Srixon Z-Star XV

Brand: Srixon
Ball: Z-Star XV
Construction: 4-piece
Dimples/pattern: 344
Cover: Urethane
Best price: £35

Summary: Srixon Z-Star, standing for 'spin', 'trajectory', 'acceleration' and 'responsiveness' is a high performance multilayered ball with extremely soft feel. The XV model features a firmer dual-core for less spin off the driver. It performs best for better players with driver swing speeds above 105mph.

Appearance: Similar to the Z-Star with inspiring looks with the big and bold Srixon logo, but this time with black stamp and red numbering. Srixon has launched Pure White and Tour Yellow versions of the Z-Star XV but there’s a different side stamp with a dot and dash replacing the arrow and dot of 2011 which acts as a nice alignment aid off the tee and on the green. We tested this ball in yellow and it is by no means as off-putting as some make out. 5

Feel: The ultra soft urethane cover of the XV and 'high grip speed coating' provides outstanding spin control with the wedges, promoting a buttery feeling into the greens. Extremely desirable feel off the putter face but sound of impact with the driver and wedge seems much more muted than the Z-Star. 8.5

Performance: Srixon says its new four-piece dual Energetic Gradient Growth core provides the best distance in a premium offering, while maintaining low spin to optimise driver performance - and it’s hard to disagree. Slightly less wedge spin than Z-Star, though, and about the same distance with the driver. 8.5

Verdict: Z-StarXV presents the perfect combination of distance off the tee, zip with the wedges and feel off the blade. Of the two Z-Star balls, however, we'd slightly shade the Z-Star for overall performance. 22

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