Written ByJamieThis is our review of the best Mizuno Irons for high, mid, and low handicappers in 2026.
I’m an avid golfer, 6ish handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and, frequent tester & reviewer of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.
I’ve played and practiced with every iron you’ll read about on this page, and more.
Golfers know Mizuno makes outstanding irons. I knew this, but I didn’t “know” this until I put my hands on them. Let’s just say this – they are better than I thought they would be in every way.
Our Top 3 Mizuno Iron Recommendations
Best Pure Player
Mizuno Pro S1 Irons
Pros
- ✓ Superb Sound & Feel
- ✓ Ample Distance & Forgiveness
- ✓ Can play all the shots
- ✓ Gorgeuous
Cons
- ✕ Not giving these away
Best Player's Distance
Mizuno JPX 925 Forged Irons Set
Pros
- ✓ Best Sound & Feel in the game
- ✓ Explosive & Consistant Distance
- ✓ Launch quickly & high
- ✓ Can handle any shot you have
Cons
- ✕ Zilch
Best Game Improvement
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Irons
Pros
- ✓ Superb forgiveness & distance
- ✓ Best sound & feel in golf
- ✓ High launch
- ✓ Best clubs for the price
Cons
- ✕ Nada
Top Mizuno Irons for 2026
- JPX 925 Forged Irons (Editor’s Pick – Best Mizuno Iron)Review
- Pro S1 Irons (Editor’s Pick – Pure Player)Review
- JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro (Former Editor’s Pick – Players Distance)Review
- JPX 925 Hot Metal Irons (Best Game Improvement Mizunos)Review
- JPX 923 Tour Irons (Editor’s Pick – Pure “Player” Irons)Review
- Pro 243 Irons (Best For Scratch – 5ish Handicaps)Review
- Pro 245 Irons (Best For 10ish – 15ish Handicaps)Review
In this best Mizuno irons review, we discuss, the benefits and features of each and our recommendations.
Mizuno Irons Reviews
Mizuno JPX 925 Forged Irons
Editor's Pick
Mizuno JPX 925 Forged Irons Set
Pros
- ✓Best Sound & Feel in the game
- ✓Explosive & Consistant Distance
- ✓Launch quickly & high
- ✓Can handle any shot you have
Cons
- ✕Zilch
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
I love me some JPX Forged irons. I could not wait to get my hands on the 925 versions and I was, in no way, disappointed.
What we like:
- THE BEST sound and feel in the game…including other Mizuno irons.
- Compact, player-looking clubheads.
- Explosive distance when you catch them. Merely long, otherwise.
- High launch and trajectory.
- You can play all the shots.
- Just a splash of forgiveness.
What we don’t like:
- Not. A. Thing.
Set Tested: 4 iron – PW
Shaft: KBS Tour C-Taper Lite 110g
Shaft flex: Stiff
7-Iron Launch Monitor Numbers
7-ironLaunch Monitor #s
Club Speed80mph
Ball Speed116mph
Carry Distance182yds
Peak Height79ft
I expect greatness from Mizuno JPX Forged irons and I am never disappointed.
We’re talking superb playability matched with the most heavenly sound and feel you can imagine.
And, you’ll have to imagine unless you’ve played JPX Forged irons before.
Read full JPX 925 Forged irons review.
Customer Reviews:
- Mizuno doesn’t collect them.
Bottom line: Mizuno nailed it again…again. I love these for better ball strikers. I found them slightly less forgiving than prior models.
Mizuno Pro S1 Irons
Highly Recommended
Mizuno Pro S1 Irons
Pros
- ✓Superb Sound & Feel
- ✓Ample Distance & Forgiveness
- ✓Can play all the shots
- ✓Gorgeuous
Cons
- ✕Not giving these away
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The best Mizuno pure player iron I’ve tested. A complete delight to hit.
What we like:
- Exceptional cosmetics. Best looking Mizuno’s I’ve put my hands on.
- Compact, player-looking clubheads.
- Ample distance – maybe even a little more than I expected.
- A splash of forgiveness for those days when you’re game is a little off.
- Great sound and feel. Matches the JPX line, which makes it the best in golf.
- You can play all the shots.
What we don’t like:
- Pricey – the most expensive Mizunos I’ve tested.
