This is our review of the best Mizuno Irons for beginners, mid handicappers, and players in 2024.
I’m an avid golfer, 8ish handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and, frequent tester & reviewer of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.
I’ve played and practiced with every iron you’ll read about on this page, and more.
Golfers know Mizuno makes outstanding irons. I knew this, but I didn’t “know” this until I put my hands on them. Let’s just say this – they are better than I thought they would be in every way.
In this best Mizuno irons review, we discuss, the benefits and features of each and our recommendations.
Our Top 3 Recommendations
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Best Pure Player
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Best Players Distance
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Best Game Improvement
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Primary Rating:
4.9
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Primary Rating:
4.9
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Primary Rating:
5.0
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~$187/club
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~$150/club
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~$137/ club
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- Exceptional Feel
- Accurate & Consistent
- Great Launch & Trajectory
- Player Looks & Profile
- Bring your distance
- Best Feel In Golf
- Easy to hit - Easy to launch
- Ample Forgiveness
- Long & Accurate
- Bargain Price
- Good, not Great cosmetics
- Exceptionally Soft & Solid Feel
- Loads of Distance & Forgiveness
- Absolute Eye Candy
- Great Price
- Nada
Top Mizuno Irons for 2024
- JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro (Editor’s Pick – Players Distance)
- JPX 925 Hot Metal (Best Game Improvement Mizunos)
- JPX 923 Forged Irons (Editor’s Pick – Low to Mid Handicap)
- JPX 923 Tour Irons (Editor’s Pick – Pure “Player” Irons)
- Pro 243 Irons (Best For Scratch – 5ish Handicaps)
- Pro 245 Irons (Best For 10ish – 15ish Handicaps)
- JPX 923 Hot Metal Irons (Editor’s Pick – Mid Handicap)
- JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons (Runner Up – Mid Handicap)
Club Reviews
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro Irons
- Best Feel In Golf
- Easy to hit - Easy to launch
- Ample Forgiveness
- Long & Accurate
- Bargain Price
- Good, not Great cosmetics
Our new favorite player’s distance iron from Mizuno.
What we like:
- Exceptional feel – Best in golf.
- Compact head.
- Easy to hit and launch.
- Accurate and consistent.
- Good distance and can add or subtract yardage as needed.
- Best price in premium player distance iron category.
What we don’t like:
- Good, not great, cosmetics.
JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro Iron Specs
- Set: 4 iron – PW
- Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 Mid 115g
- Shaft flex: Stiff
Club | Loft | Lie Angle | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | 19* | 60.5* | 38.75″ |
5 | 22* | 61* | 38.25″ |
6 | 25* | 61.5* | 37.75″ |
7 | 28* | 62* | 37.25″ |
8 | 32.5* | 62.5* | 36.75″ |
9 | 37* | 63* | 36.25″ |
PW | 42* | 63.5* | 35.75″ |
Launch Monitor Data (Average #s)
Notes about the data:
I’m working on changing my swing and my ball striking isn’t consistent. So, these numbers don’t reflect actual yardage gaps you can expect from this set. But the numbers you see are the averages I got.
On the course, where it’s most important, I got distances appropriate to their lofts.
Also, I don’t hit long irons well in general, but I hit them much better off turf than off my mat.
Club | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance (yds) | Peak Height (ft) | Spin Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PW | 78 | 101 | 135 | 75 | 6843 |
9 | 79 | 110 | 155 | 79 | 5876 |
8 | 83 | 116 | 171 | 75 | 4821 |
7 | 85 | 119 | 178 | 76 | 4505 |
6 | 85 | 121 | 183 | 57 | 3690 |
5 | 85 | 127 | 190 | 50 | 3258 |
4 | 82 | 121 | 172 | 32 | 2461 |
JPX 925 Hot Metal Pros do everything well, but in a more compact clubhead. I think these may take the place of the “Forged” irons from years past.
They are a touch more demanding than the Hot Metal Pros I’ve tested in the past, but they allow for minor mishits. Just not to the degree I was used to.
The heads, though more compact, frame the ball beautifully at address and offer zero intimidation.
You can read more about my experience with the 925s here.
