Equipment

Mizuno’s MP-5 and MP-25 irons merge art with science

Published

9 years ago

Jul 21, 2015

Mizuno’s MP-5 and MP-25 irons will be in stores September 18.

A hard-and-fast rule in iron design: The more compact the iron head, the more artistry matters to its design. You know… looks, sound and feel. The larger the iron head, the more science matters. Because if an iron is going to be big — and some might say unattractive — it better be big on distance and forgiveness.

Mizuno’s reputation as one of the premier, if not the premier manufacturer of compact irons has put the company in a challenging position in an industry dominated by oversized, technology-driven designs… or has it? With its new MP-5 and MP-25 irons, Mizuno is out to prove that even the most compact irons can be improved by science in a meaningful way. Even if they’re forged.

Mizuno MP-5

Two-dimensional photos simply don’t do the flowing lines of the Mizuno’s MP-5 irons justice. Codenamed “channel back” for their scooped out mid sections, the one-piece, 1025E Grain Flow Forged irons promise cavity-back forgiveness — as much as the company’s legendary MP-64 irons — with the feel and workability of a Mizuno blade.

More bait for blade lovers: the “sweet area” (how Mizuno measures its sweet spot), as well as the center of gravity (CG) height and CG depth are virtually the same as the aforementioned MP-64 irons. For those who don’t speak golf club geek, what Mizuno did with the MP-5 irons is the equivalent of making a cell phone thinner while keeping the parts the same.

To do it, Mizuno redistributed weight from the channel back to other areas: underneath the toplines, behind the impact areas… really anywhere where golfers wouldn’t see it at address. Then the company used its Harmonic Impact Technology (H.I.T.) to fine tune the position of the weight to deliver the sound frequencies that golfers tend to equate with good feel at impact.

: 3 irons

: At address: MP-5 (left) vs. MP-4

: Soles: MP-5 (left) vs. MP-4

: 6 irons

: At address: MP-5 (left) vs. MP-4

: Soles: MP-5 (left) vs. MP-4

: Pitching Wedges

: At address: MP-5 (left) vs. MP-4

: Soles: MP-5 (left) vs. MP-4

The MP-5 irons (RH only: $999 steel, $1099 graphite) irons are available 3-PW and come stock with True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shafts.

See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the MP-5 irons in our forum.

Specs

Click to enlarge

MP-25 irons

Mizuno engineers spent more than six years learning how to add a material called boron to the mix of its 1025E Grain Flow Forged carbon steel, with the goal of creating a thinner, stronger metal that could help them make better forged irons.

The precious metal debuted in 2014 in the company’s JPX-850 Forged irons to rave reviews — and earned a Gear Trials: Best Players Irons award in the process. The second act for boron is Mizuno’s MP-25 irons, which use the same 1025 Boron material as the JPX-850 Forged irons, but are designed with a compact size that targets top amateur and professional golfers.

Does this look like a slotted iron to you?

A discussion about boron only scratches the surface of the design of the MP-25 irons, however. Since boron increases the strength of the iron material 30 percent, it allowed engineers to make the faces of the forged irons extremely thin — so thin that they were able to slice through the sole with a saw to create a “Micro Slot” between the club face and the muscle pad of the club. When engineers welded the slot closed, their testing showed that the new design flew 7 yards farther.

The Micro Slot isn’t visible to the naked eye, but it’s used in the set’s 3-6 irons. The additional loft of clubs shorter than the 6 iron make the Micro Slot ineffective, company representatives said. But in the clubs that it is used, the Micro Slot creates additional ball speed across the face, as well as a higher launch angle and less spin — all good things for the distance equation.

: At address: MP-25 (left) vs. MP-15

: Soles: MP-25 (left) vs. MP-15

The MP-25 irons (RH and LH: $999 steel, $1099 graphite) are available in 3-PW and come stock with True Temper’s Project X 5.5 shafts.

See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the MP-25 irons in our forum.

Specs

Click to enlarge

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43 Comments

Brian

Sep 21, 2015 at 2:16 am

Anybody here actually compare the mp-25 to its older version, the mp-54? Thoughts on their relative feel, forgiveness, etc?

Reply Report comment
Tom

Aug 15, 2015 at 6:39 am

Tourstage’s Mr 23 perfected the small head design and everyone is still playing catch up inc mizuno.

