Mizuno irons have long adorned the bags of many good players around the world. A large percentage of the near-scratch guys at my club are playing them and have consistently raved about them. In fact one of them just replaced an old set of MP-32s with a new set of MP-67s, never considering another brand. When I had the opportunity to review a set of Mizunos, I jumped at the chance.
The MP-58s were actually a good fit since my last set of Mizunos (yes, I also have had them in my bag) were the T-Zoid Pro IIs – a pseudo-cavity backed club. With the advancement in technology, though, this set was bound to be slightly more forgiving and consistent: two traits any golfer is looking for in a set of clubs they buy.
The biggest question that remains, though, is whether the MP-58s can give you the playability that a one-piece forged muscleback does? Sure, I was a previous Mizuno owner but I currently sport the Titleist 695 MBs. Taking them out side by side was the best and most sure way of answering that question. So what was the result? Read on to find out.
Build and Technology
The MP-58s have a build you would expect from Mizuno. Very solid and classic – while infusing some new technology. To develop the MP-58 iron, Mizuno uses a high-tech titanium metal during the forging of the outer muscle of the iron. This enhances the feel, workability and shape of the club. The lightweight titanium also allows for an ideal amount of thickness behind the impact area to promote the soft, solid, consistent feel while increasing the perimeter weighting for playability.
The MP-58 not only has a classic look, but the feel of a sweetly tuned muscleback blade as well.
The other parts of the build include the optimization of impact, sound, and feel by utilizing Modal Analysis, which means measuring and analyzing the vibration of the head when struck by another object. Take a look at this video to see an example of what I’m talking about.
One other big design feature in the MP-58 set is that they have modified U-grooves that conform to the new condition of competition rules for 2010 while still providing spin and maximum playability. All of Mizuno’s new designs conform to the new rule, basically ending the square groove run started years ago.
Look and Feel
One of the most underrated parts of a club is its look and feel. The look can inspire good mental thoughts and the feel and feedback will reinforce them. While the MP-58s may not look as simple or pure as a traditional blade, there might not be a better looking dual muscle club out there. The feel impresses even more and is exactly what you’d expect out of a Mizuno club.
From the top and the face of the club, it is very hard to distinguish the MP-58 from nearly any other blade out there. It has a thin top line at address similar to my current blades. Also the size is very similar. If anything, the MP-58s are slightly larger. The good thing is that it is barely noticeable and has no effect on the feel of the club.
Can you really even tell which one is the old T-Zoid, the Titleist 695 MB, or the new Mizuno MP-58? OK, so the wear marks give it away, but nothing else.
The bottom of the club is just as similar to a blade as the top. In fact it is hard to distinguish between any of the 50- or 60-series clubs when they are in a bag looking up at you. Only the Mizuno logo near the heel and the number of the club towards the toe stamp the bottom of Mizuno’s game-enhancement irons.
At the back is where the club differs most from other irons. From the top and front, the look is forged but the back is where the dual-muscle backing stands out. The bottom of the back is thicker than the top and features a small cutout that is embossed with the Mizuno name. There is a smooth transition to the thin top that has only a couple of ridges that are visually appealing. The top of the toe is adorned with the MP-58 name.
Here you can tell the difference but the size is pretty close and you can see where the lower center of gravity comes into play with the MP-58.
The feel of the MP-58 is quite nice too. There wasn’t a noticeable difference in weight, which is good if you are transitioning clubs. Not only does the MP-58 look like my forged blades, they felt like them at setup and through the swing.
During contact there was a solid feel. I could tell where I hit the ball in the face of the club, but it wasn’t nearly as precise as my current blades were. If I base the feeling of the 695s at 100%, I would say the MP-58s were around 75%. Definitely softer than the cast clubs out there, but solid enough for a person to get the feedback they need. Overall the MP-58s are pleasing in both looks and feel.
Performance
With the MP-58s looking and feeling as good as they did, I was hoping they would perform at a high level too. It took a few swings on the range but once I got in a groove there was no doubt.
