Battle Of The Blades - Mizuno MP-4 v Mizuno MP-5 Forged Blade Irons Head To Head

[@upupaway1183]

Thanks for some excellent content Michael. I’m curious, how do these compare to your current Wilson blades in terms of feel and forgiveness?

[@TenPester]

I've owned these two back to back. I fell for the "MP5 is more forgiving" comments, and they aren't. They are actually less forgiving if you look at Ralph Maltby's MFP scoring system. Early 2000s were peak Mizuno for me, and the MP-4 is probably one of the best going if you discount the mass support for the MP-33, but for me in side by side testing of my MP-4 and my friends MP-33 with the same shaft (S300), the MP-4 was just a better feel and strike on the ball.

[@sgodlike7911]

Dude, i've been looking for a direct comparison between the mp4 and 33. I'm gaming the 221s right now on a shaft that my wounded lead-hand simply can't handle. Have you had a chance to hit the 221s? If so, how would you compare the 33s, 4s and 221s?

[@TenPester]

@@sgodlike7911 I had the 221 with DG 120 on them. Great irons and felt easy to hit but the MP4 are more forgiving. Now I use VEGA VC-01.

[@sgodlike7911]

@@TenPester A true golfer's golfer 🫡

[@sgodlike7911]

@@TenPester My 221s are on Oban Ct-125X+. When i originally got them i was hitting shots that, well, i'd only seen on TV. Now i'm hitting shots that you see at any muni range. That being said, i still get center too often to back away from blades. Thank you for the feedback.

[@TenPester]

@@sgodlike7911 I bought a set of Hogan redlines last week. Very playable but anything beyond the 6 iron was a waste of time. I still keep my eye out for MP4 because they are the best Mizuno made IMO.

[@seansack609]

Great comparison of clubs from one of the best brands in the game Michael. These are both gorgeous club but hard to justify when you can get all the looks, feel and a degree of forgiveness from the 900 Tours.

[@guyhall6592]

Hey Michael, I have a set of the MP-68's as well as a dozen others. I luv blades in fact I'm gaming a set of Yonex Tour ADX, great fun. ✌

[@lillybloom1590]

There is no modern club that has the feel of a Mizuno blade. If you like to feel the head from the grip down the shaft, you should try a Mizuno blade.

[@lillybloom1590]

I agree 100%.

[@mustique00]

You need to hit an iron from Miura , like no other blade you'll ever hit.

[@a11corn]

I kept my Mizuno MP-4 irons and sold my Miura MB-001 irons. Played both for two years and at the end of the day, I preferred the MP-4.

[@gkarakosta]

I played Mizuno mp5 and Miura cb501 and I prefer mp4s . MP4s They are just perfect, longer, soft, solid and they go through the turf so nice . The thinner the blade the better the turf interaction. It’s like you shaving with a razor vs a butter knife 😂. You need to test irons outside, not indoor. It’s a huge difference indoors vs grass outside.

[@sgodlike7911]

Hello, Michael. Such a great review. I'm currently gaming the 221s on a shaft that a hand injury is preventing me from fully taking advantage of. I like to work the ball both ways and believe that i can sell my 221s on the Oban Ct-125x+ and buy either the 33s or 4s with a lot of money left over. How would you compare these 3? Also, what are your thoughts on the Jpx tour 923s when compared to these 3. I'm asking specifically about performance. Thank you, Sir.

[@RobMcGarr]

I'd love to do a long(ish) term test of the MP-4, which I think is the best-looking club out there. In your conclusion you've said you've got to be middling it or you'd be better off with a more forgiving club, but a lot of people who play blades say they're no more unforgiving than anything else. I'm yet to see proof that mishits with a game improvement iron end up closer to target than mishits with a blade.

[@MichaelNewtonGolf]

Scratch Golf it's not so much more on target it's maybe more of a drop off in ball speed resulting in bigger distance drop. Pretty sure I did a video a while back compare off centre hits.

[@RobMcGarr]

Cheers, I'll have a look. That seems logical, but with "forgiving" clubs don't you get low spin shots that go miles sometimes?

[@MichaelNewtonGolf]

Scratch Golf I generally see the average spin is down slightly on cavity irons against blades but that's mainly due to the loft difference.

[@RobMcGarr]

I meant more that good players with forgiving irons sometimes complain about the odd shot going a lot further than expected. Anyway, it's all food for thought. Love your swing, particularly tempo.

[@1b0o0]

+Scratch Golf I know what you mean. Started playing 20 months ago and I'm already down to 11. Bought a set of G30's after using a hand me down set from my dad. Had to switch the G30's because of that hot spot. Some shots just went 20 yards longer without me knowing why. I'm now using Rbladez Tour and my distance control is way better. And I can tell, a bad hit is a bad hit ALWAYS. I've hit thousands of range balls and played around 75 rounds of golf and mishits will not be better with game improvement clubs in my experience.