Reply Report comment
Jericho

Aug 10, 2015 at 5:38 am

Ya know I’m kinda thinking I might like these ..I’ve had most of the mizzy blade line since the 29’s ..14’s,33’s,37’s,68’s and the Mp-4’s ..then Miura tournament blades and two sets Miura 1957 Baby Blades.. now I’m not sure how these are going to feel because they are supposed to be somewhat hollow’ish ..was really never a big fan of that ..I think the Mp-4 is somewhat the same way ..hollow’ish..the Mp-4 still felt really nice but nothing like the 14’s when flushed..the Mp-5 is supposed to still have the great Mizuno feel but with technology built in .. Wider camber/sole : a far cry from the Baby blades : .. Weight taken out of the middle and placed on the muscle pad ” low on the 3i higher on the P wedge muscle pad wise..and some weight added to the top line that would come in handy if you ground load a little heavy and take the ball off the top so there’s still some meat behind the ball ..I was a +3 years ago on the mini tours when I played the baby blades and now a non competitive low single but just can’t get away from blades ..I think these “helper blades” might get it for me , they look outstanding ..they look every bit a blade/with a technological edge.. Still love taking my 14’s out for a crack but missing them just enough to not break par I have some rounds 68’s with my 714 ap2’s ..a great club as well but miles away from that Mizzy feel..and like I said I just feel better behind a blades ..I don’t really compete anymore so now it’s just about having a good times with the guys ..would be great if these Mp-5’s gave me a little more help to miss a little better ..either way can’t wait to bagg’em

Reply Report comment
Rex235

Jul 26, 2015 at 12:04 pm

Really-The MP-5s are RH Only?
It’s 2015- Take the MP-25s …

Reply Report comment
golfman

Jul 24, 2015 at 2:07 am

Look Pure as always from Mizuno

beyond me why ppl (consumers) are always bickering about companys offering too many options,
it benefits the consumer with more choice, and last seasons offerings become cheaper, its a win-win, unless you are a reseller in that case get a better job

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WLBR

Jul 22, 2015 at 2:19 pm

Just wanted to chime in that Mizuno’s 37.75″ (5i) is another company’s 38.25″. Companies use different methods for measuring, and one should not assume that Mizuno irons are shorter, necessarily, than others’.

Reply Report comment
- christian
  
  Aug 13, 2015 at 11:26 am
  
  Necessarily? Are they shorter as standard or not? And what different methods are we talking about? I have only ever heard about end ot the heel to the butt end.
  
  Reply Report comment
Scott

Jul 22, 2015 at 1:22 pm

Despite a schizophrenic hcp that fluctuates from 9-12, I was always of the school that there was no difference in iron construction/engineering, so I preferred blades. After playing and wearing out a great set of MacGregor V-foil MB1025s for 10-11 years, it was time to go shopping. My local fitter put me through Mizuno’s easy peasy shaft fitter and we hit all of the MP series with three different shafts (KBS, DG, Nippon) that came out on my profile. I ended up liking the JPX 850 forged.

As almost an afterthought and the end of the fitting, my pro said, “Here, just try this for the heck of it.” as he handed me the large/shovel/non-forged JPX 850 6 iron with the Nippon 1150. WOW. I ended up going with 2* weak lofts in the 850 in the 4-5-6 irons and even added another 2* strong 4 iron (20*) as a driving iron that I can hit 200-220 and better than any hybrid I ever owned. Coupled with 7-GW 850 forged, the lofts compliment perfectly and I have gained 15-20 yards in the long irons, and a club in the shorter irons, despite a 1/2″ shorter and only 2* stronger than my traditional MacGs (48* PW vs. 46* in the Mizzys).

Put me in the Mizuno camp…the thin face tech in the long irons is the real deal esp. when coupled with the Nippon constant weight profile. It’s a little too high/draw bias in the shorter irons, but it was a great generation shift for this now middle aged hacker.

Reply Report comment
- Jack
  
  Jul 23, 2015 at 4:08 am
  
  CB’s definitely help if your swing speed ain’t what it used to be. I would say MBs are really only good for pro or scratch golfers. If there are other golfers out there that consistently hit the sweet spot like those guys, then they need some help with putting and short game.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - KCCO
    
    Aug 4, 2015 at 8:23 am
    
    What he said, and for the most part…usually whatever he says is on point
    
    Reply Report comment
- Karma
  
  Jul 24, 2015 at 1:09 am
  
  Plus the 850 have square grooves so you get to spin the ball on the long irons and be able to stop them on the greens.
  
