Nice Mizuno ST 180 Review

[chisag]

... John Barba wrote a really nice review on the Mizuno ST 180 driver and fairway woods. And everyone should read it and see the pictures because it looks awesome, but I am also addressing the comments there and on all golf forums about new drivers. 

 

... Many that poo-poo reviews seem to forget there are golfers every year in the market for a new driver. They all have new driver claims of another few yards or as long as the market leader as well as improved forgiveness and accuracy. But remember there are those that have not bought a new driver in 5-10 years and this is the year they are buying a new one. So even a yard longer than the Epic, at least puts Mizuno on their radar, especially considering the ST 180 is $100 less expensive than the Epic. And all an OEM can ask is for potential customers to demo their club and make their own decisions, but they ain't gonna buy one if they don't hit one. And they ain't gonna hit one unless the OEM gives them a good reason. 

... So the next time you want to LOL at an OEM coming out with a new club that is longer, straighter and more forgiving just remember they are not talking to a knowledgable forum member and they certainly aren't saying a new driver every year is longer, straighter and more forgiving, especially if you bought one of their drivers in the last few years. When you read a review, do so like you are in the market for a new driver and have not paid any attention to clubs in the last 5 years and I think you might have a different perspective. 

 

[null]

... John Barba wrote a really nice review on the Mizuno ST 180 driver and fairway woods. And everyone should read it and see the pictures because it looks awesome, but I am also addressing the comments there and on all golf forums about new drivers.

 

... Many that poo-poo reviews seem to forget there are golfers every year in the market for a new driver. They all have new driver claims of another few yards or as long as the market leader as well as improved forgiveness and accuracy. But remember there are those that have not bought a new driver in 5-10 years and this is the year they are buying a new one. So even a yard longer than the Epic, at least puts Mizuno on their radar, especially considering the ST 180 is $100 less expensive than the Epic. And all an OEM can ask is for potential customers to demo their club and make their own decisions, but they ain't gonna buy one if they don't hit one. And they ain't gonna hit one unless the OEM gives them a good reason.

 

... So the next time you want to LOL at an OEM coming out with a new club that is longer, straighter and more forgiving just remember they are not talking to a knowledgable forum member and they certainly aren't saying a new driver every year is longer, straighter and more forgiving, especially if you bought one of their drivers in the last few years. When you read a review, do so like you are in the market for a new driver and have not paid any attention to clubs in the last 5 years and I think you might have a different perspective.

 

 

Preach.

[revkev]

Point well taken - honestly I was more intrigued by Barbajo‘s driver review from earlier in the week. My driver is three years old, the shaft five years old so it's getting to be about that time.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[JTexGolfer]

I am so intrigued by the Mizuno ST180. I am gaming a loaner Titleist driver now that I like, but don't love. I had been looking at the Epic for a future purchase, and I saw Mizuno's claims as great marketing. If they said 10 yards longer I would know they are full of it. But 2? That's at least believable to me And $100 cheaper with awesome no upcharge shaft options? I can't wait to try one of these now!

[MGoBlue100]

Really interested in the fairway woods.  My driver probably staying in the bag for a season or two yet; only so much money in the golf coffers.

[Golfspy_CG2]

I made this exact point in the Facebook post yesterday regarding the comments about people laughing at the 2 yard claim.   

 

My only disappointment was to read it's not available until January   <_>

 

edit: And by the way, it was very good read from Barbs, but we would expect nothing less....the man can flat out write. 

[BIG STU]

I made this exact point in the Facebook post yesterday regarding the comments about people laughing at the 2 yard claim.   

 

My only disappointment was to read it's not available until January   <_>

 

edit: And by the way, it was very good read from Barbs, but we would expect nothing less....the man can flat out write. 

Oh absolutely John can write. His reviews are spot on. Far as me trying the driver if I have the chance I will try one but the combination of my current 915 I love and my 2 back up drivers are not that bad either a Homna G1-X and a Nike Vapor

[BIG STU]

... John Barba wrote a really nice review on the Mizuno ST 180 driver and fairway woods. And everyone should read it and see the pictures because it looks awesome, but I am also addressing the comments there and on all golf forums about new drivers. 

