Mizuno Pro 221 Long Term Reviews

[Cstobaugh]

Hey guys. 
Currently gaming the ‘21 T100 and thinking of moving into the 221. Anyone have some long-term feedback? Never had a set of mizunos but am looking at a set and wonder if they are worth the hype. 
 

[Bow Hunter]

41 minutes ago, Cstobaugh said:

Hey guys. 
Currently gaming the ‘21 T100 and thinking of moving into the 221. Anyone have some long-term feedback? Never had a set of mizunos but am looking at a set and wonder if they are worth the hype. 
 

The 221s will be similar to previous Mizuno blades. Pure a 5 iron with a Mizuno blade and you’ll know. 

[Tree Levino]

12 hours ago, Cstobaugh said:

Hey guys. 
Currently gaming the ‘21 T100 and thinking of moving into the 221. Anyone have some long-term feedback? Never had a set of mizunos but am looking at a set and wonder if they are worth the hype. 
 

 

Feel very nice but even most tour players wouldn’t use the 4 and maybe 5 iron. The 6-PW are really nice. The ball speed was good on the long irons but they spin a lot so bunched up a bit more at the top of the bag. I’ve owned those, 223, and MP20 MMC and I’d came the MMC over the other two. I’m scratch and don’t find the trade off in “workability” worth it at all. The MMC will be on the green instead of short water or bunker in comparison on a marginal swing (which we all make). YMMV. 

[Cstobaugh]

2 hours ago, Tree Levino said:

 

Feel very nice but even most tour players wouldn’t use the 4 and maybe 5 iron. The 6-PW are really nice. The ball speed was good on the long irons but they spin a lot so bunched up a bit more at the top of the bag. I’ve owned those, 223, and MP20 MMC and I’d came the MMC over the other two. I’m scratch and don’t find the trade off in “workability” worth it at all. The MMC will be on the green instead of short water or bunker in comparison on a marginal swing (which we all make). YMMV. 

I’m scratch also. Was thinking of getting them in like 5-9. Are they as soft as everyone describes? 

[MattC555]

I'm a scratch player as well.  I've been gaming the predecessor MP20 blades for three or four seasons.  Absolutely love them.  I swap between a 4 hybrid and the 4 iron depending on the weather and how I've been swinging the hybrid.  Lately I've honestly had more issues with the hybrid than the bladed 4 iron.  I'll pull the hybrid in a way I never do with my irons, and if you get a little too steep it spins to the moon.  For me it comes down to launch conditions, not forgiveness, in the long irons.  Calm days with hard greens I'm taking the hybrid.  Any other time I'm gaming my 4 iron. 

 

A scratch buddy of mine games the 221's.  I've hit them and find them very very similar to the MP20s.  Blade length seems a bit smaller, but that's about it.  Feel amazing, are dependable, consistent, and give great numbers.  A pure shot with them will be a whole different experience from the T100.  I've tried those.  Great irons, but very clicky.   

[Cstobaugh]

12 minutes ago, MattC555 said:

I'm a scratch player as well.  I've been gaming the predecessor MP20 blades for three or four seasons.  Absolutely love them.  I swap between a 4 hybrid and the 4 iron depending on the weather and how I've been swinging the hybrid.  Lately I've honestly had more issues with the hybrid than the bladed 4 iron.  I'll pull the hybrid in a way I never do with my irons, and if you get a little too steep it spins to the moon.  For me it comes down to launch conditions, not forgiveness, in the long irons.  Calm days with hard greens I'm taking the hybrid.  Any other time I'm gaming my 4 iron. 

 

A scratch buddy of mine games the 221's.  I've hit them and find them very very similar to the MP20s.  Blade length seems a bit smaller, but that's about it.  Feel amazing, are dependable, consistent, and give great numbers.  A pure shot with them will be a whole different experience from the T100.  I've tried those.  Great irons, but very clicky.   

Great feedback. Just what I was looking to hear. Thanks. Only complaint with the t100 is the feel. Overall great performer. Would like to find something that feels nicer though. 

[iodje123]

23 hours ago, Tree Levino said:

 

Feel very nice but even most tour players wouldn’t use the 4 and maybe 5 iron. The 6-PW are really nice. The ball speed was good on the long irons but they spin a lot so bunched up a bit more at the top of the bag. I’ve owned those, 223, and MP20 MMC and I’d came the MMC over the other two. I’m scratch and don’t find the trade off in “workability” worth it at all. The MMC will be on the green instead of short water or bunker in comparison on a marginal swing (which we all make). YMMV. 

