Mizuno ST-Z 220 and ST-X 220

[picardyThird]

I have the 2021 ST-Z and honestly all of the reports on this one are making my wallet itch. I have to keep reminding myself that I need to finish my wedges first... and buy a Clicgear...

[HarborMike]

Picked up mine today 😃 Even more gorgeous in person after taking off the plastic at home. Went back to my local shop to hit a few more drivers and also got my TSi3 reshafted. I was pretty dead set on the Callaway Rogue TD, but took a demo to the course the other day and was really inconsistent with it, so scratched it off the list. I was fit into a Stealth Plus (Kaili shaft) a few days ago by Taylormade rep/fitter and actually pulled the trigger online Friday with expected delivery date in March. I went back today to make sure it was right choice and hit the Stealth today in the bay and was bombing these….but the mishits were pretty erratic and really offline (like lost ball OB offline). I then hit my re-shafted TSi3 and it just blew out the Stealth out of the water for me. Distance was a lot longer and dispersion was a bit tighter. Had a few erratic shots as well. I then gave the Mizuno ST-Z 220 another chance. While it’s a little bit shorter than my TSi3, I was just hitting this driver so straight shot after shot after shot….. Mishits were just insane with results I was getting. They were barely offline from center to target. So after contemplating and asking myself why wouldn’t I game a driver that just goes straight and likely to hit more fairways then anything I’ve ever tested and would gladly give up a few yards compared to all the other new drivers, it was a done deal. Taking it out tomorrow for a test spin at my buddy’s club with really tight fairways and OBs everywhere. Will report back with results.

[barnum1]

Late to the party, but which of the new ones is best for a moderate swing speed golfer seeking forgiveness.

Most like a G425 Max or a Rogue ST Max, so to say?

 

[Red4282]

29 minutes ago, barnum1 said:

Late to the party, but which of the new ones is best for a moderate swing speed golfer seeking forgiveness.

Most like a G425 Max or a Rogue ST Max, so to say?

 

Both would work, one is just a little more draw biased. If you struggle with fade/slice, or not should help you decide.

[HarborMike]

7 hours ago, barnum1 said:

Late to the party, but which of the new ones is best for a moderate swing speed golfer seeking forgiveness.

Most like a G425 Max or a Rogue ST Max, so to say?

 

Those are good choices. Check out some of the Tour Edge drivers too. For Mizuno, the forgiveness in both the ST-Z and ST-X is right up there with Ping G425 as well. 

[mrmikeac]

17 hours ago, HarborMike said:

Picked up mine today 😃 Even more gorgeous in person after taking off the plastic at home. Went back to my local shop to hit a few more drivers and also got my TSi3 reshafted. I was pretty dead set on the Callaway Rogue TD, but took a demo to the course the other day and was really inconsistent with it, so scratched it off the list. I was fit into a Stealth Plus (Kaili shaft) a few days ago by Taylormade rep/fitter and actually pulled the trigger online Friday with expected delivery date in March. I went back today to make sure it was right choice and hit the Stealth today in the bay and was bombing these….but the mishits were pretty erratic and really offline (like lost ball OB offline). I then hit my re-shafted TSi3 and it just blew out the Stealth out of the water for me. Distance was a lot longer and dispersion was a bit tighter. Had a few erratic shots as well. I then gave the Mizuno ST-Z 220 another chance. While it’s a little bit shorter than my TSi3, I was just hitting this driver so straight shot after shot after shot….. Mishits were just insane with results I was getting. They were barely offline from center to target. So after contemplating and asking myself why wouldn’t I game a driver that just goes straight and likely to hit more fairways then anything I’ve ever tested and would gladly give up a few yards compared to all the other new drivers, it was a done deal. Taking it out tomorrow for a test spin at my buddy’s club with really tight fairways and OBs everywhere. Will report back with results.

Great write up! Personally I am loving my Stealth Plus, haven’t been able to get it on the course due to Michigan winter yet but after taking for a spin on GCQuad and quite a few simulators I’ve been hitting more fairways than with my Sim 2 Max, not sure if it’s the honeymoon period but I haven’t seen erratic dispersion with the Stealth +…yet.
 

Im really looking forward to trying the new Mizzy and Cobra, your write up makes me even more excited! 

[Heck2507]

I’ve been gaming an stg for a couple months, when struck well it’s on par with anything I tested. 

The big difference is the off-center strikes, especially the toe, are so good sometimes I look down and can’t believe where the strike was compared to the result. 

[picardyThird]

24 minutes ago, Heck2507 said:

I’ve been gaming an stg for a couple months, when struck well it’s on par with anything I tested. 

The big difference is the off-center strikes, especially the toe, are so good sometimes I look down and can’t believe where the strike was compared to the result. 

