When Nike folded its club business, it put Brooks Koepka in a unique position. Most PGA Tour pros have contracts with equipment companies that dictate what clubs they’ll play. Suddenly that wasn’t the case for the World No. 1, who has played a mix of clubs in the last two years, but has stayed true to Mizuno irons, even if he isn’t being paid to play them.

Koepka won three majors playing Mizuno’s JPX900 irons before switching last year to the company’s JPX919 irons. In fact, Koepka loved the JPX900 irons so much that he wore through three sets before moving to the JPX919, a very shallow cavity back iron that one might mistake for a blade.

Riding high on its success with Koepka—even if he isn’t officially with Mizuno—the company is prepping for the release of its MP-20 irons. Using forged steel from Hiroshima, Japan, the company says the new irons have few peers when it comes to feel.

“The impact sensation is recognized as our purest ever,” the company said when announcing the new irons.

“Most modern muscle backs and limited ‘tour edition’ irons can be traced back to the great Mizuno blades. Though what makes a Mizuno iron truly exceptional is everything you can’t see,” said David Llewellyn, Mizuno Golf’s R&D Director.

The new irons balance 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel and soft copper plating, devised initially from Mizuno’s TN87 blades.

Three Variations

Mizuno is offering three versions of the MP irons—the 20, a standard muscle back, a MP-20 Hot Metal Blade), and an MP-20 Multi Metal Construction. Each has its own unique characteristics, but can be blended into a custom set.

MP-20

Heavily influenced by the classic blades in Mizuno’s past, these irons use grain flow forged HD from 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon Steel, which is then layered with soft copper plating and a protective nickel chrome for great feel and sound.

MP-20 MMC

The second generation of the multi-material concept, these offer a thinner topline, but are more forgiving and playable, with a titanium muscle plate and strategically-placed tungsten weight in the sole.

MP-20 HMB

Hybrid irons in a sharp profile, these are inspired by the increasing interest in long iron replacements, but this concept is extended right through to the scoring irons.

Who are they for?

Mizuno’s muscle back irons aren’t for everyone, but they will appeal to those seeking the best in feel and sound, and who aren’t overly concerned with distance. Precision is the goal. However, for those golfers seeking the feel of a Mizuno iron, the MP-20 MMC and HMB offer alternatives for those higher-handicap players. One great thing about Mizuno is that they offer some custom shaft options at no additional cost, so you should definitely book an appointment with a Golf Town Master Fitter to make sure you’re getting the right combination for your game!