ULTIMATE REVIEW! – Mizuno MP-R12 Wedge

“If there’s a better feeling wedge than the Mizuno MP R-12, I haven’t found it. If there is a better performing wedge, they’re few and far between. For shotmaking versatility, no big golf company can match Mizuno’s wedges.  Golf Digest clearly thinks otherwise, but for the majority of our testers, Mizuno’s MP-R12 is without a doubt a gold medal wedge.“

Mizuno MP-R12 – REVIEW

(Written By: @GolfSpyT) As you read through this you might find yourself wondering: Why would MyGolfSpy even bother to review a wedge that the Ultimate Authority on golf equipment – none other than Golf Digest’s legendary Hot List – felt was only worthy of a silver medal?

Side Note: Hot List Medals are a lot like free lollipops at the local savings and loan; If you put enough of your money there, you can definitely have one.

Anyway, apart from the predictability of it all (the bigger the OEM, the more medals), what really, really irks me is how often they get it wrong (score one for the power of “Buzz”, and the complete lack of real data). Each year is filled with example after example, and while I could point out several from the latest episode of type-faced flatulence, few examples are more egregious than the demotion of Mizuno’s MP-R12 (and one other I won’t mention here), to silver medal status.

If there’s a better feeling wedge than the Mizuno MP R-12, I haven’t found it. If there is a better performing wedge, they’re few and far between. For shotmaking versatility, no big golf company can match Mizuno’s wedges. Still, is it any real shocker that 2 of 3 clubs that actually won gold are from companies traditionally known for wedges. That one simple reality illustrates one of Mizuno’s biggest challenges. Though they’ve been producing some of the best wedges on the market for years, Mizuno is still considered by many to be just an iron company. And while it’s not exactly a huge leap from irons to wedges, getting over the hump is going to take some doing.

Of course, if Mizuno continues to produce wedges like the MP-T11 and MP-R12, while the gold medal winners continue to produce more of the same ol’ same ol’…well, it’s only a matter of time.

The Marketing Angle

• Round Shape – Designed as a compliment/alternative to the classic Teardrop shaped MP-T11 Wedge
• Loft Specific Sole Geometry – Once size doesn’t fit all. Each sole is specifically designed to allow you to hit the shots you’ll need to hit with each particular loft.
• Versatile Sole Grinds – C-Grind (with added trailing edge relief) on sand wedges, M-Grind for added versatility on higher lofted models
• Grain Flow Forged – Offers buttery soft and consistent feel
• TrueTemper DG Spinn TM Shafts – Enhanced spin and trajectory control

Mizuno MP-R12 Material Composition:  Grain Flow Forged 1025E “Pure Select” Mild Carbon Steel

Unlike some of the other wedges we’ve looked at, Mizuno offers a couple of different bounce options for both the 56 and 60 degree models. Of course, there isn’t another big OEM that puts as much work into their sole grinds as Mizuno either. For Mizuno it’s basically all about versatility; giving you a wedge that allows you to hit whatever shot the situation dictates.

How We Tested

Target greens on our 3Track Equipped simulators from aboutGolf were set at 100 yards.  After being allowed several shots to verify the appopriate club for the distance, testers took their choice of a 52°, 56°, or 60° wedge and hit a series of shots.  Testing  was done at Tark’s Indoor Golf, a state of the art indoor golf facility located in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Detailed data for each and every shot for which we collected is viewable in the interactive portion of this review.  This data serves as the foundation for our final performance score.  Golfers were also asked to provide feedback in our subjective categories (looks, sound &  feel, perceived forgiveness, and likelihood of purchase).  This information is used as the foundation for our total subjective score.

Radius-Based Scoring

For wedge testing, performance scores are derived using what we refer to as radius-based scoring.  Instead of simply asking our testers to hit the ball as long and as straight as they can, testers are asked to stick their shots as close as they possibly can to a pin set at an appropriate wedge distance.

