50 Words or Less
The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL irons are the largest of the three Hot Metal irons. Weaker lofts promote a higher ball flight with more spin. Excellent ball speed and forgiveness.
Introduction
When I first heard that Mizuno was offering a third Hot Metal iron, I wasn’t sure what it would be. When I heard the name “High Launch,” I thought I had it pegged: a larger head with even stronger lofts. I was half right. The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL irons are larger than the standard Hot Metal, but they have weaker lofts. I tested a set to see how they stacked up to the perennial favorite.
Looks
Of the three new JPX923 Hot Metal irons, the Hot Metal HL are the largest. The have a blade length that’s slightly longer than the standard Hot Metal [review HERE] and significantly more offset, particularly in the long irons. The top line specs are similar between the two sets with certain Hot Metal HL irons having a thicker top line, some being slimmer (the largest gap is 0.3 mm). Overall, the JPX 923 Hot Metal HL irons are comfortably in the game improvement category alongside the standard Hot Metal irons.
Moving through the set, the top line, blade length, and offset all drop steadily from the long irons to the pitching wedge. The leading edge is square in the longer irons and gently rounded in the scoring irons.
In the bag, the JPX923 Hot Metal HL irons look nearly identical to the HM and HMP [review HERE]. Their cavities display a mix of silver finishes and a lack of colored paint fill. Only the small “HL” badging differentiates them from the standard Hot Metal irons.
Sound & Feel
The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL irons display a range of impact sounds and feels as you move through the set. In the short irons, the feel is firm and solid, accompanied by a satisfying “thump.” By the time you get to the 7I, that sound gets louder and becomes more of a “clap.” This matches the more explosive, snappy feel.
Despite it being a larger iron, I found the Hot Metal HL to provide strong feedback. Thin shots feel very different than quality strikes. Moving your strike to the heel or toe doesn’t change the character of the feel, but you can still sense where the ball met the face.
Performance
While the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL does have a larger head than the other two Hot Metal models, the biggest difference is the loft structure. The HL irons are only offered 5-PW and are 2.5 to 3 degrees weaker than the HM or HMP irons.
The purpose of these weaker lofts is to promote higher launch and added spin. This can make sense for any type of player – slower swingers, players with tons of forward shaft lean – who wants a higher ball flight to optimize carry and hold greens. Comparing the Hot Metal HL to the standard Hot Metal, the higher launch angles and added spin are evident throughout the set. This does lead to shorter carry distances if you compare 7I to 7I, but if you match lofts, they’re equals.
Mizuno gets these strong distances from traditional lofts by using advanced materials. The Nickel Chromoloy in these irons is 35% stronger than Mizuno’s original Chromoly, allowing for a face that’s 8% thinner. That all translates to higher ball speed.
Another feature worth calling out is the wide sole. The Hot Metal HL has the widest sole in the family, and it helps these clubs to glide effortlessly across the turf. This can be a major plus for those shaft leaners who might otherwise dig a trench when they hit a fat shot.
Overall, the JPX923 Hot Metal HL irons do exactly what the name suggests. They offer golfers yet another precise fitting option within the Mizuno family. And, as with the Hot Metal Pro irons, it’s a segment of golfers that’s being ignored by a lot of other OEMs.
Conclusion
Between the HL, Pro, and standard version, every golfer who wants forgiveness and elite ball speed can find a fit in the Mizuno Hot Metal family. For players that want to see their approach shots flying higher and landing softer, the JPX923 Hot Metal HL is going to be perfect.
Buy the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL Irons HERE
Visit Mizuno HERE
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL Irons Price & Specs
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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Hi Matt
Mizuno has always been on the the pricy end
Not quite as high as Ping though !
From my experience Mizuno we’re always hard to hit ! Could of been shaft combination
Not sure that is entirely true. The Mizuno Pro line is on the “expensive” side. The Hot Metal line though is quite opposite. If you price it out, and factor in that Mizuno doesn’t upcharge for grips and shafts, it’s on the low end for game improvement clubs.
After 6 years off from golf , I’ve lost a lot of distance with my irons. I’m looking for a set I can actually hit. I’m ok with 8 iron down. However there’s not much difference in distance between my 8, 9 and pw.
Another great review! I really want to give the HLs a try as I need want to get a bit more height on my shots.
I believe Mizuno has now produced the correct lofts for the best set of game improvement irons.
IIRC, these are for slower swingers– wouldn’t Meeker be the more ideal reviewer of this version (no offense)?
No offense taken Alex. We strive to engage the appropriate staffer when possible. In this case, it was just a matter of availability – I wasn’t in a position to perform the review in a timely manner.
– Meeks
Had a terrible experience w/ Mizuno a few years ago so I tend to avoid the brand, but these are nice clubs. And the lofts in the shorter irons are not “jacked”. If I were in the market for new irons, I’d give them a try.
As always, left-handed players, which numbers are greater than manufactures, like to acknowledge, are omitted, yet again!
