JPX-800

Mizuno is placing a lot of emphasis on the success of the new JPX-800 irons which have stretched its engineers to the extreme in a bid to make an iron that delivers extra distance without losing the distinctive feel of a Mizuno club.

Certainly Luke Donald is championing the cause of the JPX-800 in terms of the extra ooomph it offers, compared to the MP-63 irons he eventually plans to use on Tour once the 2010 season is over.

The Ryder Cup star is renowned for his accuracy and it seems he'd play the JPX-800 if he was able to rely as precisely on its workability - a feature every Tour pro demands - instead of just hard yards. They're so finicky these superstars!

I enjoyed hitting the JPX-800, though it was hard to tell at first from an elevated tee on the Bearwood Lakes range just how far these clubs go. But taking a sample 5- and 8-iron on to the course definitely delivered a slightly better ball flight compared to the MX-200 it supercedes.

Overall the JPX-800 has a slightly smaller, more compact head than the MX-200 with a rounded top line that encouraged confidence.

The look of the JPX-800 Pro was, to my mind less of a boost to my confidence. A little too square and angular for my taste in its top line, delivering a tendency for me to hit the ball too high.

That distinctive forged feel was certainly there but the looks weren't as attractive to my eye.