2022 Mizuno ST-X and ST-Z 220 Official Driver Launch

[Golfspy_CG2]

THE NEXT GENERATION OF STABILITY:

INTRODUCING MIZUNO’S ST SERIES METAL WOODS 

ENGINEERED TO DELIVER MORE PERFORMANCE, MORE OFTEN. 

 

Mizuno, the Japanese equipment manufacturer founded in Osaka in 1906 introduces the latest ST Series of metal woods with the ST-X and ST-Z drivers offering exceptional consistency – The next generation of stability. 

Once ball speed is maximized with launch angle and spin rates optimized, the final route to elevated driving performance is greater consistency. Step up the Next Generation of Mizuno's ST Series, the new ST-Z 220 and ST-X 220 – Engineered to produce the most efficient drives and highest ball speeds...more often. 

The ST-Z and ST-X drivers offer exceptional stability and consistency from off-center strikes. This is facilitated by a 40% expansion of the carbon-sole area and thinning out the Titanium portion, alongside a doubling of the stabilizing back weight. 

"Any twisting or deflecting at impact due to an off-center hit is an energy loss and varies launch conditions,” says Mizuno’s Director of R&D David Llewellyn. “By working with the prior ST driver platform and familiar materials, we were able to find several adaptations to impact the internal weighting. Creating far more stable tendencies in both the ST-Z and ST-X." 

Finding greater consistency and distance from off-center strikes delivers improved performance. 

"By early 2021, with the vast majority of tour players we tested, the ST Series drivers were able to improve on their current driver for ball speed, looks and feel,” says Mizuno’s Director of Product Chris Voshall. “The occasional barrier to getting a driver in play was the distance drop off from off-center strikes. Our engineers isolated and tackled that last dimension with the new ST-Z and ST-X. We're now seeing the results – ball speed drop-offs are negligible, and we’ve massively tightened the overall ranges of launch and spin."

 

Mizuno ST-Z 220 

Straight – Low spin 

With a balanced toe/heel carbon construction and central back weight, Mizuno's ST-Z driver encourages a low spinning, efficient, straight ball flight. The modern, ground-hugging 460cc profile is both confidence-inspiring and appealing to elite players.  A heavier, 20g back weight creates a deeper center of gravity for more efficient performance, more often. 

"The ST-Z is the most played of all our drivers. It’s a modern driver for players who have grown up hitting long straight bombs rather than shaping the ball. The addition of a 20g back weight also makes it an exceptionally forgiving option,” says Chris Voshall. 

The ST-Z driver features Mizuno’s Z-Axis design with weight evenly distributed across toe and heel, encouraging a low spinning stable straight flight. A highly resilient forged SAT2041 Beta Ti face and multi-thickness CORTECH design produce increased ball speeds. 

Mizuno's Harmonic Impact Research has built sound into the design, delivering vibration patterns elite players associate with a ‘solid’ feel. The optimized Wave Sole delivers an additional contribution to ball speeds, particularly from low on the clubface while 4 degrees of loft adjustability allows for fine-tuning of launch and trajectory.

Availability: Right hand – 9.5 and 10.5 degrees.

Left hand – 9.5 degrees only.

 

 

Mizuno ST-X 220

Draw Bias – Mid Spin 

A confidence-inspiring, draw-biased driver with heel focused weight location, the ST-X will appeal to players seeking a higher, right to left ball flight. 

With higher spin rates than its ST-Z counterpart, the ST-X, will suit those with moderate swing speeds, needing help producing a more extended ball flight. A new 20-gram heel biased back weight creates a deeper center of gravity for more efficient, longer drives. The ST-X is also available as a J-Spec option with ultra-lightweight HeLIUM NanoCore shaft for seniors and those with slower swing speeds. 

“For a lot of golfers, the modern low spinning driver design preferred by tour players is a serious distance killer,” says Chris Voshall. “The ST-X’s extra spin, slight draw bias and a higher flight will add driving distance for a surprising number of players.” 

The ST-X delivers exceptional stability from off-center strikes via an expansion of the carbon sole area by 40% and thinning out the Titanium portion, alongside a near doubling of the stabilizing heel/back weight. 

Featuring Mizuno’s X-Axis design, weight is focused deep in the heel, encouraging a higher draw bias flight. With a rounded 460cc profile, the driver offers a higher launch and mid spin performance. A highly resilient forged SAT2041 Beta Ti face and multi-thickness CORTECH design produce increased ball speeds. 

Mizuno's Harmonic Impact Research has built sound into the design, delivering vibration patterns players associate with a ‘solid’ feel. The optimized Wave Sole delivers an additional contribution to ball speeds, particularly from low on the clubface while 4 degrees of loft adjustability allows for fine-tuning of launch and trajectory.

Availability: Right hand – 10.5 and 12 degrees.

 

 

ST-Z 220 Driver: $449.95

ST-X 220 Driver: $449.95

[GolfSpy BOS]

Man Mizuno has come a loooonnng way in the looks department in just a few years.  Both of those look every bit as premium as a TM, Cally, Cobra, or Titleist Option to me.  I'm sure if people give these a shot a lot of them will end up in their bags.  

