Golf ball rankings, longest, spiniest, softest, etc., are helpful but they don’t always tell you the whole story. Sometimes you need a deep dive into a single model to understand what it really does. That’s what we’ve done here with the Srixon Z-STAR Diamond. Using MyGolfSpy’s 2025 Ball Test presented by UNRL, we broke down how it performed with the driver, irons and wedges to give you the insights you need to decide if it belongs in your bag.
What is the Z-STAR Diamond?
The Z-STAR Diamond is part of Srixon’s 2025 premium lineup, positioned between the softer qZ-STAR and the firmer, longer XV. It’s a three-piece urethane ball with a compression of 102 for players who want a blend of distance and control.
Key tech includes a FastLayer DG Core 2.0, a thin urethane cover enhanced with Spin Skin+ coating and a 338 Speed Dimple Pattern to promote lift and reduce drag.
Srixon markets it as a “balanced distance and spin” ball with a mid-high flight and the test data gives us a clear picture of how those claims hold up.
Driver performance
The Z-STAR Diamond consistently produced strong carry numbers in testing with higher spin and a steeper flight window that trades a bit of rollout for control.
- High Swing Speed (115 mph):
The Z-STAR Diamond produced a carry of 292.9 yards — the longest of any Srixon ball tested. Total distance came in at 322.4 yards, which is strong but a few yards shy of the very longest low-spin models. Spin was the highest among Srixons at 2,967 rpm, creating a high flight (86 feet) and steep descent angle (~31 degrees). The Diamond tends to launch a little flatter off the tee but its higher spin makes it climb into a strong peak height with a steeper landing. - Mid Swing Speed (100 mph):
At mid speeds, the Diamond carried 257 yards and totaled 286, only three yards behind the category leader. Ball speed (149 mph) was middle-of-the-pack, but spin was the second-highest at 2,691 rpm, which gave it plenty of stopping power but slightly less roll. Launch angle (11.9 degrees) was among the lowest. - Low Swing Speed (85 mph):
For slower swings, the Diamond finished middle of the group: 221 yards total, 188 carry. Ball speed (~124 mph) was in the top 25 percent, but lower launch held it back. Spin (3,324 rpm) was above average, again reinforcing its identity as a higher-spin control ball.
Iron and wedge performance
With irons and wedges, the Diamond leans into its spin identity, topping the charts for iron spin and delivering reliable bite around the greens.
- High Speed Irons:
The standout here was spin — at 7,173 rpm, the Diamond ranked at the very top of the field. Ball speed (127 mph) was excellent, but low launch (17 degrees) meant carry and total distance (180/185 yards) were near the bottom. - Mid Speed Irons:
Ball speed (107 mph) was among the leaders, but launch angle (18 degrees) was the lowest. Spin again stood out at 6,716 rpm, second overall. Distances were modest: 144 carry and 151 total. - Low Speed Irons:
With ball speed of 88 mph, the Diamond was in the top half. Distances (131 yds) were middle of the pack but, once again, it was the lowest launching ball in the group. - Wedge Spin:
On full wedges, the Diamond spun at 9,765 rpm, ranking fourth overall. On partial 35-yard shots, it posted 5,903 rpm, fifth overall. Both confirm its place in the top tier for short-game spin and stopping power.
Strengths and weaknesses
Every ball comes with trade-offs. Here’s where the Z-STAR Diamond excels and where golfers may want to look at alternatives.
Strengths
- ✅ Highest iron spin in the test; top-tier wedge spin
- ✅ Longest carry of any Srixon ball at high swing speeds
- ✅ Consistent control traits across driver, irons and wedges
- ✅ Premium tech package: thin urethane cover, Spin Skin+, 338 dimples
Weaknesses / Trade-offs
- ❌ Lower launch angles across the bag
- ❌ High spin can cost distance for mid and low swing speeds
- ❌ Not the outright longest total distance ball compared to low-spin models
Who should play it
The Z-STAR Diamond is best suited for golfers who:
- Generate plenty of speed and want carry distance plus stopping power.
- Prioritize iron and wedge spin for holding greens.
- Prefer a ball that offers a higher flight and steeper landing rather than max rollout.
Golfers with slower swing speeds may find more distance in Srixon’s Q-STAR Tour or SOFT FEEL, which launch higher and spin less.
Recap chart
| Swing Speed | Driver Performance | Iron/Wedge Performance | Bottom Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | Longest carry among Srixons; high spin | Highest iron spin; top-tier wedge spin | Built for control with speed. |
| Mid | Just a few yards behind leaders; high spin | 2nd in iron spin; lowest launch | Balanced, but trades distance for control. |
| Low | Mid-pack total; above-average spin | Mid-pack distance; lowest launch | Solid ball speed, but launch limits yardage. |
Final thoughts
The Z-STAR Diamond is a ball with a clear identity: carry, spin and control. It won’t top every distance chart but it will help you hold greens and shape shots with confidence. If those traits matter more than raw rollout, this ball deserves a spot on your short list.
WYBob
10 months ago
I am a mid to low swing speed player now that age has caught up with me. I played the Pro V1X most of the last three years to get the correct trajectory for where I play (elevation @ 6200 Ft.). I was fit into the Pro V1X but also played the Z Star Diamond at the recommendation of my local club pro. I find it to be an excellent performer for my game. The launch is only marginally lower than the Pro V1X, and the distance is comparable. I am also currently testing the Callaway Chrome Tour Triple Diamond and find it also comparable. That said, robot testing is good for setting a base line, but actual on-course testing is proving more insightful with my game’s idiosyncrasies. IMHO the Diamond is a heck of a performer. Now if MGS will only bring back the Ball Lab so we can see how the various ball stack up from a quality standpoint.