Connect with us

Equipment

2020 Mizuno ST200 drivers and fairway woods arrive

Published

on

For a company that hadn’t had a PGA Tour win with a driver in well over a decade, 2019 was a big year for Mizuno drivers on the PGA Tour—and in the minds of consumers. The new ST200 drivers and fairway woods build on the success and technology breakthroughs of the ST190 series in 2020 by focusing a global team effort on a single goal: creating the best driver series on the market.

Mizuno’s tagline for the new ST200 drivers and fairway woods is “Tour Ready, World Ready” and the reasoning behind this structured line is two-part.

  • “Tour Ready”: Unlike other OEMs, there are no “tour parts” when it comes to Mizuno metal woods. With a smaller staff, the sole focus of the design team was to create a line of woods that tackle the whole spectrum of the golf demographic bell curve, from high-speed high-spin players on tour, to moderate speed golfers needing some draw bias, you’ll find them all with the ST200s.
  • “World Ready”: This speaks to a culmination of product planning and design that has been in the making for probably close to six years, if not longer. In the past, some markets, especially Japan, has had separate product lines (craft and MP) in the woods.

But there was one problem with that market and product segmentation: more designs meant engineers had to stretch their biggest resource, time, thinner. It’s not that previous releases weren’t already great, as testing proved, but it left engineers and designers asking the question “could we have done more?” From a marketing perspective, it also meant a win for a Japan-only driver, turning what could have been a global marketing win into more of a local advertisement—not an ideal scenario for a globally recognized brand like Mizuno.

Now, with the ST200s, for the first time in memory, North America, Europe, South Korea, and Japan all have one uniform line of products, designed as a single global family.

Three is the magic number: This is the last part to the ST200 story. As mentioned earlier, being able to add an additional driver model to the family allows designers to push further towards the edges of the golfer fitting bell curve and offer greater adjustability and tuning options. All while still making sure to create hugely forgiving clubs for all golfers.

Technology

So what actually makes the ST200 drivers as a whole better than the previous generation? Let’s break it all the way down to materials.

SAT2141 Beta Titanium Face: A quick Google search will show you that this material is not new to the aerospace world, but as far as golf clubs go it was mostly found in JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) drivers, especially ones meant to be Hi-COR/non-conforming, because of cost. As we all know, CT and ball speeds are limited by the rules of golf, but within those parameters, there is room for improvement around the face. SAT2041 has higher strength and rebound properties allowing Mizuno engineers to improve the multi-thickness areas behind the face for higher ball speed, and save mass to reposition around the head.

More discretionary mass: In the golf world a few grams here or there can mean a lot, and for a driver, it’s even more critical. Mizuno shaved mass all over the head to boost MOI in all three models, starting with the crown. The carbon top was already light at 10.6 grams, but by adding structural ribs, they were able to save almost 19 percent and bring that down to 8.6g. (let this be an example that a percentage statistic can sound both impressive and also feel underwhelming) but it proves that they are taking every step possible.

Mass was also saved from the standing wave at the front of the head, as well as the face, thanks to the newer material use, and in the case of the ST200, was placed in a new 11.6g weight pad in the back of the head.

Face optimization: More time spent working on products equals further refinement, and for Mizuno, that means that each loft in each model head (four total) have an internal CorTECH face designed to maximize that loft, based on players fitting profiles.

Meet the Family

2020 Mizuno ST200

The ST200 is designed for a total balance of spin control and forgiveness. The starting goal for this driver was to create the highest MOI possible without sacrificing the ability to produce lower spin. Mass saved around the head allowed for the placement of a new weight pad towards the trailing edge away from the face, to boost total MOI by 13 percent, compared to the previous ST190. Any time a product in the golf world can get double-digit improvement numbers in a performance parameter, you know they are on to something.

This higher MOI doesn’t take away from the spin performance either since the ST200, is now lower spinning that the previous lower spin ST190G.

The head comes in two standard loft configurations 9 degrees and 10.5 degrees and with the Quick Switch loft adjustability two more degrees in either direction.

2020 Mizuno ST200G

The ST200G driver is all about providing the most adjustability into a higher MOI head with very low spin properties.

From an adjustability perspective, Mizuno research found that most golfers either placed the sliding weights all the way forward or all the way back in the tracks of the ST190g. So to increase adjustability they put the weight entry point in the middle of the tracks to provide more front-back movement. The resulting design change gives the ST200G a higher MOI with the weights all the way back than last year’s ST190.

The bigger tracks, along with larger dual eight-gram weights—compared to the ST190G’s seven grams—create greater spin separation between the front and back positions—upwards of 500 RPM vs. the previous model’s 300 RPM. Lower spin, higher MOI, and faster ball speeds are everything you would want from a tour-level driver.

