0
Mizuno MX-200 Irons Review
Tested:
Mizuno MX-200 Irons 4 thru PW + Gap + Sand
Shafts: Nippon GS Pro 950 Stiff
Swingweights, Loft / Lie: Standard
Pros:
Soft feel
Very forgiving, especially on toe hits
Playable from variety of lies
Shots hold their lines very well
Satin finish
Cons:
Forgiveness difference between 4-7 and 8-GW due to channel cavity
Shots hold their lines very well (Not extremely workable)
Slightly thicker look at address
Bottom Line:
If you don't want to sacrifice feel for forgiveness and accuracy, these may be your new sticks.
Look:
I've always liked the looks Mizuno Irons. They're known for classic forgings without gimmicks. The MP line is full of beauties. Mizuno has done a great job of working those great looks into the MX-200s, with a few tweaks.
I've always been a fan of satin over chrome and these simply look fantastic. That look serves also helps disguise the size of the clubhead (which truth be told is not THAT large). In chrome however, these might look overbearing. Traditional Mizuno 'Grain Flow Forged' is imprinted on the hosel. The running bird on the sole is a nice touch.
Now onto the decorative blue stickers on the cavities. Personally, I like them. The Mizuno blue allows these irons to stand out a little. It's not nearly as overbearing as the bright, distracting graphics and vibration dampeners of other irons in this class (you know who you are) which scream Play-Doh more than "play golf." If you want to ditch them the stickers, the good news is you can without any playability issues.
Performance/Playability:
There are three performance features of the MX-200 irons that stand out for me.
Feel
The Game Improvement Iron category is littered with cast and multi-metal irons with vibration dampeners and power bands, etc. Instead of relying on technology to create forged feel, they simply make forged irons (what a concept!). Mizuno chose '1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel' with a double-plated chrome finish. The result is as you'd expect: soft, solid, sweet-feeling irons. Feeling is more muted than a blade obviously, but toe and heel hits are still easily recognized.
The milled pocket cavity of the long irons creates a more muted feel in the long irons, but the payoff is unparalleled forgiveness. I would not mind an entire set made with this type of cavity. It's THAT forgiving. There is no pocket from 8 on up, and there is a lack of forgiveness compared to the longer irons. The difference is noticeable, but not unmanageable. A thin shot with the 8 iron is less harsh with the 7 iron. Again, this is a small price to pay for the added forgiveness.
Bottom Line:
Forged, Forgiveness & Feel. There aren't many irons that combine this into one package and Mizuno accomplishes this very well. The long irons the easiest I have ever hit. Feel is more muted due to the pocket cavity, but the payoff is excellent forgiveness. The short irons are somewhat less forgiving, have great feedback and as expected, and require a better strike on the ball. Shots tend to hold their lines well, so if you play a draw or slice, you may experience less lateral movement with these than your current set. Fully, completely recommended.
Note: I've included some pictures along side some Callaway FT Irons for comparison.
What Mizuno says:
MX-200
The new MX-200 irons with Y-tune technology are a quantum leap forward in forgiving, game improvement irons with the added benefit of unmistakeable Grain Flow Forged feel. Y-Tune technology successfully extends and expands the sweet area of the clubface out towards the toe to deliver amazing forgiveness on mis-hits. Through the use of a reengineered external power bar and inner Y-shaped cavity pad, the MX-200s are tuned for unbelievable forgiveness, great trajectory, and amazing feel. Further enhancing the forgiveness of the MX-200 is a slightly larger clubhead and the creation of a super-deep, milled pocket that creates a lower, deeper center of gravity, and delivers an easy, high launch. The MX-200 irons with Y-Tune Technology are unmatched in the industry for game improvement forgiveness and solid forged feel.
Features
• Innovative Y-Tune Technology provides a massive sweet area for unsurpassed forgiveness.
• Grain Flow Forged, 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel provides the ultimate soft, solid, consistent feel.
• Durable double nickel chrome plated finish
• Modified U-grooves produce the ideal spin rate for maximum playability in all conditions.
• More aggressive, triple cut sole design for consistent playability from all types of lies.
Club Specs
Club LH Loft ° Lie ° Offset " Length " Bounce °
3 Yes 20 59.5 0.211 38.75" 1
4 Yes 23 60.0 0.201 38.25" 2
5 Yes 26 60.5 0.191 37.75" 2
6 Yes 29 61.0 0.181 37.25" 2
7 Yes 33 61.5 0.171 36.75" 3
8 Yes 37 62.0 0.161 36.25" 4
9 Yes 41 62.5 0.152 35.75" 5
PW Yes 45 63.0 0.142 35.50" 6
GW Yes 50 63.0 0.122 35.25" 7
SW Yes 55 63.0 0.102 35.25" 12
Link: http://www.mizunousa...F...f&cat=irons
Tested:
Mizuno MX-200 Irons 4 thru PW + Gap + Sand
Shafts: Nippon GS Pro 950 Stiff
Swingweights, Loft / Lie: Standard
Pros:
Soft feel
Very forgiving, especially on toe hits
Playable from variety of lies
Shots hold their lines very well
Satin finish
Cons:
Forgiveness difference between 4-7 and 8-GW due to channel cavity
Shots hold their lines very well (Not extremely workable)
Slightly thicker look at address
Bottom Line:
If you don't want to sacrifice feel for forgiveness and accuracy, these may be your new sticks.
