Nothing feels like a Mizuno, deart?
Well, almost nothing, anyway.
Mizuno’s considerable cult following for its irons is built on two pillars: overall performance and feel that tones and aligns your Manipura and Anahata chakras. While we are willing to accept this almost nothing looks like a Mizuno, we’ve come across some iron sets that can give Mizuno a run for its money.
Speaking of money, these alternatives could end up saving you a few Benjamins as well.
Before we dive into the alternatives, I’ll need to get a few things on the table.
First, the Mizuno Pro S3 is an excellent set of irons. For the elite ball striker, you will have the performance that the best players desire and your chakras will be felt and aligned. Not many irons can do that.
If, however, you’re looking for something a little (or in some cases, a lot) less expensive, you may find these options more than viable.
Furthermore, these are not ranked in order of preference and do not cover all possible alternatives. Simply put, if I haven’t hit them, they’re not on the list. I’d say that’s fair, right?
And, just for fun, I’ve included some old school options for you eBay hunters.
Hey, I’m here for you. That’s the type I am.
Our benchmark: Mizuno Pro S3
The Mizuno Pro S3 came out last January as the flagship for Mizuno’s efforts to re-establish itself as THE iron for the best player. And make no mistake, this iron is for the ultimate player. The S3 is a one piece fake. It’s a straight hollow back with a slim topline, a thin heel and compact shape.
It’s pure unadulterated goodness for the ultimate gamer who wants nothing, AI-infested tech, and stupidity.
The Mizuno Pro S3 irons will set you back $215 per club in the stock configuration (there are many shaft and grip options at no charge). A seven-piece set starts at $1,505.
Your money, your decision, but we thought we’d give you some alternatives anyway.
The obvious alternative: the Srixon ZXi7
When we said almost nothing looks like a Mizuno, we were talking about the Srixon ZXi7.
The ZXi7 cleaned house in this year’s MyGolfSpy testing, finishing first overall with stellar results for accuracy, forgiveness and distance (lofts are two degrees stronger across the board than the S3).
It’s made with Srixon’s new i-Forging technology and features the company’s signature Tour VT Sole to improve interaction with the terrain. I’ve hit Srixon irons that I’d swear were on the fat side, but the club still cut through the turf like a hot knife through butter. It’s so good.
Plus, you’ll save about $100 on a seven-piece set compared to the Mizuno.
Old school option: Cleveland 588 CB
A classic hollow back, this 2012 beauty is forged from a single piece of 1025 carbon steel. I almost bought a set when they first came out, but managed to borrow a set a few years ago. The feeling is still spectacular.
You can find them on eBay in good shape for $250 to $500.
A sleeper DTC: Ben Hogan FT Worth CB
Ben Hogan FT Worth CB may be a sleeper, but don’t sleep on it. Another forged 1025 player’s hollow back combines classic Hogan blade-on-blade styling with great feel and a slightly exaggerated bottom shelf. Hogan has moved a significant amount of mass down and to the perimeter without making the iron look silly.
This low weight makes the FT Worth CB ridiculously playable for such a compact iron. Finished fifth overall in forgiveness testing this year’s MyGolfSpy.
It also features Hogan’s signature V-Sole. The Terry Koehler-designed wedge features a high bounce leading edge and a low bounce trailing edge, giving the Hogan Irons exceptional ground interaction similar to the Srixon ZXi7 and Mizuno Pro S3.
As a direct-to-consumer brand, they’re also a great buy at $999.99 for a seven-piece set.
Old school option: Ben Hogan Apex Plus
If you want a soft player’s hollow, the conversation starts with the 1999 Ben Hogan Apex Plus. Designed by Jeff Sheets and forged by Endo, the Apex Plus irons were the most forgiving half of Spalding’s epic reboot of Hogan. The Apex Plus is compact and features a soft hollow and unobtrusive surround weight.
They remain the standard by which modern forged backs are measured. You can find a good set on eBay for as little as $125.
