THE NUMBERS GAME: MIZUNO UNVEILS NEW JPX921 IRON SERIES

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3RD GENERATION CHROMOLY INCLUDING FIRST FULL BODY FORGED IRONS

Mizuno, the Japanese equipment manufacturer long renowned for its expertise in the manufacture of irons, has unveiled its new JPX921 Series of irons engineered with one intention – to improve on-course performance for golfers. The series features the use of Chromoly in a full-body forged iron for the very first time.

ATLANTA – (August 10, 2020) – Mizuno, founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1906, has long held an enviable industry and tour-wide reputation for crafting the very finest irons in the game, offering golfers the ultimate blend of looks, feel and workability.

The JPX Series irons led a resurgence for Mizuno, starting with the JPX900 Tour and more recently the JPX919 Tour, residing in the bag of the back-to-back 2017/2018 US Open and 2018/2019 PGA champion. Now Mizuno has unveiled the next evolution of JPX – the JPX921 Series, a highly engineered family of irons that has been developed alongside Mizuno’s comprehensive custom-fitting program to deliver exceptional performance and help all golfers get the very most from their games.

The new family comprises JPX921 Forged, integrating the power of Chromoly into a full body forged iron for the very first time, JPX921 Tour, JPX921 Hot Metal and Hot Metal Pro, with each model engineered to help enhance performance for particular swing types. The JPX921 Forged offers the fastest ball speeds Mizuno has ever produced from a fully forged iron; JPX921 Tour blends precision with enhanced stability from off-center strikes; the JPX921 Hot Metal and Hot Metal Pro represent the 3rd generation of Mizuno irons to be crafted from high-strength Chromoly 4140M. Despite design differences, all members of the JPX921 family of irons are unmistakably Mizuno in profile and sensation through impact.

“Applying the potential of Chromoly means that the JPX921 irons hold their own in any simulator test –without having to crank #7 iron lofts at all cost. Look, feel, launch, spin and landing angles have to be right through the set. Ultimately what sets Mizuno irons apart,” says David Llewellyn Director of R&D for Mizuno.

 

JPX921 Forged / Faster, Forged, First

The JPX921 Forged iron integrates the power of Chromoly into a full body forged iron for the very first time. Initially applied in Mizuno’s Hot Metal irons – Chromoly has made the cross over to Mizuno’s forgings with staggering results. Testing shows the fastest ball speeds Mizuno has ever produced from a fully forged iron.

Grain Flow Forged HD in Mizuno’s legendary facility in Hiroshima Japan, the JPX921 Forged irons offer an identifiable and unsurpassed Mizuno feel. The integration of Chromoly 4120 allows for a clubface up to 0.5mm thinner which delivers the fastest ball speeds Mizuno has ever produced from a full-body Forged iron.

Additional perimeter weighting with toe bias creates a Stability Frame to maximize results from off-center strikes, while a 6.4% wider CNC back milled slot further increases stability.

Despite this, the JPX921 Forged irons offer a sleeker, compact profile – a shorter blade length throughout, a beveled trailing edge, and reduced offset. The feel is that of a traditional forged iron as the JPX921 Forged gets noticeably sleeker through the set.

Availability: 4-GW RH
4&5 iron LH – Combines with 6-GW JPX921 Tour in SEL (see below)

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JPX921 Tour / The Chosen One

The most chosen Mizuno model on the Tour among non-contracted professionals – the JPX900 Tour and JPX919 Tour were both played to win Major Championships. The stunning new JPX921 Tour maintains its predecessor’s surprising fusion of precision with stability from off-center strikes. Now even thicker behind impact for an enhanced, softer feel with tour refined short irons for smoother turf interaction.

Grain Flow Forged HD from 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon steel, the JPX921 Tour delivers an identifiable and unsurpassed Mizuno feel. In addition, Mizuno’s Stability Frame with toe bias weighting promotes a longer, straighter and more consistent ball flight, even on off-center strikes.

The shorter irons feature a narrower sole for improved turf interaction while a thicker cavity pad throughout the set, evolving from Mizuno’s study of vibration patterns, produces a harmonic impact that can be felt for a fraction longer.

With a pearl brush, anti-glare finish to minimize distractions over the ball, the JPX921 Tour offers the sharper, stripped-back functional look that the modern player appreciates.

