Equipment
Mizuno: The hottest irons on the PGA Tour for players not under contract
If Tour pros could play any set of irons with no contract restrictions or obligations, what would they use?
In the world of professional golf, which is heavily influenced by profit, we’d usually never get that answer. But this year, due to a number of factors including Nike’s exit from the golf equipment industry, numerous players are left without commitments to a particular brand. That means more golfers than ever are playing irons of their choice.
Based on our photos from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and recent weeks, it appears many of those players without iron contracts are deciding to play Mizuno irons.
In recent years, there was usually between 1-3 sets of Mizuno irons in the bag at most PGA Tour events. At this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, however, there are 8 players using a set of Mizuno irons. Even more interesting is that 75 percent of them are using or testing the same Mizuno iron model: the JPX-900 Tour
Related: Learn more about the JPX-900 Tour irons
Here’s a list of all the PGA Tour players currently using Mizuno irons at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, as well as links to each player’s full WITBs.
Brooks Koepka
- Mizuno Irons Model: JPX-900 Tour
- Full WITB: Brooks Koepka WITB 2017
Sam Saunders
- Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour
- Full WITB: Sam Saunders WITB 2017
Billy Hurley III
- Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour
Lucas Glover
- Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour
- Full WITB: Lucas Glover WITB 2017
Roberto Castro
- Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour
- Full WITB: Roberto Castro WITB 2017
Jim Herman
- Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour
- Full WITB: Jim Herman WITB 2017
Kevin Chappell
- Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour (built this week), previously MP-5
- Full WITB: Kevin Chappell WITB 2017
Vijay Singh
- Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour (built this week), most recently MP-4
- Full WITB: Vijay Singh WITB 2017
We spotted Vijay Singh with Mizuno JPX-900 Tour irons in his bag on Monday. On Wednesday, however, he was bagging Mizuno MP-4 irons. It will be interesting to see what he decides to use going forward, but it’s likely it will be stamped with the Mizuno brand name.
Paul Casey
- Mizuno Iron Model: MP-25
- Full WITB: Paul Casey WITB 2017
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the Mizuno JPX-900 Tour irons in our forums.
Equipment
Putters that never made it: Check out some of the best tour builds that didn’t make the cut
Arguably, the best perk of being a professional golfer on the PGA Tour is the ability to request or even just be handed pretty much any club you could think of. It happens more often than you think, usually with putters around the practice green from one event to the next. Come Wednesday, the Tour bags lining the edge of the putting surface become resting places for fallen flatsticks that never made the cut.
So let’s take a look at some of the best we’ve seen out on Tour this year that never made it to the competition. (You may notice none of Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Scotty Cameron putters made this list. There are too many.)
Let’s start with this custom Damascus Milled Odyssey Rossie made for Ryo Hisatsune. Featuring a single line and the short-slant hossel, we’ve seen plenty of Number 7 and jailbird heads featuring the Damascus Milled insert, but this is the first and only one we’ve spotted in a Rossie. Hisatsune primarily putts with an Odyssey Black Series iX #9, but we have seen him recently with a TaylorMade TP Collection SOTO, so there could be potential that the Damascus Milled Rossie could end up in the bag.
Everyone wants to be Cameron Young right now. We’ve had Justin Thomas and Tom Hoge both game the Scotty Cameron 9.5R prototype. Well, for the PGA Championship, Brooks Koepka nearly joined that list after requesting the same style of putter, with the full-length alignment line. But the Scotty Cameron reps took the request a step further and made one specially for Koepka with a Teryllium insert, similar to one in his previous Newport 2 gamers. The reason why this one didn’t go into play, though? Because it was too heavy.
Harry Hall was the third-best putter on Tour last year, so when Bettinardi made him a custom proto, you know it was going to be good. The custom BB28 blade features VDF face milling, a custom-welded single-bend shaft, and the owner’s initials – HH – on the sole of the putter. Hall, who usually games an Odyssey O-Works #7 W, has dabbled with a TaylorMade Spider Tour X already this year. Maybe there’s a chance this Bettinardi might make his bag.
Honestly, this one doesn’t need a description. It’s Kieth Mitchell’s custom Scotty Cameron Napa. One Scotty Cameron face stamp, two Scotty Dogs, two Scotty Cameron 7-Point Crowns and one Circle T. That is all. Oh, except for the Cashmere Cameron headcover.
Finally, and just for fun, how about we pour one out for this TaylorMade Spider Tour X made for Scottie Scheffler in its new torched finish. It’s unlikely we’ll see a putter change anytime soon from the best golfer in the world. In fact, he hit just two putts with it on the Harbour Town practice before going back to his trusty gamer.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X
7-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Irons: Grindworks PR-202 (4), Grindworks PR-101A (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 Tour Rack (52-10 Mid), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-08M), SM11 (60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Rat 1.5 Tour Prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
In our forums, our members have been discussing their favorite major winning irons used by Tiger Woods. WRXer ‘golferdude54’ kicks off the thread saying:
“Mizuno MP 14/29. Titleist 681T. Nike Forged Blades. TaylorMade P7TW.
