As we mentioned in our P790 vs Rogue ST Pro head to head, the growth of players distance irons is going from strength to strength with golfers of a wide range of handicaps looking for an option which provides a sleek, compact look whilst still being able to pack a punch.
Ping and Mizuno are two brands who have been well-known for the quality of their irons for decades - Mizuno for their iconic looks and feel, and Ping for their forgiveness and custom fitting innovation.
We've tested both of their newest players distance irons to let you know which we think would be best for your game...
RRP: £1260 (4-PW)
Ping's i525 is the replacement for the very popular i500 and the idea is that it merges the looks and feel of an i59, but with the forgiveness and easy launch of a G425.
A variable-thickness, maraging steel allows for a thinner and more dynamic face structure and this combines with an 'internal sole undercut' to allow the face to flex more, helping to launch shots faster and higher.
A polymer is also injected to the inside of the face which improves feel and sound without hindering the ball speed. A new milled Micromax groove pattern adds an average of four extra grooves to each face, helping to reduce fliers in the short irons and preserve spin in the long irons.
Adding tungsten weights to the toe and shaft tip expands the perimeter weighting for added distance and improved accuracy.
You can also read the full written review HERE.
RRP: £1400 (4-PW)
The 225 is the most forgiving option in the Mizuno Pro series and serves as the replacement for the MP20 HMB (Hot Metal Blade). Despite this it still retains a compact look in the bag and at address, with a little bit more offset and a wider sole as you move into the longer irons.
The Pro 225 features a Cortech multi-thickness face to help keep ball speed high even if you don't strike the ball out of the centre, whilst the use of Chromoly and the addition of tungsten in the longer irons assist with forgiveness and launch.
A soft copper underlay helps to produce that famed Mizuno feel, and the shorter irons are crafted from a special Carbon Steel with an added back weight to promote greater precision with a more penetrating ball flight.
You can also read the full written review HERE.
Which should you use?
Mizuno and Ping are known for their irons and these two models certainly don't disappoint - as reflected by the two five star ratings Sophie gave when she first reviewed them.
The players distance category is one that so many golfers can benefit from, as they give you that 'in the bag appeal' with fantastic looks and good feel, but you know that you won't be losing out on distance or forgiveness if your ball-striking is not as consistent as you'd like.
The Ping i525 is an excellent option for a golfer who plays to a decent standard but perhaps just wants a little more assistance in their ball striking without feeling like they're having to upgrade to a chunky game improvement model, or for a golfer who is losing a bit of speed and consistency and wants to transition out of a blade without really noticing it.
They look great, feel good, offer a big improvement on the previous i500 and just make life easy out on the course.
The Mizuno is better looking than the Ping iron and they also feel a little better than other rivals in this category, including the TaylorMade P790 and Titleist T200.
The profile is a little bigger than the i525, and they're probably a little more forgiving if need to work on your consistency. They're also ideal for a combo set with the 221 and 223 irons, as the spin rates and lofts aren't crazy low so you should be able to transition quite easily.
One thing I would say though is that - both sets of irons are expensive. So if you're on a budget, the Mizuno irons probably present better value for money, but you'll also find alternatives from other brands which still perform well and won't cost you the earth.
It's up to you to decide whether the looks, feel and performance of the Ping or Mizuno irons are worth stumping up that extra bit of cash for.
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