Was looking into new irons for 2023 and it came down to these two. 923s are definitely longer and 425s definitely spun more. I went 923 for the distance. Slowing my swing down a bit to control strike. The stronger lofts help me hold my previous yardages.
Glad I found your channel! Great comparison video and exactly what I was looking for. I’ve played several models of Ping irons over the years, including a 3 week trial of the 425’s from Global Golf. They come in standard, off the rack setup, but a great way to test the basic feel of clubs. My only gripe with Ping game improvement irons has been the feel. Always a bit too firm or even slightly harsh. I know they are not forged, but when Mizuno can make a much better feeling club in this category, then a company with all the tech Ping has, they should also be able to. BUT…. as feel is always individual, it’s just imo. I tried the 923 HM’s 2 days ago and really liked them. Especially considering I had not played in 2 months. Again, just the off the rack setup & shaft. Then the next day just for giggles I tried the HL’s with the same DG 95 S shaft. Distance dropped more than expected, spin went up by more than 1000 and the most surprising, the peak height was lower than the HM’s. I will be ordering the HM’s in my specs, though still up in the air on the shaft. In case anyone is curious….. I’m 6’, WTF is 37.5”. My set will be 1-2 degrees upright depending on iron and 1/2” long. A previous fitting with Ping had me at 3 degrees upright and I just could not get over seeing the toe sticking so far up. I found a way in my swing to make up for that slight difference. Well, this was a lot longer than I planned on!! Sorry 🥺 Again, great videos and how you explain everything and how you changed your swing to match the 425’s to the HM’s loft.
Playing mostly in the morning the hydropearl finish is a game changer. The finish does keep spin up. Have Mizuno 919's and G irons. G just seems to give me more confidence. Now looking for the 425's
Do you have an opinion of Takomo 101 vs Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal? If so, I’d love to hear it as I really appreciate your approach and thoroughness of your evaluations in the Ping G425 & G430 vs Mizuno videos
Only problem would be that the reducing rarely includes the possibility of it being custom fitted to your spec. Most are old rack sets sitting on pro shop shelves that haven't sold through. There's always a push straight after a new release to sell on the old at Trade plus vat to recoup the cost before the new takes its place 👍
@@AskGolfNut yeah its a fair point. i think they still offer the 425 custom fit on website but that may not be the case in actuality. thanks for response. looking forward to the 430 review
Great reviews, keep them coming! Will be going for a fitting for Mizuno JPX's soon. One of my local Mizuno fitting centres, has offered me a fitting, but without any type on launch monitor!!! Can you be fitting just by eye? Cheers
Errrrrmmmm I wouldn't suggest that's a good idea. You'll need the launch monitor for specific information and to help or assist in the decision making. Going for a fitting using a GCQuad or alike will give you absolutely accurate head data, again you'll also need that to help lie angle requirements. Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍
I currently play g425 in “retro spec” which make them the same lofts as the 923 HM HL. Compared them the other day on Trackman and I’m good strikes the Mizuno was maybe 1-2 yds longer so nothing really in it. But on mishits it seemed the mizuno retained a little more ball speed.
Never noticed you have a 10 finger grip Jay. What’s the reason for that say over the interlock. I chop and change between grips such as the 10 finger and the overlap grip. I used to use the 10 but recently found the overlap is more consistent. Small hands and all that
8 fingers 2 thumbs 😉😊 Remnant from early junior days where I start with proper split grip due to the weight of the club. Then over time for closer together to now touching in adult golf. I'm left handed so using other grips tends for my hands to not work in unison 👍
Nice mate. Question: are you related to coach Locke? You sound similar. Idea: Can you compare the Mizuno vs Wilson D9 forged? Looking into comparing those in a fitting to replace my TaylorMade R9 Tour Preferred, having gamed them 12 years.
No relation 😁 I'll see if I can get my hands on some samples of the Wilson. Closest compare though would be with the Forged but they aren't out til about February.
