Srixon Launches ZXiU, a Hybrid Alternative in Iron Form

Srixon has launched the ZXiU, a hollow-body utility iron built to add speed and a higher launch to long-iron distances while keeping a compact, blade-like head shape rather than a hybrid's larger profile.

What is the Srixon ZXiU designed to do?

Srixon built the ZXiU for golfers who want more forgiveness and launch than a traditional long iron but prefer an iron's look, flight and turf performance to a hybrid's. The club is available in 2-iron (18 degrees), 3-iron (20 degrees) and 4-iron (23 degrees) lofts for $259.99, with a True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 100 steel shaft or Mitsubishi MMT Utility graphite shaft and a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grip. Presale begins Sept. 8, with the club in stores Oct. 16.

What technology is in the Srixon ZXiU?

The face is forged from SUP10 steel and welded to a forged S20C carbon-steel body, a construction Srixon says softens feel while managing vibration. Every head is forged twice by Endo Manufacturing in Japan under Srixon's i-FORGED process, the same method used on the ZXi5, ZXi5+ and ZXi7 irons: material is added and reforged into the high-toe and topline areas to reinforce them before the face undergoes a controlled heat-softening treatment.

Srixon says ball speed comes from MainFrame iQ, a network of grooves and channels on the inner face that the company designed using simulated impact data to preserve speed on off-center strikes. A tungsten weight sits in the sole rather than the toe, as on Srixon's other ZXi models, which the company says lowers the center of gravity for a higher launch and steadier mishits. A Tour V.T. sole, with tailored bounce and sole width, is intended to help the head move cleanly through turf, rough and sand for golfers using it off the fairway.

How does the Srixon ZXiU compare to a hybrid?

Srixon designed the ZXiU as a hybrid alternative for golfers who dislike a hybrid's larger, rounded head, aiming to combine long-iron control and appearance with hybrid-like forgiveness and launch.