Mizuno MP-4 vs MP-18MB feel?

rt_charger · August 5, 2019

> @shanx said:

> Mizuno USA's instagram dude said there is a measurable frequency response difference that correlated with softer feel that was confirmed in player testing with the MP20s. Not sure if I buy that either..

You can't really argue with that type of fact. Sound is sound, and if there's a perceivable difference, someone will say oh that's harder or softer than x or y iron.

CRB357 · August 6, 2019

I love Golfwrx. You post about two Mizuno irons and somehow someone finds a way to trash both clubs and then post a photo of their bag with another OEM’s clubs. Not too mention trashing the new offering without as much as holding the club in their hand, much less actually hitting balls with it. All the while, the same scores will be attained using any of the 4 clubs mentioned. Delusion in it’s purest state.

revanant · August 6, 2019

> @Chuck905 said:

>

> Guys, I’ve been an MP my whole life, but Callaway 18MB got it right on looks, feel and performance. We’re talking minute fractions, but the Cally edge out Mizuno today when I did the side by side testing against the Blueprint as well. 3 different shafts, DG120, LZ and Px.

>

> I dislike the MP20s, won’t miss my MP18 nor MP4. Won’t event bother with the blue prints now.

> Just got to order the 3 iron and GW to round out the set.

>

> @CRB357 said:

> I love Golfwrx. You post about two Mizuno irons and somehow someone finds a way to trash both clubs and then post a photo of their bag with another OEM’s clubs. Not too mention trashing the new offering without as much as holding the club in their hand, much less actually hitting balls with it. All the while, the same scores will be attained using any of the 4 clubs mentioned. Delusion in it’s purest state.

This is really funny.

Oddly enough, though, the MP-4 and Apex MB are at the very top of my list of favorite irons produced within the past 10 years. I totally get why the Apex MB creeps into this conversation--in my hands, it was the softest iron I ever hit, and just slightly softer than my MP-4 on a pure strike (blasphemy, I know). It also has a smaller head size--neck and neck with the Blueprint. Plus, it's still in production, so it's an MP-18 competitor.

I found ball flight basically indistinguishable between the MP-4 and Apex MB when I hit them head-to-head. I think the major difference is that MP-4 has a noticeably thinner topline, while the Apex MB has a noticeably shorter blade length. The topline of the Apex more in line with the MP-14 / old Hogan 1988 Redline / current MP-18. And, as noted, I thought the Apex got the slight edge on feel-like 98% vs. 100%.

I'm a sweeper, so turf interaction is a bit of a wash--I'm not hurt by the MP-4's low bounce sole, and I find it plays very well on course.

But totally agree that all judgement has to be reserved until the MP-20 actually launches. I've got high hopes. With any luck, it will be the perfect marriage of the MP-14 and MP-4 that I never knew I needed. : )

Then, by the time I wear down the grooves of my MP-4s in a few years, I'll be able to snatch up a lightly used set or two for cheap--while lusting after the MP-14000 vs the Apex MB 3.5 vs Titleist T-1000...

Kale_m · August 6, 2019

Played them all. 730’s , mp4 , 18, 5 , scratch sb1 , titleist 712,714, and the apex raw mb are the softest and most forgiving I have ever hit

Trap Junior · March 9, 2021

How does the MP4 compare with the MP20? Which is better?

2over · March 9, 2021

I've hit the MP-14, MP-29, MP-33, MP-37, MP-68, MP-4, MP-5, MP-18, MP-20.

I played the MP-14 for 5 years, MP-33 for 18 years, and MP-18 for the last 3 years--so I'm biased to those 3 models. MP-68, 4, and 5 did not do anything better for me than 33s. The MP-18 got in the bag because of the smaller head size. I actually like the slightly beefier top line and sole of the MP-18 over the 4 and the 20.

