Seeking New Iron Recommendations (6 handicap)

Boognish · February 16

Planning for an iron fitting and I want to select some current models to compare with my gamers. My handicap has been ticking down, party due to improved ball striking. My swing is more consistent than it was when I was last fit.

Current Setup - Mizuno mp-20 HMB. These are pretty sweet clubs and I definitely don't have to change. I love the long irons (4/5). I like the mid and short irons just ok. The HMBs just like to go high and straight, so I don't even try to curve them 99% of the time. I find them very forgiving with good feedback.

What I'm seeking - I'm curious if there's a better fit out there today in Mizuno or in a different brand. A little more workability up/down and left/ right would be nice. I don't want to sacrifice too much forgiveness though, if possible.

What I like - Played the Srixon z765 before these and they were solid. In my 2020 fitting, the HMBs were giving me identical distance/spin but with a significantly higher flight. I'm not a low hitter, so that wasn't the issue, but I used it to justify a switch, because I liked the look of the Mizuno a bit more. My last 3 sets have all been Modus 120-S, not really looking to change shafts.

I'm biased towards Japanese forged type irons. Mizuno/Srixon are my default targets (maybe PXG, although that would require a separate fitting), but open to other brands. I previously played Bridgestone J15 CB, which I still have and game a few times a year with pleasure. The J15 are lower flight, particularly in the long irons than HMB, but I hit them quite well. They are very soft feeling, which is nice, but that's not really a priority for me.

What I don't like - I don't want something too small, I like some blade length. Recently played a round with a set of Ping S55s and hated the small blade size visual. Want to avoid anything that's particularly "hot" and would compromise distance control precision. I know the HMBs are hollow, but they don't ever really surprise me. I'd like something similar in loft to what I play (32* 7i & 46* PW), so I don't have to recalibrate everything.

I'm not a fan generally of Ping/Callaway/Titleist irons I've seen/tried, but not super familiar with current offerings.

Thanks in advance for any thoughtful recommendations.

NRJyzr · February 16

Until you said this:

11 minutes ago, Boognish said:

I don't want something too small, I like some blade length

I might have suggested Blueprint S and Blueprint T combo set. 🙂

A combo set of some sort would be a good choice. Theres no real difference between blades and CBs in the short irons, and its a free form decision where to make the split. Maybe adding MP-20 blades on top of your HMB, with one of the Mizuno CBs in between for the 6i or 6i-7i.

A possible problem might be that the blades will be smaller than your HMB 4i/5i, it's all personal preference on how much that would or wouldn't bother you.

Maybe a mixed set of Zx7 and Zx Forged? The original Zx7 tests *very* well on the Cool Clubs robot. The blades are only marginally less forgiving than the 7's, and they're on the longer side for blade length.

Boognish · February 16

23 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

A combo set of some sort would be a good choice.

Hadn't every considered a combo set, but that's an interesting idea. Maybe keep my current 4/5 and pair to 6-9 with a current Mizuno offering, if I could get distances matched up.

Veebee3 · February 16

I feel like the 32 degree 7 iron loft sets are such an underserved market. Perfect blend of distance and stopping power imo but most OEMs only have one offering at that loft. For Mizuno it’s just the MP243s I believe. They even have a couple offerings at 34 degrees but everything else is 30 degrees and stronger.

Boognish · February 16

1 hour ago, Veebee3 said:

I feel like the 32 degree 7 iron loft sets are such an underserved market. Perfect blend of distance and stopping power imo but most OEMs only have one offering at that loft. For Mizuno it’s just the MP243s I believe. They even have a couple offerings at 34 degrees but everything else is 30 degrees and stronger.

I am confused why OEMs keep messing with lofts. My J15s an z765s had the same lofts/distances as the HMBs, so adjustment period was pretty seamless both times. I don't want to have to change my whole bag just to game new irons.

