Mizuno Pro 223 irons

As with the other Mizuno Pro irons for 2022, these clubs are forged, but in reality, this is a blended set. The 4-iron through 7-iron are forged chromoly, an exceptionally hard and strong material. Chromoly allowed designers to build thinner faces that flex more efficiently at impact to help generate more ball speed. Mizuno also designed a slot in the sole of each of the longer irons to help the lower portion of the face flex more on shots struck toward the bottom of the club. The slot is covered and chrome plated to keep grass and debris out, and it becomes progressively thinner as the lofts increase. 

The 223 short irons are forged using 1025E mild carbon steel. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

For the shorter irons in the set, the Pro 223 8-iron through pitching wedge are forged using 1025E mild carbon steel and do not have a slot in the sole. They are significantly more compact than the MP-20 MMC short irons, and the use of mild carbon steel should provide more feel on approach shots. 

All the Mizuno Pro 223 irons feature a thin layer of copper over the base metal, which Mizuno says has enhanced feel in blind tests with tour pros. 

The Mizuno Pro 223 irons have a thin topline and minimal offset. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

In effect, the Mizuno Pro 223 irons make up a blended set of distance-enhancing, better-player irons in one cosmetically cohesive set. The toplines are thin, the sole width is narrow and there is little offset, so in the address position, accomplished golfers will see something that pleases their eyes. The loft gaps are slightly strong in the long irons with a 5-iron being 25 degrees, but the scoring clubs have traditional lofts with the pitching wedge at 46 degrees.