Honestly though I could play MP-33, MP4, MP-18, or MP-20 quite happily. I just like a smaller head size. I'd say the MP-20 is ever so slightly softer than the other 3 and I can't tell a difference between 33, 18, or 4 feel-wise or performance wise for any of them. I still get out my MP-14s occasionally and they still feel and perform wonderfully well.

I have also hit the Ping Blueprint and the 2018 Callaway MB. I love the small head size--to my eye the Callaway and the MP-18 look the same size but I like the shape of the Mizuno ever so slightly better but they both feel wonderfully soft. I actually like the look at address of the Blueprint the best and hit them just as well as any of the others. They don't feel quite as buttery soft as Cally MB or any MP Mizuno to me, but they still feel very soft and perform extremely well.

If the Blueprints weren't so expensive they'd tempt me. But I don't like the way they look in the bag as well as the Mizuno and they really don't do anything better performance wise, so that keeps me loyal to Mizuno.

Oh, and interestingly enough Ryan Moore a free agent just put a set of MP-18s into his bag when obviously he could have had any of the others...

Edited March 9, 2021 by 2over

Trap Junior · March 9, 2021

8 hours ago, 2over said:

I've hit the MP-14, MP-29, MP-33, MP-37, MP-68, MP-4, MP-5, MP-18, MP-20.

I played the MP-14 for 5 years, MP-33 for 18 years, and MP-18 for the last 3 years--so I'm biased to those 3 models. MP-68, 4, and 5 did not do anything better for me than 33s. The MP-18 got in the bag because of the smaller head size. I actually like the slightly beefier top line and sole of the MP-18 over the 4 and the 20.

Honestly though I could play MP-33, MP4, MP-18, or MP-20 quite happily. I just like a smaller head size. I'd say the MP-20 is ever so slightly softer than the other 3 and I can't tell a difference between 33, 18, or 4 feel-wise or performance wise for any of them. I still get out my MP-14s occasionally and they still feel and perform wonderfully well.

I have also hit the Ping Blueprint and the 2018 Callaway MB. I love the small head size--to my eye the Callaway and the MP-18 look the same size but I like the shape of the Mizuno ever so slightly better but they both feel wonderfully soft. I actually like the look at address of the Blueprint the best and hit them just as well as any of the others. They don't feel quite as buttery soft as Cally MB or any MP Mizuno to me, but they still feel very soft and perform extremely well.

If the Blueprints weren't so expensive they'd tempt me. But I don't like the way they look in the bag as well as the Mizuno and they really don't do anything better performance wise, so that keeps me loyal to Mizuno.

Oh, and interestingly enough Ryan Moore a free agent just put a set of MP-18s into his bag when obviously he could have had any of the others...

I am a Mizuno junkie myself. Never played any other brand since I took up golf in mid 90s.

I played MP`14, TP19, T Zoid, MP33, MP67, MP57, MP22, MP18 SC. TP19 and MP33 were my favourites.

I've never seen a full set of MP4 or MP20. Which has a bigger head size? Is one more forgiving than the other? I prefer larder blade size which the TP19 and MP33 were. I saw the MP18 MB and thought the head was very small compared to the MP33/TP19.

golfjam · March 9, 2021

Played them all and currently play MP4's because I prefer the looks. Didn't like MP18 at all, just not as soft.

Trap Junior · March 9, 2021

6 minutes ago, golfjam said:

Played them all and currently play MP4's because I prefer the looks. Didn't like MP18 at all, just not as soft.

Do the MP4s have a bigger head? A few years ago I was keen on the MP18 from the pictures but when I saw it in person the heads were smaller than previous Mizuno blades I had used and also didnt like the satin finish.

golfjam · March 9, 2021

9 minutes ago, Trap Junior said:

Do the MP4s have a bigger head? A few years ago I was keen on the MP18 from the pictures but when I saw it in person the heads were smaller than previous Mizuno blades I had used and also didnt like the satin finish.

Not really as far as I remember, blade length should be about the same