Not Just an Irons Company: the Mizuno ST-Z and ST-X Metal Woods

By: Michael Geiger, 2nd Swing Product Expert

As an equipment manufacturer historically known almost exclusively for its superb irons, Mizuno struggled for years to improve the reputation of its metal woods.

Several 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 fixing the problem that had long plagued them. For the manufacturer, elevating the status and prestige of their metal woods officially became a top priority.

Mizuno’s ST190 woods received positive feedback from consumers and the ST200 release 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 tour-quality metal woods producer.

Last 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.

Both the ST-Z and the ST-X 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 for years. Golfers will also appreciate the four degrees of loft adjustability available on both 2021 ST drivers. 

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.

It is easy to admire a company as respected as Mizuno admitting to an area of weakness and striving to improve it. The ST series represents a successful effort to turn a weakness into a strength.

By all early accounts, from PGA Tour players like Keith Mitchell to those playing at their hometown munis, Mizuno has succeeded in manufacturing the kind of metal woods that can go toe-to-toe with the best.