Abstract
Let’s start this party with a quick disclosure, this is a completely opinion based article. While many of these opinions have been confirmed through testing using our GC2 launch monitor, there are literally hundreds (maybe even thousands) of videos comparing these sets of irons on YouTube.
The Contestants
Mizuno MP-5
In my opinion, one of the two or three best sets of clubs Mizuno has ever released. As one would expect, buttery soft and great sounding when struck pure, forgiving with plenty of feedback when not. These irons have spent more time in my bag than not since their release, and with good reason. The ball flight is nice and high, the produce consistent ball spin, and with a slightly longer club face and thinner top line, look phenomenal at address.
Ping iBlade
I love the iBlades, they are arguably the most ‘workable’ set in this list. The ball flight is the highest in this group, spin numbers are off the charts, and I always felt confident that I could shape a shot with the iBlades. Again, slightly more forgiving than most other blades on the market, slightly larger head, but not the thick top line that you find with GI sets and a few blades that were released in the past year or so.
PXG 0311T
I struggled with whether or not the PXG 0311T deserved to be in this article. These are amazing clubs, I could make the argument that they are the best hitting clubs in this group, but there are two reasons the PXG 0311T irons won’t be our winner. You can likely guess the first, these irons are going to run you almost $300 per club. The second is the look, if I’m hitting a blade I honestly don’t want it to look like a wall after my son tried to hit a stud with a screw gun. That is clearly a matter of opinion, so if money is no object, and you like the looks of the 0311T’s, performance-wise you can’t go wrong with these irons.
Srixon Z965
The Srixon Z series are, in my opinion, the best looking clubs on the market. They are forgiving, long, consistent, sound great, etc… However, it was the looks of the club that first attracted me to them, and they have proven to not just be a pretty face. I my experience with these five sets, the PXG and Srixon blades are the longest and arguably the most forgiving of the group, but truthfully the Mizuno and iBlade aren’t too far behind.
Titleist MB 716
The Titleist MB 716 may very well be the best selling set on this list, however it was my least favorite to play with. The club head is ultra small, and top line too thick for my taste, and having already played some of the other sets on this list prior to playing with the MB’s, I just always knew that I wasn’t getting the most out of my set of clubs.
And the Winner Is…
I have played at least a dozen rounds with each of the five sets we review here, and have bagged blades for the better part of the last decade. That being said, I do currently have the Srixon Z965 irons in my bag, but surprisingly they wouldn’t be my choice of the group. I love the Srixon Z line, and currently have a combo set of the 965 (6,7,8,9,PW) and 765 (3,4,5). However, if you are telling me I have to hit a set of 8 blades, I’m going with a set of either MP-5 or iBlade’s.
You are really splitting hairs anytime you compare blades, but the MP-5 and iBlades are consistent, forgiving, and extremely workable. The performance, even when tested on GC2 is so close that I wouldn’t hesitate to say bag the brand or look you prefer. Prior to moving to slightly more of a GI set of long irons, I hit the MP-5’s for nearly a year, because I loved the look at address, the sound, feedback, feel, and am used to bagging Mizuno irons.
If price is the tie breaker, you may want to check out a lightly used set. Currently on Global Golf you can pick up a used set of either of these blades for under $500, with plenty of length and lie options.