Mizuno S23 Wedges | MyGolfSpy

Mizuno has introduced new S23 wedges
Sport-improvement design with wedge-specific know-how
Retail worth is $160/wedge
Availability begins Feb 23.

The Mizuno S23 wedge is an answer to an issue you probably didn’t know existed. In reality, Mizuno might argue that it created a brand new class of wedges and also you’d be hard-pressed to search out proof on the contrary.

You would possibly recall the ES21 wedge which, odd seems apart, pushed the dialog of CG location in a special route. Actually and figuratively.

To make clear: the route is extra in direction of the geometric heart of the face.

Finally, the Mizuno S23 is the game-improvement wedge that doesn’t essentially seem like it.

The New Fashion

Most golfers are by definition “common.” And that places them squarely within the game-improvement gear class …. however the issue on the subject of wedges is that neither of the preferred choices qualifies as a best-case state of affairs.

Choice 1: Purchase the “set-matching” wedges. These are usually constructed across the “matching baggage” design philosophy—that means that any wedge past the pitching wedge is “one measurement matches most” and certain has little wedge-specific know-how, notably bounce and grind choices. Conversely, specialty wedges are likely to have a heel-side CG location which isn’t the identical because the CG location in most game-improvement irons. Typically, the dearth of CG continuity is a contributing issue to poor wedge play by “common” amateurs. And, thus far, most GI wedges use an exceedingly large flange or extra perimeter weighting as proof of a “can’t chunk it … get out of the bunker each time” worth proposition.

Mizuno believes it has a greater reply. Mainly, what Mizuno did with the S23 mannequin was create a specialty wedge with the CG location primarily based upon its JPX game-improvement irons. As well as, it paired a bounce/grind possibility with every loft to extend versatility

Mizuno S23 Design

At tackle, the S23 wedge has the identical hosel OD (outdoors diameter) because the Mizuno JPX irons and a decrease heel top. The aim is to supply visible continuity between the JPX irons and wedges.

In trying on the cavity of the S23 wedge, you’ll see a heel pocket the place Mizuno has carved out weight which it reallocated towards the toe. That is easy physics: taking weight from one space and transferring it to a different to tug the CG extra in step with the geometric heart of the face.

A extra central CG location ought to end in much less face deflection at affect. Put in another way: when affect and CG location are nearer collectively, the much less the face orientation deviates (open or closed) because of the off-center strike. As well as, the ball additionally stays involved with the face a fraction longer. This helps generate extra spin, significantly on partial pictures.

Wedge-Particular Expertise

What good is a wedge when you maintain again key applied sciences that make wedges efficient? Yeah, I don’t get it, both. To that finish, Mizuno makes use of the identical loft-specific HydroFlow Micro Grooves alongside loft-specific Quad Minimize Milled grooves on the S23 simply because it does on its T22 specialty wedges.

The microgrooves function equally to tread patterns on tires. By channeling water and particles away from the face, they supply cleaner contact and extra constant spin and launch circumstances. Moreover, early on within the “moist wedge” portion of Most Needed testing, Mizuno wedges outperformed nearly all of rivals with 90% spin retention.

On full pictures, slender/deep grooves are preferable. Wider/shallower grooves are higher for higher-lofted wedges the place golfers want higher spin retention on partial pictures. That’s not new info and most each producer has its personal model of loft-specific groove know-how. The place Mizuno differs, maybe, is by including boron to the delicate carbon materials, it will increase power by 30 p.c. In line with Mizuno, this permits it to focus on a bit extra aggressive edge radius which ought to preserve its “out of the plastic” spec a bit longer.

Bounce and Grind

The Mizuno S23 wedge is accessible in six bounce/loft configurations: the 46/08 and 51/09 have extra of a teardrop form at tackle and an S grind with a straighter trailing edge. Once more, this grind is greatest suited to full pictures or square-faced pitch pictures. On wedge with 56 levels of loft or extra, Mizuno rounded out the form a bit however there’s nonetheless a touch of some teardrop within the toe part.

The upper bounce 56/12 has an S grind with a little bit of heel reduction whereas the 56/10 includes a D grind with each heel and toe reduction however a full heart. The 58/08 is just like the 56/10, however has some heart reduction. The 60/06 is the bottom bounce possibility with Mizuno’s X grind (excessive heel and toe reduction).