SPOTTED: New Mizuno Driver and Wedges, Takomo Driver, Irons and More

The fall is unofficially equipment season. Brands usually are in their Tour validation process and incorporate final tweaks before launching the new lineup. And at that point, Mizuno is preparing for the release of its new ST-G metalwoods and T24 wedges, both of which deserve your consideration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Both models feature a beautiful, high-gloss black and carbon that gives off serious Darth Vader vibes and look clean at address.

But pivoting to the ST-G, this will feature a 440cc head that features a newly optimized Fast Track Design, allowing adjustability ranging from a low spin bomber to a fade or draw bias.

The fairway wood, conversely, features an all-Titanium design that is focused around the CORTECH Chamber platform also found in the ST-G driver.

Selfishly, however, I’m a little more excited for the T24 wedges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Indeed, it’s no secret that Mizuno develops some of the greatest irons on the market, consistent with their tagline that “Nothing Feels Like A Mizuno.”

And to help make sure you have the same feel from your long iron down to your greenside wedges, Mizuno is one of very few equipment manufacturers who sell a forged wedge. I highlight this because anyone who plays softer feeling irons knows how unsettling it can feel when hitting a harder shot with a cast wedge. Mizuno wants to eliminate that and offers the exact same forging construction found in its irons—one-piece, grain-flow HD-forged from 1025 stainless with a boron layer to increase durability without sacrificing that soft feel.

Working inside-out from the forging, the T24 also features a redesigned look, along with some cool technology that could make these a top wedge. To adhere to the better-players ethos, the T24 is more compact and has a thinner topline now. But the changes are not just visual; instead, it complements the T24’s engineering and promotes a lower launching ball flight.

Additionally, Mizuno has designed the T24 with loft-specific grooves. To explain, Mizuno understands that you’ll be hitting different shots with your 52 and 56 degree wedges. As a result, the lower-lofted wedges—which you’ll be hitting more full shots with—have 17 grooves on the face which are narrower at the top and the bottom and slightly deeper. The 58- through 60-degree wedges are, instead, optimized for partial swing performance and feature 15 grooves that are wider at the top and bottom to better move moisture and debris out of the way.

Speaking of which, Mizuno’s has improved its laser etched HydroFlow Micro Grooves that promote the releasing of moisture and prevent spin reduction (perfect for those morning dewsweepers).

The T24 wedges feature five grind options, with a variety of bounces, and three finishes—soft white satin, tour raw and denim copper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Finally is Takomo, who I will admit isn’t “new” but has been getting a lot more attention after YouTube sensation, former Callaway staffer Wesley Bryan put irons from the lesser-known, direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand into play at the Fortinet Championship a few weeks ago.

Takomo, interestingly, is a Scandinavian brand that is—like many other DTC brands—committed to releasing a premium product at a discounted price. And as of this moment, they offer nearly a full bag worth of options—a driver (recently released), driving iron, four iron options, and forged wedges.

The irons can be put into three different categories:

• the 101 is the most-forgiving, distance-focused part of the lineup, and features a hollow-bodied design;
• the 201 is a better players, forged iron; and
• the 301 is the tour-spec (thinner soles and topline) forged iron.

What really matters here, again, is the price: despite each set consisting of 7 pieces (4 through pitching wedge), none of the offerings retail for more than $650. In fact, the 101 irons start at under $500, while the 301s come in at $649.

This pricing is consistent whether you’re looking at the driver ($359) or wedges ($89) and, thus, Takomo may be doing God’s work by making new golf more affordable.

Cover Image via Twitter