Equipment

Blurred Lines: Mizuno launches JPX-900 Tour irons

Published

8 years ago

Aug 11, 2016

Mizuno, which has set the golden standard for players irons over the years, is blurring the lines between a blade iron and a forged cavity back with its new JPX-900 Tour irons. The new irons pass the eye-test for a blade, but they’re pumped up with performance features usually reserved for Mizuno’s bulkier JPX irons.

A Mizuno JPX-900 Tour 6 iron at address.

Like Mizuno’s MP iron models, which are designed for the most discerning and skilled golfers, the JPX-900 Tour irons are made from Mizuno’s Grain Flow forged 1025E Mild Carbon Steel to give golfers the familiar soft, solid feel for which Mizuno is known.

“We wanted to make the best Grain Flow Forged iron ever,” says David Llewellyn, Mizuno’s Director of R&D.

What’s different about the JPX-900 Tour irons is the more aggressive styling, which is part form, part function. The addition of Mizuno’s angular “Power Frame” to the cavity increases moment of inertia (MOI), which makes the irons more forgiving. Yet according to Llewellyn, the refined cavity-back irons should be an easy transition for its staff players, Chris Wood and Luke Donald, who currently use the company’s MP-5 blade irons.

Mizuno’s MP-64 irons, a forged cavity-back that many in the Mizuno community believe to be the best-feeling Mizuno iron in recent memory, was used as the benchmark for the acoustics of the JPX-900 Tour irons. By using the company’s HIT (Harmonic Impact Technology) system, which measures and quantifies sound frequencies, Mizuno was able to mimic the acoustics of the MP-64 irons while improving on their construction.

Specs

MizunoJPX900Tourironspecs

In terms of looks, the JPX-900 Tour irons are smaller than the MP-25 irons released in 2015, with a lower toe height and a “more modern design” than the MP-25 irons, Llewellyn says. Another note of distinction: the soles of the JPX-900 Tour irons which are thinnest ever used on a JPX model, and feature the same sole geometries Mizuno has been giving its MP irons for several generations. This design will create more versatility than ever from a JPX offering, something better players will surely appreciate.

The stock shaft for the JPX-900 Tour irons is True Temper’s Dynamic Gold AMT, which uses an ascending weight design to improve performance of each iron. In the X100 flex, for example, the 3-iron shaft weighs roughly 115 grams, while the pitching wedge shafts weighs about 130 grams. The lighter long-iron shafts help golfers hit higher-flying long-iron shots, making it easier to hit and hold greens, while the heavier short iron shafts provide added stability for greater precision.

Mizuno’s JPX-900 Tour irons, available Sept. 16, will sell for $1,199.99 in either steel or graphite. There is no upcharge for custom shafts or grips.

See in-hand photos of the JPX-900 Tour irons with comparison pics of other like sets.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

49 Comments

Ufourix

Aug 22, 2016 at 7:34 am

Will they be offered in Left Handed??

Reply Report comment
TWShoot67

Aug 16, 2016 at 3:52 pm

I use to play Mizuno blades for the longest time 14’s, 29’s and even the 33’s. Didn’t like the 32’s, but these look like they might be that perfect go between blade and cb. If they feel like my old time dizzy blades with a little extra punch Mizuno may have me back. But for now I’m sticking with my King Cobra pro mb/cb’s. Definitely can’t wait to demo. Love the minimal offset, one thing I din’t like about the 29’s in the scoring clubs was the huge amount of offset thus the Tiger combo of 29’s in long irons and 14’s in scoring clubs.

Reply Report comment
tonks

Aug 15, 2016 at 7:26 am

I am using Mizuno TP9s with DG S400 shafts for the last four years (designed in 1986). I bought them from someone who had only used them four times from new (they were still in the original Mizuno box!). I find them well balanced and accurate and they look fantastic. The loft of the 7 iron is 37 degrees. Does anyone have any thoughts as to how they compare with MPs and JPXs should I want to change to a modern club?

