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After recently reviewing Tour Edge and PXG, we were then tasked with the question, Are Mizuno Golf Clubs Good? In this article, Ankur Mithal, a long-time player of Mizuno golf clubs covers all the details before you buy.
Mizuno, a stalwart brand in the golf industry, has a well-deserved reputation for crafting high-performing golf clubs. But how well do they align with your personal game? We’ll take an informed look at the attributes of Mizuno golf clubs, considering their history, design, performance, and the potential impact on your game.
Let’s delve into the heart of the matter and help you discern whether Mizuno golf clubs are the right choice for you.
The Mizuno Golf Manufacturer Story
The Mizuno story dates back to 1906 when Rihachi Mizuno, along with younger brother Rizo, opened a store in Kyoto, Japan, selling baseball equipment, starting manufacturing in 1913 in a quest for quality and performance. The manufacture of golf equipment was added to the product range in 1933, with the first range known as Starline.
In 1965, Mizuno opened a factory in Yoro, dedicated to golf and sponsored the first Grand Monarch golf tournament. This was followed by the launch of the range of high-end golf clubs called “Grand Monarch.” 1971 witnessed the first Mizuno golf tournament
Though it had managed to establish a reputation for the finest quality equipment, Mizuno had mostly been confined mostly to Japan and a few countries in Asia. It started making waves internationally with the export of golf clubs to Europe in the seventies.
Another defining moment for its golf business came when it started supporting Neil Coles (high-profile European tour player) and Barry Willett (leading club-maker based at Surrey’s St. George’s Hill Golf Club) who had launched the “tour van” at the 1984 Open at St. Andrews. It catapulted Mizuno into the line of sight of top golfers and fans.
Alongside Mizuno has invested and excelled in precision-engineering its golf clubs with its patented Grain Flow Forging process. Today, it is one of the most popular clubs worldwide.
Who Are Mizuno Clubs for?
Most major manufacturers, including Mizuno, offer a wide range of clubs to suit different capability and preference levels. They are as much for the PGA pro as for the club amateur. Of course, while choosing a set, individual playing styles, capability level and preferences will need to be taken into consideration.
Do Any Pros Play Mizuno?
Mizuno has consistently forged, pun intended, a unique path for its golf clubs. It is justifiably proud of its reputation as a provider of the most popular irons to pros not under a contract. It simply means that when players are not under an equipment provider’s sponsorship and can choose freely, they often choose Mizuno.
Ben Griffin, Bailey Tardy, Stacy Lewis, Keith Mitchell, and Adrien Saddier are among the known names on the tour that are contracted to Mizuno.
This list is a reaffirmation of Mizuno’s sponsorship policy, which has an “emphasis on identifying and signing new emerging talent who already use the company’s equipment, rather than bidding for ready-made, established players with no prior Mizuno connections.”
Other players continue to use Mizuno golf clubs. Paul Casey and Cameron Smith do today what Vijay Singh, Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have done in the past. Sir Nick Faldo won all six majors with Mizuno equipment.
Tiger Woods is known to have used Mizuno clubs up until his Titleist deal in 1996 when he turned pro. Even after that he continued to use Mizuno for over a year, including his first Masters’ win in 1997, while he experimented with Titleist and waited for the right clubs.
As Mizuno says of the 24 players who have held the number one position I the world, 13 have played with Mizuno at one time or another.
Mizuno Golf Club Manufacturers Process & Quality Standards
At a time when the standard process was to forge an iron from a single mould, which required a lot of hand-grinding and resulted in a lot of rejections, at least by pros, Mizuno introduced the two-mould forging process. Their process reduced the manual grinding involved and produced greater consistency and performance predictability, and also a lower reject rate.
When the emergence of CAD designing technology led many manufacturers to switch to a casting process, Mizuno patented its Grain Flow Forging process, firm in the belief the greater club-head precision it resulted in, compared to the casting process.
The elegant, balanced, club made out of forged steel, is a result of precision engineering perfected by Mizuno. Unlike the standard iron that has a welded neck, the Mizuno Grain Flow Forged iron comes from a single billet, preserving the continuity of the natural grain that enhances durability and consistency. Since 1968, Mizuno has produced its forged irons in its Chuo plant in Hiroshima – on the west coast of Japan.
