Gear: Mizuno Pro 225 irons
Price: $187.50 each with Project X IO steel shafts and Lamkin ST Hybrid grips
Specs: Hollow-bodied, forged chromoly with a copper underlayer and tungsten weights (2-7 irons). Available in 2-iron through gap wedge. Right-hand only
Available: Feb. 3
The hottest segment of the iron market over the past few seasons did not exist a decade ago. Thanks to improved manufacturing techniques and new materials, the segment of better-player distance irons is flourishing, bringing more yards to golfers who want a compact head and classic look in the address position while also yearning for more yards and forgiveness.
Two years ago, Mizuno released the MP-HMB, a hollow-bodied iron designed to boost ball speed while maintaining muscleback blade looks. For 2022, the Japanese company has refined the design and released the Mizuno Pro 225, adding new materials and packing more forgiveness and speed into the club.
The Mizuno Pro 225 irons look like muscleback blades, but their hollow design helps them generate more ball speed. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
The original HMB was designed to be a driving iron, then Mizuno engineers simply extended the design to make a complete set. With the Mizuno Pro 225, they knew they wanted a complete set from the start, so visually the clubs look more compact and cleaner. The Mizuno Pro 225 has a thinner topline, thinner sole and less offset than the HMB.
To generate more speed, Mizuno designed the Mizuno Pro 225 as a blended set, with the 2-iron through 7-iron having a forged 4135 chromoly face and neck that is attached to a stainless steel back piece. The club is hollow, so the thin face can flex more efficiently at impact to help generate more ball speed even though the club is smaller than its processor.
Internal tungsten weights help lower the center of gravity and encourage higher-launching shots. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
To lower the center of gravity and increase stability, Mizuno gave the Mizuno Pro 225 a pair of internal tungsten weights in the heel and toe areas. In total, there are about 28 grams of tungsten in each head that encourage a higher launch and steeper angle of descent to help golfers stop the ball more quickly on the greens.
The Mizuno Pro 225 8-iron is hollow but does not have any tungsten. It is a transition club to the 9-iron and gap wedge, which are forged from 1025E mild carbon steel and feature a half-hollow design.
The Mizuno Pro 225 irons still have a relatively-thin topline and only moderate offset. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
The Mizuno Pro 225 irons are the strongest-lofted in the new Mizuno Pro family, with the 5-iron at 24 degrees and the pitching wedge at 44 degrees. The gap wedge has 49 degrees of loft.