Among these irons that helped Tiger win 15 majors, which is your favorite in terms of looks?”
And our members have been naming their favorites and why in response.
Here are a couple of posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- SwingBlade: “I prefer the early blades he played and the more recent TM TW’s especially because after Tiger had his major behavioral setbacks, part of Nikes support payback was making Tiger play a Nike putter and cease using his beloved uniquely customized Scotty putter.”
- ProjectX: “This (Nike Forged Blades) and there’s not even a close second.”
Entire Thread: “Which of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss”
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Nelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
Justin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship
Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
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Stephen Finley
Jan 8, 2018 at 8:14 pm
I’m sure the feel is terrific. I’ve hit and competed with several different Mizuno models over the years, and their rep is well-earned, IMHO. But have you seen the top line on the various versions of the JPX? You could land a plane on it. I really just _hate_ this direction with modern irons.
Emmanuel
Jun 17, 2018 at 9:56 pm
The top line on the jpx hot is large but then again, those were designed for high handicap players. All brands have sets like that.
Vince
Aug 25, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Just bought the JPX 900 forged with XP105 stiff shafts ( what a buttery feeling club ! ) traded an almost new set of Titleist AP 2’s 716’s . I kept my Volkey sand wedges. All of my #’S were off the charts compared to my AP2’s . Very solid club !!! Thanks Mizuno 🙂
Andy
Jul 12, 2017 at 12:49 am
I have mp-14s and 54s funnest even for a 10 hc. Can’t beat the feel and the shots are so satisfying. I have played PRGR, Data 601s, and they are awesome but the there is nothing like an mp-54. Also game Bridgestone j38 double pocket cavities, but they were not as consistent as the 54s. I can’t game the 14s anymore, but they sure were a great iron. I still take them out at times but I cannot weiled them like I used to. I still get a few awesome shots with them and I still say wow.
Panther
Mar 30, 2017 at 4:20 pm
Hard time deciding weather ship my MP-29’s down to the desert, or the 712MB’s. Need to have something down there to fly light and exit the airport quickly, too many Id*ots sucking up oxygen when I travel down to the valley.
James Darnell
Mar 20, 2017 at 9:35 pm
I am going back to my mp54 irons, when I sell these Apex Pro 16 irons. Nothing hits like a Mizuno
tlmck
Mar 19, 2017 at 10:50 pm
I’m sticking with my homemade Maltby TE’s which replaced my MP52’s. Just nothing else on the market like them for size, shape, forgiveness, feel, etc. although Titleist CB would be a close second.
Sully
Mar 19, 2017 at 1:27 pm
Does this surprise anyone? Mizuno makes the best feeling irons and TM makes the best performing woods. That is why if you let a pro choose without endorsement you see Mizzy irons and TM woods in the bag. The funny thing though is that performance wise irons haven’t really changed in years. I played a round recently with my old ’95 King Cobra Oversized irons while my MP-64s were in transit and they may have been 1-2 yards shorter (Same DG S300 shafts in both) and thats it. The feel was the only difference.
Tom
Mar 18, 2017 at 10:53 pm
interesting
Egor
Mar 18, 2017 at 10:57 am
My current set is JPX900 Forged with Project X LZ. Best irons I’ve had out of TMAG RBZ, MP-29, MP-59. I’m a 12HI and play 6-8 times a month. Great irons, great shafts for me.
Ian
Mar 18, 2017 at 12:25 am
You know you’re struggling when you have to list a senior tour player to bolster numbers.
Daniel Lux
Mar 17, 2017 at 7:39 pm
I’m shocked brooks is playing these irons they are as spiny and horrible as titleist I doubt he’ll settle on them.
Steve
Mar 17, 2017 at 11:15 pm
“These irons don’t fit my swing. They’re complete trash.”
Dumbest comment of the thread award goes to you.
S Hitter
Mar 18, 2017 at 7:21 pm
LOL
Dan lux
Mar 18, 2017 at 7:30 pm
http://m.imgur.com/XAo2Tf4
Mizuno irons are right in line with titleist how many hard swinging bombers does titleist have? No matter what shaft you put in them anything over 100mph for a 6 iron produces ballooning amounts of spin. And brooks hasn’t exactly been Lighting it up right now
D-Lux D0ucheb4g
Mar 19, 2017 at 3:18 am
Your shot dispersion is terrible, thank you for letting us know that.
