The BEST game improvement irons of 2024?!

[@wessims3412]

I think you need to game these Rick this might really help with the Break 75 series and just make golf easier overall. You hit these phenomenal… Hard to see that the more difficult bladed clubs are gonna make you score any better when they’re harder to hit? Thanks for the great review.

[@daniele1569]

I agree about the loft Rick. As I high handicapper with good swing speed I don't particularly need help to get distance with my irons - all I need is help to hit them in the general direction of the hole.

[@thomasobrien8465]

Great review. This combined with some other reviews really makes playing the HL easier to accept. I’ve heard criticism of the weaker lofts but you have really helped show why this is good. Would be nice to see decent angle in your reviews to demonstrate your concerns on holding greens. If someone with your swing speed is concerned about holding the green then us average golfers should be too.

[@william_hartman]

I wish these had even weaker lofts, having a more traditional loft like 33* or 34* for the 7i would benefit way more people. Then for even more forgiveness they could offer a set with 1/2" - 1" shorter shafts (and adjusted lie angles) because hitting the center of the clubface will help more golfers than having an extra 1-2 MPH club head speed. People often forget that with the more spin that comes with more loft, is straighter spin axis on mishits. Ex lets say you leave the face open on a 28* 7i, you might get 5,000 back spin and 1,250 side spin creating an 11* spin axis this will be a big fade if not a slice. The same shot with a 34* 7i might get 7,500 back spin and the same 1,250 side spin. This would have a side spin of around 7*, meaning it would be a relatively small fade and would be around 40% less offline. So if the first one faded/sliced 20 yards right, the second would be 12 yards offline.

[@zazhou]

One could add half an inch to a modern eight iron and just call it a seven iron? Would that work?

[@warriorrob1]

Is that not what the normal hot metals are for ?

[@freedomissue7824]

Rick you should be using these 😂😂😂

[@casparus1]

Playing 923 HL with KBS Tour 130x and off 2 handicap. Marketing nonsense that low handicappers can’t have them in the bag ❤ . I dare you to play a round with them built to your specs in a break 75 event 😎

[@ChicoGolfs]

I 100% agree with you! I got talking to a dude from my local course. After a while he was telling me he’s 16 and plays off a 4 handicap and has been using Cobra SpeedZone irons for a few seasons. Competes in junior tournaments and wants to go to college to pursue golf. I know it’s Cobra and not Mizuno but it surprised me to hear such a good golfer using a “players improvement” set of irons.

[@MRbjr8]

you speak the truth, I'm 68 playing to a 6 off a 6200 yd course that used to host an LPGA event and I play Ping G410's - heck many pros play cavity back irons now

[@bradfortner8921]

Love to see it. Playing what works is tough in a market where “better players use smaller clubs”. Fact is, better players shoot lower scores. My bag wouldn’t make sense to anybody, driver is a regular shaft, 3w is heavy XS, I have a 6w I’ll never let go of until it breaks (SLDR, so it’s probably getting close, lol). Mixed irons, and a beautiful Miura putter I’ll take to the grave. Point is, it’s taken years and I also couldn’t care less what convention says, I use what works. Currently at 5hcp, but it’s been dropping quickly this year

[@biggie686]

100% true. I played a matchplay at my club against a dude who had old Taylormade Burner irons with regular shafts in the bag that were absolutely battered. He was a 3hcp, hit his drives 270ish and had something like 10 greens in regulation. I spoke to him about his clubs and he loved the look of new ones, but was scared to out anything in the bag incase his handicap went up

[@Michael.Sandoval33]

I am either going to go with the AI Smoke HL or now, the 925 HL. I am a high handicapper myself, in the high 20's. But the lofts fit my play style on the course better. I don't see the purpose in making golf any harder either 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@bguzewi0]

I have some JPX 825s I bought back in 2013 and I absolutely love them. While I was getting fitted, I narrowed it down to them and the TaylorMade RocketBladez, and honestly, I hit the TaylorMades longer, but the feel of the Mizunos was so much better. Then come to find out, the TaylorMades were a couple degrees stronger. Big fan of Mizuno clubs.

