Mizuno ST-Max

[jetmech879]

For the price of this driver with a tour ad or a Ventus shaft I think I’m just gonna have to try one. Driving the ball has been my weakness for the past couple seasons. Maybe this is what I need rather than a GT3😂

[ChadL]

On 2/5/2025 at 3:42 PM, eddiebigeddie said:

I've ordered several things from Mizuno the last few weeks and so far everything has come in at 2 weeks or less.

I ordered a driver and 7 wood last Tuesday, Feb 4.  I received my order today.  I'm very very surprised....pleased of course, but surprised they came that quickly.  Custom shafts on both...for those wondering. 

[Rbsiedsc]

I may bite the bullet on one of these. After a GEARS session Saturday, I was told I need a very stiff tip shaft due to my gamers deflecting a lot. With the RDX green being a stock offering and the chance to move to a more forgiving head, I think think may be a no brainer instead of shopping for a shaft that would be similar in price to this combination. 

[dmeeksDC]

On 2/10/2025 at 6:31 PM, Rbsiedsc said:

I may bite the bullet on one of these. After a GEARS session Saturday, I was told I need a very stiff tip shaft due to my gamers deflecting a lot. With the RDX green being a stock offering and the chance to move to a more forgiving head, I think think may be a no brainer instead of shopping for a shaft that would be similar in price to this combination. 

I would like to hear how that combo works out. That could be really strong. Definitely a stout shaft!

[Rbsiedsc]

1 hour ago, dmeeksDC said:

I would like to hear how that combo works out. That could be really strong. Definitely a stout shaft!

Thanks. The guy I went to for gears are getting the mizuno heads soon so I may get to test this before committing 

[dmeeksDC]

26 minutes ago, Rbsiedsc said:

Thanks. The guy I went to for gears are getting the mizuno heads soon so I may get to test this before committing 

Excellent. I honestly liked the MAX and X heads a lot for what I am looking for. The Z is more workable, the other two want to go straight, with the MAX testing as the most forgiving as contact wanders. Their drivers are as good as their irons. No drop in quality or attention to detail. 

[Rbsiedsc]

8 hours ago, dmeeksDC said:

Excellent. I honestly liked the MAX and X heads a lot for what I am looking for. The Z is more workable, the other two want to go straight, with the MAX testing as the most forgiving as contact wanders. Their drivers are as good as their irons. No drop in quality or attention to detail. 

Good to hear! I am wanting something that still gives me ball speed and allows me to take advantage of the speed training I’ve done while my technique work also comes into my longer clubs. Plus I am wanting to see what less deflection would do for my contact consistency. I  getting pumped. 

[ChadL]

Hit my new ST Max 7wood on my sim last night.  So easy to hit.  Will be awhile before I get to hit outside.....bunch of white stuff decided to fall last night/today.

[eddiebigeddie]

11 hours ago, dmeeksDC said:

Excellent. I honestly liked the MAX and X heads a lot for what I am looking for. The Z is more workable, the other two want to go straight, with the MAX testing as the most forgiving as contact wanders. Their drivers are as good as their irons. No drop in quality or attention to detail. 

I agree with this.  I've owned all the Mizuno heads from this release (Z, X, STG, Max).  For me the Z was fade biased, X straight or little draw, Max dead straight, STG could hit it left and right.  I still have the X and like it alot, but sold the Max because I just didn't like the size of the head.  It performed great, but something about the size/shape just never fit my eye great and couldn't get over that.  For me the X and STG are the 2 best heads.  The STG has the best shape/size/feel but the X has the better forgiveness.

 

Mizuno did a great job with this line of drivers.  Now having said that I've switched to the new Cobra Max-K driver because its the Combo of the Max forgiveness, X looks (slightly bigger) and the feel of the STG.  Plus the address look of the matte is way better to my eye.

[Urb]

I always liked the flat lie of their Z series drivers.  The Max sits too upright for me.  I get why they did it.

 

Shame, as it's one of the better looking forgiving heads out there (tied with GT2).

Edited February 13 by Urb

[Rbsiedsc]

4 hours ago, Urb said:

I always liked the flat lie of their Z series drivers.  The Max sits too upright for me.  I get why they did it.

 

Shame, as it's one of the better looking forgiving heads out there (tied with GT2).

well part of that is also the stock length. a Driver at 45.75" will have a more upright lie angle than one at 45"

[driverwedge]

On 2/9/2025 at 8:23 PM, jetmech879 said:

For the price of this driver with a tour ad or a Ventus shaft I think I’m just gonna have to try one. Driving the ball has been my weakness for the past couple seasons. Maybe this is what I need rather than a GT3😂

They're pretty good, man.  I moved out of my STG and into one of these.  I turned it down a degree and it's as long as anything.  Just easier to hit.

[jetmech879]

1 hour ago, driverwedge said:

They're pretty good, man.  I moved out of my STG and into one of these.  I turned it down a degree and it's as long as anything.  Just easier to hit.

I’m still trying to resist but at the price point you can get a new one for!?!? Might as well!😂

[driverwedge]

15 hours ago, jetmech879 said:

I’m still trying to resist but at the price point you can get a new one for!?!? Might as well!😂

Absolutely!  Numbers are NOT feelings.  If the numbers say that you should do it, do it.  It's simple math!

 

FYI, I'm playing mine at 45".  Sits pretty flat.  I read here that some thought it was too upright.  My miss is left and have no real issue with this playing at that length.

[bryanwmilburn]

Got on the course today with my ST Max 230 for its maiden voyage. Boy am I glad I bought this thing! Super long, forgiving, and an excellent ball flight. Very confidence inspiring. Only thing is it’s not my favorite sound or feel, but it has a stock RDX Green which could be the reason. I think I’ll pick up my favorite shaft, AD-VF, and throw it in there to see how it works. Very very happy with the bang for the buck on this driver though! 

[03trdblack]

2 hours ago, bryanwmilburn said:

Got on the course today with my ST Max 230 for its maiden voyage. Boy am I glad I bought this thing! Super long, forgiving, and an excellent ball flight. Very confidence inspiring. Only thing is it’s not my favorite sound or feel, but it has a stock RDX Green which could be the reason. I think I’ll pick up my favorite shaft, AD-VF, and throw it in there to see how it works. Very very happy with the bang for the buck on this driver though! 

 

It's not the shaft. Unfortunately Mizuno made sound and feel too dead in this version. It performs well but sounds like hitting a block of wood. 

[bryanwmilburn]

3 minutes ago, 03trdblack said:

 

It's not the shaft. Unfortunately Mizuno made sound and feel too dead in this version. It performs well but sounds like hitting a block of wood. 

That’s unfortunate. I can generally get past sound/feel (I’ve played Ping) but man as good as this thing looks, I’m surprised the feel and sound is the way it is. 

[th6252]

Different strokes for different folks…I absolutely love the sound/feel.

[DM1983]

Center strikes feel/sound very satisfying to me but yeah, I can see how heel or toe misses are unpleasant

[bryanwmilburn]

On 2/9/2025 at 8:23 PM, jetmech879 said:

For the price of this driver with a tour ad or a Ventus shaft I think I’m just gonna have to try one. Driving the ball has been my weakness for the past couple seasons. Maybe this is what I need rather than a GT3😂

That’s exactly what I did. Snagged one from a rep, threw a Tour AD-VF in there from a rep and got an incredible driver custom built out the door for sub $500. Really hard to beat. 

Edited March 2 by bryanwmilburn

[Red4282]

You know, I was just thinking, Mizuno cant seem to get any traction with their drivers even though they are great. If your seriously going to price a new driver at $300, why just go all in and throw a ventus or other premium shafts and offer it for $500/$550. You would still undercut the big OEMs, but be offering something very tempting.

[jetmech879]

21 minutes ago, Red4282 said:

You know, I was just thinking, Mizuno cant seem to get any traction with their drivers even though they are great. If your seriously going to price a new driver at $300, why just go all in and throw a ventus or other premium shafts and offer it for $500/$550. You would still undercut the big OEMs, but be offering something very tempting.

You can actually get the Ventus or Tour AD for a $200 upcharge. It is a smoking deal for a driver that is SEVERELY underrated! 

[Rbsiedsc]

So I tried the Max today with a tesnsi black 1k 65x. I like how my toe strikes don’t fall out of the sky and everything has height. I didn’t have my fastest ball speeds compared to my epic max ls but it felt more consistent. No idea what I should do. 

 

4w is st max 10.5 deg with few lofted down one deg std length and D is gamer epic max ls with kbs td cat4 70g lofted down to 8°

Edited March 8 by Rbsiedsc

[aquapig]

On 3/2/2025 at 10:34 AM, Red4282 said:

You know, I was just thinking, Mizuno cant seem to get any traction with their drivers even though they are great. If your seriously going to price a new driver at $300, why just go all in and throw a ventus or other premium shafts and offer it for $500/$550. You would still undercut the big OEMs, but be offering something very tempting.

