While there is no doubt Mizuno is still an iron company in the eyes of many, that is absolutely selling them short in what their last two release cycles have been. In fact, them choosing the hashtag #ReachBeyond is perfection for what they have been bringing to market in every club in their lineup.
Look no further to see that than the buzz which their ST-X and ST-Z drivers generated earlier this year, two clubs that offered two diverse options for golfers with flat out performance. But, for many the immediate question was, “What happened to the G?”.
Well, you have your answer. The ST-G 220 driver is here, and it takes adjustability and versatility to the max.
Mizuno ST-G 220 Driver
The “G” driver has honestly been ahead of its time for many iterations now when it came to overall adjustability, but for many it lacked firepower. Mizuno believes they have fixed that in a big way.
Before we get too deep introducing the newest member of the ST 220 driver family, it needs to be pointed out that though it may look similar to previous versions, there has been a lot of tweaking done to create a driver that to some extent situates itself right in the middle of the current lineup. This is important because it could very well give Mizuno the deepest lineup of drivers from top to bottom when it comes to fitting.
Obviously, the tracks and moving weights are here with the ST-G 220, but Mizuno has once again tweaked their location to try and optimize the overall fitting and performance capabilities of the head. The biggest part of that was shortening the lateral tracks while shifting their locations. What this did was allow for a third weight location as low/back in the center as possible that really allows an effect on the CG of the head to be had. When all three tracks are viewed in their totality of options, Mizuno believes they have now created a unicorn of sorts that will allow for spin and fade/draw bias to be adjusted. Most drivers are aimed at one of those things, the ST-G 220 is looking to do it all.
More than the external adjustable weighting, the shape itself is one that will appeal to many with a 460cc body that is shorter from front to back but with a deeper face than many. Internally, much has been done to help create an extremely balanced framework that offers good MOI and overall forgiveness compared to previous versions. Obviously, those can both be impacted by the chosen location of the weights in the tracks. The company is also adamant they have kept the same focus on sound which was much lauded in the ST-Z and ST-X so that despite all the adjustability, it is still an appealing head acoustically.
The big story though, is how Mizuno believes they have stepped up the power which the ST-G offers to make it a true contender not just for amateurs but also among their Tour staff. By implementing the same SAT2041 Beta Ti which is a Super Alloy Titanium that gives 17% more tensile strength and 8% more flexibility than the previous face material Mizuno was using in their drivers. The thing here is we know that it’s real and not just marketing because of the feedback and testing that have been done on the ST-Z and ST-X drivers already. Add in the new and improved Wave Sole and you have the recipe for ball speed potential, but more importantly, a maximization of energy retention and transfer across the face.
The ST-G 220 will hit retail in October 2021 and carry with it a $499.95 price tag. Several THP’ers have already had the ST-G 220 in hand for an extended period now with their initial feedback on the THP Community with much more to come! Jump in and let us know what you think!
I’m sure it’ll fit a wide variety of players and continue to help Mizuno move from being an iron company to being known for their drivers as well.
Man with all those adjustments i could have that so messed up in 45 minutes, they would create a new shot shape named after me.
Thank you! It’s a unique driver. And though I can’t share data for a while still, I can say it’s versatile. At the same time, it fits right in between the Z and the X so well it’s shocking.
I think you would be okay.
There are two weights that you can put in any of the three tracks, you’ll also be able to buy differently weighted weights!
That is pretty solid as we know how adding in so much can have an effect on the sound.
I think you’re right, I think this is just the beginning and we could see Mizuno really step in and pull some people over in woods.
It really is fun to sit back and watch.
It is about as good as I’ve seen. Absolutely worth the time.
I’ve had a Mizuno driver in the bag for most of this year between the ST-x and now the ST-G and I think my preference leans to the ST-G and the functionality that comes with the simple-to-adjust weighting system.
Originally I had them cooked all forward, but love that you can make a subtle change by taking them back but in the same slots to increase on forgiveness a bit. I’ve got them locked in there as my driver swing comes around, and can’t wait to see how it fully performs.
Sounds like a real sneaky good driver on Mizuno’s hands.
but more important than distance is accuracy, I’ve improvedmine with this driver.
what else could a person want? And like my wedges, the old driver has been sold, no going back!
I love the sound. At the mizuno experience on the range @Jman and I were discussing this pretty heavy. The sound is slightly different (at least to my ear) and hard for me to put into words. But, it is not a trashcan, and it is not dead sounding. There is life to it that is fun.
Something tells me you might have one of these at the PX Experience…
The Z and the X are really good and if the G is in the same class with that adjustable factor it could be great. Also, hate to say it but $499 for a new driver this fall/winter might be on the low end…
The price thing is definitely there. They came in fairly low with X and Z and I thought some would view it as inferior due to that. Im not sure that was the case, but seeing this one come in at $499 and knowing its less than a number of current and new releases is an intriguing proposition to golfers.
I did notice the release date had a nice correlation ????
If this is better than the X, it should be fantastic.
I like the look of the driver. It has a deep face but the shape tells you it is forgiving with a traditional design. Most of the attention is drawn to the weights.
Since I need ball speed, I decided to put both weights full forward, and I’ve got lead tape on that empty weight port in the back. If you don’t know, the weights come out of the heel and toe position, so you can put both weights in the high MOI position or one in the heel or toe and one in the back. You can configure it any way you want. I am waiting for an opportunity to purchase a iighter weight for the back position to take out the lead tape.
I find the driver forgiving with amazingly good sound for all of the adjustments. Feel is solid/dense, not soft like the Epic Speed. I kept mine at 9 degrees at a +1 lie angle. Mizuno is generally a degree or two flat, which a lot of people like.
I will add more when I get Trackman numbers on Friday (lesson). But the 220 is an impressive driver.
I didn’t realize how much loft you can add/remove with the Mizuno drivers. Versus most other adapters, the extra ~0.75 degress of loft on the extreme ends could be really useful during fitting.
I really liked my time with the JPX900 and I know they’ve made some serious strides since then. I’m hoping to give some of the newer batch a swing this weekend. Their price point is pretty good and even this at 499, will probably sit lower than many others come Jan/Feb.
If the performance is there and it warrants the upgrade, the price is the price. But change for the sake of change is a thing of the past (ish)
I had to do a double-take to see if that post was really written under your name.
The release date is a few days before my birthday. Hmmm!
It’s not a better or worse thing honestly, this one fits in between the other two and can do a lot of what both do, I do think there’s much more fine tuning here and to me it looks better at address.
Correct on the adjustments! That would be the setting!
I love you you put this…
I’ll bring it for you to hit this weekend.
pop up protector engaged haha
Oh god.
lmao no no no. I’m more likely to damage the bottom of the club than the top
Like a boss! How’s it performing?
but I’m very happy with this club, very happy. No kaboom baby, and good riddance?.
once i get the stance work done, i may resume placing both weights left and right for distance, but that’s tbd.
That’s good stuff!
I was one of the few with an MP-001.
Thought it was a great driver for circa 2005.
I was just about to post that! It was a GREAT club for me, i used an NV65 stiff. The club was money!
i fell for all the R this and R that and ugh what s mistakes all those Rs were for me.