Mizuno STZ Vs Mizuno ST200 Driver Comparison Overview
Mizuno is a manufacturer known for making technologically advanced, tour-ready clubs. They also make clubs with some of the most interesting combinations of features and design emphases.
It would appear that Mizuno really likes to make unique golf clubs – either that or they want to accommodate overlooked types of players with very unique needs. We choose to believe the latter.
Fewer Mizuno models demonstrate this thoughtfulness than the STZ and the ST200 drivers. To learn what you need to know before you drop major coin on either of these models, take a look at the following comparison article.
Mizuno STZ Driver Overview
Right off the bat, the Mizuno STZ and ST200 drivers have very similar features but there are some key differences that will change the performance dynamic for most players.
What differences, you ask? The most stark design difference between the STZ and ST200 drivers is that the STZ has a carbon composite sole while the ST200 has a carbon composite crown.
The practical difference this makes is that the composite carbon sole imparts less spin on the ball from the tee. So the Mizuno STZ has a lower spin rate in general than the Mizuno ST200 driver.
The Mizuno STZ doesn’t look great at point of address – we thought it looked a bit busy. However, it feels great and produces surprisingly straight shots.
Mizuno ST200 Driver Overview
The Mizuno ST200 offers a surprising combination of premium design elements and emphasized forgiveness.
This is what we were talking about in the intro. You would think that a driver like Mizuno ST200 with it’s high-grade titanium face, carbon composite crown and adjustable hosel would be geared more towards low handicap players.
That’s not the impression we got with the Mizuno ST200 driver. For starters it has a face construction similar to variable face thickness which means it does a great job of upping ball speed on shots hit near the toe and heel.
Secondly, like the STZ, the Mizuno ST200 driver produces incredibly straight shots – all while giving the feel and sound of a premium-grade driver.
Both of these drivers feel amazing but overall, we liked the distance and performance we were getting from the STZ a bit more.
Mizuno STZ Driver in 20 Words or Less
In 20 Words Or Less
Low spin is the main attraction of the STZ. It also does a great job of increasing forgiveness.
Mizuno ST200 Driver in 20 Words or Less
In 20 Words or Less
The ST200 may represent the most harmonious combination of premium feel and forgiveness we have ever encountered.
Mizuno STZ Driver First Impressions
We didn’t think much of the STZ driver at first because it didn’t look great at point of address.
That changed after a couple of swings though. You can really feel the effects of the carbon composite sole and the central sole weight as they work together to eliminate spin conditions off the tee.
Something else we were a bit surprised about was the effortlessly straight shots we were getting. However, this did come at the sacrifice of workability.
The Mizuno STG 220 Driver
Also a part of the ST family is the highly-adaptable STG 220. The STG 220 features 2 sliding weights that allow you to switch from ultra-low spin settings to highly workable mid-spin settings.
Mizuno ST200 Driver First Impressions
Like the STZ, we didn’t have high expectations for the Mizuno ST200 based on the way it looked.
Then, we were shocked at just how forgiving this driver is. The titanium face gives it an amazing feel but the carbon composite crown allows more weight to be placed low and in the back of the head.
The result is great MOI that will help slower swing speed players get further down the fairway.
The Mizuno STX Driver
The STX driver features draw bias so it would be a great help for anyone looking to up their swing speed. The same titanium face on the Mizuno ST200 and the STZ is also present in the STX.
Mizuno STZ Selling Points
- Z axis carbon sole
- Low spin rates
- Wave sole plate
- Titanium face
Mizuno ST200 Selling Points
- Composite carbon crown
- Beta titanium face
- Adjustable hosel
- Wave sole plate
Who is the Mizuno STZ Driver for?
The Mizuno STZ driver would suit mid handicappers more than any other group of golfers.
It straddles that line between forgiveness and premium design that caters to the oft-overlooked group of players hovering just outside of single-digit handicap range.
What we liked the most about the Mizuno STZ driver though were the incredibly low spin rates – which, as you can imagine, increased drive distance.
Overall, we were getting maxi drive distances of 281 yards with the Mizuno STZ driver while the Mizuno ST200 was yielding max distances in the mid 270 yard range.
The Mizuno STZ driver will also provide moderate help in the forgiveness department. The variable face thickness means better (better, not ideal) ball speed on off-center strikes.
Like the Mizuno ST200 driver, the STZ also plays it pretty darn straight – almost annoyingly so. Our better testers were a bit annoyed by the lack of workability in both of these drivers.
Distance: 94/100
Feel & Control: 94/100
Accuracy: 93/100
Forgiveness: 93/100
Overall Score: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Who is the Mizuno ST200 Driver for?
The Mizuno ST200 driver places a slightly higher emphasis on forgiveness which would make it a bit more appropriate for high handicappers.
This is pretty much the driver you get for the pampered beginner. The composite crown allows more weight to be placed in a position that increases MOI which in turn, increases forgiveness.
It is easier for beginners and high handicappers to get consistently long drives with the Mizuno ST200 when compared to the STZ.
Spin rates were higher with the Mizuno ST200 and therefore it played shorter overall. However, you still get very straight shots and more leeway at point of impact.
Distance: 93/100
Feel & Control: 93/100
Accuracy: 93/100
Forgiveness: 94/100
Overall Rating: 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
