For the last two iterations of the JPX Forged line, I have been telling anyone who would listen that this is one of the best mid-sized forged irons for single figure players. As it is Mizuno's best selling forged iron this year then I think a lot of people have been listening.
Unfortunately for all these people I think I will be saying all the same things about the latest JPX919 Forged irons too.
What I like about the JPX919 Forged is that it combines a mid-sized forged head with a bit of forgiveness and a face that delivers more speed than a normal forged iron.
The JPX919 Forged still uses the same Boron Steel that is infused with the stronger metal to make it 30% stronger than normal steel so that the face can be thinner to generate that ball speed.
However what they have done this time is to change the cavity design by forging the head and then cutting what I am going to call a slot through the sole in the bottom of the cavity. This is then covered up by welding on a cap that is 52mm long by 5mm wide by 1mm thick so you can't see it.
Mizuno don't want to say it is a slot, as designer Chris Voshall told me in an exclusive interview but the effect is similar.
This new cavity design has resulted in a different sole grind that now has more camber and loses the grind on the leading edge and some on the trailing edge.
I think this not only looks nicer but engages the turf better so I am not unhappy to see the back of that leading edge grind.
Compared to the previous JPX900 on GC2 with Titleist Pro V1x balls I was getting an extra 3 yards carry with the same level of spin, although I should probably caveat that the shafts were different in each head and the 919 lofts are 1° stronger in the 4 to 7 irons.
What is more impressive is that the JPX900 Forged 6-iron was ahead of the 919 Tour model and right up there with the Hot Metal for distance, which is pretty impressive for this style of club.
Like the other models in the 919 iron range the Forged has seen 5g of weight moved from the heel area around the hosel to the toe of the club to improve the MOI.
This also moves the CG 1.8mm closer to the centre of the face and that is another factor in getting the right feel, or should I say sound from the JPX919 Forged.
Instread of the shockwaves at impact getting caught in the heel, they can now going up the shaft more easily but it is really the frequency of the sound that we hear that is translated into feel so whatever Mizuno has done, it works.
Right through the set from 4 to PW the JPX919 feels great and even the longer irons will be playable for most single figure golfers. If not then swap in the 919 Hot Metal 4-iron for a little extra forgiveness.
The styling is also a bit cleaner with the colour removed and the Mizuno name absent for the first time on one of their irons. Apparently it is to highlight their Runbird logo instead and even if it makes the three 919 models hard to tell apart, I think it works and you feel like an MP player even if you are not.
As you can probably tell I am a big fan of the JPX919 Forged irons and for anyone in single figures I would urge you to step away from the blades and try them.