 

... Many that poo-poo reviews seem to forget there are golfers every year in the market for a new driver. They all have new driver claims of another few yards or as long as the market leader as well as improved forgiveness and accuracy. But remember there are those that have not bought a new driver in 5-10 years and this is the year they are buying a new one. So even a yard longer than the Epic, at least puts Mizuno on their radar, especially considering the ST 180 is $100 less expensive than the Epic. And all an OEM can ask is for potential customers to demo their club and make their own decisions, but they ain't gonna buy one if they don't hit one. And they ain't gonna hit one unless the OEM gives them a good reason. 

 

... So the next time you want to LOL at an OEM coming out with a new club that is longer, straighter and more forgiving just remember they are not talking to a knowledgable forum member and they certainly aren't saying a new driver every year is longer, straighter and more forgiving, especially if you bought one of their drivers in the last few years. When you read a review, do so like you are in the market for a new driver and have not paid any attention to clubs in the last 5 years and I think you might have a different perspective. 

 

 

As always like your objective and informative posts. Yep you and I think a lot alike-- Of course that is easy to do with John doing the reporting

[silver & black]

Point well taken - honestly I was more intrigued by Barbajo‘s driver review from earlier in the week. My driver is three years old, the shaft five years old so it's getting to be about that time.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

You are one of the better players here. May I ask why it's getting to be about that time? If it worked for you 3 years ago... why doesn't it still work? What happened to it that you feel the need to change?

 

I understand if you just want a new one.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

As always like your objective and informative posts. Yep you and I think a lot alike-- Of course that is easy to do with John doing the reporting

 

awww....

 

Speaking of reporting, have some clarification from Mizuno:

 

The JPX EZ is being discontinued, and while the ST 180 is taking it's place, it's not really a replacement, if that makes any sense.

 

Mizzy is kind of resetting their metal woods lineup — with the ST 180 and an upcoming upgrade to the JPX 900, which will be unveiled sometime in January. The goal is to disconnect their metal woods from their irons lines – so while you'll have the JPX iron line that contains the Mizzy's best tech, the MP line will be focused on styling, feel and better player performance – Tony wrote about that in the MP-18 iron First Look piece.

For woods, they don't want to tie metal woods to irons, the way virtually everyone else does. So the ST 180 isn't necessarily a game improvement driver – it's designed to be a lower spinning driver for the better player who prefers/requires minimal adjustability, but Mizzy says if a player needs more spin and more help getting the ball in the air, it can be done by adding loft (or going with the HL version) and by changing to a softer tipped shaft - remember the line has a dozen no-upcharge shaft options.

The ST 180 as you can see, doesn't have adjustable weights – it's a fair bet the new model due to be announced in January – which will be the direct replacement for the ultra-adjustable JPX 900 – will be ultra adjustable as well. They're sort of taking a page out of the M1/M2 book – M1 is ultra adjustable, M2 isn't – the M2 is more forgiving, but better players play it as well. 

It's an interesting strategy – the whole EZ thing is going away – both irons and woods - as Mizuno tries to go back to the attribute it owns: a high performance/feel brand for mid to low handicappers. They can't be all things to all golfers – Callaway and TaylorMade are already doing that, and PING and Cobra are as well - so they seem to be going back to focusing on the core Mizuno customer. It's an interesting strategy - very much what Titleist has always done, if you think about it. When was the last time you saw a Titleist Super Game Improvement irons? AP1 is about as GI as it gets. On the face of it the strategy seems sound – the painful part for them is what they're doing now, and that's resetting the entire lineup.

[BIG STU]

awww....

 

Speaking of reporting, have some clarification from Mizuno:

 

The JPX EZ is being discontinued, and while the ST 180 is taking it's place, it's not really a replacement, if that makes any sense.

