Nothing feels like a Mizuno

[TimBuma]

I have a set of Honmas and looking forward to comparing the 921 tours at my fitting next week! 

[cw1209]

On 7/13/2021 at 8:25 PM, VictorValiant said:

I'm still convinced sound is feel.  Once, when I was awaiting my chainsaw to warm up, I was wearing ear protection and decided to hit some balls.  I went back and forth between my garage setup clubs, which are MP-32s, some T100s and Mavrik Pros.  While there was a slight difference in feel, I could not discern which club was closer to their feel without ear protection.  It was a really weird feeling.  I even took my ear protection when I got fit and the same was true when I put them on during a few strikes with different clubs.

 

Of course, we don't play wearing ear protection, but it did convince me that the sound upon strike was the differentiating factor with respect to "feel".  I wonder how many Mizuno fans are more sound sensitive.  Just a thought.  I ended up choosing ZX7/5 combo over the JPX 921 Tour/Forged combo.  Srixon knocked the combo sets out of the park and the feel was neck and neck.  Will not disagree that the sound/feel of Mizunos really is something.

 

Mizuno would agree with you. They have studied vibration patterns in metal to help form their "harmonic impact technology". Vibration creates both sound and feel and you can't get good feel without good acoustics. 

 

Check this video out @ 52 min 

 

 

[R_Swanson]

On 7/11/2021 at 6:30 AM, TigerInTheWoods said:

I've played a lot of different sticks. If you can compress a ball, anything that's a high end forging feels amazing. Mizuno can have a slightly different sound (which I think many love in fairness), as does Miura, as does Srixon. It's all person preference. If you're a talented ball striker and hit middle, everything feels good out the screws. At least now you can ravenously consume every video on Youtube with mizuno in the title, SMASH that like button and comment below nOtHinG feEls LiKE a MIzuNO.

Just here to bump this post again, in case anyone missed it. 

[R_Swanson]

Double post

Edited July 24, 2021 by R_Swanson

[joostin]

MP-54 guy here, love em, but I wouldn't pick Mizuno only, frequency analysis and all.  Of the forged clubs I've had at least one club, my least favorite was JPX 850 Forged.  Felt missing to me and didn't care to hit other Boron ones.  It's just my opinion, but I was just as happy with the feel of others, maybe even more - Hogan Apex Edge Pro, Apex Plus, Adams CB2, Nike VPC, MP-68 (of course).  Ball of course plays a big role too.

 

TBH, and not that I've hit so many irons, but I haven't hit anything that feels like a Wilson FG-53 1 iron - my most addictive range club!

[Holeoot]

I owned a combo set if MP18 SC (7-pw) and MMC 4-6). I have to be honest and say that they were nice but not any better than my previous Xforged, Apex Pro or Ap2s (and even Ping i200s). 
 

I recently switched to Mavrik Pro and have to say I am enjoying the feel as much as the MP18s. 
 

I know I’ll get some hate for that statement but it’s the truth. Current HC is 1.6 for reference and only moved to find a little extra forgiveness with not playing so much. 

My experience of Mizuno wouldn’t have me jumping to them at every chance. I think there are so many good feeling irons, that I wouldn’t be swayed by the “buttery feel” label that seems to proceed them but rather whatever gets the job done (and looks good - because that matters!)
 

Just my reflection from 2 years of ownership 👍

[Fairway14]

6 hours ago, joostin said:

 Of the forged clubs I've had at least one club, my least favorite was JPX 850 Forged.  Felt missing to me and didn't care to hit other Boron ones. 

I do believe Mizuno using Boron is contrary to the company's reputation and, or, slogan "nothing feels like a Mizuno".

[sadclevelandsports]

Nothing tastes like the Kool Aid

[hagimihale]

I gamed Mizuno for almost 20 years.  MX-23 > JPX 825 Pro > MP 54.  

 

The 23s are at my buddy's house up north, and the 825s at my parent's house, so I don't have to travel with my sticks.   The 54s are my current backups.  And I'll never get rid of the MP-32s in my garage. 🙂

 

I agree with the observations on sound, vibration and feel.  I think Mizuno was years ahead of anyone else on that logic.  

 

19 hours ago, joostin said:

my least favorite was JPX 850 Forged.  Felt missing to me

 

Did not like the 850 Forged at all, or any later models with Boron.  Same goes with (most of) the TI-version irons (i.e MP15).  The exception there was the MP59, which despite the TI insert felt like a solid blade with just a bit of help. 

 

That being said, I will admit that I've hit other proper forgings that felt great.  I think most of what comes out of Endo or Kyoei is worth checking out.  And my buddy's Miuras met the high expectations I had.

Edited July 25, 2021 by hagimihale

[jetmech879]

On 7/12/2021 at 3:42 PM, Phabs said:

These showed up week before last.  Two rounds in and I’m plenty pleased with them. 

Did you send your own ferrules to Mizuno to have installed? Those are sharp!

[tsecor]

when you have to continually shout it from mountaintop and see not a lot of tour pros use thier equipment, it makes you wonder.....