Recommendation: 10ish handicaps and lower should give these a try if you’re in the market for premium players distance irons and you don’t mind saving money.
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Irons
- Superb forgiveness & distance
- Best sound & feel in golf
- High launch
- Best clubs for the price
- Nada
The new JPX 925 Hot Metals are our #1 recommendation for Mizuno game improvement irons.
What we like:
- Still the best sound and feel in golf.
- Loads of forgiveness and help with distance.
- Helps you get the ball up quickly, even with marginal contact.
- Really hittable long irons.
What we don’t like:
- Nada.
JPX 925 Hot Metal Iron Specs
- Set: 4 iron – GW
- Shaft: Nippon NS Pro 950 NEO
- Shaft flex: Stiff
Club | Loft | Lie Angle | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | 19* | 60.5* | 38.75″ |
5 | 22* | 61* | 38.25″ |
6 | 25* | 61.5* | 37.75″ |
7 | 28* | 62* | 37.25″ |
8 | 32.5* | 62.5* | 36.75″ |
9 | 37* | 63* | 36.25″ |
PW | 42* | 63.5* | 35.75″ |
GW | 48* | 64* | 35.25 |
Launch Monitor Data (Average #s)
Notes about the data:
Yardage gaps between long irons are likely off due to inconsistent ball striking. But, those are the averages I got.
Club | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance (yds) | Peak Height (ft) | Spin Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GW | 77 | 93 | 119 | 83 | 8355 |
PW | 78 | 102 | 138 | 93 | 6586 |
9 | 80 | 109 | 154 | 87 | 5755 |
8 | 83 | 113 | 173 | 94 | 4278 |
7 | 83 | 120 | 188 | 71 | 3458 |
6 | 84 | 123 | 194 | 75 | 3729 |
5 | 85 | 127 | 198 | 60 | 2905 |
4 | 89 | 131 | 204 | 64 | 3057 |
I started testing Mizunos with the 921s and they’ve been at the top of all my lists since then.
Dollar for dollar you can’t beat their performance, and no other manufacturer matches their sound and feel.
They tick every game improvement box and do it at a reasonable price.
You can read the full review here.
Conclusion: Another winner from Mizuno for the mid and high handicapper.
Recommendation – Performs with the best of them and at a better price
Mizuno JPX 923 Forged Irons
- Best Feel in Golf
- Superb Distance & Forgiveness
- Play all the shots
- Gorgeous
- Reasonable Price
- Still looking
Golfer Geeks’ #1 Recommended Mizuno Iron.
What we like:
- Exceptional feel – Best in golf.
- Sleeker & handsome clubhead.
- Looong & Fargiving (stole that from
Taylormade ) – I expect more distance with jacked lofts. The JPX 923 Forged irons are longer than I already expected.
What we don’t like:
- I’d prefer standard lofts.
Mizuno JPX Hot Metals, Hot Metal Pros, and Forged irons are the best-feeling irons and golf with everything else a distant second.
In fact, their performance on the course alone puts them at the top of any list of low-handicap irons you must try. Pair that with best-in-class feel and its a done deal.
Mizuno JPX 923 Forged irons are my favorite low handicap irons on the market.
Recommendation: They are worth your attention. You’ve got to hit them to understand how good they feel and perform.
Mizuno JPX 923 Tour Irons (Best Pure Player Option)
- Exceptional Feel
- Accurate & Consistent
- Great Launch & Trajectory
- Player Looks & Profile
- Bring your distance
The JPX 923 Tour irons are our favorite pure “player” iron from Mizuno and a solid step up from the JPX 921 Tour irons for me.
What we like:
- Improved feel over the 921’s.
- I found the long irons easier to hit – and hit well (than the 921’s)
- Better looks and profile.
- Just forgiving enough on slight mishits.
What we don’t like:
- Nada – they hit their mark.
My strength is iron play, but not long iron play. I was able to hit solid long irons with good trajectory at my target time and again during my round with the 923 Tours.
I’ve improved my ball striking since testing the 921 Tours, but Mizuno has incorporated more performance in the 923s.
Recommendation: I think you should consider upgrading or at least testing the JPX 923 Tour irons if you own the 921 Tours. You may find the difference in performance worth the switch.
