When thinking about Mizuno golf, the focus immediately jumps to irons, particularly their forged offerings. How often does one associate a driver or metal woods with this brand? Not nearly as much as other brands. However, we have witnessed Mizuno’s evolution in the metal wood space over the past three years, starting with when they introduced the world to the ST-X and ST-Z drivers, it was the culmination of their 3-year driver development mission. Mizuno had released two drivers that checked off so many boxes for golfers, and they were both exceptionally well received. We often talk about how a company follows up a release that gained so much notoriety, and from Mizuno’s point of view, the answer is quite simple, they make the next release even better, and that’s what has us buzzing about the new ST Series.
Last year’s Mizuno drivers offered plenty of ball speed paired with optimized launch angles and spin. Where there was a little bit of a drop-off was with off-center contact. Therefore, the predominant focus on the ST-Z 220 and ST-X 220 drivers was improving the consistency. To create a more stable driver, Mizuno expanded the carbon-sole plates by 40%, which leads to even more discretionary weight. They also saved some weight by thinning out areas of Titanium within the sole, which ended up allowing for the rear weight to increase up to 20 grams. They firmly believe that golfers will experience their most efficient drives and achieve their highest ball speeds more frequently with these construction changes.
“Any twisting or deflecting at impact due to an off-center hit is an energy loss and varies launch conditions,” says Mizuno’s Director of R&D, David Llewellyn. “By working with the prior ST driver platform and familiar materials, we were able to find several adaptations to impact the internal weighting. Creating far more stable tendencies in both the ST-Z and ST-X.”
ST-Z 220 and ST-X 220 might carry the same technology, and look the same to the naked eye, but they are built to achieve different results. Here is a closer look at the ST-Z, which features a straight ball, or neutral, bias. The moniker Z means that this driver is built with Mizuno’s Z-Axis design, meaning that the weight is evenly distributed across the heel and toe. That new 20-gram weight is positioned low and deep in the back of this head, which will help promote a stable, low-spinning golf shot. Visually, the ST-Z will have a more pear shape than the ST-X. It will also present a neutral to somewhat open face angle when set in the stock, neutral position. Fear not, both these drivers will come with Mizuno’s Quick Switch Adjustability, affording golfers the ability to alter the loft by 4° to help dial in those more consistent launch characteristics.
“The ST-Z is the most played of all our drivers. It’s a modern driver for players who have grown up hitting long straight bombs rather than shaping the ball. That addition of a 20g back weight also makes it an exceptionally forgiving option.” Chris Voshall, Director of Product .
Whereas the ST-Z is the low spin, straight ball flight option, the ST-X fills the void as the draw-biased driver as it utilizes Mizuno’s X-axis design, meaning more weight is concentrated deep in the heel. Not only will this help golfers turn the ball over from right to left, but it will also generate more spin than the ST-Z. According to Chris Voshall, “For a lot of golfers, the modern low spinning driver design preferred by the tour players is a serious distance killer. The ST-X’s extra spin, slight draw bias, and a higher flight will add driving distance for a surprising number of players.” Something exclusive to this model is that golfers can order it in J Spec, which pairs it with an ultra-lightweight HeLIUM NanoCore shaft that will match very nicely for golfers who have slower to moderate swing speeds.
ST-Z and ST-X also benefit from Mizuno’s Optimized Wave Sole and their Forged SAT2041 Beta Ti face. The Beta Ti Face is stronger and more flexible than commonly used 6-4 Ti, and the multi-thickness CORTECH design helps produce faster ball speeds. When contact is made low on the face, the Wave Sole helps maintain as much ball speed as possible so that a poor strike doesn’t overly punish golfers.
Even though the drivers will ultimately grab the most attention, they are not the only ones invited to this launch party, as the ST-X 220 fairway woods and hybrids are here as well. Mizuno uses two different faces on their fairway woods, utilizing the same SAT2041 Beta Ti with CORTECH face on the 3 wood. Pairing this face with a Ti811 body allowed Mizuno to make this offering the fastest and most stable fairway wood they have ever produced. For the 5 and 7 wood, a maraging steel face is featured. Note that the fairway woods share the ST-X name, which means some draw weighting present. Size-wise, the 5 and 7 wood is much more compact by design but should still inspire confidence.
“There are a lot of forgiving looking fairways woods that don’t launch high enough for the average amateur. Size and footprint is only one part of the equation – most of us need a little more spin and elevation to carry the ball to our full capability. The ST-X is designed to solve that issue.”, discussed, Chris Voshall
Mizuno has seen plenty of success with their CLK hybrids, and with that in mind, they built the ST-X200 Hybrids to complement CLK within their lineup. This hybrid is set to deliver a high-draw biased ball-flight and will be best suited for golfers with moderate swing speeds or those who need additional launch help. These hybrids come in three different loft configurations, 20°(4H), 23°(5H), and 26°(6H). When comparing it to the CLK, the center of gravity on these is deeper, and the sweet spot is lower. With that lower sweet spot and the wave sole design, these hybrids should be incredibly easy to hit from various lies.