Availability: 4-GW RH
6-GW LH – Combines with JPX921 Forged in SEL (see below)

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JPX921 Special Edition Leftie (SEL)

The first left-handed Mizuno JPX Tour irons since it’s conception in 2016. Built into a combination set with JPX921 Forged long irons (#3 and #4) and JPX921 Tour mid and short irons (#6-GW) for the perfectly balanced set up. Lofts have been pre-adjusted for perfect distance gapping between the models.

 

JPX921 Hot Metal / Chromoly 4140M

The JPX921 Hot Metal irons deliver Mizuno’s fastest ever ball speeds, a piercingly straight ball flight together with controllable landing angles. The JPX921 Hot Metal represents the 3rd generation of Mizuno irons to utilize the resilience of Chromoly – R&D generally accepts that any new technology needs three generations to reach near-optimal performance.

The JPX921 features Mizuno’s most complex face geometry to date, to produce additional energy from the clubface; the Hot Metal Pro version offering a more compact profile with reduced offset.

The use of Chromoly 4140M and a re-engineered CORTECH face, now 0.2mm thinner across the center point, creates exceptional ball speeds. These are further enhanced by the Seamless Cup Face featuring a variable thickness sole design that allows the leading edge to act as a hinge, generating greater flex.

Three additional sound ribs produce a more solid sensation at impact while extreme perimeter weighting and toe bias in Mizuno’s Stability Frame help to deliver greater consistency from off-center strikes.

“The introduction of Chromoly was the breakthrough Mizuno needed to take a step up in ball speed. We learn more about the potential of Chromoly with each generation and push it further each time,” says David Llewellyn.

Availability: 4-GW / RH & LH

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All JPX921 irons will be available through the Mizuno Custom Program, which offers one of the widest selections of no upcharge shafts and grips in the industry. It provides a comprehensive range of custom fitting options from state-of-the-art Mizuno Performance Centers across the United States as well as our expansive network of Mizuno Fitters that use the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer and high-tech Swing DNA software to pinpoint each customer’s best-performing specifications.

Mizuno has strived to “create the best products for consumers” for 114 years, and the entire JPX921 iron family adheres firmly to that original spirit and desire, while offering the best performance benefits that modern technology can bring. #nothingfeelslikeamizuno

For further information on the new JPX921 Series plus Mizuno’s full range of golf equipment, apparel and accessories visit: https://mizunogolf.com/us/. Stay up-to-date on all the latest golf news from Mizuno at @MizunoGolfNA on Instagram and Facebook at MizunoGolfNorthAmerica

MSRPs

JPX921 Forged $1,399.95
JPX921 Tour $1,299.95
JPX921 SEL $1,324.95
JPX921 Hot Metal Pro $999.95
JPX21 Hot Metal $999.95

 

About Mizuno USA
Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in greater Atlanta, Ga.

MORIKAWA’S MAJOR MOMENT

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Team TaylorMade’s Collin Morikawa wins his first major – the PGA Championship – using TaylorMade’s SIM driver and TP5 ball

Carlsbad, Calif. (August 9th, 2020) – Since turning professional and joining Team TaylorMade in June 2019, Collin Morikawa has played stellar golf winning twice on the PGA TOUR in that timespan and has now collected his first major the PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park.

It was a course familiar to Collin, who played it more than a dozen times during his 4-year collegiate career at the University of California, Berkley. That experience proved to aid him down the stretch, as the event turned into a horse race with upwards of 8 players having a legitimate shot at the coveted Wanamaker Trophy.

The former California Golden Bear won his first major just miles away from the Golden Gate Bridge and his alma mater. Now the man who began his professional career with 22 consecutive made cuts, has as many majors as missed cuts. At just 23-years-old, the sky is the limit for this young champion.

Shooting a final round of 64 to win by two, Collin closed in spectacular fashion by driving the green on 16 with his SIM driver to make an eagle and get to -13 under for the tournament.

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© Getty Images

Not only did Collin record the lowest final round of a PGA Champion, his score of 129 for the closing 36 holes was the lowest by a champion ever in men’s major golf history. Morikawa plays the SIM driver, SIM fairway and also the TaylorMade SIM rescue, which he added to the bag after the PGA TOUR re-start and has used to great effect in his earlier PGA TOUR win at the Workday Charity Open.

