02 Nov 2023

Mizuno Stamps Its Expertise In Forged Irons With The Mizuno Pro 241, 243 And 245

Mizuno’s reputation of crafting quality forged irons continues to grow as they roll out the new range of Mizuno Pro 241, 243 and 245 irons. The foundation of the Mizuno Pro range stems from the relationship between club engineers and the Grain Flow Forging plant in Hiroshima, Japan.

What this really means is that the manufacturing process, wherever it may be around the world, works closely with Japanese craftsmen in Japan to create clubs with exacting tolerances for which Mizuno has always been known.

“Other manufacturers have widely adopted Mizuno’s work to elevate the performance of elite player’s irons. What now sets Mizuno apart is the ability to apply precise manufacturing techniques learned at our long-standing forging plant in Hiroshima, Japan, to increasingly complex designs.”
– David Llewellyn, Director of R&D at Mizuno.

Mizuno’s unique forging method integrally molds a single round bar from the face to the neck. The grain flow lines (metallic structure flow) are not interrupted inside the head, and the Grain Flow Forged HD manufacturing method allows the flow lines to be densely packed in the ball hitting area, thus extending the sound at impact.

The chromium molybdenum steel used in the Mizuno Pro 243 and Mizuno Pro 245 is said to be a difficult material to process. With Mizuno’s forging technology, chrome molybdenum steel can be shaped using their unique grain flow forged manufacturing method. The Mizuno Pro 241, 243 and 245 irons share some commonalities. In addition to the grain flow forging process that is typical of Mizuno’s forged irons, the clubs have a soft copper underlay that enhances feel.

The Mizuno Pro 241 is a centre muscle-back iron with mass accumulated centrally behind the impact zone. This centre mass delivers a longer lasting and softer vibration pattern when the club strikes the ball, enhanced by Mizuno’s Harmonic Impact Technology.

There is an aggressive tapering in this blade iron, with a thinner topline that pros and better players prefer. Blade length is shorter in the shorter irons, and bounce angle has been increased by a degree in the longer irons, and two degrees in the scoring irons for improved turf interaction. The 241 comes with a brushed satin finish and is available from 3 to PW.

The Mizuno Pro 243 has a smaller, more compact head compared with the 241, with designers putting in a thinner face with stronger materials. Mizuno claims that the 243 is the one club that has “advanced the most”. The 4 to 7 irons are built with 4120 Chromoloy with a wider, longer Flow Microslot – a slot built into the clubhead for a higher ball flight and faster ball speeds. The 8 to gap wedge is forged from 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon Steel for solid feel and control. The wrap-around sole grind provides heavy relief at the bottom of the club for better turf interaction and seamless transition from the Micro Slot 7 iron to the more traditional design of the shorter clubs. The Mizuno Pro 243 comes in 4 iron to gap wedge, and has a full satin brush finish.

Grain Flow Forging again features in the Mizuno Pro 245, but this club is constructed with a hollow body with 4135 Chromoloy multi-thickness face, and a laser welded 431 stainless steel back-piece for higher ball speeds and launch angles. An additional 47g of tungsten weight is placed in the club for improved launch, and is suspended to enable sole flexion. The 245 is sized like a traditional blade, and is available from 2 iron to gap wedge.

Players who struggle with long irons, but prefer them to hybrids, the new Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi may be a good alternative. Mizuno tour players have embraced the Fli-Hi, and the new model offers many of the latest advancements seen in the Mizuno Pro irons.

The Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi chassis is now constructed from 4335 Nickel Chromoloy, and together with the heat-treated multi-thickness face, offers higher ball speeds. The weld line inside the upper face-gauge allows for a thinner top line that better players prefer. Bounce angle has been increased by a degree for better interaction through varied turf conditions, and Harmonic Impact Technology matches the Mizuno Pro Irons’ for that soft muscle-back sound and feel. The Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi is available in 2, 3 and 4 iron.