Its focus on continued research has led to Mizuno moving on from 1025 Mild Carbon Steel to 1025E Pure Select, Boron infused steel and Chromoly Forged.
Mizuno Golf Club Performance Traits
Mizuno is highly regarded for its engineering and the quality of its golf clubs, which have come to be associated with several traits:
Look, Feel, Balance & Responsiveness
It is a club that you will be proud to address the ball with, high handicap golfers and pros alike. Its engineering quality makes it feel one with the person holding it, making for a confident swing and great outcome. And in reverse too, providing feedback to the player.
Distance and Control
More distance and more control in golf are like risk-taking ability and return in investing. You focus on one, and risk losing the other. Different series of clubs operate at different points on the continuum, trying to strike the right balance between the two. For seniors especially, they are forgiving clubs that focus on the loft and ball speed.
Workability
At the same time, Mizuno clubs give full freedom to the expert golfer to control the flight, shape their shots. But, as is the rule, the extra workability and freedom comes at a price; of a high penalty in case of an error.
Forgiveness
With technologies such as cavity backs and perimeter weighting, Mizuno clubs are well equipped to deliver good results for the average golfer even when he misses the sweet spot, especially when using their game improvement irons.
Mizuno Pros and Cons to Consider for All Skill Levels
If you are not a professional golfer, and most of us are not, it is worth noting that pros, who get paid millions to use specific brands of golf equipment, often choose Mizuno when not under a contract.
Mizuno irons have regularly been one of the most played brands on both the US PGA Tour and European Tours.
The other factor to consider is that the pros who pick up Mizuno, play it straight out of the box. What this means is that the standard equipment that Mizuno puts in the store, that you and I are going to buy, is good enough for a pro.
Most major manufacturers, including Mizuno, offer a wide range of clubs to suit different capability and preference levels. Hence, we are most commonly asked about golf irons, so here is a few of our top choices for each handicap level.
Best Mizuno Irons for Low Handicappers
Mizuno Pro 223 Golf Iron Set
Updated on 2024-04-23
4 Iron – Gap Wedge
The Mizuno Pro 223 Golf Iron Set boasts a multitude of refined technologies aimed at enhancing your golfing experience.
This Mizuno iron set utilizes Grain Flow Forged HD technology. Each piece is meticulously created from 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel at Mizuno’s renowned facility in Hiroshima, Japan. This method ensures the utmost durability and quality.
Incorporated within the set is Harmonic Impact Technology. This results in carefully crafted head geometry which offers unparalleled impact feel and feedback, significantly enhancing the connection between golfer and the club.
The 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel used in crafting these irons is held to a six-time tighter tolerance than the industry standard. This guarantees a higher degree of purity, contributing to the superior performance and longevity of the clubs.
The Mizuno Pro 223 set also includes a thin copper underlay situated beneath a layer of nickel chrome. This feature adds a distinctive touch by further enhancing the impact feel when striking the ball.
Finally, the set also employs Grain Flow Forged Chromoly. This is Mizuno’s strongest forged material which maintains the solid, soft, and consistent feel of grain flow forging. For low handicappers and golf pros, these golf irons can provide exceptional ball striking results.
⛳️ Related: Best Clubs for Left Handed Golfers
PROS
- Offers precision in shot-making, along with control of trajectory
- Great for clean strikers
- Comes in right handed or left handed and regular shaft or stiff shafts available
CONS
- Not suitable if you want forgiving clubs; can punish a top golfer on a bad day
- Limited in terms of distance
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Best Mizuno Irons for Mid Handicappers
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Iron Set
Updated on 2024-04-23
4 Iron – PW
The Mizuno JPX923 HOT Metal Golf Iron Set, composed of seven pieces ranging from 4 – PW, pairs cutting-edge technology with robust steel shafts, resulting in a game-changing golfing experience.
The JPX923 Irons incorporates Harmonic Impact Technology. Through a finely tuned head geometry, this technology enables an ideal impact feel and feedback, thereby enhancing the golfer’s connection with the club and ultimately improving the accuracy of their strokes.
