Mizuno Releasing New Everything, and all is quiet

[wadesworld]

How many times can you reissue the same designs with a new number and call it innovation?

I'm quite sure if you interviewed the Mizuno product manager, he'd tell you numerous things that have changed. Same as the Taylor Made product manager would about Rocketbladez to Speedbladez, or the Callaway product manager from XHot Pro to X2Hot Pro. Doesn't mean any of them are lying, but also doesn't mean each is a totally new design either.

 

[checkered]

I think it's a lot to do with hype. There's a lot of hype along with the companies that get the flak. Mizuno just seems to put them out there with what seems like minimal fanfare and sort of fly under the radar as to how much they are actually putting out there.

 

[adamw238]

In the other thread, I compared Mizuno to Tim Duncan. Really good, quiet and if you like him, then you reeeeaaaaallly like him. I think the responses here are great. It's awesome to see different points of view.

I, like trout don't care how many clubs are released per year. The more I have to choose from the merrier. It also gives me something to so during the winter months. Testing new clubs and writing about them here is pretty damn fun when it's 15 degrees and snowing sideways.

I for one cannot wait for the new Mizuno irons to hit the shelves


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[mpeterson]

I think, comparatively, you see a lot less from Mizuno as well. Not saying that's a good or bad thing. I do think one cause may be that we are at a point of limited improvement in blades and players cavities, which is the Mizuno bread and butter - the manufacturing process and design limits that. So that may temper excitement.


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[WMac19]

Of course they were different. One had "MP58" stamped on them, the other had "MP59". :wink:

I know a total of one person who games Mizuno gear, and it never really ever caught my eye.

Now you know (well, kinda) two. ;-)

I love my Mizuno irons. I played the MX-200 for a few seasons but as I'd played blades for a long time, the short irons in particular seemed clunky to me.

I kept the MX-200 5 and 6 irons and went with the MP-52 in 7-PW. Haven't looked back since and have no desire to play anything else whether from Mizuno or anyone else.

Ok, tempted at times. But I won't make a move. ;-)

 

[sposey013168]

TaylorMade has 5 active iron lines and gets crap constantly about release cycles and products introduced to market.

Mizuno has 10 active iron lines and no one says a word.

I dont play muzuno or T Mag but that is, hello pot meet kettle. Rbladze, speedblades and sldr irons are pretty similar, as are muzuno's new and improved.
its the new wave of golf, release something "new" as often as you can

 

[blugold]

Mizuno Releasing New Everything, and all is quiet

I dont play muzuno or T Mag but that is, hello pot meet kettle. Rbladze, speedblades and sldr irons are pretty similar, as are muzuno's new and improved.
its the new wave of golf, release something "new" as often as you can

Nope. Disagree. The rocketbladez Speedblades and SLDR irons may look similar but there are some significant differences with the pocket and the cavities.

 

[sposey013168]

Nope. Disagree. The rockeybladez Speedblades and SLDR irons may look similar but there are some significant differences with the pocket and the cavities.

Not much difference, sure there is a little difference as there is a little difference in the mizunos as well

 

[Brianbigoats]

Not much difference, sure there is a little difference as there is a little difference in the mizunos as well

They made quite a few tech changes with the speed pockets in those three different irons the forgiveness has been increased

 

[sposey013168]

They made quite a few tech changes with the speed pockets in those three different irons

I think we might be splitting hairs here.
Bottom line is all OEM's over release and a lot of it is just small changes. Companues are doing whatever they can to try to stay afloat.

 

[Brianbigoats]

I think we might be splitting hairs here.
Bottom line is all OEM's over release and a lot of it is just small changes. Companues are doing whatever they can to try to stay afloat.

For me the Speed pocket shape on my TP irons is way more forgiving and better feeling than the one on my Rbladez Tours the increased size at the sides make for better results on heel and toe hits

 

[sposey013168]

For me the Speed pocket shape on my TP irons is way more forgiving and better feeling than the one on my Rbladez Tours the increased size at the sides make for better results on heel and toe hits

I understand that, I am just saying all manufacters over release and a lot of it is kind of the same stuff. But it is the new wave

 

[blugold]

I understand that, I am just saying all manufacters over release and a lot of it is kind of the same stuff. But it is the new wave

Not all OEMs. There are a bunch that hold onto designs for two or three years.

 

[sposey013168]

Not all OEMs. There are a bunch that hold onto designs for two or three years.

