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Mizuno ST190 drivers review

Why Mizuno’s ST190 drivers are their best yet

Will these new models help Mizuno get a slice of the driver market? They've got every chance, writes equipment editor James Savage
 

Our Mizuno ST190 drivers review took place on the course at Moor Allerton in Leeds.

We also gathered some data using a Flightscope launch monitor in their indoor fitting studio.

There are two ST190 drivers which follow on from last year’s ST180 and GT180.

Now we have an ST190 and a ST190G.

So what are the differences between the two? And does one warrant a £50 higher price point?

Mizuno ST190 drivers review: First impressions

Mizuno ST190 drivers review

Mizuno have been making really good drivers for the past few years, but the brand have struggled to get a decent slice of the driver market for one reason or another.

When Nike exited the hardware business a few years ago there was a bit of an opportunity, and their JPX900 woods range was really impressive.

But it still felt a little bit like they were trying to push water uphill as TaylorMade, Callaway and Ping remained well ahead of the competition.

It makes it very difficult for brands like Mizuno and Cobra to get a piece of the action. Do they stick to their own unique styles? Or do they try and offer something similar to what the bigger brands are producing?

The last few Mizuno drivers – JPX800, JPX850, JPX900, ST190 – have all had a blue crown.

Mizuno ST190 drivers review

I’ve always liked the blue crown, but maybe it has put some people off from the start? (I’m a Sheffield Wednesday fan, but maybe people who support a football team which plays in red would prefer a more neutral colour…)

So the ST190 drivers have a black crown with a stunning carbon composite look.

Mizuno ST190 drivers review

There’s nothing about the look of these drivers which will put anyone off. Quite the opposite, in fact, and they look as good as anything out there.

The ST190 is a simpler, weight-back driver while the ST190G has two sliding weight tracks to fine-tune spin and shot shape.

Mizuno ST190 drivers review: The technology

Mizuno ST190 drivers review

Mizuno have added much of the technology which we have seen in their previous models.

The ‘Amplified Wave’ soleplate, introduced in last year’s ST180 drivers, helps improve ball speed and reduce spin.

There’s a new ultra-fast and stronger forged titanium face.

The lightweight 12-gram carbon composite crown means 7 grams of weight can be optimally redistributed to further boost ball speeds and reduce spin rates.

And Mizuno have used something called ‘Harmonic Impact Technology’ to study vibration and sound waves and create a more solid, powerful impact sound.

Mizuno ST190 drivers review

Both models promise low spin rates but the ST190G can reduce spin by 200rpm thanks to 7-gram weights on external tracks on the sole.

“The ST190 marks a total change in how Mizuno approaches wood design,” says lead designer Kei Tsjui.

“We now start the development process with our tour players. The tour-tested moulds then become our production moulds. In the case of the ST190, this produced a high-speed driver with extreme low spin for the tour, but with the capability of increasing spin for lower swing speed players.”

All sounds pretty good to us, so how did they perform? Find out on the next page…

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