Mizuno · Wedge · 2024
JPX925 Hot Metal Pro
CaddyIndex™ breakdown: what our research found across each of the six performance dimensions, with cited sources.
You play off 5-20, want matching, compact, low-offset scoring wedges that flow from the JPX925 Hot Metal Pro irons with great feel - around £160-170.
You want maximum forgiveness, or the highest greenside spin and shotmaking - the standard Hot Metal or a forged Mizuno Pro wedge suits better.
Pros
- Excellent, solid-and-soft feel and a lovely sound that belies the cavity back
- A compact, low-offset players' shape - the most workable JPX925 wedge
- A fast CORTECH face for explosive ball speed and controllable distance
- A clean players'-iron look at address
Cons
- The least forgiving of the JPX925 wedges - aimed at better strikers
- A cast set-matching design with less greenside spin than a forged specialist
- A slightly fussy cavity back with a visible sound bar
By dimension
Forgiveness
Good, but the least forgiving of the line - the Hot Metal Pro keeps perimeter weighting and the CORTECH face for solid forgiveness, but trades some of it for a compact, low-offset players' shape, less than the standard Hot Metal or HL. Forgiving for a compact wedge, not a game-improvement design.
Distance
Fast, distance-led - the CORTECH face delivers explosive ball speeds and ample controllable distance, with an ~8% carry increase and ~4.6% more ball speed than the prior generation in testing. Strong distance control, with modest greenside spin typical of a cast set wedge.
Workability
The most workable of the line - the dramatically reduced offset (up to 0.74 inch less than the standard Hot Metal) and a smaller blade length make the ball flight easier to control, with easier access to a cut and a controlled draw. More workable than the GI Hot Metals, though the thicker sole still limits flighting it up and down.
Feel
A genuine highlight - the wedge has an excellent feel and a lovely sound that belies the cavity-back construction, lively without being harsh with good mishit feedback, with the best-in-business solid-and-soft Mizuno Hot Metal feel. Among the better cast-wedge feels, helped by dedicated wedge tuning.
Sound
A lovely, solid note - precisely dialled-in vibration patterns give a solid, explosive impact sound, a best-in-business acoustic. A clean, premium impact note for a cast wedge.
Looks at address
A players' look at address - from above it looks more like a players' iron with the thicker sole well hidden and minimal offset, though the cavity back is a touch fussy with an obtrusive sound bar. A clean, confidence-inspiring address profile, busier behind.
Sources
Some of the reviews, lab tests and head-to-head comparisons we read while grading this club.