Mizuno MP-20 MB Irons Review

July 14, 2023 Karen Buttner

If you are looking for a set of irons that offer the purest and most traditional feel and performance of Mizuno blades, you may want to check out the Mizuno MP-20 MB irons.

These irons are designed to appeal to elite and tour players who demand the highest level of precision, control, and feedback from their irons. In this review, we will take a closer look at the features, specifications, performance, pros and cons, and comparisons of the Mizuno MP-20 MB irons.

About Mizuno MP-20 MB Irons

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The Mizuno MP-20 MB 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 MB irons are the simplest and most classic of the three models, as they are forged from a single piece of carbon steel with a copper underlay for enhanced feel.

The MP-20 MB irons are influenced by Mizuno blades of the past, most notably the iconic TN87 model from 1988. 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.

The MP-20 MB irons are aimed at tour players and elite golfers who want the ultimate in feel and performance from their irons. They are also suitable for low handicappers who have a consistent and solid ball striking ability and want to challenge themselves with a set of irons that require precision and skill.

Looks/Impression

The first thing that strikes you about the MP-20 MB irons is how beautiful 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 copper underlay adds a subtle touch of warmth and richness to the chrome finish.

At address, the MP-20 MB irons look like true blades, but with a touch of refinement. They have a thin top line that is not too sharp or rounded, and a minimal offset that is not too noticeable.

The head shape is compact but not too small, and you can see the entire blade behind the ball. The satin finish is also very attractive and reduces glare and enhances durability.

Overall, the MP-20 MB irons are very pleasing to the eye and inspire confidence at address. They look like they belong in the hands of skilled players who appreciate quality and craftsmanship.

Key Features/Technologies

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

Grain Flow Forged HD

The MP-20 MB irons are forged from a single billet of 1025E mild carbon steel using Mizuno’s patented Grain Flow Forging process. This process ensures that the grain structure of the steel is aligned along the club face for optimal strength and consistency. It also enhances the feel and feedback at impact by reducing vibrations.

Copper Underlay

The MP-20 MB 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 MB 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 MB irons come in a standard set of 3 to PW, with optional 2 iron available. The standard shaft options are the True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 steel shaft or the KBS Tour C-Taper Lite 110 steel shaft. The standard grip is the Golf Pride Z-Grip Full Cord.

The MP-20 MB irons have standard lofts that are slightly weaker than some other modern irons. They also have standard lengths and swing weights that are slightly heavier than some other modern irons. Here are the standard specs for the MP-20 MB irons:

Club	Loft	Lie	Length	Swing Weight
2	18°	59°	39.25″	D3
3	21°	59.5°	38.75″	D3
4	24°	60°	38.25″	D3
5	27°	60.5°	37.75″	D3
6	30°	61°	37.25″	D3
7	34°	61.5°	36.75″	D3
8	38°	62°	36.25″	D3
9	42°	62.5°	35.75″	D3
PW	46°	63°	35.5″	D4

Performance

The MP-20 MB irons deliver on their promise of providing the purest and most traditional feel and performance of Mizuno blades. They are precise, consistent, and responsive, but they also require a high level of skill and consistency to hit well.

Forgiveness

The MP-20 MB irons are the least forgiving of the MP-20 family, as they are pure muscle backs with no cavity or perimeter weighting. They can handle slight mishits without losing much distance or accuracy, but they will punish you for major mishits or poor swings. You will feel every nuance of your impact on the club face, which can be rewarding or frustrating depending on your ball striking ability.

The MP-20 MB irons also have a narrow and cambered sole that is designed for better turf interaction and versatility, but it can also cause digging or fat shots if you are not careful. You will need to have a good angle of attack and a clean contact to get the most out of these irons.

Speed and Distance

The MP-20 MB irons are not designed for speed and distance, but rather for precision and control. They have standard lofts that are slightly weaker than some other modern irons, which means they will not produce as high ball speeds or distances as some other modern irons.

They also have standard lengths and swing weights that are slightly heavier than some other modern irons, which means they will not be as easy to swing fast or far as some other modern irons.

However, the MP-20 MB irons are not overly short or slow, 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 MB irons have an excellent feel and sound at impact, thanks to their forged carbon steel construction, copper underlay, and HIT technology. They have a soft and buttery 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 a high level of feedback on where you hit the ball on the face, which helps you adjust your swing accordingly. They may not feel as fast or firm as some other modern irons, but they are very pleasing to the senses.

Playability and Workability

The MP-20 MB irons have a high level of playability and workability for players who like to shape their shots or hit different trajectories. They have a minimal 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 have a thin top line and a compact head shape that allow you to see the entire blade behind the ball, which gives you more confidence and control over your shots.

They also have a standard loft that helps you hit high and soft shots that land softly on the greens, but they can also be manipulated to hit lower or higher shots as needed. They are very easy to work and allow you to hit any shot you can imagine with ease.

Pros & Cons

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

Pros

Beautiful look and feel of Mizuno blades
Precise performance and control of Mizuno blades
Soft and buttery feel and sound at impact
High level of feedback and consistency across the set
High level of playability and workability for shot shaping and trajectory control

Cons

Low level of forgiveness and distance compared to some other modern irons
Require a high level of skill and consistency to hit well
May not suit players who prefer stronger lofts or lighter swing weights
May be pricey for some budgets

Who Should Play the Mizuno MP-20 MB Irons?

The Mizuno MP-20 MB irons are ideal for golfers who want the ultimate in feel and performance from their irons. They are suitable for tour players and elite golfers who demand the highest level of precision, control, and feedback from their irons. They are also

suitable for low handicappers who have a consistent and solid ball striking ability and want to challenge themselves with a set of irons that require precision and skill.

The MP-20 MB irons may not be for everyone, though. Some golfers may prefer the more forgiving and longer performance of the MP-20 HMB irons, or the more 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 offer the purest and most traditional feel and performance of Mizuno blades, you should definitely give the MP-20 MB irons a try. You may be amazed by how well they perform on the course.

Comparison with Other Models in the Same Lineup

The MP-20 MB 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

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The MP-20 MB irons 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 MB 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:

Titleist 620 MB

The Titleist 620 MB irons are another set of classic muscle back irons that were released in 2019. They are forged from carbon steel with a chrome finish for enhanced feel and durability.

They have a thin top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that is preferred by better players. They have a crisp and solid 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 very unforgiving and demanding of your ball striking ability.

TaylorMade P7MB

The TaylorMade P7MB irons are another set of modern muscle back irons that were released in 2020. They are forged from carbon steel with a chrome finish for enhanced feel and durability. They have a thin top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that is preferred by better players.

They have a smooth and responsive 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 very unforgiving and demanding of your ball striking ability.

Callaway Apex MB

The Callaway Apex MB irons are another set of classic muscle back irons that were released in 2018. They are forged from carbon steel with a chrome finish for enhanced feel and durability. They have a thin top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that is preferred by better players.

They have a soft and solid 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 very unforgiving and demanding of your ball striking ability.

Conclusion

The Mizuno MP-20 MB irons are a great set of irons for golfers who want the ultimate in feel and performance from their irons. They are precise, consistent, and responsive, but they also require a high level of skill and consistency to hit well.