Set Tested: 4 iron – PW
Shaft: KBS Tour 120g
Shaft flex: Stiff
7-Iron Launch Monitor Numbers
Note: I did not hit well during launch monitor testing and I don’t think these numbers are indicative of how they played during my rounds on the course.
7-ironLaunch Monitor #s
Club Speed83mph
Ball Speed116mph
Carry Distance167yds
Peak Height49ft
After 10 years of testing many dozens of irons, I can figure them out pretty quick.
In fact, I figured out the Pro S1s after exactly one shot from the fairway on the first hole of testing.
Heavenly sound and feel…and you pretty much get out what you put in. Plus maybe a scoonch more.
I really, really, really wish my game was in better shape during my month with them.
They are absolute weapons in the right hands.
Read full Pro S1 irons review.
Customer Reviews:
- Mizuno doesn’t collect them.
Bottom line: My new favorite pure player Mizunos. All the playability of past models, with a hair more forgiveness and distance.
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro Irons
Highly Recommended
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro Irons
Pros
- ✓Best Feel In Golf
- ✓Easy to hit - Easy to launch
- ✓Ample Forgiveness
- ✓Long & Accurate
- ✓Bargain Price
Cons
- ✕Good, not Great cosmetics
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Our new favorite player’s distance iron from Mizuno.
What we like:
- Exceptional feel – Best in golf.
- Compact head.
- Easy to hit and launch.
- Accurate and consistent.
- Good distance and can add or subtract yardage as needed.
- Best price in premium player distance iron category.
What we don’t like:
- Good, not great, cosmetics.
Launch Monitor Data (Average #s)
Notes about the data:
I’m working on changing my swing and my ball striking isn’t consistent. So, these numbers don’t reflect actual yardage gaps you can expect from this set. But the numbers you see are the averages I got.
On the course, where it’s most important, I got distances appropriate to their lofts.
Also, I don’t hit long irons well in general, but I hit them much better off turf than off my mat.
| Club | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance (yds) | Peak Height (ft) | Spin Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PW | 78 | 101 | 135 | 75 | 6843 |
| 9 | 79 | 110 | 155 | 79 | 5876 |
| 8 | 83 | 116 | 171 | 75 | 4821 |
| 7 | 85 | 119 | 178 | 76 | 4505 |
| 6 | 85 | 121 | 183 | 57 | 3690 |
| 5 | 85 | 127 | 190 | 50 | 3258 |
| 4 | 82 | 121 | 172 | 32 | 2461 |
JPX 925 Hot Metal Pros do everything well, but in a more compact clubhead. I think these may take the place of the “Forged” irons from years past.
They are a touch more demanding than the Hot Metal Pros I’ve tested in the past, but they allow for minor mishits. Just not to the degree I was used to.
The heads, though more compact, frame the ball beautifully at address and offer zero intimidation.
Read our full 925s Hot Metal Pros review.
Recommendation: 10ish handicaps and lower should give these a try if you’re in the market for premium players distance irons and you don’t mind saving money.
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Irons
Best Game Improvement Option
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Irons
Pros
- ✓Superb forgiveness & distance
- ✓Best sound & feel in golf
- ✓High launch
- ✓Best clubs for the price
Cons
- ✕Not the best cosmetics
- ✕Heads could be a little larger for the beginner's eyes
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The new JPX 925 Hot Metals are our #1 recommendation for Mizuno game improvement irons.
What we like:
- Still the best sound and feel in golf.
- Loads of forgiveness and help with distance.
- Helps you get the ball up quickly, even with marginal contact.
- Really hittable long irons.
What we don’t like:
- Nada.
Launch Monitor Data (Average #s)
Notes about the data:
Yardage gaps between long irons are likely off due to inconsistent ball striking. But, those are the averages I got.
| Club | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance (yds) | Peak Height (ft) | Spin Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GW | 77 | 93 | 119 | 83 | 8355 |
| PW | 78 | 102 | 138 | 93 | 6586 |
| 9 | 80 | 109 | 154 | 87 | 5755 |
| 8 | 83 | 113 | 173 | 94 | 4278 |
| 7 | 83 | 120 | 188 | 71 | 3458 |
| 6 | 84 | 123 | 194 | 75 | 3729 |
| 5 | 85 | 127 | 198 | 60 | 2905 |
| 4 | 89 | 131 | 204 | 64 | 3057 |
I started testing Mizunos with the 921s and they’ve been at the top of all my lists since then.
