Mizuno MP-20 HMB vs. TaylorMade P790: Which Is Better?

If you’re a golfer who values a blend of traditional feel with modern performance, the Mizuno MP-20 HMB and TaylorMade P790 irons are likely on your radar. Both of these irons are designed for players who want the aesthetics and feel of a forged iron but with added forgiveness and distance-enhancing technologies. Choosing between these two models can be challenging, as each offers a unique set of features that cater to different aspects of the game.

In this article, we’ll delve into the design, feel, performance, and playability of the Mizuno MP-20 HMB and TaylorMade P790, helping you determine which iron might be the best fit for your game.

Design and Aesthetics

The design and aesthetics of an iron can influence your confidence at address and your overall satisfaction with the club. The Mizuno MP-20 HMB and TaylorMade P790 have distinct design philosophies that reflect their performance goals.

Mizuno MP-20 HMB Design

The Mizuno MP-20 HMB (Hot Metal Blade) is part of the MP-20 series, known for its traditional looks and soft feel. However, the HMB is not a typical blade; it’s a hollow-bodied iron that offers more forgiveness and distance than a standard muscle-back. The MP-20 HMB features a sleek, compact head with a thin topline and minimal offset, making it visually appealing to better players. The chrome finish and clean lines give it a classic appearance, while the hollow construction adds a modern twist.

One of the key design elements of the MP-20 HMB is its Grain Flow Forged Chromoly face, which is thinner than traditional forged faces, allowing for more flex and greater ball speed. The hollow construction is filled with tungsten weighting in the longer irons, which helps lower the center of gravity (CG) and increase launch without sacrificing the feel and workability that Mizuno irons are known for.

TaylorMade P790 Design

The TaylorMade P790 is one of the most popular irons in the market, known for its combination of distance, forgiveness, and sleek design. The P790 features a slightly larger head than the MP-20 HMB, with a thicker topline and a bit more offset, which can inspire confidence at address. However, it still maintains a relatively clean and compact look, making it appealing to both mid-handicappers and better players.

The P790’s design centers around its SpeedFoam Technology, which fills the hollow body of the iron. This foam is designed to enhance feel while also supporting the ultra-thin forged 4140 steel face. The face is designed with TaylorMade’s patented Inverted Cone Technology, which expands the sweet spot and helps maintain ball speed on off-center hits. Additionally, the P790 features tungsten weighting in the longer irons, similar to the MP-20 HMB, to optimize CG and promote higher launch angles.

Feel and Feedback

Feel and feedback are crucial for players who prioritize control and precision in their irons. Both the Mizuno MP-20 HMB and TaylorMade P790 aim to provide a forged-like feel while incorporating modern technology to enhance performance.

Mizuno MP-20 HMB Feel

Mizuno irons are renowned for their feel, and the MP-20 HMB is no exception. Despite its hollow construction, the HMB retains much of the buttery soft feel that Mizuno is famous for, thanks in part to the Grain Flow Forging process and the use of Chromoly material. The copper underlay beneath the chrome finish, a nod to classic Mizuno irons, further enhances the softness and responsiveness at impact.

The feedback from the MP-20 HMB is precise, giving you a clear indication of where you struck the ball on the face. This level of feedback is particularly important for better players who want to fine-tune their ball-striking and make adjustments on the fly.

TaylorMade P790 Feel

The TaylorMade P790 offers a slightly firmer feel compared to the MP-20 HMB, largely due to the SpeedFoam filling in the hollow body. The foam is designed to absorb vibrations and provide a solid feel, but it doesn’t quite match the traditional forged feel of the Mizuno. However, the P790 does deliver a satisfying sensation at impact, with enough feedback to let you know when you’ve hit the sweet spot.

The P790 is designed to offer a blend of power and feel, making it a great option for players who want the forgiveness of a cavity back with the feel of a forged iron. While it might not be as soft as the MP-20 HMB, it provides a more stable and consistent feel across the face.

Performance and Playability

Performance and playability are where the Mizuno MP-20 HMB and TaylorMade P790 truly differentiate themselves. Both irons are designed to offer a mix of distance, forgiveness, and workability, but they achieve these goals in slightly different ways.

Mizuno MP-20 HMB Performance

The Mizuno MP-20 HMB is designed for the player who wants the look and feel of a blade but with more forgiveness and distance. The hollow construction and Chromoly face combine to produce higher ball speeds, especially in the longer irons, making it easier to achieve a penetrating ball flight. The tungsten weighting in the longer irons also helps to launch the ball higher, providing more carry distance without sacrificing control.

One of the standout features of the MP-20 HMB is its workability. Despite the added forgiveness, this iron still allows you to shape your shots with ease. Whether you need to hit a high draw or a low fade, the MP-20 HMB gives you the control and precision you need to execute a wide variety of shots. This makes it an excellent choice for better players who want a bit more help without giving up the ability to work the ball.

