Mizuno ST-Max 230 Driver Specs Chart
The Mizuno ST-Max 230 is the forgiveness-first driver in Mizuno’s 2023 lineup, built for golfers who lose distance on off-center strikes and need help getting the ball airborne. While the ST-Z 230 and ST-X 230 target different swing shapes, the ST-Max prioritizes a shallow face, deep center of gravity, and high launch. Here is the complete specification breakdown.
Head Construction and Design
The ST-Max 230 uses a 460cc titanium head with a carbon crown. Mizuno’s CORTECH face design appears across the ST-230 family, but the ST-Max gets a shallower face profile than the ST-Z or ST-X models. That shallow face pushes weight lower and deeper in the head, which raises launch and improves ball speed retention on thin strikes.
The head shape sits slightly closed at address. Mizuno builds the ST-Max with a draw bias, so golfers who fight a slice will see the face angle help square the club at impact. The carbon crown is gloss black, and the sole features a weight track with a single sliding weight.
Applicability boundary: These specs apply to the 2023 ST-Max 230 model only. Mizuno’s earlier ST-Max 220 and the newer ST-Max 240 (if released in your market) use different head shapes, weight systems, and stock shaft offerings. If you are looking at a used club, verify the model number on the sole before assuming these specs match.
Stock Loft Options
The ST-Max 230 is available in two stock lofts:
| Loft | Lie Angle |
|---|---|
| 9.5° | 58.0° |
| 10.5° | 58.0° |
Both lofts come with an adjustable hosel. The Quick Switch sleeve allows for ±1.5° of loft adjustment from the stated loft, meaning the 10.5° head can play as low as 9.0° or as high as 12.0°. The lie angle stays fixed at 58° regardless of the loft setting.
Practical implication: If you currently play a 9.5° driver and hit low line drives, the 10.5° head gives you more upward room. Setting the 10.5° head to +1.5° produces a 12.0° effective loft—enough to change your launch window by roughly 1.5–2 degrees, which can add 300–500 rpm of spin. If you already hit the ball high, skip the 10.5° head entirely and start with the 9.5° at its standard setting.
Stock Shaft Offerings
Mizuno offers the ST-Max 230 with two stock shaft families:
Fujikura Ventus Red TR (made-for version)
- Weight options: 45g (A-flex), 55g (R/S), 65g (S/X)
- Mid-high launch profile with a softer tip section
- Designed to help golfers get the ball airborne faster
Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue (made-for version)
- Weight options: 45g (A-flex), 55g (R/S), 65g (S/X)
- Mid launch with a stable mid-section
- Slightly firmer feel than the Ventus Red TR
Both shafts measure 45.75 inches in standard length. The 55g and 65g shaft options produce a D3 swing weight, while the 45g versions come in at D2.
Verification step: Check the shaft label near the grip. Made-for versions say “Mizuno” on the graphics, while retail versions do not. If you buy a used ST-Max 230 with a retail Ventus Red TR, expect a firmer feel and slightly lower launch than the stock made-for version—your fitting results may not match online reviews of the stock setup.
Grip and Length Specs
The stock grip is the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 in standard size. Standard length is 45.75 inches, which is a quarter-inch longer than Mizuno’s previous ST-Z 220 driver. The extra length can add clubhead speed, but it also makes the club slightly harder to control for golfers who struggle with consistent contact.
Adjustability System
The ST-Max 230 uses Mizuno’s Quick Switch hosel. You can adjust loft without needing a torque wrench—the hosel ring twists by hand. The adjustment range is:
- Standard loft: The stated loft on the sole
- Lower setting: -1.5° from stated loft
- Higher setting: +1.5° from stated loft
The sliding sole weight weighs 8 grams. Moving it toward the heel increases the draw bias; moving it toward the toe neutralizes the face angle slightly. The weight track sits along the rear edge of the sole, so repositioning it also shifts the center of gravity slightly forward or backward.
Swing Weight by Shaft Weight
Swing weight varies based on shaft selection:
| Shaft Weight | Swing Weight |
|---|---|
| 45g | D2 |
| 55g | D3 |
| 65g | D3 |
The Ventus Red TR has a slightly tip-heavy balance point, which helps players feel the head through the swing. The Tensei AV Blue has a more neutral balance point, making it easier to feel the shaft load during the transition.