The HL is bigger than the G425 iron and from testing the HL goes a little longer (a few yards) but definitely goes up higher peak heights and descent angles are steeper at a slightly longer distance..... Looking forward to G430 to see what Ping counter with 👍
She's 2 years old now so yes a little. She still works very very well for a 2 year old iron and still a great buying choice for people. Also the functional customisable range of motion that a Ping has supercedes all other manufacturers cast and most if again all Forged heads. Can't wait for the new G430 to see what the new tech brings go level the playing field 😊
Always prefer to have them bent to my specs, sometimes due to time frames this isn't practical so have to use what I have to use. It will cause offline deviation but because I'm not doing outdoor on grass testing the true nature of having a poor lie angle isn't shown too much which is fair to both clubs. If a club is used on grass with a really poor lie angle then distance deviation happens also which can make one club look substantially inferior to the other. Problem with a lot of product testing is that true head data is never shown or considered before a conclusion is brought. I'm very passionate about being open and honest with all the testing I do and being able to give evidence based conclusions. Great question 👍
@@AskGolfNut in that case, would too upright be less of a problem than too flat? I can image a toe digging into the ground (too flat), at the same time having a power hook can’t be much fun either 😅
With your 10 finger grip - how do you avoid right hand pinky being squashed???????Mizuno 7 iron loft is 28.5 deg. (Ping is 30) here is the difference in distance between them. Perhaps you should try a power spec Ping 7 iron.
Hi Mark, you have a really good point with the right little finger. Sometimes if I have a marathon testing session (and I would put it pit there that of all the testers I hit more shots than them all to gain the data I do) my little finger to teh side of the nail does get sore. But absolutely fine under most conditions. On the loft front, in the club data part of the video (2nd half) I showed that I delivered within 0.2 of a degree of dyna loft equalling them both out (apples to apples testing). The issue I have with jacking lofts (power spec'ing) beyond what the club head tech is designed for is that players with normal head speeds do show a slight improvement in distance but loose peak height and descent angle (control target end). I've seen over the years that you can weaken a club but I'm very reluctant to strengthen one. Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍
Like with every part of changing delivery (especially useful when emulating a swing fault to a student in a Coaching environment), it takes quite a bit of practice 😊
Hi Neil, swinging slower for me isn't as easy as it sounds. To replicate properly an average slower swing I'd also have to change my low point to simulate the much more level angle of attack that slower swingers produce. Definitely something I'd like to practice to do but currently if I slow it down and do a long pitch swing I tend to handle drag far to much that skews the data and doesn't produce the results that slower swingers see. Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍
Me neither Anthony, but I think that the HMs aren't meant for players with high swing speeds. I would say anything up to mid eighties will be ok but anything around mid eighties and lofting would have to be a distinct consideration of choosing the HMs on forgiveness purposes due to strike issues 👍
3 shots with 1 club, then 3 shots with the other to compare looks, feel and flight.... If that's a Range session, you may want to think about upping your practice amount 😊 In my whole time doing youtube content, I think this must be the first time anyone has ever asked me to do more review 😊 Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍🏻
Was looking into new irons for 2023 and it came down to these two. 923s are definitely longer and 425s definitely spun more. I went 923 for the distance. Slowing my swing down a bit to control strike. The stronger lofts help me hold my previous yardages.
One the best reviews I have seen . Keep it up!
Glad I found your channel! Great comparison video and exactly what I was looking for. I’ve played several models of Ping irons over the years, including a 3 week trial of the 425’s from Global Golf. They come in standard, off the rack setup, but a great way to test the basic feel of clubs. My only gripe with Ping game improvement irons has been the feel. Always a bit too firm or even slightly harsh. I know they are not forged, but when Mizuno can make a much better feeling club in this category, then a company with all the tech Ping has, they should also be able to. BUT…. as feel is always individual, it’s just imo. I tried the 923 HM’s 2 days ago and really liked them. Especially considering I had not played in 2 months. Again, just the off the rack setup & shaft. Then the next day just for giggles I tried the HL’s with the same DG 95 S shaft. Distance dropped more than expected, spin went up by more than 1000 and the most surprising, the peak height was lower than the HM’s. I will be ordering the HM’s in my specs, though still up in the air on the shaft. In case anyone is curious….. I’m 6’, WTF is 37.5”. My set will be 1-2 degrees upright depending on iron and 1/2” long. A previous fitting with Ping had me at 3 degrees upright and I just could not get over seeing the toe sticking so far up. I found a way in my swing to make up for that slight difference. Well, this was a lot longer than I planned on!! Sorry 🥺
Again, great videos and how you explain everything and how you changed your swing to match the 425’s to the HM’s loft.
