Is Mizuno A Good Golf Brand? – Who Should Buy Mizuno Clubs?
The Mizuno story begins in Osaka, Japan in 1906.
In its inception the company produced simple products like baseball. Today, Mizuno is a worldwide corporation that makes a dizzying array of sports products from volleyball to boxing and of course, golf.
Mizuno makes performance irons that are gamed by some of the most successful pros in the game.
Players flock to their clubs because they are incredibly consistent and lovingly crafted.
In the following brand review, we will be giving you a background on the company, why you may want to buy Mizuno clubs and highlighting some of their most popular golf clubs.
Where Are Mizuno Golf Clubs Made?
It’s important to remember that Mizuno is a multinational corporation.
In 2023, they have multiple facilities around the globe.
However, their clubs are forged in a facility in Hiroshima, Japan. In the US, their clubs are assembled in a facility in Braselton, Georgia.
What is Mizuno Known for?
Mizuno is mostly known for their meticulous forging process.
Many Mizuno irons and wedges are one-piece grain flow forged. They are also known for using extremely high quality, select steel like soft carbon.
Mizuno Quick Facts Table
Established | 1906 |
Country of Origin | Japan |
Specialty | Sports Equipment |
President | Akito Mizuno |
AT A GLANCE
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#1 – Best Driver for High Handicappers – Mizuno ST-X 230
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#2 – Best Driver for Low Handicappers – ST-Z 230
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#3 – Best Irons for High Handicappers – Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metals
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#4 – Best Irons for Low Handicappers – Mizuno Pro 221 Irons
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#5 – Best Hybrid – Mizuno ST-X 220
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#6 – Best Wedge – Mizuno T22
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#7 – Best Putter – Mizuno M CRAFT
Best Driver for High Handicappers – Mizuno ST-X 230
Selling Points
- Heel bias weighting
- High launch
- Forged titanium face
The Mizuno ST-X 230 is actually a pretty versatile driver.
Although it has a fixed heel weight to produce more of a draw, it also has an adjustable hosel.
The hosel allows you to torque the loft up or down within 4 degrees.
When we tested the Mizuno ST-X 230, we noticed very low spin rates thanks to the forward oriented steel weight.
The forged titanium face feels red-hot and the carbon sole panel helps to keep overall weight down.
Who is it for?
The Mizuno ST-X 230 would be good for mid handicappers who want to be able to work the ball a bit.
For our testers, it added an average of 7.6 yards to their drives so it’s also definitely worth a look if you need more distance out of the box.
Options
The Mizuno ST-X 230 is available with a UST Mamiya LIN-Q Red 50 shaft, a Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 50 shaft or a UST Helium Nanocore F2 shaft. There are 9.5, 10.5 and 12 degree loft versions.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Helps eliminate a slice
- Low spin rates
- Great distance
Cons:
- Not great for strong swingers
Overall Score: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Best Driver for Low Handicappers – ST-Z 230
Selling Points
- Quick switch hosel
- Carbon sole plate
- Forged titanium face
For players who don’t need any draw bias, the ST-Z 230 is a solid choice.
It offers the same kind of distance as the ST-X 230; but with a more refined player’s profile.
Like the ST-X 230 though, the ST-Z 230 also has a steel weight placed forward in the head to keep spin rates down.
The forged titanium face feels very active and is surprisingly forgiving. Away from the sweet spot, we were still getting straight flight – although spin rates picked up a little bit.
Who is it for?
The ST-Z 230 driver is best for low handicappers because it has a compact profile and straight draw bias. Plus, it can be worked a bit from the tee.
Options
The ST-Z 230 is available with Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green RDX and Aldila Ascent Ultralight 40 shafts.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Straight flight
- Adjustable hosel
- Smooth feel
Cons:
- Spin rates pick up on mis-hits
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Best Irons for High Handicappers – Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metals
Selling Points
- Brushed finish
- Low CG
- Nickel Chromoly construction
The Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metals irons look amazing.
With a white-satin brushed finish and a moderate-length blade, these irons will be the envy of your Sunday foursome. On the course, they provide a soft feel. They are surprisingly forgiving as well.
Mizuno claims that the thin part of the face has been expanded by 18%.
This design detail can really be seen as our testers were getting almost the same ball speed on mis-hits as they were on dead-center strikes.
Who is it for?
The Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metals is a great choice for high handicappers who still want premium feel and looks.
