After thorough testing the Mizuno JPX921 Forged iron has been chosen for our Editor's Choice List in 2021

Mizuno JPX921 Forged Iron

Mizuno continues to make some of the very finest irons in golf and the JPX 921 Forged irons continue that trend. Grain Flow Forged HD in their legendary facility in Hiroshima Japan, they have long been a favourite of leading professionals.

The JPX921 Forged irons, which also made our list of the best compact mid-handicap irons, deliver a superb blend of power, control and forgiveness. They will help players of varying abilities get the very most from their game. Exceptionally fast ball speeds combine with classic looks and a high level of workability to deliver great versatility.

Mizuno JPX 921 Forged Irons

The JPX921 Forged irons integrate the power of Chromoly into a full body forged iron for the very first time.  Initially applied in Mizuno's Hot Metal irons - Chromoly has made the cross over to Mizuno's forgings with excellent results. Testing shows the fastest ball speeds Mizuno has ever produced from a fully Forged iron thanks to a clubface that’s 0.5mm thinner than predecessors.

These irons unquestionably produce excellent, impressive, distance and a strong ball flight. 

In addition, perimeter weighting with a toe bias maximises stability through the strike and that is further enhanced by a wider CNC milled back slot. You’ll find the irons produce very consistent results even with slightly off-centre strikes.

Related: Mizuno JPX 921 Irons Review

Buttery Soft Feel

Although the JPX921 Forged irons feature some impressive, game-improvement, technologies, they maintain that fabulous feel you associate with Mizuno irons.

They offer a sleek and compact profile with a shorter blade length throughout. There’s minimal offset and a bevelled trailing edge. The set gets sleeker as you move down to the shorter irons.

Apart from all the technology, with their pearl brush finish and clean lines, they quite simply look gorgeous.

The JPX921 Forged irons deliver the best of both worlds, feel and playability with a good level of power and forgiveness.

Mizuno JPX 921 Forged Irons

The new Mizuno ST drivers unveiled today are said to represent the culmination of a three-year project aiming to become a major player in the driver sector

Mizuno ST Drivers Unveiled

After gaining some momentum in the driver category with its impressive ST200 models, Mizuno has today unveiled their replacement.

The ST-X and ST-Z drivers will be on sale from February and represent the culmination of a three-year project to be among the best drivers in the sector.

The drivers deploy Mizuno's new SAT2041 Beta Ti face and complex carbon construction to deliver both potent ball speeds and a dense, satisfying sensation at impact.

SAT2041 stands for Super Alloy Titanium and it offers 17 per cent more tensile strength and 8 per cent more flexibility than traditional 6-4Ti.

Used as a lightweight, high-strength material in the automotive industry and for complex cycle parts, it has the ability to withstand strong forces and boasts a fine grain structure that is resistant to fatigue.

There is a choice of two clubheads in the ST range to suit different player types and deliver different ball flights.

Mizuno ST Drivers

The Mizuno ST-Z driver, which is already in the bag of staff player Keith Mitchell, has been designed to be ultra-stable but still offer low spin. It has a balanced toe/heel carbon composite construction with deep central 11g back weight for a spin efficient, straight-line ball flights.

It has a wide, low footprint, with a neutral visual lie angle and comes with four degrees of Quick Switch adjustability to fine-tune look and trajectory.

The Mizuno ST-X driver features a draw-biased carbon composite construction aided by a heel side sole weight.

It offers a more compact profile, a slightly deeper back portion and more upright visual lie angle and boasts the same Quick Switch adjustability.

Those with mid-lower swing speeds will benefit from the J-Spec (Japan Specification), incorporating a lightweight 39g MFUSION graphite shaft and lighter 4g sole weight.

We’ve been told an adjustable G version of the ST driver is expected later this year but for now, the ST200G driver stays in the current line up.

Mizuno ST-Z fairways

Offering high levels of stability and low spin efficiency, the ST-Z fairway woods offer a throwback profile, with curves for the purist.

Mizuno's 3rd generation MAS1C face is Mizuno's most powerful to date. The ST-Z fairway woods provide a balanced package of low spin performance and stability. Both 3 and 5 woods have an adjustable, quick switch, hosel offering four degrees of loft and face angle adjustability.

The ultra-lightweight carbon crown lowers the CG for better spin vs MOI performance, while re-engineered Wave Technology delivers a compact wave design that lowers the mass.

The Mizuno ST metalwoods will be available from February 2021 with the following RRPs: drivers: £399, fairways £279.

The Mizuno M.Craft Putter range extended for 2021 now features three new mid-mallet shapes designed to compliment the existing smaller head designs

Mizuno M.Craft Putter Range Extended For 2021

Following on from the original launch of the Mizuno M.Craft putters, which comprised three blade-style models, the Japanese equipment manufacturer has announced an extension to the line with three new mid-mallets available from 4^th February 2021.

Forged from premium 1025 mild carbon steel then CNC milled to create precise shape and alignment, Mizuno’s M.Craft putters are played by Adrien Saddier and David Dixon on the European Tour.

The initial models in the M.Craft line certainly impressed us too and, as a result, the M.Craft IV, V and VI models have today been unveiled.

The M.Craft IV is a slant neck deep square back putter with moderate toe-hang to suit players with a moderate putting arc.

The M.Craft V is a slant neck toe-heel deep mallet with maximum toe-hang to suit a strongly arcing stroke while the M.Craft VI is a face-balanced wing mallet offering slightly more weight and stability for players with a straight back and through stroke.

The original M.Craft putters also continue into 2021, featuring the same deep face milling that creates a softer feel and purer roll.

At 355 grams (the M.Craft VI weighs in slightly more at 371 grams,) each putter head promotes a fluid, rhythmical putting stroke; However an additional weight kit that includes two 3 gram weights and two 13 gram weights, which can be interchanged with the 8 gram fitted weights, allows each M.Craft putter to be adjusted to a variety of putting conditions.

Each head style is available in three finishes of Classic White Satin, bold Blue ION and intense Black ION.

The M.Craft putters feature a KBS Tour shaft, Lamkin Deep Etched Full Blue cord grip and come with a premium patch M.Craft headcover in Mizuno’s classic staff colours.

The three new M.Craft putters go on sale from February 4th, 2021, with an RRP of £249.

The new Mizuno ES21 wedge revealed today features a hollow cavity design that allows for a more centred sweetspot, boosting spin and consistency

Mizuno ES21 Wedge Revealed

Mizuno has unveiled its ES21 range of wedges said to be more stable and consistent thanks to a more central sweet spot.

Traditional wedge designs tend to have a sweetspot that is slightly towards the heel due to long wide hosels and high lofts, making it hard for many players to find consistency. But the ES21 wedges feature a higher, more central sweet spot which delivers a squarer strike and greater levels of more controllable spin.

A multi-piece stainless steel construction features a hollow body for a higher and deeper centre of gravity that promotes more vertical gearing for increased spin, while the high toe and low heel keep the wedges extremely stable when the face is opened.

Extreme Spin

ES21 wedges feature Quad-Cut Grooves, which are ultra-precise CNC milled grooves cut into durable Grain Flow Forged Boron infused steel.

RELATED: Best Wedges 2020

In addition, Hydroflow Micro Grooves, which are vertically etched, help release moisture and maintain spin even in damp conditions.

The ES21 wedges are available with either a standard or wide sole option, each model featuring a surprisingly narrow top line to give the confidence-inspiring look of a players’ wedge at address. The Wide Sole options have four degrees of additional bounce versus the standard sole options.

“We’ve taken a very Mizuno type approach to the ES21 by keeping the top line very sleek – despite the technology inside. Our testing showed that there’s a lot of good golfers out there who will be surprised at the gains they could make by having more predictable spin numbers,” said Mizuno’s Director of R&D David Llewellyn.

The ES21 wedges go on sale in October 2020 with an RRP of £155 in lofts ranging from 54-60° in the black finish and right hand only. A KBS Hi-Rev 110 Wedge Flex shaft in black ion and a Lamkin ST hybrid grip come as standard.

Mizuno has launched its new JPX921 iron range comprising four models offering different looks and performance to appeal to a range of handicaps

Mizuno JPX921 Irons Revealed

Mizuno has replaced its popular JPX919 range with a quartet of JPX921 models promising across-the-board improvements.

The biggest change can be found on the JPX921 Forged, which integrates the Chromoly 4120 we saw on the previous Hot Metal model into a full body forged iron for the very first time. This allows for a clubface up to 0.5mm thinner, which along with stronger lofts in the 4-8-iron delivers the fastest ball speeds Mizuno has ever produced from a full body forged iron.

RELATED: Mizuno JPX921 Irons Review

Additional perimeter weighting with toe bias creates a Stability Frame to maximise results from off-centre strikes, while a 6.4 per cent wider CNC back milled slot further increases stability.

Despite this, the JPX921 Forged iron offers a sleeker, more compact profile with a shorter blade length throughout than the previous version, a beveled edge and reduced offset.

Mizuno JPX921 Tour

The JPX921 Tour maintains its predecessor's fusion of precision with stability from off-centre strikes. A thicker cavity pad provides a softer feel while the short irons boast narrower soles for smoother turf interaction.

Mizuno’s Stability Frame with toe bias weighting promotes a longer, straighter and more consistent ball flight while the pearl brush finish reduces glare.

Mizuno JPX921 Hot Metal

The JPX921 Hot Metal is the longest iron in the range, thanks to the use of Chromoly 4140M and a re-engineered Cortech face, now 0.2mm thinner across the centre point, creating faster ball speeds. These are assisted by a Seamless Cup Face featuring a variable thickness sole design that allows the leading edge to act as a hinge, generating more face flex.

IRONS TEST: Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal v Hot Metal Pro

Golfers also have the option of the JPX921 Hot Metal Pro, which features the same technologies in a more compact package with less offset, while left-handers can be fitted into the Special Edition Leftie (SEL) set. It combines JPX921 Forged long irons (3 and 4-iron) and JPX921 Tour mid and short irons (6-GW) with pre-adjusted lofts for perfect distance gapping between the models.

The JPX921 irons go on sale September 17th with the following RRPs: JPX921 Forged £150 per iron, Tour £150 per iron, Hot Metal Pro £135 per iron, Hot Metal £120 per iron.

Mizuno JPX Fli-Hi

To replace the long and mid irons, Mizuno will also offer the option of the JPX Fl-Hi.

They use an adapted flow of loft and shaft length in combination with an updated construction to hit more precise, consistent gaps from 4-7-iron.

The new Fli-Hi’s wider footprint and material construction deliver an even more playable, high flying alternative to their predecessors. A 17-4 stainless steel face and 431 body deliver an upgrade in ball speed, while the bendable hosel allows for adjustments in lie angle.

A graduating profile from fairway wood type to hybrid type is a subtle adaptation on previous models. The 20 degree (#4) has a wider fairway type profile, moving towards a tighter hybrid type shaped 29 degree (#7) with a deeper face.

The new Fli-Hi #7 is built to the exact loft and length spec as the JPX921 Hot Metal 7-iron. At the longer end, the Fli-Hi #4 uses a little more loft and a slightly longer shaft than the JPX921 Hot Metal 4-iron. Testing showed this set-up proved easier to hit the right distance consistently.

The Mizuno JPX Fli-Hi is available as a 4-7 -iron replacement in RH only with an RRP of £135.

We test the adjustable Mizuno ST200 TS fairway wood to see how the performance stacks up in the category

Mizuno ST200 TS Fairway Wood Review

Mizuno’s new ST200 driver offerings performed as well as any driver we’ve tested this year and it turns out the fairway woods are equally impressive.

Like the driver, it has a sleek modern look at address that sits perfectly behind the ball, flush to the ground and is easy to align thanks to the lines on the face.

It performs too. In fact, the adjustable TS version we tested in 15° produced some of the fastest ball speeds of any 2020 model.

VIDEO: Best Fairway Woods 2020

The mid launch, spin and flight seemed to work well with our 108 mph club speed, producing an average carry of 253 yards with some shots exceeding 255 yards.

Direction seemed easy to control thanks to the performance of the stock shaft and the forgiveness on slight off-centre hits.

Out on the course, we found this to be very playable. It was easy to launch from the turf into par fives where a long carry is required and is an effective option off the tee too.

What really stands out, aside from the high ball speeds, is the feel. This fairway wood feels explosive, much like the ST200 G driver, and this is converted into distance on all but the worst of strikes.

Golfers also have the option of the ST200 X version, which is a little bit lighter, has more draw bias but no adjustable hosel. As a result, it comes in at a lower price of £239. For slower swinging slicers, this offers excellent value. But better players will likely prefer the looks and performace of the TS version.

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The Mizuno MP-20 MB Irons are one of the products featured in our Editor's Choice 2020 product list.

Mizuno MP-20 MB Irons

Mizuno has long been renowned for creating some of the very finest forged irons in golf. The MP-20 irons are the latest in a line of tremendous clubs, refined over 50 years of expert manufacture.

Editor's Choice 2020

With the new MP-20 irons, Mizuno has focused on improving the feel through adopting a former technique of adding a layer of copper to the head underneath the brushed satin outer finish and protective nickel chrome layers. In testing we found this addition of copper really does enhance feel compared to previous models without this layer.

Heavily influenced by the most revered blades of Mizuno’s past and Grain Flow Forged HD from a single billet of 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel, the MP-20 MB is one of the most attractive irons on the market today. The feel is also exceptional and the feedback you receive from these clubs is second to none.

Related: Mizuno MP-20 MB Irons Review

A tapered top line and cambered sole allow a fuller spread of weight to enhance vertical stability and forgiveness on strikes from high or low on the face. A blend of satin and mirror chrome finishing has been engineered to eliminate areas of high glare in the playing position. These clubs are far more forgiving than they might appear at first glance.

Shot shaping

At address, the top line is thin though not intimidating, although it’s clear these irons will allow you to work the ball. We found it easy to shape shots with these irons and to control ball flight. They function particularly well in testing, windy conditions.

