Review: Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid
Published on 08/28/2023 · 3 min readThis review is my own honest opinion of the hybrid. I am not sponsored by Mizuno.By Curated Experts
Miguel B. and Kyle Emery
12 photos
The Curated Take
4.2/5
The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid is a high-performing golf club ideal for low to mid-handicap players seeking workability, forgiveness, and consistent launch. It features a compact head for better shot shaping and a CORETECH Chamber and Mas1c Face for impressive distance and lower spin rates. Its Quick Switch hosel allows adjustments in loft and lie angle, and the club delivers a crisp, firm feel upon contact. The hybrid also offers a sleek and technologically advanced design with a gloss black head and a retro-looking head cover. The club's excellent performance, coupled with its competitive pricing, makes it a value.
Ideal for
- High forgiveness
- High launch
- Exceptional distances
- More workable than the ST-X hybrid
- Consistent ball flight
- Clean aesthetics
Not ideal for
- Not for players seeking a small head due to its slightly larger footprint
- Not the best option to correct for a slice
Workability
This feels like a “player’s” club, meaning it punishes when golfers miss. A club like this is designed to give that type of feedback to a skilled player. In having...Read more
The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid blends forgiveness with workability for an all-around versatile hybrid option. I can hit shot shapes in both directions, and it doesn't feel like it sacrifices...Read more
Forgiveness
The workability of this club means it is not the most forgiving. A more forgiving head tends to be straight. Yet I have access to shaping shots with the Mizuno...Read more
The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid is not the most forgiving hybrid I've ever tested, but it has an above-average amount of forgiveness for a low-spin model. Mishits on the toe...Read more
Feel
This club feels strong and solid at impact, and I get feedback on misfits. This tuned feeling lets me know when I mishit it and rewards me when I hit...Read more
The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid has a noticeably firmer feel than the ST-X model. Crisp and solid feeling off the face, shots feel very powerful when struck correctly. More advanced...Read more
Sound
The sound of this club is solid. It’s not muted nor hollow sounding. It has a lower-register "thwack" that is appealing and not offensive. Players who miss the sweet spot...Read more
After hitting 50 balls with the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid, the sound is one of my favorite and most memorable features. A clean and crisp sound, both on-center and off-center...Read more
Launch
The ST-Z 230 has a confidence-inspiring launch window that allows me to be aggressive with swings and generate a mid-to-high launch to attack greens farther away. In contrast to lower...Read more
I am impressed with the consistency of the launch. I see a mid-to-high launch hitting both off a tee and from the turf. A more penetrating launch than the ST-X...Read more
Distance
The distance achieved with the ST-Z 230 is average. It's not longer than other options, yet I also don't miss length. Due to its launch, the distance is valuable, as...Read more
Ball speeds are a bit higher than my current (Titleist 915) hybrid. The forward weight placement with the new CORETECH Chamber makes the ball spring off the face. The added...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid
Kyle Emery The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid is a great blend of distance and forgiveness with a bit of workability sprinkled in. Compared to the ST-X, the ST-Z has a slightly smaller footprint that appeals to more advanced players. The more compact head allows for better shot shaping and workability for those who like to move the ball in either direction. The CORETECH Chamber and Mas1c Face work together to provide fantastic distances and lower spin rates. I also noticed a firmer, crisper feel on the ST-Z hybrids compared to the ST-X during my testing. I was overall very impressed with the ST-Z 230 hybrid and recommend this model to any low to mid-handicap player looking for a great all-around option to add to their bag.
Miguel B. This club is fantastic for players seeking lots of forgiveness in a clean and classic gloss black head. Mizuno’s ST-Z 230 provides a high launch and high and consistent levels of forgiveness. For those seeking high-descent angles to land and stick on greens, this club will set one up for success. It's not the easiest to work both left and right as this is more geared to straight point-and-shoot. A real benefit of this hybrid is its Quick Switch hosel which allows me to change the loft by a range of 4° and lie angle. At impact, I hear a slightly high-pitched but confident smack. This club offers me confidence in consistency. Visuals are essential to most players, and the crown at address is sleek and refined with its high gloss black head. The sole shows off the very cool-looking CORETECH with the high-contrast blue. Having a classic-looking hybrid and simultaneously a modern and technologically advanced-looking club with real benefits is a plus. The head cover has a retro-looking simple white color with multiple shades of blue colorway. Mizuno has really developed a strong and forgiving performer that will meet the needs of many amateur golfers.
Review Ratings
Averaged between reviewers, view below how all experts voted.
