Equipment
One post, many questions: New Mizuno irons on the way?
Let me start with this: I’m a massive Mizuno fan. So, when out of the blue (Mizuno Blue?), but close to “that time of year,” when new shiny things start to show up around the tours, all it took was an Instagram and Twitter post to set me into a frenzy and down a big rabbit hole. It also left me with a lot of questions, which in turn lead me to what I think are some answers.
Around 10 A.M. on June 28, two pictures appeared all over Mizuno’s social media platforms, both showing a TN87 alongside a completely blank iron head that.
- Looked brand new (it also has a new shorter Mizuno MP-style ferrule on it)
- Has zero branding or model number on it
The two clubs look almost identical in the shape, so we have that, but then a little tease in the form of a single cryptic hashtag (#Layersoffeel) had me looking and thinking deeper into what might be coming down the line.
They look very close but the one on the left appears to have different angles
The MP-18s were a huge hit for Mizuno and again cemented its place in the blade world after the ginormous success of the JPX-900 series. This was also the first time Mizuno globally branded an MP series; they used to reserve different models for the JDM market.
What made the MP-18s interesting from a technology standpoint was the introduction of the Grain Flow Forging HD process. Mizuno already had the patented Grain Flow Forging process in the bag but after years of refinement, they along with their forging partner Chuo (Chuo only forges Mizuno irons) introduced the HD (High Density) technique that gets the grain structure of the 1025 E Pure Select carbon steel tighter at the bottom of the head and in turn creates an even more solid feel. But even with the 18’s popularity, it’s time for a refresh and update of the MP line.
OK. OK, let’s hold our horses for a second, we haven’t talked about the TN-87s yet. The TN-87s are named after Tommy Nakajima, who at one point was the number one player on the Japanese PGA Tour, and if you didn’t already figure it out, was a popular Mizuno staff player. The TN-87 originally came out in 1988 and even to this day are still considered one of the best Mizuno irons of all time. Beyond Tommy, another very famous Mizuno staff player, Nick Faldo, played a set of custom blank TN-87s in 1990 to win both the Masters and Open Championship. This alone made them a popular and more sought after set.
Just how sought after you might ask?
So sought after, that in 2014 Mizuno did something that few golf companies ever do: a full re-release (no custom orders) of the TN-87s from 3-PW, AW, SW. Honestly, how freakin’ cool are these?
This is why people love blades, because a set of these in a golf bag look unreal!
So now that we are this far we have to ask, beyond that fact that Tommy and Sir Nick played them why were the TN-87s so popular? We have a couple reasons and some theories
- First off the players that used them were in their prime: This will always lead to a demand in the market regardless of it being a blade or not.
- Shape and sole: For a lot of players the TN87 represented the perfectly shaped iron head, from blade length to toe profile it was just “one of those clubs” that kept peoples attention. This along with the sole shape, which was considered quite modern in this era, meant a lot of people trying them out and falling in love.
- Copper (Wait, what? Copper?): I thought there were made from carbon steel? Yes, the raw heads are made from carbon steel, but you still need to chrome them through the electroplating process, and at the time, that also meant a copper layer between the raw steel and the chrome. This extra layer helped the chrome stick to the head during the plating process and also became a thing of legend in golf circles. Golfers clamoured for irons with copper underlay to help soften the feel and give better feedback — it’s all about frequency and sound. Even to this day there are some Japanese OEMs that talk about their copper underlay and how it improves the overall feel of the club.
Here’s what’s (maybe) going to happen…
Let’s sum this up. Now that we are inching closer to the Open Championship (the usual spot to see new Mizunos), we have these “BLANK” irons just magically show up on their social channels. They look like updated TN-87’s but they also closely resemble my personal favorite MP-37s, with the notched toe muscle (like I said I’m a fan, and collector, this gives me an excuse to show these off).
The MP-20s (blades) will closely resemble the look of the TN-87 in a modern package with the notch toe, simple muscle design, and gradually decreasing blade length into the shorter irons ala the MP-18s. Alongside this muscle shape, Mizuno will take another step back to their roots (since they now have the HD forging process) and talk more enhanced feel with the addition of a copper underlay to the new series of irons (hence the #Layersoffeel).
Could I be way off base? Potentially.