Reply Report comment
Tim

Aug 12, 2016 at 7:50 pm

Does anyone else see the Ping s55 when you look at these irons? The toe portion of the cavity is identical as well as the general shape of the cavity. Overall design goal is exactly what the s55 achieved: smaller, players cavity back iron. Good news for all the fans of Ping’s S line who have being asking Ping to forge their clubs.

Reply Report comment
- KK
  
  Aug 13, 2016 at 9:47 pm
  
  Just the high toe weighting. Everything else is very different, including the unseen tech.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Double Mocha Man
  
  Mar 17, 2017 at 11:04 am
  
  Does anyone else see the Titleist AP1 and AP2 irons when they look at the back of these clubs?
  
  Reply Report comment
Dane

Aug 12, 2016 at 3:56 pm

To bad Mizuno doesn’t offer the Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts in custom. That’s my favorite iron shaft. These irons would be awesome paired with those shafts. Most of the club manufacturers carry that shaft but for some reason Mizuno does not.

Reply Report comment
- L
  
  Aug 12, 2016 at 4:30 pm
  
  Not this again.
  There is no need for those shafts. Mizuno can build their clubs to precise spec with the standard ones. No need to spend the extra money for labels
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dane
    
    Aug 14, 2016 at 1:51 am
    
    It’s not just labels. The Tour Issue model has a tighter tolerance and are more consistent compared to the standard shafts. I can feel the difference between the two and others can agree with me. It’s the #1 shaft model on Tour. Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway and Ping offer that shaft but not Mizuno. That’s unfortunate in my honest opinion.
    
    Also, Go to TrueTemper.com where they have a video explaining the differences between the two shafts. Your not paying more for a label, your paying more for a better, tighter tolerance and more consistent shaft.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Jim
      
      Aug 14, 2016 at 11:39 pm
      
      ….and everyone on tour was ALSO SST Pured….every shaft can be found to have a most stable plane to install in the head for optimum feel & performance.
      
      while it’s been illegal to manufacture a shaft specifically with a ‘spine’ to be inserted in a specific orientation, It’s not illegal to ‘find’ it in a shaft and reinstall it so it lies on a better axis…
      
      I’m diggin KBS now after being an original Brunswick Rifle defector from DG X100’s
      
      Reply Report comment
    - Christopher
      
      Aug 15, 2016 at 11:05 am
      
      From what I remember originally they’re the same shaft, just cherry-picked. There wouldn’t be any difference in feel or performance between two shafts weighted the same, with the same playing characteristics. The only difference would be the label and the upcharge.
      
      An expert clubmaker could cherry pick the same exact Dynamic Gold shafts off the rack and there would be no difference, apart from the price. You’re only paying more for True Temper to sort the shafts correctly, which is arguably something they should do in the first place.
      
      Reply Report comment
    - Scooter McGavin
      
      Aug 15, 2016 at 4:52 pm
      
      No, you can’t feel the difference.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Eric
        
        Aug 16, 2016 at 8:55 pm
        
        Some players won’t feel the difference between the standard shafts versus Tour Issue shafts but good players will. Plus the Tour Issue shafts look better with the Tour Issue shaft band.
        
        Reply Report comment
        
        Christopher
        
        Aug 17, 2016 at 4:10 pm
        
        They’re the same shaft, so they’re imagining a difference. The only difference is that each shaft will match your other shafts in your irons to a tighter margin, but you could cherry pick the standard Dynamic Gold shafts to achieve the same result. Imagine if you bought new pool balls for your 9-ball table, one or two balls are slightly heavier or lighter than the others, that would be your Dynamic Gold set, and the Tour Issue’s would all be same weight. They’re the same balls, they just have tighter quality control with the Tour Issues.
        
        Reply Report comment
MP-4

Aug 12, 2016 at 1:17 pm

“…should be an easy transition for its staff players.” Highly doubt LD would move from the MP-5 to a JPX iron. Going to be awhile before anything surpasses the MP-5. Looking forward to the JPX 900 driver though, which I think is the most interesting club of the new JPX line.

