Mizuno on the move -- or not -- with several new lines

The MX-560 driver is geared for "extreme forgiveness and extreme distance." The design includes a HEMI COG head shape, which stands for High Energy Mass Impact to enhance the Moment of Inertia, or MOI, which relates to stability on off-center hits and to lower the center of gravity.

"Each element of the MX-560 driver is designed to enhance initial ball velocity from every spot on the club face," said Lyons.

The MP-600 comes in lofts of 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degrees, for right-handed players only. The MX-560 also has a 12-degree offering, with the 9.5 and 10.5 models available in both right- and left-handed versions.

Both drivers were rated "very satisfactory" in test sessions conducted with a variety of golfers assembled by CBSSports.com. Better players liked the versatility and workability of the MP-600 club, along with distance. The MX-560 was praised for being "easy to swing," "forgiving" and having a "good trajectory," with a large consensus of players labeling the club "very, very straight."

Suggested retail prices for the drivers are $360 for the MX-560 and $479.99 for the MP-600.

Irons

For the MP-57 irons, Mizuno has placed its Cut Muscle technology in a full-cavity design. The cavity is not deep, but it should result in a larger, more forgiving sweet spot for the clubs.

Mizuno MP-57 irons

"The MP-57 has all the qualities golfers have come to expect from a Mizuno MP iron," said Lyons.

Grain flow forged with mild carbon steel heads and finished in a double nickel chrome plating, the irons feature rolled leading and trailing edges, and a cambered mid-sole.

Packaged as Nos. 3-PW with steel shafts, suggested retail pricing is $1,000 per set.

The MX-950 hybrid/iron set is engineered for the mid to higher handicap player looking for a high degree of forgiveness and help on the course. There are three distinct head designs in the set.

The Nos. 3 and 4 hybrids feature internal high density tungsten weights to enhance MOI stability; the 5-6-7 hybrid irons feature smaller heads with hollow technology and internal weights; and the shorter irons from No. 8 through lob wedge have a solid power bar design. Mizuno's HEMI COG (center of gravity) philosophy is incorporated into each iron.

Our testers labeled both new iron sets "must consider" for the types of players they target. The MP-57 irons were labeled "very solid" while the MX-950 clubs were praised for a "good setup," "smooth and solid at impact" and "very easy to get the ball airborne."

Wedges

The MP-T series, ranging in lofts from 47 to 60 degrees with a variety of bounce angles, boast a classic teardrop shape, tour-inspired C-grind sole, minimal offset and square grooves.

The wedges are forged from mild carbon steel to enhance feel while being solid at impact.

Two finishes are available: chrome and black nickel.

With True Temper shafts, suggested retail price is $120 each.

Putters

Mizuno execs report that about half its tour staff is now playing one of the new Black Carbon series putters, which have been designed by craftsman Bob Bettinardi. The putters are precision milled from a single piece of carbon steel.

"We spent a year developing the new Black Carbon series with two main goals in mind: create a putter that gives you the confidence to make putts and give the golfer even more enhanced feel on every putt," said Lyons.

To enhance feel, Mizuno employs a Feel Impact Technology face, or FIT face. The result is meant to be a soft but solid, responsive feel at impact.

Three head shapes are available. BC1 is a heel/toe weighted design with squared edges on the trailing flange and standard length plumber slant neck. BC2 is a modified rocker-back style with a rounded trailing flange and standard length plumber. BC3 is a heel/toe weighted mallet style with wide flange.

List price for the putters is $300 each.

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