Srixon golf balls aren’t seen as much on TV as some of the others, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t as good. They actually make some of my favorite models, and in this post, we’ll be comparing each model and talking about which is the best for you.
Which golf ball are you interested in?
Which ball you decide to play does make a big difference, it can hurt distance and increase your hook/slice. It all comes down to what your skill level is and what you need your ball to do. We’ll jump into everything you need to know, but if you just want a quick comparison, check out the table below.
Share your experience. Have you used any of these balls? If so, let me know your thoughts of them in the comments below.
Srixon Golf Ball Comparison
| Golf Ball | Handicap | Layers | Feel | Compression | Flight | Driver Spin | Wedge Spin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z-Star | Low | 3 | Softer | 90 | Mid | Low | Highest |
| Z-Star XV | Low | 4 | Soft | 102 | Mid-High | Low | High |
| Z-Star Diamond | Low | 3 | Soft | 102 | Mid-High | Mid | Higher |
| Q-Star | Mid | 2 | Soft | 72 | Mid-High | Low | High |
| Q-Star Tour | Mid | 3 | Softer | 72 | Mid | Low | Higher |
| Soft Feel | High | 2 | Softest | 60 | Mid-High | Low | Mid |
| Soft Feel Lady | High | 2 | Softest | 60 | High | Low | Mid |
Alternatively, if you want to know about different brands instead, you can read our guides on the best Callaway golf balls or the best Bridgestone golf balls.
Do Golf Balls Really Make A Difference?
The majority of golfers out there (myself included) just tee up whatever ball they found in the woods the round before. I always just thought all balls were pretty much the same, but that isn’t even close to being true.
Each type of ball is designed differently and is made for different golfers. Different balls have different layers, have different compression ratings, spin at different speeds, and require different swing speeds.
If you’re a high handicapper, you probably have an average swing speed (or slightly less). With an average swing speed, you won’t be able to fully compress a high compression ball.
You’ll lose distance, your ball won’t go as high as you’d want, and you might get big hooks and slices. You need a ball that’s built for your swing.
If you’re a low handicapper, you probably have a faster than average swing speed. A low compression ball might compress too much, which can lead to less distance, shots that are too high, and shots that are hard to control.
Average golfers need distance and forgiveness. The most important thing is to play a ball that will help you find the fairway. You don’t need a ball that spins a lot. See how backspin and sidespin affect a golf ball.
Low handicappers have better control over the ball, so they don’t need as much forgiveness. They’re able to spin the ball more with their wedges, and that’s why they need a higher spinning ball.
Know Your Swing Speed
One of the easiest ways to better understand what ball you should be playing is by looking at your swing speed. Generally, faster swing speeds require a higher compression golf ball. The opposite is true for slower swing speeds.
If you match the compression rating with your swing speed, you’ll get optimal distance and spin rates. Those are both important if you want to improve scores.
So, how do you figure out your swing speed?
The best way to figure it out is by testing it on a launch monitor. If you go to Topgolf or a local golf shop, you should be able to figure it out. Another way is by looking at your driver’s distance.
| Distance (Yards) | Swing Speed (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Under 200 | Under 80 MPH |
| 200-240 | 80-90 MPH |
| 240-275 | 90-100 MPH |
| Above 275 | Above 100 MPH |
It’s not a perfect solution, but it should give you a better idea. Once you know that, you then need to decide which Srixon ball you’d like to play. In most cases, the Z-Star series is for fast swing speeds, the Soft Feel series are for slower swing speeds, and the Q-Star series is somewhere in the middle.
Srixon Z-Star
- Handicap: Low
- Layers: 3
- Feel: Softer
- Compression: 90
- Flight: Mid
- Driver Spin: Low
- Wedge Spin: Highest
The standard Z-Star ball is made up of 3 pieces and is designed for low handicaps. If you’re a more skilled golfer with a faster than average swing speed, this could be for you.
What is the compression of the Z-Star? The Z-Star has a compression rating of 90, which makes it ideal for better golfers with a swing speed between 90-100 MPH.
Compared to the other two options, this ball feels the softest. Part of the reason is the softer outer shell, but the other reason is that the compression rating is 10 fewer. You can see the difference between soft and hard golf balls here.
Since the compression rating is a bit less, the required swing speed is also less. At these swing speeds, you’ll get the most distance, the ball will feel really solid, and your spin rates should be right.
Another difference between the other two balls is that this one has the lowest ball flight. It’s not by a lot, but it should give you a bit more rollout, which will help you get a few extra yards.
The spin rates with the driver are also on the lower side, which should help you get straighter golf shots. Straighter shots mean more distance, which is always a good thing.
