Are Mizuno Drivers Any Good? – We Look At the Best in 2023
If you know anything about Mizuno, you know that they only make premium golf clubs.
Mizuno, as a company, has been around for over 100 years. In that time, they have made their mark on many sports; but perhaps none so enduringly as golf.
Some of the best players in the world including the illustrious Tiger Woods have used Mizuno golf clubs.
Now most people know Mizuno from their premium irons; but not many people know about their other clubs. Which leaves a lot of golfers wondering,
‘what about other Mizuno clubs?’
Does the company make anything worthwhile outside of irons? By the end of this review article you will have our opinion on that matter and be able to form your own opinion as well.
So join us as we take a look at Mizuno as a company and take a look at some of the best drivers they have to offer.
What Makes Mizuno Drivers So Special?
While the answer to that question will vary from driver to driver one thing is clear: the company makes drivers that suit every need.
When it comes to Mizuno irons, they more or less design them with low handicappers in mind. However, their driver selection is certainly more inclusive.
Another thing that makes Mizuno drivers an excellent choice are the premium technologies and fitting options they offer.
Many Mizuno drivers have forged faces made from select steel – as opposed to industrial steel which tends to be less durable and less responsive.
The company also puts a lot of time and thought into fittings – giving players features that allow them to fine-tune their drivers to their specific swing.
Mizuno has been around since 1906 and they make equipment for all kinds of sports. But the company’s biggest impact has been in the world of golf.
In fact, 13 of the 24 male golfers who have ever been ranked #1 in the world have used Mizuno clubs.
Quick Facts
- Established: 1906
- Country of Origin: Japan
- Specialties: Irons, Wedges, Drivers
- Process: Grain flow forging
Who Are Mizuno Drivers for?
The beautiful thing about Mizuno drivers is that they are pretty much for everybody.
Some of their drivers have simply astounding adjustment features that allow a single driver to be played by a huge array of players.
Whether you draw or fade the ball, whether you have a fast or slow swing speed, whether you fly open on your backswing or not, you will find that a single Mizuno driver can benefit your game.
Of course, Mizuno also makes drivers for specific players; but there is something for everyone here. What’s more is that we can prove it.
Take a look at the following list of Mizuno drivers that covers the needs of every kind of player.
Are Mizuno Drivers Any Good? – We Look At the Best in 2023
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1. – Best for High Handicappers – ST-X 220 Driver
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2. – Best for Mid Handicappers – ST-Z 220 Driver
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3. – Best for Low Handicappers – ST-G 220 Driver
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4. – Best Value – Mizuno JPX 900 Driver
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5. – Best Vintage – Mizuno MX-700 Driver
#1 – Best for High Handicappers – ST-X 220 Driver
3 Selling Points
- Forged face
- Variable face thickness
- Adjustable loft sleeve
Quick Facts:
- Titanium face construction
- 20-gram heel weight
- J-Spec option available
Our first impression of the ST-X 220 driver was that it had a pretty simple design.
The lines are clean, the crown isn’t busy and there isn’t a lot going on even on the sole. So overall, it’s not distracting at address.
However, it does have a fairly large footprint which is great for high handicappers.
The ST-X 220 also has a very hot forged titanium face.
The ball doesn’t melt into the face even when you really whack it which means you can feel where you struck on the face very clearly.
There is a 20-gram heel-biased weight to help correct your mis-hit. The variable face thickness also works to preserve ball speed when you miss the sweet spot.
Who is it for?
The ST-X 220 driver would be a great choice for high handicappers. It’s a great entry-level Mizuno driver that still comes with premium features like a forged face.
Plus, there is plenty of forgiveness for players who struggle with accuracy in their long games.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- It has a clean look at address
- It’s lightweight
- Good for players with slow to moderate swing speeds
Cons:
- It’s expensive
Overall Score: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#2 – Best for Mid Handicappers – ST-Z 220 Driver
3 Selling Points
- Forged face
- Wave Sole Plate
- Carbon composite sole
Quick Facts:
- 20-gram rear weight
- 460cc head
- Carbon heel
When you pick up the ST-Z 220 Driver, it feels alot like the ST-X 220 driver – they’re both lightweight.
The ST-Z 220 Driver in particular has composite carbon material on the toe and heel.
