Thoughts on Mizuno Pro 243

[BCULAW]

I’m searching right now. Iron play has fallen off due to lack of play. Long time blade player that has been going with more forgiving options. I am realizing that I prefer smaller profiled irons, but could use a bit of easier distance. I’m not looking for the BIG distance you can get from something like a p790 or Pro 245, and both are a bit more sluggish than I want. The i530s don’t give the type of feel I like. 

 

The Pro 243s have been really impressive on the simulator - outstanding feel, good enough looks, and exactly the type of distance gains I am hoping to find.  Curious how you all are getting along with them. 

[Red4282]

I made the switch from blades to 223s and havent looked back. Extremely happy and will have until they wear out. What are your hesitations on pulling the trigger?

[denkea]

8 hours ago, Red4282 said:

I made the switch from blades to 223s and havent looked back. Extremely happy and will have until they wear out. What are your hesitations on pulling the trigger?

What is the biggest difference you've seem between the two???

 

How about the size difference?

 

 

[Wardonation]

I. think the "sole grind" would be the biggest difference.

[BCULAW]

9 hours ago, Red4282 said:

I made the switch from blades to 223s and havent looked back. Extremely happy and will have until they wear out. What are your hesitations on pulling the trigger?

No real hesitation except that I likely won’t hit a set outside before purchase.  Just curious if traditional iron players have enjoyed the switch. 

[MerryTex]

The 243 irons are great. I was torn between the new 243 and the outgoing 223 model. I had played the 223 in the past but not with the Modus shaft I was looking for. I scored my set brand new at my local shop for $500+ less than what the 243 retail for. They had a $100 off irons sale and were already marked down. 

 

The 243 plays similarly to the 223 and offers a split set-like performance but with the continuity of having one iron style in your bag. I'd put these alongside the T150 regarding performance and design characteristics but with the classic Mizuno feel. 

[Red4282]

1 hour ago, denkea said:

What is the biggest difference you've seem between the two???

 

How about the size difference?

 

 

I went from 21 Apex MBs so visually at first it seemed like a drastic change especially in the short irons. I quickly got used to them though. I was and still feel Im good enough to play blades in short Irons, but the biggest difference to me is just the help in the 4-7 irons. My miss is a groove or two thin, and was pretty punishing on bladed mid irons. 

1 hour ago, denkea said:

What is the biggest difference you've seem between the two???

 

How about the size difference?

 

 

24 minutes ago, BCULAW said:

No real hesitation except that I likely won’t hit a set outside before purchase.  Just curious if traditional iron players have enjoyed the switch. 

There may be a small adjustment period but I have little doubt you would enjoy them.

 

45 minutes ago, Wardonation said:

I. think the "sole grind" would be the biggest difference.

To be honest, for me, it has not been as drastic as some would make it seem. The soles on the 243/223 are deceiving, they look chunky and clunky but don't really play like it at all.

[poor_putting]

I have the 241’s in p-6 and 243’s in 4-5. If I could do it all over again, I would only do the 243 in the 4 iron. 
 

I like a thinner sole and the 243’s are quite a bit wider. Also, the sound/feel isn’t as good as the 241’s. I know the lower lofted irons are a different material than the higher lofted but it’s definitely noticeable. 
 

For me the 243’s are long. I went 1 degree weak in 243’s to try to match up gapping and I need to go at least another degree to get gapping correct. 6 iron carries about 192-3 on stock shot and 5 iron about 212-215 (per launch monitor averages)
 

If you don’t mind the difference in feel/sound, and the sole width isn’t an issue definitely go with them. Those are just nit picky things for the most part.

[PowerCobra98]

Extremely impressed with my 243's.  I came from 225's which previously were fantastic for me.  The 243's don't miss a beat and I couldn't be more happy with them. I also occasionally play with a set of MP5's and honestly no issues switching between either set.  

[Tree Levino]

13 hours ago, BCULAW said:

I’m searching right now. Iron play has fallen off due to lack of play. Long time blade player that has been going with more forgiving options. I am realizing that I prefer smaller profiled irons, but could use a bit of easier distance. I’m not looking for the BIG distance you can get from something like a p790 or Pro 245, and both are a bit more sluggish than I want. The i530s don’t give the type of feel I like. 

