Mizuno Golf (http://www.mizunousa.com)

Though perhaps under appreciated by the weekend duffer, Mizuno continues to produce tour quality products year in and year out. Like TaylorMade-Adidas and Nike, Mizuno suffers from a bit of a focus problem in so much as Mizuno is a lot more than just a golf company (baseball, volleyball, and running too). Unfortunately Mizuno’s advertising budget doesn’t seem to be near that of the other two afore mentioned sporting goods behemoth. As a result Mizuno’s golf lineup sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.

Another problem for Mizuno is that while the majority of the well-know manufacturers have migrated to a late February/March release schedule for their annual new product launch, Mizuno thus far has stuck to April/September release dates (with most new products hitting the market as the golf season is winding down). I figure this has to cut into market share a bit as well; when spring rolls around and everyone is going to demo days and shopping for new equipment, Mizuno’s stuff just isn’t quite as shiny as everyone else’s. For that most part, people want the latest and greatest.

Drivers

Maybe it’s because they’re off concentrating on things like baseball bats or kneepads, but Mizuno, unlike just about everyone else in the industry, cannot be counted on to release new models each year. If you’re hopelessly devoted to the brand, this may not be a bad thing as you won’t have to think about upgrading every year. Still, it would be nice to see something new from Mizuno. The almost 2 year old MX-500 driver remains the only big club in Mizuno’s lineup.

Fairway Woods

Did you read the last paragraph? If so, you can probably skip this one. The F-50, which made it’s debut with along side the MX-500 is still the current (and only) model currently available from Mizuno.

Hybrids

Kudos to Mizuno both for giving me something new to discuss, and more so for having two distinct new products in the hybrid/utility club space.

The MP FLI-HI hybrids, like all hybrids, are designed to replace the difficult to hit long irons. Technically Mizuno classifies them as irons, not as hybrids, but who are we really fooling here? If you have a club designed as a replacement for your irons, it can’t really be an iron because well, who the hell replaces and iron with an iron. The actual reason for the classification is that the MP FLI-HI can be fitted and included with any Mizuno iron set (still, that sounds like a hybrid to me).

I don’t know how the new model will play, but a few years ago, my buddy G bought one of the original FLI-HI irons at our local used sporting goods store. The club had good feel, and I could hit it relatively well (it was a phase I was going through where I could hit a 2-iron well, but not a pitching wedge). Anyway, G couldn’t hit it to save his life, so he sold it on Ebay. Still…nice club, I thought.

Anyway as with all replacement clubs, the FLI-HI (which features Mizuno’s Cut Muscle technology) is designed to help get the ball in the air. The Grain Flow Forged, FP FLI-HI, with it’s modified U-groove design, is likely to be the only forged hybrid on the market. My guess is it will appeal to those who want the benefits of a hybrid, but who also a long club that preserves the traditional appearance of an iron.

Also new to the Mizuno lineup is the CLK FLI-HI. The CLK model features a more contemporary hybrid design (so much so Mizuno is willing to call it a hybrid). The big selling point here is the patented CORETECH technology which uses distinct face thickness to “deliver uniform face deflection for unsurpassed distance control”. The sole features a blunt leading edge with dramatic toe and heel relief areas which, according to Mizuno, allows for increased playability out of the rough and sand.

While not as pretty as some of the other hybrids on the market, I’ll give the CLK a try should I find myself in need (or in want) of a new hybrid.

Irons

Finally we’ve got something serious to talk about. I’ve heard it time and time again, nobody make a better feeling iron than Mizuno. Of course, the Bean tried some Mizuno’s last year and decided to buy Cleveland instead, so I’m not sure what that really means. What I can say for sure (after walking through my local proshop just last week) Mizuno’s lineup is among the best looking of the 2007 product lines. While many a manufacturer has decided to paint their irons with bright colors, and give them silly names (Ping, I’m talking to you…Rapture? What the hell kind of name for a golf club is that?), Mizuno has gone with a more traditional, and for my money, more appealing aesthetic. Anyway…new this year…

The MX-19 Irons are Mizuno’s latest foray into the ultra game-improvement arena. The selling point as Mizuno sees it is the combination of an ultra-forgiving iron that still maintains elegant looks (their word, not mine). The MX-19 features H.E.M.I. CG Technology with incorporates a deep pocket cavity, ultra wide sole, and wrap around powerbar (not the kind you eat I’m guessing). As you can imagine, the result is unmatched forgiveness and easy launch.

From what I can tell, the MX-19 is the only non-Grain Flow Forged iron in the Mizuno lineup.

The Grain Flow Forged MX-25 is Mizuno’s average everyman iron. It features a cavity-backed with a deep H.E.M.I Pocket Cavity for a low and deep center of gravity. The MX-25 also features Mizuno’s new three dimensional “X” design back cavity for increased feel and distance (go figure). The selling point of the MX-25 is that it combines the best of both worlds; the forgiveness of a game improvement club with the feel you can only get from a forged head. The MX-25 is #1 on my list of potential new irons.

In the not yours, you can’t have category, Mizuno offers the MP-67, a true players club. Truthfully, I could go out and buy a set of these, but I haven’t found anyone willing to look me in the eye and tell me it was a good idea. For low-handicappers, however; the Slender Cut Muscle Design of the MP-67 gives the better player the pin point control he desires. Like the MX-25, the MP-67 is Grain Flow Forged for unmatched feel. Mizuno is billing the MP-67 as the Ultimate Scoring Weapon for today’s aggressive game.

As sort of an aside, my ultimate scoring weapon is my driver because, well, without it, my scores wouldn’t be nearly as high as they are.

Wedges

What does it say about the strength of Cleveland and Titleist wedges when every time I get to the wedge portion of a review for another brand, I sort of feel like it’s not worth talking about. Thankfully, even though I feel defeated by the competition, Mizuno is willing to give it a go.

New for this season is the R-Series wedge, which is available in both chrome and black nickel finishes. Like most of their irons, the R-Series is Grain Flow Forged. It features a rounded face, and what Mizuno is calling a Workshop-Grind sole, which allows for…wait for it… unbelievable ball control.

The R-Series is available in 2 degree loft increments from 52-60 degrees. There are high and low bounce options available from 54-60 degrees.

Putters

Although nothing new has been announced since April of last year, Mizuno’s lineup of putters is still worth mentioning because of the Bettinardi factor. Bob Bettinardi is now responsible for designing all of Mizuno’s putters. For any of you not familiar with Bettinardi putters, think Scotty Cameron craftsmanship and feel (I actually prefer the Bettinardi’s to the Cameron’s) without the $300 pricetag.

Bettinardi’s Mizuno lineup features two distinct series:

The A-Series is made up of more contemporary looking mallet putters

The C-Series will appeal to those who look the traditional look and feel of a blade.

Both series are milled from a solid block of aluminum and feature Bettinardi’s patented Honeycomb face.

On a final note, my buddy G turned me on to some big savings on Bettinardi putters. Before Bettinardi was with Mizuno, he worked under the Ben Hogan brand. Now nearly two years removed from that, many retailers are blowing out their old Bettinardi/Hogan inventory. Many models, including my brother’s personal favorite, the “Baby Bee”, can be picked up on Ebay for under $70. Better still, go down to your local Dick’s (assuming you have one locally), and you can pick up a couple of different models (including headcover and putter fitting) for $50. Before the weekend is over, I may pick one up myself.