I thought the 223 would have the same if not more forgiveness than the MMC?

[Tree Levino]

1 hour ago, iodje123 said:

I thought the 223 would have the same if not more forgiveness than the MMC?

They do I just like the MMC better. 

[d34567]

On 7/19/2023 at 1:17 PM, MattC555 said:

I'm a scratch player as well.  I've been gaming the predecessor MP20 blades for three or four seasons.  Absolutely love them.  I swap between a 4 hybrid and the 4 iron depending on the weather and how I've been swinging the hybrid.  Lately I've honestly had more issues with the hybrid than the bladed 4 iron.  I'll pull the hybrid in a way I never do with my irons, and if you get a little too steep it spins to the moon.  For me it comes down to launch conditions, not forgiveness, in the long irons.  Calm days with hard greens I'm taking the hybrid.  Any other time I'm gaming my 4 iron. 

 

A scratch buddy of mine games the 221's.  I've hit them and find them very very similar to the MP20s.  Blade length seems a bit smaller, but that's about it.  Feel amazing, are dependable, consistent, and give great numbers.  A pure shot with them will be a whole different experience from the T100.  I've tried those.  Great irons, but very clicky.   

This for me as well, tried t100 and found them clicky, compared the 221 to a few options, P7MB, srixons, T100, CB & MB and these just hit the spot. I did end up going for a 4 and 5 iron in the 223 for a couple of reasons, first one was yardage gaps, my gaps between 4/5/6 in my previous Z965's got a bit close, found the 223's a bit hotter so sorted those gaps out, the additional forgiveness was also a nice to have. scratch golfer here too.

[Cstobaugh]

39 minutes ago, d34567 said:

This for me as well, tried t100 and found them clicky, compared the 221 to a few options, P7MB, srixons, T100, CB & MB and these just hit the spot. I did end up going for a 4 and 5 iron in the 223 for a couple of reasons, first one was yardage gaps, my gaps between 4/5/6 in my previous Z965's got a bit close, found the 223's a bit hotter so sorted those gaps out, the additional forgiveness was also a nice to have. scratch golfer here too.

I’m pretty good ball striker but wonder if the t100 offer enough help. How do you find the 221 in terms of forgiveness? 

[d34567]

11 minutes ago, Cstobaugh said:

I’m pretty good ball striker but wonder if the t100 offer enough help. How do you find the 221 in terms of forgiveness? 

At the end of the day they’re blades, forgiveness isn’t something you really need/can talk about. They’re a small headed iron, definitely less forgiveness than my z965s had, but they had a larger head. My miss on the face if anything is slightly toward the toe, and there’s a definite ball speed drop off, don’t need a launch monitor to know it. Don’t get me wrong, the sweet spot isn’t the size of a pinhead in the middle of the face, but the 223s I have in the 4/5 iron definitely offer a little more protection to the poor strike

[Tree Levino]

9 hours ago, Cstobaugh said:

I’m pretty good ball striker but wonder if the t100 offer enough help. How do you find the 221 in terms of forgiveness? 

If you don’t think the t100 have enough the 221 definitely don’t. I find the 223 feel way better and are more forgiving than t100. ZX7 as well. 

Attached my 8i after my first day of practice with it and I have no desire to go back to a set of blades. Not for bragging purposes I have just owned 221 and shot a few good rounds with them I just wouldn’t give up my misses being pin high instead of short rough, bunker, or water if it’s a forced carry. I can work these all I need.  

 

[blades_are_life]

12 hours ago, Cstobaugh said:

I’m pretty good ball striker but wonder if the t100 offer enough help. How do you find the 221 in terms of forgiveness? 

If you want forgiveness while getting the same feel as the MP221 go for the JPX923 Tour.

[MattC555]

12 hours ago, Cstobaugh said:

I’m pretty good ball striker but wonder if the t100 offer enough help. How do you find the 221 in terms of forgiveness? 

 

Like any blade, unforgiving to anything toe side.  Heel side or thin, not so bad, especially below 6 iron.  A combo with the 223 above 6 iron would definitely help.  I've considered a 223 4 iron, but I prefer the ball flight of the blade.  I'm also addicted to hitting my MP20 4 iron on the range.   It's like a drug.  🤣

[Cstobaugh]

2 hours ago, Tree Levino said:

If you don’t think the t100 have enough the 221 definitely don’t. I find the 223 feel way better and are more forgiving than t100. ZX7 as well. 