The ST200G only comes in a 9-degree head, but with the Quick Switch loft adjustability two more degrees.

2020 Mizuno ST200x

The ST200x is a serious contender for any golfer looking to add distance and speed back into their game. Built from head to grip to compete in the ultra-premium lightweight category, the design focus was more on a total club package than head performance alone.

The stock length is .75″ longer than the other two models at 45.75″, and with the emphasis on making each component of the club as light as possible, the total weight comes in as 272g. To give that number a comparable, the XXiO Prime is 250g (but $850), and the Titleist TS1 is 275g. This light total weight, as well as a repositioned internal and external mass, makes the ST200X draw bias to once again focus help on those looking to add some distance.

The ST200X comes in a 10.5-degree head, and with the Quick Switch loft adjustability, two more degrees in either direction you can take it from 8.5 to 12.5 degrees.

2020 Mizuno ST200 series: Shafts, prices, availability

The ST200 and 200G stock options are driven directly from the tour and feature a familiar story of high, mid, and low launch with the Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana D+Plus Series

High: Diamana D+PLUS Red 50 & 60 grams
Mid: Diamana D+PLUS Blue 60 & 70 grams
Low: Diamana D+PLUS White 60 & 70 grams

Driven by fitting, Mizuno has also added more upcharge shafts options for the first time including

  • Tensei CK Pro Orange and White 60 and 70g
  • Fujikura Ventus Blue and Black 60 and 70g
  • Graphite Design Tour AD Di6 & 7 along with XC6 & 7
  • Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow and Green 60 and 70 g

Price: 

  • ST200 – $399.99
  • ST200G – $499.99
  • ST200X – $399.99

The Mizuno ST200 driver’s pre-sale and fitting tools will be available starting January 21 with product on retail shelves on February 14.

Mizuno ST200 fairway woods

The story of the Mizuno ST200 fairway woods, falls in line with the drivers: by globally aligning the R&D teams, along with putting a deeper focus on total performance, we get two new woods to fit more players.

Technology

All-new MAS1C high strength steel faces: The old adage of “the shaft is the engine of the club” couldn’t be further from the truth. The face is where performance comes from in any clubhead, and Mizuno wanted to take a big step with the ST200 by completely overhauling the internal structure. By using the new face material, they were able improve on the CORTECH multi-thickness pads behind the hitting zone, which greater improved total face COR and rebound ability, especially on lower face strikes.

It’s not that previous fairway woods weren’t taken right to the limit. But outside of the center of the face, performance depreciated faster than Mizuno engineers wanted to see. You have to remember, we’re not talking about 20 yards and 5-6 MPH of ball speed here, we’re talking 2-3 total MPH that when out on the course could mean the difference between a shot that carries a bunker and ends up on the green or has you grabbing a wedge for your next shot.

Thinner, lighter, stronger carbon crown: When it works, it works. Just like with the driver, engineers managed to make the carbon crown lighter by adding structural ribs to increase rigidity. This combined with the stronger face material freed up more mass to be placed around the heads to boost MOI and center of gravity optimization.

Specs, prices, and availability

The ST200 is technically one model but the TS (Tour Spoon) 15-degree version comes with the same Quick Switch adjustability as the drivers to offer the option to change loft up or down.

The non-adjustable 3- and 5-woods come in at 15 and 18 degrees and are offered stock with two different shafts models.

Pricing is $299.99 for the adjustable TS, and $249.99 for the non-adjustable models. The ST200 fairways pre-sale and fitting tools will be available starting January 21 with product on retail shelves on February 14.

Your Reaction?
  • 138
  • LEGIT14
  • WOW10
  • LOL1
  • IDHT1
  • FLOP1
  • OB1
  • SHANK2

Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Pingback: GolfWRX Spotted: Mizuno ST-G220 driver on conforming list – GolfWRX

  2. Jack

    Jan 10, 2020 at 2:52 pm

    buy them today and the value will be 45 dollars tomorrow …

  3. Adam

    Jan 10, 2020 at 9:31 am

    Fat ferrule

    • BJ

      Jan 10, 2020 at 9:53 pm

      Thats it…Ill hit and try anything just to not leave anything out there. But the shaft/ferrule/hosel looks chunky to me. The driver shape itself doesnt look bad. Ill test the 200G just to see

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Equipment

Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

Published

on

Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

Your Reaction?
  • 9
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW2
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Whats in the Bag

Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)

Published

on

Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X

Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X

Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X

Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

Your Reaction?
  • 3
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW1
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Whats in the Bag

Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)

Published

on

Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX

3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Your Reaction?
  • 8
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW1
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending