Mizuno Japan has been very successful with their Cross Eight series of balls over the last couple of years. Last year their 322s and 352s Tour balls were very popular with all levels of players from pros to average golfers. The 352s was especially a hit with Japan’s long drive team where a large number of its competitors used the 352s.
This September, Mizuno has released its second generation Tour Ball, the first to use the MP or Mizuno Pro moniker. Two models have been released the MP 801 and the MP 801x both with a focus on soft feel and distance off the tee AND max spin control around the greens.
The MP 801 ball has a soft impact high resistance Cross Ribbed Inner Core (1) matched with an additional soft high resistance Outer core (2) . The Inner cover (3) is soft Ionoma which helps control the shape or deformation of the core at driver impact and creating the proper amount of spin. The Outer cover (4) is a newly developed rubber elastomer that also helps regulate spin and provide soft feel.
The MP 801 is the softer of the two tour balls and is aimed at those players with a 90mph or more swing who want soft feel and lots off spin on the approach shot.
The MP 801x ball is slightly different and has a rubber impact high resistance Cross Ribbed Inner Core (1) matched with an additional high resistance Outer core (2) for soft feel. The Inner cover (3) is high resistance Ionoma which helps reduce the amount of spin off the tee. The Outer cover (4) is a newly developed rubber elastomer that reduces energy loss for those with higher swing speeds and faster tempos.
The MP 801x is the firmer of the two tour balls and is aimed at those players with a 98mph or more swing who want slightly soft feel and maximum spin on the approach shot.
Mizuno hopes that they can make a dent in a ball market dominated by Titleist, Tourstage (Bridgestone) and Srixon (Dunlop). So far the feedback from Mizuno touring pros has been very positive with many players saying these balls are as good as if not better than Pro V1 and Pro V1x except with a softer feel!
i live in the states how can i get mizuno golf bal
lls?