Mizuno Golf is about more than just irons; that’s the message the company is keen to drive home with its launch of the Mizuno ST190 driver and the Mizuno ST 190G driver.

In announcing its lowest spinning, most technology-packed driver in company history, with the 2019 Mizuno driver, the company seeks to position itself as one that has quietly innovated in the driver space for years, highlighting milestone technologies in the Ti100, T-Zoid, MP-001, and MP-600 in discussions around the launch of its latest drivers.

With respect to the specifics of the Japanese company’s most recent weaponry, the ST190 and 190G feature a forged Sp700Ti face (10 percent stronger than 6-4 titanium) with the company’s ultra-light Cortech structure, as well as a carbon composite crown. As with the ST180 series, Mizuno applies its Amplified Wave soleplate, which deforms on impact for better energy transfer between club and ball.

The weight of the carbon composite crown, 12 grams, allowed engineers to redistribute some seven grams of weight throughout the body of the club.

The Amplified Wave Sole effectively expands the ST190’s COR area for improved balls speeds across the clubface, according to the company, and better ball speed on off-center strikes in particular.

Mizuno fine-tuned the driver’s sound via Harmonic Impact Technology, adding internal rids for a more solid sound at impact.

Getting into the differences between the two models.

Mizuno ST190

designed for mid to low spin with maximum stability

features a single, factory-fixed 6g backweight that adds 300gcm2 MOI

Mizuno ST190G

Designed for low spin

Features Fast Track adjustability: twin seven gram weights on external tracks

Weights can reduce spin by an additional 200rpm and allow for draw/fade biases

“The ST190 marks a total change in how Mizuno approaches wood design,” says lead Mizuno golf designer Kei Tsjui. “We now start the development process with our tour players. The tour-tested molds then become our production molds. In the case of the ST190, this produced a high-speed driver with extreme low spin for the tour, but with the capability of increasing spin for lower swing speed players.”

The first PGA Tour player to game the ST190 was big hitter Keith Mitchell.

Says Mitchell: “Driving was my best category last year – I walked into testing to do ‘Cookie’ (Mizuno, PGA Tour Manager Jeff Cook) a favor, give him some numbers and leave. It turned out to be the easiest change I’ve ever made – on the one club I never thought I would switch.”

Specs and availability

The Mizuno ST190: driver will be available in 9.5 and 10.5 degree models, both adjustable by two degrees either way. 9.5 degree option only for left-handers.

The Mizuno ST190G: driver will be available in a 9-degree model only, adjustable by two degrees either way. Right hand only.

Shafts: Mizuno offers 26 shafts without upcharge. New options for 2019 include Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S, Atmos Red 5R, Atmos Red 5R2, Atmos Red 6R and Atmos Black TS 6S.

MSRP: ST190: $400. ST190G: $500

ST190 drivers will be available nationwide and in Canada in February.