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© Getty Images

Despite being a lifelong LA Dodgers fan, Collin carried the TaylorMade special staff bags for the week of the PGA Championship in San Francisco inspired by the city’s resident MLB team the SF Giants….he even made fun of it on his instagram account earlier in the week.

 

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 09: Collin Morikawa of the United States prepares to play on the 14th fairway during the final round of the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park on August 09, 2020 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

© Getty Images

NEED TO KNOW

  • Collin now has one major and two PGA TOUR wins under his belt since turning pro in June 2019
  • Collin is the third youngest winner of the PGA Championship at 23 years, 6 mths and 3 days
  • Morikawa has jumped to world no.5 in the OWGR ranking
  • Collin would actually be world no.1 if his OWGR points were divided by the 28 events he has played so far versus the minimum 40 divisor that the OWGR uses
  • Collin’s 64 was the lowest final round by a PGA Champion ever
  • Collin joins Jack, Tiger and Rory as the only players to win the PGA Championship at 23 years old
  • With his win, Morikawa now gets a lifetime exemption into the PGA Championship, as well as five year exemption in the Masters, US Open, The Open and PGA TOUR
  • Morikawa’s closing 36 holes was the lowest by any champion in men’s major history
  • Collin led the field at TPC Harding Park in SG: Total, SG: Putting, Driving Accuracy (%) and Approach Shot (proximity to the hole)
  • In his first 28 starts as a professional, Collin has 1 major, 2 PGA TOUR wins, 6 Top 10s and just one missed cut (Tiger’s record in his first 28 starts as a professional are 1 major, 6 PGA TOUR wins, 8 Top 10s and also just one missed cut)
  • Six of the Top 10 and ties at the PGA Championship trusted the TaylorMade SIM driver
  • Team TaylorMade athletes now occupy 4 of the Top 5 in the world spots: 1. Jon Rahm, 3. Rory McIlroy, 4. Dustin Johnson and 5. Collin Morikawa
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© Getty Images

COLLIN MORIKAWA WITB

  • SIM 8.0 driver Tensei White 70TX
  • SIM 14.0 fairway Diamana D+ 80TX
  • SIM Max Rescue Tensei White 100TX
  • P750 4-5 DG X100
  • P730 6-PW DG X100
  • MG2 52° and 60°
  • TP Juno
  • TP5 #5

Srixon Introduces the Second-Generation Soft Feel BRITE Golf Balls

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HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Aug. 3, 2020 — SRIXON®, a global leader in golf ball technology and innovation, announces the launch of the second-generation Soft Feel BRITE. The Srixon Soft Feel BRITE golf balls are available in BRITE Orange™, BRITE Red™, and BRITE Green™ and are now available in North America.

Soft Feel Brite Family

“Soft Feel BRITE delivers all the benefits of the Soft Feel golf ball with additional matte color offerings,” said Brian Schielke, Marketing Director at Srixon. “With the addition of the FastLayer Core, Soft Feel BRITE provides the total package of enhanced distance, feel, and visibility.”

 

The Srixon Soft Feel BRITE is a golf ball designed specifically for golfers who value feel, but require enhanced visibility in their golf ball.

 

Soft Feel BRITE features Srixon’s softest FastLayer Core to date. The FastLayer Core starts soft in the center and transitions to a firmer perimeter, which offers equal parts distance and feel.

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Furthermore, Soft Feel BRITE delivers improved visibility due to Srixon’s Matte Visual Performance Technology, while the 338 Speed Dimple Pattern helps reduce drag at launch and increase lift during descent.

 

Play by feel and add a touch of color with the all-new Soft Feel BRITE.

 

Key Technologies:

  • FastLayer Core: With a soft center that gradually transitions to a firm outer edge, the FastLayer Core gives Soft Feel BRITE incredible feel and great distance off the tee.
  • Matte Visual Performance: Three BRITE color options – Red, Orange, and Green – deliver enhanced visibility so it’s easy to track and find the golf ball.
  • 338 Speed Dimple Pattern: To get more distance overall and better performance in the wind, Speed Dimples reduce drag at launch and increase lift during descent.
  • Soft Thin Cover: Provides more greenside spin and softer feel on all pitches, chips, and putts.

