Mizuno MP-20 HMB Irons Review

If you are looking for a set of irons that combine the classic look and feel of Mizuno blades with the performance and forgiveness of modern technology, you may want to check out the Mizuno MP-20 HMB irons.

These irons are designed to appeal to a wide range of golfers, from low handicappers who want more distance and launch in their long irons, to mid handicappers who want more consistency and playability in their entire set.

In this review, we will take a closer look at the features, specifications, performance, pros and cons, and comparisons of the Mizuno MP-20 HMB irons.

About Mizuno MP-20 HMB Irons

The Mizuno MP-20 HMB irons are part of the MP-20 family of irons that Mizuno released in 2019. The MP-20 family consists of three models: the MP-20 MB (muscle back), the MP-20 MMC (multi-material construction), and the MP-20 HMB (hot metal blade).

The MP-20 HMB irons are the most forgiving and longest of the three models, thanks to their hollow body construction and stronger lofts. They are also the most versatile of the three models, as they can be used as standalone irons or as part of a combo set with the other MP-20 models.

The MP-20 HMB irons feature a forged carbon steel construction with nickel chrome and copper layering for enhanced feel and feedback. They also have a thin Chromoly face that is stronger than traditional steel and produces higher ball speeds and distances.

The hollow body design allows for more perimeter weighting and tungsten toe weights in the long and mid irons, which increase stability and launch on off-center hits. The short irons have a solid body design for more control and precision.

The MP-20 HMB irons have a sharp “tour ready” profile that looks sleek in the bag and at address.

They have minimal offset, a medium top line, and a compact head shape that is slightly larger than the MP-20 MB irons but smaller than the JPX919 Forged irons. They have a satin finish that reduces glare and enhances durability.

Looks/Impression

The first thing that strikes you about the MP-20 HMB irons is how good they look. They have a classic Mizuno style that blends elegance and simplicity.

They have minimal branding and graphics on the back of the club, which gives them a clean appearance. The satin finish is also very attractive and gives them a premium feel.

At address, the MP-20 HMB irons look like players’ irons, but with a touch of forgiveness. They have a medium top line that is not too thick or thin, and a minimal offset that is not too noticeable.

The head shape is compact but not too small, and you can’t see anything hanging out of the back. The only thing that may bother some purists is the slightly stronger lofts, which make the club numbers lower than usual.

Overall, the MP-20 HMB irons are very pleasing to the eye and inspire confidence at address. They look like they belong in the hands of better players, but they also have some features that make them more accessible to mid handicappers.

Key Features/Technologies

The MP-20 HMB irons have several features and technologies that make them stand out from other irons in their category. Here are some of them:

Hollow Body Construction

The MP-20 HMB irons have a hollow body design that allows for more weight distribution around the perimeter of the club head. This increases the moment of inertia (MOI) and stability on off-center hits. It also creates more space for a thin Chromoly face that flexes more at impact and generates higher ball speeds and distances.

Chromoly Face

The MP-20 HMB irons have a thin face made of Chromoly 4140M steel, which is stronger than traditional steel and allows for faster ball speeds across the face. The face also has variable thickness to optimize performance on different parts of the club face.

Tungsten Weights

The MP-20 HMB irons have tungsten weights in the heel and toe of the long and mid irons (2 to 7 iron), which add more mass to the extremities of the club head. This lowers the center of gravity (CG) and increases launch angle on low strikes. It also enhances forgiveness by increasing MOI.

Copper Underlay

The MP-20 HMB irons have a thin layer of copper underlay between the steel face and body, which adds softness and feedback to the feel at impact. The copper layer also helps reduce vibrations and enhance sound quality.

Harmonic Impact Technology (HIT)

The MP-20 HMB irons have a patented technology called HIT, which is a process of fine-tuning the sound and feel of each iron by using computer simulations and acoustic measurements. The result is a more satisfying and consistent sound and feel across the set.

Standard Stocks/Specs

The MP-20 HMB irons come in a standard set of 3 to PW, with optional 2 iron and GW available. The standard shaft options are the Nippon Modus 120 steel shaft or the UST Mamiya Recoil ESX graphite shaft. The standard grip is the Golf Pride MCC+4.

