Mizuno unveil JPX900 driver, fairway wood, hybrid
Mizuno believes it has a range of metals to rival its world-class irons.
Mizuno has launched new metals, headlined by the new JPX900 driver, featuring increased forgiveness and more adjustability.
REVIEW: MIZUNO JPX900 TOUR IRON
The Japanese brand are renowned for making outstanding irons, but are keen to be viewed as a metal company to boot.
REVIEW: MIZUNO JPX900 FORGED IRON
Mizuno have broken barriers in the driver category in the past, but are the first to admit they have not marketed their product as well as competitors.
REVIEW: MIZUNO JPX PLATINUM BALL
They hope the JPX900 will be a breakthrough in 2017, attracting new customers to their woods selection.
Mizuno staffers loved the performance on centre shots with the JPX850, but wanted more help when they strayed from the sweet spot.
REVIEW: MIZUNO JPX850 DRIVER REVIEW
To achieve this, engineers employed a multi-thickness face, two eight-gram weight and three fast tracks in the sole.
A quick Switch Hosel allows players to change the loft quickly, and a face angle prop in the sole.
The head is longer, wider and shallower compared to the JPX 850, and internal tuning forks ensure the sound is spot on no matter the set-up.
“It’s a very different approach to a tour type driver,” R&D’s Chris Voshall. “So many of the changes were based on creating more even ball speeds across the face, that the JPX900 became a driver that will work for a really wide range of players.
Add to that the levels of adjustability and you’ve a driver that can pinch out a few more yards for almost anyone.”
Price: £399
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder Evolution 2
An expanding shock wave sole increases ball speeds, while a sliding weight system offers playability.
Spin and launch can be changed via a moveable 15 Gram weight in the sole and the Quick Switch system that allows loft to be adjusted up to four degrees.
“The fairway wood is one club we all strike really differently,” says Chris Voshall, Senior Club Engineer at Mizuno.
“To be able to add loft, or move the weight back from the face, makes the JPX900 incredibly versatile. Our tour players will generally take loft off their 3-wood to use it as a safe driver alternative – so being able to move a little weight away from the face for a touch more spin is even useful for them.”
Price: £279
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder Evolution 2
Mizuno’s most adjustable hybrid is designed to be more like an iron than a wood, but shared much of the tech employed in the fairways; the Shockwave Sole and Quick Switch system remain.
The club is mildly shorter and flatter to help players that sometimes hook their hybrids.
“Most people use hybrids to replace their longer irons so we fully committed to making the JPX900 more of a long iron replacement,” says Tetsu Kanayama, R&D Director at Mizuno.
“We’ve made a number of little changes that make it easier to strike like an iron, but with the safety net of the wood-style body attached.”
Price: £219
All woods are available February 2017
Head to the Mizuno website for more information.
