MP-25 iron review

Mizuno’s MP-25 iron represents one of the softest and most forgiving better player irons on the market in 2015.

The brand claims its MP-25 iron is the first true high ball-speed iron designed specifically for Tour players through to mid-handicap players.

Rather than seeking to cram distance technology into the smaller shell, the MP-25 starts from a pre-determined profile, with engineers adding in ball speed via "Boron" forged technology that has proved so popular and effective in the JPX 850 forged iron. 

The MP-25 clubheads are Grain Flow Forged from a single billet of 1025 Boron steel, which Mizuno says aids "greater consistency and precise distance control".

TESTED: Best player irons 2015

Looks

One of the sexiest-looking irons in our test.

Mizuno may have thinned out the face and kept things reasonably compact with the head size, but thankfully its Grain Flow Forged 1025 Boron Steel - the key feature of this club - is 30% stronger than standard carbon steel to increase ball speeds on off-centre hits.

As a result of thinning out the face, Mizuno has added a new "Micro Slot" between the club face and muscle pad on the sole of the three through to six irons – but this isn’t visible to the naked eye.

Its moderate topline very much appeals at address as it represents the perfect hybrid between a blade, like the new MP-5, and a chunkier cavity back iron, like the former JPX-EZ. 

The MP-25 also has a slightly wider sole with a little relief grind across the trailing edge that we found aided better turf interaction.

Feel

As always, nothing feels like a Mizuno. The MP-25 presented us with a beautiful soft forged feel during our better player irons test 2015.

There is a lovely solid sound at impact just as there was on last year’s MP-54 and JPX 850 irons, and good feedback to be found on off-centre hits.

Its stock True Temper Project X 5.5 shaft also felt very easy to gauge through the swing.

Performance

The MP-25 is by no means as long as we were anticipating given the hype, but it remains long enough at 178 yards with a six iron. The key performance benefit, however, is the forgiveness.

While carry distance outperformed the former JPX 850 by only two additional yards, and we scraped an extra 1mph of ball speed, the iron’s accuracy was unrivalled. You could throw a blanket over the majority of our 20 strikes.

We also found this iron was very easy to work both ways, similar to the new MP-5. 

Verdict

The MP-25 proved an absolute pleasure to hit and drool over during testing.

It will certainly keep you coming back for more as it is arguably the softest and most forgiving player iron out there right now.