Mizuno Pro S-4 irons review: A great new playable CB!

Mizuno recently launched the latest addition to its Signature iron series, the Pro S-4. This collection stands out in the golf market by offering skilled players several distinct options to find their ideal fit. Mizuno also intends to keep these models in its lineup for multiple years, allowing golfers to stick with the set that performs best for them. You can view our comprehensive launch article for complete details on the new Pro S-4 irons here.

Upon unboxing the irons, I was met with the familiar White Satin Brush Finish featured on previous Signature models, the Pro S-1 and Pro S-3. I appreciate this aesthetic, as it provides a classic chrome appearance combined with a glare-reducing texture that looks excellent at address.

To be transparent, these irons do feature some offset for those who prefer or require it. Many high-level players actually favor a bit of offset in their irons. The offset is subtle, and after a few swings, it blends into the clubhead so you no longer notice it. The overall shape is impressive, featuring a more compact profile and a slightly shorter blade length than the Pro S-3. The topline is slim, and the toe has a sharper, more refined look that most skilled golfers will likely enjoy.

Mizuno notes that the Pro S-4 utilizes a lower center of gravity to boost launch and forgiveness, a benefit that is noticeable during play. My launch window was consistently high, similar to the players-distance irons I have used recently. Even on strikes low on the face, the clubs provided a high trajectory with enough stopping power to hold the green.

The 4-iron still produced a flatter flight than I prefer, though at this stage in my game, I would likely replace it with a utility iron or hybrid for better consistency. Control remained excellent, and the combination of increased launch and spin resulted in shots that barely released upon landing. Even from thick rough, the ball would hit the green and settle near its pitch mark, giving me the confidence to play more aggressively toward the flag.

Forgiveness is noticeably improved for a single-piece forged cavity back, making the Pro S-4 quite playable for this category of iron. My mishits, typically low on the face or toward the toe, flew straighter and higher than anticipated. When I struck the ball low on the face, the results were either just short of the green or resting on the front edge.

These misses did not leave me in the difficult positions often associated with irons that lack ball-speed-preserving faces. Center strikes feel exceptional, as expected from a Mizuno forging with a copper underlay. Each pure shot was accompanied by a satisfying thud and the sensation of the ball compressing against the face.

Turf interaction is superb thanks to Mizuno’s Triple Cut sole. During my testing, Michigan experienced several wet days that softened the courses significantly. I tend to have a steep angle of attack, but the Triple Cut sole kept my divots shallow and prevented the iron from digging or stalling at the bottom of the swing. Even on standard fairways, the sole glided through the turf effortlessly, allowing me to strike the ball cleanly.

Overall, the Mizuno Pro S-4 irons are a strong addition to the Signature lineup. Their high-launch design and added forgiveness offer skilled players another way to fine-tune their equipment. In my view, there is enough distinction between these and the Pro S-3 for both to remain relevant, and players will naturally gravitate toward the model that suits their game.

Tour Edge recently debuted its Exotics Milled wedges for golfers seeking a versatile tool for short-game shots. The design team invested significant effort into providing a wide range of sole options to accommodate various course conditions, swing styles, and shot types. You can find full details in our launch article HERE.

When I first handled the wedges, I was impressed by the clean, traditional aesthetic Tour Edge chose. Previous models from the brand featured more unique shapes and cosmetics, but these Exotics Milled wedges offer the look that better players expect both at address and in the bag. Looking down at the club, you see a classic wedge profile with a slightly extended heel-to-toe length. The leading edge is quite straight, and the Exotics Milled features no offset.

A sophisticated satin finish and a milled face minimize glare, though I noticed a tiny bit of brightness at one specific angle. That occurred only once during my testing. Regarding the milled face, it is clear the company focused on creating a wedge that generates maximum spin from any lie.

On the course, the Exotics Milled wedges performed very well. I tested a 56-degree Mid Bounce (MB) wedge and was generally impressed. It was a wet day, and while there was no standing water, the fairways were quite soft. I was pleased with how the 10 degrees of bounce on the MB handled the soft turf and damp rough.

The pre-worn leading edge helped the wedge move through the ground without digging, and it performed well in deep rough. The wedge felt smooth and fast through various lies across the course. I found that when the ball was buried in the rough, I could strike down on it for a solid result, and when the ball was sitting up, the sole prevented the club from sliding underneath it.