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The Srixon Soft Feel BRITE golf balls are now available at a MAP of $21.99 per dozen.

I’m Working Here

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As I sit here in what seems to be the “Dog Days of Summer” with sweltering heat and nary a breath of wind, I have a question for all of you. I think that the question I pose is a relatively fair one, and it’s a question that I’m asking out of nothing more than simple idle curiosity. So, here goes.

When you go to the driving range, do you want to be left alone and just focus on yourself, or do you welcome conversation about the mechanics of the golf swing?

I ask because the following story is a situation that arose the other day during a “focused” session at a nearby facility (Brock Golf Course).

Lately, since receiving a new set of SUB 70 699 Pro irons (that review here) my practice approach has taken on a renewed intensity. What some of you may not realize is that I took a kick at the proverbial can of playing professionally in some Mini-Tour events a few years ago. The timing was as poor as my results (see embarrassing). At the time, I was going through a complete swing reconstruction, however, I have no regrets because it got me valuable tournament experience (I had none prior) and as it turns out, I inadvertently invested in Canada’s Michael Gligic (while playing on The Great Lakes Tour). Too bad, my health got in the way for good measure. So here I am, thinking about it once again. I turn 50 in less than two years and with it, I get the equivalent of a “sort of” golf vasectomy. So, I’m thinking about playing in competition again and I’m working towards it in every way.

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Loving the graphite-shafted SUB 70 699 Pro irons.

Every now and again, I fall into a trap of working on things where I lose my sense of feel as it relates to the golf swing. I wrote an article earlier this season in which, to sum up, I screwed myself over getting too mechanical while practicing in isolation. It took a while to break the habits in my swing that I suddenly had acquired. I had a serious issue with hitting blocks. A shot shape that I’ve never had, and then shortly thereafter I had an issue with hitting pulls as I was coming out of “the blocks” and the pulls, those were eerie Hell! It grossed me out. Since then, I have rectified both misses and my sessions have gone extremely well. Phew! (insert wiping off brow here).

It feels great, and in a way, it feels like I’m in cruise control. My typical shot shape has returned, straight to baby draw. The shot shape that I know and trust. Which gets me to the point of this article.

The other day I went into the Pro Shop at Brock Golf Course, purchased my bucket of balls, found some grass in the hitting area, and dropped off my balls and golf bag there. Typically, I spend time on the putting green working on my putting stroke, and then head over to the chipping/pitching area to work on my short game. This day was no different. Like I said, my focus has suddenly changed. Now that I’m sitting here, thinking about it. My focus began to change on the back nine during a recent round with a friend. I felt the competitive juices start to flow within myself and rise to the surface.

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Feeling the flow. About to ride the bronco.

As I was working on my short-game, I noticed that a woman was watching me closely from the range. Upon finishing up my short-game practice I slowly meandered over to where my golf bag awaited and standing beside my golf bag was… the woman. We exchanged pleasantries and she sat down. I worked with my Orange Whip and she asked if it was an Orange Whip Trainer to which I responded “Yes ma’am, it is! It’s been in my bag for 5 or 6 years”. “May I see it?” sure, why not? I have hand sanitizer in the golf bag. So now, I’m engaged in an ongoing conversation. Honestly, I didn’t mind. But then the conversation took a turn.

From out of nowhere, she starts talking about the golf swing after I make a few swings with my wedge, settling into my routine. She starts talking about a whole bunch of technical thoughts, about seven of them (my head was spinning after the third) and she’s demonstrating them sounding like a robotic parrot. Demonstrating all sorts of angles and why they’re happening, she explained that she’s been struggling with her swing. In the interest of transparency, I feel that I should say that while I was practicing my short-game, I casually glanced over and observed her making swings. It was a series of thins and fats. I realized that she was looking for some free swing tips, and I vaguely recollected her from last year too. It was the pitch of her voice that stood out.

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The more that she spoke, the more that I felt she felt like this. 

