Are These Prototypes the Finalists to be Mizuno’s 2026 Drivers?

As we suggested in a story earlier this year, there may very well be no better time to try a Mizuno driver than right now. The company has been selling its ST-Series drivers for just $300 all season long.

Today, we’re getting our first real look at what the next Mizuno drivers are likely to be, and if company insiders are to be believed, they might be worth waiting for.

Hitting the USGA conforming list this week are four new Mizuno Prototype drivers. And in this case, we’re talking about legitimate, not-100%-ready-for-primetime prototypes. Specifically, the updated entries include two versions each of two Mizuno drivers – PROTOTYPE D131 and PROTOTYPE D132.

Distinctions between “Type 1” and “Type 2” models are subtle to say the least and aren’t discernible in the USGA photos – at least not to my Monday morning eyes.

The photos suggest that the D131 is larger and more elongated while the D132 is perhaps more compact. Take all of that with a grain of salt, however, as the USGA cameramen rarely provide any dependable sense of scale. For all we know, one could be the size of a toaster and the other might fit in your pocket.

Not for nothin’, it also strikes me as unlikely that Mizuno would name its final models D131 and D132, but I suppose you never know.

The lack of loft designation on any of the models is notable in the descriptions. Has Mizuno created the world’s first loft-less driver?

Probably not.

Is a breakthrough coming?

All joking aside, sources inside Mizuno have been hinting at a breakthrough in driver design for the better part of a year. While we can’t say specifically what first the new models will offer, what I can say is that inside the walls of Mizuno, they’ve never been more bullish on their ability to compete with and beat the biggest names in golf.

That’s not insignificant coming from a company that’s long been renowned for its irons but has historically struggled to gain traction in the driver category.

Three-weight system

Both models (and all four versions) show that Mizuno is working on a new (to them) three-weight system featuring weights in the heel, back, and front portions of the club. That implies the potential for a low-spin position, high-MOI position, and draw-biased position, but one never knows what kind of spin a manufacturer will put on movable weights.

I’d wager that if you asked Mizuno, they’d tell you this is the most versatile driver they’ve ever created. And they’d be right – because that’s what every manufacturer says about every driver with movable weights.

Launch timeline

Just like the Titleist T-Series irons that launched on Tour today, details on the new Mizuno drivers are sketchy at best. My best guess is that we’re looking at what I suppose constitutes final decision-point prototypes. That is to say, we’re looking at a battle to see which version of each model will make it to retail, and it’s likely the decision will come down to Tour player performance and preference.

Bottom line – these new models are interesting, but if you’re considering buying a new driver, and specifically a new Mizuno driver, I’m not sure I would pass up the current ST-Series models. The price is inarguably right, and my best guess is you’re not going to see new models from Mizuno until at least late fall and very likely not until January of next year.

Have your say

What do you think? Are you a Mizuno driver devotee? Are you intrigued by what you see in these prototypes? Would you wait for the new technology or grab one of those $300 ST-Series drivers while you can?

More details as they become available.