Srixon Z-Star XV, Z-Star, and Q-Star Tour Golf Balls Review

Golf season hasn’t quite started up here in Ohio, but a few nice days last week gave me the perfect opportunity to put in some extensive time with the new Srixon Z-Star XV, Z-Star, and Q-Star Tour balls. 

 

To compare how each ball performed relative to the other, I hit multiple shots from the same spots on the course using driver, a 7 iron, and a 56* wedge, and did this on a variety of holes.  A friend came with me and did the same thing so we could compare impressions. 

Titleist Releases Limited Edition 716 AP1 Smoke Irons

The maximum distance and maximum forgiveness of Titleist 716 AP1 irons can now be experienced in a sleek new finish: Limited Edition Smoke. 

 

The Smoke finish is a test run because many golfers have been asking for it.  There's been a gravitation to darker finishes in the Vokey SM6 wedges, and the smoke finish in the 716 AP1 irons will make the club look smaller at address. 

Sights and Sounds from the WGC Dell Match Play & Bill Haas Signed Titleist Pro V1 Ball Giveaway

My first tournament of the season finds me in Texas for the Dell WGC Match Play this week.  Surprising upsets, dazzling performances, and the glorious hill country of Austin Country Club have made this a fun one. 

 

Here are a few pictures and videos from the week capturing some of the action. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Best of Show

More than 13,000 words, 1,900 pictures and videos, and thousands of swings later, recaps from Demo Day and the PGA Show are done.  Which means it's time for my Best of Show. 

 

In some categories the difference between winners and honorable mention was razor thin, almost like making a putt versus having one lip out on you. But distinctions have to be made. No participation ribbons in my Best of Show. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 3 Recap (Part 3): Titleist, Vokey Wedges, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, Adidas, Ping, and Tear Down

No matter how you measure your game, you're going to need more than great technique to play your best and shoot your lowest scores.  The right tools always matter. 

 

So let's sink our teeth into the latest gear from Titleist, Vokey, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, Adidas, and Ping in this final section of PGA Show recaps. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 3 Recap (Part 2): Antigua Sportswear, Wilson Golf, SeeMore Putters, Cobra Golf, and Puma Golf

This would be the section of my recaps I might call "You Win Some, You Win Some."  That's because something from every company in this section found it's way to my Best of Show wrap up. 

 

Let's take a closer look at new products from Antigua Sportswear, Wilson Golf, SeeMore Putters, Cobra Golf, and Puma Golf. 

Antigua Sportswear - 2017 PGA Show Spotlight

Antigua's understanding of, and dedication to the unique needs of the golfer is the reason why they've earned their reputation as a leading designer in the industry. 

 

Each year Antigua collections are the garments of choice for many golfers, with seasonal offerings consisting of core pieces using the finest knits, in fantastic new styles usually centered on a color story. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 3 Recap (Part 1): Callaway Golf, Odyssey Golf, Edel Golf, FootJoy, and Carnoustie Sport

Things definitely are more mellow on the final day of the Show, but for me the whirlwind was only getting stronger.  I still had a lot to cover, and in some instances even circle back to. 

 

In this section we take a look at a smorgasbord of new gems from Callaway Golf, Odyssey Golf, Edel Golf, Carnoustie Sportswear, and FootJoy. 

The Artistry of Carnoustie Sportswear - 2017 PGA Show Spotlight

If you're familiar with Carnoustie Sportswear you know the name is synonymous with elegant styles that are as timeless as the game itself.  I'm not talking sober, unadventurous golf dad styles.  I'm talking about fire over flash, good taste and refinement, where integrity of design meets integrity of experience. 

 

Luxurious and uncompromising fabrics make their outerwear and polos the heroes of any wardrobe.  And the distinctive, indulgent feel to their collections makes you feel downright pampered, as if Carnoustie is a family member who genuinely cares about your well being. 

Did Edel Golf Just Reinvent Single Length Irons? 2017 PGA Show Spotlight

We all know that Edel Golf designed the single length irons Bryson DeChambeau used to win the U.S. Amatuer title in 2015.  And now Edel has actually improved the way single length irons perform in a way that's notably different from anything the industry has ever seen. 

 

I spent a good amount of time speaking with Edel's Andrew Graw about the common problems with single length irons, as well as what Edel did to address those issues, and it was extremely educating and equally fascinating. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 2 Recap (Part 2): Cleveland Golf, Srixon Golf, Oakley Golf, Swing Oil, Nippon Shafts, Volvik, and Piretti Golf

Can you tell I was having entirely too much fun this year?  Many of you asked how I covered so much, and the answer's simple really. Every time I saw a new company booth my eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.  My excitement and energy all week was overflowing, and I think I might even have dual residency now in Ohio and Florida. 