But if I know one thing it’s Mizuno iron history, and what do we know about history? It often repeats itself…
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition. $325 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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Raymond
Aug 8, 2019 at 9:04 am
Love these clubs 1st set I had were MP 37s then 4 years ago up graded to the MP 4s.
S
Jul 8, 2019 at 5:39 am
Can’t believe Mizuno has actually picked the notched toe muscleback design for their new release. I always fantasized about MP-14 or MP-29 being returned from their glorious past and they are now making it a reality! I wonder how I would be feeling when I see them in person… The reason I got my MP-37 back in 2006 was because there were no brand-new MP-14 or MP-29 available, and they stayed in my bag ever since.
Mike
Jul 6, 2019 at 2:03 pm
Matt Kuchar is a dbag
Scott H
Jul 5, 2019 at 11:59 am
Looks like you were spot on. Mizuno Golf North Maerican has another #LayersOfFeel Post today showing a copper plated iron head.
Z
Jul 5, 2019 at 2:10 am
All we ask is that it be shiny. Not this queer brushed junk, please. It ain’t Mizuno if it ain’t shiny. Leave the dull look to the Pings of the world
Joe Duffer
Jul 1, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Tiger played a split set of Mizuno irons in 1997…
Mizuno MP-29 (2-4; True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 shafts), MP-14 (5-PW; True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 shafts).
eric
Jul 1, 2019 at 11:08 am
They’ve been using copper underlayer on their Mizuno Pro line for a long time, even the current Pro 118s have them. Just that they’re JDM only, I’m sure that layersoffeel hashtag just means they’re going to be releasing copper underlayer construction on their MP lines worldwide now and not just JDM.
Z
Jun 30, 2019 at 10:47 pm
Can we get the 33’s a comeback? Best irons ever. Played the 4’s can’t stand them and hit the 18’s, no thanks. Still playing my trusty 33’s
Mower
Jul 25, 2019 at 7:45 pm
Yelp. Still playing mine from 2000. 19 years of pure joy!
JP
Jun 30, 2019 at 3:48 pm
Why is that? Just because you think so?
jagger
Jun 30, 2019 at 8:56 am
Take a look at the Hogan Precision blades from ’53 and ’54. Very similar designs. Love the look!
Pig
Jun 30, 2019 at 2:33 am
I own a few sets of Mizuno’s that I absolutely love (32’s, 33’s, and 60’s). As much as I wanted to game the MP-18’s, I never could get comfortable with their thicker top line. I sure hope these new ones truly go back to their roots and have a thinner top line.
rex 235
Jun 30, 2019 at 12:50 am
Ryan-
At this point, let me agree with Stump.
Actually have a LH Tsuneyuki (Tommy) Nakajima TN-87 2 iron from 30+ years ago- You can see it on a Classic Clubs thread.
With no MP-18 MBs or 919 Tours, one doubts Mizuno will ever remake the LH TN-87 iron
model.
Manufacturer Remake Rule #1- NO LH forged blade models-because..”tiny”
fifteenclubs
Jun 29, 2019 at 10:39 pm
Great article Ryan… but now if these are released I have another set of irons to buy!! Never hit the TN-87s but if they can improve on the feel of the MP-18s I’d be very impressed!
Ted
Jun 29, 2019 at 9:00 pm
That is true, but what does this have to do with Mizuno iron releases?
Saul Carrera
Jun 29, 2019 at 8:37 pm
Wow those are beautiful even completely blank. I have played Mizuno since the early 1990s MP14’s and now MP4’s. Was thinking of buying the MP18’s but may habe to wait to see these new models.. WOW.. ??????????????
chad
Jun 29, 2019 at 7:55 pm
already talked to my rep. he confirmed they have new stuff coming but couldn’t comment further. They usually release in the fall.
Joe Hendricks
Jun 29, 2019 at 7:44 pm
I believe the TN-87 is closer in design to the Mizuno MP-29’s. I played this club in the 90’s and it was a hand forged club with a fantastic feel. I still have these in my golf room and they look identical to this proposed Mizuno Model.
Ted
Jun 29, 2019 at 9:56 pm
I agree. I got my first set of Mizuno irons in 1995 (MP 29s, 1-PW) and they are in immaculate
condition (since I use iron covers). I also still have my 33s, 58s, 4s, 5s, JPX 900 Tours, and
MP 18s. Sold my 37s, 67s, 68s and 69s. Wish I kept them all. It’s fun to go back and play the older
models.
I look forward to the next evolution !
Darrell Taylor
Jun 29, 2019 at 11:49 pm
Remember: Tiger played MP29’s in High School and College. When he turned pro, he signed with Titleist, who made him several sets of proto types. He hated them so Titleist went to Mizuno and bought “blanks”, stamped “Titleist” on the back and that is what he played until he signed with Nike. If you notice, to this day the clubs he plays closely resemble the MP29’s he grew up with.
Dan
Jul 2, 2019 at 9:21 pm
I always believed that but it wasn’t true. There was never a Mizuno iron stamped Titleist.
Dan
Jul 2, 2019 at 9:29 pm
Woods never played a Mizuno w a Titleist Stamp. That was a myth. There’s a podcast about that topic somewhere in golfWRX
NRJyzr
Jul 5, 2019 at 10:01 am
Not the Titleist / Mizuno myth again, good Lord…
The myth should have been put to bed by the podcast with Larry Bobka; he revealed Tiger’s irons with Titleist were based on old Titleist box blades, not Mizunos.
Scott Hill
Jul 1, 2019 at 2:19 pm
They look very much like the MP-29’s and are being called MP-20’s this time around… look amazing… back to a chrome finish… thinner top line…
Everyone who loves Mizuno blades will be extremely happy I believe they are out in September
Bladeguru
Jul 5, 2019 at 7:07 pm
That’s because the 29s were the USA release of the tn87. Same head but no copper underlay
DaveyD
Jun 29, 2019 at 7:18 pm
My MP-18 Split Cavity clubs were true game changers for me. Should be interesting to see if Mizuno keeps the SC in the next iteration.
Ivan
Jun 29, 2019 at 5:32 pm
Think you will find that the legendary japanese golfer you refer to in your article is actually called Tommy Nakajima. No idea who Tommy Nakashima is. First rule of journalism – check your facts and check again. Another poster has already noticed this.
Ben Alberstadt
Jun 29, 2019 at 6:15 pm
Thank you for pointing this out. The name has been corrected. As the editor, this falls on me, and I apologize for the error.
Gunter Eisenberg
Jun 30, 2019 at 10:18 am
Silly millennial…will you people ever learn?
Kyle
Jun 29, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Been saying this for the last month or so. Titleist and absolutely no knock on them or anyone else for that matter have been posting their new stuff for pre release which is fine. I knew mizuno was crafting something tremendous for release soon and bang. Buckle your chin straps. From what I’ve been told if you thought MP 18 was tremendous what they are about to drop is simply off the charts.
Josh
Jun 29, 2019 at 4:32 pm
Great work and speculation on this Ryan…although I’m suddenly a bit sad I sold my MP37’s to get a new set of MP57’s a while back.
A.R. Perez jr.
Jun 29, 2019 at 4:24 pm
I played Mizunos back in the 70’s and loved them. The only problem I had was that because of the soft metal I was constantly adjusting the loft and lie. But that was ok because they are the best blades made today.Period!
Jack Nash
Jun 29, 2019 at 4:06 pm
And here I just bought some 919’s. Good thing I can’t hit blades anymore. Pheeeewwww. That was close.
Wally S.
Jun 29, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Beat me to it!!
Travis
Jun 29, 2019 at 4:05 pm
Definitely a throw back design with multi-material layers. If they basically do a complete copy of the old TN-87’s with updated branding that alone would be a huge success. Companies don’t need to always reinvent the wheel, just bring back their best designs.
Carrera
Jun 29, 2019 at 4:00 pm
It is Tommy Nakajima, not Nakashima.
nick
Jun 29, 2019 at 2:29 pm
I hope you’re right. Those are beautiful.
Stump
Jun 29, 2019 at 12:59 pm
I HOPE Mizuno gives some blade love to us lefties this time around. They give us some nice selections, but never give us the ones I want…like the MP-18 MB and the 919 Tour.
John
Jun 29, 2019 at 8:57 pm
Based on cryptic comments on social media by mizuno, these will be available in LH. A Japanese publication also confirmed this is a prototype new iron based on the TN-87 being tested by pros in japan already. Lots to get excited about for a lefty mizuno fan like me!