Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE Golf Balls

Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE – Key Takeaways

Srixon’s Tour-level Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV get the two-color DIVIDE treatment. $44.99 per dozen Available Jan. 21

The new Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE yellow/white golf balls beg one simple and obvious question.

Why?

Fortunately, there’s a simple and obvious answer to that simple and obvious question.

Why the hell not?

I’m sure a bit more went into Srixon’s decision-making than why the hell not? There had to be questions of market potential, unit forecasting, break-even points, new-equipment capital expenditure and amortization, the potential for cannibalizing existing sales versus market share growth and so on. Those are all for the grown-ups to decide.

For golfers, it really does boil down to why the hell not?

As seriously as many of us golfers take both the game and ourselves (and, for many, that’s way too seriously), it’s important to remember that golf is a game. And games are supposed to be fun.

And, if nothing else, Srixon’s DIVIDE balls are kinda fun.

Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE: Yellow and White

When Srixon announced the two-color Q-STAR TOUR balls last spring, literally one of the first comments to our article was, to paraphrase, “What about a two-colored Z-STAR?”

“We had interest from the start in a Tour-level ball with DIVIDE technology,” says Srixon GM Brian Schielke. “Having easier alignment on the green and more spin feedback on pitches and chip shots is great for all.”

The Q-STAR TOUR has been released in several color combinations. To start, however, both the 90-compression Z-STAR and the 102-compression Z-STAR XV are coming out in the White/Yellow combo only. And, while the Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE balls all have a matte finish, the Z-STAR models have a standard glossy finish.

DIVIDE On Tour?

Nothing would make the Z-STAR DIVIDE family take off faster than seeing it played by Srixon staffers on the PGA TOUR.

“Hideki Matsuyama has really enjoyed practicing with the Z-STAR XV DIVIDE,” says Schielke. “In fact, he practiced with prototypes during the week he won the Masters. Ernie Els has also shown interest so stay tuned”

The balls themselves are no different than the standard Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV. The standard Z-STAR DIVIDE is the three-piece, higher-spinning model. It’s 90 compression with a 0.6-millimeter cover. Srixon says it’s for 90+ mph swing speeds.

The Z-STAR XV DIVIDE is the firmer (102 compression), lower-spinning, four-piece model. Its cover is a skosh thinner and Srixon recommends it for swing speeds of at least 100 mph.

Both DIVIDE balls feature Srixon’s signature Spin Skin with SeRM urethane coating to enhance spin. Both feature Srixon’s 338 Speed Dimple Pattern to reduce drag and create more stability in the wind. The only difference is two colors instead of one.

“Creating the DIVIDE construction with two different colors of urethane bonded together in a clean line is very challenging,” says Schielke. “We worked hard to get Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE right and leaning on that experience made it more straightforward to produce the Z-STAR DIVIDE series.”

Why DIVIDE?

Well, fun first and foremost. As we said, for most of us this is a game and there’s no harm in adding a dash of color and a touch of jocularity to the on-course proceedings is there?

From a practical standpoint, if you can’t align a DIVIDE ball for a putt, golf might not be your game. It’s easy and gives you crazy visual feedback on your stroke. Also, you can’t really miss seeing the spin on pitches and chips.

Srixon tells us that’s exactly why Matsuyama uses them for practice. This past weekend at the Sony, Matsuyama gamed his normal Z-STAR XV but used the DIVIDE version for practice around the green.

If you’re looking for another reason why Srixon is adding DIVIDE to its Z-STAR lineup, try some math.

The two new DIVIDE offerings bring to seven the number of Z-STAR balls in Srixon’s lineup. You have the standard Z-STARS in white and yellow, the XVs in white and yellow, the Z-STAR Diamond in white and now the Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV DIVIDE models. Add to that the three urethane-covered Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE colorways plus the standard white and yellow Q-STAR TOUR balls and you have 12 distinct urethane-covered offerings.

If you really want to get crazy, throw in the yellow and the white ionomer Q-STAR balls plus seven different colors of the Soft Feel balls. That makes 21 different offerings. In theory, you could take up a lot of shelf space at retail with that many balls.

We won’t even mention the colorful acid trip that is the new XXIO Rebound Frame collection.

For a company that continues trading with Bridgestone for third and fourth place in the market share game, that’s kind of important.

DIVIDE Here to Stay?

It would appear yes. Schielke tells us the Q-STAR DIVIDE exceeded the company’s expectations in terms of sales. The biggest problem was keeping up with demand. Srixon released the Q-STAR Tour in Yellow/Red in April and then added Yellow/Blue and Yellow/Orange during the summer. So far, Srixon is being coy about any new Z-STAR DIVIDE colors.

“We can’t talk too much about future product plans,” says Schielke, “but more colors are certainly an option.”

That, friends, is what’s known as a tease. And I’d bet my entire collection of Cleveland VAS irons we’ll see something later this year. Just don’t expect to see them in a matte finish. As we have learned, when matte balls get wet, they launch higher and spin less which you definitely don’t want in a Tour-level ball.

Z-STAR DIVIDE: Price and Availability

Srixon is offering the standard Z-STAR and the Z-STAR XV in the White/Yellow DIVIDE color. Tech-wise, these Z-STARs are the current models, just with the DIVIDE colors.

The new Z-STAR DIVIDE and Z-STAR DIVIDE XV will retail for $44.99. They’ll hit retail on Jan. 21.

For more information, visit the Srixon website.

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