Srixon introduces new 2019 Z-Star and Z-Star XV

With Srixon’s new 2019 Z-Star and Z-Star XV, its Tour-level line of golf balls, the company promises both more ball speed on longer shots and more spin on shots around the green. To do this, the new golf balls feature a new cover material and a new core design.

For more distance without sacrificing feel, the four-piece Z-Star XV golf ball and the three-piece Z-Star golf ball each have what the company calls a “FastLayer.” This means that the inner-most areas of the core are softer, while the outer portions of the core are firmer. According to Srixon, this helps high-speed golfers achieve greater ball speed while still providing the feel these golfers are looking for.

Graeme McDowell, a three-time PGA TOUR winner who uses the Z-Star XV golf ball, says he “switched immediately into the new XV because ti gave me 1.5 extra mph off the tee.”

For greater greenside spin, Srixon has introduced a new material – called “SeRM” -- into its urethane covers. SeRM, which stands for Slide-Ring Material, is essentially a compound that coats the urethane; according to the company, the material strengthens the molecular bonds and ultimately helps the cover dig deeper into the grooves of wedges and irons. For golfers, this friction-inducing design means more greenside spin.

Russell Knox, two-time PGA TOUR winner and Z-Star user, says the new ball “spins a lot with my middle irons but, of course, with a wedge you can spin it like crazy.”

Compared to the previous iterations of Z-series golf balls, the 2019 Z-Star XV has a softer cover, a smaller inner core but larger outer core, and an overall lower compression. The 2019 Z-Star golf ball has slightly increased compression, a harder mantle layer, and of course the new SeRM cover. Between the Z-Star XV and the Z-Star golf ball, Srixon reports that the XV model is for 100+ mph swing speeds and offers a mid-high launch while the Z-Star is for golfers with 90+ mph ball speed and offers a mid launch.

Like previous Z-series golf balls, the 2019 versions also have 338-dimple-designed covers that, according to Srixon, reduces drag for both more lift, and thus more distance, and a straighter flight in windy conditions.

As with its predecessors, the new 2019 Srixon Z-Star XV and Z-Star golf balls will be available in Pure White and Tour Yellow, and they will sell for $39.99 per dozen starting on Feb. 1.