• BUY NOW (UK): Mizuno MP-20 Irons from Scottsdale Golf for £899
• BUY NOW (US): Mizuno MP-20 Irons from Worldwide Golf Shops for $1,299.99

Bags of appeal

The MP-20 MB irons are clubs to cherish and to look after. A classic design, they allow for creative play and shot-making. Aside from that, they also look superb in the bag, and perhaps even more so behind the ball.

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The Mizuno ST200 TS fairway is one of the products featured in our Editor's Choice 2020 product list.

Mizuno ST200 TS Fairway

Mizuno has made a strong return to the driver and fairway market in recent seasons and the ST200 range should not be overlooked when it comes to considering the very best fairways available this season.

Editor's Choice 2020

Featuring a new multi-thickness Maraging steel face for increased initial ball speeds, the ST200 TS fairway combines low spin and heightened forgiveness for minimal distance loss from off-centre strikes. They set up beautifully at address with a modified 'Tour Ready' profile.

The ST200 TS looks like a players’ club. It sits neatly behind the ball, inspiring confidence that you will achieve a clean strike from even the tightest of lies. This is a club that’s effective from the tee but will also give you an option from more challenging positions.

Related: Best Fairway Woods 2020

The club produces a strong ball flight but it’s also highly workable and we found it easy to shape the ball in both directions – something the better player will enjoy.

Maximum distance

The MAS1C Maraging face features a multi-thickness design which has been designed to maximise efficiency in energy transfer – taking the most from the speed you generate and delivering it to the ball. And what the ST200 TS does particularly well is to ensure that this happens right across the face, even if the strike is not perfectly centred.

• BUY NOW (UK): Mizuno ST200 TS fairway from Scottsdale Golf for £229
• BUY NOW (US): Mizuno ST200 TS fairway from Worldwide Golf Shops for $299.99

Tour inspired

The softer leading edge and the smooth hosel transition on the ST200 TS have been developed with tour players in mind and this will suit those who prefer a more classic and streamlined look.

Overall, the ST200 TS delivers a superb blend of performance, looks and versatility. It’s forgiving and powerful thanks to the multi-thickness face and will suit a range of players seeking maximum distance and increased consistency with their fairways.

For all the latest gear news and launches, follow Golf Monthly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Mizuno RB566 Balls Unveiled - The new RB566 and RB566V balls from Mizuno claim to offer superb distance and a prolonged ball flight

Mizuno RB566 Balls Unveiled

Mizuno has unveiled two new soft compression balls that offer superb distance and a prolonged ball flight thanks to their unique 566 dimple patterns and high energy cores.

Joining Mizuno’s premium RB Tour and RB Tour X golf balls, which received a place in Golf Monthly’s Editor’s Choice for 2019, are the RB566 and RB566V models.

The RB566 and RB566V represent Mizuno’s next generation of soft compression golf balls. Featuring unique 566 dimple patterns and large, high-energy cores that reduce driver spin and increase launch for efficient, stable flight, they deliver balanced performance and extra hang time.

“We can now produce even softer compression balls that prolong their flight through aerodynamics. A softer core works to elevate trajectory and straighten flight – and now there’s no trade off in distance,” says Norikazu Ninomiya of Mizuno Japan.

The 566 micro-dimple design helps to delay the rate of descent past the apex of the flight, thereby maximizing distance. The large, soft compression core combines stable, straighter ball flight while the Ionomer cover offers impressive greenside feel and durability.

The RB566 will suit players with mid to slower swing speeds in warm conditions and players of all swing speeds in colder, or soft ground conditions. It is also available in yellow and orange colours.

The RB566V features a 3-piece construction for maximum velocity at launch. Like the RB556, it showcases a 566 D-dimple design which has been engineered to delay the rate of descent past the apex of the flight, but the V delivers a slightly higher launch angle.

A low compression with a 3-piece construction and Ionomer cover, the RB566V is nimble around the greens while the high-energy Butadiene core also enhances feel and improves velocity. It’s a ball designed to suit all players in all conditions.

The RB566 has an RRP of £25 per dozen while the RB566V is £35 per dozen, both are on sale now.

Mizuno 2020 Apparel And Footwear Revealed - The Japanese brand has unveiled its new footwear and apparel ranges for 2020.

Mizuno 2020 Apparel And Footwear Revealed

New for the Spring and Summer months in 2020, Mizuno has unveiled its new SS20 apparel and footwear ranges to help golfers perform on the course in style.

Starting with the shoes there are two new styles, the Wave Cadence and Genem GTX.

The Wave Cadence provides award-winning cushioning thanks to Mizuno's Wave Running Platform and is ultra-durable thanks to the X-10 Rubber Sole and waterproof capabilities.

Comfort also comes courtesy of a new one-piece ‘booty’ structure in which the tongue is connected to the lining to provide a more comfortable fit.

The Genem GTX is a new full-leather premium golf shoe that has been developed specifically for European market. It too builds upon the Running Platform and thanks to a new Gore-Tex breathable membrane, is totally waterproof. It also comes with a BOA Closure system and IG5 Spikes that give excellent grip regardless of the conditions. They can also be tightened and released quickly and even re-aligned for direction. 

Mizuno also has a new SS20 apparel range which features six polo shirt designs, two of which (Micro Hexagon Jacquard Polo, Gradeint Hexagon Polo), feature Mizuno's four way Move Tech material designed to give easy movement throughout the swing.

The other four polos feature the brand's Quick Dry fabric, which absorbs and diffuses escaping body moisture for added comfort.

The rest of the collection is made up of a Move Tech Jacket, Move Tech Lite trousers and shorts, and finally a Rubber Mesh Belt.

Mizuno SS20 Footwear

Wave Cadence Spikeless £140 Genem GTX £220

Mizuno SS20 Apparel Range

Quick Dry Performance Polo £45 Quick Dry Performance Plus Polo £45 Micro Hexagon Jacquard Polo £52 Gradient Hexagon Polo £52 Quick Dry Boarder Polo £62 Quick Dry Jacquard Polo £62 Mizuno Move Tech Lite Shorts £54 Mizuno Move Tech Lite Trousers £60 Mizuno Move Tech Lite Jacket £84 Rubber Mesh Belt £40

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GM's Neil Tappin tests out the Mizuno ST200 drivers and, in the case of the ST200G model, is this the most underrated driver of 2020?

Mizuno ST200 Drivers Review

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Mizuno ST200 Drivers Review

Is the new Mizuno ST200G driver the most underrated driver of 2020? We've had the chance to put all the Mizuno ST200 drivers through their paces and we think that it could well be.

It didn't feature in our Best Drivers of 2020 video due to us not being able to get hold of it at the time, but it is certainly in the mix amongst all the other big brands.

We tested the ST200 models at Foresight Sports HQ in Guildford, Surrey, using Titleist Pro V1x golf balls on the GCQuad launch monitor.

What we found was seriously impressive performance that matches the best performers of 2020 including the new TaylorMade SIM, which we tested it up against.

The ST200 comes in three different versions - the standard, the G and the X.

The standard ST200 features no adjustability but should be more forgiving thanks to a fixed rear weight and is slightly higher-spinning than the G model.

The G features two adjustable weights on the sole to set the launch and spin profile of the driver as well as fine tuning the shot shape for a subtle or strong fade or draw.

The X model has more heel-bias weighting to promote a draw and also comes with a lighter shaft and grip to help increase clubhead speed. It has even found its way into the bag of staff player Chris Kirk.

As well as testing the ST200G up against the standard ST200G and the TaylorMade SIM, we also tested it up against the GT180 from two years ago. It's also worth noting that we used the same shaft in all three of the Mizuno drivers.

Mizuno has carried on with that same classic profile behind the ball at address with the carbon fibre on the crown visible, bolstering the shelf appeal.

As you can see from the numbers below, we gained 15 yards on the older model with the new ST200G - great performance and evidence that Mizuno is really onto something with its drivers.

The ST200G is more than competing with the TaylorMade SIM, it actually was more effective at converting club speed to ball speed, although variance in strike is a factor here. The spin is right where I want it and the high flight helps maximise carry distance. Not only that, but I felt completely in control of where the ball was going.

The feel of the face is also very pleasing - incredibly solid and stable, with a fairly loud but not overpowering sound.

Another thing worth mentioning is the price. The G version comes at a RRP of £399, whilst the other two models are at £349.

These are competitive price points when you think about some of the other drivers on the market and make for some very good value.

The Mizuno M Craft putters have been revealed, said to offer a super-soft feel and include an adjustable weight kit for golfers to fine tune the feel.

Mizuno M Craft Putters Revealed

Mizuno, the Japanese equipment manufacturer known for its forged irons like the new MP-20 range, has unveiled its new M Craft putter line up for 2020.

Forged from premium 1025 mild carbon steel and then CNC milled to create the most precise shape and alignment, the M Craft putters will be available in March in three classic shapes.

From left to right, the M Craft I is a square back with mid slant neck and max toe-hang, suited to an exaggerated putting arc. M Craft II is a classic heel-toe putter with plumber’s neck and mid toe-hang, matching a moderate putting arc and finally the M Craft III is a face-balanced mid-mallet delivering stability for golfers with less putting arc.

At 355 grams, each putter head promotes a fluid, rhythmical putting stroke; However an additional weight kit that includes two 3 gram weights and two 13 gram weights, which can be interchanged with the 8 gram fitted weights, allows each M Craft putter to be adjusted to a variety of putting conditions.

RELATED: Best Putters 2020

All putters in the M Craft range feature a deep face milling on the face that creates a softer feel and pure roll. Each head style is available in three finishes of white satin, blue ION or black ION.

The M Craft putters also feature a Nippon Original shaft, Lamkin Deep Etched Full Blue cord grip and come with a premium patch M Craft headcover in Mizuno’s classic staff colours and emblazoned with the leather M Craft mark.

They go on sale in March with an RRP of £249.

GM Verdict

We've had a few putts with the M Craft putters and the first thing that strikes you is the feel. These putters feel incredible soft off the face and produce a smooth, gentle roll. The vivid blue ION finish really stands out against the grass and the grip is a pleasing size and shape with a firm texture to it. The number of options are limited but the M Craft range offers a premium look and feel without the punchy price tag.

Mizuno ST200 Drivers Revealed - Mizuno has unveiled three new driver models to cater for the needs of different styles of golfer

Mizuno ST200 Drivers Revealed

The ST200 range offers a choice of three different driver and fairway head designs, each with different ball flights, spin characteristics and adjustability options.

Delivering both low spin and significant forgiveness, the ST200 is a high-stability driver built around a resilient Beta rich forged, multi thickness Titanium face that maintains its characteristics over time.

Weight savings from a compacted Wave Sole and a variable-thickness graphite crown, used low and deep in the head help deliver both low spin and increased stability from off-centre strikes. An additional 11.6g backweight further enhances low spin efficiency and maximises forgiveness.

The ST200G features twin 7g weights on longer external tracks for even more effective weight movement, allowing mid/low to ultra-low spin positions.

The lightweight ST200X delivers a high launch with a draw bias and has been designed to work best with Mizuno's own Japan specification MFUSION 39g shaft to help those players with mid to lower swing speeds.

“Combining our US and Japan Tour metal wood development is a natural evolution for Mizuno in 2020,” said Chris Voshall from Mizuno.

“We can now combine Japan's exotic materials and craftsman's eye for playing profiles with our expertise of working with modern tour players like Keith Mitchell. 2020 is set to be a huge year for Mizuno in metal woods."

Fairway wood options are the ST200 (fixed hosel), ST200 TS (adjustable loft) and a lightweight, draw-biased ST200X.

The generous 3 wood boasts a full Ti driver type construction with a high ball speed Beta rich Ti face. While the 5 and 7 wood both use a steel chassis with multi-thickness Maraging face for greater energy transfer and faster ball speeds.

As with the ST200 fairways, the ST200X offer weight savings from a compacted Wave Sole and variable-thickness graphite crown plus wet weather score lines to maintain spin and ball flight in wet conditions

The Mizuno ST200 metalwoods are available from February with the following RRPs: ST200G driver £399, ST200 and ST200X driver £349. ST200 TS fairway £279, ST200 and ST200X fairway £239.

Mizuno T20 Wedge Review - Equipment editor Joel Tadman give his thoughts on the new Mizuno T20 wedge

Mizuno T20 Wedge Review

Key Technology

• New Hydroflow Micro Grooves are vertically etched to help release moisture and maintain spin in damp conditions.
• Each T20 wedge is spin-weighted, with weight discreetly placed high within a tapered blade for increased spin and vertical stability on off-centre strikes.
• An element of boron infusion in the 1025E mild carbon steel billets makes them more durable for longer-lasting groove performance and reliable spin. Read more here.

Looks Most will enjoy the teardrop profile and the blue ion finish is truly eye-catching. The topline is noticeably thicker than most, especially in the lower lofts. Golfers can now opt for a raw finish option that will rust over time that could potentially feel a touch softer.

GM Verdict Mizuno is known for its soft-feeling irons, and this also transfers into its latest wedge offering. The Grain Flow Forged T20 wedge feels solid and crisp and the gentle, muted sound contributes to a buttery soft feel.

Spin control was also very good on a wide variety of shot lengths, helping inspire a more committed swing as you know the ball will check up quickly on the second bounce. The square, straight leading edge assisted with alignment and, along with the impressive off-centre forgiveness and precise CNC Milled grooves, helped produced consistent distances and a tight dispersion on full shots where you expect to get close to the flag.

Across the three loft-specific sole grinds there’s enough scope for most abilities of player to manipulate the face and counter different ground conditions, although it would have been nice for either the STD Bevel, Subtle M or Aggressive C grinds to have been marked on the wedge so we knew for sure which was which.

The added vertical stability meant the trajectories in the loft range traveled through a similar flight window on full shots for added control and predictability.

