Just because you might be a better player, doesn't mean you don't require forgiveness. Thus, the Mizuno MP-54 irons have been specifically designed for the better player needing just a little forgiveness.
The key feature in the MP-54 irons is a new deep pocket cavity, featured in the 3 to 7-iron. It is milled directly into the back of the clubhead to add stability to shots hit off centre, whilst also providing a higher launch and steeper landing angle.
The pocket cavity is enhanced by Mizuno's Step Muscle Design. This design alters the amount of cavity and thickness behind the clubface specific to each club.
4mm wide slots are positioned in the longer (3-7) irons, which removes 16 grams of weight, allowing Mizuno's engineers to move the weight in the head lower and deeper in the head, creating an easier launch.
On the higher lofted, scoring irons, the cavity is replaced by a thick "Solid Muscle" profile that improves the feel and control demanded by shorter shots.
“The MP-54 is for players who have grown up on forgiving golf equipment – but want a little bit more from their shotmaking. It still has all the forgiveness most modern players are used to – but with so much more feel and workability. It’s still MP, still traditional – but more aggressive.” David Llewellyn, Mizuno's Golf Club Development.
That forgiveness and workability is further enhanced by a new sole design. The heavily bevelled sole on the MP-54 irons goes through the turf easier allowing players to strike the ball cleaner and work the ball more.
Whilst the MP-54 iron is forgiving, it maintains the appearance and feel of a better player iron. Mizuno have actually reduced the size of the topline and the width of the sole to cater to the preferences of the game's better players.
By using this Perimeter Grind, Mizuno can make the MP-54 iron look like a compact, better player iron, but play like a more forgiving club. By grinding away some of the sole of the irons, the MP-54 maintains a low, deep centre of gravity, but enters and exits the turf cleanly, more like a blade.
Similarly, by grinding the top line slightly the MP-54 maintains the reinforcement of a thick cavity back design, whilst maintaining the clean looks and thin top line of a better player iron.
The Mizuno MP-54 irons are being released at the same time as the Mizuno MP-4 blade irons, and Mizuno offer mixed set make-ups through custom orders. Players can add MP-4 higher lofted irons, or alternatively add Mizuno's MP-H4 long iron to replace longer, harder to hit irons in the set.