  Reply Report comment
Golfraven

Jul 22, 2015 at 1:01 am

Really like the looks of the MP-25. lofts appear tratitional at first look, maybe going one degree down in the 6/7 iron. Otherwise it suits my current specs and even the standard shaft is the one I game. Could just take it of the shelf and put it in the bag. Respect to the designers for putting best looking irons out there. Waiting to see what Titleist will show with the 716 models.

Reply Report comment
KK

Jul 21, 2015 at 11:57 pm

I like the channel back idea but I feel like Callaway has already been doing it and doing it well for the past 7 or 8 years dating back to the X Prototype MB irons. These look less forgiving than the Callies. I am very interested in the MP-25s. They look smoking hot, should be long and hopefully are not as penalizing on mishits as most Mizunos. I am holding my breath that they will be in the same ballpark as Ping i20s/i25s.

Reply Report comment
john

Jul 21, 2015 at 8:10 pm

mizuno joins the loft down brigade and claims they’ve reinvented the wheel with slot technology, lol

no more can mizuno fan boys say they’re only hitting 6 iron while i’m hitting 7 because their lofts are softer

Reply Report comment
- G
  
  Jul 22, 2015 at 2:06 am
  
  Loft don’t matter….it’s flight that is important! Who honestly cares??
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Martin
    
    Aug 29, 2016 at 4:17 pm
    
    Dynamic loft matters!!!
    
    Reply Report comment
- LTP
  
  Jul 22, 2015 at 2:40 pm
  
  I did not see where they claimed to reinvent anything.
  
  Reply Report comment
- LTP
  
  Jul 22, 2015 at 2:49 pm
  
  I did not see where they claimed to reinvent anything. And if the lofts are one club stronger then obviously one would use one less club. Duh.
  
  Reply Report comment
Galen

Jul 21, 2015 at 8:06 pm

Dear Carlos,
Stay strong!
Sincerely,
Not a total jerk on golfwrx

Reply Report comment
Sargio_Gercia

Jul 21, 2015 at 5:48 pm

I gotta chubby goin in here! Shake and Bake!

Reply Report comment
Dino

Jul 21, 2015 at 1:53 pm

Thanks Zak for giving us an insight for what new is coming. Love it!

Reply Report comment
- Zak Kozuchowski
  
  Jul 21, 2015 at 6:58 pm
  
  Thanks Dino!
  
  Reply Report comment
Tom

Jul 21, 2015 at 1:23 pm

roflmao

Reply Report comment
cody

Jul 21, 2015 at 12:22 pm

i am really liking the way both of these look.

Reply Report comment
Keith

Jul 21, 2015 at 11:45 am

Actually, 15-20yd difference…4 degrees=12yds plus they extra from the slot.

Reply Report comment
Keith

Jul 21, 2015 at 11:43 am

So on the MP-25, wouldn’t the distance gains create a large gap between the 6-7 irons? The slot is not in the 7i-Pw because it doesn’t affect distance but is in the 3-6i because it adds an extra 7yds. So, wouldn’t there be about a 15yd difference between 6i and 7i as long as the loft gap is a normal 4 degrees??

Reply Report comment
Booger

Jul 21, 2015 at 10:59 am

I see a combo set in my future.

Reply Report comment
Carlos Danger

Jul 21, 2015 at 9:05 am

WHOA!!! These look totally different than literally every iron Mizuno has made over the past 15 years!

I sometimes wish Mizuno would take a page out of the Titleist handbook an cut back on the number of models they make and how often they release new versions/models. Im such a club geek and know all of the models of all the clubs out there and look at this site almost daily…however, I can not for the life of me tell you the progression of Mizuno irons models and if I were to walk into a golf store and see the 19 different Mizuno sets on the wall, I would need one of the workers to tell me the difference from one to the other.

Reply Report comment
- Joe
  
  Jul 21, 2015 at 10:01 am
  
  Your gripe is completely unfounded. Mizuno has 4 MP’s and 2 JPX on the wall at any given time. And they flush the particular model every TWO YEARS. Seems identical to titleist to me. They will change 2 irons this year and the old models will become legacy.
  
  Current players lineup for Miznuno are: MP4, MP15, MPH5, and MP54. All quite different. These new irons above aren’t available yet, but they will replace the MP4 and MP54 which have BEEN OUT FOR 2 YEARS, leaving 4 models in the stable for players. The MP4 and the MP54 will go away.
  