A modern classic: the Wilson Staff Model CB
Wilson turned back the clock with its Staff Model CB 2024 irons. The look, feel and performance are classic Wilson Staff but the boss kiss is the return of Fluid Feel
hosel. First used in Wilson’s 1956 Dyna-Powered Staff Model irons, Fluid Feel it moves the digested material out of the gut area and into the sole and toe where it helps with forgiveness and stability.
Wilson knows what he’s doing with forged player backs (as you’ll soon see), and the Staff Model CB is no exception. There is even more good news. Both the Staff Model blades and CB irons are due for replacement in 2026, so for now they’re discounted a few hundred dollars, down to $999.99 for a seven-piece set.
Old school option: Wilson FG Tour V2
In 2012, Wilson Staff wasn’t just flirting with irrelevance; danced the night away and was making breakfast the next morning. The FG Tour V2 put an end to that nonsense, letting the world know that Wilson still knew how to make a great player’s iron.
It remains one of the highest rated irons MyGolfSpy has ever tested.
Ebay has kits ranging from $120 to $225 and they are worth every penny. If you prefer something newer, you can’t go wrong with the V4 or V6 models. The V6, in fact, was MyGolfSpy’s Top Rated Golfer’s Iron in 2017.
The Best Deal Going, Part 1: MacGregor MT Milled
Forged 1020, more forgiving than you’d expect and a little more make the MacGregor MT Milled a compelling alternative. Seriously, the day I first tried these on, they couldn’t get me off the rays. The irons are so hung to be hit. The lofts are strong for the class (hence the extra pop), but they have the look that top players want and you can hit all the shots with them.
Best of all, we’re talking $629.99 for a seven-piece set.
Old school option: MacGregor VIP Tourney V-Foil CB
I will admit to no small bias here. I love these clubs so much. If the Hogan Apex Plus is the Alpha of vintage golfers, then the 2001 MacGregor VIP Tour V-Foil CBs are the Omega. The fake feeling is another kind of soft, almost a scratched soft. While it’s true that nothing feels like a Mizuno, these MacGregors feel like nothing else I’ve ever hit.
Talk about the feeling of your chakras.
You can find a set in pretty good shape online for under $150.
If you want to really go off the wall, the 2010 VIP irons are also decent. These were the first MacGregor irons released after Golfsmith bought the brand. Good dirty handcuffs.
The Best Deal, Part 2: Axial Forged Ram
Another direct-to-consumer offering, the Ram Axial Forged was a Cinderella story, performing nowhere in MyGolfSpy’s 2024 player iron testing. The Axial Forged finished a shocking third overall with stellar distance (thanks, loft) and apologies. Only an average score for accuracy kept him from claiming first place.
If you’re looking for a deal, you won’t find one better than Ram Axial Forged. They cost $599.99 for a seven-piece set.
Old school option: Ram Laser FX
The original frame may have been small, but it was tough. The Hansberger brothers built Ram from humble beginnings into a mini-powerhouse (see full story here; is a bad thing). Early 90s vintage Ram Laser FX with cavity forged back capitalized on the popularity and style of the Hogan Edge. The back of the hollow was shallow, giving it just a touch more playability than a clean blade.
You should be able to find a set in good condition on eBay for around $100.
Final thoughts
As mentioned, this is by no means a definitive list, so I’m sure there are some out there that I’ve missed. The new Exotics CB irons from Tour Edge have promise (seen, not hit). I also haven’t hit the Takomo 301 CB, but it also looks intriguing.
If price is your passion, you won’t go wrong with DTC’s options. Most have a workable demo policy and they will custom build to your specifications. The good news is that if you’re already fitted for a player’s back iron, those specs will travel and can be applied to another brand.
As always, Srixon is not just an alternative. Many would consider him the first choice in this category. The Wilson Staff Model CB, however, may be the top sleeper on this list.
Then again, nothing feels like a Mizuno, good?
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