Mizuno’s First Adjustable Driver
This is a Mizuno story, and I’m leading with the driver. You can file this under It’s about F’n time.
The guys at Mizuno have finally gotten around to creating an adjustable driver; joining the ranks of…well…everyone…accept maybe Wilson who, by the way, will also be releasing an adjustable driver this season.
I believe that’s everyone.
We can argue all day about whether or not anybody really needs an adjustable driver (I know…just get properly fit). We can argue over whether or not they actually do what they say (does loft really change). And we can certainly argue about whether or not it’s all pointless anyway because the average guy simply doesn’t understand what the various adjustments actually do.
We can argue all day and it won’t matter. When you’re the odd man out – one of the last…if not the last…golf company of sizable consequence not to offer an adjustable driver you could be seen by the average golfer as lagging behind.
Even if the average golfer doesn’t need it, you still have to offer it…at least when you’re playing at Mizuno’s level.
How Does It Work?
While we don’t have details yet, I’m not expecting anything revolutionary from an adjustment standpoint. Past Mizuno releases also suggest that retail options will be limited (I doubt we’ll see an 8.5° model for example). In case it matters to you, Mizuno is calling their adjustment technology “Quick Switch”.
One of the more important aspects of Mizuno’s new driver is what I’m willing to bet is a replaceable weight screw. Unlike some others, I don’t expect Mizuno will be telling any sort of associated ball flight story. Instead, the replaceable weight is for swing weighting purposes, which again, while lost on the average golfer should allow the experimental gearhead types to try shafts of different lengths and weights…assuming they have the proper plug.
The JPX-EZ Woods lineup also includes fairway woods and hybrids. I’m just spit-balling here since it’s not clear from the images, but my guess is they’re not adjustable. Unlike drivers, adjustable fairways and hybrids, while more common, haven’t evolved to the point where not offering adjustability stinks of antiquation.
And Yes . . . There are Irons Too
It’s Mizuno, so of course the JPX-EZ line includes irons.
The photos released so far suggest a game-improvement iron (a given for all irons in the JPX series). Like the newly announced MP-54, the EZs feature a pocket cavity design, so you can expect a story about the repositioning of discretionary weight, and perimeter weighting for maximum forgiveness.
As with the driver, I’m not expecting anything ground-breaking in terms of the technology, but we’re still talking about a Mizuno iron…a grain flow forged Mizuno iron. While there’s still a segment of golfers who believe that forged irons…any forged irons are more difficult to hit than basically any cast iron, Mizuno’s commitment to offering forged irons for what most of the industry still regards as a non-forged audience.
Mizuno almost never misses when it comes to irons, so my guess is the JPX-EZ irons will continue what Mizuno started with the JPX-800 series. While it’s not easy to shake the reputation of producing irons exclusively for better players, the EZ irons are clear evidence that Mizuno is serious about game improvement.
Have Your Say
- Does the introduction of an adjustable driver change the way you think about Mizuno woods?
- What’s your initial response to the JPX-EZ Irons?
- And while I’m asking questions…does anybody else think it’s weird that all of a sudden Mizuno is using oranges and golds while TaylorMade’s SLDR (and presumably more of the 2014 line) is blue?
Stevie C
10 years ago
I was Mizuno custom fitted and purchased the JPX EZ Forged 4-PW irons, coming from a nice set of Ping i20’s which were great! After a nice Mizuno demo session-the JPX EZ Forged irons emerged as winners. The tweaking to perfection for me was priceless! The specs are similar to the Pings (KBS Tour X soft stepped, +1/2 in) with the only difference I’m now 3 degrees upright as the fitted Pings were yellow dot. I am looking forward to playing many great rounds with the new Mizzys! The distance/control is awesome! These are strong clubs and the mishits behave well. Even demo’d MP series irons et al., but the computer indicated I was most consistent with the JPZ EZ Forged versions. Most happy and back playing golf and having big hit fun! (Scoring is lower too!) See ya over in the Mizuno forums for ongoing feedback!