When the term “Mizuno Metalwoods” is brought up, what is the first thing you think of?
For most, it is undoubtedly going to be a driver centric thought that is built around the question of if they stand up and stand out amongst the pack. However, for some of us who have in the past years truly delved into the full breadth of how far Mizuno’s 4-Year “Speed Technology” has brought the brand, our eyes also rest heavily on fairways and hybrids too. Mizuno has been making some stellar performers in those categories for some time now.
This year though, it is time to differentiate.
Standing Up and Standing Out
Recently, Mizuno has stood out with the last ST-Z Fairway and CLK Hybrid releases. Not only did they each offer playability in terms of versatility and precision, but they showcased immense consistency. However, there was a bit of a speed gap if you will. So, how do you address that? For Mizuno it centers around materials, and CORTECH.
Yes, the same technology they are unveiling in the ST-230 drivers is present and accounted for this year in both the ST-Z Fairways and ST-Z Hybrids. Sure, the scale changes based on the difference in surface area that they are working with, but the concept remains the same. Using a TPU which makes up the CORTECH Chamber, the clubs now allow for more flex in the sole while removing stress from the face at impact to make for more efficient energy transfer. The differentiator for what Mizuno is doing with CORTECH compared to other compression designs out there is that they have suspended a steel weight within it.
That 3-gram weight puts more weight low and forward in the clubheads while at the same time creating another source of energy with how it moves through impact as the TPU compresses and expands. Not only has Mizuno’s testing shown more speed, it also highlights a larger area of the face which benefits from that energy along with a more solid feel at impact. Both clubs are also now using a MAS1C Steel material for the faces with redesigned variable thicknesses which are made possible by the CORTECH Chamber.
There are, of course, some design aspects that the fairways and hybrids don’t share, so it is worth breaking them down a little more.
Mizuno ST-Z 230 Fairways
The fairway wood segment is one driven on speed, for better or worse, so Mizuno took up the task of adding speed that would stand toe-to-toe with anything, but keep the spin and launch which made the previous ST-Z an instant cult classic.
While we already discussed CORTECH, that design implementation was made possible by the sum of all the other parts which have gone into the new ST-Z. First, there is now a more expanded front to back weight distance with the 3-gram steel CORTECH weight in front and an 8-gram backweight that work together to balance the overall mass in order to blend speed with spin. Adding in one of the most unique variable thickness face designs out there (almost like a four-leaf-clover) as well as keeping a carbon fiber crown complete a design which is more penetrating while also being faster and potentially one of the most consistent spin profiles out there.
The ST-Z 230 Fairway will be available in a 15.0 3W (RH/LH) and 18.0 5W that each have +/- 2-degrees of adjustability through Mizuno’s Quick Switch adapter. The 3W is a 191cc design and the 5W is 177cc.
Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrids
I have been waiting for this one on a personal level for some time. The ST-Z 230 hybrid feels like Mizuno is finally moving from the CLK premise which always felt like a man without an island and officially blending it into the metalwood family where it belongs. Before some get worked up though, don’t worry, Mizuno is still very focused on ensuring they walk the line of iron-replacement and club with utility.
While there is no carbon fiber in the 230 hybrids, it does use a waffle-like build internally on the crown which saves weight to keep lower in the head while maintaining strength and stability. CORTECH also allowed for a natural movement of the sweet spot lower on the club where more golfers tend to miss. Combining that with the redesigned face thickness of the MAS1C material and the “sweet area” of the ST-Z 230 is much larger than Mizuno has ever managed in a hybrid design.
The gloss crown with fairway-like face shaping and tame overall size-profile should catch a lot of eyes for golfers wanting to blend them into a set. If that wasn’t enough, they will also be available in 2-5 models (16.0, 19.0, 22.0, 25.0) and use the Quick Switch system for +/- 2-degrees of alteration just like the rest of the ST-230 offerings.
The Details
Both the new ST-Z 230 Fairways and Hybrids will be available from Mizuno in February 2023. The fairways are priced at $299.95, and hybrids come in at $249.99. Standard shaft offerings in the fairways will be the Mitsubishi Kai’Li Blue, Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Green and UST Mamiya LIN-Q Red and UST Mamiya LIN-Q Blue 75 in the hybrids.
Has Mizuno brought enough to the table for you to give their hybrids and fairways within the ST-230 lineup a shot at the bag? Share your thoughts and feelings on them as well as the entirety of the new lineup in the comments below or directly on the THP Community!
