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The latest metalwood releases from Mizuno are designed to give golfers several choices off the tee, as well as off the deck on the fairways.
Start with the ST-Z driver, which company officials describe as “ultra-stable” and tout for its “balanced toe/heel carbon composite construction” and employment of a deep, central back weight. These features are made to endow the club with a “spin efficient, straight-line ball flight.” They say distance is enhanced through use of a forged SAT2041 Beta Ti clubface.
The ST-X driver boasts that same material on the clubface. But the big difference with this stick is an expanded, toe-located, carbon composite window and a heel-located sole weight that is made to encourage a draw. As far as profile is concerned, this driver has a more compact look, with a slightly deeper back portion and a more upright visual lie angle.
“In testing, a lot of our tour players preferred the ST-X over the ST-Z for its shape and profile,” said Chris Voshall, golf club engineer at Mizuno. “I recommend starting with an open mind and dropping the ST-X alongside the ST-Z in the address position. For a draw-bias driver, it’s not going to be what most players expect.”
In talking about the ST-Z fairways, Voshall says they offer “a throwback profile with curves for the purist and performance for the pragmatist.” Stability also is a hallmark of these metals. Ditto their low-spin characteristics. They are available in 3- and 5-wood models, and have ultra-lightweight carbon crowns that allowed company engineers to move weight to optimum positions, and a quick-switch hosel that provides 4 degrees of loft and face-angle adjustability.