Equipment
Mizuno’s New S18 Wedges: Different Lofts, Different Designs
When deciding on your wedge setup, it’s important to not only think about yardage gapping, but to find wedges that achieve the necessary performance for that specific wedge. For example, you want a 46-degree wedge to perform more like an iron that will be used on full shots, while your 60-degree wedge should have a more versatile grind for not only shots from the fairway, but also open-faced shots from various lies around the greens.
Since the launch of its MP-T10 wedges, which introduced loft-specific grooves, Mizuno has sought to build wedges for golfers that satisfy the needs of each specific loft. With its T5 wedges, Mizuno made loft-specific grinds, and with its T7 wedges, it designed loft-specific head shapes.
Now, Mizuno’s new S18 wedges combine all of those loft-specific concepts from recent wedge lines — with specific groove, grinds and head shapes — and have made other improvements, as well.
The center of gravity for each wedge now flows upward through the set to achieve the proper flight for those lofts; lower-lofted S18 wedges have a lower center of gravity (CG) for a higher flight and lower spin rates, while higher-lofted wedges have a higher CG for a lower, more-controlled flight and more spin.
Mizuno is using also its familiar “quad-cut grooves” on the S18 wedges, but with some changes compared to older models to make the S18 set more progressive. Now, the lower-lofted wedges have narrower and deeper grooves for better performance on full shots, while the higher-lofted wedges have wider and shallower grooves for better performance on shorter shots. Mizuno has also given the higher-lofted wedges more sole grind for versatility, and lower-lofted wedges less sole grind for iron-like performance.
With the goal to increase durability and spin throughout the line, Mizuno also tested older wedges — using Luke Donald’s old S5 wedge head design as a benchmark, according to Mizuno — with newer materials and designs. Mizuno found that adding boron to its 1025 mild carbon steel made it 30 percent stronger, which will help it perform better for a longer duration. Therefore, the S18 wedges are made with 1025 Boron.
You’ll also notice head shapes that blend the aggressive design — or more contours and sharper lines — of the S5 wedges, and the more conservative design of the T7. The S18 wedges satisfy the middle ground, which is likely to appeal to a greater amount of golfers.
Mizuno’s S18 wedges will be available in Chrome, and a “Gunmetal” black IP (Ion Plated) finish. They will sell at retail for $149 per wedge starting September 15, and will come stock with a True Temper Dynamic Gold wedge-flex shaft and a Golf Pride MCC Black/White 60Round grip. Check out the full spec options below.
Stock SKU’s
Custom Offerings (Click to Enlarge)
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Whats in the Bag
Steve Stricker WITB 2024 (April)
- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
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Whats in the Bag
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2024 (April)
- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
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Equipment
What’s the perfect mini-driver/shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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DrRob1963
Aug 17, 2017 at 7:28 pm
These new Mizuno wedges look fabulous. I love my old MP-T7 64* lobbie with 7* bounce, but the grooves are starting to wear. Is there a 64* wedge available? If not, is the most lofted wedge bendable to give 64* loft, and then, what would the clubs bounce become?
TG
Aug 17, 2017 at 8:40 pm
For every degree of loft you add it adds a degree of bounce is also added.
DrRob1963
Aug 18, 2017 at 6:51 am
Sure, but what wedge do I get and is it bendable? Is there a 64* loft option???