Mizuno’s new ST200 Series of metalwoods was created through a collaboration between the clubmaker’s Japanese and US R&D teams, marking a first in its history of metal wood design.
The ST200 Series looks set to build on the successes of the ST190 Series, which included Keith Mitchell’s landmark PGA Tour victory at the 2019 Honda Classic and Mizuno’s first ever Golf Digest Hot List Gold award for metalwoods.
“Combining our US and Japan Tour metal wood development is a natural evolution for Mizuno in 2020,” said Chris Voshall of Mizuno USA. “We can now combine Japan’s exotic materials and craftsman’s eye for playing profiles with our expertise of working with modern tour players like Keith Mitchell. 2020 is set to be a huge year for Mizuno in metal woods.”
The new metalwoods have enjoyed fast adoption by contracted and uncontracted tour players from across the globe. After some early testing at the Zozo Championship in Japan in November 2019, the first ST200 driver went into play at Sea Island for the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic by an uncontracted player. Japan LPGA Tour player Erica Hara was the first to put the ST200X in her bag for tournament play at the Daio Paper Elleair Ladies.
The ST200 Series offers three different head designs in the driver, each with a beta rich titanium face and each offering a different ball flight.
ST200 DRIVER
Delivering both low spin and significant forgiveness, the ST200 is a high-stability driver for players seeking straight line distance and predictability. Sound engineered for enhanced feedback and control, the ST200 features a multi thickness, forged SAT Beta 2041 Ti face which is incredibly responsive while being 17% stronger and more resilient compared to traditional 6-4 titanium.
Weight savings from a compacted Wave Sole and a variable-thickness graphite crown, used low and deep in the head, help deliver both low spin and increased stability from off-centre strikes. An additional 11.6g backweight further enhances low spin efficiency and increases forgiveness.
The head shape of the ST200 has been refined by Yoro craftsmen in response to special tour requests, meaning a flatter crown and slightly flatter lie angle that will appeal to better players. Meanwhile, a collection of structural refinements help deliver a more tour-ready, tour-preferred, solid sound at impact.
“The ST200 has some clever engineering tweaks that allow it to be both forgiving and low spinning at the same time – the holy grail of tour drivers. It’s incredibly predictable for a driver this long,” said Voshall.
ST200G DRIVER
The ST200G has been designed for high swing speed efficiency. It’s even faster from the club face than its predecessor, more reliable on mis-hits, and offers spin rates adjustable from mid to ultra-low.
The ST200G shares many of the same features and benefits as the ST200 in terms of a SAT Beta 2041 Ti face, a tour-ready shape and pure sound at impact, but has also been engineered for ultimate adjustability via the intuitive Fast Track system. Thanks to twin 7g weights on longer external tracks, the ST200G offers even more effective weight movement, allowing mid/low to ultra-low spin positions.
ST200X DRIVER
The ST200X delivers a high launch with a draw bias and has been designed to help players with mid to lower swing speeds. The lightweight design encourages a higher flight and draw bias and has been designed to work best with Mizuno’s own Japan specification MFusion 39g shaft.
The ST200X head has its own unique shape, additional heel weight and upright lie angle, all working together to encourage a distance-enhancing, high draw flight. It also offers increased ball speeds thanks to Mizuno’s new multi-thickness beta rich forged titanium face.
Like the ST200 and ST200G drivers, the ST200X is loft adjustable by 4 degrees with additional upright and flatter settings. Weight savings from a compacted Wave Sole and variable thickness graphite crown allow weight to be pushed low and deep for low spin, stability and forgiveness.
“The ST200X is a totally new metal wood option for the west – overall more of a traditional Japanese specification. It’s just as forgiving as the standard ST200 – but will suit players who lose distance through a consistent fade or a launch too low for their ball speed. To get the most out of the head design, we’d recommend that the ST200X is matched with the Japan spec Fusion 39-gram graphite shaft,” said Voshall.
ST200 FAIRWAY WOODS
The impressive ST200 fairway woods feature a new multi-thickness Maraging steel face for increased initial ball speeds. They combine low spin and massive forgiveness for minimal distance loss from off-centre strikes. The fairway woods set up beautifully at address with a modified tour-ready profile.
“By utilising stronger Maraging steel, we have achieved our thinnest ever multi-thickness Cortech face, which now approaches COR values that are normally reserved for drivers,” said David Llewellyn, director of R&D at Mizuno.
The new MAS1C Maraging steel face and multi-thickness design in the ST200 fairway woods help generate greater energy transfer and faster ball speeds from across the clubface. Weight saved from a compacted Wave Sole and variable-thickness graphite crown has been relocated low and deep to maximise stability without adding spin. A softer leading edge and hosel transition deliver a tour-ready look and a confidence-inspiring profile, while wet weather score lines help to maintain adequate spin and ball flight in damp or wet conditions.
Mizuno has strived to create the best products for consumers for 114 years and the new ST200 Series adheres firmly to that original spirit and desire, while offering the best performance benefits that modern technology can bring.
SRP:
ST200G Driver: RM2,850
ST200 Driver: RM2,550
ST200X Driver: RM2,550
ST200 Fairway Wood: RM1,450
Available at MST Golf stores
