MIZUNO JPX923 IRONS
More than 350,000 fittings helped Mizuno spot a gap in the market – and the new JPX923 family was born...
After fitting 350,000 golfers into a family of seven different irons, Mizuno say they haven’t quite had enough models to cover off every single type of golfer. It’s a problem the company’s engineers and fitters have solved with the five-iron JPX923 family.
Though Mizuno irons have grown in popularity on tour recently thanks to fewer equipment contracts, the brand’s fitters have spotted club golfers are trending towards more moderate swing speeds. And as we’ve said many times before, slower swing speeds aren’t well suited to flighting shots for maximum distance and stopping power, particularly at modern strong lofts.
“We’re constantly evolving the JPX series using the unique swings we capture every year on the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer,” says Bill Price, Director of Fitting at Mizuno. “We’re seeing an increase in the number of players with
slightly slower swing speeds being fitted – and a trend to more shaft lean”.
To counteract the trend, Mizuno increased bounce on all five JPX923 models and introduced a new, more lofted JPX923 Hot Metal HL (high launch), to specifically benefit lower speed players.
Just like their predecessors (JPX919 and JPX921), the five JPX923S are designed to help all golfers get more from their game. Whether you’re an elite tour pro or slow-swinging amateur – or anywhere in between – there’s a JPX923, and one of 50 custom shaft options, to suit you.
With the JPX923 Hot Metal models already in store and the Tour and Forged arriving in February 2023, here’s our guide to deciding which will benefit your own game.
1. JPX923 TOUR
Mizuno’s most played tour iron, the JPX923 Tour is one-piece forged from 1025E mild carbon steel. This shallow cavity back is aimed at elite amateurs and pros, with a narrower topline and sole width, and a more rounded trailing edge for cleaner turf interaction. The
6-GW have noticeably shorter blade lengths, which bring extra
precision to
important approaches. A super thin copper underlay elevates feel to levels similar to the brand’s MP-22 models. Modern players typically choose this family for its straighter hitting capability over the more workable MP-22 family.
Mizuno’s view Director of R&D, David Llewellyn, says: “The goal with the JPX923 Tour was to engineer a compact, players’ cavity back that looked and felt like a muscleback at impact. With the copper underlay and new topline, the model is right there.”
2. JPX923 FORGED
A mid-sized grain flow forged cavity back that delivers a brilliant blend of ball speed, stability and feel to a wide audience of players. The 4-7 irons are forged from a single billet of Mizuno’s thirdgeneration, springy
4120 chromoly steel. And thanks to craftily thinning the face (from 2.6mm to 2.2mm), golfers can expect extreme ball speeds from its compact profile. To maximise feel, consistency and precision in the scoring irons, the 8-GW are forged from 1025E mild carbon steel (like the JPX923 Tour), each head is also more compact, with a shorter blade length than its predecessor.
Mizuno’s view Director of Product, Chris Voshall, says: “The JPX923 Forged pulls off two impressive achievements. First, it feels more solid even though it’s faster from the face. Second, it looks sleeker, with a thinner topline and narrower sole, even though it’s more forgiving.”
3. JPX923 HOT METAL PRO
All three JPX923 Hot Metal models are made from Mizuno’s new nickel chromoly material, which is 35% stronger than the original Hot Metal. Mizuno say the 4335 nickel chromoly, which is both springy and strong, lets their engineers reduce face thickness by 8%. It means the thinnest, highest energy part of the face can be extended by 18%, which delivers additional consistency to shots hit off centre.
By using a cup face construction, golfers can expect high launch, with controllable landing angles and good stopping power, even though lofts are slightly stronger than previous models.
Mizuno’s view The Hot Metal Pro is a players’ speed cavity that’s compact, with minimal offset. It’s for consistent ball-strikers seeking maximum ball speed. Typically the model falls into the hands of low to mid-handicap golfers.
4. JPX923 HOT METAL / HOT METAL HL
By analysing the swings of 350,000 golfers, Mizuno realised there’s a trend towards slower speeds. The research led them to develop a higher lofted JPX923 Hot Metal Pro HL (High Launch) model, which targets moderate speed players and those with aggressive shaft lean.
The JPX Hot Metal family has always targeted mid-high-handicap players, so expect a larger profile with additional hosel offset and wider soles. All three models are cast, not forged like the Tour and Forged, which explains the lower cost. For this generation the 7-iron lofts are 0.5º stronger than previous models, with the HL being 2.5º weaker (in the 7-iron) to help maximise spin, stopping power and carry distance at moderate speeds.
Mizuno’s view The JPX923 Hot Metal is a forgiving speed cavity for mid to high-handicap players, the HL is a high launch version for slower speed players.
‘MIZUNO’S FITTERS HAVE SPOTTED THAT CLUB GOLFERS ARE TRENDING TOWARDS MORE MODERATE SWING SPEEDS’