I spent about 45 minutes going through a normal range session and swapped in and out the 695s and the MP-58s. I started with the wedge and worked my way up to the long irons. The shorter irons were where you could feel the softness the most, but it didn’t affect the performance one bit. The ball had a slightly higher launch angle but the distance was nearly identical. I swapped the 8-irons out on four successive shots and I don’t think there was more than a three-yard difference between each landing spot.
I’ve hit all of these clubs numerous times and the MP-58 tops them all.
On the longer irons it was more of the same. There was a higher launch angle and very similar distances. If anything, the MP-58s could have been a bit longer. What I started to notice a lot more on the longer irons was the forgiveness of these irons. I hit a few shots fat or on the toe and did not lose nearly the distance I would have with the 695s. One memorable one I could have sworn I hit so fat that the ball would have gone maybe only three quarters of the way to the target but the ball nearly carried where some of my normal shots went. I was extremely pleased in this respect. I may carry a low handicap but all of us can benefit from this type of feature in our irons.
As for on the course, I had a chance to put the MP-58s in my bag for a few rounds. Again, there was no transition period whatsoever. I just hit the MP-58s the same way I would my current clubs. Distances were very similar. If there was one thing I couldn’t do as well with the MP-58s on the course it was working the ball. I did not, and had a hard time, trying to hit a hard draw or cut. My normal draw was there, but not nearly as much as I am use to.
Good looking, good feeing and really good performance makes the MP-58 a definite must-try iron for mid and low handicap golfers.
Even without working the ball much, I had a great first round with the MP-58s. I hit a handful of what I would consider very good iron shots. I had at least four birdie putts inside 20 feet that were the result of well-struck irons. I only hit a couple irons I wanted to have back but even those were not that bad. In the end, I hit 12 greens on a day where it was under 50 degrees, cloudy, and with winds blowing around 20 miles per hour. The conditions were not that good to say the least but I still hit some quality shots and the Mizunos helped me to a 74 on a good course without having played for a month. Not bad at all.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, the MP-58 gets my approval. I’ve always been a big fan of Mizuno irons and had high hopes for the MP-58s. They performed nearly exactly as I had expected. The one area that I was caught slightly off-guard was the forgiveness. Of course, it was very forgiving so that not a bad thing.
In my opinion, the MP-58 could be found in the bags of a range of players. Not just the middle handicapper, but the scratch as well. In testing these out, I don’t think that I’d be compromising too much in any direction by playing the MP-58s. The fact is because they are so easy to hit and have the look and near-feel of a traditional muscleback or blade, I’m probably going to keep them in my bag. After a few range sessions and the round I had, I’m going to use them for the next few rounds and see how things go. I’m quite optimistic that the MP-58s will be around for a while.
Good review.
It’s a shame that Mizuno has decided not to make the MP-58s for lefties.
Very thorough review, I enjoyed reading it – although I am a little jealous as it’s about 25 degrees in W,DC right now! I have played a forged cavity-back iron of some kind from my first set of Hogan Edge’s back in 1991. I am always looking for the softest forged cavity-back iron and softest ball combination, without giving up too much distance. Currently playing Srixon i-506’s with Titleist NXT Tour’s, but if I could afford to I would most likely be playing Mizuno irons of some kind and ProV1’s!
Mizuno is the best iron on the market… and not just by a small margin. The new MP-68’s are the blade of 2010 and the MP-58’s are equally as impressive. Titleist will have a hard time changing me from a Mizuno man. Great review.
I just purchased a set of MP-58’s. I’ve only had one range session but so far I’ve been really pleased. They’re my first “player’s” irons and I don’t find them to be that much more different to hit than my old GI irons.
“The look can inspire good mental thoughts and the feel and feedback will reinforce them.”
This is so very true.
Good Luck with your Mizuno’s.
I got fitted for MP-57s in 2008 after promising myself Mizuno’s for years. To be honest the stats on the monitoring equipment were not that much better than my old clubs. But I was determined to buy whatever was recommended. Coming on the back of my best ever round 1-under 69 (6 under on the back) with my old clubs, everyone was asking why I was changing.
I proudly added my shiny clubs to my bag and found that I suddenly got the Tom Hanks! I stuck with them for 9 months. I admit my practicing had decreased but I changed back after my handicap had gone up 2 strokes.