 

Let's take a look at new products from Cleveland Golf, Srixon Golf, Oakley Golf, Swing Oil, Nippon Shafts, Volvik, and Piretti Golf. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 2 Recap (Part 1): Tour Edge, Honma Golf, Bettinardi, Callaway Apparel, Oban Shafts, and New Balance

You heard a lot of my impressions about the new 2017 gear in my Demo Day recaps and during daily coverage.  Now we're going to look at all of them again, and I'm going to start hinting at what clubs found a place in my Best of Show. 

 

In this section we'll take a look at Tour Edge, Honma Golf, Bettinardi, Callaway Apparel, Oban Shafts, and New Balance. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap (Part 5): Evnroll, Zero Friction, SuperStroke, Daphne's Headcovers, Winn Grips, 18 Birdies, and John Daly

We wrap up the Day 1 coverage with a look at Evnroll, Zero Friction, SuperStroke, Daphne's Headcovers, Winn Grips, 18 Birdies, and some John Daly. 

 

Looking ahead to Day 2, we'll have more apparel coverage, but the focus moves heavily on new equipment, and I'll bring you more than you'll know what to do with. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap (Part 4): CRU Golf, Travis Mathew, OGIO, Bushnell Golf, Golf Pride, ECCO Golf, and Miura Golf

Ask anyone who's ever been to a PGA Show, and they'll all tell you there's a point each day where they inevitably start to run out of gas.  It was late afternoon  now, I'd already seen an abundance of new products, and that downward spiral into daydreams of a marvelously comfortable bed back at the hotel seemed inevitable. 

 

Then I checked out CRU Golf, Travis Mathew, OGIO, Bushnell Golf, Golf Pride, ECCO Golf, and Miura Golf.  And it seriously felt like a high-dose adrenaline infusion. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap (Part 3): Green Label, Stitch Golf, Golf Knickers, Pukka, Loudmouth Golf, Biion Footwear, and Bespoke Golf

More apparel, more shoes, and a first jump into the accessory category in this section with looks at Green Label, Stitch Golf, Golf Knickers, Pukka, Loudmouth, Biion Footwear, and Bespoke Golf. 

 

I'm also going to start throwing in some unsystematic but still interesting pics of things that caught my eye at the end of these recaps.  It's really amazing how much there is at the Show. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap (Part 2): Under Armour Golf, Polo Ralph Lauren, Devereux, New Era Ryder Cup, and Peter Millar

We're keeping with the apparel and shoe theme in this section with a slew of noteworthy new offerings from Under Armour, Polo Ralph Lauren, Devereux, New Era Ryder Cup, and Peter Millar. 

 

There have never been more quality options in golf clothing than there are this year.   And even though sporting the same clothes your favorite players wear won't make your game as good as theirs, there's plenty of inspiration in the many new styles to at least make you look as good as they do. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap (Part 1): Floor Set Up, Opening Ceremony with Jimmy Walker, Byron Nelson, Chase 54, Ping Golf Apparel, Galvin Green, J Lindeberg, and Sunice

Day 1 of the PGA Merchandise Show means we're leaving the outdoor 42-acre Orange Country Golf  Center and heading indoors to the 1 million square foot Orange Country Convention Center. 

 

We already saw a lot of new gear in my Demo Day recaps, and now we're going to see even more.  These PGA Show recaps will be picture and video driven, with short titles or narratives where they might be helpful or interesting.  I'll also spotlight certain companies in these sections since they earned these spotlights at Demo Day, or on the Show floor over the next three days. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap (Part 5): Cobra, Puma, Yonex, Titleist, FootJoy, Fujikura, Aerotech, and Ping

Every golfer wants to play better, and the new club and shaft technologies in 2017 will definitely make a difference in your game and help you build a better bag. 

 

New gear from Cobra Golf, Puma Golf, Yonex, Titleist, FootJoy, Fujikura, Aerotech, and Ping are the focus in this fifth part of the Demo Day recaps. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap (Part 4): Game Golf, Oban Shafts, Epon Golf, Honma Golf, Cleveland Golf, and Srixon Golf

I've been to Demo Day and the PGA Merchandise Show three consecutive years now.  And each year I've been more energized and intrigued than the previous year. 

 

But this year had something more.  This year I saw new products and new innovations that basically came right out and knocked me over the head. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap (Part 3): Skechers, Soft Spikes, Orange Whip, Adidas, and Sky Caddie

As you can probably tell by now, there are going to be multiple parts to all recaps, including Demo Day and the three days of The Show.  To make it easy for you to find new gear from the companies you're curious about, I've put the company names in the titles, and you can also search for them using the search box on my blog's main page. 

 

In Part 3 we take a look at new products from Skechers, Soft Spikes, Orange Whip, Adidas, and Sky Caddie.