Hi George, welcome to the channel and community 😊
I've got a fresh new comparison coming very soon of the new G430 vs 923 HM..... 😊
Playing mostly in the morning the hydropearl finish is a game changer. The finish does keep spin up. Have Mizuno 919's and G irons. G just seems to give me more confidence. Now looking for the 425's
You'll get some great bargains on the G425 soon as the G430 is soon to make an appearance 👍
Enjoying the new content! I think your reviews are great!
I wanna know which one is more forgiving. I got narrowed down to these two and wondering what is more forgiving
Do you have an opinion of Takomo 101 vs Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal? If so, I’d love to hear it as I really appreciate your approach and thoroughness of your evaluations in the Ping G425 & G430 vs Mizuno videos
Hi Rob, I have reached out to Takomo and am awaiting a response, so hopefully fingers crossed I'll be able to answer you in a video review 👍
Also looking forward to your G430 review against the 425. Interesting to see if the 430 is worth the money over what the 425 has reduced down to.
Only problem would be that the reducing rarely includes the possibility of it being custom fitted to your spec. Most are old rack sets sitting on pro shop shelves that haven't sold through.
There's always a push straight after a new release to sell on the old at Trade plus vat to recoup the cost before the new takes its place 👍
@@AskGolfNut yeah its a fair point. i think they still offer the 425 custom fit on website but that may not be the case in actuality. thanks for response. looking forward to the 430 review
@@peterkelly9655 coming tomorrow at 18:30 UK time 👍
@@AskGolfNutgreat stuff. thanks for that
Great reviews, keep them coming! Will be going for a fitting for Mizuno JPX's soon. One of my local Mizuno fitting centres, has offered me a fitting, but without any type on launch monitor!!! Can you be fitting just by eye? Cheers
Errrrrmmmm I wouldn't suggest that's a good idea. You'll need the launch monitor for specific information and to help or assist in the decision making. Going for a fitting using a GCQuad or alike will give you absolutely accurate head data, again you'll also need that to help lie angle requirements.
Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍
Great review like comparisons too.
More coming 👍
I currently play g425 in “retro spec” which make them the same lofts as the 923 HM HL. Compared them the other day on Trackman and I’m good strikes the Mizuno was maybe 1-2 yds longer so nothing really in it. But on mishits it seemed the mizuno retained a little more ball speed.
Never noticed you have a 10 finger grip Jay. What’s the reason for that say over the interlock. I chop and change between grips such as the 10 finger and the overlap grip. I used to use the 10 but recently found the overlap is more consistent. Small hands and all that
8 fingers 2 thumbs 😉😊
Remnant from early junior days where I start with proper split grip due to the weight of the club.
Then over time for closer together to now touching in adult golf. I'm left handed so using other grips tends for my hands to not work in unison 👍
Nice mate.
Question: are you related to coach Locke? You sound similar.
Idea: Can you compare the Mizuno vs Wilson D9 forged?
Looking into comparing those in a fitting to replace my TaylorMade R9 Tour Preferred, having gamed them 12 years.
No relation 😁 I'll see if I can get my hands on some samples of the Wilson. Closest compare though would be with the Forged but they aren't out til about February.
Great comparison! Maybe i525s versus Forged when they come out
That's a great idea, I'll add that to the list 👍
@@AskGolfNut g425 maybe more comparable to HL given the loft and size of the head no?
The HL is bigger than the G425 iron and from testing the HL goes a little longer (a few yards) but definitely goes up higher peak heights and descent angles are steeper at a slightly longer distance..... Looking forward to G430 to see what Ping counter with 👍
I guess the G425 got bested with the new JPX923 lineup?
