The Mizuno JPX 825 Pro irons, as Mizuno
describes, are a cross-over iron between
their forged blades and game improvement
clubs. Consider them a
game improvement blade.
The JPX 825 Pros combine the soft feel of a
forged iron and a certain level of game
improvement and forgiveness. In addition,
being 1025 Carbon
Steel, they have the flexibility of being
adjusted to each individual user’s
specifications.
FIRST REACTION
This is the fourth set of Mizuno irons that I
have purchased, and the third set of clubs
that I have had the brand’s custom
department build for me.
As I hit several of the products that were
offered by Mizuno, I was drawn towards the
brushed finish of the JPX Pro irons. They
don’t have the glare
that other forged clubs give you on a sunny
day.
The JPX Pro’s are easier to hit than Mizuno’s
blades yet still forgiving enough when you
don’t hit it in the center of the clubface.
The
clubs have more
weight in the sole, especially in the mid and
long irons, which promotes additional height
on your shots. But when you hit them,
they
have that same
Mizuno feel that I’ve come to love.
CUSTOM FITTING
Mizuno continues to be a leader in iron
customization. My fitting process started by
hitting a couple of balls with the Mizuno
Shaft optimizer, a tool
that measures 5 separate club
characteristics, including: club head speed,
tempo, shaft toe down, shaft kick angle and
release factor, which
describes the moment the head and shaft
are released during your downswing.
Next, the fitter assembles iron head and
shaft combinations that maximize the
performance characteristics from your
optimizer results. Once you
settle on an iron head and shaft that works
for you, the fitter can finalize the club
recommendations by determining grip
composition and size,
including build-up tape if you need it.
Once I had gone through the process, I had
a spec sheet with all of my custom
specifications needed in my new set -- I
just
had to pick the set make
up. I chose to order a 5-iron thru Gap
Wedge.
TAKEAWAYS
Four business days later, I returned home
to find a set of clubs at my front door,
prompting me to go to the range that
afternoon. I was impressed
with the performance of the irons. The mid
irons flew straight with a great trajectory,
and the short irons were powerful and
piercing.
When I compared them to my previous
clubs, the JPX Pros had overall better
trajectory and comparable distances. The
main difference that I have
noticed with these irons is that all of the
clubs -- from the 5-iron to the Gap Wedge
--
have a longer look than other forged clubs.
I
think that makes
the longer irons easier to hit, but it makes
the short irons look “clunky”. My only other
complaint is that the irons, while forged,
feel
slightly harder
than other forged irons—especially on off-
center hits. Overall, I have enjoyed these
clubs enough that I have recommended
them to two of my
friends, who have also been very happy
with
their fitting process/purchases.
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
The JPX 825 Pro irons retail for $900 for
eight irons (with any set make-up you
desire) and are available now.
