform when you put them in the hitting bay.

The key update is the use of AI-led design refinements to improve on the success of the previous generation. In practical terms, the ZXi7 and ZXi5 feel like sensible evolutions rather than dramatic redesigns. The ZXi5+ is where Srixon have made the boldest move.
Srixon ZXi7: Compact looks and controlled forged performance
The ZXi7 is the more traditional iron of the three tested. Its 7-iron loft is 32 degrees, making it the weakest lofted model in this comparison and the one built around controlled distance rather than simply chasing ball speed.
It sits neatly in the category alongside clubs such as the Titleist T100 or T150, TaylorMade CB-style irons and the more traditional Mizuno offerings. It is the iron for the golfer who wants a compact, classy head behind the ball but does not want to sacrifice all forgiveness.

That balance is the impressive bit. The ZXi7 looks compact, yet it never feels like a punishing little blade. The shaping around the toe and top edge seems to give it a more forgiving presence at address without making it look like a big lump.
Feel is exactly what you would expect from a forged Srixon iron: properly solid. There is only so far manufacturers can take a forged design before the pursuit of more speed or forgiveness starts compromising that pure strike sensation. Srixon have sensibly stayed close to what already worked.
During the test, the ZXi7 produced an average carry of around 182 yards. It was powerful enough, very solid through impact and delivered the kind of consistent carry numbers that make it appealing to a golfer who values predictable distance control.
Srixon ZXi5: The dependable middle ground
The ZXi5 is likely to be the stock iron for a lot of golfers. It is slightly chunkier through the top line than the ZXi7 and has a stronger 31-degree 7-iron loft, putting it in the category of more forgiving forged irons that still retain a smart, premium look.
If the ZXi7 is your compact control model, the ZXi5 is the more forgiving all-rounder. It offers the same excellent feel, a little extra help across the face and a little more distance thanks to the stronger loft.
It is not an iron that needs wholesale change. The prior model was already very popular, so the refinement approach makes sense. Srixon have not messed around with a good thing.
The test numbers backed that up. The ZXi5 averaged around 185 yards of carry, just ahead of the ZXi7, but its real strength was the consistency. Even with one very poor strike included in the sample, the better strikes clustered tightly and the front-to-back performance remained impressively reliable.
That consistent carry window is a major Srixon strength. Distance is useful, but knowing the ball will repeatedly fly within a predictable number is far more valuable when you are trying to hit greens.
Srixon ZXi5+: The new players-distance iron
The ZXi5+ is the exciting addition. This is the iron Srixon are using to push directly into the players-distance market, where fast-faced, forged-feeling models such as the P790 and T250 have been so popular.
It effectively takes over from the previous ZXi4 position in the range, but it is a distinctly different proposition. The ZXi5+ is not simply a stronger ZXi5. It is built to be fast, powerful and fun to hit.

From the first strike, the difference was obvious. There is more speed off the face and a more explosive sensation through impact. The 7-iron comes in at 29.5 degrees, so it is the strongest-lofted club here, and it is designed to get on with it.
The ZXi5+ is a seriously enjoyable iron to hit. It feels lively and powerful, and it gives Srixon a proper answer for golfers who want forged looks and feel but also want to see the ball fly.
Most importantly, the extra performance was not just a theoretical difference. It showed up clearly in the launch monitor numbers.
ZXi7 vs ZXi5 vs ZXi5+ test results
The test used 7-irons from each model. Clubhead speed was broadly similar across the three clubs, although it increased slightly with the ZXi5 Plus. That naturally helped ball speed and total distance, but the loft progression also played a major role.
| Model | 7-iron loft | Average carry | Performance character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Srixon ZXi7 | 32° | 182 yards | Controlled, compact and solid |
| Srixon ZXi5 | 31° | 185 yards | Forgiving forged all-rounder |
| Srixon ZXi5 + | 29.5° | 194 yards | Fast, powerful players-distance iron |

The difference in carry was substantial. The ZXi5+ averaged 194 yards, compared with 185 yards for the ZXi5 and 182 yards for the ZXi7. That is a nine-yard jump over the standard ZXi5 and 12 yards over the ZXi7.
As the lofts became stronger from ZXi7 to ZXi5 and then ZXi5+, spin reduced. That is exactly the expected pattern. The key positive is that the landing angle remained strong across the board at roughly 47 to 48 degrees, so there was still enough descent to make the distance usable on the course.
The three models have very clear jobs:
- ZXi7: Controlled distance, compact looks and forged solidity.
- ZXi5: A little more forgiveness and power without losing the forged feel.
- ZXi5+: Maximum speed and carry for golfers who want a players-distance package.
Which Srixon ZXi iron should you choose?
Choose the ZXi7 if control and a compact profile matter most
The ZXi7 is the right fit if you want a traditional-looking iron that does not feel overly demanding. It is the most lofted of the three, offers controlled distance and still gives enough forgiveness to make it a realistic option for a wide range of competent players.
Choose the ZXi5 if you want the best all-round forged option
The ZXi5 is the sensible middle ground. It is a touch larger, a touch stronger and a touch more forgiving than the ZXi7, but still feels superb off the face. For many golfers, this will be the easy choice in the range.
Choose the ZXi5+ if speed and carry are the priority
The ZXi5+ is the model to look at if you want to compete with the fastest players-distance irons on the market. It offers the biggest ball speed and carry numbers in this test, and it has a noticeably more powerful feel than the other two.
It is also the one that raises the most interesting question: how does it stack up directly against the TaylorMade P790 and Titleist T250? On this early evidence, it absolutely deserves to be in that conversation.
Value could be a major Srixon advantage
One of the most impressive parts of the new Srixon range may be the expected pricing. These irons are anticipated to sit roughly £20 to £30 below comparable competitors, depending on the category.
That difference adds up quickly over a five, six or seven-piece set. When the performance is this strong, the saving makes Srixon a very serious option for anyone considering a new forged or players-distance iron set.
There is no need to overcomplicate the verdict. The ZXi7 and ZXi5 were already good and remain good. The ZXi5+ is the genuine new story, delivering the speed and distance Srixon needed to challenge the big names in the players-distance market.
If you are deciding between the three, numbers from a proper fitting will matter far more than simply choosing the longest club. You can book a custom fitting with AF Golf Store to compare the launch, spin, landing angle and dispersion that your own delivery produces.