If you are looking for a driver that can help you up your swing speed, the ST-Z 220 Driver may be just the one.
Most of our testers were noticing swing speed increases in the range of 1-3 MPH.
That doesn’t sound like a lot but it has an exponential effect on carry distance. The rear weight adds forgiveness and encourages high flight.
Who is it for?
The ST-Z 220 Driver would be a great choice for the mid handicapper looking to graduate from a pure game improvement driver to one that doesn;t spin quite so much.
We were very surprised that a driver with a 20-gram weight placed way back in the head could still yield spin rates well under 2500 RPMs.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- It produces surprisingly low spin rates
- It can help you increase your swing speed
- Good forgiveness features
Cons
- Limited feedback
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#3 – Best for Low Handicappers – ST-G 220 Driver
3 Selling Points
- Horizontal adjustable weights
- Vertical adjustable weights
- Forged face
Quick Facts:
- 460cc head
- 4 degree adjustable loft sleeve
- 7-11° loft range
For sure, the first thing we noticed about the ST-G 220 Driver was all the adjustable weights.
There are weights for extreme draw, extreme fade and front/back weights to help you adjust for the perfect loft/spin combination.
This is one of the most versatile drivers we have ever tested.
It appealed to all of our testers. It spun low for our faster swing speed testers and it yielded incredible MOI for our testers who needed more forgiveness.
And whether you tend to draw or fade the ball too much, the ST-G 220 Driver has a solution.
Who is it for?
It’s kind of hard to imagine a player that wouldn’t benefit from this driver. Perhaps the better question is, ‘who isn’t this driver for?’ The answer would be pure beginners.
The ST-G 220 Driver is great for high, mid and low handicappers for sure.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Almost endless adjustment
- Wonderful fitting options
- The face plays hot
Cons
- Adjusting can take time
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#4 – Best Value – Mizuno JPX 900 Driver
3 Selling Points
- Visible face angle adjustability
- Adjustable weights
- Draw or fade positions
Quick Facts:
- Shallow face profile
- Adjustable spin rates
- Custom shafts available
The Mizuno JPX 900 Driver was sort of the forerunner for the ST-G 220 driver.
It has the same kind of lateral weight adjustability that will affect draw and spin. You can also adjust for spin rates with front to back weighting.
So you get the same kind of versatility with the Mizuno JPX 900 Driver as you do with the more expensive ST-G 220 driver.
The Mizuno JPX 900 Driver also has a shallow face design that makes it look very pleasing at address – although some forgiveness is lost of course.
You can also quickly adjust the face angle of this driver.
While we’re not wild about the color scheme or the sound and feel of the face, the Mizuno JPX 900 Driver is undoubtedly still a quality driver at a great price.
Who is it for?
The Mizuno JPX 900 Driver would be a great selection for anyone seeking a versatile driver at an affordable price?
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Very adjustable
- It’s affordable
- Plays long
Cons
- The blue color scheme doesn’t look great
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#5 – Best Vintage – Mizuno MX-700 Driver
3 Selling Points
- High launch design
- Plasma-welded face
- Titanium face
Quick Facts:
- Vertical grain orientation
- Reinforced internal hull
- 4 loft options
Talk about a blast from the past. The first thing our testers noticed about the Mizuno MX-700 Driver was the effortless distance.
This beefy driver sends balls flying like missiles.
This is thanks in part to the vertical (up and down) orientation of the titanium grain.
This orientation (as opposed to side-to-side or heel to toe) expands the sweet spot and produces better ball speeds.
When you look down at the Mizuno MX-700 Driver, you see a club that has a large footprint. This will surely look good for mid and high handicap players.
The titanium face feels ok, not great, not terrible. But it does sound pretty good – giving you a deep thud indicating that you nailed the sweet spot.
Who is it for?
The Mizuno MX-700 Driver is a great driver for mid to high handicappers. It’s an excellent distance driver – just don’t expect much workability.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- It’s affordable
- Large footprint
- Great for high handicappers
Cons
- Not very workable
Overall Score: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Aidan is a low-handicap golfer who came from over 110 to breaking 80 in less than 1 year.
Aidan has become obsessed with becoming a scratch golfer and plays golf on every possible occasion, even in the snow!
