I wouldn’t want to make a promise that I didn’t keep, so here we are again this week, rounding out the last few details on Mizuno’s new releases. To recap, we took a look at new irons, hybrids and wedges in the MP series, and now we look at the newest in the MX series of game improvement irons . If you missed last week, click here to have a look at the latest in the MP line from Mizuno.
The MX series has historically been Mizuno’s line of game improvement irons for a while, and though the new MX-1000 may fall squarely in that category, the MX-300 is meant to bleed the edge between game-improvement iron and player’s iron. With so many different options to choose from, there’s a Mizuno iron made for every type of player out there. They’ve built an almost cult-like following with their superb feel and performance, and I’d expect the new MX-1000 and MX-300 to add to that. With that said, let’s have a look at these two new irons.
MX-1000
For starters, Mizuno is calling the MX-1000 the longest, straightest iron they’ve ever created. What makes the MX-1000 so much longer than previous irons? There are actually multiple design features contributing to such a claim. First, thanks to their Hot Metal Technology, Mizuno pushed COR to its legal limit. Unfamiliar with COR?? In a nutshell, it’s the measure of the “rebound” effect a club has (golf balls have COR as well).
Without drifting too far off-subject, pushing the COR limit is great but as a game improvement iron, another equally important three letter acronym is MOI, which the MX-1000 has plenty of. MOI is optimized by the use of Hollow Technology, which allows the internal weighting to be pushed away from center, allowing the player to get away with less than perfect contact. The Hollow Technology also allows for the center of gravity to be pushed low and deep, making it easier to launch the ball high and straight. To help reduce excessive digging, and increase playability from all lies, a wide beveled sole design with a rolled leading edge and aggressively beveled trailing edge was used.
It is worth noting that the MX-1000, like the MX-100, does not make use of Mizuno’s Grain Flow Forging process. The Hot Metal construction is created by plasma welding a thin WS230 maraging steel face to stainless steel body. An electroformed medallion and two-toned double nickel chrome finish top it all off. Finally, modified U-grooves (yes, they are conforming) are cut into the face to provide an ideal spin rate from any lie.
Looking at the picture, you’ll see that this may qualify as one of Mizuno’s less subdued irons, in terms of appearance. If you look closely, you’ll see that the grey channel in the cavity is textured with tiny Mizuno logos, and the rest of the cavity deviates from the normal blue/yellow combination in favor of black and grey. I’ll let you form your own opinion on the esthetic qualities of this club, but I’m not exactly wild about the look of the cavity. Regardless, I’m also a firm believer that the look of the cavity doesn’t matter all that much, as you don’t see it at address. While the topline of the MX-1000 may be a little thicker than the rest of Mizuno’s irons, it certainly doesn’t look to be distractingly thick at all, and should set up quite nicely.
Options and Availability
There are three stock shaft options available: the True Temper GS95 (in both R300 and S300 models), the Grafalloy Po Launch Platinum, and the Mizuno Exsar IS4. The MX-1000 is available for both right and left handed players, and can be full customized by Mizuno’s Custom Department. The aforementioned distance and forgiveness come at a price though, as the MSRP is set at $1350. Luckily, these can be easily found pretty easily for a little less than $1000 right now.
MX-300
While the MX-1000 may be a true, full-fledged game improvement iron, the MX-300 intends to blur the line between player’s iron and GI iron. The MX-300 is geared towards the player looking for something slightly more forgiving than the MP line, and therefore is touted as the “player’s game improvement iron”. With an appearance similar to the older MP-23, the MX-300 should appeal to all players, but most of all, the player that’s looking for that optimal mix of forgiveness and control.
The MX-300 combines a lot of the qualities that have made Mizuno’s irons so popular. First and foremost, the Grain Flow forging process was used in combination with Modal Analysis in order to fine-tune the feel that so many Mizuno fans have come to expect.
The Y-Tune Pro Technology in the MX-300 is an updated version of the Y-Tune Technology used in previous clubs, such as the MX-200. The Y-Tune Pro Technology is a specially configured cavity back designed to provide an enlarged sweet spot for more forgiveness and ball control. The 3-7 irons make use of a milled pocket cavity, which relocates 12 grams of weight low and deep on the club head. The 8-GW employ a power bar that should give the player and extra amount of control in the scoring irons.
