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Mizuno: The hottest irons on the PGA Tour for players not under contract

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If Tour pros could play any set of irons with no contract restrictions or obligations, what would they use?

In the world of professional golf, which is heavily influenced by profit, we’d usually never get that answer. But this year, due to a number of factors including Nike’s exit from the golf equipment industry, numerous players are left without commitments to a particular brand. That means more golfers than ever are playing irons of their choice.

Based on our photos from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and recent weeks, it appears many of those players without iron contracts are deciding to play Mizuno irons.

In recent years, there was usually between 1-3 sets of Mizuno irons in the bag at most PGA Tour events. At this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, however, there are 8 players using a set of Mizuno irons. Even more interesting is that 75 percent of them are using or testing the same Mizuno iron model: the JPX-900 Tour

Related: Learn more about the JPX-900 Tour irons

Here’s a list of all the PGA Tour players currently using Mizuno irons at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, as well as links to each player’s full WITBs.

Brooks Koepka

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Sam Saunders

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Billy Hurley III

  • Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour

Lucas Glover

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Roberto Castro

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Jim Herman

JimHerman

Kevin Chappell

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Vijay Singh

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  • Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour (built this week), most recently MP-4
  • Full WITB: Vijay Singh WITB 2017

We spotted Vijay Singh with Mizuno JPX-900 Tour irons in his bag on Monday. On Wednesday, however, he was bagging Mizuno MP-4 irons. It will be interesting to see what he decides to use going forward, but it’s likely it will be stamped with the Mizuno brand name.

Paul Casey

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See what GolfWRX members are saying about the Mizuno JPX-900 Tour irons in our forums.

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64 Comments

64 Comments

  1. Stephen Finley

    Jan 8, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    I’m sure the feel is terrific. I’ve hit and competed with several different Mizuno models over the years, and their rep is well-earned, IMHO. But have you seen the top line on the various versions of the JPX? You could land a plane on it. I really just _hate_ this direction with modern irons.

    • Emmanuel

      Jun 17, 2018 at 9:56 pm

      The top line on the jpx hot is large but then again, those were designed for high handicap players. All brands have sets like that.

  2. Vince

    Aug 25, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    Just bought the JPX 900 forged with XP105 stiff shafts ( what a buttery feeling club ! ) traded an almost new set of Titleist AP 2’s 716’s . I kept my Volkey sand wedges. All of my #’S were off the charts compared to my AP2’s . Very solid club !!! Thanks Mizuno 🙂

  3. Andy

    Jul 12, 2017 at 12:49 am

    I have mp-14s and 54s funnest even for a 10 hc. Can’t beat the feel and the shots are so satisfying. I have played PRGR, Data 601s, and they are awesome but the there is nothing like an mp-54. Also game Bridgestone j38 double pocket cavities, but they were not as consistent as the 54s. I can’t game the 14s anymore, but they sure were a great iron. I still take them out at times but I cannot weiled them like I used to. I still get a few awesome shots with them and I still say wow.

  4. Panther

    Mar 30, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    Hard time deciding weather ship my MP-29’s down to the desert, or the 712MB’s. Need to have something down there to fly light and exit the airport quickly, too many Id*ots sucking up oxygen when I travel down to the valley.

  5. James Darnell

    Mar 20, 2017 at 9:35 pm

    I am going back to my mp54 irons, when I sell these Apex Pro 16 irons. Nothing hits like a Mizuno

  6. tlmck

    Mar 19, 2017 at 10:50 pm

    I’m sticking with my homemade Maltby TE’s which replaced my MP52’s. Just nothing else on the market like them for size, shape, forgiveness, feel, etc. although Titleist CB would be a close second.

  7. Sully

    Mar 19, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    Does this surprise anyone? Mizuno makes the best feeling irons and TM makes the best performing woods. That is why if you let a pro choose without endorsement you see Mizzy irons and TM woods in the bag. The funny thing though is that performance wise irons haven’t really changed in years. I played a round recently with my old ’95 King Cobra Oversized irons while my MP-64s were in transit and they may have been 1-2 yards shorter (Same DG S300 shafts in both) and thats it. The feel was the only difference.

  8. Tom

    Mar 18, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    interesting

  9. Egor

    Mar 18, 2017 at 10:57 am

    My current set is JPX900 Forged with Project X LZ. Best irons I’ve had out of TMAG RBZ, MP-29, MP-59. I’m a 12HI and play 6-8 times a month. Great irons, great shafts for me.

  10. Ian

    Mar 18, 2017 at 12:25 am

    You know you’re struggling when you have to list a senior tour player to bolster numbers.

  11. Daniel Lux

    Mar 17, 2017 at 7:39 pm

    I’m shocked brooks is playing these irons they are as spiny and horrible as titleist I doubt he’ll settle on them.

    • Steve

      Mar 17, 2017 at 11:15 pm

      “These irons don’t fit my swing. They’re complete trash.”

      Dumbest comment of the thread award goes to you.

