Review: Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver
By Curated Experts
Kyle Emery and Miguel B.
Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver
See Price and Details
12 photos
The Curated Take
3.8/5
The Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver is suited for low to mid-handicap golfers. The club's rear weighting and deep center of gravity make it stable, reducing hooks and providing straight shots, and its forgiving design makes it one of the most reliable drivers released in 2023. The driver's high-quality feel and pleasant, non-springy sensation, along with the muted, crisp sound it produces, make it a joy to use. Its high launch capacity adds visual appeal and contributes to overall distance, although it's not the longest driver on the market. Overall, it delivers excellent value for its price.
Ideal for
- High forgiveness.
- Great option for adding extra distance off the tee.
- Consistent launch and spin rates.
- Pleasing sound at impact.
- Striking looks.
Not ideal for
- Not the easiest for shaping ball flight side to side.
- Not the best option for correcting a slice.
- Slightly firmer feel at impact.
Workability
With the rear weighting and deeper center of gravity, the ST-Z 230 provides a highly stable ball flight that makes shaping shots a bit harder than other options on the...Read more
This club is geared to be a neutral driver. That is to say, it is not draw biased and it is designed to allow the user to create draws or...Read more
Forgiveness
During my testing of the ST-Z 230 mishits were noticeably more penalizing than the ST-X model, but overall still felt pretty forgiving. The deeper placement of the center of gravity...Read more
The face of this driver is deep and the overall profile is refined in a 460 cc head. The features built into this club really optimize perimeter weighting and you...Read more
Feel
Typical for most Mizuno clubs, the feel is top-notch. During my testing of the new release for 2023, I found the ST-Z 230 to have a better feel than most...Read more
The feel of this driver reminds me of a classic driver that isn’t too springy. Some clubs can be so bouncy that they feel numb and the player may be...Read more
Sound
The forged beta titanium face on the Mizuno ST-Z 230 gives a really nice appealing sound on contact. Clean, crisp, and responsive are all adjectives for how I would classify...Read more
The sound of this driver is a muted thwack. Due to the carbon fiber on the crown and the sole you get a less tinny or metallic sound. Therefore there...Read more
Launch
I was really pleased with the launch profile of the ST-Z 230 driver. Definitely a lower launch than the ST-X counterpart, the lower flight added to an overall powerful feeling...Read more
The mid to high launch that I kept seeing with the STZ Driver brought joy as it looks like the ball effortlessly climbs upward and outward. An overwhelming amount of...Read more
Distance
After testing the Mizuno ST-Z 230 and comparing it up against my old driver (Titleist 915), I was seeing a consistent 7 yards longer distance on my drives. I was...Read more
The distance I achieved with this driver didn’t eclipse my gamer or any other drivers I tested with. It comes in average and standard distance overall with my launch monitor...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver
Kyle Emery The Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver features a new CORTECH Chamber that places an internal weight closer to the face to decrease spin rates and increase distances. During my testing of the ST-Z 230, I found it to be incredibly hot off the face, giving me competitive distances to some of the top distance drivers on the market. The ST-Z will sit more neutral at address compared to the ST-X to promote straight ball flight. Having a weight at the rear of the head also promotes a good amount of stability for a consistent launch. Also noticeable was a slightly firmer, more crisp feel on contact compared to the ST-X which will appeal to a lot of players. I would recommend the ST-Z 230 driver to any player from a low to a high handicap that would like a balanced blend of distance, forgiveness, and feel.
Miguel B. This club is good for players seeking lots of forgiveness in a handsome package.
The ST-Z provides high launch and high forgiveness in a club that feels effortless to hit straight. This model had the Kai Li shaft by Mitsubishi Chemical and really unloads easily providing a mid to high ball flight with mid to high spin. At impact, you hear a strong thud in contrast to higher pitched sounds of all titanium heads.
The visuals of the crown at address show piano black with the contrast of the carbon fiber weave on the trailing half of the head. This driver has a rich and luxurious look. Even the head cover adds a nice touch of aesthetic class with its classic white and blue color scheme.
Product Specs
| Gender | Men's |
| Club Type | Drivers |
| Used (Y/N) | No |
| Player type | Game improvement |
| Adjustability | Yes |
| Adjustability tool | Yes |
Review Ratings
Averaged between reviewers, view below how all experts voted.
