Mizuno’s biggest change to their new irons is something you can’t even see. Hannah Holden explains all
Mizuno have announced three new iron models, all part of their new MP-20 iron range. So I took them down to Scarcroft Golf Club to test them out. Are they as good as they look? Watch my Mizuno MP-20 irons review to find out…
If you’d prefer to read what I have to say about them and for all the details including pricing and release date, head to the next page.
Mizuno MP-20 irons review: First impressions
There is only one way to describe the new Mizuno MP-20: stunning.
Every model in this range has been sculpted to perfection, I couldn’t wait to give these a hit.
Mizuno MP-20 irons review: The technology
The new family of irons comprises of the MP-20 MB, MP-20 MMC and MP-20 HMB models, all are designed to either stand alone or be part of a custom combo set.
MP-20 MB
This pure muscleback’s tour profile has been honed by studying elements of Mizuno’s most played tour iron models. The biggest change is the re-introduction of copper underlay between the Grain Flow Forged heads and chrome plating.
A discreetly tapered topline and cambered sole allow a fuller spread of weight to enhance vertical stability and forgiveness on strikes from high or low in the face, while retaining a traditional muscleback appearance.
The topline has been refined and is Mizuno’s thinnest among recent generations of MP irons. A blend of satin and mirror chrome finishing has been engineered to eliminate areas of high glare in the playing position.
Availability: RH 3-PW, LH 5-PW (split set with 3-4 HMB)
MP-20 HMB
The MP-20 HMB offers a full set of performance hybrid irons in a tour profile. It offers the proportions, topline and offset transition of a classic Mizuno players’ muscleback with a generous sole width that’s hidden at address. It is designed to help consistent players pursuing added ball speed without sacrificing their shot-making options.
They are built on the ball speed of Mizuno’s Chromoly material in the face and neck, supported by a precision stainless steel body and tungsten weighting.
The heads feature a brush satin durable plated finish and a complex, loft-specific construction. From 2 to 8-iron, Mizuno’s multi-thickness Grain Flow Forged Chromoly face and neck is dialled in to be consistently hot across the club-face.
From 2 down to 7-iron, twin 12g tungsten weights deliver stability and provide easy launch. The use of a softer 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel from 9-iron to PW makes the short irons soft and responsive.
Availability:RH 2-PW, LH 3-4 iron (split set with 5-PW MP-20 MB)
MP-20 MMC
This is the second generation of Mizuno’s multi-material concept and is engineered to be more playable than the MP-20 MB. This is due to its titanium muscle plate and tungsten sole weight.
It is designed to provide stability in a tour-preferred profile. A titanium muscle spreads weight for forgiveness on off-centre strikes while maintaining centre-portion thickness for the feel and feedback associated with a muscleback iron.
The multi-material construction comprises a Grain Flow Forged 1025E mild carbon steel chassis and Ti muscle pad throughout the set. A 12g tungsten toe weight from the 4 to 7-irons provides easy launch in a compact playing profile.
A second Ti muscle pad improves set flow by allowing for a narrower sole from 8-iron to pitching wedge. The topline is dramatically thinner than on the MP-18 MMC while remaining only 1mm thicker at address than on the MP-20 MB.
The chrome finish is a mix of satin and mirror.
Availability:RH 4-PW
So how did I get on? Head over to the next page to find out…
Mizuno MP-20 irons review: NCG verdict
MP-20 MB
There is no offset on these clubs and the topline is so narrow it looks like you could cut butter with these clubs. These look great at address but I did find with the longer irons the smaller look was slightly intimidating.
The feel off these clubs is exceptional. My back to front dispersion with these irons was great and I only saw a 5 yard difference from shot to shot. This is definitely important in the shorter scoring clubs where you know you can go at tight pins because your distance control is so tight.
Personally I felt I would benefit from having a club with slightly more ball speed and forgiveness in the longer irons. Some of my mis-strikes I felt I lost too much distance with this compared to other models in the MP-20 range. If I was to put these in play I would probably carry these from PW to 8-iron and then swap into the HMB from 7 up to 5-iron. The great thing about this range of irons is the shaping has been matched and proportioned throughout each model. This mean you can make up a combo set without seeing too much of a drastic difference between each model.
MP-20 HMB
Even through these are a players distance iron they definitely still have a blade like feel in there shape and styling. Over the ball you can see the slightly thicker topline and increased offset. Visually I would say this is the bulkiest model in the range but still a small compact iron compared to other distance irons on the market.
The irons produced a solid strike but with a soft feel, it was easy to feel the increased ball speed that was created compared to the MB. In fact with some shots I was gaining 20 yards with this club over the MB. I was also achieving a slightly higher ball flight that what I saw in the MB’s.
Despite the increased ball speed and slightly larger profile I still felt I had really good control and shot making ability. Mizuno have done a great job of creating a club that provides more distance but doesn’t compromise on feel.
I think we will see this used as a long iron replacement a lot out on tour.
MP-20 MMC
Instantly I could feel there was more ball speed and forgiveness in these clubs but didn’t really feel like I lost much feel. I would say it fell in the middle of the MB and HMB in terms of distance. Initially I was flying this further than the HMB but that was due to strike differences between the two, once I hit more shots it was evident the HMB’s travelled the furthest.
This was probably the club I had the most consistent strikes with throughout testing. I think this was down to the looks of the club just suiting my eye, the slightly thicker topline gave me more confidence over the ball. I also really liked the feel off the KBS Tour shaft in this iron.
The titanium muscle pad definitely gave me more forgiveness on my off centre strikes and overall I found I had a really tight dispersion with these irons.
Out of the MP-20 range this is definitely the club that performed the best for me across the board.
The details
Available: Pre-sale September 5, 2019
RRP: £150 per iron (MP-20 MB); £165 per iron (MP-20 MMC); £180 per iron (MP-20 HMB); £1,240 3-PW set (MP-20 SEL)