I’m pretty sure Brooks Koepka would greatly benefit from having a highly skilled, highly intelligent and insightful person like you giving advice. 🙂
Lc
Jul 13, 2017 at 1:33 pm
Going back and reading comments and I see this….”Shocked brooks is playing these irons they are as spiny and horrible as titlest I doubt he’ll settle on them.” LMAO!!!! Only won the U.S. Open with them.
Emmanuel
Jun 17, 2018 at 10:00 pm
Shocked? He just won 2 U.S. Opens with them. I’m sure he’s quite happy with them.
Bert
Mar 17, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Used to play MP14’s and then MP37’s. Sure wish I could play them again. 72 and RA makes you play graphite and something more forgiving. Don’t like any of the new so called forgiving irons, still play the 2008 TM Tour Burners. Maybe I’ll try the JPX900’s.
Prime21
Mar 17, 2017 at 6:26 pm
Mizuno has always made GREAT irons. Hopefully they can stay afloat.
Tom
Mar 17, 2017 at 8:12 pm
I donno…. the MX series was a bust
cgasucks
Mar 18, 2017 at 9:39 am
They’ll be fine…you do know they make other sports stuff as well. From what I know, they have a strong foothold in baseball equipment.
Tom
Mar 18, 2017 at 1:04 pm
^ this
Acemandrake
Mar 17, 2017 at 6:12 pm
Miura fanatics: Where are the Miura users on tour?
Dan
Mar 17, 2017 at 5:41 pm
Like Mizuno a lot and went in expecting to buy the JPX Hot Metal irons. I ended up buying the Srixon Z565. Always remember to get a fitting before buying!
Daryll
Mar 17, 2017 at 5:35 pm
I have played all types of irons and no other surpasses Mizuno. Have 4 different sets in my golf room. Have a set of Callaway CF16 and they are long and go high and that is good for me. Also tried the Titleist MB-T and they fly high and feel good. I was using the Nippon 880 AMC shaft. I do like the Nippon family of shafts. Have tried almost every shaft I could get my hands on. For a heaver shaft the the modus tour 130 has a great feel. Any questions or comments just email me.
Respectfully,
Daryll
Michael
Mar 18, 2017 at 10:09 am
With all respect Daryll, why can’t you settle on what works best for you or is it a little OCD stuff with golf equipment? I can get that way about my cars so I understand.
Miuralovechild
Mar 17, 2017 at 4:10 pm
Not surprised really. Mizzy was #1 on the PGA tour for 12 years in a row. Some guy came along and wanted to get paid; everyone else wanted to get paid also. Their reign was over!! Probably the safest choice for anyone looking for a great forged iron. No gimmicks, and their heads seem to keep the same size, shape, and weight. I’ll take them any day over the bigger OEM’s in the industry.
John Ineson
Mar 17, 2017 at 2:59 pm
Been a forged Mizzy guy for a very long time, so no surprises in your report. But I have Miura cavity backs as my scoring irons (CB201s, 7-9), and, when you hit ’em right, there’s something about the sound of that Miura click that says, “You don’t have to look up. It went where you wanted it to.”
Jason
Mar 17, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Just got a set of of the JPX 900 Hot Metals. Price wasn’t an issue and hit all three and with the hot metals the ball was just flying off the face. The forged felt a bit clunky and the tour was nice but maybe a little too much for my 12 handicap. Paired them with the Modus 105s (LOVE THEM!) and some MCC plus 4’s and i’m itching for the courses to open
Cory
Mar 21, 2017 at 10:51 pm
Almost got the same setup as you bro! Instead of the Modus 105’s, I got the KBS C Taper Lites 110 grams. Same grip as well!
Dat
Mar 17, 2017 at 12:02 pm
If I was going to buy a set of irons this year, it would be the 900 tours.
Dan Weitzel
Mar 17, 2017 at 11:34 am
I have built multiple sets this year with the 900 Forged long irons and the Tour short irons. A little different feel with the Forged (Boron) version but they are much more forgiving for the average player in the longer clubs. See your custom guy and try this route rather than the Tour irons all the way.
golfraven
Mar 17, 2017 at 11:31 am
Was looking at the MP-25s but let see what Titleist comes up next with.
The Anti-Smiz
Mar 17, 2017 at 1:28 pm
The 918 AP2s?
Sam
Mar 17, 2017 at 11:20 am
I play two year old forged 850’s and the 4 some I play with have all hit them and ask me to leave them to them when I pass. We play two sums for lunch once a week and my partner plays out of my bag because no matter what shot he hits he just flat love’s the feel.
Mike
Mar 19, 2017 at 10:39 am
Ebay is your friend’s friend.
cgasucks
Mar 24, 2017 at 10:10 am
Craigslist is even a better friend…no shipping or customs, or foreign exchange BS.
Mark
Mar 17, 2017 at 10:42 am
Quality clubs for quality players. Simple as that.
