Mizuno MP5 or MP20 MB

[mykoh]

Hi everyone, so I currently game with a set of JPX 921 Forged, and I have been itching to get a set of blades purely for the feel and (perceived) difficulty on range days, and the occasional game.

 

I am unfortunate enough to be able to get my hands on a set of MP5 and MP20 MB, priced exactly the same, and in roughly the right shaft I use, but I can only really justify purchasing one.

 

Been reading reviews and MP5 appear to have a "classic old grain flow forged" feel, and the MP20 MB appears to have very positive reviews as well.
Between the two, which would you pick?

Or should I not even bother and just stick with my JPX921F?

 

Thanks!

Edited October 12, 2023 by mykoh

[Sean124]

The MP-5s are all time greats and very easy to hit for blades. 

[Phabs]

I have both sets.  MP5’s I played in college and I have the MMC’s in the MP20’s so not an exact match but the MP5’s are really good.   Plus you can find em cheap 

[iNeedMoreGolf]

I have mp5. I have a few other sets and for whatever reason yes the mp5 feel pretty much the best on great strikes and that being said.. bad strikes do not hurt. On the other hand... ive hit mp20 mb in a store a few years ago and the sting i got i will never forget and i put the club down immediately lol harsh misshit is one thing... bone rattling sting is another. The mp5 for being small is pretty dang stable and forgiving. Ive shot a few good rounds with them for sure. Sometimes i look at them and im like how the heck is this possible but they are that good. Did i mention they might be the top 3 or 5 best looking iron of all time if not number 1 in my opinion.

[2Down]

Mp5 

[SBH9458]

MP5. 

[dwinch]

I still game MP-5 s (on my second set). You can pick them up for a good price too—what is not to like?

[PowerCobra98]

Currently gaming MP-5's.  Never hit the MP20's so can't help there.  Also have a set of 921 Tours (essentially blades but technically CB's) and they are smaller in size than the MP-5's.  MP5's are really fairly easy to hit.  I don't think you can go wrong really...only thing that is a tad disappointing with them is the 9 and PW have an odd shape but it's easy enough to overlook for the beauty of the rest of the set. 

[Tree Levino]

Either will play very differently to your forged as the sweet spot is located more heel side. People find mizuno blades “easy to hit” because they have a low centre of gravity relative to other blades on the market. This means you don’t need as much shaft lean or low point control to hit playable shots with them. Objectively they may be slightly easier to square as well because the heel side CG also means you can close the face quicker at the bottom. Frankly, I think the reason you see a million high handicapper commenting nothing feels like a mizuno on YouTube vids and insta posts is because you can have a pretty darn awful golf swing and still get to feel that legendary softness. From an actual ball speed, spin optimization, and launch on miss strike perspective, they probably aren’t going to help you score your best depending on ability. I hover between 1 and +1 depending mostly on my putting and have owned both sets. I think the 9 and W are very ugly in the MP5 and the sole is a bit better through the turf on the 20. The offset is also blended in a more refined manner. Both are soft and not as forgiving as people on here say. I have broken par with both sets and I currently play the MP20 MMC which I love and are very easy to hit. YMMV

[Kmagnuss]

I haven't hit the MP5's but I used to own the MP20's and I sold them because (to me) the MP33's feel better and I was more accurate with them.  Same shafts on both, btw.

[Florida Gator]

I love my MP-5s, great irons!

[Phabs]

2 hours ago, Tree Levino said:

Either will play very differently to your forged as the sweet spot is located more heel side. People find mizuno blades “easy to hit” because they have a low centre of gravity relative to other blades on the market. This means you don’t need as much shaft lean or low point control to hit playable shots with them. Objectively they may be slightly easier to square as well because the heel side CG also means you can close the face quicker at the bottom. Frankly, I think the reason you see a million high handicapper commenting nothing feels like a mizuno on YouTube vids and insta posts is because you can have a pretty darn awful golf swing and still get to feel that legendary softness. From an actual ball speed, spin optimization, and launch on miss strike perspective, they probably aren’t going to help you score your best depending on ability. I hover between 1 and +1 depending mostly on my putting and have owned both sets. I think the 9 and W are very ugly in the MP5 and the sole is a bit better through the turf on the 20. The offset is also blended in a more refined manner. Both are soft and not as forgiving as people on here say. I have broken par with both sets and I currently play the MP20 MMC which I love and are very easy to hit. YMMV

Donno - I played a ton of collegiate tournaments and there was a lot of Mizuno's in bags... and most college teams didn't have mizzy reps servicing them.  

[Tree Levino]

14 hours ago, Phabs said:

Donno - I played a ton of collegiate tournaments and there was a lot of Mizuno's in bags... and most college teams didn't have mizzy reps servicing them.  

I'm not saying they aren't good irons. I'm saying that for being irons for better players, they also happen to be "hittable" for bad golfers compared to other blades. Take a P730 vs MP5 for example, the MP5 is night and day easier. 

[grochol17]

I have MP 5s in the 6i-PW and haven't hit anything newer because I like the 5s so much.  Though the 241s do look interesting. 

[puttingmatt]

Get the MP5'S, great set of sticks.

Surprisingly easy to play

[bladehunter]

Mp5 all day. I had and hated mp20.   For another all time great. Mp68. 

[puttingmatt]

12 hours ago, bladehunter said:

Mp5 all day. I had and hated mp20.   For another all time great. Mp68. 

MP 68's were my favorite, owned two sets at different times, just a fantastic performer, these were hard to walk away from

[bladehunter]

21 minutes ago, puttingmatt said:

MP 68's were my favorite, owned two sets at different times, just a fantastic performer, these were hard to walk away from

Yep. Late night eBay searches still include me looking for a new -ish set of those. Really really good.  

[Louis_Posture]

On 10/11/2023 at 5:09 PM, mykoh said:

 

 

I am unfortunate enough to be able to get my hands on a set of MP5 and MP20 MB, priced exactly the same, and in roughly the right shaft I use, but I can only really justify purchasing one.

 

Been reading reviews and MP5 appear to have a "classic old grain flow forged" feel, and the MP20 MB appears to have very positive reviews as well.
Between the two, which would you pick?

Or should I not even bother and just stick with my JPX921F?

 

Thanks!

If you like large head size irons get the MP5.

 

[topgolfhero24]

I think you gotta put the new 241 in the equation after seeing how similar they are to mp5

[jetmech879]

1 hour ago, topgolfhero24 said:

I think you gotta put the new 241 in the equation after seeing how similar they are to mp5

I agree! I’m hoping for MP5 feel and forgiveness and the looks and size of the of the 221. That would be my unicorn set! 
I’ve owned the MP5s and currently playing the MP20 MBs. Both sets 4-pw and 1 deg weak. I definitely feel the MP5s are slightly less punishing on less than perfect strikes but for me the 20s get through the turf a little better. I really enjoy both sets and don’t think you can go wrong with either but holding out for the 241s may be the ticket!