[@MartinRichardson1255]

Can we see you visit the titleist performance centre please? Feel like that would be an awesome video.

[@Golfing-AddiCt]

What I like about the HL's is the loft is a little closer to lofts of 15-20 years ago, so you'll not need a rediculous amount of wedges in the bag. Having bought into the stronger lofted club 7 years ago, yes they go further, but your club head speed has to be 90 + to get as much height to get the longer irons to remotely stand a chance of stopping on a green. These 925 HL's will stop on the greens and that has to be a good thing. They are chunkier looking but if you want to hit n hold more greens, these will help you do that.

[@ChrisHermitage]

I have the JPX923 HL. They are incredibly sweet to hit. Now playing off 13.8, was 18 before getting them. Of course there are various factors but they give me a lot of confidence

[@warriorrob1]

Do you find you strike the ball more consistently? I’m working on my swing

[@aleksei8884]

I’m a beginner, and I got a set of Mizuno mx1s I have no frame of reference with other irons but I love em

[@mariusjurtz]

I’m playing the normal 923 Hot Metal. These irons are so satisfying to hit. The sound and feel you get from a good strike is so rewarding that you want that feeling over an over again.

[@atamagashock]

Have you ever hit the 923 forged? I personally think you would like them much better. They feel amazing, aren’t bulky, great turf interaction. When I got fitted the top two for me were the P790 and the 923 forged. I went with the 790 cause I averaged an extra 5 yards, otherwise the numbers were basically the same. But the 923 forged are a very nice club, that are plenty forgiving, plenty distance, but a smaller package, and can be workable

[@johnsalisbury8224]

Be fitted and decided on the high launch, played with them today amazing 😁😁😁

[@gavinfarrell8409]

Can you review the Srixon ZX5 MkII's?

[@tamirshemesh521]

It'd be nice if you had a breakdown of which clubs you like most for X type of player / use case. You review enough clubs to have recommendations for beginner sets / balls / drivers (based on skill) etc..

[@warriorrob1]

I’d love this as a new ish golfer , i see vids all the time saying x club is good for high handicappers but surely there are levels

[@AdrianBishton]

I really appreciate your channel, it's a very informative and full of great content . Can you give some consideration to demonstrating the clubs at a lower swing speed in addition to your natural speed.

[@CPBuilds]

I ended up getting the 245, bent 2 weak, and in a MMT 105 TX shaft. My swing speed is around 96-98 and ball speed is around 130-133 with a 7 iron. Should I play something heavier? Maybe but I don’t care for the feel. Much prefer a lighter shaft since I tend to play golf after an 8-10 hour day of work and swinging a 125g shaft feels like a pole around hole 6. If ppl don’t like the stronger lofts…bend them weak. Bending 2* weak works out perfect for gapping in the 245 IMO. Just hit what feels good and makes the game more enjoyable.

[@biggie686]

@@CPBuilds swing speed of 130? Do you mean ball speed? Bryson is around 130mph swing speed with his driver

[@CPBuilds]

@@biggie686 ball speed…my bad. Swing speed with that 7 was around 96-98.

[@GeorgeJFW]

The Cleveland launcher series is an amazing package if you’re looking for game improvement clubs. I would love to see you review them! Also the smart sole wedges are absolutely mint!

[@ThisGuyHasFootballSkills]

I just got them recently and they are great!

[@Jackjackjackkk]

Picked up cbx2 wedges last year and they’re amazing, also can’t be the low price!

[@patts6153]

I have an Cleveland Launcher driver&3w and they are great

[@Steve-es3fc]

2nd that, I'd love to see the review!

[@SpeedyPalomino]

None of the big names will ever play Cleveland clubs so you won't see them reviewed here... it's ego driven...

[@noodle3872]

I wish peak height and descent angle were published to round out the review.

