TL;dr: The abstract nature of the putting stroke means the right fit is essential for comfort and stability on the greens. Mizuno’s high-quality craftsmanship means no matter what you need on the greens or what putter fits your game, there’s a Mizuno putter for you.

I’ve spent 15 years playing golf with dozens of different putters, from undersized blade putters to extra-long mallets. In the first round I played with my current putter, a heavier mallet model, I had 24 putts on extra-fast greens. The immediate breakthrough made me realize how essential finding the right putter for each person is, and I want to make sure every golfer can experience the catharsis of finding the right one. Mizuno’s reputation might come from its excellent irons, but you’ll find that same premium quality in their putters detailed below.

Who is Mizuno?

A Japanese kimono shop worker named Rihachi Mizuno founded Mizuno in 1906 to create equipment for his favorite sport: baseball. The company began to branch into golf equipment in 1933 and gained steam after they revolutionized iron design, creating a two-mold system that lowered the need for hand grinding for more consistency from club to club.

Now based in Hiroshima, Mizuno prides itself as one of the most popular brands among the professional ranks. Nick Faldo and Luke Donald, who both reached the top of the Official World Golf Rankings, played Mizuno clubs. Mizuno’s website lists PGA Tour players Keith Mitchell and Ben Griffin and LPGA Tour players Stacy Lewis and Bailey Tardey as brand ambassadors. Players have even won majors with Mizuno clubs who weren’t paid to play.

What to Consider When Looking for a Mizuno Putter

Do You Want a Blade Putter or Mallet?

A putter that looks cool can bring confidence, but there’s actually more to the decision of blades versus mallets than simply deciding which one looks better to you. Both blade models and mallet putters offer their own pros and cons, and knowing which problems they are each better suited for can provide an easy starting point for your new putter search.

Blade putters are lighter and thinner than mallets, providing a softer feel and touch on the greens. A lighter blade is perfect for a putter who thinks more abstractly on the greens and likes to control their distance by instinct. The lighter weight also makes it easier to generate clubhead speed, which sounds unnecessary on the greens but means longer putts won’t take excessive force. Aggressive putters will have an easier time dialing in the distance with a lighter putterhead. However, the lighter weight gives blades a lower moment of inertia (MOI), meaning the putter twists easily in your hands, amplifying any imperfections in the stroke. It’s much easier to push a putt to the right or pull the ball left with a blade as opposed to a mallet.

Mallets are better models for players more prone to mis-hits or for those who want extra control. The increased weight and large clubhead can almost entirely remove your hands from the equation. The forgiveness can be the difference between a lip-out and a made putt from six feet. The biggest sacrifice here is lag putting. Players who start with a blade and transition to a mallet putter will struggle with their speed as they recalibrate the additional putter weight. Those who want the extra margin for error close to the hole will need to spend a little time practicing from a distance.

What Length Putter Do You Want?

Putter length is an often forgotten part of club fitting, but it is absolutely essential. A putter that is too long makes your arms and shoulders too tense, and a putter that is too short puts too much pressure on your lower back. For a general recommendation, people who are 5’2” should look for putters about 33 inches long, and you should add a half-inch to that for every two inches of height. Mizuno offers its putters in a variety of different sizes. If you’d like an extra consultation or want to ask about potential arm-lock options and lengths, one of our Curated Golf Experts would be happy to assist you.

How Much Arc Do You Have?

Mizuno’s putters have different weight discrepancies that either benefit straight back, straight through putting strokes or putting strokes that rotate the face open and closed. There’s no wrong way to putt, but it’s better to find a putter that amplifies your natural motion rather than trying to control face rotation to fit the putter. It can be hard to determine this about yourself, so I recommend watching yourself in a mirror or recording your putting stroke from ground level on your phone.

Different Types of Mizuno Putters

M.Craft Type I

The M.Craft Type I is a square back toe-heel weighted blade putter with maximum toe-hang most suited for putters who prefer a distinct arc in their stroke with plenty of face rotation.

Benefits:

• Excellent weight distribution for improved stroke stability.
• Toe-hang design built for putters who open and close the face.
• Classic design preferred by many traditionalists.

Be Aware:

• The square back design might not appeal to everyone.
• The toe-heel weighting doesn’t benefit straight-back, straight-through putting strokes.

M.Craft Type II

The M.Craft Type II, another classic blade design, sports a plumber's neck for those who prefer a traditional look and feel. The Type II has a mid-toe hang, meaning it is most suited to golfers with a slight arc to their putting stroke as opposed to the visually similar Type I.

Benefits:

• Classic design for those who prefer traditional putters.
• The plumber's neck design aids alignment.

Be Aware:

• The classic heel-toe weighting may not be suitable for all stroke types.
• The design might not be as appealing for golfers seeking modern aesthetics.

M.Craft Type III

The M. Craft III is part of the mid-mallet movement, a design meant to push the boundaries of design and performance. While the mid-sized head can’t quite match the touch of a blade or forgiveness of a mallet, it offers the best combination of the two.

Benefits:

• Face-balanced design for players with a straight stroke and less putting arc.
• Wing-like ridges on the top of the blade offer extra alignment assistance.

Be Aware:

• Mid-mallets can’t quite match the touch of a blade or the forgiveness of a mallet.
• The design and weighting won’t benefit putters with more arc in their stroke.

M.Craft Type IV

The M.Craft Type IV is a slant neck wide blade, a blockier putter head designed for stability and meant to complement putting strokes with a moderate arc.

Benefits:

• Wide blade adds stability and offers more forgiveness than a traditional blade.
• Face milling is forgiving on mis-hits.

Be Aware:

• The slant-neck shaft design might not appeal to everyone.
• Single alignment line does not provide maximum alignment feedback.
• Toe hang is less suitable for those with a straight-back, straight-through stroke.

M.Craft Type V

The M.Craft V is a face-balanced mallet putter meant to give players with a straighter stroke as much stability as possible.

Benefits:

• High MOI makes the club twist less in your hands, offering extra forgiveness.
• Face-balanced makes it suitable for straight strokes.

Be Aware:

• Heavier head weight can hinder touch and distance control on lag putts.
• Single-line alignment aid is not the most helpful for those who want more visual help.

M.Craft Type VI

The M.Craft Type VI is a face-balanced wing mallet with a top line for easy alignment. Its square-back construction and a slant arc hosel benefit players with a moderate putting arc to their stroke while also offering the heavyweight stability of a mallet.

Benefits:

• The wing blades and lines on the top of the putterhead provide additional alignment aids.
• Heavier putterhead gives a higher MOI for extra forgiveness.

Be Aware:

• The winged mallet design might not visually appeal to everyone.
• Larger, heavier head of a mallet can hinder touch and distance control on lag putts.

Features to Look for When Buying Mizuno Putters

Here's a list of some key features and technologies to look out for when choosing a Mizuno putter:

1025 Mild Carbon Steel

Mizuno M.Craft putters are precision milled from a solid block of 1025 mild carbon steel. This particular grade of steel is known for its soft feel, which can significantly improve your feedback on the greens.

Deep Milled Face

The faces of the M.Craft putters are CNC milled to offer a soft, controlled feel. All modern Mizuno putters feature a fully milled face with this deep face milling pattern that promotes an incredibly soft feel and a more consistent roll, helping your ball stay on its intended line.

Adjustable Weighting

Each M.Craft putter comes with an additional weight kit that includes two 3-gram weights and two 13-gram weights, allowing you to customize the weight and feel of your putter. Whether you prefer a heavier or lighter putter, you can adjust it to match your personal preference.

Forged Construction

Unlike cast putters, forged putters like those from Mizuno offer superior feel and feedback, giving you a better sense of how well you've struck the ball. If you're someone who values feel and feedback, a forged putter is worth considering.

Variety of Designs

From classic blade styles to high-MOI mallets, Mizuno putters cater to a range of player preferences and putting strokes. The availability of different neck styles (like plumber's neck, slant neck, etc.) also provides options to golfers who prefer a specific look and feel at address.

Premium Finishes

Mizuno M.Craft putters are available in three visually striking and durable finishes - Blue ION, White Satin, and Black ION. These finishes not only add to the aesthetics of the putter but also improve its durability. Remember, the best putter isn't just about the brand or the price tag; it's about finding the one that fits your style and enhances your game. As a friend, I would advise you to test out different Mizuno putters, feel their weight and balance, and see which one fits your stroke and eye best.

How to Choose the Right Mizuno Putter

Now that you have a better understanding of Mizuno putters, below, I’ve described two different types of player “personas” when it comes to shopping for a Mizuno.

Lauren: The Opener and Closer

Lauren has been golfing for a few years now, and she’s never been able to find a putter that works perfectly for her. When she tries lighter blade models, she feels like she can’t aim the putter correctly, and she misses too many putts left or right. When she uses a heavier mallet, however, she still pushes and pulls putts.

Features Lauren Should Look For:

• A heavier mallet putter for a lower MOI and more forgiveness
• A putter with more alignment aids on the top
• A putter with hosel and weighting meant to benefit an arced putting stroke

Recommended Mizuno Putter: M Craft Type VI

Steven: The Feel Follower

Steven has never taken a putting lesson, and he never will if he can help it. His putting stroke is almost unsettling to his playing partners, with lots of unnecessary motion. It frustrates him even more that he never seems to mis-hit a putt. He knows his stroke is unconventional, but the timing of it comes naturally to him, and he wants a putter that can let him feel that timing and rotation with his hands.

Features Steven Should Look For:

• A lighter clubhead with a lower MOI for better feel in his hands
• Deep milled face for a consistently smooth roll across the clubface
• A putter with maximum toe-hang to support his arcing stroke

Recommended Mizuno Putter: Mizuno M. Craft Type I

Find the Best Mizuno Putter for You

Your golf game can’t always be simplified down to a few hundred words. If you would like free, personalized advice tailored to your golf game, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our Curated Golf Experts!