The MP-20 HMB irons have slightly stronger lofts than the MP-20 MB irons, but they are the same as the MP-20 MMC irons. They also have slightly longer lengths and lighter swing weights than the other MP-20 models. Here are the standard specs for the MP-20 HMB irons:

Club	Loft	Lie	Length	Swing Weight
2	16°	59°	39.25″	D2
3	19°	59.5°	38.75″	D2
4	22°	60°	38.25″	D2
5	25°	60.5°	37.75″	D2
6	28°	61°	37.25″	D2
7	32°	61.5°	36.75″	D2
8	36°	62°	36.25″	D2
9	41°	62.5°	35.75″	D2
PW	46°	63°	35.5″	D3
GW	51°	63°	35.25″	D3

Performance

The MP-20 HMB irons deliver on their promise of providing a combination of distance, forgiveness, feel, and control. They are easy to hit, launch high and far, and have a soft and solid feel at impact.

Forgiveness

The MP-20 HMB irons are the most forgiving of the MP-20 family, thanks to their hollow body construction, tungsten weights, and Chromoly face. They can handle slight mishits without losing much distance or accuracy, and they also have a decent amount of turf interaction and bounce to prevent digging or fat shots.

However, they are not super forgiving, and they will punish you for major mishits or poor swings. You will still need to have a consistent and decent ball striking ability to get the most out of these irons.

Speed and Distance

The MP-20 HMB irons are also the longest of the MP-20 family, thanks to their stronger lofts, longer lengths, lighter swing weights, and Chromoly face. They produce high ball speeds across the face, and they can easily add a few yards to your iron shots.

However, they are not overly long or hot, and they still maintain a reasonable amount of spin and stopping power on the greens. They also have consistent distance gaps between each club, which makes them easy to dial in your yardages.

Feel and Sound

The MP-20 HMB irons have a great feel and sound at impact, thanks to their forged carbon steel construction, copper underlay, and HIT technology. They have a soft and solid feel that is not too mushy or clicky, and they produce a satisfying and crisp sound that is not too loud or harsh.

They also have good feedback on where you hit the ball on the face, which helps you adjust your swing accordingly. They may not feel as buttery as the MP-20 MB irons, but they are still very pleasing to the senses.

Playability and Workability

The MP-20 HMB irons have a good amount of playability and workability for players who like to shape their shots or hit different trajectories. They have a high launch angle that helps you get over obstacles or stop the ball on firm greens, but they can also be manipulated to hit lower or higher shots as needed.

They also have a moderate amount of offset that helps you square up the club face at impact, but they can also be opened or closed to hit draws or fades as desired. They are not as easy to work as the MP-20 MB irons, but they are not as hard to work as some other game improvement irons.

Pros & Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of the MP-20 HMB irons:

Pros

• Classic look and feel of Mizuno blades
• High performance and forgiveness of modern technology
• Versatile and suitable for a wide range of golfers and skill levels
• Easy to hit, launch, and stop on the greens
• Soft and solid feel and sound at impact
• Good feedback and consistency across the set
• Good playability and workability for shot shaping and trajectory control

Cons

• Slightly stronger lofts may not appeal to purists or traditionalists
• Not as forgiving or long as some other game improvement irons
• Not as sleek or workable as some other players’ irons
• May require loft adjustments for combo sets with other MP-20 models
• May be pricey for some budgets

Who Should Play the Mizuno MP-20 HMB Irons?

The Mizuno MP-20 HMB irons are ideal for golfers who want the best of both worlds: the look and feel of Mizuno blades, and the performance and forgiveness of modern technology.

They are suitable for low to mid-handicappers who want more distance and launch in their long irons, or more consistency and playability in their entire set. They are also suitable for high handicappers who have a decent ball striking ability and want to improve their game with a set of irons that can grow with them.

The MP-20 HMB irons are also versatile and can be used as standalone irons or as part of a combo set with the other MP-20 models. They can be mixed and matched with the MP-20 MB irons for more control and precision in the short irons, or with the MP-20 MMC irons for more forgiveness and stability in the mid irons.

They can also be used as long iron replacements for elite and tour players who want more power, launch, and forgiveness in their 2 to 4 irons.

Comparison with Other Models in the Same Lineup

The MP-20 HMB irons are part of the MP-20 family of irons that Mizuno released in 2019. The MP-20 family consists of three models: the MP-20 MB (muscle back), the MP-20 MMC (multi-material construction), and the MP-20 HMB (hot metal blade). Here is a brief comparison of the three models:

MP-20 MB

The MP-20 MB irons( Reviewed Here) are the purest and most traditional of the three models. They are forged from a single piece of carbon steel with a copper underlay for enhanced feel. They have a thin top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that is preferred by better players.

