MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Mizuno MP-59 3-iron to PW fitted with stiff steel shafts.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A little bit thick across the topline for a blade – which I like, similar to the set of irons I currently use. The size of the head was good, and sat a little open at address. The other noticeable thing was weight, heavier in the hands than I expected.

VERDICT: I hit a high ball, and the MP-59s definitely produced a lower flight. But they were also longer than my current irons – I hit a 4-iron that covered 187 metres where I normally wouldn’t hit it past 180 tops. I flushed a 7-iron through the green at an over-the-water par-3, then dropped down to an 8-iron and hit my best of the day next to the pin.

The titanium construction didn’t seem to change the feel much to other blades. On crisply struck shots, the head would really get through the ball. The weight I felt when I first picked the club up seemed to be a help here, just gave the club momentum through the hitting area.

Workability was pretty good. I could get the ball going where I wanted it – I had to hit a rope hook on one hole and got the result, and the fade (I hit a stock draw) would go as well.

The Mizunos also had a good amount of forgiveness. I found on the less solid hits that the ball might lose distance, but didn’t deviate sideways as much – it would be going down a narrower corridor.