REVIEW: The Mizuno MP-18 irons blend classic looks, an incredible feel and seamless integration between models
By Jon Levy
Whenever Mizuno releases a new line of irons, there’s a buzz among golf purists like with perhaps no other brand.
“Nothing feels like a Mizuno,” the legendary manufacturer says.
A confident statement. But true.
Mizuno irons are widely judged as the gold standard in golf clubs. Pure looking, pure feeling, consistent performance – the total package.
I found out firsthand after a recent trip to Mizuno’s USA Headquarters in Georgia that the new Mizuno MP-18 irons are no exception.
In-Hand Review: Mizuno MP-18 irons
Look inside a tour player’s golf bag and you’ll likely see a mix of iron types – blades or a similar player’s design in the short to mid irons, and game-improvement designs in the longer clubs.
The idea is to mix pinpointed control in scoring clubs where forgiveness isn’t as needed, and boost forgiveness and launch in longer irons where it is.
Of course, this idea isn’t relegated to the world’s best. Many golfers employ a similar formula in their own golf bags, and equipment manufacturers have offered “progressive” sets for years.
That said, there’s often an element of compromise in either scenario.
Mix different models and you’ve got aesthetic, swing weight or loft differences to negotiate. Choose a mixed set by design, and you’re boxed into the manufacturer’s chosen progression – which may stray from your own ideal makeup.
The point is that even with as good as golf equipment customization has become, it’s often a compromise of something.
Not so any longer with the introduction of Mizuno MP-18 irons.
Offered in four models – MP-18 muscleback, MP-18 SC (split cavity), MP-18 MMC (multi-material construction and MP-18 MMC FLI-HI – the Mizuno MP-18 line offers something for every player.
Though, that doesn’t entirely define the MP-18 line correctly. The more accurate story could be that Mizuno MP-18 irons offer everything to every player.
Remain uniform with a single model, or mix your ideal combination across all four. Mizuno MP-18 irons provide seamless integration that makes it seem like any mixed set makeup was designed to be exactly that – a set.
VIDEO: Mizuno MP-18 Iron Review
MP-18 irons overview
In the video above, Mizuno’s Chris Voshall explains the many attributes making MP-18 irons worthy of the Mizuno name.
Here’s an overview of MP-18 irons to explain further:
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Part of Mizuno’s longstanding line of player’s clubs, MP-18 irons are geared for the traditionalist and better player. Compared to the “new-style” look of Mizuno JPX-900 irons, as Voshall explains, MP-18 embodies classic aesthetics that have been further enhanced through a smoother blend between the hosel and clubface, which reduces the look of offset at address.
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Using 1025E (elite) Pure-Select mild-carbon steel, a new Grain-Flow HD (high density) Forging Process enhances the material’s consistency, elongates its grains and concentrates them lower in the clubface. Combined with Mizuno’s Harmonic Impact Technology, this produces better feel and acoustics, and the idea that the ball “sticks” to the face longer when hit.
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MP-18 muscleback: The MP-18’s flagship blade model is smaller than the MP-4 iron and MP-5 iron, with additional topline camber that further lessens the appearance of size. It also has a steeper topline progression into the heel that really gives it the ultimate player’s iron look.
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MP-18 SC: The SC embodies a “half-cavity” design that refocuses CG lower in the club for forgiveness and ease of launch. It is slightly larger than the muscleback, but identical in dimensional proportions to blend seamlessly, regardless of where the golfer may choose to split models.
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MP-18 MMC: The addition of tungsten and titanium inserts in all but the 8, 9 and PW irons allow for weight to be moved around to enhance MOI – i.e. forgiveness. The MMC has slightly more offset and lofts that are 2 degrees stronger than MP-18 muscleback and MP-18 SC models. Mizuno says when mixing with a set of SC or musclebacks and the lofts are changed to match, the offset difference is almost completely eliminated and seamless integration is enhanced even further.
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MP-18 MMC FLI-HI: Offered in 2-6 irons, FLI-HI’s toplines are thinner than its predecessor and more cambered (to appeal to the better player’s eye), and its Maraging 1770HT steel makeup allows for a thinner face and more ball speed. The MP-18 MMC FLI-HI has a 20-gram tungsten insert in the toe, similar to the MMC model, but is placed directly behind the face for higher launch and increased forgiveness.