They have a soft and buttery feel at impact, and a high level of feedback and control. They are also very workable and allow you to shape your shots with ease. However, they are also the least forgiving and longest of the three models, and they require a high level of skill and consistency to hit well.

MP-20 MMC

The MP-20 MMC irons are the middle ground of the three models. They are forged from carbon steel with a copper underlay, but they also have a titanium muscle plate and tungsten toe weight in the long and mid irons for added forgiveness and stability.

They have a slightly thicker top line, more offset, and a larger head shape than the MB irons, but they still look like players’ irons at address. They have a soft and solid feel at impact, and a good balance of feedback and forgiveness.

They are also moderately workable and allow you to hit different shots with confidence. However, they are not as sleek or precise as the MB irons, nor as forgiving or long as the HMB irons.

MP-20 HMB

The MP-20 HMB irons are the most forgiving and longest of the three models. They are forged from carbon steel with a copper underlay, but they also have a hollow body construction, a Chromoly face, and tungsten weights in the long and mid irons for increased distance, launch, and forgiveness.

They have a medium top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that looks sleek in the bag but clearly game improvement at address. They have a fast and firm feel at impact, and decent feedback on mishits.

They are also fairly workable and allow you to hit different trajectories with ease. However, they are not as soft or buttery as the MB irons, nor as elegant or controllable as the MMC irons.

Comparison with Other Models

The MP-20 HMB irons are not only comparable to the other models in the same lineup, but also to some other models from different brands or categories. Here are some of them:

JPX919 Forged

The JPX919 Forged irons are another set of performance-enhancing irons from Mizuno that were released in 2018. They are forged from boron-infused steel that is stronger than traditional steel and allows for a thinner face and faster ball speeds. They have a slightly thicker top line, more offset, and a larger head shape than the MP-20 HMB irons, but they still look like players’ irons at address.

They have a crisp and lively feel at impact, and a high level of forgiveness and distance. They are also easy to launch and stop on the greens. However, they are not as soft or solid as the MP-20 HMB irons, nor as workable or consistent.

Titleist T200

The Titleist T200 irons are part of the T-Series of irons that Titleist released in 2019. They are forged from carbon steel with a thin L-face that is supported by a polymer core for increased ball speeds and distances.

They also have tungsten weights in the heel and toe of the long and mid irons for added forgiveness and launch. They have a similar top line, offset, and head shape as the MP-20 HMB irons, but they have a more modern and sleek look with a chrome finish. They have a solid and responsive feel at impact, and a good balance of feedback and forgiveness.

They are also moderately workable and allow you to hit different shots with confidence. However, they are not as soft or satisfying as the MP-20 HMB irons, nor as versatile or customizable.

TaylorMade P790

The TaylorMade P790 irons are one of the most popular sets of hollow body irons in the market. They are forged from carbon steel with a thin wraparound face that is injected with SpeedFoam for increased ball speeds and distances.

They also have tungsten weights in the low part of the club head for added forgiveness and launch. They have a slightly thinner top line, less offset, and a smaller head shape than the MP-20 HMB irons, but they still look like game improvement irons at address.

They have a fast and explosive feel at impact, and a high level of forgiveness and distance. They are also fairly workable and allow you to hit different trajectories with ease. However, they are not as soft or solid as the MP-20 HMB irons, nor as consistent or accurate.

Conclusion

The Mizuno MP-20 HMB irons are a great set of irons for golfers who want to enjoy the best of both worlds: the classic look and feel of Mizuno blades, and the performance and forgiveness of modern technology. They are easy to hit, launch high and far, and have a soft and solid feel at impact. They are also versatile and suitable for a wide range of golfers and skill levels.

The MP-20 HMB irons may not be for everyone, though. Some golfers may prefer the pure feel and control of the MP-20 MB irons, or the balanced performance and forgiveness of the MP-20 MMC irons. Some golfers may also find other models from different brands or categories that suit their preferences or needs better.

However, if you are looking for a set of irons that combine the classic Mizuno style with the modern technology, you should definitely give the MP-20 HMB irons a try. You may be pleasantly surprised by how well they perform on the course.