 

[Tsecor]

I know Mizuno is a good golf company but I NEVER see anyone on the course with Mizuno clubs.....its strange.  All I see is Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist for the most part.  I see older guys with PING but thats about it

[ejgaudette]

2 minutes ago, Tsecor said:

I know Mizuno is a good golf company but I NEVER see anyone on the course with Mizuno clubs.....its strange.  All I see is Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist for the most part.  I see older guys with PING but thats about it

Rocking some Mizuno HM Pros this year, first Mizuno clubs ever, but they are indeed smaller than the big 4\5 so it is a bit more rare. Still make great stuff and this driver looks great will always be worth a hit if one is in the market.

[Golfspy_CG2]

3 hours ago, Tsecor said:

I know Mizuno is a good golf company but I NEVER see anyone on the course with Mizuno clubs.....its strange.  All I see is Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist for the most part.  I see older guys with PING but thats about it

I see quite a bit of them around our area, and in fact I've just ordered 3 sets of Hot Metals and one set of the 221's in the last month for customers. 

[Middler]

3 hours ago, Tsecor said:

I know Mizuno is a good golf company but I NEVER see anyone on the course with Mizuno clubs.....its strange.  All I see is Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist for the most part.  I see older guys with PING but thats about it

Where on earth are you? While I don't know anyone with Mizuno woods (maybe that's what you meant?), Mizuno irons aren't at all uncommon anywhere I've ever played. Obviously Mizuno wants to gain a foothold in woods and putters now too. At least they don't have blue crown/body woods anymore, that was a hard no for me. YMMV

[Quigleyd]

Last years driver was so sneaky good and underrated. If they have improved it they will have something really good. 

3 hours ago, Tsecor said:

I know Mizuno is a good golf company but I NEVER see anyone on the course with Mizuno clubs.....its strange.  All I see is Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist for the most part.  I see older guys with PING but thats about it

I wonder if it is a regional thing. Lots of Mizuno out here. 

[BNewton51]

1 hour ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I see quite a bit of them around our area, and in fact I've just ordered 3 sets of Hot Metals and one set of the 221's in the last month for customers. 

I'd agree in part.  Most of the better guys I've played against or with have some Mizuno irons but woods are not very popular. Very VERY common to see those other brands though because of their marketing and pushing product year on year.  Mizuno has been trying, and from what we hear now too, to bring their quality of other products up to par with the irons they've always produced.  Hopefully this is a step in the right direction. 

[Golfspy_CG2]

7 minutes ago, BNewton51 said:

I'd agree in part.  Most of the better guys I've played against or with have some Mizuno irons but woods are not very popular. Very VERY common to see those other brands though because of their marketing and pushing product year on year.  Mizuno has been trying, and from what we hear now too, to bring their quality of other products up to par with the irons they've always produced.  Hopefully this is a step in the right direction. 

Yep, I was speaking in terms of the irons.   And I agree drives much less, I think we sold maybe 4 last year, but we did sell several of Fli Hi hybrids, those were very good.  Wedges and Putters not so much, but the putter coming this spring is very intriquing and a bit different for them. 

 

[BNewton51]

1 hour ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Yep, I was speaking in terms of the irons.   And I agree drives much less, I think we sold maybe 4 last year, but we did sell several of Fli Hi hybrids, those were very good.  Wedges and Putters not so much, but the putter coming this spring is very intriquing and a bit different for them. 

 

I have a feeling that Mizuno even knew that in the past and is making a real effort to bring those up to the same levels.  Will they do it?  I can't say... But I will say the T22 wedges are pretty good, the putters have a ways to go, the new Fli Hi Utility looks amazing and can't wait to hit it, and from what everyone is saying about the woods they've come light years.  It would be nice for it all to come together because I'm one of those people that grew tired of the Callaway and Taylor Made juggernaut machine year in and year out. 

[Middler]

57 minutes ago, BNewton51 said:

It would be nice for it all to come together because I'm one of those people that grew tired of the Callaway and Taylor Made juggernaut machine year in and year out. 

+100. My next driver/woods won’t be Callaway and TM has been off my radar for years. That’s just me, obviously a majority of players disagree.

[PMookie]

Hoping to try the Z to see what it can do. Would be awesome if it turned out to be a Ping G400 with added distance!

[bens197]

1 hour ago, PMookie said:

Hoping to try the Z to see what it can do. Would be awesome if it turned out to be a Ping G400 with added distance!

Same dude…This is one I am following on the upcoming most wanted…

[Berg Ryman]

I love my ST-180, and the fact that it's blue, but this plays more to the general bell curve of the modern player. Likely a sneaky good performer.

[ZMendle10]

I game last years STZ and it is without a doubt the best driver I have had. I fully agree with the sentiment of if people just tried them they would love them but that's not the case. The range near me has two stand bags full of last years STZ and STX they have reduced the price from $400 to $270 which is a steal considering the new one is $450 and there really isn't much to change from last year to this year aside from the change of an internal weight to external. 

[Micah T]

Can’t wait to hit all 3 at my driver fitting: the Z has me especially intrigued! Don’t know if anything will beat out my G410 LST, but on paper the Z is a strong contender!

[Quigleyd]

The STZ 220 driver is another solid step forward for Mizuno in this category. I love the one I have and it is currently in a bit of a battle to see if it makes the bag vs. a driver that costs way more. 

[MonsterDrive385]

On 1/14/2022 at 11:51 AM, Tsecor said:

I know Mizuno is a good golf company but I NEVER see anyone on the course with Mizuno clubs.....its strange.  All I see is Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist for the most part.  I see older guys with PING but thats about it

I know what you are saying.  I was playing TM forever then played Mizuno for the first time.  Never going back now.