Mizuno, the Japanese golf equipment manufacturer long renowned for its beautiful, industry-leading clubs, has won an incredible 8 gold medals in the 2019 Golf Digest Hot List, including 6 in the various iron categories and a first-ever driver gold for its acclaimed ST190 & ST190G models.
Not surprisingly given its global reputation for forged irons, Mizuno has made a habit of gaining gold recognition in the annual Hot List awards from Golf Digest. But while this year’s tally of 6 golds in the various iron categories is exceptional, even by Mizuno’s standards, it is the brand’s first ever driver gold that is just as eye-catching, if not more so.
Take-up on tour had already hinted that Mizuno was back among the driver elite, with staff players Eddie Pepperell, Luke Donald, Lucas Glover, and Keith Mitchell all teeing it up with the ST190 driver this season. But this latest accolade is further evidence that, with its new ST190 models, Mizuno has rejoined the top table of driver manufacturers, with the hard work of its expert designers and engineers bearing much fruit.
The Hot List iron haul was spread across the ‘game improvement’, ‘players’ irons’ and ‘players’ distance irons’ categories with all four members of the JPX919 family honored – Hot Metal, Tour, Forged and the new Hot Metal Pro. The MP-18 MMC and SC models were also awarded gold as were the striking Blue IP S18 wedges. Silver honors for the ST190/ST190 TS fairway wood and the CLK Hybrid completed Mizuno’s Golf Digest Hot List medal haul for 2019.
“We’ve always done well in the Golf Digest Hot List irons categories,” said Alex Thorne, Tour Operations Manager for Mizuno Europe, “and our six golds there are, of course, immensely gratifying. But the gold for the ST190 drivers is perhaps even more exciting for us as a brand as we seek to re-establish Mizuno as a serious player in the driver and metalwood categories on tour. Equally, it’s great to have received such excellent feedback from golfers of all handicaps on the Golf Digest panel of reviewers, which tells us that this is a product that not only works on tour but also right across the ability spectrum.” 
ST190 & ST190G Drivers – Accelerates Ball Speeds Noticeably Past its Predecessors
“It’s like they translated the forged feel of irons to a driver.” – High-handicap review
“The clubhead sits square with a clean look. I was very happy with its consistent, middle trajectory. It just flies out there.” – Low–handicap review
JPX919 Hot Metal Iron – Chromoly 4140M: Packed with your Potential
“It gets through the ground like a bulldozer—you can attack it without any fear of chunking.” – Mid-handicap review
JPX919 Tour Iron – Unmistakable Mizuno Feel
“The turf interaction is the highlight. It feels like there’s no chance the sole is going to catch or drag.” – Low-handicap review
JPX919 Forged Iron – Boron-Infused for Added Strength
“The head frames the ball nicely. Center hits feel like a soft continuation of the swing.” – Mid-handicap review
JPX919 Hot Metal Pro Iron – Hot Metal Performance in a Smaller Package
“The contact feels soft, but there’s plenty of power. That’s a winning combination.” – Mid-handicap review
MP-18 MMC Iron – Highly Stable, Forgiving Multi-Metal Construction
“You can see there’s some technology with the titanium insert, but it still looks like a players iron.” – Mid-handicap review
MP-18 SC Iron – Compact, Players’ Cavity-Back Iron
“It’s a higher ball flight without having to exert much effort.” – Low-handicap review
S18 wedges – Loft-Specific Design
“Excellent turf interaction on full swings. No matter if you hit it thin, fat or fully flushed, it felt like you pured it.” – High-handicap review
ST190 & ST190 TS Fairway Woods – Flat Out Further
“Glides through the turf, easy to hit off the tee and still workable.” – Low–handicap review
CLK hybrids – The Adjustable Hybrid
“The tight look frames the ball nicely. Easy out of catchy lies.” – Mid–handicap review
Founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1906, Mizuno has long held an enviable industry- and tour-wide reputation for crafting the finest forged irons through its exclusive facility in Hiroshima Japan, offering the ultimate blend of looks, feel and workability.
For further information on Mizuno’s current range of golf equipment, apparel and accessories, visit mizunousa.com/golf.
Published: February 2019