Mizuno MP-20 Irons Review - Our verdict on the new Mizuno MP-20 MB, MMC and HMB irons

Mizuno MP-20 Irons Review

With the new MP-20 irons, Mizuno has focused on improving the feel through adopting a former technique of adding a layer of copper to the head underneath the brushed satin outer finish and protective nickel chrome layers.

You can read more about the technology here.

Mizuno has also adopted a slightly different approach in terms of the construction of the models that sit within the range.

The muscleback (MB) continues and we like the changes that have been made. It’s got a shinier finish on the back and a deeper channel while the topline has been narrowed slightly, closer to what we saw on the MP-4 model.

The overall blade length has increased although the actual hitting area looks to have been shorter than on the outgoing MP-18 model. Perhaps the most significant change is a narrower sole with more camber. It’s a pleasing combination that allows the head to move quickly through the turf with minimal interference.

The MP-20 MMC is now the middle model, taking over from the MP-18 SC. It’s a little bit larger than the blade in terms of sole width and topline and has tungsten weights to stabilize the face on off-centre hits. It’s also stronger in loft down at 32° at the 7-iron compared to 34° in the MB.

Finally there’s the MP-20 HMB, a ‘hybrid muscleback’ that has a hollow construction and twin 12g tungsten weights to increase forgiveness. A strong, thin chromoly face is welded onto the stainless steel body to increase ball speed. The 7-iron loft of the HMB model is also 32°.

Testing all three in various scenarios, including on the Foresight Sports GCQuad was a joyous and eye-opening experience. Interestingly, the stock shaft length has increased by a quarter of an inch, so that had an impact on the performance when we compared the MP-18 MB to the MP-20 MB.

You can see our ball speed increased by over 3mph but the club speed was also 1mph higher with the new model. Efficiency was also higher, so either the strikes were more centred or off-centre hits weren’t punished as much. Either way, it led to an increase in carry distance of five yards on average, from 163 to 168 yards.

This is a significant jump, considering spin stayed relatively consistent around the 6600 rpm mark. The MP-20 did also launch and flight the ball higher, which will certainly contribute to the extra distance. It also felt a little bit softer thanks to what appeared to be a quieter sound, while also feeling stable and pure on centred hits. You’ve still got to be on your game to make use of these irons – bad swings are punished, especially in the longer irons, through a fairly big drop in both carry distance and accuracy.

The MP-20 MMC was arguably our favourite of the three irons. It gave us more distance, as expected given the lower loft, but was just as consistent and it seemed to provide a better overall balance. It felt a little more lively off the face and provided extra assistance on off-centre hits while still feeling soft, stable and maintaining a decent level of workability.

Given the hollow head design, we were expecting the MP-20 HMB to feel hotter off the face. Perhaps Mizuno deliberately wanted it to produce a more controllable feel and manageable distances – it only flew two yards further than the MP-20 MMC model despite a faster clubhead speed.

It’s look will appeal to a slightly different audience, golfers that want a little more meat behind the ball but still looking like a blade in the bag. In fact, at a glance, there is very little between the MP-20 MB and HMB models visually.

Out on the course, it hit the ball noticeably higher, with the slightly lower spin helping it penetrate into the wind. The turf interaction could have been better, it took surprisingly large divots, but certainly provided the off-centre forgiveness that controlled left-to-right dispersion better than the other models. It’s certainly a good long-iron option within a mixed set – it goes right down to the 2-iron – along with either the MMC or MB making up the rest of the set.

Mizuno T20 Wedge Revealed - Featuring a classic teardrop shape and Hydroflow Micro Grooves said to enhance control in damp conditions.

Mizuno T20 Wedge Revealed

Mizuno is relaunching its T-Series wedges in the form of the T20 with the classic teardrop profile Grain Flow Forged from 1025E mild carbon steel for the enhanced greenside feel.

The T20 wedges feature new Hydroflow Micro Grooves, which are vertically etched to help release moisture and maintain spin even in damp conditions.

Each T20 wedge is spin-weighted, with weight discreetly placed high within a tapered blade for increased spin and vertical stability on off-centre strikes.

To ensure consistency and predictability in the scoring zone, each head features precise CNC-milled grooves and is mechanically milled to the highest possible tolerances after Grain Flow Forging to ensure a perfectly flat striking face and consistent levels of spin.

An element of Boron-infusion in the 1025E mild carbon steel billets makes them more durable for longer-lasting groove performance and reliable spin.

In the higher lofts, T20 wedges feature a wider, shallower groove to better facilitate those partial shots around the green. In the lower lofts, the grooves are narrower and deeper to better suit full shots.

The heads feature a classic teardrop profile, but this too varies from loft to loft. The lower-lofted 46˚ pitching wedge retains a defined teardrop profile, but this flows through to a more rounded profile in the 60˚ degree lob wedge as the need for versatility increases around the green.

T20 wedges will be available in three different finishes - two plated models (Satin Chrome and Blue ION) plus a RAW and ready-to-rust option. Grind options are loft-specific and range from STD BEVEL to Subtle M and Aggressive C grinds.

“Although our T-Series wedges haven't been available to the public for over a year, they've become even more popular on tour over that time,” says Kyle Hammond, Mizuno’s PGA Tour Technician.

“The updated T20 has been a long time in coming but with a few extra design tweaks we learned over the last year it will finally bring all that wedge goodness back to the public.”

They will be available from September, 2019, with an RRP of £140 per wedge.

Mizuno MP-20 Irons Unveiled - Mizuno has launched three new iron models for the better player, including a combo set for left handers

Mizuno MP-20 Irons Unveiled

Mizuno has launched three new players irons to replace the models in the popular MP-18 range, each featuring copper plating within the heads to enhance the feel at impact.

The three new MP-20 iron models have evolved from Mizuno's classic 'tour edition' musclebacks from yesteryear, like the legendary TN87 model, to provide the purest Mizuno feel to date.

The new family comprises MP-20 MB, MP-20 MMC and MP-20 HMB models, each with its own unique appeal designed to either stand alone or blend into custom combo sets and each featuring soft copper plating beneath a protective nickel chrome to deliver Mizuno's signature feedback and feel.

The MP-20 MB (above) is a pure muscleback, heavily influenced by the most revered blades of Mizuno’s past and Grain Flow Forged HD from a single billet of 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel.

A tapered topline and cambered sole allow a fuller spread of weight to enhance vertical stability and forgiveness on strikes from high or low on the face. A blend of satin and mirror chrome finishing has been engineered to eliminate areas of high glare in the playing position.

The MP-20 MMC (above) is being billed as an ‘Elite Players’ Cavity’ and represents the second-generation of Mizuno’s multi-material concept. It is also forged from 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel but with a thinner topline and refined scoring irons.

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It shares the chassis, set flow and proportions of the MP-20 MB, but offers enhanced playability courtesy of a titanium muscle pad throughout the set, with a 12g tungsten toe weight from the 4- to 7-irons that adds ease of launch in a compact playing profile.

A second Ti muscle pad improves set flow by allowing for a narrower sole from 8-iron to pitching wedge. The topline is dramatically thinner than on the MP-18 MMC while remaining only 1mm thicker at address than on the MP-20 MB.

The MP-20 HMB (above) is part of the new breed of hollow-headed ‘Hybrid Muscle Back’ in a tour-ready profile that features Mizuno’s forged Chromoly material in the face and neck, supported by tungsten weighting. It is inspired by the proliferation of long iron replacements on tour but extends the concept right down to the wedges.

The heads feature a brush satin durable plated finish and a complex, loft-specific construction. From 2- to 8-iron, Mizuno’s multi-thickness Grain Flow Forged Chromoly face and neck is dialled in to be consistently hot across the clubface. From 2- to 7-iron, twin 12g tungsten weights deliver stability and an easy launch, while use of a softer 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel from 9-iron to PW makes the short irons soft and responsive.

The MP-20 HMB is designed to be played as a full set or mixed with any MP-20 set, with recommended break points between the 4- and 5-iron or 7- and 8-iron for blended sets.

Finally, based on the most popular right handed blended set, Mizuno has created the perfect mixed set for left handers – the MP-20 SEL (above).

It comprises the MP-20 MB in the #5-PW, and stable, easy-launching MP-20 HMB long irons, with lofts adjusted for perfect distance gaps throughout.

"Under a microscope, you can see a perfect flow of grain within the steel from the hosel to toe, compacted tighter in the hitting area. Designers can mimic our lines, but not what's inside,” says Mizuno’s Chris Voshall. "After blind testing our players at the Valspar it was more than nostalgia - our test pool universally preferred the prototype with copper plating.”

The MP-20 MB irons are available in RH #3-PW; LH #5-PW (as a split set with #3-4 HMB) with an RRP of £150 per iron. The MP-20 MMC irons are available in 4-PW, RH only, with an RRP of £165 per iron.

The MP-20 HMB are available in RH #2-PW; LH #3 - #4 iron (as a split set with 5-PW MP-20 MB) with an RRP of £180 per iron. The MP-20 SEL are available in LH #3 - #4 HMB; #5-PW MP-20 MB, with an RRP of £1,240 (3-PW combo). They all go on sale from September, 2019. 

Mizuno ST190 Drivers Review - Neil Tappin tests out Mizuno's latest drivers, the ST190 and the ST190G.

Mizuno ST190 Drivers Review

Countless drivers are being released at the moment but a brand that you shouldn't forget about is Mizuno. For years now they have been making quality products to fill every spot in the bag and yet in the driver department they have struggled to make an impact both on tour and in your bags.

Its latest drivers, the ST190 and ST190G, are attempts to rectify that. Shifting away from the blue design of the previous GT180 model, Mizuno has gone for a more classic and traditional look in their new models.

Built with carbon composite crowns, the design offers a distinctive modern look to a driver that still has managed to maintain its simple and traditional shape. Additionally, the limited weight of the crown (12 grams) allows the engineers to place more weight where they want to elsewhere in the head.

The ST190G also sees a completely new design in terms of adjustability. Overall it has been simplified from the GT180, and yet their are still countless options available to you depending on what you are looking for from your driver. Whether you need help drawing or fading the ball, or you need to increase or decrease your spin, the ST190G with its movable weights can help with that.

The ST190 on the other hand can only be adjusted by the hosel. It has been designed with a forged titanium face to create more ball speed with forgiveness too. The Amplified Wave sole remains but the first wave is slightly wider which should help with ball speed especially on shots struck slightly low on the face.

How We Tested

I took both of these drivers, as well as the previous generation GT180, to Foresight Sports and tested them on the GCQuad launch monitor using Titleist Pro V1x golf balls. All the drivers were also set up in a comparable way in terms of shaft and loft, although it should be acknowledged that the ST190G model I was testing came in 9 degrees, whereas the other two clubs were 9.5 degrees.

I produced some fantastic numbers with the previous generation GT180 model, including 164mph ball speed and an average carry of 289 yards. However, both of the new models created slight improvements in most meaningful statistics.

For example in the ST190 I produced 165mph ball speed along with three more yards of overall carry at 292 yards. Interestingly this was despite the fact the ball was flying lower and launching lower which suggests a truly penetrating ball flight.

Finally, after tinkering with the weights on the ST190G to create my ideal levels of spin off the face, I reduced my spin by just over 200 rpm compared to the GT180. It also had a much lower peak height and yet I was still able to produce 290 yards of carry on average.

I then decided to shift the ST190G's loft up to 10 degrees and this saw me create more ball speed, more spin and an overall carry distance of 292 yards.

Sound/Feel

The final aspect of the test was to hit some shots outside at West Hill Golf Club to see how the clubs feel and sound.

The ST190G had a slighter higher pitched sound off the face which pushed me towards preferring the regular ST190 which was superb.

No doubt both clubs are quality products but in relation to which is best for you, it is entirely dependent on what you are looking for in a driver. If you require a degree of adjustability to help you hit certain shots, the ST190G with its movable weights will be the one for you.

Whereas I will go for the ST190 because of the marginally better performance I got from it and from a personal perspective I preferred the feel of it too.

Mizuno ST190 Drivers Launched - Mizuno has launched the ST190 and ST190G drivers and accompanying fairway woods said to be the brand's best to date

Mizuno ST190 Drivers Launched

Mizuno has officially announced the new ST190 and ST190G drivers and fairways, which will replace the ST180 and GT180 models from February 2019.

The Japanese brand has been the pioneers of many driver technologies, including mass-produced titanium heads (Ti100), carbon composite crowns (MP-001) and adjustable sliding weights (MP-600), so it has high hopes for its latest metalwood offerings.

The two ST190 drivers, the ST190 and adjustable ST190G offer Mizuno’s lowest spin rates and incorporate multiple technologies to enhance ball speed and driving distance.

The  ST190 woods were first put in play at the British Masters in October 2018 in the hands of Marcus Fraser, while Keith Mitchell was Mizuno’s first PGA Tour player to put the ST190 into play. Luke Donald will also be playing the ST190G model this year as he returns from injury.

Mizuno’s ultra-fast Forged SP700 Ti face now boasts a lighter CORTECH structure to deliver consistently higher ball speeds, with a large, weight saving carbon composite crown and an Amplified Wave soleplate, introduced in last year’s ST180 drivers, helping to convert each additional mph into extra yards.

The Forged SP700 Ti face is over 10 per cent stronger than 6-4 Titanium with a fine grain structure that allows a more complex geometry in the CORTECH face, where re-engineered ribs and a Quick Switch internal structure promise even higher performance.

The ultralight 12g carbon composite crown means 7g of weight can be optimally redistributed to further boost ball speed, stability and reduce spin rates.

The Amplified Wave Sole features a heavily amplified first wave configuration which expands the ST190’s COR area for improved balls speeds across the clubface, with reduced off-centre performance drop-off.

Harmonic Impact Technology is the result of a careful study of vibration and soundwaves, which identified the need for internal ribs to create a more solid, powerful impact sound. The whole package combines to squeeze every last ounce of ball speed from the entire clubface in both the ST190 and ST190G drivers.

