Equipment

Mizuno’s 2013 Iron Lineup: Function and Feel

Published

11 years ago

Apr 26, 2013

Mizuno makes a full line of golf equipment, but the company is best known in the golf world for its premium irons.

Most of the buzz comes from Mizuno’s compact forged irons that are popular with tour players and low-handicappers around the globe, but the company has also made several game improvement models in recent years that have been a hit with mid- and high-handicappers.

mp-64 mizuno 825 pro
mizuno h4

For 2013, Mizuno has released four different iron models that will cover everyone from tour players to high handicappers. The lineup includes two players irons, the MP-64 and JPX-825 Pro, which will appeal to low-to-mid handicappers, as well as the MP-H4 and JPX-825 — extremely long and easy to hit clubs that will work well for golfers of all abilities.

In typical Mizuno fashion, three out of four of the irons are made using the company’s “Grain Flow” forging process. The lone hold out, the JPX-825, is the longest and most forgiving iron Mizuno has ever made, and offers the clean looks golfers expect from a Mizuno game improvement club.

Check out our full breakdown of Mizuno’s 2013 iron lineup below.

MP-64 Irons

The Story: With the MP-64, Mizuno engineers set out to make the best-feeling iron possible. The result was a Diamond Muscle design that placed more weight behind the sweet spot, bringing back the soft, solid feel at impact that has made Mizuno the irons of choice for many serious golfers for decades.

The MP-64s are used on the PGA Tour by Mizuno Staffers Luke Donald and Charles Howell III, but you don’t need to be a tour player to game them. They have bigger, deeper cavities in the long irons that make those clubs easier to hit, as well as more meat behind the sweet spot in the shorter irons that gives shots a flatter, more controllable trajectory.

[youtube id=”lWj4LJ-HhQc” width=”600″ height=”338″]

Construction: Grain Flow Forged 1025E “Pure Select” Mild Carbon Steel
6 Iron Loft: 30 degrees
Stock Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S300
Handicap Range: +2 to 10
Price: $999

Click here to read the full MP-64 Iron review

Mizuno JPX-825 Pro

The Story: The JPX-825 Pro irons have larger, deeper cavities than the MP-64, which are CNC milled to allow engineers as much as 17 grams of discretionary weight to move to the heel and toe sections of the club for more forgiveness, particularly in the long irons.

But these irons are stamped “Pro” for a reason. Mizuno returned much of the discretionary to the area behind the sweet spot in the short irons, providing better feel and workability. They also feature a “tour confirmed triple cut sole design” that Mizuno says creates ideal turf interaction from anywhere on the course.

Click here to read the full Mizuno JPX-825 Pro Review

Construction: Grain Flow Forged 1025E “Pure Select” Mild Carbon Steel
6 Iron Loft: 29 degrees
Stock Shaft: True Temper Dynalite Gold XP (R300, S300)
Handicap Range: 6 to 18
Price: $899

Click here to read the full Mizuno JPX-825 Pro Review

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2Y9G4743 mizuno 825 pro face

Click here to read the full Mizuno JPX-825 Pro Review

Mizuno MP-H4 Irons

The Story: The MP-H4 are actually three different types of irons — the 2 through 4 irons have a hybrid-like hollow construction, the 5 through 7 irons feature a smaller hollow area and the 8 through PW have no hollow area. This creates high-COR, high-launching long irons and more precise short irons that are bridged by the “half-hallow” mid irons.

The blend of feel and function has made the MP-H4’s a popular long-iron alternative for tour players, and a hit for golfers who don’t want to sacrifice feel, but need a wider sole and more forgiveness than the JPX-825 Pros can provide.

2Y9G4763

Construction: Grain Flow Forged 4315 Mild Carbon Steel
6 Iron Loft: 30 degrees
Stock Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S300
Handicap Range: 2 to 14
Price: $1099

[youtube id=”3rnYNLHoSgc” width=”600″ height=”338″]

2Y9G4764 2Y9G4762
2Y9G4766 2Y9G4769

Mizuno JPX-825 Irons

The Story: The JPX-825 have extreme heel-toe weighting and extremely high-COR faces in the long and mid irons, making them the longest and most forgiving irons in Mizuno history. But the 8 iron, 9 iron and pitching wedge have slightly less hot faces to give golfers more control and workability.

mizuno jpx-825 iron review

To keep the JPX-825’s from feeling like shovels, Mizuno engineers added a multi-material electroform badge that tunes sound and feel, which is as cool looking as it is functional.

[youtube id=”wT2avLyG6eY” width=”600″ height=”338″]

Construction: Cast
6 Iron Loft: 28 degrees
Stock Shaft: True Temper Dynalite Gold XP (R300, S300)
Handicap Range: 10 to 28
Price: $699

Comparison Photos (all but MP-64)

Cavity Design. Top to bottom: JPX-825, MP-H4, JPX-825 Pro.

Sole design and width. From Left to right: JPX-825, MP-H4, JPX 825 Pro.

View at address. From Left to right: JPX-825, MP-H4, JPX 825 Pro.

