Mizuno is a company renowned for legendary craftsmanship, making some of the best golf irons money can buy that often find their way into the bags of non-contracted tour players. It has forged (pardon the pun) a reputation in the low-handicap iron market in particular, becoming synonymous with a soft, pleasing feel at impact. There is a reason the phrase 'nothing feels like a Mizuno is the brand's tag line.
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The Japanese company is famed for its Grain Flow Forging process, carried out at its Chuo facility in Hiroshima. Although Mizuno is best known for producing classic, players’ irons, offering superb levels of feel and workability, it also produces some of the most forgiving irons and best game improvement irons on the market. Below, we have tested and outlined the best Mizuno irons in the current range, including models that cater to a wide range of abilities.
The Quick List
This might be as close to the perfect iron ever made for the club golfer. It blends jaw-dropping looks with a soft and solid feel, which translates into consistency.
Everything you would expect from one of the market leaders in forged blade manufacturing. The feel is exceptional and the CG alterations have made a genuine difference to the flight windows.
This is a really classy option in the players' distance category. Phenomenal looks combined with strong performance make the Mizuno Pro 245 a really impressive iron suitable for the masses.
The Pro 243 is an excellent cavity back iron that combines some impressive new tech with classic looks. Aimed at the lower handicap player, although the reasonable levels of forgiveness will make this iron accessible to more people than you may think.
The Hot Metal is a very playable, forgiving distance iron that offers a softer feel and greater stopping power than most among its competitive set.
This players’ cavity back iron feels like a blade but has a little more margin for error. Distances from shots struck on or very close to the sweet spot were incredibly consistent
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A lively distance iron that will appeal to mid-handicappers, the Hot Metal Pro strikes that perfect balance of being playable, powerful and visually appealing from every angle.
A considered iron offering that caters for golfers with slower swing speeds in producing a more playable ball flight as well as that signature Mizuno look and feel.
Best Mizuno Irons
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Top pick
Iron designs tend to have a set of hallmarks that appeal to a particular type of player - be it offset, sole width or the balance between forgiveness and workability. It’s rare that an iron has an appeal that crosses a major part of the handicap spectrum but the Mizuno JPX923 Forged iron is probably as close as I’ve ever seen.
Firstly, it is crammed with technology, such as Mizuno’s Grain Flow Chromoly HD forging process that guarantees good feel and feedback while also allowing the face to be made thinner. This allows for a wider range of ball speed and forgiveness across the face.
Aesthetically, it still has a clean and classic look, but it's the performance where you will see the greatest benefit, with the feel off the face incredibly pleasing. It's soft, solid, springy and, with a dense thud to it, leaves absolutely nothing behind. It's also extremely consistent, with our tester striking five decent, but not perfectly-struck shots, on the GCQuad launch monitor. The results? Well, the carries ranged from 167 to 169 yards, which will allow the user to be aggressive on approach shots with the repeatability a huge plus point.
- Read our full Mizuno JPX923 Forged Iron Review
Best premium feel
Mizuno has long been considered one of the foremost crafters of forged blades in the game, and regularly feature at the top of any best golf blade irons list. From a shelf appeal point of view, it doesn’t get much better than the Mizuno Pro 241. The intricate hand forging detail, and the minimalist approach to branding are a thing of beauty. Small touches such as leaving the engraved Mizuno logo unpainted, just give a really classy feel to these irons. Aside from that logo, just a simple ‘Mizuno Pro’ wording adorns the back of one of the cleanest looking clubheads you will see.
The Pro 241 has most certainly been designed with shot shaping and feel in mind as well. Mizuno say that the center mass on these irons delivers a longer lasting sensation through impact and that is something that has been confirmed with feedback from tour players. The idea is to provide more launch and flight with the longer irons and a more manageable, penetrating flight with the short irons.
In terms of performance, the Pro 241 irons are everything you would want them to be. Exceptionally soft at impact, producing a delightfully muted but crisp strike and a clear turf interaction. The data numbers, while conservative, are very consistent. The 7-iron comes in a very traditional loft of 34°, so don't expect vast carries.
- Read our full Mizuno Pro 241 Iron Review
Best compact distance
Despite being Grain-Flow forged like the rest of the Mizuno Pro range, these are hollow body irons equipped with a multi-thickness face for consistent ball speeds even on mishits. Furthermore, a laser welded stainless steel back has been added to help promote launch and also increase ball speeds, which make it one of the most forgiving irons for the mid handicapper.