Dollar for dollar you can’t beat their performance, and no other manufacturer matches their sound and feel.
They tick every game improvement box and do it at a reasonable price.
See how it compares in our best game improvement irons roundup.
You can read the full 925s review here.
Conclusion: Another winner from Mizuno for the mid and high handicapper.
Recommendation – Performs with the best of them and at a better price
Mizuno JPX 923 Forged Irons
Best Low - Mid Handicap
Mizuno JPX 923 Forged Irons
Pros
- ✓Best Feel in Golf
- ✓Superb Distance & Forgiveness
- ✓Play all the shots
- ✓Gorgeous
- ✓Reasonable Price
Cons
- ✕Still looking
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Golfer Geeks’ #1 Recommended Mizuno Iron.
What we like:
- Exceptional feel – Best in golf.
- Sleeker & handsome clubhead.
- Looong & forgiving (stole that from
Taylormade ) – I expect more distance with jacked lofts. The JPX 923 Forged irons are longer than I already expected.
What we don’t like:
- I’d prefer standard lofts.
Mizuno JPX Hot Metals, Hot Metal Pros, and Forged irons are the best-feeling irons and golf with everything else a distant second.
In fact, their performance on the course alone puts them at the top of any list of low-handicap irons you must try. Pair that with best-in-class feel and its a done deal.
Mizuno JPX 923 Forged irons are my favorite low handicap irons on the market.
Read my full JPX 923 irons review here.
Recommendation: They are worth your attention. You’ve got to hit them to understand how good they feel and perform.
Mizuno JPX 923 Tour Irons (Best Pure Player Option)
Best Low Handicap
Mizuno JPX 923 Tour Irons 6-9
Pros
- ✓Exceptional Feel
- ✓Accurate & Consistent
- ✓Great Launch & Trajectory
- ✓Player Looks & Profile
Cons
- ✕Bring your distance
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The JPX 923 Tour irons are our favorite pure “player” iron from Mizuno and a solid step up from the JPX 921 Tour irons for me.
What we like:
- Improved feel over the 921’s.
- I found the long irons easier to hit – and hit well (than the 921’s)
- Better looks and profile.
- Just forgiving enough on slight mishits.
What we don’t like:
- Nada – they hit their mark.
My strength is iron play, but not long iron play. I was able to hit solid long irons with good trajectory at my target time and again during my round with the 923 Tours.
I’ve improved my ball striking since testing the 921 Tours, but Mizuno has incorporated more performance in the 923s.
Read my JPX 923 Tours review here.
Recommendation: I think you should consider upgrading or at least testing the JPX 923 Tour irons if you own the 921 Tours. You may find the difference in performance worth the switch.
Mizuno Pro 243 Irons
Highly Recommended
Mizuno Pro 243 Irons
Pros
- ✓Superb Feel & Sound
- ✓Long with solid contact
- ✓Beautiful ball flight
- ✓Accurate & Consistent
Cons
- ✕Good looks...not the best
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The Pro 243s are new to our list.
What we like:
- Exceptional sound & feel.
- Great distance on center contact.
- Some forgiveness on minor mishits.
- Launch the ball easily.
- Accurate & consistent.
What we don’t like:
- Not the best cosmetics…but not bad.
7-iron Launch Monitor Data
Launch Monitor #s
Club Speed79.6mph
Ball Speed109.7mph
Carry Distance167.46yds
Vertical Launch15.97°
Peak Height68.6ft
Descent Angle36.7°
My swing is uber-rusty, but I’m working on getting it in shape. And, I’m using the Pro 243s to do it.
So, I’m mostly mishitting them…for now. They are not meant for this. These are precision instruments.
They absolutely sing when I make center contact. Quick launch, high trajectory, and long.
They only cover for the most minor mishits. My standard mishit – thin and toward the toe left me a club short consistently.
Read full Mizuno Pro 243 irons review.
Bottom line: Stellar performance and exceptional feel. You need center contact to appreciate their distance. Minor mishits lose significant yardage.