That's exactly what they do. Did a fitting with Mizuno at my club last week and ordered the Max with real deal Ventus for 550.

[Red4282]

26 minutes ago, aquapig said:

That's exactly what they do. Did a fitting with Mizuno at my club last week and ordered the Max with real deal Ventus for 550.

Well yes you can order one that way, but I was thinking more of like hey this is our standard offering…and actually advertise on it. Cobra did it a few years back with shafts like atmos and motore x. Maybe its a terrible idea but heck why not, nothing else seems to be working.

Edited March 13 by Red4282

[aquapig]

1 hour ago, Red4282 said:

Well yes you can order one that way, but I was thinking more of like hey this is our standard offering…and actually advertise on it. Cobra did it a few years back with shafts like atmos and motore x. Maybe its a terrible idea but heck why not, nothing else seems to be working.

I think it's because 90% of recreational golfers don't know the difference in shafts. They're offering a brand new driver with good shafts for 300. And for those who are looking for a real deal shaft can get a great deal for 550 

[Red4282]

7 minutes ago, aquapig said:

I think it's because 90% of recreational golfers don't know the difference in shafts. They're offering a brand new driver with good shafts for 300. And for those who are looking for a real deal shaft can get a great deal for 550 

Right but those 90% of golfers usually choose based on what they see other good golfers playing. So if you can get a mizuno in a few better players hands, it may have a trickle down.

 

i cant tell you how many times ive been paired with a random dude who asks what driver i have after smoking a few.

Edited March 13 by Red4282

[mitchdoc]

On 2/12/2025 at 11:26 AM, eddiebigeddie said:

I agree with this.  I've owned all the Mizuno heads from this release (Z, X, STG, Max).  For me the Z was fade biased, X straight or little draw, Max dead straight, STG could hit it left and right.  I still have the X and like it alot, but sold the Max because I just didn't like the size of the head.  It performed great, but something about the size/shape just never fit my eye great and couldn't get over that.  For me the X and STG are the 2 best heads.  The STG has the best shape/size/feel but the X has the better forgiveness.

 

Mizuno did a great job with this line of drivers.  Now having said that I've switched to the new Cobra Max-K driver because its the Combo of the Max forgiveness, X looks (slightly bigger) and the feel of the STG.  Plus the address look of the matte is way better to my eye.

I am curious as to your opinion on the performance differences between the Mizuno and your cobra Max K driver. In terms of ball speed, spin rates and forgiveness on off-center hits was there much of a difference or did you upgrade predominantly because of sound Feel and appearance?

 

I am asking because I am a big cobra fan, but I scored a great deal on the ST max and I've only used it five rounds while on vacation and three out of the five rounds, I hit it quite well, but did struggle in the other two.

It's possible that it could be that the shaft is a bit soft and when I get too aggressive, I cook it but generally speaking if I put a smooth swing on it I am quite impressed with it. However, I was considering the new cobra in either the ex or the max K and there are some good trade-in promotions going on right now.....

[eddiebigeddie]

17 minutes ago, mitchdoc said:

I am curious as to your opinion on the performance differences between the Mizuno and your cobra Max K driver. In terms of ball speed, spin rates and forgiveness on off-center hits was there much of a difference or did you upgrade predominantly because of sound Feel and appearance?

 

I am asking because I am a big cobra fan, but I scored a great deal on the ST max and I've only used it five rounds while on vacation and three out of the five rounds, I hit it quite well, but did struggle in the other two.

It's possible that it could be that the shaft is a bit soft and when I get too aggressive, I cook it but generally speaking if I put a smooth swing on it I am quite impressed with it. However, I was considering the new cobra in either the ex or the max K and there are some good trade-in promotions going on right now.....

I’ll try and answer best I can. Just got the Max K and haven’t had a chance to get it on the course yet, just 2 sessions into a net in my backyard. I really liked the performance of the ST Max, good driver, super straight as long as it’s a decent swing, not super long but good. But I just never liked the look of it at address. The glossy crown, two tone and actual shape just never did anything for me. Couldn’t get over that. 
 

The Cobra on the other hand, has that Matte finish, head shape is more traditional versus the Mizuno and so far feels as good if not better than the Mizuno. Plus the adapter is what sold it for me. Gives me chance to change without severely opening or closing face. Plus when I got fit for it, I was swinging pretty bad, but it was still doing a great job at fixing/covering for my bad swings. 

[Northsider]

Really tempted to pick one up at a good price but all the stock shafts I’ve seen have been sub 60g which would be too light.