Mizuno ST-Z 230 and ST-X 230 – 2023 Drivers on USGA List

Mizuno’s 2023 drivers—the ST-Z 230 and ST-X 230—have landed on the USGA conforming clubs list. While that clears both models for play on the PGA TOUR, Mizuno is mum on the technical details and what improvements golfers can expect over the soon-to-be previous models.

Mizuno ST-Z 230 and ST-X 230

The most intriguing teaser is the addition of a “CORTECH CHAMBER” in the front sole area where we’d typically expect to find Mizuno’s Wave Sole. The best (and, I suppose, obvious) guess is that it’s a bit of speed-enhancing tech particularly beneficial on low-face impact.

Because it’s the driver category, we should expect claims of modest ball speed gains.

Beyond that, it’s reasonable to assume the ST-Z 230 will carry on as the higher-MOI offering, though we don’t expect Mizuno will challenge the USGA limits. Historically, Mizuno has trended towards relatively high, though not extreme, MOI and I don’t expect that will change.

The ST-X 230 will likely carry on as the company’s draw-bias offering and, with that, it wouldn’t be unusual to see a bit more draw bias than last time around. That said, one of the past design objectives with the ST-X line has been to maintain a traditional look at address.

Call it draw bias that doesn’t tip its hand.

Mizuno ST-X 230 PLTMN

A ST-X 230 PLTMN is also on the USGA’s conforming clubs list. As best as we can tell from the USGA photos, other than the “PLTMN” logo, the drivers appear identical. Over the past couple of iterations of Mizuno drivers, the company has offered a lighter-weight J-Spec (Japanese specification) version of the ST-X. Our best guess it that the PLTMN is the J-Spec model, though that’s admittedly just a guess.

Availability and Pricing

As far as the release date is concerned, last year, Mizuno announced its new drivers in mid-January with retail availability beginning in early February. I expect similar cadence this time around. The previous models retailed for $449 so my expectation is Mizuno will raise that to $500 though it could make a strong argument in the value category by holding prices in the mid-400s.

That said, the current models—Mizuno ST-Z 220 and Mizuno ST-X 220 drivers—have been discounted to $299.99. So long as availability lasts, some will find it hard to justify the cost of the soon-to-be latest and greatest.

More information as it becomes available.

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