Reply Report comment
bogeypro

Aug 12, 2016 at 9:34 am

What is your beef with Mizuno? Did they touch you inappropriately or something? They make great equipment. Don’t get mad at them if you can’t play it…

Reply Report comment
- smizzletroll
  
  Aug 12, 2016 at 11:58 am
  
  no, they didn’t touch him, thats his beef. professional troll of golf message boards, ridiculously sad…
  
  Reply Report comment
KK

Aug 11, 2016 at 10:51 pm

Beautiful but these don’t look very forgiving– basically an MB. Tour is a good name.

Reply Report comment
Dat

Aug 11, 2016 at 8:53 pm

I think they look very different for Mizuno in a good way. Really looks like the engineers spent their time on this one. A true leap in the generation of their products. I don’t care what they call them as long as they perform.

Reply Report comment
Double Mocha Man

Aug 11, 2016 at 6:54 pm

They look like a streamlined version of the Titleist AP-2 irons.

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Tom Duckworth

Aug 11, 2016 at 5:11 pm

I have never owned a set of Mizuno irons but have always wanted to . Just never got around to it. I have some Wilson FG Tour V2s with some Nippon shafts that I just can’t kick out of the bag. These look really nice I never liked the looks of the 800 series and didn’t think the MPs were right for me. The MP-64s are beautiful and I was thinking about getting a used set for fun and to try them out. Maybe I’ll have to look into these. This is the first series of JPX irons that look good to me funny I always thought MPs were some of the best looking irons out there and JPX the worst . Hope to see some reviews soon. Maybe Mizuno will want some WRX testers.

Reply Report comment
Brian

Aug 11, 2016 at 4:10 pm

You should stick with your Callaways and their 29 degree 7 iron.

Reply Report comment
- Bill
  
  Aug 14, 2016 at 4:04 pm
  
  You can’t hit a 7 iron?
  
  Reply Report comment
Jay

Aug 11, 2016 at 2:57 pm

While the “no upcharge” is nice, if you prefer a more stock shaft – DG S300 – kind of have to feel you are getting hosed.

Reply Report comment
- DJ
  
  Aug 11, 2016 at 5:24 pm
  
  Why would anyone take a chevy when the caddilac is the same price? They are not targeting the cheap end with these irons.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Aug 14, 2016 at 11:30 pm
  
  Actually, it was a huge, smart move from Callaway…First year of Apex irons, they knew they were so good – and 1099 – $100 more than other big OEM’s ‘BEST’ they offered whichever shaft you needed for no upcharge. That helped make them a huge successs.
  When Rocketblades died a painful death after only 8 months and Speedblades (the next ‘greatest iron ever made’) came out with the same POS $9.00 shaft as Rocketblades for $899, getting into Apex (a FAR better head) w/KBS C-Tapers or Project X’s for 200 more wasn’t that big a stretch for shoppers.
  
  it’s a smart move for every OEM. Cripes – even Adams put CTapers in that funky black head a couple years ago, and they came to market for 699. It destroyed that dog Speedblade head…
  
  DG’s are reliable shafts – the standard we judge from – kinda like an IBM Mainframe – but if for no extra charge, you can
  definitely get a better feeling better performing stick.
  
  it always goes back to getting fit by an expert – with outdoor ball flight & proper launch monitor… Steel shaft tech has been blowin’ up big time in last 5 years. Take advantage of it!
  
  Reply Report comment
Bl

Aug 11, 2016 at 12:51 pm

Looks cool. Smaller than the MP-25? Even better.

Reply Report comment
Chuck

Aug 11, 2016 at 12:10 pm

1. So no tungsten in the soles or the toes? Do they accomplish most of what is going on with the tungsten inserts in other brands, with just the shape of the perimeter weighting? I’d be fine with that. My gripe with the tungsten-weighted Titleists was that the head was just a shade too compact for my own tastes.