[@Golfing-AddiCt]

I agree, it's very important, I think that info will be on the Golf Nut channel, Jay Smith is a very thorough guy and puts out very good reviews.

[@itsdayve89]

got fitted for the 925 HL last week, super excited to get them! i need all the help i can get in my game lol

[@Michael.Sandoval33]

Got fitted for mine this week. 😎 Had to go 1° upright but besides that, so good.

[@chadthompson3078]

I am considering doing the same. I have never bought new clubs. Any recommendations for getting fit? I appreciate any advice.

[@itsdayve89]

@chadthompson3078 if you’re going to buy new, definitely get fitted for them. theres so many variables with shaft/head combos, loft/lie/length changes than can make massive differences when you get them right. ask your local club pro about getting fit, im sure they can help

[@Michael.Sandoval33]

@@chadthompson3078 If you have the chance to, get fitted by a Mizuno certified fitter. At least personally, I had a great experience with the Mizuno fitter as he was very knowledgeable on each head and felt like I was fitted perfectly into the shaft/head combo for my swing.

[@itsdayve89]

@@chadthompson3078 pay a visit to your local pro and they should be able to talk you through getting fit for a set of clubs. in my opinion its well worth it, made more of a difference for my game than i ever thought it might before the fitting. so many variables with shaft flexes/weights/materials/brands, to changes on the length/lie/lofts. i've played a few rounds with my mizunos now, and also just got fit for a new titleist driver on the back of seeing the improvement with my irons. good luck!

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

Rick, you should show the side view of average shot with each model that you compare. I think many people would be curious to see the height difference and difference in the descent. I see that it is right there on your simulator screen, so it should be simple to include that additional data point. Thanks.

[@StephenTeques]

Im using the Callaway Steelhear XR irons and its made my golfing easier

[@terrypeeples1942]

Rick which model of the 925’s is the most forgiving?

[@Gigity1107]

Yeah, I'm kind of thinking of getting something more forgiving, maybe not these, but a players distance iron. I've played Mizuno JPX 900's for a few years and T-Zoids for 17 years before these. They feel great and have good workability. BUT! I play a links course, the need to shot shape just isn't that prevalent. I can go straight at the green 95% of the time, even from off the fairway. So in reality, the slight mishits or fats or thins are way more common than that. So therefore would have a greater benefit overall.

[@1ifbyland2ifbysea]

Had jpx 921 hot metal for about 3 months when I started golfing, hated the chunky look and feel of them. then changed to p7mc and my handicap started dropping quickly. I wouldn't play something like this ever again. I want to play something that tells me when I hit it bad and won't reward bad strikes.

[@guywhittern2800]

Comical that we now say ‘these are so much easier to hit, and amazing’ when all that is happening is they have traditional lofts. This years major advancement, going back to traditional lofts LOL.

[@markc2671]

would the spin on the HM not be better with a more suitable shaft fitted that helped generate more spin?

[@chadillacrx]

Keep in mind, both sets can be custom built and adjusted. I don't need all the offset of the HL, but want the forgiveness. Probably will get the 925 HM but have them at 2 degrees weaker

[@chadillacrx]

Update. Got fitted and the HM HL was a no brainer. Gaming 923 forged currently. Added 15 ft height, 6 degree landing angle, 4 degrees launch and 800 rpm spin. Only at the loss of 2 yards distance. Dispersion was 30% better

[@andrewturnbull9218]

Put them in the bag Rick , mite help you break 75 😂😂😂

[@FF04RDF]

Instead of talking handicap levels I think swing speed is more appropriate. If you have a decent club head speed, you can make the stronger lofted clubs work in terms of launch and spin. If you’re not fast enough, I think they are a terrible choice. However, these clubs are being marketed towards just that type of player. Get some loft in your hands ! 7 iron at 34* will go as far as it goes. If you hit a 7 iron 140 yards and you have 150 yards to the pin, take a 6 iron.

