Equipment
Mizuno ST-Max 230 driver: High-MOI addition to the ST 230 lineup
The new Mizuno ST-Max 230 is joining Mizuno’s ST 230 series of drivers. According to the company, it is a “low-profile, wide-footprint driver.” Given that billing, GolfWRXers will know the company is offering its answer to the “give me MOI, but distance, too” request OEMs have been paying particular attention to as of late with a formula of larger profile (high MOI), lightweight crown (low CG/ease of launch), and a tuned, tech-infused face (distance).
Shallower and longer from heel to toe, the 460cc head is stretched further than any previous Mizuno driver. Here, a picture is worth 1,000 words.


Mizuno makes use of the 40-percent larger, single-piece sole by expanding its face-flexing Cortech chamber in the ST-Max 230. In addition to being longer, the chamber is positioned closer to the face for greater ball speed over a wider area.
Weight savings also allowed engineers to incorporate a 54-gram back weight into the design for greater stability, which is 20 grams more than the ST-X is outfitted with.

Another important puzzle piece, Mizuno’s beta-rich Ti-LFS face features 9 percent greater tensile strength than what the company previously relied on in the ST-Z and ST-X drivers. It’s a better canvas for a multi-thickness face, which Mizuno engineers happily incorporated, allowing them to deliver better ball speed across the face.
Finally, thanks to the ST-Max 230’s forgiveness, engineers have extended the stock shaft length to 45.75 inches to aid golfers in swinging the club faster.

Mizuno ST-Max 230: Pricing, specs, availability
- Lofts: 9.5, 10.5, 12 degrees
- Pre-order/at retail: Now, February 8
- Price: $500

Mizuno ST-Max 230 fairway wood

In addition, Mizuno announced the high-trajectory, mid-spin ST-Max 230 fairway wood, which features a larger footprint and lower profile than the ST-Z 230 for ease of launch and forgiveness. The club offers the largest sweet spot for a fairway wood in company history, which is buttressed by a multi-thickness face. The Cortech Chamber is again a fixture. Like with the Max driver, the slot is larger and closer to the face. Additionally, the composite carbon crown is larger, allowing engineers to move more weight around the club.
Full specs below.

Mizuno ST-Max 230 hybrid

Finally, Mizuno within the new “Max,” family, Mizuno announced the new ST-Max 230 hybrid, which, again, features a lower profile and larger profile than the ST-Z 230 hybrid. The Cortech Chamber is larger here as well, providing the same benefits as in the fairway wood. Also like the ST-Max 230 fairway wood, the sweet spot is the largest Mizuno has offered in a hybrid. A waffle crown allows for lower CG, and the company’s “speed bevel” treatment of the leading edge of the club enhances turf interaction.
Full specs below.

Equipment
Neal Shipley, AKA, the “Big Fridge’s,” custom stamping
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.

“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: L.A.B. Purple DF3 with Masters cover
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.

From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Whats in the Bag
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Pingback: Three Swing Challenge: Testing the Mizuno ST-Max 230 driver – GolfWRX
Max
Jan 30, 2024 at 7:38 am
I have the ST190 and am looking forward to the Max as my next driver. Will check it out at Toronto Golf Show beginning this Friday.