The Best Mizuno Irons of 2023
The Mizuno story goes all the way back to 1906 when a pair of brothers in Osaka, Japan opened up a shop that made Western sports gear like baseballs and athletic wear. Then, in 1933 the company ventured into making golf clubs.
The result was the Star Line – the very first golf clubs made in Japan. Over the decades, the Mizuno name has grown to be synonymous with premium golf clubs. While they make a wide variety of sports gear, here in the States, they are mostly known for their premium-grade golf clubs.
We were really excited about this list because it meant that we were going to be able to go out and test a bunch of different Mizuno irons.
Mizuno is known for their grain flow forging process which produces some of the thinnest, hottest and most responsive metals on the market.
For the longest kind of a time though, Mizuno irons were really only for mid to low handicap players for whom accuracy was not an issue. This kept a lot of players away from the brand.
In 2023 though, the company offers an iron line for every golfer regardless of skill level.
Even their entry-level irons are something to write home about though. They are known for ultimate feel, control and durability.
Mizuno irons are a great investment no matter where you’re at with your game.
In the following article we will be highlighting 10 of the best Mizuno irons for 2023 so let’s get started!
AT A GLANCE
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#1 – JPX921 Hot Metal – (Best Choice)
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#2 – Mizuno Pro 225 – (Best Premium)
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#3 – Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal Irons – (Best Budget)
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#4 – JPX921 Hot Metal – (Best For High Handicapper)
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#5 – JPX921 Hot Metal Pro – (Best Mid Handicapper)
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#6 – Mizuno Pro 223 – (Best For Low Handicapper)
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#7 – Mizuno Pro 221 – (Best For Tour Players)
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#8 – Mizuno JPX 921 Tour – (Best For Mid To Low Handicapper)
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#9 – Mizuno MP 20 MB Irons – (Best Of All Time)
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#10 – Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi – (Best Driving Iron)
THE TOP 3
#1 – Best Choice – JPX921 Hot Metal
Selling Points:
- Chromoly construction
- Toe bias weighting
- Cor-Tech face
The JPX921 Hot Metal is a great example of modern Mizuno irons. These irons are made with chromoly alloy steel which is a cross between chrome and molybdenum. This low steel alloy has a very favorable strength to weight ratio and is a perfect compliment to these irons.
The very center of the faces of these irons have been milled to be incredibly thin to promote a maximum amount of flex and rebound at impact. Indeed, we found the moniker “hot metal” to be an apt one because the balls plays hot off the faces of these irons.
While not as accurate as some of the other Mizuno irons we tested for this list, the Hot Metal irons will be more than enough for mid handicappers. In fact, we would highly recommend these irons to players within the 13-10 handicap range.
Pros:
- Feels solid on impact
- Perimeter weighting gives them great balance
- Variable sole width
Cons:
- Not as accurate as some Mizuno irons
- Not as forgiving as some Mizuno irons
Overall Rating: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#2 – Best Premium – Mizuno Pro 225
Selling Points:
- Copper under-layer
- Tungsten weighted
- Grain flow forged
The Pro 225 irons feature the famous grain flow forging that gives Mizuno irons incomparable feel and responsiveness. The Pro 225 irons are great for mid to low handicappers looking to add accuracy to long and short approaches.
The smaller blade length makes them incredibly workable and the forged chromoly face allows for a high degree of control even from tough lies. The stainless steel back allows for a more solid feel while the copper under-layer adds some softness to full swings.
As with most Mizuno irons, these sport a muscle back design with the Mizuno insignia and the Pro 225 emblems. A simple yet elegant design that accurately conveys the sophistication of the forging process by which they were made.
Pros:
- Incredibly accurate
- Good short game spin
- Good launch
Cons:
- Not great for high handicappers
- Not great in the rough
Overall Rating: 98/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#3 – Best Budget – Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal Irons
Selling Points:
- One-piece head design
- Chromoly construction
- Milled grooves
The Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal Irons are some of the most forgiving that the company has ever made. We would definitely categorize these as game improvement irons even though they don’t look it. They sport the classic, clean muscle back Mizuno design but with an expanded sweet spot.
Of course, this increases forgiveness but don’t get the wrong idea; the short irons and wedges in this set provide spin control that belies their forgiving performance. These irons launch high and land soft which is exactly what you want around the green.
Belying the game improvement categorization again is the feel and feedback of these irons. Forgiving, distance irons won’t usually inform your next shots very well but of course, these do. They also have a soft feel thanks to the chromoly construction.
Pros:
- Great for high handicappers
- Good price
- Excellent launch
Cons:
- Working them is a bit tough
- Not forged irons
Overall Rating: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#4 – Best for High Handicappers – JPX921 Hot Metal
Selling Points:
- Seamless Cup perimeter design
- Variable sole thickness
- Stability frame
What makes the JPX921 Hot Metal irons the best choice for high handicappers? We believe it’s the extreme perimeter weighting from the stability frame. Weighting in the toe and heel allow for incredible stability and forgiveness on off-center strikes.
Indeed, our high handicappers were still registering great ball speed and distance on shots that made contact out near the toe or even inward towards the heel. The JPX921 Hot Metal irons also feature a seamless cup face design.
This design mills out the edges all round the face so that it blends seamlessly into the head and more importantly, flexes more around the perimeter. If you have trouble making consistent contact the JPX921 Hot Metal irons would be a great choice for you.
Pros:
- Produces great ball speed
- Good for high handicappers
- Beautiful brushed pearl finish
Cons:
- Not forged
- Short game responsiveness is lacking
Overall Rating: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#5 – Best for Mid Handicappers – JPX921 Hot Metal Pro
Selling Points:
- Chromoly construction
- Less offset
- Sound ribs
The JPX921 Hot Metal Pro irons are a lot like the standard JPX921 Hot Metal irons. They have all the same features but in a more compact design with a slightly shorter blade and less offset – making them a good middle ground for mid handicappers.
If you are able to make more consistent contact with the sweet spot and are looking for more lateral workability, the JPX921 Hot Metal Pro irons would be a good choice for you. They still have the same soft feel as the standard JPX921 Hot Metal irons thanks to the same chromoly construction.
It should also be mentioned that like the standard JPX921 Hot Metal irons, the JPX921 Hot Metal Pro irons don’t feature the grain flow forging construction. Still, these irons provide a lot of distance and short-game control.
Pros:
- Very satisfying sound
- Still plenty forgiving
- Good launch in the short irons
Cons:
- Not forged
- Face grooves aren’t very durable
Overall Rating: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#6 – Best for Low Handicappers – Mizuno Pro 223
Selling Points:
- One-piece forged
- Player’s cavity design
- Microslot forging
The longer irons on this set have something Mizuno calls the Microslot design. As far as we could tell from our testing, this feature is similar to Taylormade’s Speed Pocket. It’s essentially a channel bored into the face to allow it to hinge more and generate faster ball speeds.
So distance is a forgone conclusion with these clubs. Where they really shine though is feel. The grain flow forging process with the chromoly steel alloy gives these irons an unrivaled feel from any lie. They are essentially a shrunken down version of the JPX921 irons and are great for low handicappers.
The profile is nice and compact, the topline is thin and the offset is minimal. One surprising feature though (and one that also helps with distance) is the shallow cavity back design of these irons which is a bit of a departure for Mizuno.
Pros:
- Surprisingly forgiving
- Amazing distance
- Outstanding feel
Cons:
- Expensive
- Definitely not for high handicappers (or even for mid handicappers)
Overall Rating: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#7 – Best for Tour Players – Mizuno Pro 221
Selling Points:
- Beveled head design
- Copper under-layer
- Shaved heel area
If you are looking beyond low handicap iron sets to the next level, you need to check out the Mizuno Pro 221 irons. Everything about these muscle back irons is tour-grade. From the compact head profile to the thin top line to the grain flow forging process used to make them.
One unique feature of these irons is that the heel mass has been reduced and re-positioned behind the sweet spot for more power on your full swings. The Mizuno Pro 221 irons also feature a thin layer of chrome behind the face to soften impact and enhance feel.
Make no mistake about it; only our best testers were able to get optimal use out of these irons. So if you are a scratch player looking to improve even more, these irons are for you.
Pros:
- Excellent workability around the pin
- Surprisingly long
- Soft feel
Cons:
- Not forgiving at all
- Only for elite players
Overall Rating: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#8 – Best for Mid to Low Handicappers – Mizuno JPX 921 Tour
Selling Points:
- Harmonic impact pad
- Stability frame
- Grain flow forged
The Mizuno JPX 921 Tour irons would be a great choice for a wide swath of players seeking superior feel, good distance and excellent control on short approaches and chips. The thicker cavity pad allows for a better feel and dampens vibrations.
The perimeter weighting allows for more forgiveness and ball speed on off-center strikes. The Mizuno JPX 921 Tour offer a good middle ground between distance and short game performance that mid to low handicappers will really appreciate.
Pros:
- Great for many players
- Good distance
- Excellent spin control
Cons:
- Pricey
- Limited shaft options
Overall Rating: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#9 – Best Mizuno Irons of All Time – Mizuno MP 20 MB Irons
Selling Points:
- Single-piece forging
- Cambered sole
- Tapered blade
We have mostly modern Mizuno irons on our list but if we had to choose the best Mizuno irons we have ever played, we would choose the Mizuno MP 20 MB Irons. They are forged from a single piece of mild carbon steel which gives them incredible stability and a buttery feel.
These are muscle back blade irons that feature a copper under-layer for a more satisfying feel. The cambered sole allows for great turf interaction and the compact design makes them very workable for better players.
Pros:
- Great consistency
- Excellent shot dispersion
- Striking looks
Cons:
- Distance is a bit lacking
- They may be difficult to find
Overall Rating: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#10 – Best Driving Iron – Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi
Selling Points:
- Maraging steel face
- Tungsten weighting
- Internal sound ribs
If you are looking for maximum distance from a Mizuno iron, the Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi would be a great fit. They feature a slightly elongated blade and a little more offset than is typical in Mizuno clubs. The idea with the Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi was to allow players to take full swings with confidence.
The maraging steel face is incredibly thin and it’s flex allows for incredible ball speeds. Couple that with the 21 grams of tungsten in the longer irons, positioned to lower CG and you have an explosive long iron that is viable off the tee.
Pros:
- Beautiful black finish
- Great sound
- Slightly more forgiving than most Mizuno irons
Cons:
- Not very workable
- Not grain flow forged
Overall Rating: 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Final Thoughts
It’s really hard to go wrong with any Mizuno golf club as the company places a high emphasis on meticulous engineering and detailed construction.
If we had to choose just one iron to recommend though, it would be the JPX921 Hot Metal iron.
It will do the most for a wide variety of players seeking excellent feel, distance and short game control. Be sure to check out these Mizuno irons soon!
Aidan is a low-handicap golfer who came from over 110 to breaking 80 in less than 1 year.
Aidan has become obsessed with becoming a scratch golfer and plays golf on every possible occasion, even in the snow!