75% of the total performance score is calculated based on where each shot fell in proximity to the hole.  Closer is obviously better.

Under our updated scoring system, spin now accounts for the remaining 25% of the performance score. Because we’ve increased our accuracy expectations, and have moved to MPV-based (Maximum Point Value) scoring for spin, the expectation is that, compared with the previous generation of wedge reviews, overall scores under the new system will be lower.

PERFORMANCE SCORING

Accuracy

Combined our testers hit their shots to an average of 21.02 feet from the pin. When our least accurate tester is removed from the sample, the average improves to 20.45 feet. In both cases, the Mizuno MP-R12 Wedges are the most accurate numbers our testers have posted for any wedge tested under the updated system.

Interestingly, our senior tester who has lived the better part of his life believing that forged wedges are harder to hit, or measurably less accurate than their cast counterparts, actually posted the best numbers; missing the target by an average of 15.68 feet.

Our lowest handicap golfer also averaged inside of 20 feet (19.75), marking the first time two testers were inside the 20 foot barrier for the same wedge. Most impressive, our two lest accurate testers (and I’m ashamed to admit that I was one of them), missed by less than 24 feet on average. While I’d of course like to do better, it’s a number that I could live with if I had to.

When we look the best birdie opportunities, those shots within 10 feet of the pin, we find a total of 8 shots with each of our golfers represented at least once. The best shot of the bunch came to rest only inches from the cup.

If we expand our definition to 15 feet, the number of “birdie” opportunities more than doubles to 20.

MGS Accuracy Score: 87.80

Spin

Like everybody else in the industry, Mizuno has designed their wedges to USGA Limits, but as we’ve seen, there can be a wide variance in spin between manufacturers.

Looking at spin numbers overall, we find that our testers as a group averaged 9513 RPM. When we remove the least spinny of our testers (not surprisingly our senior tester), the group average jumps to 10003. Our scoring model makes exceedingly high spin scores difficult (perhaps even impossible) to achieve, so you’ll have to take me at my word when I tell you that the Mizuno MP-R12 Wedge numbers are pretty damn awesome, and are certainly the highest under the updated system.

Maybe it’s the head. It might be the spinner shaft. It’s probably the combination. Regardless, as individuals, one of our testers posted an average of well over 11000 RPM (11228), another hit 10113, and your’s truly missed the coveted 10K mark by less than 5 RPM. Only a sub-par performance by one of our more reliable wedge guys keeps this score from being a tick or two higher.

MGS Spin Score: 90.02

Overall Performance

Short of pinpoint, dart-throwing, stick-it-where-you-want it accuracy, there isn’t much that would have improved the performance of this wedge. From my perspective it’s one of the better wedges we’ve ever tested. The truth is we felt our previous review system was far too easy on wedges, and so we wanted to rein in what we viewed as scores that were higher than they probably should be (not everything deserves an A, right?). The new system is strict…some might say too strict, but to get an A-grade here a wedge has to be nothing less than phenomenal. The Mizuno MP-R12 is almost that.

MGS OVERALL PERFORMANCE SCORE: 88.31



The Interactive Data

The charts below show the individual and group averages (black dotted line) for each shot our golfers took during our test of the Mizuno MP-R12 wedge. If you click on the “MP-R12 Range” tab, you can see where each shot came to rest on our virtual driving range. Hovering over any point will give you all the details of that particular shot. You can use the filters on the right-hand side to show and hide individual golfers or shots based on handicap or distance from the hole speed.

SUBJECTIVE SCORING

Looks

If you think the looks score I’m fixin’ (that’s what they say in the South…fixin’…it’s weird, isn’t it?) to write down is lower than it ought to be, I suggest you take it up with Mizuno. They’re the ones who wanted to give us all an alternative to the classically-shaped T11.

It’s not like the R12 isn’t a beautiful wedge. Hell, it’s pretty enough to kiss. The thing is, the T11 was a beautiful wedge too…and it’s so pretty you’ll not only want to kiss it, you’re going to want to use a little tongue. This is getting a little awkward, isn’t it?

