Best kept COMP secret
Written: Nov 10 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very easy to control, has distance and forgiveness by the truckload. Nice looks too!
Cons: Muted sound and dull feel, lower ball flight that you might expect.
The Bottom Line: All the tech advances you need, no annoying weights to fool with, easy to control driver for those needing distance and find more fairways.
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| lirubis's Full Review: Mizuno Mx 500 Driver |
Me and composite drivers have had many ups and downs. I believe my first experience was the infamous Callaway C4 that no single human golfer in this world could hit long or straight. Then the Cleveland Launcher Comp became not only immensely sucessful in the PGA Tour, but also with many amateur players, including me. I probably have tested most of them, from the SMT Indio (awesome distance, weird feel and not very forgiving) to the Callaway FT3 (too long and wild off the tee for me). I even went with a Mizuno MP001 a few times but there was not enough chemistry between us, although I clearly remember it being among the longest, straightest drivers I've ever tested.
Not long ago, sniffing around a barrel of returned drivers at the clubhouse Proshop, two headcovers got my attention: a Ping G5 fixed with a V2 75 S flex, and a Mizuno MX500 10.5 with a ProLaunch 65 s flex shaft. The store manager just said "take 'em for a walk, you may like one of them...they are only $150 each..."
I have written a review about the G5 already, but even I got wondering why I've never tried an MX500 despite being such a big Mizuno fan.
TECHS
This driver is much more visually attractive than the Mp001. It is a composite head 460cc driver, the sole looks like crooked "x" and has a composite wall between the sole and the toe of the club. There is also a blue colored "channel" that helps move the COG back and deeper into the club. Right on the top, the classic "carbon weave" see-thru top is immediately noticeable. A small "m" logo serves as the alignment aid.
This 460cc head is very nice too look at. Inspires confidence and sits perfectly square. The color match with the Blue/gray ProLaunch shaft makes it look even better.
PERFORMANCE.
From the first time I took a practice swing with it, I could tell this was going to be good. The head matched the shaft perfectly for my type of swing. The hands tell you right away "you can control this thing!". The ProLaunch has a bit lower kick-point but always feels very stable, unlike many of todays popular new shafts like the NVS.
I hit well over 100 range balls with it, and the curiosity turned into desire. The trajectory from this 10.5 deg head was much lower than my 10.5 LauncherTi, about the same carry distance but quite a bit more roll. Having a little less taller face, you can tee the ball one inch off the ground and hit it with ease. The sweet spot seems as big as the Launcher's, the sound a bit muted but not as weird as with most comp heads. Feel is very firm for a comp head, too.
The natural shot shape this setup gives me is a mild draw. I dont have to work hard to get the ball deep in the fairway: just point, complete the backswing, and just let go. At 80% effort the ball flies and rolls FAR, just a bit left of the target until you get used to the slight draw. The original grip was too dry and before I went to the course for the 18 hole final test, I had to buy a glove (never use them unless its raining). Later on I'll write here about the fantastic feel on the Mizuno gloves.
Being a bit windy october afternoon, the low trajectory helped me a lot to stay inside the fairways. It is nice to have driver that just guides itself to the ball. I over-did it a couple of times and the results were very manageable (light rough).
BOTTOM LINE
Any time you give me a driver that gives me 250 yards carry plus 20-30 roll and a slight draw I call it MINE. It is really a nice, no-nonsense driver most players will enjoy. I bought it for $150 plus a new G8 Winn Grip and It has been happily inside the bag for 4 weeks, no intention to leave soon. After that I went to the web to browse around for reviews and I have to say that I was NOT susprised to see how many great reviews this driver has accumulated over the past 18 months, specially in the UK and Asian scenes. I wonder why It did not had such a big success in the USA.
Nevertheless, this may be the driver you are looking for, It will fit skill levels from Pro to semi-hack. I wish I had found it earlier. Absolutely great stuff. and guess what: it is a MIZUNO!
Im smiling!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
lirubis
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Location: Following the sun
Reviews written: 245
Trusted by: 59 members
About Me:
Some of us are born with a stronger sense of curiosity.
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