Realizing that she was likely working with someone (I never, ever talk or help someone that’s already working with another instructor) I asked her “So, who do you work with?” She ignored the question and continued with technical speak about the golf swing without missing a beat or taking a breath. So I asked her again, “Who do you work with?” she finally responds. “Why do you ask?” So I explained to her, “I ask because, you ma’am, are way too mechanical for your own good”. An allegation that she denied and debunked saying nothing more than “No” and walked away. As she walked away, I said to her “Have a fantastic day!” That was the end of the conversation. By the way, I’m doing this as I’m working through my routine making swings.

I don’t mind talking on the range, and I don’t mind discussing the golf swing. But if you’re going to fill my head or anyone else’s with swing thoughts and not be open to hearing what others think.  Keep them to yourself and leave me or others the heck alone. After all, I’m working here.

Until The Next Tee!!

#fightandgrind #seeuonthenexttee

 

How The Winds of Change… Have Changed (Brand Image)

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I actually had started this article and almost completed it at the end of the second round of the Memorial Tournament. However, I wanted to sit and digest this before I published it. Apparently, my digestive tract is quite slow.

There are three non-Major tournaments on the PGA TOUR schedule that I always pay attention to. The first one is the Genesis Invitational held at the historic Rivera Country Club. The second tournament that I love to watch is the RBC Heritage at HarbourTown Golf Links. I love that tournament because it’s a course that I can relate to because I’ve played it, and I would love to again. It’s the nicest course that I’ve ever set foot on. Lastly, I love watching the Memorial Tournament. I love the way that the host (Mr. Jack Nicklaus) has it set up. The conditions are “Major-like”.

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Muirfield Village. The place that Jack built. (Photo Credit: PGA TOUR)

So much has been said since the PGA TOUR resumed play, with much of the focus being on Bryson DeChambeau. And rightfully so. Look at the way that he’s bulked up (in a very short period of time) and consequently started to annihilate golf course architects’ designs. Driving the golf ball 400+ yards routinely and when you really think about it, it’s a spectacle. He has both length and control and that’s scary formula for his competitors and perhaps the future of golf. Other than maybe the Par 5 15th at Muirfield Village perhaps, but more on that later.

There was a time not too long ago when I used to like everything about Bryson DeChambeau. Bryson was fresh and he was different as far as his approach to playing the game of golf. His single length golf clubs, he brought the side-saddle putting stroke to the TOUR although he wasn’t the innovator of the stroke, and of course his mathematical/scientific approach to attacking the golf swing and the golf course.

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Counting. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

But then my admiration for Bryson started to shift. Like winds on a lake or a prairie before a storm rolls in. Little by little, I started to dislike Bryson. It was the little things. Little issues like his tantrum that he had on the putting green during the WGC-Mexico event in 2019 (that he never knew was caught on camera), his slow play garnered attention amongst fans and pundits (who knew that he was actually acclimatizing us, prepping golfers and fans alike for 2020 DeChambeau). At the 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic (an event that he won) he chastized a cameraman who caught a mini-tantrum on camera stating that it was bad for his brand. Most recently, at the Memorial Tournament, his quintuple-bogey 10 on the Par 5th 15th led to his caddie looking like a “goon” trying to block the cameraman from filming Bryson’s frustration. All in all, Bryson has repeatedly acted like a primadonna and if I could offer up some advice to him, it’d be this.

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Where’s Bryson? (Photo Credit: Awful Announcing)

Bryson, the only one that’s hurting your brand, is you. When you’re accomplishing what you are and you want to be in the spotlight. Expect the spotlight to shine brightly on you, when you’ve brought this much attention to yourself. How long has Tiger Woods been doing it and coping?

Recently, the Memorial Tournament has shown us something amidst the distance debate. There is something to course set-up and there is more than one way to skin the proverbial cat. You can score without bombing drives 423-yards like Dechambeau. Jon Rahm went on to win, but long-hitters like Ryan Moore, Jim Furyk, and Chez Reavie were all there for a while on the first page of the leaderboard. Personally speaking, this was the first PGA TOUR action that I’ve watched since the re-start, and it was worth it. A course set-up in a way that practically evened the playing field. Mr. Nicklaus, I applaud you for it and I can’t wait to see how your place looks in 2021. It might be worth a several hour road-trip for a day or two. I cannot wait to see how you make it “better”.

 

 

Until The Next Tee!!

#fightandgrind #seeuonthenexttee