Srixon’s newest golf balls for the 2019 season are ready to hit store shelves on February 1st, and after spending time with them on the golf course putting them in my golf bag was an easy decision.

Let’s dive deeper into the 2019 Srixon Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV golf balls.

FastLayer Core

When the longest driver on the PGA Tour — Cameron Champ — talks about the performance of a golf ball, it’s best to stop and listen.

“Distance is one of the major strengths of my game, and I trust the performance of the Z-STAR XV like nothing else on Tour,” said Champ, who currently leads the Tour in driving distance. “The exceptional ball speed and distance that I’m able to generate with the Z-STAR Series gives me the unique opportunity to compete at an elite level week-in-and-week-out.”

While none of us can hit the ball like Champ, we can benefit from the new Z-STAR series thanks to tech like the FastLayer core. Starting softest in the core’s center, the FastLayer gradually hardens outward toward its perimeter. This boosts ball speeds to help those of us who need it, but maintains a soft feel at impact.

“The new Z-STAR Series golf balls are built on top of the heritage of one of the most successful, trusted Tour golf balls in the market,” said Jeff Brunski, Vice President of Research and Development. “The exceptional ball speed and distance of both Z-STAR offerings are driven by the new FastLayer Core technology, producing both outstanding ball speed and launch conditions tuned for the high swing-speed, better player.”

Slide Risk Material (SeRM)

One of the elements I love the most about Srixon golf balls are their incredible durability. The new Z-STAR series features an upgrade to an already fantastic outer layer by way of Spin Skin technology with the new Slide Risk Material (SeRM).

This upgrade allows your irons and wedges to really dig in to the golf ball without ripping the cover to shreds. This increases friction between the clubface and golf ball, equating to higher spin control and stopping power on all shots. I found this to be especially true around the greens where spin is needed most, especially on high-lofted pitch shots or flops out of a bunker.

Early Performance

While more time is needed with the Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV golf balls, my early first impressions are extreme positive.

Even on a cold Chicago day, both golf balls performed exceptionally well in terms of spin and distance off the tee. I found driver roll out to be more than adequate in softer conditions while shots into the green stuck and spun back (!) in some instances. I’m a pretty high-spinning player by nature, but seeing a ball suck back is always a cool sight.

Retail will be $39.99 per dozen for either model. For more information visit Srixon’s website here.