Club Testing - Mizuno

HomerJSimpson

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As I've been threatening to do, I finally go out today and tried most of the new Mizuno range and bits and pieces of Ping as well.

MP63
Beautifully crafted club that looks so good behind the ball. I was using the standard regular flex shaft and they felt a fraction lighter than my TM TP's. The short irons were gorgeous and flew great (not too high) and I was fine down to the 7 iron. After that, I'm afraid things went a bit off and I struggled with the longer irons. Not for me I'm afraid but definitely one for good strikers and those who can hit decent irons regularly

MP53
Much the same as the 63's. Again a stunning club at address and very easy to swing. A nice weight and the club didn't feel heavy at the top of the swing. For me, they gave a much better flight although fractionally higher than I'm use to but were very solid even on off centre shots. More so than the 63's. However these were another set that I really struggled to control the longer iron (particularly the 4 iron). I don't have an issue with my TP's but these really were inconsistant and were high slices or the straight ones were flying very low. A confidence shaker and for that reason would be another no.

JPX 800 and 800 Pro
Much chunkier looking than the MP range but having come from TM Tour Burners and R9's these didn't look bad to my eye. The JPX was a very easy to hit club but the ball flight was rainbow like and not as powerful as I wanted. Ideal for anyone from high handicap to 12 or 13 and very forgiving and surprisingly long. However the 800 Pro have snuck in under the radar. These were by far the best Mizuno's I tried and all the way up to the 4 iron these were giving a lower more penertrating flight and were long (about 5 yards per club past my TP's). I had the Dynalite Gold R300's in and these were great for my swing. These were the winner by a street and would in my opinion suit anyone from around 20 down to single figures as there is enough forgiveness for the higher figured guys and enough control and playability for those with the requisite skill.

That said, I think anyone looking to switch clubs or for a (expensive) Christmas present should really think about the Mizuno range and try them out. I was restricted to either the R300 (all models) or the Rifle 5.0 (MP53 and 800 Pro only) and so it is worth considering a National fitting centre or authorised stockist if you want to try other specs.
 
Cheers HJS, as you may have read I am due to do the Mizuno fitting at World of Golf on the 8th December. I have played MP60's before but, like you. now playing TM Burners. It was interesting to read your thoughts and will see how mine compare in a few weeks


Chris
 
thanks for the review Homer. I have put my old mizunos back in the bag this weekend after persevering with Cobras since the start of the year.I had seen the new mizunos advertised and was seriously thinking about a try out. If I can discreetly slip a tenner in an envelope each week how long will it take until I can afford the 800 pro? :p
 
JPX 800 Pro
... the 800 Pro have snuck in under the radar. These were by far the best Mizuno's I tried and all the way up to the 4 iron these were giving a lower more penertrating flight and were long ... These were the winner by a street and would in my opinion suit anyone from around 20 down to single figures as there is enough forgiveness for the higher figured guys and enough control and playability for those with the requisite skill.

Music to my ears Homer, just awaiting the delivery of my new JPX800 Pros. By far the most playable and forgiving iron i've ever hit. I will post a more detailed review when they've arrived and i've given them a good bash.

Ray
 
I have to admit the JPX (both the 800 and Pro) surprised me. I was disappointed about the MP53's as I don't usually have an issue with long irns but these did seem hard for me to hit. However if anything the leaning would be towards the dark side as the I15's were definitely the best club for me today. I would say they are probably more forgiving than my TP's and with a better flight especially in the 4 and 5 iron.

I've no plan to change my clubs although I can't help thinking I've opened Pandoras box
 
JPX 800 Pro
... the 800 Pro have snuck in under the radar. These were by far the best Mizuno's I tried and all the way up to the 4 iron these were giving a lower more penertrating flight and were long ... These were the winner by a street and would in my opinion suit anyone from around 20 down to single figures as there is enough forgiveness for the higher figured guys and enough control and playability for those with the requisite skill.

Music to my ears Homer, just awaiting the delivery of my new JPX800 Pros. By far the most playable and forgiving iron i've ever hit. I will post a more detailed review when they've arrived and i've given them a good bash.

Ray

You'll not regret it.I've had mine three weeks now and I'm starting to really hit them, struggled at first as they were 1/2 inch longer, but now they are starting to cook.
 
Nice little piece Homer.

It sounds as if the 800 Pros take over from the MX300's. And the 53 from the 52. Though I'm surprised that you struggled a bit with the longer irons on both sets. Especially given my recent dabblings with the four iron of my 300's. I'm hardly in the same category as you currently.

Horses for courses I guess.
 
Not sure what it was. It certainly wasn't fatigue as the 53 and 63 were the first two sets I tried. I very rarely slice. I can go right but usually because I've opened the body etc up before impact and hit a big push straight right. These were classic banana shaped shots but were starting right of target and then curving even further right.

I wasn't too fussed about it happening with the 63's as they were a tad too hard for me to hit through the set anyway in truth, but it was a bit of a shock to the system to start hitting slices on most shots with the 53's. I have to say I didn't feel confident over the ball unlike my TP's. Whether that was the muscle back design vs the small cavity back in the TP's I don't know but they weren't for me
 
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