Mizuno ST180 Driver Review
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
- RRP £399.00
What we say...
The ST180 is the first Mizuno driver to feature Wave sole technology, with the ST180’s Wave sole committing every available gram of weight low and towards the face – dropping spin rates for even the fastest, downward ball-strikers.
The Amplified Wave sole, originally engineered in Mizuno’s fairway woods, contracts and expands to increase the energy imparted to the ball for elevated ball speeds, while also pushing weight forward to vastly reduce spin rate
A new Forged SP700 Ti multi-thickness face promotes accelerated ball speeds that take the ST180’s performance noticeably past its predecessors, while the striking blue head’s Internal Waffle Crown is a weight-saving design that allows more grams to be relocated low and forward to promote efficient low-spin performance.
“This was the biggest shock we’ve had in testing,” said Jeff Cook, PGA Tour Manager. “The spin rate and ball speed of this driver caught everybody out. The ST180 comes off so fast, with so little spin – it’s going to make a lot of good players question what they really need in a driver.”
Mizuno ST180 Driver: You Should Know
For golfers who like the look of a wide driver head, but don’t want the spin usually associated with stretched heads. Mizuno’s first driver to have a wave sole (to maximise face de ection and ball speeds) which commits every last gram of weight low and forward to drop spin rates for even the fastest, most downward strikers.
Everything you need to know about driver shaft weight. And why it’s now more important than flex.
Mizuno ST180 Driver: We Say
Competition in the driver market is erce, and Mizuno would be the first to admit their business is not based around driver sales. But the ST is the most expensive driver in this category, so there needs to be some big performance on o er to get punters to dig deep and invest in one. All three testers felt the head sat a little closed at address, but sound is perfectly acceptable and forgiveness thanks to the wide head was good enough to see our test pro’s longest shot come from 7mm away from the centre of the face. Our test pro was the ST’s biggest fan feeling after some loft tinkering he could easily put one in the bag, even though it wasn’t his longest or fastest driver.
Mizuno ST180 Driver: Our Verdict
You’ll need to be a serious Mizuno fan to give the ST a second look at this price. For those who do put one in play, you won’t be disappointed; it’s a decent performing driver. We just can’t help thinking for most club golfers there’s probably slightly faster, longer drivers on the market for slightly less money.
See our Best 2018 Driver Test here