I am not sure whether to trade-in and get refitted or sell them and stick with my old Top Flite clubs?
Any comparison to the MP 68s? Thanks for the great review.
Does anyone find the MP 58 clubs similar to the Nike CCI forged irons that Cink and Glover have been playing. Those had excellent feel and playability as well as forgivness. If you put one next to each other they look basically the same. Tha main difference is that the CCIs have a tungsten insert instead of titanium.
Great review, I will wait until the price comes down to purchase one of these.
Currently using MP52. Loving them. Wonder how much different is there between MP52 and MP58.
How do these compare to the new AP2s?
Thanks for a great review Dave! I am playing MP30’s (2005) right now and want to move to 58’s for a bit more forgiveness. My only concern is the effect the new grooves may have? How did the 58’s stop on the green compared with your 695’s? (I guess 12 times that one day) Is this why they are designed to launch higher – to stop with trajectory? Any feedback is appreciated! Fliers???
I bought the MP-58’s when they came out and have never used Mizuno before. I always had custom made forged clubs that were like Mizuno which I had loved. But I was ready for something new and purchased these. Great club. Love em.
Hi Dve,
Great review.
I am a new golfer and had been following your reviews. Could you write a review comparing some of mizuno older club and also the history of the mizuno please. I am convinced on getting a mizuno but will look into a pre-loved set before commiting on a new one.
However, I am not sure of the history of the various model that comes out and their comparison to decide which one.
e.g. MS 203, Mizuno CenterFlag, Mizuno T-Zoid Pro-II
Looking forward for your advise.
cheers
Did anyone answer the question on how the MP 58s compares to the MP 52s?
any reason why the MP 58s were released to the general public with the PGA conforming rules. I would be really interested in these clubs if it were that they have the new grooves that will not affect the weekend golfer until 2024. For that, I think I would stick to either the MP 52s or the MP 57s that still have the old grooves.
Does anyone have some input in that matter??
have MP30, PRO(ZOID) irons.
are they conforming?
does wearing down of grooves approach conforming?
thank you
The MP-52’s do conform to 2010 rules, I am not sure about the MP-57 though.
I’ve played an MP 37/30 split bag followed by MP67 (through 2-iron) for the past couple of years. I was fitted for the 58’s (with Tru Temper Dyn Gold) at a Demo down here in January, but I decided not to pull the trigger. If you are playing blades, odds are that you hit a lot of balls and the feedback of the occassional “pure” is priceless. I just did not trust, that I would ever get that feel from the MP58’s. I think the review comments regarding the 58’s forgiveness are probably accurate given the fairly tight shot pattern (6Iron, and Pitching Wedges) of my demo but I think the die hard Mizuno guys out there would ultimately miss the blades. That being said, I doubt I would havehurt my scores and odds are I might have saved a stroke on the long par 3’s with the MP58’s in the near term.
Is there any way we, the weekend golfers, can get this clubs with the old grooves?? Not sure why they don’t have the option of buying clubs with one type of groove or the other. Those rules do not apply to us until 2024. So the question would be if the old grooves are more benefitial than the new technology.
I have a set of MP 68’s on the way. I’m super-excited. I was debating b/w them and the 58’s. I realize the 58’s are a little more forgiving, but they’re also more expensive. I felt comfortable hitting both, so I went with the blades. Any thoughts/comments from anyone about the MP 68’s?
I’ve been torn between the MP-58s and the Ping i15s for awhile now. After reading this review though I’m going with the 58s. Thanks for the help.
I have both the 58’s and 68’s with rifle 6.0’s and winn XI7 grips. I like the 58’s a bit better because they are sooo forgiving. I even like the 9 and PW better. They just make it so much easier to play. I’m a 8 handi right now. Still not sure which set I’m going to play. I do know I hate the 4-6 iron on the MP68’s. Just too hard to hit unless you have a perfect swing.