The ST190 is designed for mid to low spin with maximum stability, and features a single, factory-fixed 6g backweight that increases MOI for added stability on off-centre strikes.

The ST190G (above) is engineered for low spin and offers intuitive Fast Track adjustability thanks to twin 7g weights on external tracks that can reduce spin by an additional 200rpm, allowing players to achieve heavy fade or draw biases by placing the weights in one track.

The ST190 fairway woods are also speed-engineered and feature a carbon composite crown and amplified Wave soleplate, this time allied to a deeper, high-energy HT1770 Maraging steel face.

This deeper clubface flexes more like a driver, helping to maximise ball speed, while the ultra-lightweight carbon composite crown allows 4g of weight to be moved low within the clubhead, combining with the deeper clubface to deliver an efficient, low-spin ball flight.

The Amplified Wave Soleplate’s larger first wave creates a balance between stability and sweet spot height to provide effective off-centre forgiveness without excess backspin.

Similar Harmonic Impact Technology to that found in the drivers generates a powerful, solid impact sound, fine-tuned through the study of vibration and sound waves.

The ST190 fairway woods will be available in fixed-hosel 3- and 5-woods along with an adjustable Tour S 3-wood model that offers a stronger ball flight and in which lofts can be adjusted from 13˚ to 17˚.

The Mizuno ST190 driver will have an RRP of £399, the ST190G will have an RRP of £449. The ST190 TS adjustable fairway (13˚ to 17˚, right hand only) has an RRP of £315, the standard ST190 fairway (15° and 18°) is £279.

A range of shafts without upcharge will be available, with new options for 2019 including Atmos Blue 5S, Atmos Red 5R, Atmos Red 5R2, Atmos Red 6R and Atmos Black TS 6S. All product be available at retail from February 2019.

Mizuno JPX919 Irons Unveiled - Mizuno has revealed its replacements for the JPX900 iron range in the form of the JPX919 Irons

Mizuno JPX919 Irons Unveiled

The JPX900 iron range proved to be as popular among club golfers as it was for some of the world’s best. In the case of the Tour model, the world’s best includes Brooks Koepka, winner of back-to-back US Opens and, more recently, the US PGA Championship using the irons without a contract in place.

To replace the JPX900 models was always going to be a difficult task but Mizuno thinks it has cracked it thanks to the new JPX919 range, designed to deliver performance for all types of golf swing.

Across the Tour, Forged and Hot Metal models you’ll notice a new stability frame, which is open at the heel portion to allow greater perimeter weighting elsewhere without affecting feel. There’s also a new Pearl Brush chrome-plated finish to enhance durability and soften the lines in bright sunlight.

The JPX919 Tour (above) is a compact, streamlined iron designed to provide precise distance control thanks to Mizuno’s Grain Flow Forged HD (High Density) process, which also produces a soft, pure feel. The top edge has been narrowed by 10 per cent compared to its predecessor to match the grinds most commonly requested on tour.

The clubface on the JPX919 Forged has been CNC milled from the sole up, creating a larger area of minimum face thickness that makes it Mizuno’s fastest ever forged iron. The resulting weight removed from the face also allows a lower, deeper centre of gravity for higher-flying long and mid-irons.

RELATED: Mizuno JPX919 Irons Review

The heads on the JPX919 Forged irons have a trace of Boron infused into the billet that makes it 30 per cent stronger and creates an overall performance package blending ball speed, stability and feedback in a more refined playing profile.

The JPX919 Hot Metal is made from high-strength Chromoly 4140M to promote accelerated ball speeds, while re-engineered Sound Ribs ensure a satisfying sensation through impact. The matching gap, sand and lob wedges are made from a softer X30 steel with precision-milled grooves and faces to boost spin control around the greens.

On sale from September, the JPX919 Tour (3-PW, RH only) has an RRP of £135 per iron; JPX919 Forged (4-PW, RH & LH) also has an RRP of £135 per iron while the JPX919 Hot Metal (4-LW, RH & LH) has an RRP of £120 per iron.

Mizuno GT180 Driver Review - We test the new Mizuno GT180 driver up against its predecessor to see if the performance has improved

Mizuno GT180 Driver Review

Aimed At This driver is aimed at golfers who want the piece of mind that comes with the longevity of a highly adjustable driver.

Key Technology The GT180’s high-speed performance platform is built around a Forged SP700 Ti Face, a precise multi-thickness face that promotes accelerated ball speeds. Expanded adjustability comes from more draw, neutral and fade settings in low, mid and high spin flights thanks to twin movable 7g weights that can be positioned in a wider span of locations for greater impact on spin rates and fade or draw bias.

The Quick Switch Adjustable Hosel allows 4˚ of loft adjustment and 3˚ of lie adjustment. You can read more about the technology here.

Looks The GT180 is fairly long from front-to-back, inspiring confidence, with a black strip along the section where the crown meets the face, which boosts alignment but is a tad over reflective in bright sunlight. The signature Mizuno blue catches your eye from a distance and is instantly recognisable.

Feel/Sound The GT180 has more of a duller, thud sound to it compared with the previous JPX900 model and the non-adjustable ST180 driver, which we preferred. It feels fast from a wide area and stable across the face too, like bad strikes were less punishing.

Performance Golfers can really max out on distance with the GT180 through straightening out their ball flight while also reducing spin and tweaking launch via the adjustable weights and hosel.

You’ll struggle to find a more adjustable driver on the market than the Mizuno GT180. With that comes a more premium price tag but also the ability to fine-tune the settings to achieve the performance you need to either negate your big miss or simply optimise launch conditions.

More moveable weight and a greater array of shaft offerings makes it a more appealing prospect than the previous JPX900 – we got a few more yards in total with the GT180 compared to its predecessor - and we think it feels and sounds a bit better too.

The face is quite shallow, so you may find yourself wanting to tee the ball a touch lower, but out of the middle it feels very solid and stable and we like how the face angle can be set open, closed or neutral independently of the other settings.

Mizuno Cadence Wave and Nexlite Boa Shoes Launched - The spikeless Nexlite shoe now comes in Boa lacing while the new Wave Cadence is inspired by Mizuno's popular running shoes

Mizuno Cadence Wave and Nexlite Boa Shoes Launched

Mizuno is launching two new golf shoes in time for Spring in 2018 – the Nexlite Boa and Wave Cadence.

Mizuno has long held an enviable reputation for its golf clubs, especially its forged irons, but globally it is actually footwear that represents the brand’s largest product category across many sports.

Last year, Mizuno re-entered the golf footwear market in the UK and Europe with the ultra-light Nexlite SL and these two new models bolster its range for the forthcoming season.

The all-new Wave Cadence is a stylish fusion of golf and running shoes that draws heavily on Mizuno’s expertise in the world of track and field. Both shoes have been engineered by Mizuno’s award-winning running team.

It blends the comfort and support of a high-end running shoe, with the lateral stability and traction needed in golf. Mizuno’s headline Wave platform technology provides a unique midsole design that delivers both cushioning and stability. Its unique shape, which is inspired by nature, helps to absorb and disperse the forces as the foot hits the ground, producing a smoother, more cushioned feel on every step.

A newly configured plate allows Wave Cadence to handle uneven terrain with ease while providing a secure foundation for the golf swing. Added durability and traction come via Mizuno’s extremely hardwearing X10 carbon rubber, which allows high-impact areas in the heel to last longer and perform better, as well as Silver Tornado Tour Lock soft spikes.

RELATED: Best Golf Shoes 2018

The next-generation Nexlite shoe features the Boa closure system instead of traditional laces, which makes it easier to put the shoes on and take them off.

The Boa dial tightens and releases a durable Nylon-coated stainless steel wire lace that won’t stretch, with the tightening system also improving the fit for longer-lasting comfort as the whole foot is secured more evenly within the shoe.

A key golf-specific technology added into the shoe is the IG Multi Technology (Impact Grip System), which is engineered to deliver added grip and stability throughout the swing in firm conditions, and specifically through impact.

The new Mizuno Nexlite Boa is available in five colourways with an RRP of £110 and comes with a two-year waterproof warranty. The water-resistant Wave Cadence is available in four colours and has an RRP of £130. Both models are on sale now.

Mizuno GT180 Driver Revealed - Mizuno has launched a highly adjustable GT180 driver and fairway to go alongside the simpler ST180 offerings

Mizuno GT180 Driver Revealed

Japanese golf club maker Mizuno has announced the launch of a super-adjustable GT180 driver and fairway wood to partner its already launched low-spinning ST180 model. Both will be available from February 2018.

Where the ST180 has a simple weight forward, low-spin profile, the new GT180 is a more sophisticated design with an expanded capacity to manipulate weight throughout the head – ideal for fitting and players looking to squeeze the last few yards from their swing’s motion.

The GT180’s high-speed performance platform is built around a Forged SP700 Ti Face, a precise multi-thickness face that promotes accelerated ball speeds. It is this speed, coupled with ultimate adjustability, that allows every golfer to get the very most out of his or her game.

The GT180’s ultimate adjustability paves the way to an expanded range of draw, neutral and fade settings in low, mid and high spin flights. The twin movable 7g weights have a wider span of locations for greater impact on spin rates and fade or draw bias, while the Quick Switch Adjustable Hosel allows 4˚ of loft adjustment and 3˚ of lie adjustment to match every golfer’s unique launch conditions and visual preferences.

RELATED: Best Drivers 2017

On the subject of how golfers should choose between GT180 and ST180, Mizuno's David Llewellyn points to personality over ability.

"Most players like to keep things as uncomplicated as possible - to stand there and give the ball a rip. The ST180 is for them. Then you have players who enjoy the process of dialing in a driver and getting it optimised to the yard - that's the GT180. Everything else is very similar - playability, ball speed. Chose a model based on your attitude to the game - it's not about ability."

GT180 Fairway Woods

Just as with the driver, the GT180 fairway woods promise a new law of gravity on account of the ultimate customisation they offer, providing the scope to vastly reduce or increase spin rates as the situation demands. Evolution of both the Mizuno Wave sole and sliding weight technologies reduces the lower end of spin rates for a more efficient trajectory at higher ball speeds.

The amplified first wave in the sole and Internal Waffle Crown combine to push weight low and forwards for a flatter trajectory, while also generating low spin and increased ball speeds. The thinner, more responsive 1770 Maraging Steel Face then boosts ball speeds yet further.

Adjustability comes via 17 grams of sliding weight that create a wider potential span of spin rates to fine tune ball flight, with the Quick Switch Adjustable Hosel allowing 4˚ of loft adjustment and 3˚ of lie adjustment to match every golfer’s unique launch conditions and visual preferences. An expanded line of high-end shafts can again be fitted at no extra cost, and the GT180 fairway wood is also available in a TS (tour style) model with a more compact, lower-lofted head.

“We’ve managed to significantly reduce the lower end range of spin rates but keep the overall range of adjustability,” says Price. “Players at the faster end of swing speeds are going to see a much flatter trajectory – but have the possibility of increasing their spin should the conditions dictate.”

Both the ST180 and GT180 woods will be available from February 2018. The GT180 driver has an RRP of £449, the fairway wood £315. Shaft options include the Mitsubishi Tensei CK, KURO KAGE Silver Dual-Core TiNi and BASSARA E-SERIES 42. Every shaft in the line is an authentic version available on the custom component market.

Mizuno S18 Wedge Review - Technical Editor Joel Tadman gives his verdict are testing the Mizuno S18 wedges out on the course and on the GC2 launch monitor

Mizuno S18 Wedge Review

Aimed At These wedges are aimed at a wide spectrum of golfers that enjoy a blend of soft feel, control and versatility.

Key Technology Replacing the S5, the S18 wedges are very much progressive, loft-specific designs. The lower lofts used for full shots incorporate narrower and deeper Quad Cut Grooves as well as a lower CG while the higher lofts feature wider and shallower grooves as well as a higher CG for more consistent levels of spin.

The S18 wedges are Grain Flow Forged with Boron-infused into the steel to enhance groove durability. The Black IP finish is designed to wear away gently over time to reveal the durable chrome beneath.

How we tested We were given a 51 and 58° in both the chrome and black IP finishes respectively and tested them over a prolonged period on the course.

Looks The S18 is a touch smaller than the S5 but still generous in size and still has a rounded, tear drop profile.

The sole is generous in width and overall they’re classy and premium in appearance. The chrome finish does produce unwanted sun glare from certain angles.

Control The level of spin we experienced on well-struck chips and pitches started mid-to-high and didn’t really drop off over time. There was a nice zip on the second bounce, even from bunkers, and a consistent trajectory on full shots.

GC2 testing showed spin was around what we would expect from a new wedge, not exceptionally high but more importantly it was very consistent, even on slight mishits, which should make the behaviour of the ball on the green when it lands easier to predict.

Mizuno ST180 Woods Revealed - Mizuno's new ST180 driver and fairway woods focus on reducing spin and increasing ball speed

Mizuno ST180 Woods Revealed

Mizuno has unveiled its new ST180 Series metal woods, designed to offer high-speed, low-spin performance.

Set to replace the impressive JPX900 Series driver and metal woods in February, Mizuno appears to be focusing more on speed and less on adjustability with its new ST180 drivers and fairway woods.

The first Mizuno driver to feature Mizuno's Wave sole technology, with the ST180’s Wave sole places every available gram of weight low and towards the face to reduce spin for every player. The Amplified Wave sole contracts and expands to increase the energy imparted to the ball for elevated ball speeds too.

A new Forged SP700 Ti multi-thickness face promotes accelerated ball speeds beyond its predecessor, 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.

RELATED: Best Drivers of 2017

“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.”

The ST180 driver will be available in 9.5˚ and 12.5˚ models with an RRP of £399.

The ST180 woods will partner the new CLK hybrid

The new ST180 fairway woods share much of the driver’s technology including the hugely amplified Wave sole technology that reduces spin, assisted by the weight saving of the  Internal Waffle Crown.

