When testing golf gear, some certain products just come with a higher level of expectation. Mizuno irons definitely fall into this category.
Peeling the wrapping off the new Mizuno Pro ‘Modern Series’ M-15 irons, there’s just a feeling of “these are going to be good.” I suppose that comes due to several things: over 30 years of tour validation, traditional Japanese craftsmanship, modern technology, premium price tags and a very effective marketing strapline of “nothing feels like a Mizuno.”
The new MP-15s sit alongside the slightly smaller, weaker-lofted MP-13 irons and replace the Mizuno Pro 245. Before we get into it, I think that Mizuno find a way of making it really confusing for golfers in terms of their ever-changing iron lineups. Do us a favour Mizuno, pick a couple line-ups and stick to them for a little while…
Who Are They Aimed At?
The untrained eye shouldn’t be blamed for thinking that these are bladed irons aimed at the best of players – real ball strikers with speed and consistency. However, a quick look under the hood and it tells a different story.
Mizuno claim that the M-15 has “been engineered for players looking for a touch more speed, forgiveness and playability.” Therefore if you’re a golfer that maybe doesn’t find the middle of the face regularly and does need a bit of help with launch and forgiveness, especially in the long irons. These irons are certainly going to deliver it.
If you’re looking for a Mizuno iron with maximum manoeuvrability, then stick with the Signature Series (S-1 muscleback and S-3 cavity). The M-13 & M-15 are still for the better player but more that single figure handicapper, maybe creeping into the low teens.
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The Tech
Mizuno have set out to create a perfectly integrated set of irons with distinct long, mid, and scoring irons to be further optimised for the needs of the subset – they are referring this as ‘integrated construction’.
The long irons feature 51g suspended, low profile, high MOI shaped nickel and tungsten weights for higher launch. While the mid irons have 50.3g suspended, higher MOI shaped nickel tungsten weights for stability.
The 8-iron features Grain Flow forged 4135+ Chromoly face and neck, 431 stainless steel back part and a hollow-body design.
And finally, the 9-iron, PW and GW feature a GrainFlow Forged HD 1025E steel body, a 17- 4 stainless steel back piece with a partial hollow-body design.
Harmonic impact technology has been introduced to produce less sound pressure at around 6khz than the Mizuno Pro 245 which they claim is a key frequency range for solid feel.
Improved turf interaction is said to come through sole shape and added bounce which is clearly visible when looking at the iron.
Mizuno M-15 Irons Review
Looks
The M-15 irons look awesome. I mean really-very-good-looking-little-things-of-forged-beauty. They’re without doubt an early contender for the best-looking irons of the year. I know it’s only January and the golf iron market has been filled with plenty of great looking irons for a few years now, but the design of the M-15 heads is impressive.
Shelf appeal-wise they really do have it all thanks to a brushed chrome finish, a top line that’s not too scary, and a medium-sized blade length all coming together in one of the cleanest looking iron packages I’ve seen.
You’d have to go very far to find a golfer that doesn’t like the look of these irons both in the bag and down by the ball. Think TaylorMade P7MB crossed with Titleist T250 and you’re getting close. Nice job Mizuno.
Feel
For a hollow-headed iron that’s built for speed and optimised launch, I have to say these irons still felt good. I wouldn’t go as far to say ‘buttery soft’ but if an iron is hollow-headed I don’t care how much tungsten and cushioning you add to the heads, it’s never going to feel super soft.
What you do what want though is it to feel solid at impact, and not like the ball is firing off the face without consistency or control. The sound was crisp and muted as you’d expect – I suspect the Harmonic Impact Technology and Copper underlay was doing it’s thing here.
Performance
I tested both the M-13 and the M-15 together, and as expected, there were a few differences which really highlight the individual strengths of each of these irons.
The M-15 irons were producing an average ball speed of 122 mph with a 7-iron, which is for me is fast. After the first couple of shots compared to the M-13s, it was apparent that these things were significantly hotter off the face and I was therefore going to be hitting the ball considerably further.
To put that in context, with the M-13 I was averaging 167 yards carry / 175 yards total with the M-15 I gained a little over 10 yards with 178 yards carry / 188 total. Again, that’s a long way for me and I found it very impressive whilst still feeling so solid through the hitting zone. I’m not used to hitting a 7-iron that consistently far and it proves that Mizuno’s work to make this iron a seriously hot prospect is well and truly there.
It did however come at a price when looking at the spin – on average I generated 4933 rpm backspin which is low, I’d want to see it a tad higher for a little more control out on the golf course. That said with a peak height of 36.3 yards and descent angle of 48 degrees, I’d still be confident in holding greens.
One of the main reasons for this jump in distance that golfers need to be aware of is the lofts. 29 degrees is low for a 7-iron of this shape and size and there’s no getting away from it. Strong lofts in hollow-headed tech packed irons are nothing new, you just need to keep your eyes on launch and spin to make sure that on the golf course this distance is a help not a hindrance.
Mizuno M-15 Irons Verdict
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed testing both new Modern Series iron models. I currently have a set of Titleist T250 irons in the bag, so this type of size and shaping really suits my eye. The combination of great shelf-appeal with that bit of extra help and forgiveness is a something Mizuno have nailed with the M-15 irons.
To see a 7-iron travel 183 yards in the air, with a high ball flight whilst consistently straight during testing was really fun, but realistically the spin was a tad on the low side. I also worry that if you were looking to combo these two iron models, it wouldn’t be possible given the difference in distance it also creates a huge gap at the bottom of your bag if you have a 52 degree wedge and your next club (PW) was to be 43 degrees.
Then unfortunately, as has always been a problem with Mizuno irons for a lot of golfers, the affordability of the M15s isn’t great. With an RRP of £240 per iron (£1,680 for 4-PW) they’re extremely expensive and price-out the majority of amateur golfers. I know they’re forged, they feature a lot of tungsten, and they’re packed with great tech but nearly £1700 for a set of irons is a lot, especially when the Players Distance category is so packed with cheaper great offerings right now.
Price tag aside, Mizuno have made a very strong performing iron here that looks and feels amazing, which is very hard to criticise.
Would I Use Them?
Yes, absolutely. I’d love to go through a full fitting session with the M15s, maybe tweak the lofts to make them slightly weaker and up my spin averages – then you’ve got something special.
