Review: Mizuno JPX900 3-wood and hybrids
By James Savage
Our Mizuno JPX900 3-wood review took place in the Golf Shack at Moor Allerton in Leeds.
Mizuno were very excited with the launch of their JPX900 woods, and after we hit the driver, we could see why.
It was one of the standout performers from our driver test this year and we think it’s the best one Mizuno have brought to market yet.
So we were very keen to test out the other woods in the range…
Mizuno JPX900 3-wood review – The methodology
We took a 15-degree Mizuno JPX900 3-wood and a 19-degree hybrid and got our anonymous big hitter to hit about six shots with each.
We measured all the data on Trackman. We paid particular attention to the gapping between the two clubs and also ball speed, spin and distance numbers.
Mizuno JPX900 3-wood review – The technology
What Mizuno call a Shockwave Sole helps create more ball speed while a 15g sliding weight allows players to fine tune their spin and launch.
The JPX900 3-wood comes fitted with a premium Fujikura Speeder Evolution 2 shaft as standard.
Mizuno’s first adjustable hybrid has a smaller, compact profile and is very much a long iron replacement rather than something closer to a fairway wood.
Mizuno still say it has had been built like a wood but will play like an iron.
The JPX900 face sits more like an iron than in Mizuno’s previous hybrids, while the club is set up a little shorter and flatter than previously to work especially well for players who tend to hook their hybrids.
Mizuno JPX900 3-wood review – The results
The results from the 3-wood were very consistent. There really wasn’t much variation from shot to shot with very similar launch, spin, ball speed and carry numbers.
There was possibly a little bit too much spin for our anonymous big hitter if he was looking for maximum distance off the tee.
However the dispersion is pretty tight and again, very consistent which is pleasing to see.
The hybrid was very interesting as I expected the gap between these two clubs to be a bit bigger than it actually was.
It had an average carry of 230 yards compared to the 250 yard carry average of the 3-wood so I’d suggest that’s pretty much spot on.
Our anonymous big hitter is more of a 3-iron rather than a 3-hybrid man and we did see a little less consistency here than with the 3-wood.
The longest carry was 234 compared to the shortest at 218 and that would be a concern for our man.
But I think the pay off for most of us is that the hybrid is generally going to be easier to hit from any lie and offer more forgiveness.
Mizuno JPX900 3-wood review – NCG verdict
There are a lot of boxes being ticked here with these Mizuno woods.
Personally, I think the blue crown is stunning and it looks even better with the golden Speeder shaft. Not everyone is a fan of the blue but it’s a really classy matt finish which doesn’t glare in the sun.
The ball speed and carry numbers are very solid with the 3-wood – perhaps just a few MPH and yards behind the TaylorMade fairways we tested earlier.
But we think TaylorMade are really on top of their game when it comes to fairway woods so it’s not shame to be only slightly behind.
Another thing I like about the JPX900 range is it has wide-ranging appeal. These aren’t niche clubs for better players. They should suit players of all abilities and the superb adjustability on offer means it’s easier to get dialled in.
It can be hard to look past the TaylorMade and Callaway woods but take our word for it that the JPX900 range is right up there and well worth checking out.
Prices
JPX900 driver: £399
JPX900 fairway: £279
JPX900 hybrid: £219
More information can be found on the Mizuno website.
TaylorMade M2 Tour 3-wood vs. 2016 M2 3-wood
Driver comparison: Mizuno JPX900 vs. JPX850
Review: Mizuno JPX900 driver
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