The ST180 fairway woods feature a thinner, more responsive, high-energy 1770 Maraging Steel Face to further increase ball speeds and deliver a flatter, more efficient, controlled ball flight. The head’s larger footprint generates a bigger-than-average profile that both looks, and is, highly forgiving.

“If you like a wider, larger-looking profile, but don’t necessarily want a high-spinning flight, the ST180 is a really interesting option,” says Jeff Cook / PGA Tour Manager. “Over the years a lot of our tour players have bucked the trend for smaller fairway woods and this plays nicely into their hands.”

The Mizuno ST180 fairway woods will be available in 15˚ and 18˚ models for both men and ladies and have an RRP of £279.

All ST180 metal woods feature a Quick Switch Adjustable Hosel that allows four degrees of loft adjustment and three degrees of lie adjustment so the clubs can be fine-tuned to the unique launch conditions and visual preferences of all golfers. A new expanded line of high-end shafts can also be fitted at no additional charge.

The new Mizuno ST180 woods will be available at retail in Europe from February 2018.

In this Mizuno CLK Hybrid review, Neil Tappin takes a look at the latest metalwood release from the brand to see how the performance stacks up...

Any Mizuno CLK hybrid review will start by concentrating on the looks. This strikes a fantastic balance between having a classic, compact shape but with some attractive modern styling. The space-grey crown colour is a thing of beauty that suits this compact shape well. Both in the bag and behind the ball this is a real winner in the looks department - but the truth is, we wouldn't expect anything less from Mizuno.

Mizuno MP-18 Irons review

It was in the performance where this Mizuno CLK hybrid really started to impress. This is a mid-launching hybrid but we were pleased that Mizuno resisted the temptation to make this too low-spinning. This is something we see occasionally that can make clubs long on a launch monitor but less versatile out on the course. It spins well and as a result, the ball hangs in the air. I tested this in the 19˚ option and an average of 233 yards is excellent. More impressive however was how consistent those distances were. Just 13 yards between my longest and shortest shots means this is a great club for attacking greens. The technology that helps maintain off-centre ball speed, really works.

Mizuno CLK Hybrids Unveiled

Best Hybrids of 2017

Mizuno CLK Hybrid Review: Verdict

When you look at both the aesthetics and the performance, it is clear this is a premium hybrid. At £245 it certainly has the price-tag to match. However, with an adjustable loft sleeve that offers nine different set up options, there is no reason why any golfer wouldn't be able to find one that fits in perfectly at the top end of the bag. If you are a confident ball-striker looking for a hybrid to replace a redundant long iron, we would urge you to take the Mizuno CLK hybrid for a test. You'll be surprised by how much extra performance is on offer from such a compact, sleek shape.

Mizuno SS17 Apparel Review - Golf Monthly Content Editor David Taylor travelled to Ireland and magnificent Old Head Golf Club to test out the latest Mizuno apparel

 Mizuno SS17 Apparel Review

Tested by David Taylor, Hcp 18

Garments tested:

Mizuno Pro Rain Pants (Black) Mizuno Pro Rain Jacket (Blue/White) Mizuno Warm Layer 1/4 Zip Mizuno Sublimation Polo (High Rise)

Website: golf.mizunoeurope.com/

Styling

The mid-layer and waterproof top were bright and vibrant but still remained stylish while the polo shirt was slightly more bold in terms of design and patterns. Mizuno unfortunately did not offer trousers in the Spring/Summer 2017 range to complete the look.

Fit

I am usually a medium but I was provided with large which actually fitted very well, you might find yourself going up a size should you switch to wearing Mizuno - it's certainly worth bearing in mind if you don’t try on before you buy. The waterproofs slipped on easily, very helpful if you get caught in a quick passing shower, but did not feel loose or baggy, which can create a heavy feel that makes you feel tired earlier than you'd have liked.

Comfort

All the garments were very light and the stretchy fabric did not impede my swing in any way. The mid-layer was very warm with a nice soft material and the waterproofs were the most lightweight I’ve experienced, helping me carry on when the rain was at its worst.

Performance

The waterproofs were tested in the most extreme conditions and were not found wanting. I remained dry and comfortable throughout the round. The mid-layer kept me warm enough throughout the miserable weather and the waterproof trousers get my lower half bone dry.

Golf Monthly's Mizuno MP-18 Irons Review, a new range of irons aimed at the better player who prioritises feel, precision and workability

Mizuno MP-18 Irons Review

There aren't many golf clubs that on first look send a shiver down your spine or instantly put a smile on your face, but the MP-18 irons did it with ease, even despite images doing the rounds on social media weeks before I finally got my hands on them.

With straight lines, meticulously-shaped cambers and perfectly-softened edges in all the right places, these must be as close to the perfect looking golf club for the purist - as far removed from the modern era of Face Slots, Speed Pockets and vibration dampening badges as a club is ever likely to get.

They are, as the size suggests, for the true player. The very best of ball strikers.

On the blade, there isn't any technology here that's going to save a miss but the MP-18 player doesn't hit many misses.

The feel can best described as a long hit. By that, I mean the ball seems to stay on the face for an eternity. When you strike one pure from the centre, you feel nothing - like the club is an extension of your arms and you're merely throwing a ball 170 yards with a 6-iron. The accompanying sound is muted and dull, crisp and short. Perfection.

Related: Mizuno JPX900 driver review

Unsurprisingly, forgiveness doesn't really feature here. If that's a shock to you, perhaps the JPX900 series is more up your street. Misses felt harsh and dropped out of the sky quickly, but those shots are soon forgotten when you hit another out of the liquid-like sweetspot.

The MP-18 SC irons are larger, but only just - perhaps by no more than a cigarette paper. The topline and sole are definitely noticeably wider but this is still a compact, players' iron. The feel is still soft, not quite at the MP-18 blade level, but very close. They're a little more forgiving through the turf but flew a similar distance, with a touch less spin and lower launch.

The MP-18 MMC is a livelier club to hit. Off the face it feels springy, like the ball leaves it more quickly, and has a louder sound to match. When you factor in the lofts are two degrees stronger (28° 6-iron compared to 30° for the MP-18 SC and MP-18), golfers will certainly get more distance and forgiveness from this club, although they'll need to be willing to pay for it at £150 per club.

Finally the MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi is an excellent offering in the top end of your bag that offered me a nice penetrating flight and ample forgiveness across the face.

Related: Mizuno JPX900 fairway and hybrid review

I like how the back edge of the sole, which is naturally visible on the lower-lofted options, is parallel to the top line, so you really don't notice it as much as you might think.

All in all, there's a huge amount of scope for golfers to mix and match the models within their set and the performance benefits on the different shots hit from clubs at either end of the bag should encourage them to do so, especially when you consider they all come under the MP-18 umbrella.

You could conceivably create a set with all four models in it, adding another level to the custom-fit experience you get with Mizuno, along with the impressive shaft optimiser and Swing D.N.A technology.

Mizuno MP-18 Irons Revealed - The long-awaited Mizuno MP-18 iron family has been revealed, blending craftsmanship and art with technology for the better player

Mizuno MP-18 Irons Revealed

We've seen teasers online, even players winning tour events using them. Now, finally, full details of the new Mizuno MP-18 irons have been revealed and the story behind the concept is a fascinating one.

There are four new irons in the MP-18 iron line-up if you include the Fli-Hi model, which comes in 2-6-iron, all benefiting from Mizuno's long-standing heritage in craftsmanship and expertise when it comes to making forged 'players' golf clubs'.

REVIEW: Mizuno MP-18 Irons

MP-18 - RRP £135 per club (RH only)

It all started with the blade, which takes great influence from one of Mizuno's most experienced master craftsman or 'Meister' - a man called Turbo - who shaped and ground the original, designed in the Yuro factory based on his years of work with Sir Nick Faldo. Mizuno then scanned the end result and the MP-18 blades were born.

A true throwback to the musclebacks of Mizuno's past, it has a shorter blade length, cambered top line and steep progression into sharp, compact wedges.

"We significantly shifted the balance of science and art with the MP-18s,” says Chris Voshall, Senior Club Engineer. “You can instantly notice a greater input from the master craftsmen in that the MP-18 is more like the blades that made Mizuno famous - just more precise in its flow and manufacturing. At impact, this is just about perfection.”

The MP-18 irons should boast an even softer feel thanks to an evolved Grain Flow Forged HD (High Density) process that concentrates the grain in those billets more tightly for more precise feedback.

The shorter blade length and low heel profile carry over from previous Major-winning iron models, while the ultra-thin topline has been further refined with an additional camber. The scoring clubs from #7 to pitching wedge then boast a progressively smaller, more sharply refined head.

NEW GEAR: Mizuno CLK Hybrids launched

MP-18 SC - RRP £135 per club (RH and LH)

The MP-18 SC (Split Cavity) model is a compact cavity back. The slightly wider, cambered sole brings a greater degree of playability than the muscle-back, although thin, tapered top lines, short head lengths and smaller wedges mean this is still very much a tour-ready iron.

They are also forged using the same Grain Flow Forged HD process from a single billet of 1025 E Pure Select mild carbon steel as the muscle-back, to maintain the incredibly soft feel.

Compared to the MP-18 muscle-back, the heads are just 0.5mm taller and the top lines just 1mm thicker, again with a refined camber. The pitching wedge is also smaller than the other irons in the set.

"The MP-18 SC is an iron that combines a lot of practical needs – stability, workability and softness at impact - with our craftsmen's desire for immaculate looks over the ball,” says Voshall. “Although the sole is a little wider than the muscle-back, from every playing position, the two models blend beautifully as a mixed set. The MP-18 SC wedges don't taper off as dramatically in size as the muscle-back, so between the two models better players will find something that suits their eye."

Check out Mizuno's new hybrids and wedges:

Expand Mizuno CLK Hybrids Unveiled

Mizuno CLK Hybrids Unveiled

Mizuno has launched an exciting new hybrid, here…

Expand Mizuno S18 Wedge Unveiled

Mizuno S18 Wedge Unveiled

Read about the new Mizuno S18 wedge, a…

MP-18 MMC - RRP £150 per club (RH only)

The MP-18 MMC (Multi Material Cavity) iron is for the ball strikers who love the latest and greatest technology.  It is the fruit of a three-year project lead by Mizuno’s YORO master craftsmen to develop a highly stable, forgiving multi-metal construction iron, which also satisfied their aesthetic desires and demands at address.

Even with both lightweight titanium and heavier tungsten components sealed within its 1025E mild carbon steel head, the MP-18 MMC maintains a similar 'tour ready' profile and size to the MP-18 SC.

The MMC’s multi-material stability design uses lightweight Titanium (8g) and heavier Tungsten (20g) to deliver surprising off-centre performance, with the same High Density (HD) feel as the other two models. The short irons feature a dual-metal design, with the absence of the tungsten toe weight found in the longer irons keeping the scoring irons more workable.

The MP-18 MMC model features a players’ compact profile, which is similar in size to the MP-18 SC but with the added forgiveness of multi-material construction.

The MMC model will flow into any MP-18 split set, with the degree of offset carefully calculated to work equally well with a custom-built mixed set of either MP-18 and MP-18 SC, once lofts have been weakened to match either set.

Mizuno S18 wedge unveiled

MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi - RRP £150 (2-6 iron, RH only)

The MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi is the long iron replacement that offers a higher-flying option from long range with steeper landing angles. The latest Fli-Hi’s sleek new profile now envelopes a Maraging steel face, a Tungsten toe weight and an internal pocket for enhanced ball speed and ease of use.

The Fli-Hi’s Multi-Material stability design uses that Lightweight Maraging steel face and Tungsten toe weight (20g) to generate a high, stable ball flight, with the topline again a mere 1mm thicker than in the corresponding MP-18 muscle-back.

"The Fli-Hi is very much a fixture now on tour,” says Voshall. “Even the most classically minded players have converted to the #2 and #3 iron replacements. These are worlds away from heavily offset 'game improvement' hybrids - but much easier than a traditional long iron to flight and land in firm conditions.

The MP-18 irons will go on sale in September 2017.

Mizuno MP-18 Irons Revealed - The long-awaited Mizuno MP-18 iron family has been revealed, blending craftsmanship and art with technology for the better player

Mizuno MP-18 Irons Revealed

We've seen teasers online, even players winning tour events using them. Now, finally, full details of the new Mizuno MP-18 irons have been revealed and the story behind the concept is a fascinating one

There are four new irons in the MP-18 iron line-up if you include the Fli-Hi model, which comes in 2-6-iron, all benefitting from Mizuno's long-standing heritage in craftsmanship and expertise when it comes to making forged 'players' golf clubs'.

MP-18 - RRP £135 per club (RH only)

It all started with the blade, which takes great influence from one of Mizuno's most experienced master craftsman or 'Meister' - a man called Turbo - who shaped and ground the original, designed in the Yuro factory based on his years of work with Sir Nick Faldo. Mizuno then scanned the end result and the MP-18 blades were born.

A true throwback to the musclebacks of Mizuno's past, it has a shorter blade length, cambered top line and steep progression into sharp, compact wedges.

"We significantly shifted the balance of science and art with the MP-18s,” says Chris Voshall, Senior Club Engineer. “You can instantly notice a greater input from the master craftsmen in that the MP-18 is more like the blades that made Mizuno famous - just more precise in its flow and manufacturing. At impact, this is just about perfection.”

The MP-18 irons should boast an even softer feel thanks to an evolved Grain Flow Forged HD (High Density) process that concentrates the grain in those billets more tightly for more precise feedback.

The shorter blade length and low heel profile carry over from previous Major-winning iron models, while the ultra-thin topline has been further refined with an additional camber. The scoring clubs from #7 to pitching wedge then boast a progressively smaller, more sharply refined head.

MP-18 SC - RRP £135 per club (RH and LH)

The MP-18 SC (Split Cavity) model is a compact cavity back. The slightly wider, cambered sole brings a greater degree of playability than the muscle-back, although thin, tapered top lines, short head lengths and smaller wedges mean this is still very much a tour-ready iron.

