
I started out with oversized clubs with lots of forgiveness and offset, so I was fearful of blades. They have tiny heads and they offer no forgiveness for off-center hits. However, I truly believed I needed to play with blades to take my game to next level.
In order to make a smooth transition from oversized, cavity-back irons to blades, I decided to try a gradual progression from the Mizuno Comp EZs to the Pro IIs to the MP 33s. The Comp EZs were one of the best cavity-back irons ever forged because they offer lots of feel and forgiveness to the mid to high handicapper.
On the other hand, the Pro IIs were perhaps the worst iron ever made by Mizuno! No joke. Whatever they were attempting to improve about the Pro, news flash–they failed miserably. In fact, the Pro IIs were so lacking in feel and forgiveness that Mizuno should have been required to reimburse every purchaser for their cost plus damages for pain and suffering!
All of that said, the Mizuno MP 33s are beautiful like works of art. Although they offer dime-sized sweet spots and less forgiveness than a fundamentalist, they are tools requiring the skill of consistently good ball-striking. Their finish is shiny, but not very durable. When you strike the ball on the sweet spot, it feels like you have swung through soft butter. It is unmistakably wonderful! I mean you don’t have to look up to see the shot to know it’s good. The distance and direction are that accurate. When you don’t hit the sweet spot, it feels a little like sticking a butter knife into a 120v outlet. It stings and the ball goes one or more clubs short and often off-line. Hey, it’s a blade, after all. What do you expect? They glide easily through the toughest lies and you can work the ball like a rib.
When you show up with MP 33s, everyone assumes you bring it. To measure up, you have to go to the range and practice, practice, practice. I came to love going to the range several times a week and I played at least 9 holes every day after work and at least 18 on weekends. If you are NOT practicing and playing to that extent, leave these alone. I went from an 18 to as low as a 7 while I was playing MP 33s. They made me want to practice so that I wouldn’t embarass myself.
The Mizuno MP 33s can make you a little self-conscious. Your companions will wonder why you play them if your ball striking is off, or if you are scoring over 90. Mizuno makes other clubs that are more forgiving with excellent feel for weekend players and high handicappers. However, the MP 33s are outstanding, if you have to have blades. They also have excellent resale value, if you are willing to take the abuse of using headcovers. For me, playing with blades was a memorable part of the total golf experience. The MP 33s made me practice, work hard and become a better golfer. The MP 33s announce, “I am a player.”
dafoxyman
“Beaten by skill, but NEVER by technology!”