Expert Review: Srixon Z 585 Driver
My go to driver for a few years! Photos courtesy of Calvin Whetstone
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the driver, which I purchased with my own money in June of 2019.
My take
I bought my Srixon Z 585 Driver without ever hitting it and reading online reviews. I was pleasantly surprised with how this club performed both technically and mentally. Most high-end drivers these days come at a high price point, but this was not the case with the Z 585. Based on my research, I found a great deal on a used driver and decided it was worth a shot. I quickly realized this driver is a bit of a hidden gem. I began to see some great changes in my driving game (which was always one of my weaker points because of consistency). I was in a better position off the tee, which helped lower scoring averages. I always felt confident standing over the ball, and the power and forgiveness performed repeatedly. Because of this, I kept it in the bag for a few years. Being a mid-handicap player, I found this a great club for mid to high-level handicap, but I see it is a great option for lower-handicap players looking for forgiveness. It is really workable and has a great balance of distance and forgiveness off the tee.
About the club I own
- Model: 2018 Srixon Z 585
- Loft setting: 9°
- Shaft type: Hazardous
- Shaft flex: Stiff
About me
- Average score: Low 90s
- Handicap: 14.9
- Experience: 7 years of golf
- Right/Left-Handed: Right-Handed
- Typical ball flight: Cut/Fade
- Golf ball used: Srixon Soft Feel
- Club swing speed: 105-110
Test conditions
- When I bought the club: June 2019
- Days tested: This was my main driver for three years, year-round
- Where I’ve used it: Tons of courses, ranges, and a few simulators, mainly in Indiana and Michigan.
- Weather and wind conditions: I played indoors on multiple simulators and in all four seasons.
How it performs
What I was looking for
I was looking to upgrade my old TaylorMade driver, which I felt was a little too sporadic. I wanted to hone in on some extra distance and work on not spraying the ball too much. I also wanted to upgrade to a stiff shaft with my swing speed (110-115mph).
Why I chose this club
I was drawn to this driver based on its price point and reviews. I did a lot of research, and it was a great affordable option for moving into a long-forgiving driver. I looked at some options but didn’t find any in my price range that would perform how I wanted it to.
Wear and tear have 3 years on the course
What I love about it
- Distance: I have great luck with distance. Some of the longest drives I have hit came with this driver. I started averaging consistently 265-280 off the tee and saw my hook be tamed. A higher-end and stronger shaft certainly helped with this.
- Forgiveness: I tend to miss right, and I feel like, for the most part, this does not make the miss worse. I still get a good distance if I mishit.
- Feel: Feels solid and weighted well. I always feel confident over the ball. At address, it is easy to square the face and aim with the crown.
- Spin: I get lots of rollout from this driver, and like that, in dry conditions, the ball will run forever. This is attributed to some of my longest drives (325+).
- Launch: The shaft and loft on the club definitely help get the ball up. I rarely have issues with getting the ball up in the air. This helps to take on more aggressive angles of attack on the tee.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Sound: Sounds good, but I feel like it is missing something compared to other drivers. It’s a little high-pitched sometimes, and I’d like a bit more solid thwack sound.
- Aesthetic Appeal: A little plain to the eye, but it’s not distracting over the ball.
Best shot with this club
I had a massive drive on a downhill hole that I drove around 345. I smoked it, and it ran for days setting up a great opportunity for birdie.
Value for the money vs. other options
I was considering other drivers like the SIM and Cobra F6, but I didn’t feel like they held up to the price point and what I would gain in distance and forgiveness. Everything I read pointed to the Z 585, and I was very pleased after purchasing it. I actually got my buddy to buy the same one.
Final verdict
The Srixon Z 585 gave me everything I was looking for out of a driver. It delivers well on the course and helps set up some great opportunities to score well.
