Golf equipment: Mizuno JPX EZ driver and woods review
By NCG
5 It is quite rare to see equipment aimed at average golfers in use on professional tours.
That’s because clubs rarely offer both the looks a better player demands and the forgiveness that beginners need.
Mizuno are among the best in the market for making clubs that fit this demanding bill.
And their new JPX EZ range is a prime example. James Whitaker, head professional at West Yorkshire club Moor Allerton, told me that the irons, which are out now, ‘are flying off the shelves,’ yet European Tour star Chris Wood put the driver in his bag ahead of the Seve Trophy.
It’s not hard to see why. It’s a traditional and striking head with a gorgeous finish and hidden offset. The face is quite deep and you have an adjustable hosel that lets you fine-tune your flight. In short, it really looks like something aimed at a low handicapper. Get it on the range, though, and you will notice serious levels of forgiveness and lots of distance.
The same applies to the fairway wood. The head is a traditionalist’s dream – perfectly rounded and nice and deep.
It doesn’t spin a lot and is a great option off the tee. Again, though, it allows you to get away with some genuine mis-hits.
The hybrid is arguably the least appealing to look at due to its large size but is far from ugly and launches the ball into the stratosphere, landing very softly.
The JPX EZ’s standard shaft – the Orochi Black Eye – is relatively soft and will work very well with this head for lots of golfers.
Mizuno offer a good range of custom options, too, including the Grafalloy Blue and Project X Black that will suit those looking for more stability.
Overall, this is a range that is going to offer so much to so many different players when it comes out early next year.
The same applies to the fairway wood. The head is a traditionalist’s dream – perfectly rounded and nice and deep. It doesn’t spin a lot and is a great option off the tee
DEEP-FACED FAIRWAY WOOD
Mizuno have also brought out a JPX EZ fairway wood, and the design brief was to offer a wide range of players something so powerful it can be used as a driver alternative.
With a deep, substantial face, the JPX EZ fairway wood, complete with a ‘Hot Metal’ face for maximum ball speeds, is forgiving and extremely long. Its head is stretched from front to back to help position weight low and allow the centre of gravity to be placed low and back.
Coupled with the deep face, this generates the ideal combination of a high flight with low spin. A ‘Flex Crown’ design helps maintain high ball speeds and consistent distance from strikes high or low on the clubface.
KEY FACTS
JPX EZ DRIVER
LOFTS: 9.5, 10.5 & 12˚
LENGTH: 45.5”
HEAD SIZE: 450cc
SHAFT: Orochi Black Eye
SRP: £249
JPX EZ FAIRWAY WOODS
LOFTS: 15, 18 & 21˚
LENGTH: 42.75, 42.25, 41.75”
HEAD SIZE: 192, 188, 184cc
SHAFT: Orochi Black Eye
SRP: £159
JPX EZ HYBRIDS
LOFTS: 16, 19, 22 & 25˚
SHAFT: Orochi Black Eye
GRIP: Golf Pride M-31 Mizuno
SRP: £129
Available from February. Go to mizuno.com for more information
Mizuno JPX EZ woods
