Equipment

What is i-FORGED? A deep dive into Srixon’s impressive new iron technology

Published

10 months ago

Jul 23, 2025

GolfWRXers are well acquainted with Srixon’s history of superior iron designs. One need look no further than the perennial top performer status of the company’s ZX, ZX Mk II, and now, ZXi irons in our annual Members Choice voting.

We also see plenty of ZXi irons in professional bags, such as U.S. Open winner J.J. Spaun who plays a blended set of ZXi5 and ZXi7 irons.

Following the release of its ZXi iron lineup, Srixon is pulling back the curtain on a groundbreaking innovation designed to elevate the company’s signature feel to unprecedented levels: i-FORGED technology.

At the heart of i-FORGED is an advanced forging process called Condensed Forging, which is a method that allows Srixon to soften the iron’s body while reinforcing critical areas to maintain durability and performance. According to the company, the innovation marks a new era for forged golf clubs, promising not only best-in-class feedback but also the precision that skilled players demand.

Again, tour performance and GolfWRXer sentiment would seem to validate these claims, but let’s dig a little deeper into i-FORGED.

Feel first: Listening to the player

Before diving into metallurgy, Srixon turned to its most valuable resource: its players. In a wide-reaching survey of over 1,700 golfers, nearly 95 percent ranked feel as “very important” in their iron-buying decisions. Even more telling? Feel was the top reason respondents said they chose Srixon Irons over other brands.

That insight shaped the entire i-FORGED initiative. Improving feel was the mandate, not just the goal.

The challenge: Make it softer, but stronger

In the world of forged irons, feel and durability are often at odds. Softer materials may offer superior feedback at impact but risk bending out of spec over time. For Srixon, solving that puzzle meant pushing their forging capabilities further than ever before.

Enter Condensed Forging, the centerpiece of i-FORGED.

Developed via exhaustive simulations run by both the Japan and U.S. Srixon teams, this breakthrough process strategically strengthens vulnerable areas of the iron head — such as the hosel, topline, or toe — by imprinting raised protrusions during the first forging phase. These ridges are then smashed flat in a final forging step. On a microscopic level, this creates structural imperfections (known as “dislocations”) that dramatically increase strength without compromising feel.

The result? Irons that are softer where it counts and stronger where it matters.

The process in more detail

First forge: In which forging dies imprint Condensed Forging’s signature protrusions onto the iron. Raised ridges are pressed into the areas of the clubhead most in need of extra strengthening, Srixon says.

Reheat: Trimming and cooling follows, then the iron head is reheated in a “carefully tuned” reheating tunnel.

Final forge: Raised elements are “smashed smooth” in the final forging step of the process. As Srixon says: “When we smash these ridges flat the metal’s structure changes at the microscopic level. This smashing increases strength by adding imperfections at the atomic level (referred to as “dislocations” in material science).”

Model-specific improvements across the ZXi line

Each iron in the new ZXi family benefits from i-FORGED in a tailored way, designed around its target player profile and construction style:

ZXi7

Srixon’s one-piece forged player’s iron now features hosel-specific Condensed Forging, enabling the use of S15C steel, a material that’s seven-percent softer than the previous generation. Expect buttery-smooth contact and pinpoint precision, with the durability required for elite performance.

ZXi5

With a multi-piece construction, the ZXi5 required Condensed Forging along the topline and toe-side of the blade. This reinforcement allowed engineers to soften the face plate by 14 percent, yielding a crisper, more responsive strike without giving up strength or distance.

ZXi4

The hollow-body ZXi4 is designed for forgiveness and distance. Thanks to a new hosel material, SUS 17-47, and localized heat treatment, it now offers 30-percent greater hosel bendability. This gives fitters more flexibility while maintaining playability for a wide range of golfers.

Final thoughts: The feel is real

i-FORGED is more than a new buzzword; it’s a new forging process and a technical leap forward that redefines what a forged iron can deliver. By enhancing durability head-on through Condensed Forging, Srixon has unlocked the ability to use softer, more responsive materials across the board.

The verdict? A family of irons that’s deeply tuned to player feedback, with real science behind every swing.

Learn more about Srixon’s ZXi irons in our launch piece.

Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.

The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.

At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.

The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.

“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley

In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.

To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.

“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod

An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.

Pricing & Availability

The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.

Equipment

Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:

“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.

My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”

And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”

Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”

Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.

From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules