Mizuno MP-H5 vs Mizuno MP-18 MMC
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | MP-H5 loft | MP-18 MMC loft | MP-H5 lie | MP-18 MMC lie | MP-H5 length | MP-18 MMC length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | — | 58.5 | — | 39.75 | — |
| 2 | 18 | — | 59 | — | 39.25 | — |
| 3 | 21 | — | 59.5 | — | 38.75 | — |
| 4 | 24 | 22 | 60 | 60 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 27 | 25 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 30 | 28 | 61 | 61 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 34 | 32 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 38 | 36 | 62 | 62 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 42 | 41 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 46 | 46 | 63 | 63 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- MP-H5
- MP-18 MMC
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the MP-H5 is 34° and the MP-18 MMC is 32°, a 2° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the MP-18 MMC should carry roughly 6 to 8 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the MP-H5. Across the 7 clubs both sets share, the MP-18 MMC averages 1.6° stronger, with the largest gap at the 4-iron (24° vs 22°).
The sets are built differently: the MP-H5 runs 1-iron to PW (10 clubs), the MP-18 MMC 4-iron to PW (7 clubs).
The MP-H5 is a players distance iron and the MP-18 MMC a players iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The MP-H5 is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head. The MP-18 MMC 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 MP-H5 is listed as cast/forged hybrid and the MP-18 MMC as forged. Forging, as in the MP-18 MMC, is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the MP-H5, allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons. The MP-H5's hollow body lets the face flex more and moves mass low and outward, usually giving higher launch and more ball speed on off-centre strikes than the MP-18 MMC, at some cost in feel. The MP-18 MMC adds tungsten weighting, which lowers the centre of gravity and raises stability on mis-hits, helping the long irons launch.
The MP-18 MMC came out 3 years after the MP-H5, 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 MP-18 MMC is the stronger-lofted set — up to 2° stronger than the MP-H5 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-H5 specs and Mizuno MP-18 MMC specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mizuno MP-H5 stronger lofted than the MP-18 MMC?
No. The MP-18 MMC is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 32° against 34° for the Mizuno MP-H5, 2° stronger and worth roughly 6 to 8 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Mizuno MP-H5 and MP-18 MMC?
At the 7-iron the difference is 2° (34° vs 32°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 4-iron, and 6 of the 7 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Mizuno MP-H5 or the MP-18 MMC?
The Mizuno MP-H5. As a players distance iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head. The MP-18 MMC is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Mizuno MP-H5 and MP-18 MMC have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 61.5° lie and 36.75 inches long.
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