They are also forged using the same Grain Flow Forged HD process from a single billet of 1025 E Pure Select mild carbon steel as the muscle-back, to maintain the incredibly soft feel.

Compared to the MP-18 muscle-back, the heads are just 0.5mm taller and the top lines just 1mm thicker, again with a refined camber. The pitching wedge is also smaller than the other irons in the set.

"The MP-18 SC is an iron that combines a lot of practical needs – stability, workability and softness at impact - with our craftsmen's desire for immaculate looks over the ball,” says Voshall. “Although the sole is a little wider than the muscle-back, from every playing position, the two models blend beautifully as a mixed set. The MP-18 SC wedges don't taper off as dramatically in size as the muscle-back, so between the two models better players will find something that suits their eye."

 MP-18 MMC - RRP £150 per club (RH only)

The MP-18 MMC (Multi Material Cavity) iron is for the ball strikers who love the latest and greatest technology.  It is the fruit of a three-year project lead by Mizuno’s YORO master craftsmen to develop a highly stable, forgiving multi-metal construction iron, which also satisfied their aesthetic desires and demands at address.

Even with both lightweight titanium and heavier tungsten components sealed within its 1025E mild carbon steel head, the MP-18 MMC maintains a similar 'tour ready' profile and size to the MP-18 SC.

The MMC’s multi-material stability design uses lightweight Titanium (8g) and heavier Tungsten (20g) to deliver surprising off-centre performance, with the same High Density (HD) feel as the other two models. The short irons feature a dual-metal design, with the absence of the tungsten toe weight found in the longer irons keeping the scoring irons more workable.

The MP-18 MMC model features a players’ compact profile, which is similar in size to the MP-18 SC but with the added forgiveness of multi-material construction.

The MMC model will flow into any MP-18 split set, with the degree of offset carefully calculated to work equally well with a custom-built mixed set of either MP-18 and MP-18 SC, once lofts have been weakened to match either set.

MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi - RRP £150 (2-6 iron, RH only)

The MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi is the long iron replacement that offers a higher-flying option from long range with steeper landing angles. The latest Fli-Hi’s sleek new profile now envelopes a Maraging steel face, a Tungsten toe weight and an internal pocket for enhanced ball speed and ease of use.

The Fli-Hi’s Multi-Material stability design uses that Lightweight Maraging steel face and Tungsten toe weight (20g) to generate a high, stable ball flight, with the topline again a mere 1mm thicker than in the corresponding MP-18 muscle-back.

"The Fli-Hi is very much a fixture now on tour,” says Voshall. “Even the most classically minded players have converted to the #2 and #3 iron replacements. These are worlds away from heavily offset 'game improvement' hybrids - but much easier than a traditional long iron to flight and land in firm conditions.

The MP-18 irons will go on sale in September 2017.

GM Says - MP-18 irons review

There aren't many golf clubs that on first look send a shiver down your spine or instantly put a smile on your face, but the MP-18 iron did it with ease, even despite images doing the rounds on social media weeks before I finally got my hands on them.

With straight lines, meticulously-shaped cambers and perfectly-softened edges in all the right places, these must be as close to the perfect looking golf club for the purist - as far removed from the modern era of Face Slots, Speed Pockets and vibration dampening badges as a club is ever likely to get.

They are, as the size suggests, for the true player. The very best of ball strikers. On the blade, there isn't any technology here that's going to save a miss. The MP-18 player doesn't hit many misses.

The feel can best described as a long hit. By that, I mean the ball seems to stay on the face for an eternity. When you strike one pure from the centre, you feel nothing - like the club is an extension of your arms and you're merely throwing a ball 170 yards with a 6-iron. The accompanying sound is muted and dull, crisp and short. Perfect.

Unsurprisingly, forgiveness doesn't really feature here. If that's a shock to you, perhaps the JPX900 series is more up your street. Misses felt harsh and dropped out of the sky quicker than I'm used to, but those shots are soon forgotten when you hit another out of the liquid-like sweetspot.

The MP-18 SC irons are larger, but only just - perhaps by no more than a cigarette paper. The topline and sole are definitely noticeably wider but this is still a compact, players' iron. The feel is still soft, not quite at the MP-18 level, but very close.

The MP-18 MMC is a livelier club to hit. Off the face it feels springy, like the ball leaves it quickly, and has a louder sound to match. When you factor in the lofts are two degrees stronger (28° 6-iron compared to 30° for the MP-18 SC and MP-18), golfers will certainly get more distance and forgiveness from this club, although they'll need to be willing to pay for it.

Finally the MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi is an excellent offering in the top end of your bag that offered me a nice penetrating flight and ample forgiveness across the face.

I like how the back edge of the sole, which is naturally visible on the lower-lofted options, is parallel to the top line, so you really don't notice it as much as you might think.

All in all, there's a huge amount of scope for golfers to mix and match the models within their set and the performance benefits should encourage them to do so, especially when you consider they all come under the MP-18 umbrella.

You could conceivably create a set with all four models in it, adding another level to the custom-fit experience you get with Mizuno, along with the impressive shaft optimiser and Swing D.N.A technology.

The MP-18 irons are a visual treat from every angle and while only a small percentage of golfers should seriously consider them for their bag, the rest of us can aspire to have them and many will find the larger models more playable than expected.

Mizuno JPX900 Hybrid Review - We took the Mizuno JPX900 hybrid to West Hill Golf Club to assess its performance using our Foresight Sports GC2 launch monitor

Mizuno JPX900 Hybrid Review

Aimed at This hybrid had a broad appeal thanks to its all-round performance, loft adjustability and confidence-inspiring looks.

Key technology The JPX900 is Mizuno’s first adjustable hybrid and has been built like a wood to play like an iron. It has a speed-boosting Shockwave Sole that also places extra mass low in the club for added playability from the turf, and the Quick Switch system that allows loft adjustments to a range of 4 degrees.

It is also set up a little shorter and flatter than previous hybrids to work for players who normally hook their hybrids. The adjustable heads come in lofts 16°, 19°, 22° and 25° to cater for all potential gapping scenarios.

How we tested We hit the standard stiff shafted hybrid on our GC2 launch monitor to assess performance and also tested it from different lies to assess its versatility.

Looks The warm blue crown contrasting with the black face and white, full-length scorelines makes is easy to align the face. Much of the sole sits flush to the turf and its mid-size profile will appeal to most abilities.

Performance It feels incredibly solid off the face with a pleasing sound to match. We liked how this hybrid doesn’t turn over as much from right-to-left as we expected but there are upright lie angle settings if you want to add draw bias.

This is a really impressive hybrid offering from Mizuno. It’s offers the distance and forgiveness of a hybrid, with hints of long-iron-like workability. We found it sent the ball out there consistently long and straight with a soft draw, averaging a healthy 222-yard carry using 19˚ from the deck. With a spin of 3200 rpm, golfers will experience a welcome combination of distance from the tee and stopping power into greens and it cut through the rough from bad lies pretty well too.

Mizuno 2017 Spring/Summer Apparel Launched - Stylish, performance-orientated clothing designed to help you look, feel and play your best this year

Mizuno 2017 Spring/Summer Apparel Launched

Mizuno has announced its new collection of golf apparel for Spring/Summer 2017 aimed at serious golfers wanting to look and play their best this season.

Designed to reflect Mizuno’s premium status within golf and the company’s unique Japanese heritage, the new collection of authentic golfwear comprises simple, classic looks combined with Mizuno’s proven Drylite, Warmalite and Windlite performance technologies to deliver exactly what golfers need to play their best in all conditions.

We visited the Chuo Forging Factory in Japan that makes Mizuno's Grain Flow Forged irons

The Drylite moisture management technology found in all five SS17 polo shirts, including the Sublimination polo pictured below (RRP £50), as well as shorts, helps transport excess moisture away from the body to create a comfortable and dry internal microclimate for optimum performance. The fabric is soft and stretchable too for a free-moving swing.

The Plain Shorts come in a traditional, tailored style with an extra front mini pocket, while the Drylite fabric also adds in a welcome degree of water repellency.

Related: Mizuno Nexlite SL shoes launched for 2017

The body-warming Warmalite technology featured in the Warmalite ¼ zip top (below, RRP £70) acts to recycle escaping body heat, creating an insulating layer between body and garment on chillier days to help keep your swing loose. This highly effective stretch-warming layer has a shape-holding collar, a locking zip mechanism and anti-snag shoulders to accommodate bag straps more easily.

The third and final key technology is Windlite, which offers excellent levels of protection when the wind gets up to help keep your core body temperature – and therefore performance potential – up. Streamlined and ultralight, the Wind Jacket and Wind Vest (below, RRP £70) are engineered for superior windproofing, and also feature a locking zip mechanism.

Mizuno’s Webbed Belt comes in a complementary colour palette to provide the perfect finishing touch to any of the new SS17 summer outfits.

Mizuno is also re-introducing golf shoes in 2017 in the form of the new Nexlite SL, you can read more about them here.

For further information on Mizuno’s current range of golf equipment, apparel, golf shoes and accessories visit: golf.mizunoeurope.com.

Mizuno Nexlite SL Shoe Unveiled - Mizuno has returned to the footwear market with the lightweight and stylish spikeless Nexlite SL shoe for 2017

Mizuno Nexlite SL Shoe Unveiled

Mizuno may be a Japanese company renowned for its Grain Flow Forged irons like the MP-5 or JPX900 Tour but in 2017 it is re-entering the golf shoe market with the launch of the ultra-lightweight Nexlite SL (spikeless) golf shoe.

Golf Monthly visited the Mizuno HQ in Japan last year

Globally across all sports, footwear actually represents the brand’s largest product category. That footwear portfolio has long included golf shoes in other parts of the world and now Mizuno will be re-introducing its golf footwear to the UK and Europe.

The Nexlite SL is an ultralight (275 gram) shoe engineered by Mizuno’s award-winning running team and packed with technology to make walking the course as pleasurable and comfortable an experience as possible. It is a spikeless shoe built on the patented Mizuno Wave platform, which runners across the globe have long relied on for long-lasting cushioning, stability and comfort.

“The Mizuno Wave platform is trusted by marathon runners the world over,” says Motohiro Jinno, Mizuno Footwear Division. “But it’s just as effective to walk 36 holes on the golf course. The corrugated sole plate gives a firm cushioning and stability designed to reduce foot fatigue, which makes the last few holes that much easier.”

A key golf-specific technology added into the shoe is the IG Multi Technology (Impact Grip System), which is engineered to deliver added grip and stability throughout the swing in firm conditions, and specifically through impact.

Weight is another key factor for those who walk the course, and weighing just 275 grams, the Nexlite SL shoes are not only the lightest golf shoe that Mizuno has ever produced, but they are also the lightest in their category in golf. Much of the lightweight properties are thanks to a high-comfort, sort-touch Sofrina SK upper that reduces total shoe weight, while remaining breathable, lightweight and waterproof.

That waterproofing comes via Protein Tex, a lightweight material that feels like leather and provides nearly three times as much water resistance pressure (20,000ml) as other waterproof membranes.

The Nexlite SL shoes comes with a two-year waterproof warranty, and are available in four colourways for men and two colourways for ladies. They have an RRP of £90 and are on sale in the Spring.

For further information on Mizuno’s full range of golf gear, visit golf.mizunoeurope.com.

Mizuno JPX-S Balls Revealed - Mizuno's latest ball offering is said to provide more distance and overall performance for the majority of golfers

Mizuno JPX-S Balls Revealed

The new Mizuno JPX-S is a soft-compression, three-piece ball offering all-round performance for a wide range of swing speeds.

The launch joins the tour-proven MP-S and MP-X models and the introduction of the JPX and high-tech JPX Platinum 5-piece models in the Mizuno ball family.

By softening the core, Mizuno’s ball engineers have not only been able to enhance the feel of the JPX-S at impact, but also deliver increased initial ball speed for the majority of golfers.

The aerodynamics of the new JPX-S ball have been improved too via an enhanced version of Mizuno’s unique Dimple-Cluster design, helping to convert that increased ball speed into extra yards.

There are now 566 dimples in total - 54 more than on the original JPX models – further boosting the ball’s ability to maintain its flight for longer, with the micro dimples taking effect at lower ball speeds to deliver increased hang time past the apex of the ball’s flight. The uniquely aerodynamic cover design was conceived and tested in Mizuno’s own air tunnel.

“We call this ‘Balanced Performance’, as every measurable performance aspect of the JPX-S has evolved without sacrifice of another – speed, feel, spin, aerodynamics or durability,” commented Tetsuya Kanayama, Director of Mizuno R&D.

It’s not just slower swing speeds who will benefit from the softer-compression core either, with Mizuno’s testing producing some interesting results at slightly faster swing speeds too. Nobuhito Sato from the Japan Tour, for example, was able to carry the JPX-S around 255 yards - on average 18 yards longer than his normal MP-S tour ball with the driver.

“Although Sato isn’t a long hitter by tour standards, his driver clubhead speed of 102 mph is comfortably more than most amateurs,” observed Alex Thorne, European Tour Operations manager. “This softer compression JPX-S ball is going to produce greater yardage for the majority of players.”

On sale now, the JPX-S has an RRP £35 a dozen.

Golf Monthly's Mizuno JPX900 driver review, a more forgiving model that its predecessor that also has extra adjustability to provide greater scope for improving performance

Mizuno JPX900 driver review

The Mizuno JPX850 driver was a very good club but perhaps lacked that wow factor or feeling of power when you really struck it solid and a little bit of forgiveness when you didn’t.

Mizuno claims to have put this right in its replacement, the JPX900 model, which has some new technology and different profile to encourage more golfers to give it a try, including two 8g weights that can be positioned in various places on the sole to affect launch, spin and shot shape.

While it’s still 440cc, it has a much larger profile at address than the JPX850 thanks to a shallower face allowing the crown’s length to be extended from front to back. This inspires more confidence and allows for more of Mizuno’s signature blue to be put on show.

