What's new? How much does it cost? And how does it perform? Jack Backhouse brings you the low down on Mizuno's new ST-X 230 driver
How does Mizuno’s new draw-biased driver perform? Find out in our Mizuno ST-X 230 driver review.
Mizuno ST-X 230 driver review: NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
This driver will shock you. Its beautiful head will make you take it off the rack in your pro shop, but it’s the results that will make you keep it in the bag for 2023.
I could not believe how well this driver performed. Mizuno are going to change a lot of golfers’ minds when they get the ST-X 230 in their hands for a fitting, as not only does it look superb, you can’t argue with how the shots perform.
PROS
- Slight draw biased round head
- Very forgiving
- Higher spin and very workable
CONS
- Head feels really big
First Impressions
If you love classic-shaped drivers, you are going to love the Mizuno ST-X 230. Its head is really deep, and the head is very round compared to its pear-shaped sister, ST-Z 230. It certainly feels a lot more workable when you stand at address.
The inclusion of a blue bridge on the sole near the face is Mizuno’s new cortech chamber which they say is the ‘missing piece’ that will bring their metal woods up to par with the quality of their irons, which is an exciting prospect.
NCG Review
I tested the ST-X 230 driver a few weeks after using the lower spinning ST-Z driver as my gamer, and I made a huge mistake not trying both of Mizuno’s new heads at the same time because as much as I loved the ST-Z, the ST-X is much more suited to my game.
At address, the shape of this driver is as good as it gets. I love its compact size and super deep face. The blue detail lets your playing partners know it’s a Mizuno and the glossy carbon crown gives you a real premium feel.
The head somehow looks big behind the ball, which is confidence inspiring. I don’t know if this is because the head is big or because the shaft is shorter than many other brands at only 45 inches; it just feels big. I like it, but I fear it will put some players off.
After a quick warm-up, I took this to the range where I teach and blasted my first shot 264.4 yards through the air with ease. I normally don’t hit any drivers with ease, so this was a big deal.
I’ve recently discovered that despite loving the look of small-headed drivers, they are often low spin, which is not what I should be using for optimised results. I am better suited to a driver that spins slightly more so that my shots hang in the air for longer, and the miss hits are not as punishing.
I thought that my dream of having a smaller profile head with high spin characteristics was something I could only dream of, but Mizuno have managed it in the ST-X 230.
The spin on my miss hits dropped to around 2200rpm, which is still a very playable number, and my good hits were up over 2600rpm; this felt like the ball was in the air forever. My average carry of 265.1 yards and ball speed of 160.6mph is seriously good compared to other drivers I’ve hit this year.
The great distance I achieved with the Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver is thanks to a new forged SAT 2041 beta Ti face is boosted by the Cortech Chamber on the sole. The new tech makes strikes feel solid from all over the face and keeps ball speed and distance up.
The dispersion with the Mizuno ST-X 230 driver is slightly left-biased, which is what you’d expect from a head with the adjustable weight slightly off-centre towards the heel. This could be counteracted by lowering the loft and opening the face. Still, Mizuno are saying that professionals and elite amateurs are averaging more ball speed with it being slightly draw-biased, and that is something I am here for.
Mizuno have put a new carbon plate on the driver’s sole, allowing them to redistribute the weight further back and around the head, making it extremely stable and long from centre, toe and heel.
I was really settled with the neutral ST-Z 230 driver, but hitting the ST-X 230 has completely changed my mind. I loved the feeling that I could swing hard and never hit that disastrous low spin miss hit. The ball seemed to hang in the air forever, and I can put up with that all season with no problem.
Mizuno fans, I think you will be really pleased when you try this.
Mizuno ST-X 230 driver review: The Details
Available: Feb 2023
RRP: £499
Lofts: 9.5˚, 10.5˚, 12˚
More information: Mizuno website
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