Another key feature is the Stability Frame. This design choice opens the heel portion of the golf iron to heighten stability and launch dynamics, while also producing a vibration and sound preferred by professional players. This balance of comfort, feel, and performance makes these clubs a suitable choice for golfers at any level.
The Seamless Cup Face design further enriches your playing experience. Its 360-degree perimeter thinned areas increase the rebound area, thereby maximizing ball speed across the entire face. This ensures consistent and powerful hits, no matter where the ball strikes.
Finally, the set benefits from a CORTECH Design. This approach optimizes face thickness distribution to maximize the COR AREA, boosting ball speed and distance.
PROS
- Shallow cavity allows the added power of a thin face of Chromoly steel to come into play and give you more distance
- V-Chassis technology that allows for a thinner topline
- Excellent choice for mid to high handicappers
CONS
- Shorter blade lengths may not be suitable for some golfers
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Best Irons for High Handicappers
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL Irons
est $962.99
5 Iron – Gap Wedge
The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL Irons, equipped with graphite shafts, introduce a variety of advanced features designed to optimize your golf game. It is one of the most forgiving irons on the market.
This set includes a High Launch Speed Cavity, a higher launching option tailored for golfers with moderate swing speeds or those with a pronounced shaft lean. This enhances lift and trajectory, empowering you to achieve greater distance when hitting the ball.
In terms of materials, the set utilizes Faster Nickel Chromoly. The new 4335 Nickel Chromoly is a substantial 35% stronger than the original Chromoly, resulting in an 8% thinner clubface. This in turn enables higher ball speed, giving your strokes an additional edge.
Despite the clubface being 8% thinner, this design delivers a more solid, satisfying vibration pattern, making each hit feel more precise and powerful.
The set also offers Increased Stopping Power through its seamless cup face construction. This design delivers the deep center of gravity required for a high launch and controllable landing angle. This results in more accurate strokes and superior control over the ball’s resting position.
Additionally, Consistent Ball Speeds Across the Face is achieved by extending the thinnest part of the sole 18% wider. This modification creates a broader high-energy area, ensuring consistent and powerful hits no matter where the ball strikes.
Lastly, the set is finished with a White-Satin Brush. This non-reflective, chrome-plated finish reduces bright light glare, allowing you to maintain focus on your game even in bright conditions.
PROS
- Toe bias of perimeter weighting helps with ball speed
- Larger face delivers decent results even from off center strikes
- Designed to produce loft even with lower swing speeds
- Tighter dispersion on short irons that helps with approach shots
CONS
- Not made of forged steel
- Bigger head may not appeal to some
- Thicker soles on longer clubs could make them difficult to hit from a tight fairway position
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Mizuno Fairway Woods
Mizuno ST-Z 230 Fairway Wood
est $299.99
15° – 18° Lofts
As a bonus, we included one of our favorite picks of Mizuno’s fairway woods, the ST-Z 230.
Mizuno’s expertise in crafting soft-feeling, resonant golf clubs shines brightly in their latest offering, the ST-Z 230 fairway wood. This elegantly designed club features a fast and moderately forgiving clubface that generates exceptional sound and delivers a sublime feel off the tee.
The highlight of the Mizuno ST-Z 230 is the innovative CORTECH Chamber. This design element elevates the club’s acoustics, softens the impact, and enhances the coefficient of restitution (COR) – all crucial for boosting your performance. The chamber incorporates strategically placed weights and an elastomeric material, expanding the active zone of the clubface. This results in a consistent ball speed and low spin, improving control and accuracy.
Complementing the CORTECH Chamber is the MAS1C maraging steel face, which works synergistically to send your golf ball soaring with every strike. The ultra-thin clubface and broadened active zone ensure that speed is preserved across all shots, enhancing consistency and distance.
The ST-Z 230 also boasts an ultra-thin waffle crown, a design choice that allows engineers to save weight and redistribute it to the sole. This process lowers the club’s center of gravity (CG) and heightens the moment of inertia (MOI), leading to a higher launch and maximal stability on impact.
Lastly, an adjustable hosel gives you the freedom to fine-tune the loft to achieve your optimal launch conditions. The Mizuno ST-Z 230 fairway wood, with its blend of technological innovations and aesthetic finesse, provides a distinct edge to your golfing repertoire.
