As we steered in a narrative earlier this 12 months, there could very effectively be no better time to try a Mizuno driver than proper now. The corporate has been promoting its ST-Series drivers for just $300 all season lengthy.
Right this moment, we’re getting our first actual take a look at what the subsequent Mizuno drivers are more likely to be, and if firm insiders are to be believed, they is likely to be value ready for.
Hitting the USGA conforming record this week are 4 new Mizuno Prototype drivers. And on this case, we’re speaking about reputable, not-100%-ready-for-primetime prototypes. Particularly, the up to date entries embrace two variations every of two Mizuno drivers – PROTOTYPE D131 and PROTOTYPE D132.
Distinctions between “Sort 1” and “Sort 2” fashions are delicate to say the least and aren’t discernible within the USGA photographs – a minimum of to not my Monday morning eyes.
The photographs counsel that the D131 is bigger and extra elongated whereas the D132 is maybe extra compact. Take all of that with a grain of salt, nevertheless, because the USGA cameramen hardly ever present any reliable sense of scale. For all we all know, one may very well be the scale of a toaster and the opposite may slot in your pocket.
Not for nothin’, it additionally strikes me as unlikely that Mizuno would identify its remaining fashions D131 and D132, however I suppose you by no means know.
The dearth of loft designation on any of the fashions is notable within the descriptions. Has Mizuno created the world’s first loft-less driver?
Most likely not.
Is a breakthrough coming?
All joking apart, sources inside Mizuno have been hinting at a breakthrough in driver design for the higher a part of a 12 months. Whereas we will’t say particularly what first the brand new fashions will supply, what I can say is that contained in the partitions of Mizuno, they’ve by no means been extra bullish on their capacity to compete with and beat the most important names in golf.
That’s not insignificant coming from an organization that’s lengthy been famend for its irons however has traditionally struggled to realize traction within the driver class.
Three-weight system
Each fashions (and all 4 variations) present that Mizuno is engaged on a brand new (to them) three-weight system that includes weights within the heel, again, and entrance parts of the membership. That means the potential for a low-spin place, high-MOI place, and draw-biased place, however one by no means is aware of what sort of spin a producer will placed on movable weights.
I’d wager that should you requested Mizuno, they’d let you know that is essentially the most versatile driver they’ve ever created. And so they’d be proper – as a result of that’s what each producer says about each driver with movable weights.
Launch timeline
Similar to the Titleist T-Sequence irons that launched on Tour in the present day, particulars on the brand new Mizuno drivers are sketchy at greatest. My greatest guess is that we’re what I suppose constitutes remaining decision-point prototypes. That’s to say, we’re a battle to see which model of every mannequin will make it to retail, and it’s possible the choice will come right down to Tour participant efficiency and choice.
Backside line – these new fashions are attention-grabbing, however should you’re contemplating shopping for a brand new driver, and particularly a brand new Mizuno driver, I’m undecided I might go up the present ST-Sequence fashions. The worth is inarguably proper, and my greatest guess is you’re not going to see new fashions from Mizuno till a minimum of late fall and really possible not till January of subsequent 12 months.
Have your say
What do you assume? Are you a Mizuno driver devotee? Are you intrigued by what you see in these prototypes? Would you watch for the brand new expertise or grab one of those $300 ST-Series drivers whilst you can?
Extra particulars as they develop into out there.
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