      • S Hitter

        Mar 18, 2017 at 7:21 pm

        LOL

      • Dan lux

        Mar 18, 2017 at 7:30 pm

        http://m.imgur.com/XAo2Tf4

        Mizuno irons are right in line with titleist how many hard swinging bombers does titleist have? No matter what shaft you put in them anything over 100mph for a 6 iron produces ballooning amounts of spin. And brooks hasn’t exactly been Lighting it up right now

        • D-Lux D0ucheb4g

          Mar 19, 2017 at 3:18 am

          Your shot dispersion is terrible, thank you for letting us know that.

          I’m pretty sure Brooks Koepka would greatly benefit from having a highly skilled, highly intelligent and insightful person like you giving advice. 🙂

    • Lc

      Jul 13, 2017 at 1:33 pm

      Going back and reading comments and I see this….”Shocked brooks is playing these irons they are as spiny and horrible as titlest I doubt he’ll settle on them.” LMAO!!!! Only won the U.S. Open with them.

    • Emmanuel

      Jun 17, 2018 at 10:00 pm

      Shocked? He just won 2 U.S. Opens with them. I’m sure he’s quite happy with them.

  12. Bert

    Mar 17, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    Used to play MP14’s and then MP37’s. Sure wish I could play them again. 72 and RA makes you play graphite and something more forgiving. Don’t like any of the new so called forgiving irons, still play the 2008 TM Tour Burners. Maybe I’ll try the JPX900’s.

  13. Prime21

    Mar 17, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    Mizuno has always made GREAT irons. Hopefully they can stay afloat.

    • Tom

      Mar 17, 2017 at 8:12 pm

      I donno…. the MX series was a bust

    • cgasucks

      Mar 18, 2017 at 9:39 am

      They’ll be fine…you do know they make other sports stuff as well. From what I know, they have a strong foothold in baseball equipment.

  14. Acemandrake

    Mar 17, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    Miura fanatics: Where are the Miura users on tour?

  15. Dan

    Mar 17, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    Like Mizuno a lot and went in expecting to buy the JPX Hot Metal irons. I ended up buying the Srixon Z565. Always remember to get a fitting before buying!

  16. Daryll

    Mar 17, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    I have played all types of irons and no other surpasses Mizuno. Have 4 different sets in my golf room. Have a set of Callaway CF16 and they are long and go high and that is good for me. Also tried the Titleist MB-T and they fly high and feel good. I was using the Nippon 880 AMC shaft. I do like the Nippon family of shafts. Have tried almost every shaft I could get my hands on. For a heaver shaft the the modus tour 130 has a great feel. Any questions or comments just email me.
    Respectfully,
    Daryll

    • Michael

      Mar 18, 2017 at 10:09 am

      With all respect Daryll, why can’t you settle on what works best for you or is it a little OCD stuff with golf equipment? I can get that way about my cars so I understand.

  17. Miuralovechild

    Mar 17, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    Not surprised really. Mizzy was #1 on the PGA tour for 12 years in a row. Some guy came along and wanted to get paid; everyone else wanted to get paid also. Their reign was over!! Probably the safest choice for anyone looking for a great forged iron. No gimmicks, and their heads seem to keep the same size, shape, and weight. I’ll take them any day over the bigger OEM’s in the industry.

  18. John Ineson

    Mar 17, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    Been a forged Mizzy guy for a very long time, so no surprises in your report. But I have Miura cavity backs as my scoring irons (CB201s, 7-9), and, when you hit ’em right, there’s something about the sound of that Miura click that says, “You don’t have to look up. It went where you wanted it to.”

  19. Jason

    Mar 17, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    Just got a set of of the JPX 900 Hot Metals. Price wasn’t an issue and hit all three and with the hot metals the ball was just flying off the face. The forged felt a bit clunky and the tour was nice but maybe a little too much for my 12 handicap. Paired them with the Modus 105s (LOVE THEM!) and some MCC plus 4’s and i’m itching for the courses to open

    • Cory

      Mar 21, 2017 at 10:51 pm

      Almost got the same setup as you bro! Instead of the Modus 105’s, I got the KBS C Taper Lites 110 grams. Same grip as well!

  20. Dat

    Mar 17, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    If I was going to buy a set of irons this year, it would be the 900 tours.

  21. Dan Weitzel

    Mar 17, 2017 at 11:34 am

    I have built multiple sets this year with the 900 Forged long irons and the Tour short irons. A little different feel with the Forged (Boron) version but they are much more forgiving for the average player in the longer clubs. See your custom guy and try this route rather than the Tour irons all the way.

  22. golfraven

    Mar 17, 2017 at 11:31 am

    Was looking at the MP-25s but let see what Titleist comes up next with.

  23. Sam

    Mar 17, 2017 at 11:20 am

    I play two year old forged 850’s and the 4 some I play with have all hit them and ask me to leave them to them when I pass. We play two sums for lunch once a week and my partner plays out of my bag because no matter what shot he hits he just flat love’s the feel.

    • Mike

      Mar 19, 2017 at 10:39 am

      Ebay is your friend’s friend.

