Mizuno JPX 800 HD Irons

Ping is an iconic golf brand. Karsten Solheim (15 Sep 1911 - 16 Feb 2000), its founder has his finger prints in almost all things golf. The Norwegian born American was the first to have created a putter with perimeter weighting. The name Ping was derived from the sweet sound his putter made when it contacted the golf ball. While Ping became the brand name he wanted to call his putter the Answer but due to space constraint on the putter head, his wife suggested that he dropped the "W" and he finally called it the "Anser". 

His perimeter weighting was then used for Ping irons, woods, etc. Today, all golf clubs have perimeter weighting. All golf brands have an "Anser" design putter in their range. Thanks to Ping, you enjoy your golf a bit more. I am not here to discuss Ping today but you do not find Ping coming in with lots of advertisements. Neither they you find them publishing their equipment for sales. However, I found that recently the Ping G20, their Game-Improvement irons are selling for less than $800! This is cheaper than the G15. May be they will soon launch a G25, a beautiful looking set of irons which looks slimmer and darker. If you are looking for very forgiving irons take a look at G20 at that price point, quite a steal.

Otherwise, check this out! Mizuno irons are world famous. Tiger Woods used them when he was young. They are renowned for their quality and feel. Their MP series for better players are especially well liked. So too their MX series for higher handicappers. The MX series has since been replaced by the new series called the JPX800 series which continues in the same vein as game improvements irons. They  have also introduced the JPX800 Pro series which are forged. It does not mean we cannot play with MP series but not being too regular on the golf course and if you do not want to fight with your golf clubs, then take a look at these JPX800HD series.

Mizuno often make some of the world's best looking and best feeling irons. One look at its sole immediately tells you that they are super game improvement or at least game improvement irons. Only shot-making and playability may be harder as these are designed to shoot high and straight like arrows. You should want these clubs if you are looking for consistency. You can see that the C-grind soles have a half matt half shiny finish. They are two-toned nickel chrome plated for durable and elegant finish.

Towering shots that land softly is the order of the day as HD stands for High Distance. It features a multi-thickness hot metal face with extra weight in the low heel high toe, areas where most golfers miss so that they can maximise COR for the highest sweet zone hits. These are highly rated irons in its class.

They are designed such that they are extremely easy to use. They provide plenty of correction on poorer swings, are basically sharp shooters and solid swings are pin seekers. These have superior soft, smooth feel that produces a sweet sound when crushing the ball on impact. Extra weight features are well hidden such that at address they still have a clean, averagely thin appearance. Not heavily offset with a moderate top line, its bright shining finish gives it a classy look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0XMA2m7xXA

The club heads are progressively reduced in size from the longer to shorter irons and you will find a high energy pocket cavity in the 5-7 irons while the 8-PW have a more solid design so as to improve control. These are just like the JPX800 but on steroids!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQVEZ65rAeQ

Faces are "U" grooves conforming to USGA rules and regulations.  

Trajectory is high and soaring without ballooning. Mizuno engineers designed a solid feel and sound on impact which they called "Harmonic Impact Technology" or HIT. What exactly is that I am not sure but it feel so smooooooth and sounds so goooooood!

The pocket cavity was created for the club face to flex for more power.  

Here are the specification:

5 iron - (loft: 25 degrees), (lie: 60.5 degrees), (length: 37.75 inches)
6 iron - (loft: 28 degrees), (lie: 61 degrees), (length: 37.25 inches)
7 iron - (loft: 32 degrees), (lie: 61.5 degrees), (length: 36.75 inches)
8 iron - (loft: 36 degrees), (lie: 62 degrees), (length: 36.25 inches)
9 iron - (loft: 40 degrees), (lie: 62.5 degrees), (length: 35.75 inches)
PW - (loft: 44 degrees), (lie: 63 degrees), (length: 35.50 inches)
GW - (loft: 49 degrees), (lie: 63 degrees), (length: 35.25 inches)
SW - NA

I have originally wanted the MP-69 even those are players clubs which we can use but they are less forgiving and you have to be playing very regularly to truly enjoy them. When I got there, they were sold out! Why? They went for only $599 (steel shafts). Look at these club head, do they give you confidence? Let's say you are hitting across water on a head wind?

It is common for golf purists to say that Mizuno golf clubs are "sex on a stick". They are mostly referring to how the clubs feel on impact and the way they look. Golf purists are like music audiophiles.

I believe the grips are fashioned for a more Asian fit which is a good thing. Do not underestimate that even grips play an important on how you play. I like the blue graphics across the grip.

I read that the shaft is a Fujikura Orochi Dragon graphite. This is at 58g with a torque of 4.2, mid-kick Regular flex. I have tested on the special Mizuno "Shaft Optimizer" before which can in as little as three shots tell you what is the most suitable shaft for you game depending on your swing speed. Mine was in the full range from "R", "SR", "S" to "Steel". As we age, our swing speed will inevitably slow down eventually to a trickle. Always remember to choose more flex than you can handle i.e. less stiff. You can still play with more flex but when you can't handle a stiffer flex you can hardly play. Golf is played over 18 holes and quite often during hot afternoons. You get tired. Compare 58g to 95g shaft and you will get the picture.

I like the dark colour shaft with blue graphics. Look closer and you will find that there are sprinkles of shining blue stardust on the dark coloured shaft. Classy.

The multi-material electrofoam badge is to enhance feel and a more aggressive styling.

Any one with trouble getting the ball in the air, keeping the ball in play or need consistency, go grab them. These are considered "fuel injection" and super forgiving. They are sweet!

They could be not just your new addition and constant companion but also your long term partner. Mizuno says they are suitable for golfers with handicap from 12 to 35. I just made a soaring shot over a tree and landed 3 feet from the pin for a par 4 birdie. Yummy!. I hope my life will be better in 2013. Let's sell some snake oil and make some magic on the golf course! Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/NIZ_bmCP7GQ (highlight link, right click and click at "go to")

Golf as in life, play as it lies.