Mizuno Pro 243 Irons
- Superb Feel & Sound
- Long with solid contact
- Beautiful ball flight
- Accurate & Consistent
- Good looks...not the best
The Pro 243s are new to our list.
What we like:
- Exceptional sound & feel.
- Great distance on center contact.
- Some forgiveness on minor mishits.
- Launch the ball easily.
- Accurate & consistent.
What we don’t like:
- Not the best cosmetics…but not bad.
Set Tested
- Model: Pro 243
- Set: 4 iron – gap wedge
- Shaft: Nippon N.S. PRO Modus3 Tour 120g
- Shaft flex: Stiff flex
Club | Loft | Lie Angle | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | 22* | 60* | 38.75″ |
5 | 25* | 60.5* | 38.25″ |
6 | 28* | 61* | 37.75″ |
7 | 32* | 61.5* | 37.25″ |
8 | 36* | 62* | 36.75″ |
9 | 40* | 62.5* | 36.25″ |
PW | 44* | 63* | 35.75″ |
GW | 48* | 63* | 35.5″ |
7-iron Launch Monitor Data
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height | Descent Angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
79.6 | 109.7 | 167.46 | 15.97 * | 68.6 ft | 36.7* |
My swing is uber-rusty, but I’m working on getting it in shape. And, I’m using the Pro 243s to do it.
So, I’m mostly mishitting them…for now. They are not meant for this. These are precision instruments.
They absolutely sing when I make center contact. Quick launch, high trajectory, and long.
They only cover for the most minor mishits. My standard mishit – thin and toward the toe left me a club short consistently.
Bottom line: Stellar performance and exceptional feel. You need center contact to appreciate their distance. Minor mishits lose significant yardage.
Recommendation: I love the Pro 243s for low handicaps with strong ball striking.
Mizuno Pro 245 Irons
- Superb Feel
- Loads of Forgiveness & Distance
- Sticker Shock
- Some may have issues with low launching mid and long irons
The Pro 245s are blade-looking game improvement irons. The mid and long irons lofts are one club stronger than standard.
What we like:
- Exceptional Mizuno sound & feel we’ve come to expect and love.
- Explosive distance on center contact.
- Some forgiveness on minor mishits.
- Short irons launch the ball well. Mid and long irons require good contact.
- Accurate & consistent.
What we don’t like:
- Not the biggest fan of the cosmetics.
- Low launching mid and long irons.
Pro 245 Club Specs
- Model: Pro 245
- Set: 5 iron – gap wedge
- Iron Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 100g
- Shaft flex: Stiff flex
Club | Loft | Lie Angle | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
5 | 24* | 60.5* | 38.25″ |
6 | 27* | 61* | 37.75″ |
7 | 30* | 61.5* | 37.25″ |
8 | 34* | 62* | 36.75″ |
9 | 38* | 62.5* | 36.25″ |
PW | 43* | 63* | 35.75″ |
GW | 48* | 63* | 35.5″ |
Launch Monitor Data
NOTE: I hit the 5-iron terrible off my mat. (It’s mostly a 4-iron). I had much better luck during my round off of nice fairways with the ball sitting up. I striped more than a few.
Club | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance (yds) | Peak Height (ft) | Spin Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GW | 75 | 93 | 123.8 | 70.7 | 7211 |
PW | 79 | 104 | 146.5 | 77.7 | 5736 |
9 | 78 | 110 | 162 | 74.6 | 4670 |
8 | 81 | 113 | 171 | 72.8 | 4042 |
7 | 84 | 118 | 181.5 | 68.6 | 3726 |
6 | 85 | 123 | 190.38 | 59 | 3342 |
5 | 85 | 119 | 181.5 | 53 | 3314 |
I enjoyed hitting the Pro 245s, especially the short and mid irons. I think the long irons – 6, 5, 4- will be a challenge for mid handicappers (their target audience) to elevate and get their true distance.
They are explosive off center contact and preserve good distance when you miss by a little.
Feel is off the charts good as expected. And, all of this comes at a premium price. Especially for game improvement irons.
Bottom line: Superb feel and distance. Beware if you are a natural low-ball hitter.
