New Mizuno ST-Z and ST-X Woods Pack A Punch

As an equipment manufacturer historically known almost exclusively for its superb irons, Mizuno not quite generated the same buzz with metal woods.

Three years ago, Mizuno drew a line in the sand with their ST (“Showtime”) series, a three-year rapid-fire development project started with the sole purpose of showing the world that it, too, can develop drivers and fairway woods that offer top-of-the-line performance and aesthetics.

Mizuno’s ST190 woods, launched in 2019, received positive feedback from consumers and the ST200 release in 2020 performed even better. However, as the culmination of the ST series, the ST-Z and ST-X are capstone products for Mizuno and cement the manufacturer as a premier metal woods producer in the golf industry.

This year’s ST driver releases, the ST-Z and the ST-X, are aimed at two different types of golfers. The first difference between the drivers that most golfers will notice is their different aesthetic profiles. The ST-Z Driver’s clubhead sits slightly lower and wider with a neutral lie angle. On the other hand, the ST-X Driver’s profile is more compact and features a more upright lie angle.

But while the visual differences between the drivers are not insignificant, the most crucial differences are rooted in their intended performance attributes.

The Mizuno ST-Z Driver is an extremely low-spin driver that seeks to optimize both ball flight and ball speed to produce the farthest, straightest drives possible. The ST-Z is perfect for the golfer looking to reduce the curve and increase the total distance of his or her tee shots.

The Mizuno ST-X Driver sets up slightly differently, as the driver sports a high draw bias. This bias reduces the severity of the miss out to the right and makes it easier to hit the elusive tight draw. The ST-X is preferred among Mizuno’s professional golfers relative to the ST-Z, and its compact head shape and technological characteristics make it ideal for the better player.

Of course, both models come with up to four degrees of loft and lie adjustability through an adjustable hosel, allowing players to optimize the launch and spin conditions to what best fits their swing.

Additionally, both the ST-Z and the ST-X driver feature a brand new, Forged SAT2041 Beta Ti face. The face’s fine grain structure is inherently resistant to fatigue and will withstand strong forces -- such as explosive tee shots -- for years. Additionally, Mizuno’s trademark Wave Sole Plate has been refined to optimize ball speeds all over the clubface, particularly low-face shots.

Both ST drivers feature 460cc heads and Lamkin ST Hybrid 360 stock grips. The ST-Z Driver is available in 9.5- and 10.5-degree lofts, while the ST-X Driver is available in 10.5- and 12-degree lofts.

The Mizuno ST-Z Fairway Wood features several new technical features and a stylish aesthetic, making the club a potent challenger to traditionally popular fairway wood contenders. 

For this club, Mizuno created their thinnest and hottest face to date, a brand new MAS1C Maraging face with optimized CORTECH thickness. Mizuno engineers also tweaked the crown, and its ultra-lightweight design has lowered the center of gravity to improve spin efficiency. Finally, similar to its ST counterparts, the ST-Z fairway wood sports four degrees of loft adjustability.

The ST-Z fairway wood is available as both a 3-wood (15 degrees) and a 5-wood (18 degrees) and comes with a Lamkin ST Hybrid stock grip.

By all early accounts, from PGA Tour players like Keith Mitchell to weekend warriors playing at their hometown munis, Mizuno has succeeded in manufacturing the kind of metal woods that can go toe-to-toe with the best. The ST-Z driver, ST-X driver, and ST-Z fairway woods pack a punch and should be on everyone’s radar looking for an upgrade in 2021.