Since the Mizuno ST-230 drivers hit the market earlier this year they have found a new level of success for the brand when it comes to metalwoods. Both the ST-Z and ST-X have found play on Tour’s across the globe as well as in the hands of amateurs. However, we here at THP noted upon the release of those two drivers that there was something missing, both offer power and forgiveness, but they also bring a fair amount of spin to the table, Mizuno was missing that low spin behemoth.
We all should have known that the answer to that was coming. The 2023 Mizuno ST-G is here, and it might just be the lowest spinning driver we see this cycle.
The 2023 Mizuno ST-G Driver
Whether or not Mizuno always waiting to bring the ST-G drivers to market after the rest of their driver releases is a good idea or not is something that one could absolutely a conversation starter. However, you have to give credit where it is due, it always allows the brand to showcase their “mainstream” driver release that is absolutely designed for the majority of golfers. The ST-G though? It is a different animal.
If you were able to give the previous ST-G a try, then you know it was absolutely one of the lowest spinning drivers out there, and though it was lethal in the right hands, there were things that Mizuno knew they could do better. That is where this newest iteration comes into play.
The ST-G is a 440cc driver head that has a very traditional and Tour preferred “pear” shaping to it while also showcasing a very deep face. This profile is aimed at maximizing the ability for the different tech features that Mizuno has implemented to offer real performance while also differentiating the ST-G in this specific segment of less than 460cc player driven drivers.
Visually, the ST-G looks like a Mizuno driver. Starting at address, the company’s two-tone crown visual is present, showcasing the Run Bird as an alignment aid on a solid black finish that fades towards the rear of the crown in order show off the carbon composite. A notable change here with the ST-G is that the crown now wraps around the toe onto the sole to make one solid piece as opposed to a separate toe patch. This brought a weight savings of about 16g in all, making the weight tracks on the sole not only possible, but more efficient too.
The FAST TRACK system is indeed back on the ST-G, although this time around things are back to a two track system, removing the middle back channel that was in the last version. This change had much to do with efficiency that is now possible with just two tracks thanks to maximizing the length of the heel and toe side channels creating even more options. Each head comes standard with two 7g weights, and there will be other weights available for fitting purposes. Also worth noting, the Mizuno track system does still allow the weights to be removed entirely, and for multiple weights to be placed on each track, so if you want to get wild with it, you definitely could.
Mizuno’s CORTECH is also implemented here on the ST-G, though at first glance you will notice the shaping is different than in the ST-X and ST-Z 230 heads. There is no blue here, this look is all business. The chamber remains integral to Mizuno being able to produce heads which their testing indicates stands toe to toe with any other out there in terms of ball speed. The through slot filled with TPU allows more flexion while the floating weight controls stability and energy efficiency. This means a bigger COR area, in fact, Mizuno’s testing shows it to be bigger than all the other low spin driver heads on the market.
Perhaps the biggest tech story in the ST-G, is in the face. Where the other 230 drivers use SAT-2041 Beta Ti for the faces, this head is implementing an all new material for Mizuno, Forged Beta Rich Ti-LFS. As you might expect, this material is lighter, faster, and stronger than any titanium Mizuno has ever used before, it has less density while offering more tensile strength, and that means speed. Their Tour testing actually showed an average increase in ball speed of 1.5 MPH compared to the SAT-2041.
The face also utilizes a CORTECH Multi-Thickness design which is all about maximizing ball speed retention and spin consistency across the surface. This is also a piece of the puzzle for Mizuno’s focus on Harmonic Impact. That is one of the major reasons golfers talk about the feel of Mizuno irons and revere it so much, so the implementation of that and understanding how frequencies effect our perception of feel in drivers has been key to getting this version of the ST-G to a place where the previous model fell short. According to Mizuno, the new ST-G gets the sound/feel right.
The Details
The ST-G driver will be available in 9.5 and 10.5 degree versions with the lower lofted head also having a LH option. Each also utilizes Mizuno’s Quick Switch adapter that gives a 4-degree range of adjustability and allowing each head to get down to 7.5 or 8.5 degrees respectively. The standard shaft options are the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green RDX 60 (S/X) and Mitsubishi Chemical Kai’Li Blue 60 (R/S).
Release date for the ST-G driver is 10/5/23 with pre-sale beginning on 9/25/23. Price at retail for this release will come in at $599.95.
[QUOTE=”MarMill, post: 12176657, member: 51186″]
Was able to see good results with the driver again this weekend. Really starting to be able to feel good with the swing. Had a couple toe balls that were still in the fairway with good distance. I am really still surprised with the forgiveness of the driver with the smaller head size. This thing can really go when you get a hold of one. The feel is great as well. I will take out the Cobra LTDx and this next time to compare.