Sound and Feel Characteristics
The ST-Max 230 produces a muted, solid sound at impact—quieter than the ST-Z 230. The carbon crown and deep CG placement reduce the high-pitched “ting” that some titanium drivers produce. Golfers who prefer a soft, thud-like impact sound will find the ST-Max closer to that feel than the firmer ST-X.
Who Should Play the ST-Max 230
The ST-Max 230 suits golfers who:
- Miss toward the toe or heel more than 30% of the time
- Launch the ball too low with their current driver
- Hit a slice or fade as their primary miss
- Want a driver that feels stable through impact without requiring perfect timing
Golfers with a steep angle of attack will benefit most from the shallow face and deep CG. The head is designed to get the ball up quickly, so players who already hit high bombs may see excessive spin with this model.
Trade-off to consider: The ST-Max’s high-launch design works against you if your swing speed is above 105 mph and you already produce enough spin. At that speed, the shallow face and deep CG can push spin above 3,000 rpm, which kills roll-out and costs you 10–15 yards. If your launch monitor numbers show spin above 2,800 rpm with your current driver, the ST-Max is likely the wrong head for you—look at the ST-Z 230 instead.
How It Compares to the ST-Z 230 and ST-X 230
The ST-Z 230 is the neutral, lower-spin option. It has a deeper face and a more traditional shape. The ST-X 230 is the draw-bias model but with a deeper face than the ST-Max. The ST-Max sits between them in forgiveness but takes the highest launch and spin of the three.
If you want maximum workability, the ST-Z is the better choice. If you want a driver that fights the right side and launches high, the ST-Max is the most effective of the three.
What can go wrong: The sliding weight track is the most common failure point on used ST-Max 230 heads. If the weight rattles or the track shows cracks, the head may not be safe to play. Before buying used, remove the weight with a Torx wrench and inspect the track for hairline fractures. A cracked track can fail mid-swing, sending the weight flying—that is a real safety issue, not a cosmetic one.
Common Setup Mistakes
Setting the loft too high. Many golfers immediately crank the hosel to +1.5° thinking it will fix a slice. That adds spin and can turn a fade into a ballooning shot that loses distance. Set the loft to the standard position first, then adjust only if launch stays too low.
Ignoring the weight track. The sliding weight is not decorative. If you leave it in the neutral position but still hit a slice, move it toward the heel. The face angle change is subtle, but combined with the draw-biased head shape, it can reduce the right miss.
Choosing the wrong shaft flex. The made-for Ventus Red TR plays slightly softer than the retail version. If you are between flexes, go with the stiffer option. The softer tip section already adds launch, so a flex that is too soft will produce excessive spin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mizuno ST-Max 230 legal for tournament play?
Yes, the ST-Max 230 is on the USGA and R&A conforming driver lists. The coefficient of restitution and moment of inertia values fall within legal limits.
Does the ST-Max 230 come with a headcover?
Yes, the driver includes a Mizuno branded headcover in the box.
Can I adjust the loft without a tool?
Yes, the Quick Switch hosel is tool-free. Twist the ring by hand to change the loft setting.
What is the stock length of the ST-Max 230?
The standard length is 45.75 inches. Mizuno does not offer a factory shorter option, but a club fitter can trim the shaft and adjust the swing weight.
Is the ST-Max 230 available in left-handed?
Yes, Mizuno offers the ST-Max 230 in left-handed models in both 9.5° and 10.5° lofts.
How does the ST-Max 230 compare to the previous ST-Max driver?
The 230 version has a slightly deeper face and a more stable carbon crown than the prior ST-Max 220. The sliding weight track is new for the 230 generation, giving golfers more adjustability than the fixed-weight 220 model.
The ST-Max 230 is a specialized tool for a specific golfer: someone who wants the highest launch and the most forgiveness Mizuno offers in a driver. If that matches your game, the spec sheet supports the choice. If you need lower spin or a more neutral face angle, the ST-Z 230 is the better fit.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.