Curated Golf Expert Kyle Emery got his hands on the Mizuno ST-Z Driver to test this spring. Check out how it performed, but consider the fact that each and every golfer is different; if you have any questions about the Mizuno ST-Z Driver or need recommendations on which club would be best for you, reach out to a Golf Expert here on Curated.

Before we get started, it's worth noting that Curated Experts are not sponsored by any brands. All of these reviews are completely unbiased.

Brand Claims

What does Mizuno claim about this club? Mizuno claims that the ST-Z 230 Driver is going to have a refined, better player shaping that is going to sit square to slightly open at address. That will give players a bit more of a penetrating ball flight and a low spin profile.

Overall Impressions

What are the specs of the club you are testing? The specs on the Mizuno ST-Z Driver that I tested is a 9.5-degree head with a Mitsubishi Kai’li 60 grams stiff flex shaft.

What is your overall impression of the club? My first impression hitting the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver is a slightly more firm feel compared to the ST-X model. I also noticed a more penetrating ball flight, not quite as much forgiveness, and a great low-spin profile.

Review

How is it for forgiveness? I think being a more workable, more penetrating ball flight, it won't quite appeal to those higher handicap players that may want something with a higher level of forgiveness across the entire face.

How is it for workability? Mizuno has also refined the shape of the ST-Z 230 to really appeal to that better player who wants to work the ball in both directions.

How is it in terms of ball speed? Mizuno has introduced a CORTECH Chamber on the head for the ST-Z 230. This is a weight that is pushed forward and wrapped in a polymer to help players achieve more ball speeds, get lower spin, and also enhance the feel and sound on impact.

How is it for spin? The ST-Z 230 Driver features a CORTECH Chamber which is a weight encased in a polymer that is pushed forward towards the front of the head to allow players a great low spinning trajectory, and also to enhance the feel and sound on impact. You really do notice a great firm feel when you make contact on the face.

What do you find unique about its appearance? I really enjoyed the smaller profile on the ST-Z 230, as well as the carbon weave pattern that they have on the top of the crown. It really gives a nice added touch and looks great at address.

How would you describe the sound of this club and feel at impact? I found the Mizuno ST-Z 230 to have a really nice, responsive firm feel on impact, and the sound was really clean and crisp. I think it's going to appeal to a wide range of players, especially that better player.

Does this club swing light or heavy to you? I thought the weight of the ST-Z 230 Driver felt really nice. The CORTECH Chamber with the added weight wasn't noticeable in any way. I did get a great feel and response on impact, but weight wise I felt like this was a really easy driver to swing.

Is the club adjustable? The ST-Z 230 Driver is fully adjustable on the hosel to increase the loft or decrease the loft for a higher or lower ball flight, as well as change the lie angle to help out with a right or a left miss.

Are there any drawbacks to this club? The drawback that I'd say for the ST-Z 230 is just the lower level of forgiveness. I think being a more workable, more penetrating ball flight, it won't quite appeal to those higher handicap players.

Recommendations

Who would you recommend this club to? I would highly recommend the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver to a low to mid-handicap player that would like a smaller players profile shaping, a penetrating ball flight with a low spin profile, and something that's a little less forgiving that allows you to work the ball in both directions a little bit easier.

Who should avoid this club, and what type of club would be a better option for that player? Players who'd like a little bit higher level of forgiveness with their driver, a bit higher of a ball flight, and a softer feel are going to be a great fit for the ST-X 230, which also comes with a slight draw bias, so if you find yourself with a consistent miss to the right, the ST-X would be a great option.

Golf clubs work differently for different types of golfers. If you are wondering whether the Mizuno ST-Z Driver is the right club for you, chat with Kyle or any other Golf Experts here on Curated, and they’ll put together free, personalized club recommendations on the best driver for your needs.