golf gear
Double
DELIGHT
In staying updated with the latest stock on the South African market, this month we take a look at two new arrivals – Cleveland's RTZ 2 wedges and Srixon's ZXi irons
fairways & beyond
download this article to read later
download now
ZXis OVERVIEW
When releasing their updated line, Srixon confirmed that all four irons are forged by Japanese forging house Endo Manufacturing. The new iron models were launched on the PGA Tour at the Rocket Classic in late July, and a ZXi5+ utility iron was in Ryan Fox's bag when he won The Open.
ZXi7
The lowdown: Srixon's
flagship Tour iron gets the
upgraded PureFrame iQ to
utilize mass more efficiently.
Weight distribution was tuned throughout the set to give the long irons more perimeter weighting to prioritize forgiveness, while the short irons see more mass concentrated at the sweet spot for precision.
Who benefits? High-level ball strikers who want precision and workability in a mid-sized and stronger-lofted Tour iron.
The lowdown: Srixon's flagship Tour iron gets the upgraded PureFrame iQ to utilize mass more efficiently. Weight distribution was tuned throughout the set to give the long irons more perimeter weighting to prioritize forgiveness, while the short irons see more mass concentrated at the sweet spot for precision.
Who benefits? High-level ball strikers who want precision and workability in a mid-sized and stronger-lofted Tour iron.
ZXi5
The lowdown: The ZXi5 returns as a player performance option with the new MainFrame iQ technology to increase launch, speed and forgiveness.
Who benefits? Players who want a blend of forgiveness and workability, or a long iron alternative.
ZXi5+
The lowdown: This iron replaces 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 a wider sole, and can offer more speed and forgiveness through its hollow-bodied construction.
Who benefits? Players who want speed and forgiveness out of a player's shape.
ZXiU
The lowdown:
A long-iron
replacement
designed for penetrating flight and versatility. The back of the utility iron has a distinct mirror finish, which helps disguise the wide sole at address.
Who benefits?: Players wanting a long-game option to lower peak height, or a high-launching 4-iron alternative.
The lowdown:
A long-iron replacement designed for penetrating flight and versatility. The back of the utility iron has a distinct mirror finish, which helps disguise the wide sole at address.
Who benefits?: Players wanting a long-game option to lower peak height, or a high-launching 4-iron alternative.
MIX AND MATCH
One of the strengths of the ZXi family is how naturally each model blends with the next. Rather than forcing golfers into one model from 4-iron through to pitching wedge, Srixon has built an iron family that encourages players to use the best clubs for their game, even if that means mixing two or three different models throughout the bag.
RTZ 2 WEDGES OVERVIEW
The ZipCore construction uses a lightweight internal compound in the heel to shift
the centre of gravity more in line with face centre for more consistent distance
control. Now with ZipCore iQ, the shape and amount of the lightweight, low-density
aluminum-silicate filling is optimized for each loft, as well as each sole design
(grind) to better line up CG with the way those wedges are used. The lineup gets a boost from founder Roger Cleveland, who returns to the company to fine-tune five sole grinds, including an update of his nearly 40-year-old legendary 588 grind.
Who benefits? These wedges are aimed at golfers who are more confident in their short game,
as well as a more forgiving option for those who need more help with forgiveness and consistency
rather than all-out precision.
The ZipCore construction uses a lightweight internal compound in the heel to shift the centre of gravity more in line with face centre for more consistent distance control. Now with ZipCore iQ, the shape and amount of the lightweight, low-density aluminum-silicate filling is optimized for each loft, as well as each sole design (grind) to better line up CG with the way those wedges are used. The lineup gets a boost from founder Roger Cleveland, who returns to the company to fine-tune five sole grinds, including an update of his nearly 40-year-old legendary 588 grind.
Who benefits? These wedges are aimed at golfers who are more confident in their short game,
as well as a more forgiving option for those who need more help with forgiveness and consistency
rather than all-out precision.
Random reviews
'Cleveland Golf continues to advance the art of the short game while retaining the key elements that players love. The RTZ 2 wedge has traditional sound, feel, and looks, but packs a technological punch. If you need a set of high-performance wedges, these are worthy of consideration.' – pluggedingolf.com
'After hours of pitching, chipping, and splashing out of bunkers, I can confidently say the RTZ 2 is a serious contender for the best wedge of the year, offering a masterclass in spin control and feel, all while retaining the premium aesthetic of its predecessor.' – golfmonthy.com
'This is an excellent wedge, offering good performance and a little more affordability than the likes of the Vokey SM11, Callaway Opus SP and TaylorMade MG5. There was not a huge deal of difference between the original RTZ and RTZ 2 from my testing, apart from the introduction of the two new sole grinds.' – golfalot.com
SRIXION | CLEVELAND
