Martin Hopley
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When blades first started becoming a little larger with perimieter weighting back in the 1990's they were still all forged 100% steel heads without open cavities, added metals, hidden pockets or undercover weights thrown in.

In the last 5 years or so, heads of the irons that are a step up from blades have become bigger still and offer much more forgiveness, but at the cost of a little feel and maybe a touch of blade style. Lately I have been lamenting to friends that there is nothing to fill this widening gap and then Mizuno bring out the JPX900 Tour irons.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

It's almost like they read my mind as the JPX900 Tour is a forged from 1025E Carbon Steel in their usual Grain Flow way to harmomise the feel and sound.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

Based on the MP-64 head it looks like a blade with perimeter weighting and a sizeable chunk of this is in the base of the head to lower the CG and help get the ball up a little easier.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

The sole follows the same style as the MP-64, but is a little wider especially towards the toe area which will help with the MOI and forgiveness.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

Through the turf it is ideal and the re-assurance of the generous sized head works well with the blade sized looks. It's like that Mini Clubman car that looks like a Mini, acts like a Mini, but is the size of a Ford Focus.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

That means the Clubman doesn't feel as nippy and easy to park as a 'normal' Mini and that is the only thing with the JPX900 Tour. It looks and plays like a blade, but the feel is not quite as sharp or luxurious as an MP iron and the forgiveness is not as great as you would expect.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

Don't get me wrong, I love the bigger heads that don't use cavities, but maybe the extra size or additional weight lower down behind the ball is not giving out the right vibes.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

You can blend the Tour with the other JPX900 irons as the lofts are the same from 3 to 6 iron and just 1° weaker in the 7 to PW.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

There is a choice of shafts available through the Mizuno Swing DNA fitting service, but the stock shaft is the True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT. This starts with lighter shafts in the long irons and transitions throught set to standard weights in the short irons to help improve swing speeds.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

Some Mizuno lovers may also have an issue with the JPX branding. For all intents and purposes this is a big MP iron and could trace its ancestry back to the excellent oversized MP-57. However it's branded JPX and has the sandblasted finish rather than the polished chrome of an MP iron, which could give some pause for thought when it really shouldn't.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

Maybe Mizuno are heading to having a JPX for everyone to wean single figure players off blades, which could be no bad thing for your golfing well being. Just look at how great the JPX900 Forged is and most single figure players could play that. I would even be tempted to drop the JPX900 Forged or even the JPX900 Hot Metal 4-iron into a Tour set.

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons

The Tour therefore is trying to be an MP with JPX forgiveness and falling between the two camps. If you want blade feel and can be consistent enough with them, then just go for an MP. If you want JPX forgiveness with a forged feel and a bit of shiny shiny then try out the JPX900 Forged.

I say all this with a heavy heart as I do like the JPX900 Tour concept as I think the market needs this style of iron and hopefully Mizuno will continue to develop it further in the JPX or MP line.

Golfalot Rating: 4 stars
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Mizuno JPX900 Tour Iron

Mizuno JPX900 Tour Irons - Product Details

UK Launch05 September 2016
UK Launch RRP£960
USA Launch05 September 2016
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens
Hand AvailabilityRight
ManufactureForged
MaterialSteel
FinishChrome
Swing WeightD2
Shaft NameTrue Temper Dynamic Gold AMT S300
Shaft TypesSteel
Shaft FlexRegular, Stiff
DesignCavity Back
Set Makeup3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW
Manufacturer's WebsiteMizuno Website

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User Reviews

Garett
October 2018

My brother had this set in a 4-PW with the Rifle LZ shafts and I hit them so well. I found a new set (3-PW) with the AMT shafts in a stiff and had to grab them as they were on for $900 CDN. I immediately felt that the AMT shaft was too spinny and had a ballooning flight with lost yardage. I took the shafts out of my MP64's (KBS Tour stiff, hardstepped once) and put them in the JPX Tour heads and they are a match made in heaven. Brought my short irons spin rates down and launched lower and got back to my regular yardage.

Shane
November 2017

They look great but are very difficult to use with the AMT S300 shafts. The heavier high irons from 8 to people are especially difficult. Something is wrong if 4 irons are easier to use that PW. Nice to change to Project X shafts 5.5 to 6.

Rob f.
September 2017

While I love my MP5s, I am gaming the JPX 900 Tour. They feel just as good as my MP5s but with more forgiveness. Prior to purchasing, I hit every thing and narrowed it down to 718 AP2 and JPX 900 Tour then hit 50 of each on the trackman. For me the 900 numbers were 5mph higher ball speed with KBS tour 90 on both. But the sound and feel is what impressed me the most. It is hands down a better club than the AP2. I feel like I can miss when swinging these irons.

March 2017

Must admit they are a lot softer feel than I had expected. After hitting ping i20 for 5 years this is quite a change for me. My only concern is that I was never informed by my pro fitter that blending the 3 and 4 irons to 900 forged was an option. I have since replaced them with my Ping i20 3 and 4 irons. Great sticks with great feel.

January 2017

Nice blend between pure blades and a playable iron. Mizuno feel. Easy to hit yet with some feedback and they look absolutely beautiful in my bag.

October 2016

After a full fitting with local shop I have just ordered a set of these. The saying goes nothing feels like a Mizuno! I have come from a set of 714 MB's as was slightly hesitant to move away from blades but after hitting these there was no second thought! They feel awesome and well worth a try. I found them forgiving enough to stick with the full set but could understand someone slipping in a JPX900 Forged 4 iron. Well worth a try!!

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