Attached my 8i after my first day of practice with it and I have no desire to go back to a set of blades. Not for bragging purposes I have just owned 221 and shot a few good rounds with them I just wouldn’t give up my misses being pin high instead of short rough, bunker, or water if it’s a forced carry. I can work these all I need.  

 

You are definitely good enough for a blade lol!! I see you’ve hit a bunch of them. How would you compare the mp5 to the 221? Prefer the looks of 221 but can find mp5 pretty cheap. 

[Tree Levino]

3 hours ago, Cstobaugh said:

You are definitely good enough for a blade lol!! I see you’ve hit a bunch of them. How would you compare the mp5 to the 221? Prefer the looks of 221 but can find mp5 pretty cheap. 

 

I think the sole camber on the MP20 and 221 are a bit better than the older stuff, but the MP5 feels incredibly pure. I also get that we are out there to have fun not make millions so it's not apples to apples when looking at tour pros, but consider that guys like Scotty, Rory, and countless others go to something more forgiving in a 4i and sometimes 5i. My 6i is a 200 carry club and I don't find playing a blade up to that makes any difference *generally*, but I do like knowing that out of more lies I'm going to get a consistent result with these. They feel just as good to me and I like that they go a bit further. I prefer to hit irons at 75% as I find it helps me hit more GIR so knowing I don't have to absolutely button it to get my number makes me feel better. I second the suggestion of the Tour model above. Feels just as good and has that hint of help.

[blades_are_life]

21 hours ago, MattC555 said:

I'm also addicted to hitting my MP20 4 iron on the range.   It's like a drug.  🤣

There is no greater (visceral) high in golf than the puring of a well made forged single piece long iron.

 

Edited July 22, 2023 by blades_are_life

[jasona93]

On 7/21/2023 at 5:26 AM, Tree Levino said:

If you don’t think the t100 have enough the 221 definitely don’t. I find the 223 feel way better and are more forgiving than t100. ZX7 as well. 

Attached my 8i after my first day of practice with it and I have no desire to go back to a set of blades. Not for bragging purposes I have just owned 221 and shot a few good rounds with them I just wouldn’t give up my misses being pin high instead of short rough, bunker, or water if it’s a forced carry. I can work these all I need.  

 

I look forward to buying these from you in a few years when the 227’s come out. Looks like there will be plenty of still new groove areas on them to utilize.

[Tree Levino]

4 hours ago, jasona93 said:

I look forward to buying these from you in a few years when the 227’s come out. Looks like there will be plenty of still new groove areas on them to utilize.

Haha they don’t look exactly like that now. On course you’ve got a variety of lies etc etc. My point is that if you button it I still think there is an argument to play a small cavity. Baby was keeping me up all night and played early morning today after a hard workout yesterday. Had 10 min to warm up max and wasn’t hitting it great. Still hit 14 GIR and have averaged 15 over the last few rounds. I’d argue that number would be a good bit lower with a full set of blades. 

[Cstobaugh]

9 minutes ago, Tree Levino said:

Haha they don’t look exactly like that now. On course you’ve got a variety of lies etc etc. My point is that if you button it I still think there is an argument to play a small cavity. Baby was keeping me up all night and played early morning today after a hard workout yesterday. Had 10 min to warm up max and wasn’t hitting it great. Still hit 14 GIR and have averaged 15 over the last few rounds. I’d argue that number would be a good bit lower with a full set of blades. 

Do you play full set of 223?

[Tree Levino]

4 minutes ago, Cstobaugh said:

Do you play full set of 223?

They are JDM MP20 MMC called Mizuno Pro 520

 

 

[Cstobaugh]

9 hours ago, Tree Levino said:

They are JDM MP20 MMC called Mizuno Pro 520

 

 

How are these different than the MMC version of the mp20?

[Tree Levino]

8 hours ago, Cstobaugh said:

How are these different than the MMC version of the mp20?

Don’t think they are other than the heads may be ever so slightly heavier as the stock lengths there are shorter? I pulled the heads and built them up with PX 6.5 

[masegolf1978]

Just ordered a set of mp-4s. Had my eye on the 221’s and think they look pretty similar. Has anyone compared them on course?