Equipment
Spotted: Mizuno’s new MP-5 Channelback irons
Mizuno posted a photo of its new “MP-5 Channelback” irons on its official Mizuno Golf Facebook page on Monday.
The first official pictures of the MP-5 Channelback just posted on the Open Championship blog. Posting live now at http://goo.gl/ASE1G4 #nothingfeelslikeamizuno
Posted by Mizuno Golf on Monday, July 13, 2015
More photos can be seen here in Mizuno’s Open Championship forum.
Based on photos from Mizuno, the irons will be Grain-Flow (GF) Forged from 1025E carbon steel. Also, based on comments from the company on Facebook, the irons will have more redistributed weight from previous MP models.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the MP-5 Channelback irons in our forums.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Ude
Jul 5, 2017 at 7:20 pm
Miz sculptured, re-sculptured and then re-re-sculptured in 2015. What’s next? Scotch Blades?
joro
Mar 3, 2017 at 11:03 am
Mizzens are nice clubs and as a club maker and repairman you get to know what is quality and Mizunos are quality clubs and are made right. I had a set years ago and liked them a lot. Then I went on the TM staff for a few years. I just retired and bought some Hot Metals, very nice, good quality and a good club for us Seniors. Love em.
Ted Till
Nov 2, 2016 at 1:05 am
Comment: I have been playing Mizuno irons since 1995. Started with 29s then 33s then 52s then 67s then 58s then 69s then 4s and now 5s. All the irons have been great, I originally replaced my Hogan PCs with the 29s because of superior feel, accuracy and distance versus the Hogan PCs ( realizing that the PCs had the smallest sweet spot of any Hogan iron)
The MP5s are by far the easiest to hit and best feeling Mizuno irons that I have ever played. The 4s are very close to the 5s but not as forgiving. I think the KBS shafts also add to the feel and playability. I also continue to play my MP33 1-iron with an Aldila graphite shaft. The thicker top line and wider sole is not an issue. They are still a beautiful set of blades.
A s abdeen
Aug 1, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Pl m.ore info to a senior player.
Jericho
Aug 7, 2015 at 3:43 am
Ya know I’m kinda thinking I might like these ..I’ve had most of the mizzy blade line since the 29’s ..14’s,33’s,37’s,68’s and the Mp-4’s ..then Miura tournament blades and two sets Miura 1957 Baby Blades.. now I’m not sure how these are going to feel because they are supposed to be somewhat hollow’ish ..was really never a big fan of that ..I think the Mp-4 is somewhat the same way ..hollow’ish..the Mp-4 still felt really nice but nothing like the 14’s when flushed..the Mp-5 is supposed to still have the great Mizuno feel but with technology built in .. Wider camber/sole : a far cry from the Baby blades : .. Weight taken out of the middle and placed on the muscle pad ” low on the 3i higher on the P wedge muscle pad wise..and some weight added to the top line that would come in handy if you ground load a little heavy and take the ball off the top so there’s still some meat behind the ball ..I was a +3 years ago on the mini tours when I played the baby blades and now a non competitive low single but just can’t get away from blades ..I think these “helper blades” might get it for me , they look outstanding ..they look every bit a blade/with a technological edge.. Still love taking my 14’s out for a crack but missing them just enough to not break par I have some rounds 68’s with my 714 ap2’s ..a great club as well but miles away from that Mizzy feel..and like I said I just feel better behind a blades ..I don’t really compete anymore so now it’s just about having a great time with the guys ..would be great if these Mp-5’s gave me a little more help to miss a little better ..either way can’t wait to bagg’em!
Buddy Mack
Jul 15, 2015 at 12:22 pm
Agreed: top lines are huge as are the soles w/o closer inspection. Like the finish and muscle shape. Maybe the performance results will mitigate the above negatives?
KCCO
Jul 15, 2015 at 10:34 am
I will always probably be mizuno biased, but still waiting for a 64 direct replacement
Ugh
Jul 14, 2015 at 3:18 am
Let me rephrase: that top line is too flat and way too thick.
Ugh
Jul 14, 2015 at 3:14 am
Top line is too thick.
Slimeone
Jul 13, 2015 at 10:10 pm
Good to see Mizuno getting back to their roots…of ripping off Hogan’s designs!
MHendon
Jul 13, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Great looking blades as all Mizuno’s are. What’s the purpose of the channel though?
Chuck
Jul 13, 2015 at 2:51 pm
What’s the “channel” part? That vague shaping on the back of the iron? I think of “channel backs” as having a significant undercut. Many will remember the fascination with the old Titleist 690.CH. That was the ultra-rare Japan-only set for which the 3-iron found its way into Ernie Els’ bag and became his go-to utility iron.
http://www.anserfreak.ne.jp/d-report/2003/0310/images/ch1.jpg
Mizuno (always creating some of the most beautiful irons in the game) has plenty of its own experience with true undercut channel backs. The MX-25 and MP-53 come to mind. There are many more I am sure; almost too many to think of. Are they doing something more “channel-ish” in the long irons?
Ugh
Jul 14, 2015 at 3:13 am
Not that kind of channel. Just a wave-y scoop out near the top half of the head, to distribute weight lower to the muscle. No slots, no cut outs, not that kind of channel.