Equipment
Srixon Z 745 irons: A modern cult classic?
For professional and amateur golfers alike, we all share one common goal: to hit our approach shots as close as possible to our intended target. The clubs used most for these shots are irons, and since, for pros, these are the real “money makers,” when they find something they like, they tend to stick with it. (We can say the same thing about putters too)
With irons in mind, I present to you the Srixon Z 745. Released all the way back in 2013, and now officially three models old, these continue to be spotted on a weekly basis all over the PGA Tour and in many better players’ bags alike. At this point, as a club junkie, I’m ready to declare the Z 745 a “modern cult classic” (cue confetti cannons and air horns).
But why?
Its a simple question with a less than simple answer, but I have a few theories, along with some tech talk that might shed some light on why the Z 745 already has a coveted spot on the cult classic irons list.
Let’s talk business first: Cleveland Srixon is a big golf company, and if you pay attention to many of its staff players’ bags, you will see that there doesn’t seem to be a lot of pressure to change into the newest gear if players are happy. A prime example of this is Rod Pampling, who still uses Cleveland 588MB-shaped (easy to spot this) Srixon “Z” irons (see below). If these aren’t rebranded Cleveland 588 MBs, I’ll eat a pair of socks…
So, let’s get back to the Z 745. This was a big step forward in design as Srixon was reestablishing its irons in North America. A lot of “new” (former Cleveland-focused) staff players quickly made the switch to these. What’s not to love? Shorter compact blade length, beautiful straight top line, not too thick or thin, no badges, forged, well-designed, loft gapping starting at a 46 degree PW, and last but in NO way least the aggressive V.T. Sole design with raised heel and toe. There’s just something about this iron that WORKS!
Speaking to Ian Fraser from Tour Experience Golf (TXG), when asked about the 745s, he had this to say
“The Z 745 were created in a perfect storm; you have a high-quality Endo forging, appealing aesthetics with sharp lines, v-sole and tungsten in the toe to relocate CG. It was one of the fastest players irons we tested at the time”
From personal experience and a retail perspective, I can tell you that at the brand-agnostic custom shop I worked at when these came out, we were selling these at a faster rate than any other single players CB. PERIOD. As a forged iron and used club fanboy, whenever someone asks me about looking for a nice set of used forged irons the 745s are high on my list. This isn’t to say that the following Z765 series wasn’t great, but from judging the adoption rate, there was clearly something about the “45s” that kept them in players’ bags. Even now we see these in a LOT of Srixon staffers and non-staffers bags alike
Keegan Bradley’s bag
Jerry Kelly’s Bag
Jon Curran’s 745s
Even non-staffer and ball striking machine Brian Gay is still rocking a combo set of both Z 545 and 745 irons, along with an Adams Super 9031 (but that’s another story) . On a side note, can we all just take a moment to again acknowledge that BG is a machine. He has one of the slowest swing speeds on tour at 105 mph but has four total wins, just under 22 million in career earnings, and is currently inside the top 100 on the money list. Basically, it proves that with enough practice, I still have a chance to one day play on tour!
I think if you pressed hard enough, you could even get the team at Srixon to admit that the 785s are more of a return to the 745 design features and shape than a progression from the 765s. With the more centered mass in the cavity (a looks thing) and a less rounded toe and topline profile from address, it’s easy to see the inspiration. Even in our own GolfWRX forums, players of all abilities seem to still love and hold onto their Srixon Z 745 irons.
It’s official: Srixon Z 745 irons are modern cult classics.
Do you have a set of Z 745 irons still? Why do you love them? Why have you stuck with them like so many tour players? Would love to hear your feedback in the comments section.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold X100
Wedges: TaylorMade Prototype (50-SB09), TaylorMade MG5 (56-HB12, 60-LV07)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400
Putter: TaylorMade TP Juno
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Christiaan Maas’ clubs here.
TaylorMade Golf’s MySpider program underwent a substantial overhaul over the last month. Firstly, the company launched the option to customize the Spider ZT model, and now the program has returned with the MySpider Tour and MySpider Tour X.
