Two weeks ago, Mizuno unveiled the JPX 921 line of irons and if you missed our preview, check it out here. Over the last two weeks, we have been busy in the THP Tech Studio putting each of the four sets to the test.
The lineup consists of the Hot Metal, Hot Metal Pro, Forged and Tour. We wanted to not only tell you about the results, but show you the testing and talk you through some swings.
In the video below, we take each set for a test drive and talk a little bit about the tech, but go a step further and compare all four to each other in the wrap up with all of the data.
After watching the swings and hearing about the clubs, which set do you think fits best for your game?
The Details
In Stores: 9/17/2020
Cost: $1000-$1400 depending on set
What shafts?
Long irons:View attachment 8960704
short irons:
View attachment 8960705
If you aren’t excited about the 921 family, I’m going to assume you are still sleeping.
Smart combo. I look forward to seeing the Forged in person. I like a sleek PW and shorter irons. My MP-18 MMC PW looks too chunky to me. As irons get longer, they can look like monster trucks. The combo options with these new irons sets is a big part of the fun. My fitter will just roll his eyes with my ideas, but I get a kick out of it.
I just want to make sure that I am clear. My recollection from an earlier post is that you would be hitting the HMP and thought it would be the unsung hero. This post says Hot Metal. Was this a typo?
Nope, no typo. Testing both the last week has opened my eyes to how good the Hot Metal is.
I have no doubt that the smaller irons in the line will appeal to a lot of people, but I like the forgiveness.
I do think the HMP will be an unsung hero in the line however.
I love all of this.
Wow, there is a story in those graphics.
I’ve got half a mind to order a set of HMP and let the winner end 2020. I’ve heard NOTHING but great things.
Ill admit, I laughed at end 2020.
I know myself. I do my best to not make promises I know I could never keep. I need some form of therapy – maybe two forms.
I will probably order a set of 921 HMP in 5-PW and later decide on which Forged from among 7-PW. This is all brainstorming. Need to see clubs in hand.
How do you mean?
They did modify these from 919. A bit more compact.
Heart: Forged.
Right, which is why I might have to try to get over the ‘look’ of them more this year. They’re still a little longer blade in terms of measurement than I prefer, but their shape usually magnifies that even more for me, and I don’t think that’s really changed. It’s just a visual thing. Since the moment I started playing again I’ve always felt more comfortable over a compact look. I’m excited to get my hands on them and hopefully see some results that will help rewire my brain on that.
There will have to be a clear benefit over the Honma’s for me to make the change, ha ha I had to laugh at myself after reading what I just typed. If they are just a bit better I would do it just because I need to scratch the itch.
yeah i laughed too lol
For most THP-types, a bit better means one perfect feeling 7 iron in a launch monitor with one more yard distance.
I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way. I was thinking it would be smart to consider the HM and HMP. Other than offset there isn’t a huge difference and the lofts and materials are identical. Perfect for blending.
Well I did abandon the iron covers a while back so the Honma’s are getting nicked up and can’t have beat up clubs in the bag. The funny thing is I am perfectly happy with them, still very curious about the 110 Paderson shafts but I could keep playing these and not miss a thing.
But then I see new and shiny and get all odd feeling inside, not to mention I just happen to have just about the right amount of cash in the club fund envelope to do the CC thing and not feel bad about it. Maybe not adding in the puring but straight up got it covered.
Shoot I can convince myself it will get even better on real grass, no way the perfect lie in a air conditioned fitting bay that I am two clubs shorter on is correct because there is no way I hit it that short…
so we should plan on playing a round together in a couple weeks so I can hit your mizzies?
Well I want to hit them 1st so I can see how much better I hit the more forgiving Models, but the 919 Tour was a pretty special iron. But I don’t see x flex iron shafts in my future any longer.
I’m thinking about combining 4-5 HMP with 6-G in the Forged. From what you’ve seen, is that feasible? Would you bend the HMPs weak a degree or two? Is that even a good idea?