Another feature at address is the ability to adjust the face angle independently from the loft, so regardless of whether you like to see a closed, neutral or open face angle, your preference is catered for.

The first thing that strikes you when you first send one away down the range is the sound. This driver is loud - louder than its predecessor and louder than most other drivers on the market. Is this a bad thing? No, it’s just different. It’s not an unfavourable sound by any means – it just gets your attention.

The second noteworthy thing about this driver is how easily it gets the ball up in the air. Initial testing in the 9.5° loft launched the ball at 17° - much higher than is optimum for a swing speed of 110mph.

But even with too high a launch angle and spin rate, the carry distance was still well over 270 yards. So one thing was clear – this driver has the potential to clock up some serious yardage.

Lofting down to 8.5° and putting both the 8g weights in the forward position of the middle track seemed to have cracked the code, with the average carry ascending to a whopping 279 yards with spin reducing down to around the 2000 rpm mark.

These were seriously impressive carry numbers indeed, some of best we’ve experience in recent years, but the height of the ball flight was a worry. With the ball peaking at 43 yards, it would struggle in outdoor conditions, especially when hitting into the wind, and the amount of roll out significantly reduced.

Better players may well prefer a club that launches the ball a little lower and has a taller face but for the majority of golfers, the Mizuno JPX900 has enough settings to unlock more performance from your swing. The Quick Switch hosel features loft adjustability down to 7.5°, so further testing is required to determine if the JPX900 driver can produce the more penetrating ball flight some players will want to see.

Golf Monthly's Mizuno T7 wedge review, a new model said to offer longer-lasting spin control without losing out on a soft feel

Key technology The T7 is the first Mizuno wedge to benefit from boron infusion, which makes the clubhead material much stronger for longer-lasting spin control. The shape becomes more rounded as the loft increases to suit more open-faced shots. A more precise milling tool allows the loft-specific grooves to be cut tight to R&A limits.

Will Suit Golfers who want high levels of control in a tour-proven shape that lasts for longer.

GM Review

Looks The T7 is a muscleback design that looks stunning, whether you choose the white satin or blue IP finish. We enjoyed the change in profile as the loft increases, moving from an iron-like shape in the lower lofts to a more rounded design in the higher lofts, providing versatility.

Performance A common complaint among golfers is that the control you get from fresh wedges wears off too quickly. Mizuno claims to have solved this, although the proof will come months or even years down the line. We experienced excellent feel from these wedges, despite the addition of the boron.

The T7 provides a low launch on full shots – something that will enable a better control of ball flight and is a sign of more spin being created at impact. We were amazed by how much check we were getting on the second bounce, even on short chip shots, which means you can be more aggressive from different lies.

There are a wide variety of lofts available to help your gapping, and using the wedge optimiser as part of Mizuno’s Swing DNA fitting system will help you cover all the distances you want.

The Mizuno JPX900 woods promise more distance and a more finely-tuned ball flight thanks to a faster clubface and extra sole adjustability

Mizuno may be thought of predominantly as an iron company, but it hopes its new JPX900 wood line up will change your thinking.

They are said to deliver the fastest ever ball speeds from a Mizuno wood via a series of design features and comprehensive adjustability that optimises launch angle and spin, helping convert swing speed into added yards for every golfer.

Challenged by its tour staff to create a driver that performed like the JPX850 on centre strikes, without the drop off in ball speeds on miss-hits, Mizuno created the JPX900.

It boasts a newly configured, multi-thickness face, strengthened in key areas to significantly boost ball speeds. The adjustability has been taken up a notch courtesy of two 8g weights that can be placed in a choice of three Fast Tracks in the sole to alter launch and spin. The Quick Switch hosel changes the loft or shaft in an instant, while a face angle prop in the sole allows the clubface to independently sit open, closed or square depending on your preference.

Mizuno’s tour pros also asked for a driver that looked easier to hit, so the JPX900 has a longer, wider and shallower profile than its previous tour models, while internal tuning forks ensure the sound remains pure regardless of the weight positions, a common inconsistency in most weight-movable drivers.

“It’s a very different approach to a tour type driver,” R&D’s Chris Voshall. “So many of the changes were based on creating more even ball speeds across the face, that the JPX900 became a driver that will work for a really wide range of players. Add to that the levels of adjustability and you’ve a driver that can pinch out a few more yards for almost anyone.”

The JPX900 fairway wood promises “ball speed for everyone, spin if you need it”. The expanding Shockwave Sole on the new JPX900 fairway wood generates prodigious ball speeds that really close the gap on your driver, while the sliding weight system in the sole ensures maximum playability for a wide range of swing types.

Ball speed comes via the contraction and expansion of the Shockwave Sole, which creates exceptional levels of energy for a compact head; spin and launch can be tailored to individual needs via a movable 15g weight in the sole and the Quick Switch system that allows loft to be adjusted to a range of four degrees.

The JPX900 is Mizuno’s first adjustable hybrid and has been built like a wood to play like an iron, sharing much of the same technology as the fairway wood: the energy-creating Shockwave Sole that also places extra mass low in the club for added playability from the turf, and the Quick Switch system that allows loft adjustments to a range of 4 degrees.

Designed to play more like a long iron, the JPX900 hybrid’s face sits more like an iron than in Mizuno’s previous hybrids, while the club is set up a little shorter and flatter than previously to work especially well for players who normally hook their hybrids.

The JPX900 line of woods is available from February, 2017. The driver will have an RRP of £399 and will come in adjustable lofts 7.5-12.5° with a Fujikura Speeder Evolution II shaft. The fairway wood will have an RRP of £279 and will come in lofts 15°, 18° and 21° while the hybrid will have an RRP of £219 in lofts 16°, 19°, 22° and 25°.

Golf Monthly's Mizuno JPX900 Hot Metal irons review, a game improvement model that is long and forgiving while still being bendable for custom fitting

Key Technology Made from a new material called Chromoly 4140M, it combines very high ball speeds with the bendability of a forged iron. It has paved the way for Mizuno to create its thinnest ever cup face for extra distance, while remaining soft and bendable in the hosel for precise lie angle adjustments.

Looks This is the largest of the three new JPX900 irons, making it the most forgiving and confidence-inspiring behind the ball. There’s certainly a degree of crossover with the JPX EZ Forged, the JPX900 coming in a lighter finish and with less offset. The wide soles mean you can see the back of the head of the longer irons at address.

Shelf appeal These irons look absolutely fantastic on the rack and that doesn’t change when you take a closer a look. Shiny chrome areas combined with more brushed satin areas and Mizuno’s signature blue trim create a near-flawless aesthetic, while the size will instantly appeal to golfers who prioritise forgiveness but in a traditional looking head.

Head Design The Power Frame is immediately obvious looking from the back, creating a rigid structure around the perimeter of the head that provides forgiveness and allows the thin face to flex more explosively. The wedges within the set also have their own material – a softer X30 steel that offers a softer feel around the greens.

Shaft Mizuno don’t really offer a ‘stock’ shaft, as there is a wide variety available with no upcharge through a custom fitting, including Dynamic Gold AMT, KBS Tour C Taper Lite, Project X LZ and multiple graphite options.

Feel and Sound Of the three irons in the JPX900 iron line, the Hot Metal has the loudest, most powerful sound and feel of the three. The feel is incredibly fast and solid at impact, contributing the impressive carry numbers across the face and good dispersion too.

Forgiveness That solid feel you get from the face is similar regardless of where you strike the ball on the face. Help is definitely at hand from the heel and toe, with distance consistency a surprising trait from this game improvement iron.

Ball Flight There’s no doubt you’ll experience a higher ball flight than you might expect. It’s perhaps comparable to when you get a flier from the rough with a short iron, where the ball comes off high and hot and stays in the air forever, but with the required stopping power to hold the green.

Distance With a 7-iron loft of 31 degrees, which is about the average for a club of this size, these irons have the potential to hit the ball a long way. The relatively low spin combined with the higher launch produced carries far longer than traditionally lofted 7-irons.

Use of special boron material provides longer lasting groove definition in the new Mizuno T7 wedges for added control and durability

The lid came off the new Mizuno T7 wedges at this year’s Open Championship when staff player Luke Donald added a set to his golf bag, replacing his Mizuno T5 wedges. The T7s are Mizuno’s first Grain Flow Forged wedges infused with Boron and feature precision-milled Quad Cut grooves for longer-lasting spin control.

New Mizuno JPX900 irons launched

The new T7 forged wedges deliver Mizuno’s distinctive soft Grain Flow Forged feel but with significantly enhanced groove durability thanks to a small infusion of Boron within its steel.

“The one drawback with a traditional soft forged wedge is that the grooves compress more quickly than a harder cast wedge,” David Llewellyn, Director of R&D at Mizuno, told GM.

“A very small trace of Boron in the steel means we can not only now maintain that forged feel and precision, but also the performance of the grooves and the wedge’s stopping power over a longer period of time. Our only concern with using Boron was whether the feel would be compromised. Luke Donald was the best tester for that issue and he asked to put them in his bag after one session.”

The spin control performance of the face has already been enhanced by a new, more precise milling tool that allows the loft-specific Quad Cut grooves to be cut as tight as possible to R&A and USGA limits for even more spin. Those loft-specific grooves are wider and shallower in the higher lofts from 54˚ to 62˚, then deeper and narrower in the lower lofts from 45˚ to 53˚, allowing golfers to maximise spin on both full and partial shots.

The grooves aren’t the only things that vary according to loft, with the pitching wedge lofts from 45˚ to 48˚ featuring a straighter leading edge and topline for fuller shots, graduating into a more rounded profile in the highest lofts from 58˚ to 62˚. Those higher lofts also boast more visible grinds that narrow the sole to deliver crisp ball-striking from a wide variety of lies.

Mizuno has been Grain Flow Forging its iron and wedge heads since 1968, a process that compresses and maintains a consistent grain through the neck and hosel delivering the feel and the precise distance control so crucial in the wedge game. T7 wedges are available in the standard White Satin finish, or the unique Blue IP finish that debuted in last year’s S5 wedges.

The new Mizuno T7 wedges are available in lofts 45° to 62° with and RRP of £120 per wedge.

The Mizuno Women’s JPX EZ range of clubs, includes adjustable driver, forgiving fairways and game improvement irons.

The Mizuno Women's JPX EZ range is aimed at players who are looking to generate a little more ball speed and achieve greater consistency from tee to green. But, it should be stressed, that these clubs aren’t just targeting the higher handicap golfer. Evidence of that comes from Luke Donald who has put the men’s version of the JPX EZ driver into play on Tour.

JPX EZ Ladies Driver RRP: £349

This is a large 460CC driver that produces a high launch with low spin. It’s very forgiving and, with a reduced framework for the adjustable weights, it remains extremely light. The simple three-weight system allows you to easily select a neutral, draw or fade shot shape. The rounded crown also helps to generate extra ball speed.

The JPX EZ driver features a Quick Switch loft adjustability function that means you can select one of eight loft settings between 10.5 and 14.5 degrees.

A range of custom shafts and grips are available.

This driver is easy to hit, extremely forgiving and long – a rather appealing combination.

JPX EZ Ladies Fairways RRP: £219 and Hybrids RRP: £179

These fairways and hybrids have been designed specifically with the lady golfer in mind. Lightweight and with a larger footprint, they’re extremely easy to hit and they produce an impressively high ball flight, generating a soft landing.

Stand out feature is the Shock Wave sole. It enables the entire club head to contract and expand on impact and that helps produce greater ball speed.

The fairways are available with fixed or adjustable hosel in lofts of 15, 18 and 21 degrees (with four degrees of play on each) and the hybrids are available in lofts of 22 and 25 degrees.

As with the JPX EZ driver, a range of custom shafts and grips are available.

JPX EZ Irons RRP: £100 graphite, £85 steel (per iron) 3-PW available

These supremely forgiving and powerful irons produce exceptional ball speeds off the face. The dual pocket cavity produces exceptional face flex and that means explosive power.

The long irons are forgiving thanks to the multi-thickness face and the dual pocket construction while the shorter irons offer a good degree of feel and control – they’re slightly more compact than the longer clubs with thicker, more uniform faces.

“Ball speed wise and stability wise, this iron is a total game changer – especially if you want your 7 iron to fly like a 7 iron should. Because we’re Mizuno, those details matter,” said Head of Design David Llewellyn. “We want every iron we produce to be top of its class in feel and sound at impact. So although the JPX EZ isn’t for someone who wants to shape their shots, it has a really surprising sensation that makes you feel like as if you’re playing a much more versatile iron.”

The Mizuno Women’s JPX 850 range for 2016 features adjustable driver, stylish fairways and hybrids and high performance irons.

Mizuno is a company that prides itself on producing precision made and high quality golf clubs, and the Mizuno Women's JPX 850 range provides a fine example of this. The driver, fairways and hybrids feature cutting edge technologies designed to maximise distance and consistency, while the irons feature Mizuno’s ingenious Power Frame that delivers exceptional ball speeds together with feel and control.

JPX 850 Ladies Driver RRP: £349

This is an extremely versatile driver that will suit players of varying swing paths and speeds. The Fast Track weight sliding system is not a new innovation, Mizuno first featured it back in 2007. But the system has evolved since then and it now allows you to choose from 10 different flight settings – 4 neutral, 3 draw and 3 fade – and this gives you great flexibility when selecting flight and shot shape.

There’s also a Quick Switch loft adjustability function that means you can select one of eight loft settings between 10.5 and 14.5 degrees.

The “rebound” crown helps to maximise ball speed off the face and the distance produced by this club is impressive. There are a number of custom shafts and grips to choose from allowing you to fully tailor this club to suit your requirements.

JPX 850 Ladies Fairways RRP: £219 and hybrids RRP: £179

The standout feature of these clubs is the Shock Wave sole. This enables the entire head to flex and increase ball speed without the need to move the sweet spot too high on the clubface. You’ll enjoy great feel and power off the face of the JPX 850 fairways and hybrids.