[@gonzzs]

Takomo irons when?

[@twinn61661]

Takoma hasn't paid him yet.

[@twinn61661]

Takomo hasn't paid him yet.

[@16pennynails]

Yes , the loft on these HT irons are weaker than the other 925 Hot metal irons, but they are still at least one club stronger than "traditional" lofts. For years an 8 iron had 40°, 6 irons hovered around 32°. Many sets only had 3 degree increments from mid to long irons, even less in the longest irons. I get it though, with modern tech you wind up with a higher trajectory and more carry distance in less lofted shorter shaft irons. Or I guess so, lol! Just play what makes you happy..

[@LifeofLegs]

Interesting that in the difference between carry distance and total distance only the High Launch 9 iron stopped quicker? 7 Iron Hot metal stopped quicker than the HL and the 5 irons were identical with 12 yards.

[@andrewcharlton9310]

Random question for everyone. Do you find hitting off a mat all the time tends to break the bond between the club head and the shaft? I'm just asking as my driving range is grass, and when I go to most causes hitting into the nets off a mat, it's a lot harder interaction and feel it.

[@chriscollier3197]

You must try the 925 Forged when they come out next (6m?), better in every way, while still giving great performance. More suited to you I’m certain

[@chrisjackson1266]

The back edge of the HL messes with my eye a bit. Not gonna lie. I hit the HM 7 iron last week, and the 923 HM Pro as well. I'm coming from the perspective of some 30 Y.O. Hogan irons so I'm thoroughly impressed with these clubs.

[@rossmcleish8930]

I have the 923 hot metal pro with nipping modus tour 105 shafts and I feel they are a forgiving iron and I can carry my 6 iron 225 yards only have 6-gw but don't feel the need for 4 or 5 iron

[@timjoyce69]

I would love to see these comparison to the G730 Ping

[@michaelharvey4905]

Could someone answer a question for me? Last year I switched from TM P770's to a much more forgiving (and stronger lofted) GI set. Its been great. I'm a three handicap so I'm obviously not as dialed in as the true experts, but I feel like I've got a pretty good understanding. Why do stronger lofted irons matter? Like I get on the sim everything looks a bit wonky but I've never noticed an issue on the course. Set I've got is 5-Gap Wedge (really a 4-PW by loft) and everything works just. When I grab my gap wedge to hit a 120 yard shot, I know I'm really hitting a pw, and I know it's going to land like a pitching wedge, I just call it a gap wedge. So is true for all the other clubs. Yes, you want a 9 iron to fly and stop a certain way, but if my PW does exactly that then what's the issue?

[@canyonaro]

Bingo. Also it's a mistake to compare 7i to 7i. That's not what we do on the golf course. You need to compare the 150yd club from one set to the 150yd club from the other set. The "regular" HM with strong lofts will have you hitting a 0.5" shorter club at a similar loft to the same distance.

[@hungjy]

You hit the nail on the head! People complain about loft jacking but there are people who legitimately need that kind of lofts due to a variety of reasons. Strong lofted irons are not for everyone, but traditional irons don't work for everyone either. Bottom line is you have a limited number of clubs to fill all the yardage gaps. I wish people would stop focusing so much on what loft each iron should be. As long as all your irons hit the proper yardage you need, who cares what they're called? It would be nice if OEM would get rid of the iron number and just stamp the loft on it. That way people can just say "this is a 30 deg iron" instead of arguing over whether it's a 6 or 7 iron.

[@neilshayler3119]

might break 75 with these🤣🤣🤣 I used the 921 forged lovely clubs

[@richiehoppie6945]

So i have my eyes on these and Titleist t400/350 irons but cannot find a comparison between the 2. I have Callaway Steelhead X14s now and im currently finishing up my first full year of golf and i have played pretty consistently. Should I plan to upgrade ? And if so should i consider these, the titleist or another brand ?

[@ThePatGoGo]

Rick' will you put in the bag.