Peter
Mar 17, 2017 at 10:38 am
Great news for Mizuno. Probably not that surprising for the better amateur golfers around the world who already know that Mizuno make the best irons.
The dude
Mar 17, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Miura…..(mic drop)
Tom
Mar 18, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Peters passive brag. Mizzy’s are good, did ya try Srixon?
Zach
Mar 17, 2017 at 10:33 am
I absolutely love my JPX 900 Forged irons. Nothing felt anywhere close to the soft buttery feel. I will upgrade to the Tours when I wear out my current set.
cgasucks
Mar 17, 2017 at 10:15 am
Not surprised..when I started golf in 2000, Mizuno has stated at the time that they’re the #1 irons on the tour…then one day, TM started to give tee up money to non-staff players to use their irons and drivers and has been that way for a long time. I hope Mizuno goes back to being the #1 irons on tour again.
Tom54
Mar 17, 2017 at 9:38 am
Loved the mp-29s back in the 90s and thought they were best out there. Have not tried Mizuno irons for a while. My quirk with them is I wish they would have stuck with the old “M” as their logo. Don’t know what the new one means at all. Looked much more classy with old logo that’s just me
Steve
Mar 17, 2017 at 5:34 pm
“For many years, Mizuno had used a distinctive large “M” logo. This logo was integrated into the stripes on the sidewall of many of its baseball and running shoes, but due to a trademark issue and the feeling that the Mizuno “M” was deemed too similar to the Adidas three stripes, a more modern Mizuno logo was needed that would also signify the company’s expansive views.”
“The Runbird—a beautiful, free-flowing, graphic emblem of the Mizuno brand—is more than just a logo, adorning shoes, clothes and gear. Instead, the Runbird symbolizes Mizuno’s roots in the Japanese concept of its universal approach to sports with unlimited space and energy.”
There ya go.
rogerinnz
Mar 17, 2017 at 9:26 am
So no real suprises that it;s Mizuno !!
In the 1990’s it was the same!!
Tom54
Mar 17, 2017 at 9:26 am
I played mizuno mp-29s back in the 90s and thought they were awesome clubs. I’m sure today’s models are nice too. Just wish they wouldn’t have switched the “M” logo to that strange looking thing they use now I know it’s just a quirk but I wish they went back to old logo
Brian
Mar 20, 2017 at 9:35 am
I personally like the contemporary Running Bird logo more
Tom
Mar 17, 2017 at 9:14 am
so no contract = Mizuno JPX 900 irons for 8 players. I hope players mentioned above have a good season with these irons in their bag.
PK
Mar 17, 2017 at 8:55 am
Interesting regarding the Mizuno irons but just as interesting is the fact that all these players on this list are using M1/M2 drivers.
bob
Mar 17, 2017 at 9:14 am
they are getting paid a driver contract.
Feel the Bern
Mar 17, 2017 at 8:47 am
Don’t expect to see any left handers on this list. For shame, Mizuno. For Shame.
Wizardofflatstickmountain
Mar 17, 2017 at 9:36 am
Lefties make up between 5-7% of golfers in the IS.do not know what percentage of lefties there are in Japan.
It’s reasonable that a company would fish where the fish are, wouldn’t you say?
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-04-18/features/0304180048_1_lefty-golfers-left-handed-judi-pavon
joro
Mar 17, 2017 at 10:35 am
I just got a set of Leftie MP900 Hot Metal Irons and they are amazing. I have 5 thru lob with an M2 Driver, no contract,lol. As club maker and repairman Mizuno has always been the top quality in my opinion and when you are working on clubs you find out what is quality and what is not. I have Callaways, TMs, and other “top of the lines”,,, no comparison.
joro
Mar 17, 2017 at 10:37 am
Duh, Sorry, they are JPX900 Hot Metal.
JThunder
Mar 17, 2017 at 5:40 pm
I feel your pain, lefties. My mom makes up one of your sinistro numbers.
In an era when golf companies are wailing and gnashing their teeth about “decline” in right handed golfers, you can surely understand how the capitalist solution is to disenfranchise the 5%. Corporate America tends to dump products that “only” sell at a 10% level, etc.
There is no easy solution. You could find a way to surgically implant the long-lost heart (or conscience) into capitalism. You could try to find a way to make left-handed clubs more profitable. This might involve drafting masses of lefties into golf, or long-term breeding of the recessive gene (which is 50/50 right-left). Or find someone to pull a Ned Flanders and create a Left Hand Golf club OEM and Superstore. My first suggestion is preferred since it might improve more things too.
Marc Anderson
Mar 18, 2017 at 8:16 am
JPX900 Hot Metal, JPX900 Forged &
MP25 irons are available in LH.
mr b
Mar 17, 2017 at 8:47 am
900 Tours are the best iron i’ve hit. waiting on my tax refund to get a set and upgrade my 63’s. stoked!