Equipment
Greatest Mizuno blade irons of all time
Forged blade irons are generally very similar in design because of their intended purpose is to provide the ultimate ball flight control to golfers looking to execute precision shots. We can go back decades and see familiar shapes represented in clubs that were just recently released because they are a utilitarian in their function.
However, just because all blade irons in some way resemble each other doesn’t mean that some don’t stand out from the crowd the same way all two-door coupes are not created equal—although they have two doors, four tires, and an engine.
This leads us into our list of the greatest Mizuno blade irons—their intended purposes are all the same, but details make the difference, and these five all stand out from the crowd.
Mizuno Pro MS Line – Released mid-1980s
I’ll admit that this is a bit of a cop-out but we could call this entire Mizuno Pro line the grandfathers of all modern Mizuno blade irons. They came in three distinct models meant to tailor to golfers with different swing profiles and blade shape preferences—something you would never see today from an OEM because of the cost associated with producing the tooling (see catalog page below). Eventually, the MS name was dropped in favor of the MP (Mizuno Pro) moniker, and as we say, the rest is history.
Mizuno MP-29 – Released 1992
The MP-29s were available from 1992 all the way up until 2000! A remarkable run for any set of irons and something we’re probably never going to see again from any major golf manufacturer.
The MP-29s are most well known for being part of the combo set used by Tiger Woods when we won his first major championship, the 1997 Masters. The set he used consisted of 2-4 iron MP-29s and 5-PW Mizuno MP-14s, which were chosen because they offered the least amount of offset of the two sets combined.
Mizuno MP-33 – Released 2002
This curved muscle back blade was a favorite to many golfers, including future world No. 1 Luke Donald. From a design and aesthetics perspective, the MP-33 closely resembles the MS-3 blade featured off the top, but with an updated profile and sole grind.
What made the MP-33 so popular amongst better players across the board and not just touring professionals is they had a slightly lower center of gravity compared to other blade models to help get the ball in the air just a bit easier. These are 100 percent still a blade designed for workability and not forgiveness, but at the end of the day, who would say “no” to a little extra help once and a while?
The MP 33 had one of the longest runs in Mizuno iron history and existed in Mizuno’s lineup for more than four years. After its retail life ended, it was still available for custom orders many years after that.
Mizuno MP-32 – Released 2004
Two words: Cut Muscle! The Mizuno MP-32 irons were designed from the ground up to offer not just workability but a little extra forgiveness thanks to an innovative cavity design. The “Cut Muscle” cavity precisely locates the Center of Gravity while also pushing slightly more mass to the perimeter of the club in aid in forgiveness. Speaking of forgiveness, the MP-32 is just a hair bigger than other blade irons, and thanks to the Cut Muscle, also had a lower center of gravity in the mid to long irons to aid in trajectory.
They were one of the last Mizuno irons to have a full four-year life span, and are still considered one of the most innovative MP irons ever.
Check out the video below for a more in-depth explanation of why these irons are so well-loved.
Mizuno TN-87 – Released 1988
The TN-87s were named after Tommy Nakajima, who at one point was the number one player on the Japanese PGA Tour and was also a popular Mizuno staff player. The TN-87 originally came out in 1988 and to this day are still considered one of the best Mizuno irons of all time. It wasn’t just Tommy who made these irons well known, 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.
Considering they resemble other blade designs, including (a tip of the hat) to original Hogan models, what has made the TN-87s stand the test of time as such a beloved set of clubs.
Let’s go deeper here.
Shape and sole: For a lot of players, the TN-87 represents the perfectly shaped iron head, from blade length to toe profile, it was just “one of those clubs” that kept people’s attention. This along with the sole shape, which was considered quite modern in this era, meant a lot of people trying then instantly fell in love.
Copper Underley: Raw iron heads are made from carbon steel, but they still need a layer of chrome to help them maintain durability, and prevent rust. There are several thin layers placed on top of the steel during the plating process. The metals involved in the layering process include both nickel and copper to help the chrome stick to the head. The copper layer became a thing of legend in golf circles for its ability to make a club feel softer. Golfers clamored for irons with copper underlay to help soften the feel and give better feedback.
With modern releases, Mizuno has offered irons with a copper underlay in the Japanese market but the MP20s are the first North American release with the extra layer in well over a decade.
