Contests run by golf companies are nothing new. In fact, a handful have been featured on this blog.

But this recent contest by Mizuno – aptly named “Play Famously” – is one of the coolest I’ve ever seen.

Mizuno is arguably an underrated club manufacturer. Even its Twitter account isn’t a validated one. On its staff though, is former male world no.1 Luke Donald, and current female world no.1 Stacy Lewis.

It’s clubs (irons and wedges especially) are constantly ranked by the likes of GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest as some of the best-feeling clubs on the market.

With this, though, comes a stigma that Mizuno is only known as a company that produces clubs for better players.

This contest is designed to build awareness of Mizuno’s line-up of clubs built for the average golfer: the JPX series.

On the microsite dedicated to the contest, entrants are asked to test the JPX series and leave feedback on the clubs. Entrants can also leave an essay, photos and/or videos that demonstrate their passion for golf, and why they should be selected for the team.

The team, you ask?

Yes, the team. As in, sharing a driving range with Luke Donald. The prize is a full-on sponsorship from Mizuno.

Winners – there will be 12 in all – will be awarded a slew of Mizuno products including clubs (the JPX series), a personalized staff bag, clothing, and other accessories.

Not only that, in September Mizuno will host “The JPX Invitational” in Atlanta where winners will be: “treated just like the professional players television announcers whisper about […] Sponsorees (winners) will have access to the Mizuno tour van, their names will be announced on the first tee, they’ll play in pairs with officials and may even rub shoulders with other Mizuno Staff players like Luke Donald, Charles Howell III, Jonathan Byrd, and Stacy Lewis.”

Unfortunately, the contest is not open to Canadians, but you can follow along with the contest progress until it wraps up in June, here: www.mizunousa.com/golf.

***********************************************************************

As an aside: 

Just launched a new tab called “What’s in the Bag.” It’s a really exciting time to be a golf consumer, as I mention on the tab, and so as my bag evolves, I’d like a place to update about it. This blog is it.

Despite the threat of snow across Ontario this week, golf season is just around the corner and I can’t wait to utilize some new tools (for me, at least) – including Instagram & Vine – on this blog and via Twitter to document the season. One of my maiden Instagram collages is on the “WITB” tab.