Srixon Z 785 Driver

We test the new Srixon Z 785 driver against its predecessor but did it impress?

Srixon Z 785 Driver Review
Golf Monthly Verdict

This is still an impressive offering from Srixon that is a worthy rival to the big boys of the driver category and while we think it might fall just short, the £349 price tag is awfully appealing and represents some great value for money.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Improvement in looks, feel and added forgiveness certainly widens the appeal to more abilities

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Performance gains over the previous model seemed to be fairly minimal

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Srixon Z 785 Driver Review - Technical Editor Joel Tadman tests the new Srixon Z 785 driver on the Foresight Sports GCQuad to assess performance over its predecessor

Srixon Z 785 Driver Review

The new Z 785 driver has much more shelf appeal than its predecessor thanks to the added flashes of colour and generally looking more futuristic.

srixon-z785-address-outdoor-web

At address it has a significantly different look too, with the carbon fibre pattern clearly visible on the crown with the new alignment mark helping centre the ball on the face.

The extra size over the Z 765 is also noticeable, immediately boosting your confidence before a ball is struck, although you could argue it isn’t as easy to align given the previous model had more contrast from a lighter face and white grooves.

srixon-address-web

Send a few balls down the range and you’ll notice the sound is different too, the new Z 785 model offering up a softer thud compared to the more metallic sound of the Z 765.

We tested the old Z 765 driver in 9.5° of loft with the Miyazaki tour issue shaft with a 5677 flex profile, meaning it’s stiff in the butt section and x-stiff towards the tip.

srixon-driver-testing-web

A foolishly heavy gym session the day before testing meant the numbers were not especially comparable to other driver reviews but having set some solid base numbers, we tried the new Z 785 in the new x-stiff Project X HZRDUS shaft.

Sadly it didn’t give us the performance we were hoping for, so reverted back to the Miyazaki shaft in 8.5° as it was clear the Z 785 launches the ball higher than the Z 765 driver.

As you can see below, we got 3 mph more ball speed on a similar launch, spin and a slightly higher flight, resulting in two yards extra carry on average.

srixon z785 data

The writing on the tip of the shaft, should you take the head off to adjust it, is plentiful and could bamboozle you at first but on closer inspection it is relatively straightforward – there are simply numerous loft, lie and face angle settings to help you get dialled in.

It’s fair to say - this represented just a minor improvement but the head does feel more stable at impact, despite us not seeing a major improvement in accuracy. We’ve ordered the new Tensei CK Pro Blue 70 x-stiff shaft, which is a stock option, so we’re hopeful we might get a few more yards from it in further testing so watch this space.

 

Joel Tadman
Technical Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.


One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.


Joel's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9° 

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15° 

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18° 

Irons: Ping i230 4-UW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind

Putter: Evnroll ER2V 

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x