The TN-87s were so revered, that in 2014 Mizuno did something few golf companies ever do: a full re-release (no custom orders) of the TN-87s from 3-PW, AW, SW. The question now is if we will ever see a re-release of any of the other irons on this list.
Have your say, GolfWRXers, what are the greatest Mizuno blades of all time?
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- Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4
More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.
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Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?
Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.
When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.
To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.
Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.
“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”
Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.
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Equipment
Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird
With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.
On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.
Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?
Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’
So that’s why I went back.
View this post on Instagram
OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?
It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.
Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.
It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.
Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.
Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.
So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?
Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.
Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play?
Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.
There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.
It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.
Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.
And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?
Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’
If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’
My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’
I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”
And you’re going with it this week?
Hundred percent.
Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week.
Thanks, man.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
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Jay
Aug 29, 2020 at 10:37 pm
The Original Mizuno Pro Blade is the sleekest coolest most confidence giving at address club I’ve ever seen. I traded a set of orange dot square groove ping eye 2s to a guy on my college golf team in 1988 for this set of irons. It’s just my opinion but i’ve picked up every new club made each year and none of them have tempted me to even consider purchasing them. Feel, length, work-ability…..the irons almost have an arrogance and if they could speak, they would say, “go ahead and try another set” laughingly. And so yea, the original Mizuno Pros are it for me.
Bob Dixon
Jul 21, 2020 at 8:15 pm
I play nothing but Mizuno irons. I can’t believe that you haven’t mentioned the Pro 2 blade…best shape, metal and feel EVER. The best ever
John
Apr 6, 2022 at 5:48 pm
LMFAO
Mark J
May 8, 2020 at 1:37 pm
my Favorite Clubs have ALWAYS been Blades, raised on a Blade, nothing feels better, more pure, than a clean struck Forged Blade, still have my MP-33’s and play them a couple of times a year.
Brad
May 7, 2020 at 5:26 am
Probably the most playable Mizuno blades are the ones I’m currently using, the MP-32. The most beautiful Mizuno blade I’ve laid eyes on is the MP-5, which I owned for short while. If I could hit the MP-5 long irons anywhere near as well as my MP-32’s I would game the MP-5’s until I couldn’t play golf anymore.
Rob
May 1, 2020 at 3:36 pm
The TP originals were on sale from 1982 to 1993 – slight name change for the US version – in the UK, so slightly longer than the Ping Eye 2s.Though with being grain flow forged, you ran the risks of dead spots.
The TP 9s had a similar run, though the copper supposedly in them did not have that much of an impact to my mind.
And together with the MP 18s – far easier to hit than these earlier versions that it is almost a joke – these remain the only three of 16 different Mizuno blade sets that I have kept.
stanley
May 1, 2020 at 11:59 am
i don’t know about blades. but my favorite mizuno irons are mp-30. this is the iron that got me into mizuno.
mick
Apr 27, 2020 at 1:39 pm
69, is Actually a forgiving type blade. 60 was/is ICONIC.
Joe
Apr 21, 2020 at 2:24 pm
No 14’s or 67’s? Come On Man!!!
Robert Miller
Apr 20, 2020 at 4:49 pm
I’ve got MP-18’s now and they are incredible. Previous set was MP-29’s purchased around ’96 and then rechromed in 2005. Before that I was using Hogan Apex since age 15.
Tried all the latest stuff and settled on the MP-18’s without flinching.
tonks
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:52 am
What about the TP9. Didn`t Faldo win a major with them after developing them with Mizuno? I purchased mine about ten years ago after they had been used 4 times since 1990. I had them regripped and use them all the time. Shafts are S400.
William Davis
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:47 am
Half the pleasure of Mizuno blades is looking at them. TPs don’t get a mention – Nick Faldo won a few things with 11. Bought new set of TP9 in about 1995. Still playable now and again for fun. Can’t face selling them.
JimmyRay
Apr 20, 2020 at 10:00 am
I have a set of LH MS-4’s that I bought in ’86 and re-shafted 3 times. Amazing feel.
jgpl001
Apr 20, 2020 at 9:54 am
MP-33 hands down the winner, but my best iron set ever was a set of MP-32, they stayed in my bag for 5 years…this is a lifetime for a dedicated ho
MP-18 is under rated, its a great iron, and a future classic
Shawn M
Apr 20, 2020 at 9:43 am
I have a set of TN-87’s from 1988. Been told they’re basically the MP 14’s.