How are you liking the 5iron? Would you compare it in size / playability to the Apex 19?
That’s a tough comparison for me because I’ve only hit the Apex 19 when it first came out and never owned a set. If my memory serves, the sizing is similar (maybe a hair smaller but I’m not positive there) but the playability is really, really high. It’s one of my favorite clubs – 75% fairway hit and a respectable 40% GIR (from 195-200, that’s rock solid for me). Like I’ve said other places, the forgiveness low is proving quite good and a 5 iron is one I’ve found those bottom grooves with a few times. Straight, low bullets have been fun.
These irons look great and will be a real contender for the new TaylorMade irons announced.
If a club has a click sound then I don’t even consider it.
I had the t7 wedges for a bit. Loved the look but couldn’t get over the clicky feel. I just associate that feeling with all of the boron infused products.
To me the clicky sound accentuates the mishit feelings.
So I’ll have to game the two new sets and make a decision. Can’t wait to read all the tests and reviews.
I agree. Click makes me feel like I hit a bad shot and that the club is just low quality. Manufacturers should engineer this out of all their gear. I find the Callaway gear is very clickie.
I wouldn’t say low quality. It’s just not my preferred feel. Some people like a louder sound and to some people that click sound sounds powerful.
No boron in the forged.
How about the 8-PW? Is it pure 1025E or 1025E/Boron?
I am hitting my 919F better than 919HMP in 5-PW. Sure, the HMP get more yardage, but the forged are slimmer – the 921 Forged is slightly more slim with bigger sweetspot. Can someone who played the 919F play 921F?
Based on my knowledge that I’ve had confirmed to the best of my ability, no boron. Straight 1025E.
And yes, Forged to Forged shouldn’t be an issue at all. I enjoyed the 919F but I love the 921F.
Stronger than expected how? What were you expecting to see?
From the reviews, and players interested in them, and everything else I’d heard, I just wasn’t quite expecting a 31* 7i or that 31 to be stretched all the way to 50 at the gap is all. Both of those things just took me by surprise a little. That’s my fault for making assumptions, but doesn’t change my current perspective on them.
Thx – a little less offset and slightly slimmer with bigger sweetspot all sounds good – if the sole is better, then I’m really happy
It’s way better. I’m excited for your feedback
Haha. The lofts were listed in our preview a month ago ?
I know. I totally missed it! Like I said, huge fail on my part. I think I didn’t make a point to look at that, because they’re not available for a bit, but then read and watched enough to start developing what were ultimately uniformed opinions. Total lesson learned. Need to start with the basics.
I think using the SEL specs for a Tour forged combo is the way to go. 4* gaps top to bottom. But that’s also predominantly a Tour set. Moving forged deeper into a combo set will require more trade-offs, no doubt.
In my MMC set the gaps are 4* except for PW-9 and 9-8 where they are 5*. I keep 4* with my wedges. I notice those gaps and have had to develop a few more shots to cover distances.
Yeah, the CF19 level low-mid lofts I mentally adjusted to quick enough, but the 5s in that part of the bag are a little tough for me. I moved away from a set recently because of that. Thought I was covering them well, and in the grand scheme, was. A deep dive into the data showed they were costing me proximity though, regardless of how it felt/seemed like I was managing them. A combo with more limited forged does seem more likely now. It’s definitely trickier.
Really feels like the HMP/Forged combo will be the way to go for a lot of people. Easy match.
Starting with 4i — 21, 24, 27, 31, 35, 40, 45, 50.
I was also surprised by the 5 degree difference in the shorter irons — But my guess it is due to the design of the club. I am skipping the 50 and instead inserting a T20 48 and then 53, 58. Figure I may lose distance from CB to Blade and heavier wedge shaft. Will probably get fit from a clubmaker who gets heads from Mizuno and get Accra Constant Weight Shafts at 85g. But if things work out, will take my first trip during Covid next month to get fit.