Mizuno has created some serious momentum within their driver and metal wood line in recent years, and as you can see, they show no real sign of slowing down. Adding more stability to both drivers will be a big bonus to those golfers who enjoyed last year’s models but found it losing a bit too much on off-center strikes. With this line, Mizuno believes they can get golfers everywhere to enjoy their best shots more often.
More information on the new ST Series, including all the various shaft offerings, can be found at www.mizunogolf.com.
The Details
Available: February 3, 2022
Price:
ST-Z Driver: $449.99
ST-X Driver: $449.99
ST-X Fairways: $299.99
ST-X Hybrids: $224.85
Loft Options:
ST-Z Driver 9.5°(RH/LH), 10.5°(RH)
ST-X Driver 10.5°(RH), 12°(RH)
ST-X Fairways 3(16°), 5(18°), 7(21.5°)
ST-X Hybrids 4H(20°), 5H(23°), 6H(26°)
Fairways and Hybrids are RH only
Can’t wait to hear how it works out. I’m guessing yes from my experience.
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Anyone have experience with Mizuno’s warranty department?
played my first 27 with it yesterday 80% fairways with a 270y average for a 15 handicap, i had an exceptional day for me, i love this thing, mishits just go straight, its unlike anything ive ever swung before, and ive had a LOT of drivers
Great to hear your experience mimics mine. It’s such a stable head. If I do anything close to my part it fills in the rest.
Hitting a little high on the clubface, eh?
I have hit a couple like that with my STZ, not even a scuff of a dummy mark.. Good luck with warranty.
This was my feeling with last year’s ST-X. Great driver, more should know about it. I’m glad you are having a good time with it this season!
It has been a fun summer. I’m pushing almost 10% more fairways found than last year which just makes golf more fun.
I have gamed both the OG ST-Z and the ST-Z 220. The OG is a perfectly good club. However, the 220 is noticeably straighter and more forgiving. It also has a much better feel, in my opinion. Length is about the same on good hits, the 220 is less punishing on mishits.
Those marks are from early in the season when I first got the club and was fiddling around with different swing changes (and getting used to the new shaft). Now that I’ve figured things out, my miss is actually low in the face (wave sole helps a lot here). But honestly, right up until I broke it I was hitting it pretty centered, and earlier in the round (prior to the break) I’d hit a 323, a 314, and a 313 yard drive. It was one of my best driving days of my life, tbh… right up until it wasn’t
I think it’s a combo of the head and the tensei white pro 1k. This shaft (I’m in xflex 60g) has the most stable tip I’ve ever swung tons of confidence in it
Hot 9 of 11 fairways in 1 game leading to an easy 76 with a double bogey after a short success par 3.
Today shot 78 with 2 double bogeys.
Driver was so forgiving that one went 245 right down the middle with a ball mark so high near the crown toe side ll that only 3/4 of the ball hit the face.
Playing partners had no idea….
This might not be the overall longest driver of 2022 on best hits bit when forgiveness is factored in, I don’t think anything can match it.
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Tomorrow, however, is charity scramble day so the gloves come off and it’s time to really see what this thing can do in terms of top end distance
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It’s mainly a test – wanted to revisit this club (from my fitting – where I had a bad bad swing, I hit everything left – that seems to have fixed itself). But I also wanted to try a stiffer shaft in the driver – if for no other reason to see what it does compared to the current driver. May have to hit the range first…
I’ve been actively trying to talk myself out of buying an ST-Z. Between the price drop and posts like yours, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to not pull the trigger.
You do you, but you won’t be disappointed in it if I had to bet.
Didn’t completely get all of one in the scramble today but this one was the best of the bunch being a touch downhill. Also caught another low toe, which is a weird miss for me, that stayed down the left side of the fairway. I know I’m a broken record here but this is a really stable head.
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Being an internet golfer and never satisfied either with accuracy or distance I wanted to switch things up a bit – gamer is a Callaway Rogue ST Max at 10.5 presently with Aldila NV. I found the heavier shaft for me to be exactly what was needed to reduce or eliminate the left side pull or snap hook. But, again, small sample size, shaft change was a move from a 50 gram shaft.
So, club came in, looked good, tee time at 2 why not take it with me and alternate drivers. I did this, I was walking it was hot (Damn Hot) course is long (for walking 8+miles), I had been up since 4 am (took family to airport), and very wet (morning monsoon) so in my haste, I did not keep stats (fairways etc) between clubs. Front nine, both drivers were hitting on all cycles, best drives with each were satisfying – having played the course a few times, I found more distance (from my normal area) with the ST-Z – I was very pleasantly surprised.
Ball flight is lower – not a lot, but still, on dry or dryer days, I expect a lot of roll out. ST Max also performed well. My early take away – the ST-Z will be in the bag solo on Sunday. If it does not rain hard I could get a better feel on actual distance. The shaft is not something you have to swing out of your shoes to use (I am at best low end of the Stiff shaft envelope). Back nine super tired, score began to soar – for many reasons, poor chips, multiple 3 putts, etc. But only drive was out of play (it was the ST-Z), and it was very barely out of play, Ironically I found the ball – first time I found an errant shot on this course!