The final difference is that this ball has the most greenside spin. I don’t know if you can quickly stop the ball on the green, but if you can’t (and want to), this might be the way to go.
Who plays Srixon Z-Star: Keegan Bradley, Inbee Park.
Similar to: Titleist Pro V1, Callaway Chrome Soft.
Srixon Z-Star XV
- Handicap: Low
- Layers: 4
- Feel: Soft
- Compression: 102
- Flight: Mid-High
- Driver Spin: Low
- Wedge Spin: High
The Z-Star XV is Srixon’s most used ball on tour and takes what the standard Z-Star offers and adds an extra layer (4 piece), which increases the compression rating compared to the standard Z-Star. This means that you’ll need a slightly faster swing speed to benefit.
RELATED: 3 vs 4 Piece Golf Balls
What is the compression of the Z-Star XV? The Z-Star XV has a compression rating of 102, which makes it ideal for better golfers with a swing speed above 100 MPH.
Adding the extra layer will help reduce the amount of driver spin as your swing speed increases. This should help with straighter shots and more fairways found.
Just like with all Z-Star models, the outer shell is made from a softer urethane material. It’s not quite as soft as the standard Z-Star, but it’s on the softer side. Most people prefer that, but it doesn’t really impact the performance.
One of the differences between the Z-Star and Z-Star XV is that the XV will fly a little bit higher. This should give you a bit more distance as well if you swing the club fast enough (100+ MPH).
When it comes to spin rates, both Z-Star models produce low driver spin, which will help hit straight shots. The difference comes from greenside spin, since the XV spins a bit less. It’s still a high spinning ball, but it’s not quite as much.
Who plays Srixon Z-Star XV: Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell, Hideki Matsuyama.
Similar to: Titleist Pro V1x, Callaway Chrome Soft X.
Srixon Z-Star Diamond
- Handicap: Low
- Layers: 3
- Feel: Soft
- Compression: 102
- Flight: Mid-High
- Driver Spin: Mid
- Wedge Spin: Higher
The Z-Star Diamond is the latest golf ball in this series and is very similar to the XV. The main difference is that it’s designed for tour players like Brooks Koepka.
One of the differences between the XV and Diamond is that this ball has one less layer. Having one less layer should give you a bit more spin with the driver, which has its pros and cons.
The overall feel of the ball is exactly the same as the XV and so are the ball flight and the compression rating. This means you’ll need an above-average swing speed to see the full benefits.
What is the compression of the Srixon Z-Star Diamond? The Diamond has a compression rating of 102, which is the same as the XV. This makes the Diamond ideal for golfers with a swing speed above 100 MPH.
There are really only two differences between the Diamond and the XV. The first is that this ball will spin more off the tee. This could better help you control the height and shape of the ball.
That being said, if you occasionally hook or slice the ball, it could make that worse.
The second difference is that this ball has a bit more greenside spin. It’s not as much as the standard Z-Star but it’s more than the XV.
Who plays Srixon Z-Star Diamond: Brooks Koepka.
Similar to: Titleist Pro V1x, Bridgestone Tour B XS.
Srixon Q-Star
Handicap: Mid
Layers: 2
Feel: Soft
Compression: 72
Flight: Mid-High
Driver Spin: Low
Wedge Spin: Mid
The Q-Star is a middle-of-the-range golf ball that is built for mid-handicappers. It sits between the Soft Feel and Z-Star and offers some of the benefits of each ball.
The standard Q-Star is built with 2 layers and has a lower compression rating compared to the Z-Star, which means it’s good for slightly slower swing speeds.
What is the compression of the Srixon Q-Star? The Q-Star has a compression rating of 72, which makes it perfect for mid-handicap golfers with a swing speed between 75-95 MPH.
Just like with all Srixon balls, the Q-Star has a softer outer cover, which I think most people like. That being said, it’s not quite as soft feeling as the Q-Star Tour. The Q-Star has an Ionomer cover while the Tour has a urethane cover.
The second difference between these balls is that this one will fly a little bit higher. It’s not by much, but it should be enough to give people with slower swing speeds a bit more distance.
When it comes to driver spin, both balls are exactly the same. They both produce low driver spin, but the differences come closer to the green. The standard Q-Star doesn’t spin quite as much off the wedge.
In my opinion, most people won’t be able to tell much of a difference between the standard Q-Star and the Tour. They fly pretty similarly off the tee and it’s only a slight difference around the greens.
Who should use: A “higher” mid handicapper who wants to save a bit of money and can’t yet put spin on their wedges.