The players' distance iron category is an interesting one with irons. The TaylorMade P790 has been a standout, as has the Titleist T150, but we feel like the Mizuno Pro 245 blows them both out of the water in regards to aesthetics, but not distance.
Where the Mizuno Pro 245 really sets itself apart from the competition is in looks, feel and sound. It's a very pleasing club to hit and visually it does not look like a distance iron, in fact it is not too dissimilar in looks to a blade, which is a nice bonus.
- Read our full Mizuno Pro 245 Iron Review
Best for ball-strikers
The Mizuno Pro 243 is what the Japanese brand is calling its ‘Tour Speed’ model and it will be directly replacing the Mizuno Pro 223. Mizuno says that the 243 is the most progressed iron from its predecessor out of the three new models, due to clever design work of the Mizuno R&D team.
Mizuno has introduced a ‘Microslot’ on the longer irons, down to the 7 iron, in order to create a higher energy face designed to summon more launch and faster ball speeds. They have also added a wrap around sole design to improve the turf interaction throughout the set, which is aided by an increased level of bounce ranging from one degree extra in the longer irons to a full two degrees more bounce in the short irons.
We were impressed with the performance in testing but it's in feel and sound where we were really blown away. Due to the V shaped back, sound frequency levels can be really fine tuned, and with sound so closely linked to feel, this fine tuning really enhances both. Whatever frequency Mizuno has found here, they need to keep it! Visually, these irons look fantastic in the bag. The hand finished forgings just ooze craftsmanship and the minimal use of color just adds to the appeal. There are nods to the tech with the little bar in the cavity, but aside from that, they are as clean as it gets.
- Read our full Mizuno Pro 243 Iron Review
Best for higher handicaps
A playable and forgiving iron that delivers excellent distance on long shots, the JPX923 Hot Metal Iron that is perfect iron for any mid to high-handicapper looking to add more yards to their game.
Having taken these clubs for a spin ourselves, we were very impressed with the feel these clubs offer. They don't have that explosive metal-wood feel you'd often get from game improvement irons but what they do have is a dense, forged-like feel that is great for anyone looking to progress their game to a more powerful set of clubs.
Aesthetically, they look very similar to the JPX923, but deliver a sleek look thanks to their 4335 Nickel Chromoly, which is a stronger material that allows a thinner face. Plus, we also enjoyed the interaction with the turf that these irons provided, with there being more resistance compared to the JPX923. The changes in the sole make it noticeably more user friendly, with the iron cutting much shallower divots helping you cleanly hit through each shot.
- Read our full Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Iron Review
Best players cavity
A fantastic option for any competent player looking for a little more help versus what's on offer in the bladed Mizuno Pro 221, the JPX923 Tour iron is a stylish addition to the Mizuno family that boasts a compact and shallow cavity. In testing we were taken back by the visuals on offer. It ticks all the right boxes for looks, thanks to its stunning stainless steel design. Behind the ball, it comes with a thinner top line than its predecessor, which will appeal to any low-handicap player.
But dissimilarly to some of the best golf blades, the sizing is pretty generous but remains very compact to the point that you do need to be a talented ball striker to get the most out of these clubs. One of the big highlights on this club was the feel it produced. It was noticeably dense and offered a short sound at impact. It doesn't feel as springy as the Mizuno JPX923 Forged iron, neither does it feel as stable on off-center shots, but it has a larger sweet spot than the Pro 221, making it a little more forgiving.
Turf interaction was good here too thanks to the rounded trailing edge at the rear of the sole, and when struck nicely, distances were solid. We particularly enjoyed the mid-flight and piercing trajectories it offered, where the ball satisfyingly climbs gradually and drops down sharply. Ultimately, Mizuno's have succeeded here in producing a club that both looks and feels like a blade but plays like a cavity backed iron.
- Read our full Mizuno JPX923 Tour Iron Review
Best for mid-handicaps
A lively distance iron that is more appropriate to accomplished game improvers, the JPX923 Hot Metal Pro is a stunning golf iron designed to add more distance to your game. While none of the hot metal pro irons are aimed at the better players, per se, this is the model that will be best for mid-handicappers looking for a distance iron. Visually, it has more black detailing on its club head compared to the JPX923 Hot Metal but it has a shorter blade length and a thinner topline.
Out of the three JPX923 irons, we hit this one the furthest and had more speed than the standard Hot Metal, delivering a confidence inspiring profile that allowed us to really swing through each shot at full power. It delivered great spin rates and healthy ball flights that meant we had no concerns getting the ball to check on the greens. But while it delivers great distance, it is also up there as one of the most forgiving irons around.
