Mizuno ST-MAX 230 Driver, Fairway Wood & Hybrid
Posted by GolfBox on 22nd Jan 2024
Mizuno have announced a fresh addition to their ST-230 family - the new ST-MAX metal wood range. And like most other golf clubs with a MAX designation, the new ST-MAX range is the most forgiving model in the line-up.
Complementing the ST-Z, ST-X and ST-G models, the new ST-MAX driver, fairway wood and hybrid are engineered to deliver arrow-straight ball flights while generating more speed and distance from all over the club face. Featuring big, ultra-stable head profiles that make it feel like the club is almost swinging on tracks, the ST-MAX line-up delivers maxxed out performance for the max forgiveness crowd.
Australian Release Date: 09/02/2024
MIZUNO ST-MAX DRIVER
While it’s within the 460cc legal limit stipulated by golf’s governing bodies, the head of the new ST-MAX driver looks almost oversized at address. The inviting appearance gives the impression that blasting balls long and straight off the tee should be ridiculously easy.
The big, wide, confidence-inspiring footprint also features a mammoth 54g back weight. It’s a winning combination for developing twist resistance for off-centre strikes and a major reason why Mizuno have been able to engineer predictably straight ball flights into the ST-MAX no matter which area of the face the strike occurs.
Mizuno have also expanded their usage of carbon fibre by 40 per cent in the ST-MAX driver while also lengthening the CORTECH chamber and positioning it closer to the face, a brilliant manoeuvre that has increased speed and carry distance. (For latecomers, the CORTECH Chamber is essentially a stainless-steel weight encased in an elastomer that is designed to jettison stress from the club face to promote greater flexibility and distance).
The ST-MAX driver also employs the same Beta Rich titanium LFS face that debuted in the ST-G 440cc driver in late 2023. The face is 9 per cent stronger compared to the regular titanium used in the ST-X and ST-Z drivers and it’s also lighter. The Beta Rich titanium gave Mizuno’s club designers the ability to incorporate a multi-thickness face, replete with complex architecture, that leads to higher ball speeds from anywhere on the ST-MAX’s face.
And the straighter ball flight and extra forgiveness gave Mizuno the green light to fit the ST-MAX driver with a longer 43.75inch shaft. As any high school physics student will tell you, the longer lever will naturally generate extra club head speed.
The ST-MAX driver is available in lofts of 9.5°, 10.5° and 12° with Mizuno’s quick switch hosel offering 4° of loft adjustability.
MIZUNO ST-MAX FAIRWAY
The new ST-MAX fairway wood features a larger footprint that is designed to deliver unerringly straight ball flights, in conjunction with a high-energy MAS1C steel face.
Like the ST-MAX driver, the fairway's CORTECH Chamber has been extended and shifted closer to the face, boosting ball speeds for off-centre strikes, while a wraparound carbon crown that extends further into the toe area expands forgiveness.
Mizuno have also introduced a Speed Bevel on the leading edge of the ST-MAX fairway. The new addition encourages crisp turf interaction while also retaining club head speed at impact for greater strike consistency and distance.
The ST-MAX fairway wood features a wide and forgiving head profile and come in lofts of 15°, 18° and 21°. They also feature Mizuno’s quick switch hosel, which offers a 4° range of loft adjustability.
MIZUNO ST-MAX HYBRID
Equipped with many of the same features as its fairway counterpart, the ST-MAX hybrid is the perfect partner for players who require an elevated launch and extra distance.
While the CORTECH Chamber has also been edged closer to the face and enlarged, the ST-MAX hybrid is fitted with Mizuno’s ultralight waffle crown, which shifts weight low in the head to achieve an effortlessly high-launching, straight ball flight.
The Mizuno ST-MAX hybrid has been styled with a low-profile head and also features the new Speed Bevel on the leading edge to promote clean strikes from any turf condition.
ST-MAX hybrids are offered in 19°, 22°, 25° and 28° lofts and come with Mizuno's quick shift hosel, which offers a 4° range of loft adjustability.