Similar to: Bridgestone e12 Contact, Callaway ERC Soft & Titleist Tour Soft
Srixon Q-Star Tour
Handicap: Mid
Layers: 3
Feel: Softer
Compression: 72
Flight: Mid
Driver Spin: Low
Wedge Spin: Mid
The Q-Star Tour is pretty similar to the standard Q-Star, but I think it’s a better choice for “better” mid handicappers with a slightly faster swing speed.
The first difference is that the Tour has one extra layer (3 piece). The cover on the Tour is urethane, which makes it feel a little softer and spin more around the green.
RELATED: 2 vs 3 Piece Golf Balls
The compression rating is exactly the same, which makes it ideal for golfers with the same swing speeds. Slower swing speeds should go with the Soft Feel ball. For faster speeds, the Z-Star might be better.
What’s the compression of the Srixon Q-Star Tour? The Tour has a compression rating of 72, which is the same as the standard Q-Star. This makes the ball ideal for golfers with a swing speed between 75-95 MPH.
The ball flight will also be a bit lower with this ball. It’s not something you’d clearly notice, but it could give you a few extra yards if you have a faster swing speed.
The spin rates are exactly the same off the tee but the Tour will bite the green a bit better. If you can’t spin the ball, you won’t notice a difference. If you can spin the ball, this could be a better choice.
The reason this ball will bite the greens more is because of the urethane cover. It’s what higher-end balls have and is why this ball is a bit more expensive.
Who should use: A “better” mid handicap who has a faster swing speed (85-95 MPH) and can actually put spin on their wedge shots.
Similar to: Taylormade Tour Response & Callaway Chrome Soft
Srixon Soft Feel
Handicap: High
Layers: 2
Feel: Softest
Compression: 70
Flight: Mid-High
Driver Spin: Low
Wedge Spin: Low
These balls were my favorite for quite a while and are ideal for beginners, high handicaps, or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on golf balls.
They’re made of 2 pieces and are the softest golf balls from Srixon. The compression rating is also the lowest, which makes them designed for slower swing speeds.
What is the compression of the Srixon Soft Feel? Both the Soft Feel and Soft Feel Lady have a compression of 70, which makes them ideal for golfers with a swing speed less than 85 MPH.
Having a lower compression rating will help you get more distance with a slower swing speed. If you use a ball with a higher compression rating, it’ll probably go low and with not much distance. You can see our high vs low compression golf ball test here.
The biggest benefit of this ball is that it produces very little driver spin. Most beginners and high handicaps slice the ball off the planet. That’s caused by sidespin.
Playing this ball won’t fix that, but it should reduce that spin more than any of the others. Straighter shots will lead to more distance and more fairways found.
The reason I don’t play these balls anymore is that they don’t spin much around the green. This won’t matter for average golfers because they probably can’t put spin on any ball.
What’ll happen is that you’ll land the ball on the green and it’ll just roll out. If you want your ball to bite quickly on the green, you’ll need a higher-end ball. That’s why I prefer the Q-Star (I’m a mid-handicap though).
If you’re a female golfer, you might want to consider the Soft Feel Lady. It’s pretty much the same but it’ll launch the ball slightly higher, which could give you a bit more distance.
Who should use: A beginner, high handicapper, or mid-handicap who doesn’t want to spend a lot on balls.
Similar to: Titleist TruFeel, Wilson Duo Soft+ & Callaway Supersoft
What Srixon Ball Should You Use?
If you’re a fan of Srixon golf balls but don’t know which one to use, there are a few things you need to look at. The most important thing is what your current skill level is and how much you want to pay.
A golfer just getting started should definitely not use the same ball as someone shooting in the 70s. These golfers need their balls to do different things and that’s why Srixon makes different models.
As your ball starts to offer more features, the price will also increase. Beginners and high handicaps shouldn’t spend a whole lot of money on balls because they’ll lose a bunch. Once you get better, you can pay for better performance.
Other things to consider are your swing speed, shot height, spin rates, and feel. We’ll jump into everything you need to know, but generally, they make balls that fit into three different categories: low, mid, and high handicap.
Our Testing Process: Our goal is to help you find the right product. We continue to use each product over time and will keep our reviews updated. Learn more here.
Best Srixon Golf Ball For Low Handicappers
The best Srixon golf ball for most low handicaps is the standard Z-Star. Both the Z-Star XV and Z-Star Diamond are alternative choices, but these balls have a higher compression rating and are suited for faster than average swing speeds.
The reason these balls are suited for better players (shooting in the 70s) is that the compression rating is higher and they spin more. Since this is the case, they’ll be quite a bit more expensive than the others.
A higher compression rating will give you the most distance when your swing speed gets high enough. Anything above 90 MPH with the driver is when you might want to look at these balls.
