Major Medal Haul Features Mizuno’s First Ever Driver Gold in 2019 Golf Digest Hot List

Mizuno’s impressive 10-medal haul includes 8 golds with a debut driver gold for the highly anticipated ST190 models

Mizuno, the Japanese golf equipment manufacturer long renowned for its beautiful, industry-leading clubs, has won an incredible eight gold medals in the 2019 Golf Digest Hot List, including six 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 six golds in the various iron categories is exceptional, even by Mizuno’s standards, it’s the brand’s first ever driver gold award 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.

The Hot List iron haul was spread across the ‘game improvement’, ‘players’ irons’ and ‘players’ distance irons’ categories with all four members of the Mizuno 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 were awarded as well for the ST190/ST190 TS fairway wood and the CLK Hybrid, which 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 is that this is a product that not only works on tour, but also right across the ability spectrum.”

Gold award winners:

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

“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

Silver award winners:

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.