In-hand reaction
I don’t have launch monitor data to back up my claims about Mizuno MP-18 irons. But with the type of player these irons are geared toward (generally a 10 handicap and down), it’s not about numbers.
It’s about feel and confidence.
Because irons are an incredibly personal thing. That’s why you often see tour players switch drivers regularly, but stick with a trusted set of irons for years.
That’s also why, when the world’s best are outside of or between OEM contracts and can play any clubs they desire, they often choose Mizuno irons.
Which goes back to the feel and confidence thing, and my personal experience after getting fit for a set of MP-18 irons at the Mizuno Experience Center at Sun Trust Park in Atlanta.
My clubfitting
Bill Price, Mizuno’s Director of Custom Club Fitting Programs, was at the helm of my fitting. He started with me like any good fitter would – asking a lot of questions to understand my game, ball flight and what I want out of a set of irons.
With an experienced fitter like him and longtime golfer (and equipment nerd) like me, it didn’t take long to get an idea of my ideal set makeup.
The element of “set makeup,” by the way, is a shining takeaway with Mizuno MP-18 irons.
Because once you combine the technical improvements of MP-18 irons with seamless integration between any of the four models … VOILA, you’ve got 8 iron-PW in the MP-18 muscleback, 5-7 iron in the MP-18 SC, 4 iron in the MP-18 MMC and 3 iron in the MP-18 MMC FLI-HI.
At least, that’s what I came away with.
And, yes, this is my legitimate makeup – a mixed set of all four models that, after putting in play on the course a few times, I can say is PERFECT.
On-course performance
Aside from the trademark Mizuno feel, which is perhaps the softest and best of any Mizuno iron yet, the workability and control of MP-18 irons still have me tucking them in bed nightly.
Of course, a high degree of feel and control are to be expected with top-of-the-line player’s irons. But the really cool thing with MP-18 is I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing workability or control with the longer clubs, which I chose in the more forgiving, “less” workable models.
MP-18 muscleback
I LOVE the look of the muscleback short irons. The less obtrusive, steeper topline blending from the toe of the club into the heel provides an ultra-clean look that makes it feel very easy be confident in where I’m aimed.
MP-18 SC
I waffled back and forth about the MP-18 muscleback for my 7 iron and MMC for my 5, but I’m perfectly content in the 5-7-iron run I landed on in MP-18 SC.
For that matter, this model seems to encompass the best qualities of all four MP-18 models, and I’m guessing I’d be OK gaming SC irons throughout the set, from 3-PW.
MP-18 MMC
In terms of the “seamless” integration between models, you can hardly notice a difference in my SC 5 iron and MMC 4 iron when looking down from the address position.
As I previously noted, standard lofts of MP-18 MMC and MP-18 FLI-HI irons are 2 degrees stronger than SC and muscelback models. So Price recommended we bend my MMC 4-iron and FLI-HI 3-iron iron 2 degrees weak to match, which does seem to effectively eliminate any visual differences between the two models.
MP-18 MMC FLI-HI
The MP-18 MMC FLI-HI 3 iron may be my favorite club in the lot.
The only slight note of discontent I have, considering those players that prefer a clean look in all of their irons, is the wider sole on the back of the clubface is visible at address.
This takes some time to get used to, but is forgotten quickly because any type of shot you want to hit is delivered on demand – with the added forgiveness and launch-helping characteristics the FLI-HI design affords.
My bottom line
The improved aesthetics and feel with Mizuno MP-18 irons will please the purists and longtime Mizuno fans.
The ability to seamlessly mix each of the four models into your own, customized makeup, however, is what truly sets them apart as clubs you’ll want to keep in the bag for years to come.
Purchase the new Mizuno MP-18 irons at GOLFTEC!
IMAGE GALLERY: Mizuno MP-18 Irons
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Mizuno MP-18 Irons
MP-18 Muscleback
Takeaway: A throwback to musclebacks of Mizuno’s past, with a softer feel and smoother lines.
