Alright, golfers, Tyler Reed here, Equipment Editor for The Daily Duffer. We’ve just wrapped up “launch season,” and as predicted, the OEMs are already looking for ways to keep our attention — and our wallets occupied. Srixon is kicking things off with their Blackout Collection, featuring limited-edition Black Chrome finishes on their ZXi5 and ZXi7 irons, along with some matching soft goods. The question, as always, is: Is this a legitimate performance enhancement, a savvy marketing play, or a bit of both?
My job, as a certified club fitter who’s put hundreds of clubs through their paces on the launch monitor, is to cut through the marketing fluff and tell you what’s genuinely going to impact your game. So, let’s dig into Srixon’s latest offering.
The Black Chrome Finish: More Than Just Looks?
The headline here is undeniably the Black Chrome finish on the ZXi5 and ZXi7 irons. Let’s be clear upfront: these are the exact same iron heads as the standard ZXi5 and ZXi7. The geometry hasn’t changed. The internal weighting, the face technology, the V.T. Sole design – all remain precisely as they were in the original models that I’ve already spent considerable time fitting and testing.
“The irons themselves are the same as the standard ZXi5 and ZXi7 irons, just with a Black Chrome finish.”
This is a common tactic among manufacturers with two-year product cycles. It’s designed to give sales a “midlife kick in the pants,” as the source article puts it. From a raw performance standpoint – ball speed, launch angle, spin rates, dispersion – this finish will not change a thing. The coefficient of restitution (COR) of the face remains identical. Your smash factor will be the same. Your carry distances will be the same, assuming all other factors are equal.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s entirely without merit. The Black Chrome finish is described as an electroplated chromium coating, harder and more scratch-resistant than standard chrome, comparable to higher-end PVD or DLC finishes. In my experience, finishes can absolutely affect the perceived durability and aesthetics of a club over time. A PVD or DLC finish, or this Black Chrome, tends to hold up better to bag chatter and minor abrasions than a non-treated raw or softer chrome finish. Will it last forever? No. As the article states transparently:
“Yeah, it’ll show some wear over time. No, it won’t wear off the first time you hit them.”
I’ve seen countless “black” irons where the finish wears quickly on the sole and face, leaving a patchy, unappealing look. If Srixon’s Black Chrome is truly more robust, that’s a plus for longevity and aesthetics, two things that, while not impacting raw performance metrics like ball speed, certainly impact a golfer’s confidence and enjoyment of their clubs.
Performance of the ZXi Irons: A Proven Commodity
Let’s not forget the underlying clubs. The ZXi5 and ZXi7 irons are, by all accounts, excellent performers. The ZXi5, a player’s distance iron, finished “fifth overall” in MyGolfSpy’s 2025 testing. In my own fitting bay, I’ve found the ZXi5 to be a formidable contender in that category, offering a compelling blend of distance, forgiveness (thanks to that hollow body construction and internal weighting), and a surprisingly good feel for a club aiming for more ball speed. Launch angles are typically medium-high, and spin rates are optimized to hold greens without ballooning.
The ZXi7, on the other hand, is a true player’s iron, and it “copped top honors (by a relative landslide)” in its category. This doesn’t surprise me. The ZXi7 offers superb feel and workability, the kind of club a skilled player loves to shape shots with. Its turf interaction, particularly with the V.T. Sole, is consistently excellent, which is a major factor for consistent ball striking. When I put the ZXi7 on the launch monitor for proficient ball strikers, I consistently see tight dispersion windows and consistent spin numbers, crucial for control.
So, the performance bedrock is there. No debate. This Blackout Collection doesn’t change that. It purely serves an aesthetic purpose, fulfilling the desire many golfers have for visually distinctive gear. As Srixon Senior Product Manager Casey Schultz notes:
“The modern golfer is looking for more than just performance. They want their equipment to reflect their style and individuality, too.”
He’s not wrong. While my focus is always on the data and what makes the ball fly better, I understand that confidence and enjoyment are also part of the equation. If a club looks good to you, you’re more likely to feel good playing it, and that can sometimes translate to better performance – even if not directly through technical specifications.
Shafts and Grips: A Thoughtful Addition
The Black Chrome ZXi irons aren’t just a re-skin of the head. They come equipped with “special gunmetal Dynamic Gold MID 115 Tour Issue shafts and a gray Golf Pride MCC grip.” This is a smart move. The Dynamic Gold MID 115 is an excellent shaft, offering a mid-launch profile that complements both the ZXi5 and ZXi7 well. The “MID” designation usually implies a slightly higher ball flight than the standard DG 120, which can be beneficial for a wider range of players to optimize descent angle and stopping power. The Tour Issue designation also implies tighter weight tolerances, which can lead to even greater consistency across the set.
The Golf Pride MCC grip is a perennial favorite for a reason – excellent all-weather performance and a hybrid feel that appeals to many. The gray color scheme ties into the overall “blackout” aesthetic, offering a unified, high-end look and feel.
The Rest of the Collection: Style Statement for the Bag
Beyond the irons, the Blackout Collection extends to an array of matching accessories: a limited-edition Srixon x Vessel Golf stand bag ($499.99), a blacked-out Srixon SC3 stand bag ($279.99), a blacked-out staff bag ($549.99), a Tour hat ($34.99), and a driver headcover ($39.99). These are purely aesthetic plays. Vessel bags, in particular, are known for their premium construction and stylish designs. If you’re someone who likes a matching, coordinated look for your gear, these accessories are a great way to complete the blackout theme.
The Bottom Line: Who is This For?
At $1,599.99 for a seven-piece set, these Black Chrome ZXi irons are a premium offering. If you were already considering the ZXi5 or ZXi7, and the sleek, murdered-out aesthetic appeals to you, then this is an excellent choice. You’re getting the same outstanding performance of the standard models, plus what appears to be a more durable and visually striking finish, paired with a high-quality stock shaft and grip combination. For golfers who appreciate a stealthy, understated look, these will certainly stand out (by blending in) on the course.
However, if your primary goal is maximizing performance and you’re indifferent to the black finish, then the standard ZXi5 or ZXi7 will deliver the exact same on-course results. The performance metrics – ball speed, launch, spin, and dispersion – will not differ by any measurable degree because of the finish. Essentially, you’re paying a premium for the aesthetic and the upgraded stock shaft. If you’re on a tighter budget and performance is paramount, consider finding a deal on the standard models. But if you value the unique look and potentially enhanced durability of the finish, alongside the proven performance of the ZXi, then the Blackout Collection is certainly worth a look.
Ultimately, Srixon’s Blackout Collection is a smart marketing play around an already excellent product. It doesn’t offer a revolutionary performance breakthrough, nor does it claim to. Instead, it taps into the golfer’s desire for personalization and style, without compromising the proven technology within the clubhead. For many, that’s more than enough.