The revamped page now gives golfers complete control over every visual and functional detail of their putter on the popular Tour and Tour X head, with every cosmetic idea thought of. In MySpider Tour, golfers can choose from four head finishes, 16 paint fill colors, nine Surlyn face insert colors, three aluminum insert options, six sightline configurations, and four hosel options — L-neck, small slant, double bend, center shaft. Six sightline options are available in MySpider Tour, including the optically engineered True Path alignment system. MySpider Tour X gives builders the option of four head finishes, four hosel configurations, and five sightline options, also including True Path alignment.
One of the more interesting features of the new MySpider program is the availability of three distinct face insert options. Along with the usual Surlyn Pure Roll insert trusted by Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, which can be customized from nine colors, golfers can now also select firmer options. Two are offered with the black aluminum Pure Roll insert, slightly firmer than the traditional insert, or for the firmest feel, golfers can choose from two colors of milled aluminum inserts.
Another fun addition to the MySpider Tour is the ability to use the “Tommy Sightline.” The custom alignment aid design, which was first drawn onto Tommy Fleetwood’s putter by PGA Tour Rep James Holley, is based on the milled sightline on his Spider ZT head. There are five shorter lines on the left and right of a longer central line serving as the traditional short line alignment aid.
See below for the full specifications sheet for MySpider Tour and Tour X:
MySpider Tour
MySpider Tour X
Equipment
Then and now: Comparing Rory McIlroy’s current setup to his record-breaking 2019 Canadian Open victory
In Rory McIlroy’s first appearance at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, he crushed the record books to earn his 16th PGA Tour title in dominating fashion, winning by seven shots over Shane Lowry and Webb Simpson.
McIlroy’s score of 22-under-par 258 is the lowest 72-hole score to date at the Canadian Open, and his closing 61 is also the best final-round score in the history of one of golf’s oldest tournaments. Finally, with his win in 2019, McIlroy became only the sixth player to win the career Triple Crown, adding to his victories at the U.S. Open in 2011 and The Open Championship in 2014, joining Tommy Armour, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods in a coveted list.
So, with that, why not compare his current setup to the clubs he used to break all the records?
Driver
2019: TaylorMade M5 (9 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees @8), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7X (45 5/8 inches)
McIroy led the Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee in 2019; he’s doing the same in 2026. Between now and then, McIlroy has switched from the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX (a shaft with slightly more feeling in the tip) to the original Fujikura Ventus Black 7X, having just made the change to the heavier version from playing the 60X.
What’s interesting about McIlroy’s 2019 setup is that the weighting on his driver is actually set in the high-draw setting, using the T-Track weighting system, whereas in the Qi4D, he’s currently using a heavily rear-weighted setup. (Two 13-gram weights in the rear and only two 4-gram front weights.)
The TaylorMade M5 driver he played in during his Canadian Open win was the company’s first head that they claimed to design to initially exceed the USGA’s COR limit, and then injected with tuning resin to bring it back in bounds.
Fairway woods
2019: TaylorMade M6 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX; TaylorMade M5 5-wood (19 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 90 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8X; TaylorMade Qi4D 5-wood (18 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9X
The TaylorMade M6 fairway wood that McIlroy was using during the 2019 season is still in the bag of some of the best golfers on Tour in 2026. Just check out Justin Rose’s winning setup from the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. This year, though, McIlroy has still been searching for his top-end-of-the-bag setup, having played both the new Qi4D and the Qi10, which he won the Masters with.
The same shaft swap can be seen in the fairway woods as the driver, along with slightly less loft on the 5-wood.
Irons
2019: TaylorMade P750 (4) Buy here, TaylorMade P730 (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0
2026: TaylorMade P760 (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0
The biggest difference between McIlroy’s custom set and the stock P730s is the groove design. While the P730s were constructed with 14 MX-9 grooves on their milled faces, McIlroy’s proto heads instead use the higher-spinning, 16-groove layout of the TW2 grooves. Other big differences between the sets are that McIlroy’s 7- and 8-irons have thinner toplines, are 1 degree stronger in loft, and are 1/4 inch longer than the original P730 builds.
With McIlroy’s 4-iron, the switch from P750 to P760 sees a transition to a two-piece construction with Speed Foam in it, which allows McIlroy to launch the ball slightly higher, with more workability.