It really sounds like Mizuno has been focusing on maximizing forgiveness on their 220 drivers. Every single review has praised the forgiveness on off-center strikes, and noted that while other drivers might (MIGHT) get a couple of extra yards on perfect strikes, the delta from "best" to "worst" is much, much smaller with Mizuno.

[eRod v1.0]

On 2/6/2022 at 3:24 AM, HarborMike said:

Picked up mine today 😃 Even more gorgeous in person after taking off the plastic at home. Went back to my local shop to hit a few more drivers and also got my TSi3 reshafted. I was pretty dead set on the Callaway Rogue TD, but took a demo to the course the other day and was really inconsistent with it, so scratched it off the list. I was fit into a Stealth Plus (Kaili shaft) a few days ago by Taylormade rep/fitter and actually pulled the trigger online Friday with expected delivery date in March. I went back today to make sure it was right choice and hit the Stealth today in the bay and was bombing these….but the mishits were pretty erratic and really offline (like lost ball OB offline). I then hit my re-shafted TSi3 and it just blew out the Stealth out of the water for me. Distance was a lot longer and dispersion was a bit tighter. Had a few erratic shots as well. I then gave the Mizuno ST-Z 220 another chance. While it’s a little bit shorter than my TSi3, I was just hitting this driver so straight shot after shot after shot….. Mishits were just insane with results I was getting. They were barely offline from center to target. So after contemplating and asking myself why wouldn’t I game a driver that just goes straight and likely to hit more fairways then anything I’ve ever tested and would gladly give up a few yards compared to all the other new drivers, it was a done deal. Taking it out tomorrow for a test spin at my buddy’s club with really tight fairways and OBs everywhere. Will report back with results.

 

So what's the verdict? The Z is on my short list to test this year!

[JourdanM]

Hit the Z yesterday with stock tensei and I think this driver has major potential, but I need to find a better shaft combo. Thinking speeder nx might be fun? Maybe ventus tr? The feel and consistency are awesome, could se sit being a gamer with the right shaft. 

[eRod v1.0]

2 hours ago, JourdanM said:

Hit the Z yesterday with stock tensei and I think this driver has major potential, but I need to find a better shaft combo. Thinking speeder nx might be fun? Maybe ventus tr? The feel and consistency are awesome, could se sit being a gamer with the right shaft. 

 

What issue were you having?

 

This year I'm going to focus on forgiveness. I don't need distance, not that I am a long hitter, but I could use better dispersion.  The ST-Z 220 and Ping 425 Max are at the top of my list. 

[JourdanM]

4 minutes ago, eRod v1.0 said:

 

What issue were you having?

 

This year I'm going to focus on forgiveness. I don't need distance, not that I am a long hitter, but I could use better dispersion.  The ST-Z 220 and Ping 425 Max are at the top of my list. 

It just felt a touch loose to me and a little high spin wise. 
 

The dispersion on this driver is outstanding, even on awful strikes  

[Morry]

44 minutes ago, JourdanM said:

It just felt a touch loose to me and a little high spin wise. 
 

The dispersion on this driver is outstanding, even on awful strikes  

That sounds perfect for me - ordered one with the stock tensei as well 

I need spin and release in a shaft - hoping the blue stiff holds up 

Gamer is g410+, so very excited to see how this compares 

 

[JourdanM]

45 minutes ago, Morry said:

That sounds perfect for me - ordered one with the stock tensei as well 

I need spin and release in a shaft - hoping the blue stiff holds up 

Gamer is g410+, so very excited to see how this compares 

 

Man, I think you will love it. I'm seriously impressed. 

[QuigleyDU]

This driver inspires confidence.. it’s crazy how easy to hit it is. I am constantly trying to decide if I like this or my stealth more.

Edited February 13, 2022 by QuigleyDU

[JourdanM]

47 minutes ago, QuigleyDU said:

This driver inspires confidence.. it’s crazy how easy to hit it is. I am constantly trying to decide if I like this or my stealth more.

Man, I hit it my tsi2, stz220, and a stealth on sim and I finally just said I have to pass on the stealth because I don't feel as comfortable over it. The stock tensei spun too much for me, but I have a speeder nx 6x, diamana pd 6s, and ventus Tr 6s to try with it, and I'm fairly certain one of those will unlock the try potential of this driver. It is so easy to hit, looks great, and feels powerful. 

[QuigleyDU]

3 hours ago, JourdanM said:

Man, I hit it my tsi2, stz220, and a stealth on sim and I finally just said I have to pass on the stealth because I don't feel as comfortable over it. The stock tensei spun too much for me, but I have a speeder nx 6x, diamana pd 6s, and ventus Tr 6s to try with it, and I'm fairly certain one of those will unlock the try potential of this driver. It is so easy to hit, looks great, and feels powerful. 

I have a couple shafts I am having retipped to try. An RDX red 60 Tx that I have tipped 1.5 inches I think is going to be an absolute beast in this head. I have a Ventus TR that I am playing in the stealth that I am not sure anything can match distance wise. Just curious if this will keep me in play just that much more often. 