I was looking to replace my 5 year old Ping G15 irons & based on the early reviews of the Mizuno JPX923HL irons I read, they were at the top of my list to try out. They were released to the Canadian market on Oct 15 & I was at the Golf Town store the next day. I was pleasantly surprised by how nice they felt, they looked great on address, they were easy to work the ball left and right, I liked the numbers (spin, dispersion, etc.) I was getting on the monitor and hitting them was smoother than butter. It didn’t take long for me to be sold on them.
I was able to play 27 holes a day with them for the next 2 weeks before the Alberta golf season ended. Needless to say I have no buyers remorse or second thoughts on them. I’m extremely pleased with how they perform on the course. I’m looking forward to the upcoming golf season.
I just completed an iron fitting and Mizuno wasn’t even on my radar. I let the fitter know that I was not beholden to any brand but had been looking at the TM Stealths, the Callaway Paradym Xs, and the TM P790s. My biggest issue is that I am 6′ 4″ and have been using off-the-shelf Cleveland TA-6s for 20 years. Shaft length was my biggest concern going into the fitting. I hit a bunch of shots with my Clevelands and then was handed the Stealths. I wasn’t overly pleased with the balance but was hitting them ok. Not a lot of improvement but some extra yards and some increased spin. We were able to dial in the shaft length (ended up +1.5) and I swung the Paradym Xs. Again I saw better performance, even over the Stealths and these felt a little better than the Stealths. I then tried the P790s and this was the biggest jump in improvement over the previous. Noteable spin increase and a higher overall average distance. We then went through and tried the Ping G430s, the Cobra Aerojets and a few others. None of them had the numbers or the feedback that I liked out of the P790s. The last set I tried was the Mizuno JPX Hot Metal HL irons. Immediately I was getting the feedback I wanted. The spin rate jumped more than 2000 on some shots and averaged +1700 over the P790s. I did lose an average of 2.5 yards of distance with the Mizuno’s which I am ok with if I can hold the green. I am extremely happy that the fitter didn’t avoid this set simply because it is the cheapest of the irons I tested. I placed my order and was shocked that there is a ton of shaft and grip options without upcharges. I wish I could get a 4 iron but that is a minor detail since I try to avoid the 3 and 4 irons in my current set (and I also have the hybrid and flat TA-6s to put in my bag if I really feel like I need a club between my 5w and my 5i). Overall, don’t be afraid to at least give this set a shot. They may not be as long as some of the other brands out there but distance doesn’t always equal lower scores. When you see spin rates jump from 6100 average to 7500 average (and some shots over 8000) it should definitely grab your attention.
I am planning to buy this product, but I am hesitant as I am not aware of it. Thank you, author, for providing such an insightful review. Thank you for the detailed analysis of the latest golf irons from Mizuno. You do a great job of highlighting the features and benefits of these irons, including their impressive distance and forgiveness. The review also includes helpful photos and specifications, making it easy for readers to compare and evaluate these irons against other options on the market. How do these Mizuno irons compare to other leading brands in terms of price and overall performance?
Went for a fitting for ping g430s today fully expecting to buy them. I don’t launch my irons due to slow swing speed and age. The pings were an improvement on my current irons due to lighter shaft I think. After trying the pings the fitter reached me the 923hl and shot after shot had a lovely high trajectory slightly shorter than the pings but to be expected given the loft went on and tried Paradym and Stealth but nothing came close to the Mizuno’s, feel trajectory and forgiveness, had tried mizuno before and didn’t get on with them but delighted with these ordered 5-A/W and can’t wait until they arrive. Moved from ust f3 to f2 shaft also.
The Mizuno JPX923 Hotmetal HL irons are the best thing that has happened to my golf game in years. I had a lengthy, extensive fitting and had tried virtually everything available before the fitter suggested the Mizuno HLs. At age 77, I’ve lost clubhead speed and my issue was launch angle and thus descent angle- if I had the right distance it was difficult to hold greens. These irons solved that problem perfectly. In addition to coming in more softly, I’m actually getting a 1 to 1 1/2 club distance increase. Scores already back in the 70s (the only advantage of being old is that it’s easier to shoot your age). Very satisfied and highly recommend ,
I’ve just bought a set Dan. It’s my 77th birthday May 24th.
I’m a 14HC and I think these just might be perfect
Hello, I’m 69 and play off 9. I bought a set of Miz 923 HM HL recently to replace my Cally Apex Forged. I find the Mizunos much easier to hit straight and the stopping power is amazing. The biggest difference for me is that I can now hit decent 5 iron shots. My Cally 5 iron was resigned to the garage and I used a 7 wood for longish fairway shots. Not any more….the Mizuno is so easy to hit, can’t believe I took so long to find these beauties ! They fill me with confidence and my game has improved markedly. Highly recommended. Ian Portsmouth UK.
I’ve purchased a set 2 months ago I was not getting enough height on shots to greens with my cobra radspeeds so I was recommended try mizuno jpx hl and what a difference shot to green are incredibly superb height and back spin over the last to months I’ve lost two shots of my handicap
So pleased I’ve purchased a mizuno stx driver
P banks