Workability
3/5
Kyle Emery gave 3 of 5 stars. With the rear weighting and deeper center of gravity, the ST-Z 230 provides a highly stable ball flight that makes shaping shots a bit harder than other options on the market. I don't typically shape shots very much and during my testing, found that most of my shots came off straight or with my normal draw flight.
Miguel B. gave 3 of 5 stars. This club is geared to be a neutral driver. That is to say, it is not draw biased and it is designed to allow the user to create draws or fades. I found it harder to draw this club than it was to fade. A lot of the higher skilled players out here want to reduce hooks and this club seems to do so very well. It was easier to get the ball moving left to right with a fade. Although not the most workable driver out there, it does provide opportunity to shape.
Forgiveness
4/5
Kyle Emery gave 4 of 5 stars. During my testing of the ST-Z 230 mishits were noticeably more penalizing than the ST-X model, but overall still felt pretty forgiving. The deeper placement of the center of gravity helps provide stability through impact. I would recommend the level of forgiveness on this driver to fit a low to mid-handicap player.
Miguel B. gave 4 of 5 stars. The face of this driver is deep and the overall profile is refined in a 460 cc head. The features built into this club really optimize perimeter weighting and you can swing aggressively knowing that the features in concert are going to provide a forgiving impact. While the ball may turn right to left or left to right, you should know that they are not violent and typically stay not only in bounds but also in the fairway.
Feel
4/5
Kyle Emery gave 4 of 5 stars. Typical for most Mizuno clubs, the feel is top-notch. During my testing of the new release for 2023, I found the ST-Z 230 to have a better feel than most drivers on the market. The ST-Z 230 has a great balance of firmness, responsiveness, and power. The sensation off the face is one of pure power. Mishits are easy to tell where they were struck on the face.
Miguel B. gave 3 of 5 stars. The feel of this driver reminds me of a classic driver that isn’t too springy. Some clubs can be so bouncy that they feel numb and the player may be unaware if they truly hit the sweet spot. This club gives positive feedback a lot of the time because of how forgiving it is and you never feel punished.
Sound
4/5
Kyle Emery gave 4 of 5 stars. The forged beta titanium face on the Mizuno ST-Z 230 gives a really nice appealing sound on contact. Clean, crisp, and responsive are all adjectives for how I would classify the sound. I believe a wide range of players will really enjoy the acoustics of the Mizuno ST-Z 230 head.
Miguel B. gave 4 of 5 stars. The sound of this driver is a muted thwack. Due to the carbon fiber on the crown and the sole you get a less tinny or metallic sound. Therefore there is nothing offensive or high pitched when striking the STZ 230. Solid hits present a solid and pleasing sound.
Launch
4/5
Kyle Emery gave 4 of 5 stars. I was really pleased with the launch profile of the ST-Z 230 driver. Definitely a lower launch than the ST-X counterpart, the lower flight added to an overall powerful feeling that the club provides. The penetrating ball flight and low spin properties allowed me to add about 7 extra yards off the tee over my previous driver.
Miguel B. gave 4 of 5 stars. The mid to high launch that I kept seeing with the STZ Driver brought joy as it looks like the ball effortlessly climbs upward and outward. An overwhelming amount of golfers are looking for a higher launch and this driver provides that. So even with some backspin reducing technology, this driver launches high.
Distance
4/5
Kyle Emery gave 5 of 5 stars. After testing the Mizuno ST-Z 230 and comparing it up against my old driver (Titleist 915), I was seeing a consistent 7 yards longer distance on my drives. I was noticing a lower ball flight and slightly lower spin rates which allowed the ball to roll out more in the fairway.
Miguel B. gave 3 of 5 stars. The distance I achieved with this driver didn’t eclipse my gamer or any other drivers I tested with. It comes in average and standard distance overall with my launch monitor data. While I didn’t gain distance I certainly didn’t lose overall length. I don’t feel as if I’m giving anything up using this driver. But I can confidently say it is not the longest out there or even in the top three longest in my testing of new drivers for this 2023 year.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Kyle Emery During my testing of the Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver, the consistency of ball flight is what stood out most to me and what was most impressive. On almost every swing, I would get a penetrating mid-launching flight. I naturally hit my driver a bit higher, so getting a lower flight right from the start while also feeling like I was gaining more distance was a pleasant surprise.
Miguel B. While testing this club on the range I felt I couldn’t miss. It’s a forgiving club and I just loved that despite me trying to mishit the club kept the ball in bounds. I was pleasantly surprised at this performance fact.