She's 2 years old now so yes a little. She still works very very well for a 2 year old iron and still a great buying choice for people. Also the functional customisable range of motion that a Ping has supercedes all other manufacturers cast and most if again all Forged heads.
Can't wait for the new G430 to see what the new tech brings go level the playing field 😊
@AskGolfNut When you compare irons, do you prefer to have an equal lie angle? Does it matter if it differs? (Mizuno vs Ping default lie angle)
Always prefer to have them bent to my specs, sometimes due to time frames this isn't practical so have to use what I have to use. It will cause offline deviation but because I'm not doing outdoor on grass testing the true nature of having a poor lie angle isn't shown too much which is fair to both clubs. If a club is used on grass with a really poor lie angle then distance deviation happens also which can make one club look substantially inferior to the other.
Problem with a lot of product testing is that true head data is never shown or considered before a conclusion is brought. I'm very passionate about being open and honest with all the testing I do and being able to give evidence based conclusions.
Great question 👍
@@AskGolfNut in that case, would too upright be less of a problem than too flat?
I can image a toe digging into the ground (too flat), at the same time having a power hook can’t be much fun either 😅
With your 10 finger grip - how do you avoid right hand pinky being squashed???????Mizuno 7 iron loft is 28.5 deg. (Ping is 30) here is the difference in distance between them. Perhaps you should try a power spec Ping 7 iron.
Hi Mark, you have a really good point with the right little finger. Sometimes if I have a marathon testing session (and I would put it pit there that of all the testers I hit more shots than them all to gain the data I do) my little finger to teh side of the nail does get sore. But absolutely fine under most conditions.
On the loft front, in the club data part of the video (2nd half) I showed that I delivered within 0.2 of a degree of dyna loft equalling them both out (apples to apples testing).
The issue I have with jacking lofts (power spec'ing) beyond what the club head tech is designed for is that players with normal head speeds do show a slight improvement in distance but loose peak height and descent angle (control target end). I've seen over the years that you can weaken a club but I'm very reluctant to strengthen one.
Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍
@@AskGolfNut Thanks for the reply.
Great review and well done on the 0.2 dynamic loft difference 👌🏻
Like with every part of changing delivery (especially useful when emulating a swing fault to a student in a Coaching environment), it takes quite a bit of practice 😊
HL vs stealth would be good - can you swing slower to replicate a senior style swing?
Hi Neil, swinging slower for me isn't as easy as it sounds. To replicate properly an average slower swing I'd also have to change my low point to simulate the much more level angle of attack that slower swingers produce. Definitely something I'd like to practice to do but currently if I slow it down and do a long pitch swing I tend to handle drag far to much that skews the data and doesn't produce the results that slower swingers see.
Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍
What do you think about weakening the loft by 1 for the 923 I don’t really need a 7 iron going 200
Me neither Anthony, but I think that the HMs aren't meant for players with high swing speeds. I would say anything up to mid eighties will be ok but anything around mid eighties and lofting would have to be a distinct consideration of choosing the HMs on forgiveness purposes due to strike issues 👍
My buddy hits his g425 7 iron 200 yards. He doesn’t need the distance but he plays of a 9 handicap
You spoke of JPX 923 Pro and HL, but looked like regular JPX 923. Which one did you use???
Sorry Doug the regular Hot Metal 👍
Can you add an index on your videos?
Hi Watches Journey, what index as such would you like to see?
Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍
Pings have always felt "dead" in sound and feel. I've given up trying Pings. Mizunos on the other hand!!
are you saying a i210 feels dead? i guess so many tour pros must not feel that way either
More review less hitting. Watching a range session
3 shots with 1 club, then 3 shots with the other to compare looks, feel and flight.... If that's a Range session, you may want to think about upping your practice amount 😊
In my whole time doing youtube content, I think this must be the first time anyone has ever asked me to do more review 😊
Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍🏻
Cobra Forgetec is better
Definitely lower spinning 😊
There's no such thing as better. Everything in life has trade-offs. And hollow body irons have many trade-offs.
Terrible….terrible. Nothing else to say. It’s time to think about a career move.
Hi Etc., interesting feedback. Not really much to go on. Do you care to elaborate?