A traditional appearance is achieved by maintaining a semi-thin top line, compact head size, and modest sole. Black weight pockets can be seen in the cavity, in conjunction with the Y-Tune Pro Technology. Like the MX-1000, the traditional blue cavity is dropped in favor of black and grey, though I feel it looks much more subtle and pleasing in it use in the MX-300. Many players will also be happy to find that the MX-300 also has a minimal amount of progressive offset throughout the entire set. A double nickel chrome plating finishes off the iron before the modified U-grooves are cut into the face.
The MX-300 is Grain Flow forged from the same 1025E “Pure Select” mild carbon steel used in the MP-58 and MP-68 players irons. The dual cambered sole features a generous leading edge and rolled trailing edge, designed reduce digging throughout impact.
Options and Availability
Again, lefties get left out in the cold, as the MX-300 is only available in right-handed models. The standard shaft is the True Temper Dynalite Gold, though you have the option of the R300 or S300. If you prefer a different shaft, custom grips, or adjusted loft/lie angle, the Mizuno Custom Department is available to meet all of your needs. It is notable that the standard set includes 4-GW, though a 3 iron is available. The MSRP is $900, which is considerably lower than that of the MX-1000, but as usual, you can expect to actually pay $100 less.
Final Thoughts
Between last week and this week, we’ve had a chance to see what’s new from Mizuno for the fall of 2009 and 2010. If you take a look at Mizuno’s website, you’ll not only see the clubs we covered here, you will also see the ones we looked at around this time last year. That’s a total of eight current iron offerings available! And to think, we like to make fun of TaylorMade for the multitude of drivers they keep on the market, but Mizuno has slipped under the radar somehow? Not anymore!
OK, that was really a joke, but I do think that having that many options can be both a blessing and a curse. I say it can be a curse because to a newcomer, it can lead to a great deal of confusion on what to buy, and what will work best for that player. The good greatly outweighs the bad though. The biggest positive I see out of it is a great deal of versatility. A player who really knows exactly what he’s looking for has the option to put together a great combo/mixed set.
Because I care, I do want to make you aware of something you may want to watch out for if you decide to go that route. Pay close attention to the lofts. They can vary a significant amount when you mix the MX-300s and the MP-58/68 sets. This variation can be as great as 2° for the same club between these two sets. All of these clubs are available now, so check them out at your favorite shop and let us know what you think in the comments below!
I really appreciate the review, I remember a couple years ago when I was trying different demo irons that the mizuno I hit felt really nice. I have been thinking of moving over to mizuno irons ever since. I think this coming year will be the time I make the switch to the MX-300.
Mizuno has lost my business by not offering the mx 300’s in LH. I have the MP 60s and they perform very poorly on misses towards the toe. I was very excited when the MX300’s came out, not so much since I can’t have them. Anyway, my mp 60s are gone (well not yet but for sale) and I went to something that will not kill me on my bad days.
Because the MX300 and MP series irons are forged, it’s easy for your local pro to adjust the loft so that they flow consistently throughout a mixed set.
Same thing happened as last time. I hit everything, and ended up with the Mizunos. I’ve been playing Mizunos for 10 years now. I wanted to change it up. I hit them all and kept coming back to MX300’s.
Love ’em!!!!
I am 62 years old and carry an active 12 handicap. I want to buy a new set of clubs, my old set is at least 10years old and has served me very well, now I need to step to the new technolgy that’s available.
My current driver is a Cleveland Launcher, at least seven years old and still getting 275 to 280 with a slight fade and regular shaft.
My irons are Cobra cavity back. My distance check club and go to club is my 8 iron which I peg at 150 meters or 164 yds with a regular graphite shaft.
I use Cleveland wedges 52 and 56
Considering————————
Driver: Titilist 909 D1 comp with Adila Voodoo shaft, regular.
Mizuno MX 300 or MX 1000 with Mizuno graphite shaft, regular. I would like to maintain my current distance with new irons or improve with the new technology.
Looking for suggestions and thoughts.
Tks for time, consideration and response.
Ace
Hi Adrian,
Looks to me like you hit the ball quite well. Why would you consider a beginner’s club such as MX-1000 versus the forged MX-300 ? I would go with the MX-300 for sure.
I ordered my MX-300 set last week-end ; I can’t wait to get them !
