Connect with us

Equipment

2014 Mizuno JPX-EZ Forged and JPX-EZ irons spotted

Published

on

[youtube id=”lD6r7VGBMBY” width=”620″ height=”360″]

Mizuno’s new JPX-EZ and JPX-EX Forged irons are a departure from the company’s traditional chrome and satin-finished irons. They have a black-nickel plating that gives the irons a dark finish, and bursts of bright orange in the cavity that begs golfers to take a closer look.

When they do look closer, they’ll see that despite the fresh look, the irons have progressive cavity designs that have been the hallmark of Mizuno’s recent iron releases.

post-1-0-67941500-1376142622_thumbmizuno ez

The long irons have the deepest cavities, while the cavities on the short irons are much more shallow. It’s a great blend that will give golfers more forgiveness, ball speed and trajectory assistance with the long irons, as well as more solid-feeling, penetrating shots with the short irons.

Notice the difference between the cavity depth in the JPX-EZ Forged 4 iron and pitching wedge below.

post-1-0-89664200-1376142298_thumb

Above: A Mizuno JPX-EX Forged 4 iron, which has a much deeper cavity than the pitching wedge pictured below. 

post-1-0-60023300-1376142398_thumb

We can’t wait to see how the heads feel and perform, and are especially interested in the difference in the ball speeds between the JPX-EZ Forged and the non-forged model, which we’re suspecting will provide golfers with a lot more distance and forgiveness.

At address, both irons have a look that blends looks and function. Golf is a game of confidence for so many, and these more forgiving designs might be exactly what a lot of Mizuno iron players are looking for from their next set.

2Y9G9843

Above: A JPX-EX Forged 7 iron in the address position. The non-forged JPX-EX 7 iron is pictured below.

post-1-0-87890500-1376142709_thumb

“It’s not a question of ability – just a different approaches to the game,” said Chuck Couch, vice president of golf product for Mizuno. “We found there are two ways to real golfing fulfilment. You can join the ‘Shotmakers and Artists’ who craft their way round the course with more precise instruments like the MP-4 and MP-54. Then there are the ‘Risk Takers’ – players with the ability to shake off negative thoughts and take on every shot. We want to convince more golfers to shake off their fears and become ‘Risk Takers’. That’s what JPX EZ philosophy is all about.”

The JPX-EZ line also marks Mizuno’s return to driver adjustability – though Couch confirms it’s been done the EZ way.

“This isn’t the standard adjustability where the majority of settings are only usable by professionals and tour players. It’s about having 8 settings that are easy to find and useable by all of us.”

Couch said that the new JPX-EZ woods could be the biggest surprise for golfers in the new line.

“In testing these woods have caught better players completely blindsided,” he said. “You expect a pleasant high flying ‘safety first’ type result – what you get is a set of cannons. Mizuno is back in the wood business in a big way.”

The JPX EZ irons are available on Sept. 1. The JPX-EZ woods will follow in Europe during Feb 2014.

Click here for more photos and to see what members are saying about Mizuno’s new JPX-EX irons and woods in the forums.

Click here for more photos and to see what members are saying about Mizuno’s new JPX-EX irons and woods in the forums.

Your Reaction?
  • 15
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW4
  • LOL1
  • IDHT3
  • FLOP4
  • OB2
  • SHANK1

GolfWRX is the world's largest and best online golf community. Expert editorial reviews, breaking golf tour and industry news, what to play, how to play and where to play. GolfWRX surrounds consumers throughout the buying, learning and enrichment process from original photographic and video content, to peer to peer advice and camaraderie, to technical how-tos, and more. As the largest online golf community we continue to protect the purity of our members opinions and the platform to voice them. We want to protect the interests of golfers by providing an unbiased platform to feel proud to contribute to for years to come. You can follow GolfWRX on Twitter @GolfWRX and on Facebook.

32 Comments

32 Comments

  1. Jeff Wallace

    Jun 18, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Been playing MX20’s for 13 years and loved them. My JPX forged due to arrive tomorrow. If the performance is like the testing and the reviews, I’ll take the performance and get used to the colors. Focused more on the strike and the score than the back of the club. Can’t wait!

  2. Jim

    Nov 6, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    Hey D. You can also go to Mizuno’s web site and see pics of the driver, fairway and hybrids.

  3. Robert

    Oct 19, 2013 at 11:36 pm

    I have been playing the 825 this year but have fallen hard for the new EZ line. I personally love the color combo and the feel of the forged is unbelievable, I have only hit the 7 iron demos side by side with my 825 but come spring I will be getting fitted for a set no doubt about it.

  4. Michael Martin

    Sep 3, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    I have been playing the 825 pro’s for the last year and loved them. I went to Roger Dunn this a.m. and decided to test drive the new JPX-EZ.
    WOW!!!! I was very impressed. Yes the top line is somewhat different to look down at however, I did not care when I started Nutting that six iron 15 yards farther than my JPX Pro. I know launch monitors are going to embellish perhaps but this accurately reflected my six iron distance, 175 carry. I was constantly roping the EZ 190-205 and hit one 214.I hit them simultaneously and tried five different shaft combos: The DGXP which is the stock shaft. The Project X 6.0, KBS, and the DGS300. What a super sweet crisp click that you only get with superior forging. I ordered them on the spot with the Dynamic gold S300 shafts, 1/2″ over standard. I will be playing them ASAP. I am pumped, I may be taking a hybrid out of the bag, and adding another long iron. That is how hot and EZ to hit these things are. I have always been a Mizuno guy ever since Hogan dropped out of site. Don’t let that top line fool you or put you off hit them yourself you will be pleasantly surprised as I was. Bottom line, whatever gets me closer to scratch goes in the bag.

