Touting “the next generation of stability,” Mizuno introduces the latest ST 220 series of metal woods with the ST-X and ST-Z drivers engineered to more consistently produce the most efficient drives and highest ball speeds.
The ST-Z and ST-X drivers offer stability and consistency from off-center strikes, facilitated by the combination of a 40-percent expansion of the carbon-sole area and thinning out the titanium portion and doubling the stabilizing back weight.
"Any twisting or deflecting at impact due to an off-center hit is an energy loss and varies launch conditions,” said David Llewellyn, Mizuno’s director of R&D. “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."
The ST-Z 220 features Mizuno’s Z-Axis design, with weight evenly distributed across toe and heel to encourage a low-spinning, stable straight flight. A heavier, 20-gram central back weight creates a deeper center of gravity, while its highly resilient forged face and multi-thickness design produce increased ball speeds.
"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,” said Chris Voshall, Mizuno’s director of product.
Meanwhile, the ST-X 220 features Mizuno’s X-Axis design, with weight 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.
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. The ST-X is also available as a J-Spec option with ultra-lightweight 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,” Voshall said. “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 220 also offers draw-bias/high-launch fairway woods (3, 5 and 7) and hybrids (20, 23 and 26 degrees).