Look:
I've always liked the looks Mizuno Irons. They're known for classic forgings without gimmicks. The MP line is full of beauties. Mizuno has done a great job of working those great looks into the MX-200s, with a few tweaks.
I've always been a fan of satin over chrome and these simply look fantastic. That look serves also helps disguise the size of the clubhead (which truth be told is not THAT large). In chrome however, these might look overbearing. Traditional Mizuno 'Grain Flow Forged' is imprinted on the hosel. The running bird on the sole is a nice touch.
Now onto the decorative blue stickers on the cavities. Personally, I like them. The Mizuno blue allows these irons to stand out a little. It's not nearly as overbearing as the bright, distracting graphics and vibration dampeners of other irons in this class (you know who you are) which scream Play-Doh more than "play golf." If you want to ditch them the stickers, the good news is you can without any playability issues.
Performance/Playability:
There are three performance features of the MX-200 irons that stand out for me.
- Y-Tune Technology: This is Mizuno's term for "If you mishit it on the toe, we're here to help." The sweet spot of the MX-200 is expanded out toward the toe. Not only does this work, but it works VERY well. I was borderline shocked. Toe hits hold their line remarkably well (I was also shocked on how many toe hits I had). These are a G.I. club, and if you pound the center of the clubface every time, you belong in the MP series.
- Triple Cut Sole: This unique sole grind allows the MX-200 to perform well in all sorts of turf conditions. In the muddy Northeastern spring golf season, I was very happy with this feature. I'm pleasantly surprised with performance out of the rough as well. These just don't seem to turn over when they hit the long grass like other sets. Shots fly straighter and I've had to adjust my game accordingly, which is a good thing. The sand wedge (12* bounce) performs well out of the sand and can have some bite off of the fairway. I would not consider it very versatile though if you're looking to open it up.
- Milled Pocket: Due to the 'Extreme Milled Pocket Cavity" the long irons are simply the easiest long irons I've hit in my life. 7 rounds in, and I'm still 'wowed' by them. I'm absolutely sold on this type of cavity. More on this engineering marvel below.
Feel
The Game Improvement Iron category is littered with cast and multi-metal irons with vibration dampeners and power bands, etc. Instead of relying on technology to create forged feel, they simply make forged irons (what a concept!). Mizuno chose '1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel' with a double-plated chrome finish. The result is as you'd expect: soft, solid, sweet-feeling irons. Feeling is more muted than a blade obviously, but toe and heel hits are still easily recognized.
The milled pocket cavity of the long irons creates a more muted feel in the long irons, but the payoff is unparalleled forgiveness. I would not mind an entire set made with this type of cavity. It's THAT forgiving. There is no pocket from 8 on up, and there is a lack of forgiveness compared to the longer irons. The difference is noticeable, but not unmanageable. A thin shot with the 8 iron is less harsh with the 7 iron. Again, this is a small price to pay for the added forgiveness.
Bottom Line:
Forged, Forgiveness & Feel. There aren't many irons that combine this into one package and Mizuno accomplishes this very well. The long irons the easiest I have ever hit. Feel is more muted due to the pocket cavity, but the payoff is excellent forgiveness. The short irons are somewhat less forgiving, have great feedback and as expected, and require a better strike on the ball. Shots tend to hold their lines well, so if you play a draw or slice, you may experience less lateral movement with these than your current set. Fully, completely recommended.
Note: I've included some pictures along side some Callaway FT Irons for comparison.
What Mizuno says:
MX-200
The new MX-200 irons with Y-tune technology are a quantum leap forward in forgiving, game improvement irons with the added benefit of unmistakeable Grain Flow Forged feel. Y-Tune technology successfully extends and expands the sweet area of the clubface out towards the toe to deliver amazing forgiveness on mis-hits. Through the use of a reengineered external power bar and inner Y-shaped cavity pad, the MX-200s are tuned for unbelievable forgiveness, great trajectory, and amazing feel. Further enhancing the forgiveness of the MX-200 is a slightly larger clubhead and the creation of a super-deep, milled pocket that creates a lower, deeper center of gravity, and delivers an easy, high launch. The MX-200 irons with Y-Tune Technology are unmatched in the industry for game improvement forgiveness and solid forged feel.
Features
• Innovative Y-Tune Technology provides a massive sweet area for unsurpassed forgiveness.
• Grain Flow Forged, 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel provides the ultimate soft, solid, consistent feel.
• Durable double nickel chrome plated finish
• Modified U-grooves produce the ideal spin rate for maximum playability in all conditions.
• More aggressive, triple cut sole design for consistent playability from all types of lies.
Club Specs
Club LH Loft ° Lie ° Offset " Length " Bounce °
3 Yes 20 59.5 0.211 38.75" 1
4 Yes 23 60.0 0.201 38.25" 2
5 Yes 26 60.5 0.191 37.75" 2
6 Yes 29 61.0 0.181 37.25" 2
7 Yes 33 61.5 0.171 36.75" 3
8 Yes 37 62.0 0.161 36.25" 4
9 Yes 41 62.5 0.152 35.75" 5
PW Yes 45 63.0 0.142 35.50" 6
GW Yes 50 63.0 0.122 35.25" 7
SW Yes 55 63.0 0.102 35.25" 12
Link: http://www.mizunousa...F...f&cat=irons
