So since the end of last season, I had been on the search for a new 3 or 4 wood to go in the bag. Back in February, Mizuno Japan introduced their new JPX line, the A25. Interestingly they had a new high MOI pentagon 3 Wood with a loft of 17*.  I checked it out while I was at the Japan Golf Fair in Tokyo and liked what I saw except the alignment mark. After discussing things with Tourspecgolfer a few weeks ago I decided to get one (thank you TSG). It arrived earlier this week and I've had some time to take it out for some testing.

First lets make this clear, this isn't about which is better or worse between the RC and Mizuno, it's about which works for me. They are both awesome clubs and just like for everyone else, it's all about finding the right clubs that work and fit your game. The RC was a good club and may have been even better if I wasn't dumb enough to get a 14* ^^.  So lets begin looking at some of the differences.

The Royal Collection is a step away from RC's FWs of the past which were compact, athlete geared clubs. The Star FD is like a mini driver... the 3 wood is around 200cc and from address, since it's like a flattened out disc shape, could pass for a 300cc+ driver. Confidence inspiring? Yes, but probably way too big for some. Amazingly, this big headed RC has a very shallow face which pushes center of gravity way back. It is so shallow that I have to tee practically on the ground if I'm using it out of the box. Feel wise, the RC is amazing... it is very solid and gives great feel... almost Epon like feel.  I pulled the stock shaft which was a stiff flex (I'm an R of course) and installed a Mamiya Axiv 5052L tipped for the wood. A very nice combo with the low kicking Axiv. Still the ball flight was very low off the deck which can be expected of a 14* wood. Compound that with the fact that the worst part of my game is hitting a fairway wood off the deck and I began to realize I could use a different style FW.

So in steps the Mizuno JPX A25 17* 3 Wood, a titanium faced (whereas the RC was stainless steel) high MOI pentagon shaped club geared at mid handicappers like all the clubs in the Japan market only JPX line. It's a very nicely made club, a pearl red and black crown with a matching JPX Quad shaft and very high quality magnet style JPX headcover. It is definitely modern looking and nothing about it at all says anything traditional. I usually re-shaft all my clubs, but since this came with an R flex I'd give it a try even tough I was fearful of hitting an FW at 43"... too long for me!  So I headed over to a grass range and gave the club a try.

I hit balls off the deck, tee, slightly longer grass... and oh my... it was awesome. It didn't feel quite as solid as the RC but even at 17* it was longer and straighter. It is unbelievably easy to hit off the deck and tee. I could not believe how straight it was, no fade just straight with the kind of trajectory I was looking for... starting low,climbing and then peaking and coming down soft... not as much roll out as the RC obviously but with it's extra loft it's getting more carry.

Few things of note, the club is very light, if I'm not mistaken around 307g and it felt like swinging nothing (C9)... which concerned me at first but not after I hit ball after ball straight and over 200 yards (hey that is very good for me). The sound is also more metallic as you find with most titanium faced woods.

I'm beginning to wonder if the straightness can be attributed to Mizuno's UDS (Ultimate Dynamic Stabilty) technology which minimizes head twisting on impact. The Mizuno may not be for everyone, it's lightweight, has a strange shape, is titanium rather than steel, but it seems to work for me and that's all that matters. (^_^)