Recommendation: Outstanding irons if you have the game. Worth testing, for sure.
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons
- Unbelievably Soft & Solid Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- Premium Looks
- Outstanding Value
- Nada
All JPX Hot Metal irons are the best-feeling irons I’ve ever hit.
JPX 923 Hot Metal Pros perform exactly like the 923 Hot Metal irons, which perform – Exceptionally well.
Your choice comes down to which clubhead size you prefer.
Customer Reviews: Everyone that plays them likes them. Or, the ones that don’t are tight-lipped about it.
Verdict: Superb mid-handicap and even low handicap irons. All depends on what you like looking down at.
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Irons (Best Mid handicap Option)
- Exceptionally Soft & Solid Feel
- Loads of Distance & Forgiveness
- Absolute Eye Candy
- Great Price
- Nada
JPX 923 Hot Metal irons best Mizuno irons for mid handicappers.
What we like:
- Buttery, marshmellowy, unbelievably soft (yet solid) feel.
- Incredibly forgiving and easy to hit. Great contact is not needed for good results.
- Exceptional distance.
- You can play any shot you want if you’ve got the game.
What we don’t like:
- Nada
For this year’s JPX 923s, Mizuno combined Chromoly and Nickel to form Nickel Chromoly which allowed them to make the clubface 8% thinner, yet 35% stronger than last year’s JPX 921s.
So, the sweet spot is bigger for more forgiveness and distance over a larger portion of the face.
At least, I thought I did. The Chromoly metal Mizuno uses to make the Hot Metals (and Forged & Hot Metal Pro irons) is on a completely different level.
ALLL the good things I had to say about the 921s apply to the 923s.
Conclusion: Continued exceptional feel, performance, forgiveness, and distance out of the JPX line.
Recommendation: Just try them. You’ll thank me.
Mizuno MP-20 HMB Irons
New & Used clubs available
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- Soft & Solid Feel
- Good distance & forgiveness
- Excellent playability & consistency
- Handsome clubs
- None - delivers
Forgiving with ample distance on mishits. Great Mizuno sound and feel at impact.
The MP-20 HMBs are Mizuno’s most playable blades. I played a couple rounds with them and had them on the range. They’re bulkier than most blades, but Mizuno makes it work rather well.
They elevate the ball easily and don’t require great contact for good results. These are blades for good ball-striking mid handicaps (say around an 11 on down).
Customer Reviews: Nothing but positive reviews buy buyers. Rave about performance and soft feel. I can attest.
Verdict: Single-digit handicappers should have little trouble with these and mid handicaps should give them a look too.
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Mizuno MP-20 Irons
Used Clubs Available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
- Gorgeous
- Excellent feel, feedback, & sound
- Not overly punishing on mishits
- Getting hard to find
The MP-20 MBs are my favorite blades from Mizuno. They feel exactly how I expect premium Mizuno blades to feel. Soft and solid with excellent feedback at impact.
They’re more forgiving than they look, too. I never strained for good distance or my preferred ball flight either. I enjoyed my rounds with the MP-20s.
Customer Reviews: I haven’t found a negative review of these irons on the interwebs.
Verdict: Lower single-digit handicaps should give them a look.
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Our Verdict
My personal favorites are the JPX 923 Forged irons because of the combo of head size and forgiveness.
My #1 suggestion is to test 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 our review of the best Mizuno irons for mid handicappers, low handicappers, and beginners in 2024.
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Best Pure Player
|
Best Players Distance
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Best Game Improvement
|
|
Primary Rating:
4.9
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Primary Rating:
4.9
|
Primary Rating:
5.0
|
|
~$187/club
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~$150/club
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~$137/ club
|
|
Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- Exceptional Feel
- Accurate & Consistent
- Great Launch & Trajectory
- Player Looks & Profile
- Bring your distance
- Best Feel In Golf
- Easy to hit - Easy to launch
- Ample Forgiveness
- Long & Accurate
- Bargain Price
- Good, not Great cosmetics
- Exceptionally Soft & Solid Feel
- Loads of Distance & Forgiveness
- Absolute Eye Candy
- Great Price
- Nada
