LAUNCH PICS! – 2012 Mizuno Line-Up

Operation: 2012 Mizuno Intel

Earlier this week a lucky MyGolfSpy forum member (we’ll just call him GolfSpy_J for now) got the chance to go down to Atlanta and check out the Mizuno Demo Day….and do a little MGS intel work.

Code Name: RoadRunner

Mission was simple: Test out as much of the new Mizuno gear as possible and shoot tons of pics…then report back to the readers with your findings.  And here were GolfSpy_J’s findings.

Enjoy!

2012 Mizuno MP-R12 Wedges (Notes)

• The R&D guys called the finish a “mullet” finish.  Business (Satin) in the front and Party (Chrome) in the back.
• Progressive grinds as the loft increases.
• 50* has a killed leading edge with a slight relief on the trailing edge.  Very narrow sole.
• 52* same as the 50*
• 54* slight C-grind with trailing edge, toe, and heel relief.  Narrow effective sole.
• 56* slight C-grind with trailing edge, toe, and heel relief.  A little wider sole than the 54* with a blunted leading edge.
• 58* C-grind with trailing edge, toe, and heel relief.  A medium width sole with blunted leading edge.
• 60* very pronounced C-grind.  Wide sole with a slight blunted leading edge.
• 64* extreme C-grind.  Very wide sole with a slight blunted leading edge.

All wedges have a higher COG with a thicker top flange.  This is too keep the ball from riding up the face.  Very similar design feature to the Fourteen wedges.

FOR MORE PICS OF THE MIZUNO MP-R12 WEDGES: CLICK HERE

2012 Mizuno JPX Wedges (Notes)

• Great feeling wedge.  Feels very similar to the same click from a Vokey or Cleveland.
• Superb turf interaction.  All wedges have a killed leading edge with trailing edge relief.  Provides a lot of camber.
• These wedges are much better for a digger type swing.
• Fantastic shape that is somewhere in between a teardrop and round wedge.
• Solid distance control.
• The wedges were forgiving but they still felt very solid.
• Slight touch of offset but nothing drastic.  No more than a Vokey.

FOR MORE PICS OF THE MIZUNO JPX WEDGES: CLICK HERE

2012 Mizuno MP-59 Irons (Notes)

• The muscle has been altered to fit a titanium insert directly behind the ball.  It provides mass behind the ball while moving weight to the perimeter of the iron.
• Leading edge is more blunted than previous models, especially from the middle of the face to the heel of the golf club.  This allows for better turf interaction.
• The sole is wider than previous model.
• Trailing edge relief provides a smooth exit for the head out of the divot.
• The muscle is progressive.  As the set moves from 3 iron to PW, the muscle moves the COG from low to high.  This helps establish more forgiveness.
• Bounce was on the low side but the blunted leading edge prevented the iron from digging.
• Slightly more offset than the MP-69.
• Roadrunner logo was moved from the bottom to the back flange, which keeps the sole cleaner.
• Low/Mid ball flight.  This was a real pleasant surprise because I expected a higher ball flight that would be tougher to control.

FOR MORE PICS OF THE MIZUNO MP-59 IRONS: CLICK HERE

2012 Mizuno MP-69 Irons (Notes)

• The muscle is a lot bigger than pictures show.  It provides a lot of mass behind the ball.
• Leading edge is more blunted than previous models, especially from the middle of the face to the heel of the golf club.  This allows for better turf interaction.
• Trailing edge relief provides a smooth exit for the head out of the divot.
• The muscle is progressive.  As the set moves from 3 iron to PW, the muscle moves the COG from low to high.  This helps establish some forgiveness.
• Roadrunner logo was moved from the bottom to the back flange, which keeps the sole cleaner.
• Low/Mid ball flight.

FOR MORE PICS OF THE MIZUNO MP-69 IRONS: CLICK HERE

2012 Mizuno JPX-800 HD Irons (Notes)

• Does exactly what it sets out to achieve, super game improvement performance in attractive packaging.
• Progressive pocket cavities in the irons create higher launch as you move up in the irons.
• The offset wasn’t as much as some other SGI irons.
• Not a lot of bounce on the irons.
• The sole was pretty wide but the trailing edge had tons of relief. This improves turf interaction significantly.  They do not feel like shovels.
• Very muted feel.
• The JPX Fli-Hi hybrids are included in the set.

FOR MORE PICS OF THE MIZUNO JPX-800 HD IRONS: CLICK HERE

2012 Mizuno JPX Fli-Hi Hybrid (Notes)

• Biggest surprise of the day.  Imagine the PING G15 hybrid that resists the temptation to hook.
• Some offset but not as much as the PING.
• It has a medium ball flight.  There were no spinners that went too high.
• Had a great feel.  Ball sprung off the face like a hollow club but it still felt solid like an iron.
• The sole was a little too thick for my taste.  The trailing edge relief was not quite enough.
• The short small ferrule made the club look cheap.
• Very heavy sole.
• Wish they made it in a 2 iron.
• The True Temper XP is a solid performer in the hybrid.

FOR MORE PICS OF THE MIZUNO JPX Fli-Hi HYBRIDS: CLICK HERE