Wedges
2019: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48-09SB), TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09SB, 56-09SB, 60-LB09), Shafts: Project X Rifle 6.5
2026: TaylorMade MG5 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB, 60-08LB @61), Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)
Between 2019 and 2026, McIlroy’s focus on his short game has been much more apparent. It was the reason why he switched back to the TP5 golf ball, to help with launch, spin and control with his wedges leading up to his career Grand Slam victory in 2025. The most apparent changes to McIlroy’s wedge setup are his lofts and bounce. He’s slowly delofted his pitching to a sand wedge, but has increased the loft on the lob wedge, bending his current 60-degree to 61. With that, adding more loft to his lob wedge also slightly increases the bounce and leading-edge sit point, so, as a result, he plays a lower-bounce lob wedge compared to 2019. The MG5 wedges are also softer than the first Milled Grind option from 2019. McIlroy also no longer plays the full-face grooves found on the Hi-Toe.
Putter
2019: TaylorMade Spider X
2026: TaylorMade Spider Tour X
Notice anything similar. Yes, the copper finish on Rory McIlroy’s Spider X putter in 2019 is a slightly more reflective finish than the recently released torched PVD finish. McIlroy was using the True Path alignment system, but now uses only a single white sightline.
Ball
2019: 2019 TaylorMade TP5 (#22)
2026: 2025 TaylorMade TP5 (RORS)
As mentioned above, McIlroy had transitioned from the TP5 to TP5x golf ball since his victory in Canada in 2019, but now is black with the same style of golf ball as his victory at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.
Grips
2019: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
2026: Golf Pride MCC
Interesting, McIlroy actually used Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet Cord grips during his victory in 2019 (it was during a 2+ year switch to the corded TV) as opposed to his usual MCC grips, which he has played for most of his career.
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
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Ken
Apr 6, 2025 at 3:10 am
Brought these back out from the garage, the feel and control is unmatched when you flush them, I forgot how great they can feel. I believe they are every bit as good as any players irons out there currently, they just check every box for me still.
Richo
Jun 13, 2021 at 9:29 pm
I had 745’s back in the day but every now and then I’d get these huge “fliers” from theiddle of the fairway. It was probably me but when they were so consistent most if the time and then just went 10-15yrds further than normal, I lost confidence in them. Great irons though!
Dean
Mar 9, 2020 at 10:34 pm
Wow i have a set of these as backup set in great shape. I was thinking of selling them so I checked on ebay. Has anyone checked the prices of these on ebay? They are selling really high. But I think Ill keep them,
Jason
May 23, 2019 at 4:20 pm
I have 2 sets of 745s bought new for about $400 each. Play them in two different states. I love these irons and won’t be changing them for a long time.
Roseland67
Feb 23, 2020 at 9:52 pm
Along with my 1971 Sunburst Les Paul Deluxe, you’re gonna have to pry these clubs outta my cold dead hands.
JP
May 14, 2019 at 10:36 pm
Roger Dunn Golf Shoo in Santa Ana has a LOT of these sets in used condition that look NEW! They have boxes upon boxes of them stacked up. And they were CHEAP! Was in the store last week.
rosie
Jun 4, 2019 at 9:25 pm
i just called them they said they had none . Where did you see this ? Thanks.
Harvey Thomson
May 8, 2019 at 5:14 pm
Well, I have to admit my combo set of 745/945 are back in the bag and I’m glad I didn’t get rid of them.
.
May 1, 2019 at 11:42 pm
Did they continue to add more and more tungsten for forgiveness in each gen of the 745-756-785? Like Titleist does with the AP2’s, they keep cramming more and more tungsten in each gen of irons for extra forgiveness in yet still a “players cavity back” design?
ChipNRun
May 1, 2019 at 11:53 am
I have hit the Z745 and Z765 irons at multiple demo days, and really liked them and WANTED them. Alas, however, I have a swing that NEEDS the Z545 and Z565 irons.
The Z5– and Z7– irons are at the top of the list for cool irons I have never owned. (My wife says two bags full is enough).
Wes B
Apr 30, 2019 at 8:43 pm
I play the 565(4-5)& 765(6-pw)combo set with KBS Tour 125 S+ shafts and absolutely love them! I’m kind of afraid to try the 745 or 785 because I might like them too much. I wanted the 765 over the 45’s because the blade length was slightly longer and I thought it would be a little more forgiving/confidence inspiring while maintaining the same feel. The only thing I’m not a big fan of is the more rounded top line on the PW as apposed to the perfect shape and thickness of the rest of the set. I should also mention how seamless the transition between the 565 5 iron and 765 6 iron is. You can not tell the difference at all looking at them from address.