Why did you choose this product?
Kyle Emery After testing the Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver, I was highly impressed with the consistency of the ball flight, overall looks and shape, and the distances it produced.
From the first couple swings, it was immediately noticeable that the ST-Z 230 will launch a good bit lower than the ST-X for a more mid-flight. The mid-flight off of the beta forged titanium face felt incredibly powerful. It resulted in gaining 7-8 extra yards over my current driver. This could also be attributed to the lower spin nature of the forward weighting in the head. In addition to the performance benefits I noticed, I loved the looks and shape of the head. The carbon weave pattern on top has a great overall aesthetic that pairs perfectly with the more rounded player's style head.
Any low to mid-handicap player would be a great fit for the Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver with its all-around performance and top end looks.
Miguel B. Wanting to try the latest Driver from Mizuno was a priority. I’ve been playing their irons for almost a decade and there is no compromise on craftsmanship and performance. I was eager to see if they could bring the same with their drivers and I think this club is a real contender against legacy driver brands.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Kyle Emery The Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver is about $100 less than most other new release drivers for 2023. Based on the driver's overall performance, looks, and feel, it would be placed as one of the best values for a driver on the market. While it's not the longest or the overall most forgiving, it does provide some really great performance elements that round out an outstanding option. I think the value for the Mizuno is exceptional.
Miguel B. I believe this club has a high value for the money factor. While it does not have adjustable weights, it is a head that gives you a rear weight for forgiveness as well as a fixed weight in the CoreTech chamber to reduce backspin. Having both of these give you a driver that is designed for forgiveness but also goes after backspin reduction aiding in increased distance. The Headcover is super cool as well as that, in my book, adds overall value.
What do you love about this product?
Kyle Emery During my testing of the Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver, I really enjoyed getting a slightly more penetrating ball flight off the tee. The low-spinning nature of the driver made it seem like the ball was rolling out a good 10-15 yards after landing on a firm fairway. The driver felt really powerful off the face with a slightly firmer feel than the ST-X. The forged titanium face still keeps Mizuno's soft feel in place, getting really nice responsiveness on contact, but on center and off-center hits. Overall, I really enjoyed the ball flight and feel of the ST-X 230.
Miguel B. Love the handsome and refined look of this club. It is sharp and you get to see all the technology features of this club.
Is the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver suitable for golfers of all skill levels, or is it better suited for advanced golfers?
Jared T. The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver is a good option for golfers of all skill levels, but it may be a better fit for golfers with higher swing speeds. The ST-Z 230 Driver features a new CORTECH Chamber that is designed to increase ball speed and reduce spin. Overall, the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver is a good option for golfers with higher swing speeds who are looking for a driver that provides a combination of distance, forgiveness, and feel.
Sean Colvin The great thing about the ST-Z 230 driver is that it offers pros to all skill levels. As a beginner golfer you can expect exceptional forgiveness and top of the class distance. For the more experienced golfer you will still be able to work the ball any direction with just about any ball flight you wish.
Christopher Colburn The Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver is a great option for multiple levels of golfers. It offers a good combination of distance and forgiveness.
How forgiving is the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver, and will it help me hit straighter shots?
Christopher Colburn This driver is extremely forgiving. It offers a solid head design and weight system designed for optimal forgiveness, and provides instant feedback on mis hits.
Sean Colvin The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver is one of the most forgiving drivers on the market. It offers a face that will maximize distance off of any mis hit. You can hit it off of the heel or the toe and you will immediately notice a longer and more straighter shot.
Jackson Shaver This driver is not going to be the most forgiving club on the market, but it will still be forgiving. It is a club that is designed to hit the ball straight. If there is a tendency to over curve the ball in any direction, this driver is not going to alleviate that error. It will benefit people who hit the ball off the center of the face with a relatively square face and neutral swing path the most.
How does the distance of the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver compare to other drivers on the market?
Sean Colvin I would rate the distance comparable to most high end drivers on the market. The kicker with the ST- Z 230 is that any shot off the face maximizes your distance. It truly does not matter if you hit it off of the toe or the heel, you consistently see a yardage increase.
Jared T. The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver is a great option for golfers who are looking for a distance-focused driver. It is packed with features that are designed to help golfers hit the ball farther, and it is available in a variety of lofts and shaft options to fit the needs of different golfers.
Kyle Emery
Golf ExpertMiguel B.
Golf ExpertShare article:
