Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons vs JPX 923 Forged Irons

Thanks for checking out Golfer Geeks’ comparison of Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons vs JPX 923 Forged Irons.

I’m an avid golfer, 8ish handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6), and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.  

I tested the JPX 923 Hot Metal Pros and JPX 923 Forged irons a few weeks apart. They both got work on the range and on the course. I probably spent around 6-7 hours with each set.

Summary: The Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro & JPX 923 forged irons are exceptional in every respect – consistency, launch, trajectory, distance, forgiveness, playability, feel, looks…everything. Your choice comes down to compact (Forged) vs game improvement (Hot Metal Pro) clubheads and ~$30/club difference in price.

In this comparison of the Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro and JPX 923 Forged irons, I discuss my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, and my pick for which iron set I’d buy.

Mizuno JPX 923 Forged Irons

Mizuno JPX 923 Forged Iron Specs

Club	Loft	Lie Angle	Offset	Length
4	21*	60*	0.155″	38.5″
5	24*	60.5*	0.147″	38″
6	27*	61*	0.139″	37.5″
7	30*	61.5*	0.131″	37″
8	34*	62*	0.122″	36.5″
9	39*	63*	0.114″	36″
PW	44*	63*	0.094″	35.5″

The JPX 923 Forged irons are a nice upgrade over the 921s I tested last year. I prefer the improved cosmetics and sleeker, more compact clubheads. They managed to squeeze even more performance out of them too.

As always, TEST before you buy when possible. 

Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons

Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Iron Specs

Club	Loft	Lie Angle	Offset	Length
4	19*	60*	0.233″	38.5″
5	22*	60.5*	0.22″	38″
6	25*	61*	0.208″	37.5″
7	28.5*	61.5*	0.196″	37″
8	33*	62*	0.18″	36.5″
9	37.5*	63*	0.159″	36″
PW	42.5*	63*	0.135″	35.5″

The new JPX 923 Hot Metal Pros have improved cosmetics and added forgiveness & distance in a more compact clubhead compared to the already awesome JPX 921s Hot Metal Pros I tested last Summer.

Testing the JPX 923 Forged & Hot Metal Pro Irons

I played one round and got one range session with the JPX 923 Hot Metal Pros.
I played one round and got a couple of range sessions with the JPX 923 Forged irons.

I wasn’t opposed to spending more time with either set. It wasn’t needed. They showed off for me pretty quickly.

Both sets do everything I want an iron to do and have that exceptionally soft and solid Mizuno feel.

Are there big differences between JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro and JPX 923 Forged irons?

Cosmetics – First, they’re virtually identical in appearance, but there are differences. The JPX 923 Forged irons have a thinner topline, thinner sole, smaller clubhead, and less offset.
Performance/feel – not really.

Looks

Mizuno knocked it out of the park for both sets. I liked the 921s. The 923 Hot Metal Pros and Forged irons look better.
The Mizuno emblem/logo is colored white for the Forged (and Tour) irons. (Plus, the cosmetic stuff I mentioned above)

Winner – 923 Forged irons – because I like compact clubheads

Sound/Feel

Equally awesome

Winner – Draw

Playability/Ball Flight/Accuracy

Same for me.  

Winner – Draw

Forgiveness

Exceptional in both.

Winner – Draw

Distance

The Hot Metal Pros are probably a little longer with strict testing, there’s only a degree or two difference in loft between the clubs. I played them the same on the course.

Winner – Draw…for all practical purposes.

Value

JPX 923 Forged irons go for ~$187/club & JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro irons go for about $137/club.

Winner – Hot Metal Pros

Verdict on the Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro vs JPX 923 Forged Irons

So, which irons should you buy – JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro or Forged?

Want larger clubheads, more offset (game improvement irons), and/or better value? Hot Metals Pros for you.

Prefer more compact clubheads, thinner toplines, thinner soles, and less offset (player irons)? Forged irons for you.

Which set would I get? It’s the JPX 923 Forged irons for me.
I’m a sucker for compact (not too compact) clubheads and the 923 Forged irons do it for me.  

That being said, $50/club more is no joke.

My #1 suggestion is to test both sets before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it. 

Thanks for checking out my comparison of the Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro irons vs Mizuno JPX 923 Forged irons.