Mizuno ST-Max 230

The brand claims the largest sweet area (MOI) in ST Woods history — larger footprint, lower profile and an internal stabilising chamber positioned closer to the face for better off-centre ball-speed retention. Reviewer testing: high MOI design makes it one of the most forgiving fairway woods tested, alongside the leading game-improvement fairways from TaylorMade and Callaway. The carbon crown wrapping around the toe shifts mass low and rearward. Top-tier 2024 fairway forgiveness — the maximum-MOI option in the family.

Independent testing: the head is built around higher launch and moderate spin rather than low-spin distance maximisation. Reviewer testing: produced solid distance from the tee and a high launching ball flight, but the design priority is forgiveness over peak distance. The high-energy steel face provides ball-speed support, but the higher-launch / mid-spin window caps total distance versus the low-spin sibling. Solid mid-pack 2024 distance — strong carry consistency rather than category-leading total yards.

The head is positioned as a maximum-forgiveness design engineered to deliver absolute straight-line performance from across the clubface. The larger footprint and low-and-rear CG with carbon-toe-wrap mass redistribution is built for neutral, straight-line flight rather than shape control. Reviewer testing: high ball flight that did become a little difficult to control as the wind picked up — the head fights the wind rather than penetrating through it. Below-average workability — by design.

Reviewer testing: it felt as good as expected from a Mizuno fairway wood through impact and produced a solid thud as the face collided with the ball. The internal stabilising chamber's stainless-steel mass in elastomer is engineered to dampen high-frequency vibration and deliver a denser tactile signature. The high-energy steel face contributes to a livelier impact sensation versus the all-titanium tour-spec sibling. Above-average feel for a max-MOI fairway — the brand's signature solid tactile reputation transfers.

Reviewer testing notes a resonant, confidence-inspiring sound that provides auditory confirmation of solid contact. Impact reads as a solid thud rather than a hollow or sproingy pitch. The carbon crown geometry and the internal stabilising chamber both contribute to acoustic damping versus a thin all-steel construction. Above-average acoustic — muted-leaning resonance with controlled volume.

The head has the largest footprint in the brand's company history — larger footprint, shallower face, lower profile at address. Reviewer testing noted the bright blue chamber insert on the sole gives this club some shelf appeal, but the bigger top-line presence is a deliberate game-improvement cue, less classical than the tour-spec siblings. The carbon crown with wrap-around toe is a clean dark visual at address. Solid game-improvement aesthetic — bigger and more confidence-inspiring at address than tour-spec siblings but loses the classical compactness.