 

Top irons on tour

 

#titleist

 

[ian-500]

Just based on feel/sound for me would be this list:

1st would be OnOff Forged, either model from 2011 to 2015 (I haven't tried the later versions). Super soft for me. Loved them.

Joint 2nd between Yamaha Inpres X Forged from 2010 to 2013 and Tourstage from their US Blade to their x-blade 705 models. Mizuno MP4 yoro craft would be next and to round out my top five is Taylormade P730/770 combo.

[NRJyzr]

On 7/11/2021 at 11:52 PM, R_Swanson said:

LOL.  Love this post.  I never thought Mizuno's lived up to their hype, but maybe that's just because they have so much hype... And we're talking about all the way back to the MP-14's.

 

Dont get me wrong.  Mizuno makes great irons... Just not some "magical" feel. 

 

 

It goes farther back than the 14s.  When the MP-33s were current, the MS-11/MP-11 were still considered the best Mizuno iron by a great many.

 

The MP-9 (TP-11) were also well regarded, and the MS-4 were almost mythological.  Payne Stewart was said to have a set of the 4's in the bag at Pinehurst, as they finished the Lynx set he never got to play.

 

[uglande]

1 hour ago, tsecor said:

when you have to continually shout it from mountaintop and see not a lot of tour pros use thier equipment, it makes you wonder.....

 

Top irons on tour

 

#titleist

 

Mizuno has never shelled out the big $$ to get tour buy-in. Yet lots of the "free agents" have gone with Mizuno in recent years without being sponsored -- Jason Day, Tommy Fleetwood (partially), Paul Casey, Brooks Koepka. It's also why Mizuno is so much less expensive than Titleist, Ping and others, despite offering even better no-upcharge shaft options.

 

But prove it to yourself. Go demo some MP-20s against the MB 620s. That's what I did. And the Blueprints. And Apex. Etc. Decide for yourself. For me, Mizuno won the feel competition hands down. But it also happened to perform the best of any blade I tested (and some cavity backs like the 620 CB).

Edited August 10, 2021 by uglande

[tsecor]

1 hour ago, uglande said:

Mizuno has never shelled out the big $$ to get tour buy-in. Yet lots of the "free agents" have gone with Mizuno in recent years without being sponsored -- Jason Day, Tommy Fleetwood (partially), Paul Casey, Brooks Koepka. It's also why Mizuno is so much less expensive than Titleist, Ping and others, despite offering even better no-upcharge shaft options.

 

But prove it to yourself. Go demo some MP-20s against the MB 620s. That's what I did. And the Blueprints. And Apex. Etc. Decide for yourself. For me, Mizuno won the feel competition hands down. But it also happened to perform the best of any blade I tested (and some cavity backs like the 620 CB).

Mizuno absolutely goes after the tour guys for buy in....Vorshall talks about it all the time. They may not pay players to use thier clubs like TM does, but they absolutely go after tour feedback.....Fleetwood moved on, Koepka moved on (which is weird since he won all 4 majors with Mizzys)...

 

Ive hit mizunos plenty of times and to me, an amateur who plays to a 12, they feel the same as Titleist and Miura with the same well struck shots. They also feel just as bad when i thin one...... I almost bought the JPX tours but i wasnt in love with the head shape......

 

I just think thier slogan has brainwashed amateurs much like all the other advertising out there about distance and length for all the new drivers that come out.

[NRJyzr]

22 minutes ago, tsecor said:

I just think thier slogan has brainwashed amateurs much like all the other advertising out there about distance and length for all the new drivers that come out.

 

Or like Titleist with their entire operation

 

[tsecor]

4 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

Or like Titleist with their entire operation

 

hence the quote "much like all the other advertising out there"

 

Except Titleist balls...everyone knows they are the best

[NoTalentLefty]

The only problem with Mizuno ? Left handed clubs . They got a few but I would of  love to get the Hot Metal Pro but had to go with the Hot Metal. I’m a newbie to Mizuno and awaiting my order and be filled. Ordered the 7 thru GW with KBS tour Regular flex shafts with Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align grips. 

[Trouble_shooter]

I’ve never played a mizuno iron, but I have a t7 wedge from previous years past. And all I can say is wow, I understand what the owners mean about mizuno. I can hammer that 56 degree and it still feel like I’m hitting a marshmallow lol. Feels light years better than my vokey’s. Without question going to order the new line of mizuno wedges. If I didn’t fall in love with the i210’s, without question I’d be hitting a mizuno. Congrats on your new sticks, real sick looking. Enjoy them.

[Noodler]

5 hours ago, jetmech879 said:

Did you send your own ferrules to Mizuno to have installed? Those are sharp!

 

@Phabs purchased the custom ferrules and brought the build to me.  They were a little tight for the install, but I was able to make them work.  This is definitely a cool looking unusual color combo.  I don't think Mizuno will do custom ferrule options, but it's an interesting idea for them.

[Noodler]

On 7/24/2021 at 3:59 PM, Fairway14 said:

I do believe Mizuno using Boron is contrary to the company's reputation and, or, slogan "nothing feels like a Mizuno".

