New Mizuno drivers are hitting stores soon and we got a chance to put them to the test in the THP Tech Studio. The latest iteration represents the culmination of the company’s 3-year, rapid-fire driver development project.
Before jumping into the video and testing, we want to mention one of the more fascinating aspects of the drivers, the new SAT2041 Beta Ti face. What does that mean? SAT2041 stands for Super / Alloy / Titanium / 20% Vanadium / 4% Aluminium / 1% tin and it offers 17% more tensile strength and 8% more flexibility than traditional 6-4Ti. In other words, stronger and faster than previous offerings.
“Most of our ST200 tour feedback was on the sensory side, a desire for a sound our players generally described as solid or dense,” said Chris Voshall from Mizuno. “We spent the next year working on improving feedback, hand in hand with releasing the additional ball speed we knew was left in our SAT2041 Beta Ti face.”
Unlike many videos which feature us testing the equipment, we figured we would do something a bit different today. We brought Chris Voshall into the Tech Studio and had him put both heads to the test and discuss not only the differences between the new ST-X and ST-Z drivers, but also the changes made from the last release…all while he hits balls in our hitting bay so you can see the ball flight and hear the impact sound. Watch the Mizuno ST-X and ST-Z Driver Review below.
Mizuno ST-X and ST-Z Driver Review
Shaft options are aplenty for those looking for choices. The ST-Z standard shafts are Project X EvenFlow Riptide or HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX as well as a Fujikura Motore X. Switching to the ST-X the options are the same EvenFlow RipTide from Project X or Motore X as well as a light weight Mizuno option called MFusion. All of which will be available in the fitting matrix software called the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer 3D you can find at retailers.
The Details
In Stores: February 2021
Cost: $400
Shafts: See above
Caught a couple out on the toe that stayed straight and carried really well.
Nice work. That’s what I like to see.
Thanks, found a ton of fairways yesterday or sand traps in the middle or sides of fairways. But drives were in play all day. Was really happy with the club. Great course too Oceans Edge in Brewster, MA
Thataway partner. There are some bombing drives
Glad to see the driver is working. It is a very good driver
I can’t find the Lin-q Blue online anywhere (just Purple and GunMetal) … who sells Blue?
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There is a really good video in the first post that walks through the forgiveness and which head is for which golfer including some swings and data.
When doing my fitting, @DannyLe gave me the Z head to see how the lower spin head would work for me. I did need to lower my spin numbers. The spin did decrease, but my dispersion and distance were off.
We found the X to have more forgiveness and my off-hits were better with the X head. That is why we then concentrated on the shaft. The X head produced a much more consistent strike with distance and dispersion than my off-hits on the Z head.
To piggyback off this a little too, finding a ball with what you need off the tee helps tremendously. I had used high spin balls predominantly since I started playing and after getting back from Vegas the ball still wound up in the right side of the fairway or first cut although nowhere near my typical big right miss. Played 18 alternating between a high spin and lower spin ball and could visually see a big difference in both distance and ability to keep the ball in the fairway. The X with the Lin-Q Black as well as a low spin ball has allowed me to really enjoy hitting tee shots with what used to be my least favorite club before being fitted and working with Danny.
I’m using the Z with a pro V1x and the Hzrdus smoke RDX. It’s a great combo. Extremely forgiving.
It’s very straight for me. Either straight or like a 2 yard fade is the typical flight for me.
Hit a couple over 280 for me (total distance). I’m only like a 103-105 CHS so that’s about as good as i can do.
Agree with the importance of the right ball. I have found the Bridgestone Tour B RXS has worked very well over a few others I have used prior.
All starts with that good drive.
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I think he’s in love with the ST-X hahaha
Tell him not to fall too in love because I assume you are bringing it back next week
I told him the free ride is over and to go buy one hahahaha
Interesting tip on the ball. What ball do you play? I have been using the Bridgestone e-12, or the Q-star tour, or the Mizuno RB
I played quite a few recently and for my swing I’ll rank the 4 in order of how I felt they played with the ST-X:
1. Pro V1 Yellow (straightest off tee, solid all around)
2. Srixon Q-Star Tour Divide (solid all around)
3. Pro V1x Yellow (lost distance off tee with spin)
4. Mizuno RB Tour X (too much spin off driver, and irons)
one downhill, downwind probably a bit over 350 -> gap wedge into par 5. ?