Point is, most of our testers really like the looks of the Mizuno MP-R12, but most of the guys have fond memories of the T11, and simply put, the majority prefer the smaller teardrop shape to the bigger, though still reasonably compact, R12.

Of course, I have to point out that not much more than shape differentiates the T & R lines of Mizuno wedges. The top lines are virtually identical as is the sole width. Comparing the 56° models; while the MP-T11 features what one might consider a classic C-Grind (with plenty of heel and toe relief), the R12 has visibly more trailing edge relief (I’d call it a V-Grind), and does appear to do a better job of keeping the leading edge a bit lower when the wedge is fanned open.

A single tester basically told us he has a visual aversion to the MP-R12 (the wedge told me it thinks he’s ugly too…so it’s all good), but mostly the guys really like the looks, but still felt compelled to mark it down slightly from the previously reviewed T11.

MGS Looks Score: 89.58

Sound & Feel

I’m not sure what I can say here. We’ve been through this before. MP-53 Irons, MP-59 Irons, MP-T11…Mizuno makes a club that basically feels second to none. The R12 does not deviate from that model. Yeah…we had one guy who only rated it a 7, but Tark’s has a bar, and we think maybe he spent a little too much time bellied up to it.

Another testers told us that it took a little time to adjust, but once he got a feel for it, hitting the MP-R12 was pure silk.

MGS Feel Score: 98.54

Perceived Forgiveness

If you’re looking for a more forgiving wedge, you might want to look at Mizuno’s JPX series. Forgiveness really isn’t what the R12’s are all about, but at the same time, most find them just about as easy to hit as anything else.

The one knock is that there is certainly some distance loss (and perhaps more so than other wedges) when shots are hit a bit high on the face, or out towards the toe. I won’t talk about the heel, because the heel is close to the hosel, and we don’t talk about no shanks here.

Tester Perceived Forgiveness Score: 86.00

Likelihood of Purchase

I’ve pointed it out before, and no doubt I’ll point it out again. Our LOP score is where we get the best sense of how our testers feel about the club we’re reviewing. In the case of the R12, the one detractor made it very clear he would be unlikely to consider purchasing the R12 wedges. The consensus among the rest of our testers, however; would suggests that guy needs to go take a nap.

What we’ve got in the Mizuno MP-R12 wedge is a club that our guys like the looks of, and absolutely love to hit. The LOP score says as much.

Tester Likelihood of Purchase: 91.38

On a purely subjective level there’s not much about the Mizuno MP-R12 wedge that’s not to like. Yes…it’s a bit bulkier than Mizuno’s Teardrop-shaped MP-T11, but it’s still qualifies as much more of a player’s style wedge than much of what’s in the marketplace today. The sole grind is versatile, and the feel is everything we’ve come to expect from Mizuno. It’s not any surprise to me that the majority of our testers told me they would strongly consider putting the MP-R12 in their bags for 2012.

TOTAL SUBJECTIVE SCORE: 92.99

CONCLUSION

Though the Mizuno MP-R12 has clearly fallen victim to the updated scoring system, in my opinion it’s every bit the wedge that the MP-T11 is. While there are clearly similarities, it’s also a very different wedge. While obviously the shape is a significant differentiator, subtle differences in the topline, and some differences to the sole grind are all factors that would lead one to choose one wedge over the other. Quite frankly, while I definitely prefer the look of the previously reviewed MP-T11, the arguably more versatile MP-R12 is probably the better fit for my game.

The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a wedge that offers unsurpassed feel, a versatile sole grind (none of that you’re either a digger or a slider stuff), and performance that rivals anything out there today, the Mizuno MP-R12 wedge should definitely be at or near the top of your list.

Golf Digest clearly thinks otherwise, but for the majority of our testers, Mizuno’s MP-R12 is without a doubt a gold medal wedge.

MGS TOTAL SCORE:  89.25

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