2. Are these the strongest lofts that Mizuno has ever offered?

3. I would want a lot more information on the sole grinds. Does Mizuno offer anything custom in that regard? Can you order a blunted leading edge?

4. So is this the prelude to a new MP model?

Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Aug 11, 2016 at 12:55 pm
  
  1. Mizuno has never used tungsten inserts in their irons and these do not depart from that standard.
  2. These have the same loft specs as the MP-25, MP-15, and MP-5; so no, these aren’t lofted strong.
  3. You would likely have to order custom sole grinds from Mizuno’s Yoro arm and should expect to pay a premium to do so.
  4. No idea
  
  Reply Report comment
  - tl
    
    Aug 11, 2016 at 4:30 pm
    
    And, they are also still 1/4″ shorter than Titleist
    
    Reply Report comment
    - kloyd0306
      
      Aug 12, 2016 at 8:57 pm
      
      Don’t you mean that Titleist are 1/4 inch longer than Mizuno?
      
      There is no industry standard for length. Who is to say that Titleist’s lengths are the correct length? Besides, stock lengths are only for stock clubs and if you are buying stock clubs from anyone, you may as well drive a car that does not have an adjustable seat, an adjustable steering wheel or adjustable mirrors.
      
      Mizuno measures length WITHOUT the grip. Titleist measures length WITH the grip. There is still a small difference but not a 1/4 inch when both are finished.
      
      Reply Report comment
Justin

Aug 11, 2016 at 11:34 am

If they are in fact smaller than the MP25s then I’ll be salivating over these. May have to work up a combo set with MP25 4 and 5 irons

Reply Report comment
Dj

Aug 11, 2016 at 10:59 am

Look like 716 ap2

Reply Report comment
- Scooter McGavin
  
  Aug 11, 2016 at 1:38 pm
  
  Yeah, except that they don’t.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dj
    
    Aug 11, 2016 at 5:49 pm
    
    Talking design of cavity only. So yes, they design is identical.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Scooter McGavin
      
      Aug 15, 2016 at 4:53 pm
      
      No, not really.
      
      Reply Report comment
  - GetRichorTyTryon
    
    Aug 19, 2016 at 8:09 pm
    
    LOL!!
    
    Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Aug 11, 2016 at 4:08 pm
  
  They look like the club that the Ap2 aspires to be.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dj
    
    Aug 11, 2016 at 5:50 pm
    
    Except ap2 will outsell by 20 times
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Brian
      
      Aug 12, 2016 at 8:39 am
      
      I’m not a Mizuno shareholder, so their sales aren’t a concern of mine.
      
      Reply Report comment
rpm300

Aug 11, 2016 at 10:52 am

They look nice, but as usual for Mizuno, they have way too muck offset in the short irons.

Reply Report comment
Alex

Aug 11, 2016 at 10:23 am

My gosh, those look incredible. However, am I the only person who thinks those grooves seem like they’re extending too far on the toe?

Reply Report comment
sumsum

Aug 11, 2016 at 10:21 am

I hear they will be offering Recoil now with no upcharge, might make this a mean set!

Reply Report comment
- Mat
  
  Aug 11, 2016 at 4:31 pm
  
  That would be killer.
  
  Reply Report comment
Marty Moose

Aug 11, 2016 at 10:06 am

Mizuno makes very nice clubs. If I were one of the current Nike staffers, I’d be talking to Mizuno. Even if that means a pay cut. Prob turn out to to be the same $ if they continue to wear Nike clothing.

Reply Report comment
Nolanski

Aug 11, 2016 at 10:01 am

Pretty

Reply Report comment
LabraeGolfer

Aug 11, 2016 at 9:56 am

Best selling irons of 2016-2017…. Well should be anyway at least for better players. They look fantastic and they are Mizuno’s so I know they will perform.

Reply Report comment
- Mikec
  
  Aug 12, 2016 at 9:12 am
  
  So you are making a predication that these will lead iron sales??
  
  Reply Report comment

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Equipment

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

Published

5 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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