A higher spin rate will help you control the ball better around the course. More spin lets you control the shape and trajectory of your shot and will also help you stop the ball quickly on the green.
You might be able to use these balls as a mid handicapper with a fast swing speed, but I don’t think you’d see enough benefit to justify the higher price.
For me (a mid handicapper), I prefer the Q-Star balls. I’m not good enough to get the difference between these balls and the Q-Star balls. I’ll save my money for now and stick with the cheaper balls.
The choice of what model you should add to your bag will depend on the feel of the ball and how much it spins. I think the majority of recreational players would prefer the standard Z-Star. Let’s quickly touch on the key differences.
Srixon Z-Star: This ball is the softest option with the highest spin rates. It’s built for golfers with swing speeds of at least 90 MPH and is going to fit the majority of recreational golfers.
Srixon Z-Star XV: This ball is firmer and will spin less than the standard Z-Star. It’s built for golfers with swing speeds of at least 100 MPH and will have a lower ball flight.
Srixon Z-Star Diamond: This ball is firmer than the standard Z-Star and will spin more than the XV. It’s somewhere between the other two balls. The compression rating is the same as the XV and the spin rates are similar to the Z-Star. The idea is more distance with more spin.
Best Srixon Golf Ball For Mid Handicappers
The best Srixon ball for mid-handicappers is the Srixon Q-Star Tour. This ball offers better performance compared to the Srixon Soft Feel, but it won’t cost as much as a tour-level ball.
The Q-Star series is Srixon’s mid-tier ball that offers better performance at a cheaper price. It essentially sits between the Soft Feel and Z-Star and is a great mid handicapper golf ball.
The reason these balls are suited for mid-handicaps is that the spin rates are higher than the Soft Feel. The Soft Feel is a perfect ball for some, but as you start getting better (shooting in the 80s), you probably want a bit more spin.
More spin will help you control the ball better. You probably want to start working on your short game spin; having the ball land on the green, bounce once or twice, and then stop.
High handicaps won’t be able to do this and that’s why there’s no point in spending the extra money. Plus, they’ll lose quite a few balls per round.
On the other hand, low handicaps will probably want more spin. The reason I wouldn’t recommend the Z-Star for a mid-handicap is that they won’t benefit from the increased spin. You won’t be able to stop the ball any quicker and it can actually make your hook or slice worse.
The Q-Star is a good mix of performance and value. You’ll have the choice between the standard Q-Star and Q-Star Tour, but I think Srixon is leaning more towards the tour (I would too).
Srixon Q-Star vs Q-Star Tour: Both Q-Star balls perform very similarly off the tee in terms of distance and ball flight. The main difference comes from the slightly softer feel and increased short game spin of the Q-Star Tour.
Best Srixon Golf Ball For High Handicappers
The best Srixon ball for beginners, seniors, and high handicappers is the Srixon Soft Feel. These balls are built to provide the most forgiveness and increased distance for golfers with slower swing speeds.
These balls are Srixon’s entry-level model, but just because that’s the case doesn’t mean they aren’t as good as the others. All it means is that they’re for a different type of golfer. They’re a great golf ball for average golfers, which is anyone who shoots above 90.
When you’re first getting started, you’re going to lose a lot of balls. That’s why one of the most important factors to look for is the price. These balls are much cheaper than any of the other models.
For high handicaps, one of the best ways to lower scores is to hit more fairways and greens in regulation. The Soft Feel ball has the lowest amount of spin, which will help hit straighter shots.
The downside is that it also means you won’t get much spin around the greens. That being said, beginners and high handicaps won’t be able to spin any type of ball anyway.
For senior golfers, one of the things you might struggle with is a decreasing swing speed. You might not swing the club as fast as you used to, which means you probably don’t hit the ball as high or as far as before.
The Soft Feel ball is designed to fly high and fly far for golfers with slower swing speeds. This also makes them a good choice for lady golfers.
Even as a mid handicap with a moderate swing speed, I still really like these balls. Golf is so much easier when you’re hitting your second shot from the fairway. The only downside is the short game spin.
Srixon Soft Feel vs Soft Feel Lady: The only difference is that the Lady will fly a little bit higher. Both balls have the same amount of layers, the same compression rating, and the same amount of wedge spin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Srixon ball is most like Pro V1? The ball that is closest to the Pro V1 is the Srixon Z-Star. Both balls have 3 layers, have the same compression rating, and produce high greenside spin.
Which Srixon golf ball is the softest? The softest ball by Srixon is their Soft Feel model. This ball is designed for distance and forgiveness, which makes it ideal for high handicap golfers.
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