Still one moderately bad hook i’ve got to limit.
but wowza.
Playing with hovering and proximity as I stand to the ball because these are off center hits… Mostly high and towards heel, not complaining distance but believe I have a bit more in the tank if I find the center…
Here’s to tomorrows battle in Columbus!
It’s not healthy for my club-buying addiction that this thread keeps rising to the top of Latest Posts.
Are you saying a 12 degree STX?
I can say I went the two-driver route recently and my Mavrik is set to 12.5 with a 43" shaft and the STX is my long driver.
I think both are great drivers and probably could fit either scenario. The shaft will probably be the determining factor in getting the ball to have a lower more penetrating flight.
The STX has been more consistent for me and I continue to find really good distances off my mishits. My biggest mishit is toe high. The STX driver has tremendous forgiveness.
That also tends to be my mishit. Does the ST-X create a really bad knuckly pull hook when you do that or is it not too bad? That’s usu my concern with a draw biased driver.
I have not found the STX to hook even though it is more draw bias. My normal shot is a fade. When I get that high toe mishit, I find the ball holds a similar line. The distance isn’t as good, but comparable. My normal drive is running about 230 on average. My mishits are running about 220. I will take just a 10 yard shorter drive keeping the ball in the fairway. The consistent flight has really helped keep my ball in the area I am looking to hit. I have hit much more fairways, yesterday I hit 8 out of 13 fairways for 62%. For me, that is a nice number and I will take that every round.
IMO if you are playing the Mavrik at 11.5 the 12* ST-X seems like a safe bet. I have a 9* Mavrik set to 10, and a 10.5* ST-X set to that stock setting. I feel like the ball flights are pretty comparable.
ST-X 12 will be fine. The head is very forgiving and launch/spin combo is pretty darn good. I am building a 12 degree head as we speak. Been playing the 10.5 head…
I don’t know the peak height because that really depends on a bunch of factors in your swing and what shaft you are using.
However, looking at the hosel adjustments. If you are using the 10.5 driver at standard, you should be able to take that to 12.75 degrees, change the lie anger from 59 to 60.5 degrees, and close the face by 3 degree. (This is what the website says)
Currently, I have the settings at the notch between Lower and Upright. This should have my settings at 9.375 degrees, changed the lie angle to 61.25, and opened the face by 1.5 degrees.
I have also found the X to be lower launching, so I’ve been playing it set at one click “higher” and with a Ventus Red
That is a steal. Sounds awesome, have fun!
That would normally be the answer for me as well, but with this adapter, you can’t bump the loft without it affecting the face angle. Don’t mind the lie adjustment, but much prefer the face to be square.
Don’t believe this to be the case for Titleist. I can adjust my 917d3 or (recently departed) TS3 without affecting the face angle unless intended. IMHO, Titleist adjustability is unmatched.
Yeah, lead times are out there right now. If you go custom, you’re likely going to wait. If not, I’d holler at Budget Golf and see what they’ve got. And tell them you’re a THP’er (and use that discount code!)
Awesome I didn’t even think about that. I’ll be giving Budget a call then. Thanks a lot for the suggestion Jman much appreciated Sir!
Happy to help!
I think you are correct due to manufactures restrictions is what’s shown in their site.
Good thing too!! I don’t need to buy another driver, or I keep telling myself that!!
Hence why I said to call them and let them know you’re a THP’er
Ahh I see ?
Wouldn’t say this at all, but then again, I have the blue 11g weight in the heel of mine. With the mid-launch Tensei Orange, I actually have it dialed down to 8.25° and the launch is still perfect. Totally shaft dependent.
Right on the Mizuno site:
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Best possible choice in this scenario!