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For the most part, when manufacturers have applied moveable weight technology to golf clubs, it has meant removable weight technology. Until now.
As part of its package of new products for 2008, Mizuno has introduced an MP-600 driver with Fast Track technology that incorporates two adjustable -- but not removable -- weight plugs in the rear of the sole. By adjusting the weights on an easy-to-use track system, golfers can choose from 15 different ball flight settings to fine-tune their tee shots.
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| Mizuno MP-600 driver |
Overall, the lineup of new products introduced for this season includes MP-57 and MX-950 iron sets, an MP-T series of wedges, F-60 fairway woods and three models of premium-priced Black Carbon putters designed by Bob Bettinardi. On the women's side, there's a SORA collection that represents a full set of clubs with cart bag.
In Mizuno parlance, MP generally means game enhancement and MX stands for game improvement. The MP series of woods and irons would best be suited to more skilled players while the MX clubs target mid to higher handicap golfers.
"When you include our other iron sets, Mizuno really is looking to provide clubs for the widest range of golfers," said Iver Maple, communications manager at Mizuno USA. "From the best players in the world to the average but avid golfer."
For the better player, Mizuno continues to offer its forged MP-32, MP-60 and MP-67 irons. For game enhancement, the company also offers MX-19 and MX-25 irons. And there's a selection of well-regarded hybrids. Additionally, Mizuno has a wide selection of bags, gloves and golf apparel.
The Mizuno staff players on tour include Luke Donald, Billy Andrade, Lee Janzen, Brian Gay, Jeff Sluman and Tom Purtzer.
Here's a selected look at the latest from Mizuno.
Drivers
Both new drivers have 460cc titanium heads, and both are engineered with deep, low centers of gravity to provide high launch with low spin. They also incorporate Mizuno's CorTech face technology, which provides multiple thicknesses to optimize ball speed at impact across the face of the club.
The MP-600's Fast Track system includes two 8-gram weights that can be placed in six distinct locations along the perimeter of the sole. There's an adjustment tool and guide to help players move and lock the weights, and determine which trajectory they'd like to put in place. The 15 trajectories range from maximum draw to neutral to maximum fade.
"One of the great things about the MP-600 is its ease of use," said Dick Lyons, vice president/general manager of Mizuno's golf division. "Players will be able to take the MP-600 to the driving range and, with the use of the Fast Track tool, easily change their weight and ball flight settings."
The MX-560 driver is geared for "extreme forgiveness and extreme distance." The design includes a HEMI COG head shape, which stands for High Energy Mass Impact to enhance the Moment of Inertia, or MOI, which relates to stability on off-center hits and to lower the center of gravity.
"Each element of the MX-560 driver is designed to enhance initial ball velocity from every spot on the club face," said Lyons.
The MP-600 comes in lofts of 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degrees, for right-handed players only. The MX-560 also has a 12-degree offering, with the 9.5 and 10.5 models available in both right- and left-handed versions.
Both drivers were rated "very satisfactory" in test sessions conducted with a variety of golfers assembled by CBSSports.com. Better players liked the versatility and workability of the MP-600 club, along with distance. The MX-560 was praised for being "easy to swing," "forgiving" and having a "good trajectory," with a large consensus of players labeling the club "very, very straight."
Suggested retail prices for the drivers are $360 for the MX-560 and $479.99 for the MP-600.
Irons
For the MP-57 irons, Mizuno has placed its Cut Muscle technology in a full-cavity design. The cavity is not deep, but it should result in a larger, more forgiving sweet spot for the clubs.
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| Mizuno MP-57 irons |
"The MP-57 has all the qualities golfers have come to expect from a Mizuno MP iron," said Lyons.
Grain flow forged with mild carbon steel heads and finished in a double nickel chrome plating, the irons feature rolled leading and trailing edges, and a cambered mid-sole.
Packaged as Nos. 3-PW with steel shafts, suggested retail pricing is $1,000 per set.
The MX-950 hybrid/iron set is engineered for the mid to higher handicap player looking for a high degree of forgiveness and help on the course. There are three distinct head designs in the set.
The Nos. 3 and 4 hybrids feature internal high density tungsten weights to enhance MOI stability; the 5-6-7 hybrid irons feature smaller heads with hollow technology and internal weights; and the shorter irons from No. 8 through lob wedge have a solid power bar design. Mizuno's HEMI COG (center of gravity) philosophy is incorporated into each iron.
Our testers labeled both new iron sets "must consider" for the types of players they target. The MP-57 irons were labeled "very solid" while the MX-950 clubs were praised for a "good setup," "smooth and solid at impact" and "very easy to get the ball airborne."
Wedges
The MP-T series, ranging in lofts from 47 to 60 degrees with a variety of bounce angles, boast a classic teardrop shape, tour-inspired C-grind sole, minimal offset and square grooves.
The wedges are forged from mild carbon steel to enhance feel while being solid at impact.
Two finishes are available: chrome and black nickel.
With True Temper shafts, suggested retail price is $120 each.
Putters
Mizuno execs report that about half its tour staff is now playing one of the new Black Carbon series putters, which have been designed by craftsman Bob Bettinardi. The putters are precision milled from a single piece of carbon steel.
"We spent a year developing the new Black Carbon series with two main goals in mind: create a putter that gives you the confidence to make putts and give the golfer even more enhanced feel on every putt," said Lyons.
To enhance feel, Mizuno employs a Feel Impact Technology face, or FIT face. The result is meant to be a soft but solid, responsive feel at impact.
Three head shapes are available. BC1 is a heel/toe weighted design with squared edges on the trailing flange and standard length plumber slant neck. BC2 is a modified rocker-back style with a rounded trailing flange and standard length plumber. BC3 is a heel/toe weighted mallet style with wide flange.
List price for the putters is $300 each.
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