[@gregwalker4236]

as a collector and only occasional player who grew up in the 50' s and 60's, these clubs are the sports cars (classic forged) whereas my ap1's are the minivans--sometimes you want to put the top down and shift for yourself, and sometimes just sit back and cruise....

[@cookq]

I’ve played the mp 4s for years and I always break 80 with them. I’m not playing for money or competitively for score, so much as feeling. So why play anything else? It’s between these and the old wood dowel titleist 681s for me. If you are playing for feeling, this is where it’s at.

[@edmc4315]

ANOTHER GREAT REVIEW GOOD INFO I JUST GOT MY FIRST MIZUNO SET LAST WEEK BEING A 10 HDC. GOLFER AND USING THE G 20 PINGS before these I WENT WITH THE JPX EZ FORGED 4 thru gw. like them so far especially the short irons and chip shots with the Gap wedge.

[@MichaelNewtonGolf]

+Ed Mc great irons Ed

[@charltonlwalker]

I just ordered a used set of the MP4s. Imagine there was a time in golf history when everyone hit blades regardless of weather. They got along fine.

[@Shadezman76]

I bought the MP-63's back in 2010(2009 model) with DG S300 steal shafts. Then in 2013(maybe 2014) I hit the Calaway Apex II iron in the simulator and was launching it 15 to 20 yards longer than my Mizuno's. The Pro at the store said the Calway's have the True Temper XP95 shafts in them, which are significantly lighter than what my MP-63's came with and that would account for most of the difference. So If I replace my DG S300 shafts with the XP(same stiffness) steel shafts should I expect to see the 15 to 20 yard increase?

[@MichaelNewtonGolf]

+Brian K I would check the lofts as I feel the Callaway Apex will be stronger loft than the Mizuno. The shaft should help pick up some clubhead speed but maybe not 15/20 yards worth.

[@Shadezman76]

Good point and I overlooked this aspect. The difference in my clubs and the Calaway's for 7i and 6i is 3 degrees and that would probably account for 10 yards at least. Thanks for your quick reply.

[@Tall-Cool-Drink]

I've had MP53 for several years. Tried to hit MP5. I couldn't hit it nearly as well. I'll keep my 53s. I hope my wife buys me a set of 54s for Christmas.

[@gregorywalker4997]

great video! unless you're in competition (or gambling) why not go this route. after all balls these days are already making thing easier.

[@SuperYoda7]

Great Video, thanks!

[@MichaelNewtonGolf]

+SuperYoda7 Glad you like :-)

[@MrMattorge]

Quick question and feel free anyone to chime in. I'm a 15 handicap and that number is continuing to come down. I'm thinking of going from my game improvement TM rocketbladz to a Mizuno mp5 or taylormade p770. I just love how they feel and can get the ball to stop really fast170+ yards out. I just love the way they look and feel but am worried I'm not good enough for them. Thoughts? When hitting theses irons I really didn't notice getting punished as bad as people say on off hits. Yes they are smaller and yes there is a difference but I lose distance and control if I miss hit my GI irons. Thanks!

[@MichaelNewtonGolf]

matthew orge Hi Matthew, if you feel confident enough to use them and your strike pattern is pretty good then go for it.

[@MrMattorge]

Michael Newton Golf I feel great. What should the strike pattern be at before it's a consideration?

[@Ryglado]

matthew orge Shot pattern should be close to middle most of the time. Put some foot spray on one of your current irons and see the results. U could also buy a single bladed iron and put it in your bag for a few rounds. See if it performs under pressure.

[@cookq]

They will make you a better ball striker because the feedback is instant and reliable. And you will know by the feel when you hit a great shot, instantly. Do it for that reason alone

[@diogeneslantern18]

Hope you ended up getting blades... If you played with them for 4 years you'd have amazing ball striking by now.

[@tomarmytage980]

Hi Mike, could you tell us what ferrules are used and where they may be available? They look like solid copper or brass.

[@MichaelNewtonGolf]

Tom Armytage hi Tom. These only come the fitting irons as it part of the connection system when swoping shafts. They normally come when the standard black plastic ferrules

[@00SingleSeven]

Im here after seeing pro 221 and pro 241

[@braddavis6831]

Hands down the 221s are the best looking blades ever in my opinion. Got my set in the spring 2023. Hit them just fine. Thinking about the 243s now for no other reason than to have something a little different on the side. But dont tell my 221s. Lol

[@00SingleSeven]

@@braddavis6831 agreed. If I go with newer line I'd give pro 245 a try. My mp4 performs just fine but I think pro 221 seemed to have bigger sweet spot

[@jm-um4st]

what shaft?

[@thisjustanother]

at 5:58 he says dynamic gold s300