 

The Pro 243s have been really impressive on the simulator - outstanding feel, good enough looks, and exactly the type of distance gains I am hoping to find.  Curious how you all are getting along with them. 

Go back to something you loved and gives you good memories. I seem to remember you loving V sole? Some z785 or ZX7?

[BCULAW]

20 minutes ago, Tree Levino said:

Go back to something you loved and gives you good memories. I seem to remember you loving V sole? Some z785 or ZX7?

You recall correctly. I LOVE the Srixons and was close to pulling the trigger on a new set of MKIIs.  I moved to the Dallas area about 15 months ago, though. It has taken me a bit of time, but I am starting to realize that the turf conditions here - dense mud that can range from firm and tight to downright hard pan - seem to call for lower bounce and a sharper leading edge. I compress the ball aggressively at impact. The higher bounce soles work fine. I make good contact with them, but they don’t give the feeling I really like. It’s the main reason I am looking at the mizunos. I took a set out last weekend and was blown away at how much “crisper” the contact felt.

[BCULAW]

28 minutes ago, poor_putting said:

I have the 241’s in p-6 and 243’s in 4-5. If I could do it all over again, I would only do the 243 in the 4 iron. 
 

I like a thinner sole and the 243’s are quite a bit wider. Also, the sound/feel isn’t as good as the 241’s. I know the lower lofted irons are a different material than the higher lofted but it’s definitely noticeable. 
 

For me the 243’s are long. I went 1 degree weak in 243’s to try to match up gapping and I need to go at least another degree to get gapping correct. 6 iron carries about 192-3 on stock shot and 5 iron about 212-215 (per launch monitor averages)
 

If you don’t mind the difference in feel/sound, and the sole width isn’t an issue definitely go with them. Those are just nit picky things for the most part.

This is the type of post that makes me want to get back into blades!  I played them for years just because of the feel and small profile. I am not turning scores into money, so I really didn’t care about forgiveness. And, as it turns out, I hit them pretty well anyway!  I just feel like a little extra  distance could help, but man I sure do love a good set of blades!

[Tree Levino]

1 minute ago, BCULAW said:

You recall correctly. I LOVE the Srixons and was close to pulling the trigger on a new set of MKIIs.  I moved to the Dallas area about 15 months ago, though. It has taken me a bit of time, but I am starting to realize that the turf conditions here - dense mud that can range from firm and tight to downright hard pan - seem to call for lower bounce and a sharper leading edge. I compress the ball aggressively at impact. The higher bounce soles work fine. I make good contact with them, but they don’t give the feeling I really like. It’s the main reason I am looking at the mizunos. I took a set out last weekend and was blown away at how much “crisper” the contact felt.

FWIW I have played Mizuno Pro 520 for 1.5 seasons (JDM version of the MP20 MMC) and I tested those vs 223 vs 243 and I saw little difference between all of them. The 243 are the softest. I personally like the 223 out of all of them the best. I don't think you can go wrong with any of those sets and indeed, the contact is indeed much more crisp on tighter turf. 

 

1 minute ago, BCULAW said:

This is the type of post that makes me want to get back into blades!  I played them for years just because of the feel and small profile. I am not turning scores into money, so I really didn’t care about forgiveness. And, as it turns out, I hit them pretty well anyway!  I just feel like a little extra  distance could help, but man I sure do love a good set of blades!

 

Disagree with the most re 241 vs the others. I have hit them vs 243 extensively and although they're playable, there is nothing the 241 do that the 243 do not that is worth the tradeoff of how easy the 243 is to hit. 

[Tree Levino]

5 minutes ago, BCULAW said:

You recall correctly. I LOVE the Srixons and was close to pulling the trigger on a new set of MKIIs.  I moved to the Dallas area about 15 months ago, though. It has taken me a bit of time, but I am starting to realize that the turf conditions here - dense mud that can range from firm and tight to downright hard pan - seem to call for lower bounce and a sharper leading edge. I compress the ball aggressively at impact. The higher bounce soles work fine. I make good contact with them, but they don’t give the feeling I really like. It’s the main reason I am looking at the mizunos. I took a set out last weekend and was blown away at how much “crisper” the contact felt.