Mizuno Pro 245 Irons
Highly Recommended
Mizuno Pro 245 Irons
Pros
- ✓Superb Feel
- ✓Loads of Forgiveness & Distance
Cons
- ✕Sticker Shock
- ✕Some may have issues with low launching mid and long irons
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The Pro 245s are blade-looking game improvement irons. The mid and long irons lofts are one club stronger than standard.
What we like:
- Exceptional Mizuno sound & feel we’ve come to expect and love.
- Explosive distance on center contact.
- Some forgiveness on minor mishits.
- Short irons launch the ball well. Mid and long irons require good contact.
- Accurate & consistent.
What we don’t like:
- Not the biggest fan of the cosmetics.
- Low launching mid and long irons.
I enjoyed hitting the Pro 245s, especially the short and mid irons. I think the long irons – 6, 5, 4- will be a challenge for mid handicappers (their target audience) to elevate and get their true distance.
They are explosive off center contact and preserve good distance when you miss by a little.
Feel is off the charts good as expected. And, all of this comes at a premium price. Especially for game improvement irons.
Read my full Mizuno Pro 245 irons review.
Bottom line: Superb feel and distance. Beware if you are a natural low-ball hitter. Outstanding irons if you have the game. Worth testing, for sure.
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons
Runner Up Mid Handicap
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro w/ Steel Shafts
Pros
- ✓Unbelievably Soft & Solid Feel
- ✓Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- ✓Premium Looks
- ✓Outstanding Value
Cons
- ✕Nada
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
All JPX Hot Metal irons are the best-feeling irons I’ve ever hit.
JPX 923 Hot Metal Pros perform exactly like the 923 Hot Metal irons, which perform – Exceptionally well.
Your choice comes down to which clubhead size you prefer.
You can read my full review here.
Customer Reviews: Everyone that plays them likes them. Or, the ones that don’t are tight-lipped about it.
Verdict: Superb mid-handicap and even low handicap irons. All depends on what you like looking down at.
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Irons (Best Mid handicap Option)
Best Mid - High Handicap
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Irons
Pros
- ✓Exceptionally Soft & Solid Feel
- ✓Loads of Distance & Forgiveness
- ✓Absolute Eye Candy
- ✓Great Price
Cons
- ✕Nada
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
JPX 923 Hot Metal irons best Mizuno irons for mid handicappers.
What we like:
- Buttery, marshmellowy, unbelievably soft (yet solid) feel.
- Incredibly forgiving and easy to hit. Great contact is not needed for good results.
- Exceptional distance.
- You can play any shot you want if you’ve got the game.
What we don’t like:
- Nada
For this year’s JPX 923s, Mizuno combined Chromoly and Nickel to form Nickel Chromoly which allowed them to make the clubface 8% thinner, yet 35% stronger than last year’s JPX 921s.
So, the sweet spot is bigger for more forgiveness and distance over a larger portion of the face.
At least, I thought I did. The Chromoly metal Mizuno uses to make the Hot Metals (and Forged & Hot Metal Pro irons) is on a completely different level.
ALLL the good things I had to say about the 921s apply to the 923s.
You can read my full review here.
Conclusion: Continued exceptional feel, performance, forgiveness, and distance out of the JPX line.
Recommendation: Just try them. You’ll thank me.
Our Verdict
My personal favorites are the JPX 923 Forged irons because of the combo of head size and forgiveness.
My #1 suggestion is to test before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.
Thanks for checking out our review of the best Mizuno irons for mid handicappers, low handicappers, and beginners in 2026.
Best Pure Player
Mizuno Pro S1 Irons
Pros
- ✓ Superb Sound & Feel
- ✓ Ample Distance & Forgiveness
- ✓ Can play all the shots
- ✓ Gorgeuous
Cons
- ✕ Not giving these away
Best Player's Distance
Mizuno JPX 925 Forged Irons Set
Pros
- ✓ Best Sound & Feel in the game
- ✓ Explosive & Consistant Distance
- ✓ Launch quickly & high
- ✓ Can handle any shot you have
Cons
- ✕ Zilch
Best Game Improvement
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Irons
Pros
- ✓ Superb forgiveness & distance
- ✓ Best sound & feel in golf
- ✓ High launch
- ✓ Best clubs for the price
Cons
- ✕ Nada