  5. howie

    Aug 29, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    I was fitted this morning for a new set of irons. I hit the new EZ’s 5-7 yards farther with better contact than my trusty old mizuno 23’s.They look just fine at address,so who cares what they look like in the bag!
    Keep in mind the stock grips are a bit smaller,so add a wrap or get the grips you want!

  6. DoubleDuffers

    Aug 21, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    I got mixed feelings about these GI’s. I don’t mind the dark satin finish that you’d find on their Mp Blk Ni series wedges and I love orange accents in small amounts as I use orange paintfill to personalize my MP 53’s and MX-25’s. But these JPX Ez irons are just too much orange. Perhaps if they switched the orange badge upside down and used it in the cavity where it’s more hidden than that could work. Even still, the five spoke inlays and center badge are probably what makes it unsitely as there’s too much going on. I’d get these in the forged set but only if there were a way to “fix” the back plating. The orange goes nicely with my cobra amp woods, R1 driver, and nike sports bag with orange and khaki accents. And BTW, Mizzys are no strangers to using bright color accents in their Mp and JPX lines in Japan. Look them up on Japanese retail sites for English versions and you’ll see many variations that I wish we’re sold in the US markets. The prices are decent but shipping is gonna cost you an arm and a leg!! Besides, I’m more of a MP guy now so the new 2014 lineup looks yummy! Mizuno’s still on top of their game and always will be as far as I’m concerned. Those of you who know…Know!

  7. reggie jaggers

    Aug 20, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    I have been a loyal Mizuno user since I took up golf some twenty years ago. I’ve got the JPX 800’s in my bag and an old set of Comp EZ in the garage to play the not so nice courses around my area. BUT I have to say Mizuno has fallen prey to the scheme of trying to sell color with hype. On their woods they say they are cannons , please explain how that is possible. Since the PGA has set limits on the faces how can they possibly be any longer unless of course they’ve also lengthened the shafts as most of the companies have done. I for one really hate to see Mizuno take this route. When it comes to blades and even their cavity backs Mizuno has always made the most beautiful clubs out there but now it seems they’ve jumped on the same wagon as Cobra and Taylormade with this color thing. I don’t like it or these clubs, they’re just dull and ugly in my opinion.

  8. nick driscoll

    Aug 20, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    I have stood behind Mizuno for 20years and have always believed they were hands down the best looking irons made. Plus they feel unreal, but these irons are hard on the eyes!!!! Ugly

    • reggie jaggers

      Aug 20, 2013 at 7:31 pm

      I agree with you totally. Looks nothing like the Mizuno clubs I have played and loved throughout the years.

  9. Frank

    Aug 17, 2013 at 10:06 pm

    Its like Ping and Mizuno has a Baby.

  10. Perry

    Aug 17, 2013 at 7:06 pm

    TT XP 105 shafts. New shaft offering? No mention of it in the article that I saw.

  11. Z

    Aug 17, 2013 at 3:47 am

    When did ping buy over mizuno?

  12. yo!

    Aug 16, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    smart move … mizuno going the way of cobra … get some colors in there then sign someone who is interesting and young

  13. paul

    Aug 16, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    My first thought was an attempt to make a g25 look a like.

  14. Guantanemo

    Aug 16, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    I personally feel that this is a step back from the 825 series… the 825 Pros looked pretty good, not so with the EZ Pro.

  15. JJ

    Aug 16, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    As Charles Barkley would say, “Turrible.” Way too busy for Mizuno. They say “Dance with the girl that brung ya.” For Mizuno, that girl is clean lines and traditional looks. Fail.

  16. tyler

    Aug 16, 2013 at 11:27 am

    Yuck! Never liked any of the JPX lines.

  17. RH

    Aug 16, 2013 at 11:05 am

    Love Mizuno but these are UGLYYYYYYYYYYY. Look like a ping i15.

    • Zack

      Aug 17, 2013 at 3:46 am

      Was just about to say that. I completely agree with u!

  18. c masty

    Aug 16, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Love everything but the name. Better players that are interested in a Game Improvement iron don’t want it named “EZ”.

  19. Bossman

    Aug 16, 2013 at 9:49 am

    Sorry … black + orange = Halloween

  20. GGWolverine

    Aug 16, 2013 at 8:07 am

    I love Mizuno irons. I’m on my 5th and 6th sets. The new Jpx ez and Jpx ex irons look butt ugly. What’s up w/ the orange?! Mizuno trying to be Cobra?

  21. Snowman

    Aug 15, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    @^#$^$## Orange!? from Mizuno = Sign the the apocalypse is here.

    • david

      Aug 16, 2013 at 6:15 am

      +1

    • naflack

      Aug 17, 2013 at 12:19 pm

      +1

    • KCCO

      Aug 21, 2013 at 10:09 am

      I really like the concept of look, but doesn’t look mizzy…..it’s like they gave blue to that other huge company, and got different colors and a little more badging on some of their products in return. Not specific to these irons, but 54’s as an example with extra badging/added plastic not seen from mizuno

  22. Don

    Aug 15, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    I just got drool all over my iPad! I was gonna go a new set of 825’s now I have to wait!!!!

  23. TG

    Aug 15, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    Mizuno is the best company in the golf business! Go #TEAMJPX

  24. D

    Aug 15, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    So where are the pics of the woods???? Don’t talk about it in the article if you don’t have pics of them like you do with the woods.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

Published

on

As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

Your Reaction?
  • 13
  • LEGIT3
  • WOW1
  • LOL1
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Equipment

Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

Published

on

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.

From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

Your Reaction?
  • 0
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Equipment

Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

Published

on

Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

Your Reaction?
  • 19
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW4
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending