Mizuno have launched the brand’s latest set of irons with the MP-18 irons hitting the market as the clubs to have for next year.
It might seem a little odd that the number 18 references to 2018 when you consider they will be hitting the marketplace in September 2017. But the logic behind the naming is that they will be THE club golfers will want in 2018.
The first release from the brand for two years, the Mizuno MP-18 irons look the business with clean lines and eye-catching designs that hark back to days of old. They are certainly visually impressive from the images released ahead of the full launch of the MP-18. Several models will be made available with the Muscle Back (MB) headlining the options on offer.
The MP-18, in essence, take Mizuno back to their roots having been created by a man named Turbo in the same way they were when produced for players like Sir Nick Faldo during his hey-day at the top of the game.
“The MP-18s—they remind me of the blades we worked on together all those years ago,” six-time major winner Faldo said.
Now it is the likes of Luke Donald, Chris Wood, rising star Jordan Smith, Jhontthan Vegas, Lucas Glover, Nick Watney and Stacy Lewis who will benefit most from the launch of the Mizuno MP-18 irons.
What they will find are impeccably produced steel irons that are Grain Flow Forged, game-changing and performance-improving.
The MP-18 irons are compact, but perform supremely well out of the middle of the blade. That said, you’ll need to be a pretty decent player to get the most out of the blades. If you’re a typical handicap golfer, stick with the cavity back models as they are much more forgiving when it comes to a bad shot or two.
The Split Cavity (SC) iron is still narrow and actually looks like a blade, but it does come with the added security afforded due to the cavity weighting.
The Multi-Material Construction (MMC) MP-18 iron has added titanium forged into the heads to help provide additional weight and move the centre of gravity to the sweet spot. This model is much better suited to handicap golfers as it adds distance and is much more forgiving when it comes to bad contacts.
The MMC Fli-Hi, meanwhile, is the most forgiving of the models and offers a higher ball flight (as the name suggests).
But if you do struggle for consistency with your irons, then sticking with the Mizuno JPX900 is probably more advisable—the MP-18s seriously emphasise mis-hits and aren’t cheap.
You’ll need to be a pretty good golfer and a seriously consistent ball striker to play the MP-18 Muscle Back as it is not forgiving. But don’t be put off buying the SC or MMC versions if you’re a club golfer.
Yes they catch the eye, but they are also game changers once you familiarise yourself with them. The beauty of how the Mizuno MP-18 irons have been produced means you can mix and match the models to create the perfect set.