Equipment
Mizuno to launch three new golf balls
According to Mizuno Golf’s European website, the company will launch three new golf balls in March 2015.
The new golf balls will include Mizuno’s MP-S and MP-X models, which are designed for better players, but most interesting is the company’s new JPX golf ball.
The JPX golf ball has Mizuno’s new “dimple clusters,” which are micro-dimples located around the larger dimples on the ball’s cover that are said to improve aerodynamics. The design was created by working closely with the Fukuoka Institute of Technology in Japan, the company said.
[quote_box_center]”The micro-dimples have little effect at higher ball speeds generated at impact,” said Masashi Tamakoshi, head of golf ball development for Mizuno. “However as the ball peaks and slows, they start to take effect. By stalling the descent phase just a fraction, we were able to increase the JPX’s overall airtime.” [/quote_box_center]
According to Mizuno, at least five Japanese Tour players will use the MP-X golf ball, and Chris Wood, a Mizuno Golf staff player on the European Tour, is also testing the the MP-X golf ball.
The balls are not expected to be available in North America.
GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore was at Riviera Country Club this last week in Los Angeles for the U.S. Women’s Open. While browsing the photos, I spotted a recent major trend in headcovers. That is, the Titleist GTS headcover line expands the majors theme.
Seen on the bag of Natalia Guseva were the red, white, and blue Titleist GTS covers. This is the third time we have seen limited-edition Titleist major covers, the others being at the Masters and the PGA Championship. But with the launch of the GTS line back at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March, this is the first time we have seen Titleist come out with major themed head covers for the season (driver headcovers through hybrids).
Check out some photos below.
At the Masters, we saw the familiar Masters green, white, and yellow. While the PGA Championship design was colors synonymous with the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team. This shows the season major drops continue full steam ahead for major OEMs. New opportunities for each major for designs and themes, and who knows, maybe a lucky spark for a player and a major championship for their resume. It gets the wheels turning for what major theme headcover you would keep on your bag for the whole season!
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 5 S
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 6 S
Hybrids: TaylorMade Qi4D (19 degrees, 22 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF Hybrid 85 S 
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (5-PW)
Shafts: Nippon Modus 3 Tour 105
Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 (50-SB 09, 54-SB 12, 60-SB 10)
Shafts: Nippon Modus 3 Tour 105
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour V
Grip: SuperStroke Flatso 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
Check out more in-hand photos of Melanie Green’s clubs here.
In our forums, one user has announced himself as a believer in the powers of Titleist’s GT280 Mini Driver, and is sharing the good news with other members.
User @dgarland chronicled:
“As the title states I have played 3 rounds with a Titleist GT280 mini driver and here are the results… If you have been contemplating trying one, definitely do. Stock Tensei Blue and set at standard loft and it’s legitimately hard to not put the ball in play with this. It is incredibly straight and even bad swings result in a usable shot. You will give up some distance but you will be in play. I have not attempted to hit it off the fairway yet but I rarely hit my 3 wood off the fairway either. At my home course there are two holes on the front 9 that are a really uncomfortable shot with the driver. One is a slight dogleg right where a draw (my normal shot) can run out of room fast and the other is a dogleg left with trees about 250ish straight off the tee, where a driver that doesn’t draw will get me into trouble. The mini driver has been perfect for both of them. I always step onto those tee boxes uncomfortable about the shot I need to play, but with this it makes it far easier to get the ball in play.
“Update: 2 for 2 again this morning in a 9 hole round.”
Members in the forum shared their thoughts on mini drivers, offering up their favorite models and whether or not they’re a proper fit for their home course/style of play. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- NorthMNgolfer: “I’m curious between this and the new TEC mini that was just released. But I’m waiting a mini that can be used from the fairway as well from time to time. Both look like great options.”
- jLMN: “I played the GT280 last year and it’s a great club. My problem this year is I couldn’t justify keeping it in the bag when I would only use it 2-3 times per round. Perfect club for short par 4 tee shots. I didn’t trust it as well off the deck compared to the tee box.”
- GolferPerson1: “I can only speak to the 280 but I’ve had no issues with it from the fairway. ”
Entire Thread: “Titleist GT280 mini driver after 3 rounds”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
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Mark R
Mar 9, 2015 at 1:45 pm
Not available in the US? Quite frankly My Dear – Who gives a Damn about the US?
And – Dear Fellow Gearheads – hadn’t you considered that the Rest of The World also logs into GOLF WRX, not just you guys? Take your heads out of your butts and concentrate on finding a way to win the Ryder Cup or perhaps you never will again. Just keep telling yourselves how good your (made for television) PGA Tour is! Heard the latest? Sponsors want 15 hole rounds and 3 day tournaments – makes better television, don’t you know?
Speedy
Mar 5, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Now, if they’d just made them two-tone.
Mlight
Feb 25, 2015 at 6:35 pm
Why bother reporting about it if there not available here in states?
AIN
Feb 24, 2015 at 1:25 am
If it ain’t available in the US, it ain’t news lol
John Ineson
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Not available?? So what! You never lusted after something that was not available? Oh man, they’re over there with their balls in the air a fraction longer thanks to those dimples so unavailable to me! I want those dimples so bad I’ve already put a tour ball in my vise and with a 6 penny nail am pocking it with heretofore unseen dimple clusters. Now it’s non-conforming? Oh no! What’s a poor, unproperly dimpled westerner to do? Time to remember the rule: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors balls, nor his cup-faced irons, nor his fourteenth driver released by that company this year . . .” Believe me . . . in just about all our cases it’s NOT the ball!
christian
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:01 am
I have used the older Cross Eight Mizuno balls occasionally, and those were really good, excellent performance/feel
MHendon
Feb 22, 2015 at 11:56 pm
You’ll be able to get them in the U.S. as long as you’re willing to pay a premium for them on ebay.
brian k.
Feb 22, 2015 at 11:03 pm
“The balls are not expected to be available in North America.”
“The balls are not expected to be available in North America.”
“The balls are not expected to be available in North America.”
ghey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike
Feb 22, 2015 at 8:30 pm
Just like the car manufacturers European model shown in advertisements not available in the US. Why tease us and looks cool.
Sebastien
Feb 22, 2015 at 7:48 pm
If the micro dimples help, why not have it on the higher end ball????
Claude
Feb 22, 2015 at 10:16 pm
Wait ill next year when they launch their new ball which uses their hyper super micro tri-dimples technology. The design was created by working closely with the Fukuoka Institute of Technology in Japan, the company said.
Jengus
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:30 am
Obviously didn’t read the article. They aren’t effective on higher ball speeds so they are pretty much redundant to better players. Hence part of the JPX brand rather than MP.
NaborsX
Feb 23, 2015 at 11:46 am
And you obviously mis-interpreted the the article… They have little effect at IMPACT, but take effect as the ball starts to slow down and descends.
“The micro-dimples have little effect at higher ball speeds generated at impact,” said Masashi Tamakoshi, head of golf ball development for Mizuno. “However as the ball peaks and slows, they start to take effect. By stalling the descent phase just a fraction, we were able to increase the JPX’s overall airtime.”