 

Just to set the record straight on the use of Boron...

 

The addition of the Boron absolutely does not change the feel of a club.  Many golfers give the material used in the club head far too much credit for the club head's feel.  It's the design of the club head that far, far outweighs the material that it is constructed from.

 

The reason why Boron got this bad reputation is twofold.  First, the MP-25 that came out with the Boron had the #6 iron in all the fitting carts.  The #6 iron was the first iron in an MP-25 set to use their new "micro-slot" technology (kind of a really slim undercut cavity that was hidden under the plastic badge).  It was this undercut that was responsible for the feel of that club.  If they had instead put the #7 iron in the fitting carts back then, the tune sung by many golfers who demo'd the club would have been incredibly different.  I play MP-25 irons as one of my primary sets in my rotation and they have a fantastic feel (very smooth and solid strike feel).  I filled in the micro-slots in the #5 and #6 irons using a tungsten polymer and they feel just about as nice as the #7-PW.

 

Similarly, it was the design of the JPX-850 that did not have that better Mizuno traditional feel, not the addition of the Boron that caused the concern.  Mizuno has also used Boron in other clubs (like the T7 wedges) and they feel just as you would expect.  It's not about the Boron...

[jetmech879]

43 minutes ago, Noodler said:

 

@Phabs purchased the custom ferrules and brought the build to me.  They were a little tight for the install, but I was able to make them work.  This is definitely a cool looking unusual color combo.  I don't think Mizuno will do custom ferrule options, but it's an interesting idea for them.

Ahh got ya. They do a blue icon ferrule that is awesome looking but wasn’t sure if it was a option to send ferrules to them for custom builds. Nice work! 

[bodhi555]

I've got an MP20 3 iron at home and it is a lovely thing - first time I hit it I fully understood the Mizuno feel thing. They definitely feel good and perform well. 

 

However it doesn't spend much time in the bag, as my VR Pros feel and perform even better. 

 

[Gsea]

6 hours ago, tsecor said:

Except Titleist balls...everyone knows they are the best

lmao

[tannyhoban]

4 hours ago, Noodler said:

 

Just to set the record straight on the use of Boron...

 

The addition of the Boron absolutely does not change the feel of a club.  Many golfers give the material used in the club head far too much credit for the club head's feel.  It's the design of the club head that far, far outweighs the material that it is constructed from.

 

The reason why Boron got this bad reputation is twofold.  First, the MP-25 that came out with the Boron had the #6 iron in all the fitting carts.  The #6 iron was the first iron in an MP-25 set to use their new "micro-slot" technology (kind of a really slim undercut cavity that was hidden under the plastic badge).  It was this undercut that was responsible for the feel of that club.  If they had instead put the #7 iron in the fitting carts back then, the tune sung by many golfers who demo'd the club would have been incredibly different.  I play MP-25 irons as one of my primary sets in my rotation and they have a fantastic feel (very smooth and solid strike feel).  I filled in the micro-slots in the #5 and #6 irons using a tungsten polymer and they feel just about as nice as the #7-PW.

 

Similarly, it was the design of the JPX-850 that did not have that better Mizuno traditional feel, not the addition of the Boron that caused the concern.  Mizuno has also used Boron in other clubs (like the T7 wedges) and they feel just as you would expect.  It's not about the Boron...

I have MP25 5-P, agree with this. I think the MP58 was the big departure in feel for Mizuno. I did not get along with those irons.

There are many other iron brands that have felt good to me, just different.

 

Mizuno is pretty consistent.

 

 

[DaveMc82]

When someone says “nothing feels like a Mizuno” it conjures up this image of a person who looks like Wicks from Banshee rubbing their thighs and wearing an expression on their face that could creep out a rock!

 

Good forged irons all feel far more similar than we’d like to admit and the ball feel is by far the biggest variable. 
 

Go and hit your Mizunos with a 2020 Z Star XV and then tell me it doesn’t feel like you’re hitting pebbles from the beach!

[tsecor]

Vorshall basically admitted Boron was a big mistake....

[Tree Levino]

7 hours ago, DaveMc82 said:

When someone says “nothing feels like a Mizuno” it conjures up this image of a person who looks like Wicks from Banshee rubbing their thighs and wearing an expression on their face that could creep out a rock!

 

Good forged irons all feel far more similar than we’d like to admit and the ball feel is by far the biggest variable. 
 

Go and hit your Mizunos with a 2020 Z Star XV and then tell me it doesn’t feel like you’re hitting pebbles from the beach!

You mustn’t be able to compress an XV then because they feel delightful 

[NoTalentLefty]

Titleist deserves a shout out to. Played them as well. But Mizuno just sounds awesome both saying it and the feel on irons. 
By the way much of this post is from fan base. So you don’t like them ? Go make a post for your favorite company. 

[Nard_S]

I carry Titleist irons and Mizuno woods Their long gear is real good, never been blown away with the irons. Titleist irons can be excellent. Mizuno is a great brand but feel is not everything, at least not for me.