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12 Comments

PMonty

Dec 15, 2013 at 12:16 pm

A bit late with this response; in the past two months I’ve hit almost every Mizuno and Titleist trying to find the perfect feel and distance as I’m getting older; I’m 65 with a 3 handicap and had to give up my 210 AP2’s due to loss of distance with Project X reg shafts. Not strong enough to flex the shaft. The shaft is the key and the head to me is secondary. I found the Mizuno jpx 825’s to have a great feel and great distance with the NS 950 shaft; 10 to 15 yds longer than my old Ap2’s and 5-7 yds longer than the 825 pros. I found the AP1’s with the DG Reg shaft to be heavy and clunky; lacking feel. The Adams CB2’s with the NS 850 gh shaft were sweet; great distance and high ball flight with a sweet feel.

Reply Report comment
- DMC
  
  Dec 28, 2013 at 10:36 pm
  
  I don’t like to rain on anyone’s parade, but the reason you picked up 10-15 yards on the 710 AP2s is because the JPX-825s are 3 degrees stronger loft, unless either set is being customized. Folks should be aware that this is the common reason “new” iron sets are longer than old ones, not major design improvements.
  
  Reply Report comment
golfa8

Jul 18, 2013 at 9:18 am

Had a set of 825’s with graphite shafts. They are 1″ longer than standard which is how Mizuno does it with graphite. Just be aware of that and stand tall or choke down.

Reply Report comment
gary

May 16, 2013 at 7:00 am

i have mx900 irons now what new irons would compare to them

Reply Report comment
Nutinpa

May 13, 2013 at 2:15 pm

Has anyone tried and compared the current JPX 825 Pros…vs. the MPH4s? I have a 6-7 year old set of MX 23s and looking to upgrade and stay in the Mizuno “family”…while seeking a hint of more forgiveness. In other words, stay with what I enjoy playing while finding a club that is a bit easier to hit. I an not worrying about “working the ball” directinally – just to hit it on the green! Thanks for any input you may offer!

Reply Report comment
- Upinthismufu
  
  May 23, 2013 at 10:54 am
  
  I recently purchased a set of MP H4s (4-PW) with the Nippon NS Pro 950s. I am a Mizuno ‘homer’ as my last four sets have been MP 14s (DG S300), MP 32/60s Combo Set (Project X 6.0), & MP 68s w/ (KBS Tour S). The MP 4s are definitely not your typical Mizuno iron, but they are a great choice for those who are ready to sacrifice a little of that ‘buttery’ feel for MUCH better mishit results. Looking down at the 4-iron it’s a little clunky but it also provides peace of mind that you don’t have to make that ‘perfect’ swing that a lot of the MP long irons require. In fact, I would say that looking down at my H4 4-iron provides me the same level of confidence that I would have over my MP 68 6-iron. Mis-hits are unbelievable with these clubs, and the ball is so easy to get in the air with the longer irons. Even high toe shots that were dead off of my 68s aren’t that bad off of the H4s. So to sum it up, don’t look at the H4s unless you are willing to sacrifice the ‘tuning fork’ feel for MUCH better mis-hits. BTW I did demo the JPX 825 Pros (KBS Pro S) and didn’t find them any easier to hit than any of my previous MPs.
  
  Reply Report comment
- weem
  
  Jul 18, 2013 at 7:11 am
  
  I have both sets and play off 12. first observation is that the MPH4s are 2 degrees more loft so they are higher but shorter. My sense is that the JPX’s are easier to hit through the whole range because the attacking irons with the MPH’s ( 8 onwards ) are very hard to hit by comparison. Id rather have stuck with the pro series and moved directly into the MP range with the 50’s ranges ( 53 or 59 )and have consistent feel through the clubs the MPH’s are a bit all over the place
  good luck
  
  Reply Report comment
- Erik
  
  Jul 5, 2014 at 11:14 pm
  
  I now have the 825 pros (1″ long) and absolutely love them. I was previously hitting the titleist 695cb forged irons. I am a 18 handicapper and I have been piping these irons down the fairways. I am hitting my 5 iron longer than my uncle hits his 3 wood. I’m hitting the pw about 140. I would highly recommend these to any golfer.
  
  Reply Report comment
tbone

May 10, 2013 at 8:18 am

Any chance of a review on the JPX 825 non pros?

Reply Report comment
James

May 7, 2013 at 2:06 pm

So the only club options for left handed players are game improvement irons!?!?

Give us at least one option.

Reply Report comment
- Ron MH
  
  Jun 25, 2013 at 12:56 am
  
  I feel your pain, man. I resorted to buying used Mizunos for my lefty fix. I was hoping the MP-64 would show up for lefties – no love from Mizuno. So, I bought some MP-57’s. They’d get my money if they offered the product.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - J.A.
    
    Aug 11, 2013 at 1:28 am
    
    I REALLY wish they made left handed irons that weren’t for high handicappers. LOVE LOVE LOVE my MP-52’s but I’m looking to get new ones because mine are so used. Bought them brand new, they’ve gotten the use!!
    
    Reply Report comment

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Equipment

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

Published

12 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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