Ping i210 Vs Mizuno Pro 243 Irons
In today’s comparison, we see how the Ping i210 irons hold up against the Mizuno Pro 243s.
Ping i210 Irons Overview
“The i210s feature machined grooves, soft elastomer insert and custom tuning port.”
The i210’s have a slightly chunkier look at address compared to the Pro 243s – a bit more offset, deeper face profile and thicker soles/top lines.
The turf interaction feels great but you don’t get the solid, responsive feel like you do with the forged Mizuno Pro 243s.
You do however get more forgiveness, slightly higher launch and a bit more spin.
The Ping i210’s retail for $700-$1000.
Mizuno Pro 243 Irons Overview
“The Pro 243s feature single-billet grain flow forging, soft copper underlay and wrap-around sole grind.”
Compared to the i210’s the Pro 243’s have a more compact profile and less offset. They look great – like you can flag it with no problem.
The Pro 243’s launch a bit lower than the i210s and produce lower spin rates.
The chromoly face forging also provides excellent feedback and control. The Mizuno Pro 243’s retail for $1,400.
“There’s just no substituting forged feel and control. The Mizuno Pro 243’s are hands down the better player’s irons.”
Ping i210 Irons
Category: Player’s Irons
Mizuno Pro 243 Irons
Category: Tour Cavity Back Irons
Ping i210 Irons First Impressions
We tested the Ping i210’s after the i59’s and we were taken aback at how much the Ping i210 irons kept up with the seemingly more premium set.
Of course, you get the forgiveness from the elastomer insert which makes more contact space on the face. Mid handicappers will also like the larger head of the Ping i210 irons.
But the machined face grooves are really where a lot of the gap between these irons is made up. You get surprising side spin control in the shorter irons of this set – just like with the i59’s.
That being said, you will need a swing speed of about 92 MPH or above to make long par 5’s with these irons. Neither the Ping i210 irons or the i59’s play long enough to write home about.
The Ping i210 irons performed valiantly when compared to the i59’s but it’s hard to ignore the absence of the feel that comes from a soft carbon steel forged body.
Mizuno Pro 243 Irons – First Impressions
“The Mizuno Pro 243 irons follow the tradition of the Mizuno Pro 223 irons in the sense that they are both tour cavity irons that meet the demands of better players.”
The Mizuno Pro 243 irons feel immediately satisfying whether you’re teeing off on an executive course with one of the long irons or chipping in with a short iron.
They are single-piece grain flow forged in Mizuno’s legendary Hiroshima facility and feature premium appointments.
For instance, all of the irons in the set feature a copper underlay to enhance the soft feel of the mild carbon steel and chromoly materials. This allows for immediate response at impact.
You will know exactly where you made contact with the ball based on feel alone.
To further fine-tune the precise feel of these irons, Mizuno used what they call Harmonic Impact Technology.
This feature was included to mimic the feel and response of a true muscle back blade.
The Mizuno Pro 243 irons also feature a wraparound sole grind. This makes the soles appear visually smaller while providing significant relief through the turf.
Adding to the smooth turf interaction is an increase in bounce angles. There is a 1 degree increase in long irons and a 2 degree increase in the short irons.
Visually, the Mizuno Pro 243 irons look stunning. They have undergone a full satin brush which helps reduce glare and imparts a monochromatic aesthetic.
The top lines are on the thin side and the soles are well-hidden. All of this adds up to a cavity back iron that looks incredibly sleek and workable.
“The Mizuno Pro 243 irons are certainly for players who want a premium feel and the ability to work the ball from any lie.”
Ping i210 Irons Selling Points
- Elastomer insert
- Good, smooth feel
- Comparable distance to the i59’s
- Very surprising short-game control
- Muscle back design
- More forgiving player’s iron
Mizuno Pro 243 Irons Selling Points
- Grain flow forged in Mizuno’s Hiroshima facility
- 1025E mild carbon steel in the short irons
- Forged 4120 chromoly in the long and mid irons
- Soft copper underlay
- Wrap around sole grind
- Full satin brush finish
- Harmonic IMpact Technology mimics the feel of true blades
Who are the Ping i210 Irons for?
The Ping i210 irons are better for mid handicap players who may be having a bit of trouble making consistent contact with the ball.
Of course the head size helps in this department but it was obvious during our testing that the elastomer insert also makes significantly more face contact space for the player.
Ping i210 Vs. Ping i500
The Ping i210 loses out in terms of feel to the i500 irons as well as the i500’s have forged maraging steel faces along with carbon steel bodies.
Ping i210 Irons Final Assessment
Distance: 92/100
Accuracy: 94/100
Forgiveness: 92/100
Feel & Control: 94/100
Overall Score: 93/100
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Who Are the Mizuno Pro 243 Irons for?
The Mizuno Pro 243 irons will be best for your single-digit handicappers and scratch players. They offer phenomenal workability and feel to match.
The cavity back design does provide some semblance of forgiveness; but you still have to be an accurate striker to get the best use out of these irons.
The Mizuno Pro Family of Irons
“Included in the latest iteration of Mizuno’s Pro series are the Pro 245 and Pro 241 models.”
The Mizuno Pro 241 irons are the true blades in the family. They are single-piece forged from 1025 carbon steel and feature a muscle back design.
They also feature progressively tapered blades – wider in the long irons and narrower in the short irons.
The Mizuno Pro 245 irons feature a hollow body design and are also grain flow forged from 1025E carbon steel.
These are most likely the most forgiving irons in the new Mizuno Pro series as they tend to play the longest of the three sets.
The Pro 245’s also feature a cap of 17-4 stainless steel behind the hitting zone to push ball speeds.
Distance: 96/100
Accuracy: 98/100
Forgiveness: 94/100
Feel & Control: 98/100
Overall Score: 96/100
