Mizuno ST-Z 220

Industry coverage: both 220-line metalwoods offer exceptional stability and consistency from off-centre strikes thanks to a 40% larger carbon-sole area and thinning of the titanium — the design language carries to the ST-Z fairway lineup. The compact Wave design lowers the mass contribution allowing for higher MOI and lower Center of Gravity on the 220-generation fairways. Multi-thickness face retains ball speed on off-centre strikes. The ST-Z fairway sits within a family that is straight, low spinning and mid launching for straight and long shots. Above-average forgiveness — inheriting the prior generation's class-leading carbon-crown, low-CG profile.

The 3rd-generation maraging steel face is the manufacturer's most powerful to date. Optimised multi-face thickness produces the thinnest and hottest fairway face to date. Family characteristic: low-spin, mid-launch design designed to produce long and straight shots from the tee, fairway, and rough. Family carries the 2021 ST-Z fairway's 141.3 mph ball-speed / 223-yd carry profile (at 93mph swing) into the 220-spec hardware. Top-tier 2022 distance for a low-spin neutral fairway — though the related driver only managed a 6th-place industry-test distance ranking, suggesting middle-of-the-pack rather than category-leading total yards on real-world swings.

Reviewer testing: family heritage on the course was easy to pick up off the fairway and was stable and powerful from the tee — easy to fade per the original ST-Z description. The Z naming refers to the central, deep CG axis — neutral trajectory that doesn't impose a bias. Family includes a tour-spec callout: tour players who have held onto older fairway wood models for years influenced the ST-Z design, suggesting workability-focused engineering. 4° hosel loft and face-angle adjustability lets skilled players dial in trajectory. Above-average workability — neutral CG plus shape-on-demand intent.

Reviewer testing: vibration-research engineering ensures sound has played a key part in the design and the head delivers vibration patterns elite players associate with a solid feel. The feel is described as solid, with a lively impact sound. Family carries the 2021 ST-Z's multi-thickness pads behind the hitting area for tactile improvement over the ST200 predecessor. Above-average solid mid-tier feel — engineered consistency with the carryover 2021 tactile signature.

Reviewer testing: the head manages to sound fantastic at impact and it offers clean lines and appealing sound. Vibration-research engineering tunes the acoustic for a more muted, powerful tone consistent with elite-player preferences. Family inherits the 2021 ST-Z's centre-strike mid-low pop signature. Above-average acoustic — clean centred sound, with the same off-centre acoustic degradation pattern noted on the prior-generation fairway.

Reviewer testing: the head has a throwback profile with a 3rd-generation maraging steel face. The compact head shape with subtle leading-edge / hosel transition refinements (drawn from tour-pro feedback) gives a classical aesthetic. Tour players who held onto older fairway-wood models for years influenced the design, leading to subtle touches on the leading edge and transition into the hosel. Above-average looks — premium tour-spec aesthetic with the carryover carbon-crown design.