The fairways are available in lofts of 15, 18 and 21 degrees (although adjustable hosel allows for 4 degrees of play) and the hybrids in 16, 19, 22 and 25 degrees. As with the driver, custom shafts and grips are available.

JPX 850 Ladies Irons RRP: £100 graphite, £85 steel (per iron) 4-PW available

With their Power Frame, these irons deliver exceptional ball speed but still with a good degree of control and feel. The irons are harmonically tuned to control vibration and the progressive head size been the longer irons have a longer blade length than the wedges.

“Simply increasing ball speed is not our goal – making it happen within a manageable head size is the real challenge,” said R&D manager Tetsu Kanayama. “With the Power Frame we were able to take ball speeds to a completely different level – but keep it hand in hand with a nice feel and a level of workability.”

Golf Monthly's Mizuno JPX EZ irons review, an oversized forgiving model for mid-to-high handicappers seeking distance and a higher ball flight

Key technology Mizuno claims the game-improver JPX EZ irons offer the ultimate playability, courtesy of 360 ̊ Dual Pockets and multi-thickness faces. This design provides levels of feel normally only associated with forged irons. More traditional lofts mean you get the distance from the head technology as well as the height required to stop the ball on the green.

Thicker, more uniform faces in the short-irons create a stronger trajectory on approach shots. They feature an anti-glare Black Nickel finish and are available in graphite at the same price as steel.

Will suit Golfers who want maximum distance and forgiveness without losing out on feel.

GM verdict The EZ refers to the assumption these irons are ‘easy’ to hit, and they certainly live up to that. The oversize profile makes it clear distance and forgiveness are the priority. While you’ll struggle to find more offset irons, this is combined with thick toplines and wide soles to instil maximum confidence.

A dark Gunmetal finish creates a premium look and reduces glare, while a lighter grooved area on the face assists alignment. Looking at the back of the iron, the heel-toe weighting is clear – in fact, the sole is so thin that the number is etched on the toe. Distance is both impressive and surprising, given the more traditional lofts.

Long, straight iron shots soon become second nature with a solid feel at impact. Rather than being an enlarged version of a player’s iron, the JPX EZ has a shape and performance all of its own, making it a must- try for mid-to-high handicappers.

Golf Monthly's Mizuno MP-25 iron review, a player's model that benefits from Boron-infused steel for the first time to increase ball speed across the clubface

Mizuno MP-25 iron review

Key technology Mizuno's use of boron within its steel forging process allows engineers to make the faces thinner for more distance and increase perimeter weighting for more forgiveness. This is the first time boron has been used in an MP model, designed for better players seeking a soft feel and a compact, workable head design. A micro-slot pocket cavity in the long irons increases distance further.

GM Verdict

Address View Aesthetics The MP-25 is a picture of perfection down behind the ball. There’s minimal offset, but a thicker topline compared with many other true better-player irons on the market. These features will undoubtedly broaden the range of players who will enjoy the look and performance this set offers.

Shelf Appeal From all angles, this is a beautiful-looking golf club. Good players will appreciate the size, shape, playability and superb feel, while game-improvers will benefit from the extra distance, as well as forgiveness on off-centre hits.

Shaft Project X shafts are known for their low launch and penetrating flight, while still being relatively lightweight. When combined with the irons’ traditional lofts, the resulting flight offers the ideal balance of trajectory and stopping power.

Head Construction Using boron within the Grain Flow Forging process has allowed Mizuno to implement a Micro-Slot pocket cavity into the 3- to 6-irons for greater ball speeds. However, the MP-25 still delivers the feel and touch demanded by the players this iron is aimed at.

Head design The offset increases slightly as the clubs get longer, but, through the set, the MP-25 maintains its traditional look and compact size. The forgiveness certainly comes from the technology inside the head, rather than the profile. The irons with no cavity felt slightly firmer and less springy, but distance gaps weren’t affected significantly.

Weighting As a result of thinner faces, additional weight has been placed at the perimeter to raise the moment of inertia. The result is a more forgiving iron that offers higher ball speeds across the face – a combination every golfer will enjoy.

Forgiveness The mid-sized toplines and blade lengths mean the MP-25 irons retain the look of an MP model, but in a less- intimidating package. Add in the consistently soft feel and accuracy from different strike points across the face, and distance control becomes one of the club’s strongest and most significant attributes.

Distance While having traditional lofts, the MP-25 irons carry the ball further than their MP-5 counterparts – also new in Mizuno’s 2015 line-up. Better players will be likely to experience some form of distance increase over their current set, but, more importantly, these distances are consistent and joined by a soft feel that is best in class.

Flight The mid-to-high trajectory means the excellent stopping power isn’t offset by a ballooning flight. In fact, the peak height didn’t vary too much through the set, making control of distance an easier task.

Impact sound and feel Arguably the irons’ best quality. These clubs are incredibly hot off the face, as reflected in the distance, while retaining the soft feel you expect from forged models. The sound is also understated to match that soft feel – less hollow than the JPX850 Forged. It’s a combination you’re unlikely to find elsewhere and really sets the MP-25s apart from the rest.

Clever design in the new Mizuno JPX EZ driver promises the combined benefits of simplified adjustability and high levels of off-centre forgiveness

Up until now, many drivers featuring movable weights have not proved as playable as non-adjustable models in the hands of ordinary club golfers because of the extra weight required to create the track systems and movable weight ports in the sole.

The new JPX EZ 2016 driver from Mizuno, with its striking blue and black sole design, recognises and addresses this issue via a simplified three-weight system that brings more than adequate adjustability while still delivering levels of forgiveness that are right up there with non-adjustable driver models.

Video: watch our 60-second preview of the new Mizuno JPX EZ 2016 driver...

By slotting a 10g weight into one of the three ports in the sole of the head, you can instantly switch shot shape between draw, neutral and fade biases. There is further adjustability available courtesy of the Quick Switch hosel that brings additional scope to really optimise your loft and launch conditions.

The head also boasts a large ‘footprint’, or sole area, to promote the high-launching, low-spinning flight we’re all after, while the crown’s more rounded design improves playability by allowing the face to flex more, thus generating higher ball speeds and extra forgiveness particularly from mishits high in the clubface.

CHECK OUT ALL THE MIZUNO JPX EZ 2016 RANGE

The whole idea is full adjustability with added forgiveness for all, including those not blessed with the highest of ball speeds or the most consistent of strike patterns, as Mizuno club engineer, Chris Voshall, explains:

“With the JPX EZ, we now have a second adjustable driver option for players with either a little less ball speed or those who want a bit more stability from off-centre strikes. It’s not a case of ability either. Luke Donald felt more secure with the extra forgiveness, and he’s a better driver than most of us!”

Donald debuted the club at this year’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, and the Mizuno JPX EZ 2016 driver, complemented by the new JPX EZ fairway woods and hybrids, will be available at retail from January 2016 with an RRP of £349.

The confidence-inspiring large ‘footprint’ on the Mizuno JPX EZ woods and hybrids is designed for a high softer-landing flight that maximises carry distance

The new JPX EZ fairway woods and hybrids have been specifically engineered to counter growing trends in these two categories of club towards designs that favour stronger ball-strikers, especially when it comes to models offering adjustability.

Video: watch our 60-second preview of the new Mizuno JPX EZ 2016 woods and hybrids...

In other words, a number of fairway woods and hybrids in recent years have become more difficult for average golfers to hit well and flight properly.

So the new JPX EZ fairway woods and hybrids boast larger, flatter heads to help those with more modest clubhead speeds flight the ball better.

Performance off the turf is also aided by a next generation Shockwave Sole that lowers the centre of gravity, and allows the clubhead to contract and expand more at impact for increased stability and a higher ball flight, with the Waffle Crown design allowing even more weight to be located low in the clubhead.

While they have been engineered for wider playability, the benefits they offer may well appeal to better players too according to Mizuno club engineer, Chris Voshall: “We’ve gone back to the drawing board and created a larger, flatter head with a tendency to generate more backspin. It’s not just ability dependent - there will be tour players and professionals who prefer the softer-landing trajectory too.”

CHECK OUT ALL THE MIZUNO JPX EZ 2016 RANGE

JPX EZ fairway woods (15˚, 18˚ and 21˚) feature the same Quick Switch adjustable hosel as the JPX EZ driver to optimise loft and launch characteristics, while a less expensive fixed-hosel version is also available. The JPX EZ hybrids (16˚, 19˚, 22˚ and 25˚) are available in a fixed-hosel version only.

The JPX EZ woods will be available at retail from January 2016 with an RRP of £219 for the adjustable version and £179 for the non-adjustable model. The JPX EZ hybrids will be available from the same date with an RRP of £179.

The two new Mizuno JPX EZ 2016 irons have been designed with distance in mind, even in the JPX EZ Forged model thanks to its injection of boron…

Mizuno knows that all golfers are after a little more distance, even those who crave the ultimate feel and workability of one of its classic forgings.

Video: watch our 60-second preview of both new Mizuno JPX EZ 2016 iron models...

The new JPX EZ Forged has been engineered to eliminate the need for a choice between the two, blending distance and feel like never before thanks to Boron-infused heads in the longer irons.

This addition to the metal mix allows a wider CNC pocket cavity, which creates a larger rebound area to keep ball speeds and clubhead stability up on mishits, while added forgiveness comes via extreme perimeter weighting and a softly bevelled leading edge.

The scoring clubs from 8-PW feature a more compact, one-piece design than in the previous model for enhanced ball control as you home in on the target.

The second model in the new Mizuno JPX EZ 2016 irons line-up seeks to fulfil similar aims but from a slightly different starting point – more of a distance iron, with feel then built back in.

CHECK OUT ALL THE MIZUNO JPX EZ 2016 RANGE

JPX EZ irons offer ultimate playability courtesy of 360˚ Dual Pockets and multi-thickness faces, so even the more challenging long and mid-irons are still exceptionally forgiving and easy to launch. This same design also opens the door to levels of feel normally only associated with forged irons.

Mizuno is proud of the fact that it hasn’t gone down the extra distance route by simply giving its 7-iron, for example, a 6-iron loft, which would give you more yards but not the flight you're really after.

“Ball speed-wise and stability-wise, JPX EZ is a total game-changer, especially if you want your 7-iron to fly like a 7-iron,” according to David Llewellyn, Mizuno head of design. “JPX EZ isn’t for someone who wants to shape their shots, but it has a really surprising sensation that makes you feel as if you’re playing a much more versatile iron.”

Both new new JPX EZ models boast a beautiful anti-glare Black Nickel finish that will wear and soften over time. They will be available at retail from January 2016 with the JPX EZ priced at £85 per club for both steel and graphite, the first time Mizuno has offered graphite shafts for the same price as steel. The JPX EZ Forged will retail at £100 per club in steel and graphite.

New Mizuno equipment always gets us excited, and the launch of the new MP-5 and MP-25 better-player irons and S5 wedge is no different...

New Mizuno equipment always gets us excited, and the launch of the new MP-5 and MP-25 better-player irons and S5 wedge is no different...

Mizuno MP-25 irons

The Mizuno MP-25 irons follows on from the huge success of the JPX 850 Forged irons. They use Boron within the forging to make the material stronger, allowing Mizuno engineers to make the faces thinner to increase ball speed while maintaining forgiveness. Below head designer Chris Voshall and Mizuno tour star Chris Wood put them through their paces.

Click here for the full story and exclusive videos on the new Mizuno MP-25 irons >>>

Mizuno MP-5 irons

Mizuno are billing this better player iron as neither as a blade or a cavity back, but a revolutionary 'Channel Back' that is a forged iron like no other. Below head designer Chris Voshall and Mizuno tour star Chris Wood put them through their paces.

Click here for the full story and exclusive videos on the new Mizuno MP-5 irons >>>

Mizuno S5 wedge

The new Mizuno S5 wedge comes in two distinctive finishes and has a larger profile that is more forgiving from testing lies.

Click here for the full story and exclusive video on the new Mizuno -S5 wedge >>>

The Golf Monthly test team's Mizuno JPX ball review, an all-ability golf ball with micro dimples to help slow the ball's descent, increasing distance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHmr7U_cTNc

Key technology Mizuno’s three-piece, all-ability JPX ball features micro dimples designed to slow down the ball’s angle of descent, helping it to stay in the air for as long as possible, thereby increasing distance. The cluster pattern comes into effect as the ball speed drops towards the end of its flight, but does so without affecting the higher ball speeds generated at impact. The micro dimples form part of a 512-dimple pattern and combine with a construction that gives the ball a soft feel and responsive playability.

Will suit Golfers after more distance from their ball without losing out completely on short-game feel and control.

GM verdict While it’s difficult to gauge whether the ball stays in the air for a significantly longer period of time, what is clear to see is the towering ball flight on offer when you really catch a drive or mid-iron approach shot. There’s still enough greenside control for the majority of amateurs, especially when you consider the shorter irons they’re likely to be hitting into greens with this ball. Well-struck chips from good lies grab on the first bounce and then release.

If you play a ball around this price point already, the transition into JPX should be seamless. From tee to green, the JPX ball doesn’t feel as soft or check up as quickly as the premium models seen out on tour. But anything it lacks in short-game performance it makes up for in carry distance and shelf appeal.

Our test team casts its eye over the brand's latest model in its Mizuno JPX850 driver review

Golf Monthly's Mizuno JPX850 driver review:

Key technology:

The Fast Track weight system first seen in 2007 makes a return in the Mizuno JPX850 driver. It features two twin eight-gram weights that can be located on either a central sliding rail, or on slots in the heel and toe.

This allows for 10 settings, which can vary lateral trajectory and, for the first time, spin rates and launch angles. The face and crown are engineered to increase ball speeds.

Will suit... players after a great-looking head with plenty of adjustability on offer.

The JPX850 is also one of our top 10 best drivers for 2015