Golf Digest’s annual “Hot List,” which ranks clubs and balls from manufacturers throughout the golf industry, is out and one brand was recognized above all others, earning gold medals with every ball in its product lineup.
Srixon, with more than 80 years of golf ball manufacturing experience, earned gold with all five models in its 2017 product line and in all three price categories, as defined by the magazine, and was the only manufacturer to achieve both “sweeps.”
Srixon's four-piece Z-Star XV (left) and three-piece Q-Star Tour are two of five models in the company's 2017 lineup of golf ball offerings. All five models were awarded gold medals in Golf Digest's recently announced "Hot List," making Srixon the only manufacturer to win gold with every ball in its line.
For its testing, the magazine had players hit more than 33,000 shots with various balls – all with the brand names blacked out – submitted by more than a dozen manufacturers. Every segment of the market was represented, from big-names like Callaway, Bridgestone, TaylorMade, Titleist and Wilson, to lesser market share-earners like Snell, Vice and Kirkland. The magazine grouped balls into three categories, by price per dozen: more than $35, $26-35 and $25 and less.
To earn gold medal recognition, a ball had to score 97 or better out of a possible 100 points. Srixon was the only manufacturer to have every ball submitted for testing receive the coveted gold medal.
“These incredible results from the Hot List show how strong the full lineup of Srixon golf balls is, with a high-performance model available for every type of player,” said Mike Powell, president of sales and marketing for Srixon/Cleveland Golf/XXIO, North America. “To have every one of our entries be recognized with gold – five models in total – with at least one model in all three categories, this proves we have the most complete lineup of golf balls on the market today.”
The list of golf balls offered by Srixon in 2017 includes two models at the premium or “Tour” level. Both the Z-Star, a three-piece, urethane-cover ball with 88 compression, and Z-Star XV, featuring four-piece construction, a urethane cover and 105 compression, are priced at $39.99 a dozen.
In the intermediate price range, the Srixon Q-Star Tour, new to the lineup in 2017 and priced at $29.99, is a three-piece ball with a urethane cover. With its 75 compression, the Q-Star Tour is aimed at players will moderate swing speeds.
In the $25 or less price range, Srixon has two offerings. The Q-Star, $24.99 a dozen, has a slightly harder cover around its gradient core, contributing to its 77 compression. And the newly redesigned Soft Feel, priced at just $19.99 a dozen, features a softer, thinner cover and 60-compression, two-piece construction.