Gear Mizuno s23 wedges price: $160 per with KBS High-Rev 2.0115 shafts, and Golf Pride Z Grip
Specifics: Forged 1020E mild steel with Boron infused. White Satin and Copper Cobalt finishes available in four sole grind options. Lofts available from 45 to 62 degrees
Who it’s for: Golfers looking for more stability, spin and custom-grind options to improve their greenside versatility.
The Skinny S23 wedges were created to have their sweet spot in the middle of the hitting area. With four sole grinds and every loft between 44 and 62 degrees, it should be easy to find the right distance and short game tool.
The Deep Dive It’s not in the middle of where you want to hit your muscleback blade irons. It is just to your heel. Why? Why? This is what happens with most traditional wedges. Mizuno created the S23 wedges to address this issue.
The center of gravity is pulled away from the hosel by removing mass from the heel and center. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
The S23 wedges are a classic teardrop shape in the address position. However, a large portion of the back has now been removed in the heel and center. It’s not obvious when you are preparing to hit a shot. However, by removing the mass and shortening your hosel, the CG position shifts away from its heel side and more towards the center.
Although Mizuno does not claim the S23 to be a game-improvement wedge for golf, shifting more weight to your toe increases the moment of inertia and stability on off-center hits. The S23 wedges should therefore be more flexible.
For a soft feel, each S23 wedge is made from 1020E mild steel. Boron has been added to the steel, making it a very hard material. This helps the grooves retain their sharpness for longer.
The main grooves (Quad Cut), are wider and deeper in the pitching and gap-wedge lofts (44–53 degrees). This makes them act like extension of a golfer’s iron set. However, the grooves area widening and shallower on the Sand wedges and Lob wedges to channel water and debris away from shots around the greens.
Mizuno’s Hydroflow microgrooves are laser-etched grooves that cover every hit area. Microgrooves provide extra spin and roughness by increasing friction. Based on the loft of the club, the microgrooves’ pattern changes. The pattern becomes more compact in the sand wedges and lob wedges (54-62 degrees).
There are four sole-grind options for the S23 wedges. The S Grind has a straight design, while the D Grind provides relief in the toe and heel. For golfers looking to maximize their versatility on the greens, the C Grind offers more aggressive heel and toe relief. The X Grind removes the most material from the sole in the heel and toe areas.
