Callaway Paradym Vs Mizuno ST-Z 220 Driver Review & Comparison
“If you think you’re going crazy thinking that every driver these days uses carbon fiber, don’t worry, you’re perfectly sane.”
The fact is that more and more golf club manufacturers are turning to carbon fiber to enhance the performance of their woods. For the most part, we have seen that carbon fiber appointments benefit both forgiveness and distance.
But with so many carbon woods flooding the market, it can make it really tough to discern the more important differences between them. So in the following comparison review, we will be taking a look at a couple recent driver models from Callaway and Mizuno – both of which feature carbon fiber prolifically.
CALLAWAY PARADYM OVERVIEW
“It should be noted that the new Callaway Paradym driver comes in three different versions.”
The standard version is the only one with an adjustable 15g sliding track weight. The Callaway Paradym X has a fixed rear weight and a more elongated head shape, reminiscent of the Mavrik drivers. The Paradym Triple Diamond is the only one with a 450cc head and is designed for lower handicappers.
For this comparison, we tested the standard Paradym driver. The biggest story here is the 100% carbon fiber chassis. Callaway really wanted to keep the weight down without sacrificing strength so they made the entire body out of carbon fiber.
The 15-gram sliding rear weight allows for about 7 yards of shot-shaping from side-to-side. All three models feature a forged titanium face and a redesigned “Batwing” jailbreak bracing system.
Mizuno ST-Z 220 Overview
“This may be one of the most playable Mizuno drivers we ever tested.”
The Mizuno ST-Z 220 features a carbon fiber sole plate to add stiffness to the head and stability to more of your shots. There is also a weight placed in the middle of the sole. This is an interesting placement as rear weighting correlates with higher MOI (forgiveness) and forward placement correlates with low spin (distance).
The weighting of the Mizuno ST-Z 220 sits somewhere in the middle of those two polar opposites. However, there is still a 20-gram weight in the far back of the head to increase forgiveness.
Overview Conclusion
“Both of these drivers were forgiving and comparatively lightweight.”
However, the Mizuno ST-Z 220 driver was producing less side-spin for us than the Paradym driver. While the Callaway Paradym allows you to adjust your shot shape, the Mizuno ST-Z 220 played longer overall.
Callaway Paradym Key Technology
“Making way for beefier weights has never been easier.”
That’s because golf club manufacturers have figured out how to keep the head light without sacrificing twist resistance. The full carbon fiber chassis of the Paradym driver allows for the 15g rear sliding weight.
Apart from that, you have a forged titanium face that feels explosive and gives you a high-pitched “ping” at impact. The new “Batwing” Jailbreak bars also help to stiffen the head both vertically and horizontally.
Mizuno ST-Z 220 Key Technology
“The Mizuno ST-Z 220 features a beta-Ti face that has been forged to add to the natural strength of this type of alloy.”
The Mizuno ST-Z 220 yields very straight flight thanks to the strength of this forged titanium. It resists twisting in areas of the face that are usually susceptible to it. The CORTECH face design also utilizes variable face thickness for added forgiveness.
The Mizuno ST-Z 220 also features a Quick Switch adapter that allows you to quickly tweak the loft and the face angle.
Callaway Paradym Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Good shot-shaping ability
- Lightweight
- Very forgiving
- The face feels crisp and explosive
- Straight flight
- Mid launch
Cons:
- Spin rates are a bit higher than the Mizuno ST-Z 220
- Sole scuffs easily
Mizuno ST-Z 220 Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Consistently straight flight
- Satisfying sound
- Lightweight design
- Low spin rates
- Low CG
- Forgiving
Cons:
- Bulky look at address
- Limited feedback
Who Should Buy the Callaway Paradym Drivers?
“If you have been struggling to increase your swing speed, the issue could be your driver.”
If that seems to be the case for you, the Callaway Paradym driver is definitely worth a look. Our testers reported that their club head speeds were increased on almost all swings with the Callaway Pardym driver.
Fitting the Paradym with a full carbon fiber chassis, and then not adding a ridiculously heavy weight in the back is kind of a play from the Cobra book. The emphasis on lightweight clubs is definitely reminiscent of Cobra clubs.
The Callaway Paradym is definitely lighter than the Mizuno ST-Z 220 and our testing shows that it can, at the very least, increase your swing speed. Plus, it was also very forgiving with a 460cc head and generous sweet spot.
So if your long game can benefit from faster swing speeds and at least adequate forgiveness, then the Callaway Paradym driver should be on your radar.
Distance: 95/100
Forgiveness: 96/100
Workability: 96/100
Overall Performance: 96/100
Value: 94/100
Overall Score: 96/100
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Who Should Buy the Mizuno ST-Z 220 Driver?
“Anyone who is salivating over a lower-spin driver head should at least consider the Mizuno ST-Z 220.”
The biggest benefits of the Mizuno ST-Z 220 driver are twofold: it produces less spin than the Paradym driver and it is consistently straighter. In fact, some of our testers used the word “boring” to describe the flight of the Mizuno ST-Z 220 driver.
Even when they intentionally mis-hit with this driver, it was still flying straight. Only the gravest heel/toe misses were punished with deviation. Overall though, this driver has excellently tight shot dispersion for high handicappers.
The Mizuno ST-Z 220 is also half the price of the Paradym driver. The Mizuno ST-Z 220 costs only $300 right now so it is a great overall value. Yes, you do lose workability but we’re willing to bet that most high handicappers aren’t worried about that.
Distance: 97/100
Forgiveness: 96/100
Workability: 92/100
Overall Performance: 96/100
Value: 97/100
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Hi, I am Matthew, a mid handicap golfer who likes to play as much as possible. I love trying out new gear and this blog is where you can find all the gear I have tested over the years!
