Mizuno MP-30 vs Mizuno MX-17
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | MP-30 loft | MX-17 loft | MP-30 lie | MX-17 lie | MP-30 length | MX-17 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 18 | — | 57.5 | — | 39.25 | — |
| 3 | 21 | 20 | 58 | 59.5 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 24 | 23 | 58.5 | 60 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 27 | 26 | 59 | 60.5 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 31 | 30 | 60 | 61 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 35 | 34 | 61 | 61.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 39 | 38 | 62 | 62 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 43 | 42 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 47 | 46 | 63 | 63 | 35.25 | 35.5 |
| SW | — | 55 | — | 63 | — | 35.25 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- MP-30
- MX-17
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the MP-30 is 35° and the MX-17 is 34°, a 1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the MX-17 should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the MP-30. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the MX-17 averages 1° stronger, with the largest gap at the 3-iron (21° vs 20°). The pitching wedges are 47° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 4° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the MP-30 7-iron sits 0.5° flatter (61° vs 61.5°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The sets are built differently: the MP-30 runs 2-iron to PW (9 clubs), the MX-17 3-iron to SW (9 clubs).
The MP-30 is a blade iron and the MX-17 a game improvement iron, so they sit 3 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The MX-17 is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The MP-30 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
The MP-30 is listed as forged and the MX-17 as investment cast with a pocket cavity. Forging, as in the MP-30, is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the MX-17, allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons.
The MX-17 came out 3 years after the MP-30, but it is a different line rather than a direct replacement, so the two were designed for different golfers as well as different seasons.
Which should you choose?
The MX-17 is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1° stronger than the MP-30 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 MP-30 specs and Mizuno MX-17 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mizuno MP-30 stronger lofted than the MX-17?
No. The MX-17 is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 34° against 35° for the Mizuno MP-30, 1° stronger and worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Mizuno MP-30 and MX-17?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (35° vs 34°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 3-iron, and all 8 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Mizuno MP-30 or the MX-17?
The MX-17. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The Mizuno MP-30 is a blade iron, better suited to low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
Do the Mizuno MP-30 and MX-17 have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Mizuno MP-30 is 61° lie and 36.75 inches, the MX-17 61.5° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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