PROS
- Amplified acoustics
- Adjustable hosel
- Expanded active zone
- Accelerated ball speed
- Lower spin
CONS
- Limited loft profiles
- Not ideal for slower swing speeds
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Are Mizuno Golf Clubs Good for Seniors?
Physical ability, such as strength and swing speed, when you are a senior, can vary greatly. Personal preferences also matter. You have probably been there, done that, and have a fairly good idea of what you like and what you don’t. Mizuno clubs come loaded with a number of features such as distance, balance, forgiveness and a soft feel that make them ideal companions for seniors on the course. In fact, there is a wide range to choose from.
The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Iron series produces very fast ball speeds with a straight trajectory and adjustable landing angles. It also produces great launch angles that work well for players with a slower swing speed. The wider sole deepens the center of gravity which should help golfers with a more pronounced lean, as some seniors tend to have. It also looks great. It adds to the feel and comfort when you address the ball, making for better outcomes.
The Pro version of this series is a more compact version with lower offset, suitable for confident strikers.
The HL version, with a higher offset, is a higher launching option for players with moderate swing speeds or aggressive shaft lean.
In all the discussion about clubs, Mizuno fairway woods often get ignored. However, Mizuno made the Senior Golf Source list of Most Forgiving Fairway Woods in 2023.
Personally, I am a fan of the Mizunos T-Zoid series of fairway woods which I have continued to use despite it being replaced by newer lines and more advanced technologies.
The 5 wood is particularly versatile. It helps me get out of fairway bunkers without losing much. Not being a long hitter, the 5 wood serves me well off the tee in case of the longer par threes. It is also one of the few clubs in my bag that listens to me when I need to play a fade or a draw.
Mizuno also does an excellent job with golf wedges and putters. Both made our lists in their perspective areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between JPX and MP?
JPX (Japan Performance Extreme) and MP (Mizuno Pro) are the two primary club ranges offered by Mizuno.
Mizuno JPX is targeted at a wide cross-section of players, from the pros through to the high handicap golfers, and senior players. It is a game improvement range and designed to enhance ball speed, forgiveness and loft, through the use of a wider head and technologies like perimeter weighting and deep cavity backs. It is available in 5 variants and starts with a 4 iron on to the wedges.
The Mizuno MP line is meant for the pros and low handicappers, with a focus on workability, feel, feedback and the ability to shape and manipulate shots. It is available in three variants that have a more traditional, compact clubhead. The ranges begin with the 3 iron (except the 223 series) Bottom of Form.
Why are Mizuno Golf Clubs so Expensive?
The pricing of Mizuno golf clubs is a manifestation of the quality they have come to represent. They have an established reputation for investing in research and putting the results of the research into their next offering that we are going to play with.
The average club player who buys these clubs also knows that many golf pros also pick up the same clubs and play with them when they are not under a brand contract.
Which Mizuno irons are best for low handicappers?
The Mizuno Pro series is meant for pros and low handicappers, with its focus on workability, soft feel, feedback and the ability to shape and manipulate shots.
The Mizuno JPX923 also offers clubs for the low handicappers. The JPX923 Tour and JPX923 Forged are the two that use the forging technology perfected by Mizuno and meant for low handicappers. The mid-sized cavity backed irons have a thin face, make for an efficient turf interaction.
Final Thoughts: Are Mizuno Golf Clubs Good?
A century-plus of experience in a variety of sports-related endeavors in baseball, skiing and tennis may not do much for my golf game, but Mizuno’s continued research and investment in perfecting their engineering to produce the best golf clubs certainly does.
Mizuno has an enviable reputation as a brand that does not offer large sums to top pros as sponsorship money for them to use their brand. Instead, pros often put Mizuno clubs in their bag on their own, guided by their performance.
Add to it their philosophy of offering to the amateur golfer the clubs that pros choose to play with, and it is not difficult to understand why Mizuno clubs find their way into my golf bag.
If you’re still undecided on, “Are Mizuno Golf Clubs Good?” then you may want to check out some of expert picks for the best senior clubs for men and women in 2023.
