Mizuno M.craft Putters £249

GM Verdict

Given the buttery soft feel of its forged irons, we had high hopes for Mizuno’s new forged putter line. We tested the face-balanced number 3 in black – the largest of the three models with its half-moon shape – as well as the number 1 blade in the blue ion finish.

Visually, these putters are stunning. The shapes are traditional with no frills but have a classy, subtle polish to them and the short slant hosel on the blade flows into the head beautifully. The shape of the Lamkin Deep Etched corded grip fitted perfectly in our hands, although some will prefer a grip that offers a softer, more tacky feel. The mill pattern is reminiscent of Scotty Cameron faces from years gone by and is quite shallow overall, which means there’s still a noticeable sound at impact. Consequently, these putters don’t feel as soft as you might expect, but nor do they feel hard or harsh. In fact, there’s a nice balance of feedback and forgiveness, especially in the number 3 shape, which offers more stability on those all-toocommon off-centre strikes.

Whether they perform for you will be dependent on getting the correct length, head shape and accompanying weight setting. The stock 8g weights felt good for us, but it’s nice to be able to adapt the feel if they don’t suit your tempo. All in all, there is value to be had here considering the premium looks and adjustability, although the choice in head shapes is limited.

Key Technology

Forged from premium 1025 mild carbon steel and then CNC milled to create the most precise shape and alignment.

Each putter comes with an additional weight kit that includes two 3g weights and two 13g weights, which can be interchanged with the 8g fitted weights to fine-tune the feel.

A deep milling on the face creates a softer feel and a pure roll.