The Exotics Milled wedges excelled out of the rough, allowing me to make the most of difficult lies. The sand traps were firm and compact due to the rain, so I initially hit my first shot low on the face and over the green. After adjusting my entry point, I was able to hit some high-quality bunker shots. The sole is particularly effective on square-faced shots, but it remains versatile enough to open up for higher-lofted attempts.

Spin was consistently high, providing excellent control. Clean fairway lies resulted in shots that checked up quickly with minimal release. Full swings would hit and spin back significantly, while partial shots stopped right by their pitch mark. Deep rough reduced the spin slightly, as expected, but I still maintained control and could predict the rollout. Even short pitch and chip shots checked up well before releasing toward the hole. I hit one shot over a bunker with an open face that landed softly and rolled less than three feet. This soft landing allows for more aggressive play when attacking pins.

At a starting price of $120, these Exotics Milled wedges represent one of the best values in golf. The 304 stainless steel construction provides a soft feel, and the thoughtful sole designs help players select the right tool for their needs. If you are in the market for new wedges this year, you should definitely test the Tour Edge Exotics Milled around the greens.

In mid-July, I participated in Final Qualifying for the U.S. Amateur. I traveled to Emerald Valley Golf Course in Creswell, Oregon, just outside Eugene, where L.A.B. Golf’s headquarters are located on the property.

After speaking with my friend Jamie, he connected me with the L.A.B. team to visit their headquarters and get fitted for a putter. A putter fitting right before a qualifier? Yes, that is the level of obsession I have regarding equipment. However, it was more than just tinkering; given the technology at L.A.B., this was an opportunity to support my putting stroke with actual data.

I met with Calvin Green and Cade Stubbs, both skilled players who have performed thousands of L.A.B. putter fittings. Entering their studio felt like being a kid in a candy store.

For the fitting, I based the putter’s appearance on what I have traditionally used: a mallet with a single line and alignment aids on the back. That matched the style of the new VZN.1. I tested several shafts, including steel, Gears, Diamana, and TPT. I prefer a firm feel and an audible click at impact, and the VZN.1 paired with a TPT shaft provided exactly that.

Using Quintic putting analysis, I discovered that I did not need a forward-press grip and that zero shaft lean was ideal for my stroke. It was highly informative to see my tempo and the camera footage showing how the ball rolls. My putter was spec’d at a 71-degree lie angle.

Calvin and Cade had me hit putts from 30 feet, 15 feet, and the 4-foot sliders common on the course. It was helpful to observe how the putter and I reacted in each scenario. I also chose the heavier weight option, which is similar to the putter I have used for years.

Brian Parks, VP of Engineering at L.A.B., explained that the brain interprets torque as weight. This is why people who first pick up an L.A.B. putter often say it feels light; it is the absence of torque, even though the putter is actually heavier than traditional models.

When the putter arrived, I went to the practice green to test the VZN.1 with the TPT shaft. With the new balanced feel, I spent 20 minutes hitting the longest putts I could find. It took discipline to keep going as I practiced 40-footers and beyond. A highlight was holing a putt from 37 paces. The sound and feel matched my preferences, and the TPT shaft provided a firm, stable sensation.

From there, I hit standard putts from 15 to 25 feet to dial in speed control, followed by using a string to practice from 8 feet and in. It felt great, so I took it to the course.

A few days later, I used the putter for its inaugural round. It felt excellent; the sun seemed brighter and the air crisper with a new club in the bag. I rolled the ball beautifully. One thing I noticed with the VZN is that the ball rolls end-over-end throughout the entire putt. The ball looks the same at the end of the roll as it did when I picked up my ball mark.

In my first few rounds, I made more mid-range putts and was very consistent on short ones. If anything, I would roll the ball a few feet past the hole, just outside gimme range, because it was rolling so well. With this putter, the ball appears to lose speed but still tracks toward the hole because of the end-over-end roll.

I have been using the putter for three weeks and am thoroughly enjoying it. Speed control and line have been excellent. Knowing the ball rolls so true, I have to look in the mirror regarding my green-reading skills. Another piece of advice from the L.A.B. Golf team was to use lighter thumb pressure during the stroke. This allows the putter to swing freely and lets the technology function as intended. Thumb pressure is associated with putter head torque, which is more common in arc-style strokes. This was a good reminder, as grip pressure affects all clubs.