[HarborMike]

On 2/7/2022 at 6:24 PM, eRod v1.0 said:

 

So what's the verdict? The Z is on my short list to test this year!

I’ve played about 3 rounds with this so far. Currently in standard 9.5 degree loft with RDX Blue 6.0 shaft. Overall observation; it’s probably the most forgiving driver I’ve ever played. There were many times I know I slice it but when I looked up the ball just ether geared back toward middle or had a slight push. Same with pull shots. I was hitting it all over including high toe and heeling shots, but it just wanted to keep gearing toward middle. Now it’s not a magic wand or anything. The ST-Z (or no driver world for that matter) is going to cure shots that are severely open face or closed face with terrible swing path. However, it was just freakishly forgiving when you hit it all over the face and even some of the over the top swings I had which would’ve resulted in massive misses to the right or left with my TSi3. 
 

On one of the holes that really stood at to me was in my home course on number 18. It has a narrow fairway with a giant pond water channel that runs all the way up to the green on the right side. I stuck the ball with an over the top swing and was immediately frustrated and knew I put it in the water. I turned back around and expected my ball to land in the middle of the pond. Instead, it geared back and missed the pond by about 10-15 yards on the left side. I was shocked. 

 

Only downside is it’s clearly shorter than my TSi3 (guessing anywhere from 3-15yds at most) and tends to spin a bit with my higher launch angle (my delivery and launch angle is higher than average, not the drivers fault). I’m going to play around with the settings (next go around, knocking it down to 8.5) and probably change out the stock shaft with either one of many shafts I have. Thinking either Ventus Blue or GD HD. Would also be curious about Ventus Blue TR or VA Drago shaft. 

[picardyThird]

19 hours ago, QuigleyDU said:

This driver inspires confidence.. it’s crazy how easy to hit it is. I am constantly trying to decide if I like this or my stealth more.

If the Stealth and the ST-Z 220 are so close that you're having trouble deciding, then maybe the $200 delta in price would make that decision for you. I know that it would for me.

[JourdanM]

Looks nice with this installed 

[Trippels]

Is the increase in forgiveness/decrease in dispersion a result of the increased spin, or can you lower the spin a bit with shaft and ball choice, and retain most of the forgiveness?

 

Not totally sure how MOI works tbh

Edited February 13, 2022 by Trippels

[HarborMike]

3 hours ago, Trippels said:

Is the increase in forgiveness/decrease in dispersion a result of the increased spin, or can you lower the spin a bit with shaft and ball choice, and retain most of the forgiveness?

 

Not totally sure how MOI works tbh

I can only speak from myself. Used the RDX Blue shaft which is already touted as a low/mid launch and low spin profile and played Srixon Z-Star. Still spins and launches a bit high for me, but I’m also a natural high launcher anyway with upward delivery. Just depends on your swing parameters on whether or not a shaft and ball change will lower the spin to your liking. For me, I guess I can get crazy and add some lead tape or hot melt to get it down even more. Just concerned it would change the characteristics of the head too much.
 

There’s always trade offs I guess 😉

[QuigleyDU]

9 hours ago, picardyThird said:

If the Stealth and the ST-Z 220 are so close that you're having trouble deciding, then maybe the $200 delta in price would make that decision for you. I know that it would for me.

Well. I already have both haha.. so money is not the issue. I truly want to see which does the best for my game. Distance at any level is hard to give up. Event he potential for distance. But playing from fairways is fun too..

[COmedic]

I’m so intrigued by the ST-Z. Some really good stock shaft options. I’m hoping my local shop has the RDX options as well as the Motore shafts. I like the stock 45” build length as that is my preferred length and my TSI2 is a little light at that length. Reviews seem solid as well, just wish more YouTube reviewers would state the shaft they are using.

[The Ultimate Hack]

This driver smokes the stealth and this driver doesn't have a red face.

[J. Breeze]

Anyone care to share differences in performance/forgiveness (if any) from last years STZ vs the 220?  

 

The price point of last years model is very tempting and cosmetically both look stunning.  Seems the weight on the 220 looks to be interchangeable whereas the previous model from my understanding is fixed and non removable. 

 

 

[Live to golf]

On 2/13/2022 at 3:42 PM, JourdanM said:

Looks nice with this installed 

 

Edited February 15, 2022 by Live to golf
Forgot comment

[Live to golf]

Looks awesome 👍, how's it perform?

[COmedic]

Well, my local golf shop didn’t get any lefty heads to demo. So I did what I do and decided to purchase based off the good reviews. Went with an RDX Black 6.5 60g shaft. Have some rounds coming up and will report back next week!

[mj2936]

A little off topic here but are the fairway woods for this iteration bondes rather than with the adujustible adapter??