“NOTHING feels like a Mizuno.” It’s a nice tag line, made nicer by the fact it’s hard to dispute, particularly when it comes to the new JPX921 Forged irons. You see, there’s forged and then there’s forged. A number of big brands may forged the face, the back, or finish production with a stamp, and declare forged. The JPX921 Forged is forged. One billet pressed into a beautiful shape, then back milled for precise CG and face thickness.
It’s one of the reasons these are a little dearer, but the big question is, are they worth the cost?
WHAT WE LIKE
+ Smaller head size compared to 919 Forged
+ Matching metals to long vs short irons
+ Distance and consistency
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
× Technology comes at a high cost
× So good you may feel forced to buy them
× See above
Technology
What Remains?
The corresponding model was the JPX919 Forged. It too was forged, from Boron infused 1025 carbon steel. The Forged bit. That’s the commonality. Fully forged.
What’s new
Mizuno have been experimenting with Chromoly for a couple of years, but they hadn’t been able to produce a forged club with it, until now. The 4 iron to 7 iron are forged from 4120 Chromoly steel, very strong = very thin = very fast. It allows for a faster clubface from a smaller, more compact head.
By contrast, the 8iron to Gap wedge are HD forged from 1025E carbon steel for incredible feel when you need it. Matching metal to function is genius in our view.
Looks
The JPX921 are a little more compact in blade size, and it shows with their look at address. More than ever these will suit a good iron players eye, the flow of shape from long to short iron seeming just right.
The short irons look designed for control shots, whilst the long irons are just big enough to inspire confidence when distance is required.
Feel
Nothing feels like a Mizuno. And whilst these are not quite as buttery as the MP20’s with their copper underlay, they’re not far off. You do get a sense from the short irons that something is different in feel compared to the longer clubs. It’s a nice feeling too.
Performance
We’re not going to tell you these went 20 yards further, or that we can hit 7 iron 200m. We can tell you the trajectory on the irons is what you’d expect, despite the stronger lofts. They’re easy to get in the air but don’t balloon in any way.
The compact head shape and minimal offset make working the ball both ways easy, although a little easier right to left than left to right (right hander).
Still amazing to consider that Mizuno have been able to create a more forgiving and faster golf club with a smaller club head. Engineers huh?
conclusion
The JPX919 won a number of awards as the Best Players Distance iron. The JPX921 is better; Period.
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