TaylorMade P790 Performance

The TaylorMade P790 is known for its impressive distance and forgiveness, making it one of the most popular irons among mid to low handicappers. The combination of the ultra-thin face, SpeedFoam, and Inverted Cone Technology creates a powerful iron that delivers high ball speeds and consistent distance, even on off-center hits. The P790 is particularly effective in the longer irons, where the combination of technology and tungsten weighting helps to produce a high launch and steep descent angle, making it easier to hold greens from distance.

The P790 also offers a good level of workability, though it’s slightly more forgiving and less workable than the MP-20 HMB. This makes it an excellent choice for players who prioritize distance and forgiveness but still want the ability to shape their shots when necessary.

Forgiveness and Consistency

Forgiveness and consistency are key factors for many golfers, especially those who are looking to improve their ball-striking and reduce their dispersion.

Mizuno MP-20 HMB Forgiveness

The MP-20 HMB is more forgiving than a traditional muscle-back blade, thanks to its hollow construction and perimeter weighting. However, it’s still a club that caters to better players who have a relatively consistent swing. Off-center hits will lose some distance and accuracy, but not as much as they would with a pure blade. The MP-20 HMB strikes a good balance between forgiveness and workability, making it a great option for players who want some help without sacrificing control.

TaylorMade P790 Forgiveness

The TaylorMade P790 is designed with forgiveness in mind, making it a more forgiving option than the MP-20 HMB. The Inverted Cone Technology expands the sweet spot, ensuring that even off-center hits maintain a good level of distance and accuracy. The tungsten weighting and SpeedFoam also contribute to a higher MOI (Moment of Inertia), which helps to reduce the effects of mishits and keep your shots on target.

The P790 is a great choice for players who want the look and feel of a players’ iron but with the forgiveness of a game-improvement iron. It’s particularly well-suited to mid-handicappers who need a bit more help with their ball-striking.

Distance and Launch

Distance and launch characteristics are critical for players who want to maximize their performance, particularly when it comes to long irons.

Mizuno MP-20 HMB Distance and Launch

The MP-20 HMB is designed to provide a strong, penetrating ball flight with plenty of distance, especially in the longer irons. The Chromoly face and hollow construction create a high level of ball speed, which translates into more distance. The tungsten weighting in the longer irons also helps to lower the CG, promoting a higher launch and longer carry. However, the MP-20 HMB is still a club that prioritizes control and precision, so you won’t see the same level of distance as you might with a pure distance iron.

TaylorMade P790 Distance and Launch

The TaylorMade P790 is known for its impressive distance, thanks to its combination of technologies. The ultra-thin face and SpeedFoam create explosive ball speeds, while the Inverted Cone Technology helps to maintain that speed across the face. The P790 also produces a higher launch than the MP-20 HMB, making it easier to achieve a steep descent angle and hold greens from distance. This makes the P790 a great option for players who want maximum distance without sacrificing too much control.

Turf Interaction

Turf interaction is another important factor to consider, particularly for players who want to control their shots and maintain consistency in various conditions.

Mizuno MP-20 HMB Turf Interaction

The MP-20 HMB features a relatively narrow sole, which allows it to cut through the turf easily and provide consistent contact. This makes it a great option for players who take shallow divots or play on firmer turf conditions. The design of the sole also provides good feedback, allowing you to feel how the club is interacting with the ground and make adjustments as needed.

TaylorMade P790 Turf Interaction

The P790 has a slightly wider sole than the MP-20 HMB, which provides more forgiveness and helps to prevent digging. This makes it a better option for players who take deeper divots or play on softer turf conditions. The wider sole also makes it easier to get the club through the turf, particularly in the longer irons, which can help to improve consistency and reduce the likelihood of fat shots.

Price and Value

Price and value are important considerations for any golfer, particularly when investing in a new set of irons.

Mizuno MP-20 HMB Price and Value

The Mizuno MP-20 HMB is priced at the higher end of the market, reflecting its premium materials and construction. However, it offers excellent value for players who prioritize feel and workability in their irons. The MP-20 HMB is a club that will reward good ball-striking with exceptional performance, making it a worthwhile investment for better players.

TaylorMade P790 Price and Value

The TaylorMade P790 is also priced at the premium end of the market, but it offers a slightly different value proposition. The P790 is designed to provide a blend of distance, forgiveness, and feel, making it a versatile option for a wide range of players. For mid-handicappers who want a club that can help them improve their ball-striking while still offering plenty of forgiveness, the P790 represents excellent value.

Conclusion: Which Iron is Right for You?

Choosing between the Mizuno MP-20 HMB and TaylorMade P790 comes down to your priorities and preferences on the course.

• If you value traditional feel and workability, with a bit of added forgiveness, the Mizuno MP-20 HMB is the iron for you. It’s a club that will reward good swings with exceptional feedback and control, making it a great option for better players who want a modern take on a classic design.
• If you prioritize distance and forgiveness, with a bit of added feel, the TaylorMade P790 is the iron for you. It’s a club that offers impressive distance and consistency, making it a great option for mid-handicappers who want to improve their ball-striking without sacrificing too much control.

In the end, both irons offer something unique, and whichever you choose, you’ll be playing with some of the finest equipment available in the game today.