I've been lucky, very lucky, to have been given some irons to use on extended loan. They are a couple year old TaylorMade Tour Burners w/steel S flex TM brand shafts. They are off-the-shelf stock length/lie. I'm 6.2" and not sure if that is the right fit for me. Going to be returning the Tours Burners and it's time to purchase some new irons.

I definitely want to get fitted at the local golf shop. Had been thinking PING, but hit some Mizuno's recently and like the forged idea. A friend has the super-bladey MP62 (i think that is the model#) which I've hit a few times for comparison, and while my game is not to the level where serious blades should be considered, the clubs felt great on sweet contact. I also like that feedback on mishits.

So I'm considering looking into Mizuno, maybe the JPX800 Pro. I actually had a few swings today during lunch break at the local shop- hit the JPX800 and JPX800 Pro. The regular 800 isn't forged, and if I'm going to spend that money, might as well get forged I think. But I might want have a look at the cavity back versions in the MP series... maybe.

So I guess the purpose of this post is to ask if anyone has comments/experience on moving up to forged and particularly Mizuno clubs and how do you like them.

thanks, ,John

I've got 3 sets of Mizuno's right now, MP32 (S300), MP68 (Project X 6.5), and MP30's (S300). I can tell you that its a good idea to go for the most forgiving forged club you can find to start. They can be very penalizing if you jump for the musclebacks right away.

Thanks for the reply. I am thinking I would like to try the new MP-53. It's forged, but still cavity back. We'll see after I do the fitting experince...

I've got the mp-68's (modern muscle-back blades) and love them. I know my handicap (17.7 as of this post) dictates that I should be playing a cavity back, but I hit these way better than the Cleveland launchers I had before. In fact thanks to tracking my stats on OOB, I can tell you that I've gone from 13.7% to 23.4% greens in regulation since switching last fall.

I also really like that I can control my trajectory a lot more than I could before.

I'm looking for new irons myself - tried about 8 different makes (all 6 irons) on the launch monitor and really liked the Mizunos I hit: MP52's, MP53's, JPX800's and the JPX800 Pro's.

If money were no object I'd go with the MP53's, but I'm also considering the now discontinued MX300's (which appear most similar to the MP-53's), or the MP52's (which may be too much club for me).

More time hitting each should help with the decision, and I hear the Mizuno shaft optimizer works fairly well.

Going for fitting on Tuesday after work... In my mind I am thinking about the MP53 - S300 +1/2" a little flat... Could be a reality check, might end up totally wrong.

Just got back from fitting... it went about like I expected I suppose. Swung the shaft analyzer (6 iron club head speed was average 84). Tried the TTDG S300, Project X 5.5, KBS S shafts on the MP53. Preferred the heavier feeling S300 to me. Length +1/2", standard grip +1 wrap (trying to be between the standard and mid size grip). They wanted me to go 1 degree upright, which I was surprised at a little. Dropped a deposit on 4-PW. Didn't place the order for real just yet, going to go back and check out club to take out and hit in the real world a little bit to be sure about it since just hitting from the mat in the shop. I'm pretty sure I want to go with MP53 but want to give it the field trial to make sure.

Strongly suggest that you buy a single demo club off of E-bay, shaft it the way you want, grip it the way you want and take it to the range a few times. I'm not doubting your fitting, but you can tell a lot from hitting it on the range for a bit. In the end you can turn around and sell it back on E-Bay for around the same amount you bought it for.

Yes, for sure I want to try it on the range first. They are going to let me take the MP53 fitting club out for a day to try on real grass range. I would hate to make a rush decision on what is a expensive purchase to me based on only a dozen or two swings on the indoor mat. I think they would let me try one, come back change it up and try something different next time until I'm sure.

Thanks for the feedback!

- John

Took my new 800 pro's to the range today. Well I have to say they are long. I find to pull off a fade or a slight draw I have to work at it a little. But with a little time it will be no big deal. I also find they feel a little heavy but it is a cavity back and it will feel like that.
I love them so far, it will be next week before I can get them on the course. I expect they will peform as they should if I swing them as I should. So I will let you know how I really feel after I play them next week.

Got the MP-53's in 4-PW S300 +1/2" 1 deg up and an extra wrap on the grip. Only thing I'm not excited about is the larger grip, feels harder to get the clubface closed maybe?- compensating by shutting the club more at address for now.

I have been to the range twice. First day (last weekend) was total swing disaster. Not the clubs fault- I just totally lost the swing and was digging massive divots behind the ball and failing to get any contact. Feeling depressed. Felt like I'd never swung a club before. Went to the course afterwards and walked a practice round anyway and it got a little better but still weird - with all my clubs, driver etc.

After some days off went back to range tonite and was still in swing funk. Went in after about 10 mins and asked the guy there for an emergency lesson! He had given me my first lesson when I started in 2008 and is a super cool guy. Not a PGA pro but a good teacher. He quickly fixed my swing issue (using the towel drill) pointing out my lower body weight bias being wrong and then we did a few corrections hitting some off the mat. Then back to the grass hitting area and it came alive! Ball flight straight and crisp. Good feeling through the set (when swung properly). Love the feeling at contact. Ball flight not ballooning but still good carry height and normal distances.

Can't wait to get some more practice and get ready for the new season. Stoked!

Thought I would post an update on my equipment upgrade with the new irons after a few months. I got used to the larger grips and the new length though it took a little work. The S300 shaft sometimes I think might be too stiff.

The Mizunos are about a 1/2 club to a club less distance than the Burners. I guess this is from the difference in material (forged vs cast), the lofts being weaker, and the penalty for not hitting it pure as needed.

If hit well, with a smooth controlled swing, the result is very accurate.

If hit a little thin or on the toe, loose 15 yards or more. I believe this is what people mean when they say forgiving. Has nothing to do with stuff like making your hands sting when mis-hit (they don't), it is the reduction on shot distance/quality.

I'm going to stick with them. Hoping if I work on the smooth swing and contact I can improve and with the accuracy maybe score lower when I get dialed in. Funny, the thing is as I have been adjusting I feel like my swing is actually getting better, just not quite there yet. Feel like it has me on the road to real ball striking, not just scooping and getting away with it once in a while.

I just ordered a set of 53's also (5-PW). Hopefully will be able to try them this weekend.

mschad,

Hey write back after you try them a while I'm curious how you like 'em.

jfurr wrote:

mschad, Hey write back after you try them a while I'm curious how you like 'em.

Got a call from the club pro last night that I can pick them up today. Forecast for tomorrow: high 56, 50% chance of rain.... ug. That means low 40's early morning, which is not problem. Hope the rain stays away though.