Equipment news, February 2022

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: XXIO 12: First impressions

A great-looking range that clearly delivers on high-end premium front.

XXIO 12: The technology

As you would expect the attention to detail matches the premium promise. XXIO individually engineer each grip and shaft as well as the driver and iron faces, which are made from exotic titanium alloys.

A rebound frame structure is used throughout the woods. This is four alternating layers of stiff and flexible zones to increase COR. In the drivers, cup face is integrated to provide more ball speed across the club face.

In the irons we see a new thinner club face which can flex more to increase speed and distance. This is enhanced thanks to deep grooves etched into the interior of the iron body to further increase face flex.

ActivWing technology is also featured throughout the woods. This stabilises the clubhead by changing the aerodynamics of the club at the start of the downswing. Airfoil helps create more lift helping the club get in an optimal impact angle for additional speed and distance.

Cup face is used here too and the centre is thinner and larger than before. This gives you more ball speed, especially on off-centre strikes.

The clubs also feature added weight under the grip. This gets weight behind the hands in the swing and helps makes the downswing more consistent.

XXIO 12: The line-up

XXIO 12

The main XXIO 12 range features premium drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons for golfers with slower swing speeds

XXIO 12 Ladies

The range also features a women's set which is individually designed with engineered components tailored specifically to female golfers

XXIO 12: The details

RRP: £699 (driver); £469 (fairway woods); £329 (hybrids); £200 per club (steel irons); £220 per club (graphite irons)

More info: XXIO website

If you’re after more equipment content, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and if you have any questions about anything gear-related, feel free to drop me a line on Twitter or Instagram.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Mizuno ST 220 drivers: First Impressions

Mizuno do a really great job of producing clean, classic and great looking drivers. I love the styling of these and how the look of the two models is so well matched.

Mizuno ST 220 drivers: The Line-Up

Mizuno ST-Z 220 driver

The ST-Z 200 is all about low spin to deliver an efficient, straight ball flight.

Mizuno ST-X 220 driver

This is a draw bias model with a larger more confidence inspiring head shape.

Mizuno ST 220 drivers: The Technology

Mizuno were striving for more stability and consistency from off-centre strikes in both the ST 220 drivers. This was achieved by expanding the carbon area in the sole by 40% and also thinning out the titanium on the sole. Weight savings from this allowed the stabilising weight at the back of the head to be doubled in size.

Inside the club head both models have a 20g back weight to lower the centre of gravity. In the ST-X this weight is nearer the heel to promote a right to left shot shape.

The ST-Z uses Mizuno's Z-Axis design to evenly distribute weight across the toe and the heel to create low spinning straight shots. Whereas the ST-X uses X-Axis design. This focuses on more weight in the heel to help promote a high draw bias flight.

To drive up ball speed both drives have a SAT2041 Beta Titanium face and use a multi-thickness Cortech design.

Mizuno ST 220 drivers: The Details

Available: March

RRP: £399

Lofts: 9.5° & 10.5° ST-Z 10.5° & 12° ST-X

More info: Mizuno website

If you're after more equipment content, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and if you have any questions about anything gear related, feel free to drop me a line on Twitter or Instagram.

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