Srixon ZX5 Mk II driver £499

GM verdict

The Srixon ZX5 Mk II driver has a larger footprint than the Srixon ZX7 Mk II driver and offers more forgiveness in the same style of head design. Compared with the previous Srixon ZX5 driver, the Mk II version has an all-titanium head construction instead of a carbon crown. A very thin titanium crown is placed above a Star Frame structure, which features three ribs criss-crossing on the inside to provide greater rigidity between the face, sides and rear of the head.

These days, it is quite a departure to go back to titanium, but Srixon says that using this metal improves the energy transfer and creates a better sound at impact. It is hard not to agree with them, as the sound from the ZX5 Mk II driver was very good indeed during our extensive testing.

The trailing edge is a little higher, creating a flatter look to get the CG in the right position, and the head shape is a little less toe heavy, which creates a pleasing look at address. The graphics on the face have also been updated to frame the ball better than the fairly one-sided design on the previous ZX5.

Most golfers will probably find that the ZX5 Mk II is the highestspinning model in the range. There is a degree of adjustability to vary the loft and lie on the 9.5° and 10.5° heads to try and optimise the performance of your swing. There is also a single 8g weight in the rear of the sole, which Srixon claims is another adjustability option, but this will need to be done at a club fitting as the additional weights are not supplied with the driver.

On the course and in testing, the Srixon ZX5 Mk II proved to be one of the most forgiving drivers around, and the slight draw-bias in the head shape was subtle enough to keep shots pretty straight. It took some trial and error to get the optimum set-up for this club, and many golfers with a healthy swing speed may well get a little more from the lower spin produced by the ZX7 Mk II or ZX5 LS Mk II.

But, if you’re a slower-speed player or don’t generate enough spin, the ZX5 Mk II is a very competent driver with a much improved profile, good sound and excellent all-round performance. With its comprehensive range, Srixon has become an even stronger rival to the main driver brands in 2023.