Is there a company with more positive buzz and momentum about their irons than Mizuno right now? I would venture to say no. Looking at the past few years it has been a whirlwind for the company with Major wins and what seems to an outside eye much more visible Tour play than they have seen in some time.
In that time, we have seen the JPX lineup evolve into something very special, and Mizuno metalwoods are even being taken as a serious performer on the market. While all that is fantastic, as time has gone on, many have begun to ask, what about the MP lineup?
The MP line has long been viewed by golfers as the crème de la crème of the Mizuno lineup, to the point where the following and devotion its long-time users have is second to very few iron lines out there. It is also arguably themajor factor in how that “Mizuno Forged Feel” aspect took on a life of its own.
Well, the time is now. Mizuno is officially announcing the MP-20 lineup of irons set to release this year, and there is a lot to digest.
The MP-20 Lineup
First thing is first, this is not a rehash or refresh release for Mizuno. In fact, the amount of research the company put into developing this line, not only from a performance standpoint, but also a shape/design standpoint is pretty staggering. Using detailed player and sales analysis, they noticed two big things: First, there was not a significant trajectory difference from the three models in the MP-18, and second, over 80% of custom orders were made up of two or more designs. What does that mean? There was some redundancy in the MP-18’s with the SC and MMC specifically, and there was an opportunity to really tune in where each iron shines in a set (long, mid, and short-irons).
To the point, the MP-20 lineup will consist of three options, the MP-20, MP-20 MMC, and MP-20 HMB. The SC is no longer part of the lineup because of the trajectory redundancy and since the JPX 919 Tour essentially took over that design’s goals. While each of these will be offered in full sets, they have also been designed with combo sets in mind, and as such extra focus was paid to tuning each set in specific areas (MP-20 in short irons, MMC in mid, and HMB in long).
While all irons have undergone a variety of shape, mass, material, and offset changes specific to their designs, they are all also now utilizing a Copper Underlay, last seen in the TN-87’s to improve the feel even more than Mizuno’s Grain Flow Forging already does. Making their irons feel even more soft? Now that will turn heads.
As for the specific irons, it will be easiest to look at their intricacies individually:
MP-20
The MP-20 is the clean, classic, and more traditionally lofted muscle back of the new lineup. Mizuno is referring to this one as the “modern muscle back”, and this is because of the way the mass has been placed in the head. The shape is a blend of the traditional MB and channel backed iterations, making for a classic look with more mass high and low in the blade to maximize the trajectories through the set.
Additionally, the topline is thinner than the MP-18 and according to the company is much more akin to the legendary MP-4’s, which should make blade users giddy to hear. To round it out, the graduated tapered design has allowed Mizuno to create a stronger, more-penetrating flight into the scoring irons.
Set Makeup: 3-PW
Shaft: True Temper DG S300
Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Full Cord
Dexterity: RH Only
Price: $1,300.00 ($162.50/club)
MP-20 MMC
With the removal of the SC from this new lineup, even more focus has been placed on the MMC and evolving the Ti Muscle Design. Because these are expected to be so often played in the middle of combo sets, a great deal of evolution has happened in the mid and long irons making them a bit wider, and weight placement through the use of Ti and Tungsten has made for a more forgiving and easier launching club. As the set flows into the scoring irons however, the sole gets smaller with less Ti utilized to make for a more compact head. Also, much like with the MP-20, the MMC’s have now got a thinner topline than in the previous version.
Something that should also make many rejoice is that Mizuno has directly addressed the feel differences that some noticed from the MP-18 MMC compared to the other irons in the lineup. This is partly thanks to the Copper Underlay, and partly through the material placement. Regardless of the how, if they have indeed improved the feel, daresay the SC’s will not be missed at all.
Set Makeup: 4-PW
Shaft: KBS S-Taper
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Classic Black/White
Dexterity: RH Only
Price: $1,225.00 ($175.00/club)
MP-20 HMB
What does HMB stand for? Hot Metal Blade, and there is a lot to take in on this one.
Hollow body iron sets have become one of the biggest trends in golf with practically every manufacturer putting one out onto the market, and Mizuno is joining the fold with the MP-20 HMB, but there are some impressive attributes that makes them stand out in a growingly crowded segment.
Biggest, boldest, and most importantly design wise…CHROMOLY. The HMB’s utilize a Grain Flow Forged Chromoly face and neck piece, the same material that is utilized in the current JPX Hot Metal’s and has absolutely been a game changer. The GFF Chromoly face is backed by a Stainless-Steel body with progressive internal cavities and weighting with Tungsten in the 2-7 irons where these will get the most play in combo sets.
These are the “modern” lofted clubs of the MP-20 lineup coming in 2° stronger than the MB’s in the top end of the bag, but given the design aim that makes a great deal of sense. The HMB’s will also act as Mizuno’s utility clubs, replacing the Fli-Hi’s in all aspects but with what Mizuno believes to be a significant performance jump, which is saying a great deal.
Set Makeup: 3-PW (2i also available)
Shaft: Nippon MODUS3 120S/105R
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Classic Black/White
Dexterity: RH Only
Price: $1,400.00 ($175.00/club)
MP-20 SEL
But wait, there’s more…
In what is one of the coolest moves in recent memory by a company, Mizuno is also releasing the SEL, which stands for “Special Edition Lefty”. You have no doubt noticed throughout all the clubs listed above that they all said RH only. Well, Mizuno has recognized that over the years is has not been easy to be a fan of the brand andbe left-handed. In fact, they have been without an MB since the MP-68’s in 2009 and a driving iron since 2004. The SEL is a specially selected combo set based on the most popular set Mizuno had of the MP-18 through custom with 3-4 HMP and 5-PW in the MB. This is guaranteed to excite the Lefties out there, as it should!
Set Makeup: 3-PW
Shaft: True Temper DG S300
Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Full Cord
Dexterity: RH Only
Price: $1,225.00 ($175.00/club HMB, $162.50/club MB)