 

Also have a set of 785 that are like new in the basement and hit them again recently. I actually prefer them to the newer ones by a good bit.. better off tighter turf to me. Not exactly sure why. 

[BCULAW]

Just now, Tree Levino said:

 

Also have a set of 785 that are like new in the basement and hit them again recently. I actually prefer them to the newer ones by a good bit.. better off tighter turf to me. Not exactly sure why. 

I completely agree!  The z785 was such a good iron for me. I have enjoyed the subsequent models, but never played as well with them.  I was absolutely SMITTEN with the 785s!   They just felt better and worked better for me!   I feel like there was something slightly different in the sole grind that almost seemed to keep my shots online (maybe that’s why they felt better?). 
 

I know most point to the 745s as Srixon’s “holy grail,” but the 785s were perfection if you ask me!

 

Darn!  Now I want some Srixons!

[jjzee]

I've had my eye on Mizuno and Srixon for a while. I need to get better at consistency before I invest in something new though. 

[poor_putting]

24 minutes ago, BCULAW said:

This is the type of post that makes me want to get back into blades!  I played them for years just because of the feel and small profile. I am not turning scores into money, so I really didn’t care about forgiveness. And, as it turns out, I hit them pretty well anyway!  I just feel like a little extra  distance could help, but man I sure do love a good set of blades!

 
 

This will likely be controversial to say but it hold true for me and my patterns/play.

 

I prefer the misses of blades more than the misses of cavity or hollow body irons. 
 

FOR ME, a miss hit with a blade goes slightly short. Never sliced or duck hooked. I know where my miss will be if I mishit the ball so I can plan for it. With cavity or hollow body, the left and right misses come into play more. It’s less predicable for me and the misses are generally bigger. Seems this is because the distance on off center strikes is still there. So the shot just goes further offline. 
 

I don’t struggle for distance and speed may be the reason why I can get away with blades. 
 

I’ve been playing for 5 years now and 243’s are my first try at anything other than a blade. While they are nice, I sure do like a blade as well! 
 

At the end of the day, we aren’t getting paid to play. So play what you want and enjoy the game 👍👍

 

 

PSA: I’m newer at golf than many on here and nowhere near a pro. Sit around a 6 cap with driver and irons being the strength of my game. So take my opinion with a grain of salt 

[Tree Levino]

1 hour ago, poor_putting said:

 
 

This will likely be controversial to say but it hold true for me and my patterns/play.

 

I prefer the misses of blades more than the misses of cavity or hollow body irons. 
 

FOR ME, a miss hit with a blade goes slightly short. Never sliced or duck hooked. I know where my miss will be if I mishit the ball so I can plan for it. With cavity or hollow body, the left and right misses come into play more. It’s less predicable for me and the misses are generally bigger. Seems this is because the distance on off center strikes is still there. So the shot just goes further offline. 
 

I don’t struggle for distance and speed may be the reason why I can get away with blades. 
 

I’ve been playing for 5 years now and 243’s are my first try at anything other than a blade. While they are nice, I sure do like a blade as well! 
 

At the end of the day, we aren’t getting paid to play. So play what you want and enjoy the game 👍👍

 

 

PSA: I’m newer at golf than many on here and nowhere near a pro. Sit around a 6 cap with driver and irons being the strength of my game. So take my opinion with a grain of salt 

Long irons I would say 100% there are gains to be made in a properly fit CB vs a blade. Easier to miss left with a blade as CG is closer to the hosel. I always draw blades more than players CBs. 243 vs 241 will gain strokes over a season for most players. That said, you’re right in that we aren’t making millions so if blades make you happy go for it. I will say I’ve never met a golfer who has enjoyed looking at his set of blades in the bag more than firing a really low round. 

[Glock917]

2 hours ago, BCULAW said:

I completely agree!  The z785 was such a good iron for me. I have enjoyed the subsequent models, but never played as well with them.  I was absolutely SMITTEN with the 785s!   They just felt better and worked better for me!   I feel like there was something slightly different in the sole grind that almost seemed to keep my shots online (maybe that’s why they felt better?). 
 

