Mizuno S23 Wedge Review
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
- RRP £185.00
What we say...
The Mizuno S23 wedge has been engineered for extreme backspin whilst showcasing a centralized sweet spot to give golfers exceptional control.
The Japanese manufacturer strives to blend classic design with modern technology. The Mizuno S23 wedge demonstrates the fusion of those two things and is a candidate for our best wedges in 2023.
The S23 range showcases a shorter hosel than previous iterations and has a cavity that is pushed towards the heel of the club to allow for heavier toe weighting.
This creates the ‘centralized’ sweet spot that allows the club to remain in contact with the ball for longer, more consistent strikes. It also creates a higher spin rate on both full and short shots.
The Forging Process
The S23 wedges are One-piece Grain Flow Forged at Mizuno’s iconic Hiroshima facility in Japan, where their irons have been produced since 1968.
Grain Flow Forging is a process that Mizuno patented back in 1998 and has become an unmistakable part of the brand’s design and feel.
The technique creates a precise head through multiple forging stages of a singular piece of billet steel.
Mizuno use 1025 carbon steel, which is the secret behind some of the brand’s softest irons. It’s used for its balance of strength and feel, which delivers a high level of precision and feedback to the golfer.
The S23 wedge has precise grooves, that are quad-cut milled and made specific to each loft. The grooves are cut into the 1025 carbon steel face to allow for a longer, more effective lifespan.
Mizuno’s HydroFlow Micro Grooves are laser etched onto the face. As a result, they help release moisture in wet conditions and make sure there is no spin drop-off.
The S23 range offers loft-specific profiles, with the stronger lofted wedges featuring a tear-drop straight edge, which flows into a more rounded shape as you go up the lofts, with grinds to match throughout.
Wedge Specifications
Wedge Grinds Explained
S-Grind
Minimal sole grind for fuller shots and lower lofts. For players who use full shots and want the bounce effect around the green.
D-Grind
Moderate heel and toe relief allowing gentle manipulation of the clubface. For players who want versatility around the green with the bounce effect.
C-Grind
Heavy heel and toe relief that’s ideal for firmer conditions. For a better player who wants to open the face and control the ball around the green.
X-Grind
Extreme relief from the heel, toe, and trailing edge. For short-game players who want to control the ball by adjusting the bounce effect according to the degree of opening the face.
What Mizuno say about the S23 wedge
Jeff Cook, of PGA Tour Operations
“The S23 is one of those surprise products that wasn’t meant for the tour – but breaks its own way through. Take away the absolute world-class short game players, and we’re left with many pros who get better spin control from the centralized sweet spot.”
David Llewellyn, Director of R&D for Mizuno
“That check and spin you see from the pros isn’t purely because of newer grooves – most of us don’t have the consistency of strike to get that kind of action. For the vast majority, a centralized sweet spot makes it much easier to find and get that repetitive action.”
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