Mizuno ST drivers: Full reviews, player testing, photos and more
HIGHLIGHTS
New Max models
New head geometry
Cortech chamber Club Comparison
PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS
“Sharp, high-tech finish stands out. Felt solid and like I could accelerate through with control and balance. No distance loss on left to right misses. Misses were offset by club. Great distance.” – Jeff Smith (17.1-handicap) on the Mizuno ST-X 230 driver
“Nice crown. Well-balanced. Stayed on line on mishits. Lost some distance.” – Ron Hinderberger (19.4-handicap) on the Mizuno ST-X 230 driver
Mizuno ST Drivers
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Building on the success of the ST-G, T and X 230 series drivers, Mizuno’s newest addition to the ST series is the ST-Max driver, which is designed to deliver ultra-stable performance without sacrificing speed.
It’s not just the larger address profile of the ST-Max that makes it unique; what truly separates the ST-Max from the X, the Z and the newly released G models is how the engineers at Mizuno have optimized the geometry of the head for forgiveness, all while maintaining the same 460cc volume by making it shallower and longer heel to toe.
This shallow shape increases the overall surface area of the crown and sole, which allows for an expanded Cortech chamber on the sole for more flex and a total of 54 grams of back weight in the rear, making it Mizuno’s most stable driver ever made. To put the mass distribution into perspective, the 54-gram number is almost 20 grams more than the standard weight of the ST-X, which in 35 grams.
You need to hit the ball with something, and to help the face of the ST-G driver better deliver more energy across a larger area the engineers at Mizuno utilize a beta-rich Ti LFS material. This titanium alloy offers up a 9 percent higher tensile strength compared to SAT2041 which gave designers the opportunity to push the multi-thickness face geometry further.
The ST-Z is all about stable low spin. The driver combines a forged SAT 2041 Beta Ti face for greater elasticity, with carbon fiber sole and crown plates to help position more mass around the perimeter for enhanced MOI, while remaining a neutral ball flight driver.
The ST-Z is built in a modern player’s profile to inspire confidence and also features a quick switch hosel to allow a full 4 degrees of loft adjustment (2 degrees up and down in loft).
The ST-X offers a very unique profile based on its more rounded shape, and deeper face height compared to the ST-Z.
By having a center of gravity closer to the hosel, the ST-X is both slightly draw-biased but also more workable for highly skilled players with better face control through the swing. For golfers with a natural tendency to play a draw, the ST-X offers great potential for extra distance thanks to its low spin design and center of gravity placement.
The ST-X PLTNM is a finely tuned version of the ST-X that offers a total of 30 grams of weight saving to help moderate swing speed players gain extra distance. It features all of the same CORTech technologies as the rest of the ST 203 line but is paired with a lightweight Helium Platinum shaft and lightweight grip.