Had them fit with Dynamic Gold Superlite R300 based on my swing speed.
I will have the lies adjusted as well, but the fitter said that it’s better to wait before adjusting them, as my swing will change to some extent since I am changing to slightly shorter clubs and lighter shaft. (during the fitting session, I hit on the toe end). She will let me play them a couple of months, get used to the new feel/weight, and then adjust the lies.
I already felt great (which is why I chose these these clubs in the first place). Does this make sense to anybody ?
Do the mx-300 irons conform to the 2010 groove rule?
I purchased a new set of MX 200 irons and couldn’t hit them because of the offset. Worked out a deal with Mizuno to exchange the MX 200 irons for a new set of MX 300 irons. The Mx 300 irons have Dynamic Gold Stiff shafts. I love the MX 300’s and have picked up significant yardage. They are a sweet club! It was difficult to sell my Nike Victory Red’s, but the Mizuno 300’s are definitely superior. I have a 12 handicap and look forward to improving my handicap with these irons.
Well guys made my decision and didn’t get either the MX 1000 or the Mx 300. I had the opportunity to be fitted out at Joe Campo’s Golf Zone and really must tell you that I slide right in with the MP 52’s. I had the opportunity to only play them once and for 9 holes. (Weather has not permitted more play.) I was really impressed. These irons are very accurate and feel great!!!! Can’t wait for warmer weather. It seems as though i have lost a club length compared to my old cavity backs, but picked a lot more accuracy. It really hard to tell after playing 9 holes and not working out with the new irons prior to playing. I will keep all updated as soon as weather permits, so far, very happy with looks, feel and playability.
Adrian
i currently play with pingi5 irons and play to a 15 handicap i’am currently looking at mizuno irons and would like some feed back as to which irons i should be looking at; the mizuno mx 200 or 300’s any and all feed back would be greatly appreciated.
John,
I did not like the offset or looks of the MX 200 vs. the MX 300 irons. I just couldn’t play the MX 200 irons. Everything went to the right and short.
Hey Al,
Thanks for your thoughts, now for the results with my new MP52’s. I now have 5 rounds under my belt with the new clubs and totally happy with them, in fact they do bring more focuse to the impact zone, which is produces a better swing and promotes accuracy and distance. I have gotten my distance back.
In this package with the Mizuno irons, I picked up the Cleveland Launcher Ligtht Weight driver and 3 wood, 60 and 64 degree Cleveland wedges. The Driver is solid, long and workable, but you has to wait for the club. The fairway wood has the same traits. Love the wedges except the 64 takes a little bit of getting use to it. Still working out the kinks.
Highly recommend this set, but not for the beginners unless they are dedicated and lots of perservance.
Professional lessons are a must and the Mizuno fittings systems is top notch.
Adrian
Having cut my teeth on Hogan Apex blades, I was looking forward to returning to the feel and feedback of a forged club (currently hitting Taylor Made RAC). I went to get fit today and me ego was yelling for the MP 52’s but the MX300 felt as good and didn’t get killed on the mis hits. Every set of irons I have owned were used and I have to say that Joe at Brooks Golf in Jonesboro, AR did a fantastic job of fitting me to the right shaft, grip, club and lie. I cant wait to get them.
Couldn’t agree more! So many good reviews from every golf outlet but still no lefty offerings!!
I play to a 10 handicap and stike the ball fairly well – 61 years old, average 260 with the driver and 185 with my five iron. I’ve been trying to replace my Ping I3’s for about 5 years primarily due to wanting best technology – went through callaway x20’s, taylor made r7s, burner’s, and mizuno 200’s without finding a fit. Just recieved the mx1000’s with dynamic gold (with sensicore) stiff shafts and couldn’t be happier. I don’t need to ‘work the ball’ because I can hit it straight, high and long with each club – A little on the ‘wide side’,but I’ve recorded two straight par rounds in the last week, something that used to happen twice a year!
Trying to decide on I15’s, G15’s or 800’s vs 1000’s. I’m a 10 hcp in Fla. (55) already hit it high, but now only play for enjoyment, not competative. Not worried about working ball, just want simplicity and consistency of shot. Play weekly (sometimes twice) but really don’t practice anymore. Hit X20’s now and hate them. Miss my X14’s and Eye2’s. How about some feedback guys? Thanks