Breaking the Ice

[Bagger Lance]

With a serious question.

I play Mizuno MP-14's which I originally purchased used to get the "feel" of a pure blade. It took two range sessions to put them in my bag full time. They are sweet clubs and their looks compliment their playability. But in terms of forgiveness, they don't have high marks compared to newer designs. In terms of specs, they are half and inch shorter in each club and lofts are weaker than "standard". Overall they should play a half a club to a full club less than most other irons. However, I don't have a distance problem with them.

They were in excellent condition when I bought them and now they are worn through the copper on most of the irons.

Two choices; Send them to the Iron Factory for a refurb, or start demoing newer forged clubs.

Anybody made the change from a really good forged blade to something newer?

Thanks,

Bagger

[bambam]

I did the same as you - bought MP-14's to try out blades w/ a plan to upgrade if I liked them. The set I had was pretty worn to start w/, so after I played them for a while I sold them and found a good deal on some used Nike blades. They're great, but their lofts are a little weaker than the new mp-37's, which is what I wanted but couldn't afford. My uneducated hands couldn't tell the difference between the Nikes and MP-33/37's when I was testing out different clubs; I might feel differently now but don't plan on changing. I do recall the MP-14's feeling a little "softer", but that could have just been in my head.

[SpaldingFutureTGMJedi]

I just hit the newest Hogan Apex Blade and was more impressed with it than either the Mp32 or the 690MB.

I am on staff with Bridgestone this year so I am getting a set of J33 Combos. I am hoping they are sweet.

Spalding

[Mike O]

"Two choices; Send them to the Iron Factory for a refurb, or start demoing newer forged clubs."

Answer: Start trying out alot of newer clubs! AND not just forged! Good Luck!

[EdZ]

The Mac 1025M's are the most forgiving blade I've ever hit that still have some 'blade' feel.

Personally, I'd like to find something with just a 'touch' more feedback, but I'll be hitting the 1025's until then, and they will always have a place in my bag. You should absolutely check them out.

I've not cared as much for the MP33's, I'd rather play FG17's, but I did like the 37's a bit more. I haven't hit the 32's yet, don't want to tempt myself.....

[jim_0068]

While weaker in lofts, the MP-14 had a relatively high COG to them which would in turn lower the effective launch and spin rate.

So thus the slightly weaker lofts, make sense?

50* PW MP-14 with higher COG
48* PW XXX model with lower COG

Both should go similar distances

[bantamben1]

ive always been a mizuno guy mp 11,14 29 33 i just got a almost new set of 14's they seem to be the most forgiving of any blade ive ever hit and looking at the golfworks website maltby has them classified as higher then the 37 and 33 ha cool. check out the 1025 m though they score highest out of any blade and better than alot of cavity backed clubs. istayed away from them becuase i wasnt real into the look but might give them a try from the s`core and the fact you can get them at a steal heres the link http://www.golfworks.com/article_dis...?ArticleID=120

[birdie_man]

How does the Maltby Playability Factor judge irons anyway? What characteristics go into a high MPF I mean.

[Thom]

I'm amazed to see the MP32s all the way down the list list with the same rating as 690MBs and TA1s.
On Bombsquadgolf a lot of people talks about the 32s being more forgiving than MP30s (which I'm playing).
MP30's are rated the same as MX23, and they are supposed to be forged game improving irons.

Like Bird, I would like to know how they figure out the ratings too.