I use them to practice strike. Maybe one day I’ll get the courage to take them to the course.
Butch
Apr 20, 2020 at 9:39 am
In addition to the MP blade designs mentioned Mizuno also had a TP-18 blade. I purchased in Dubai and played with for years, 3 step muscle back design, great clubs.
BingHogan
Apr 19, 2020 at 12:24 pm
Great Article!! Thank You!
Favorite iron is between the MP 33 and the MP 4’s. Set up on the 33’s were perfect and easy to hit. MP4’s are the best feeling irons!
Just can’t seem to like the new MP 20’s. Not sure why I would switch from the 69’s. Tried to like them but they just doesn’t feel the same as an MP4.
Currently playing 69’s, JPX 919Tours.
So if Mr Vosh is on here why not do a redux MP 33 with the feel of the MP4.
MP 60 was fantastic too!
BingHogan
Apr 19, 2020 at 12:27 pm
Correction: don’t fell the same as an MP 4. So much for all that grammar ????
Andrew
Apr 19, 2020 at 8:54 am
Mp5s turned out pretty good
Paulo
Apr 19, 2020 at 3:20 am
I’ve owned lots of mizuno a sets including most of the ones posted. The mp18-s deserve to be up there. They feel abs look great . Not impressed with the 20’s mind
Madeline Morgan
Apr 19, 2020 at 3:07 am
Although there are vintage Ping Eye 2, MacGregor Muirfield, and Wilson Staff sets in the garage, the only irons I’ve ever seriously played are Mizuno. Starting with MP-30, followed in order by 33, 57, 62, 5, and now 18. They’re simply the best.
MBH
Apr 18, 2020 at 7:23 pm
I’ve had 3 sets of Mizuno’s: MP-57, MP-63 and MP-18. IMHO they are all great, classic models. I will continue to purchase Mizuno irons until the day I can’t swing anymore.
GolfMan
Apr 18, 2020 at 6:19 pm
What about the MP-18 ?
Scott
Apr 18, 2020 at 6:17 pm
No doubt the MP 33’s where the best blade line as they are as good. Ow as they where back in the day! I still strip it with them! Luv em. Let you know where you are on the face all the time. And when you flush it it’s sublime!!!
NRJyzr
Apr 18, 2020 at 5:28 pm
I would put the MS-11/MP-11 ahead of the MP-29. The latter had that lovely offset in the short irons, while the 11’s were the set that introduced a bit more bounce to blades.
Chuck Woolery
Apr 18, 2020 at 5:21 pm
MP-33’s, period!! All others bow down.
JBro
Apr 18, 2020 at 4:43 pm
The MP-33 and MP-37 were great, but they were the last of the flat standard lie angle. The 32s went more upright and that is what truly made them successful.
Jbone
Apr 19, 2020 at 7:55 am
Very interesting
ForgedMB
Apr 20, 2020 at 10:44 am
Actually, I believe that Mizuno changed their standard lie angles from 62° on the PW to 63° on the MP-33. The lies on all of those models that you mentioned were off of a 63° PW.
Dave Bryce
Apr 18, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Mizuno irons are as good as anything on the market! The only irons I did not like, were the True Zoids from decades ago that I played.
Garrett
Apr 18, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Where are the MP-4’s?? I was expecting those at the top!!
Shane
Apr 20, 2020 at 9:30 am
I have a set of the original Tzoids in my close to this day. I tried the ‘Trues’ and hated them as well. Also had some MP 14s and MP67s. I liked the 67s quite a bit.
GolfMan
Apr 18, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Mizuno makes the best irons, hands down.
Timothy Murphy
Apr 18, 2020 at 12:33 pm
29’s over 14’s? Not so sure about that one.
JR Goddard
Apr 18, 2020 at 3:36 pm
I felt the same way. My MP-14’s were the best clubs I ever played.
kfree
Apr 20, 2020 at 7:14 am
Absolutely. I have yet to find a Mizuno that beats the MP-14. I wish they would re-release this set.
Charles Leu
Apr 20, 2020 at 1:16 pm
+1
James
Apr 18, 2020 at 11:55 am
The TN-87 and it’s not even close. If you have a set, as I still do, you will understand. They were gifted to me after a successful business deal when Japan was busy buying up California and Hawaii.