Mizuno pays very few players to use their products on tour, yet you see them in the bags of pro players all across the world (cough, Brooks Koepka, cough cough). The latest line of Mizuno MP-20 irons continues that tradition of excellence. Mizuno has long been recognized as a true industry leader. Both amateurs and professionals agree, there’s something special about Mizuno forgings. Case in point? Get details in Mizuno irons review 2020.
Mizuno irons review 2020
Mizuno MP-20 HMB Irons
Price: Varied
Will Suit: Players who want the classic aesthetic of a Mizuno iron, but need a little more help in terms of forgiveness.
Key Technology:
- Features Mizuno’s forged Chromoly material in the face and neck, supported by tungsten weighting
- Heads feature a brush satin durable plated finish and a complex, loft-specific construction
- From 2- to 8-iron, Mizuno’s multi-thickness Grain Flow Forged Chromoly face and neck is dialled in
- From 2- to 7-iron, twin 12g tungsten weights deliver stability and an easy launch
- Use of a softer 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel from 9-iron to PW makes the short irons soft and responsive.
Verdict: The HMB model offers all of the positives from the other two irons in the MP-20 range but provides a little more firepower for those who need it.
Mizuno JPX919 Tour Irons review 2020
Price: Varied
Will Suit: Better players and competent ball strikers.
Key Technology:
- Designed to provide precise distance control thanks to Mizuno’s Grain Flow Forged HD (High Density) process, which also produces a soft, pure feel.
- Top edge narrowed by 10 per cent compared to predecessor to match grinds most commonly requested on tour.
- New stability frame allows greater perimeter weighting elsewhere without affecting feel.
- New Pearl Brush chrome-plated finish enhances durability and soften lines in bright sunlight.
Verdict: Despite having a 10 per cent thinner topline, it looks compact at address without intimidating. It sits flush to the turf and the pure, buttery feeling when you nail one out of the middle pleases all the senses.
Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal Irons review 2020
Price: Varied
Will Suit: Mid to high handicap players after distance and forgiveness.
Key Technology:
- High-strength Chromoly 4140M promotes ball speeds.
- Re-engineered Sound Ribs ensure satisfying sensation through impact.
- New stability frame allows greater perimeter weighting elsewhere without affecting feel.
- New Pearl Brush chrome-plated finish enhances durability and soften lines in bright sunlight.
Verdict: Generates serious ball speed, which means impressive carry. Like the rest of the family, these irons aren’t necessarily built to impress on the launch monitor. They’re to be put in play on the course for golfers to experience the benefit of consistent carry distances and control into greens. Once you do that, we’re certain you’ll be impressed.
Mizuno JPX919 Forged Irons
Price: Varied
Will Suit: Wider audience with its slightly larger design and stronger lofts compared to the Tour model.
Key Technology:
- Clubface CNC milled from sole up, creating larger area of minimum face thickness making it Mizuno’s fastest ever forged iron.
- Lower, deeper centre of gravity for higher-flying long and mid-irons.
- Heads feature trace of Boron that makes it 30 per cent stronger aiding ball speed, stability and feedback.
- New stability frame allows greater perimeter weighting elsewhere without affecting feel.
- New Pearl Brush chrome-plated finish enhances durability and soften lines in bright sunlight.
Verdict: Strikes a nice balance of offering good distance with a soft feel, pleasing looks and decent levels of forgiveness. It’s more compact than the Hot Metal at address and has a cleaner look from the back compared to the previous generation.
Mizuno MP-20 MB Irons review
Price: Varied
Will Suit: Better players who prioritises feel, precision and workability.
Key Technology:
- Grain Flow Forging process leads to better feel and more precise distance control.
- Refined 1025E mild carbon minimises unneeded elements that appear during the forging process.
- Tapered topline and cambered sole allow a fuller spread of weight to enhance vertical stability and forgiveness
- A blend of satin and mirror chrome finishing
Verdict: The most aesthetically pleasing model in the Mizuno irons range, the MP-20’s are a visual treat from every angle and while only a small percentage of golfers should seriously consider them for their bag, the rest of us can aspire to have these blades and many will find the larger models more playable than expected.
Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal Pro Irons review 2020
Price: Varied
Will Suit: Mid to high handicap players after distance and forgiveness. Perhaps those looking for the performance of the Hot Metal irons but with a smaller profile.
Key Technology:
- High-strength Chromoly 4140M promotes ball speeds.
- Re-engineered Sound Ribs ensure satisfying sensation through impact.
- New stability frame allows greater perimeter weighting elsewhere without affecting feel.
- New Pearl Brush chrome-plated finish enhances durability and soften lines in bright sunlight.
Verdict: Slightly more compact than the Hot Metal irons above, the Pro also generates serious ball speed, which means impressive carry. The difference between the two is reasonably minimal but there are subtle aesthetic changes that create a smaller profile.
Mizuno MP-20 MMC Irons
Price: Varied
Will Suit: Fractionally larger than the blade but still very much one for the better players.
Key Technology:
- Constructed from 1025E pure select mild carbon steel.
- Grain Flow Forging Process for soft and precise feel.
- Compact cavity back design.
- Titanium muscle pad throughout the set, with a 12g tungsten toe weight from the 4- to 7-irons
Verdict: Stunning from every angle. Provides a soft feel, not quite at the MP-20 blade level, but very close. A little more forgiving through the turf with a touch less spin and lower launch.
Buying Guide
We now dive into a list of several key buying considerations that should make your buying decision a little bit easier.
Type Of Iron
There are technically lots of different types of irons out there. However, to simplify the process you could break the different styles into two broader categories: blade or cavity back.
Blade irons are muscly and small and designed to help you really control your ball flight. The make of the club is such that the ball responds to the exact type of swing you put on the ball.
Cavity back irons are usually designed with the purpose of making sure that you hit the ball straight, and nice and high up in the air. It is still possible to hit a bad shot with cavity back irons, but relative to a blade-style club, the chances are much lower.
Skill Level
Mizuno irons are largely thought to be for better players. However the truth of the matter is that even some of their clubs that fall squarely into the payers iron category are much more forgiving than similar products from other manufacturers.
That’s one of the things I have also loved about Mizuno, they provide really great versatile clubs that will suit a wide variety of swings. I’ve played blades from other companies before that are really punishing on days when your swing is a little bit quirky. Not so with Mizuno. Their large sweet spots democratize players irons making them a friendly choice for the masses.
Now all of this said there is a caveat. If you are a true beginner you will want to stay far away from their blade-style clubs. You’ll be much better served with something that features a wide sole, a generous offset and a sweet spot big enough to keep your ball in play no matter how you are swinging.
Configuration
One of the most important decisions you fave when buying a new set of irons is to select a configuration. In other words, which irons do you want in the bag?
Some retailers will let you hand-select which irons you order. Granted the actual choice is fairly limited. From a six-iron on up there really isn’t much wiggle room. Everyone pretty much keeps those clubs consistent and are well-served to do so. It’s the longer irons where you get some room to be creative. Lots of people like to sub out their lower irons for hybrids.
If you feel you might do that now is the time to decide. Forgoing an iron or two can save you hundreds of dollars on the sticker price of your clubs. You can then funnel that money you save towards the purchase of some new hybrids. It’s a true win-win.
Age Of The Club
Not all of the irons on our list are brand new. In fact several of them have been on the market for a few years already. Personally, I think buying slightly dated equipment is going to be the right move for most people. It’s a great way to save hundreds of dollars on gear that is really no different than the brand new stuff anyway.
However some players feel a little bit weird about buying older clubs. If you fall into that category understand that it comes with a hefty price. Newer stuff may be slightly more aerodynamic which will translate into easier distance. However, unless you are in a competitive situation the small differences may not be worthwhile.
Cross Sets
I like cross sets. Here is how they work: with easy to hit irons like your six-pitching wedge you select a players iron. For your more challenging clubs like the long irons, you can then choose game improvement clubs. It’s kind of an alternative to the hybrid approach mentioned in the last heading. Not every retailer will let you take this approach.
When mixing and matching with irons it is also important that you speak with a professional about what combinations are appropriate. If you choose two irons that are radically different it may lead to some problems with your swing.