Mizuno JPX800 Pro

[Riuzzi]

Editor review

Background: I’ve always played “player’s” irons, bagging everything from player’s cavity backs to combo sets to pure musclebacks. However, over the last couple of years I’ve slowly been moving towards a more forgiving iron as time spent on the range (and sadly, the course as well) has been reduced significantly. A set of AP2’s has been in my bag since they came out, but a couple of months ago I started thinking that maybe it was time to play something even more forgiving. When Mizuno introduced the JPX800 Pro it was love at first sight. I had a feeling that these irons were just what I had been looking for – extra forgiveness without having to look down at a ton of offset and a clunky head.

Off to a Mizuno fitter I went to get fit with the Swing DNA system. The system suggested three different shaft options, one being Project X, which I’ve played for the last couple of years, as well as the KBS Tour shaft. I’ve wanted to try a set of KBS Tour shafts for a while, so I quickly jumped at that option and sent my specs off to Mizuno.

Specs:
Mizuno JPX800 Pro 3-PW
KBS Tour stiff flex
1* weak

PROS: Typical, soft Mizuno feel in an extremely forgiving iron.

CONS: When comparing these irons to a player’s cb the heads are a little long heel to toe, and the long irons do have a good bit of offset.

BOTTOM LINE: I wanted to try these irons because I wanted a bit of extra forgiveness, while not compromising too much when it comes to the look at address. The JPX800 Pro’s offer exactly that. Together with the rest of the MP and JPX range, Mizuno arguably offers one of the strongest iron line-ups in golf.

Look: When I had the JPX800 Pro’s in my hands for the first time, the first thing that hit me was the width of the sole. I’ve thought about switching to more forgiving irons for a while now, but one of the things that have kept me from switching has always been the chunky-ish soles that many GI irons have. Not with the 800 Pro’s. The sole is surprisingly (to me at least) thin on all of the irons, and has a nice killed leading edge grind, as well as a little trailing edge relief. Mizuno calls this the “Triple cut sole”, and the end result is a sole that is very playable from a number of lies, unlike the GI irons that I have tried in the past.

At address the 800 Pro’s have a very nice look. The head is definitely larger compared to what I usually play, but without feeling clunky or too big. I had the irons bent 1* weak, so that means my set has slightly less offset than irons straight off the rack, which for me is a good thing. I never like to look down at a lot of offset, but luckily I was positively surprised by the 800 Pro’s. The offset in 6 through PW is very similar to what I am used to and should not be too offensive to anyone that has played a cavity back before. The offset is only really noticeable in the long irons, but without being too distracting.

The graphics on the back look pretty cool and understated in real life. I’m usually not a fan of medallions or plastic stickers in the cavity, but the “tech-look” actually looks nice and clean.

Performance/Playability: The main reason for switching to the JPX800 Pro’s was to get more forgiveness without loosing any of the playability that my previous irons had.

The head is slightly longer heel-to-toe compared to what I‘m used to playing, but without being distracting in any way. The added length seems to add a lot of forgiveness on toe hits, both when it comes to length and direction. The whole face is actually very forgiving, and exactly what I was looking for.

I was expecting to hit these irons further than anything I’ve ever had in the bag. The lofts are stronger compared to (all of) my old irons, and according to Mizuno, these irons have the “highest COR ever developed in a Mizuno Grain Flow Forged iron”. However, I never got the expected increase in distance. I have a strong feeling that this is due to the shafts, and not the heads. I think the KBS Tour shafts simply add too much backspin, which causes me to lose distance, and even more so in a headwind where the ball has a tendency to balloon slightly. The Project X shafts, which were also suggested by the Swing DNA system, would probably have been a better choice for me, but you live and learn.

Feel: I have always loved the feel of a true Mizuno grain flow forging. The feel is unique to Mizuno, and is something that you will always remember. While the JPX800 Pro’s do not quite offer the famous MP-series feel, it is still pretty darn good! I would describe it as solid and powerful yet very smooth. You can definitely feel that this is a forged iron, and it’s probably the best feeling “forgiving” iron I have ever tried.

Overall bottom line: When I first saw these irons I knew that I had to try them. A lot of forgiveness in a sexy package – what’s not to like about that? After having played these irons extensively over the past couple of months I have to say that I’m extremely impressed – and they look pretty good in the bag too!





PW at address


8 iron


6 iron


4 iron

[sgniwder99]

Still a bit too thick of a topline for my tastes, but other than that really nice looking clubs all around.

[Crue4]

Definitely at the top of my list to get at end of this year! Loved them with px 6.0 when I tested them.

[ajgoodal.704]

Excellent Review. I picked these up this spring and they will be in the bag for quite sometime.

