Titleist vs. Mizuno vs. Ping irons

[wardamneagle]

list the pros and cons and anything else you know on them. looking to get a new set of either AP1/AP2 combo, G10s, i10s, MP-57s or MP-60s

[Shindig]

list the pros and cons and anything else you know on them. looking to get a new set of either AP1/AP2 combo, G10s, i10s, MP-57s or MP-60s

I haven't actually hit the Titleist irons, but I hit Ping i10s and Mizuno MP-57s and MP-60s just over a week ago. The i10s and MP-57s ended up at the top (#2 and #1, respectively) of my list of sets of irons I want for my next set, which I'll purchase when my handicap gets to the teens.

Ping irons are notoriously easy to get fit for. It's something they're known for. If getting fit is a worry for you - and you should get fit for irons, regardless of which irons you get - this is a big plus. Also, I believe the i10s come in any subset you want from 2-LW. So, if you want to hold onto your 3H and just get 4-PW, you can do so. If you decide you love the irons so much you want to get the GW, SW, and/or LW in the same set, you can do that too. And if you decide that a 3I or even 2I is something you'd like to hit, you can get them as well. I loved the way the Mizunos feel. I can't really explain it. I liked the MP-57s more than the MP-60s, but the MP-60s better than some other companies' top-of-the-line clubs. Mizunos are forged, which I should note refers to the process of creating them and doesn't mean 'counterfeit'. I forget the exact benefit(s) of forged irons, but the ball seemed to jump off the club, except the 51-degree gap wedge, which felt like the ball wanted to stick around a while but reluctantly left. It felt good, although my narrative might not make that evident. Strong suggestion: hit any set of irons - and at least those of one competitor - before you decide on a set to purchase. And get fit for whichever ones you buy.

[TourSpoon]

I haven't actually hit the Titleist irons, but I hit Ping i10s and Mizuno MP-57s and MP-60s just over a week ago. The i10s and MP-57s ended up at the top (#2 and #1, respectively) of my list of sets of irons I want for my next set, which I'll purchase when my handicap gets to the teens.

Not much left to say...No wonder Shin has 5 rep points. I think what may be helpful is for wardamneagle to give us a description of what he is looking for. There is no doubt that you will not go wrong with any of these sets, but are you looking for forged, forgiveness, playability, workability, feel, etc? Combine that with a brief description of your game and you can get some real solid feedback.

[bigboom]

i di the same comparison as you between the i10, mp57, s58 and ap2. I had a set of i5's before and between the i5 and i10 i couldnt say there was much advantage to switching they felt really similar with just a little less offset and thinner top line so i couldnt justify switching to those.

then i tried the s58, i almost went with these sticks until i hit the mp57 and ap2. once you hit a forged club flush its a terrible thing to have to go back to hitting cast irons. while ping clubs are better because of that dampening medallion in the i10 and rubber insert on the s58 i still preferred the feel of the mp57 and ap2.

between the mp57 and ap2 was where i had a difficult choice. i had to be nitpicky and the things i picked on were the ap2 has a very shiny face, most clubs have the chrome toe and heel but the face is usually dull, the ap2 i found was shiny on the whole face and was distracting for me. also due to the thin face i found it had more of a clicky feel than the mp57 which was buttery smooth and looked great. there is a reason mizuno has a reputation for being the best forged irons out there. i really cant say a bad thing about the mp57 so i ordered those in +0.5" and 1 degree upright and they got delivered in about 2.5 weeks from Atlanta (i live in canada so i took a little extra time) i hit them all weekend at the range and shot after shot i was impressed with the feel.

oh and i see you play to a similar handicap to me, i just started golfing two years ago and i'll say this, among all the irons i looked at, all were just as forgiving and workable as another so you cant go wrong. i think i the end it all comes down to which club you like the feel and look of.

[mn723]

Of the three companies I've only played the Ping i3 (6 years) and Mizuno MP-57 (4 rounds). You can't go wrong with Ping as their designs are an institution and copied everywhere. Pings probably are a little more forgiving overall. My Mizunos are awesome, but everything usually is after only 4 rounds. I'll report back in a couple years. I've never played Titleist irons, they just never peaked my interest.