Edited February 16 by Boognish

DufferSparks21 · February 16

If you had good success with Srixon in the past. I would 100% recommend the new ZXi7. They are butter and have good blade length, etc. To me, and I love Mizuno, but to me, "Nothing feels like a Srixon"

Boognish · February 16

20 minutes ago, DufferSparks21 said:

If you had good success with Srixon in the past. I would 100% recommend the new ZXi7. They are butter and have good blade length, etc. To me, and I love Mizuno, but to me, "Nothing feels like a Srixon"

Yeah, I think the Srixon 7s will have to be in the test. It's been 5 years and my swing is improved so it's time to update my perspective. The HMB 4-iron is going to be tough to let go, it's such a weapon on Par 3s for me and also launches fine and holds greens off the turf.

Yankees18 · February 16

Depending on your budget I’d consider miuras. If you have the swing speed they are incredibly forgiving for the class of iron. I play a set of 502s after starting out in 201s. The 302 was the most consistent of the 3 but didn’t like the feel as much and still considering them at the top of the bag. I’d also look into the Foreward golf irons. They are also very forgiving on mishits and very pleasing to the eye after becoming a thin top line snob

NRJyzr · February 16

10 minutes ago, Boognish said:

The HMB 4-iron is going to be tough to let go

Were it me, I'd hang on to it, go 5-GW in Srixons. Unless the Zx5 4i (similar design) really roasts your coffee beans...

Edited February 16 by NRJyzr

PowerCobra98 · February 17

Give the Mizuno Pro 243’s a look. Plenty forgiving and keeps you in Mizuno. I played them most of last season and they treated me well.

puttingmatt · February 18

Worth your consideration,

Srixon ZX7 mkll's on sale,

Or the new Srixon ZXi7's.

Great performance forged irons.

I have found the ZX7 series irons just flat out deliver, in terms of feel, playability, and distance.

PNW · February 18

I had a triple MP20 combo set years ago with the HMB 4 iron and really liked it as well. Seemed so easy to hit into greens.

I'd definitely test both ZXi7 and 243 but I'd bet the 243 are an easy slot in for you. It's already sort of a combo set itself and the sole will be more similar to the HMB.

Hougz79 · February 18

My first recommendation would be to keep your long irons you like and combo into Mizuno 243 into your short irons. Have the fitter map your yardages and adjust your lofts to optimize gapping.

Otherwise, I wholeheartedly recommend the Srixon 5/7 combo set. The ZX7 were some of the best feeling irons I’ve ever hit, and I’ve gamed multiple Mizuno CBs over the years. Very useful forgiveness as well.

Boognish · February 19

Update: After my fitting, I wound up ordering a set of JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro.

The HMP were ridiculously consistent on distance/direction. Avg 7i was measuring 169 carry with 5750 spin and 48 degree descent with a super tight result circle.

I loved the satin finish and overall size/shape was comfortable to my eye. Feel off the face had an interesting snap, which was fun. Feedback on strike location was less than I'm used to, but still ok. Forgiveness was very high for carry distance.

The HMP demo 7i matched up just about exactly with my current HMB 6i on distance/spin. I ordered 5-p to replace my current current 4-9, then added a 48 Vokey to fill the gap to my 53. I'm very excited about the 48 addition, because I never really liked chipping with my 46 HMB PW.

Also tested:

Srixon 5 - Did not care for this at all. Feel was harder and my contact generally poorer for some reason. Chrome face was also less appealing to my eye.

Mizuno 245 - liked em, had a great solid feel. Probably most similar to my current gamers. Nothing particularly exciting though in performance. Felt like a slightly more compact stronger lofted version of my HMBs.

Mizuno JPX Forged - These looked identical in size to the HMP. Sole shape was a little different. Feel was noticeably softer, very pleasing! The lofts on the Forged were only 1/2 club stronger than my standard. So I locked in on the HMP, as they are a solid full club stronger than my current standard which should cause less disruption to my current gapping.

Tested a few shafts recommended by the optimizer (DG120-S, LZ5.5, Modus 115-X), but my trusted Modus 120-S was the winner, unsurprisingly.