Most majot OEM's

 

[blugold]

Most majot OEM's

I would even argue that most major OEMs hold onto iron designs for multiple seasons. Titleist, Ping, Cleveland, and Nike (in some of their lines). Every OEM has a business model. If you're going to give me 8 different iron offerings, there better be some major differences.

 

[6ixOhFore]

Being someone who has played 2 different sets of mizunos, I do not see their releases a bad thing. The clubs are really well made, not saying other companies are putting out junk... mizunos are a bit better feeling. For me they do lack the distance I was looking for. But feel and direction were always top notch. I am interested to see what comes this year from them. Have yet to try any woods , but thought about them. Here is my chance.

 

[KeyserSoze]

It seems that take rates on Mizuno irons are fairly low compared to the big dogs and remember we aren't exactly blasted with TV Ads during tournaments by them, so blame some of the "free pass" on that. Also keep in mind the fact that they are very conservative style wise (sans the orange JPX EZ) and don't scream at us at 130 decibels "ROCKETBALLLLLLLZIER!" and so forth. Titleist would get the same free pass IMO (although they obviously advertise a ton on TV).

 

[Badger_Golfer]

Agree. Mizuno isnt in your face like some other golf companies. They just do what they do and let the product speak for itself. Thats one of the things that always made Mizuno stand out for me. They dont need some huge marketing campaign or to sign big name tour players to use their gear because the product sells itself.

 

[fupresti]

Agree. Mizuno isnt in your face like some other golf companies. They just do what they do and let the product speak for itself. Thats one of the things that always made Mizuno stand out for me. They dont need some huge marketing campaign or to sign big name tour players to use their gear because the product sells itself.

I would argue they do a terrible job of selling equipment considering no one plays it. It has a perception of being a players product company and considering the average handicap hasn't changes in decades either they enjoy being a niche product or they still don't understand the American market.

 

[Badger_Golfer]

I would argue they do a terrible job of selling equipment considering no one plays it. It has a perception of being a players product company and considering the average handicap hasn't changes in decades either they enjoy being a niche product or they still don't understand the American market.

I actually think that Mizuno is very happy where they are now. They have a cult following really unlike any other company other than maybe Miura. I mean, theres plenty of product that they make but dont even offer in the states, such as putters, balls and shoes. From what I know, they have absolutely no plans to enter those markets either.

 

[Paladin]

I would even argue that most major OEMs hold onto iron designs for multiple seasons. Titleist, Ping, Cleveland, and Nike (in some of their lines). Every OEM has a business model. If you're going to give me 8 different iron offerings, there better be some major differences.

I know that a particular OEM has outright stated that they regard irons as "5 year clubs." On average, they find that most players get new irons every 5 years. So their claims in advertising of being X yards longer or more forgiving or whatever is based on those averages. So there's certainly precedent for hanging onto new designs in a particular category until there's a model that's 5 years old that a new design would be best suited to replace, logically.

By comparison, driver designs are a race to the patent office to the production line to market. They're regarded as maybe 2 year clubs, so it's a whole different world in terms of how new tech is introduced.

 

[DufferToo]

How can you say anything bad about a company that produced the MP-4, the epitome of iron porn?? :drool:

I don't think the uproar is just based on the amount of advertising. I see many more Ping ads (Bubba long, anyone) than Mizuno but nobody raises a fuss when Ping releases several new clubs either.

 

[lightningbolt44]

I would argue they do a terrible job of selling equipment considering no one plays it. It has a perception of being a players product company and considering the average handicap hasn't changes in decades either they enjoy being a niche product or they still don't understand the American market.

I know many many people that play mizuno. They are pretty popular in this area . I don't think they will ever dominate the bag count but I think they like their spot as a smaller company. Otherwise I think they would push a bit harder. Then again most companies don't have the $$$$ behind them that TM does

 

[6ixOhFore]

Players have been drawn to companies in any field, be it golf club, cell phones or cars ect. They do this cause THEY feel its what works for them. At the end of the round, range session or practice they are secure with the results. Not what an ad on tv or magazine states. I do not buy into all this gain X yards and be the next club champion because of our technoglogy. Try and play what works for you, everyone if different. Different swings, different swing angles and different tempos ect. Just my two cents.

 

[deuce]

Multiple releases doesn't really bother me. How many different bats did Mizuno, or Louisville Slugger have available? Nike, Brooks, and Asics release multiple running shoes ... choices are good.

And I need to amend my earlier statement, I know three people who game Mizuno irons* ... played with Trout Bum. They were nice looking irons ... too bad I will probably never be able to game a set like that.

*Maybe I should pay attention what other people have in their bags.