Mizuno JPX-923 Forged vs Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | JPX-923 Forged loft | JPX-923 Hot Metal loft | JPX-923 Forged lie | JPX-923 Hot Metal lie | JPX-923 Forged length | JPX-923 Hot Metal length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 21 | 19 | 60 | 60 | 38.5 | 38.5 |
| 5 | 24 | 22 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 38 | 38 |
| 6 | 27 | 25 | 61 | 61 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| 7 | 30 | 28.5 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 34 | 33 | 62 | 62 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 39 | 37.5 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 44 | 42.5 | 63 | 63 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| GW | 49 | 48 | 63 | 63 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| SW | — | 54 | — | 63 | — | 35.25 |
| LW | — | 60 | — | 63 | — | 35.25 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- JPX-923 Forged
- JPX-923 Hot Metal
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the JPX-923 Forged is 30° and the JPX-923 Hot Metal is 28.5°, a 1.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the JPX-923 Hot Metal should carry roughly 4 to 6 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the JPX-923 Forged. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the JPX-923 Hot Metal averages 1.6° stronger, with the largest gap at the 4-iron (21° vs 19°). The pitching wedges are 44° and 42.5°; the stronger one leaves a 7.5° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.
The sets are built differently: the JPX-923 Forged runs 4-iron to GW (8 clubs), the JPX-923 Hot Metal 4-iron to LW (10 clubs).
The JPX-923 Forged is a players iron and the JPX-923 Hot Metal a game improvement iron, so they sit 2 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The JPX-923 Hot Metal is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The JPX-923 Forged trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
The JPX-923 Forged is listed as forged and the JPX-923 Hot Metal as investment cast. Forging, as in the JPX-923 Forged, is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the JPX-923 Hot Metal, allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons.
Both sets were introduced in 2022, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: Mizuno designed them to sit side by side for different players.
Which should you choose?
The JPX-923 Hot Metal is the stronger-lofted set — up to 2° stronger than the JPX-923 Forged on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Mizuno JPX-923 Forged specs and Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mizuno JPX-923 Forged stronger lofted than the JPX-923 Hot Metal?
No. The JPX-923 Hot Metal is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 28.5° against 30° for the Mizuno JPX-923 Forged, 1.5° stronger and worth roughly 4 to 6 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Mizuno JPX-923 Forged and JPX-923 Hot Metal?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1.5° (30° vs 28.5°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 4-iron, and all 8 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Mizuno JPX-923 Forged or the JPX-923 Hot Metal?
The JPX-923 Hot Metal. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The Mizuno JPX-923 Forged is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Mizuno JPX-923 Forged and JPX-923 Hot Metal have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 61.5° lie and 37 inches long.
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