[Riuzzi]

[quote name='sgniwder99' timestamp='1309194907' post='3338910']
Still a bit too thick of a topline for my tastes, but other than that really nice looking clubs all around.
[/quote]

The topline is definitely on the thick side, but I think that if it was any thinner, it would make the iron look even longer heel-to-toe. The topline makes the iron look more compact at address IMO. On top of that, I also think that a thin topline would make the cavity visible in the long irons at address, which is an even worse look

[Sakman]

Great review Uzi. Mizzy still continues to impress.

[sgniwder99]

[quote name='Riuzzi' timestamp='1309248207' post='3341304']
[quote name='sgniwder99' timestamp='1309194907' post='3338910']
Still a bit too thick of a topline for my tastes, but other than that really nice looking clubs all around.
[/quote]

The topline is definitely on the thick side, but I think that if it was any thinner, it would make the iron look even longer heel-to-toe. The topline makes the iron look more compact at address IMO. On top of that, I also think that a thin topline would make the cavity visible in the long irons at address, which is an even worse look
[/quote]

That makes sense. Good review, by the way.

[jbpfeen]

I like the review. I gamed these for about 5 rounds or so, and ended up trading them in and going for Ping I15's. I did like these clubs, especially the triple cut sole that helped you from virtually any lie, but I needed a bit more forgiveness. The only negative here is that you will feel the sting in your hands if you have mishits, almost like a blade.

[fogger]

Nice review...while thinking about a little more forgiveness, I decided to order a set. I demo'd them with the gold XP and didn't care for the feel in fact, I thought the 800s non pro felt much better in that shaft. Tried the x100 in the 800pro and they felt smooth as silk. Love my 63s but I think I can probably get closer to pins with the 800p and I can probably use the extra distance.

I do think the top lines are fat and the club does appear to have more offset but after a few swings, I didn't notice much. I was more focused on the trajectory, spin, and how I move the ball. I thought they were quite responsive to the shot patterns I was trying to hit and it seemed quite easy to accomplish. We'll see how they perform on the course.

Of course, since I ordered them I'm hitting my irons very consistently..

[s-y]

I just posted a thread about the jpx-800 pros bc I too am looking to make a switch from my mp-32s to something with a little more forgiveness without compromising looks and feel (same as Riuzzi!).

To any jpx800 pro users, how do you like the dynalite xp compared to regular TT DGs?

I like the idea of weakening the lofts 1 degree like Riuzzi did but those who left their lofts stock, what is your wedge setup?

[ajgoodal.704]

I left my lofts stock and had a 52 bent to 51 and a 56 bent to 57. Might add a 62 degree wedge to the mix sometime this summer as well.

[BP5168]

[quote name='s-y' timestamp='1309323460' post='3344417']
I just posted a thread about the jpx-800 pros bc I too am looking to make a switch from my mp-32s to something with a little more forgiveness without compromising looks and feel (same as Riuzzi!).

To any jpx800 pro users, how do you like the dynalite xp compared to regular TT DGs?

I like the idea of weakening the lofts 1 degree like Riuzzi did but those who left their lofts stock, what is your wedge setup?
[/quote]


I hated the Dynalite, liked the DG S300, but still went with KBS Tour Stiff hard stepped once. Smooth feeling combo, and for the first time in a while I haven't switched irons "just because". I told myself I'd stick with this set and stop changing equipment. It's paid off ....

I kept the lofts the same, have a JPX GW @ 50* as I rarely use a 50* for anything but 3/4 to full shots. Went with a 54* and a 58* Chikara wedge set, and I'm in love with my bag right now. 910 D3, 910 F, Adams Superhybrid in between.

[suwdawg]

Nice review thanks Mizuno is very good iron making company and the grain forged tech is great.

[GooseHook]

These things are just classy. It's great to see a GI-type iron now overdone with badges and a palm width sole!

[Jack Pearsall]

hate the topline, total deal breaker...

[Vykter]

[quote name='BP5168' timestamp='1309351944' post='3344808']
I hated the Dynalite, liked the DG S300, but still went with KBS Tour Stiff hard stepped once. Smooth feeling combo, and for the first time in a while I haven't switched irons "just because". I told myself I'd stick with this set and stop changing equipment. It's paid off ....

[/quote]

[i]*Edit: This is my first forged set and I'm coming from Callaway FT i-Brids.[/i]

I'm playing with the JPX-800 Pros as well, but I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to shafts. What's the difference between the Dynalites and DGs? (I'm always open to trying new things to help improve)

I love the Pros and love that the set came with a GW to help with the 100 yard range.

For my wedges I have CG15 56* and 64*. With those I have yardages from 60-100 covered. If I'm 30-50 yards in I have to get creative.