MP5 Vs 716's AP2's

[CDM]

So I currently gaming 714 AP2's. Not really looking at new irons, but hey I am on WRX so we all know that is a "L I E"

 

I went and tested the MP5's / MP25's a few weeks back. In my first testing I found the MP5's fit me better from 6 Iron down, I did hit a 4 Iron in the MP5 and was surprised how easy it was.

 

Don't get me wrong the MP 25's are very nice club but for some reason on the monitor the MP5's were better distance and accuracy....that day.!!

 

That session keep me thinking about the Mizuno MP5's or a MP5/MP25 combo set, and knowing that the 716 AP2's are out thought why not test....

 

I spent about 1.5 hours or so comparing the 716 AP2's Vs MP5's plus I brought my 714's. Tested both irons in S300 and PX 6.0... would like to test Modus and a few others but was limited.

 

Below are my thoughts...

 

Playing to 5.8 Hdcp. Good ball striker, just not the best driver =). I hit my 6 Iron right around 195-200 yards but that is at "Colorado" level so when I go to "sea level" I use my 6 iron for the 175-180 range and works well.

 

Distance:

The irons on well struck hits all seemed equal in distance, the monitor was showing within in a yard or two.*194-201 was the range looking at info I printed, Average was around 197. Ball spin was about the same for both. Average was 5700+/- 300 rpms depending on the strike.

 

If missed a little on the toe/heel the advantage was to the 716's (and 714's for that matter). As noted in the MP5 thread I noticed I would loose around 5-7 yards with the MP5 (*looking at print outs some where closer to 10 yards or 1 club when miss hit.).

 

All clubs held line when hit on the toe/heel which is good but just lost more ball speed with the MP5's which what I would expect for blades.

 

Honestly it was not as bad as I thought it would. The 716's..and 714's held up very well which you would expect from the design of the club, worse shot was 5 yards short so half club maybe.

 

I did hit some "late hands" shots intentionally and the 716's feel better when hit poorly. I did not get that "slap" stinging feeling like blades can do. It was there, but muted and just lacked distance and line.

 

I will say that MIZUNO has done a great job with these on poor strikes, it is somewhat muted for a BLADE at your hands, not like "old" blades.. You hear the same "crack" sound but the feel was not as harsh or as stinging as you would expect so great job by Mizuno on that aspect. *Still there just not as bad as before...

 

Feel:

No contest...hands down the MP5. When pure'd it is sooo smooth feeling. Nothing like it.

 

The 716 also feel very good but not that Mizuno butter feel. Initial thought to me is the 716's have better feel then my 714's in S300 so they did something there??? Not sure what they did but I noticed the comparing mine irons to both.

 

Control:

Seemed easier to control with MP5's from high shots/ low shots / fades /draws but also noticed that if I wanted a draw or fade at times I would over cook it. Would take some time to get used too. B

 

The 716's work the ball just like the 714's, more of what I call a muted Fade/draw. I will work to either side but not often I have them over turn, more often they don't turn enough I find.

 

Overall:

Between all 3 I would say the difference will be your ball striking. The MP5's for a "blade" style are very easy to hit and I would tell everyone to look at them. I found almost no difference in length/distance on equally struck shots.

 

Feel goes to Mizuno for the buttery feel and 716's are soft just a bit muted in the hands, but still feel good.

 

If you don't strike the ball in the center all the time I would say 716's/714's for the "added" help. I would say all things being equal and if you have a consistent swing the MP5's "might" cost you a few shots per round over the 716/714's.

 

The question you have to ask yourself "Is this a Dream" on how they feel worth VS those extra few shots....

 

Edit: Cleaned up my 5 minute typing cr*p review at lunch. Also one factor I did not mention, what adds to Mizuno is the shaft upgrade is no charge, as long as they can fit with what they have, also the grips now..! The best shaft for me was the Nippon 1150 Tour.. but given the ball flight I needed X flex in those and Mizuno does not do that with this shaft.

 

I should also note I did hit the MP25 for a bit also and though I thought the feel was "good" it was not in the range of the MP5 or 716 to me, I would say it was more in line with my 714's which is still pretty good. Distance wise this time around the MP25's were about 4-5 yards longer on equal struck shots for me in the same shafts so they are longer, not "huge" but longer.

 

I will note if your looking for distance gains in your irons... neither of these clubs are going to provide that so keep that in mind.

[icandy]

Thanks for the review. Always tempting to replace my AP2 714s

[Golf64]

Since you are trying these type of irons, maybe also look at Ping I, S55s and 716CBs? I always tell my customers, play the most forgiving club you can stand looking at. Golf is a game of misses, why not make it easier?! The pros are trending to more forgiving irons, why would we not!?

[CDM]

Golf64... I played Ping forever until I bought the 714's. I's are nice but looks "bulky" to my eye for some reason. I think the S55's are nice and it was HARD not to buy those over the 714's CB's I tested but I did not hit those as well. Oddly I hit the AP2's and MB's better in the 714's....

I would say Ping, Titleist, Mizuno right now make the best clubs just what fits best. I think a 2 year change over is good, still maybe a bit to soon is all based on economics.... Tmag is decent but how they think they improve the clubs every 6 months is still beyond me.