I know most point to the 745s as Srixon’s “holy grail,” but the 785s were perfection if you ask me!

 

Darn!  Now I want some Srixons!

I still game the z785. Trying to use them until they disintegrate lol. Do not know where I will turn once they do.

[Joesti]

I had 221 blades and went to 243. tested them back to back when my 243s came in and while I like the looks much better of the 221 the numbers were so similar with the 243 having a ton more forgiveness in the longer irons that there really wasnt a reason to play the 221 over the 243. Having said that I still regret selling those 221s😅

[Brizam]

I'm going to throw an additional wrench into the mix.... Ping Blueprint S.  I've been a Mizuno guy forever, every other set of irons I buy are Mizunos.  I stray away for a bit and try something else out and then come back to Mizuno.  I've never liked Ping irons before but the the BPS are just different.  I've been the same looking for a bit more forgiveness with out going to something big and chunky with offset.  The BPS fits in that space really nicely

[robin_w]

8 hours ago, Brizam said:

I'm going to throw an additional wrench into the mix.... Ping Blueprint S.  I've been a Mizuno guy forever, every other set of irons I buy are Mizunos.  I stray away for a bit and try something else out and then come back to Mizuno.  I've never liked Ping irons before but the the BPS are just different.  I've been the same looking for a bit more forgiveness with out going to something big and chunky with offset.  The BPS fits in that space really nicely

This.

 

I don't wanna switch from 245 to BPS simply because I don't wanna buy two iron sets in one month

[BCULAW]

The BPS are that good, huh?  Wow!

 

 

[NRJyzr]

On 4/22/2024 at 10:11 AM, BCULAW said:

This is the type of post that makes me want to get back into blades!  I played them for years just because of the feel and small profile. I am not turning scores into money, so I really didn’t care about forgiveness. And, as it turns out, I hit them pretty well anyway!  I just feel like a little extra  distance could help, but man I sure do love a good set of blades!

 

In physics terms, there's not much difference in MOI between the 243and most modern blades.  😁

 

[Brizam]

16 hours ago, BCULAW said:

The BPS are that good, huh?  Wow!

 

 

Ya, I've been very impressed.

[PNW]

17 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

 

In physics terms, there's not much difference in MOI between the 243and most modern blades.  😁

 

I've hit 243 a couple times and that's how they seemed to me. Great for additional ball speed and launch off middle. The Maltby MOI measurement on them are more in line with small cavities and current blades. 

[cmatthews77]

Haven’t hit the new 243s yet but I love my 223s. They did a nice job of slightly trimming the size marginally on the 243s. I just don’t love the 44 degree PW (but I play the 221 blade in the PW anyway)

[blakesmittkamp]

I’m gaming zx7s at the moment and am floored how long they are.  I’m talking 8-10 yards longer than my new level 623 cbs.  It’s obviously messing with distance control.   Eyeing the 243 but curious if anyone picked up a bunch of distance from them ?  FWIW my srixons have modus 120 vs amt white in my new levels.  Could be a launch spin thing from shafts or head or combo of both.  Probably going to go back to my new levels until I can get loft and lie checked on the srixons.    

Edited July 31, 2024 by blakesmittkamp

[wam78]

12 hours ago, blakesmittkamp said:

I’m gaming zx7s at the moment and am floored how long they are.  I’m talking 8-10 yards longer than my new level 623 cbs.  It’s obviously messing with distance control.   Eyeing the 243 but curious if anyone picked up a bunch of distance from them ?  FWIW my srixons have modus 120 vs amt white in my new levels.  Could be a launch spin thing from shafts or head or combo of both.  Probably going to go back to my new levels until I can get loft and lie checked on the srixons.    

I want to say the NL 623’s have more traditional lofts?  34* 7i?  Zx7’s should sit at 32* 7i.  Plus I think the zx7’s will spin a touch less.  Those 623’s are fantastic!  Could be the 2* loft difference and possibly around 500rpm or so of spin difference, maybe more with lofts.  You will prob see similar numbers with 243’s as zx7’s.  Maybe even a touch more ball speed.

 

Sorry, did not mean to hijack the thread.

[Dewdman42]

how do the 243's compare to JPX923Tours?