Mark
Jan 24, 2021 at 10:16 am
What’s your handicap I’m 18 and thinking of getting them.
FirePro
Apr 30, 2019 at 8:51 am
as someone that changed my irons every year I have yet to even think about getting rid of my Z745’s. A couple shaft changes has kept my tinkering addiction satisfied and I now feel that I have found the perfect storm with the Z745 heads and KBS $-Tapers.
Justin M
Apr 29, 2019 at 11:22 pm
I love my 745/945 split set. I originally had issues with the topline of the scoring irons being to think, so I decided to get a used set of 945’s to swap out the heads of the 8-pw pw. Now I have the greatest set of irons ever after shafting them with kbs tour v x-stiff. Softest feel ever, amazing control and somehow maintain high spin with good length. I’ve tried just about every players iron that has come out over the last few years and nothing compares.
WESTSIDE GOLFER
Apr 29, 2019 at 11:01 pm
I’ve played Several sets of Mizuno and Titleist CB’s and MB’s and Wilson Staff FG 17… But the Z745 is the best iron I’ve ever played period. Love the Vsole and despite being forged no loss of distance!
Brian
Apr 28, 2019 at 2:01 am
Are the Bridgestone J40s and Srixon Z 745’s virtually identical? I’ve been playing the J40s for years and I always just assumed the 745’s were the same irons with a different brand-name.
Brandon van Dell
May 6, 2019 at 7:20 pm
I was thinking this too after seeing these. Love my J40 CB’s!
Henning Göbel
Apr 28, 2019 at 12:25 am
The one thing stops tje Z745 from being a classic: no availability for lefties! I am grateful,Srixon changed that with the 765.
Dan
Apr 27, 2019 at 7:45 pm
The Z745 irons are the best irons I have ever played. I’m starting to fear replacement as mine are starting to wear. Srixon should bring out new old stock so us die hards could continue to play this iron….
Frank
Apr 27, 2019 at 7:18 pm
Came close to buying the Z785s, but I favored the new Apex/apex Pro combo set and love them.
Bob
Apr 27, 2019 at 6:30 pm
I have played the 545s because they are more forgiving then the 745s. I tried the 585s but they were a little clicky and didn’t feel as good as my 545s so I took them back and bought another set of 545s they are just softer and easier to hit. Best game improvement club I have ever hit. If I was better I would hit the 745s
dat
Apr 27, 2019 at 4:46 pm
I really wanted to like these, but the sole grind didn’t fit my game.
Exrog
Apr 27, 2019 at 4:10 pm
I have a set of z945 and z965 irons. The z945 irons are an amazing feeling set. I want to try and configure the heads to a one length set up due to back problems. Does anyone know if the 945’s are endo forging?
Olson
Apr 27, 2019 at 4:04 pm
I originally got mine with S300 shafts, got fitted for X100, instead of getting new irons I reshafted mine, replaced the 9 iron and PW last year with the Z965. Have been to a lot of demo days and fittings since but still cant find any I like enough to replace the Z745s. If I got a set of Z785, JPX Tour or 718 CBs heavily discounted I would consider it but why spend $1000 on a new set when the ones I’ve got are still on tour and works well for me. And they’re one of the best looking CBs out there. They will stay until theres no grooves left.
Rick
Apr 27, 2019 at 3:45 pm
Had a set, but grew out of nippon 125. Got 565 with 105 and wow.
William Baltazar
Apr 27, 2019 at 3:19 pm
I currently play 545/745 combo, and love them!! Haven’t been able to find suitable replacements. I did just order the new 585 full set. Looking for a little more forgiveness in short irons I guess. They seem to feel very similar to my current 45s. Best irons I’ve had in many many years. My original Callaway forged X Tours come to mind when thinking about clubs that move the needle.
Josh
Apr 27, 2019 at 2:41 pm
Man I just got fitted for/ordered a combo set of z585/785’s. Hope I’m not going to regret going on eBay and finding a set of nice 745’s…the cavity on them looks a little bigger than the z785, wonder if they are any more forgiving?
