Mizuno Embraces The Future Of Forged Irons

The elegant Mizuno Pro script was once upon a time used to distinguish Mizuno forged irons which were an exclusive reserve of the Japanese domestic market. Regarded as works of art, they were rare animals and highly coveted outside of Japan.

Mizuno Pro has always been the brand’s most forward-thinking, cutting-edge product line-up with engineering concealed within precise playing profiles that are preferred by the game’s elite players.

Now the Mizuno Pro series of irons, which includes the Mizuno Pro 221, 223, 225 and Fli-Hi, have been released globally in an alignment of domestic and international markets. The irons are exactly the same as those available in Japan, down to the beautiful logo inspired by the 1981 branding.

Designed as elite players’ irons, but with a little rocket fuel added into the mix, the three model Mizuno Pro series intend to make their mark in iron history.

Mizuno Pro 221 is the ultimate muscleback iron inspired by iconic Mizuno blades of the past, Pro 223 is an Elite Players Cavity iron while Pro 225 is a Hot Metal Blade design. High density Grain Flow Forging and a soft copper underlay deliver that legendary Mizuno feel across all the new irons, which also offer a superb blend of power and playability.

“From an engineering perspective – the Mizuno Pro 223 is probably the biggest step forward of all three new irons. The 221 and 225 are refined versions of their predecessors, the MP-20 and MP-20 HMB, but the 223 is a completely new concept. An incredibly compact player’s profile, smaller in every way than the iron it replaces. With Chromoly Forged and a hidden micro-slot from 4-7 iron.”

– David Llewellyn, Director of R&D, Mizuno Golf

Mizuno Pro 221 – The Ultimate Muscleback

Heritage inspired, the Pro 221 is a true muscleback forged from 1025E mild carbon steel, built for the traditionalist who values predictability over distance gains.

Evolved to be more playable through refinements in shape and weight placement, bevelling makes the 221’s face profile appear shorter and topline narrower. Mass is removed from the heel and toe sections to thicken the muscle pad and improve sound and feel.

Dramatically more compact in the scoring irons than the MP-20 that they replace, the subtle shape changes flow through the set to please the eye. The irons also feature Mizuno’s shortest CG/shaft axis from 3-iron to PW for controlled shot shaping through the set.

Mizuno Pro 223  – Elite Players Cavity

Designed to feel familiar in the hands of a tour player, the Pro 223 is a forged compact cavity back.

The fast chromoly face measures a mere 2.4mm, thinner than that of the JPX921 Forged. The 4-7 irons are two degrees stronger and feature Chromoly Forging and a concealed Flow Micro-Slot, a combination that surprises with the extreme ball speeds from its small tour sized profile, particularly on shots struck low on the face. The speed is not without control though, as the micro-slot gets progressively thinner to smooth transition into the scoring clubs.

For absolute precision and control, the 8-PW are one-piece forgings constructed from the same mild carbon steel as the Pro 221.

“The good way to look at the new Mizuno Pro 223 is that we shrunk the JPX921 Forged technology platform to the profile of one of our small player’s cavities, comparable to the MP-62, MP-64 or MP-18Ssc.”

– David Llewellyn, Mizuno’s Director of R&D

Mizuno Pro 225 – Hot Metal Blade Design

The Pro 225 represents Mizuno’s refined hollow-body design with reduced offset and a thinner more blade-like appearance.

Chasing more speed and forgiveness for the most playability, the thin face and neck of the 2-8 iron are forged from high COR Chromoly steel. Lofts are the strongest of the three models, though wider soles and 28.5g of tungsten in the 2-7 iron produce a higher and more stable flight. To smoothly transit from high speed and launch to controlled penetrating flight, the hollow body 8-iron lacks tungsten for a better flow into the partially hollow 9-GW. The scoring irons come with steel backweights and a forged mild carbon steel face and neck.

Equally effective as a long and mid-iron alternative for elite players or a complete set for low to mid handicaps, Llewellyn says, “The new Mizuno Pro 225 pushes the profile and size deeper in the realms of the tour – but commits more fully to the pursuit of ball speed.”

Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi – The Authentic Driving Iron

Mizuno makes it clear that the Pro Fli-Hi in a black, ion-plated finish is a long iron replacement that prioritises ball speed. Designed to be played with a graphite shaft a quarter-inch longer, it has a longer head length, a little extra offset and a wider sole than the Pro 225 long irons.

This powerful driving iron features 21g of tungsten for increased playability and Mizuno’s first ever Maraging MAS1C face in an iron for vastly increased ball speeds. That’s the same MAS1C steel as found in their fairway woods.

“Over the last couple of seasons, we’ve noticed that there are two types of tour player – those who predominantly use their long iron hybrids into greens and others who use them to hit more fairways. With the Mizuno Pro 225 and Fli-Hi, we’ve got options for both – or to meet changing demands players might encounter at different types of courses.”

– Jeff Cook, PGA Tour Manager, Mizuno.