Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal HL vs Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | JPX-923 Hot Metal HL loft | JPX-923 Hot Metal loft | JPX-923 Hot Metal HL lie | JPX-923 Hot Metal lie | JPX-923 Hot Metal HL length | JPX-923 Hot Metal length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | — | 19 | — | 60 | — | 38.5 |
| 5 | 25 | 22 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 38 | 38 |
| 6 | 28 | 25 | 61 | 61 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| 7 | 31 | 28.5 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 35 | 33 | 62 | 62 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 40 | 37.5 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 45 | 42.5 | 63 | 63 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| GW | 50 | 48 | 63 | 63 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| SW | 55 | 54 | 63 | 63 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| LW | — | 60 | — | 63 | — | 35.25 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- JPX-923 Hot Metal HL
- JPX-923 Hot Metal
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the JPX-923 Hot Metal HL is 31° and the JPX-923 Hot Metal is 28.5°, a 2.5° 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 8 to 10 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the JPX-923 Hot Metal HL. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the JPX-923 Hot Metal averages 2.3° stronger, with the largest gap at the 5-iron (25° vs 22°). The pitching wedges are 45° 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 Hot Metal HL runs 5-iron to SW (8 clubs), the JPX-923 Hot Metal 4-iron to LW (10 clubs).
The JPX-923 Hot Metal HL is a super game improvement iron and the JPX-923 Hot Metal a game improvement iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The JPX-923 Hot Metal HL is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The JPX-923 Hot Metal trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Both heads are listed as investment cast. With the build method this similar, differences in feel come down to head size, sole width, topline and offset rather than how the heads are made.
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 3° stronger than the JPX-923 Hot Metal HL 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 Hot Metal HL specs and Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal HL 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 31° for the Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal HL, 2.5° stronger and worth roughly 8 to 10 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal HL and JPX-923 Hot Metal?
At the 7-iron the difference is 2.5° (31° vs 28.5°). The largest gap on a shared club is 3° at the 5-iron, and all 8 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal HL or the JPX-923 Hot Metal?
The Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal HL. As a super game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The JPX-923 Hot Metal is a game improvement iron, better suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Do the Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal HL 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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