[@christopher2818]

It would be interesting to see you play a round with these to see how they perform on an actual golf course.

[@curtisvincent4104]

Rick, how do you think the Mizuno High Launch compares to the T350? Better? Or equal?

[@warriorrob1]

I desperately want a set of theee more than any. Only Playing. A few months so game improvements are what I need the look of these are stunning for none blades, shame I can’t afford a grand haha

[@bradfortner8921]

To be fair, that’s why Mizuno is the fitters first choice because of the number of options they offer. However, I agree for the consumer buying these off the rack is probably a nightmare, especially for a newer player.

[@scoaus]

Rick “I usually miss left” Shiels, who always aims left. Start using an aim stick bro! 😂. Solid vids mate.

[@inigofernandez-tagle5937]

Can you test the MIZUNO PRO 243 pls

[@ryanbrown9497]

He cant hit those, he just hit 10 bad shots with forgiving irons.

[@benjaminporter9424]

Do PXG please

[@keyboardoracle1044]

Mizuno should just number their clubs from hardest to hit to easiest start with a JB for blade, JC for cavity back. And the year of release. Like the jpx hj’s would be JC825. Hot metals JC725 hot metal pros JC625, forged JC523, pro 245 JC424, pro243 JC324, tours JC223, pro241 JB124. Simples.

[@ThiagoMedeirosGeo]

I think Mizuno shoud stop the 92X series on the 925, and market them as "the best clubs for golfers with a nine-to-five"!

[@Turtle15684]

Test the cobra snakebite wedges

[@gbone2636]

I think Mizuno MIGHT have like 2 irons too many in their lineup. Very few have the exact same target audience. The only ones that I really think are overlapping are the JPX tour and MP 243. All the other JPX kind of just go with HC level: HL for high cappers/people with low swing speed, HM for high cappers that still have some speed, HMP for mid cappers with speed, but still want forgiveness, and forged for mid-low cappers who want forgiveness on a forged club.

[@ecliqxse9591]

I should test this out against the Pxg black ops

[@Golfing-AddiCt]

Well wait for it, because the Forged heads will be coming out in the new year, so there will be even more choice to choose from.

[@grahambrown7720]

Shame you didn’t compare HL 7 iron vs standard 8 iron, are they not going to be near identical result? We should by now be comparing clubs of similar loft and similar shaft length surely. Number on the bottom means nothing. Enjoyed the content though always good!

[@kevinmontgomery1054]

I agree - too many irons. Just wait until the 925 forged lines are released.

[@TheShaunsc]

Mizuno JPX or Calloway Apex?

[@stevesomeone486]

Is there to much pride or a stigma involved in golfers choosing irons . Have too many "bought" into the idea that blades , muscle backs and game improvement irons are handicap specific? Rick , you have shown in the past that even sport shop bought package sets are good enough in the right hands . Forget pride and handicap , try everything and buy what is best for you .

[@michaelmorrissey5343]

Why didn't they do a hot metal pro high launch? Feel like that would be the one

[@patrickhorney2763]

What's sort of funny is that they really aren't "loft jacked" in either set so much as just different clubs... My more traditional set of player's irons have a 34 degree, 36.75" 7 iron. The 8 iron in both these sets is the same length, and a degree or two either side. Really, the "modern" lofts are accompanied by "modern" lengths, so it's just a different number on the bottom of the club, and either weird gapping at bottom end of the set or extra gap wedges.

[@itsaflyboything]

given that almost-shank, maybe you should put them in the bag for a couple months and see how it goes!

[@TheTEN24]

These look good

[@greggelrod1433]

Put some Jumbo medium grips on them and you’re all set, Rick. Just do it! Find the truth, either way, of who you are.

[@SimonW-y3e]

To me the loft and club number are irrelevant, I would like a comparison of a club that goes 170yds vs the club that goes the same distance in another set, what are the spin rates and dispersion and which looks easier to hit, a 28 deg 7 iron will always go longer and spin less than a 31 deg 7 iron and will probably look harder to hit.

