When it comes to producing a golf ball, usually the goals are to make it faster off the tee and spin more around the greens. But often overlooked is how durable a golf ball is and how many rounds it can last (if you don’t lose it of course).
Srixon’s new Z-STAR series of tour-level golf balls, the ninth generation of the popular series, check all three boxes thanks to both new core and cover technology.
Here are four things to know about the new Z-STAR, Z-STAR XV and Z-STAR Diamond golf balls.
The ninth generation of the Z-STAR line features a newly formulated FastLayer DG Core 2.0. The previous generation of Z-STAR golf balls introduced the FastLayer technology which allowed Srixon to create a core that gradually gets firmer from the center outward. By doing this Srixon creates a golf ball that maintains a soft feel, but also creates high speeds for distance.
With FastLayer DG Core 2.0, the progression of firmness allows the optimal evolution for each of the three models, creating more distinction between the options.
Once again, the Srixon Z-STAR will give players three different options to pick for performance, but then there will also be three optical choices depending on the model of golf ball.
The standard Z-STAR golf ball features an even softer center core, creating the softest feel at impact and the lowest compression (88) golf ball in the family. The Z-STAR produces a mid-flight trajectory while offering the most greenside spin, but still reduces driver spin.
On the other side, the Z-STAR XV, the choice of last week’s the Sentry champion Hideki Matsuyama, has firmness added partway through the core and creates the highest compression ball in the family for maximum distance. The XV will also produce the highest iron spin.
Returning to the lineup after its introduction in the previous generation is the Z-STAR Diamond, the ball of choice for Brooks Koepka. The Diamond is the goldilocks of the family, providing the best of both worlds in terms of maintaining distance off the tee and greenside spin.
Both the Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV are available in Pure White, Tour Yellow and the 50/50 split called Divide which was introduced in 2023.
“For visual players who like to track their ball in the air and around the greens, the Divide is a game changer,” Srixon VP of R and D Jeff Brunski said in a release. The yellow/white contrast creates a spinning strobe effect, allowing golfers to easily gauge the rate of spin with their Wedges. When you add in the 360° seam line on the greens for better alignment and roll, these balls can enhance consistency in the areas of your game that matter most.”
For the latest Z-STAR series, Srixon has developed a new extra thin urethane cover made with biomass material.
“Our approach to this generation of the Z-STAR series was to produce a more durable ball without compromising performance,” Brunski said. “This generation’s unique cover and stronger coating help improve the spin performance specific to each ball, while our team has improved distance and control to provide golfers purer performance from tee to green.”
The company says the new cover is “designed to withstand all conditions faced on the course” which means it can maintain performance for multiple rounds of use.
Srixon has also applied a Spin Skin+ coating, which is an additional thin layer of urethane which is added to increase friction, which in turn increases spin around the green. The new balls also have a stronger urethane paint, which is designed to resist dirt and grime.
All of the Z-STAR models (Z-STAR, Z-STAR XV and Z-STAR Diamond) in Pure White, Tour Yellow and Divide (Z-STAR and XV only) will be available at retail starting on Jan. 24 for $49.99.
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