Mizuno Debuts The Mizuno Bettinardi Black Carbon Putter Series

Norcross, GA (October 16, 2007) – Mizuno USA, Inc., the forging and technology leader in golf, announced today that they are Imageexpanded their world renowned Mizuno Bettinardi putter line with the introduction of the Black Carbon Series featuring an innovative Feel Impact Technology Face (F.I.T. Face). The new Black Carbon Series is precision milled from one piece of pure carbon steel for ultra consistency and a uniquely milled face reduces the surface area of where the ball makes contact with the putter face by 70%, delivering extremely solid feel to every putt. The Black Carbon Series also features a black chrome finish which is Tour proven by Mizuno Staff Member Luke Donald who is currently playing the BC1 model.

"We spent the past year developing the new Black Carbon putter series with two main goals in mind; first to create a putter that gives you the confidence to make putts, and second, to give the golfer even more enhanced feel on every putt." said Dick Lyons, Vice President and General Manager, Mizuno USA Golf Division. "F.I.T. Face Technology a truly a breakthrough in putter design because it provides the kind of soft feel you might expect from a face insert, but because it is actually a special one-piece milled face from Bob Bettinardi, you aren't going to find anything that delivers more solid or consistent contact."

The Black Carbon putter series will launch with three unique headshapes that are 100% precision milled from 11L17 Carbon Steel. The BC1, available in right hand, is a heal-toe weighted putter featuring squared edges on the trailing flange, and a standard length plumber slant neck for a unique appearance and perspective on the ball. The BC2, available in right hand, is a modified rocker-back style putter with a rounded trailing flange and a standard length plumber for easy framing of the ball. The BC3, available in right hand, is a heel-toe weighted mallet style putter with wide flange. All Black Carbon putters will feature 4 degrees of loft and a 71 degree lie angle, proprietary True Temper shafts, Winn AVS Honeycomb Sun-Gold/Black grips and a black chrome finish. The Black Carbon Series putters will be available at a suggested retail price of US$300.

"I want every golfer to know that I have put my personal stamp of approval on not only the Black Carbon Series putters, but every Mizuno Bettinardi putter that is milled at my Chicago facility.," said Robert J. Bettinardi. "Each putter is checked for 20 tolerances by multiple quality control inspectors before they receive my approval. If the slightest imperfection or flaw is discovered, that putter is immediately destroyed, a policy I implemented when I began designing and manufacturing high performance works of art.

Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Norcross, Georgia