  If your retailer still has any old models such as MP64 or MP69, that’s because they are carrying back-stock.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Carlos Danger
    
    Jul 21, 2015 at 12:22 pm
    
    Uh oh…got the Mizuno Mafia after me.
    
    I should have learned after I got death threats from you guys for saying that Mizuno didnt have very good woods one time.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Joe
      
      Jul 21, 2015 at 4:14 pm
      
      You won’t get any police after you if you speak in facts rather than hyperbole. 19 models? “release too often” when reality is every 24 months per model – the slowest trickle in the industry.
      
      Reply Report comment
    - stephenf
      
      Jul 22, 2015 at 3:06 pm
      
      Worst mafia ever, I guess, if all they do is disagree with you and cite facts to support their opinion. Hard to get criminal things done that way.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Carlos Danger
        
        Jul 22, 2015 at 10:57 pm
        
        oh they are very dangerous. sort of like the Van Buren boys.
        
        I got cornered one time at a Golfsmith over by the Mizuno iron section (took up about 1/4 of the store). I barely made it out alive. Luckily I knew the Mizuno Mafia hand signal so they let me go.
        I promise
        
        Reply Report comment
    - Jack
      
      Jul 23, 2015 at 4:13 am
      
      It’s fairly similar to their MP-32’s, which were the cut muscle. To me that’s a pseudo CB/MB hybrid. That’s a good thing too. Hitting a true classic MB is just not good for me. Not my psyche nor the people close to me.
      
      Reply Report comment
- Joe
  
  Jul 21, 2015 at 10:03 am
  
  19 models? Try four. MP4, 54, h5, 15. These 2 new irons replace the mp4 and mp54.
  
  The JPX series are game improvements, and there are simply 2. Forged and non.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mikko U
    
    Jul 21, 2015 at 10:56 am
    
    Actually there are four JPX irons, the 850 Forged, Ez Forged, 850 and Ez.
    
    I thought they were supposed to replace the Ez line this year also and we’ve seen the Ez woods but no sign of the Ez irons yet.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Oxy
  
  Jul 21, 2015 at 1:12 pm
  
  “Im such a club geek and know all of the models of all the clubs out there and look at this site almost daily…however, I can not for the life of me tell you the progression of Mizuno irons models and if I were to walk into a golf store and see the 19 different Mizuno sets on the wall, I would need one of the workers to tell me the difference from one to the other.”
  
  That is such a totally contradictory statement, it’s so asinine, and I don’t know how to begin to insult you you’re so worthless.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Gautama
  
  Jul 23, 2015 at 2:07 pm
  
  I’m a loyal Mizuno fan, but I don’t think his remark is that far off. Mizuno has 8 irons sets on the market to Titleist’s 4, so it can truly be said Titleist’s range is more focused. I think the real challenge with Mizuno is their naming convention, though. It’s so hard to follow the lineage of one club to the next – AP2s are AP2s, for example – they just update the year of introduction. With Mizzy you definitely have to stop and decide whether you’re looking at the replacement for an MP 64 or 54, etc. And I also agree the JPX range has gotten a bit muddied with all the options there. Product line simplification in the current market doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me.
  
  Reply Report comment
- KCCO
  
  Aug 4, 2015 at 8:30 am
  
  Can Los and Galen just find somewhere else to troll?
  That being said after two sets of MP-64’s, I decided to try MP-15, and thought they were a great blend of 64/59 (just my thoughts) would 25’s be a nice replacement for those in mizzy’s mp lineup? Just assuming that’s what I will be fitted into when released.
  
  Reply Report comment
Steve

Jul 21, 2015 at 8:23 am

Arent all golf clubs art and science. Art being a personal preference. Zak do you actually have these clubs in hand. If so, why not hit a bucket and give a opinion?

Reply Report comment
- Galen
  
  Jul 21, 2015 at 7:51 pm
  
  I have an opinion on these irons that I would like to share. If you would like to know my opiniont please email me directly. I fear that if I post my opinion here, and members have a different opinion I will be bushwhacked and harassed. Feel free to reach me in the land of email, far far from the hateful haters of hate-land. Thanks in advance for your love.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Carlos Danger
    
    Jul 22, 2015 at 11:00 pm
    
    Do NOT post a negative opinion about Mizuno irons here or else the Mizuno Mafia will come after you.
    
    Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

2 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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