Mizuno M-Craft Osaka Putter Review

We first got our hands on M-Craft putters at Golfalot HQ back in 2020. But regrettably apart from a few quick post-meeting, pre-write-an-article sessions on the office putting matt, I never took one out on the course.

What I will say though, is that their build quality and shaping caught my eye. They looked awesome.

Six years later, following on from last year’s eye-catching, innovative Mizuno M-Craft X Putters, we had a bunch more lovely looking M-Craft putters to test.

Golfalot Ed, Dan Box recently reviewed the mallet-headed M-Craft Tokyo model, whereas I’ll be looking at the slightly more traditionally shaped Osaka putter.

Who Is It Aimed At?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Mizuno seem to be a brand with a loyal userbase – ‘loyalists’ to coin the phrase. It’s credit to the design quality and feel of their products across the board including metalwoods, wedges and putters – not just irons.

This recent lure of Mizuno products outside of just irons is thanks to a big effort from the Japanese brand to up their game in all departments, and it’s paid off. Not only was I recently impressed by the M-15 irons, I really enjoyed testing the JPX One drivers.

Mizuno’s golf gear still has a premium reputation that proceeds them, and I think that narrows their target audience. When you see new Mizuno product you think: “yeah, that’s going to be expensive.” Usually it is, but in many cases, you’d be surprised, especially when compared the inflated prices of ‘The big four’.

If you’re looking at Mizuno putters, the chances are you’re a purist, you’re into clean and classic design, and you’re all about feel. You’re also going to be not scared of spending a few bob. Mind you, that’s all golf gear these days, right?

Finally based on feedback from tour players, the Osaka is said to be suited equally to both blade and mallet users so in today’s mallet-dominated market, this could be well worth a closer look if you prefer the look of a blade.

The Tech

Featuring a refined mid-mallet shape, the Osaka putter offers traditional shaping with stability. The shorter heel-to-toe length and wider shape give visual stability at address. This is said to be designed to give golfers more confidence when standing over putts.

Perimeter weighting raises MOI for added forgiveness, and different toe hang options allow players to find their favourite release type.

The M-Craft range is forged from Pure Select 1025E Mild Carbon Steel, providing a responsive feel at impact.

Mizuno have also used advanced sound analysis, deep milling, and copper-infused forging to offer their most refined line to date.

Each head in the line-up features a copper underlay, which helps to produce this soft, responsive feel. This works alongside a new Deep Face Milling pattern, encouraging a smoother roll and better sound when you strike the ball.

A new top-edge ‘alignment decal’ has been added to all heads in the range. This is supposed to blend into the shape of each putter, offering more confidence and consistency at address.

If the Osaka doesn’t take your fancy, there are three other putters available in what Mizuno are calling the city series: Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo.

Mizuno M-Craft Osaka Putter Review

Looks

I’m a big fan of how this putter looks, and I think a lot of other golfers will be too.

I like the shaping, the simplicity, the clean lines, the combination of brushed and chrome finishes, and the milled face. I’m even a fan of the old school looking corded grip. I have corded grips on my wedges, so love the idea of this seamlessly flowing into my putter.

It really is classic Mizuno through and through, and the stamp of ‘Forged in Japan’ just gives it that extra seal of approval too.

The shaping and size of the Osaka head reminds me a little of the Evnroll ER2V Putter we reviewed a few years back, although the alignment aid is a little different. It’s that mid-mallet shape where you have all the hallmarks of a classic blade, yet just with a larger, more drawn-out footprint inspiring more confidence behind the ball. There are also obvious forgiveness benefits of the larger head.

Each model in the M-Craft range is available in two finishes. I tested the Osaka in the Grey Ion, which may be a little bright for some golfers, but I thought that enhanced the size of the putter and looked great. A nickel finish is also there for golfers who prefer something with less glare.

Feel

This putter is forged from carbon steel and therefore said to offer a responsive feel, which I thought they certainly did. Despite the deep milling and the use of copper for a more refined package – I felt the Osaka was quite firm off the face.

Given the fact it has no insert, that is to be expected – but don’t be put off however, it certainly didn’t feel like a thud or a loud ‘ting’ at impact, although firm, the sound was quite muted.

Considering this is technically still a blade, the putter head itself felt heavy too which I liked. For me that just adds a little more stability during my stroke – the 10g heel and toe weights were certainly doing their job nicely.

Performance

I have tested this putter on two occasions and found that on longer putts it excelled. The larger footprint and extra weight just seemed to make even bad strikes roll positively at the hole.

Though admittedly it was tough to fully gauge on winter greens, the milled face again gave a nice roll as the ball did seem to be tracking end over end nicely.

On the course, I was pleased to say that I holed a few putts from that tricky 6-10 foot range during testing too, which is historically an area of the short game in which I’ve struggled. I think the combination of the short slant hosel, clean lines and simple alignment features just simplified things for me over the ball.

I felt as though I could make a clean stroke and trust the putter to do the rest, which is all you can really ask for in putter, isn’t it?

Mizuno M-Craft Osaka Putter Review

This putter is right up my street. I’m not the most confident putter in the world, but this putter gave me confidence to hit some nice putts that thankfully dropped in from time to time.

I’m a fan of mid-mallet designs and think more golfers should consider at least testing the shape, the next time they’re investing in a new putter. For me they’re a little like a players distance iron – they have the nice ego-boasting looks that purists like, yet still give that added forgiveness when it’s necessary.

If I’m being super picky, the branding of the word ‘M-Craft’ for me just looks a little dated (especially on the headcover), and not in a good way. It just reminds me a little of golf gear from the 90s and doesn’t quite suit what is otherwise a brilliantly designed putter.

At £299 RRP, these things ain’t cheap but when compared to other new putters in the market in 2026 – Odyssey Ai-Dual #1 (£299), TaylorMade Systm2 Juno (£229), Ping Scottsdale TEC range (£375) – it sits somewhere in the middle and considering they are Japanese Forged, you know you’re getting quality built to last.