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Weights back with the forgiveness you are seeing?
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12187389, member: 1579″]
Reshafting my 10.5 head with some lower launch shaft options this weekend to give it another whirl after staring at it in my golf/tool chest for a while. Still wish it was the 9 head as that fits me way better to give it a real run, but maybe I can come up with something to get it back out onto the course and see where it sits now next to the other new releases.
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Circling back to this, I just need the 9 head versus the 10.5 head, it’s just a fit thing, which bums me out a little as I love everything else about the driver.
[QUOTE=”Scooby45, post: 12235806, member: 62865″]
Weights back with the forgiveness you are seeing?
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I actually have one weight all the way back and one all the way forward. I’ll snap a picture later.
[QUOTE=”MarMill, post: 12236696, member: 51186″]
[USER=62865]@Scooby45[/USER]
[ATTACH type=”full” alt=”IMG_1517.jpeg”]9252956[/ATTACH]
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Max draw. I dig it.
The ST-G was a beast over the weekend. Really forgiving and the deep face helps promote confidence even though its a smaller head size. Those that have played it, how many times have you moved the weights around to find what you want? I have moved them once and they have been there ever since.
[QUOTE=”MarMill, post: 12301667, member: 51186″]
The ST-G was a beast over the weekend. Really forgiving and the deep face helps promote confidence even though its a smaller head size. Those that have played it, how many times have you moved the weights around to find what you want? I have moved them once and they have been there ever since.
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I moved them around at Vic and thought man this is great (on the range) only to switch after singles to a setup that JB told me “not to ever go away from”- so they’ve stayed there ever since.
This one has surprised the daylights out of me for how forgiving it is even with the super low spin. Not swinging the best right now and it’s still performing for me.
[QUOTE=”jlew, post: 12303243, member: 40346″]
I moved them around at Vic and thought man this is great (on the range) only to switch after singles to a setup that JB told me “not to ever go away from”- so they’ve stayed there ever since.
This one has surprised the daylights out of me for how forgiving it is even with the super low spin. Not swinging the best right now and it’s still performing for me.
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You were SENDING it those last few holes. It was a sight to behold!
[QUOTE=”Louis_Posture, post: 12303281, member: 77191″]
On the internet the reviews of the current ST-G driver have been disappointing. Specifically, the previous version ST-G 220 was widely criticized for being “too low spin”, and as far as I know the sales of that model were dismal. So, when the new model ST-G 230 is introduced I expected Mizuno’s You Tube channel, as well as other club review content providers, to compare the 220 to the 230, but it didn’t happen.
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Sorry I must be misreading your post- you’re looking for a comp to the 220 of the existing STG-230?
[QUOTE=”Louis_Posture, post: 12303318, member: 77191″]
You’re not misreading my post and yes I am looking for a comparison of the ST-G 220 to the ST-G 230.
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Got it- sorry I don’t have a 220 to compare the 230 to, can say that the 230 (STG) is definitely low spin, but it’s not like the ball is falling out of the sky for me or anything.
So I made some changes to the weight set up on this thing after some swing changes etc that I’m working through. Playing it a bit more neutral in the top track to help with ball flight. Hit some of the prettiest baby draws of my golfing career last night in low penetrating flight. Distance wise I’m still seeing 265-270 average, with some exceeding that on well struck shots.
I’ll be interested to see how this year progresses as my swing changes take hold.
Mr [USER=75588]@Moore_Golf[/USER] is bombing this thing lately. ?
[QUOTE=”SkiBumGolfer, post: 12339212, member: 15030″]
Mr [USER=75588]@Moore_Golf[/USER] is bombing this thing lately. ?
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Appreciate it man. I received a great lesson earlier this year and it completely changed my game for the better. The first thing he told me was to move all of the weights back on this driver and don’t touch them. I listened, made some adjustments – mostly to my backswing, and I’ve never felt more consistent/confident with my swing.
[QUOTE=”Moore_Golf, post: 12339483, member: 75588″]
Appreciate it man. I received a great lesson earlier this year and it completely changed my game for the better. The first thing he told me was to move all of the weights back on this driver and don’t touch them. I listened, made some adjustments – mostly to my backswing, and I’ve never felt more consistent/confident with my swing.
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It’s pretty obvious the benefits you’ve seen. You used to be good for several tee balls into oblivion, now since the ST-G and that lesson, your misses are in play almost all the time. Always room to improve of course, but I’ve seen a step change in your tee game.