Our review of the Mizuno Pro 223 Irons
Strokes of Genius: Mizuno delivers with the Mizuno Pro 223 irons
Introduction
The Mizuno MP 32 irons were absolutely my favorite set of Mizuno irons…until now. Mizuno has always been at the forefront of golf equipment innovation, and the MP 223 irons are no exception. So with a salute to the MP 32s that served me well for many years, I can officially say, there’s a new king in town.
Style
At first glance, the sleek and compact design of the MP 223s exudes elegance and quality. The style is simple and the clubs are instantly recognizable in the bag. The only fault for some may be the lettering style for “MizunoPro”. It isn’t as strong and powerful as you might see on the Mizuno JPX line but its easily forgotten after the first glance. Standing over the ball, the topline of the clubs instill confidence that you have the right tool in hand to execute your next shot in high pressure situations.
Substance (Performance)
After testing the MP 223s on the course for the last few months, I can confirm they meet and exceed the expectations Mizuno has set for the MP 223s. To describe them in one word or phrase is perhaps unfair but the 223s are probably best described as versatile and balanced. They offer power, precision, forgiveness, and workability in equal measure without pushing too far in any direction at the expense of another.
In terms of feel, flushed shots are absolutely buttery smooth. Exactly what we’d hoped for from this entry in the Mizuno lineup. Equally important though, they are forgiving enough on off center hits to minimize the damage and keep the ball moving. Mizuno attributes the soft feel of the irons at impact to a microlayer of copper under the nickel chrome. Whatever it is, pure shots are rewarded and they don’t absolutely punish you for off-center mishits.
While not the top priority for many players considering the MP 223s, what I really enjoy about the irons is you don’t feel like you’re trading feel and workability for distance. These aren’t super game improvement irons but they certainly have some pop. Especially with the technology and thin, explosive clubface in the 4-7 irons. With that, Mizuno never lost sight of that fact that these are players irons and need the visual appeal, size, and feel that this market of buyers is looking for. Not to mention, the 8-PW are actually produced using the same construction as the MP 221s, so you can enjoy the precision you’d expect from the MP lineup when you’re in scoring positions.
Simply put, the MP 223s will give you the confidence that you can attack the pins on your good days while limiting the damage on days where you’re struggling to find your swing.
Conclusion
Combining modern technology with traditional craftsmanship, these irons offer the benefits of modern club technology with the size of a compact players cavity iron. Designed to offer both precision and power, the MP 223s are a true marvel of engineering for players looking to take their game to the next level.
Well done Mizuno, these are officially my new favorite Mizuno irons.
Final Rating: 9/10
