Expert Comparison: Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons vs Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons

Published on 02/12/2024 · 6 min readCompare Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons and Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons. Get expert insight below!
Andrew Abbott, Golf Expert
Ari T, Golf Expert
Ryan Hernandez, Golf Expert
Contributed By Golf Expert Andrew Abbott, Ari T, Ryan Hernandez, Brady Maag, Christopher Thompson and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons
Top pick!
Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons
Price
from:$787.50
18% off
from:$857.13
23% off
User rating
5(3)
4.77(151)
The Curated Take

Perfect for high to mid handicappers looking for forgiveness, distance, and premium feel.

Ideal for players wanting a balance of forged feel, forgiveness and extra distance.

Iron Set Type
Iron Set
Iron Set
Player type
Game improvement
Game improvement
Used (Y/N)
No
No

In the world of golf, the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons and the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are two top-tier products that have been making waves. Both irons are designed to offer high performance, increased distance, and improved launch angles. However, they each have their unique features and benefits that set them apart. The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons are perfect for high-handicap golfers prioritizing increased distance and launch, while the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are ideal for golfers seeking a balance of feel, playability, and control. Both irons are packed with advanced technology and offer a great balance between playability and forgiveness. However, the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons stand out for their consistency in distance, forgiveness, and feel, while the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons shine for their high ball speeds, low spin rates, and long shots. In the end, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences as a golfer.

The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons are a game-changer for high-handicap golfers. These irons are designed to help players launch the ball higher, stop sooner, and shoot lower scores. The model owned by expert Andrew Abbott is the 2023 Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro, with a standard loft setting, a Project X 6.5 shaft type, and an X-stiff shaft flex.

The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons are known for their distance, forgiveness, and feel. The distance of these irons is impressive, with the 8 iron effortlessly hitting 205 yards. The forgiveness of these irons is due to the center of gravity being pulled away from the front of the face and closer to the bottom back side of the club’s sole. This creates a larger sweet spot on the center of the face while also launching the ball higher with better spin numbers. The feel of these irons is top-of-the-line for a game-improvement feel, with a smooth and soft impact similar to forged irons.

However, these irons are not without their issues. The sound of these irons on mishits can be firm and clanky, which can be off-putting. The workability of these irons is also limited due to the lower center of gravity and larger sweet spot. These irons also lack adjustability, unlike most drivers and woods with an adjustable loft sleeve.

Despite these issues, the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons are a great value for the money. They offer great performance and design at a cost of roughly $970, making them a top choice for game improvement iron sets.

The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro irons are best for players who struggle to get the ball in the air with their irons and want help to hit the ball further. In addition, these irons will increase distance and launch to help players shoot better scores.

Andrew Abbott
Golf Expert

The Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are a fantastic set for someone looking for a set of forgiving irons that have a forged feel. They are a little larger and thicker than most forgings but they still look great. They shine on mishits as they are very forgiving and the faces are pretty hot which gives extra distance. The most forgiving forging out there. If you want a slim blade-like iron these are not for you but if you want playability and feel these are about as good as it gets.

The Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are the game improvement iron from the Apex line. They offer maximum forgiveness and distance but lack a bit of workability. They aim at the player who wants a premium feel but is still looking for as little punishment as possible on those mis-hit shots.

The Callaway Apex DCB Irons are some of the best irons released in the past few years. They are forged irons, so they have a great feel and workability. In addition, these irons are not blade-like and have large sweet spots. As a result, they are very easy to hit. So they are the perfect balance of feel and forgiveness. As a result, these irons fit players who are not needing super game improvement clubs but still aren't needing true player's irons.

This is a fantastic set for someone looking for a set of forgiving irons that have forged feel. They are a little larger and thicker than most forgings but they still look great. They shine on mishits as they are very forgiving and the faces are pretty hot which gives extra distance. The most forgiving forging out there. If you want a slim blade-like iron these are not for you but if you want playability and feel these are about as good as it gets.

Ari T
Golf Expert

Similarities

Both the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons and the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are designed to offer high performance, increased distance, and improved launch angles. They both have a larger sweet spot on the center of the face, which provides increased forgiveness on off-center strikes. Both irons are also designed to launch the ball higher, which is beneficial for players who struggle to get the ball in the air. Additionally, both irons are designed to provide a great feel at impact, with the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons offering a smooth and soft feel, and the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons offering a forged feel.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both irons offer similar benefits, they each have their unique features that set them apart. The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons stand out for their consistency in distance, forgiveness, and feel. They are best for high-handicap golfers who prioritize increased distance and launch. On the other hand, the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons shine for their high ball speeds, low spin rates, and long shots. They are ideal for golfers seeking a balance of feel, playability, and control.

In terms of persona, the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons are perfect for golfers who struggle to get the ball in the air and want help to hit the ball further. These irons will increase distance and launch to help players shoot better scores. On the other hand, the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are ideal for golfers seeking a balance of feel, playability, and control. They offer high ball speeds, low spin rates, and long shots, making them a great choice for golfers who want to improve their game.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons and the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons, it's clear that both products excel in different areas.

  1. Distance: The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons take the lead in this category. They offer impressive distance, with the 8 iron effortlessly hitting 205 yards.

  2. Forgiveness: Both irons offer great forgiveness, but the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons shine in this category due to their larger sweet spot and high ball speeds.

  3. Feel: The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons offer a smooth and soft feel at impact, making them the winner in this category.

  4. Workability: The Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons take the lead in this category. They offer a balance of feel, playability, and control, making them ideal for golfers seeking to improve their game.

In conclusion, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences as a golfer. If you prioritize distance and feel, the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons would be the better choice. However, if forgiveness and workability are more important to you, the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons would be the ideal choice.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons and the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are top-tier products that offer high performance, increased distance, and improved launch angles. The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons stand out for their consistency in distance, forgiveness, and feel, making them perfect for high-handicap golfers. On the other hand, the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons shine for their high ball speeds, low spin rates, and long shots, making them ideal for golfers seeking a balance of feel, playability, and control. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences as a golfer. So, whether you're a high-handicap golfer looking to increase your distance and launch, or a golfer seeking to improve your game with a balance of feel, playability, and control, both these irons have something great to offer.

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Shop Golf on Curated

Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Irons
$787.50$962.50
Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons
$857.13$1,110.00
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Irons
$900.00$1,099.95

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