Workability
5/5
Miguel B. gave 5 of 5 stars. This feels like a “player’s” club, meaning it punishes when golfers miss. A club like this is designed to give that type of feedback to a skilled player. In having a workable club, players give up some forgiveness to send draws or fades at their command. This club allows the player to do what they want when they want with ball flight.
Kyle Emery gave 4 of 5 stars. The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid blends forgiveness with workability for an all-around versatile hybrid option. I can hit shot shapes in both directions, and it doesn't feel like it sacrifices forgiveness, either.
Forgiveness
4/5
Miguel B. gave 3 of 5 stars. The workability of this club means it is not the most forgiving. A more forgiving head tends to be straight. Yet I have access to shaping shots with the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid. This club is more geared toward a higher-skilled player looking to control ball flight and less concerned with forgiveness.
Kyle Emery gave 4 of 5 stars. The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid is not the most forgiving hybrid I've ever tested, but it has an above-average amount of forgiveness for a low-spin model. Mishits on the toe and heel are noticeable on contact but aren't drastically penalizing. For most low to mid-handicap players, the ST-Z 230 will have plenty of forgiveness to find consistency in their hybrid.
Feel
4/5
Miguel B. gave 3 of 5 stars. This club feels strong and solid at impact, and I get feedback on misfits. This tuned feeling lets me know when I mishit it and rewards me when I hit the sweet spot. This is unlike other clubs with a soft or springy feel.
Kyle Emery gave 4 of 5 stars. The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid has a noticeably firmer feel than the ST-X model. Crisp and solid feeling off the face, shots feel very powerful when struck correctly. More advanced players will enjoy the response they can feel on contact from the firmer face. I enjoy the feel of most Mizuno club offerings, and this one is no different.
Sound
4/5
Miguel B. gave 3 of 5 stars. The sound of this club is solid. It’s not muted nor hollow sounding. It has a lower-register "thwack" that is appealing and not offensive. Players who miss the sweet spot may hear a less solid impact.
Kyle Emery gave 5 of 5 stars. After hitting 50 balls with the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid, the sound is one of my favorite and most memorable features. A clean and crisp sound, both on-center and off-center contact, the sound has a powerful acoustic to it. Most golfers will enjoy the sound coming from the ST-Z 230.
Launch
4/5
Miguel B. gave 4 of 5 stars. The ST-Z 230 has a confidence-inspiring launch window that allows me to be aggressive with swings and generate a mid-to-high launch to attack greens farther away. In contrast to lower trajectory hybrids, this club gets the descent angle high to hold greens.
Kyle Emery gave 4 of 5 stars. I am impressed with the consistency of the launch. I see a mid-to-high launch hitting both off a tee and from the turf. A more penetrating launch than the ST-X model, the lower spin seems to help not balloon as much in the air and get some added rollout.
Distance
4/5
Miguel B. gave 3 of 5 stars. The distance achieved with the ST-Z 230 is average. It's not longer than other options, yet I also don't miss length. Due to its launch, the distance is valuable, as it arguably holds greens and is consistent.
Kyle Emery gave 5 of 5 stars. Ball speeds are a bit higher than my current (Titleist 915) hybrid. The forward weight placement with the new CORETECH Chamber makes the ball spring off the face. The added distances will undoubtedly help out any golfer, regardless of skill level.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Miguel B. One moment that stood out with this club was when I tried to shape shots with the hybrid. This club allowed for putting a draw or a fade on the ball. It’s a versatile club, and the smooth sole allowed me to come into impact in different ways.
Why did you choose this product?
Kyle Emery The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid is an exceptional all-around performer that can do just about anything needed from a hybrid. Ball flight can be easily manipulated to hit high or low shots and shape shots in each direction. While the hybrid offers versatility with shot shaping, it also provides a lot of forgiveness to suit a wide range of players from low to high handicaps.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Kyle Emery The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid comes in about $30-40 less than other newly released hybrids for 2023. Due to the club's overall performance that will fit a wide range of players, I think the ST-Z 230 offers a high level of value for a new hybrid.
What do you love about this product?
Miguel B. I love the looks of this club from address. Its all-black crown with minimal contrasting colors allows me to address the ball and square the club to the ball. Its overall shape and profile are pleasant to the eye and build confidence before I swing.
Kyle Emery I enjoy the overall performance that it offers a wide range of players. The hybrid comes in a great compact shape that isn't too small. In addition, the balance of forgiveness and workability and the consistent launch are also performance elements that stand out to me. Lastly, the sound off the face is exactly what I like in a hybrid: crisp and responsive.
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Miguel B.
Golf ExpertKyle Emery
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