gocchin Posted September 27, 2008 Report Share Posted September 27, 2008 I wrote this on the blog but thought I would post here as well. These are impressions only as they were pre release demos that did not have the right shaft for me. I had a chance the other day to try out the new Mizuno MP Craft drivers that will be released in November. There are two models, the R1 and the T1. Both drivers are 460cc and have similar aesthetics but the similarities end there. The T1 is made for the better player sporting a more traditional shape and a much deeper face at 63mm tall. Besides the 2g weight in the back it uses an 8g weight on the sole plate towards the face. The CG is moved quite forward as a result of this placement lowering the ball flight. The face angle of the T1 is also 0.5* Open and is designed this way for workability and to allow a nice little fade. Both models feature a variable thickness face but the T1 has a larger thicker center for a more solid feel and durability for the harder and faster swinger. The R1 on the other hand has a shallower face at just over 58mm and has a higher MOI look at address with the head stretched back. The longer head also allows for a deeper placment of CB with 4g placed deep on the bottom sole as well as 2g on the heel side + 2g on the toe sid and the center 2g plug. This results in a higher ball flight coupled with a square face for straight to draw trajectory. The face thickness is slightly thinner than the T1. Initally, both MP Crafts will be launched with Quad Butt Standard shafts. From Quad5 to Quad7. I tried an R1 10.5 with Quad6 sR and had to use a T1 10.5 with Quad6 Stiff as these are standard shafts. Quad5 Regular is available as a special order. These flexes are too stiff for me but I still wanted to try the drivers to see how they set up and felt at impact (thought the stiffer shaft would definitely affect feel negatively for me and not allow me to properly judge trajectory). The R1 sets up large at address and definitely looks like a 460cc driver. It is definitely bigger than the old MP Craft 460 and is more like many higher MOI designs today. With the shallower face I tee'ed the ball lower. It's nice though to have this type of larger driver with a square face. The SR shaft was a bit stiff for me, the new MP Crafts are available with REAL Quad shafts not stock ones so they do play true to flex. The T1 sets up very traditionally and does not look 460cc compared to drivers of today. It looks more like 420cc or so. It's face shape is similar to the MP600 but perhaps a touch deeper (I should have put them side by side but did not think of it at the time). People who like a traditional shaped driver will like this, epsecially the open face. The stiff Quad6 shaft was way too stiff for me of course. At impact, the T1's face felt more solid or harder meaning it's definitely aimed at the harder and faster swinger to make this driver work. It does have a simlar feel to the old MP Craft 425. The R1 felt a bit more metallic at impact, more like a JPX driver, probably due to the thinner face. Both these drivers are more high tech looking than the previous generation MP Craft thanks to the grooved sole and weight port in the back. They are also paired with better shafts (at least technically speaking). These were pre-release demos so I only had brief time with them indoors. Will hopefully get outdoors with them in the near future with the right shaft for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted September 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 I've just added the new MP Craft's to the pro shop after finding out the specs. Available custom built by Mizuno with Lie, Shaft of choice and length as options. Some pretty good shaft options! http://www.tourspecgolf.com/proshop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
777 Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Great review...I'd assume these drivers are still for advanced golfers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted September 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 The T1 is geared towards the more advanced player while the R1 could be played by a mid to low handicapper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 58* is a nice flat lie for stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awchiu Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 I'm currently using an MP Craft 460 and I'm looking to switch over to one of these beauties. After comparing the R1 and T1 to the old 425 and 460 I find that the 425 had a smaller "thick" area in the middle of the face while he 460 has a larger thick area just like the T1. Does that make the T1 feel like the MP Craft 460? And the R1 feel like the 425? If you happen to have hit these drivers, I'd like to hear your opinion before I buy! Thanks, Andrew Chiu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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