Options
The Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metals irons are available with True temper DG 95 and KBS Tour Lite stiff shafts.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Soft feel
- Forgiving
- Low launch
Cons:
- Stock shaft options aren’t great for slow swingers
Overall Score: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Best Irons for Low Handicappers – Mizuno Pro 221 Irons
Selling Points
- Copper underlayer
- Single-piece forged
- 1025E steel
These are bladed muscle back irons that have a very clean look at address. Offset is minimal and the top line is nice and thin.
The Mizuno Pro 221 irons are infinitely workable. The grain flow forging yields consistent performance across the face.
Who is it for?
The Mizuno Pro 221 irons are for low handicappers who want excellent feel, feedback and workability.
Options
The stock shafts for the Mizuno Pro 221 irons is the Project X LS 6.0. The stock grips are Golf Pride Z Cord grips.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Very good feedback
- Workable
- Low launch
Cons:
- Expensive
Overall Score: 98/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Best Hybrid – Mizuno ST-X 220
Selling Points
- Quick switch adapter
- Heel weighting
- Carbon sole panel
The Mizuno ST-X 220 sports a maraging steel face which is very consistent and gives off a low-pitched crack at impact.
The turf interaction is very smooth and the distance is insane. In fact, faster swingers could use this hybrid from the tee.
Who is it for?
The Mizuno ST-X 220 hybrid is great for anyone looking to increase their distance without using their longer irons.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Looks sleek
- Consistent face
- Great distance
Cons:
- Launches a little high
Overall Score: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Best Wedge – Mizuno T22
Selling Points
- Grain flow forged
- Carbon steel construction
- Laser-etched grooves
The Mizuno T22 wedges offer tremendous spin control whether you’re chipping it in or approaching from some distance.
They are made from 1025 Boron carbon steel and offer very consistent launch.
Who is it for?
This would be a great wedge set for anyone looking for optimal control from their wedges.
Options
The Mizuno T22 wedges come in a wide variety of lofts ranging from 46 to 60 degrees.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Different finish options
- They repel water very well
- Consistent launch
Cons:
- Not very forgiving
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Best Putter – Mizuno M CRAFT
Selling Points
- CNC milled
- Multiple color options
- Forged carbon steel
Last but not least, the Mizuno M CRAFT. This is a blade-style putter that feels very well balanced in the hands.
The roll starts almost immediately and the 1025 mild carbon steel allows for smooth and clear feedback.
Who is it for?
This putter would be great for any player who wants more accuracy on the green – regardless of handicap.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Good toe hang
- Weight kit
- Versatile
Cons:
- Expensive
Overall Score: 98/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Who Are Mizuno Clubs for?
As you can see, Mizuno makes golf clubs for a wide variety of players.
If you’re looking for super game improvement clubs, Mizuno is not the brand for you.
But they do make great clubs for high handicappers all the way down to scratch players.
Are They Good for Beginners?
While their putters can be artfully gamed by pretty much anyone, their other clubs aren’t ideal for beginners.
For one thing, they are very expensive (new). For another, even their game improvement clubs aren’t as forgiving as some of the ones produced by Taylormade and Callaway.
Are Mizuno Clubs Good for Seniors?
If you can get a good, torquey shaft then we can imagine that some of these clubs could be used effectively by seniors.
Why are Mizuno Golf Clubs so Expensive?
The price of these clubs has mainly to do with how they are forged.
Mizuno uses a long, multi-step process in their forging. It’s a time-consuming and expensive process which is why their clubs tend to cost so much.
What Pros Use Mizuno Clubs?
Mizuno clubs are used by PGA pros such as Garrett Clark, Grant Horvat, Cameron Smith, Keith Mitchell and Adam Scott just to name a few.
Did Tiger Use Mizuno Irons?
Yes. In 1996, Tiger Woods famously used the Mizuno MP-14 irons to clinch his third amateur title.
Other Brands to Consider
Ping – Ping also makes excellent irons for low handicap players but are more known for their GI woods.
Cobra – Cobra Excels at producing lightweight, low spin woods. Their GI clubs are also a bit better than Mizuno’s.
Taylormade – Taylormade makes clubs for a wide variety of players. Though the materials they use aren’t as premium as what Mizuno uses, taylormade clubs can be much more affordable.
Conclusion
Mizuno is an excellent golf brand with a winning history and a bright future.
Their irons in particular are high-performance clubs suitable for the best players in the world. If you can afford them, you can almost never go wrong with Mizuno clubs.