Mizuno 223 vs 243 comparison

[klbcec]

Well, I switched from the 223 to the 243.  Two reasons: first, the shafts in my 223s were not the correct shafts ( too light 105g); and, second, the gapping on the the 223 made no sense with 5* difference on the scoring clubs (8 thru GW).

 

Findings after 4 rounds.  The spec for the shafts is .25 inches longer. The head is definitely smaller.  The feel is definitely better.  The 223s were more of a click, whereas the 243s are more of a strong thud.

 

The 243s also seem to spin a bit less, which is fine by me as I generate enough spin anyway.  Consequently, these irons seem about 5 to 7 yards longer thru the bag.

 

The best part about the changes for me is the 4* gapping on the scoring clubs.  This has tightened up to where a stock swing now creates 10 to 12 yards difference in those clubs instead

of 15 yards.

 

The narrower gapping has lead to a great deal more confidence, distance control and performance.  Mizuno really did a good thing here.

 

Finally, I want to give a funny take:

 

I played MP33s for about 13 years.  The pitching wedge in the 33s was 48 degrees.  Now the pitching wedge is 44.

 

With the 33s, I went 48 pw, 52 gw, 56 sw, 60 lw. 

 

Because they effed around lofts for so many years, for the last 10 years, it was 50, 54, 58.

 

Well, now the PW is 44, so it's 48, 52, 56, 60 for the wedges.

 

Essentially, over a 14 year period, Mizuno simply put a higher iron number (called a 6 iron a 7 iron) and told us all we're hitting it farther.

 

We all know that, but it is now a provable fact comparing the lofts.

 

Long story short... Very happy with the clubs.  Great design. More compact, strong feel. Perfect gapping.

 

PS. This years wedges T24 also feel much better than the T22. And the blue ip finish is the softest feel of the three options... So nice.

 

In order of feel hardest to softest... Raw is hardest, then copper, then stainless, then blue ip softest.

 

I went with stainless 48, blue ip 52, stainless 56, and copper 60.  (I have a bad habit due to needing reading glasses of pulling a 56 when I meant to pull 52.  The color difference makes it easier.

 

 

Edited March 25, 2024 by klbcec

[jcosjrgolf]

So true on the 5 degree gaps.  Short iron yardage gaps not as precise.  I find myself bending lofts to get back to the tighter yardages throughout the set.

[hwwong]

Posts like these always make me want to try the newest thing, knowing darn well i don't need to.

[Soccerrick10]

On 3/25/2024 at 10:13 AM, klbcec said:

Essentially, over a 14 year period, Mizuno simply put a higher iron number (called a 6 iron a 7 iron) and told us all we're hitting it farther.

Although true, so did every other OEM.  I know for a few years, people were asking to drop the number and provide the loft on the club.  But, it never really caught on because we all want to say “yeah, I just hit a 7 iron” when, it’s actually the loft of others 6 or even 5 irons.

[soderwoell]

I have to agree about the upgrade from 223 to 243. I find the 243 to be so much better in forgiveness, consistency, and feel than the 223 or the 220 MMC.

[JD3]

It's like the 223's were prototypes for the 243's. 223 very unfinished looking from the back badge and from the top with the short iron top lines as thick as the long irons, the gapping issues as has been mentioned, and blade lengths. Transition from non chromoly to chromoly heads was too off in terms of feel but more importantly performance even. Again, I just think they released the 223's before the finished product was ready.

[kilword]

I went from the 223s to the 245. One thing I noticed is they have more distance. I get 8-10 more years each club. And they feel better on center strikes. But you can feel off center strikes more than the 223. Maybe a little harsher on bad hits. But that’s good feedback. 

[Reds]

I was fitted for the 243s yesterday. Ended up with DG 120 which I also had in my MP 20 MMCs. Cannot wait to get them in my hands!

[aquapig]

On 4/15/2024 at 4:52 PM, soderwoell said:

I have to agree about the upgrade from 223 to 243. I find the 243 to be so much better in forgiveness, consistency, and feel than the 223 or the 220 MMC.

100%

 

I had the 220 MMCs for years and loved them. I wasn't tempted by the 223s as I didn't see an upgrade worth the cost.

 

Enter 243s and the felt better and in testing seemed more forgiving. 

 

Pulled the trigger on 243s and they're well worth the price. They look better at address, feel better, but most importantly they are definitely more forgiving. 

 

Mizuno hit a home run with the 243s.

[aquapig]

On 8/15/2024 at 5:23 PM, Reds said:

I was fitted for the 243s yesterday. Ended up with DG 120 which I also had in my MP 20 MMCs. Cannot wait to get them in my hands!

You'll be very happy once you get them on the course. 

 

It's gross (hot and humid) here in Florida right now and I have to make myself get off the range with these because they're just that addictive to hit.

 

I went from $Taper 120 to Project X IO 110grams. Turning 50 this year and the lighter shaft is working fantastic.

[aquapig]

On 8/15/2024 at 2:49 PM, kilword said:

I went from the 223s to the 245. One thing I noticed is they have more distance. I get 8-10 more years each club. And they feel better on center strikes. But you can feel off center strikes more than the 223. Maybe a little harsher on bad hits. But that’s good feedback. 

Agree on the forgiveness being better. And I can feel my misfits, but have been shocked where my misses have ended up. 

 

 

[nmadde02]

Interesting that there’s more forgiveness. Ian at TXG said there was less foreignness. I have a set of the 223s. Blade length is shorter no?

[soderwoell]

On 8/17/2024 at 1:52 PM, nmadde02 said:

Interesting that there’s more forgiveness. Ian at TXG said there was less foreignness. I have a set of the 223s. Blade length is shorter no?

Who am I to quibble with Ian? They are a slightly shorter blade length, but my experience was that they were more forgiving. I wound up going with Epon 507s, though, and I haven't looked back.

[Joose]

Just to clarify when comparing the 223's and the 243's, the actual club lengths are the same.  Mizuno just changed the way they measure.  This is from the spec sheet from Mizuno....

 

*Mizuno will soon be changing its official iron measurement method to match the USGA / R&A standard. As a consequence our published USGA/R&A club lengths are now approximately 1/4 inch longer (when actual club length is unchanged).

[nmadde02]

Blade length meaning the head not club length. They are noticeably shorter at address which if preferred by a lot of folks but I’m just used to the longer profile myself

[nmadde02]

Anybody know when Mizuno will be releasing the next series of Pro irons? 263?

[Harmcyn]

55 minutes ago, nmadde02 said:

Anybody know when Mizuno will be releasing the next series of Pro irons? 263?

I’m gaming the 243s and love them but wondered this as well. Feel like the new forging process they used on the JPX Forged and S-3 will actually make a big jump for the next MP Line.

 

But also wonder with 3 new S- line clubs coming I wonder if we are seeing changes to Mizunos release calendar.

[awtryau89]

I would guess it would have to be fall. Latest release would be PGA Show in 26.