If you are not happy with your present driver – try this on, at the current price of $299, or an even better (though with risk) price on eBay – it could be just what you need.
As to preferences – I like the deeper face on this driver – and to my eye (and I am deaf, old, and maybe blind -haha, glasses) it seems smaller – for me more confidence building – but need to stay focused – so to speak. I am NOT saying that this has beat the ST Max – too soon to tell and need some range time, just saying for 7 shots I was impressed, stunned, and rather happy.
The odd thing, when I was fit – back in VA at PGSTSS (paid fitting), I could not hit this club anywhere but left, way left. So, my take away from that to this…the shaft was too light (it was the tense blue 50 or 55 (I think?) maybe even the Ascent? 40 – cannot recall – but it was NOT the Blue RDX – which I wanted to try based on several people at the GD reunion event suggesting – they said try a counterbalanced shaft. Finally, I assume that the day of the fitting – I was getting tired or just swinging the club – several poorly.
Ok, another post that is way too long, and detailed – and I am laughing I swung it 7 times! The post should have been:
I hit it on course, so far so good 7 shots 6 were playable, and the 7th I was really tired, I need to use it/try it more.
Love hearing this and excited to hear how the solo round goes Sunday
at 5-6 miles that’s perfect, but Charleston humidity and 8+ miles, game peters out around 15. But we’ll see.
*I say ‘in play’ as I’ve been know to bench the driver at times if the swing just isn’t there and tonight it was pulled on every hole it should be.
Well, I never experienced it with a club in hand but I straight piped one in league last night that caused everyone in the group and on the adjacent green look up and go whoa ?
The wind ate it up a bit so it wasn’t my longest, but man it was an enjoyable experience.
Missed a screenshot on #13 that rivaled #1 as well. Can’t wait to keep hitting this driver.View attachment 9120128View attachment 9120129View attachment 9120130
this one is pretty good for me right now and no reason to move on.
It’s just such a good driver to play golf with, if that makes sense
Cannot wait to see what they deliver next.
I’ll put this up against anything for ball speed retention and distance on mishits. I agree 100% it’s just fun to tee off with this one
I couldn’t find one either, but the hosel is identical and based off the results I saw when playing with it, it seems to align
Based on my memory from talking to Vosh, it’s the same
Same adjustments, just sits 1° more upright at neutral setting
Adapters are the same
What additional thoughts do you have if you were able to get on the weekend?
Where to start – honestly I am reallyh pissed off. The club goes where you aim it. I have not had an snap hooks – NONE, and I have had a couple leaks right – not slices – sort of more like a lazy swing. Yet the club seems to minimize the damage. Now, surely some of this is the shaft – which frankly is probably too stout for me – however I still get the distances I was getting before – though there is often more roll out – lower ball flight. I am sold. I cannot see this club going anywhere (kiss of death maybe HA). I cannot recommend it highly enough.
And there is the problem when I was fit, I tried this club and nothing but snap hooks – gave me the club with one shaft and that was it, I had (maybe) a bad swing that day – who knows, but with the right shaft – this thing is a beast – plain and simple.
Add in the lower cost – and it’s a no brainer for anyone looking to fix a ball flight that goes left or right.
So that I understand – I see by your signature that you had the Rogue Max in you bag at one point.
Was it this driver that gave you the Snap Hooks or what is about this driver you like over the Rogue?
I like the rogue as well. I again had too light a shaft and fought the snap hooks anytime I got tired. I’m finding the mizuno slightly easier, for me. But I really like the deep face as well.
I could go back to the rogue, just need to get the shaft right. The mizuno had a deeper face and looks smaller, even though it’s not.
Wish I could give you a better reply. Oh, I also tee higher with the mizuno.
Happy to try and discuss if you have other questions, or can draw a better description of me.
Edit: need to fix bb16 the signature ?
Missed a couple fairways – but mere feet, a few drives were not as long as I had thought – and of course a few longer than expected, but no balls out of play – none, no penalties, not weird lies, no deep grass, no slices, no hooks, no nothing, just consistent play. I really want to see what @Vosh68 did to the 230!
I think (until the last 8 holes (where iron/fairway play clicked as well), driving was the most consistent part of yesterday’s game. The back 9 (8 actually) were spectacular with both tee and fairway golf cruising – INTOXICATING.
I have the ST-Z. I would highly recommend it to pretty much any mid to low hcpr’s. Played Titleist fairways almost exclusively before this. It’s very solid, sounds and feels very much like the ST driver’s. It takes my worst swings to fade it though. I can lay it wide open and hit it dead straight. The ST-X looks better to my eye, just more compact, but the draw bias might be too much, and it’s a glued head. I prefer the freedom of adjustabliltiy, even it I don’t need it. Just a peace of mind thing I guess.
You will love the sound and feel as well.
Excited for you man! It is probably the most stable driver head I’ve ever played.
I had it out for my round today and it just continues to deliver for me. It just feels like the head wants to be square thru the zone.
Would lifting up to 10.5*help that right miss?
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