Golf Today Equipment Special - Spring 2000

Mizuno T-Zoid Forged C-Face

The high Darrell Survey count for Mizuno at last year's Open championship proved the unwavering preference by a significant proportion of tour pros for steel forgings. And Mizuno's reputation is based on the 25 manufacturing stages behind its flagship lines that continues with its latest launch, the Pro-II.

Once again this is a sleek carbon steel offering with the emphasis on 'grade flow' - the high compression procedure which eliminates any inconsistencies in the material to provide the serious golfer with the ultimate in feedback at impact.

Using the same principle is the T-Zoid forged driver, which debuted last year in a shallow-headed steel model (starting at just over £100), now features a new titanium 'C-face' complete with a 45-inch Active Kick graphite shaft. With its smouldering dark blue finish and plain face, the T-Zoid gets our vote for the best-looking metalwood of the year from a company that has always taken cosmetics seriously.

Not forgetting performance; a thinner face around the heel of the club (in the shape of a C) acts as a kind of hinge, Mizuno claims, "creating a massive rebound effect at impact".

Rebound effect? Yes, what did ever happen to that particular USGA controversy?

Price: Diver: £249 (graphite shaft), lofts of 8-11 degrees.

Pro II irons: £675 (nine irons, steel shaft).

Contact: 0118 9362100