[@wrenc7738]

So, does this mean that my hot metal eight iron is basically the same club as the hot metal seven iron high launch?

[@lauchanliang2380]

wanna watch Rick reviews Ping G730 irons

[@Chris54321]

Loft creep is meaningless to me. If I was comparing clubs, I would test a 32 degree club vs a 32 degree club. Of course a 26 degree 7 iron will go much farther than a 34 degree 7 iron for example.

[@Kane22x]

Can you break 75 with the most forgiving clubs, including driver….for get about the distance. Just forgiveness.

[@MrPanukkio]

You forgot that Mizuno has a Pro series as well 😂

[@davidmooredcupool]

Mizuno have like 5 sets of Irons right?

[@garyco766]

Um, these are VERY strong lofted. 40 deg 9 iron? Traditional is 44. 31 deg 7 iron? Traditional is 35. I'm not sure why you're saying these are weaker lofted.

[@wrenc7738]

I think he was comparing the high launch lofts to the hot metal lofts.

[@michaelallen2501]

Pings club lineup is also a convoluted mess.

[@thezohan3129]

Yeah rick but you have pretty average swing speeds so (loft jacking) wouldn't benefit you but some people swing an iron 100mph plus and thats gonna have insane spin with standard lofts

[@phildavis1825]

These or Takomo's?

[@sammillin2583]

Can almost guarantee if Rick had a bag of just forgiving clubs he’d break 75. Why not just use clubs that make golf easier?

[@dmc01]

Not even my 921 HMPs can help my golf game. Only lessons can.

[@caleballen8862]

Play a full round Rick and see what ya shoot.

[@clintrohman4403]

Is your flight tracker that you use not so sensitive or is your hitting mat that much different to reality that it correcting your swing? Because your bad swings in the simulator are massively different than your real world bad hits..😂

[@bannnnner]

Just a reminder... 99.9% of you definitely have good enough clubs and the only thing that will improve your game will be playing time & lessons.

[@OConnorMiles-l2y]

Taylor Mark Allen Lisa Thomas Laura

[@paulwalker8113]

Put the pride aside and play some rounds with them in the bag

[@winstonhorn9683]

He’s hitting these pin high, putting for birdie. But he wants to say the high launch is for high handicappers…..WHY? Scoring vs. ego…… take the scoring!

[@kingrob76]

Rick needs to play a round of gold with a set of clubs like these so a) we can see the real world performance and b) so we can see the "limitations" for low-handicap golfers. I have a theory that if Rick used a full bag of "game improvement" gear he'd break par.

[@jonathansherlock5226]

All the “use this and break 75” comments are so boring. No one wants to watch a series when you know the outcome every time. If you should hit your HCP 30% of the time, Rick should break 75 a similar number of times. Would like to see how many people break their HCP off back tees at different courses each week.

[@SpeedyPalomino]

Nope,,, the Cleveland Zipcore or the XL Halo's are at the top of this class...

[@bradyhoukom5666]

Sorry but the Callaway AI, you basically have the same commentary. This is positive, that was negative. Callaway irons live rent free in your head

[@christiandefender9468]

The Japanese love to work.

[@craiggagnon8407]

Rick hits these great. But he won't play um. Hilarious

[@bdflavors1347]

so your going the opposite way? the trend for the past 20 years was to make a 6 iron a 8 iron...

[@JamesH333]

First

[@krispy3790]

Hi Rick, I'm gay

[@daniellove4490]

U do look it tbh😊

[@krispy3790]

@@daniellove4490 what

[@NetoperekMordulec]

No one will buy SHORTER irons, period!

[@spencer6081]

Bold claim from a 34 handicap

[@charliefrago1380]

Why not. Distance is not the key with irons. I want accuracy, no real hotspots good decent. Sometimes too strong lofted irons go too far and create wedge gap issues

[@guirlin7]

First