[wardamneagle]

shindig, bigboom- thanks
tourspoon and all-
im 17, 6'2" 190, usually shoot in the mid to low 80s. always played golf as much as i could on vacation or baseball offseason, but now i switched over from baseball full time because of shoulder injuries. i made my high school golf team and im ready for an upgrade from my 6 year old, regular fat shaft wilson deep reds. dont know my iron clubhead speed but with a driver im about 115-125 mph. i hit my current 7 iron around 160 in good conditions. i hit all of my clubs with a natural very high trajectory. any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[andre112]

mp 57 or 695mb would be likely to be my next set after a few years. (hopefully, i will be a single digit and the club will cost a lot less by then)

[SuaSponteMn]

I'd say the forgiveness factor on those 3 sets of irons is almost identical. If you were to go on feel, it would go:

Harshest = Ping: It's cast, but also bullet proof when it comes to bag chatter. They will look brand new in 5 years

Middle Ground = Titleist: Forged, but will be a tad 'clickier' at impact than some other forged clubs. The will take some abuse in the bag

Softest = Mizuno: Forgred from carbon steel, feels like you're striking a marshmellow. Beware, I've had mine for less than a season and they already show bag chatter.

[Shindig]

Softest = Mizuno: Forgred from carbon steel, feels like you're striking a marshmellow. Beware, I've had mine for less than a season and they already show bag chatter.

Can you explain bag chatter to me?

Does it affect how they play or just how they look? Since I'm looking at getting MP-57s soon, should I get some iron covers for them too? I like to keep my clubs in good condition, and I realize that for cast this probably wouldn't matter, but how about for forged?

[bigboom]

Can you explain bag chatter to me?

i think iron covers are useless because really think of the time you waste putting on and off the covers and really the bag chatter never affects the actual face of the irons themself just the outsides.

bag chatter happens when the clubs bang into each other while you are carrying them causing little nicks, dents and scratches in the edges and backs nothing that will cause them to be unplayable or affect your shots. i will also agree that mizuno irons are more prone to chatter but i just take that as giving the club some character :)

[iacas]

i think iron covers are useless because really think of the time you waste putting on and off the covers and really the bag chatter never affects the actual face of the irons themself just the outsides.

I don't think they're useless. I put them on my irons when I'm taking a flight with my golf clubs.

But that's the only time they're used.

[nykfan4life]

I don't think they're useless. I put them on my irons when I'm taking a flight with my golf clubs.

+1 only time you need them. I find it tedious to replace every one during a round.

[jryan]

Are you a hockey player? Seems hockey guys can hiot golf balls, and like you say you have no problem striking the ball. Why the 15 HC, its a short game thing! I grew up playing hockey and hit the ball like a pro, not as often however. But 90% of the time terriffic, my issues are short ones!I tried the AP2's and loved them with the Project X Shafts in a 5.5. I was advised by he guy showing me the AP2's of the MP 57's, I really need to try them, are they as easy top hit as the AP2's?????????? Jay

[NCGolfer]

I have the 695.MB's and like them quite a bit. I had some Mizuno T-Zoid Pro II's before that...which are still in my basement.

If I had to play one set of irons the rest of my life, I'd probably go with Mizuno. I've hit about 3 or 4 different makes and have nothing but good things to say. Anyone looking for clubs owes it to themselves to at least try some Mizunos out.

I got a great deal on the MB's and they've grown on me.

[SuaSponteMn]

bag chatter happens when the clubs bang into each other while you are carrying them causing little nicks, dents and scratches in the edges and backs nothing that will cause them to be unplayable or affect your shots. i will also agree that mizuno irons are more prone to chatter but i just take that as giving the club some character :)

That's bag chatter alright! I have to disagree on the character opinion, but I consider covers to be golf's equivelent to a pocket protector. I run a towel in between the shafts, seems to work alright in all but the most extreme conditions.

[Shindig]

That's bag chatter alright! I have to disagree on the character opinion, but I consider covers to be golf's equivelent to a pocket protector. I run a towel in between the shafts, seems to work alright in all but the most extreme conditions.

Run a towel between while they're in the trunk? Hrm... I may have to do this. Thanks!

[wachesawgolfer]

Bag chatter also mars the toes of the clubs which is not too pretty. Makes it look like your hitting off the toe. I agree with the old adage that if your overly concerned how your irons look after use you probably should not play them, hence few people dare to use iron covers on the course. Just too vain looking, I guess.

I think the Pings and the Mizunos are quite different without much crossover in users. Both are great just different approaches and looks.

For all around use and playablity you cannot go wrong with Pings.

[nykfan4life]

I think the Pings and the Mizunos are quite different without much crossover in users. Both are great just different approaches and looks..

+1 Mizuno focuses on the player's clubs(although they do have a very good lineup of game-improvement clubs), While Ping focuses on game improvement(While producing a limited amount of cavity back players clubs). Although you can get them in similar categories ie MP-57 and i10, MX-25 and G10, etc.