So far, the results on the greens are positive, and I learned several things from the fitting that I can apply to my game. The road to optimization is always under construction.

We all know that zero-torque putters are the most popular trend in golf right now, but legendary putter engineer Guerin Rife had a different vision. Instead of removing all torque, he wanted to keep it controlled to help the putter face remain square to the target. This engineering effort resulted in the new Evnroll EZPZ Reverse Torque putter.

So what is Reverse Torque? Rife shifted 60 percent of the putter’s mass below the shaft axis to create heel-down weighting. This Reverse-Torque design helps keep the face in the “Square Zone” longer by slowing the face’s rotation at impact. The Square Zone is the window of space and time when the face is pointed at the target as the putter approaches impact. With Reverse Torque, Evnroll claims golfers keep the face square to the target for twice as long, leading to tighter starting lines and more consistent putts.

“Zero Torque has been in the spotlight and has quickly been embraced by the industry,” said Guerin Rife, founder and chief designer of Evnroll. “While reducing torque is a good thing, I believe “reversing torque” is even better. Reverse Torque allows golfers to keep the familiar look and setup of a traditional putter while naturally slowing face rotation through impact. The difference is something golfers can feel immediately.”

Out of the box, the EZPZ is not a traditional putter, but it retains some classic features that many zero-torque models lack. A standard-looking L-neck, plumber’s neck hosel gives the putter full shaft offset.

When you set this putter down, it looks like a high-MOI mallet. The milling is high quality, and the Sweet Face 2.0 machine work is impressive. Some might call the putter busy, but in the pursuit of stability and forgiveness, non-standard shapes are sometimes necessary to achieve that performance.

Once on the practice green, I wasn’t distracted by the appearance and felt comfortable quickly. Evnroll’s decision to include a premium UST Mamiya All-In shaft is a great move, as I love the feel and performance of these new graphite putter shafts. The gloss black finish matches the head, and the chrome tip of the shaft flows seamlessly into the silver hosel.

When I hit my first putt, the immediate impression was how stable the putter felt. Face-balanced putters usually have a stable weighting, but this felt amplified. Throughout my stroke, the EZPZ felt like it was on rails and would not decloser to straight-back-straight-through, and the putter worked well with it. I never felt like I had to fight the club or adjust my stroke to get a smooth feel

I think part of the beauty of Reverse Torque is that you might not notice it is there; you just swing your swing. It doesn’t alter the feel of the stroke like some zero-torque putters; it simply feels like a highly stable mallet. I didn’t make every putt, but I putted very well with the EZPZ. I was on line with many putts, and even when I felt I didn’t make a great stroke, the putter kept the ball online. If a putt didn’t drop, it was usually right next to the hole.

For me, this putter is easy to use and gets the ball started on my intended line consistently. Combine that with Evnroll’s Sweet Face 2.0, which creates a smooth forward roll and consistent ball speed, and you have a great chance of making more putts.

While the putter is visually busy, the Evnroll team did a good job with the alignment markings. The white sight lines and dot pop against the larger black head, and I found the EZPZ very easy to aim. If the head was slightly left or right, it was immediately obvious, allowing me to correct it before starting the stroke.

Sometimes multi-material heads don’t sound or feel great, especially when they have wings. Rife and his team did a nice job of minimizing loud or harsh sounds at impact. This putter actually had a slightly crisper feel than I expected. Usually, grooved faces like Sweet Face 2.0 provide a softer feel because less metal contacts the ball, but the EZPZ offered a clicky, firm sensation that golfers who value responsiveness will appreciate. This isn’t a dead-feeling mallet; you get feedback in your hands and ears on every stroke.

I have always been a fan of the UST Mamiya All-In putter shaft, and it pairs well with the EZPZ. The stiffer profile gives you a good sense of where the head is throughout the stroke, and the graphite dampens vibrations. The final piece is Evnroll’s NEO pistol-style grip, which offers a tacky feel and a flat top with sharp edges that I love. Even on hot, humid nights, the grip provides great traction, and those sharp edges help with face awareness.

Evnroll has succeeded in creating a putter that provides technology to help golfers be more consistent. From precise milling and weight distribution to the traditional hosel setup, golfers who haven’t found success with zero-torque putters but still want help hitting better putts could find reverse torque to be the solution. I am impressed with the performance of this putter.