Josh
Apr 27, 2019 at 2:47 pm
I meant I hope I don’t regret not going on EBay and grabbing a set of 745’s.
2putttom
Apr 27, 2019 at 12:38 pm
great line of clubs all around.
August
Apr 27, 2019 at 12:37 pm
I went from the 745s to the MP18 MB/SC about a month ago and the 745s are already back in the bag. They are by far and away the best iron I’ve ever played. I agree that the 785 is a step in the right direction but the offset increased which I’m not a fan of. Hoping to stumble across another set or two of the 745s in the next couple years as I don’t think anything will come close.
Mike S Berg
Apr 27, 2019 at 11:03 am
Been playing golf for many years the Z585 are by far the best iron on the market..
john j
Apr 27, 2019 at 9:59 am
Anyone know any other forged cavity backs forged by Endo?
joe
Apr 28, 2019 at 8:37 am
Callaway Apex Pro 2019, Callaway Apex MB 2018, Bridgestone J15, Bridgestone xCB (and likely everything from Bridgestone), Srixon 765, Srixon 785, Srixon Z-Forged, Titleist 680, NIKE VR Pro, and VR Pro combo, and possibly the new Tiger P7TW
john
Apr 29, 2019 at 9:28 pm
Are you sure Joe that Callaway Apex pros? Interesting.
Chappy
Apr 27, 2019 at 9:33 am
The 745s are the best iron I’ve ever played. Lots of reasons already mentioned. Short blade length, very little offset, fantastic feel and very forgiving for a small head. But the most import reason for me is the sole. The V sole is great.
BJ
Apr 27, 2019 at 8:38 am
785 are best irons Ive played to date. first time I ever played a Srixon iron
Kent Gavel
Apr 27, 2019 at 8:17 am
The 745’s Simply the best all around iron I’ve ever played.
Shot making is pure joy!
Soft feel, easy to flight.
Smellis745
Apr 27, 2019 at 7:50 am
Still rock the 745s and like them so much, I bought a second set that was like new just to have a spare set of heads
Benny
Apr 27, 2019 at 7:20 am
I have played 588 cb/mb set and last year fell in love with CG1 Tours. Not the longest but not short either. I keep trying to find a replacement with a 1/2 clud longer distance and this article is making me want to get a set of 745’s. Great read and nothing wron with Cleveland, Wilson or BStone. Look at what they produce!
Jesse
Apr 27, 2019 at 7:18 am
I still have the 745’s in my bag. Purchased in 2015. I am looking a new set but nothing I’ve hit so far match the 745’s in my opinion
Joakim Pekkari
Apr 27, 2019 at 7:05 am
Loved my black 745’s but just recently upgraded to the Z-Forged (comboed with 785 5i and 585 4i) which is just so beautiful and surprisingly easy to hit!
BS
Apr 27, 2019 at 5:33 am
Played j40cb originally and they were an amazing iron. Moved into 745/945 combo as were very similar design with a touch better performance through out the set. Can’t fathom changing them but j40cb is the original classic iron..
Chris
Apr 26, 2019 at 11:40 pm
The feel of the 745 is great, but to me it’s about the look. The 765 was much too rounded, especially in the shorter irons.The 785 looks much more like the 745 than the 765, so it is an iron that should be on almost anyone’s must-try list, but at the end of the day I didn’t want to give up my 745.
bonifacj
Apr 26, 2019 at 10:22 pm
The Srixon z745s are truly fantastic irons. Best I’ve played. Have a back up set in storage for when my gamers where out so hopefully will not have to change for a long, long time.
Deron
Apr 26, 2019 at 9:38 pm
I love my 765s. Anyone know if they are Endo forged as well like the 745s?
Paul
Apr 26, 2019 at 11:32 pm
They are, 785 are Endo forged as well.
john j
Apr 27, 2019 at 9:55 am
Are you sure, Paul? Was curious myself if the 785’s were endo forged as well.
Paul
Apr 27, 2019 at 10:48 am
Yes, I’m sure. Confirmed with someone at Cleveland/Srixon at the PGA show that 785 and Z Forged are Endo forged.
conted
Apr 27, 2019 at 5:23 pm
I’m gaming my z745s w/ Nippon 125s. Played z765/965 last two summer and went back to the z745s. I really like the head and shaft combination.