- 1025E Pure Select steel: Six times tighter tolerance than industry standard for greater purity
- Grain Flow Forged HD: Enhanced Grain Flow Forging process that increases grain density in the impact area for the ultimate soft, solid, consistent feel
- Harmonic Impact Technology: Fine tuned head geometry delivers ideal impact feel and feedback
- Satin Nickel Chrome Finish: An elegant, yet durable non-glare finish
- True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 stock shaft, right-handed only
- Available Sept. 15, $150 per club
MP-18 SC
Takeway: What better players ask out of a modern, compact-cavity set – workability and forgiveness combined, packaged in the classic look of a blade.
- 1025E Pure Select Steel: Six times tighter tolerance than industry standard for greater purity
- Grain Flow Forged HD: Enhanced Grain Flow Forging process that increases grain density in the impact area for the ultimate soft, solid, consistent feel
- Harmonic Impact Technology: Fine tuned head geometry delivers ideal impact feel and feedback
- Satin Nickel Chrome Finish: An elegant, yet durable non-glare finish
- KBS Tour stock shaft, right- and left-handed models
- Available Sept. 15, $150 per club
MP-18 MMI
Takeaway: A highly stable, forgiving multi-metal construction that satisfies the needs of a large range of players in terms of both workability, forgiveness, ball speed and launch.
- Through the strategic use of lightweight titanium and heavier tungsten parts sealed within its 1025E mild carbon steel head MP-18 MMC provides workability, control, piercing ball flight, and forgiveness while maintaining a similar ‘tour-ready’ profile and size to the MP-18 SC
- 1025E Pure Select steel: Six times tighter tolerance than industry standard for greater purity.
- Grain Flow Forged HD: Enhanced Grain Flow Forging process that increases grain density in the impact area for the ultimate soft, solid, consistent feel
- Multi-Material Construction: Strategically positioned exotic materials to help optimize launch and forgiveness
- Forged Titanium Muscle: Titanium forged directly into carbon steel body allows for redistribution of discretionary weight for increased forgiveness
- Tungsten Toe Weighting: High density tungsten mass concentrated low and toe side increases launch and sweet area
- Harmonic Impact Technology: Fine tuned head geometry delivers ideal impact feel and feedback
- Satin Nickel Chrome Finish: An elegant, yet durable non-glare finish
- Nippon Modus 120 stock shaft, right-handed only
- Available Sept. 15, $150 per club
MP-18 MMI FLI-HI
Takeway: This long-iron replacement provides an added element of speed, power and launch – without the added bulk or offset of typical game improvement long irons.
- 1770 Maraging Steel Face: An extremely strong steel allows for a thin, hot face for higher initial ball speed and overall distance
- Multi-Material Construction: Strategically positioned exotic materials to help optimize launch and forgiveness
- Tungsten Toe Weighting: High density tungsten mass concentrated low and toe side increases launch and sweet area
- Hollow Body Construction: Optimized weighting provides a very low, deep CG for high and easy launch
- Harmonic Impact Technology: Fine tuned head geometry delivers ideal impact feel and feedback
- Satin Nickel Chrome Finish: An elegant, yet durable non-glare finish
- KBS C-Taper stock shaft, right-handed only
- Available Sept. 15, $150 per club
Just got the MP-18 SC’s myself.
I went with PW-3 all in the SC’s. I tried the 3 and 4 iron in the MMC Fli Hi and could not get over the weight difference.
The only blade that I could hit worth a darn was the PW and 9 iron. The consistency of the iron for me seems to be more important. Made me wonder if I should have tried the Cobra One Length lol.
Anyone reading this: the MP-18 SC’s are the best clubs I have ever hit. Incredible accuracy, seems to stop on a dime, great flight, and the feel… The feel honestly makes me laugh out loud after hitting them. They are just a joy to hit.
I’m just glad I was convinced to move into a more bladed iron. Next to no offset, and the ball goes where I actually aim! No more massive left pulls! Fancy that.
Coming off of a more game improvement iron, these are pure pleasure to hit. “Callaway taught me the game, Mizuno is allowing me to enjoy it”™. 🙂
Hi Matt,
We are so glad you love the Mizuno MP-18 irons as much as we do here at GOLFTEC!