Our Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal vs. Titleist 718 AP1 irons test took place at Rudding Park in North Yorkshire.
We gathered data using a SkyTrak launch monitor and tested both irons out on the course.
Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal vs. Titleist 718 AP1: The methodology
Why put these two irons head to head?
Well, they are both very similar in terms of their size, their profile and their performance benefits.
They are both aimed at a similar type of golfer – one who prioritises distance and forgiveness.
But I think both these irons still look desirable with plenty of shelf appeal.
So anyone who wants a bit of added distance and forgiveness but still wants a ‘proper-looking’ golf club should be checking these out.
The JPX919 Hot Metal is brand new and the 718 AP1 is a year old now but still has a year left of its life cycle.
I wanted to compare the new Hot Metal with the most similar looking iron I could find.
After raiding my equipment cupboard, I thought the 718 AP1 was pretty much identical from the address position.
Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal vs. Titleist 718 AP1: The technology
Both these irons are designed to launch the ball high and far.
They both have strong lofts – 30˚ in the 7-iron – but have a low CG design which helps launch the ball nice and high.
Both have perimeter weighting for stability and forgiveness.
The 718 AP1 is a progressive set of irons with an undercut cavity in the 6-W then a hollow body construction in the 4-5.
The 919 Hot Metal has a cavity-back design but the face cup is created as a single piece and wraps around the front of the chassis using a seamless construction.
That’s the lowdown on the Mizuno JPX919 and Titleist 718 AP1 – but which came out on top? See the results and our verdict on the next page…
Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal vs. Titleist 718 AP1: The results
Both of these irons offer explosive distance.
But they still offer a pleasing sound and feel. They both look and feel like proper golf clubs and don’t scream ‘game-improvement’ in the way some other models in this category may.
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Looking at the launch monitor numbers I did find a little bit more ball speed with the Hot Metal but I was swinging it a little bit faster for some reason.
Both irons have fairly low spin but both are launching very high so are landing pretty steeply.
Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal vs. Titleist 718 AP1: NCG verdict
There’s not really enough information here for me to say that one iron is better than the other.
OK, the Hot Metal had a bit of extra ball speed but that was a result of a faster average swing speed.
So I think it boils down to whether you are more of a Mizuno or a Titleist fan.
The Titleist has more classic looks while the Mizuno feels a bit more modern and edgy.
Either way, I don’t think there are any irons in this category which will outperform these.
I’d throw the Ping G700, G400, Callaway Rogue and TaylorMade M3/M4 in this conversation.
But in my humble opinion, the JPX919 and Titleist 718 AP1 standout for their looks, shelf appeal and being inoffensive in the address position.
But when splashing out £700-£800 on a set of irons I’d be testing absolutely everything to get the right model.
Mizuno JPX919 Hot metal details
SRP: £120 per iron
More information can be found on the Mizuno website.
Titleist 718 AP1 irons details
SRP: £115/£140 per club (steel/graphite)
More information can be found on the Titleist website.
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