 

Mizzy is kind of resetting their metal woods lineup — with the ST 180 and an upcoming upgrade to the JPX 900, which will be unveiled sometime in January. The goal is to disconnect their metal woods from their irons lines – so while you'll have the JPX iron line that contains the Mizzy's best tech, the MP line will be focused on styling, feel and better player performance – Tony wrote about that in the MP-18 iron First Look piece.

For woods, they don't want to tie metal woods to irons, the way virtually everyone else does. So the ST 180 isn't necessarily a game improvement driver – it's designed to be a lower spinning driver for the better player who prefers/requires minimal adjustability, but Mizzy says if a player needs more spin and more help getting the ball in the air, it can be done by adding loft (or going with the HL version) and by changing to a softer tipped shaft - remember the line has a dozen no-upcharge shaft options.

The ST 180 as you can see, doesn't have adjustable weights – it's a fair bet the new model due to be announced in January – which will be the direct replacement for the ultra-adjustable JPX 900 – will be ultra adjustable as well. They're sort of taking a page out of the M1/M2 book – M1 is ultra adjustable, M2 isn't – the M2 is more forgiving, but better players play it as well. 

It's an interesting strategy – the whole EZ thing is going away – both irons and woods - as Mizuno tries to go back to the attribute it owns: a high performance/feel brand for mid to low handicappers. They can't be all things to all golfers – Callaway and TaylorMade are already doing that, and PING and Cobra are as well - so they seem to be going back to focusing on the core Mizuno customer. It's an interesting strategy - very much what Titleist has always done, if you think about it. When was the last time you saw a Titleist Super Game Improvement irons? AP1 is about as GI as it gets. On the face of it the strategy seems sound – the painful part for them is what they're doing now, and that's resetting the entire lineup.

Yep they are going right by my play book as in adding ball flight height by soft tipping. No weight adjustment?  Baloney I bet I can find at least a half a dozen places to put lead tape. Seriously I see where they are heading to their core group of golfers which happen to be better players. I also agree with you on Titleist. A lot of folks think my 915 is outdated but that is a long way from the truth. I got it dialed in totally for me as in that I can hit it straight. If I want to bomb it I can pull the Homna G1-X but I can not control it like the 915. Really if I want to bomb it I have a 46" Nakashima with a soft tipped NVS in it but Lord only knows where it will end up. 

[Golfspy_CG2]

Thanks for that post Barbs. It definitely answers a few questions I had not been able to get my head around of late.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[chisag]

... Yup, as long as there is an adjustable hosel, most don't need the adjustable weights. Most of us remember the days when we demo'ed a driver and bought one "just like it" only to have it produce a higher or lower trajectory than the demo. The adjustable hosel changed that as now you can just loft up or down and get the same performance as the demo. And of course being able to change out shafts with a twist of a wrench instead of a heat gun and epoxy is a huge bonus. 

[BIG STU]

... Yup, as long as there is an adjustable hosel, most don't need the adjustable weights. Most of us remember the days when we demo'ed a driver and bought one "just like it" only to have it produce a higher or lower trajectory than the demo. The adjustable hosel changed that as now you can just loft up or down and get the same performance as the demo. And of course being able to change out shafts with a twist of a wrench instead of a heat gun and epoxy is a huge bonus. 

Agree some what. Now when I get one set I do not mess with it. In fact I do not even carry the wrench in my bag. Every now and then I check to make sure the 915 is still torqued to specs. Now the Homna is very complicated to adjust because it uses a special dual function wrench and it also has a concentric bushing too. I know how those bushings work because the work basically the same way on a truck or trailer suspension to align the axles. Actually IMHO the Homna is too complicated for the average person to mess with. I myself have actually gotten aggravated on the range fiddling with that thing. I have not messed with the 915 going on 2 years now. Look up Homna G1-X on the net and you will see what I am talking about. My first adjustable driver was a custom Hathaway and once I got it set I never fiddled with it again. But maybe I go into a little more depth than the average guy . When I am in the shop I check face angles on all the settings and write them down. Some of the anal things I do in the shop that drives anyone watching me nuts