When it comes to compact, top-of-the-line golfers, Mizuno’s pedigree is well established. As such, I don’t expect the new Mizuno Pro M13 and M15 irons to stray too far from that identity.
Typically, with a product launch, it is the first time we are able to publicly share technical details, key technologies and pricing information. However, a good part of this data has already been uploaded to the Internet. This is largely thanks to a staggered global launch, with Mizuno first launching the M13/M15 irons nearly five months ago in Japan. Now, the US/Europe and the rest of the world get the goods. Fingers crossed, this should be the last time we are in such a situation. But don’t let that mild annoyance dampen your spirits: it’s game time!
The Mizuno Pro Family Tree
The Mizuno Pro family of irons is divided into two lines: the “S” featuring no time design elements and a four-year product life cycle, and the “M” with in timemodern platform and an industry-standard two-year life cycle.
If you’re familiar with Mizuno’s iron lineage, the “S” models (S3 and S1) are emblematic of the traditional one-piece forged irons that dominated pretty much every piece of equipment in the 1990s. They’re the one-piece forged muscle, grain-flow, and hollow back irons that give Mizuno that distinct feel that has served as a de facto benchmark. in the industry since Nick Faldo was earning degrees.
The “M” line utilizes more complex constructions, utilizing multiple materials and design elements that generate a combination of ball speed, trajectory and control that should compete favorably with anything on the market.
Mizuno Pro M-13 – Construction and Tech
Using Mizuno’s parlance, the M13 is a “Player’s Speed Cavity” which should tell you that the main design intent is a combination of a traditional player’s back cavity but with a bit more horsepower.
Speed often comes at the cost of feel, something Mizuno is unwilling to accept. Mizuno notes that many competitors produce “forged” irons but rely on a welded face construction. Effectively, the face is a separate part that is attached (generally welded) to the body as opposed to a single piece of forged steel that contains the face and neck. This is important because the multiple parts do not allow for a continuous flow of grain (the microscopic crystalline structure of forged steel) from the fin to the legs. Without this uninterrupted neck-to-toe space, it’s nearly impossible to generate that soft, solid feel that players expect from a forged iron. And that’s why the tagline “Nothing Feels Like a Mizuno” lives on. Plus, “be careful if your forged iron does not have the face and neck forged as a single piece” it’s a mouthful. In addition, the M-13 irons feature a copper layer under the chrome plating, which Mizuno brought to the MP20 line of irons in 2019.
In general, the complex construction of the M-13 acts as a combined group within a single model. In fact, there are three distinct constructions in a single set of irons. The long irons (4 and 5) use a forged HD 4120 face and neck with a 431 stainless steel back, similar to the forged JPX 925 construction. The “Contoured Ellipse” face—a first for Mizuno in a high-COR iron—increases both the center COR surface and the overall core area. While the concept of variable face thickness isn’t new – and Mizuno isn’t suggesting it is – continued improvements in face topography bring incremental performance benefits. The face is forged to a minimum thickness of 1.37 millimeters, which is 35 percent thinner than the MP 243 long irons, making it Mizuno’s highest forged COR iron.
The middle irons (6-8) are, again, single-grain forged, this time from 4115 Chromoly and designed with Micro-slot technology. Starting at the topline and moving down to the sole, the face thickness is reduced from 3.0mm to 2.0mm – the net result is a 0.3mm thinner face after impact (compared to the MP 243).
Finally, the 9i-GW offers the simplest construction – a clean, one-piece forging using the same HD 1025 Elite carbon steel as the kinfolk S1/S3.
M13 – A word about the sole
The M13 irons use a triple cut heel (although I’d argue it’s more like three surfaces and two cuts, alas). The slope of the leading edge produces a high bounce surface that prevents the club from digging in when driven into the ground, and then the relief of the trailing edge reduces drag for a clean exit.
The end? Many golfers (myself included) noticed that the MP 243 was faster than they expected. Some tournament players don’t need or want the extra speed, but the rest of us won’t turn down a few extra yards. Compared to its predecessor, the M13 is slightly more compact from heel to toe, but also more forgiving with slightly more ball speed. This translates into higher maximum peak height and a few extra meters of carry. And I have it on good authority that the undersigned MP thinks it remains intact, although I can’t wait to confirm that myself.
M15 – Tour speed and launch
The M15 is an updated hollow body design, again with three individual constructions throughout the kit. Irons 4 through 7 are grain flow forged from 4135+ Chromoly (face and neck) with a 431 stainless steel backplate. Also, a nickel-tungsten heavy weight “floats” low/deep into the clubhead to promote higher launch. One benefit of a hollow body is that engineers can manipulate the properties of the mass within the open structure to affect the flight of the ball. Overall, the target buyer of the Mizuno Pro M-15 can benefit from a higher overall ball flight, especially on the long irons.
Moving into the middle of the set, the 8-iron is the same as the 4i-7i, but without the nickel-tungsten weight. Finally, the 9i-GW features a semi-hollow cavity inside a flow-forged HD 1025E body and 17-4 stainless steel back.
The main thing is that Mizuno separates the M13 and M15 mainly by the launch profile, with the M-15 offering a higher overall flight than the M-13. The flighty nature of the M15 should produce long, higher trigger lugs and relatively lower, more penetrating, dotting irons. Comparatively, M13 should be slightly hotter/faster throughout the group with a more penetrating trajectory. I don’t know if it’s reasonable to place a strong handicap designation on either model, but both sit comfortably in the “Players” category.
Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi
The new Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi utility iron adopts a multi-piece construction (4335+ nickel-chromic body and a harder 4335+ L heat face). Also, a thinner contoured ellipse face helps generate a 38 percent increase in core area, which is a noticeable improvement. For the record, the main area is the face part with a COR value of 0.833 or higher. If you don’t care about the numbers, all that matters is that you should get higher and more consistent ball speeds with the ’26 version compared to the ’24 model.
Equally important, a 26-gram weight bar (three grams more than the ’24 MP Fli-Hi) sits low/forward in the clubhead for easier release, which is the key performance attribute of this club. The discretionary weight pushes the CG slightly forward for a net gain of nearly two mph in ball speed, four yards of carry and a slightly steeper descent angle (two degrees), according to Mizuno’s testing. It’s in a category of its own, though, as higher elevation fairways grow in popularity, the MP Fli-Hi offers a nice alternative for players looking to replace traditional long irons or as a 15th club to swap out based on course setup.
My $0.05
Innovation does not look the same for every manufacturer or every category of equipment. But what remains true is that giving players more of what they want and less of what they don’t is a strong recipe. In the case of Mizuno—and specific to the MP iron franchise—that means finding ways to shrink the footprint, thin the top line, improve ground interaction, all while maintaining the signature Mizuno Pro feel and getting a little more ball speed.
Price and availability
The Mizuno Pro M-13 and M-15 irons are $215 per club and the Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi are $270 each.
Pre-Sale begins 19.01.2026 with full retail availability starting 2.5.2026.
Options, specifications and additional information can be found at mizunogolf.com.
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