- Read our full Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Iron Review
Best for beginners
Excellent for lower swing speeds, this iron set delivers greater forgiveness for lower handicap golfers and beginners. Helping produce greater ball flights and extra distance, this is a very forgiving game-improvement iron perfect for force-limited golfers. Plus they deliver a lot of shaft lean at impact that will help you achieve a more optimum ball flight for more distance and better stopping power.
Aesthetically this iron looks great and has a wider sole, offering a deeper CG and greater forgiveness compared to the standard Mizuno Hot Metal iron. In testing, the ball launched higher compared to other Mizuno JPX923 offerings but is certainly suited to less experienced players who are looking for a confidence inspiring iron that will help them play more consistently.
- Read our full Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL Iron Review
How we test irons
Our testing for golf irons is built upon a comprehensive process combined with the knowledge and expertise of the Golf Monthly test team. As far as the specific procedure goes, before testing, the team will usually attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer's R&D experts to understand the new technology.
When it comes to testing, we often head indoors first to try the irons in a controlled environment. This usually takes place on an indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, with premium balls and the GCQuad launch monitor. Our outside testing normally takes place at West Hill Golf Club, a course with top-notch practice facilities.
We think it is vitally important to do both and continue to test the irons so they have been comprehensively put to the test in different conditions. It should also be mentioned that manufacturers cannot pay for a good review and we make our conclusions from the testing and our experiences. This is because we strive to give the best reviews possible so you can get a greater understanding of the irons themselves.
How to choose irons
As you have seen, the market for Mizuno irons, and the wider golf iron market is crowded and confusing and being sure you're getting the most suitable iron for your game can be a minefield. Hopefully, this piece has given you an idea of what the best options are out there right now, but here is some more advice to help you in your quest to find the best model for your game in this crowded and dense marketplace.
Your Handicap And Ability
This is probably the most important first step: knowing which type of iron best suits your game. This is by no means gospel, but higher handicappers tend to use cavity back irons that offer maximum forgiveness in a larger iron head, while mid-low handicappers tend to use more bladed irons that are forged, offer more feel and control but less forgiveness.
You'll know how good or perhaps not so good your ball striking tends to be, so make sure you invest in a set of irons that matches where your game is out now, not where you'd ideally want it to be. We have great guides that go into more detail on this, so check out our guide on the most forgiving irons if you're a higher handicapper and our guide on the best irons for mid-handicappers.
Price
This will be a major factor in anyone's decision of what irons to go for. As you'll have seen in this list, the price can vary dramatically between irons. Typically, for a set of cavity back irons - those that provide most distance and forgiveness - you'll be looking between $600-$800 for a set of seven irons.
This obviously can fluctuate between brands, and we've highlighted in this list the ones we think give the best value for money in this category. The price jumps quite significantly when looking at the forged and bladed options - up to and above $1000 - but this is par for the course and you'll be getting a high quality, premium product in return.
Custom Fit
This is probably the most essential part of the iron buying process, no matter the irons you're after or how good you are at the game. A custom fit session will make sure you get the right flex and length of shaft, correct lie angle and correct iron head for your game, meaning you'll finish with the best golf clubs that are as suitable as possible for you out on course.
Custom fits can be a daunting process if you're a true beginner or you aren't that confident hitting golf balls in front of people, but they're a vital part of the club buying process. We recommend having a shortlist of three or four iron heads you like the look of before entering a custom fit and then whittling them down to the best for your game during the custom fit process. Custom fits are provided by a number of golf retailers or club professionals at your local golf club.
FAQs
Do any golf pros use Mizuno irons?
A number of Tour professionals use Mizuno irons, with the brand one of the most recognized on the professional circuit. Pros that use the clubs include former World No.1 Luke Donald and PGA Tour winner, Keith Mitchell.
Are Mizuno irons the best?
Mizuno irons are widely regarded as some of the very best because of the feel they provide and the consistency of the distance on offer. The brand always has a wide choice available to suit different abilities, usually split into the technology-packed JPX series and the MP or Mizuno Pro series, which is more feel/looks orientated and aimed more at the lower handicapper.
Why do Mizuno irons feel so good?
Mizuno's Grain Flow Forged HD process is one of the most precise around, tightly packing the grains of the metal together for the ultimate ball striking experience. Mizuno is able to forge with additional materials, like Chromoly and Boron, to achieve stronger metals that can be forged into thinner faces and offer more speed.
However, if you aren't a fan of Mizuno and prefer other brands that are available, then why not check out some of the best Titleist irons, best Callaway irons, best Ping irons or even the best TaylorMade irons.
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