I have been playing Mizuno irons since 1997. My first set were T-Zoid Pro II. Last year I bought the MP 57 and just recently purchased the MP 58s and played them for the first time yesterday. I prefer the look, set up and feel of Mizuno irons. The feel is sensational. I matched each mp 58 to my 57s and they appear to be the same size. When it comes to irons, I am a faithful Mizuno player. All of my other clubs are Titleist from my driver, woods, hybird, wedges and of course my Scotty Cameron. The bottom line, regardless of the model, you won’t go wrong with a forged Mizuno iron. They don’t spend the money on marketing like Callaway, Taylormade and Nike; however, they do spend it on technology. Their product speaks for itself.
I was a Mizzy guy for years: MX23, MP57, MX200.
But than I discovered Srixon irons. Today I play Srixon 701 Tours. They are smoother and more solid than any Mizuno I have hit so far. Spin milled face throughout the set, 6 times forging (in Japan not China!) and you can get them for very little money. Give them a try and you will be amazed.
Hello and thank you for the review,
I have owned two sets of Mizuno’s in the past (MX-23 and MX-25). I have become a better play and desided to trade a different brand, bad idea. I am back in the club. After attending two demo day and hitting every thing out there, I decided to buy a set of MP-58s. I just bought them on Ebay for $469 for a nearly new set of 4-PW in DG S300. WOW, what a deal.
I plan to have them for several years. I will never stray from Mizuno again. I’ll never cheat again.
I am a lefty and very disappointed that Mizuno didn’t make the MP 58 in left hand. I don’t know what large corporation would do such a drastic thing.
I hit MP 57’s and absolutely love them. I wasn’t a fan of high end irons and never have been until I hit the MP 57. It has a sweet buttery feel and is unbelievably consistent.
I hit Ram and Wilson forged blades before. I would have anyone try an old Ram forged blade. Has a very similar feel. I will be nailing down another set of MP 57’s in left before they go extinct.
I’ve played a few rounds with my MP58’s and I absolutely love them. For a semi blade it is surprisingly forgiving. I have the KBS tour shafts on them and I love the lower ball flight of the longer irons where the mid and short irons provide an ample amount of spin on the ball where you can hit low trajectory shots and not worry about the ball skipping the green too much. The weight is almost perfect for me, and one can definitely work the ball flight when needed without too much trouble.
I just got back from the range with my new MP-58s and I was very, very impressed. The range balls I was hitting were Nike Practice rocks and these things ate them up. I’ve spent the last few months going back and forth between the Titleist MB/CB, and the Mizuno MP-58/68. I opted for the feel of the 58. They still have that “softish” forged blade feeling at impact with a little more forgiveness and “clip” off the face. I didn’t have a problem working the ball with these and I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow and see how they feel with some Pro V1s. I researched and demoed just about everything out there this year: Nike Victory Reds, McGregor, Cally, you name it, and these came up number one for me. I’m a high single digit handicapper and am looking forward to shaving a few extra strokes off my game. Go get some!
I went to the range and was hitting the Taylormade r9 tp, Callaway Diabilo Forged, and the Mizuno mp-58. I was averaging 165 using the 6 iron. I was averaging 185 with the Mizuno mp58. These clubs are have my vote.
I have now played my MP-58s for four rounds and about a dozen practice buckets. I was hitting Mizuno MX-300’s for about 6 months prior to purchasing the MP-58s. Honestly there was a lot of fear about going to more of a blade like golf club compared to the GI MX-300s. I am about a 15 handicap. I have to say I am very glad I switched to the MP-58s. The MX-300’s were great, but the feel of the 58s is more precise and the feedback is amazing. Mostly though, my ability to work the ball has notably increased. I am still a novice at shaping my shots but can already see the MP-58s taking my game to the next level where with the MX-300’s the workability was not as pronounced. It was there, but not like the MP-58s.
Love the feel, the lines, the looks, the feedback, and the performance. I am very satisfied.
My trainer told me “but why do you really wanna play with so hard irons ?”.
The answer is: with my Mizuno Mp58s I’ve reached a thought think very very good. A better feeling never got before. Much more easy to use than you believe. Your review is perfect.
And my handicap is falling down.
I play the MP-58’s. I bought them when they first came out in the fall of ’09. As a Mid-Handicapper, they are foregiving enough to allow mistakes, yet club enough that they make me work on my game. Very soft feel when you hit them dead center.