“…’Cause it’s one… two… three strikes you’re out at the old, golf game.”
What?
It’s seldom a company that has its beginnings in a completely different sport in a completely different country on a completely different continent can become a viable manufacturer for another sport altogether.
Mizuno did it.
History
1906, folks. Can you believe that’s when Mizuno started? Rihachi and Rizo Mizuno sell baseballs out of a shop in Osaka, Japan.
In 1910, they start making “ready made” athletic wear, and start planning the manufacturing of other sporting goods.
They open a Tokyo branch in 1912 and start delving into baseball gloves. Then, in the years leading up to 1920, Mizuno sells a variety of baseball products and sponsors several popular championships in the area.
Finally, in 1921, Mizuno plans to produce golf clubs. And… skis.
In the next fifteen years, Mizuno produces golf clubs, creating enough to expand into a large showroom in 1935 — large enough to become the world’s largest.
They continue producing several sporting products, and it isn’t until 1968 when a significant advancement in clubs arrives — the Grand Monarch golf clubs, which become very popular and start making Mizuno receive golf publicity.
Then the ’80s bring more than just the Moonwalk and Aqua Net sprayed “tidal wave bangs” — it also brings Mizuno’s golf workshops to the United States. Contracts begin to be signed, professional golfers are sponsored and begin winning, until we see the clubs in 1997 being used by several pros. In fact, in this same year, Mizuno irons are top in 4 categories on the Tour: percentage of use by all players, number of tournaments won annually, rate of use by top ten, and annual total prize money.
The company in the last few years has continued to innovate and create products that some of the best players in the world choose — making Mizuno a major player in the world of golf, and not just a company who made baseball equipment.
Irons, Irons Everywhere
It is still the most popular branding of Mizuno — the set of irons in a good golfer’s bag. While they make several other products, irons such as the MX900s are still one of the most often sold sets from pro shops everywhere. The MP68 irons are also among some of the top sellers.
As with anything, one must try out the feel of the club. While they may not be made of the same Japanese ash trees from the early 1900s, these clubs are definitely worth a swing.
Check out some of the other popular Mizuno products below:
Generally speaking, when you think of Mizuno forged irons, you think of the user as a single-digit handicap player -- someone who knows his way around a set of forged irons and how to use them. Well, the JPX-800 set from Mizuno attempts to bring their famous forged ...
When you think of notable fairway woods, Mizuno is not a name that often comes to mind -- at least not the same way it does about their player irons. However, they do make fairway woods, and the F60 is one of those entries.
Available in 3-wood (13.5 & 15 ...
I have to admit. Until now, I have had zero experience with Mizuno. My only experience prior to writing this was picking that brand of clubs for my “Tiger Woods PGA Golf 2009” Wii game. And the only reason I picked those is that the virtual Mizuno company “sponsored” my ...
Typically, I think of Mizuno clubs as being for the lower handicappers, and this 3 wood is no exception. It's a beautiful club designed with playability in mind.
The clubhead is made from titanium with extra weight put in the sole -- 40 grams to be ...
Mizuno engineers some beautiful clubs. This MP-CLK Hybrid is more versatile than I would expect from a company that I typically think of as an expert player's brand.
The face of the hybrid is a very hot. It is comprised of a 1770 stainless steel maraging face. ...
This Mizuno MP 630 Fasttrack is another one of those adjustable drivers. It has the most options of any of the drivers I've seen so far. With ten different positions for two 8-gram weights, the MP630 has 45 different trajectory settings. Wow!
It's pretty easy ...
Ever heard of a "Quad-Cut" groove? Wow, it sounds like it could put spin on a bowling ball! Mizuno says it allows them to control the width, depth, and draft angle and shoulder radius of each groove. This, of course, gives the wedge an ...
Well, isn't this interesting? Mizuno, the king of "Players" clubs, is sticking their big toe in the game improvement department. Let's take a look at what they've come up with.
These MX-1000s were developed with a super COR and a massive MOI. They construct these ...
Earlier, I did a couple reviews on some beautiful new Mizuno Irons: the Mizuno MP-58s and Mizuno MP-68s. This Mizuno MP Wedge is the perfect complement to either of these sets.
The Mizuno MP Series Wedge is a winner of Golf Digest "Recommend" Wedges. Well, there you ...
Feast your eyes on these new Mizuno irons. I think Mizuno makes the most beautiful irons of all the major club makers. But buyer beware, these clubs are blades designed for exceptional players.
The MP-68 irons are Mizuno's latest and greatest tour quality clubs. It looks to be ...
I'm drooling now. Please don't look at me. It's embarrassing. These Mizuno MP-58s are a thing of beauty.
Let me compose myself and explain to you why these clubs are so cool. There's a new trend sweeping the PGA Tour, and that's the move towards cavity back style ...
With today's technology, you need to select the right club for you. Even with the simple ol' sand wedge.
Here's a very nice forgiving wedge from Mizuno. This club is designed for the mid to higher handicappers that are looking for a club that they don't have to hit on ...
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