      • cgasucks

        Mar 24, 2017 at 10:10 am

        Craigslist is even a better friend…no shipping or customs, or foreign exchange BS.

  24. Mark

    Mar 17, 2017 at 10:42 am

    Quality clubs for quality players. Simple as that.

  25. Peter

    Mar 17, 2017 at 10:38 am

    Great news for Mizuno. Probably not that surprising for the better amateur golfers around the world who already know that Mizuno make the best irons.

  26. Zach

    Mar 17, 2017 at 10:33 am

    I absolutely love my JPX 900 Forged irons. Nothing felt anywhere close to the soft buttery feel. I will upgrade to the Tours when I wear out my current set.

  27. cgasucks

    Mar 17, 2017 at 10:15 am

    Not surprised..when I started golf in 2000, Mizuno has stated at the time that they’re the #1 irons on the tour…then one day, TM started to give tee up money to non-staff players to use their irons and drivers and has been that way for a long time. I hope Mizuno goes back to being the #1 irons on tour again.

  28. Tom54

    Mar 17, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Loved the mp-29s back in the 90s and thought they were best out there. Have not tried Mizuno irons for a while. My quirk with them is I wish they would have stuck with the old “M” as their logo. Don’t know what the new one means at all. Looked much more classy with old logo that’s just me

    • Steve

      Mar 17, 2017 at 5:34 pm

      “For many years, Mizuno had used a distinctive large “M” logo. This logo was integrated into the stripes on the sidewall of many of its baseball and running shoes, but due to a trademark issue and the feeling that the Mizuno “M” was deemed too similar to the Adidas three stripes, a more modern Mizuno logo was needed that would also signify the company’s expansive views.”

      “The Runbird—a beautiful, free-flowing, graphic emblem of the Mizuno brand—is more than just a logo, adorning shoes, clothes and gear. Instead, the Runbird symbolizes Mizuno’s roots in the Japanese concept of its universal approach to sports with unlimited space and energy.”

      There ya go.

  29. rogerinnz

    Mar 17, 2017 at 9:26 am

    So no real suprises that it;s Mizuno !!
    In the 1990’s it was the same!!

  30. Tom54

    Mar 17, 2017 at 9:26 am

    I played mizuno mp-29s back in the 90s and thought they were awesome clubs. I’m sure today’s models are nice too. Just wish they wouldn’t have switched the “M” logo to that strange looking thing they use now I know it’s just a quirk but I wish they went back to old logo

    • Brian

      Mar 20, 2017 at 9:35 am

      I personally like the contemporary Running Bird logo more

  31. Tom

    Mar 17, 2017 at 9:14 am

    so no contract = Mizuno JPX 900 irons for 8 players. I hope players mentioned above have a good season with these irons in their bag.

  32. PK

    Mar 17, 2017 at 8:55 am

    Interesting regarding the Mizuno irons but just as interesting is the fact that all these players on this list are using M1/M2 drivers.

  33. Feel the Bern

    Mar 17, 2017 at 8:47 am

    Don’t expect to see any left handers on this list. For shame, Mizuno. For Shame.

    • Wizardofflatstickmountain

      Mar 17, 2017 at 9:36 am

      Lefties make up between 5-7% of golfers in the IS.do not know what percentage of lefties there are in Japan.

      It’s reasonable that a company would fish where the fish are, wouldn’t you say?

      http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-04-18/features/0304180048_1_lefty-golfers-left-handed-judi-pavon

    • joro

      Mar 17, 2017 at 10:35 am

      I just got a set of Leftie MP900 Hot Metal Irons and they are amazing. I have 5 thru lob with an M2 Driver, no contract,lol. As club maker and repairman Mizuno has always been the top quality in my opinion and when you are working on clubs you find out what is quality and what is not. I have Callaways, TMs, and other “top of the lines”,,, no comparison.

    • JThunder

      Mar 17, 2017 at 5:40 pm

      I feel your pain, lefties. My mom makes up one of your sinistro numbers.

      In an era when golf companies are wailing and gnashing their teeth about “decline” in right handed golfers, you can surely understand how the capitalist solution is to disenfranchise the 5%. Corporate America tends to dump products that “only” sell at a 10% level, etc.

      There is no easy solution. You could find a way to surgically implant the long-lost heart (or conscience) into capitalism. You could try to find a way to make left-handed clubs more profitable. This might involve drafting masses of lefties into golf, or long-term breeding of the recessive gene (which is 50/50 right-left). Or find someone to pull a Ned Flanders and create a Left Hand Golf club OEM and Superstore. My first suggestion is preferred since it might improve more things too.

    • Marc Anderson

      Mar 18, 2017 at 8:16 am

      JPX900 Hot Metal, JPX900 Forged &
      MP25 irons are available in LH.

  34. mr b

    Mar 17, 2017 at 8:47 am

    900 Tours are the best iron i’ve hit. waiting on my tax refund to get a set and upgrade my 63’s. stoked!

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Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

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As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

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I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

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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 L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.

From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

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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Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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