Created after 12 years of wind tunnel testing at Mizuno’s MT test facility, a new Cone (C) dimple adds all-new wind performance to the trademark soft feel and feedback of Mizuno’s previous Tour golf ball models in the four-piece RB Tour and RB Tour X.

Signalling the first time Mizuno has launched an identical Tour and retail ball in Japan, Europe, Australia and the US, the RB Tour models feature 360 of the new dimples that are designed to produce a greater number of trigger points to keep fast flowing air closer to the cover for longer. The closer relationship of the air to the golf ball delivering a workable and penetrating ball flight, as well as distance gains.

Featuring a softer compression the RB Tour spins less with driver, while the firmer RB Tour X spins slightly more and will suit players who hit up on the ball with driver.

“After 13 years we have the expertise to build a really high performance Tour ball that works particularly well in the wind,” Mizuno Director of R&D David Llewellyn said. “Mizuno has its own wind tunnel at the Mizuno Technics laboratory and a particular skill set in aerodynamics. We’ve now built a reputation across Asia and Europe for producing a quality ball – working with Tour winners, elite amateurs and emerging Tour players. The RB TOUR takes us to the next level and we’re excited to see where this takes us.”

Announced alongside the new golf balls, the JPX919 Hot Metal Pro extends the 2018 iron launch to deliver Hot Metal performance in a smaller, less offset iron that will appeal to better players.

After the success and popularity of the JPX919 Hot Metal made from Chromoly 4140M, the new Pro model is a direct response to requests for similar high ball speed, forgiving performance in a more compact shape.

A new multi-thickness face is designed for greater ball speeds across a larger portion of the hitting area, while the stability frame that is open in the heel like the rest of the JPX919 range delivers optimal ball flights in each iron of the set, which features thinner top lines and soles as well as reduced offset.

“There has been a noticeable shift of better players towards the Hot Metal irons,” Senior Engineer at Mizuno Chris Voshall, said. “We realised we could do more in that category and push the technology a bit further. The big surprise was how the ball speed and stability stayed near indistinguishable from the standard version, once we’d made the size and offset adjustment.”

Rounding out the new releases is the latest JPX Fli-Hi hybrid designed to directly replace 4- to 7-irons with an easier to hit option.

Progressively weighted for optimal iron replacement performance, the new JPX Fli-Hi features a face forward profile for consistent contact and higher launch, a wave sole design to encourage the sole to flex at impact for ball speed gains, as well as a ‘Drop Down’ crown, which in addition to allowing precise CG placement also offers additional alignment assistance.

RRP:$79 per dozen (RB Tour and RB Tour X); $209 per iron (JPX919 Hot Metal Pro); $209 (JPX Fli-Hi).

For more information visit www.mizuno.com.au