JPX925 Hot Metal HL

Best-in-class for the line - the Hot Metal HL is the most forgiving model in the JPX925 family, the one fitters start with for mid-to-high handicaps, with a bigger, more-offset head and low tungsten stabilising strikes, perimeter weighting and the CORTECH multi-thickness face adding off-centre stability. Among the most forgiving wedges available.

Higher launch and spin - the HL teams weaker lofts, more offset and low tungsten to produce significantly higher launch and more spin than the standard Hot Metal, helping shots stop on the green, with extra sole weight aiding trajectory and spin. Strong stopping power for a cast set wedge, with modest greenside spin versus a specialist.

Lowest of the line - the HL is bigger with noticeably more offset than the standard Hot Metal, built to elevate the ball easily rather than to shape shots, the most game-improvement model in the family. A play-it-as-it-lies launcher, not a shotmaker.

A wedge highlight - while the irons feel medium-firm, Mizuno got the wedge right with an excellent feel via Harmonic Impact Technology, the V-Chassis damping giving clean contact and above-average mishit feedback. Among the better cast-wedge feels, helped by the dedicated wedge tuning.

A lovely note - the HL wedge has a lovely sound dialled in via Harmonic Impact Technology, the V-Chassis keeping impact clean with a duller thud on misses. A clean, pleasant acoustic - a step above the clickier irons.

Easy on the eye for game-improvement, if offset-heavy - the JPX925 HL wedges looked pretty good and were easy to hit, unusual for a game-improvement design, but the head is bigger with noticeably more offset than the standard model. Reassuring to its audience, busier and more offset than a players' wedge.